Your Checkup: Patient Education Health Podcast

Ed Delesky, MD and Nicole Aruffo, RN
  • 4.8 (19)
  • 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. 2d ago

    124: You Are Not Your Diagnosis And Here Is Why

    The words you use to describe your health can either pin you down or set you free. We talk about patient-first language and why a small change from “I am” to “I have” can ease shame, reduce stigma, and make room for real problem-solving in both chronic illness and mental health. We share how this shows up in everyday clinic conversations: diabetes versus “a diabetic,” obesity versus “an obese person,” and especially the tricky stuff like anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. When symptoms feel baked into your personality, it’s easy to say “I’m crazy” or “this is just me.” We walk through a reframing that helps you separate your identity from what you’re experiencing, so it becomes you versus the condition, not you as the condition. That distance can make next steps like therapy, coping skills, and medication feel less like a judgment and more like care. We also talk about how mental health can be misunderstood socially, how migraines and processing can collide with fast-paced conversation, and we keep things light with a weekend recap, comfort food, and a reality TV check-in. If you’ve ever struggled to explain what you’re feeling or felt defined by a diagnosis, this one is for you. Subscribe for more patient education conversations, share this with someone who needs a kinder way to talk about their mental health, and leave us a review with the words that have helped you most. Send us a (voice ) message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply. Support the show Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD, DABOM & Nicole Aruffo, RN Artwork Rebrand and Avatars: Vantage Design Works (Vanessa Jones)  Website: https://www.vantagedesignworks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantagedesignworks?igsh=aHRuOW93dmxuOG9m&utm_source=qr Original Artwork Concept: Olivia Pawlowski

  2. Jul 27

    123: Cyclospora Understanding The Outbreaks

    We break down why Cyclospora spikes every summer in the United States and why contaminated fresh produce can cause days to weeks of watery diarrhea. We share what to watch for, what testing to request, and how to lower risk without swearing off fruits and vegetables. • what Cyclospora is and why humans are the only known host • why May through August is peak season due to oocyst maturation • which foods show up most in outbreaks like cilantro and bagged salad mixes • why routine washing and chlorine are not reliable against Cyclospora • how fecal oral spread works and why it is not typically person to person • signature symptoms including explosive watery diarrhea and waxing and waning illness • who is at higher risk for severe disease including immunocompromised patients • why routine stool tests can miss it and the need for specific Cyclospora testing • first-line treatment with TMP-SMX and practical hydration tips • prevention strategies including recalls, cooking produce, and travel precautions Leave us a quick review. You could just give us a quick endorsement. Send us a (voice ) message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply. Support the show Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD, DABOM & Nicole Aruffo, RN Artwork Rebrand and Avatars: Vantage Design Works (Vanessa Jones)  Website: https://www.vantagedesignworks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantagedesignworks?igsh=aHRuOW93dmxuOG9m&utm_source=qr Original Artwork Concept: Olivia Pawlowski

  3. Jul 20

    122: The Philosophy of Taking Medications

    That moment when you stare into your medicine cabinet and think, “How did I end up taking all of these?” is more common than people admit and it’s loaded with meaning. We talk through the hidden emotions behind prescriptions: fear, identity, shame, and the quiet belief that needing medication means you failed. From our seats in primary care and nursing, we offer a calmer, more practical way to look at it: medicines are tools, not trophies, and avoiding them isn’t a badge of honor either.  We break medications into two clear buckets. Some help you feel better right now (pain relief, reflux meds, inhalers, allergy treatments). Others prevent future problems (statins, blood pressure medication, diabetes medication, osteoporosis meds) and the benefit can be almost invisible, which is exactly the point. We use the seatbelt analogy to explain why “not feeling different” can still mean a medication is working, and how to think in probabilities instead of scary absolutes. We also talk about side effects: what’s common, what’s rare, why many are reversible, and why it’s reasonable to ask for time to read and reflect before committing to a daily pill.  Then we get into the messy realities: supplements with slick marketing, direct-to-consumer drug ads, influencers, and even credentialed voices making claims without evidence. We explain why polypharmacy (often five or more meds) can create dizziness, falls, confusion, and mystery symptoms, and why deprescribing can be one of the best things a primary care clinician does. We also draw a bright line around higher-risk tools like opioids and benzodiazepines, when short-term use makes sense, and why opioids and benzos should never be taken together.  If you want a smarter, less anxious framework for your next medication conversation, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend who’s overwhelmed by their med list, and leave a review so more patients can find it. Send us a (voice ) message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply. Support the show Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD, DABOM & Nicole Aruffo, RN Artwork Rebrand and Avatars: Vantage Design Works (Vanessa Jones)  Website: https://www.vantagedesignworks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantagedesignworks?igsh=aHRuOW93dmxuOG9m&utm_source=qr Original Artwork Concept: Olivia Pawlowski

