Mayo Clinic Talks

Clearing the Fog on Cataracts

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Amir R. Khan, M.D.

Although cataracts are typically seen in middle age and older individuals, they can occur at any age. They represent one of the leading causes of impaired vision and blindness worldwide. They typically develop slowly, and most patients aren’t often aware of symptoms until they’ve have progressed significantly. Fortunately, there’s very effective treatment available which can restore a patient’s vision. In today’s podcast, we’ll discuss cataracts, their symptoms and management with Amir R. Khan, M.D., an ophthalmologist at the Mayo Clinic.

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Tuberculosis (TB) in Children

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: James T. Gaensbauer, M.D., M.S.

Each year, we recognize World TB Day on March 24. This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB). World TB Day is a day to educate the public about the impact of TB around the world. 

The CDC, along with our partners and colleagues around the world, share successes in TB prevention and control and raise awareness of the challenges that hinder our progress toward the elimination of this devastating disease.

Tuberculosis continues to be a global health concern.  Despite being preventable and very treatable, this disease continues to cause suffering and death.  It accounted for an estimated one and a quarter million deaths worldwide in 2023. In the United States, cases have been increasing over the past several years, and this is also true in children, especially in those under the age of 5 years. What are the common risk factors for tuberculosis in children? Is the disease different in children compared to adults? What should we, as a primary care provider do when we suspect tuberculosis in a young patient? These are some of the questions I’ll be asking my guest for this podcast, James T. Gaensbauer, M.D., M.S., a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the Mayo Clinic as we discuss “Tuberculosis in Children”.

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The Human Optimization Project: Understanding Calories | What They Are, What They Do, and How to Get Them Right

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D.

Guest: Jason Ewoldt, M.S., RDN

There aren’t many words out there than can conjure up emotions, confusion, and frustration quite like the word we are discussing today, and that word is “calories.” However, a discussion on calories doesn’t have to be so complex and loaded with this unnecessary baggage. Today, we are going to bring clarity to the topic by focusing on what you really need to know from both a scientific and practical perspective. In addition to better understanding what they are, we will discuss ways to help you know what your body’s caloric needs are for losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight. Finally, we will discuss practical strategies that help you achieve your fitness and health goals.

The three big questions we will tackle in this episode are:
1) What are calories, and why do they matter?

2) Why do people often misunderstand calories, and why is it so hard to get it right?

3) What can I do to figure out my caloric needs and actually stick to them?

To help us answer these questions, my guest today is Jason Ewoldt M.S., RDN, who is a registered and licensed dietician and certified sports specialist dietician at Mayo Clinic.

Learn more about The Human Optimization Project: Mayo Clinic Talks: Human Optimization | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

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The Human Optimization Project: Moving From Stress to Joy | How to Cultivate Happiness and Joy at Home and Work

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D.

Guest: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

We would all be open to the idea of a little less stress in our lives, especially if we can fill that with joy and happiness. For most of us, this holds true for both our personal and professional lives. But in this age of increasing pressure, demands, expectations, and deadlines, is that even a realistic expectation? Today we are going to dive deep into the meaning of joy, why so many of us don’t get enough, and how that is impacting our overall lives. In addition to that, we will discuss some intentional strategies for replacing stress with joy to help us become our best selves.

The three big questions we will tackle in this episode are:
1) How do you define joy and happiness, and how do they play a role in our everyday lives?

2) Why do so many of us struggle with finding joy in our lives, and how is that impacting us?

3) How can we intentionally design our lives and work to experience more joy, and make joy our default?

To help us answer these questions, my guest today is Darryl S. Chutka, M.D., General Internal Medicine Physician at Mayo Clinic and the host of the Mayo Clinic Talks Podcast.

Learn more about The Human Optimization Project: Mayo Clinic Talks: Human Optimization | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

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The Human Optimization Project: Creating Winning Cultures | Building and Maintaining an Optimal Culture for Teams and Individuals

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D.

