RadioMD (All Shows)

Having a child in the hospital can be the single most difficult thing for any parent. How you handle it, though, may really help your child's recovery.Having a child in the hospital can be the single most difficult thing for any parent. What do you do with yourself while your child is being cared for by doctors and nurses? Some parents fear that asking to participate in the care of their baby will get in the way of the professionals. That's actually not the case. Rest assured, most nurses are eager to help you become the expert in your little one's care. The fear and anxiety that come with having a child in the hospital can be debilitating.  Dr. Elizabeth Mack, MD, shares advice for parents dealing with a child in the hospital, including how to be the best advocate for your child, how to work with the medical team and other insightful information that is helpful for parents to know.

Everyone seems to vow to lose weight in the new year. But what other healthy habits should you develop?Everyone seems to vow to lose weight in the new year. You hear so much about resolutions for diet and exercise, you're probably tired of the same old ideas. Well, what if you could develop healthy habits for the new year besides dieting and exercise? Melanie Cole, MS, and Dr. Felecia Stoler, PhD, discuss OTHER things to consider when making your resolutions, like the importance of sleep, how to quit smoking, and the benefits of family time. Don't re-invent the wheel this coming year... create a new plan and stick to it!

Holding yourself accountable for everything you eat makes a huge impact on your weight loss success. And now technology makes it even easier.Have you tried to lose weight many times and failed, but you can't figure out why it's not working? Keeping a journal and writing down your food may seem like a hassle, but it has been proven to be a surefire way to make yourself accountable for exactly what you're putting in your mouth... and on your hips. It also helps you really think about your food choices and recognize all the ways you unintentionally sabotage your weight loss with just a bite of this or another helping of that. It all adds up, and whether you are keeping track or not, your body certainly is. There are some great food journaling apps available, and making use of them can make it easier for you to get control of the eating habits that are keeping you stuck in a rut. Some of our favorites are: My Fitness Pal   Lose It Calorie King Melanie Cole, MS, and Jim White, RD, discuss the benefits of food journaling, the best apps to help you do it, and how it can be the one real way to lose that weight once and for all.

How many times have you heard a woman say, "I don't want to lift weights because I'll bulk up too much"? Actually, the opposite is true.How many times have you heard a women say, "I don't want to lift weights because I will bulk up too much?" Or, "I don't want to look like one of those body-building women"? There are so many myths surrounding women and weightlifting, but the truth is that slimming down -- not bulking up -- is your most likely result from strength training. It is very hard to get that body-builder look, and the benefits of weight training for women are well documented. Special guest, Jim White, RD, and Melanie Cole, MS, clear up once and for all the confusion and myths surrounding women and weight lifting.

You know that exercise is good for your waistline; but did you know it can also improve your brain health later in life?Can exercising in your 20's help ward off dementia in your 70's? A new study found just that to be true. You have always known exercise is good for you, but now you can know it's good for your brain as well. Melanie Cole, MS, and Sports Cardiologist, Dr. John Higgens, MD, discuss how exercise is good for more than just your arm, leg and heart muscles... it will help the muscle that is your brain as well.

If you're pregnant, exercise does more than keep your weight in check; it can also help your baby's brain development.If you're pregnant, exercise does more than keep your baby weight in check; it can also help brain development in your baby. A study found if a pregnant woman exercises 20 minutes, three times a week, it increases the brain activity of her fetus. This remarkable discovery should make moms-to-be want to jump on that treadmill more than ever. Sports Cardiologist,  Dr. John Higgins, MD,  and Melanie Cole, MS help guide you through your pregnancy and share guidelines to ensure your exercise regimen is safe and healthy.

Where you buy your fish may determine how healthy it is for you.You've no doubt heard that by increasing your fish intake and decreasing the amount of bacon you throw in the frying pan can help improve your overall health. That thought seems almost too obvious. However, depending on the source of where you get your fish, this approach raises some interesting questions. The most common farm-raised fish are tilapia, salmon, carp, catfish, sea bass and cod. Tilapia is the most popular, known as the "aquatic chicken," because of how accessible and inexpensive they are. New findings comparing fish caught in the wild to farm-raised fish show that fish might not be such a healthy alternative to your favorite breakfast side. Why are farm-raised fish not a healthy option? Dr. Josh Axe discusses why tilapia may in fact be worse for you than bacon, as well as some other alternatives when choosing fish.

According to a recent AAA survey, 31 percent of drivers admitted to being distracted by their pets... putting themselves and others in danger.Depending the length of your road trip, traveling with your four-legged friend can be an overly anxious experience. Is your dog going to try to climb out the open window? Will he or she have to go to the bathroom? Can pets get carsick? The questions never end. Just like traveling with any other friend, there are always risks. According to a recent AAA survey, 31 percent of drivers admitted to being distracted by their pets. This could lead to accidents that not only hurt your pet, but also you and the other passengers in the car... or potentially other drivers on the road. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, more than 43 million households own at least one dog. At some point, your pets will have to get in the car with you. Many states now require pets to be restrained while your car is moving. What other precautions should you be taking? Certified animal behavior consultant, Steve Dale, CABC, shares important pet car safety tips you need to know before taking your companion for a ride.

