Your Health, Your Wealth

Dr. Eddie Patton
  • 5.0 (7)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY
Your Health, Your Wealth

In Your Health, Your Wealth, renowned neurologist Dr. Eddie Patton exposes the hidden forces driving up medical costs for millions of Americans. From the fragmented healthcare infrastructure to hospital billing practices and pharmaceutical pricing, Dr. Patton provides an exhaustive examination of why the U.S. spends significantly more on healthcare than other nations. "The US healthcare system emphasizes autonomy and choice for patients,” said Dr. Patton during episode one. "Accessibility is a key term that will be important in healthcare as we move forward."  Dr. Eddie Patton is a recipient of Texas Monthly Magazine's SuperDoctors®, Houstonia Magazine's Top Doctors awards, and was appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas Council on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders. These accolades, along with his decades of experience, make him the ideal host for a podcast like this. The podcast is a must-listen for anyone grappling with skyrocketing premiums, outrageous medical bills, or lack of access to quality care. Dr. Patton encourages listeners to "Increase your mindset, health set, and heart set as it pertains to your health and the healthcare system.”

  1. 3D AGO

    Understanding Myasthenia Gravis: Symptoms, Causes, and Modern Treatments

    What would you do if you started to feel weaker as the day went on, or if your eyelids wouldn’t stay open? Myasthenia gravis is a condition that often gets overlooked or misunderstood.  Today, I’ll cover the following: How myasthenia gravis affects the body and who it touches Why early diagnosis and the right treatment can make a difference Which new therapies are changing the way we care for people with this disease Schedule an appointment HERE. Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.  Key Takeaways 1. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the junction between nerves and muscles, causing muscle weakness. This is primarily due to antibodies that interfere with communication at the neuromuscular junction, most commonly targeting the acetylcholine receptor. 2. The initially subtle signs of MG, such as drooping eyelids (ptosis), double vision, and generalized fatiguable muscle weakness, can progress to serious symptoms like difficulty breathing and swallowing. Recognizing these patterns, especially worsening throughout the day, is crucial for early diagnosis. 3. MG can present in ocular or generalized forms. It often affects women in their 20s-30s and men in their 60s-70s, but can occur at any age. Diagnosing involves determining antibody status (antibody positive or negative), as this influences treatment choices. 4. Treatment has evolved from basic acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and steroids to more targeted and innovative therapies. New options such as complement inhibitors and FCRN inhibitors allow for better disease control and fewer side effects, drastically improving patient outcomes and quality of life. 5. Education about MG is vital to avoid triggers (like certain medications, infections, or heat) and to ensure proper management. Patients should work closely with specialists, be aware of resources, and stay vigilant about symptoms to prevent crises and maximize treatment benefits. Timestamped Overview 00:00 Understanding Myasthenia Gravis 06:28 Decline in Myasthenic Crisis Hospitalizations 08:37 Antibody Status and Muscle Weakness 10:55 Complement System and Muscle Junctions 16:59 Myasthenia Gravis Treatment Approaches 19:01 Complement Inhibitors: Myasthenia Gravis Treatment 22:14 Advancements in Myasthenia Gravis Treatment See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    24 min

  2. JUN 23

    Understanding Teen Brain Development: Why Adolescents Think Differently

    How do you talk with a teenager when it feels like you’re speaking different languages?  I started looking into brain development for my own kids—my oldest is seventeen—and what I learned changed how I see every decision they make.  Today, I’ll share: Why adolescent and teen brains work differently than adult brains What science tells us about impulse control, emotions, and risk How parents and teachers can better support young people’s development Schedule an appointment HERE. Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.  Key Takeaways 1. The brain is not a static organ—it continues to grow, adapt, and change throughout a person’s life due to neuroplasticity. This means that choices, environment, and experiences have ongoing impacts on brain development, especially during adolescence. 2. Adolescents’ brains are fundamentally different from adults’. The emotional centers (like the amygdala) develop before the logical “check” systems in the prefrontal cortex, which don’t fully mature until the mid-20s. This underlies the common emotionality, impulsiveness, and risk-taking behaviors seen in teenagers. 3. Factors such as sleep, nutrition, social environment, stress, and exposure to substances (like drugs or alcohol) deeply affect the developing adolescent brain. Supportive, healthy environments and routines are critical to positive brain growth during these years. 4. Teenagers are more emotionally driven and seek social acceptance and peer connections, making them more sensitive to social dynamics, peer pressure, and emotional highs and lows. This can increase vulnerability to mental health issues, especially in stressful or isolated environments. 5. Understanding the science behind adolescent brain development can help parents, teachers, and others respond with patience and empathy, rather than frustration. Supporting healthy independence, encouraging open communication, and nurturing positive experiences can foster better decisions and well-being in teens. Timestamped Overview 00:00 Understanding Adolescent Brain Development 05:09 Why Teens React Emotionally 07:37 Memory Influenced by Emotion 10:08 Deciding When Kids Get Phones 13:54 Phineas Gage's Frontal Lobe Impact 20:01 Teen Phone Dependency and Mental Health 24:16 Adolescent Brain Development Insights 25:37 Protecting Brain Health from Substances See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    27 min