Guest: Christina K. Zorn

“Culture” is a word that gets a lot of attention, and deservedly so! It is often thought of as the lifeblood of an organization. However, many of us don’t think about the fact that “culture” doesn’t just exist at the level of large organizations. Culture exists for smaller groups, teams, families, and even individuals. In today’s episode, we will work to define “culture”, discuss its impact on groups (large and small) and individuals, provide real world examples of the impact of culture, and discuss ways of optimizing culture in both the workplace and at home.

The three big questions we will tackle in this episode are:
1) What exactly is “culture” and why is it so critical to success?

2) How does “culture” impact behavior and outcomes at work and at home?

3) What steps can I take to contribute to a positive culture in the workplace and for my own personal development?

To help us answer these questions, my guest today is Christina K. Zorn, who is the Chief Administrative Officer of Mayo Clinic.

Learn more about The Human Optimization Project: Mayo Clinic Talks: Human Optimization | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

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The Human Optimization Project: Emotional Intelligence Explained | How to Recognize, Understand, and Use Your Emotions to Be a More Effective Human

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D.

Guest: Mary Ann Djonne, M.Ed.

Most of us have heard the term “Emotional Intelligence,” and we understand that it’s generally important to our happiness and interpersonal relationships. However, most of us aren’t able to define it precisely or understand the key components that make it up. While many may think they do a good job of evaluating the emotional intelligence of others, it can be quite difficult to objectively evaluate our own levels of emotional intelligence. Once we better understand our own emotional intelligence, then comes the very challenging task of trying to improve it in a meaningful way. All of this can seem quite daunting, so we are going to help with that.

The three big questions we will tackle in this episode are:
1) What exactly is “Emotional Intelligence”?

2) What are the benefits and why should I make it a priority to improve my Emotional Intelligence?

3) What are the actual steps I can take to maximize my own Emotional Intelligence?

To help us answer these questions, my guest today is Mary Ann Djonne, Professional Certified Executive Coach and Senior Advisor in Work Force Learning at Mayo Clinic.

Learn more about The Human Optimization Project: Mayo Clinic Talks: Human Optimization | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

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The Human Optimization Project: Exercise Simplified | Essential Components of the Ideal Workout Plan

Host: Christopher L. Camp, M.D.

Guest:  Andrea Hayden MS, RSCC - Sports Performance Coach

Description:  The amount of “exercise” information, recommendations, plans, and opinions out there is greater than it’s ever been. Although our increasing knowledge is generally helpful, it’s easy to get lost in the rapidly evolving sea of information. This is particularly true because much of the information we hear is contradictory, and many people claim to have the perfect (and only) answer for us. Our goal for today is to help you cut through all of this noise and focus on what you really need to know to establish a successful workout routine for yourself.

The three big questions we will tackle in this episode are:
1) What is meant by an “ideal” or “optimal” workout plan?

2) How do I make sense of all the exercise recommendations out there?

3) What do I need to do to create an ideal exercise routine for my needs?

To help us answer these questions, my guest today is the Head Sports Performance Coach for the Minnesota Lynx WNBA Basketball Team, Andrea Hayden MS, RSCC.

Learn more about The Human Optimization Project: Mayo Clinic Talks: Human Optimization | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

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The Human Optimization Project: The Challenging but Achievable Quest for Accomplishing More While Also Improving Wellness

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Christopher L. Camp, M.D.

Being a healthcare clinician is an extremely rewarding occupation, but it can be stressful. Every year, we’re asked to do more and more, the patients seem to get more challenging, and we get less time to spend with each one. A significant number of clinicians report emotional and psychological distress, and burnout remains a major problem in healthcare providers. This increased stress and pressure is not just unique to physicians, and these struggles are common for all of us, regardless of career or position. How do we remain in an optimally functioning state? Does our physical health affect our cognitive function? Given the obstacles we face, how do we continue to achieve joy and happiness in our work and our life while continue to meet the ever-growing demands of the world? These are questions my guest is hoping to answer in a project he’s about to undertake on “Human Optimization”. My guest for this podcast is Christopher L. Camp, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic. We’re going to discuss his project and why he decided to tackle this important topic. 

Learn more about The Human Optimization Project: Mayo Clinic Talks: Human Optimization | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

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The Evaluation and Management of Adnexal Masses

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Carrie L. Langstraat, M.D.

