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Flu, RSV or COVID? When fever, coughing and body aches strike, how do you know what actually helps—and when it's time to see a doctor? In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Dr. Anthony Gonzalez speaks with emergency medicine physician Dr. Maria Escarcia about treating flu and RSV symptoms, choosing medications and recognizing warning signs. In this episode, you'll learn: Which over-the-counter cold and flu medications can helpWhy timing matters with Tamiflu and XofluzaWhy antibiotics don't treat viral infectionsWhat to keep in your sick-day kitWhen to visit urgent care or the emergency roomThe truth about flu shots, RSV, supplements and home remediesWhen it's safe to return to work or schoolGet practical advice to help you navigate flu season and protect your family. Host: Anthony Gonzalez, M.D. Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health Guest: Maria Escarcia, D.O. Emergency Medicine Physician Baptist Health If you found this episode helpful, we also recommend: Post-Pandemic Flu: What's Really Going on in 2025 La Gripe Hoy Se Siente Diferent: Qué Es Real y Qué Ha Cambiado

Breast cancer and heart disease are more connected than many women realize. For Black women, higher rates of cardiovascular risk factors and breast cancer mortality make understanding this connection especially important. But how can breast cancer treatment affect the heart, and what can women do to protect themselves? On this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, host Sandra Peebles speaks with Dr. Heather Johnson, cardiologist and director of preventive cardiology for women's services at Baptist Health, and Dr. Kerry-Ann McDonald, breast surgical oncologist at Baptist Health, about the relationship between breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and long-term women's health. In this episode, you'll learn: Why Black women face higher rates of death from breast cancer despite lower diagnosis rates.How chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy can affect heart health.What breast arterial calcifications on a mammogram may reveal about cardiovascular risk.Why blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar monitoring are so important.When women should begin breast cancer risk assessments and mammogram screenings.How cardiologists and oncologists work together to protect patients during cancer treatment.Why physical activity and long-term monitoring matter for breast cancer survivors.Understanding your risks and taking action early can make a meaningful difference. Learn how preventive care, early detection and coordinated treatment can help protect both your breast health and your heart. Baptist HealthTalk is powered by Baptist Health South Florida. Host: Sandra Peebles Award-Winning Journalist Guests: Heather Johnson, M.D. Cardiologist and Director of Preventive Cardiology for Women’s Services Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care Kerry-Ann McDonald, M.D. Breast Surgical Oncologist Baptist Health Cancer Care If you found this episode helpful, we also recommend: Black Community and Heart Health Heart Disease in Women: Symptoms, Menopause & What You Must Know Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Who Do You See First and What Comes Next?

Breast cancer treatment may end, but survivorship brings a new set of physical and emotional challenges. In this deeply personal conversation, host Johanna Gomez and fellow breast cancer survivor Andrea de Armas share what life after diagnosis and treatment has really looked like for them. They talk candidly about the parts of survivorship that are often harder to see from the outside, including: Building a strong support system and learning not to go through cancer aloneBeing diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age and confronting an unexpected futureSpeaking up, asking questions and advocating for yourself during treatmentAnxiety, panic attacks and the emotional impact that can continue after treatmentBody image, reconstruction and learning to feel comfortable in a changed bodyDating, relationships and family planning after breast cancerWhy the end of chemotherapy or radiation does not always feel like the end of the journeyFinding perspective, confidence and hope while moving forwardJohanna and Andrea offer an honest reminder to anyone facing breast cancer: survivorship is not one single moment. It is an ongoing process of healing, adapting and learning how to live fully again. Host: Johanna Gomez Breast Cancer Survivor Award-Winning Host & Journalist Guest: Andrea de Armas Breast Cancer Survivor If you found this episode helpful, we also recommend the following: Life After Breast Cancer: Fear, Healing and Hope Breast Cancer in Young Women: Signs, Screenings and When to Speak Up Breast Cancer Survivorship: 10-Years Later Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Who Do You See First and What Comes Next?

