San Diego Health

Becoming a parent is a goal that many of us share, including members of the LGBTQ+ community. Fortunately, thanks to advances in medical science, LGBTQ+ people have more options than ever to make their dreams of starting a family come true. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps OB-GYN DeAnna Young, MD, discuss various ways to have a baby if you’re LGBTQ+. Dr. Young covers artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, adoption, and fostering. She also introduces the possibility of twins created using sperm or an egg from each parent.

It turns out there’s some truth to the adage “You are what you eat.” Replacing the foods we eat with healthier alternatives and removing processed foods can help detoxify the body and improve health. And perhaps the best part is, making healthier choices doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps Clinic internist Mitch Biermann, MD, discuss how food can be used as medicine, the top healing foods, and how to structure your daily diet for the most bang for your caloric buck. Dr. Biermann also shares the top five foods that should be on everybody’s grocery list.

In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor talks with Scripps allergist and immunologist Hannah Wangberg, MD, about food allergies and intolerances. Choosing to not eat peanuts or shellfish is a matter of personal taste for some people, but for those with food allergies, it’s a much more serious decision. Reactions to food allergies can range from hives and itching to difficulty breathing and anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition. 

Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the US. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14.7 million kids and teens—roughly 20 percent—are obese, which can put their health at risk if left untreated. Childhood obesity has been linked to numerous health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and joint and back problems. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps Clinic pediatrician Ann MacQuarrie, MD, discuss the possible causes of the childhood obesity epidemic in America, factors that increase a child’s likelihood of developing obesity, and what parents can do to help keep their child healthy. Dr. MacQuarrie also outlines what kids and teens can do to create healthy habits and take charge of their health.

Autism spectrum disorder affects 1 in 59 children in the US. Symptoms of the neurodevelopmental disorder develop in very early childhood and can include limited eye contact, not smiling, not responding to their name, and difficulty speaking. ASD is a lifelong condition and can also trigger issues with social interactions, communication, and behavior. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps Clinic pediatrician Megan Craig, MD, discuss autism spectrum disorder in children, how it’s diagnosed, and treatment options. Dr. Craig also and debunks some common misconceptions about autism and outlines the importance of early intervention.

A chronic cough, persistent shortness of breath, and difficulty exhaling are all signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The chronic lung condition, which can be triggered by smoking, infection, or even asthma, is relatively common and occurs in 20 to 30 percent of people who have an underlying lung disease. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and guest Samir Makani, MD, director of interventional pulmonology at bronchoscopy at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, discuss what causes COPD, who’s at risk, and treatment options. Dr. Makani also explains how COPD differs from other common lung conditions like asthma and emphysema.

For minor health problems like muscle aches or slightly elevated blood pressure, lifestyle changes may be more beneficial than medication. Lifestyle changes, which can include adopting a healthier diet, getting regular exercise, and managing stress, may also have the power to prevent chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, before they start. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and guest Kosha Nathwani, MD, a Scripps Clinic family medicine doctor, discuss how physicians use lifestyle medicine to improve patients’ health and quality of life, and how meaningful and long-lasting changes can treat, reverse, and even prevent lifestyle-related diseases. Dr. Nathwani also outlines the roles of specialists and support personnel like dietitians, physical therapists, social workers, and mental health professionals, in a comprehensive lifestyle medicine team.

Individuals with Medicare part B or a Medicare Advantage plan are eligible for free annual Medicare Wellness visits. Scripps partners with patients’ primary care doctors to perform these annual healthy aging wellness assessments. Doctors develop or update the patient’s personal care plan based on their current health and risk factors to help prevent diseases or disabilities. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and guest Kaitlyn Bertrand, a physician assistant with Scripps’ Annual Health Assessment Clinic, discuss  Medicare Wellness visits and how they differ from annual physical exams, who’s eligible, how to prepare, and how to schedule one. Bertrand also covers what happens during the visit and how providers screen for conditions like depression.

The gallbladder is part of the digestive system and when working properly, helps break down fats in the body. However, the gallbladder can become inflamed and develop gallstones, both of which can hinder its functionality. Surgery can treat many gallbladder conditions and recent advances in technology can mean less invasive procedures and quicker recovery times. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps surgeon Dan Giurgiu, MD, discuss conditions that can affect the gallbladder, their symptoms, and treatment options. Dr. Giurgiu also outlines how certain foods can trigger a gallbladder condition to flare up and when you should seek medical attention.

