All Things Brain Health

Brain health experts at The University of Kansas Health system talk about treatments to keep you healthy.

The Parking Garage Stroke: A Miracle Craniectomy Recovery Story 05/26/2026

The Parking Garage Stroke: A Miracle Craniectomy Recovery Story Glenn Hopper, a 66-year-old stroke survivor, recounted his life-threatening stroke on April 23, 2025, while visiting his wife Joe in the hospital. Initially, he experienced numbness and called 911. A CT scan revealed a brain bleed. Despite initial stabilization, his brain swelled, necessitating a craniectomy. His skull was sent to West Virginia for preservation. After a second surgery, he recovered and returned home in two months and one week. Glenn's story highlights the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms and the medical team's expertise in managing severe brain bleeds and swelling. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/41425555

Palliative Care for Parkinson’s Disease: Living Better Right Now 05/19/2026

Palliative Care for Parkinson’s Disease: Living Better Right Now After nearly a decade of living with Parkinson’s disease, Mary Thurber knows what it means to have good days, hard days and days when the words simply will not come out. In this episode of All Things Brain Health, Mary shares how Parkinson’s has affected her balance, memory, sleep, mood and independence — and how palliative care is helping her live better right now. Her care team at The University of Kansas Health System explains how palliative care, also called supportive care, is different from hospice and why it can be appropriate at any age or stage of a serious illness. They also discuss depression in Parkinson’s disease, symptom management, caregiver support, telehealth appointments and how a team-based approach can improve quality of life for patients and families. This is a powerful look at redefining palliative care as support for living, not just end-of-life care. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/41360480

She Survived a Drunk Driving Crash. Now She’s Fighting Her Way Back 05/12/2026

She Survived a Drunk Driving Crash. Now She’s Fighting Her Way Back After being hit by a suspected drunk driver, 22-year-old college softball player Kendall Forbes was ejected from her car and rushed by helicopter to The University of Kansas Health System with a severe traumatic brain injury and multiple life-threatening injuries. In this episode of All Things Brain Health, Kendall and her mother share what recovery has looked like — from coma, brain surgery and the early days in the hospital to relearning how to walk, returning to college and working toward playing softball again. Her doctors also explain the Glasgow Coma Scale, diffuse axonal injury, brain injury rehabilitation and what families should know about long-term recovery after a severe TBI. This is a powerful look at trauma care, recovery and the determination it takes to rebuild life after a devastating crash. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/41361300

Epilepsy Surgery: How One Brain Procedure Stopped Years of Seizures 05/05/2026

Epilepsy Surgery: How One Brain Procedure Stopped Years of Seizures Seizures can cause confusion, staring, convulsions and sudden behavior changes. Doctors from The University of Kansas Health System explain how epilepsy surgery and a procedure called temporal lobe resection can help some patients become seizure-free. Tony Wild shares what life was like living with epilepsy and how brain surgery changed his daily life. His epileptologist, Dr. Carol Ulloa, and neurosurgeon, Dr. Jennifer Cheng, explain how doctors find where seizures begin, what happens during temporal lobe resection, and how they protect important brain function during surgery. We also cover recovery after epilepsy surgery, what it means to regain independence, and how tissue donation through the Epilepsy Brain Bank may help advance future epilepsy research. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/41160000

Panic Attack vs. Heart Attack: How to Tell the Difference & How to Stop 04/28/2026

Panic Attack vs. Heart Attack: How to Tell the Difference & How to Stop Your heart is racing, your chest feels tight, and you feel like you can’t breathe. Is it a life-threatening emergency, or is your brain triggering a panic attack? /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/41361360

Treating Essential Tremors with Focused Ultrasound Surgery 04/21/2026

Treating Essential Tremors with Focused Ultrasound Surgery Rita Sevart remembers her first tremor when she was only 10 years old. They worsened in adulthood. She recently had surgery which reduced her tremors by 95%. She is now able to sew, play the piano and type. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/41361430