  4. Jul 13

    121: How Skin Cancer Starts: The Biology of Your Health Explained

    Sunlight feels harmless until you zoom in far enough to see what it’s doing inside a single skin cell. Today we follow that path, from UVA and UVB radiation to DNA damage, then through the built-in systems your body uses to prevent skin cancer in the first place. We keep it plainspoken but accurate, because understanding the biology makes the prevention advice feel a lot less like nagging and a lot more like control. We talk about melanin and why tanning is a defense response, not a health goal, plus the difference between DNA damage and a permanent mutation. Then we meet one of the most important safety players in the story: P53, the protein that can pause cell division for repairs or trigger apoptosis when a cell is too damaged to keep. We also explain why sunburn pain and peeling are signs of real cellular injury, not just a temporary cosmetic annoyance. From there, we compare basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma, including why melanoma depth is such a big deal for spread and survival. We cover why most moles never become cancer, what changes are worth acting on, and how to use the ABCDE method and the ugly duckling sign. We also address a persistent myth directly: skin cancer can occur in every skin color, and it may show up in different places like palms, soles, and under nails. We’re Ed Delesky, a family medicine doctor, and Nicola Aruffo, a nurse, and we want you to leave with a practical plan: reduce future UV exposure, know what’s normal for your skin, and get help when something evolves. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who lives for “just one more hour in the sun,” and leave a review so more people can find the show. Send us a (voice ) message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply. Support the show Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD, DABOM & Nicole Aruffo, RN Artwork Rebrand and Avatars: Vantage Design Works (Vanessa Jones)  Website: https://www.vantagedesignworks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantagedesignworks?igsh=aHRuOW93dmxuOG9m&utm_source=qr Original Artwork Concept: Olivia Pawlowski

  5. Jul 6

    120: Can Lifting Weights Help Prevent a Heart Attack?

    Cardio has been the default prescription for heart health for decades, but a growing body of evidence suggests we’ve been overlooking a major protective tool: strength training. We dig into a large, long-running research dataset that followed more than 117,000 women for nearly 15 years and found a powerful link between resistance training and lower heart attack risk. The number that stops people in their tracks: at least two hours of weekly strength training was associated with a dramatically lower risk of heart attack, with meaningful reductions in major cardiovascular events too. We also slow down and explain what those results do and don’t mean. Because the study is observational, it can’t prove that lifting weights directly prevents heart attacks. So we talk through why associations can still be useful, what “dose dependent” patterns add to the story, and how lifestyle factors like sleep, nutrition, and smoking can blur the picture. Then we connect the dots on plausible mechanisms, including better blood pressure control, improved insulin sensitivity, healthier body composition, less visceral fat, and protection against age-related muscle loss and declining function. If lifting feels intimidating, we make it practical. You don’t need to live in the gym or become a powerlifter to get benefits. We share an achievable weekly target (think 90 to 120 minutes), simple ways to start with dumbbells, resistance bands, machines, or bodyweight movements, and why pairing strength training with aerobic exercise may be the best overall approach for cardiovascular disease prevention. If this helped you rethink your workout plan, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one strength move you could start this week? Study Citation: Zhang, T, Zhang, Y, Lee, D. et al. Resistance Training, Aerobic Activity, Television Viewing, and Risk of Major Cardiovascular Events in U.S. Women. JACC. null2026, 0 (0) . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2026.04.036 Send us a (voice ) message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply. Support the show Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD, DABOM & Nicole Aruffo, RN Artwork Rebrand and Avatars: Vantage Design Works (Vanessa Jones)  Website: https://www.vantagedesignworks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantagedesignworks?igsh=aHRuOW93dmxuOG9m&utm_source=qr Original Artwork Concept: Olivia Pawlowski

  6. Jun 29

    119: Can Medicare Finally Cover Weight Loss Meds? Understanding the New GLP-1 Bridge Program

