Merck Manuals Medical Myths MerckManuals.com

Mental health affects every aspect of our lives: how we feel about ourselves and the world; solve problems, cope with stress, and overcome challenges.

Mental health challenges can be difficult to define and address. Dr. Michael B. First joins this episode of the Merck Manuals Medical Myths podcast. Dr. First is a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University and is the editor and co-chair of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision, known as DSM-5-TR.

He joins the podcast to examine the misconceptions surrounding mental health. Dr. First will also highlight how to help you or someone you know who is dealing with a mental health crisis.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, we lose about 50 to 100 strands of hair from our head every day. But some people will experience even more significant hair loss in their lifetimes, which can be a source of anxiety and in some cases, an indicator of more serious medical issues.

On this episode of the Merck Manuals, Wendy S. Levinbook, MD, Hartford Dermatology Associates, breaks down the most common misconceptions about hair loss – along with the facts people should know.

About Merck

For over 130 years, Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world's most challenging diseases in pursuit of our mission to save and improve lives. We demonstrate our commitment to patients and population health by increasing access to health care through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. Today, Merck continues to be at the forefront of research to prevent and treat diseases that threaten people and animals – including cancer, infectious diseases such as HIV and Ebola, and emerging animal diseases – as we aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Kidney stones are becoming more common in recent decades. Today, one in 10 Americans will suffer from one at some point in their lives. Kidney stones are hard masses that form in the urinary tract and may cause pain, bleeding, infection, or block of the flow of urine. Given the extreme pain that often accompanies kidney stones, many people are worried about getting them. That’s led to a lot of myths and misconceptions around kidney stones, what causes them, and how best to prevent them.

In a new editorial on MerckManuals.com, Glenn M. Preminger, MD, Duke University Medical Center, identifies some of the most common myths surrounding kidney stones. He sets the record straight on what patients need to know and how to talk to their doctors about this often-painful medical condition.

In this bonus episode, Dr. Richard Schwab, chief of the Division of Sleep Medicine and professor of Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania discusses dreams. Dr. Schwab explains the nature of dreams as well as other sleep-related phenomena such as nightmares, sleep paralysis, sleepwalking, and lucid dreaming.

In this episode of Merck Manuals Medical Myths, Dr. Richard Schwab, the chief of the Division of Sleep Medicine and professor of Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania discusses the importance of sleep health. Dr. Schwab shares insights on the numerous factors that can affect sleep patterns and tips for getting a good night's rest.

As we approach hot summer days, we are excited to welcome Dr. Diane Birnbaumer, Emeritus Professor of medicine at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, to discuss some myths about heat strokes and staying healthy in extreme temperatures.  

For listeners in the U.S. and Canada, visit MerckManuals.com to learn more. For those outside the U.S. and Canada, visit MSDManuals.com for more information.

0:00 – 0:54 Introduction of Dr. Diane Birnbaumer, Emeritus Professor of medicine at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a senior clinical educator for the Department of Emergency Medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

0:55 – 3:30: Are heatstroke and heat exhaustion the same?

3:31 – 4:35: Ages affected by heat strokes

4:36 – 5:33: Can heatstroke occur at any temperature?

5:34 – 6:27: Warning signs of heatstroke

6:28 – 7:33: Body temperature to characterize heat strokes

7:34 – 8:45: Common signs of heatstroke

8:45 – 9:34: Common signs of heat exhaustion

9:35 – 10:23 Can you suffer from heatstroke if you are hydrated?

10:24 – 11: 45: Steps to cool down

11:46 – 13:27: Techniques used in the ER

13:28 – 15:12: Does having a sunburn affect body temperature?

15:13 – 16:16: Does Advil help to lower body temperatures caused by heat?

16:17 – 17:34 Suffering heat strokes indoors (in places without AC)

17:35 – 19:35: Hypothermia and its effects on the body

19:36 – 21:18: The process of frostbite

21:19 – 22:08: Conditions of frostbite

22:09 – 23:22: Resources to learn more

23:23: Closing