Living Well Podcast by Jefferson Health

The age of 35 is often treated as a turning point in pregnancy care, but as  Dr. Meena Khandelwal  explains, the truth is far more nuanced. While some risks increase gradually with age, much of the anxiety around the number 35 comes from outdated medical thresholds rather than sharp biological changes. Note: This episode includes discussion of miscarriage and pregnancy loss. Please take care while...

There is the version of running glamorized in sneaker commercials, depicting strong and resilient runners who get up early, no matter the weather, and hit the pavement to get their run in. For new runners, that version of running often isn’t their reality. Dr. Philip Skiba knows running. In advance of the 2012 London Olympic Games, he developed a novel mathematical system to guide athlete training...

Seeing blood in your stool can be stressful. Understanding the potential causes and knowing when to seek medical advice is crucial.  Gastroenterologist   Dr. Lucy Joo  joins the podcast to explain the possible causes of bloody stool, from hemorrhoids and anal fissures to more serious conditions like  inflammatory bowel disease  and  colon cancer . Dr. Joo breaks down how lifestyle habits, such as...

When it comes to improving heart health, there are simple, science-backed ways to strengthen your heart right from home, according to Dr. Matthew Delfiner, a cardiologist who specializes in advanced heart failure, transplant cardiology, and pulmonary hypertension at Jefferson Health. In this episode, learn about why being sedentary is so bad for your health, how small changes, like standing more a...

In this episode of the podcast, Janine Kyrillos , the director of the Jefferson Comprehensive Weight Management Program,  explains why weight loss is so complex, detailing how factors like evolution, genetics and modern lifestyle challenges contribute to the struggle many people face. She also provides a comprehensive breakdown of weight loss medications, including who qualifies for these medicati...

Dr. Dallal is an expert in bariatric surgery and the enterprise physician lead for bariatric surgery at Jefferson. In this episode, he shares his insights on why losing weight is so difficult for many people, the science behind obesity, and how bariatric surgery can be a life-changing option for those struggling with weight loss. Dr. Dallal explains the physiological and environmental factors that...

What is this type of cancer? Will I be in pain? How is that pain going to be managed? Will I need help at home? Can I still work while being treated? What is the survival rate? These are just a few of the questions most people have after being diagnosed with cancer. Getting this diagnosis is extremely difficult, for both the person with cancer and their family and friends. Staying informed and sup...

In this episode, infectious diseases expert Dr. John Zurlo returns to the podcast to provide essential updates on the latest COVID-19 booster. As we move into the fall season, Dr. Zurlo shares crucial information about whether you should consider getting the updated COVID booster and how to time your flu shot this year for maximum protection. Dr. Zurlo also offers a reminder on what to do if you t...

According to the National Institute on Aging, more than one million women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) in the United States experience menopause each year. Yet, understanding its symptoms and treatment pathways remains a mystery for many. “For every woman, it's an individual journey,” explains Dr. Robyn Faye , a gynecologist and a certified menopause practitioner through the Menopaus...

Our miniseries on how stress affects the body concludes with a focus on gut health. In this episode, gastroenterologist Dr. Cuckoo Choudhary shares the ways stress shapes our digestive system and how it can affect gastrointestinal motility, sensitivity, gut microbiome and more.  Dr. Choudhary also discusses symptoms of stress-related GI issues and shares how some chronic GI disorders can be trigge...

Welcome to part two of our three-part series examining the effects of stress on the body. In this episode, neurologist and sleep specialist Dr. Zhikui Wei discusses how stress specifically impacts how the nervous system functions, including the brain.      Dr. Wei explains the distinction between acute and chronic stress responses, delving into how both types of stress affect the brain’s neurotran...

Welcome to part one of our three-part series examining the effects of stress on the body. In this episode, interventional cardiologist Dr. David Fischman discusses how stress specifically impacts heart health. Dr. Fischman discusses the differences between acute and chronic stress on the heart and why taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Le...

Navigating the world of diets and nutrition is no easy task, especially as new diets and trends fight for your attention on social media channels like TikTok and Instagram.   If you’ve ever wondered if the Keto Diet might be for you, if intermittent fasting could bring you to your weight loss goals, if juicing could help boost your nutritional intake and detox your body, or what exactly “girl dinn...

