Ask Doctor Dawn

By Dr. Dawn Motyka - JivaMedia.com

Answers to your medical questions and health topics in the news.... more

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FAQs about Ask Doctor Dawn:

How many episodes does Ask Doctor Dawn have?

The podcast currently has 362 episodes available.

Ask Doctor Dawn episodes:

August 03, 2024From vitamin D myths to healthcare monopolies: Dr. Dawn explores crucial health topics, debunks misconceptions, and shares groundbreaking research on back pain, HIV prevention, and brain health
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 8-01-2024:
Dr. Dawn discusses the American Endocrine society's recent guidelines on vitamin D testing and supplementation, explaining its importance for various age groups and health conditions. She clarifies misconceptions about vitamin D toxicity and emphasizes the need for proper dosing.
The show addresses a listener's question about dealing with reflux many hours after his last meal, explaining the circadian rhythm of gastric acid secretion and offering practical advice for managing symptoms.
Dr. Dawn talks about a new comprehensive glycemic index and glycemic load of foods derived with AI-assistance. She highlights the impact of high glycemic foods on blood sugar and appetite.
A recent study on fish oil supplements and brain function in older adults is discussed, showing significant benefits for those with the Alzheimer's-associated APOE4 gene in reducing white matter lesions in as little as one year.
A listener inquires about stem cell injections. Dr. Dawn then covers the dangers of unregulated stem cell treatments, warning listeners about the lack of oversight and potential risks associated with these therapies.
Dr. Dawn explains the concept of cryptic pregnancy, where women are unaware of their pregnancy until labor begins, discussing potential causes and occurrences.
The show delves into the issue of healthcare monopolies, focusing on UnitedHealth Group and other large healthcare corporations. Dr. Dawn explains how these monopolies impact patient care, costs, and physician autonomy.
A study on walking as a treatment for back pain is presented, showing significant benefits for those who follow a regular walking regimen in reducing pain flare-ups and extending pain-free periods.
The program concludes with news about a new HIV antiviral drug administered by injection every six months, demonstrating high efficacy in preventing HIV infection among high-risk populations.
...more
53min
July 26, 2024From magnesium's hidden role to gene editing breakthroughs: Dr. Dawn explores essential health topics and answers listener questions on allergies, GI issues, and dietary choices.
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 7-25-2024:
Dr. Dawn discusses the importance of magnesium as an essential electrolyte, often overlooked in standard medical tests. She explains its role in energy production, protein synthesis, and various bodily functions. She covers common causes of magnesium deficiency, including certain medications, chronic conditions, and dietary factors. Dr. Dawn provides advice on recognizing and addressing low magnesium levels.
Dr. Dawn responds to an email about severe allergic reactions to insect bites, suggesting potential causes, including leukemia, and bullous pemphigoid and recommending further medical investigation.
Another listener's email about chronic gastrointestinal issues is addressed, with Dr. Dawn offering suggestions for diagnosis and treatment, including pancreatic enzyme supplementation and microbiome testing.
The show explores recent developments in gene editing technology, specifically a new technique called CHARM that could potentially turn off disease-causing genes like those responsible for prion diseases.
Dr. Dawn answers a question about the differences between gelatin and vegetarian options.
The health implications of coconut oil and other dietary fats are briefly touched upon, with Dr. Dawn providing her perspective on oil consumption.
Are gluten free foods really gluten free? A recent analysis suggests widespread contamination with glyphosate (Round-up) and gluten in these commercial products. Who is minding the store?
Lastly, the show covers recently identified and unexpected unintended genetic changes resulting from CRISPR gene editing technology, highlighting recent research and its implications for food safety and genetic modification.
...more
56min
July 20, 2024Dr. Dawn covers several topics related to environmental chemicals and endocrine disruptors, with a focus on their health impacts and ways to mitigate exposure.
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 7-18-2024
Surgeon General's report on gun violence:
Gun deaths in the US are at a three-decade high
Guns are now the leading cause of death among children and teenagers aged 1-19
Dr. Dawn calls for bipartisan action on gun control
New male contraceptive:
A topical gel combining Nestorone and testosterone
Works by suppressing sperm production while maintaining male characteristics
Persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors:
Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) found in drinking water and rainwater
Sources include breakdown products of refrigerants, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals
Linked to cancer, infertility, and developmental issues
Prenatal exposure to endocrine disruptors:
Associated with higher risk of metabolic syndrome in children
Chemicals affect obesity, blood pressure, and insulin resistance
Petrochemical industry and plastic production:
Alternative energy production is increasing production of single-use plastics by petrochemical giants as a revenue source
Contributes to widespread exposure to endocrine disruptors
Health effects of endocrine disruptors:
Interfere with many different hormone receptors, hormone synthesis and hormone bio-elimination
Impacts are greatest on fetal development, neurodevelopment, and cancer risk
Disproportionate effects on marginalized communities
Advice to mitigate exposure and detoxify:
Use reverse osmosis water filtration
Choose organic foods and reduce meat consumption
Avoid plastic food containers and utensils
Read labels on personal care products
Leave shoes outside and use natural cleaning products
Increase fruit and vegetable intake
Use air filters in homes near busy roads
Detoxification methods:
Sweating through exercise, saunas, or Epsom salt baths
Dietary changes and supplements (e.g., milk thistle, alpha-lipoic acid, green tea)
Avoiding constipation to help eliminate toxins
Other topics:
Effects of magnesium on sleep
Microplastics from synthetic fabrics
...more
54min
July 13, 2024A fundamental piece of Alzheimer's research is retracted. Dr. Dawn discusses a localmeasles alert. The perils and pitfalls of thee Watchman, a new implantable medical device. Also: non-caloric sweeteners and heart health, and GMO baby formula
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 7-11-2024
Dr. Dawn answers a caller's question about vitamin D supplementation, explaining its importance for bone health, mood regulation, and immune function. She discusses the physiological processes involving vitamin D and recommends getting blood levels checked.

