Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are all too common in the United States. In fact, they are a contributing factor in 30 percent of all injury deaths and are a major cause of disability. 

Sometimes the effects of TBIs last several days, sometimes symptoms linger the rest of someone’s life. 

Concussions are most common in girls’ soccer in North America. It’s not just athletes who have to worry about concussions—they can happen to anyone at any age. Concussions and traumatic brain injuries can happen during car accidents, falls at home or just accidentally banging your head on something. 

What are the symptoms of a concussion? What can people do to reduce the risk of head injury? What should we do if a loved one is diagnosed with a TBI?

In Episode 56, Dr. G and his guest, Kevin Jackson, MD, a board-certified neurosurgeon, answer frequently asked questions about concussions and traumatic brain injuries and share vital facts about symptoms and treatment.

Guest

Kevin Jackson, MD – Board-certified neurosurgeon, Northwestern Medicine; unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant with the National Football League.

Connect with us on social

Follow Health 360 with Dr. G on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for notifications about new episodes and a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast.Facebook at @Health360wDrGTwitter at @Health360wDrGInstagram at @Health360wDrG

Monkeypox. COVID-19. RSV. Influenza.

Antibiotics aren’t going to treat these viral infections.

Besides the misconception that antibiotics can help viral infections, the misinformation about vaccines and prevention measures has contributed to the spread of disease.

It’s important to understand how to protect ourselves from illness, particularly infectious diseases (illnesses caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites) that can spread through a population — some more easily than others. 

Besides healthy living — eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep — what else should we do to avoid infectious diseases?

In Episode 55, Dr. G and his guest, Jaime Belmares, MD, a board-certified infectious disease specialist, have a detailed discussion on infectious diseases, their treatment and prevention.

 

Guest

Jaime Belmares, MD – Board-certified infectious disease specialist, Metro Infectious Disease Consultants  

Connect with us on social

Follow Health 360 with Dr. G on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for notifications about new episodes and a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast.Facebook at @Health360wDrGTwitter at @Health360wDrGInstagram at @Health360wDrG

Radiology is the use of imaging, like X-rays, for medical purposes and is one of the most important disciplines in medicine. Without radiologists, or doctors who interpret what’s in the images, patients wouldn’t get the diagnoses they need. Often that diagnosis is crucial to saving someone’s life.

Radiologists analyze X-rays, MRIs and other images and share what they think is going on in the images. They can also perform procedures related to the test, such as biopsies and inserting stents.

Many patients never even see the radiologist, but the radiologist sees a lot (how about an engagement ring that was accidentally swallowed?).

In Episode 54, Dr. G and his guest, Marcus Parker, MD, board-certified general and diagnostic radiologist, discuss some of the things they’ve seen as well as fascinating details about radiology and its vital importance in healthcare.

 

Guest

Marcus Parker, MD – Board-certified general and diagnostic radiologist, Radiology Associates of Clearwater. 

Connect with us on social

Follow Health 360 with Dr. G on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for notifications about new episodes and a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast.Facebook at @Health360wDrGTwitter at @Health360wDrGInstagram at @Health360wDrG

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. There are about 264,000 new cases diagnosed in women in the U.S. each year.

Making healthy life choices overall is one of the best ways to avoid breast cancer. Considering breast cancer is also easier to treat when it is detected early, one of the worst things women can do is think they’re not vulnerable and avoid screenings.

In fact, women can be their own worst enemy when it comes to staying healthy. Packed schedules often leave little time for self-care. Women often have kids, families, work and other obligations that they may prioritize before annual screenings.

However, the most common symptom of breast cancer is no symptoms — breast cancer is often discovered early through mammograms before a woman notices any sort of a change.

Most women who have symptoms notice changes in their bodies, such as pain, swelling, lumps or asymmetry. If something seems abnormal, even if you doubt it’s important, physicians want to hear about it.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and while it’s important to remain vigilant year-round, it’s a good time to highlight important facts about breast cancer.

In Episode 53, Dr. G and his guest, Christine Gresik, MD, FACS, board-certified surgical breast oncologist, discuss screenings, symptoms, treatment options and other essential information women should know about breast cancer.

Guest

Christine Gresik, MD, FACS – Board-certified surgical breast oncologist, Edward-Elmhurst Health.

Connect with us on social

Follow Health 360 with Dr. G on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for notifications about new episodes and a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast.Facebook at @Health360wDrGTwitter at @Health360wDrGInstagram at @Health360wDrG

When was the last time you had your eyes checked?

Chances are, it’s been a while.

Eye disorders are some of the most common conditions seen in clinical practice. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 93 million adults are at high risk for serious vision loss—but only half had visited an eye doctor within the last 12 months.

Maintaining healthy vision requires more than regular eye doctor checkups. Prevention and early detection of serious eye disease can help preserve your eyesight.

You can see fine, you say? Don’t wait until you have vision problems to see a doctor. Regular checkups with an eye doctor can help you track changes in your vision and stay on top of potential problems that could affect it.

Vision directly relates to quality of life. Unfortunately, we often don’t appreciate good vision until it’s impaired or gone. Thankfully, there are things doctors can do that can preserve or improve vision.

In Episode 51, Dr. G and his guest, Courtney Crawford, M.D., FACS, a board-certified ophthalmologist, explain common sight issues and share the best ways to maintain good vision.

 

Guest

Courtney Crawford, MD, FACS – Board-Certified ophthalmologist, retina specialist, and owner of Star Retina; Assistant professor of surgery at Texas Christian University Burnett School of Medicine.

