Advertise on podcast: Health Discovered

Stroke remains a leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the CDC – but many cases are preventable. What raises your risk, and how can you recognize the warning signs in time? We speak with Shyam Prabhakaran, MD, MS, FAHA, a leader in vascular neurology and stroke research, about the lifestyles that increase stroke risk, the BE FAST acronym for spotting symptoms and knowing when to call 911, and the changes that can help lower your risk. We also explore recovery after stroke – and why there is hope. Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers Guest: Shyam Prabhakaran, MD, MS, FAHA See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and often develops without pain or early warning signs. So what is it, and how is it detected before vision is lost? We spoke with Sandra F. Sieminski, MD, Interim Chair and Director of Glaucoma Services at the University at Buffalo, about how glaucoma works, the latest advances in treatment, and why early detection is critical. We also explore the emotional impact of a diagnosis, practical tools for coping, and how staying engaged in your care – including regular eye exams – can help protect your vision over time. Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers Guest: Sandra F. Sieminski  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For decades, people with type 2 diabetes have heard the same message: manage it, slow it down, but expect it to progress. But what if the words "you have type 2 diabetes" didn't have to mean a lifetime of medications, worsening numbers, and a condition that only ever gets harder to manage? Why don't we talk more about the fact that remission is possible? We spoke with Mahima Gulati, MD, MSc, a triple board-certified physician in endocrinology, internal medicine, and lifestyle medicine, about what diabetes remission really means, what it takes to achieve it, and how to start that conversation with your care team. From the science to the lifestyle shifts – and the honest realities of the journey – we explore why type 2 diabetes does not have to be a lifelong sentence. Additional Resources:Project Remission - American College of Lifestyle Medicine Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers Guest: Mahima Gulati, MD, MSc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Allergy season is more than a few weeks of sneezing. It can be hard to tell what’s “just allergies,” what might be an infection, and when it’s time to seek more than over-the-counter relief. What’s actually happening in your immune system when symptoms flare? And why can they feel so intense? We spoke with Zachary E. Rubin, MD, author of All About Allergies, about how allergy evaluations work, how to identify your triggers, and how to use OTC treatments effectively. Plus, when it’s time to see an allergist. You don’t have to suffer – listen in to this episode for expert guidance on finding real, lasting relief. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers Guest: Zachary E. Rubin, MD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Non-small-cell lung cancer accounts for about 85% of all lung cancer cases. It’s a diagnosis that changes everything, yet conversations often focus on treatment and overlook what patients live through every day. We hear from writer and lung cancer patient advocate Janet Freeman-Daily, who shares her experience with non-small-cell lung cancer – from her first symptoms and imaging tests to the shock of diagnosis and learning how to advocate for herself. Then Donald Rosenstein, MD, psychiatrist and director of the Comprehensive Cancer Support Program at UNC-Chapel Hill, discusses the emotional impact of cancer, including feelings like guilt and fear, and how patients can process them. He also explains the support available – from cancer care teams and palliative care to psychiatry, counseling, and social work – reminding patients they don’t have to face a life-changing diagnosis alone. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers Guests: Donald Rosenstein, MD; Janet Freeman-Daily See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When someone you love is dealing with serious health issues or repeated hospital visits, it can feel like you’re constantly bracing for the next crisis. In those moments, it’s hard to step back and think about what your loved one truly wants, needs, and what would support their quality of life. Yet for many families, conversations about palliative care and advance care planning happen too late – or are misunderstood as “the end,” rather than tools that help people live as fully and comfortably as possible for as long as possible. We spoke with Anthony L. Back, MD, a national leader in patient-oncologist communication, about what palliative care really means versus hospice, common myths about palliative care, how culture and lived experiences shape these conversations, and how families can begin important discussions about advance care planning. Check out The John A. Hartford Foundation at https://www.johnahartford.org/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While heart disease may be the number-one killer in the United States, kidney disease is the silent partner we rarely discuss. It often develops quietly, with no pain or clear symptoms until advanced stages. What should we know about kidney health and kidney diseases? We spoke with Kirk Campbell, MD, president of the National Kidney Foundation, about the kidneys’ vital roles – from red blood cell production to supporting heart function – why testing matters, which tests to request, and the importance of knowing your numbers. If you’re at risk, don’t hesitate to advocate for screening at your appointments. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers Guest: Kirk Campbell, MD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of us have heard about “high cortisol” in the context of stress. But Cushing’s syndrome, which has recently been in the news, is something very different. It’s pathologic cortisol excess that can quietly drive certain health problems. We spoke with Lewis Blevins, MD, a neuroendocrinologist specializing in pituitary, hypothalamic, and adrenal disorders, about what cortisol is meant to do, what Cushing’s syndrome really is, why diagnosis is often delayed, and what practical steps to take if you suspect something more than everyday stress. We also discuss the path to an accurate diagnosis and shared decision-making grounded in patient education. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers Guest: Lewis Blevins, MD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many of us in the “sandwich generation” – those raising kids while caring for aging parents – preventive health can feel like one more impossible task on an already full plate. But prevention isn’t just about protecting your future; it’s about preserving your energy so you can show up for the people who need you right now. We spoke with Eduardo Sanchez, MD, MPH, FAHA, chief medical officer for prevention at the American Heart Association, about a practical framework for health and how sleep, stress, mental well-being, and social connection all play a role in heart health, stroke prevention, and even cognitive health. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish –  it’s preventive medicine that shapes your future. Additional resources:Life’s Essential 8MyLifeCheckYour Health Care Journey Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers Guest: Eduardo Sanchez, MD, MPH, FAHA See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joint pain is often brushed off as a normal part of aging – but pain that interferes with your daily life doesn’t have to be something you simply live with. In this episode, we talk with Una Makris, MD, MSc, a clinical rheumatologist, about the common joint conditions affecting older adults and what actually helps. From movement and weight management to nutrition and physical therapy, she shares practical, evidence-based strategies to reduce pain and protect your joints. Learn how small, sustainable lifestyle changes can support mobility, independence, and quality of life at every age. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers Guest: Una Makris, MD, MSc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of our menopause series, we unpack common myths and misinformation about perimenopause, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy. Many women are treated in fragments – this episode brings the conversation back into the exam room with practical, patient-centered guidance. We continue our conversation with Sharon Malone, MD, board-certified OB-GYN and chief medical advisor for Alloy Women’s Health, on how perimenopause is diagnosed clinically (often without definitive lab tests), which symptoms should raise red flags, and why HRT is never a one-size-fits-all yes-or-no decision. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers Guest: Sharon Malone, MD See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2025, the U.S. FDA removed the “black box” warnings from menopausal hormone therapy products – but what does that actually mean for patients? For decades, many women have navigated perimenopause and menopause with limited information, few effective options, and little validation of their symptoms. In part one of this two-part series, we speak with Sharon Malone, MD, board-certified OB-GYN and chief medical advisor for Alloy Women’s Health, about what happens during the menopausal transition, why symptoms can feel chaotic and unpredictable, and how misinterpretations of past research have shaped – and often restricted – women’s care. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Guest: Sharon Malone, MD Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How does trauma shape identity, trust, and connection in relationships? In this episode, we spoke with Thema Bryant, PhD, author of Matters of the Heart: Healing Your Relationship with Yourself and Those You Love, to unpack how PTSD can show up in intimacy and everyday life through hypervigilance, shame, emotional overwhelm, and disconnection, and the pathways to healing. From safe relationships and self-compassion to community and spirituality, we look at how recovery happens over time. This is a conversation about naming harm, rejecting shame, and making space for growth, hope, and wholeness on the other side of trauma. This episode includes discussion of sexual assault, trauma, and PTSD. Some listeners may find this content difficult or triggering. Please take care while listening, and consider reaching out for support if needed. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Guest: Thema Bryant, PhD Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Perimenopause is the natural transition leading into menopause, marked by erratic fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone. These unpredictable shifts can trigger emotional, cognitive, and physical changes – often years before menopause officially begins. We spoke with Megan Spence, PsyD, PMH-C, a licensed clinical psychologist, about the whole-body experience of perimenopause, including mood and memory changes, the structural and social factors that place some groups at higher risk, available hormonal and non-hormonal treatments, lifestyle strategies that may help, and when – and how – to ask for support. Your symptoms matter, and you deserve informed, compassionate care. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Guest: Megan Spence, PsyD, PMH-C Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Miscarriage is common, yet many people feel unprepared when it happens. What are the different types of miscarriage, and what does follow-up care look like? We spoke with Lora Shahine, MD, double board-certified in reproductive endocrinology, infertility, and OB-GYN, about what to expect after a miscarriage, available care options, and the emotional aftermath, including the connection to postpartum depression. Dr. Shahine also explains the most common cause of miscarriage – genetic issues in the embryo – and why it is not caused by something a person did. Miscarriage is not your fault, and support matters. Credits Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM Guest: Lora Shahine, MD Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers Show Notes: Lauren Summers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.