A second caller asks about the safety of Stevia as a sweetener. Dr. Dawn explains the importance of examining original sources for health claims and discusses the challenges of determining causality in nutrition studies. She compares various artificial sweeteners and suggests moderation in their use.

Dr. Dawn provides a health alert about a measles exposure in Santa Cruz, describing symptoms to watch for and emphasizing the importance of vaccination. She shares personal anecdotes about the dangers of measles.

An email from a listener about atrial fibrillation is addressed. Dr. Dawn discusses the risks associated with atrial fibrillation, blood thinners, and the Watchman device. She emphasizes the importance of stress reduction and suggests alternatives to invasive procedures.

Dr. Dawn comments on a recent retraction of a key Alzheimer's study, discussing the implications for Alzheimer's research and treatment development.

A new development in baby formula is discussed, involving genetically modified plants producing human milk oligosaccharides for improved infant nutrition.

Dr. Dawn responds to an email about lipoprotein A and cardiovascular risk, discussing risk factors, the importance of inflammation reduction and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.

The show concludes with a mention of myFooddata.com, a nutrition information website recommended by a listener.

Throughout the show, Dr. Dawn emphasizes the importance of critical thinking about medical information, considering economic drivers in healthcare, and focusing on lifestyle factors for overall health.
...more
55min
July 06, 2024Dr. Dawn discusses water safety, gender differences in space travel, and interviews Dr. Gabor Mate about addiction, ADD, childhood development, chronic illness, and the mind-body connection, emphasizing early life experiences and parental influence.
Broadcast from KSQD on 7-04-2024:
Natural bodies of water illustrates the importance of bright neon colors for visibility. Plus: additional advice on keeping children safe around water.
Research on gender differences in space travel effects reveals women are more resilient. A study finding greater gene activity disruption in male vs female astronauts has implications for future space missions.
An interview with Dr. Gabor Mate covers a broad range of topics:
Discussion of addiction reframing it as a brain state

