Living Well Podcast by Jefferson Health

Cardiologist Discusses Unassuming Warning Signals From Your Heart, Heart Disease and Preventative Medicine

If you’ve experienced any history of cardiac disease or have an established cardiac diagnosis, you’re likely already regularly seeing a cardiologist. But what if you haven’t? At what point should a cardiologist be a part of your healthcare team? 

Cardiologist, Dr. Darius Farzad joins this podcast to answer this question and more. We discuss everything from how your lifestyle could be helping or hurting your heart health, the causes of heart disease, how to manage high cholesterol and the unassuming symptoms you need to be aware of that could be distress signals from your heart. 

Listen and subscribe to the Living Well Podcast by Jefferson Health on your preferred players: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean. 

Dr. John Zurlo on COVID-19: New Boosters, Long COVID and More

Infectious diseases expert Dr. John Zurlo returns to the podcast to offer the latest information on COVID-19, including pertinent information on the new boosters and the state of our herd immunity. He also weighs in on who should consider wearing face masks as we see an uptick in COVID cases again this fall.  

Listen and subscribe to the Living Well Podcast by Jefferson Health on your preferred players: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean.

Gastroenterologist Takes on Questions About Gut Health, Celiac Disease, Colonoscopies and More

Gastroenterologist Dr. David Kastenberg says there’s a reason the stomach is referred to as a “second brain.” There are more neurons in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract than there are in the brain. So, if you ever have a “gut feeling” something is wrong, about your health or in your day-to-day life, there’s good reason to listen. There’s also good reason to listen to this episode, dedicated to GI health.

In this episode, Dr. Kastenberg discusses food sensitivities and intolerances, the FODMAP diet, probiotics and prebiotics, common GI disorders and alarming symptoms that you should never ignore. Plus, he offers his perspective on colonoscopy prep and breaks down everything you need to know about colon cancer, including why it’s on the rise in younger patient demographics and what symptoms might lead your GI provider to recommend a screening.

Listen and subscribe to the Living Well Podcast by Jefferson Health on your preferred players: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean.

Primary Care Doctors Take On Top Patient Questions (Weight Loss Medications, Anxiety and More)

In this episode, primary care physicians Drs. Tito Mantilla and Arun Thomas share the top questions their patients are bringing to their appointments. They offer their thoughts on weight loss medications, the importance of preventative screenings, managing chronic disease, when is the right time to start anxiety medications and more.  

Listen and subscribe to the Living Well Podcast by Jefferson Health on your preferred players: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean. 

What You Need to Know About Safe Sex and STI Prevention

In this episode, Dr. Martha Simmons, a family medicine doctor, offers an inclusive, judgment-free overview of the current landscape of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including why the rate of STI infection is on the rise and the best ways to protect yourself, including screening and vaccination. STIs are also commonly called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Dr. Simmons breaks down why infection is a more accurate term and discusses the stigma STIs have in our society.  

Resources: 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC) 

• Planned Parenthood 
• City of Philadelphia – Department of Public Health 
• Living Well 

Listen and subscribe to the Living Well Podcast by Jefferson Health on your preferred players: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean. 

Top Sleep Mistakes and How to Get Better Sleep

The Health Nexus Podcast is now the Living Well Podcast by Jefferson Health. We may have a new name and look but we’re delivering the same great interviews with Jefferson’s experts to help support your mental and physical wellbeing.

 

In this episode, sleep medicine specialist Dr. Ritu Grewal breaks down sleep mistakes you could be making and ways to get more restorative rest, starting with a solid nighttime sleep routine. While everyday life stressors can cause a bad night of sleep every now and then, Dr. Grewal talks about signs of sleep disorders and what to expect at a sleep evaluation. She also reveals the best way to evaluate the quality of your sleep—and it’s not from the stats you see on your  sleep tracker.

 

Happy listening and sweet dreams.

