Michigan Answers

It’s estimated that between 10 and 15% of people in the US suffer from IBS – irritable bowel syndrome.   

People with IBS experience diarrhea, or constipation. Sometimes both! Add abdominal pain to the mix, and a range of other symptoms, and the resulting experience can range from uncomfortable and inconvenient, to debilitating.  

People have a lot of questions about IBS, and there is a lot of information out there online. Unfortunately, not all of it is rooted in facts.  

In this episode, gastroenterologist William Chey, M.D. joins us to answer the most commonly searched questions on the internet about IBS, including: 

• What causes IBS? 
• What are the symptoms of IBS? 
• How is IBS treated? 
• What is “leaky gut” and is there a link between IBS and “leaky gut”? 
• What is the difference between IBS and IBD? 
• What is your gut microbiome, and what does it have to do with IBS? 

You can find the episode transcript here.

The Michigan Answers podcast is hosted by Preeti Malani, M.D, M.S.J., Chief Health Officer at the University of Michigan and an internal medicine physician at Michigan Medicine. For more answers to some of the top searched questions on the internet, visit our website at MichiganAnswers.com.

Subscribe to the Michigan Answers podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to check out all of the shows on the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sleep quality, or lack of it, can affect how we feel, how we act, our performance at work, our relationships. The American Sleep Association has found that more than 37% of Americans reported unintentionally falling asleep during the day at least once in the preceding month. 

That’s a lot of tired people. 

In this episode, clinical sleep psychologist Deirdre Conroy, M.D. joins us to answer the most commonly searched questions on the internet about sleep, including: 

• What are the most common types of sleep disorders? 
• Is restless leg syndrome a sleep disorder? 
• Is insomnia curable? 
• Do some medical conditions have a link to sleep disorders? 
• What effects can sleep have on mental health? 
• When should you see a specialist about sleep difficulties? 
• What are your tips for people with difficulty sleeping? 
• Is it “normal” to get 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep? 
• Should you expect to get less sleep as you age? 
• What do people need to know about TV and phones and their impact on sleep? 
• Is melatonin safe and effective as a sleep aid? 
• Is there a link between marijuana and sleep difficulties? 

You can find the episode transcript here.

The Michigan Answers podcast is hosted by Preeti Malani, M.D, M.S.J., Chief Health Officer at the University of Michigan and an internal medicine physician at Michigan Medicine. For more answers to some of the top searched questions on the internet, visit our website at MichiganAnswers.com.

Subscribe to the Michigan Answers podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to check out all of the shows on the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cancer. Vaccines. Sexually transmitted infections. Three topics that bring strong reactions, lots of questions, and more than a little misinformation. And a real conversation about HPV has to involve all three of these hot topics. 

In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Campbell joins us to talk about what men AND women need to know about all three of them and HPV, the human papillomavirus.  

We cover the most commonly asked questions about HPV, including: 

• What is HPV? 
• Can HPV be spread without sexual intercourse? 
• What are the symptoms of HPV? 
• Can men get HPV? 
• Who should be tested for HPV? 
• Can HPV be treated? 
• Will HPV go away on its own? 
• How can you reduce your risk of getting HPV? 
• What are the side effects of the HPV vaccine? 
• Do young people who get the HPV vaccine become more sexually active? 
• How can you talk about the HPV virus with your child? 
• Can adults get the HPV vaccine? 

You can find the episode transcript here.

The Michigan Answers podcast is hosted by Preeti Malani, M.D, M.S.J., Chief Health Officer at the University of Michigan and an internal medicine physician at Michigan Medicine. For more answers to some of the top searched questions on the internet, visit our website at MichiganAnswers.com.

Subscribe to the Michigan Answers podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to check out all of the shows on the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dry, scaly patches and relentless itching are the hallmark signs of eczema. 1 in 10 people will develop eczema at some point during their lifetime. It’s uncomfortable, and can seem embarrassing.

In this episode, dermatologist Frank Wang, M.D. joins us to answer the most commonly searched questions about eczema, including:

• What is eczema?
• Are there different types of eczema?
• What is the difference between eczema and psoriasis?
• Is eczema contagious? Can it spread from one part of your body to another?
• Is eczema genetic? Does eczema run in families?
• Does stress cause eczema?
• What can cause an eczema flare up?
• How can you avoid an eczema flare up?
• Are over the counter or home treatments for eczema safe?
• Do bleach baths help eczema?

You can find the episode transcript here.

The Michigan Answers podcast is hosted by Preeti Malani, M.D, M.S.J., Chief Health Officer at the University of Michigan and an internal medicine physician at Michigan Medicine. For more answers to some of the top searched questions on the internet, visit our website at MichiganAnswers.com.

Subscribe to the Michigan Answers podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to check out all of the shows on the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever heard someone describe feeling like they were punched in the back of their legs, or hearing a popping sound from their heel or calf area, it’s very possible that they’re talking about an Achilles tendon injury. It’s a very common-activity related injury – but it can be a serious one.

In this episode, James Holmes, M.D. joins us to answer the most commonly searched questions about Achilles tendon injuries, including:

• What does the Achilles tendon do?
• What are some of the more common Achilles tendon injuries?
• How are Achilles tendon injuries treated and how long does it take to recover?
• What exercises are safe to do with an Achilles injury?
• Are there things you can do to prevent an injury to the Achilles tendon?
• Are some people more prone to this type of injury? Is there a genetic aspect?
• Who needs Achilles tendon surgery and what does that surgery involve?
• Is an Achilles tendon injury a career-ending injury for an elite athlete?

