Ask Doctor Dawn

Dr. Dawn Motyka - JivaMedia.com
Ask Doctor Dawn

An hour of medical questions, answers, debate, dialogue, discussion, & health in the news.

  1. FEB 8

    From New Non-Opiate Pain Medication to COVID Long-Haul Recovery: Exploring Medical Innovations, Disease Prevention, and Treatment Options

    Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 2-06-2025: A live guest in the studio introduces Mom's Meals (momsmeals.com,) a program providing free meal delivery services for qualifying Medicare Advantage and Medi-Cal recipients with various dietary needs. During a lengthy live call, Dr. Dawn provides comprehensive guidance for a patient experiencing recurring COVID infections, discussing treatment options, long-haul symptoms, and recovery strategies. She announces FDA approval of Suzetrigine (Journavx), a novel non-opiate pain medication that works by blocking pain signals in the spinal cord, potentially marking a significant advancement in pain management. Responding to an email, Dr. Dawn provides detailed advice for treating a chronically splitting fingernail, recommending silk wrap treatment as a long-term solution. The show examines research showing omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and exercise can slow biological aging, with participants aging 4 months slower over a 3-year study period. Dr. Dawn discusses concerning new research showing microplastics accumulating in mouse brains, kidneys and liver. She explores the emergence of valley fever (coccidiomycosis) as a climate change-related health threat, explaining how drones and genetic analysis are helping track its spread in California where 97% of cases originate The show explores promising research on oyster hemolymph proteins that may help combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. A live caller follows up with a question about microplastic exposure from CPAP machines, with Dr. Dawn recommending inline bacterial paper-based filters to help capture microplastics and suggesting consultation with doctors about adjusting pressure settings to accommodate the filters.

    54 min
  2. FEB 1

    Testosterone Therapy Safety, Medical Innovations, and Science-Based Ways to Prevent Dementia

    Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-30-2025: Dr. Dawn explores new research on testosterone replacement therapy's cardiovascular safety, explaining benefits for muscle mass maintenance and diabetes prevention in aging men. She addresses caller concerns about probiotics during antibiotic treatment, explaining how dead bacteria can still provide beneficial effects and help prevent complications. The show examines the current challenges facing 23andMe, including data breaches and financial difficulties, with recommendations for users to download and delete their data. Dr. Dawn discusses breakthrough success in pig kidney transplantation, highlighting a patient's remarkable two-month milestone with normal kidney function. She provides a comprehensive overview of scientifically-proven strategies to reduce dementia risk, including diet, exercise, vaccination, and social engagement The show addresses an email question about migraine treatments, discussing medication options including parthenolide and topiramate as alternatives to expensive newer drugs. Dr. Dawn explains the benefits of honey as a sugar substitute, noting that while raw honey offers some nutritional advantages over processed sugar, it still affects blood sugar similarly. She helps a caller investigate mysterious recurring purple discoloration on her nose tip, suggesting possible vascular causes and recommending documentation of episodes. Dr. Dawn explains the use of colloidal silver nasal spray for viral protection, discussing its effectiveness despite limited clinical trials.

    52 min
  3. JAN 25

    Dr. Dawn Discusses Moss Landing Battery Fire Health Risks, Osteoporosis Treatments, and Medical Innovations from Gallstones to Amputee Care

    Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-23-2025: Dr. Dawn announces a recall of Mylan's generic levothyroxine due to quality testing failures, affecting lots expiring in 2025 that don't meet FDA's 5% threshold for stated content. She provides comprehensive guidance on health impacts from the Moss Landing California battery fire, discussing cancer risks, heavy metal exposure, and detoxification methods including testing options and protective measures. The show explores promising research on bisphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis prevention, discussing a study showing one or two doses of Reclast could prevent fractures in post-menopausal women with normal bone density. Dr. Dawn examines innovative research on transplanting foot sole cells to improve prosthetic comfort for amputees, explaining how fibroblast transplantation could create more durable skin surfaces. She discusses alternative treatments for gallstones, particularly focusing on using ursodiol combined with lithotripsy as a potential surgery alternative for high-risk patients. The show addresses listener questions about knee injections for osteoarthritis, explaining cortisone's benefits and discussing vitamin supplementation including vitamins D3 and K2 for bone health. Dr. Dawn provides detailed information to a caller about ischial bursitis treatment, discussing injection techniques and cushioning options for managing tailbone area pain.

    53 min
  4. JAN 18

    From H5N1 Updates to Zombie Parasites: Exploring Viral Mutations, Medical Challenges, and Nature's Mind Control

    Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-16-2025: Dr. Dawn provides a comprehensive analysis of the H5N1 bird flu situation, explaining viral mutations, transmission patterns, and potential risks in both agricultural and human populations. She examines the concerning implications of research showing rapid viral mutations after human transmission and discusses available antiviral treatments. The show addresses concerns about mirror cell research, warning about potential dangers of creating mirror-image microbes that could be unrecognizable to immune systems. She discusses the alarming rise in hypothermia deaths across America, noting how sudden temperature fluctuations and increasing homelessness contribute to doubled mortality rates since 1999. Dr. Dawn provides detailed analysis of an email from a person post-gastric bypass with dangerous blood sugar spikes, outlining potential causes and suggesting comprehensive testing approaches. A caller presents case of dual ureter injury during C-section surgery, Dr. Dawn explores treatment options and complications. She then responds to another caller with recurring toenail fungus, discussing various approaches from traditional medications to alternative remedies. She shares fascinating insights from the book "How to Win Friends and Influence Fungi," exploring parasites that control host behavior, from shrimp-manipulating worms to fungi that turn insects into spore-dispersing zombies.

    51 min
  5. 12/13/2024

    From NSAIDs and Lab Tests to Women's Health Revolution: Deep Diving into Menstruation Research, Hormone Studies, and Natural Remedies

    Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 12-12-2024: Dr. Dawn examines the risks of ibuprofen overuse, discussing how NSAIDs can damage the gut lining, affect kidney function, and lead to various health complications when used long-term. She provides insight into Medicare reimbursement rates for common lab tests, explaining the significant price disparities between Medicare payments and commercial rates. The show explores the current H5N1 bird flu situation affecting egg and dairy production, discussing viral mutations and the promising development of a universal flu vaccine. Dr. Dawn explores the remarkable fact that among placental mammals, only humans, certain bats, elephant shrews, and one species of spiny mouse experience menstruation, leading to challenges in research models. She recounts the fascinating history of menstruation research, from 1940s scientists chasing elephant shrews in South Africa to shipping bats in takeout containers for laboratory studies. The show details modern breakthroughs in menstruation research through organoids and organs-on-chips technology, explaining how these tools are revolutionizing our understanding of women's health. Dr. Dawn addresses perimenopause and hormone replacement therapy, discussing historical misconceptions and current treatment perspectives. The show concludes with research on artemisia, explaining how this traditional herb shows promise in treating polycystic ovary syndrome through its effects on hormone regulation.

4.8
out of 5
110 Ratings

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An hour of medical questions, answers, debate, dialogue, discussion, & health in the news.

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