Ask Doctor Dawn Dr. Dawn Motyka - JivaMedia.com

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 6-27-2024.
In this episode, Dr. Dawn interviews Dr. Michael Amster, a physician and researcher who specializes in pain management and mindfulness practices. Dr. Amster discusses his book "The Power of Awe" and introduces the concept of "micro-dosing mindfulness" through a technique called the AWE method."
Dr. Amster explains how he developed this method during a time of personal burnout in his medical career. The AWE method involves taking brief moments throughout the day to experience awe, which can be found in ordinary everyday experiences. He describes the three steps of the method: Attention, Wait, and Exhale/Expand.
The conversation delves into the research behind the AWE method, including studies conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. These studies showed significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and loneliness among participants who practiced the AWE method regularly.
Dr. Amster discusses the physiological benefits of experiencing awe, including its ability to lower inflammation in the body. He explains how the emotion of awe connects people to something greater than themselves and can lead to increased generosity, compassion, and open-mindedness.
The interview also touches on the potential applications of the AWE method in various settings, from helping patients with chronic pain to supporting individuals undergoing cancer treatment. Dr. Amster shares personal stories of how the practice has impacted people's lives.
Towards the end of the interview, Dr. Amster reads a passage from his book, emphasizing the broader implications of practicing awe and its potential to create positive change in the world. The episode concludes with a guided AWE practice for listeners to experience firsthand.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 6-20-2024


Health tip: Dr. Dawn advises you to shop around for medications, especially cheap generics, as pharmacies may claim unavailability due to corporate contracts and profit margins.
Healthcare industry consolidation: Discussion of how large venture capital firms are acquiring healthcare businesses, leading to potential price increases and reduced competition.
Parkinson's disease and GLP-1 drugs: A study showing potential benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic in early Parkinson's disease.
Bird flu update: Current status of bird flu spread in the US, transmission risks, and safety precautions.
Spinal cord stimulation: New non-invasive technique showing promise for improving function in people with long-term spinal cord injuries.
Peanut allergies: Recent research reversing previous recommendations, suggesting early exposure to peanuts may reduce allergy risk.
Longevity study: Analysis of blood biomarkers in centenarians, highlighting factors like uric acid levels and blood sugar.
Cholesterol-eating gut bacteria: Research on bacteria that break down cholesterol in the gut, potentially lowering heart disease risk.
Alcohol and air travel: Study showing combined effects of alcohol consumption and low air pressure on cardiovascular health during flights.
Energy requirements of pregnancy: Surprising findings on the high caloric needs during pregnancy, mostly for the mother's body rather than the fetus.
HPV vaccine success: Significant reduction in cervical cancer rates due to the vaccine, with a call for increased vaccination rates, especially among boys, to prevent head and neck cancer.

Broadcast from KSQD Santa Cruz on 6-13-2024


Alzheimer’s Disease and APOE4 Gene

Listener asks about the APOE4 gene and its association with Alzheimer's disease in the light of a recent sensationalistic Nature publication.
The impact of amyloid beta and TAU proteins on Alzheimer's pathology.
Differences in Alzheimer's risk among different ethnic groups with APOE4 with emphasis on the importance of cholesterol levels as a risk multiplier.


Advice for a listener’s husband dealing with chronic back pain and sciatica

Dr. Dawn presents a basic checklist for evaluating back pain symptoms and determining the need for urgent medical intervention.
Potential causes are discussed such as spinal nerve compression from various sources.
In this case, Dr. Dawn made a specific suggestion of McKenzie exercises and emphasized the importance of seeing a sports medicine doctor or physiatrist for a comprehensive evaluation.


Dr. Dawn responds to a caller about managing knee osteoarthritis

The role of glucosamine, chondroitin, and topical diclofenac in treatment.
Discussion on non-pharmaceutical approaches like heat application and massage.
Potential interventions like steroid injections, hyaluronic acid, platelet rich plasma and their benefits and risks.


Dr. Dawn answers a question about dietary oxalates and their impact on kidney stones

She emphasizes the importance of the oxalate content in foods and its limited role in kidney stone formation.
She emphasizes the importance of hydration and maintaining a healthy microbiome.
For specific dietary guidelines on oxalate in foods she suggests using oxalate.org.


A concerned parent asks about aluminum and other vaccine adjuvants like formaldehyde for their infant's 2 month well child visit

She expresses conflicting fears of being mischaracterized as a vaccine denier by merely expressing concern about vaccination for her infant.
Dr. Dawn provides a breakdown of the necessity, immediate urgency and risks of each recommended vaccine (Hepatitis B, DTaP, Polio, Hib, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus) and suggests a social contextualization strategy to perhaps delay Polio, rotavirus and Hep B in this family's social context while emphasizing the importance of certain vaccinations to prevent serious illnesses.
Dr. Dawn cites intriguing ambiguities in the literature that support the counterintuitive idea that smaller doses of aluminum may have a greater accumulation in tissues of brain and reproductive tissues than larger doses, and promises to research this further in a future program.

Broadcast on KSQD Santa Cruz on 7-05-2024:

The Opioid Epidemic: causes, consequence, mitigation and treatments in Santa Cruz, CA


Introduction of Rita Hewitt, regional director for Central Coast overdose prevention, and her professional background.
Discussion on the challenges faced by healthcare providers in managing pain and the consequences of opioid prescriptions.
Examples of misuse and the impact of addiction on individuals and the community.
Examination of the history of opioid use and misuse, from pharmaceutical origins to current trends.
The role of pharmaceutical companies and legislation in shaping the opioid crisis.
Importance of fentanyl test strips and other tools in preventing overdoses.
Availability and distribution of test strips and Narcan within the community.
Overview of harm reduction strategies and resources available in the community.
Discussion on the effectiveness and benefits of buprenorphine and other medications in treating opioid addiction.
Introduction of new substances like Xylazine and their impact on the community.
Challenges in addressing these new threats and the limitations of existing overdose reversal medications like Narcan.
Discussion on the increase in fentanyl-related fatalities and the ongoing challenges in addressing the crisis.
Recent laws and mandates aimed at improving opioid prescription practices and overdose prevention.
Overview of local initiatives and collaborations aimed at addressing the opioid crisis and improving public health outcomes.
Discussion on the potential impact of upcoming legislation and community efforts on the opioid crisis.

Resources


Central Coast Overdose Prevention - Regional organization focusing on overdose prevention.
Santa Cruz County Health Services - Provides health services and resources related to addiction and overdose prevention.
Safe Rx Santa Cruz - Initiative to manage safe prescription practices.
Syringe Services Program - Provides syringe exchange and harm reduction services.
Monterey County Health Department - Local health department providing resources and services for addiction and overdose prevention.
San Benito County Health and Human Services Opioid Task Force - Provides health and human services, including addiction and overdose prevention resources.
Narcan (Naloxone) Information - Information on the overdose reversal medication Narcan.
FDA - Buprenorphine Information - Information on the medication used to treat opioid addiction.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) - National resource for drug abuse and addiction research.

KSQD 05-30-2024: Topics discussed include:

Cognitive errors in medicine dismissing unusual presentations as psychological


A case of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS)


Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis causing psychiatric symptoms


Failures of genetic research to identify causes


Need for integrating neurology and psychiatry; Importance of testing for antibodies and using MRI scans


Detailed explanation of immune tolerance, peripheral tolerance, and the phenomenon of molecular mimicry in diseases like multiple sclerosis and celiac disease


Importance of addressing root causes rather than just symptoms


Historical context and current advancements in treating autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, lupus, and multiple sclerosis using reprogrammed immune cells and iron oxide nanoparticles


Explanation of how the liver filters blood and helps establish immune tolerance by processing cellular debris and antigens


Advances in engineering regulatory T cells to target specific disease sites and calm inflammatory responses


Exploration of new diagnostic tools and the potential of AI in understanding complex psychiatric conditions

KSQD 05-16-2024: The super power of the resilient Tardigrade is their fabulous DNA repair ability.

How do I tolerate another knee surgery after getting intestinal adhesions because of previous surgery?

Can I avoid an operation to fix a displaced cataract lens?

A patient with Parkinson’s disease and knee problems is warned against speculative and expensive alternative treatment.

A man with major swallowing problems needs an endoscopy ASAP -- Dr. Dawn bashes corporation control over conventional medicine.

A borderline diabetic asks for diet advice.

Cancer prevention policies are up against Insurance payment denial policies.

The reasons why colorectal cancer is on the rise in 20 to 50 yr-olds -- colonoscopies are now recommended for younger adults.