San Diego Health

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.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be known by several names including heartburn, indigestion and acid reflux, but they all refer to unpleasant sensations related to digestive acids in the stomach backing up into the esophagus. GERD is a common condition that affects about 10 to 20% of people in the United States, but various treatments can help reduce its frequency and relieve symptoms. In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor talks with Scripps gastroenterologist Franklin Tsai, MD, about what causes GERD and what to do about it. Learn more: https://www.scripps.org/7493p

Varicose veins – those swollen, twisted veins that form on the lower legs – may be unsightly and painful, but are they harmful? In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor talks with Scripps vascular surgeon Jeffrey Weiss, MD, about what causes varicose veins and what you can do about them. Learn more: https://www.scripps.org/7466p

Asthma is a common lung condition that causes shortness of breath, coughing, tightness in your chest and wheezing. Asthma can range from mild to very severe, but medical treatments and lifestyle changes can help keep symptoms under control. In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor talks with Scripps pulmonologist Steven Zhao, MD, about what causes asthma and how to manage it.

It’s common to hear someone say their heart is “racing” when they’re excited, nervous or recovering from strenuous exercise. But your rarely hear about a heart rate that is slower than normal–a condition called bradycardia. What causes a slow heart rate and is it a reason for concern? In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor talks with Scripps cardiologist Poulina Uddin, MD, about bradycardia symptoms, causes and treatments. Learn more: https://www.scripps.org/7448p

Arthritis can make everyday activities like climbing stairs, holding a coffee cup and even getting out of bed difficult or painful. Joints affected by the disease become swollen and stiff, often limiting mobility and causing pain. In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor talks with Scripps rheumatologist Kavitta Allem, MD, about the causes of arthritis and options for treatment.

Many things can make your heart beat faster than normal, including anxiety, excitement, fear or exertion. However, if your heart starts beating rapidly for no apparent reason, you may have a type of heart rhythm disorder called tachycardia. In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor talks with David Cork, MD, a cardiologist at Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines, about what causes tachycardia and why it is a concern.

Your thyroid gland produces hormones that affect your metabolism, energy level, body temperature and more. If it produces too much or not enough thyroid hormone — known as an imbalance — you may experience symptoms ranging from barely noticeable to very bothersome. In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor talks with Matthew Levine, MD, an endocrinologist, about thyroid hormone problems and how to correct them.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some 40 million adults in the US have some type of hearing loss In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor talks with Scripps neurotologist and ear surgeon with Scripps Clinic Medical Group about causes, treatments and ways you could prevent hearing loss. 

Chest pain is often linked to heart attack, but that’s not always the cause. In fact, many factors can cause chest pain, including anxiety, indigestion, illness and injury. It’s important to understand the various symptoms of chest pain and what they might mean. In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor talks with Scripps integrative cardiologist Christina Adams, MD, about possible causes of chest pain and what to do about them. Learn more: https://www.scripps.org/7418p

The health of your eyes probably isn’t something you give much thought to – until they feel irritated or itchy, or you develop vision problems. In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor talks with Ann Quan, MD, an ophthalmologist with the Scripps Clinic Medical Group who specializes in glaucoma and cataract surgery. Learn more: https://www.scripps.org/7412p

Carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS results from pressure on a nerve that passes through the wrist area on the palm side of the hand. It causes numbness and tingling in the thumb, index, middle finger, and sometimes half of the ring finger. In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor and guest Lorenzo Pacelli, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Scripps Clinic, discuss treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome as well as causes, risk factors and symptoms. Learn more: www.scripps.org/7406p        

From headaches and irritability to bloating and night sweats, hormones can have a significant effect on women’s health. In addition to the hormone changes related to their monthly menstrual cycle and menopause, women are more likely to have hormonal disorders that cause unwanted symptoms. Susan Taylor talks with Sarah Dalhoumi, MD, a family medicine physician at Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines and a specialist in integrative medicine, about diagnosing hormone issues and options for treating them. Learn more: https://www.scripps.org/7381p

A condition called scoliosis can cause the spine to curve more than it should, sometimes forming a C or S shape. Without treatment, this can lead to back pain and other problems. In this video, San Diego Health host Susan Taylor talks with Greg Mundis, MD, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in scoliosis at Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines. Learn more: