The Healing Podcast - Brought to you by MarinHealth

When people compare COVID-19 to the flu, it’s often to minimize the impact of COVID. However, as a health threat, the flu is nothing to sneeze at. As Dr. Fauci testified before Congress, “The seasonal flu has a mortality of 0.1%, whereas coronavirus is 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu.” Though COVID is much more dangerous, tens of thousands of people still succumb to the flu each year. In this podcast, Sherah Bateman, Lead Infection Preventionist at MarinHealth, breaks down the differences between the two infections. What are the most common symptoms of each, and how long does it take to develop symptoms? How long are you contagious? Can masking help protect us—and others-- from both illnesses? Get the answers to these questions and more.

Osteoporosis is a stealth condition: you often don’t know you have it until you break a bone. That’s why doctors recommend bone density tests for women, starting at age 65, and men, starting at age 70.In this podcast, Dr. Alexander Uihlein, an Endocrinologist at MarinHealth Endocrine and Diabetes Care | A UCSF Health Clinic, explains the causes of osteoporosis and what you can do to boost your bone health.

Dr. Megan Reeves, a Pediatrician at MarinHealth Pediatric Care | A UCSF Health Clinic, has an interesting take on the role of a pediatrician. She believes it’s the ultimate form of preventive medicine–an opportunity to partner with families and get youngsters on the path to a lifetime of good health.

Can’t find your keys? Left the oven on? Blurted out the wrong word? You don’t have to be a senior to have these moments, but as we age, it’s only natural to worry about dementia.

In this podcast, Dr. Melanie Lising, a neurologist at MarinHealth Neurology | A UCSF Health Clinic, discusses the types of dementia and their various causes. Learn when to seek help for a loved one. Find out what’s really worrisome, and what could be just a momentary mental lapse. And discover why exercise might not just be good for your body, but also your brain.

Did you know “Caregiver Stress” is an actual condition that affects people physically, mentally, and emotionally? Over time, the demands and responsibilities of caregiving can affect your blood pressure, your concentration, your digestion, your sleep, and many other aspects of your health. And sadly, caregiver stress is all too common.

Kora Schmid, palliative care supervisor, and spiritual care advisor at MarinHealth, is seeing a lot of caregiver stress these days as the hospital medical teams take on COVID-19. But people who are tending to an elderly or a sick relative experience it too. In this podcast, Kora shares tips on self-care and the importance of taking a break for a little me-time.

Whether it’s a fracture, a dislocation, or a torn meniscus, a knee injury can really hobble you. As an active person, how do you reduce your risk of knee injuries? When should you see a doctor? And what’s new in knee surgery? 

Get the scoop from a man who really knows knees, MarinHealth Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Michael Brown. This podcast covers a lot of ground, from the impact of osteoporosis on knee health to custom knee replacements. Take a listen – your knees will thank you.

Your neighbor’s hooked on Keto. Your boss swears by the Mediterranean Diet. Your cousin’s lost ten pounds with intermittent fasting. And your best friend says she’s got to DASH. Which diets are good for weight loss? Which is sustainable long term?

In this podcast, Pam Riggs, Outpatient Nutrition Coordinator and
Registered Dietician Nutritionist at MarinHealth, breaks down the popular diets. Listen to learn the pros and cons of various eating styles from a nutrition professional and figure out what makes sense for you.

Many people look forward to making the move to Medicare. But first, it’s essential to understand the basics because you have some important choices to make before arriving at the option that best fits your needs.

Ivan Lopez, a licensed agent with Van Berg Insurance Services who works with MarinHealth partner Canopy Health, specializes in educating people about their Medicare options. In this podcast, he provides an overview of Medicare and offers advice on how to transition onto the program, walking you through what you need to know–and do–before signing up.

Just because you’re currently enrolled in Medicare doesn’t mean you have the plan that best fits your circumstances. Now’s the time to review your options and, if desired, make a change. Anyone who has Medicare part A and part B can enroll, disenroll or change their Medicare Advantage Plan during Medicare Open Enrollment, from October 15th through December 7th.

In this podcast, Joe Valenzuela, a Licensed Agent with Vista Mutual Insurance Services who works with MarinHealth partner Canopy Health, explains why it’s a good idea to review your coverage each year. He also discusses some of the circumstances under which a change would be recommended or required. So, before you decide to just stay with the plan you have, tune in for some additional perspective.

Whether you just bike to and from work or you’re a hardcore mountain biker, there’s a lot more to bike safety than just putting your helmet on. Especially in Marin, where we have six times the number of bicycle accidents per trauma patient compared to your average trauma center! 

As a Board-Certified General Surgeon at MarinHealth General & Colorectal Surgery | A UCSF Health Clinic and Trauma Medical Director of MarinHealth Medical Center, Dr. Edward Alfrey has plenty of hands-on experience with bike accidents. In this podcast, he details some of the most common injuries and shares some commonsense advice for bike riders.