Live Well With UCI Health

Knee pain doesn't automatically mean surgery. In this episode of Live Well with UCI Health, Ryan Manno talks with UCI Health pain specialist Dr. Navid Alem about what causes knee pain, the difference between acute and chronic pain, and how specialists build personalized treatment plans around a patient's goals and quality of life. Learn how physical therapy, lifestyle and weight management, medica...

Breast cancer care has changed dramatically over the last few decades, and in this eye-opening conversation, host Gina Grad sits down with breast surgical oncologist Dr. Alexandra Lopez-Aguiar to explain the latest advances in breast cancer treatment, screening, surgery, reconstruction, and recovery. Learn the difference between lumpectomy and mastectomy, how radiation and chemotherapy work, what...

What causes excessively sweaty hands, and when does it become more than just normal sweating? In this episode of Live Well with UCI Health, host Gina Grad sits down with cardiothoracic surgeon Ali Mahtabifard to discuss hyperhidrosis, a common but often underdiagnosed condition that causes excessive sweating of the hands, feet, and underarms. Learn how hyperhidrosis affects daily life, relationshi...

As our loved ones age, navigating memory loss, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and caregiving responsibilities can feel overwhelming. In this episode of Live Well with UCI Health, board-certified geriatrician Dr. Sonia Sehgal joins Gina Grad to explain the critical differences between dementia and Alzheimer's, how cognitive changes are evaluated, and why early intervention matters. Learn what a ger...

Menopause affects far more than just hot flashes, and in this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Rebecca Sauer, board-certified OB-GYN at UCI Health Women's Health Services, joins Gina Grad to break down everything women need to know about perimenopause, menopause symptoms, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), testosterone therapy, weight gain, sleep issues, mood changes, exercise, nutrition, and long-te...

What are antibiotics, when do you actually need them, and why are doctors increasingly concerned about antibiotic resistance? In this conversation, Dr. Shruti K. Gohil, Associate Medical Director of Epidemiology and Infection Prevention at UCI Health, joins Ryan Manno to break down how antibiotics work, the difference between bacterial and viral infections, why finishing your prescription matters,...

What is radiation therapy—and how safe is it for treating cancer? In this episode of Live Well with UCI Health, host Lisa Foxx sits down with leading radiation oncologist Dr. Megan E. Daly to break down everything you need to know. From debunking common myths (like becoming “radioactive”) to explaining how modern technology precisely targets tumors, Dr. Daly shares how radiation...

What exactly are stem cells, and how are they used to save lives? In this episode of Live Well with UCI Health, host Ryan Manno sits down with Dr. Stefan O. Ciurea, Director of the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program at UCI Health, to explore the science behind stem cell transplantation and cutting-edge cellular therapies. Learn how stem cell transplants help patients w...

What if pain isn’t just something you “live with” as you age—but something you can actually manage, reduce, and even prevent? In this episode of Live Well with UCI Health, Ryan Manno sits down with Dr. Shalini Shah—Vice Chair of Anesthesiology and Director of Pain Services at UCI Health—to break down the truth about chronic pain, aging, and what really works to...

Pancreatic cancer has long been one of the most difficult cancers to detect and treat—but new breakthrough therapies are changing the outlook. In this powerful conversation, host Gina Grad sits down with board-certified oncologist Dr. Jennifer Valerin from UCI Health to explore why pancreatic cancer is so deadly, how it’s often missed in early stages, and what cutting-edge treatments a...

What really happens when someone suffers a serious burn—and how can you stay safe? In this episode of Live Well with UCI Health, host Ryan Manno sits down with Dr. Syed F. Saquib, an acute care surgeon and Burn Medical Director at UCI Health, to break down everything you need to know about burn injuries, emergency care, fireworks accidents, grilling mishaps, and cutting‑edge burn treatments....

Planning a vacation, wedding, or big life event and worried about getting sick? In this episode of Live Well with UCI Health, Ryan Manno sits down with infectious disease expert Dr. Susan S. Huang, Medical Director of Epidemiology and Infection Prevention at UCI Health, to break down how to avoid colds, flu, and other viruses—especially while traveling. Dr. Huang shares practical, science‑ba...

Back pain affects nearly everyone at some point—and for many, it can be life-changing. In this in-depth conversation, spine surgeon Dr. Michael Y. Oh, Director of the Comprehensive Spine Center at UCI Health, joins Ryan Manno from iHeartRadio to break down what you really need to know about spine health. They explore why 9 out of 10 back pain cases don’t require surgery, how early non-...