Connect with us on social

Follow Health 360 with Dr. G on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for notifications about new episodes and a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast.Facebook at @Health360wDrGTwitter at @Health360wDrGInstagram at @Health360wDrG

Childhood vaccines, school learning struggles and mental health: These topics have been top of mind for parents since early 2020.

Now that the third pandemic school year has begun, parents are still working to ensure their kids are healthy and thriving despite the public health challenges.

Vaccines have always been important for kids, and now physicians include the COVID-19 vaccine with necessary childhood vaccinations.

The lockdowns of 2020 contributed to anxiety and potential learning loss. As society continues its slow walk toward normalcy, what can parents do to help their kids make up for lost time or ease their anxiety?

In Episode 51, Dr. G and his guest Annie Ryan, MSN, CPNP, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, have a can’t-miss conversation about child vaccinations, learning loss and mental health.

 

Guest

Annie L. Ryan, MSN, CPNP – Certified pediatric nurse practitioner, Swedish Medical Group, Swedish Hospital; Past-president of the Illinois Chapter of the American Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.

Connect with us on social

Follow Health 360 with Dr. G on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for notifications about new episodes and a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast.

Facebook at @Health360wDrGTwitter at @Health360wDrGInstagram at @Health360wDrG

In the U.S., September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. It remains one of the most frequently diagnosed types of cancer among men in this country. In fact, it’s the second most common type of cancer among men. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 260,490 new cases and 34,500 deaths in the U.S. from prostate cancer this year.

The average man has a 1 in 8 risk of prostate cancer. That risk can increase if someone has a family history of prostate cancer, or if a man is African American. Prostate cancer doesn’t only strike older men, though your risk rises as you age.

Men need to know this, and not just in September. 

In Episode 50, listen as Dr. G and his guest, Brian McNeil, MD, MBA, FACS, share information about symptoms of prostate cancer, how to know when you or someone you know is at risk of prostate cancer, and when to talk to your doctor about a screening.

Connect with us on social

Follow Health 360 with Dr. G on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for notifications about new episodes and a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast.Facebook at @Health360wDrGTwitter at @Health360wDrGInstagram at @Health360wDrG

The state of mental health in America is precarious. Too many Americans are experiencing mental health crises without the support they need. For people aged 10-34, suicide is a leading cause of death.

In 2020 alone, the U.S. had one suicide death every 11 minutes. Nearly 20 percent of American adults experienced mental illness in 2019.

Mental healthcare is as crucial as physical healthcare. While physicians have started promoting mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, we’re still falling short. We need to change this reality. There is hope.

What is being done to close mental health access gaps in America?

Did you know there’s a new 3-digit number people can call to get immediate mental health support? 988 is a new nationwide number people can dial to reach help, whether it’s the person in the midst of a mental health crisis or someone worried about a loved one.

Listen as Dr. G and his guest, Sandra Manley-Eichler, LCSW, with Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, talk about this and other ways to close the mental health access gaps in America. 

Connect with us on social

Follow Health 360 with Dr. G on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for notifications about new episodes and a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast.Facebook at @Health360wDrGTwitter at @Health360wDrGInstagram at @Health360wDrG

How would you know if you had a pelvic floor problem?

If you thought you had a pelvic floor problem, would you need medical help to fix it?

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, nerves and connective tissues that support our pelvic organs.

Unfortunately, the pelvic floor doesn’t always function like it’s supposed to. The National Institutes of Health reports that almost 25 percent of women have pelvic floor disorders. Men can also experience pelvic health issues, which can even lead to erectile dysfunction.

Whether it’s weakness, pressure, heaviness, fullness, tightness or pain, there are ways medical experts can address pelvic problems. A pelvic floor issue shouldn’t keep you from any activity you want to do.

Listen as Dr. G and his guests, Kelly Jirschele, DO, a board-certified urogynecologist, and Natalie Florio, a physical therapist, discuss common pelvic floor disorders and how to treat and prevent them.

 

Guest

Kelly Jirschele, DO, FACOG, FACS – Board-certified urogynecologist, Illinois Urogynecology, LTD; medical director, Women’s Center for Pelvic Medicine at Edward Hospital.

Natalie Florio – Physical therapist, Edward-Elmhurst Health.

Connect with us on social

Follow Health 360 with Dr. G on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for notifications about new episodes and a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast.Facebook at @Health360wDrGTwitter at @Health360wDrGInstagram at @Health360wDrG

Conventional medicine, integrative medicine and functional medicine. They’re all different perspectives on health and treatment. One style is becoming increasingly mainstream: functional medicine. Ever hear of it?

Functional medicine is an attempt to get to the root cause of illness and correct the problem.It’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s figuring out how someone’s external influences, life choices and biological systems uniquely work together to create a focused treatment strategy.

It’s a deeper dive into what’s going on behind the scenes of each patient’s illness, particularly chronic illness. Half of all adults in the U.S. have at least one chronic health condition. Functional medicine can help correct chronic health issues with a detailed, personalized approach.

Listen as Dr. G and his guest, Daniel Murauski, DO, an Institute for Functional Medicine certified practitioner and family medicine physician with Edward-Elmhurst Health, talk about how functional medicine can help get to the root of illness. 

 

Guest

Daniel Murauski, DO – Double board-certified family medicine and integrative medicine physician at Edward-Elmhurst Health, Institute for Functional Medicine certified practitioner.

Connect with us on social

Follow Health 360 with Dr. G on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for notifications about new episodes and a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast.Facebook at @Health360wDrGTwitter at @Health360wDrGInstagram at @Health360wDrG