  3. JUN 9

    The Science Behind Metabolic Health and Sugar-Free Chocolate

    How does someone go from researching cancer and gene therapy to making chocolate for people with metabolic challenges? Dr. Patton hosts Dr. Beata Lerman, Founder and CEO of Sinless Treats Chocolate, who details her transition from scientist to chocolatier. Dr. Lerman recounts her early career in biomedical research, her experience as a cancer survivor, and her decision to eliminate sugar from her diet. She discusses the creation of Sinless Treats, a chocolate line designed not to raise blood sugar, using natural sweeteners and whole ingredients. Chocolate production starts from cacao beans sourced directly from farmers. The process includes grinding, sweetener infusion, and the addition of ingredients such as broccoli microgreens for added nutrients. Glucose monitor tests show the chocolate does not spike blood sugar, and Dr. Lerman invites listeners to participate in upcoming research.  Learn more about Sinless Treats Chocolate here, follow them on Instagram, and listen to Dr. Lerman's podcast Heal Me with Chocolate on your favorite podcast app. Learn more about Dr. Eddie Patton HERE. Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min

  4. MAY 26

    How Preventive Care Can Reduce Emergency Room Visits and Insurance Premiums

    Why do so many of us wait until we are sick to see a doctor, when prevention could change our lives and lower our costs?  In this episode, Dr. Patton explores: 1. The reasons we miss the mark on preventative care 2. The real impact of skipping screenings and checkups 3. What stands in the way, and how we can help fix it Learn more about Dr. Eddie Patton HERE. Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.  Key Takeaways 1. Preventative care, such as vaccinations, screenings, and regular checkups, is crucial for improving quality of life and reducing healthcare costs. Addressing health issues early or preventing them altogether is far more effective and less expensive than treating advanced diseases.  2. Failing to prioritize preventative care leads to higher healthcare expenditures, the financial and emotional burden on families, and overcrowded emergency rooms. Treating chronic and late-stage illnesses is far more costly than preventive measures. 3. Multiple barriers, including inadequate reimbursement incentives for doctors, healthcare access issues in rural or underserved communities, cultural mindsets favoring reactive care, and logistical challenges (like transportation and food deserts), make it difficult for many people to prioritize prevention. 4. Shifting to a culture of health prevention requires early and ongoing education, embracing workplace wellness programs, using technology (like wearables), and policy changes to improve access and reimbursement for preventative care. 5. Individuals can contribute by scheduling regular health checkups, following screening guidelines, and engaging in community health programs. Communities, employers, and policymakers need to promote and support preventative care through incentives, improved access, and education. Timestamped Overview 00:00 Preventative Care's Impact on Costs 03:56 Preventive Care Savings vs. Costs 08:25 Preventive Care to Cut ER Costs 12:41 Shift to Preventative Healthcare Mindset 16:05 Promoting Workplace Wellness Initiatives 18:53 Promoting Preventative Healthcare Practices 22:11 Improving Preventative Care Access See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 min