What is essential tremor, how common is it, and what can be done when medications no longer work? In this episode of Live Well with UCI Health, radio host Gina Grad sits down with Dr. Ann N. Ly, board‑certified neurologist at UCI Health, to break down one of the most common — and misunderstood — movement disorders. Dr. Ly explains: What essential tremor is (and how it’s different...

What’s the connection between acid reflux (GERD), Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal cancer — and when should you get checked? In this episode of Live Well with UCI Health, radio host Lisa Foxx sits down with two leading experts from UCI Health. Dr. Jason Samarasena, Interventional Gastroenterologist & Chief of Gastroenterology Dr. Brian Smith, Gastrointestinal Surgeon Toget...

Learn everything you need to know about colorectal cancer, early symptoms, colonoscopy prep, screening options, and advanced robotic surgery in this in‑depth conversation with UCI Health gastroenterologist Dr. Jaehyun Kim and colorectal surgeon Dr. Catherine Zhu. Hosted by Gina Grad (ALT 98.7 / iHeartRadio), this episode of “Live Well with UCI Health” breaks down the myths, fears, and...

When should you go to urgent care and when is the emergency room the right choice? UCI Health’s Dr. Graham Stephenson, Board‑Certified Emergency Physician and Medical Director of Urgent Care, joins Ryan Manno (iHeart / KOST 103.5) to break down the differences — and help you make the right call when it matters most. In this episode of Live Well with UCI Health, Dr. Stephenson covers: T...

Discover a groundbreaking approach to cancer care with Dr. Gary Deng, Director of the Integrative Oncology Program at UCI Health. In this in‑depth conversation with host Ryan Manno, Dr. Deng breaks down how lifestyle, environment, stress, sleep, diet, exercise, and even joy play powerful roles in cancer treatment and survivorship. Rather than focusing only on the tumor, integrative oncology suppor...

Learn life‑saving mountain safety and wilderness survival tips from Dr. Robert Katzer, UCI Health Emergency Medicine Physician and Wilderness Medicine expert. In this episode of Live Well with UCI Health, we discuss the real dangers hikers face, especially on popular Southern California mountains like Mt. Baldy, San Gorgonio, and other high‑risk winter trails.  See omnystudio.com/listener for...

In this episode of Live Well with UCI Health, host Ryan Manno sits down with Dr. Annie Wang, a board‑certified UCI Health general surgeon specializing in minimally invasive gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery. Together, they unpack one of the most talked‑about health topics today: obesity, modern weight‑loss options, and the rise of GLP‑1 medications. Dr. Wang explains: Why obesity is now under...

Heart disease is the #1 killer of men and women in the U.S.—and every 40 seconds, someone has a heart attack. In this episode of Live Well with UCI Health, Ryan Manno from KOST 103.5 and iHeart Radio sits down with Dr. Ailin Barseghian, a board-certified cardiologist at UCI Health, to uncover the truth about heart health. Learn the warning signs of a heart attack, why symptoms differ for wom...

Discover the truth about GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound in this expert panel discussion hosted by Ryan Manno from KOST 103.5 and iHeart Radio. Three leading UCI Health specialists break down everything you need to know about these groundbreaking treatments for weight loss, diabetes, and heart health. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join Gina Grad from Alt 98.7 and iHeart Radio for the next installment of Live Well with UCI Health as she sits down with Dr. Karin Sachdev, a board-certified gastroenterologist and integrative medicine specialist, to uncover the powerful connection between gut health and overall wellness. From leaky gut and inflammation to gluten sensitivity and probiotics, Dr. Sachdev explains how your gut impac...

Step inside UCI Health Irvine, a groundbreaking medical center redefining healthcare in Orange County. This state-of-the-art facility is America’s first all-electric acute care hospital, designed for sustainability, innovation, and patient comfort. In this exclusive panel discussion, experts reveal: ✅ How cutting-edge technology—from smart TVs to digital whiteboards—enhances pat...

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging and feared diagnoses—but there is hope. In this episode of Live Well with UCI Health, Dr. Christopher L. Paiji, a board-certified gastroenterologist, explains: ✅ Why pancreatic cancer rates are rising ✅ Key symptoms and risk factors to watch for ✅ Advances in treatment, including robotic surgery and immunotherapy ✅ How genetic screening and life...