This Won't Hurt A Bit

This episode we discuss concussions, the sequelae that happen as a result of concussions, and the long term effects of repeated head trauma. We seek answers from "Captain Cortex", Prof. Stuart Swadron. Medical team physician for the Cleveland Indians, Dr Tom Waters, explains the process of assessing when an injured player in the NFL can go back in the game. Dave's personal trainer, Steven Yates, talks about his experience with concussions, as a former college football player. And Jess speaks to a young patient and his mother, who recently came into the ER after a head injury, about their story.

Prof. Mel Herbert and Prof. Stuart Swadron discuss Zika Virus. Where did it come from? What disease does it cause? What is microcephaly? And is it really an STD, as well? All this and more on our special report.

Can you drink your own urine? Run yourself to death? This week we explore the science and physiology of how extreme heat effects our bodies. Our intrepid field reporter/co-host, Dave Mason, "visits" Death Valley to see just how hot a person can get. Dr Mel Herbert & Dr Jess Mason talk to experts about heat index and humidity, and all things hotness!

Just how fast and how far can a human go? This week, the physiology and stories of extreme runners. Ultramarathon Man, Dean Karnazes tells us his extraordinary story. We find out about Diane Leather and we get some answers from sports writer David Epstein, and Sports Medicine Physician Dr Matt Baird.

It's the HOLIDAYS! What could possibly go wrong? This week we bring you a Holiday Special about some of the festive season's worst case scenarios. Dave checks in with Jess and Mel about some potential "Christmas Story" issues, and we find a diagnosis for Tiny Tim.

This week in Second Opinion we go a little further with all things smokable. Why do people do it?Mel, Jess & Dave Mason ask Dr Ken Starr some questions about addiction, Dopamine and how receptors work. We revisit Medical Marijuana with a personal story about pain relief and speak to Toxicologist, and Associate Prof of Emergency Medicine, USC, Dr Sean Patrick Nordt about the effects of Hookah and carbon monoxide.

Smoking has been around since at least 5000BC. This episode we discuss the myriad problems with smoking. Specifically we discuss the effects of Cigarettes and Vaping. Oh, and we tell you some interesting facts about Marijuana that you may not know.

Last weeks episode "Death and Dying" covered a lot of ground. In this Second Opinion, Dave Mason asks Mel and Jess some important follow-up questions about CPR, they speak to Dr Chuck Yowler, trauma surgeon, about Hypothermia and Wendy Roderweiss about end of life care, and the "good death".

The team explores the spectrum of death - coping with loss, CPR as a superhero cape, and how some medical practices can rescue us from death's hold.

The first "Second Opinion" Episode. In these episodes we shall dig a little deeper, define some medical terms and ask the experts. This episode we define REBOA, talk Migraines and get to the bottom of the squirmy truth about Maggot farming.