Factors contributing to addiction proneness include:
Early life experiences and attachment relationships

Brain development and environmental influences

Neurotransmitters and addiction susceptibility

Critical periods for healthy attachment and brain development

Parallels between addiction and attention deficit disorder (ADD)

Origins and misconceptions about ADD

Impact of parental stress on child development

Transgenerational patterns in addiction and ADD

Dr. Mate's personal experiences with ADD

Treatment approaches for ADD

Parenting strategies and misconceptions

Impact of modern technology on attention spans

Dr. Mate's book "When the Body Says No"

Mind-body connection in chronic illnesses

Stress and disease development

Personality traits associated with chronic illness

Importance of addressing psychological factors in treatment

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and its role in health

Discussion of narcolepsy and emotional arousal

The seven A's of healing approach

Importance of introspection and self-awareness for health

Dr. Mate's book "Hold On To Your Kids"

Impact of peer influence on child development

Importance of parental attachment and influence

About Gabor Mate, MD:
Worked as a family physician for two decades

Served as Medical Coordinator of the Palliative Care Unit at Vancouver Hospital

Spent eight years working in Vancouver's Downtown East side with patients challenged by addiction and mental illness

Bestselling author of multiple books on addiction, stress, and child development

Known for his expertise in trauma, addiction, stress, and childhood development

Advocates for a compassionate approach to addiction and mental health

Developed the Compassionate Inquiry psycho-therapeutic method
...more
55min
June 30, 2024Interview with Dr. Michael Amster about his AWE method of mindfulness meditation
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 6-27-2024.
Dr. Dawn interviews Dr. Michael Amster, a physician and researcher specializing in pain management and mindfulness practices.
Dr. Amster introduces the AWE method, a technique for "micro-dosing" mindfulness developed during his own experience with burnout.
The AWE method involves finding moments of awe in everyday experiences through three steps: Attention, Wait, and Exhale/Expand.
Research on the AWE method during the COVID-19 pandemic showed significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and loneliness among participants.
Dr. Amster explains the physiological benefits of experiencing awe, including lowered inflammation in the body.
The emotion of awe is discussed as a way to connect people to something greater than themselves, leading to increased generosity, compassion, and open-mindedness.
Dr. Amster shares personal stories of how the AWE practice has impacted people's lives, including applications in chronic pain management and cancer treatment support.
The interview concludes with a passage from Dr. Amster's book "The Power of Awe" and a guided AWE practice for listeners.
...more
55min
June 23, 2024From pharmacy hunts to prenatal power consumption, this week's medical medley serves up a smorgasbord of scientific surprises and healthcare head-scratchers.
Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 6-20-2024
Health tip: Dr. Dawn advises you to shop around for medications, especially cheap generics, as pharmacies may claim unavailability due to corporate contracts and profit margins.
Healthcare industry consolidation: Discussion of how large venture capital firms are acquiring healthcare businesses, leading to potential price increases and reduced competition.
Parkinson's disease and GLP-1 drugs: A study showing potential benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic in early Parkinson's disease.
Bird flu update: Current status of bird flu spread in the US, transmission risks, and safety precautions.
Spinal cord stimulation: New non-invasive technique showing promise for improving function in people with long-term spinal cord injuries.
Peanut allergies: Recent research reversing previous recommendations, suggesting early exposure to peanuts may reduce allergy risk.
Longevity study: Analysis of blood biomarkers in centenarians, highlighting factors like uric acid levels and blood sugar.
Cholesterol-eating gut bacteria: Research on bacteria that break down cholesterol in the gut, potentially lowering heart disease risk.
Alcohol and air travel: Study showing combined effects of alcohol consumption and low air pressure on cardiovascular health during flights.
Energy requirements of pregnancy: Surprising findings on the high caloric needs during pregnancy, mostly for the mother's body rather than the fetus.
HPV vaccine success: Significant reduction in cervical cancer rates due to the vaccine, with a call for increased vaccination rates, especially among boys, to prevent head and neck cancer.
...more
54min
June 15, 2024Answers to emails and a live caller about Alzheimer’s Disease, knee osteoarthritis, childhood vaccines and more
Broadcast from KSQD Santa Cruz on 6-13-2024
Alzheimer’s Disease and APOE4 Gene
Listener asks about the APOE4 gene and its association with Alzheimer's disease in the light of a recent sensationalistic Nature publication.

