WJR Michigan Answers

June 23, 2022 ~ What is heat stroke, and how dangerous can it be? The CDC reports nearly 700 heat-related deaths on average every year. University of Michigan Health Emergency Physician Dr. Brad Uren speaks with Paul W. Smith on how to identify the signs leading up to heat stroke and how to prevent heat-related illnesses, especially for those who are most susceptible.

June 16, 2022 ~ What are military burn pits, why were they created, and how do the pits impact the health of military personnel? Michigan Medicine Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Division Dr. John Osterholzer talks about the long term damage done to respiratory systems of veterans who worked in the pits, and how he initially identified the problem.

June 9, 2022 ~ Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, but are you prepared to face it in your own home? More than 300,000 Americans are affected by cardiac arrest every year, and more than 75% of occurrences are in the home. University of Michigan Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Learning Community Project Manager Dr. Michelle Williams talks to Paul W. Smith about how to make your home "Heart Safe," and the importance of the campaign. Visit HeartSafeHomes.org for more information.

May 31, 2022 ~ Who is most likely to get lupus, and how is it diagnosed? Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system loses recognition of your own body, and attacks it. Michigan Medicine Dr. Patricia Cagnoli tells Paul W. Smith about the disease, and the different methods of treatment given.

May 19, 2022 ~ In this edition of "WJR Michigan Answers" Michigan Medicine Neurologist Dr. Joseph Carrera talks about Stroke Awareness Month and has important information on how to recognize the signs of a stroke.

May 12, 2022 ~ Michigan Medicine Geriatrics Center Geriatric Community Programs Assistant Director and Turner Senior Wellness Program Director Jennifer Howard talks about raising money for programs serving older adults. Additionally, she touches on various needs and problems people face as they get older.

May 5, 2022 ~ Can sleep apnea be life threatening? Director of Sleep Disorders Center Dr. Afifa Shamin-Uzzaman talks to Paul W. Smith about the dangers and long-term health complications of untreated sleep apnea.

April 28, 2022 ~ Is infertility a more widespread problem than most realize? In this episode, Michigan Medicine Reproductive Endocrinologist Dr. Samantha Schon talks to Paul W. about the top misconceptions about fertility, and she says it's a problem for many couples.

April 14, 2022 ~ How serious are concussions? Michigan Medicine Neurosport Co-Director Dr. Matthew Lorincz talks about diagnosis and treatment of concussions, and common misconceptions surrounding head injuries.

April 7, 2022 ~ One in eight Americans ages 12 and older has hearing loss in both ears, and 8.5 percent of Americans ages 55 to 64 have disabling hearing loss. How can that be prevented? Michigan Medicine Department of Otolaryngology Clinical Audiologist Dr. Allie Jo Heckman explains the causes, and preventative measures that can be taken to protect hearing.

March 31, 2022 ~ In Washtenaw County, food insecurity is 7% higher than before the pandemic, and inflation is making it harder for lower-income individuals to afford food for themselves and their families. But what can the larger Michigan community do to help those in need? Michigan Medicine Senior Vice President and COO Dr. Tony Denton joins Guy Gordon to talk about their new "Spring Into Action" food drive to help Food Gatherers — and 170 partner organizations across Washtenaw County — to combat hunger in our state.

March 24, 2022 ~ When an organ becomes available for donation, every second counts. Medical professionals have just six hours to get an organ from a donor and into a patient in need. This means that there are a lot of organs that go unused due to time and geography. But what if the stasis of donated organs could be extended? Paul W. speaks with University of Michigan Medical School Professor Emeritus of Acute Care Surgery Dr. Robert H. Bartlett about the Frankel Organ Bank, a research project aimed at improving the number and quality of organs available for transplantation.

Wednesday, March 16, 2022 ~ Sleep is an essential function, allowing a body and mind to recharge and wake refreshed. But what happens when we don't get enough sleep? Paul W. speaks with University of Michigan Health Sleep Disorders Centers Specialist Dr. Anita Shelgikar about the negative impacts of too little sleep, and the sleep disorders to be on the lookout for.

March 10, 2022 ~ Michigan Medicine Professor of Biomedical Engineering Dr. Ariella Shikanov talks with Paul W. Smith about how artificial ovaries could change the lives of girls who suffer from childhood cancers. Learn how this revolutionary procedure could negate the negative effects that chemotherapy has on ovaries, allowing these girls to grow up with normal reproductive capabilities.

Thursday, March 3, 2022 ~ Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in America. It is also the most preventable. WJR's Chris Renwick speaks with Michigan Medicine Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Tadd Kaeo Hiatt about the evolving recommendations about colorectal screenings, and how important early detection is in saving lives.

February 24, 2022 ~ Innovations in prosthetics are allowing amputees to feel like they have their limbs again. How is this possible? Paul W. speaks with Michigan Medicine Chief of Plastic Surgery Dr. Paul Cederna about the revolutionary achievements in prosthetics, and the advancements that might be next.

