The Back Story

The Back Story is your source for the latest in health, wellness and medical care for you and your entire family. Dr. Jaspal Ricky Singh M.D. and the world-renowned physicians at Weill Cornell Medicine, join forces with an expanded network of experts to bring in-depth conversations covering medical research, trending topics and wellness. Our podcast is a trusted source of information for medical care, combined with real patient experiences and the latest breakthroughs in medicine.

Beating Holiday Stress 12/19/2022

Beating Holiday Stress Dr. Singh shares tips to help minimize stress and anxiety over the holidays. We cover: (1:45) being realistic, (3:12) sticking to a budget, (4:15) saying 'no', (5:11) a perfectly-timed snack, and (5:50) taking a breather. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/25367607

The Difference Between Being Thankful and Grateful 11/22/2022

The Difference Between Being Thankful and Grateful What is the difference between being thankful and being grateful? You may think both are similar, but gratitude can have multiple positive impacts on your health. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/25093362

Ricky's Dare 11/15/2022

Ricky's Dare Dr. Singh candidly discusses the impact of completing the TCS New York City Marathon. Did he agree to do the marathon on accident? And how did it change his life? We cover: (1:16) how he decided to run in the marathon, (3:21) changes since training for the marathon, (4:21) training confessions, (8:29) lessons learned, and (13:41) Ricky's dare to the listeners. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/25013223

How to Train the Week Before a Marathon 11/01/2022

How to Train the Week Before a Marathon With the TCS New York City Marathon less than a week away, Dr. Singh breaks down how you should prepare the week before a big race. He covers: (1:11) the importance of de-stressing, (3:05) tips to make sure you're getting enough sleep, (4:01) nutrition and "carb loading" properly, (5:53) hydration, (6:46) planning tips, and (8:43) recovery tips. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/24863718

Up in Smoke: Health Risks of Vaping 09/27/2022

Up in Smoke: Health Risks of Vaping We take a look at vaping and the health risks that surround it with Dr. Mashal Khan, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine and part of the Addiction Psychiatry Team at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. We also cover: (3:28) smoking and vaping trends for teens and young adults, (4:56) the rise of e-cigarettes, (7:33) nicotine and its impact on your body, (14:30) building a tolerance to vaping, (16:52) effects of chronic nicotine use,(19:23) vaping and marijuana, and (23:00) steps to quitting. Learn more about Dr. Khan here: https://weillcornell.org/mashal-khan-md Resources to quit vaping: https://mylifemyquit.com/ https://teen.smokefree.gov/ https://truthinitiative.org/ https://www.thetruth.com/ https://www.nysmokefree.com/ 1-866-NY-QUITS /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/24499998

Back Story Beat: Intermittent Fasting 09/20/2022

Back Story Beat: Intermittent Fasting On this month's Back Story Beat feature, we spotlight intermittent fasting and consider the question: just how much does it matter when you eat? We also cover: (1:34) common intermittent fasting methods, (2:20) JAMA study on fasting, (4:25) fasting study results, and (6:28) what happens inside your body when you fast. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/24426675

Mental Toughness is a Muscle 09/13/2022

Mental Toughness is a Muscle We discuss mental toughness or "grit" and its impact on success. We explore how we can strengthen or improve our own mental toughness. We also cover: (1:55) defining mental toughness, (2:17) research on grit and outcomes, (5:37) real world examples of mental toughness, (7:00) small wins, and (8:08) building habits. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/24353535

Vitamin D: Boosting Your Health and Your Immunity 08/23/2022

Vitamin D: Boosting Your Health and Your Immunity We explore what role vitamin D plays in our bodies and look into its benefits. We also cover: (1:01) what is vitamin D and what are some of the health benefits? (3:46) which vitamin D supplements should you take? (7:00) optimal levels of vitamin D levels, (7:51) benefits of vitamin D, (9:20) vitamin D and fighting seasonal depression, and (10:14) vitamin D and its role in fighting cancer. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/24146556

Staying Hydrated is Staying Healthy 08/10/2022

Staying Hydrated is Staying Healthy As the summer heat bears down on us, we focus on water just how much we should be consuming to stay healthy and hydrated. We cover: (1:58) why you aren't drinking water just to quench your thirst, (3:09) hydration and joint pain relief, (4:31) how much water do you need?, (4:51) signs you are dehydrated, (5:47) beverages to avoid when you need to rehydrate, and (6:28) recommendations for staying hydrated. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/24011574

Man Flu: Do Men Experience Sickness Differently Than Women? 08/02/2022

Man Flu: Do Men Experience Sickness Differently Than Women? We take a look at the science behind 'man flu' and examine if men really do handle illness differently than women. We cover: (1:32) defining man flu, (2:16) the role of hormones, (3:44) genetics and evolution, (5:40) Dr. Singh's conclusion. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/23931909

