The Health Exchange

Episode 94 of The Health Exchange Podcast explores the complexities of diabetes with guest Dr. David Ahn, an endocrinologist and chief of diabetes services at Hoag. Dr. Rutland speaks with him about the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, how insulin resistance develops long before symptoms appear, and why prediabetes deserves more attention. The conversation examines the long-term effects of uncontrolled blood sugar, the importance of early screening, and how factors like sleep, stress, physical activity, and muscle mass influence glucose levels. They also discuss the evolution of diabetes care, from continuous glucose monitors and insulin technology to GLP-1 medications, along with emerging treatments that may delay the progression of type 1 diabetes. This episode challenges the stigma and blame often associated with diabetes, highlighting the need for individualized treatment, better patient education, and a greater focus on solutions that help people manage the condition and improve their quality of life.

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Episode 93 of The Health Exchange Podcast takes listeners inside the world of labor and delivery with Sydney Fuller, a labor and delivery and postpartum nurse who shares what happens before, during, and after childbirth. Dr. Rutland speaks with her about how labor begins, the stages of delivery, when patients should go to the hospital, and the different options for managing pain, from movement and hydrotherapy to medications and epidurals. The conversation goes beyond the medical side of childbirth to explore the emotional support nurses provide, the importance of communication and advocacy, and how nurses monitor both mother and baby for signs that something may be wrong. Sydney also discusses the higher maternal mortality rates experienced by Black women, the importance of making patients feel heard and safe, and how education can help reduce fear around an unfamiliar hospital experience. Along the way, she shares the unexpected, funny, and sometimes intense situations that can unfold in a delivery room, offering a candid look at the science, teamwork, emotional demands, and humanity behind bringing a baby into the world.

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Episode 92 of The Health Exchange Podcast centers on the experience of being diagnosed with cancer at a young age and how treatment can affect far more than the body. Dr. Rutland speaks with Goldie Chan, a bestselling author, leader, and breast cancer survivor, about her diagnosis and the financial and emotional realities of stepping away from work. Goldie shares how advocating for herself helped lead to her diagnosis, the difficult decision she faced about fertility and preserving her eggs before chemotherapy, and the challenges of making major life decisions while overwhelmed with medical information. The conversation also explores the physical toll of chemotherapy and radiation, from extreme exhaustion and neuropathy to dehydration, cognitive changes, and losing the ability to enjoy food, as well as the importance of accepting help and allowing yourself to process a diagnosis emotionally. Goldie also opens up about dating during and after cancer treatment, finding love during an uncertain period, and learning to redefine health, work, rest, and identity after cancer.

Episode 91 of The Health Exchange Podcast dives into the science of sleep with sleep medicine physician Dr. Sam Kashani, looking at why sleep is so essential to nearly every aspect of our health. Dr. Rutland speaks with him about the different types of sleep disorders, how sleep affects memory, mood, hormones, cardiovascular health, and long-term health, and why sleep problems can sometimes be connected to underlying mental health conditions. The conversation takes a deeper look at insomnia and why cognitive behavioral therapy can be more effective than sleeping medications, as well as narcolepsy, REM sleep behavior disorder, sleepwalking, and other unusual sleep conditions. They also discuss the science behind caffeine, melatonin, cannabis, dreams, sleep stages, circadian rhythms, and consumer sleep trackers, while addressing some of the misconceptions that can make it harder to understand or improve our sleep. Throughout the episode, Dr. Kashani emphasizes that sleep is highly individual and that understanding the underlying cause of a sleep problem is often more important than simply treating the symptom.

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Episode 90 of The Health Exchange Podcast explores colorectal cancer through both the patient and physician perspective with colorectal cancer survivor and advocate Amber Mike and her oncologist, Dr. Krushangi Patel. Dr. Rutland speaks with them about Amber’s diagnosis at a young age, the subtle symptoms she experienced before discovering her cancer, and why recognizing changes in your body and seeking medical attention can be so important. The conversation covers what a stage three diagnosis means, how cancer staging and molecular testing shape treatment, the physical and emotional challenges of chemotherapy, and the impact treatment can have on both patients and their families. Amber also shares what survivorship looks like after treatment, from ongoing scans and anxiety to the lasting changes to her body and the importance of learning how to care for herself. The episode also explores advances in personalized cancer treatment, circulating tumor DNA, genetic mutations, and how clinical research is creating new possibilities for patients with colorectal cancer.

