Your Checkup: Health Education Podcast

Ed Delesky, MD and Nicole Aruffo, RN
  • 5.0 (16)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Ever leave the doctor’s office more confused than when you walked in? Your Checkup: Health Conversations for Motivated Patients is your health ally in a world full of fast appointments and even faster Google searches. Each week, a board certified family medicine physician and a pediatric nurse sit down to answer the questions your doctor didn’t have time to. From understanding diabetes and depression to navigating obesity, high blood pressure, and everyday wellness—we make complex health topics simple, human, and actually useful. Whether you’re managing a condition, supporting a loved one, or just curious about your body, this podcast helps you get smart about your health without needing a medical degree. Because better understanding leads to better care—and you deserve both.

  1. 90: The First 5 Questions I Ask Every New Patient

    2D AGO

    90: The First 5 Questions I Ask Every New Patient

    Send us a message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply. We trade holiday laughs and a Michelin-level dinner recap for a clear look at how five simple questions can transform a medical visit into a relationship. We show how home, routine, joy, and self-perception reveal risks and shape plans that fit real life. You can reach out to us by email, yourcheckuppod@gmail.com You can find us on Instagram, you can follow us there Also active on threads where we share, you know, themes of our episodes and different collections that we think connect to each other And most importantly, stay healthy, my friends Support the show Subscribe to Our Newsletter! Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD & Nicole Aruffo, RN Artwork: Olivia Pawlowski

    33 min
  2. 89: Why Your Cholesterol Can Look Normal — and Still Be Risky

    DEC 15

    89: Why Your Cholesterol Can Look Normal — and Still Be Risky

    Send us a message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply.  In this episode of Your Checkup, we break down lipoprotein(a) — a largely inherited form of cholesterol that can significantly increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, even when standard cholesterol numbers look normal. We talk about what Lp(a) is, why it matters, who should be tested, and how it helps explain “unexpected” heart events in otherwise healthy people. While Lp(a) can’t currently be lowered with diet or exercise, knowing your level allows you and your care team to be more intentional about prevention by aggressively managing other risk factors like LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes. We also discuss what the numbers mean, why most people only need to be tested once, and the promising treatments currently being studied that may change care in the future.  References (for Show Notes) Nordestgaard BG, Langsted A. Lipoprotein(a) and Cardiovascular Disease. Lancet. 2024;404(10459):1255-1264.Reyes-Soffer G, et al. AHA Scientific Statement on Lipoprotein(a). Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2022;42(1):e48-e60.Di Fusco SA, et al. Lipoprotein(a): Risk Factor and Emerging Target. Heart. 2022;109(1):18-25.Nasrallah N, et al. Lp(a) in Clinical Practice. Eur J Clin Invest. 2025:e70127.Greco A, et al. Lipoprotein(a) as a Pharmacological Target. Circulation. 2025;151(6):400-415.Bess C, Mehta A, Joshi PH. All We Need to Know About Lipoprotein(a). Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2024;84:27-33. Support the show Subscribe to Our Newsletter! Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD & Nicole Aruffo, RN Artwork: Olivia Pawlowski

    36 min
  3. 88: GLP-1 Starter Guide for Patients

    DEC 8

    88: GLP-1 Starter Guide for Patients

    Send us a message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply. We share a quick life update, welcome our first guest Mike Rozanski, and clear up the Michelin Guide origin story before shifting to a focused guide on starting GLP-1 medications. Practical strategies cover injections, nausea, constipation, muscle protection, and adjusting other meds safely. • board certification in obesity medicine and motivation to destigmatise care • guest segment on Michelin guide history and Philly’s recent stars • what GLP-1 meds are and how auto-injectors work • portion sizing to prevent nausea and early side effects • fiber with fluids to prevent constipation • protein targets and simple strength training to protect muscle • when to adjust blood pressure and diabetes medications • key takeaways and encouragement to start small and follow up If you found this helpful, a review really does go a long way for a like on whatever app you’re listening to us on Support the show Subscribe to Our Newsletter! Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD & Nicole Aruffo, RN Artwork: Olivia Pawlowski

    33 min
  4. 87: GLP-1 Price Cuts: Will It Improve Access?