You can find the episode transcript here.

The Michigan Answers podcast is hosted by Preeti Malani, M.D, M.S.J., Chief Health Officer at the University of Michigan and an internal medicine physician at Michigan Medicine. For more answers to some of the top searched questions on the internet, visit our website at MichiganAnswers.com.

Subscribe to the Michigan Answers podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to check out all of the shows on the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The start of a new day can feel a little less hopeful when it’s marked by stabbing pain in your heel. Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. 

• What causes plantar fasciitis?
• Can you prevent plantar fasciits?
• Why do some people get plantar fasciitis and others don’t?
• How do you make plantar fasciitis heal pain go away?
• What are the best types of footwear for people with plantar fasciitis?
• Should someone with plantar fasciitis exercise or rest for the best relief?
• Can you still be a runner if you have plantar fasciitis?

Podiatrist Garneisha Torrence, M.D., joins us to answer the top-searched questions about plantar fasciitis in this week’s episode of the Michigan Answers podcast.

You can find the episode transcript here.

The Michigan Answers podcast is hosted by Preeti Malani, M.D, M.S.J., Chief Health Officer at the University of Michigan and an internal medicine physician at Michigan Medicine. For more answers to some of the top searched questions on the internet, visit our website at MichiganAnswers.com.

Subscribe to the Michigan Answers podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to check out all of the shows on the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you know about the numbers that get read out to you after you get your arm hugged by a blood pressure cuff? Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure. And because there are no obvious symptoms, many people don’t even know it. Cardiologist Nicole Bhave, M.D. joins us to sort out answers to the most searched questions about the “silent killer” that is high blood pressure.

• What is “good blood pressure”?
• What causes high or low blood pressure?
• How can someone lower their blood pressure?
• Can COVID affect your blood pressure?
• Is it a good idea to monitor your blood pressure from home?

Find out what the numbers mean and what you need to know about blood pressure in this week’s episode of the Michigan Answers podcast.

You can find the episode transcript here.

The Michigan Answers podcast is hosted by Preeti Malani, M.D, M.S.J., Chief Health Officer at the University of Michigan and an internal medicine physician at Michigan Medicine. For more answers to some of the top searched questions on the internet, visit our website at MichiganAnswers.com.

Subscribe to the Michigan Answers podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to check out all of the shows on the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Young or old. Male or female. Pro athlete or afternoon dog walker. Knee pain is one of the great equalizers that affect people of all ages and backgrounds. Walter Alomar-Jimenez, M.D., joins us to answer the top asked questions about knee pain.

• What causes knee pain?
• Should you rest, or exercise, to address knee pain?
• What exercises are best for knee pain?
• Should you get a knee brace for knee pain?
• When should you see a specialist about knee pain?
• What are the most common treatments for knee pain?

Not all knee pain is serious, but if it’s keeping you from doing all the things you want to do, you deserve to know what’s going on, and your options for treatment. Dr. Alomar gets us the answers on this episode of the Michigan Answers podcast. 

You can find the episode transcript here.

The Michigan Answers podcast is hosted by Preeti Malani, M.D, M.S.J., Chief Health Officer at the University of Michigan and an internal medicine physician at Michigan Medicine. For more answers to some of the top searched questions on the internet, visit our website at MichiganAnswers.com.

Subscribe to the Michigan Answers podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to check out all of the shows on the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Autism has been the subject of endless debate, garnered international headlines, and sent many parents to their favorite search engine looking for answers. Unfortunately, not everything you see online is based on evidence and facts, so we called in Jenny Radesky, M.D. to help us sort through myths and facts associated with the most searched questions about autism. 

• What is autism? 
• What are the signs of autism, and how is it diagnosed? 
• What is Asperger’s syndrome? 
• What causes autism? 
• Is there a cure for autism? 
• How do you help support someone with autism? 
• What’s the connection between trains and autism? 

People have a lot of questions about the autism spectrum. Dr. Radesky helps us sort facts from fiction, and navigate how we understand and help support people with autism. 

You can find the episode transcript here.

The Michigan Answers podcast is hosted by Preeti Malani, M.D, M.S.J., Chief Health Officer at the University of Michigan and an internal medicine physician at Michigan Medicine. For more answers to some of the top searched questions on the internet, visit our website at MichiganAnswers.com.

Subscribe to the Michigan Answers podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to check out all of the shows on the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the U.S. today. Even so, there’s still a stigma around anxiety and panic attacks. Emily Bilek, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at University of Michigan Health, joins us to answer some of the most searched questions on the internet about anxiety, including:

• What’s the difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack?
• Why do anxiety attacks cause chest pain?
• What can you do to help someone who is having an anxiety attack?
• What could exposure therapy mean for people who live with anxiety?

Anxiety disorders are real, and they are common. But there’s a lot to be hopeful about, and Dr. Bilek helps walk us through the facts.

You can find the episode transcript here.

The Michigan Answers podcast is hosted by Preeti Malani, M.D, M.S.J., Chief Health Officer at the University of Michigan and an internal medicine physician at Michigan Medicine. For more answers to some of the top searched questions on the internet, visit our website at MichiganAnswers.com.

Subscribe to the Michigan Answers podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to check out all of the shows on the Michigan Medicine Podcast Network.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.