Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials Podcast

The emotional rollercoaster that is a cancer diagnosis doesn’t come to a roaring stop once treatment is complete. In fact, this can be one of the toughest times for people with cancer, says psychologist Kathleen Ashton, Ph.D., because then comes the worry about whether the cancer is coming back, and the after-effects of treatment. Learn coping mechanisms and how to be the best possible support system for someone who’s beat breast cancer.

Osteoporosis often progresses without any symptoms or pain and is not found until bones fracture. Ob-Gyn Pelin Batur, MD, and rheumatologist Chad Deal, MD, spell out steps you can take to prevent this disease and treatments that are available.

Today, about 1 in 59 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social, speech and nonverbal communication skills as well as repetitive behaviors. Learn the different risk factors for autism and early signs that a child might have it from behavioral psychologist Cynthia Johnson, PhD, plus new research efforts underway to improve treatment options.

Midwives aren’t old-fashioned, and they don’t just deliver babies at home. They are highly trained and licensed healthcare professionals who can provide holistic and personalized care to women throughout their lives, including during pregnancy and birth. Tune in to hear Jessica Costa, CNM, address some commonly asked questions about midwives, including how they can help women manage pain during birth and how they differ from doulas.

Addiction isn’t a choice – it’s a loss of control. It’s a brain disorder. It’s sometimes influenced by genetics. And there’s no one typical person it affects. Addiction psychiatrist David Streem, MD, debunks common myths and stereotypes about substance abuse and explains evidence-based medical treatments and psychotherapies that can help people recover.

Tired of trying wrinkle creams and face washes that claim to reduce the signs of aging on your face? Facial fillers and injectables might be another option. Listen is as cosmetic dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal, MD, walks us through the procedure of a lip enhancement using a dermal filler and explains how different fillers work on different parts of the face.

Pop…snap…ouch! As we age, our muscles get tighter, our tendons and ligaments become less flexible, and our bodies take longer to heal from injury. Family medicine physician Donald Ford, MD, explains the science behind some of not-so-pleasant changes that happen in our bodies as we get older and how to stay as healthy as possible.

Women are biologically different than men for a lot of different reasons. They have different hormones. They have different body makeup. They have different fat composition. The list goes on. Women's health expert Laura Lipold, MD, explains why you might want to see a primary care women's health physician.

Guys – have any below-the-belt questions you’re too shy or embarrassed to ask your doctor? Urologist Ryan Berglund, MD, has the answers – and more information than you even knew you wanted about what’s normal and what’s worrisome when it comes to the male anatomy.

If you’ve exhausted all of the other treatment options for knee or hip pain caused by osteoarthritis, it might be time to consider joint replacement surgery. Orthopaedic surgeon Trevor Murray, MD, spells out what makes someone a good candidate for this procedure, what you can do to prime yourself for the most successful surgery possible and what to expect afterward.

A healthy sex life isn’t just about what happens in the bedroom – it’s also dependent on your lifestyle, medications, diet, body image and what’s going on in a relationship. Take a candid look into the physical and mental aspects of women’s sexual health with Linda Bradley, MD, Vice Chair of Ob/Gyn at Cleveland Clinic, and clinical health psychologist Dana Brendza, PsyD.

A few simple measurements can tell us a lot about our heart health. That’s why preventive cardiologist Haitham Ahmed, MD, advises people to track their blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, waist circumference and blood sugar throughout their lives. Tune in as he explains what these numbers mean and what the research says about the link between some of your favorite foods and heart health.

Are you part of the estimated 36 percent of Americans who can recognize at least one symptom of a stroke? If it causes one of every 20 deaths in the U.S., shouldn’t we all know what it looks like? Here we turn to stroke neurologist Dr. Shazam Hussain to identify the different types of strokes, the biggest risk factors, the telltale signs and how new technology is changing the way medical professionals respond.

Fat is not the enemy, says Mark Hyman, MD, medical director at Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine. It plays a crucial role in our diet and is the cornerstone of the increasingly popular ketogenic diet. Learn the science behind keto and who it’s appropriate for as Dr. Hyman answers your frequently asked questions.

Of course you worry about your kids – that comes with the parenting territory. But there are certain steps you can take every day to help them on their way to thriving both at school and at home. Pediatrician and head of adolescent medicine Ellen Rome, MD, has some practical tips on how to chip away at kids’ screen time, how to help them cope with anxiety at school and how to get them to open up about how they’re feeling.

The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland, which sits between your collarbone and the Adam’s apple, releases hormones that affect nearly every part of your body, from temperature to weight to periods and so much more. Tune in as adult endocrinologist Mary Vouyiouklis Kellis, MD, walks us through the functions of the thyroid, common disorders like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and how to know when something’s not right.

You’ve heard of LASIK, but do you know how it actually works to help people see better? Or that it’s just one of several laser vision correction surgeries that exist today? Opthalmologist Ronald Krueger, MD, details the difference between three common procedures – PRK, LASIK and SMILE – and what you can expect during and after each one.

"We all know someone who has cancer. How do we support a friend? A loved one? How do we help make sure they maintain a good quality of life? Psychosocial oncologist Joel Marcus, PsyD, offers practical advise for supporting someone on the emotional roller coaster that accompanies living with a cancer diagnosis. "

As parents, we think our children will outgrow it. But at what age is bedwetting (and other potty problems) a real issue? Behavioral health expert Katherine Lamparyk, PsyD, and pediatric urology certified nurse practitioner, Kimberly Slocom, CNP, discuss what's normal, when parents should be concerned — and what help's available.

Does coughing, sneezing, jumping or running cause you to leak urine? You're not alone. Urogynecologist Katie Propst, MD, explains the common causes of stress incontinence and how to most effectively treat it. You'll also learn about urge incontinence, pelvic prolapse & more.