The impact of amyloid beta and TAU proteins on Alzheimer's pathology.

Differences in Alzheimer's risk among different ethnic groups with APOE4 with emphasis on the importance of cholesterol levels as a risk multiplier.

Advice for a listener’s husband dealing with chronic back pain and sciatica
Dr. Dawn presents a basic checklist for evaluating back pain symptoms and determining the need for urgent medical intervention.

Potential causes are discussed such as spinal nerve compression from various sources.

In this case, Dr. Dawn made a specific suggestion of McKenzie exercises and emphasized the importance of seeing a sports medicine doctor or physiatrist for a comprehensive evaluation.

Dr. Dawn responds to a caller about managing knee osteoarthritis
The role of glucosamine, chondroitin, and topical diclofenac in treatment.

Discussion on non-pharmaceutical approaches like heat application and massage.

Potential interventions like steroid injections, hyaluronic acid, platelet rich plasma and their benefits and risks.

Dr. Dawn answers a question about dietary oxalates and their impact on kidney stones
She emphasizes the importance of the oxalate content in foods and its limited role in kidney stone formation.

She emphasizes the importance of hydration and maintaining a healthy microbiome.

For specific dietary guidelines on oxalate in foods she suggests using oxalate.org.

A concerned parent asks about aluminum and other vaccine adjuvants like formaldehyde for their infant's 2 month well child visit
She expresses conflicting fears of being mischaracterized as a vaccine denier by merely expressing concern about vaccination for her infant.

Dr. Dawn provides a breakdown of the necessity, immediate urgency and risks of each recommended vaccine (Hepatitis B, DTaP, Polio, Hib, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus) and suggests a social contextualization strategy to perhaps delay Polio, rotavirus and Hep B in this family's social context while emphasizing the importance of certain vaccinations to prevent serious illnesses.

Dr. Dawn cites intriguing ambiguities in the literature that support the counterintuitive idea that smaller doses of aluminum may have a greater accumulation in tissues of brain and reproductive tissues than larger doses, and promises to research this further in a future program.
...more
52min
June 09, 2024Interview with Rita Hewitt on the evolution of the opioid crisis, and current efforts in harm reduction and overdose prevention
Broadcast on KSQD Santa Cruz on 7-05-2024:
Guest introduction and Background
Introduction of Rita Hewitt, regional director for Central Coast overdose prevention, and her professional background.

Overview of Rita’s notable achievements and roles in various healthcare and harm reduction initiatives.

Rita’s journey from a licensed pharmacy technician to her current role in overdose prevention.

Impact of the prescription opioid epidemic on her career choices and motivation to address addiction and overdose issues.

Stories from Rita’s early career, including encounters with prescription opioid misuse and its consequences.

Challenges in Opioid Prescription and Addiction
Discussion on the challenges faced by healthcare providers in managing pain and the consequences of opioid prescriptions.

Examples of misuse and the impact of addiction on individuals and the community.

Historical Context of Opioid Epidemic
Examination of the history of opioid use and misuse, from pharmaceutical origins to current trends.

The role of pharmaceutical companies and legislation in shaping the opioid crisis.

Pendulum Swing in Opioid Prescribing Practices
Analysis of the shifting attitudes towards opioid prescribing over the decades.

The impact of educational mandates and legislation on prescribing practices and patient care.

Current Strategies for Harm Reduction
Overview of harm reduction initiatives and resources available in the community.

Discussion on the effectiveness of buprenorphine and other medications in treating opioid addiction.

