Why is nicotine so hard to quit? What’s the best way to do it?

In this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Robert Kirchoff breaks down the science of addiction. He explains why the method of nicotine use — including pouches, vaping, smoking and chewing tobacco — matters and discusses how GLP-1 medications may play a future role in smoking cessation.

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On this episode of Health Matters, genitourinary oncologist Dr. Elisabeth Heath breaks down what we know — and what we’re still learning — about the prostate and prostate cancer. She also shares the latest advances in treating metastatic prostate cancer and explains how many people diagnosed with advanced disease can still live full, fulfilling lives.

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You’ve been dealing with headaches, joint pain and sudden trouble concentrating. Could it be menopause?

The menopause transition can be confusing, especially because there’s no single set of symptoms or treatments. In this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Denise Millstine discusses how perimenopause and menopause are diagnosed, the latest on hormone therapy, and how our understanding of this stage of life has changed dramatically in recent decades.

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We all want a bright set of pearly whites, but teeth are more than what meets the eye. Your mouth and teeth serve as gatekeepers for your body, helping protect your heart, lungs and other organs from bacteria, pathogens and disease.

On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with Dr. Sarah Lee, a prosthodontist, about how oral health and overall health go hand in hand — and how to optimize your dental hygiene routine.

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Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, Little League elbow — and now, even pickleball elbow.

Staying active has countless benefits, but sports can be tough on your tendons. And you don’t have to be an athlete to end up with a “sports injury.” So, what are the early signs to watch for, and how can you prevent injury in the first place? Is there anything you can do to speed up recovery?

On this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Christopher Camp joins us to share expert advice on keeping your elbows and shoulders safe — whether you're on the court, on the course or just going about your day.

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Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure—many without even realizing it. So what do those two numbers really mean for your health? And is your high blood pressure preventable, treatable... or even reversible?

On this episode of Health Matters, we're talking with Dr. Gary Schwartz about hypertension, how to get your numbers within range, and whether you should be measuring your blood pressure at home.

For more information on blood pressure device validation and accuracy, check out validatebp.org.

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Your colon is more than a pit stop for waste — it houses a lush, thriving ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. These organisms affect everything from your digestion to your immune system — and maybe even your mental health. So how can we harness the power of the gut microbiome? And when it comes to “gut-healthy” diets and products, who should you believe?

On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with Dr. Sahil Khanna about the care and keeping of your gut microbiome — and the exciting potential of microbiota-based therapies.

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Nearly everyone experiences a headache at some point in life, but not all headaches are created equal. They can have different causes, pain levels and effects on your daily functioning.

In this episode of Health Matters, we’re talking with neurologist Dr. Amaal Starling. She takes us on a tour of the world of headaches — from nursing a garden-variety tension headache to being plagued by migraines.

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Ovarian cancer may not be the most common or talked-about cancer, but like any major disease, it can turn your life upside down. While the risk of developing ovarian cancer is comparatively lower, it’s harder to detect — there’s no reliable way to screen for it, and early symptoms can be vague. Still, some dedicate their careers to advancing its treatment.

On this episode of Health Matters, we talk with one such person: Dr. Marion Curtis, whose groundbreaking research is changing the landscape of ovarian cancer treatment.

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We're back for a second installment of the Vaccines episode, digging further into vaccines and dispelling misinformation about them.

On this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Gregory Poland returns to explain why women have better immune responses to viral vaccines than men, how "natural infection" is NOT safer than vaccines, and what the future of vaccines looks like.

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