While menopause is a stage of life that most women will go through, it can still be shrouded in mystery, with perimenopause symptoms often flying under the radar. Misdiagnosis can be rampant, with symptoms often being attributed to other things. In this special episode, we pull together three powerful interviews we’ve had on everything menopause and perimenopause. From Sharon Malone, MD’s, overview on perimenopause, Gayatri Devi, MD’s, connection on menopause and brain fog, to the hosts of Getting Hotter - Falguni and Kruti’s - message about community as medicine, this episode shines a light on crucial menopausal topics to educate women on an important season of their lives.

8.7 million people in the United States have ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), and for such a common diagnosis, it tends to have many misconceptions. While the most notable characteristics are difficulty maintaining attention or focus with periods of hyperactivity, there are also positive characteristics of ADHD that we often ignore. What if we looked at ADHD from a strengths-based perspective? To explore this topic, we spoke with Ned Hallowell, MD, psychiatrist and founder of The Hallowell ADHD Centers, about helpful interventions, shared decision-making, and the overlooked strengths and positive characteristics of those diagnosed with ADHD.

There is a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, and their symptoms, severity, and types are often misunderstood. From bloating to chronic diarrhea, how do we know when to seek medical advice for something more serious? What are the various diagnoses? What are red flags to look out for? We spoke with Lin Chang, MD, gastroenterologist and vice-chief of the Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases at UCLA, about the steps to looking at symptoms – and when to seek help, the 8 possible domains of GI conditions, how the gut and brain interact, and advice about how to improve gut health for patients to live their best lives.

When we think of common health and wellness advice, it is often centered around physical and mental health, with advice ranging from exercising regularly to going to therapy. But what if we also looked at social health as a part of our overall wellness? In 2023, the World Health Organization reported that loneliness is a global health threat. Studies have shown that maintaining strong social ties can lead to a longer life span. We spoke with Kasley Killam, MPH, author of The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health Is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier, about the framework around strengthening our social muscle, how optimal social health can look different for each of us, and how our social health can improve our overall health leading to a longer and more gratified life.

According to the latest statistics, more than 6.9 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s dementia today. And with an aging global population, 152 million people will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s by 2050. What does this mean for our future as caregivers and a global community? We spoke with Sanjay Gupta, MD, neurosurgeon and multiple Emmy-award winning chief medical correspondent for CNN and host of the CNN podcast Chasing Life, about how much of Alzheimer’s is preventable, risks for Alzheimer’s, health interventions to reduce our risk, and the importance of small everyday changes we can make in our lives for a longer, healthier life.

When is it helpful to use medical cannabis, and are there risks? For many people, the word cannabis brings up images of recreational use and the legality surrounding it. For others, it's a trusted and prescribed tool used for medicinal purposes. How do we know when it is appropriate to inquire about and take medical cannabis? What are the potential health risks? We spoke with Jacci Bainbridge, PharmD, FCCP, who defined cannabis terminology, like THC versus CBD, explained how cannabinoids work, identified symptoms and conditions that patients commonly use it for, and the importance of education for consumers and patients.

Every year in the United States, more than 795,000 people have a stroke. And about 610,000 of these are first or new strokes. Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability. What are the main risk factors for stroke? How can we intervene before a stroke happens? We spoke with Dean Sherzai, MD, PhD, and Ayesha Sherzai, MD, neuroscientists, bestselling authors, and hosts of the Your Brain On podcast, about the types of stroke, important signs to look out for, modifications to lower risk, what post-stroke recovery and care looks like, and additionally how menopause can play a role in stroke.

What are the secrets behind the world's Blue Zones, areas renowned for their high rates of longevity and low incidence of chronic disease. In this episode, we sit down with Susan Benigas, executive director at The American College of Lifestyle Medicine, to discuss the exciting new partnership between Blue Zones and the ACLM. Learn about the upcoming Blue Zone certification for clinicians, the impact it will have on patient care, and what to expect from a lifestyle medicine provider. We delve into how these principles can transform our healthcare system, empower communities, and integrate key aspects of the Blue Zone lifestyle for a healthier, longer life. Join us as we uncover the future of health and wellbeing through lifestyle medicine.

As spring is ramping up, many of us may notice our allergies ramping up along with it. Additionally, many of us may also notice that every year, our seasonal allergies tend to get worse. So, what’s going on regarding pollen? We talked with Stanley Fineman, MD, allergist and editor-in-chief for the publication Allergy Watch, about the various types of pollen allergies, the role climate change plays in allergies, possible treatment plans, and how those dealing with seasonal allergies can find relief.

Also see:
Allergy symptoms got you down? Blame pollen AND air pollution -- Yale Climate Connections