Health Discovered

A lot of us have heard about “high cortisol” in the context of stress. But Cushing’s syndrome, which has recently been in the news, is something very different. It’s pathologic cortisol excess that can quietly drive certain health problems. We spoke with Lewis Blevins, MD, a neuroendocrinologist specializing in pituitary, hypothalamic, and adrenal disorders, about what cortisol is meant to do, what Cushing’s syndrome really is, why diagnosis is often delayed, and what practical steps to take if you suspect something more than everyday stress. We also discuss the path to an accurate diagnosis and shared decision-making grounded in patient education.

Credits

• Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
• Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
• Show Notes: Lauren Summers
• Guest: Lewis Blevins, MD

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For many of us in the “sandwich generation” – those raising kids while caring for aging parents – preventive health can feel like one more impossible task on an already full plate. But prevention isn’t just about protecting your future; it’s about preserving your energy so you can show up for the people who need you right now. We spoke with Eduardo Sanchez, MD, MPH, FAHA, chief medical officer for prevention at the American Heart Association, about a practical framework for health and how sleep, stress, mental well-being, and social connection all play a role in heart health, stroke prevention, and even cognitive health. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish –  it’s preventive medicine that shapes your future.

Additional resources:
Life’s Essential 8
MyLifeCheck
Your Health Care Journey

Credits

• Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
• Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
• Show Notes: Lauren Summers
• Guest: Eduardo Sanchez, MD, MPH, FAHA

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Joint pain is often brushed off as a normal part of aging – but pain that interferes with your daily life doesn’t have to be something you simply live with. In this episode, we talk with Una Makris, MD, MSc, a clinical rheumatologist, about the common joint conditions affecting older adults and what actually helps. From movement and weight management to nutrition and physical therapy, she shares practical, evidence-based strategies to reduce pain and protect your joints. Learn how small, sustainable lifestyle changes can support mobility, independence, and quality of life at every age.

Credits

• Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
• Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
• Show Notes: Lauren Summers
• Guest: Una Makris, MD, MSc

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In part two of our menopause series, we unpack common myths and misinformation about perimenopause, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy. Many women are treated in fragments – this episode brings the conversation back into the exam room with practical, patient-centered guidance. We continue our conversation with Sharon Malone, MD, board-certified OB-GYN and chief medical advisor for Alloy Women’s Health, on how perimenopause is diagnosed clinically (often without definitive lab tests), which symptoms should raise red flags, and why HRT is never a one-size-fits-all yes-or-no decision.

Credits

• Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
• Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
• Show Notes: Lauren Summers
• Guest: Sharon Malone, MD

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In 2025, the U.S. FDA removed the “black box” warnings from menopausal hormone therapy products – but what does that actually mean for patients? For decades, many women have navigated perimenopause and menopause with limited information, few effective options, and little validation of their symptoms. In part one of this two-part series, we speak with Sharon Malone, MD, board-certified OB-GYN and chief medical advisor for Alloy Women’s Health, about what happens during the menopausal transition, why symptoms can feel chaotic and unpredictable, and how misinterpretations of past research have shaped – and often restricted – women’s care.

Credits

• • Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
  • Guest: Sharon Malone, MD
  • Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
  • Show Notes: Lauren Summers

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How does trauma shape identity, trust, and connection in relationships? In this episode, we spoke with Thema Bryant, PhD, author of Matters of the Heart: Healing Your Relationship with Yourself and Those You Love, to unpack how PTSD can show up in intimacy and everyday life through hypervigilance, shame, emotional overwhelm, and disconnection, and the pathways to healing. From safe relationships and self-compassion to community and spirituality, we look at how recovery happens over time. This is a conversation about naming harm, rejecting shame, and making space for growth, hope, and wholeness on the other side of trauma.

This episode includes discussion of sexual assault, trauma, and PTSD. Some listeners may find this content difficult or triggering. Please take care while listening, and consider reaching out for support if needed.

Credits

• Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
• Guest: Thema Bryant, PhD
• Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
• Show Notes: Lauren Summers
  
  

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Perimenopause is the natural transition leading into menopause, marked by erratic fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone. These unpredictable shifts can trigger emotional, cognitive, and physical changes – often years before menopause officially begins. We spoke with Megan Spence, PsyD, PMH-C, a licensed clinical psychologist, about the whole-body experience of perimenopause, including mood and memory changes, the structural and social factors that place some groups at higher risk, available hormonal and non-hormonal treatments, lifestyle strategies that may help, and when – and how – to ask for support. Your symptoms matter, and you deserve informed, compassionate care.

Credits

• Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
• Guest: Megan Spence, PsyD, PMH-C
• Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
• Show Notes: Lauren Summers

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Miscarriage is common, yet many people feel unprepared when it happens. What are the different types of miscarriage, and what does follow-up care look like? We spoke with Lora Shahine, MD, double board-certified in reproductive endocrinology, infertility, and OB-GYN, about what to expect after a miscarriage, available care options, and the emotional aftermath, including the connection to postpartum depression. Dr. Shahine also explains the most common cause of miscarriage – genetic issues in the embryo – and why it is not caused by something a person did. Miscarriage is not your fault, and support matters.

Credits

• Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
• Guest: Lora Shahine, MD
• Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
• Show Notes: Lauren Summers

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Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss and can affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and other areas of the body, causing patchy, partial, or complete hair loss. What are the different types of alopecia, and how are they diagnosed? We spoke with Carolyn Goh, MD, a dermatologist specializing in hair loss and scalp disorders, about common forms of alopecia, signs of pattern hair loss, what to expect after a diagnosis, available treatment options, and how to find support – because you’re not alone, and help is available.

Additional resources:
Scarring Alopecia Foundation (SAF)
National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF)

Credits

• Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
• Guest: Carolyn Goh, MD
• Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
• Show Notes: Lauren Summers

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Have you ever felt pressure to keep the peace and ended up saying “yes” when a big part of you wanted to say “no”? In this episode, we unpack people pleasing – and, at its extreme, fawning – an often misunderstood coping response rooted in survival. We’re joined by Lia Love Avellino, LCSW, director of head and heart at The Well, to explore how boundaries, emotional health, and lived experience intersect. Lia helps us recognize the physical cues that signal self-abandonment – like a tight chest, knotted stomach, or shaky voice – and offers tools to pause, check in with the body, and name what you truly need. Because boundaries aren’t barriers; they’re meeting places that make more honest, authentic connection possible.

Credits

• Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
• Guest: Lia Love Avellino, LCSW
• Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
• Show Notes: Lauren Summers

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.