Conversations Like No Other presented by Valley Health System

Whether you're experiencing grief, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking understanding, this podcast explores the emotional and psychological aspects of the grieving process. Challenges, healing, and profound transformations that occur when facing terminal illness and mourning a loved one will be covered.

Wounds, ostomies, and incontinence associated dermatitis are more common than you know and can cause frustration and emotional ups and downs. Skin conditions as a result of incontinence, complications from an ostomy, pressure injuries, and other wounds are conditions many people suffer. We will discuss prevention steps you can take at home as well as medical technology to help keep your skin healthy.

Raspy, wheezy, barking, and phlegmy coughs can all be signs of a respiratory infection in your little one. While a virus like the common cold could clear up on its own, some conditions require medical attention.

Parenting involves a lot of learning and growing. If your child has shared that they are transgender, learning about gender diversity is another step in your parenting journey. By doing your own research and not relying solely on your child for information, you are taking a step in supporting your child.

Explore the significant role of genetics, lifestyle, and emotional stress in heart disease with Elliot Brown, MD. This episode outlines actionable steps you can take to reduce your risks and lead a healthier life, ensuring your heart remains a priority.

Spending time with family can be one of the most stressful experiences, especially for someone in recovery from substance use disorders. The stress of the holidays along with holiday celebrations centered around drinking and other substances can be especially challenging. Some tips for enjoying the holidays without jeopardizing your health will be discussed.

A cancer diagnosis in a family member may have a health impact on others in the family. Genetic counseling can help people understand their personal health risks of hereditary cancers. A family history and evaluation with a genetic counselor can provide families with recommendations for early intervention and cancer prevention.

Every living being has two things in common: we are all born and we all die. Talking about death is not easy but not talking about it can cause anxiety, loneliness, undue suffering, and a different level of grief. Understanding hospice care is a great start.

Weight is a topic that many parents worry about and it's usually about obesity. But what about children who are underweight? What considerations should parents take if their child is underweight, a vegetarian, an athlete, or a child who is slower to grow?

The benefits of a medically managed weight loss program include a holistic comprehensive approach to create a unified and thorough strategy for managing obesity and its related issues, such as blood pressure management, blood sugar improvement, decrease risk for heart attack and stroke, and decreased joint pain.

Discussing your sexual history is just as important as any other part of the history taking process. This opens the door to conversations around testing and preventive practices like vaccinations, contraception, and preexposure prophylaxis for PrEP, which is highly effective at preventing HIV. These conversations are particularly important for the LGBTQ+ community who continue to experience healthcare disparities, including limited access to comprehensive affirming healthcare and preventive services.

The science and medicine of weight loss has changed significantly over the past decades. Obesity has become a global epidemic and it continues to rise. Obesity impacts chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. The scientific community continues to be excited for the promise of novel treatments for obesity and related diseases as they continue to call for worldwide efforts to prevent and control obesity.

There is no magic pill for weight loss, however, the newer injectable medications can help reset the body to enable people to lose weight. This option isn't for everyone but may be a consideration for you.

If you have heart disease, it's normal to be worried about having sex. Movies and pop culture lead us to believe that having a heart attack during sex is destined to happen when in fact, you're more likely to have a heart attack from road rage, drinking a cup of coffee, or shoveling snow. Truth of the matter is, every person's situation is individual. If you have heart disease symptoms, see your doctor.

Many people think heart disease is a man's disease when in fact heart disease is the number one cause of death in women. The symptoms of heart disease vary greatly between men and women so they are often misunderstood or missed all together. While cardiac disease impacts some women at higher rates, education and healthy lifestyle changes can prevent cardiac incidents.

Fevers in your baby or child can be scary. Fever is a sign that your child is fighting something off but not all fevers are the same. As a parent, what can you do to help your little one when they are sick?

Excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis can affect just parts of your body, such as your hands, feet, underarms, or face, or it can affect your entire body. It can cause embarrassment and anxiety, and keep one from their daily activities. Some types of hyperhidrosis are localized on certain parts of the body and have no cause, while others involve sweating all over the body and are usually due to an underlying medical condition.

Preparing for surgery before or after breast cancer can leave some women questioning the physical changes to their bodies. With oncoplastics, women have many options, including nipple-sparing procedures, skin-sparing mastectomy, breast reduction or breast lift, implants, or aesthetic flat closure. The latest techniques and clinical outcomes will be discussed, as well as common patient questions.

One of the biggest issues for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) has to do with the conflicting information on blood thinners. We'll dispel the myths of why they are needed and for how long, along with the newest approaches for treating AFib.

For a transgender man or nonbinary people whose sex assigned at birth was female, gynecologic care can be a difficult experience. Many avoid healthcare visits out of fear of being misgendered or insurance denials. Additionally, pelvic exams can trigger their dysphoria. Because many transgender men still have a cervix and uterus, care provided by a gynecologist is important for overall health.

People who live with chronic pain conditions such as migraine, nonspecific back pain, fibromyalgia, chronic facial pain, and rheumatoid arthritis often experience stigma because their pain is invisible and not explained by a clear biomedical reason.  Just because it cannot be seen does not mean one is immune to pain and the lack of understanding contributes to the mental and physical drain of living in chronic pain.