It’s estimated that up to 10% of women in the U.S. will develop an adnexal mass at some point in their life. Whereas most adnexal masses are gynecologic in origin, they may also represent disease of the urinary or GI system. Although adnexal masses may produce symptoms, when present, they tend to be subtle and non-specific. What questions should we be asking our patients with an adnexal mass to help determine its cause? What components of the physical exam may be useful in the evaluation and what tests should we order to further characterize adnexal masses? These are questions I’ll be asking our guest for this podcast as we discuss “The Evaluation and Management of Adnexal Masses”. My guest is Carrie L. Langstraat, M.D., from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Mayo Clinic.

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Heart Health Edition: Pharmacologic Options to Maintain a Healthy Heart

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Thomas C. Gerber, M.D., Ph.D.

Like an automobile engine, our heart runs longer and better when it’s well cared for. In our last podcast, we reviewed the various lifestyle changes our patients can make which benefit the heart and keep it healthy. We’re going to continue that discussion in this podcast and concentrate on the pharmacologic options we have available. Which statin should we use? How do we manage the statin intolerant patient? Does Co-Q10 give benefit? These are questions I’ll be asking my guest, Thomas C. Gerber, M.D., Ph.D., a preventive cardiologist from the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases at the Mayo Clinic as discuss “Pharmacologic Options to Maintain a Healthy Heart.”

For more information on heart health, check out Mayo Clinic Talks: Heart Health | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

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Heart Health Edition: Primary Prevention - How to Keep Your Heart Healthy

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Thomas C. Gerber, M.D., Ph.D.

The heart is an amazing organ. At rest, the average heart beats approximately 4500 times per hour, slightly over 100,000 times per day. It’s quite a reliable organ and unlike our kidneys, lungs and eyes, we only have one heart. We expect a lot from it, if it stops working for even a minute, everything else in our body shuts down. Like an automobile engine, it runs longer and better if it’s well cared for. What can we recommend to our patients and what can we do for ourselves to keep the heart healthy? My guest for today’s podcast is Thomas C. Gerber, M.D., Ph.D., a preventive cardiologist from the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases at the Mayo Clinic and we’re going to discuss preventive strategies to maintain a healthy heart.

For more information on heart health, check out Mayo Clinic Talks: Heart Health | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

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Heart Health Edition: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Jeffrey B. Geske, M.D.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy affects 1 in 500 adults or about 600,000 individuals in the U.S. and represents the most common inherited cardiomyopathy.  It often goes undetected, and it’s estimated that about 85% of those with the condition remain undiagnosed. HCM can produce a variety of symptoms, the most serious being sudden death. The topic for this podcast is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.  What are the clues that might make us suspect a patient has HCM and how should we confirm the diagnosis? Are we able to prevent sudden death in patients with the condition and finally, what is the most effective treatment? I’ll asking these questions of my guest, Jeffrey B. Geske, M.D., from the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases at Mayo Clinic.

For more information on heart health, check out Mayo Clinic Talks: Heart Health | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

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Heart Health Edition: Cardiac Rehabilitation

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D., M.S.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States as well as globally. It’s estimated that over 700,000 individuals in the U.S. die annually from some form of cardiac conditions, most often coronary heart disease.  Cardiac rehabilitation is often recommended to our patients who have a variety of cardiac health problems, and it’s intended to improve this mortality rate. But what exactly is cardiac rehabilitation? Who’s a candidate for it? Who’s qualified to supervise a cardiac rehab program and has it been proven to reduce mortality? I’ll be getting answers to these questions as we discuss “Cardiac Rehabilitation”. My guest for this podcast is Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D., M.S., a preventive cardiologist from the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases at the Mayo Clinic.

For more information on heart health, check out Mayo Clinic Talks: Heart Health | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

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Heart Health Edition: Lowering Blood Pressure

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Sandra J. Taler, M.D.

