Causes Or Cures

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Sharonza Penson, a very talented artist and single mom in Texas. Sharonza is mom to Elijah, her beautiful four year old son.When Elijah was born, Sharonza learned that Elijah had a rare genetic disorder called Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. The doctors told her that Elijah wouldn't be able to do much and in the podcast, Sharonza talks about that day and how that conversation made her feel. While Elijah has many medical difficulties, has already undergone numerous surgeries, and is currently non-verbal, Sharonza is confident he will talk one day. Elijah has already found other ways to communicate though, including the keyboard and the drums. He has a peg tube to assist with feeding and though he's small for his age, Elijah has a larger-than-life personality. In the podcast, Sharonza discusses Elijah's medical issues and what her day-to-day looks like as Elijah's sole caretaker. In fact, she recorded the podcast from the hosp

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks discusses the scientific evidence for The Shroud of Turin with Barrie Schwortz. The Shroud of Turin is a cloth that has an image of a man ( a negative image) that some people believe was the burial shroud of Jesus of Nazareth. Of course, others do not believe that. To this day, no one can explain how the image was created. In this podcast, Dr. Eeks and Barrie Schwortz discuss the evidence base for the Shroud, possible theories that could explain the characteristics of the image, the 1988 Carbon dating, as well as eye-opening, new details that emerged related to it, why he believes it is authentic and the future of Shroud research.Barrie Schwortz was the Official Documenting Photographer for the Shroud of Turin Research Project (STURP), the team that conducted the first in-depth scientific examination of the Shroud in 1978. Today, he plays an influential role in Shroud research and education as the editor and founder of the internationally recognized S

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Wendy Ractcliffe and Angela Peacock about the documentary film, Medicating Normal. Wendy is a director and executive producter of the film and Angela, a combat veteran, is featured in the film. Angela is also a social worker and part of the film's outreach team. From the website, Medicating Normal is the "untold story of what can happen when profit-driven medicine intersects with human beings in distress." The documentary follows Angela, a Naval Academy Graduate and his wife, a teenager and a waitress as they struggle with unexpected prescription side effects, polypharmacy, dependency and withdrawal symptoms from drugs that were taken as prescribed. This podcast covers what "medicating normal" means, the importance of informed consent, the struggle to be heard and taken seriously, while not being labeled "anti-psychiatry," how people overcame their unexpected struggle with prescription medication, the futu

Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Eeks discusses Wellness Paranoia Syndrome. (WPS for short, because acronyms are wonderful.) Please note that this isn't a real syndrome recognized by any reputable medical organization. But it is a "thing" that can suck the enjoyment out of your life, and it is a thing that marketers can use against you in the business of "Wellness."  Take a listen with a healthy sense of humor and sarcasm. :) 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

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. John McDonough about Medicare for All. They discuss what the slogan really means, the details of Medicare, who would be covered, what role private insurance companies would play, quality of care, personal values, how much it would cost over ten years and who will pay for it. Dr. McDonough is a professor of practice at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in the Department of Health Policy & Management and Director of the HSPH Center for Executive & Continuing Professional Education. Between 2008 and 2010, he served as a Senior Advisor on National Health Reform to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions where he worked on the writing and passage of the Affordable Care Act. Between 2003 and 2008, he was Executive Director of Healthcare For All, a Massachusetts consumer health advocacy organization, where he played a leading role in the passage of the 2006 Massachusetts Health Reform Law.  From 199

Send us a text Wellness is a Luxury Brand. Dr. Eeks explains why.  Please come with a sense of humor and an open mind. ;) 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

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Jaclyn Schildkraut about the characteristics of mass shooters, mass shootings, the media's role and its impact, and the best, evidence-based prevention and response strategies. Dr. Schildkraut discusses her recent research on school lockdown drills and provides advice on how to conduct them. She also provides trusted websites to visit for helpful tips. Dr. Schildkraut is a national expert on mass shootings. She earned her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University and is currently an associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at the State University of New York at Oswego. She is highly published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, and the majority of her research focuses on mass and school shootings, media effects, social problems, moral panic, school safety and survivor needs. She's made numerous media appearances and is the author of several books, including Columbine, 20 Years Later and Beyond: Les

Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Rami Nakeshbandi and Rohan Maini about their research and the paper they recently published in the International Journal of Obesity, The Impact of Obesity on COVID-19 Complications: A Retrospective Cohort Study. The CDC and other health organizations have unequivocally stated that obesity is a significant risk factor for increased severity of COVID-19 infections and clinical outcomes. While it's well established that obesity is a significant risk factor for numerous health problems, Dr. Nakeshbandi and Rohan Maini will discuss the results of their research, particularly differences noted between men and women, ages, fat deposition, what outcomes were significantly impacted, and, perhaps most interestingly, why and how obesity impacts COVID-19 and its link to inflammation. They also use their sample population to elaborate on the causes of obesity and what we can do to prevent or slow down the USA's rising obesity rates. Dr. Nakeshbandi is the In

Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Eeks chats with Doula and Birth Educator Sierra McClain-Henry about the US maternal mortality rate and the Black maternal health crisis. The US has a shockingly high maternal mortality rate, especially for Black women who are 4x as likely to die as White women, and more likely to die than any other race. Sierra is a certified doula, hypnobirthing instructor, founder of Sankofa Mama Birth Services and founder of the 100 Black Mamas initiative. Sierra is going to talk about her experience as a Black doula, mom and why she feels the maternal mortality rate is so high for Black women and how doulas can play a significant role in creating a positive birth experience. She is also going to talk about her new initiative, 100 Black Mamas, a grassroots birth education project designed to address the Black maternal health crisis by providing comprehensive, holistic and culturally- aware birth education on a scholarship basis. After hearing from Sierra, if you are interested in donating

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Alessio Fasano about the Hygiene Hypothesis and its connection to our guts, microbiomes and chronic inflammatory diseases. The Hygiene Hypothesis is a proposed explanation that states that improved hygiene in an industrialized world and less exposure to infectious agents ( bacteria & viruses) has led to an increase in chronic inflammatory conditions. ( This is why some supporters of the Hygiene Hypothesis will tell you to take your kids to a farm or play in the dirt.) In this episode, Dr. Fasano discusses how this hypothesis relates to a leaky gut and how our modern way of life may affect our microbiome ( bacteria that live in our gut) in a way that puts us at risk of developing a chronic inflammatory condition. He will discuss the 5 pillars that he believes need to be in place for this to happen, how probiotics and gluten relates to this, and ways we can improve leaky guts. Dr. Fasano is a pediatric gastroenterologist and researche

Send us a textTo open or not reopen our schools during the COVID-19 pandemic is a contentious topic that is currently being debated by parents, doctors, public health professionals, politicians and teachers. There are strong opinions on both sides of the issue. On this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Jonas Ludvigsson who will explain why he believes it's safe for schools to be open. Dr. Ludvigsson is both a pediatrician and epidemiologist in Sweden. Between 2011-2014, he was the chairman of the Swedish Epidemiological Association and between 2014-2016, he was the chair of the Swedish Society of Pediatrics and has done extensive research in the area of pediatrics, as well as set up the first national gastrointestinal pathology register. He is an honorary professor at Columbia University School of Medicine in New York City and at Nottingham University School of Medicine in the UK. He's on the editorial board of the European Journal of Epidemiology and in 2019, he was named the staf

Send us a textIn this Causes or Cures episode, Dr. Eeks chats with artist Elsha Stockseth. Elsha is a 37 year old woman, award-winning artist, racer and the world's greatest U2 fan. She was born with Werdnig-Hoffman Disease, a form of Muscular Dystrophy and progressive muscle weakness. The doctors told her parents that she wouldn't be able to do anything, and although Elsha has never been able to walk, she has accomplished a lot. Elsha is also the designer of the Blooming Wellness ZENBands, the headband, pillow speakers and eye-mask combo that Dr. Stair sells through her website. In this episode, Elsha discusses her journey as an artist. She used to use her arms, but as her muscles grew weaker, and she lost the use of her limbs, she devised a new way to create art without having to use her limbs. It seems there are no obstacles this woman can't overcome. She also describes the races in which she participates and how she participates in them, what inspires her, and what it was like to meet Bono

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Victoria Albina NP, MPH about her journey from clinical practice to becoming a Certified Life Coach, Certified Breathwork Meditation Facilitator and the host of the Feminist Wellness Podcast. They chat about perfectionism, codependency, authenticity and how Victoria's personal and clinical experience shape the work she is doing now. In addition to being a Nurse Practitioner, Victoria has a Masters degree in Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health and a BA in Latin American Studies from Oberlin College. She has worked in health & wellness for over 20 years and has a passion for helping women to heal mind, body and spirit. To learn more about Victoria Albina, visit her website here. To learn more about the Feminist Wellness Podcast, click 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