Leg pain, swelling, numbness or cold feet can be easy to dismiss — especially when you’re young and otherwise healthy. But when do those symptoms point to a circulation problem, and how early can vascular disease actually begin? In this episode, you’ll learn:  What vascular disease is and how it affects arteries, veins and lymphatics  Why vascular disease can develop silently for years before symptoms appear  Warning signs such as reproducible leg cramping, swelling, numbness and cold limbs  Risk factors including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking and vaping  How to tell everyday leg soreness from circulation-related pain  What happens during a vascular evaluation and which tests may be used  How exercise, medications and minimally invasive treatments can help  Simple lifestyle steps that may reduce vascular risk over time Host Dr. Anthony Gonzalez talks with Dr. Young Lee, a vascular and endovascular surgeon at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, about how to recognize vascular disease earlier and what you can do to protect your circulation for the long term. Host: Anthony Gonzalez, M.D. Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health Guest: Young Christina Lee, M.D. Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon  Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute If you found this episode helpful, we also recommend the following: Heart Disease in Young Adults: Why It's Rising (And What to Watch For) Stroke Symptoms at Any Age: What You Need to Know Young People and Strokes: A Troubling Trend

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women, yet the warning signs can be easy to miss or mistaken for stress, menopause or everyday fatigue. In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, host Johanna Gomez speaks with cardiologist Dr. Andrea Vitello about the symptoms, risk factors and life stages that can affect a woman’s heart health. They discuss:  Subtle heart symptoms women should not ignore, including fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, jaw pain and shoulder discomfort  How pregnancy complications, menopause and autoimmune conditions can influence cardiovascular risk  Why family history, cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar matter earlier in life than many people realize  The connection between chronic stress, poor sleep and heart health  What early heart disease prevention and personalized cardiovascular care can look like  Three everyday habits that can make a meaningful difference: healthy eating, quality sleep and regular exercise  Why women should trust their instincts, advocate for themselves and ask questions when something does not feel right Dr. Vitello also explains how Baptist Health’s women’s heart program takes a comprehensive, personalized approach to evaluating cardiovascular risk across every stage of life. Host: Johanna Gomez Award-Winning Host & Journalist Guest: Andrea Vitello, M.D.  Cardiologist  Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute If you found this episode helpful, we also recommend the following: Heart Disease in Women: Symptoms, Menopause & What You Must Know Women and Heart Disease Women & Heart Health

What does a prostate cancer diagnosis really mean — and how do you know when screening or treatment is needed? Prostate cancer is common, but not every case carries the same risk, and today’s diagnostic tools and treatment options can help men make more informed decisions while protecting quality of life. In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Willard Shepard speaks with urologist and surgical oncologist Dr. Manuel Ozambela of Baptist Health Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute about prostate cancer screening, diagnosis and the technology changing how the disease is treated.  Why prostate cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages  How PSA testing works and what an elevated PSA may — and may not — mean  Who may be at higher risk based on family history, genetics and race  How MRI and targeted biopsy help diagnose prostate cancer  How robotic surgery, HIFU and IRE are expanding treatment options  How PSMA imaging helps doctors determine where cancer is located  How AI is beginning to improve prostate imaging and treatment planning  Why preserving urinary and sexual function is an important part of treatment The takeaway: knowing your personal risk, talking with your physician and staying current with screening can help detect prostate cancer earlier — when more treatment options may be available. Host: Willard Shepard Award-Winning Journalist Guest: Manuel Ozambela, M.D. Urologic Surgical Oncologist Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute If you found this episode helpful, we also recommend: Prostate Cancer Awareness: Screening & Treatment The Screening That Changed Everything for Alonzo Mourning

