Ask Doctor Dawn

The podcast covers topics like the APOE4 gene's link to Alzheimer's, managing knee osteoarthritis with treatments like glucosamine, chondroitin, and diclofenac, and discussing the impact of dietary oxalates on kidney stones. Also, advice on evaluating back pain symptoms and the politicization of childhood vaccinations.

Broadcast on KSQD Santa Cruz on 7-05-2024: Guest introduction and Background Introduction of Rita Hewitt, regional director for Central Coast overdose prevention, and her professional background. Overview of Rita’s notable achievements and roles in various healthcare and harm reduction initiatives. Rita’s journey from a licensed pharmacy technician to her current role in overdose prevention. Impact of the prescription opioid epidemic on her career choices and motivation to address addiction and overdose issues. Stories from Rita’s early career, including encounters with prescription opioid misuse and its consequences. Challenges in Opioid Prescription and Addiction Discussion on the challenges faced by healthcare providers in managing pain and the consequences of opioid prescriptions. Examples of misuse and the impact of addiction on individuals and the community. Historical Context of Opioid Epidemic Examination of the history of opioid use and misuse, from pharmaceutical origins to current trends. The role of pharmaceutical companies and legislation in shaping the opioid crisis. Pendulum Swing in Opioid Prescribing Practices Analysis of the shifting attitudes towards opioid prescribing over the decades. The impact of educational mandates and legislation on prescribing practices and patient care. Current Strategies for Harm Reduction Overview of harm reduction initiatives and resources available in the community. Discussion on the effectiveness of buprenorphine and other medications in treating opioid addiction. Emerging Drug Threats Introduction of new substances like Xylazine and their impact on the community. Challenges in addressing these new threats and the limitations of existing overdose reversal medications. Testing and Safety Measures Importance of fentanyl test strips and other tools in preventing overdoses. Availability and distribution of test strips and Narcan within the community. Legislation and Policy Initiatives Recent laws and mandates aimed at improving opioid prescription practices and overdose prevention. Discussion on potential future initiatives to enhance harm reduction and public safety. Pendulum Swing in Opioid Prescribing Practices Continued discussion on the history of opioid prescribing and the shifts in attitudes over the decades. Impact of legislation and educational mandates on opioid prescribing practices and patient care. Challenges and Personal Experiences in Addiction Rita shares personal experiences and anecdotes about friends and community members affected by opioid addiction. Dr. Dawn shares a story about a patient with a severe infection due to opioid misuse and the challenges in managing their pain and treatment. Current Strategies for Harm Reduction Overview of harm reduction strategies and resources available in the community. Discussion on the effectiveness and benefits of buprenorphine and other medications in treating opioid addiction. Emerging Drug Threats Introduction of new substances like Xylazine and their impact on the community. Challenges in addressing these new threats and the limitations of existing overdose reversal medications like Narcan. Statistics and Trends in Overdose Fatalities Examination of the current statistics and trends in overdose fatalities in the local community and nationally. Discussion on the increase in fentanyl-related fatalities and the ongoing challenges in addressing the crisis. Legislation and Policy Initiatives Recent laws and mandates aimed at improving opioid prescription practices and overdose prevention. Discussion on potential future initiatives to enhance harm reduction and public safety. Community Initiatives and Collaboration Overview of local initiatives and collaborations aimed at addressing the opioid crisis and improving public health outcomes. Importance of community engagement and support in harm reduction efforts. Future Directions and Goals Rita’s vision and goals for future harm reduction initiatives and policies. Discussion on the potential impact of upcoming legislation and community efforts on the opioid crisis. Resources Central Coast Overdose Prevention - Regional organization focusing on overdose prevention. Santa Cruz County Health Services - Provides health services and resources related to addiction and overdose prevention. Safe Rx Santa Cruz - Initiative to manage safe prescription practices. Syringe Services Program - Provides syringe exchange and harm reduction services. Monterey County Health Department - Local health department providing resources and services for addiction and overdose prevention. San Benito County Health and Human Services Opioid Task Force - Provides health and human services, including addiction and overdose prevention resources. Narcan (Naloxone) Information - Information on the overdose reversal medication Narcan. FDA - Buprenorphine Information - Information on the medication used to treat opioid addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) - National resource for drug abuse and addiction research.

KSQD 05-30-2024: Topics discussed include: Cognitive errors in medicine dismissing unusual presentations as psychological A case of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis causing psychiatric symptoms Failures of genetic research to identify causes Need for integrating neurology and psychiatry; Importance of testing for antibodies and using MRI scans Detailed explanation of immune tolerance, peripheral tolerance, and the phenomenon of molecular mimicry in diseases like multiple sclerosis and celiac disease Importance of addressing root causes rather than just symptoms Historical context and current advancements in treating autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, lupus, and multiple sclerosis using reprogrammed immune cells and iron oxide nanoparticles Explanation of how the liver filters blood and helps establish immune tolerance by processing cellular debris and antigens Advances in engineering regulatory T cells to target specific disease sites and calm inflammatory responses Exploration of new diagnostic tools and the potential of AI in understanding complex psychiatric conditions

KSQD 05-16-2024: The super power of the resilient Tardigrade is their fabulous DNA repair ability. How do I tolerate another knee surgery after getting intestinal adhesions because of previous surgery? Can I avoid an operation to fix a displaced cataract lens? A patient with Parkinson’s disease and knee problems is warned against speculative and expensive alternative treatment. A man with major swallowing problems needs an endoscopy ASAP -- Dr. Dawn bashes corporation control over conventional medicine. A borderline diabetic asks for diet advice. Cancer prevention policies are up against Insurance payment denial policies. The reasons why colorectal cancer is on the rise in 20 to 50 yr-olds -- colonoscopies are now recommended for younger adults.