February 17, 2022 ~ February is Heart Health Month! Paul W. speaks with Michigan Medicine Cardiologist Dr. Monica Colvin about risk factors to your heart, plus symptoms to be on the lookout for, the latest innovations in treatments and therapies, and the things we can all do to keep our hearts healthy!

February 10, 2022 ~ Regular preventative screenings are a person's best chance for surviving a cancer diagnosis, but how do we make sure these screenings are accessible and affordable for all? Paul W. speaks with Michigan Medicine Center for Value-Based Insurance Design Dr Mark Fendrick about the access and affordability challenges that some are facing, and the efforts underway to enact change.

February 3, 2022 ~ With the snow piling up, many families have outdoor winter activities top-of-mind. What can you do to help keep your kids safe while skiing, snowboarding, sledding, or skating? Paul W. speaks with University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Co-Director Dr. Sarah Clark about the measures you can take to help avoid serious wintertime injuries.

January 27, 2022 ~ Critical care medicine, sometimes called intensive care medicine, has existed for less than 40 years. Emergency Medicine and Biomedical Engineering Professor at Michigan Medicine and executive director of the Max Harry Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation Dr. Kevin Ward talks about how the ICU has progressed, and how it will change in the coming decades.

January 20, 2022 ~ "Dry January," refers to the first month of the year, after the holidays have passed, where people abstain from drinking alcohol for the full month. How do the holidays affect drinking habits, and how does mental health play into drinking rates? Clinical Associate Professor in Departments of Psychiatry, Surgery, and Neurology at the University of Michigan Dr. Gerald Scott Winder talks to Paul W. Smith about the connections that have been found between mental health and alcohol consumption, and also how the pandemic has affected these connections.

January 13, 2022 ~ The American Red Cross has seen blood shortages before, but this is the first time the group has declared a national Blood Crisis. Is there enough blood to guarantee our safety, and for how long? University of Michigan Blood Banking Pathologist Dr. Robertson Davenport tells Paul W. Smith what can be done about the blood shortage, and how can we donate.

January 6, 2022 ~ A New Year brings to mind for many thoughts of a New You. But how do you choose resolutions that are actually going to stick? Paul W. speaks with University of Michigan Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center Head of Preventative Cardiology Dr. John Bisognano about realistic lifestyle changes that can improve heart health through 2022 and beyond.

December 23, 2021 ~ When a woman is pregnant, it is common for her to develop stretch marks. Unfortunately, the effects those marks may have are oftentimes not addressed. WJR's Guy Gordon speaks with Michigan Medicine Dermatologist Dr. Frank Wang about a new study on stretch marks, with a look at potential solutions for their physical and mental impact.

December 17, 2021 ~ Do patients delay important health care or cut hospital stays short because they're worried about their pets at home? University of Michigan Health Dr. Tiffany Braley tells WJR's Guy Gordon there's a rising need to develop a service that helps ensure both pets and pet parents get the care they need.

January 8, 2021 ~ Michigan is seeing a fourth spike in COVID-19 cases, leading to a surge in hospitalizations, crowded emergency rooms, and increased deaths due to the virus. WJR's Paul W. Smith speaks with University of Michigan Health Emergency Room Physician Dr. Brad Uren about the impact on hospitals, and what can be done to end this surge.

December 2, 2021 ~ With the increased toll that the pandemic has taken on the mental health of young people, and a shortage of mental health care providers across the nation, how are young adults getting the mental health care they need, if they're getting it at all? Paul W. speaks with Michigan Medicine Section Chief for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Dr. Sheila Marcus about MC3, a program that makes University of Michigan psychiatrists virtually available to kids across the state.

November 23, 2021 ~ A new poll shows that many parents don't feel their kids are as grateful as they should be. Why are parents feeling this way, and what can be done to help nurture gratitude? Guy Gordon speaks with Michigan Medicine Research Scientist Dr. Sarah Clark about ways in which parents can inspire their kids to appreciate the gifts in life that surround them.

November 18, 2021 ~ The American Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood and platelet shortage, to the point that blood supply nationwide is at its lowest post-summer level since 2015. What factors are contributing to this shortage? Paul W. speaks with University of Michigan Health Transplant Center Director Dr. Christopher Sonnenday about what might happen if the shortage continues, and the increasing options that are available for folks to donate quickly, safely, and easily.

November 11, 2021 ~ Alcohol consumption and sales are on the rise amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and transplant numbers for alcohol-related liver inflammation are surging. Does the increase in alcoholic hepatitis stem directly from known increases in alcohol consumption, and what does this mean for public health? Paul W. Smith talks to University of Michigan Medical School Hepatology Clinic Assistant Professor Dr. Jessica Mellinger about the link, and what prolonged alcohol consumption can do to your body.

November 4, 2021 ~ Flu vaccination levels in the State of Michigan are lower than they usually are at this time of year. What's driving the reduction, and what are you risking if you don't get it? Paul W. speaks with University of Michigan Medical School Professor of Family Medicine Dr. Pamela Rockwell, who says getting the flu shot this year is more important than ever.

