PodcastDX

This week we are talking about a rare condition, FOXG1.  This  syndrome is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a mutation in the FOXG1 gene. FOXG1 gene is one of the first and most important genes for early brain development and when impaired, causes cognitive and physical disabilities as well as medical complexities including epilepsy. Every child born with FOXG1 syndrome is uniq...

This week we will discuss M-RNA vaccines.  Our guest is Thomas VanCott, PhD.  Thomas VanCott is currently the Chief Scientific Officer for Combined Therapeutics, a Boston based biotech company developing targeted mRNA therapies.  Prior to this he served as the Chief Technology and Strategy Officer for Catalent Cell & Gene Therapy, a global CDMO manufacturing viral vectors for gene and cell the...

This week we will discuss how important it is to continue masking and keeping away from crowds as a chronically ill or immunocompromised person.  Our guest today is Veronica Hanway.  Immunocompromised individuals are not optimally protected by COVID-19 vaccines and potentially require additional preventive interventions to mitigate the risk of severe COVID-19. Veronica, a Latina mother and first g...

 This week we will be talking about Sick Sinus Syndrome (SSS) with Audrey Brown.  Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is a disease in which the heart's natural pacemaker located in the upper right heart chamber (right atrium) becomes damaged and is no longer able to generate normal heartbeats at the normal rate. It may be a result of other medical conditions that damage the sinoatrial node (SA node) over ti...

This week we are talking once again with Dan "Dry Dock" Shockley on "Staying Healthy as a Veteran"  For Veteran's Day this year we are featuring Dan because even though he has been dealt a hard blow with a hereditary colon cancer gene he is not letting that slow him down one bit!  As a matter of fact he is thriving and advocating for others around the globe as a hereditary colon cancer ambassador!...

On today’s show, we are talking about knee replacement surgery with Dawn Richardson, a friend I met in my last couple of years in the Army. Dawn is a retired Navy Captain, former restaurant manager, and former Bed and Breakfast owner who is delighted to say she's now retired and finds fulfillment in her volunteer activities and personal pursuits.  About 4% of people 50 and older have knee replacem...

Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone or posture. It's caused by damage that occurs to the immature brain as it develops, most often before birth. ​ Our guest today is Zain Bando, a Chicago area, 21-year-old college student and is studying journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as a junior. He hopes to pursue a career in broadcasting afte...

This week, we address the reemergence of leprosy, a disease rarely seen until now, with particular attention to the warning by New York University physician Marc K. Siegel. While the United States generally reports only 150 to 250 leprosy cases yearly, globally, 2 to 3 million people grapple with leprosy-related disabilities. Siegel emphasizes the risk in certain US cities, such as Los Angeles, wh...

This week we discuss the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in medicine is revolutionizing healthcare, contributing to improved outcomes, more efficient processes, and reduced costs.  Here are some key benefits: Enhanced Diagnostics: AI algorithms, especially those based on deep learning, can analyze complex medical data like X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and genomics with a high degree of accu...

This week we will discuss mental health impacts from living with a chronic illness with our guest, Christy Amos (aka Christi Winstead) ​ Christy Amos is a compassionate and resilient individual who has made it her mission to help others navigate the challenges of living with chronic illnesses. With a Master's degree in Counseling, she has acquired a deep understanding of the emotional and psycholo...

This week we will discuss Eye Safety for children.  Eye injuries affect about 2.4 million people every year. Household products cause more than 125,000 serious eye injuries. Hospital emergency rooms treat nearly 23,000 victims of eye injuries from sports. Toys and home playground equipment cause more than 11,000 injuries to young eyes. Below are tips for preventing injury to your child’s eyes.  He...

This week we will discuss LED (light-emitting diode) therapy, a type of treatment that uses lights of different wavelengths to treat a variety of skin conditions, such as acne, scar tissue, and the effects of aging. Most commonly, red and blue lights are used for these treatments.   Light therapy  can be performed in a healthcare provider's office or at home. Multiple treatments are required to ge...

