A persistent cough can easily be dismissed as allergies or a lingering cold symptom, but for hundreds of thousands of Americans, it can signal an underdiagnosed chronic lung disease. Bronchiectasis occurs when airways in the lungs widen or develop pouches, making it difficult to clear mucus, which can lead to pulmonary infections. Dr. Joe Sirven speaks with a pulmonologist and a patient about the warning signs, new treatment options and the importance of raising awareness for the frequently misdiagnosed condition.
Guests:
- Dr. Margaret Johnson, pulmonologist and critical care specialist, Mayo Clinic Florida
- Laurel Herron, bronchiectasis patient
Handle with care
On average, men in the United States die five years earlier than their female counterparts. The reasons are not solely biological. A clinical psychotherapist and men’s health researcher discusses how cultural expectations shape how men view illness and the act of seeking care. Whether delaying routine checkups or ignoring symptoms due to misplaced ideas about masculinity, preventable medical issues go undetected for years, increasing in severity. He also outlines simple changes that could lead to longer, healthier lives for men.
Guest: Dr. Will Courtenay, clinical psychotherapist, author and men’s health researcher
The 'Fibroid Slayer'
Heavy menstrual bleeding, debilitating pelvic pain and chronic fatigue are often dismissed as a fact of life for millions of women, but those symptoms can signal a common condition that too often goes untreated for years. Uterine fibroids are benign growths that develop in or around the uterus. A gynecologic surgeon and women's health advocate, known to many patients as the "Fibroid Slayer," highlights why so many women struggle to have their suffering taken seriously and why second opinions are imperative, as persistent pain is never normal.
Guest: Dr. Pierre Johnson, gynecologic surgeon and women’s health advocate