The health of one's penis goes beyond sexual function. Penis health can include erectile dysfunction and ejaculation problems, but rashes, itching, fractures, discharge, and growths are also common problems. Penis problems can cause stress, be a sign of an underlying health condition, or simply be something that needs to be addressed with your physician. While all problems cannot be prevented, examining your penis regularly can help you detect any changes.

Having low sperm count could impact a couple's ability to conceive a child. Many men aren't aware of their low sperm amounts unless they have difficulty conceiving and seek help from a physician. Many lifestyle factors and medical conditions can affect sperm count, however, there are some ways to produce healthy sperm and improve fertility.

Menopause is not a disease, however, historically and culturally that has not always been the case. The treatment for symptoms of menopause has expanded and include more sophisticated remedies than those of yesteryear. Conflicting stories of hormone replacement therapies, along with questionable natural remedies, leave women wondering what can be done to ease this transition.

Addressing social and health concerns, such as personal hygiene, can be sensitive with an aging parent. Increased forgetfulness, driving, finances, and long-term planning are also difficult topics to approach. Some patience, research, guidance, and helpful tips can help you have tough conversations in a respectful way and help ensure your aging parent's safety.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, includes symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, constipation, bloating and gas. Some people who suffer are too embarrassed to talk with their doctor.  Learning about the disease will help make you more comfortable to discuss IBS with your provider so you can live a normal life and make peace with your condition.

Weight can be a sensitive subject at any age, but for children and teens, body image and weight issues should be handled with careful attention because the topic can carry lifelong significance. How do you talk to your child about healthy eating and weight without negatively impacting their body image or relationship with food? Dr. Sakowitz-Sukkar will discuss this and more.

TMJ disorders cause symptoms such as face or neck pain, jaw stiffness, and clicking or popping noises in the jaw joint.  TMJ can be complex and can overlap with other conditions.  While the cause of TMJ is a mystery, this discussion will uncover the answers to many questions about the disorder.

Pregnancy is an amazing experience.  It's remarkable that your body is growing a new life.  As you prepare for this beautiful journey, there might be some details your mom or friends left out.  There are some parts of pregnancy that maybe aren't so beautiful and make you wonder why nobody told you about all the changes your body experiences.

Being a new mom brings about many emotions, such as excitement, happiness, fear, or sadness.  Your body experiences many physical and emotional changes during and after pregnancy.  It is normal to experience worry, but if your feelings are extreme sadness or loneliness, mood swings, or crying spells, you may be experiencing postpartum depression.  Talk to your doctor. There is treatment and getting the help you need will help you and your baby be as healthy as possible.

While many think that only men lose their hair, many women experience hair loss as well. Hair loss in women can be a stressful and bothersome problem. We will discuss this sensitive topic by reviewing the importance of diagnosing hair loss appropriately, discussing different treatment options, and tips for dealing with a hair loss diagnosis.

Understanding puberty and sexuality is important for all kids and teens. Having "the talk" when your child has an intellectual disability can elicit additional questions. Your open and honest communication will help ease the confusion your teen is experiencing as their bodies change through sexual development.

Understanding puberty and sexuality is important for all kids and teens. Having "the talk" when your child has an intellectual disability can elicit additional questions. Your open and honest communication will help ease the confusion your teen is experiencing as their bodies change through sexual development.

Research shows that many teens are sexually active by the time they are in high school.  Sexual health includes how sex affects a person's physical and emotional health. Whether your teen practices abstinence or is engaging in sexual activities, talking with them about safe sex not only encourages responsible behavior but helps you guide your teen to make the healthiest choices for their sexual health.

Pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence (in essence, pelvic floor disorders) are the biggest unspoken epidemic. Did you know that 1 in 3 women will end up suffering from these conditions? They range from what we commonly know as a "dropped bladder" to leaking urine and having to constantly wear pads. Prolapse and incontinence can cause feelings of concern, embarrassment, and depression, but there are many treatment options available.

Older adults not only experience physical changes as they age, but they are more likely to experience neurological problems as well. Cognitive impairment in older adults can be caused by a number of reasons, however, dementia is the most common. The initial diagnosis of dementia can be devastating to patients and their families. There are many questions and concerns older adults and potential caregivers have as they begin to navigate the world of dementia.

Being intimate after having a baby can involve more than just physical healing. Fear of getting pregnant again, less sleep, body changes, low libido, and hormones play a role in resuming normal sexual activity. Dr. Welsh will discuss questions related to birth control options along with questions we might be hesitant to discuss with our doctor.

Who knew that a vaccine can prevent cancer just like a vaccine prevent the flu? Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) is a common virus you can get through skin-to-skin contact. It is also the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). This conversation is about body parts, physical encounters, warts, your immune system, and cancer. We'll talk about how getting vaccinated against HPV will decrease your risk for future cancers.

Before you were a parent, did you ever think you would talk about poop so much?  Frequency, color, shape, and consistency are all common parent concerns. What happens when your child isn't pooping, or goes too frequently? Why are they having accidents? Dr. Dankner will talk about what can be worrisome and address many parent poop concerns.