PodcastDX

Many people assume that ingesting cannabis — whether through edibles, oils, or tinctures — eliminates the cardiovascular risks associated with smoking it. While it's true that edibles avoid the harmful byproducts of combustion (such as carbon monoxide and tar), ingested cannabis still carries significant heart health risks due to the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) , its main psychoactive co...

This week we have re-posting a brief insight to the fact that stress can play havoc on the immune system and we hope to have a new guest soon to discuss this weighty problem.  If you are a member of the health care community and would like to be a guest on our show to discuss how stress affects the immune system, please drop us a line at  PodcastDX@yahoo.com .  Remember chronic stress = excessive...

This week's episode is very special for all of the veterans out there...  We welcome back three previous guests to discuss receiving healthcare at the Veteran Health Administration (VHA) a component of the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). ​ Our main guest (from left to right above) is Mark Frerichs, a Navy veteran who was held captive by the Taliban while working as a government contractor in A...

Nitrous oxide, also sometimes known as "laughing gas," is used in medicine for its sedative and anesthetic (pain prevention) properties. Joseph Priestley, an English chemist, and multidisciplinary scholar, first synthesized nitrous oxide, which has the chemical formula N 2 O, in 1772.   After Priestley's initial discovery of this substance, fellow chemist Humphry Davy performed various tests on th...

Vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent diseases. Over the past 50 years, essential vaccines saved at least 154 million lives (1). During the same period, vaccination has reduced infant deaths by 40%. Together with governments, vaccine manufacturers, scientists and medical experts, WHO's vaccine safety program is constantly helping monitor the safety of vaccines. This helps ensure that vacc...

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It's characterized by severe, persistent coughing fits, often ending with a high-pitched "whoop" sound. The disease can be very serious, especially for infants, and is preventable through vaccination. ​​​Whooping cough is an illness that can spread easily. It's also ca...

What's your plan for this summer? Enjoying the water? Going camping? Firing up the grill? Whatever you prefer, we have safety steps to follow. And don't forget your furry friends. There are steps you can take to help keep them safe too. Skin safety Children's skin is more susceptible to sunburns and UV damage from the sun than adults. Before going outside, apply sunscreen and dress your kids in pr...

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is often caused by a virus. In the United States, the most common types of vi...

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep. People with narcolepsy often find it difficult to stay awake for long periods of time, regardless of the circumstances. Narcolepsy can cause serious disruptions in your daily routine.  Our guest today is Lindsey who will discuss her life with narcolepsy.   ​ Lindsey grew up in Charl...

On today's show we are speaking once again with Sheila Ames.  As you may recall, Sheila is a Registered Nurse and the founder of "Ames Alchemy Coaching" which can be found on Facebook and Instagram.  Today she joins us to discus her life-long struggles with migraines.    A migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It's ofte...

Bacteria called group B Streptococcus (group B strep, GBS) commonly live in people's gastrointestinal and genital tracts. The gastrointestinal tract is the part of the body that digests food and includes the stomach and intestines. The genital tract is the part of the body involved in reproduction and includes the vagina in women. Most of the time the bacteria are not harmful and do not make peopl...

Incontinence refers to the involuntary leakage of urine (urinary incontinence) or feces (bowel incontinence), a common problem that can significantly impact quality of life.     Urinary Incontinence: Definition: Urinary incontinence is the accidental loss of urine.     Types: Stress incontinence:   Leakage during physical activity or when the bladder is under pressure (coughing, sneezing, laughing...

  Winter sports are thrilling and enjoyable, but they come with unique risks that require careful preparation and safety measures. Activities such as skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, and sledding expose participants to hazards like icy conditions, extreme cold, and potential collisions. Wearing appropriate protective gear, such as helmets, padded clothing, and eye protection, can significantly r...

This week we discuss vectors in a hotter world.   Vector-borne diseases, which are transmitted by hematophagous arthropods such as mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies, pose a significant burden on global public health. These diseases disproportionately affect populations in tropical and subtropical regions, where environmental conditions favor the survival and proliferation of vectors. Given that vec...

This week we discuss the basics about a topic several of our guests have spoken about- Ehlers Danlos Syndrome or EDS.   ​Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of inherited disorders that affect your connective tissues — primarily your skin, joints and blood vessel walls. Connective tissue is a complex mixture of proteins and other substances that provide strength and elasticity to the underlying struc...

This week we discuss "Food is Medicine".  The concept of "food is medicine" refers to the idea that certain foods and dietary patterns can play a significant role in promoting health, preventing disease, and managing chronic conditions.   This concept is based on the notion that food is not only a source of energy and nutrients but also a powerful tool for influencing our physiological and biochem...

Our guest today is Evelyn Gamble.  Evelyn is a dedicated healthcare worker and passionate heart disease advocate. With a deep commitment to improving health outcomes, Evelyn uses her personal and professional experiences to raise awareness about heart health, particularly for young adults. As a strong voice for change, she aims to inspire others to take proactive steps in managing their heart heal...

This week's episode we will discuss the resurgence of TB/ Tuberculosis.  TB is a treatable and curable disease. Active, drug-susceptible TB disease is treated with a standard 6-month course of 4 antimicrobial drugs that are provided with information and support to the patient by a health worker or trained volunteer. Without such support, treatment adherence is more difficult. Since 2000, an estima...

Our guest today is a Physical Therapist that specializes in Sciatica. Dean Volk, MPT, and owner of Sciatica Relief Now, has spent over 33 years revolutionizing sciatica treatment. After owning three successful clinics and a cash concierge practice and working with professional athletes, Volk transitioned to a virtual model in 2018, turning this side hustle into a full-time operation in 2021. Now b...

In this episode we will discuss Myasthenia Gravis, an Autoimmune Disease affecting the neuromuscular system of the body with Tasha White, Director of a new Non-profit organization called My Walk with MG located in St. Louis, MO. ​ Myasthenia gravis is a chronic neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the voluntary muscles. Voluntary muscles include muscles that connect to a person's bones, m...

This week we discuss blood clots A blood clot is a clump of blood that has changed from a liquid to a gel-like or semisolid state. Clotting is a necessary process that can  help prevent  excessive blood loss when you have a cut, for example. Thrombosis is when a blood clot  forms  and reduces blood flow. There are two types: Arterial thrombosis occurs when a blood clot forms in an artery. Venous t...

This week we discuss hearing loss. A person who is not able to hear as well as someone with normal hearing – hearing thresholds of 20 dB or better in both ears – is said to have hearing loss. Hearing loss may be mild, moderate, severe or profound. It can affect one ear or both ears and leads to difficulty in hearing conversational speech or loud sounds. Hard of hearing refers to people with hearin...

In this episode we will discuss food safety at the holidays.  From prep to serving there are important tips to remember to ensure a toxin free meal for everyone! ​ Parties, family dinners, and other gatherings where food is served are all part of the holiday cheer. But the joy can change to misery if food makes you or others ill. Typical symptoms of foodborne illness, also known as food poisoning,...

This week we discuss Abdominal adhesions.  These are bands of scar tissue that form between abdominal tissues and organs. Like the name suggests, the tissue can cause your organs to "adhere," or stick together. Adhesions commonly form after abdominal surgery. Typically, you don't need treatment unless they cause a complication, like a small bowel obstruction. Abdominal adhesions are bands of scar...

The first human vaccines against viruses were based using weaker or attenuated viruses to generate immunity. The smallpox vaccine used cowpox, a poxvirus that was similar enough to smallpox to protect against it but usually didn't cause serious illness. Rabies was the first virus attenuated in a lab to create a vaccine for humans. Vaccines are made using several different processes. They may conta...