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Summary:  Rooting for your favorite team may very well influence your opinion of the referees in the game.  Leave bias there.  In healthcare, double-blind placebo-controlled trials and the metanalysis of studies are attempts to remove bias, so that objective reasoning can rule the day.  JFK Jr. exhibited significant bias about vaccines prior to his confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services, and it has been evinced in his decision to stop the funding for mRNA vaccines.   Blatant lies and unchecked bias threaten not only our healthcare options, but the very world in which they operate.  

Topics:

·      Bias 01:00

·      Double Blind Placebo Controlled Studies 01:30

·      RFK Jr 02:20

·      Science is a Process 04:30

·      mRNA 05:30

·      Mutations 06:20

·      Bacteria Too 07:45

·      More Bias 10:00

·      You Are The Experiment 12:00

·      mRNA Risk Benefit 14:15

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Summary:  Slinging ugly, triggering words – like “psycho-emotional problems” - is an effort to awaken stigmas in the public against a person.  Reject it.  Mental Health, like our physical health, is an ever-changing dynamic.  Though we expect mental and emotional health and stability in our leaders, the assessment of that issue should be objective and based on the best medical practice, and not on some sloppy reference intended to fan the flames of hate.

Topics:

·       Psycho-Emotional Problems 01:00

·       Unconrtrolled Fits 03:30

·       Heavy Tranquilizers 04:30

·       Stigma of Mental Health Challenges 05:00

·       Public & Self Stigmas 07:00

·       Intermittent Explosive Disorder (“Fits of Anger & Aggression”???) 09:30

·       DSM-5

·       Gelastic Seizures (“Fits of Cheerfulness”???) 10:40

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Summary:  This episode attempts to clarify how vaccines are made, how they are intended to interact with the immune system, and how important it is to obtain an unbiased source of information about the risks and benefits of a vaccine.  Utilize your healthcare team.

 Topics:

·       Polio Vaccines 01:00

·       Risk-Benefit 02:00

·       Vaccines-Autism 03:00

·       Modern Medicine 04:15

·       Autism – DSM 06:00

·       Immune System (learning what is you) 08:00

·       Innate & Acquiered Immunity 11:00

·       Chicken Pox Exposure and Shingrix 13:30

·       Types of Vaccines 14:45

·       Live Attenuated Vaccines 15:30

·       Inactivated Vaccines 16:30

·       Subunit Vaccines 17:30

·       Toxoid Vaccines (Tetanus) 18:15

·       Viral Vector

·       mRNA 19:10

·       BIAS – Remove it 23:30

·       CDC Vaccine Risk – Benefit Site 24:50

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 Summary:  When the president of the United States told his candidate for Secretary of  Health and Human Services to “go wild” on health, food and medicines, I’ll bet he went and celebrated his pick with a McDonald’s cheeseburger and a Diet Coke.  This podcast discusses the danger of placing politics and ideology into the healthcare system, the participants of which currently embrace the practice of Evidence-based medicine.  This is the practice wherein the best available science is combined with the healthcare professional's clinical experience and the patient's values to arrive at the best medical decision for the patient.  The idea is to eliminate bias.  Let’s not go wild on that, in any part of the healthcare system.

Topics: 

·      What is “Again”? 01:00

·      “Go wild” on health, food and medicines? 02:30

·      Bias 03:20

·      Exercise and Diet 06:15

·      RFK Jr Confirmation Hearing 07:00

-              Nicotine Pouch?

-              Suggest SSRI’s as or more addictive than heroin

·      Depedence Vs. Addiction 14:10

·      RFK Jr. Actions as HHS Secretary 17:00

-              April 11: cause of autism will be found be September

·      Possible causes of autism 19:30

·      RFK Jr. Actions as HHS Secretary 

-              May 27: Change COVID Vaccine Recommendations

-              June 9: Remove Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) Members

·      Evidence Based Medicine 24:30

·      Levels of Scientific Evidence (not all are the same) 26:00

·      JFK Jr. Swimming in Contaminated Stream 28:30

·      No One Should Go Wild on HHS

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Summary:  I received a question about the possible therapeutic pharmacologic benefits of Nicotine, specifically the idea of cutting the Nicotine Patch for help with energy, autoimmune issues, and weight loss.  Answering this question lead into a discussion of new drugs that may emerge from anecdotal evidence.  In this case, how certain elements of Nicotine’s activity might lead to the development of new drugs with neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, without the risks associated with Nicotine use. 