    DEC 1

    87: GLP-1 Price Cuts: Will It Improve Access?

    Send us a message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply. We unpack new GLP-1 pricing, coverage hurdles, and whether cash-pay programs make these meds more reachable for diabetes, obesity, and sleep apnea care. Along the way we share candid pros and cons of injections, tease future oral options, and weigh real tradeoffs. • current cash-pay pricing from major manufacturers • differences between Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound • tighter insurance coverage and prior authorization burden • fears about injections and route-of-administration bias • potential oral GLP-1 timelines and cost impact • framing obesity as a chronic, treatable disease • practical tips to explore HSA or FSA options • how to decide if the monthly cost is worth it Support the show Subscribe to Our Newsletter! Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD & Nicole Aruffo, RN Artwork: Olivia Pawlowski

    29 min
  5. 86: Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy Explained for Patients

    NOV 24

    86: Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy Explained for Patients

    Send us a message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply. Clear guidance on benefits, risks, and how the FDA’s label changes shift conversations in the exam room about HRT Nikki's Corner • Philly’s first Michelin stars and what the tiers mean • Flying taxis in Dubai  • A cold case solved by college criminology students Learning  • What HRT is, routes of therapy, and who benefits • Reframing WHI-era fears with age and timing data • FDA label changes and clinical implications • Contraindications and safer use considerations • Women’s health bias and the cost of not listening • Practical steps for shared decisions with clinicians References The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement of the North American Menopause Society. Menopause (New York, N.Y.). 2022;29(7):767-794. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000002028.Management of Menopausal Symptoms: A Review. Crandall CJ, Mehta JM, Manson JE. JAMA. 2023;329(5):405-420. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.24140.Hormone Therapy for Postmenopausal Women. Pinkerton JV. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2020;382(5):446-455. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1714787.Hormone Therapy for the Primary Prevention of Chronic Conditions in Postmenopausal Women: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Grossman DC, Curry SJ, Owens DK, et al. JAMA. 2017;318(22):2224-2233. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.18261.Hormone Therapy for the Primary Prevention of Chronic Conditions in Postmenopausal Persons: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. Gartlehner G, Patel SV, Reddy S, et al. JAMA. 2022;328(17):1747-1765. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.18324.Hormone Therapy in the Postmenopausal Years: Considering Benefits and Risks in Clinical Practice. Genazzani AR, Monteleone P, Giannini A, Simoncini T. Human Reproduction Update. 2021;27(6):1115-1150. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmab026.Hormone Therapy in Menopause: Concepts, Controversies, and Approach to Treatment. Flores VA, Pal L, Manson JE. Endocrine Reviews. 2021;42(6):720-752. doi:10.1210/endrev/bnab011.The Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Trials and Clinical Practice: A Review. Manson JE, Crandall CJ, Rossouw JE, et al. JAMA. 2024;331(20):1748-1760. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.6542.Hormone Therapy for the Primary Prevention of Chronic Conditions in Postmenopausal Persons: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Mangione CM, Barry MJ, NicSupport the show Subscribe to Our Newsletter! Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD & Nicole Aruffo, RN Artwork: Olivia Pawlowski