High cholesterol can start damaging your arteries long before you feel anything — and your total cholesterol number does not tell the whole story. So when should you start checking it, what do LDL and other cholesterol particles really mean, and when are lifestyle changes no longer enough? In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Dr. Anthony Gonzalez speaks with Dr. Sanjeev Gulati about how cholesterol contributes to heart attacks and heart failure, why screening should begin earlier than many people think, and the treatment options available today.  Why high cholesterol is directly linked to heart attack risk  Common cholesterol myths, including the idea that diet is the only cause  How LDL and lipoprotein(a) contribute to plaque buildup and inflammation  How uncontrolled cholesterol can ultimately contribute to heart failure  Why cholesterol screening may need to begin in your 20s  How family history and familial hypercholesterolemia change cardiovascular risk  Lifestyle steps that can help lower cholesterol  When cholesterol-lowering medication may be needed  Why cholesterol control remains critical even after a heart attack  How advanced lipid testing can provide a clearer picture of individual riskHost: Anthony Gonzalez, M.D. Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health Guest: Sanjeev Kumar Gulati, M.D.,  Executive Deputy Director System Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care If you found this episode helpful, we also recommend: What Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Numbers Really Mean Calcium Scores Explained: What Your Heart Rick Really Looks Like Heart Disease in Young Adults: Why It's Rising (And What to Watch For)

Endometrial cancer cases are rising — and abnormal bleeding is the warning sign women should never ignore. Who is most at risk, why are more women being diagnosed, and what symptoms should prompt a call to your doctor? In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Sandra Peebles speaks with Dr. John Diaz, gynecological oncologist at the Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute, about what women need to know about endometrial cancer, from early warning signs and risk factors to diagnosis, treatment and fertility-preserving options.  Why endometrial cancer cases are increasing in the U.S. and around the world  How obesity and prolonged estrogen exposure can raise risk  The abnormal bleeding patterns women should report — including after menopause  Other warning signs such as pelvic pain, bloating and abnormal discharge  Why endometrial cancer can also affect younger women  How doctors diagnose endometrial cancer and why there is no routine screening test  Treatment options for early and advanced disease, including immunotherapy  When fertility-sparing treatment may be possible  How family history and Lynch syndrome can affect riskHost: Sandra Peebles Award-Winning Journalist Guest: John P. Diaz, M.D. Chief of Gynecologic Oncology Herbert Wertheim Cancer Institute Chair, Obstetrics & Gynecology, FIU If you found this episode helpful, we also recommend the following: Can Cervical Cancer Be Cured? A Gynecologic Oncologist Answers Eradicating Cervical Cancer: Possible or Impractical?

Why would a neurologist recommend an infusion instead of a pill, and what should patients expect when they arrive for treatment? Neuro infusion therapy can be used for conditions including multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis and Alzheimer’s disease, but the process can feel unfamiliar or intimidating at first. In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Dr. Anthony Gonzalez speaks with Janisse Marin and Leah Marcelin about how neurological infusion therapy works, why it may be recommended, and how care teams help patients through treatment.  What neuro infusion therapy is and how it differs from chemotherapy  Why an infusion may be chosen instead of an oral medication  What happens before, during and after an infusion appointment  Common side effects and how patients are monitored for reactions  How infusion therapy is used for multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis and Alzheimer’s disease  Why some treatments are designed to slow disease progression rather than immediately relieve symptoms  How education and a coordinated care team can make treatment less overwhelmingHost: Anthony Gonzalez, M.D. Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health Guests: Janisse P. Marin RN, MSN Chief Nursing Officer/Assistant Vice President  Baptist Outpatient Services Halena Leah Marcelin, PharmD Assistant Vice President, Pharmacy Business Affairs & Development Baptist Health If you found this episode helpful, we recommend the following for additional information: Infusion Care for Osteoporosis: What Patients Should Know The Power of Infusion Therapy: What You Need to Know