Topics:  

·      Nicotine History 01:20

·      Nicotine Patches, Side Effects 03:00

·      Muscarinic & Nicotinic Receptors 06:00

·      Alzheimers and Parkinson’s Disease in Smokers 08:00

·      Reasoning Toward Possible Uses 09:00

·      CNS & Immune Effects 09:45

·       Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gout, Irritable Bowel Disease/ MS - reduce inflammation   11:00

·      Journavx 11:30

·      Long COVID 12:30

·      Big Pharma Skepticism 15:00

·      Consider the Source 15:50

·      Use Your Pharmacist 17:20

·      For All Drugs:  Potential Benefit/Possible Risks  Decide  Positive Attitude  MONITOR

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Summary:  Not all laxatives are created the same.  Discussed in this episode are the nonpharmacologic options to relieve constipation, and the OTC Laxative options available should nonpharmacologic efforts fail.  Included is a brief explanation of the peristaltic movement that is pooping, and how the different laxative options affect that process.  Though there is often a silly poop joke or phrase lurking nearby i.e. dropping the kids off at the pool, a healthy and properly functioning bowel is essential for your overall health.  Please consult your healthcare providers for any questions and guidance about constipation and your gut health.

Topics:

·       Constipation Definition 02:00

·       Before Using Laxatives 03:00

·       OTC Laxatives 04:00

·       Bulk Laxatives (Metamucil/Citrucel/Fibercon) 06:15

·       Peristalsis and Bowel Movements 06:45

·       Osmotic Laxatives (Miralax/MOM) 07:50

·       Stool Softeners (Docusate) 09:30

·       Lubricant Laxatives 10:00

·       Stimulant Laxatives (Bisacodyl & Senna) 11:00

·       Laxative Overuse 12:00

·       Rx Laxatives

      Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation – Linzess 12:30

      Opiate Use – Relistor to prevent GI effects of opiates 13:10

·       Onset of Action 14:30

-              Bulk = 12 hrs to 3 days

-              Stool Softeners = 12 hrs to 3 days

-              Stimulant = 6 to12 hrs

-              Lubricant =  6 to 12 hrs

-              Enema/Suppository = 15 min to 1 hr

·       Side Effects/Over usage 17:30

·       Interactions with Medication  Consult Pharmacist 19:25

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Summary:  The chemistry of your mind and body are almost always changed by the medications you take.  But there is more to it than that.  These changes are changing, in response to both your medications and in response to your thoughts, feelings, food, exercise, and sleep.  About the medications, we focus on the benefit you might receive, and the possible risks associated with a potential drug therapy.  And we keep track of it.  This is always a good idea.  But what about how you think and eat and sleep and move?  Let's talk about it.
 Topics:

·      Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics 01:30

·      Drugs “On board” 02:30

·      Drugs & Your Chemistry 03:00

·      Cookies & Your Chemistry 04:30

·      Exercise, Sleep & Your Chemistry 05:00

·      Diet, Thinking, Feeling & Your Chemistry 06:00

·      Cortisol & Chronic Stress 06:30

·      GABA Receptors (Benzodiazepines) 07:45

·      Be nice? 08:40

·      Meds & Risk-Benefit 09:00

·      Hurricane Helene 09:15

·      Premarin (pregnant horse urine) 12:15

·      Depression…You Are Not Alone 14:15

·      Depression Help Resources 15:15

       Suicide & Crisis Lifeline = 988

       Crisis Text Line = 741741

       Outside of U.S = Befrienders Worldwide

·      John Prine “Hello in There” 16:00

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Summary:  Preconceived notions within healthcare professionals about what another person might be, before we have a direct, open and genuine interaction with them, can derail the best treatment for that person.  To provide the best treatment, efforts to effectively communicate continue by healthcare; but the person – the patient – must also make efforts to express themselves openly and honestly regarding their healthcare.  Shared decision making:  this episode is about getting in there, establishing an understanding of your options, and working WITH your healthcare team, including your pharmacist!    

 Topics:  

·      Shared Decision Making 01:15

·      Generational Theory 02:00

·      Culturally Competent Care 03:40

·      Person Type = Another Bias 07:10

·      Patient Perspective 12:00

·      Medical Terminology = Bias 14:30

·      Direct, Open & Genuine Talk with Healthcare 16:30

·      Mary Berry 17:15

·      LEARN (to facilitate shared decision making) 18:25

·      Pharmacists – Team with them!  20:30

·      Mayo Clinic 21:00

·      Journaling 21:30

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 Summary:  Why have bedbugs reemerged?  What to do if bitten?  And how to manage and prevent possible bedbug infestation.  

Topics:

·       Sleep Tight 01:30

·       Bedbugs 02:00

·       DDT 03:45

·       Antihistamine, Topical Steroid Tx 06:15

·       DDT & Auto-Immune Disease? 06:45

·       DDT Risk Benefit (Africa) 08:15

·       Prevention 09:00

·       Permethrin 10:15

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Summary:  This episode recounts the experience of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, from its arrival to the continued recovery.  Being smart about what's fact or fiction, being there for your neighbors, and being prepared for a potential disaster (which we were not) are discussed here.  Also discussed is a possible cure for the stress in this situation...go help someone.

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