BayCare HealthChat

It's important to have strong healthy bones at every stage of one's life. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Patrick Mixa gives us tips on keeping our bones healthy. 

Part of our endocrine system, the thyroid is an important gland that produces hormones to regulate much of what we do. ENT and endocrine surgeon Dr. Dipan Desai joins us to explain what happens when the thyroid develops nodules and when it's under or overactive. 

Raising a teenager can be challenging as parents navigate this critical developmental stage. Pediatric nurse practitioner Danielle Lettieri shares valuable insights on how parents can strengthen their relationship with their teenagers. Learn more about BayCare Kids On Our Sleeves 

In this episode, seasoned lactation consultant Dawn Baltz discusses the important aspects of breastfeeding that every new mother should understand. Learn how to effectively support your baby during their first week of feeding with practical advice from a trusted healthcare professional.

Explore the reasons behind the high incidence of injuries in non-professional athletes. Dr. Vaswani will explain how conditioning, muscle pulls, and improper training contribute to the problem, offering advice to help minimize risks.

Uncover the reasons behind why certain children seem to catch every bug going around while others remain healthy. Dr. Espinosa dives into factors like nutrition, lifestyle, and vaccinations that contribute to immune system strength. This episode is a must-listen for parents looking to boost their children's health and protect them from common illnesses.

Golfing is a popular sport in Florida, and injuries are common. Learn about these common injuries and how you can prevent them with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Bodine.

Treatment is available and recovery is possible for those struggling with addiction. In Part 2 of this two-part series, addiction psychiatrist Dr. Jason Fields shares the variety of treatment options available and how spirituality can help recovery.Listen to Part 1 of our addiction series on The Science Behind AddictionLearn more about behavioral health services at BayCareIf you or a loved one is experiencing addiction, get connected with a BayCare provider at (877) 850-9613 or call 211 for resources.

Addiction is a multifactorial disease process that affects far too many people. In Part 1 of this two-part series, addiction psychiatrist Dr. Jason Fields explains the science behind addiction, what it does to the brain and the history of the opioid crisis.Listen to Part 2 of our addiction series on Treatment and the Role of Spirituality in Recovery Learn more about behavioral health services at BayCareIf you or a loved one is experiencing addiction, get connected with a BayCare provider at (877) 850-9613 or call 211 for resources.

Discover the transformative role wearable technology, especially fitness watches, plays in our health today. Join Dr. Carl Von Harten IV as he delves into the latest trends, features, and the medical implications of these devices, empowering you to use them effectively and responsibly.

As screens become increasingly more abundant in our lives, it can be challenging to balance children's screen time. Pediatric resident Dr. Giulia Izzo Castellano explains the developmental, mental and physical effects of screen time and how you can have conversations about it with your kids.

Appendicitis is a common and treatable disorder, but the signs and symptoms shouldn't be ignored. In this episode, board certified general surgeon Dr. Eftechios P. Xanthoudakis dives into appendicitis, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Cognitive decline is normal as we age, but there are things we can do to improve our brain health. Neurologist Dr. Sanjiv Sahoo discusses effective lifestyle changes that can naturally enhance brain function and cognitive performance.

Recognizing early signs like chest pressure or leg swelling can help you take proactive steps toward better heart health. Join Dr. Louis, a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, as he breaks down the key signs and symptoms that indicate when it's time to see a cardiac specialist, offering expert advice on how to take charge of your heart health.

Every parent's biggest hope and dream is for their child to grow up and be healthy. Well child and sports physicals help to make sure kids do just that. Pediatric resident Dr. Kiara Hodge explains the differences and similarities between these two types of physicals and why both are necessary.

When babies are born, they often have flat spots, which typically round out within the first couple months of life. However, when this doesn't happen, it can lead to flat head syndrome, also known as plagiocephaly. Dr. Pat Ricalde, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, joins us to explore what causes this condition and how it can be prevented.

Doctors and hospitals can be scary experiences for children, but health care designed specifically for kids can help reduce their fear. Erin Frost, a Child Life Specialist, discusses the impact of kid-friendly environments and how her role helps children and their families cope in health care settings.

During the pandemic, social distancing reduced our exposure to germs, which led to weakened immune systems. In this episode, Pediatrician Dr. Monica Kharbanda discusses how this and other factors are leading to children getting sicker from common illnesses like the flu.

Puberty is a phase of physical and emotional development that often brings challenges for both children and their parents. Pediatrician Dr. Kristen Lagor joins us to offer tips on how to stay physically and mentally healthy during this time.

Whether you're expecting a newborn or looking for a pediatrician for your child or teenager, choosing the right provider for your family can feel overwhelming. Pediatric resident Dr. Jordan Coyner shares key factors to consider, from practical logistics to building a personal connection.

Did you know that one in five Americans are unaware that they have diabetes? Join Dr. Dhriti Das, a board-certified expert in internal medicine and endocrinology, as she discusses the various types of diabetes, testing methods, prevention strategies and key risk factors.