Hypertension is an extremely common health problem, affecting at least half of all adults in the United States. Since it’s typically asymptomatic, a significant number of individuals are unaware that they have the condition. In those who are aware of the diagnosis, the majority have blood pressures that are not adequately controlled. Once we’ve established that a patient has hypertension and needs treatment, how should we start? What are effective lifestyle changes? When is pharmacologic therapy indicated and what are the recommended medications for the initial management of hypertension? We’ll be discussing these topics and more as we review the topic “Lowering Blood Pressure”. My guest for this podcast is nephrologist and hypertension specialist Sandra J. Taler, M.D., from the Mayo Clinic.

For more information on heart health, check out Mayo Clinic Talks: Heart Health | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

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Heart Health Edition: Heart Disease in Women

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Sharonne N. Hayes, M.D.

We tend to think of heart disease as a health problem for men, yet it’s the leading cause of death for women in the United States and is responsible for over 1/3 of all deaths in women each year, more than all malignancies combined. Women tend to have more atypical symptoms and often delay seeking help when they have symptoms. As clinicians, we need to realize that we commonly underdiagnose heart disease in women. How do the symptoms of heart disease differ in women compared to men? Do women have different cardiovascular disease risk factors than men? And as health care clinicians, what do we need to do to be more aware of heart disease in our female patients? I’ll be asking these questions of my guest for this podcast as we discuss “Heart Disease in Women”. My guest is Sharonne N. Hayes, M.D., a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic.

For more information on heart health, check out Mayo Clinic Talks: Heart Health | Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development

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Perioperative Medical Assessment

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Chris R. Stephenson, M.D., M.H.P.E.

Some patients about to have a surgical procedure will have a preoperative assessment completed by the anesthesiologist on the day of the surgery. However, in many cases, patients are having an evaluation at a perioperative clinic, well prior to their procedure. Although this results in an additional visit for the patient, there are advantages to this approach. Benefits include improvements in hospital efficiency, cost savings from shorter hospital stays and more appropriate use of laboratory tests. So, what does a perioperative assessment consist of? Do they assist the surgeon in their postoperative management of the patient, and does it result in better clinical outcomes? This podcast will address the perioperative medical assessment, and these are some of the questions I’ll be asking my guest, Chris R. Stephenson, M.D., M.H.P.E., from the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic.

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Life as a Physician Edition: Part 2 "Financial Well-Being"

Hosts: Sanj Kakar, M.D. and Dawn Marie R. Davis, M.D.

Guests: Rosanne M. Boser and Jonathan L. Verhelst, CFP(R)

Financial solvency and independence are relevant for all individuals, though physicians have unique aspects to financial health due to a long training period, education expenses, and lack of formal financial instruction. On today’s podcast, we discuss the most common conundrums physicians face regarding financial literacy and financial well-being.

Learn more at https://ce.mayo.edu/online-education/content/mayo-clinic-podcasts 

Life as a Physician Edition: Part 1 "Financial Well-Being"

Hosts: Sanj Kakar, M.D. and Dawn Marie R. Davis, M.D.

Guests: Rosanne M. Boser and Jonathan L. Verhelst, CFP(R)

Financial solvency and independence are relevant for all individuals, though physicians have unique aspects to financial health due to a long training period, education expenses, and lack of formal financial instruction. On today’s podcast, we discuss the most common conundrums physicians face regarding financial literacy and financial well-being.

Be sure to listen to Part 2 of this topic airing this Thursday, January 23, 2025!

Learn more at https://ce.mayo.edu/online-education/content/mayo-clinic-podcasts 

Life as a Physician Series: Part 2 "Mentorship and Sponsorship"

Hosts: Sanj Kakar, M.D. and Dawn Marie R. Davis, M.D.

Guests: Sophie J. Bakri, M.D., Amy S. Oxentenko, M.D. and Charanjit S. Rihal, M.D.

Healthcare takes a village, not only to care for patients, but also to maximize one’s potential as a physician. On today’s podcast, we will discuss the importance of mentorship and sponsorship for professional and personal growth and success.

Learn more at https://ce.mayo.edu/online-education/content/mayo-clinic-podcasts 

Life as a Physician Series: Part 1 "Mentorship and Sponsorship"

Hosts: Sanj Kakar, M.D. and Dawn Marie R. Davis, M.D.

Guests: Sophie J. Bakri, M.D., Amy S. Oxentenko, M.D. and Charanjit S. Rihal, M.D.

Healthcare takes a village, not only to care for patients, but also to maximize one’s potential as a physician. On today’s podcast, we will discuss the importance of mentorship and sponsorship for professional and personal growth and success.

Stay tuned as Part 2 of "Mentorship and Sponsorship" releases this Thursday, January 16, 2025!

Learn more at https://ce.mayo.edu/online-education/content/mayo-clinic-podcasts 

 

 

Life as a Physician Series: Part 2 "Retiring Gracefully: Life After Medicine"

Hosts: Sanj Kakar, M.D. and Dawn Marie R. Davis, M.D.

Guests: Deborah J. Lightner, M.D. and Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

A career in medicine is rewarding and challenging. It is imperative physicians are prepared to transition to life beyond medicine as they consider retirement.  In this episode of our series, "Life as a Physician", we will discuss the transition to retirement, life after retirement, and how it impacts one’s personal and professional life.

Learn more at https://ce.mayo.edu/online-education/content/mayo-clinic-podcasts 

Life as a Physician Series: Part 1 "Retiring Gracefully: Life After Medicine"

Hosts: Sanj Kakar, M.D. and Dawn Marie R. Davis, M.D.

Guests: Deborah J. Lightner, M.D. and Edward T. Creagan, M.D.

A career in medicine is rewarding and challenging. It is imperative physicians are prepared to transition to life beyond medicine as they consider retirement.  In this episode of our series, "Life as a Physician", we will discuss the transition to retirement, life after retirement, and how it impacts one’s personal and professional life.

Stay tuned as Part 2 of "Retiring Gracefully: Life After Medicine" releases on Thursday, January 9, 2025!

Learn more at https://ce.mayo.edu/online-education/content/mayo-clinic-podcasts 

Bell's Palsy

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

Guest: Jacob K. Dey, M.D.

Bell’s Palsy typically causes acute unilateral weakness of the facial muscles. Although it can occur at any age, Its most common in middle age and older adults. It tends to occur more often in females, especially during pregnancy. Although most cases resolve with time, treatment is available and recommended. The topic of this podcast is Bell’s Palsy, and my guest is Jacob Dey, M.D., a facial plastic surgeon in the Division of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery at the Mayo Clinic. We’ll discuss the pathophysiology of Bell’s Palsy, the typical course of the illness, it’s potential complications and the various treatment options.

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RE-RELEASE from Season 2: Mayo Clinic Talks "This Podcast Will Make Your Head Spin"

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.

Guest: Scott D. Eggers, M.D. 

Today, we're airing a popular episode from Season 2 of Mayo Clinic Talks!  Happy Holidays!

The complaint of dizziness is a common symptom our patients experience. It has a variety of causes; fortunately, most of them are benign. Despite the fact we frequently see patients with this medical concern, we still struggle evaluating them. Part of the difficulty is that dizziness means different things to different people and the cause of dizziness can be caused by disorders in one of several organ systems. To help us evaluate dizziness, Dr. Scott Eggers, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic, reviews why dizziness is so difficult to evaluate and how we should evaluate a patient who complains of dizziness. We also explore the most common causes of dizziness including benign positional vertigo and vestibular neuritis. Finally, Dr. Eggers reviews symptoms that are suspicious for an ominous cause of dizziness.

To listen to Part 2: https://www.podbean.com/pu/pbblog-5t26h-585902  

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Crohn's Disease

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. (@ChutkaMD)

Guest: Jana Al Hashash, M.D., M.S.

Crohn’s Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease, but on occasion, it can involve much more than the bowel. The disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. It’s estimated that more than half a million people in the U.S. have Crohn’s disease and over time, it’s become more common, not only in the U.S., but in other parts of the world as well. It can result in a variety of complications and also results in an increased risk of colon cancer. The topic for this podcast is Crohn’s Disease and my guest is Jana Al Hashash, M.D., M.S., from the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology from the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. We’ll be discussing the typical presenting symptoms of Crohn’s, the recommended evaluation of a patient with suspected Crohn’s and the current treatment options.

Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.