Health Discovered

Latest Episodes:

GLP-1 Medications: Comparing Your Options for Weight Management May 07, 2026

Show notes

GLP-1 medications are changing how we approach weight management – but they’re just one part of a bigger, more compassionate picture. In this episode, we explore why shame and blame have never worked in treating obesity and how shared decision-making can lead to better outcomes. Obesity is a chronic disease, not a personal failure, and effective care must be rooted in respect, science, and realistic expectations. We spoke with Robert Kushner, MD, renowned obesity medicine specialist, who breaks down how GLP-1s work, the different options available – from pills to injections – and how to partner with your doctor to find the approach that’s right for you.

Credits

Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Robert Kushner, MD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Planning Ahead: Lessons on Caregiving with The John A. Hartford Foundation Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

Apr. 30, 2026 -- Nearly everyone will either become a caregiver or need one at some point, yet few are truly prepared for what that role involves. Caring for an aging loved one can be profoundly meaningful but also emotionally and logistically challenging, and our healthcare system doesn't always make it easier. In collaboration with The John A. Hartford Foundation, this six-part Aging in America series offers guidance for navigating this caregiving journey and what it means to age well. In our final episode, we spoke with Rani E. Snyder, MPA, president of The John A. Hartford Foundation, to reflect on key themes from this series – from aging with dignity and the 4Ms of age-friendly care, to scams, AI in healthcare, and advance care planning. The biggest takeaway: start these conversations early to ensure your loved ones receive the care they deserve. Caregiving may feel overwhelming, especially the first time – but you are not alone, and support is available.

Check out The John A. Hartford Foundation at https://www.johnahartford.org/.

Additional resources:
WebMD Healthy Aging
Eldercare Locator

Credits

Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Rani E. Snyder, MPA

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stroke: Risks, Symptoms, and Steps That Could Save a Life Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

Stroke remains a leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the CDC – but many cases are preventable. What raises your risk, and how can you recognize the warning signs in time? We speak with Shyam Prabhakaran, MD, MS, FAHA, a leader in vascular neurology and stroke research, about the lifestyles that increase stroke risk, the BE FAST acronym for spotting symptoms and knowing when to call 911, and the changes that can help lower your risk. We also explore recovery after stroke – and why there is hope.

Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Shyam Prabhakaran, MD, MS, FAHA

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Glaucoma: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and How Vision Loss Impacts Emotional Health Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and often develops without pain or early warning signs. So what is it, and how is it detected before vision is lost? We spoke with Sandra F. Sieminski, MD, Interim Chair and Director of Glaucoma Services at the University at Buffalo, about how glaucoma works, the latest advances in treatment, and why early detection is critical. We also explore the emotional impact of a diagnosis, practical tools for coping, and how staying engaged in your care – including regular eye exams – can help protect your vision over time.

Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Sandra F. Sieminski

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Type 2 Diabetes Remission: The Goal We Should Be Talking About Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

For decades, people with type 2 diabetes have heard the same message: manage it, slow it down, but expect it to progress. But what if the words "you have type 2 diabetes" didn't have to mean a lifetime of medications, worsening numbers, and a condition that only ever gets harder to manage? Why don't we talk more about the fact that remission is possible? We spoke with Mahima Gulati, MD, MSc, a triple board-certified physician in endocrinology, internal medicine, and lifestyle medicine, about what diabetes remission really means, what it takes to achieve it, and how to start that conversation with your care team. From the science to the lifestyle shifts – and the honest realities of the journey – we explore why type 2 diabetes does not have to be a lifelong sentence.

Additional Resources:
Project Remission - American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Credits

Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Mahima Gulati, MD, MSc

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Triggers to Treatment: A Smarter Way to Manage Allergies Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

Allergy season is more than a few weeks of sneezing. It can be hard to tell what’s “just allergies,” what might be an infection, and when it’s time to seek more than over-the-counter relief. What’s actually happening in your immune system when symptoms flare? And why can they feel so intense? We spoke with Zachary E. Rubin, MD, author of All About Allergies, about how allergy evaluations work, how to identify your triggers, and how to use OTC treatments effectively. Plus, when it’s time to see an allergist. You don’t have to suffer – listen in to this episode for expert guidance on finding real, lasting relief.

Credits

Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Zachary E. Rubin, MD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to Be Your Best Advocate: Living With Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

Non-small-cell lung cancer accounts for about 85% of all lung cancer cases. It’s a diagnosis that changes everything, yet conversations often focus on treatment and overlook what patients live through every day. We hear from writer and lung cancer patient advocate Janet Freeman-Daily, who shares her experience with non-small-cell lung cancer – from her first symptoms and imaging tests to the shock of diagnosis and learning how to advocate for herself. Then Donald Rosenstein, MD, psychiatrist and director of the Comprehensive Cancer Support Program at UNC-Chapel Hill, discusses the emotional impact of cancer, including feelings like guilt and fear, and how patients can process them. He also explains the support available – from cancer care teams and palliative care to psychiatry, counseling, and social work – reminding patients they don’t have to face a life-changing diagnosis alone.

Credits

Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guests: Donald Rosenstein, MD; Janet Freeman-Daily

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How To Discuss Advance Care Planning and Palliative Care with Your Loved Ones Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

When someone you love is dealing with serious health issues or repeated hospital visits, it can feel like you’re constantly bracing for the next crisis. In those moments, it’s hard to step back and think about what your loved one truly wants, needs, and what would support their quality of life. Yet for many families, conversations about palliative care and advance care planning happen too late – or are misunderstood as “the end,” rather than tools that help people live as fully and comfortably as possible for as long as possible. We spoke with Anthony L. Back, MD, a national leader in patient-oncologist communication, about what palliative care really means versus hospice, common myths about palliative care, how culture and lived experiences shape these conversations, and how families can begin important discussions about advance care planning.

Check out The John A. Hartford Foundation at https://www.johnahartford.org/.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Know Your Numbers: Why Kidney Health Can’t Wait Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

While heart disease may be the number-one killer in the United States, kidney disease is the silent partner we rarely discuss. It often develops quietly, with no pain or clear symptoms until advanced stages. What should we know about kidney health and kidney diseases? We spoke with Kirk Campbell, MD, president of the National Kidney Foundation, about the kidneys’ vital roles – from red blood cell production to supporting heart function – why testing matters, which tests to request, and the importance of knowing your numbers. If you’re at risk, don’t hesitate to advocate for screening at your appointments.

Credits

Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Kirk Campbell, MD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

High Cortisol or Something More? Understanding Cushing’s Syndrome Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

A lot of us have heard about “high cortisol” in the context of stress. But Cushing’s syndrome, which has recently been in the news, is something very different. It’s pathologic cortisol excess that can quietly drive certain health problems. We spoke with Lewis Blevins, MD, a neuroendocrinologist specializing in pituitary, hypothalamic, and adrenal disorders, about what cortisol is meant to do, what Cushing’s syndrome really is, why diagnosis is often delayed, and what practical steps to take if you suspect something more than everyday stress. We also discuss the path to an accurate diagnosis and shared decision-making grounded in patient education.

Credits

Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Lewis Blevins, MD

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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