Nearly half of all women who get a mammogram for the first time will hear this from their doctor: You have dense breasts. But what does this mean? And should women who get this news be concerned? In this episode of Q&A with Dr. K, Dr. Doug Kuntzweiler and Dr. Tiffany Kniepkamp explain what it means to have dense breasts and the health implications.

If you have a question for Dr. K, email [email protected]. Your question will remain anonymous.

Additional resources for this episode
Mayo Clinic - What it means to have dense breasts: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mammogram/in-depth/dense-breast-tissue/art-20123968
Mayo Clinic - What to know about dense breasts: https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/what-is-dense-breast-tissue-what-do-you-need-to-know
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) About Dense Breasts: https://www.cdc.gov/breast-cancer/about/dense-breasts.html
American Cancer Society Breast Density and Your Mammogram Report: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/mammograms/breast-density-and-your-mammogram-report.html

Vaping is a popular trend, especially among young people. Many believe vaping is a safer alternative to smoking or using tobacco and use vaping as a way to quit smoking. But what exactly is involved when you vape? And is it really better for you than smoking? In this episode of Q&A with Dr. K, Dr. Tiffany Kniepkamp joins Dr. Doug Kuntzweiler to discuss what we know about vaping and how it compares to smoking when it comes to our health.

If you have a question for Dr. K, email [email protected]. Your question will remain anonymous.

Additional resources for this episode
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) E-Cigarettes (Vapes): https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/index.html
CDC Vaping and Quitting: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/quitting.html
CDC Resources to Help Youth Reject or Quit Vaping: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/youth-quitting.html
American Lung Association E-Cigarettes and Vaping: https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/e-cigarettes-vaping
American Lung Association Don't Just Switch, Quit Tobacco for Good: https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/e-cigarettes-vaping/quit-dont-switch

In this episode of Q&A with Dr. K, Dr. Doug Kuntzweiler takes us on his personal journey of being diagnosed with and getting treated for prostate cancer. With 1 in 8 men being diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives, and with it being the second leading cause of cancer death for men, get the benefit of both Dr. K's personal experience and expert professional knowledge about what the prostate is, what puts someone at risk for prostate cancer and the screening and treatment options.

If you have a question for Dr. K, email [email protected]. Your question will remain anonymous.

Additional resources for this episode
American Cancer Society - Information and decision-making assistance: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer.html
American Society of Clinical Oncology - https://society.asco.org/news-initiatives/current-initiatives/geriatric-oncology/specific-cancer-types/prostate-cancer
National Cancer Institute - Overview, screening and treatment information: https://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate

Early-onset cancer cases are on the rise. What do we need to know about this concerning trend? How are early-onset cancers different from other cancers? Who is at risk? And what are researchers saying? In this episode of Q&A with Dr. K, we get expert insights from two Dr. Ks: Dr. Doug Kuntzweiler and Dr. Tiffany Kniepkamp.

If you have a question for Dr. K, email [email protected]. Your question will remain anonymous.

Additional resources for this episode
Yale Medicine: https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/early-onset-cancer-in-younger-people-on-the-rise
Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/digestive-diseases/news/addressing-the-rising-incidence-of-early-onset-colorectal-cancer/mac-20541392
Johns Hopkins: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/articles/2019/06/an-earlier-onset-for-colorectal-cancer
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/types/colorectal/center-for-young-onset-colorectal-gastrointestinal-cancer

As technology becomes more and more prevalent in the way we receive and even schedule our care, what role do patients play in embracing health information technology to improve health and the health care experience? We wrap up our empowered patient series with Dr. K talking about how technology can prevent health issues or track and help you better understand your health, your care plan and communication with your providers.

If you have a question for Dr. K, email [email protected]. Your question will remain anonymous.

Additional resources for this episode
Health IT: Advancing America's Health Care: https://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/health-information-technology-fact-sheet.pdf
Mayo Clinic Personal Health Records and Patient Portals: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/personal-health-record/art-20047273
Johns Hopkins Medicine Benefits of Telemedicine: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/benefits-of-telemedicine
HealthIT.gov Your Health Information Security: https://www.healthit.gov/topic/your-health-information-security

Taking any medication can have risks, but those risks increase when we do not know key information about the medication, do not take the medication when or how we are supposed to or take multiple medications. Dr. K and special guest Kyla Newland, Mountain Pacific pharmacist, provide tips on how to be more confident in your knowledge and routines so taking your medications is easier -- and safer.

Additional resources for this episode
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Medication Safety and You: https://www.cdc.gov/medication-safety/about/index.html
Johns Hopkins Medication Management and Safety Tips: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/help-for-managing-multiple-medications
Search for financial help for a specific medication: https://needymeds.org/

If you have a question for Dr. K, email [email protected]. Your question will remain anonymous. 

This episode of Q&A with Dr. K launches our series about what it means to be an empowered patient, starting with having the confidence to ask questions and knowing which questions to ask when talking with your health care provider. Dr. K shares his experience with patients who ask questions, the three main questions we should always ask our doctors and more!

Additional resource for this episode:
Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI): https://www.ihi.org/resources/tools/ask-me-3-good-questions-your-good-health

If you have a question for Dr. K, email [email protected]. Your question will remain anonymous. 

Talking about death or life-threatening illnesses or injuries is not easy. However, planning for these events makes sure you get the health care you want and offers you and your loved ones peace of mind, helping eliminate difficult decisions in the midst of extreme emotions, confusion and pain. Dr. K and special guest Ramon Mercado discuss important end-of-life planning tools, including advance directives and a health care power of attorney.

Additional resources for this episode:
National Institute on Aging: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/advance-care-planning/advance-care-planning-advance-directives-health-care
Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/living-wills/art-20046303
Johns Hopkins: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/patient-care/patients-visitors/advance-directives

If you have a question for Dr. K, email [email protected]. Your question will remain anonymous. 

The human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is still a public health problem affecting millions of people in the U.S. and around the world, and yet it is an issue we do not talk about - or when we do, it carries stigma and misinformation. Many people, especially young people who did not live during the 1980s epidemic, still do not understand where HIV came from or how it is transmitted. Dr. K gives us the facts about the history, prevention and treatment of HIV.

Additional resources for this episode:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/index.html
Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiv-aids/symptoms-causes/syc-20373524
Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4251-hiv-aids
Johns Hopkins: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hiv-and-aids

If you have a question for Dr. K, email [email protected]. Your question will remain anonymous. 

Whether is for a new year's resolution, an effort to follow doctor's orders or any other reason to improve your health, sticking to a lifestyle change can be challenging. Dr. K offers advice on how to set realistic goals to achieve a healthier you and responds to a listener's question about steps for lowering blood pressure.

Additional resources for this episode:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/index.htm
American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure
Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373410#overview
Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/17649-blood-pressure

If you have a question for Dr. K, email [email protected]. Your question will remain anonymous.