Head throbbing? Back aching? Arthritis flaring up? People in such plights ― and countless others ― almost universally respond the same way: pop a painkiller. Indeed, recent surveys show 1 in 3 Americans take over-the-counter pain medication daily and as many as 8 in 10 report reaching for it routinely. But how much do people really know about these seeming wonder drugs found in practically every home or office first-aid kid? In this episode, we explore the different types of painkillers, how to know which to take for your condition and when they do more harm than good. 

Expert: Dr. William McGee, Internal Medicine 

Interviewer: Todd Ackerman 

Notable topics covered: 

• The history of painkillers 
• Acetaminophen, NSAIDs — which is right for your pain 
• Interaction issues involving painkillers and prescription drugs 
• Do some people just respond better to a certain type of painkiller? 
• Side effects: The dangers of over-the-counter painkillers 
• Are generics just as effective? 
• Topical painkillers: All the benefits without the potential harms 
• When are prescription painkillers appropriate?

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If you've ever Googled "How to start working out" and quickly abandoned the page, this episode is for you. Starting — or restarting — exercise can be as challenging mentally as it is physically. Our body and fitness levels may be different from what they were the last time we worked out regularly, and our goals may have changed, too. Instead of chasing the current trends in toned physiques, we may want to focus on working out for our overall health and longevity. Whether you're an absolute beginner or a seasoned pro who's been inactive for some time (who's counting?), we're sharing how to start a new workout routine and overcome the barriers to exercise that can help you make fitness a lasting habit.

Expert: Dr. Dominisha Felder, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Interviewer: Kim Rivera Huston-Weber

Notable topics covered:

• The absolute first step to make if you want to start (or restart) exercise
• Should your exercise goals be outcome- or process-driven? 
• How to get started without overdoing it and causing injury
• Things to consider before starting an exercise plan if you’re living with a health condition or coming back from an injury or pregnancy 
• What we can expect our bodies to feel like as we start moving regularly
• The importance of rest in a consistent routine
• Tips for addressing obstacles to exercise
• How to be mentally disciplined to exercise during every era of your life

If you enjoy these kinds of conversations, be sure to subscribe. And for more topics like this, visit our blog at houstonmethodist.org/blog.

We’ve all had that moment of regret — maybe it was the medium rare burger at a backyard barbecue or that salad bar that was just too convenient to pass up. But the unfortunate result — food poisoning — is no walk in the park for the estimated 48 million Americans a year who suffer the ensuing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness. What are the first signs you ate something contaminated? How long do most bouts last? And what can you do to help recover? In this episode, we break down how these nasty bugs make their way into our meals and the steps you can take to reduce your chances of getting sick. 

Expert: Dr. Neeharika Kalakota, Gastroenterologist 

Interviewer: Todd Ackerman 

Notable topics covered: 

• What is foodborne illness exactly? 
• The hallmark sign that it’s likely food poisoning 
• Symptoms, onset and duration — all can vary from bug to bug  
• The food sources most linked to food poisoning 
• Is an “iron stomach” real? Or are we all equally at risk? 
• The vulnerability of some individuals to foodborne illness 
• When to ride it out at home and when to seek treatment 
• Self-care steps to take in the initial hours and days of illness 
• Why recovering from food poisoning may take a long time 
• Ways to reduce your risk of food poisoning 

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The blue light emitting from your screen as you read this has become a bit of a bogeyman, allegedly responsible for eye strain, headaches, poor sleep and much more. Enter blue light-blocking glasses, also called blue light glasses or blue light-filtering glasses. Advocates of blue light glasses claim these lenses can absorb or filter the short wavelengths of blue light produced by our devices, which in turn improves sleep, vision and even focus and productivity. In this episode, we explore blue light and whether specialized eyewear is the answer to its possible harms.   

Expert: Dr. Amina Malik, Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon

Interviewer: Zach Moore

Notable topics covered:

• What exactly is blue light, and is it a problem?
• The biggest source of blue light (it’s not your phone or TV)
• Does blue light affect your circadian rhythm?
• Who is more at-risk for blue light exposure
• Rose-tinted glasses are real — what are they used for?
• The 20-20-20 rule and other tried-and-true tips to help eye strain
• It’s not just the light: Why you should limit screens before bed
• How to choose the right sunglasses to protect your eyes
• What eye color has to do with light sensitivity, skin cancer

If you enjoy these kinds of conversations, be sure to subscribe. And for more topics like this, visit our blog at houstonmethodist.org/blog.

Feeling as if your body needs a reset after a stretch of questionable food and drink decisions? A body cleanse might sound like a practical answer, but do detox diets and supplements really help? In this episode, we explore whether your body needs help detoxifying itself and how to support optimal health. 

