Causes or Cures
Dr. Eeks
"For the Nerds and the Nerd Nots"Causes or Cures is a health podcast hosted by "Dr. Eeks"—an independent, offbeat, grassroots show driven by curiosity and a passion for breaking down complex health topics into bite-sized, easy-to-understand insights. Dr. Eeks is a public health professional specializing in applied epidemiology and health communication. She works on complex and timely public health issues and is all about making science relatable, often using a blue-collar sense of humor to drive the message home. On this podcast, Dr. Eeks talks with experts from around the world (doctors, researchers, public health pros, and more) to dive into the latest hot topics in health and research, all in a down-to-earth kind of way. She also includes people with compelling stories of healing and "characters" because life is too boring and short to leave out characters and not embrace the weird. ;)DISCLAIMER: Some topics are more controversial than others, so keep in mind that this is information only and not health advice. If you are battling an individual health issue, always check in with your doctor & don't run with anything on podcast as advice. Dr. Eeks doesn't endorse any of her guests' views, and despite a strict health routine, nor does she endorse any products, supplements, oils, magic socks or potions. (If an episode is sponsored by a company she likes, she will say so in the show notes.) While she has a MD, she does not practice medicine (she's a full-time public health nerd) so she does not give out medical advice nor should you treat anything on this podcast as medical advice. Causes or Cures is not a "news site." It's about having conversations, and Dr. Eeks is confident that she can have a respectful conversation with anyone, even people who think far differently than she does. (At least that's been her experience at hole-in-the-walls & on sidewalks across the world.) The point is to not take anything here as Gospel. Sometimes Dr. Eeks' dog Barnaby makes his opinion known, but the good news is that he's a smart dog. Most importantly, she hopes this podcast encourages folks to stay curious, empathic, hopeful, compassionate, honest, open-minded, and engaged. Freedom of discussion is a beautiful thing, delightfully messy, and one that many take for granted.*The views on this podcast do not reflect the views of anyone she contracts with or consults for on various public health projects. You can help keep Causes or Cure independent and ad-free by hitting the "Support" button in the upper corner.You can contact Dr. Eeks through her website, bloomingwellness.com.SIGN UP for her Newsletter HERE: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/xnqmy06
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 23, 2021 • 41min
Transgender Athletes, Policies and the Best Path Forward, with Dr. Timothy Roberts
Send us Fan MailWhat policies should and should not be in place for transgender athletes to compete in sports is a hotly debated topic. There are different rules and regulations for the elite level vs high school vs youth. But what should the path forward look like? What does the science show and how can we use that to implement better policies? In this episode, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Timothy Roberts, a researcher and physician who studies this topic. He is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and the director of Adolescent Medicine. He recently published a study on transgender athletes in the The British Journal of Sports Medicine that was widely cited in the media and on social media. On this podcast, he will discuss the findings of his study, differences in policies for transgender athletes at the elite, high school and youth levels, and what he thinks is the best path forward. You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Dr. Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or Twitter.Read Manic Kingdom here.Listen to her short audio parody on the wellness industry here.Subcribe to her newsletter here!Support the show
Jan 23, 2021 • 34min
GERD: Specific Lifestyle and Dietary Changes One Can Make to Prevent & Treat It, with Dr. Raaj Mehta
Send us Fan MailGERD is a common, painful and annoying health issue, but are there evidence-based changes people can make to prevent and/or treat it? In this episode, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Raaj Mehta, an internal medicine physician and gastroenterology fellow at the Massachussetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, who recently published a study in JAMA on specific lifestyle changes and dietary changes one can make to prevent GERD and/or improve treatment outcomes. He will talk about those factors in this podcast, along with the best medication options for GERD and any long-term side effects that should concern people. You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Dr. Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or Twitter.Read Manic Kingdom here.Subcribe to her newsletter here!Support the show
Dec 29, 2020 • 56min
Adults' & Kids' Mental Health, Addiction & Alcohol Use During the LockDowns, with Dr. Conor Farren
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Conor Farren about mental health and addiction during the pandemic, and particularly during the lockdowns. Dr. Farren will discuss the trends he's seeing, differences between adults and kids, alcohol use and the link between alcohol and suicides, what people should do if they think they need help and how to find help that actually works. Dr. Farren is a consulting psychiatrist at St. Patrick's University Hospital in Dublin and a senior lecturer at Trinity Dublin. He is an international expert on addiction and alcohol-use and has written several books on this topic, as well as conducted years of research. He also developed UControl Health, an evidence-based digital intervention for alcohol use and addictions.You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Dr. Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or Twitter.Read Manic Kingdom here.Listen to her short audio parody on the wellness industry here.Subcribe to her newsletter here!Support the show