This week we will discuss Metabolic Systems with our guest,  Francis Fessler.   A certified personal trainer and conditioning coach for the last 25 years, Francis Fessler has built a career by designing programs and coaching professional and amateur athletes, celebrities, business professionals, parents and children to achieve their wellness and fitness goals. Throughout his time in the health and...

On this week's episode we are running a rare re-run on the aftermath of 9/11. The tragic events of September 11, 2001, remain etched in the collective memory of not only Americans but also people worldwide. Beyond the immediate devastation, the aftermath of the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks brought forth an enduring health crisis among those who selflessly rushed to aid their fellow citizens. F...

This week we will discuss being Bi-Polar with Kitt O'Malley.   Kitt is an author, mental health advocate, and former psychotherapist who lives with bipolar disorder. Both her personal experience and clinical background inform her writing and enable her to help herself and guide others toward mental health recovery. She has a bachelor's in legal studies from UC Berkeley, a master's in psychology fr...

This week we will discuss Young Onset Parkinson's with Jennifer Crowder. ​ Jennifer has been living in the uncomfortable space of not using her career or family role to define herself for many years. Instead, she describes who she is as a person - she is tenacious, creative, stubborn, sarcastic, relentless, driven, compassionate, and courageous. Her proudest moments are making people laugh when th...

This week we will discuss lasting symptoms months after catching COVID-19, also known as long COVID.  A recent study has found Long COVID  more than doubles a person’s likelihood of developing cardiovascular issues.  (credits: https://bit.ly/45gJq4e )  We will not have a guest on this episode.  If you or someone you know has Long COVID and had a healthy circulatory system until recently we would l...

This week we will discuss a serious motility disorder: Gastroparesis. Our guest is a strong advocate for this community and we are honored to have her join us today.  Melissa Adams VanHouten is a wife, mother, and former university political science instructor and corporate trainer who holds a B.S. in Political Science from St. Joseph's College and an M.A. in Political Science from Indiana State U...

This week we will discuss a new rapid response test for Sepsis with one of the developers, Richard Brandon. ​Sepsis describes a syndrome that occurs when severe infection results in critical illness and affects 750,000 Americans annually. Sepsis occurs when a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection causes a significant response from the body’s immune system, causing a high heart rate, fever, or fast...

On today’s show, we are talking about the complex world of multiple chronic illnesses once again with Anna Cooper. Anna is a 35-year-old female who has an independent spirit inside of a body that holds an alphabet of health conditions. Anna worked as a case manager for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, where she loved to advocate for her clients. When her health forced...

This week we will discuss Achalasia of the Esophagus Achalasia occurs when nerves in the esophagus become damaged. As a result, the esophagus becomes paralyzed and dilated over time and eventually loses the ability to squeeze food down into the stomach. Food then collects in the esophagus, sometimes fermenting and washing back up into the mouth, which can taste bitter. Some people mistake this for...

This week we will discuss the complexity of being chronically ill with multiple diagnoses.  Our guest for this week is Christy Amos, a compassionate and resilient individual who has dedicated her life to helping others navigate the challenges of living with chronic illnesses. Despite her own battles with multiple chronic health conditions, she has become a powerful patient advocate, leveraging her...

In this episode we will discuss Vectors.  Specifically MOSQUITOES! Mosquitoes cause more human suffering than any other organism -- over one million people worldwide die from mosquito-borne diseases every year. Not only can mosquitoes carry diseases that afflict humans, they also transmit several diseases and parasites that dogs and horses are very susceptible to. These include dog heartworm, West...

This week we will discuss a rare type of cancer.  Our guest on today's show is Chris White.  Mucosal melanoma is a rare but aggressive disease usually diagnosed in advanced stages. Unlike most melanomas, which start in the skin, mucosal melanoma starts in the moist membranes that line the inside of the body, including the digestive tract. All melanomas start in pigmented cells called melanocytes....

This week we will discuss Palliative vs Hospice with Dr. Karl Steinberg.  Palliative Care, Hospice Care, End-of-Life Care, Serious Illness Care, and Advance Care Planning/POLST all represent important elements of care for individuals dealing with serious illness, particularly those facing end-of-life situations. These are related but distinct concepts within the healthcare system. Palliative Care:...