Mayo Clinic Health Matters

A chronic condition can be with you anywhere from a long time to a lifetime. So how do you stay grounded when your health is constantly threatening to take over your life?

On this episode of Health Matters, health policy advocate, chronic illness patient and author Gwen Mayes joins us with her cardiologist, Steve Ommen, M.D. Together, they share what 20 years of working together have taught them about chronic illness.

You can find Gwen's book, "More Person Than Patient: Finding Your Purpose and Power with Chronic Illness,” here: https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/product/more-person-than-patient

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

The gut microbiome is one of the great medical discoveries of our time. It could revolutionize the way we treat GI issues, autoimmune diseases, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases and even mental health. But has the internet started getting ahead of what the science actually says?

On this episode of Health Matters, gastroenterologist Purna Kashyap, M.B.B.S., helps us understand what the research says, what we're hoping to find out and the best way to invest in your gut health based on what we know so far.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

No one wants to hear their doctor say "you have cancer." But if that happens, the conversation will affect your life for years to come.

On this episode of Health Matters, medical oncologist Pooja Advani, M.D., pulls back the curtain on what those early conversations look like and gives us advice on how to handle such an overwhelming diagnosis.

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Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

Strokes seem sudden, but they can actually be years in the making. In fact, 80% of strokes are preventable. So what can you do today to help prevent a stroke further down the line?

On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with radiologist David Miller, M.D., about the stroke risk factors you can control.

Find us online at Mayo Clinic Press for more health and wellness articles, podcasts and books.

Do you have feedback, questions or topic suggestions? Email us at mcppodcasts@mayo.edu.

One of the biggest challenges with vaginal health is feeling like we can't talk about it. There’s a lot of shame, embarrassment and misinformation surrounding this part of our bodies.

On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with internist and women’s health specialist Jewel Kling, M.D., about everything from anatomy and sexual pleasure to sexual dysfunction.

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AI is becoming part of everyday life. But doctors have been using and studying AI in medicine long before it entered the mainstream. What promise does AI hold for better cancer care? And what parts of medicine should it never replace?

On this episode of Health Matters, we're talking with radiologist Dr. Matthew Callstrom about how he uses AI in his practice, what the research shows and how AI could change cancer detection and treatment.

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Drinking has been part of life for longer than recorded history. But these days, many are skipping that beer or glass of wine to protect their health. So is drinking totally bad now? And if not, how much is actually OK?

On this episode of Health Matters, we're talking with psychiatrist Dr. Bhanu Kolla about the long-term effects of alcohol and whether it's time to break up with drinking.

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Do you see a bony bump when you look down at your feet? If so, you might have a bunion. And if you don’t, you probably want to keep it that way.
On this episode of Health Matters, we’re talking with podiatrist Dr. Martin Ellman about how to care for your feet, whether high heels cause bunions and whether it’s actually better to go barefoot.

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It seems like everyone's talking about hormone panels. But are they worth the hype — and the cost? And are your hormones really the problem?

On this episode of Health Matters, endocrinologist and women's health expert Dr. Ekta Kapoor explains what a hormone panel can — and can't — tell you about your health.

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Breaking news! This podcast episode is going to change everything you thought you knew about health … or is it? Catchy headlines and viral videos are everywhere — but can you trust them?

On this episode of Health Matters, registered dietitian Joy Heimgartner guides us through all the twists and turns research results can take as they move from the lab to your For You Page. She explains how studies become headlines, the red flags of health misinformation, and how to separate evidence-based advice from hype.

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Some inflammation is helpful, but too much can do more harm than good. These days, chronic inflammation is linked to a wide range of health conditions, from joint pain and digestive issues to heart disease and fatigue. So how do you know whether chronic inflammation is contributing to your health concerns — and what can you do about it?

On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with rheumatologist Dr. Vanessa Kronzer about what drives inflammation, how we can do a better job preventing and treating it, and steps we can all take to help reduce inflammation in our bodies.

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The liver is the largest internal organ in the human body and the only one with a significant ability to regenerate. But that doesn't mean the liver is invincible. Liver cancer is harder to detect than some other cancers — and challenging to treat. So who is likely to get liver cancer, and how can you reduce your risk?
On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with liver and pancreatic surgeon Dr. Susanne Warner about treating liver cancer and liver disease, as well as things we can all do to keep our livers healthy long-term.

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Midwest tornadoes. East Coast hurricanes. West Coast wildfires. Giant earthquakes and towering waves. Emergencies can bring out the biggest challenges — and surprising strengths — in people and healthcare systems alike. So how do you care for your health when your world might literally be falling apart?

On this episode of Health Matters, we’re talking with emergency management coordinator Deb Teske about disaster preparedness, from the home to the hospital.

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Bladder cancer is one of the 10 most common cancers in the U.S. On top of that, it can be difficult to diagnose. But it also has some very clear causes — which means there are real steps you can take to reduce your risk.

On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with urologist Dr. Timothy Lyon about the surprising connection between the bladder and the lungs, cutting-edge treatments like incision-free surgery, and what you can do today to keep your bladder healthy for years to come.

Back pain has a way of stopping life in its tracks. One minute you’re bending down to pick up a shoe, and the next you’re flat on your back, wondering how something so small could cause so much pain — and what you can do to feel better.

In this episode of Health Matters, we talk with physiatrist Dr. Nick Canzanello about why back pain happens, when it may be serious, and what you can do to prevent it in the first place.

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Lung cancer currently accounts for about one in five cancer deaths. But only a fraction of people who are eligible for lung cancer screening are getting screened. So why aren’t more people getting screened?
On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with pulmonologist Dr. Brett Bade and oncologist Dr. Konstantinos Leventakos. They’re part of a team delivering cutting-edge lung cancer care, and they share more about screening, treatment and what gives them hope for the future. Sign up to receive Mayo Clinic Press emails.

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Dandruff, eczema, rashes, redness — dermatitis can take many forms. While symptoms can be frustrating, uncomfortable or even painful, effective treatment options are available.

On this episode of Health Matters, dermatologist Dawn Marie Davis, M.D., joins us to explain the different types of dermatitis, how to manage symptoms, and what actually works when it comes to skin care. She also helps separate common myths from evidence-based guidance so you can make more informed decisions about your skin health.

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What if your doctor prescribed a poem? What if the surgeon removing your tumor took an improv class?

On this episode of Health Matters, we continue our conversation on the intersection of art and medicine. First, Dr. Shelley Noland — a hand and peripheral nerve surgeon and medical director of the Center for Humanities in Medicine — joins us to explore what the science says about the healing power of the arts. Then, we talk with Tane Danger, artist-in-residence at Mayo Clinic, about how he uses improv to help clinicians deliver better care.

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Art feeds the soul — but can it also help the body heal? Mayo Clinic’s Arts at the Bedside program is exploring exactly that.

On this episode of Health Matters, we’re joined by artist Robin Anderson, who brings creativity directly to patients’ bedsides, and patient-turned-artist Katie White, who left Mayo Clinic with not just a new heart, but a new creative passion.

Together, they share how art can offer comfort, connection and even a sense of control during some of life’s most challenging moments — and why creativity may play a meaningful role in the healing process.

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If the past year has shown us anything, it’s that GLP-1s are here to stay. But as time passes, we’re also learning more about them — from new uses to new side effects to unexpected cultural trends. So have these drugs really lived up to the promise of easy weight loss?

On this episode of Health Matters, Mayo Clinic dietitian Tara Schmidt rejoins us — one year after our original GLP-1 episode — to talk about what we’ve learned so far, what’s surprised researchers and patients, and what questions still need answers.