Expert: Dr. Kyle Mueller, Primary Care Physician 

Interviewer: Katie McCallum 

Notable topics covered: 

• Are greasy foods, sugary snacks and alcohol truly “toxic” to the body? 
• Your body is naturally detoxifying itself all the time 
• What does a detox diet do for the body? 
• The hidden harms of juice cleanses 
• Should you try a detox supplement instead? 
• Why “cheat days” don’t work for everyone 
• The principles of keeping a healthy body 

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The use of ice and heat as medical therapy dates to ancient times, easy-to-apply treatments for the management of everything from inflammation to stiffness. They’re today’s go-to remedies for minor injuries and workout recovery, and a recent survey found they’re also American’s most-used relief option for chronic pain. But how do they work? Are you using them appropriately? And are some of the old ways of thinking about them out of fashion? In this episode, we explore all you need to know before you pull out that soft heating pad or chilly ice pack. 

Expert: Dr. Megan Arthur, Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician 

Interviewer: Todd Ackerman

Notable topics covered:

• To ice or to heat: slowing blood flow vs. promoting it 
• Do some people just respond to one better than the other? 
• They’re not just for sports injuries: ice and heat for other conditions 
• Polar plunges: Do they provide any benefits in healthy people? 
• Contrast therapy: The benefits of alternating cold and heat 
• Is RICE being replaced by a more holistic approach? 
• The best ways to intervene with ice and heat 
• How long and how often should you apply ice or heat? 

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A plant-forward diet is your best bet for healthy aging, according to a recent high-profile study, but it doesn’t mean becoming a vegetarian or vegan. Plant-forward diets encompass a wide range of diets that include some meat — including pescatarian, flexitarian, and the popular Mediterranean diet — all of which are rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes and beans. This eating pattern doesn’t mean going fully plant-based; it simply means deprioritizing meat as the star of your plate. In this episode, we delve into plant-forward eating, exploring its health benefits and how to get started with this approach.   

Expert: Fatima Zamudio, Registered Dietitian

Interviewer: Kim Rivera Huston-Weber

Notable topics covered:

• The health benefits of a plant-forward diet 
• Debunking myths around protein requirements, soy dangers and protein combining 
• What does our plate look like when meat isn’t included? 
• The types of plant-based protein to include with your meals 
• How to veg-ify our favorite dishes 
• Plant-based meat alternatives: Can we eat too many burger and sausage alternatives? 
• The easiest meal for starting a plant-forward diet (and your day) 
• Why you don’t have to identify as a vegetarian or vegan to eat plant-forward 

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Coffee is the wake-me-up beverage used to start the day around the world. Americans alone drink 400 million cups of coffee each day, more than any other beverage except water. Whether you drink coffee for its unique flavor or you just want that jolt of java, you may wonder: Is coffee good or bad for my health? In this episode, we explore the benefits and potential downsides of coffee consumption. 

Expert: Dr. Priya Davar, Primary Care Physician

Interviewer: Kim Rivera Huston-Weber

Notable topics covered: 

• What we actually consume when we drink coffee 
• The science-backed benefits of coffee consumption 
• The potential downsides of drinking coffee 
• How to approach your overall caffeine consumption 
• Who should limit their caffeine intake 
• What is the healthiest way to take your coffee? 
• Coffee alternatives: Do the benefits match the hype? 
• Does bean preparation and brew matter, and is decaf really decaf? 

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Whether you love working out or just tolerate it, no one enjoys the soreness that sometimes follows. This explains why there’s no shortage of advice and products promising to help speed recovery — or prevent muscle soreness altogether.  In this episode, we break down why sore muscles happen and what actually helps your body as you recover.

Expert: Dr. David Braunreiter, Sports Medicine Physician

Interviewer: Katie McCallum

Notable topics covered:

• All about delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)
• Aerobic vs. resistance exercise: How each leads to soreness
• Is lactic acid really to blame?
• Muscle soreness vs. pain: how to tell the difference
• Is muscle soreness ever a reason to skip a workout?
• How to limit your chances of sore muscles
• Recovery supplements? Salt bath soak? Cryotherapy? Stretching? What’s the best way to relieve sore muscles
• The physical and mental benefits of a varied workout regimen

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Artificial sweeteners are everywhere these days — soft drinks, iced coffees, yogurt, energy drinks, pre-workout powders, protein bars and the list runs on. The prevailing logic is that they’re smart swaps for regular sugar. But could artificial sweeteners be too good to be true? In this episode, we explore how even a “zero calorie” food or drink might still affect your blood sugar. 

Expert: Mag Ayyad, Exercise Dietitian 

Interviewer: Katie McCallum 

Notable topics covered: 

• What are blood sugar spikes? When are they bad? 
• A surprising fact you probably didn’t know about artificial sweeteners 
• Are artificial sweeteners always better than added sugars? 
• Why sugar-free foods can still spike your blood sugar 
• Sugar cravings? Gut problems? Cancer? How else might artificial sweeteners affect the body? 
• What people with diabetes need to know about artificial sweeteners 
• Are some artificial sweeteners better for you than others? 

If you enjoy these kinds of conversations, be sure to subscribe. And for more topics like this, visit our blog at houstonmethodist.org/blog.