Brain Bleed Survivor: Life-Saving Craniotomy Surgery Saved His Life 04/14/2026

Brain Bleed Survivor: Life-Saving Craniotomy Surgery Saved His Life Scott Miller went to sleep one night and woke up eight days later after suffering a dangerous brain bleed. Doctors performed two emergency craniotomy surgeries to relieve pressure on his brain and save his life. Now fully recovered, his story shows how fast treatment for brain hemorrhage symptoms can make all the difference. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/40870310

The “Sober Curious” Movement – Why More People Are Drinking Less 04/07/2026

The “Sober Curious” Movement – Why More People Are Drinking Less More people are rethinking their relationship with alcohol. The “sober curious” movement encourages cutting back to improve physical and mental health. Doctors explain how reducing alcohol intake can benefit your body long term. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/40757000

Alzheimer’s Care: One Family’s Journey 03/03/2026

Alzheimer’s Care: One Family’s Journey Brian and Gay Janes share their personal Alzheimer’s journey alongside experts who explain the differences between dementia and Alzheimer’s—and what caregivers need most. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/40297240

Living Life Seizure free thanks to surgery 12/17/2025

Living Life Seizure free thanks to surgery One in 26 people will suffer from seizures in their lifetime. They are caused by a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity. We take a look at the latest treatments and hear from a patient who chose surgery. It's now a year later and life has changed. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/39439200

Unlocking the Migraine Mystery 11/18/2025

Unlocking the Migraine Mystery They’re more than just headaches — for millions, migraines are debilitating. But what really causes them? And why do they affect some people and not others? Coming up, we're unlocking the migraine mystery — with the latest science, surprising triggers, and new hope for relief /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/39077510

Doctor benefits from Epilepsy Drug 11/11/2025

Doctor benefits from Epilepsy Drug A military injury led to seizures. We look at the treatment that allows a veteran- now a doctor- to live seizure free. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/38994280

All Things Brain Health - Young and Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 11/04/2025

All Things Brain Health - Young and Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s No one expects to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in their 50’s but the disease can strike early. A patient opens up about his early onset and treatments that are making a difference. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/38907870

The Importance of Sleep and How you Sleep 10/28/2025

The Importance of Sleep and How you Sleep A new study found it’s not just about how many hours of sleep you get but your of sleep profile. We’ll explain the five patterns of sleep that researchers say affect brain activity in different ways. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/38807660

What Strategies Really Work to Stave off Dementia? 10/21/2025

What Strategies Really Work to Stave off Dementia? You’ve probably heard it all- walk more, eat health play brain games! But what really works to stave off dementia? Hear from one woman who’s doing everything she can and what experts say truly works. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/38725685

Pelvic Floor Therapy for Cancer Patients 10/14/2025

Pelvic Floor Therapy for Cancer Patients Urinary incontinence and pelvic pain — two common and often overlooked symptoms in cancer patients. Many are now finding relief through pelvic floor therapy. We’ll explore how the brain and pelvic floor are connected, and how disrupted signals can impact your daily life. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/38577650

The Hearing–Brain Connection: How Hearing Loss May Be Linked to Dementia 10/07/2025

The Hearing–Brain Connection: How Hearing Loss May Be Linked to Dementia Could hearing aids keep your brain young? New research is revealing a link between dementia and hearing loss. Our experts break down what it means and how early intervention could make a difference. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/38495655

All Things Brain Health - Epilepsy, Night Seizures and Surgery 09/23/2025

All Things Brain Health - Epilepsy, Night Seizures and Surgery He struggled with epilepsy most of his life- and nights were the most dreaded part because that’s when the worst seizures would strike. Today, this patient as his medical team at The University of Kansas Health System shows how surgery changed all of that. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/38324300

Concussion Treatment with the Hormone Ghrelin 09/03/2025

Concussion Treatment with the Hormone Ghrelin A concussion is a temporary change in brain function due to a head injury. It affects people of all ages and millions seek treatment in emergency departments every year. Doctors are now studying how a hormone called “ghrelin” might help treat concussions. Hear what The University of Kansas experts think. /episode/index/show/8a7d75e1-282e-4a9b-9c7f-11203d75f1c1/id/38074120

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