Swimming and other water activities are a fun way for kids to stay active, but safety is key at every age. Camille Yodzis, wellness and safety educator, discusses safety tips from infants to adults in all bodies of water.

Playing sports offers many benefits for keeping your child healthy, but it's important to be mindful of potential injuries. Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Tracey DeLucia, discusses common injuries in children and teens, and how to prevent them with proper equipment and physicals.

Playing sports offers many benefits for keeping your child healthy, but it's important to be mindful of potential injuries. Orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Tracey DeLucia, discusses common injuries in children and teens, and how to prevent them with proper equipment and physicals.

When you or someone you know gets a diagnosis of lung cancer, all kinds of questions rush through your mind. Dr. Kamran Darabi, Internal Medicine, Hematology-Oncology, discusses what you need to know from screenings to treatments and everything in between. 

Listen to Dr. Drihti Das, board-certified in internal medicine and endocrinology discuss what cortisol is and tips to manage our levels.

There are at least 70 known cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke. Listen to Dr. Germanuel Landfair, an orthopedic surgeon with BayCare discuss the chemicals in smoking and how it impacts our health.

Dr. Germanuel Landfair discusses part two of the Smoking and Your Health discussion where he covers how the chemicals in smoking affect the wound healing and surgery process.

Frozen shoulder is a painful condition that causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder. Dr. Christopher Donaldson discusses symptoms, causes and treatment options.

Gallstones are common and treatable, but there are times when removal of the gallbladder is the right option. General Surgeon, Ryan Enders discusses gallstones, the treatment options and when surgery is the best option.

When it comes to menopause, sometimes the stages can be confusing. Obstetrician and gynecologist, Dr. Irene Wahba explains what perimenopause is, signs and symptoms, perimenopause transition and stages and testing.

In part two of our episode focusing on perimenopause with obstetrician and gynecologist, Dr. Irene Wahba, we'll be focusing on perimenopause treatments and hormone replacement therapy.

Pickleball is the fastest growing recreational sport in America, and as a result, people are getting injured. Dr. Georges Haidamous discusses common injuries, treatments and prevention tips for the popular sport.

Learn about what happens when someone has a stroke, the different types of strokes and what the recovery is like.

1 in 5 women in the U.S will experience some degree of infertility. Listen to Dr. Astrid Mondaca discuss secondary infertility.

According to the CDC, one in three American adults gets less than the recommended amount of sleep, and sleep deficit is linked to many chronic diseases that threaten our health. So, how can we get the rest we so desperately need, and why is it important?

Headed to the OB-GYN and embarrassed to ask certain questions? Dr. Peyton Marr shares some tips and common questions to ask when you go for your check-up.

Dr. Fred Brennan shares what you need to know if you have a sprained ankle.

Dr. Rogelio Perez, a board-certified gastroenterologist with over 20 years of expertise in providing treatment for a wide variety of difficult GI disorders shares information about the signs and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, how it can impact other body systems, and options for how to treat it.

The colon is a crucial part of our digestive system. A healthy colon can mean a longer, richer life. How do you know if your colon is healthy? And what can you do to keep it that way? General Surgeon Dr. Sahand Bamarni answers those questions and offers insight into keeping your colon healthy.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, yet up to 90% of colorectal cancers are preventable. Dr. Keshav Kukreja and Dr. Harsh Patel discuss risk factors, prevention strategies, and raising general awareness of colorectal cancer.

Listen to Dr. Jessica Kennard, a gynecologic oncologist as she discusses signs, symptoms, treatment options of ovarian cancer.

There is a lot of information about breast cancer awareness and prevention, sometimes it might be overwhelming to take it all in. Listen to Dr. Alicia Billington break down and discuss some of the main things you should know.

Learn about skin cancer and prevention tips from dermatologist, Dr. Dahlia Saleh.

The National Foot Health Assessment estimates approximately 18 million women and four million men report having bunions every year. Listen to Dr. Felipe Peterson, a board-certified podiatrist, share his knowledge on the diagnosis and treatment of bunions.

Listen to Dr. Andrew Boltuch, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in primary and complex surgeries of the upper extremity discuss the common shoulder and elbow injuries he sees, how they happen, how they're treated, and most of all, how they can be avoided.

Dr. Pete Petrson, a general and bariatric surgeon with BayCare, discusses the causes, symptoms and treatments of gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly called GERD.

PCOS is a common hormonal disorder that affects women and can often go undiagnosed. Listen to Dr. Sarah Smith, a family medicine physician with BayCare, discuss the diagnosis and treatment of PCOS.

Listen to Dr. Clifford J. Raymond, an Interventional Radiologist with BayCare, discuss fibroids and the treatment options available including uterine fibroid embolization.

Dr. Christopher Donaldson, an orthopedic surgeon with BayCare, discusses how to know when a shoulder is broken and what to do if it happens.