Dec 24, 2020 • 48min
All About the COVID-19 Vaccines with Infectious Disease Doctor Andrew Fleming
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Andrew Fleming about the new COVID-19 vaccines that were recently produced and the ones still undergoing testing. They chat about what the vaccines do and what they don't do, safety concerns, ingredients and adjuvants, the potential for antibody dependent enhancement (and what that is), how long immunity is expected to last and immunity to COVID-19 in general. They also talk about how long people will be expected to wear face masks and why. Dr. Fleming is an infectious disease doctor and researcher at NYU Langone Hospital in New York City. He has done research on antibody responses, particularly antibody responses to COVID-19. To contact Dr. Eeks, do so through bloomingwellness.comTo read or listen to her new comedic parody on the sleazy side of the wellness industry, check out Yours in Wellness, Krystal Heeling on Amazon.Or you can listen to it from Google Play or Walmart! Or follow her on Instagram here. Or Facebook here.Subcribe to her newsletter here!Support the show
Dec 24, 2020 • 45min
PCOS and Obesity: What's the Best Diet & Lifestyle for Weight Loss, with Dr. Geranne Jiskoot
Send us Fan MailPCOS affects millions of people all over the world. It's associated with high rates of infertility, depression, anxiety and obesity. It's difficult for those struggling with PCOS to lose weight, which can by itself fuel feelings of depression and anxiety.In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Geranne Jiskoot, a researcher and therapist who works in the Department of Reproductive Medicine and Department of Medical Psychotherapy at Erasmus MC in the Netherlands. She works daily with people with PCOS and weight struggles and has done research on what the best diet, exercises and lifestyle modifications are for people with PCOS to lose and maintain a healthy weight. In this podcast, she will discuss the link between PCOS and obesity, what diet, therapies and lifestyle modifications the research supports or doesn't support, and she will also dispel popular myths. You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Dr. Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or Twitter.Read Manic Kingdom here.Listen to her short audio parody on the wellness industry here.Subcribe to her newsletter here!Support the show
Dec 5, 2020 • 34min
What's the Relationship Between Blood Type and COVID-19? With Dr. Christopher Latz
Send us Fan MailWe hear a lot about blood type and COVID-19, but is there a significant relationship? Do certain blood types increase one's risk of getting COVID-19 or increase one's risk of having a more severe infection, or even dying? Do certain blood types lower the risk of getting COVID-19 and/or having a serious infection? And if there is a connection, what is the mechanism of action? To answer some of these questions, Dr. Chrisophter Latz joins Dr. Eeks on Causes or Cures. Dr. Latz is specializing in vascular surgery at Harvard Medical School affiliate, Massachusetts General Hospital. He received his MD from Texas A&M College of Medicine and his MPH from the Harvard Chan School of Public Health. He has advanced training in observational research and recently authored a study on blood type and COVID-19 that was published earlier this year.To contact Dr. Eeks, do so through bloomingwellness.comTo read or listen to her new comedic parody on the sleazy side of the wellness industry, check out Yours in Wellness, Krystal Heeling on Amazon.Or you can listen to it from Google Play or Walmart! Or follow her on Instagram here. Or Facebook here.Subcribe to her newsletter here!Support the show
Dec 5, 2020 • 49min
"Why Couldn't the US Respond to COVID-19 like Singapore Did?" With Dr. Walid Jumblatt Abdullah
Send us Fan MailSince the beginning of the pandemic, the US has been comparing its response to other countries. People who aren't happy with how the US responded to COVID-19 often say, "Why couldn't we respond like Singapore did?" They say this because Singapore has been praised for its response and has an extremely low mortality rate. So, why was Singapore so successful in its pandemic response? Would it be possible for a country like the US to respond in a similar way? What's the difference between our public health and political systems and populations? To answer these questions and more, Dr. Walid Jumblatt Abdullah joins Dr. Eeks on Causes or Cures. Dr. Abdullah is a professor of social sciences and researcher at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. He recently published a critical assessment of Singapore's response to COVID-19. His areas of research include political systems and elections, state-religion relations, political Islam and Southeast Asia politics. To contact Dr. Eeks, do so through bloomingwellness.comTo read or listen to her new comedic parody on the sleazy side of the wellness industry, check out Yours in Wellness, Krystal Heeling on Amazon.Or you can listen to it from Google Play or Walmart! Or follow her on Instagram here. Or Facebook here.Subcribe to her newsletter here!Support the show
Nov 24, 2020 • 1h 5min
Anorexia Unlocked: With JL Keez