KSQD 5-01-2024: This week's show explores how healthcare systems can inflict "moral injury" on dedicated doctors. We examine instances where factors like insurance company prior authorizations prevent optimal patient care and discuss related research. Dr. Dawn explores sweetness perception, reviewing a new study on how our bodies detect both natural sugars and substitutes like xylitol and stevia. We learn how substitutes can provide sweetness without insulin spikes and subsequent appetite increases. We discuss the critical importance of measles vaccination, the challenges of maintaining live virus vaccine potency, and a promising new vaccine technology undergoing trials. A new study investigates the potential benefits of combining time-restricted eating with high-intensity exercise. Although all participants lost weight, the combined approach led to gains in lean body mass. Finally, we survey several exciting advances in cancer research. Dr. Dawn explores improvements in cancer cell targeting, the statistics of liquid biopsies for cancer detection, and a groundbreaking drug that halts aggressive breast cancer growth. We also investigate a new mRNA-based treatment that stimulates cancer cell death specifically within the tumor environment.

KSQD 4-24-2024: In this week's show, we tackle several important health topics. Dr. Dawn starts by investigating "the prescribing cascade," where side effects from an initial medication necessitate additional prescriptions. This is often seen with treatments for high blood pressure and atrial fibrillation. We then explore strokes of undetermined origin. Interestingly, Dr. Dawn notes that for preventing recurrent strokes, the classic, low-cost aspirin can be just as effective as newer, more expensive alternatives. Another topic is delayed orthostatic hypotension, a condition where blood pressure drops upon standing. Dr. Dawn provides details on a simple test for diagnosis. We address a worrying trend: increasingly aggressive colon cancers are occurring in younger populations. Dr. Dawn discusses both established and novel screening tests, like the new DNA-based successor to Cologuard, emphasizing the importance of early detection. Finally, we offer a sobering reality check about vaping. Studies show a growing number of young people who begin with vaping are transitioning to traditional smoking, underscoring that vaping carries its own significant risks.

KSQD 4-17-2024: This week's show explores the line between helpful health advice and harmful food-related misinformation, particularly the anti-diet trend being promoted by certain influencers. We delve into a fascinating medical breakthrough involving the creation of "mini livers" to support patients awaiting transplants. Listeners offered valuable insights and recommendations this week: one recommended a thought-provoking book on cancer detection, while another shared a potential remedy for long COVID symptoms. We also address a serious health concern for an elderly listener diagnosed with a Mycobacterium infection, discussing the diagnosis and treatment options. Additionally, we investigate the potential of neuropeptides for addressing treatment-resistant depression and cover several short but impactful health news updates: a concerning rise in bacterial meningitis, the science behind teens' unique scent, and a baffling case of a man claiming to have received over 200 COVID vaccinations.

KSQD 4-10-2024: This episode explores the cutting-edge of medical science and the wonders of the animal kingdom. We'll discuss a remarkable first – the successful transplant of a genetically modified pig kidney into a human. Could this breakthrough pave the way for the future of organ donation? On a different note, did you know cows are being engineered to produce human insulin, potentially revolutionizing diabetes treatment? We'll also uncover surprising animal intelligence; Parrots playing computer games and bees trained to solve puzzles reveal just how smart some of our animal friends can be. In a fascinating twist, we investigate the genetics behind obesity in Labrador Retrievers and learn how dogs might be able to detect PTSD flashbacks. We examine a groundbreaking discovery of tiny RNA molecules within bacteria. These have the potential to unlock entirely new gene sequences within the microbial world. We'll also explore the link between potassium and blood pressure, discussing how simple dietary changes could lead to major health benefits. For those interested in nutrition, we'll address optimal protein intake and strategies for a balanced vegan diet. Also, a warning about the current overuse of gabapentin and pregabalin for pain is creating a 50% increase in hospitalizations for COPD.

KSQD 4-04-2024: This episode delves into a range of health topics, beginning with a unique case where a bone marrow transplant offered new hope for treating schizophrenia. We discuss the complexities of diseases such as sickle cell anemia and their unexpected interactions with other conditions. Our conversation extends to the gut microbiome, highlighting research on its link to various disorders and how diets, particularly the Mediterranean diet, support a healthy microbiome. We address the significance of a new treatment for postpartum depression and caution against premature excitement over health trends. Listener questions add a personal touch, sharing stories of dietary changes and weight loss, alongside inquiries about homemade kombucha. The episode also revisits a discussion on a rare disease diagnosis, adding depth to our ongoing exploration of health and wellness.

KSQD 3-27-2024: Colloidal silver for sinusitis was recommended, but does it work for molds? Advice to improve sleep besides taking drug sleeping aids; Sleep and mood can affect the effectiveness of vaccinations; SIBO and erythromycin are discussed; The US Supreme Court hears the case about the mifepristone abortion pill; Urinary tract infections (UTI) are very common in women. Hormones such as DHEA are beneficial for reducing infections, dryness and increasing libido; Question about mushroom products and help with memory; Animal cloning studies revealed the different influences of female vs. male genes in the metabolism of the placenta