    We break down Medicare’s brand-new GLP-1 Bridge Program and explain why headlines are both true and incomplete. We lay out the real eligibility rules, the $50 copay promise, and the smarter questions to ask so you and your clinician can find the right coverage pathway.  • why Medicare historically excludes weight loss medications and what changed with modern obesity medicine  • what the GLP-1 Bridge Program is designed to do and why it is not universal coverage  • the $50 copay detail and why office visits labs and deductibles can still affect total cost  • who does not qualify because another Medicare Part D pathway may already apply  • the three eligibility “doors” based on BMI and specific risk conditions  • which GLP-1 medications are included at the time of recording and the planned program timeline  • how to prepare for an appointment and the exact phrasing that helps your clinician pick the right route  • why checking CMS and staying current matters as rules evolve  You can send us an email, you can find us on Threads, follow us on Instagram, or leave us some fan mail. Send us a (voice ) message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply. Support the show Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD, DABOM & Nicole Aruffo, RN Artwork Rebrand and Avatars: Vantage Design Works (Vanessa Jones)  Website: https://www.vantagedesignworks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantagedesignworks?igsh=aHRuOW93dmxuOG9m&utm_source=qr Original Artwork Concept: Olivia Pawlowski

  7. Jun 22

    118: When Should You Consider an Antidepressant?

    The hardest part about antidepressants is often not the pill, it is the question you ask yourself before you ever bring it up: “Is this serious enough?” We think that question keeps too many people stuck. We are Ed Delesky (family medicine doctor) and Nicole Aruffo (nurse), and we walk through a clearer test: is depression or anxiety affecting your ability to live your life the way you want to live it? We unpack the stigma that makes mental health feel different from every other medical problem, even though it lives in the brain like anything else. We use simple, patient-friendly analogies to explain how antidepressants work: a dimmer switch turned back up, or glasses that help you see more clearly. We also cover the practical signals we look for in primary care when deciding whether it is time to consider medication for depression or anxiety: symptoms lasting weeks to months, daily function taking a hit, sleep and motivation sliding, and foundational steps like therapy, movement, and sleep support not being enough on their own. We also demystify what starting an SSRI or SNRI can feel like, including why these medications usually take six to eight weeks to show real benefits and why a subtle improvement can still be life-changing. If you worry about dependence, personality changes, or taking something forever, we address those fears directly and talk about how many people use antidepressants for a season, not a lifetime. If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find care that actually works. Send us a (voice ) message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply. Support the show Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD, DABOM & Nicole Aruffo, RN Artwork Rebrand and Avatars: Vantage Design Works (Vanessa Jones)  Website: https://www.vantagedesignworks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantagedesignworks?igsh=aHRuOW93dmxuOG9m&utm_source=qr Original Artwork Concept: Olivia Pawlowski

  8. Jun 15

    117: Migraine Explained: Triggers, Treatment, and When to Worry for Patients

    We break down migraines as a neurologic condition with a real brain-based chain reaction, not a character flaw or a one-off “bad headache.” We share practical prevention habits, how to track triggers, and how acute and preventive migraine medications fit together so you can walk into your next visit prepared.  • what makes a migraine different from other headache types  • common and less common migraine presentations including aura and scary look-alikes  • the five-step migraine chain reaction including CGRP and pain amplification  • high-yield triggers like stress, sleep changes, skipped meals, hormones, smells, and weather shifts  • consistency as the core prevention theme across sleep, exercise, eating, and stress  • migraine diary basics to identify patterns and improve your neurologist visit  • when headaches warrant a call to a clinician and what red flags to take seriously  • acute treatment options including OTC meds, triptans, CGRP blockers, and anti-nausea meds  • medication overuse headache risk when acute meds are used too often  • preventive options including beta blockers, anti-seizure meds, antidepressants, and Botox  You can find us on Threads, you could send us an email, or you can send us some fan mail. We still have that voice-based fan mail still waiting for that first fateful one.  Send us a (voice ) message with this link, we would love to hear from you. Standard message rates may apply. Support the show Production and Content: Edward Delesky, MD, DABOM & Nicole Aruffo, RN Artwork Rebrand and Avatars: Vantage Design Works (Vanessa Jones)  Website: https://www.vantagedesignworks.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantagedesignworks?igsh=aHRuOW93dmxuOG9m&utm_source=qr Original Artwork Concept: Olivia Pawlowski

See All (125)

4.8
out of 5
19 Ratings

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