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Episode 89 of The Health Exchange Podcast looks at the realities of living with asthma with guest Dominique Lovings, a podcaster and content creator who was diagnosed as a child but spent much of her life without fully understanding the condition or how it should be managed. Dr. Rutland talks with Dominique about what asthma actually is, how symptoms can be minimized or overlooked, and how untreated inflammation can affect more than just the lungs. Their conversation also examines the connections between asthma, allergies, sinus disease, and hearing loss, while highlighting the importance of proper long-term treatment and patient education. As Dominique shares her experiences navigating health care, exercise, and the loss of a friend to an asthma attack, the episode takes a deeper look at health care disparities, the consequences of undertreatment, and why patients deserve to understand their conditions and advocate for their own health.

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Episode 88 of The Health Exchange Podcast examines what happens after death and the often misunderstood world of funeral care with guest Ashley McLean, a funeral director and embalmer who gives Dr. Rutland a behind-the-scenes look at what happens from the moment someone dies to the funeral, burial, or cremation. The conversation breaks down the realities of embalming, cremation, working with hospitals and families, and the unexpected challenges morticians face, while also exploring the emotional side of caring for people on some of the hardest days of their lives. Ashley shares stories that reveal how grief can bring families together or expose long-standing conflicts, and why planning ahead can make an enormous difference. Ultimately, the episode offers a candid look at death, grief, and the people who care for us after medicine can no longer do so, while reminding us how understanding mortality can change the way we live.

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Episode 87 of The Health Exchange Podcast explores the brain, spine, and nervous system with guest Dr. Lindsey Ross, a board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in complex spine surgery. Dr. Rutland speaks with her about how the nervous system communicates throughout the body, how neurosurgeons determine when surgery is necessary, and the importance of listening closely to patients when symptoms are difficult to diagnose. The conversation covers common spine problems including herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis, as well as ergonomics, chronic back pain, concussions, brain injuries, and the warning signs that should never be ignored. Dr. Ross also discusses advances in spine surgery, the future of neuroscience, protecting brain health as we age, and her journey as a woman in a historically male-dominated field.

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Episode 86 of The Health Exchange Podcast explores the science, psychology, and humanity of palliative care with guest Dr. Alex Gamble, an internist, psychiatrist, and palliative care physician. Dr. Rutland speaks with him about what palliative care actually means, how it differs from hospice, and why it should be considered throughout the course of serious illness rather than only at the end of life. The conversation examines the emotional side of serious illness, including how pain, anxiety, grief, and stress are deeply connected, and why helping patients and families process difficult emotions is just as important as managing physical symptoms. They also discuss delivering life-changing diagnoses, navigating goals of care, supporting families and clinicians through emotionally difficult situations, and the importance of creating psychological safety for doctors to acknowledge their own emotions. Ultimately, the episode explores how patients, families, and physicians can learn to sit with suffering, understand what their emotions are telling them, and keep the person’s values, goals, and humanity at the center of care.

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Episode 85 of The Health Exchange Podcast explores the challenges of keeping kids healthy as they head back to school with guest Dr. Dylan Ochal, a pediatrician who discusses everything from frequent childhood illnesses and developing immune systems to the importance of wellness visits and preventive care. Dr. Rutland speaks with her about knowing when a child’s symptoms are normal versus when they may signal something more serious, while also covering vaccines, sleep, screen time, nutrition, mental health, and the many ways school can impact a child’s overall well-being. The conversation also highlights the importance of parent education, setting healthy boundaries, building trust with your pediatrician, and creating an environment where children can thrive both physically and emotionally.

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