Mistakes in medical diagnoses can cost you in money, invasive procedures and even death. And it's scary just how often they occur.A medical misdiagnosis isn't that unheard of these days. Giving the wrong prescription, an unnecessary invasive procedure or the wrong diagnosis does more than burn a hole in your wallet. Medical misdiagnoses can cause patients unnecessary pain, discomfort and in the worst case, death. According to recent findings, an estimated 10 to 20 percent of patient cases are misdiagnosed. The study showed that a whopping 28 percent of 583 diagnostic mistakes were life-threatening, led to disability or resulted in death. According to The Journal of Clinical Oncology, 44 percent of patient's cancers are misdiagnosed. How can this be happening in developed countries such as ours? Emergency Physician and Director of Patient-Centered Care Research at George Washington University, Dr. Leana Wen, MD, shares why misdiagnoses happen, as well as what you can do to ensure your safety and the safety of your loved ones.

Frizzy, dry, brittle hair can leave your scalp flaky and itchy, especially in the brutal winter months. Could the solution lie in the foods you eat?The temperatures are dropping, the snow is flying and you're stocking up on flannel sheets and wool socks. Yup, it's officially winter... which brings with it certain beauty challenges, including the state of your locks. After you shower and try everything possible to get your hair to look as good as it did in the summer, you may begin to question if it's acceptable to wear a baseball cap for the next several months. Frizzy, dry, brittle hair leaves your scalp flaky and itchy. There's really no point in trying to manage your hair during the brutal months of winter. Or is there? Why does this happen? When the temperatures drop outside, the heat inside your home, office and gym are turned up so high that alternating between the hot and cold damages your hair. The winter months take away the moisture from your skin and your hair, making your scalp flaky and itchy. If foods can help prevent the flu, can certain foods also help tame your brittle winter hair? Diplomat of the American Board of Hair Restoration, Dr. Robert Dorin, DO, discusses why your hair needs extra care in the winter, as well as some foods that can help tame those chaotic strands.

News of the week, toxic dangers, and plastic surgery secrets. You don't want to miss this!Straight talk from the docs!  Dr. Mike and co-host Joe Galuski discuss more of the most prevalent health news you need to know from the past week. Plus, find out "What's Toxic & What's Not" from toxicologist and regular contributor, Gary Ginsberg. Plastic surgeon, Dr. Arthur Perry,  joins Dr. Mike in the second half hour, and you won't want to miss what they have to say. More from RealAge Brighten Your Smile with Ease Plus! Dr. Perry's Flap of the Week What's Dr. Perry all fired up about this week? Tune in to find out.

The holidays are known to many doctors as the "season for seizures."The holidays are known to many doctors as the "season for seizures."  Brien Smith, MD, chief of Neurology for Spectrum Health Medical Group and immediate past chair of the National Epilepsy Foundation, says it's common to see a spike in ER visits for seizures this time of year. Research has shown a link between epileptic seizures and stress, and we all know the holidays can be stressful. Dr. Smith, who has a history of epilepsy related to a brain tumor, is an authority on epilepsy and co-author of the book Epilepsy Surgery: Case Studies and Commentaries. Dr. Smith talks about how seizures affect people's lives and careers and what family and friends should be aware of as the holidays approach. Bonus! RealAge Tip Coffee vs. Prostate Cancer

Join Dr. Roizen and his expert guests for the latest health news, wellness advice and most up-to-date research from around the world.World-renowned physician, Dr. Michael Roizen, MD, continues to update your understanding of the meaning of health by providing an in-depth review of the most impactful health headlines.  Joined by his co-host, Joe Galuski, they discuss the health news that matters most to you. The duo is later joined by Brien Smith, MD, chief of Neurology for Spectrum Health Medical Group. Bonus! RealAge Tip Coffee vs. Prostate Cancer

Suppress your appetite and stop cheating on your diet by taking white kidney bean extract.Excess calorie consumption has become epidemic in the United States. The invariable result is more overweight Americans and a litany of associated health problems. A crucial component of a longevity or weight loss program is reducing portion size and the quantity of ingested calories. A natural supplement has been developed to help tame hunger and promote satiety so more people can adhere to lower-calorie diets. Intrigued? Join Dr. Mike to learn about the newest natural appetite suppressant, white kidney bean extract.

It's not rocket science... you can make healthy holiday meals that taste good too.Does the thought of preparing a holiday meal stress you out? Want to learn new – and more healthful – ways to prepare some old-time favorites? Elliott Prag is a full-time chef instructor at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Food and Health (NGI) and frequent contributor to Vegetarian Times. He joins Dr. Mike to discuss ways to make healthy holiday meals that taste good too.