Back Story Beat: Opioids vs. Non-Opioids After Surgery 07/26/2022

Back Story Beat: Opioids vs. Non-Opioids After Surgery We introduce a new monthly feature: Back Story Beat where we explain new medical findings and what they mean to you. This episode looks at a new study regarding how effective opioids and non-opioid medications are in terms of pain management after surgery. See the full study here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)00582-7/fulltext /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/23857905

Contraception, Unwanted Pregnancy and Abortion Misconceptions 07/20/2022

Contraception, Unwanted Pregnancy and Abortion Misconceptions Our miniseries on abortion concludes with our guest Dr. Aileen Gariepy, Director of Complex Family Planning in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Cornell, as we discuss contraception and options when it comes to abortion. We also cover: (1:44) what complex family planning is, (4:26) the least and most effective contraception, (8:43) pregnancy options counseling, (10:43) medication abortion and procedural abortion, (18:42) inequality and access to care, (24:57) the medical community's view on abortion, and (27:20) abortion misconceptions. Learn more about family planning and preconception care here: /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/23801021

Abortion and High-Risk Pregnancy 07/12/2022

Abortion and High-Risk Pregnancy We do a deep-dive into obstetrics and gynecology as we broach the subject of abortion. Our guest is Dr. Stephen Chasen, Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine and Vice Chair for Education and Director of Obstetrics Ultrasound. Together we cover: (3:46) high-risk pregnancy, (5:21) what every woman can do before getting pregnant to promote a health pregnancy, (8:39) the role of age in pregnancy, (10:04) tests during pregnancy, (14:34) conditions for considering termination, and (19:11) the fallacy of "late-term abortion". /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/23724980

Movement is Medicine: Recognizing SI Joint Pain 06/28/2022

Movement is Medicine: Recognizing SI Joint Pain What is sacroiliac (SI) joint pain and how can you recognize it compared to normal back pain? In this episode we cover: (1:15) what the sacroiliac joint is, (2:51) what SI joint pain feels like, (4:32) causes of SI joint pain, (7:15) diagnosing SI joint issues, (8:03) SI joint treatment, and (12:11) preventing SI joint dysfunction. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/23568920

Is Your Pain Tendonitis or Tendonosis? 06/21/2022

Is Your Pain Tendonitis or Tendonosis? When you feel a burning pain around your joints, how do you know if it's acute tendonitis or the chronic issue of tendonosis? Dr. Singh covers both conditions as well as how to diagnose and treat these issues. We also cover: (1:26) distinguishing between tendonitis and tendonosis, (4:42) diagnosing tendonitis and tendonosis, (7:14) treatment options, (8:48) importance of stretching and ice, and (10:37) interventional options. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/23496710

Fighting Inflammation 06/14/2022

Fighting Inflammation A recent bout with inflammation sparks the topic for this episode. Why do we feel sore or slow sometimes after exercising? Dr. Singh breaks down inflammation and what we can do to fight it. We cover: (1:42) what inflammation actually is, (4:02) chronic inflammation, (4:38) preventing inflammation, (6:22) three beverages that can help with inflammation, and (10:05) foods to avoid when it comes to inflammation. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/23420978

Are You Drinking Your Coffee at the Wrong Time? 06/07/2022

Are You Drinking Your Coffee at the Wrong Time? We take a look at coffee and the effects of caffeine (both positive and negative) on our bodies. Dr. Singh also shares four tips to get the most out of your morning coffee routine. We also cover: (2:04) the history of coffee, (2:35) what happens when you drink coffee and what the effects of caffeine are, (4:45) the benefits of caffeine, (6:56) negative effects of caffeine, (9:12) getting the most out of your morning coffee routine. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/23347373

Can These Three Supplements Help With Arthritis? 05/31/2022

Can These Three Supplements Help With Arthritis? This week we explore the science behind osteoarthritis and joint pain, and examine whether supplements are an effective way to help with inflammation and pain. We cover: (1:04) what happens when you have arthritis, (4:01) how arthritis is typically treated, (5:13) Curcumin and its benefits, (9:51) Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids and their impact on inflammation, and (13:54) glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/23275481

The Right Way To Keep Your Eyes Clean and Healthy 05/24/2022

The Right Way To Keep Your Eyes Clean and Healthy We welcome back Dr. Ashley Brissette to discuss how social media and the internet is impacting eye care trends and how we can do a better job when it comes to taking care of our eyes. We also cover: (2:19) a hair-raising TikTok beauty trend, (3:30) causes and prevention for dark circles under our eyes, (8:23) safety of cosmetic products, (8:59) the benefits of Eye Revive and Daily Practice, (14:04) eye care mistakes, (20:22) eye whitening eye drops, red eyes and allergy season. Learn more about Dr. Brissette here: https://www.brissettemd.com/ You can find more information about Daily Practice and Eye Revive here: https://www.dailypractice.com/ /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/23216270