Emerging Drug Threats
Introduction of new substances like Xylazine and their impact on the community.

Challenges in addressing these new threats and the limitations of existing overdose reversal medications.

Testing and Safety Measures
Importance of fentanyl test strips and other tools in preventing overdoses.

Availability and distribution of test strips and Narcan within the community.

Legislation and Policy Initiatives
Recent laws and mandates aimed at improving opioid prescription practices and overdose prevention.

Discussion on potential future initiatives to enhance harm reduction and public safety.

Pendulum Swing in Opioid Prescribing Practices
Continued discussion on the history of opioid prescribing and the shifts in attitudes over the decades.

Impact of legislation and educational mandates on opioid prescribing practices and patient care.

Challenges and Personal Experiences in Addiction
Rita shares personal experiences and anecdotes about friends and community members affected by opioid addiction.

Dr. Dawn shares a story about a patient with a severe infection due to opioid misuse and the challenges in managing their pain and treatment.

Current Strategies for Harm Reduction
Overview of harm reduction strategies and resources available in the community.

Discussion on the effectiveness and benefits of buprenorphine and other medications in treating opioid addiction.

Emerging Drug Threats
Introduction of new substances like Xylazine and their impact on the community.

Challenges in addressing these new threats and the limitations of existing overdose reversal medications like Narcan.

Statistics and Trends in Overdose Fatalities
Examination of the current statistics and trends in overdose fatalities in the local community and nationally.

Discussion on the increase in fentanyl-related fatalities and the ongoing challenges in addressing the crisis.

Legislation and Policy Initiatives
Recent laws and mandates aimed at improving opioid prescription practices and overdose prevention.

Discussion on potential future initiatives to enhance harm reduction and public safety.

Community Initiatives and Collaboration
Overview of local initiatives and collaborations aimed at addressing the opioid crisis and improving public health outcomes.

Importance of community engagement and support in harm reduction efforts.

Future Directions and Goals
Rita’s vision and goals for future harm reduction initiatives and policies.

Discussion on the potential impact of upcoming legislation and community efforts on the opioid crisis.

Resources
Central Coast Overdose Prevention - Regional organization focusing on overdose prevention.

Santa Cruz County Health Services - Provides health services and resources related to addiction and overdose prevention.

Safe Rx Santa Cruz - Initiative to manage safe prescription practices.

Syringe Services Program - Provides syringe exchange and harm reduction services.

Monterey County Health Department - Local health department providing resources and services for addiction and overdose prevention.

San Benito County Health and Human Services Opioid Task Force - Provides health and human services, including addiction and overdose prevention resources.

Narcan (Naloxone) Information - Information on the overdose reversal medication Narcan.

FDA - Buprenorphine Information - Information on the medication used to treat opioid addiction.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) - National resource for drug abuse and addiction research.
...more
57min
June 02, 2024 The immune system, the brain and mental health, plus autoimmune disease research and treatments are thoroughly explored
KSQD 05-30-2024: Topics discussed include:
Cognitive errors in medicine dismissing unusual presentations as psychological
A case of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS)
Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis causing psychiatric symptoms
Failures of genetic research to identify causes
Need for integrating neurology and psychiatry; Importance of testing for antibodies and using MRI scans
Detailed explanation of immune tolerance, peripheral tolerance, and the phenomenon of molecular mimicry in diseases like multiple sclerosis and celiac disease
Importance of addressing root causes rather than just symptoms
Historical context and current advancements in treating autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, lupus, and multiple sclerosis using reprogrammed immune cells and iron oxide nanoparticles
Explanation of how the liver filters blood and helps establish immune tolerance by processing cellular debris and antigens
Advances in engineering regulatory T cells to target specific disease sites and calm inflammatory responses
Exploration of new diagnostic tools and the potential of AI in understanding complex psychiatric conditions
...more
53min

FAQs about Ask Doctor Dawn:

How many episodes does Ask Doctor Dawn have?

The podcast currently has 362 episodes available.

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