After a breast cancer diagnosis, what happens first—seeing an oncologist, having surgery or starting chemotherapy? And how do doctors decide between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy? In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Johanna Gomez sits down with Dr. Mehran Habibi, Deputy Chief of Breast Surgery with Baptist Health Cancer Care, to answer common questions patients search online about breast cancer surgery and treatment. They discuss:  The difference between a medical oncologist and a surgical oncologist  Who patients typically see first after a breast cancer diagnosis  How doctors decide whether chemotherapy or surgery comes first  Why chemo first does not automatically mean the cancer is more aggressive  Whether chemotherapy can be shortened when a tumor responds well  Why second opinions and breast cancer specialists can matter  The truth about the myth that surgery or biopsy can make breast cancer spread  Why treatment may still be needed after a tumor is removed  How doctors and patients choose between lumpectomy and mastectomy  Why feeling fine is not a reason to delay recommended treatment  How lymph node involvement affects staging and treatment  Options for immediate or delayed breast reconstruction  How AI is beginning to support breast imaging, surgical planning and treatment decisions Subscribe to Baptist Health for more expert conversations on health, wellness, prevention and treatment. Host: Johanna Gomez Award-Winning Host & Journalist Guest: Mehran Habibi, M.D. Deputy Chief of Breast Surgery  Baptist Health Cancer Care If you found this episode helpful, we recommend these links for additional information: Breast Cancer in Young Women: Signs, Screenings, and When to Speak Life After Breast Cancer: Fear, Healing, and Hope

Sleep apnea can cause you to stop breathing repeatedly during the night — sometimes dozens or even hundreds of times — without you realizing it. And while loud snoring is a common warning sign, it is not the only one. In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, host Dr. Anthony Gonzalez talks with sleep specialist Dr. Edward Mezerhane about how sleep apnea affects the body, the symptoms people often miss, and what can happen when the condition goes untreated. They also break down how sleep apnea is diagnosed, why weight and airway anatomy matter, what to do if CPAP is difficult to tolerate, and the other treatment options available.  What sleep apnea is and how common it may be  Why people can stop breathing without realizing it  Common and overlooked symptoms of sleep apnea  The connection between sleep apnea, weight gain and heart health  Whether losing weight can improve sleep apnea  How sleep studies confirm a diagnosis  Ways to make CPAP easier to tolerate  Alternatives to CPAP, including oral appliances and surgical options Sleep apnea is highly treatable. If you regularly wake up exhausted, snore loudly, or a bed partner notices pauses in your breathing, getting evaluated may help improve both your sleep and your long-term health. For more health and wellness information, visit BaptistHealth.net/News. Host: Anthony Gonzalez, M.D. Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health Guest: Edward Mezerhane, M.D. Sleep Medicine Physician If you found this episode helpful, you may also enjoy: 7 Ways Summer Can Wreck Your Sleep This is What Lack of Sleep Does to your Brain and Heart Pillow Talk: Uncovering the Sleep-Heart Link

Weight loss medications can bring the number on the scale down quickly—but are you losing fat, muscle or both? And why do some people feel weaker or less healthy even while the pounds are coming off? In this episode of Baptist Health Talk, host Johanna Gomez speaks with clinical pharmacy specialist Erin Dorval and physician assistant Lisa Davis about what GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy are doing inside the body, why muscle preservation matters and how resistance training and nutrition support healthier, more sustainable results. They discuss:  Why rapid weight loss can include significant muscle loss  How GLP-1 medications reduce appetite and quiet “food noise”  Why resistance training should begin at the start of treatment  What “Ozempic face” really is—and what causes it  How protein, hydration and smaller portions may help manage side effects  Why medication dosage does not always need to keep increasing  The risks of rapid weight loss and unmonitored compounded medications  How pharmacists, cardiology teams and other providers can work together  Practical ways to build healthier habits without trying to change everything at once The goal is not simply to lose weight. It is to improve strength, function, metabolic health and long-term quality of life. Host: Johanna Gomez Award-Winning Host & Journalist Guests: Erin Dorval, PharmD, CPh Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Baptist Health Lisa K. Davis, DMSc, PA-C, CLS Physician Assistant Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care If you found this episode helpful, you may also enjoy: Weight Loss Medications Weighing the Options: Diet, Exercise and Medication Weight Loss Medication vs Surgery: What to Know

