Medical Notes: Week of November 14, 2021

Ultrasound isn’t just for imaging. Sleep apnea may silently rewire the brain. A new non-opioid painkiller shows promise—without the dangerous side effects. Dementia can make people act out in unexpected ways—and families are often left struggling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Jakki Maser’s back pain started at 13, doctors brushed it off as a minor injury. Years of unrelenting pain and dead-end appointments led her to uncover the real cause herself – Bertolotti’s syndrome, an underdiagnosed spinal condition. This week, our experts explain how to accurately catch this condition and the best treatment methods for a full recovery. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/bertolottis-syndrome-the-under-diagnosed-cause-of-back-pain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New technology like AI offers promise, but experts say true healthcare reform starts with prevention, not just innovation. The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any other nation, yet outcomes lag because we focus on expensive treatments instead of early care. Our expert explains how real change will require prioritizing prevention to keep people healthier from the start. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-future-of-medicine-pt-2-a-new-era-of-healthcare-focuses-on-prevention Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your ‘aura’ may just be a mixture of oils and fats on the skin. Scientists still don’t fully know why we yawn—but they’re getting closer. The debate over fluoride is back in the spotlight. Urban rats may be more than just an annoying pest. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-the-science-behind-your-aura-the-fluoride-debate-and-the-real-reason-behind-your-yawn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most Americans don’t have a clear picture of what universal healthcare really means. Dr. Marschall Runge says we’re unlikely to see fully free, unlimited care – but a model based on preventive, team-based medicine is possible. In his new book, The Great Healthcare Disruption, Runge outlines how AI, better access, and more shareable medical records could revolutionize care – if we also prioritize our own health. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-future-of-medicine-pt-1-do-we-want-free-or-innovative-healthcare Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For people with inflammatory bowel disease, daily life can be painful, unpredictable, and isolating. The successful management of IBD means addressing both physical and mental symptoms. Our experts discuss treatment approaches and a new program aiming to end the stigma and offer support for patients. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/the-mental-and-physical-toll-of-inflammatory-bowel-disease Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is there a new brain region for our senses? Why are so many adults feeling alone? Can fish oil really slow down aging? Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/medical-notes-how-fish-oil-slows-aging-the-loneliness-epidemic-and-how-to-better-understand-autism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This segment is part of a new, podcast exclusive series called Producer's Cut. We'll be revisiting past shows that've left a lasting impact on the RHJ team, and providing behind-the-scenes insights on how the story came together. Commercial gestational surrogacy allows parents to have a biological child that’s carried and birthed by another woman who receives a salary. Though many countries have outlawed commercial surrogacy, states in America are beginning to legalize it. Experts weigh in on the ethical implications of commercialized surrogacy.   Learn more at: radiohealthjournal.org/wombs-for-rent-legalization-of-commercial-surrogacy/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rheumatoid arthritis is tough to diagnose and even harder to treat effectively. Thankfully, researchers are creating more precise tests that can match patients to the right treatment plan on the first try. Our experts explain the challenges of rheumatoid arthritis and a new test that can bypass the trial-and-error approach to medicine. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/more-than-growing-pains-the-hidden-toll-of-rheumatoid-arthritis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the most part, food companies are allowed to police themselves when introducing new food additives to market. This gap in oversight is the product of a GRAS loophole, a decades-old FDA policy. Jennifer Pomeranz explains how the status-quo is threatening public health and offers innovative solutions for reform. Learn More: https://radiohealthjournal.org/gras-fed-loopholes-why-your-diet-is-more-toxic-than-the-fda-knows Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices