Ask Doctor Dawn

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 7-18-2024 Surgeon General's report on gun violence: Gun deaths in the US are at a three-decade high Guns are now the leading cause of death among children and teenagers aged 1-19 Dr. Dawn calls for bipartisan action on gun control New male contraceptive: A topical gel combining Nestorone and testosterone Works by suppressing sperm production while maintaining male characteristics Persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors: Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) found in drinking water and rainwater Sources include breakdown products of refrigerants, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals Linked to cancer, infertility, and developmental issues Prenatal exposure to endocrine disruptors: Associated with higher risk of metabolic syndrome in children Chemicals affect obesity, blood pressure, and insulin resistance Petrochemical industry and plastic production: Alternative energy production is increasing production of single-use plastics by petrochemical giants as a revenue source Contributes to widespread exposure to endocrine disruptors Health effects of endocrine disruptors: Interfere with many different hormone receptors, hormone synthesis and hormone bio-elimination Impacts are greatest on fetal development, neurodevelopment, and cancer risk Disproportionate effects on marginalized communities Advice to mitigate exposure and detoxify: Use reverse osmosis water filtration Choose organic foods and reduce meat consumption Avoid plastic food containers and utensils Read labels on personal care products Leave shoes outside and use natural cleaning products Increase fruit and vegetable intake Use air filters in homes near busy roads Detoxification methods: Sweating through exercise, saunas, or Epsom salt baths Dietary changes and supplements (e.g., milk thistle, alpha-lipoic acid, green tea) Avoiding constipation to help eliminate toxins Other topics: Effects of magnesium on sleep Microplastics from synthetic fabrics

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 7-11-2024 Dr. Dawn answers a caller's question about vitamin D supplementation, explaining its importance for bone health, mood regulation, and immune function. She discusses the physiological processes involving vitamin D and recommends getting blood levels checked. A second caller asks about the safety of Stevia as a sweetener. Dr. Dawn explains the importance of examining original sources for health claims and discusses the challenges of determining causality in nutrition studies. She compares various artificial sweeteners and suggests moderation in their use. Dr. Dawn provides a health alert about a measles exposure in Santa Cruz, describing symptoms to watch for and emphasizing the importance of vaccination. She shares personal anecdotes about the dangers of measles. An email from a listener about atrial fibrillation is addressed. Dr. Dawn discusses the risks associated with atrial fibrillation, blood thinners, and the Watchman device. She emphasizes the importance of stress reduction and suggests alternatives to invasive procedures. Dr. Dawn comments on a recent retraction of a key Alzheimer's study, discussing the implications for Alzheimer's research and treatment development. A new development in baby formula is discussed, involving genetically modified plants producing human milk oligosaccharides for improved infant nutrition. Dr. Dawn responds to an email about lipoprotein A and cardiovascular risk, discussing risk factors, the importance of inflammation reduction and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. The show concludes with a mention of myFooddata.com, a nutrition information website recommended by a listener. Throughout the show, Dr. Dawn emphasizes the importance of critical thinking about medical information, considering economic drivers in healthcare, and focusing on lifestyle factors for overall health.

Broadcast from KSQD on 7-04-2024: Natural bodies of water illustrates the importance of bright neon colors for visibility. Plus: additional advice on keeping children safe around water. Research on gender differences in space travel effects reveals women are more resilient. A study finding greater gene activity disruption in male vs female astronauts has implications for future space missions. An interview with Dr. Gabor Mate covers a broad range of topics: Discussion of addiction reframing it as a brain state Factors contributing to addiction proneness include: Early life experiences and attachment relationships Brain development and environmental influences Neurotransmitters and addiction susceptibility Critical periods for healthy attachment and brain development Parallels between addiction and attention deficit disorder (ADD) Origins and misconceptions about ADD Impact of parental stress on child development Transgenerational patterns in addiction and ADD Dr. Mate's personal experiences with ADD Treatment approaches for ADD Parenting strategies and misconceptions Impact of modern technology on attention spans Dr. Mate's book "When the Body Says No" Mind-body connection in chronic illnesses Stress and disease development Personality traits associated with chronic illness Importance of addressing psychological factors in treatment The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and its role in health Discussion of narcolepsy and emotional arousal The seven A's of healing approach Importance of introspection and self-awareness for health Dr. Mate's book "Hold On To Your Kids" Impact of peer influence on child development Importance of parental attachment and influence About Gabor Mate, MD: Worked as a family physician for two decades Served as Medical Coordinator of the Palliative Care Unit at Vancouver Hospital Spent eight years working in Vancouver's Downtown East side with patients challenged by addiction and mental illness Bestselling author of multiple books on addiction, stress, and child development Known for his expertise in trauma, addiction, stress, and childhood development Advocates for a compassionate approach to addiction and mental health Developed the Compassionate Inquiry psycho-therapeutic method

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 6-27-2024. Dr. Dawn interviews Dr. Michael Amster, a physician and researcher specializing in pain management and mindfulness practices. Dr. Amster introduces the AWE method, a technique for "micro-dosing" mindfulness developed during his own experience with burnout. The AWE method involves finding moments of awe in everyday experiences through three steps: Attention, Wait, and Exhale/Expand. Research on the AWE method during the COVID-19 pandemic showed significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and loneliness among participants. Dr. Amster explains the physiological benefits of experiencing awe, including lowered inflammation in the body. The emotion of awe is discussed as a way to connect people to something greater than themselves, leading to increased generosity, compassion, and open-mindedness. Dr. Amster shares personal stories of how the AWE practice has impacted people's lives, including applications in chronic pain management and cancer treatment support. The interview concludes with a passage from Dr. Amster's book "The Power of Awe" and a guided AWE practice for listeners.

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.