Lung Cancer
PodcastDX
Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. It’s caused by harmful cells in your lungs growing unchecked. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation and targeted drugs. Screening is recommended if you’re at high risk. Advances in treatments have caused a significant decline in lung cancer deaths in recent years. Lung cancer is a disease caused by uncontrolled cell division in your . Your cells divide and make more copies of themselves as a part of their normal function. But sometimes, they get changes (mutations) that cause them to keep making...
info_outline
Home Eye Safety
PodcastDX
Did you know that about half of all eye injuries happen right at home? Home activities that can injure your eyes include: Cleaning. Chemicals like bleach in household cleaning products cause 125,000 eye injuries each year. Home Improvement. Screws, nails and hand tools can launch into the air—and into your eyes. Power tools can also send wood chips or other substances flying into the air. Yard Work. Lawn mowers, trimmers and even shovels can throw dirt and debris into the air. Branches, twigs and thorns can also be dangerous. Unfortunately, only about three out of 10 people wear...
info_outline
Change the Outcome with Nutrition & Exercise
PodcastDX
This week we discuss changing the outcome of your health with nutrition & exercise. Our guest today is Dr. James Thompson, the author of Fearless Wellness and a passionate advocate for transformational change. He completed medical training 35 years ago and has dedicated my career to empowering others to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. He experienced a life-changing event in 2012 and participated in a 2 with my church community. Though the three-week diet, equivalent to a whole food plant-based diet, was intended to emphasize prayer, the impact of the food intrigued...
info_outline
Dangers of Impaired Driving
PodcastDX
This week we discuss the dangers of impaired driving. Impaired driving poses significant dangers, leading to thousands of fatalities and injuries each year due to reduced coordination, judgment, and reaction times. Definition and Causes Statistics Effects of Impairment Preventive Measures Conclusion Impaired driving is a serious public safety issue that leads to numerous preventable deaths and injuries each year. By understanding the dangers and implementing effective preventive measures, we can work towards reducing the incidence of impaired driving and...
info_outline
Falls Prevention
PodcastDX
Falls are a threat to the health of older adults and can reduce their ability to remain independent. However, falls don't have to be inevitable as you age. You can reduce your chance of falling or help a loved one prevent falls. There are proven ways to reduce and prevent falls, even for older adults. We identify older adults as anyone 65 years and older. Physical changes and health conditions — and sometimes the medications used to treat those conditions — make falls more likely as you age. In fact, falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults. Still, fear of falling doesn't...
info_outline
BiPolar Revisited
PodcastDX
Due to a scheduling glitch we are doing a rerun today of an episode Paris Scobie did with us earlier this year. Paris is a Mental Health Speaker, Host of the top 1% globally ranked podcast, , & Best-Selling Author of her memoir, . Paris launched Live Well Bipolar to use her lived experience to help others overcome the shame, fear and isolation that can so often accompany living with bipolar. She shares how she went from being a patient struggling from inside the walls of a psychiatric hospital newly diagnosed with bipolar to returning to work at this same hospital years later....
info_outline
Working as an Autistic adult
PodcastDX
This week we discuss strategies autistic adults can use as employees. Temple Grandin PhD is our distinguished guest this week. Her website gives a great explanation of her theory on how best to prepare autistic children for a more independent life and active social integration through employment. She emphasizes that in earlier generations, (Temple grew up in the 1950s) activities such as newspaper delivery provided young people with formative work experiences. She suggests that, in the absence of such opportunities today, parents can help children build similar skills...
info_outline
Bartonella
PodcastDX
Bartonella is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria. It is the only genus in the family Bartonellaceae. Facultative intracellular parasites, Bartonella species can infect healthy people, but are considered especially important as opportunistic pathogens. Bartonella species are transmitted by vectors such as fleas, sand flies, and mosquitoes. At least eight Bartonella species or subspecies are known to infect humans. Bartonella henselae is the organism responsible for cat scratch disease. History Bartonella species have been infecting humans for thousands of years, as...
info_outline
Haemophilus influenzae H-Flu
PodcastDX
This week we are not featuring a guest, but will be discussing Haemophilus influenzae, or H. influenzae, a kind of bacteria. It can cause bacterial infections ranging from mild (such as bronchitis) to severe (such as septic arthritis). Treatment includes antibiotics but you may also require hospitalization depending on the severity of your condition. Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) is a type of bacteria that can cause several different kinds of infections. These bacterial infections can range from mild, such as , to severe, such as . The infections typically affect children...
info_outline
Haemophilus influenzae H-Flu
PodcastDX
This week we are not featuring a guest, but will be discussing Haemophilus influenzae, or H. influenzae, a kind of bacteria. It can cause bacterial infections ranging from mild (such as bronchitis) to severe (such as septic arthritis). Treatment includes antibiotics but you may also require hospitalization depending on the severity of your condition. Haemophilus influenzae (H. influenzae) is a type of bacteria that can cause several different kinds of infections. These bacterial infections can range from mild, such as , to severe, such as . The infections typically affect children...
info_outlineThis Week on PodcastDX: Understanding POTS with Dr. Diana Driscoll
This week we are honored to welcome none other than Dr. Diana Driscoll, a world-renowned authority on the autonomic nervous system. An optometrist and Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO), Dr. Driscoll is internationally recognized for her groundbreaking research on Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and other conditions once thought to be “invisible.”
Dr. Driscoll has dedicated her career to improving the lives of those affected by autonomic disorders. Her journey began as a patient herself, battling POTS. Frustrated by the lack of answers, she self-funded much of her research to accelerate progress for patients today. That personal fight has fueled over a decade of innovation in diagnosis and treatment strategies that are transforming patient care.
In this episode, we explore her unique perspective as both a former patient and a leading researcher. Dr. Driscoll shares her story, her research, and her vision for the future of POTS treatment.
What is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)?
POTS is a form of orthostatic intolerance that causes the heart to beat abnormally fast when moving from sitting or lying down to standing up. Breaking down the name helps explain the condition:
• Postural: Related to body position
• Orthostatic: Related to standing upright
• Tachycardia: A heart rate above 100 beats per minute
• Syndrome: A collection of symptoms occurring together
Normally, the autonomic nervous system keeps heart rate and blood pressure stable regardless of position. In POTS, that balance is disrupted. The body struggles to constrict blood vessels and regulate heart rate properly, leading to dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, fatigue, and more.
Who Does POTS Affect?
POTS affects an estimated 1 to 3 million Americans, most often women between the ages of 15 and 50. However, men can develop the condition as well.
Risk factors include:
• Viral or serious infections (such as mononucleosis)
• Pregnancy
• Physical trauma or surgery
• Certain autoimmune conditions (e.g., Sjögren’s syndrome, lupus, celiac disease)
How Does POTS Affect the Body?
When standing, gravity naturally pulls 10–15% of blood into the lower body. Normally, leg muscles and hormonal responses (like the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine) help keep blood circulating back to the brain and heart.
For people with POTS, too much blood pools below the heart. Their blood vessels don’t constrict properly, forcing the heart to compensate by racing. This imbalance causes hallmark symptoms such as dizziness, exhaustion, brain fog, and even fainting.
While POTS is not life-threatening, it can be life-altering. Daily tasks may become difficult, and symptoms often fluctuate over time. The good news: with the right combination of dietary adjustments, medications, and physical activity, many people experience meaningful improvements in their quality of life.
Learn More
Join us as Dr. Diana Driscoll shares her remarkable journey, her patient-centered research, and her continuing mission to bring visibility and solutions to the millions living with POTS.