Does your child is having difficulties focusing, paying attention, or controlling impulses? Or perhaps they tend to fidget, interrupt conversations, or grab things from other people. These are all signs that they may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The neurodevelopmental disorder affects 3 to 5 percent of children and if left untreated, can impact self-esteem, mental health, academic performance, and more. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and guest, Scripps pediatrician Nicholas Levy, MD, discuss the signs of ADHD, its symptoms, the diagnosis process, and treatment options. Dr. Levy also explains why ADHD isn’t always necessarily a negative.

For many people, getting rid of belly fat can be harder than it seems. Those last few pounds tend to hang around despite a healthy diet and exercise. Those with stubborn belly fat do have options though. Physicians can guide patients to beat belly fat for good via lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps Clinic endocrinologist and weight-management specialist Samantha Harris, MD, discuss what causes fat to accumulate around the waistline, what belly fat can mean for your health in the long run, and various ways to get rid of it. Dr. Harris also shares why supplements that claim to burn belly fat aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1.1 million people in the US are living with HIV and about 36,000 more are diagnosed every year. HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. If not treated, it can lead to AIDS, which puts the body at higher risk for life-threatening infections and cancer. HIV stays in the body for life, and while there is no cure, it can be controlled. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and Scripps family medicine physician Brian Kim, MD, discuss HIV, its symptoms, and who’s most at risk for contracting HIV. Dr. Kim also outlines treatment options that can prolong a patient’s life and stop HIV from spreading. Learn more: https://www.scripps.org/7542p

Managing diabetes isn’t easy. For many of the 37.3 million Americans living with the condition, that means following a restrictive diet, exercising regularly, monitoring blood sugar, and taking medication. Some also face mental health challenges related to diabetes. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor interviews Karla Espinosa De Los Monteros, PhD, a clinical health psychologist who leads the Behavioral Health Integration Program at the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute. Dr. Espinosa De Los Monteros delves into how diabetes (and the stigma that’s sometimes attached) affects the way people can think and feel about themselves, the stress that comes with having a chronic illness, and how “diabetes distress” can be misdiagnosed as depression. She also outlines how physicians and mental health professionals can help. Learn more: https://www.scripps.org/7523p

Local health officials have issued a warning that three viruses will likely impact San Diego County this winter. They’re calling the impending influx of influenza, COVID, and respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) a “tripledemic” and are asking residents to protect themselves and their families with vaccines and other preventive measures. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and guest Siu Ming Geary, MD, an internal medicine specialist at Scripps Clinic, discuss the viruses that comprise the tripledemic and the potential impacts of a simultaneous spike on this threatening trio. Dr. Geary also outlines the effectiveness of vaccines against the flu and COVID, and why an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure.

Epilepsy is a neurological condition marked by recurring seizures. Aside from bouts of uncontrollable jerking movements, its symptoms can include temporary confusion, inability to respond to sound or visual stimuli, and unusual emotional or physical sensations. In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and guest Scripps Clinic neurologist Michelle Van Noord, MD, discuss epilepsy, how it’s diagnosed, who’s most at risk, and treatment options. Dr. Van Noord also outlines what exactly happens during a seizure. Epilepsy is a treatable disorder and physicians have many tools available to help patients control seizures. For more information on epilepsy, click here. https://www.scripps.org/7521p

In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and guest, Scripps Clinic urogynecologist Varuna Raizada, MD, discuss what causes UTIs, whose most at risk, and treatment options. Dr. Raizada also outlines what steps women can take to prevent UTIs.

A recent study found that 44% of people born between 1981 and 1996 –known as the millennial generation –have a chronic health condition. Unlike acute health problems, which are short-term, chronic health conditions and symptoms last for more than several months and need to be managed over time. In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor talks with Scripps internal medicine specialist Saima Lodhi, MD, about the top five chronic health conditions affecting millennials and how to care for them.

Pregnancy among women age 35 or older has been on the rise in recent years. While moms giving birth in their late 30s and 40s are becoming more common, they still face increased risks. In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor talks about pregnancy after 35 with Scripps obstetrician and gynecologist Erica Berggren, MD, who specializes in maternal fetal medicine. Learn more: https://www.scripps.org/7507p

You probably don’t give much thought to everything your shoulders do until one of them starts to hurt or you realize you can’t do the things you enjoy because your shoulder is weak or painful. In many cases, shoulder pain is due to a tear in the rotator cuff. In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor talks with Scripps orthopedic surgeon Brian Rebolledo, MD, about rotator cuff injuries and treatment.