Healthy Matters - with Dr. David Hilden Hennepin Healthcare

04/14/2024

The Healthy Matters Podcast


S03_E11 - Keeping Up with Pacemakers

The heart is pretty amazing.  In the orchestra the human body, the heart is the conductor, but sometimes, even the most skilled maestro needs a little backup.  Enter pacemakers, the tiny conductors that can help us keep the beat.  But when might you need one?  How are they implanted?  How long do they last?  And can I still use the microwave?

Join us to learn about the world of pacemakers with our guest, Dr. Rehan Karim.  He's an electrophysiologist (fantastic scrabble word, btw...) and he'll walk us through some basics on the electrical system of our hearts, how pacemakers work, what the lived experience is like with one, and some of the latest developments for this amazing technology.  Did you know that the first pacemaker was made in MInnesota?  Find out more about these life-changing devices, on Episode 11!

You can learn more about heart health issues and find helpful resources here.

Got a question for the doc or a comment on the show?

Email - healthymatters@hcmed.org
Call - 612-873-TALK (8255)


Find out more at www.healthymatters.org

3/31/2024

The Healthy Matters Podcast


S03_E10 - Getting a Better Understanding of ALS

ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a rare but serious condition that affects around 5 people in every 100,000, but due to its devastating effects on both the patient and the caregivers, it's something that certainly merits a deeper conversation.  Lou Gehrig and Steven Hawking may be the two most well-known cases, but it seems once ALS is mentioned, many people are in one way or another connected to it.  But what's actually happening in the body?  What do we think causes it?  What is the progression of the illness like and what are the current treatments available? 

There's still a lot out there that we don't know about the disease, but the medical community is making strides every day to help support those living with the condition to lead fulfilling lives. On Episode 10 of the podcast, we'll have an in-depth conversation with Dr. Sam Maiser, MD, Chair of Neurology at Hennepin Healthcare and an expert on ALS, to help us get a better understanding of the disease.  We'll explore what is known and still unknown, what the experience is like for the patient and caregivers, available treatments and resources, and what the future may hold for those living with this disease.  It's a thoughtful conversation with a dedicated specialist on one of medicine's most challenging topics.  We hope you'll join us.

You can learn more about ALS and find helpful resources for patients and caregivers here.

Got a question for the doc or a comment on the show?

Email - healthymatters@hcmed.org
Call - 612-873-TALK (8255)


Find out more at www.healthymatters.org

3/17/2024

The Healthy Matters Podcast


S03_E09 - Cholesterol:  The Good, The Bad and the Triglycerides...

Cholesterol can be a confusing subject for many of us.  And, as many of us can attest to, seeing the results from a lipid panel can be like reading a foreign language.  What's a safe range?  Does good cholesterol cancel out the bad?  And what is a lipid, anyway? 

It turns out cholesterol is a necessary piece of the human puzzle, but like a lot things, too much of anything is likely not good.  But what can be done to help us in the battle for better numbers?  Thankfully on Episode 9 of the show, we'll have the help of Hennepin Healthcare cardiologist, Dr. Woubeshet Ayenew, MD, to break down some of the terms and concepts around cholesterol and get us a better feel for what we're up against.  He'll give insight on how to calculate risk of a heart attack (there's a cool online calculator here!), what we can do to keep our cholesterol in check, the role of statins, and more !  We've all got cholesterol, so there's something here for everyone - join us!

Got a question for the doc or a comment on the show?

Email - healthymatters@hcmed.org
Call - 612-873-TALK (8255)


Find out more at www.healthymatters.org

3/3/2024

The Healthy Matters Podcast


S03_E08 - Getting our Brains Around TBI and Concussions

Brains!  We've all got 'em.  (Well, perhaps some of us more than others...)  But it's estimated that almost 50% (!) of all adults in the U.S. have experienced a concussive event or some sort of traumatic brain injury in their lifetime.  That's a staggering statistic, and on Episode 8 of the show, we'll be joined by Dr. Matthew Puderbaugh to help us define what a traumatic brain injury is, how to identify one, and what to do when we see one.

Dr. Puderbaugh is an Air Force veteran and assists on the sidelines of the NFL, so it's safe to say he's seen a number of these over the years.  He'll help us wrap our brains around what's happening when concussive events occur, how they're treated, and the effect they can have on our emotional states.  After a concussive event:  Is it best to avoid light?  Do you have to stay awake?  How long does it take to recover?   Join us for the conversation and get answers to these questions and more, on Episode 8!

If you or a loved one has sustained a brain injury, be sure and check out the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance website for resources and support!

Got a question for the doc or a comment on the show?

Email - healthymatters@hcmed.org
Call - 612-873-TALK (8255)


Find out more at www.healthymatters.org

2/18/2024

The Healthy Matters Podcast


S03_E07 - The Bone Zone: Insights on Osteoporosis and Healthy Bones

Ever wonder why we shrink in old age?  Is it true that astronauts lose bone mass in space?  And does all milk have the same amount of calcium?  There are over 200 bones in the human body and it's safe to say each plays a pretty important role, so of course it's important to keep them healthy!  But what's the best way to go about that?  What are some of the things that can go wrong with them?  And what is a "T-score" anyway?

Thankfully, on Episode 7 of the show, we'll be joined by Endocrinologist and author, Dr. Ann Kearns (MD, PhD), of Hennepin Healthcare to help get some information and advice on our precious frames.  We'll go over the best practices for keeping our bones healthy, the common causes when things go awry, and options available to us in the event that they do.  Doctor Kearns literally wrote the book on Osteoporosis, which you can find here!  We all have bones, and we all age, so there's a ton of essential information here for everyone.  We hope you'll join us!
Got a question for the doc?  Or an idea for a show?  We're all ears...


Email - healthymatters@hcmed.org


Call - 612-873-TALK (8255)


Find out more at www.healthymatters.org

2/4/2024

The Healthy Matters Podcast


S03_E06 - Let's Talk IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)

It's not uncommon that the terms IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) get confused.  Both have to do with your guts, both have impacted the lives of many in today's society and both could probably be explained a bit more.   We plan on getting to both of them, but for starters, in Episode 6 of the show, we're going to take a better look into IBD with the help of Hennepin Healthcare Gastroenterologist, Dr. Jake Matlock!

Dr. Matlock has helped us break down many other GI issues on our show and this time around he'll help us better understand the origins, diagnosis, and treatments of both Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis.  How common are they?  Are they hereditary?  How do they differ from IBS?  What can be done to treat them?  And what is "The Pill Cam"?  When it comes to our guts, there's a lot to know, so come get wise with us!

Got a question for the doc?  Or an idea for a show?  We're all ears...



Email - healthymatters@hcmed.org


Call - 612-873-TALK (8255)


Find out more at www.healthymatters.org