 

For more content on sleep and other health-related topics, visit the Living Well blog.

 

Listen and subscribe to the Living Well Podcast by Jefferson Health on your preferred players: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean.

Mouth Taping and Why Breathing Cold Air Hurts Your Lungs

Whether or not you are diagnosed with a pulmonary disease, like asthma or COPD,  winter months can be tough on the lungs. Cold air can irritate the lung’s airways, which can cause coughing, wheezing or a constricting feeling when breathing. The good news? There are ways to mitigate these symptoms to better protect your lungs. Enter pulmonologist Dr. Jessica Most.

In this episode, Dr. Most offers her expert recommendations on how to best protect your lungs this winter, whether you are fighting the elements outside or staying cozy inside. Plus, she weighs in on the trend of taping your mouth closed while sleeping to encourage nostril breathing.

Resources:

• Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor

Understanding Social Anxiety and How to Reconnect with Your Sense of Self

Clinical psychologist Dr. Virginia O’Hayer works with people who experience feelings intensely and helps guide them through crisis. These days, she’s dedicated and passionate about reaching those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to help them heal and have coping strategies to forge ahead with purpose and intention. 

In this episode, she validates the losses we experienced collectively, including grieving the loss of loved ones and even the loss of our sense of self or purpose. Why is moving past these losses so difficult? Dr. O’Hayer addresses this and offers tools and strategies to help us come back to center, like loving kindness meditations, Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy and the power of journaling.

You might want to keep a journal close for this episode.  

Resources:

• Stephen Porges Polyvagal Theory
• Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• What to Expect From Your First Session with a Therapist
• Red Flags a Therapist Isn’t Right For You
• Health Nexus Podcast: Anxiety and What to Know Before Starting Medication

Listen and subscribe to The Health Nexus Podcast on podcast players: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean.

How 21-Minute Walks Can Greatly Impact Your Health

Some might not consider walking to be a legitimate form of exercise. Dr. Christine Marschilok, a sports medicine specialist, is not one of those people. In this episode, hear about the many health benefits, both physical and mental, associated with a short stroll every day. Dr. Marschilok discusses the recent report conducted by Harvard Medical School which analyzed data on the health benefits of walking and concluded walking just 21 minutes per day can reduce your risk of heart disease by 30%.

 

Dr. Marschilok also discusses the “Hot Girl Walk” a fitness trend made viral on TikTok and created by Mia Lind. The concept is accessible and simple - walk every day, focus on your goals, feelings of gratitude and positive self-image.

 

This episode was recorded live in Washington Square Park in Philadelphia and just happens to be 21 minutes long. We’re challenging you to lace up your sneakers and listen to this episode while getting your own walk in!

 

Resources:

• The Johnson & Johnson Official 7 Minute Workout
• The Health Nexus

Listen and subscribe to The Health Nexus Podcast on podcast players: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean

 

Anxiety and What to Know Before Starting Medication

There’s the normal day-to-day fleeting anxieties that affect everyone—from meeting someone for a first date to the anticipation of giving a big presentation. Then, there’s anxiety that feels ever-present. Moments of anxiety are normal. Long-term anxiety affecting your quality of life isn’t and coping with it isn't something anyone has to do alone. In this episode, meet adult psychiatrist Dr. Tal Weinberger, who both normalizes the anxiety we all feel from to time and explains when it might be time to start an anti-anxiety medication. Tune in for everything you need to know, from who to discuss anxiety and medication with, what lifestyle changes may happen when starting medication and how long people typically stay on these medications.

For more stories on supporting mental health, visit TheHealthNexus.org:

- Recognizing Signs of Depression and When It May Be Time to Start Medication

- How to Recognize and Support Someone Who Feels Hopeless

- Red Flags a Therapist Isn’t Right for You

- How to Find a Culturally Competent Therapist

- What to Expect Your First Session with a Therapist

Listen and subscribe to The Health Nexus Podcast on podcast players: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean