Health Yeah! With Monica Robins Podcast Por wkyc studios arte de portada

Health Yeah! With Monica Robins

Health Yeah! With Monica Robins

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Welcome to Health yeah! with Monica Robins, from WKYC studios in Cleveland. Monica is the senior health correspondent for 3News. In this podcast, she talks with medical experts to get answers to the questions you're afraid to ask about your health and wellness. Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.Copyright 2021 All rights reserved. Enfermedades Físicas Higiene y Vida Saludable
Episodios
  • Minority men face unique health challenges, but help is available

    Minority men face unique health challenges, but help is available
    Sep 25 2025
    Men of color face unique health challenges, but help is available

    Doctor says breaking the "tough it out" mentality could save lives as suicide rates climb among Black men.

    Men of color in Cleveland face a dangerous myth that could be costing lives: the belief that they must "tough it out" until health problems become unbearable before seeking medical care.

    Dr. Randy Vince, director of minority men's health at University Hospitals in Cleveland, says this mentality prevents early detection of serious conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and cancer—diseases that often show no symptoms until they reach advanced stages.

    "Usually it does not matter the medical condition when we're talking about hypertension or high blood pressure, diabetes, or even cancer like prostate cancer. You don't have symptoms until things are really advanced," Vince explained during a recent interview.

    The consequences extend beyond physical health. Suicide rates are increasing among Black men specifically, a trend Vince calls "very preventable" if men can be connected with mental health resources earlier.

    "The rates of suicide are actually increasing in black men specifically, and so I think if we can start to again dispel this myth that you can tough it out, I don't need to see a mental health professional, we can actually end up saving a lot of men," he said.

    Breaking down barriers to care

    Vince emphasizes that men need to understand their relationship with healthcare providers differently. "As physicians we work for you," he said, encouraging patients to seek second opinions and find new doctors if they don't feel heard.

    For men hesitant about traditional doctor visits, Vince points to alternative options. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants can provide primary care services, and most preventative care is covered 100% by insurance with minimal copays.

    Men facing Medicaid cuts still have options, according to Vince. County boards of health, city resources, and federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) can connect patients with care and insurance information.

    Critical screenings men shouldn't skip

    Starting at age 40, men should prioritize specific health screenings, Vince advises. Blood pressure checks, diabetes screenings, and cholesterol tests form the foundation of preventative care. Colon cancer and prostate cancer screenings become essential as these are "major cancer killers" with high survival rates when caught early.

    Mental health deserves equal attention. Vince recommends men start with resources they trust, including faith-based organizations that can connect them with professional help.

    "Depression, for instance, or anxiety, that is not abnormal," Vince said. "Many men face that, so I think if they can realize that this is not abnormal and you don't have to try to tough it out, you're not in this battle alone."

    Understanding the bigger picture

    Social determinants of health—factors like poverty, housing conditions, and access to nutritious food—significantly impact both physical and mental wellbeing. Vince points to environmental pollution causing respiratory conditions and limited access to healthy foods as examples of how external factors affect health regardless of medical care.

    "These social determinants of health all impact our health and it's despite whether or not you just go to the doctor or not," he explained.

    The stigma around mental health treatment is slowly lifting in communities, but "not fast enough," according to Vince. He encourages men to understand that seeking help demonstrates strength, not weakness.

    "Leaning into your struggles actually takes a lot of strength, not weakness," he said.

    Resources for men's health

    For mental health connections: The Cutler Center for Men connects men with mental health resources and can be reached by calling University Hospitals.

    For insurance and care resources: Contact your local county board of health or city health department for information about available insurance options and federally qualified health centers.

    For general health questions: Many health systems maintain websites with provider directories and appointment scheduling, and most offer telehealth consultations.

    Vince's final message to men is simple: "Be empowered. Do not feel like you're in a struggle alone. There's actually strength in numbers, and we are here to help. Knowledge is power, so don't be afraid to seek that knowledge."
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    13 m
  • Psychedelic science: How LSD could reshape anxiety treatment

    Psychedelic science: How LSD could reshape anxiety treatment
    Sep 11 2025
    Researchers have conducted a rigorous clinical trial examining LSD as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder, with results published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showing promising outcomes for patients who have struggled to find relief with existing medications.Cleveland Clinic psychiatrist Dr. Brian Barnett, who participated in the multi-site study, says the findings address a critical gap in mental health treatment. About one-third of patients with psychiatric conditions don't respond to any existing treatments, affecting millions of Americans with depression, anxiety and other disorders."Our existing treatments, there's a little variability depending on the particular condition, but generally about a third of patients with a particular condition will not respond to any psychiatric treatment," said Barnett. "So, when you think about that at scale, that's millions of people who have depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder that's not responding to treatment."The Phase 2b study, conducted by Mind Medicine Inc., involved 198 adults with moderate-to-severe generalized anxiety disorder across 22 psychiatric research sites in the United States. Participants received a single dose of MM120, a pharmaceutical-grade form of LSD, at varying strengths or a placebo.The most effective dose, 100 micrograms, showed significant improvements in anxiety symptoms that lasted throughout the 12-week observation period. Patients receiving this dose experienced a 7.6-point greater reduction in anxiety scores compared to those taking placebo, with 65% showing clinical response and 48% achieving clinical remission by week 12."About half of people were in remission from their generalized anxiety disorder 12 weeks after receiving a 100 microgram dose, so they no longer met criteria for generalized anxiety disorder," Barnett explained in an interview with WKYC's Monica Robins. "It's pretty impressive findings.""This study is a true turning point in the field of psychiatry," said Dr. Maurizio Fava, study author and Chair of Mass General Brigham Department of Psychiatry. "For the first time, LSD has been studied with modern scientific rigor, and the results are both clinically meaningful and potentially paradigm-shifting for the treatment of GAD."While researchers aren't entirely sure how psychedelics work therapeutically, Barnett explains they're believed to activate certain brain receptors and enhance neuroplasticity, making it easier for patients to learn new behaviors and thought patterns.The treatment showed results that appeared twice as effective as traditional medications like Prozac or Xanax when compared to historical studies, though Barnett cautions that direct head-to-head comparisons would be needed to confirm this finding.Generalized anxiety disorder affects approximately 26 million American adults, causing persistent worry that interferes with daily activities. Current first-line treatments fail about 50% of patients, and no new medications have been approved for the condition since 2007.Safety protocols for the study were extensive. About 90% of people with generalized anxiety disorder wouldn't qualify for these trials due to medical conditions like heart problems or history of bipolar disorder that could make psychedelic treatment risky."Safety is our number one priority in these trials," Barnett said. "We know that drugs like LSD are extremely powerful drugs, and if we're going to use them in medicine, then we have to do everything that we can to control the experience."During treatment sessions, participants are continuously monitored by two trained staff members in a controlled medical setting. Emergency medications are available if needed, though no serious adverse events occurred in the trials Barnett has conducted."There will never be a point where the FDA is going to approve sending psychedelics home with people," he emphasized. "They are drugs with strong psychoactive effects, so that's something we take very seriously."Side effects were consistent with LSD's known perceptual effects, including visual changes and nausea, occurring primarily on the day of treatment. Most adverse events were rated as mild-to-moderate and temporary.Based on these results, the FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation to MM120 for generalized anxiety disorder.Cleveland Clinic is currently enrolling patients for the Phase 3 trials, targeting 10 to 20 participants locally among several hundred nationwide. The trials will follow patients for a full year and allow multiple doses if needed, providing crucial information about how long benefits last.Many participants in the Phase 2 study eventually returned to traditional antidepressants, but often not until a year or more later, suggesting the psychedelic treatment provided substantial lasting benefits.Barnett doesn't consider this a "cure" for anxiety, noting that symptoms may return over time as they do with other psychiatric treatments. However, ...
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    15 m
  • Water Safety Tips Every Family Should Know

    Water Safety Tips Every Family Should Know
    Jul 22 2025
    Flash flooding dangersThe National Weather Service emphasizes a simple but critical message for flooding situations: "Turn around, don't drown." Driving or walking into flood waters is a major cause of fatalities, as water often moves faster or runs deeper than it appears.Flash flooding remains one of the leading causes of weather-related fatalities in the United States and can happen at any time of day or year. According to meteorologist Meredith Garafalo, flash flooding can occur in as little as a few minutes or after hours of continuous rain in the same location."It's especially dangerous at night because you can't always see the floodwaters," Garafalo explains.Two major contributing factors include the amount of rainfall and how long it persists. Urban areas, low-lying locations, and areas near rivers face particular risks due to limited water absorption and natural drainage patterns.Understanding the difference between watches and warnings is crucial. A flash flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding, while a warning indicates conditions are imminent or already occurring.Different water environments present unique risksChildren aged five through fourteen are more likely to drown in natural bodies of water such as lakes, ponds, and rivers compared to swimming pools. These environments present distinct challenges that require specific safety awareness.Natural water bodies often have unpredictable currents, varying depths, and limited visibility. Unlike pools with controlled conditions, lakes and rivers can have sudden drop-offs, underwater obstacles, and changing weather conditions that affect water safety.Retention ponds, commonly found in residential areas, present particular dangers. As noted by the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, "they're not bodies of water to swim in." These man-made water features may appear calm but can have steep sides and murky water that conceals hazards.City officials have identified retention ponds as an ongoing concern, particularly for children with autism who may be drawn to these water sources near their homes. The challenge is that many of these drownings occur on private property, limiting municipal oversight and intervention capabilities.The tragedy becomes more pronounced for children with autism, who face drowning rates 160 times higher than their typically developing peers. This population is often drawn to water near their homes, making awareness and protective measures especially critical. An incident in Jacksonville, FL involved a 4-year-old boy with autism who was found in a retention pond in the Baymeadows area, highlighting the specific dangers these water features pose.Pool safety concernsDrowning deaths, particularly among children, increase during summer months, with July representing the peak period. For children between ages one and four, drowning is the leading cause of death, with a significant number of incidents occurring in home swimming pools.Tragic incidents underscore these dangers. Eight-year-old Christopher's body was discovered at the bottom of a swimming pool at a Holiday Inn in Strongsville where his family was staying. According to police call logs, the pool was checked at least three times before Christopher's body was found, almost nine hours after he was reported missing. The pool was described as "murky" and "cloudy," conditions that create serious safety hazards beyond just visibility issues.Murky pool water can harbor algae, harmful microorganisms, and bacteria that cause skin, respiratory, ear, and gastric infections. Such conditions can also host viral infections including norovirus and hepatitis A.Recognizing drowning signsContrary to Hollywood portrayals, real drowning incidents are much harder to spot than many people realize. For several years, Kevin Kreeger, Aquatics Director for Hastings Water Works, trained approximately 450 Northeast Ohio lifeguards each summer and emphasized that drowning is typically silent."The movie typically shows the person yelling and screaming for help. That's not what happens in real life," Kreeger explains. "They go into survival. They're trying to breathe. They don't call out for help."Drowning can progress to unconsciousness in less than two minutes, making constant vigilance essential for parents and caregivers.Prevention strategiesThe CDC recommends several key prevention steps: learning to swim, using life jackets, building barriers around pools, and maintaining constant supervision of children near water. Additional measures include avoiding alcohol and drugs before swimming, understanding natural water risks, and learning CPR.The National Drowning Prevention Alliance identifies five layers of protection: barriers and alarms, supervision, water competency, life jackets, and emergency preparedness.Bruce Barton, Chief of Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Recovery Team, emphasizes that many drowning incidents involve people not wearing personal flotation devices. He ...
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    17 m
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