    41 min
  6. 85: Menopause: Symptoms, Timing, And What Helps

    NOV 17

    85: Menopause: Symptoms, Timing, And What Helps

    Send us a message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply. We discuss a clear, practical guide to menopause, explaining what it is, why it happens, and how to manage the most common symptoms with everyday steps and evidence-based options. We set up next week’s deep dive on hormone therap.  • Defining menopause and typical timing • Why estrogen declines and bodywide effects • Common symptoms across sleep, mood, and metabolism • Hot flashes and night sweats frequency and duration • Vaginal and urinary symptoms that mimic UTIs • Bone density loss and changing heart risk • Lifestyle tactics that actually help • When to ask about hormonal and non-hormonal treatments • Teaser for hormone therapy update next week Send us an email at yourcheckuppod@gmail.com References 1. Menopause-Biology, Consequences, Supportive Care, and Therapeutic Options. Davis SR, Pinkerton J, Santoro N, Simoncini T. Cell. 2023;186(19):4038-4058. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2023.08.016. 2. The Menopause Transition: Signs, Symptoms, and Management Options. Santoro N, Roeca C, Peters BA, Neal-Perry G. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2021;106(1):1-15. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgaa764. 3. Management of Menopausal Symptoms: A Review. Crandall CJ, Mehta JM, Manson JE. JAMA. 2023;329(5):405-420. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.24140. 4. Menopause. Davis SR, Lambrinoudaki I, Lumsden M, et al. Nature Reviews. Disease Primers. 2015;1:15004. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2015.4. 5. Menopause: Physiology, Definitions, and Symptoms. Gatenby C, Simpson P. Best Practice & Research. Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2024;38(1):101855. doi:10.1016/j.beem.2023.101855. 6. Reproductive Aging in Biological Females: Mechanisms and Immediate Consequences. Muhammad YA. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2025;16:1658592. doi:10.3389/fendo.2025.1658592. 7. Treating Menopause - MHT and Beyond. Davis SR, Baber RJ. Nature Reviews. Endocrinology. 2022;18(8):490-502. doi:10.1038/s41574-022-00685-4. 8. Management of Perimenopausal and Menopausal Symptoms. Duralde ER, Sobel TH, Manson JE. BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.). 2023;382:e072612. doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-072612. 9. Hormone Therapy for Postmenopausal Women. Pinkerton JV. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2020;382(5):446-455. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1714787. 10. An Empowerment Model for Managing Menopause. Hickey M, LaCroix AZ, Doust J, et al. Lancet (London, England). 2024;403(10430):947-957. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02799-X. 11. Menopause. Carter AE, Merriam S. The Medical Clinics of North America. 2023;107(2):199-212. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2022.10.003. Support the show Subscribe to Our Newsletter! Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD & Nicole Aruffo, RN Artwork: Olivia Pawlowski

    30 min
  7. 84: Osteoporosis Explained: How to Keep Your Bones Strong

    NOV 10

    84: Osteoporosis Explained: How to Keep Your Bones Strong

    Send us a message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply. We break down osteopenia and osteoporosis with clear steps to protect independence: how bones weaken, how DEXA scoring works, and which daily habits reduce fracture risk. We share nutrition, exercise, lifestyle changes, and home safety that make a measurable difference. • key stats on fracture risk in women and men over 50 • definitions of osteopenia and osteoporosis using T-scores • hip, spine and wrist as common fracture sites • why bone loss accelerates after menopause • risk factors including family history, smoking and low weight • DEXA scan basics and when to ask for screening • calcium and vitamin D targets and food sources • Mediterranean diet, protein and supportive micronutrients • weight-bearing, resistance and balance training essentials • Tai Chi and fall risk reduction • home safety changes that prevent falls • when medications like bisphosphonates or denosumab help • practical questions to ask your clinician References 1. Osteoporosis: Common Questions and Answers. Harris K, Zagar CA, Lawrence KV. American Family Physician. 2023;107(3):238-246. 2. Postmenopausal Osteoporosis. Walker MD, Shane E. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2023;389(21):1979-1991. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp2307353. 3. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College of Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis-2020 Update. Camacho PM, Petak SM, Binkley N, et al. Endocrine Practice : Official Journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. 2020;26(Suppl 1):1-46. doi:10.4158/GL-2020-0524SUPPL. 4. Global, Regional Prevalence, and Risk Factors of Osteoporosis According to the World Health Organization Diagnostic Criteria: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Xiao PL, Cui AY, Hsu CJ, et al. Osteoporosis International : A Journal Established as Result of Cooperation Between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA. 2022;33(10):2137-2153. doi:10.1007/s00198-022-06454-3. 5. Screening for Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Curry SJ, Krist AH, Owens DK, et al. JAMA. 2018;319(24):2521-2531. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.7498. 6. The Cost of Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, and Associated Fractures in Australia in 2017. Tatangelo G, Watts J, Lim K, et al. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research : The Official Journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. 2019;34(4):616-625. doi:10.1002/jbmr.3640. 7. The Prevalence and Treatment Rate Trends of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women. Zhang X, Wang Z, Zhang D, et al. PloS One. 2023;18(9):e0290289. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0290289. 8. Osteopenia: A Key Target for Fracture Prevention. Reid IR, McClung MR. The Lancet. Diabetes & Endocrinology. 2024;12(11):856-864. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(24)00225-0. 9. Effectiveness and Safety of Treatments to Prevent Fractures in People With Low Bone Mass or Primary Osteoporosis: A Living Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis for the American College of Physicians. Ayers C, Kansagara D, Lazur B, et al. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2023;176(2):182-195. doi:10.7326/M22-0684. Support the show Subscribe to Our Newsletter! Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD & Nicole Aruffo, RN Artwork: Olivia Pawlowski