October 28, 2021 ~ More and more kids are using social media apps, with use by younger kids rapidly increasing. How is this use psychologically affecting our children, and what should parents know about the impact? We ask University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Co-Director Sarah Clark about concerning results from a new Mott poll on kids and social media.

October 21, 2021 ~ Many who found themselves hospitalized or otherwise isolated from friends and family due to COVID-19 are experiencing psychiatric vulnerabilities, such as anxiety disorders, PTSD, and loneliness. Has the pandemic created a mental health epidemic in the U.S.? WJR's Guy Gordon speaks with Michigan Medicine Endocrinologist and Neuroscientist Dr. Joanne Spencer-Segal to discover the scope of the problem, and what each of us can do to help those who are struggling.

October 14, 2021 ~ Michigan Medicine Critical Care Surgeon and Clinical Professor Dr. Gary Vercruysse talks with Guy Gordon about the severe nationwide blood and platelet shortage, the importance of having blood on-hand for surgeries, and what we can do to help. Catch "Michigan Answers" Thursday mornings at 6:49 a.m. on News/Talk 760 WJR.

October 7, 2021 ~ Michigan Medicine Clinical Health Psychologist Dr. Megan Riehl talks with Paul W. about the benefits of diaphragmatic deep breathing, which has been proven to provide relief to those with gastrointestinal conditions. Catch "Michigan Answers" Thursday mornings at 6:49 a.m. on News/Talk 760 WJR.

With health insurance open enrollment just around the corner, we look at the pros and cons of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). How do you get the most out of yours, and do you really need one? Paul W. asks Michigan Medicine Internal Medicine Specialist Dr. Jeffrey Kullgren about who these programs make the most sense for, and how you can maximize the benefit. Catch "Michigan Answers" Thursday Mornings at 6:49 a.m. on News/Talk 760 WJR.

August 23, 2021 ~ University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Co-Director Dr. Gary L. Freed talks with Paul W. about a new poll that reveals some alarming trends in the eating habits of kids since the beginning of the pandemic.

September 9, 2021 ~ University of Michigan Health Senior Vice-President & Chief Operating Officer Tony Denton talks with Paul W. about how the economic upheaval of the past year-and-a-half have led to a dramatic rise in the need for food support. Learn how you can help, plus get details on Michigan Medicine's annual Food Gatherers food drive.

September 16, 2021 ~ September is BOTH National Pain Awareness Month and National Recovery Month for substance use disorders, conditions that frequently co-exist given one often leads to the other. Paul W. Smith speaks with Michigan Medicine Clinical Associate Professor of Anesthesiology Dr. Paul Hilliard and Michigan Medicine Strategic Advisor to the Chief Medical Officer Fiona Linn about the latest options available for treating and recovering from these chronic conditions.

September 2, 2021 ~ What worries parents and kids most about heading back to school during the COVID-19 delta variant surge? Paul W. speaks with University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Co-Director Sarah Clark about a new national poll on families' concerns, and the steps that can be taken to attend school safely.

August 26, 2021 ~ University of Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr. Benjamin Hampstead talks with Paul W. about how we can challenge our bodies and minds to help curb cognitive decline.

August 18, 2021 ~ Michigan Medicine Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology Dr. Laraine Washer talks with Paul W. about how the Delta variant has caused an exponential rise in COVID cases over the last three weeks. Hear the latest recommendations for keeping you and your family safe, plus info on the recent approval of booster shots for select portions of the population.

August 12, 2021 ~ Michigan Medicine Endocrinologist Dr. William Herman talks with Paul W. Smith about the diabetes epidemic we're seeing in the U.S., and a new study which indicates that treatment shouldn't be a one-size-fits-all approach.

August 6, 2021 ~ University of Michigan Health Hepatologist Dr. Elliot Tapper speaks with Paul W. about the negative effects that too many sugary beverages can have on the health of your liver. Are you drinking too many of these drinks? Find out how much is too much, and learn the healthy alternatives, in today's “Michigan Answers.”

July 29, 2021 ~ Dr. Sarah Clark, Co-Director of the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health talks to Paul about a new poll that looks at how parents feel about their children receiving the COVID vaccine.

July 22, 2021 ~ Michigan Medicine Internal Medicine Dr. Nora Becker tells Paul W. that women skipped their preventive care appointments during the pandemic, and now it's time to go back.

July 15, 2021 ~ Michigan Medicine Clinical Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Dr. Edward “Ted” Claflin talks to Paul about a new study on COVID-19 that indicates some patients are dealing with long term side effects including functional decline.

July 8, 2021 ~ Michigan Medicine Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician Dr. Jenny Radesky speaks with Paul W. about the screen time habits kids developed during the pandemic, with suggestions on ways we can adjust back to more balanced levels.

July 1, 2021 ~ Michigan Medicine Emergency Room Physician Dr. Bradley Uren checks in with Paul W. to share some very important seasonal safety tips.