Forget What You Know About Stretching 05/17/2022

Forget What You Know About Stretching Does most of your knowledge on stretching come from what you learned in grade school? The science of stretching has evolved and Dr. Singh dispels myths of stretching and shares tips to prevent injury. We also cover: (1:17) the benefits of stretching, (3:09) post-exercise stretch vs. pre-exercise stretch, (7:18) static stretching vs. dynamic stretching and when to use them, (9:23) how often you should stretch, and (11:01) avoiding injury. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/23129930

Hacking the Cycle of Weight Loss 05/10/2022

Hacking the Cycle of Weight Loss We go in-depth on the science of weight loss and discuss what's most effective and least effective for losing weight. We also cover: (1:36) is diet more important than exercise? (2:40) the role of metabolism, (5:56) not all weight loss if fat loss, (8:58) how to burn fat, and (13:00) the bad news when it comes to weight loss. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/23051720

Trigger Points and Finding Relief 05/03/2022

Trigger Points and Finding Relief Have you ever experienced muscle knots or muscle spasms? Dr. Singh breakdown possible causes of these events, also known as trigger points, and also covers: (1:25) what myofascial pain is, (4:12) what causes myofascial pain, (9:33) treating trigger points and myofascial pain, (11:23) heat vs. cold therapy, (13:09) topical creams and ointments, and (14:59) stretching and a popular mistake. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/22982378

'Hangry' and Why You Feel So Angry When You're Hungry 04/12/2022

'Hangry' and Why You Feel So Angry When You're Hungry Have you ever felt 'hangry'? Anger brought on by being hungry? We explore the science behind the feeling as we cover: (1:28) why we feel 'hangry', (3:16) a research study on hunger and your personality, (6:03) what to do when you feel 'hangry', (7:10) mindful eating and the role of ghrelin and leptin, (8:48) the relationship between sleep and hunger, (9:21) stress and hunger, and (10:23) steps to avoid being 'hangry'. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/22748303

60 is the new 40 04/05/2022

60 is the new 40 This episode is all about minimizing the effects of aging through exercise and how to stay active throughout our lives. We cover: (1:13) what exercise should look like in your 20's, (2:40) why regular exercise is needed in your 30's, (4:11) lifestyle changes in your 40's, (6:14) 50's and why exercise becomes essential, (7:48) your 60's and the need for resistance training, (9:58) 70's and maintaining your functional independence, (11:16) 80's and respecting your age. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/22681463

Knee-Deep in Pain 03/29/2022

Knee-Deep in Pain This episode focuses on runner's knee and how Dr. Singh has identified and treated it in his patients. Dr. Singh also shares his recent experience with runner's knee during marathon training. We cover: (1:33) why runner's knee is a misnomer, (1:53) what runner's knee is, (2:58) a higher occurrence in women, (3:16) what runner's knee feels like, (4:18) causes of runner's knee, (4:49) treatment, (5:54) what health care professionals look for during evaluation, and (7:11) stretches and exercises to help prevent runner's knee. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/22599683

Wine Not? Red Wine and Your Health 03/22/2022

Wine Not? Red Wine and Your Health We discuss red wine and its potential health benefits, with a spotlight on the phenol resveratrol. We cover: (1:30) resveratrol and how it helps your body (3:42) how resveratrol works, (5:15) resveratrol and lowering your blood pressure, and (7:13) resveratrol and weight loss. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/22523936

Don't Wake Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed 03/15/2022

Don't Wake Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed What type of mattress is best for optimizing sleep and helping with back pain? We tackle those questions as well as covering: (1:10) the optimal amount of sleep, (2:48) what is the best mattress type for back pain, (4:28) medium firm mattresses, (6:29) determining if your mattress needs to be replaced, and (9:26) pillows and sleep posture. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/22430216

Three Exercises For A Stronger Core 03/08/2022

Three Exercises For A Stronger Core The final episode in our three-part series covering the science of six-pack abs is all about the core and how to keep your core strong. We cover: (2:58) situps and crunches and burning calories, (4:43) muscles of your back and target exercises, and (8:22) the power of planks, (10:25) the three exercises to strengthen your core. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/22376861

Lions Don't Jog... They Run 03/01/2022

Lions Don't Jog... They Run We continue our mini-series on the science behind having six-pack abs with our second installment, centered on exercise. We cover: (1:10) jogging has only recently become mainstream, (4:25) high-intensity interval training, (6:33) high-intensity vs. low/moderate-intensity cardio, and (10:27) HIT and metabolic rate. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/22290854

Abs are Made in the Kitchen 02/22/2022

Abs are Made in the Kitchen This is the first in our three-part series on the science behind having six-pack abs. Our first focus is on diet and we cover: (0:45) you have a six-pack!, (2:14) "abs are made in the kitchen", (2:49) the role of carbohydrates, (6:58) fallacy of the low-fat diet, and (8:07) the Atkins Diet. /episode/index/show/thebackstory/id/22212008

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