If you’ve experienced any history of cardiac disease or have an established cardiac diagnosis, you’re likely already regularly seeing a cardiologist. But what if you haven’t? At what point should a cardiologist be a part of your healthcare team?  Cardiologist, Dr. Darius Farzad joins this podcast to answer this question and more. We discuss everything from how your lifestyle could be helping or hu...

Infectious diseases expert Dr. John Zurlo returns to the podcast to offer the latest information on COVID-19, including pertinent information on the new boosters and the state of our herd immunity. He also weighs in on who should consider wearing face masks as we see an uptick in COVID cases again this fall.   Listen and subscribe to the Living Well Podcast by Jefferson Health on your preferred pl...

Gastroenterologist Dr. David Kastenberg says there’s a reason the stomach is referred to as a “second brain.” There are more neurons in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract than there are in the brain. So, if you ever have a “gut feeling” something is wrong, about your health or in your day-to-day life, there’s good reason to listen. There’s also good reason to listen to this episode, dedicated to GI h...

In this episode, primary care physicians Drs. Tito Mantilla and Arun Thomas share the top questions their patients are bringing to their appointments. They offer their thoughts on weight loss medications , the importance of preventative screenings, managing chronic disease, when is the right time to start anxiety medications and more.   Listen and subscribe to the Living Well Podcast by Jefferson...

In this episode, Dr. Martha Simmons , a family medicine doctor, offers an inclusive, judgment-free overview of the current landscape of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including why the rate of STI infection is on the rise and the best ways to protect yourself, including screening and vaccination. STIs are also commonly called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) . Dr. Simmons breaks down...

The Health Nexus Podcast is now the Living Well Podcast by Jefferson Health . We may have a new name and look but we’re delivering the same great interviews with Jefferson’s experts to help support your mental and physical wellbeing.   In this episode, sleep medicine specialist Dr. Ritu Grewal breaks down sleep mistakes you could be making and ways to get more restorative rest, starting with a sol...

Whether or not you are diagnosed with a pulmonary disease, like asthma or COPD ,  winter months can be tough on the lungs. Cold air can irritate the lung’s airways, which can cause coughing, wheezing or a constricting feeling when breathing. The good news? There are ways to mitigate these symptoms to better protect your lungs. Enter pulmonologist Dr. Jessica Most . In this episode, Dr. Most offers...

Clinical psychologist Dr. Virginia O’Hayer works with people who experience feelings intensely and helps guide them through crisis. These days, she’s dedicated and passionate about reaching those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to help them heal and have coping strategies to forge ahead with purpose and intention.  In this episode, she validates the losses we experienced collectively, including...

Some might not consider walking to be a legitimate form of exercise. Dr. Christine Marschilok , a sports medicine specialist, is not one of those people. In this episode, hear about the many health benefits, both physical and mental, associated with a short stroll every day. Dr. Marschilok discusses the recent report conducted by Harvard Medical School which analyzed data on the health benefits of...

There’s the normal day-to-day fleeting anxieties that affect everyone—from meeting someone for a first date to the anticipation of giving a big presentation. Then, there’s anxiety that feels ever-present. Moments of anxiety are normal. Long-term anxiety affecting your quality of life isn’t and coping with it isn't something anyone has to do alone. In this episode, meet adult psychiatrist Dr. Tal W...

Infectious diseases expert Dr. John Zurlo joins The Health Nexus Podcast once again to provide the latest information on COVID-19, including how he would time getting the Omicron BA.5 bivalent vaccine and the flu shot if you’re trying to avoid feeling potentially crummy. Also on the docket of topics: masking recommendations this flu season, whether we’ll see a surge this fall/winter and much more...

During the COVID-19 pandemic, prejudice, xenophobia and racism toward Asian American and Pacific Islander communities has surged. In this conversation, meet Dr. Xiao Chi Zhang , an emergency medicine physician and Chinese American, who shares the hateful words that people have yelled out to him on the street, and what happened when one day words escalated to physical assault. He talks about the co...