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with JL Keez, founder of Anorexia Unlocked, a powerful online program to help people overcome anorexia and other eating disorders. JL suffered from anorexia for years, after a history of family sexual abuse, bullying, depression, suicidal thoughts and not knowing who she truly was. When she finally met the right person who could help her, she made a full recovery and went on to become a counselor specializing in reality therapy. She will discuss the darkest parts of her story, her recovery journey and what she can offer those who are currently struggling. To learn more about JL, her upcoming book, or to try the Anorexia Unlocked program, visit her website here. You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Dr. Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or Twitter.Read Manic Kingdom here.Listen to her short audio parody on the wellness industry here.Subcribe to her newsletter here!Support the show
Oct 30, 2020 • 1h 2min
Early At-Home Treatment for COVID-19 Can Save Lives, so Why Isn't the Media Talking About It? With Dr. Peter McCullough
Send us Fan MailDisclaimer: Causes or Cures is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, and no medical claims are being made. Always talk to a qualified healthcare provider about your personal health.While most people are focused on vaccines, face masks and lockdowns, some doctors are trying to get people to focus on, or at least consider, early ambulatory treatment for COVID-19. This means care that is initiated right when a person is diagnosed or starts to show symptoms, while he/she is still at home or self-isolating, and well before a person has to go to the hospital. These doctors believe early ambulatory treatment would significantly reduce hospitalizations and deaths.In this podcast, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Peter McCullough, an internist, cardiologist and epidemiologist who authored a paper on this topic that included a protocol for early treatment. The protocol lists specific drugs to use and when to use them. Dr. McCullough discusses the rationale behind this protocol, what other countries are doing for early ambulatory treatment ( things that the US is not doing), and why the media is not addressing early ambulatory care since he believes it could save many lives.Dr. McCullough is the Vice Chief of Internal Medicine at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Tx and a consulting cardiologist. He is a Principal Faculty in internal medicine for the Texas A&M University Health Sciences, has over 1000 publications and over 500 citations in the National Library of Medicine. You can read his full bio here. Keep in mind that this podcast is information only and not medical advice. At this time, several of the drugs mentioned are not approved by the FDA for use against COVID-19. If you have questions about treatment, please check in with your doctor. You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Dr. Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or Twitter.Read Manic Kingdom here.Listen to her short audio parody on the wellness industry here.Subcribe to her newsletter here!Support the show
Oct 23, 2020 • 38min
How the Pandemic is Changing the Opioid Epidemic, with Dr. John Kelly
Send us Fan MailPrior to the current pandemic, the news cycle was dominated by the opioid epidemic, a beast that has taken the lives of many people from all walks of life. Just yesterday, the Sackler family's Purdue Pharma, the maker of Oxycontin, plead guilty to federal criminal charges related to the marketing and selling of opioids. Universities, like NYU, just announced that they are removing the Sackler family name from their campuses. Many other drug companies face serious legal issues. Prior to COVID-19, the opioid crisis was the top public health issue that everyone was talking about. National, state and local governments were desperate to find ways to address it. It was a top election issue. Since COVID-19, the opioid epidemic has been removed from the spotlight..., but it has not gone away. In fact, it's gotten significantly worse. We just aren't talking about it as much. In this podcast, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. John Kelly about the current state of the opioid epidemic. Dr. Kelly will identify who is getting hit the hardest, why the epidemic is getting worse, overdose deaths, why stress and isolation affect a person struggling with opioids more than a person who is not, and if someone is in recovery, when is the most critical time period he or she is most likely to relapse. He will also discuss changes to treatment, telemedicine, digital Apps and what he thinks is the best path forward for putting a major dent in this public health crisis. Dr. Kelly is a Professor of Psychiatry in Addiction Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is the Founder and Director of the Recovery Research Institute at the Massachusetts General Hospital, the Associate Director of the Center for Addiction Medicine, and the Program Director of the Addiction Recovery Management Service. He is a former President of the American Psychological Association's Society of Addiction Psychology and has served as a consultant to U.S. federal agencies and non-federal institutions, as well as foreign governments and the United Nations. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed articles, reviews, chapters and books in the field of addiction medicine. Finally, he was the author on the U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health. You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Dr. Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or Twitter.Read Manic Kingdom here.Listen to her short audio parody on the wellness industry here.Subcribe to her newsletter here!Support the show