El síndrome de ovario poliquístico ahora se conoce como síndrome ovárico poliendo-metabólico, o PMOS, un nombre que refleja mejor cómo esta condición puede afectar mucho más que los ovarios y la fertilidad. En este episodio de Baptist HealthTalk, Sandra Peebles conversa con la endocrinóloga Dra. Priscilla Escalona Villasmil y la obstetra-ginecóloga Dra. Ingrid Paredes sobre el diagnóstico, los síntomas, los riesgos metabólicos y las opciones de tratamiento.  Por qué el cambio de nombre ayuda a comprender mejor la condición  Síntomas como períodos irregulares, acné, crecimiento de vello y dificultad para perder peso  La relación entre PMOS, resistencia a la insulina, diabetes y salud cardiovascular  Cómo se diagnostica y por qué no todas las pacientes presentan los mismos signos  Opciones de tratamiento según los síntomas, el metabolismo y los planes de embarazo  Por qué un diagnóstico de PMOS no significa que una mujer no pueda quedar embarazada Con un diagnóstico temprano, cambios saludables en el estilo de vida y un tratamiento individualizado, el PMOS puede controlarse. Las especialistas también comparten un mensaje claro: hay opciones, tratamiento y esperanza.

Polycystic ovary syndrome has long been associated mainly with irregular periods, ovarian cysts and fertility concerns. But the condition can also affect insulin resistance, weight, heart health, diabetes risk and other systems throughout the body—one reason the new name PMOS, or polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, is gaining attention. Host Sandra Peebles talks with Baptist Health endocrinologist Dr. Priscilla Escalona Villasmil and obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Ingrid Paredes about what the name change means, how PMOS is diagnosed and why symptoms can look very different from one woman to another. In this episode:  Why the condition is about much more than ovarian cysts  Common signs, including irregular periods, acne, excess hair growth and hair loss  How doctors diagnose PMOS and rule out other hormonal conditions  What PMOS means for ovulation, fertility and unplanned pregnancy  The connection to insulin resistance, diabetes and cardiovascular risk  Treatment options, including lifestyle changes, birth control pills, metformin, spironolactone and GLP-1 medications  Why early diagnosis and coordinated care can improve long-term health PMOS is manageable, and a diagnosis does not mean pregnancy is impossible. Early evaluation by an OB-GYN and an endocrinologist can help patients address both reproductive and metabolic health. Host: Sandra Peebles Award-Winning Journalist Guests: Ingrid Paredes, M.D.  Obstetrician/Gynecologist Priscilla Escalona Villasmil, M.D. Endocrinologist  Baptist Health

Summer can wreck your sleep in ways you may not expect: hotter nights and longer daylight to travel, jet lag, alcohol, caffeine and changes in your daily routine can all play a role.  In this episode of Baptist HealthTalk, sleep medicine physician Dr. Edward Mezerhane explains how these seasonal disruptions can interfere with your body’s natural sleep cycle and leave you feeling exhausted even after a full night in bed. He also clears up common melatonin myths, including why taking more does not necessarily it'll work better, and why timing matters.  You’ll learn practical ways to cool your bedroom, protect your sleep schedule and recognize when poor sleep may signal an underlying sleep disorder. Listen now to discover seven ways summer can wreck your sleep and what you can do to wake up feeling restored. Host: Anthony Gonzalez, M.D. Chief of Surgery, Baptist Health Baptist Hospital Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery, Baptist Health Guest: Edward Mezerhane, M.D. Sleep Medicine Physician If you found this episode helpful, you may also enjoy: This is What Lack of Sleep Does to Your Brain and Heart The Science Behind Sleep and its Connection to our Health How Much Sleep Do Kids and Parents Really Need Each Night?