Health Discovered Podcast
WebMD Chief Physician Editor Neha Pathak, MD, and Chief Medical Officer, John Whyte, MD, MPH, explore fascinating stories to find the unexpected things that help us understand our health.
- Health TopicsMar 14, 2024
The Chemicals in Our Clothes: How to Clean Up Our Closets
Neha Pathak, MDOften, when we think of toxic chemicals, our minds go to household cleansers or environmental pollution. But we can also be affected by harmful chemicals in our clothing. What are some of th ...
- Diet and Weight LossMar 7, 2024
How Can Lifestyle Medicine Positively Impact Weight Management?
Neha Pathak, MDWeight management is something that many people struggle with. And sometimes, it can feel impossible. But what happens when we shift our focus beyond the scale? How would incorporating sleepmanagement tools, social support and connection, and other pillars of lifestyle medicine positively impact our experience with weight management? To guide us through this topic, we spoke to Mahima Gulati, MD, a triple board-certified physician specializing in endocrinology, diabetes, metabolism, and lifestyle medicine, and associate professor of Medical Sciences at the Frank H. ...
- Heart HealthFeb 29, 2024
Heart Health Disparities and Black Americans: Risk Factors, Prevention, and Lifestyle Changes
Neha Pathak, MDHeart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States alone, with one person dying from heart disease every 33 seconds.February, in addition to American Heart Month, is Black History Month. ...
- Mental HealthFeb 22, 2024
How Can Practical Optimism Change Our Lives?
Neha Pathak, MDBetween the extreme opposites of toxic positivity and pessimism lies a healthy middle ground that we often overlook: practical optimism. What does it mean to move through the world with optiism? And even if we often feel pessimistic or hypervigilant, how can we practice optimism on a daily basis to develop this emotional muscle? To explore this topic, we spoke with Sue Varma, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and author of the new book Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being, about the importance of cultivating everyday mental wellness and developing emotional resilience to help us navigate inevitable moments of crisis and triumph. ...
- InteractiveFeb 15, 2024
Reimagining Romantic Relationships: Managing Expectations and Communicating Needs
Neha Pathak, MDOver the past century in the U.S., there's been a societal transformation in what we expect from our romantic relationships. It's not just about love anymore; there's a growing belief that or partners will fulfill many roles, including being instrumental in our personal growth. ...
- Heart HealthFeb 8, 2024
Heart Valve Disease Awareness: Prevention, Symptoms, and Treatments
John Whyte, MDFebruary is American Heart Month, and a pivotal date, February 22nd, shines a spotlight on Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day, emphasizing the significance of the role heart valves play in mantaining our overall health and well-being. ...
- Mental HealthFeb 1, 2024
From Microaggressions to Hypervigilance: How Racism Affects Black Mental Health
Neha Pathak, MDWhen we think of racism, we often think of overt acts of prejudice and discrimination, but what about subtle microaggressions, bias, and systemic barriers? February is Black History Month, ad we are looking at the ways trauma and stress due to racism can impact the Black community physically, mentally, and emotionally. ...
- Drinks and BeveragesJan 24, 2024
Sober Curious? Shift Your Relationship To Alcohol With Mindful Drinking
Neha Pathak, MDIn January, many people choose to refrain from alcohol, or what is known as a “dry January,” after potential excess during the holiday season. But what about those who want to refrain longeror explore their relationship with alcohol? What does it mean to be sober curious, or practice mindful drinking? How would shifting our drinking habits impact our health? We spoke to Amanda E. ...
- HPV / Genital WartsJan 18, 2024
Cervical Health 101: Pap Smears, HPV, and Cervical Cancer
Neha Pathak, MDDo you know the difference between a pap smear and a pelvic exam? Do you know where the cervix is located and what it does? Most importantly, what about the connection between human papillomvirus (HPV) and cervical cancer? According to some experts, almost 100% of sexually active people will contract HPV at some point in their lifetime and more than 14,000 women in the US are diagnosed with HPV related invasive cervical cancer every year. ...
- Healthy MenJan 11, 2024
Top Tips for Men to Take Control of Their Health: From Screenings to Mental Health
Neha Pathak, MDA 2023 survey by Cleveland Clinic found that 44% of men do not get an annual physical exam. How should men take control of their health? What are the top health concerns for men after the ag ...
- Mental HealthJan 4, 2024
Start the New Year with Self-Compassion
Neha Pathak, MDIn the first episode of the new year, Dr. Pathak takes a different approach to traditional New Year's resolutions. Rather than overwhelming you with the pressure of becoming a "new you," thi episode encourages listeners to appreciate and love the "you" that exists right now. ...
- Mental HealthDec 27, 2023
How to Create Healthy Boundaries in Complex Relationships
Neha Pathak, MDMany of us can relate to feeling triggered or having our buttons pushed in our closest relationships, but what can we do about it? Is there an effective way to identify and communicate healt ...
- Nutrition and Healthy EatingDec 21, 2023
Can We Calm Our Mind With Food?
Neha Pathak, MDIt’s commonly said that we are what we eat. A great deal of research has been done to find a correlation between healthy diets and brain function, but misinformation persists. Figuring out hw certain foods impact our physical, mental, and emotional health while also balancing our busy lives can become a frustrating exercise. ...
- Mental HealthDec 14, 2023
Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (It's Not Just the Winter Blues)
Neha Pathak, MDWe've all heard of seasonal affective disorder, but did you know that it's more than just the winter blues? The cooler temperatures, seasonal changes, and limited daylight hours of the winte months can stir up a certain cozy feeling, but they can also bring a sense of lethargy, persistent sadness, and a loss of interest in activities that once brought joy. ...
- COVID-19 VaccineDec 7, 2023
Vaccine Skepticism or Anti-Science Aggression? A Talk with Dr. Peter Hotez
Neha Pathak, MDWhat happens when vaccine hesitancy and medical misinformation evolve into an anti-science aggression? While navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, we found ourselves facing daily monumental deciions regarding our health. ...
- HIV & AIDSNov 30, 2023
HIV/AIDS: From Misinformation to Medical Breakthroughs
Neha Pathak, MDForty years ago, the idea that HIV would shift from a terminal illness to a chronic manageable disease was almost unthinkable. In recent years, another health crisis, COVID-19, much like HIV was wrought with fear, stigma, and misinformation. ...
- Brain & Nervous SystemNov 22, 2023
Is Breathwork the Key to Nervous System Regulation?
Neha Pathak, MDHave you ever been in a stressful situation where it feels as if you are losing control of your body? Activation of the sympathetic nervous system may cause our chest to tighten, our thought to race, and our breathing to become shallow. ...
- CancerNov 16, 2023
Everything You Need To Know About Pancreatic Cancer
Neha Pathak, MDIn 2023 alone, an estimated 64,050 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, accounting for 3% of all cancers in the U.S. and 7% of all cancer deaths. The most concerning thing abot pancreatic cancer is that detection often occurs in later stages when it has spread beyond the pancreas. ...
- Lung CancerNov 9, 2023
Why Lung Cancer Screening Is Important Yet So Overlooked
Neha Pathak, MDLung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States. An estimated 238,340 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023, and 64% of lung cancers are diagnosed a stage III or IV. ...
- DiabetesNov 1, 2023
Type 1 Diabetes: Myths, Challenges, and Treatment Breakthroughs
John Whyte, MDType 1 diabetes is a condition in which your immune system destroys insulin-making cells in your pancreas. Typically diagnosed in childhood or adolescence, type 1 diabetes is not just a medial condition; it's a story of resilience and adaptability, requiring a lifelong commitment to managing one's health. ...