Health Discovered

At least 1.5 million people in the United States are living with lupus, a chronic and often misunderstood autoimmune disease. What are the most common myths about lupus – and who does it really affect? We spoke with Karen Costenbader, MD, MPH, director of the Lupus Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, about early symptoms to watch for, potential environmental triggers, widespread misconceptions, and what patients can expect from their healthcare team when seeking diagnosis and care.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About 805,000 people in the U.S. have a heart attack each year – and the experience doesn’t end in the ER. Recovery is a long-term process. We spoke to Harmony R. Reynolds, MD, director of both the Center for Women’s Cardiovascular Health and the Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center at NYU Langone Health, about the signs and symptoms to watch for, what healthy recovery can look like, how to support yourself or a loved one after a heart attack, and the key lifestyle changes that make a lasting difference.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fraud targeting older adults is on the rise, with schemes designed to steal personal information, drain savings, or even jeopardize health through the sale of fake medical equipment. We spoke with Robert “Bob” Blancato, who serves as the National Coordinator of the bipartisan Elder Justice Coalition and is the Executive Director of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Program, about the biggest red flags – from fake Medicare calls to deceptive billing – and why trusting your instincts, speaking up if something feels off, and staying connected to your community are key to staying safe. Check out The John A. Hartford Foundation at https://www.johnahartford.org/. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About 10% of U.S. children ages 5 to 15 experience migraine. For parents, figuring out what’s normal, what’s serious, and how to help can be overwhelming. We spoke with Sara Pavitt, MD, chief of the Headache Program at UT Health Austin Pediatric Neurosciences at Dell Children’s, to break it down. She explains how to recognize the signs and symptoms of migraine in kids, when to call a doctor, and how to manage them day to day – from improving sleep and hydration to using supplements and cognitive behavioral therapy. Your child doesn’t have to suffer. Learn how to navigate migraine with confidence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes inflammation in the digestive tract and can raise important questions for those who are pregnant or planning to be. Is your pregnancy “high risk” because of IBD? Can you safely stay on your medication? We spoke with Uma Mahadevan, MD, director of the UCSF Colitis and Crohn’s Disease Center, about how to prepare for a healthy pregnancy with IBD. She explains why keeping your condition under control is the safest choice for your baby, which modern IBD medications are considered low-risk in pregnancy, and how a coordinated care team can make all the difference. Additional resources: https://pianostudy.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.