When was the last time you thought about your kidney? If you’re a healthy individual, maybe not so much. But this unassuming organ is vital—and kidney diseases, like polycystic kidney disease, can put people at serious risk of health complications.

On this episode of Health Matters, we’re talking with Dr. Fouad Chebib to sing the praises of the small but mighty kidney, learn how to maintain kidney health, and gain a deeper understanding of polycystic kidney disease, also known as PKD.

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Remember the childhood warning about rusty nails and tetanus? Turns out, there’s more to the story.

On this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Priya Sampathkumar unpacks the truth about tetanus—how it spreads, the signs of infection, and why staying up to date on your vaccines is crucial.

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We've got a special episode for you today from our friends at Tomorrow's Cure! Tomorrow's Cure is a Mayo Clinic podcast that is bringing the future of healthcare to the present.

The stethoscope, one of the most iconic symbols of medicine, was invented over 200 years ago. Today, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing this essential tool, empowering doctors to detect cardiac disease at its earliest stages with greater precision during routine visits. The podcast episode features Demilade Adedinsewo, M.B., Ch.B., cardiologist at Mayo Clinic and Jason Bellet, co-founder of Eko Health.

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Ozempic. Wegovy. Mounjaro. Zepbound. You’ve probably heard the name of one of these drugs in the past few years—maybe you’ve even thought about taking them. Every day, more Americans are taking these drugs known as GLP-1s, either for chronic conditions like diabetes or, increasingly, for weight loss. So do these drugs deliver on the promise of easy weight loss? And are they right for everyone? This episode, we talk with Mayo Clinic dietitian and host of Mayo Clinic On Nutrition Tara Schmidt about the drugs that have taken weight loss culture by storm.

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Life after a breast cancer diagnosis is rarely the same as it was before. Breast cancer changes your relationship with your body. It changes your relationship with the people around you. It changes life’s daily rhythms. But that doesn’t mean life can’t be richer, more meaningful and perhaps even healthier. Living with breast cancer is about more than just surviving. It’s about thriving and continuing to find purpose and joy.

On this episode of Heath Matters, we sit down with Dr. Tufia Haddad, author of Beyond Breast Cancer, to talk about what comes next after you or a loved one receives a breast cancer diagnosis.

You can purchase Beyond Breast Cancer from Mayo Clinic Press.

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Cardiovascular disease accounts for more than a fourth of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. The good news is that doctors believe the vast majority of those are entirely avoidable.

On this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Niti Aggarwal shares how heart issues during pregnancy aren't just a temporary condition for nine months -- instead, they're actually a predictor of heart health for the rest of your life.

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If you're struggling with infertility, what are your options for available treatment? 

On this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Zaraq Khan returns to share the details on IUI, IVF, ICSI, third party reproduction, and more. He'll also break down the myth of cyropreservation, and explain newer experimental technologies -- from ovary and uterine transplants to the use of mouse models for harvesting and developing ovarian tissue. 

You can purchase Dr. Khan's book, Mayo Clinic Guide to Fertility and Conception, Second Edition, on Mayo Clinic Press.

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One out of eight couples in the United States experience difficulty getting pregnant. A large and often unspoken contributor to that statistic? Male factor infertility.

On this episode of Health Matters, Dr. Zaraq Khan breaks down all the necessary components to create a pregnancy, and shares his thoughts on how infertility -- generally a couple's issue -- has become a woman's social burden to carry.

Join us next week for part 2 of our fertility discussion, where we'll be talking about assisted reproduction, fertility preservation options, and more!

You can purchase Dr. Khan's book, Mayo Clinic Guide to Fertility and Conception, Second Edition, on Mayo Clinic Press.

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Sleep: it's complicated. Our sleep quality is at the root of countless health issues. So, how do we change our habits?

On this episode of Health Matters, we're speaking with Dr. Timothy Morgenthaler, a sleep medicine specialist and the director of Mayo Clinic’s Center for Sleep Medicine, about how to sleep better. Dr. Morgenthaler shares tips about maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and optimizing the sleep environment, and when to see a medical professional for sleep issues.

Order Dr. Morgenthaler's book, Mayo Clinic Guide to Better Sleep, on Mayo Clinic Press today.

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Heartburn, acid reflux, GERD—what’s the real difference? In this episode of Health Matters, gastroenterologist Dr. Dawn Francis breaks it down, explaining why an estimated 1 in 5 Americans experience frequent reflux symptoms. We dive into how diet factors into your gastro health, the mechanics of the digestive system, and the lifestyle changes you can make to get alleviate your reflux symptoms.

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