M-RNA Vaccines
PodcastDX
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 therapies as wells as plasmid DNA & mRNA platforms based in Baltimore, MD. He was responsible for strategically enhancing CMC services to meet the market demand of increasingly...
info_outline
Medically Fragile in a Pandemic
PodcastDX
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 generation Geography PhD student in her second year, is 35 years old and has had a lifetime of chronic migraines. With her first migraine at just three years old, she is no stranger to...
info_outline
Sick Sinus Syndrome
PodcastDX
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 time or may be a result of certain medicines. This can result in heartbeats that are too slow, too fast — or heartbeats that alternate between slow and fast. Audrey is 35 years old and...
info_outline
Staying Healthy as a Vet
PodcastDX
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! Here is some more about Dan: Dan Dry Dock Shockley, retired U.S. Navy veteran; Operation Desert Storm; Enduring and Iraqi Freedom veteran and 9 hereditary colon cancer...
info_outline
Total Knee Replacement Surgery
PodcastDX
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 replacements. At age 80, that number is above 10%. The average age is 65 and more women than men have knee replacements. Three facts we were surprised to hear after speaking with...
info_outline
Cerbebral Palsy
PodcastDX
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 after graduation and currently resides in Downers Grove, IL with his family.
info_outline
Leprosy Resurgence
PodcastDX
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, where unsanitary conditions among the homeless population create fertile ground for diseases like leprosy to thrive. Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, can spread more easily in overcrowded,...
info_outline
Ai in Medicine
PodcastDX
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 accuracy. They can detect patterns and anomalies that may be invisible to the human eye, or interpret large volumes of data quickly, leading to early and more accurate diagnoses. Personalized...
info_outline
Chronic Illness & Mental Health
PodcastDX
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 psychological impact that chronic conditions can have on individuals and their loved ones. Despite facing her own health battles, Christy's determination and empathy have driven her to become a patient...
info_outline
Children Eye Safety
PodcastDX
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. Here are some tips for eye safety for children: Avoid sharp, broken toys and objects. Wear sport goggles and sunglasses. Do not play around lawn mowing and fireworks. Avoid...
info_outlineThis 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 gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, in achalasia the food is coming from the esophagus, whereas in GERD the material comes from the stomach.
There's no cure for achalasia. Once the esophagus is paralyzed, the muscle cannot work properly again. But symptoms can usually be managed with endoscopy, minimally invasive therapy or surgery. (Credits: Mayo Clinic)
Our guest on this episode is Bridget Oyen, known in the TikTok world as @LiveSickDieslowly.
Bridget is 30 years old and has been struggling with Achalasia since the age of 15. In addition to that, she has Gastroparesis, Fibromyalgia, and is Autistic and ADHD. She is an advocate for the disabled community, and loves to help educate others on how to be mindful in regards to disability and chronic illness, and aims to break down stigma surrounding these topics.