Ask Doctor Dawn

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 6-20-2024 Health tip: Dr. Dawn advises you to shop around for medications, especially cheap generics, as pharmacies may claim unavailability due to corporate contracts and profit margins. Healthcare industry consolidation: Discussion of how large venture capital firms are acquiring healthcare businesses, leading to potential price increases and reduced competition. Parkinson's disease and GLP-1 drugs: A study showing potential benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic in early Parkinson's disease. Bird flu update: Current status of bird flu spread in the US, transmission risks, and safety precautions. Spinal cord stimulation: New non-invasive technique showing promise for improving function in people with long-term spinal cord injuries. Peanut allergies: Recent research reversing previous recommendations, suggesting early exposure to peanuts may reduce allergy risk. Longevity study: Analysis of blood biomarkers in centenarians, highlighting factors like uric acid levels and blood sugar. Cholesterol-eating gut bacteria: Research on bacteria that break down cholesterol in the gut, potentially lowering heart disease risk. Alcohol and air travel: Study showing combined effects of alcohol consumption and low air pressure on cardiovascular health during flights. Energy requirements of pregnancy: Surprising findings on the high caloric needs during pregnancy, mostly for the mother's body rather than the fetus. HPV vaccine success: Significant reduction in cervical cancer rates due to the vaccine, with a call for increased vaccination rates, especially among boys, to prevent head and neck cancer.

Broadcast from KSQD Santa Cruz on 6-13-2024 Alzheimer’s Disease and APOE4 Gene Listener asks about the APOE4 gene and its association with Alzheimer's disease in the light of a recent sensationalistic Nature publication. The impact of amyloid beta and TAU proteins on Alzheimer's pathology. Differences in Alzheimer's risk among different ethnic groups with APOE4 with emphasis on the importance of cholesterol levels as a risk multiplier. Advice for a listener’s husband dealing with chronic back pain and sciatica Dr. Dawn presents a basic checklist for evaluating back pain symptoms and determining the need for urgent medical intervention. Potential causes are discussed such as spinal nerve compression from various sources. In this case, Dr. Dawn made a specific suggestion of McKenzie exercises and emphasized the importance of seeing a sports medicine doctor or physiatrist for a comprehensive evaluation. Dr. Dawn responds to a caller about managing knee osteoarthritis The role of glucosamine, chondroitin, and topical diclofenac in treatment. Discussion on non-pharmaceutical approaches like heat application and massage. Potential interventions like steroid injections, hyaluronic acid, platelet rich plasma and their benefits and risks. Dr. Dawn answers a question about dietary oxalates and their impact on kidney stones She emphasizes the importance of the oxalate content in foods and its limited role in kidney stone formation. She emphasizes the importance of hydration and maintaining a healthy microbiome. For specific dietary guidelines on oxalate in foods she suggests using oxalate.org. A concerned parent asks about aluminum and other vaccine adjuvants like formaldehyde for their infant's 2 month well child visit She expresses conflicting fears of being mischaracterized as a vaccine denier by merely expressing concern about vaccination for her infant. Dr. Dawn provides a breakdown of the necessity, immediate urgency and risks of each recommended vaccine (Hepatitis B, DTaP, Polio, Hib, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus) and suggests a social contextualization strategy to perhaps delay Polio, rotavirus and Hep B in this family's social context while emphasizing the importance of certain vaccinations to prevent serious illnesses. Dr. Dawn cites intriguing ambiguities in the literature that support the counterintuitive idea that smaller doses of aluminum may have a greater accumulation in tissues of brain and reproductive tissues than larger doses, and promises to research this further in a future program.

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.