Send us a textThere has been a lot of chatter in the news about COVID-19, increased clotting, and the possibility of strokes in old and young people in their thirties and forties. How does this happen? And what can we do about it? In this episode, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Ricardo Jose who has over ninety publications in the area of respiratory (lung) infections and how they affect us systemically. He is a Respiratory Consulting Physician at the Royal Brompton and HareField NHS Hospital in London who has a special interest in how inflammation caused by lung infections relates to coagulation (clotting). He has published several papers on COVID-19, one of the most recent ones being in the Lancet: COVID-19 cytokine storm: the interplay between inflammation and coagulation. You don't have to be a doctor or have a scientific background to listen to this. In easy-to-understand terms, he will explain what causes the cytokine storm, how that relates to coagulation and clot formation, how doctors are currently addr

Send us a textWhile this podcast focuses on what's happening with COVID-19, it could be applied to any public health intervention in present times. In this episode, Dr. Eeks discusses inconsistencies in public health messaging, political and industrial biases, and how those factors interact and impact how people will respond. She explains why consistent and objective public health messaging is more important now than ever. She discusses how inconsistent messaging and underlying biases will affect who people trust when it comes to healthcare advice, who wears a face mask and who doesn't, who complies with future lockdown or social distancing orders and how these factors will affect vaccine hesitancy, which is clearly on the rise. 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

Send us a text CBD products are incredibly popular and marketed for numerous health ailments. But do they do what they claim to do? Do they contain what they claim to contain? When it comes to CBD products or supplements, how do we know who to trust? In this episode, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Bill Gurley, the principal scientist at the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi. Dr. Gurley has studied commercial supplements for over 25 years and recently did a study analyzing the content in commercial CBD Products vs the claims made on the label. He talks about the study's findings, CBD products in general, the supplement industry and things to watch for, and tips for distinguishing "good" CBD products and supplements from "not so good" ones. 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 li

Send us a text What is the evidence for wearing a face mask? Can it significantly slow the spread, or no? Who should wear a face mask and when should a face mask be worn? What's the most effective face mask? Should we keep them handy for a second (or third) viral wave? These questions and more are answered in this podcast.  In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks has a conversation with Dr. Benjamin Cowling, who recently published a study on the effectiveness of face masks in Nature Medicine. But more than that, he's been researching the pandemic since its initial outbreak in Wuhan, China, and authored several of the first papers, like this one in the New England Journal of Medicine, on the characteristics of the virus as well as its transmission dynamics. Dr. Benjamin Cowling is the Head of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the School of Public Health at Hong Kong University. He earned his PhD in medical statistics at the University of Warwick and did his postdoc fellowship at

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks  interviews Dr. Ranjith Ramasamy about the effectiveness of the most popular commercial supplements for male fertility and erectile dysfunction. He recently published two papers on these topics and provides the most up-to-date evidence. He also discusses his recommendations for both of these issues, lifestyle interventions and provides interesting information on how marijuana may affect both male fertility and erectile dysfunction. Dr. Ramasamy is the Director of Male Reproductive Medicine and Surgery at the University of Miami in Florida. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Urology. He specializes in male infertility and sexual dysfunction. He completed his Urology residency at Cornell Medical College and then a fellowship in Male Reproductive Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. He has published over 100 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and is on the editorial board of several journals. He also created the "Urology&qu

Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Piotr Rzymski, who is a researcher with the Department of Environmental Medicine at Poznan University of Medical Sciences. He has over 140 publications in peer-reviewed journals and has a strong interest in analyzing the ingredients in commercial supplements, as well as the presence of any contaminants or teratogenic compounds, meaning things that can harm a developing fetus. This particular conversation will focus around his paper, "Essential and toxic elements in commercial microalgal supplements." The microalgal supplements include Spirulina and Chlorella, both of which are very popular and often called "Superfoods."  The podcast covers his research findings related to these supplements and others, his recommendations to consumers and his advice on how to make the industry safer. 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

Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Eeks talks with Emily Copland, a registered nurse and nurse educator who has been diagnosed with EMF-Sensitivity. EMF-Sensitivity is also sometimes called EHS, or Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity. The World Health Organization classifies it as IEI-EMF, or Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance to Electromagnetic Fields. (EMF stands for electromagnetic fields or frequencies.) In the first part of the podcast, Dr. Eeks presents background information on EMF-Sensitivity, including what's known about it and what's not. In short, there are a lot of unknowns. Then Emily tells her story, from when mysterious and frightening symptoms first started to appear to figuring out what was wrong and finally to discussing how she manages it. 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