Strange case studies of Alzheimer’s disease, plastics in food plus emails about thigh pain, Chilblains symptoms and inadequate Medicare payments

Insurance obstacles to care, sugar vs. substitutes, measles vaccines, diet and exercise strategies, and cutting-edge breakthroughs in cancer treatment

KSQD 5-01-2024: This week's show explores how healthcare systems can inflict "moral injury" on dedicated doctors. We examine instances where factors like insurance company prior authorizations prevent optimal patient care and discuss related research.

Dr. Dawn explores sweetness perception, reviewing a new study on how our bodies detect both natural sugars and substitutes like xylitol and stevia. We learn how substitutes can provide sweetness without insulin spikes and subsequent appetite increases.

We discuss the critical importance of measles vaccination, the challenges of maintaining live virus vaccine potency, and a promising new vaccine technology undergoing trials.

A new study investigates the potential benefits of combining time-restricted eating with high-intensity exercise. Although all participants lost weight, the combined approach led to gains in lean body mass.

Finally, we survey several exciting advances in cancer research. Dr. Dawn explores improvements in cancer cell targeting, the statistics of liquid biopsies for cancer detection, and a groundbreaking drug that halts aggressive breast cancer growth. We also investigate a new mRNA-based treatment that stimulates cancer cell death specifically within the tumor environment.

This week's show covers serious health topics: medication side effects, stroke prevention, blood pressure concerns, rising colon cancer rates in the young, and the dangers of vaping

KSQD 4-24-2024: In this week's show, we tackle several important health topics. Dr. Dawn starts by investigating "the prescribing cascade," where side effects from an initial medication necessitate additional prescriptions. This is often seen with treatments for high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation.

We then explore strokes of undetermined origin. Interestingly, Dr. Dawn notes that for preventing recurrent strokes, the classic, low-cost aspirin can be just as effective as newer, more expensive alternatives.

Another topic is delayed orthostatic hypotension, a condition where blood pressure drops upon standing. Dr. Dawn provides details on a simple test for diagnosis.

We address a worrying trend: increasingly aggressive colon cancers are occurring in younger populations. Dr. Dawn discusses both established and novel screening tests, like the new DNA-based successor to Cologuard, emphasizing the importance of early detection.

Finally, we offer a sobering reality check about vaping. Studies show a growing number of young people who begin with vaping are transitioning to traditional smoking, underscoring that vaping carries its own significant risks.

Big food's bad advice, mini-livers, infection advice, neuropeptides for depression, a listener book recommendation, and your health questions answered

KSQD 4-17-2024: This week's show explores the line between helpful health advice and harmful food-related misinformation, particularly the anti-diet trend being promoted by certain influencers. We delve into a fascinating medical breakthrough involving the creation of "mini livers" to support patients awaiting transplants. Listeners offered valuable insights and recommendations this week: one recommended a thought-provoking book on cancer detection, while another shared a potential remedy for long COVID symptoms. We also address a serious health concern for an elderly listener diagnosed with a Mycobacterium infection, discussing the diagnosis and treatment options. Additionally, we investigate the potential of neuropeptides for addressing treatment-resistant depression and cover several short but impactful health news updates: a concerning rise in bacterial meningitis, the science behind teens' unique scent, and a baffling case of a man claiming to have received over 200 COVID vaccinations.

Animal Surprises: Pig Donor Organs, Surprising evidence of animal intelligence, and How Potassium Lowers Blood Pressure

KSQD 4-10-2024: This episode explores the cutting-edge of medical science and the wonders of the animal kingdom. We'll discuss a remarkable first – the successful transplant of a genetically modified pig kidney into a human. Could this breakthrough pave the way for the future of organ donation? On a different note, did you know cows are being engineered to produce human insulin, potentially revolutionizing diabetes treatment? We'll also uncover surprising animal intelligence; Parrots playing computer games and bees trained to solve puzzles reveal just how smart some of our animal friends can be. In a fascinating twist, we investigate the genetics behind obesity in Labrador Retrievers and learn how dogs might be able to detect PTSD flashbacks. We examine a groundbreaking discovery of tiny RNA molecules within bacteria. These have the potential to unlock entirely new gene sequences within the microbial world. We'll also explore the link between potassium and blood pressure, discussing how simple dietary changes could lead to major health benefits. For those interested in nutrition, we'll address optimal protein intake and strategies for a balanced vegan diet. Also, a warning about the current overuse of gabapentin and pregabalin for pain is creating a 50% increase in hospitalizations for COPD.

Unraveling Health Mysteries: From the Microbiome to Mental Wellness to a rare disease from listener email

KSQD 4-04-2024: This episode delves into a range of health topics, beginning with a unique case where a bone marrow transplant offered new hope for treating schizophrenia. We discuss the complexities of diseases such as sickle cell anemia and their unexpected interactions with other conditions. Our conversation extends to the gut microbiome, highlighting research on its link to various disorders and how diets, particularly the Mediterranean diet, support a healthy microbiome. We address the significance of a new treatment for postpartum depression and caution against premature excitement over health trends. Listener questions add a personal touch, sharing stories of dietary changes and weight loss, alongside inquiries about homemade kombucha. The episode also revisits a discussion on a rare disease diagnosis, adding depth to our ongoing exploration of health and wellness.