In this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Rahul Sharma, Emergency Physician-in-Chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Chair of Emergency Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, discusses how to stay safe during a heat wave, including signs of heat illness and the importance of staying hydrated and cool. Dr. Sharma explains how hydration impacts body function, provides guidelines for fluid intake, and addresses common misconceptions about electrolyte drinks. Dr. Sharma also highlights the importance of staying informed, dressing appropriately, and taking preventive measures.

This week, Faith talks to Dr. Daniel Freedberg, a gastroenterologist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia. They discuss how the gut microbiome contributes to our overall health, and what we can do to keep the microbes in our gut thriving. Along the way, Dr. Freedberg demystifies probiotics, explains the biggest threat to our gut microbes, and explains why fiber is the most powerful tool for supporting microbial diversity in our digestive system.

With new advances in the treatment of brain cancer, patients have more options than ever. This week, Faith talks with Dr. Kathryn Beal, a radiation oncologist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, to explore how breakthroughs in immunotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery can successfully treat metastatic cancer in the brain. In recognition of Glioblastoma Awareness Day, Dr. Beal also explains treatment options for gliomas, and her hope for the future for patients with brain tumors and brain metastases.

With perspectives spanning hepatobiliary, gynecologic, and cardiac surgeries, NewYork-Presbyterian’s Dr. Jason Hawksworth (Columbia), Dr. Tamatha Fenster (Weill Cornell Medicine), and Dr. Arnar Geirsson (Columbia) describe how they each came to incorporate robotics into their practices. One of the biggest takeaways: robotic surgeries allow for more accuracy in minimally-invasive approaches; so patients experience shorter hospital stays and quicker recoveries, even after major procedures. But there are some limitations to robotic surgeries that the doctors are still navigating. Dr. Fenster discusses how there are haptics limitations in robotic surgery. As a result, she shares more about her innovative smartHER 3D MRI program that is addressing this issue and details how her and her team are developing a way of holographically projecting 3D MRIs over patients to help guide surgeons while they operate. 

For more information visit nyp.org/Advances

With summer in full swing, we’re revisiting an important episode on some of the most common myths about the sun and sunscreen. Faith Salie talks to Dr. Shari Lipner, a dermatologist at NewYork Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine.They discuss guidance on how to choose a sunscreen that works for you and also share helpful tips on how to gauge if a mole could be a sign of something more serious.

Over 20 million Americans have some kind of thyroid issue – and 12 million of them don't even know it. Dr. Hyesoo Lowe joins Faith to explain what the small and mighty thyroid does — from regulating our body temperature, to supporting heart function, digestion, even energy and mood. They discuss why thyroid issues impact women more than men, what to do to support thyroid health, and explore the signs that might mean it’s time to head to your doctor to look into your thyroid function. 

This week, Faith talks to pediatrician Dr. Melanie Wilson-Taylor from NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine about how to prepare your children for the summer. They cover everything from sunscreen to water safety to keeping up with academic skills. Whether your kid is going to sleep away camp or day camp, Dr. Wilson-Taylor shares tips to keep them safe and having fun all summer long.

This week, Faith is joined by urologist Dr. Alfred Winkler from NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine. They discuss prostate health and why it’s so important for men to get screened for prostate cancer. Dr. Winkler also shares how it’s among the most treatable cancers, and why some men can be under “active surveillance” and live with the slow-growing cancer with minimal impact on their lives.

Faith Salie talks to Dr. Sorana Segal-Maurer, an infectious disease expert at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, about what to do if you or a loved one is bitten by a tick. She debunked some common misconceptions about tick-borne illnesses and breaks down the steps to preventing tick bites and conducting tick checks.

Click here for the episode transcript. 

This week, Faith is joined by Dr. Colleen Cullen to discuss how, no surprise, friendship has been shown to have amazing effects on both mental health and physical health. They discuss the recent research behind loneliness, the powerful impacts of friendship on our bodies, as well as how to make new friends as adults and how to nurture the friendships that we have.