    40 min
  8. 83: Seasonal Affective Disorder: How to Recognize and What to Do

    NOV 3

    83: Seasonal Affective Disorder: How to Recognize and What to Do

    Send us a message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply. We share a joyful wedding recap and travel bits, then pivot to a clear guide on Seasonal Affective Disorder: what it is, who it affects, why it happens, and the tools that help. Practical and compassionate advice to steady mood, sleep, and energy through winter. • defining Seasonal Affective Disorder and its seasonal pattern • key symptoms including oversleeping and carb cravings • distinguishing normal winter dips from functional impairment • who is at higher risk and why geography matters • biology of light, circadian rhythm, melatonin and serotonin • evidence-based treatments including light therapy, CBT and medication • practical routines for light exposure, activity and social connection • when to seek help and how to prepare for a visit You can email us at your checkuppod@gmail.com You can look at our website to find all of our old episodes References 1. Seasonal Affective Disorder: Common Questions and Answers. Galima SV, Vogel SR, Kowalski AW. American Family Physician. 2020;102(11):668-672. 2. Seasonal affective disorder. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). 3. Seasonal Affective Disorder: An Overview. Magnusson A, Boivin D. Chronobiology International. 2003;20(2):189-207. doi:10.1081/cbi-120019310. 4. Seasonal Affective Disorder: A Clinical Update. Westrin A, Lam RW. Annals of Clinical Psychiatry : Official Journal of the American Academy of Clinical Psychiatrists. 2007 Oct-Dec;19(4):239-46. doi:10.1080/10401230701653476. 5. Seasonal Affective Disorders. Saeed SA, Bruce TJ. American Family Physician. 1998;57(6):1340-6, 1351-2. 6. Seasonal Affective Disorder. Kurlansik SL, Ibay AD. American Family Physician. 2012;86(11):1037-41. 7. Seasonal Sensitivity and Psychiatric Morbidity: Study About Seasonal Affective Disorder. Fonte A, Coutinho B. BMC Psychiatry. 2021;21(1):317. doi:10.1186/s12888-021-03313-z. 8. Melanopsin, Photosensitive Ganglion Cells, and Seasonal Affective Disorder. Roecklein KA, Wong PM, Miller MA, et al. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 2013;37(3):229-39. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.12.009. 9. Role of Serotonin in Seasonal Affective Disorder. Gupta A, Sharma PK, Garg VK, Singh AK, Mondal SC. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. 2013;17(1):49-55. Support the show Subscribe to Our Newsletter! Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD & Nicole Aruffo, RN Artwork: Olivia Pawlowski

    39 min
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About

Ever leave the doctor’s office more confused than when you walked in? Your Checkup: Health Conversations for Motivated Patients is your health ally in a world full of fast appointments and even faster Google searches. Each week, a board certified family medicine physician and a pediatric nurse sit down to answer the questions your doctor didn’t have time to. From understanding diabetes and depression to navigating obesity, high blood pressure, and everyday wellness—we make complex health topics simple, human, and actually useful. Whether you’re managing a condition, supporting a loved one, or just curious about your body, this podcast helps you get smart about your health without needing a medical degree. Because better understanding leads to better care—and you deserve both.

Information

  • Creator
    Ed Delesky, MD and Nicole Aruffo, RN
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    91
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Your Checkup: Health Education Podcast
  • Show Website
    Your Checkup: Health Education Podcast