Back pain has a way of stopping life in its tracks. One minute you’re bending down to pick up a shoe, and the next you’re flat on your back, wondering how something so small could cause so much pain — and what you can do to feel better.

In this episode of Health Matters, we talk with physiatrist Dr. Nick Canzanello about why back pain happens, when it may be serious, and what you can do to prevent it in the first place.

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Lung cancer currently accounts for about one in five cancer deaths. But only a fraction of people who are eligible for lung cancer screening are getting screened. So why aren’t more people getting screened?

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Dandruff, eczema, rashes, redness — dermatitis can take many forms. While symptoms can be frustrating, uncomfortable or even painful, effective treatment options are available.

On this episode of Health Matters, dermatologist Dawn Marie Davis, M.D., joins us to explain the different types of dermatitis, how to manage symptoms, and what actually works when it comes to skin care. She also helps separate common myths from evidence-based guidance so you can make more informed decisions about your skin health.

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What if your doctor prescribed a poem? What if the surgeon removing your tumor took an improv class?

On this episode of Health Matters, we continue our conversation on the intersection of art and medicine. First, Dr. Shelley Noland — a hand and peripheral nerve surgeon and medical director of the Center for Humanities in Medicine — joins us to explore what the science says about the healing power of the arts. Then, we talk with Tane Danger, artist-in-residence at Mayo Clinic, about how he uses improv to help clinicians deliver better care.

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Art feeds the soul — but can it also help the body heal? Mayo Clinic’s Arts at the Bedside program is exploring exactly that.

On this episode of Health Matters, we’re joined by artist Robin Anderson, who brings creativity directly to patients’ bedsides, and patient-turned-artist Katie White, who left Mayo Clinic with not just a new heart, but a new creative passion.

Together, they share how art can offer comfort, connection and even a sense of control during some of life’s most challenging moments — and why creativity may play a meaningful role in the healing process.

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If the past year has shown us anything, it’s that GLP-1s are here to stay. But as time passes, we’re also learning more about them — from new uses to new side effects to unexpected cultural trends. So have these drugs really lived up to the promise of easy weight loss?

On this episode of Health Matters, Mayo Clinic dietitian Tara Schmidt rejoins us — one year after our original GLP-1 episode — to talk about what we’ve learned so far, what’s surprised researchers and patients, and what questions still need answers.

Curing cancer is often talked about as a pie-in-the-sky goal. Given how difficult cancer can be to detect — let alone treat — a cure can sometimes feel out of reach. But what if a real cure for many types of cancer is closer than we think — perhaps just a decade away?

On this episode of Health Matters, oncologist Dr. Tanios Bekaii-Saab joins us to explain what makes cancer so challenging to cure, how we are treating it today, and what is giving him real hope for the future.

It’s time to talk about poop. While poop can feel awkward or uncomfortable to talk about, it can offer valuable clues about your health. So what might your poop be telling you?

In this episode of Health Matters, gastroenterologist Dr. Xiao Jing Iris Wang shares practical guidance on healthy bowel habits, how to manage constipation and diarrhea, and whether there really are “right” or “wrong” ways to poop.

Check out Dr. Wang's children's book, Boo

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How does healthcare in rural America differ from care in cities? The answer is more complex than familiar images of house calls and close-knit communities.

On this episode of Health Matters, Steven Furr, M.D., of the American Academy of Family Physicians draws on more than 40 years of experience practicing rural medicine. He explains what makes rural populations unique, how closely connected rural health systems are, and the daily challenge of balancing evidence-based treatment with what patients can realistically afford.

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Many people find strokes frightening to think about, but advances in stroke care continue to improve survival and recovery. What has changed, and what should patients and families know about stroke symptoms, treatment and prevention?

On this episode of Health Matters, neurologist James Klaas, M.D., explains how stroke treatment has evolved, what signs and symptoms require immediate attention, and how timely care can improve outcomes for yourself or a loved one.

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