  5. MAY 12

    A Patient’s Guide to Shared Decision Making in Medicine

    Are you ever unsure if you’re on the right medication or getting the best treatment for your diagnosis? Dr. Patton sees patients every day who have questions like: 1. How do you talk to your doctor about your treatment goals? 2. What do you need to know about new drugs, side effects, and costs? 3. How does shared decision making change the way we choose medical care? Explore these questions and more, and talk about what it means to create a plan that really fits you.  Learn more about Dr. Eddie Patton HERE. Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.  Key Takeaways 1. The growing complexity of medical treatments, especially with new pharmaceuticals and therapies, can be overwhelming for patients. Navigating these options successfully requires open communication and collaboration between patients and their doctors to ensure the chosen treatment aligns with personal health goals and circumstances. 2. Moving away from a paternalistic model, the shared decision-making approach empowers patients to take an active role in their healthcare. By working with their doctors, patients are better able to choose treatments based on their values, lifestyle, concerns about side effects, and financial considerations—ultimately leading to improved adherence and outcomes. 3. Managing multiple medications and specialists can be complicated. Having a primary care physician or someone to oversee all treatments ensures medication interactions are monitored and therapies remain streamlined—reducing the risk of errors, unnecessary drugs, or conflicting treatments. 4. Financial pressures are a significant factor in determining the “right” treatment for each individual. Insurance coverage, medication costs, and access issues can influence decision-making and often require doctors and patients to be strategic or creative in finding viable, effective therapies. 5. While drug advertisements can raise awareness and foster important conversations between patients and doctors, they can also create unrealistic expectations or inappropriate demand for certain medications. Doctors and patients must critically assess advertised treatments to ensure decisions are tailored and evidence-based, not just marketing-driven. Timestamped Overview 00:00 Optimizing Patient-Doctor Collaboration 03:38 Preparing for Biologic Treatment Decisions 09:09 Shared Decision-Making Benefits Compliance 10:21 Evolving Multiple Sclerosis Treatments 16:08 Missed Medication Leads to Hospitalization 18:58 Direct-to-Consumer Drug Marketing Benefits 21:30 Strengthening Patient-Doctor Relationships 23:59 Early High Efficacy Treatment Approach 27:14 Evaluating Treatment Approaches See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min

  6. APR 28

    Advocating for Better Cancer Screening and Clinical Trials for People of Color

    Why do health inequities in breast cancer persist so stubbornly for Black and Brown women? Laura Crandon's personal battle with misdiagnosed breast cancer inspired her to found Touch 4 Life, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and demanding equity in breast and prostate cancer care. Despite a background as a healthcare executive, she faced gaps in testing and treatment that are all too common in underserved communities. Her advocacy now empowers others to ask the right questions and push for change. Key Takeaways 1. Laura highlights the stark disparities in breast cancer detection, treatment, and survivorship that affect Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. Black and brown women die at a 41% higher rate from breast cancer than their white counterparts, largely due to systemic issues in healthcare access, awareness, and inclusion in research and clinical practices. 2. Not all breast cancers are alike, and understanding the specific type via biomarker testing is critical for effective, targeted treatment. Many women of color do not receive these advanced tests, missing out on life-saving precision medicine. Laura’s own survival was linked to receiving biomarker testing and access to clinical trials. 3. Laura discusses how BIPOC populations are significantly underrepresented in clinical research, resulting in medical guidelines and AI-driven healthcare being based on data that does not reflect these communities. Without their inclusion in trials and data banks, future advances may leave them further behind. Participation in clinical trials and donation of tissue or data is essential for health equity. 4. Patients must be empowered to advocate for themselves, understand their rights, and insist on comprehensive care, including second opinions and proper team-based healthcare. Laura draws from her healthcare executive experience to stress the importance of not accepting sub-par care and encourages education, advocacy, and direct involvement in shaping healthcare policy and research standards. 5. Touch for Life addresses systemic inequities with a multi-pronged strategy: education, advocacy, research, collaboration with industry, and community engagement. They provide resources, training, and create accountability for industry and policymakers. The organization seeks to ensure that every member of the community, regardless of geography, has access to life-saving information, testing, and support. Learn more about Touch 4 Life HERE. Learn more about Dr. Eddie Patton HERE. Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.  Timestamped Overview 00:00 Breast Health Awareness Advocate Laura Crandon 05:13 Excluded from Data and Guidelines 08:21 The Importance of Second Opinions 12:00 Inherited Genetic Risks 14:41 Advancing Health Equity in Oncology 17:39 Advocating for Clinical Trial Participation 21:05 Inclusive Clinical Research Advocacy 23:00 Medication Side Effect Miscommunication 26:34 Empowering Voices for Policy Change 32:16 Importance of Family Medical History 34:26 Black Boots, Black Roots Party See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    36 min

  7. APR 14

    Understanding Prior Authorizations and Other Forms of Utilization Management, and How Delays in Healthcare Impact Both Patients and Doctors

    What drives a healthcare system to impose hurdles on both patients and physicians? The complexities of utilization management and prior authorization, as explained by Dr. David Charles, exemplify a major interference in healthcare delivery. These processes, intended to reduce costs, often result in frustrating and anxiety-inducing delays in care. This burden contributes to patient dissatisfaction and physician burnout. Learn more about Dr. Eddie Patton HERE. Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.  Key Takeaways 1. These processes are designed to manage healthcare costs but often lead to delays in patient care. Prior authorization can cause frustration and anxiety for both patients and physicians, as it involves waiting for insurance companies to approve necessary treatments or tests. 2. Also known as the "fail first" approach, step therapy requires patients to try less expensive treatments before moving on to what their doctor initially prescribed. While intended to control costs, this can be harmful, especially for conditions where failing initial treatments can lead to irreversible damage. 3. This practice involves insurance companies pushing patients to switch to different medications for cost-saving reasons, which can interfere with treatment efficacy and patient-doctor trust. It adds frustration and administrative burdens to doctors, impacting patient care. 4. The administrative hurdles stemming from these insurance processes contribute to physician burnout. Neurologists, in particular, experience high burnout rates, which poses a significant issue given the neurologist shortage amidst a rising population with neurodegenerative conditions. 5. The organization advocates for patient-centered care and equips physicians to better advocate for their patients. This involves pushing back against insurance imposed barriers to ensure patients receive the necessary treatments without undue delays. Timestamped Overview 00:00 Healthcare Delays: Utilization Management Issues 04:26 Prior Authorization Frustrations 08:24 Impact of Increased Prior Authorization 12:36 Navigating Step Therapy Challenges 14:39 Flawed Step Therapy in Insurance 18:14 Challenges in Chronic Condition Management 20:16 Generic Drugs and Epilepsy Risks 25:31 Medication Cost Influences Patient Choice 29:19 Patient Advocacy Training and Access 30:33 Improving Physician Advocacy Skills See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min

  8. MAR 24

    How AI is Revolutionizing Healthcare Diagnostics and Treatment

    How is artificial intelligence reshaping the landscape of healthcare? Dr. Patton explores AI's role in enhancing diagnosis, treatment, and patient care management. AI-driven technology assists in early disease detection, efficient drug development, and personalized treatment plans. Despite challenges and ethical concerns, AI's potential in healthcare is profound and transformative. Learn more about Dr. Eddie Patton HERE. Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.  Key Takeaways AI in Diagnostics and Treatment: Takeaway: AI is enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of diagnoses and treatments by analyzing vast amounts of data to detect diseases early and with greater precision. It's not about replacing clinicians but augmenting their capabilities for better patient outcomes. Personalized Treatment Plans: Takeaway: AI allows for the creation of personalized treatment plans by analyzing genetics, treatment history, and lifestyle factors. This leads to more effective and tailored healthcare, minimizing side effects and improving patient compliance. AI in Drug Discovery and Development: Takeaway: AI accelerates drug development by predicting drug interactions and reducing trial and error in testing, potentially decreasing development time and costs, which could lead to lower drug prices and faster availability of new medications. Wearable Technology and Remote Monitoring: Takeaway: Wearables, powered by AI, enable continuous patient monitoring beyond clinical visits, which helps in managing chronic conditions and potentially reduces hospital readmissions and emergency room visits. Healthcare Administration and Efficiency: Takeaway: AI streamlines administrative tasks in healthcare, reducing burnout among providers and improving operational efficiency. This allows clinicians to focus more on patient care while decreasing errors and enhancing patient experience. Timestamped Overview 00:00 AI-Augmented Diagnostics in Medicine 06:43 AI Revolutionizing Personalized Healthcare 09:41 AI Revolutionizing Drug Development and Care 12:41 Wearable AI for Health Monitoring 18:05 AI in Mental Health and Predictive Care 23:03 AI Enhances Medical Administration Efficiency 25:14 AI Enhances Hospital Efficiency 29:49 AI Healthcare: Benefits and Ethics See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min
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5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

In Your Health, Your Wealth, renowned neurologist Dr. Eddie Patton exposes the hidden forces driving up medical costs for millions of Americans. From the fragmented healthcare infrastructure to hospital billing practices and pharmaceutical pricing, Dr. Patton provides an exhaustive examination of why the U.S. spends significantly more on healthcare than other nations. "The US healthcare system emphasizes autonomy and choice for patients,” said Dr. Patton during episode one. "Accessibility is a key term that will be important in healthcare as we move forward."  Dr. Eddie Patton is a recipient of Texas Monthly Magazine's SuperDoctors®, Houstonia Magazine's Top Doctors awards, and was appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to the Texas Council on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders. These accolades, along with his decades of experience, make him the ideal host for a podcast like this. The podcast is a must-listen for anyone grappling with skyrocketing premiums, outrageous medical bills, or lack of access to quality care. Dr. Patton encourages listeners to "Increase your mindset, health set, and heart set as it pertains to your health and the healthcare system.”

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