Insight Into Health Podcast

I was joined by Dr. Marci L. Hardy, PhD, MA, who brings experience in, and passion for, patient advocacy. I could think of no one better to walk us through how to make the best use of the time we have with our doctors as we work to improve our physical and overall health.Preview of Marci’s recommendations: * Keep a list of any health concerns and how they are specifically interfering with your daily life, ex:* Pain, mobility challenges, GI disress, sleep difficulties, and more* Come to your appointment prepared with the following so more time can be spent addressing your concerns instead of updating your chart: * Updated list of current medications, supplements, & over the counter medications that you use, even occasionally* Lab results or chart notes from other medical providers* When you arrive to your appointment, hand a list of questions/concerns to the person who brings you to the exam room, which will give your doctor time to familiarize themselves with your goals for the visit* If any new treatments are brought up during your appointment, know that it is acceptable (and should be welcomed) for you to ask:* Pros & cons* Side effects* What will be required from you* If it is covered by insurance* More time to to make a decision* Before you leave the office: * Schedule any follow-up appointments* Request information on any new referrals* See if it is possible to complete any future labs before your next appointment so you can review them with your doctor in person* For any new referrals, being a “polite squeaky wheel” can be effective in getting a sooner appointment. Marci’s protocol for referrals: * Follow up with the referral office 3 business days after the referral was made* If they are not ready to schedule you at that time, ask when you should call back to check in, and then set a reminder to do so* Ask to be added to the waitlist, and occasionally check in to kindly remind them of your motivation to be seen earlier* Express your gratitude for anyone involved in your medical care who was especially helpful - it really goes a long way to supporting quality care for everyone!More about Marci’s work can be found at drmarcihardy.com and @drmarcihardy on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instragram. For more about me, Allison McKeany, check out allisonmckeany.com. Please remember that this information is meant to educate and inspire but is not medical advice - please consult your healthcare team to determine what is most appropriate for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insightintohealth.substack.com

Dr. Ryan Fortna, MD, PhD, is a board-certified pathologist with research experience in the biology of Alzheimer's disease. He joined me to talk about: * What causes Alzheimer’s disease in the brain * The difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia* New blood-based tests for Alzheimer’s disease * Factors that affect one’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease: * Non-modifiable risk factors: age, gender at birth, genetics* Modifiable risk factors: the growing number of lifestyle factors that affect risk* Reversible factors for cognitive changes to evaluate with your doctor* What the new “disease-modifying” medications offer for patients with Alzheimer’s disease* What Dr. Fortna foresees in the next two decades in the area of cognitive health and Alzheimer’s diseaseResources we mentioned: * The Lancet 2024 publication, which supports that up to 45% of dementia cases are preventable* World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines on decreasing the risk of cognitive declineFor more information, I encourage you to check out the 4-part series I published on cognitive health: Part 1: Understanding Cognitive Health & Cognitive DeclinePart 2: Understanding Non-Modifiable Risk of Cognitive DeclinePart 3: Understanding Modifiable Risk of Cognitive DeclinePart 4: Fueling your MINDThanks for being here, ~AllisonRemember that this information is meant to educate and inspire, but is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team to determine what is most appropriate for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insightintohealth.substack.com

Psychologist Dr. Mary Flett joined me to explore these aspects of emotional health:-The difference between emotional health and mental health-The reality that all humans experience a range of emotions and different levels of intensity-Emotional development begins in infancy-As we get into later childhood, an awareness of “self” starts to emerge, which is influenced by culture, family, social cues, and more-Even unpleasant emotions serve a purpose! For example, anger motivates action, disgust encourages avoidance-The value of naming an emotion to separate it from the story we tell ourselves about the emotion-Emotional health is not something that we activate; it is an ongoing experience of curiosity, learning, and growthResources we mentioned:-Terry Real-Brene Brown & her book, Atlas of the Heart-Jonathan HaidtYou can learn more about Dr. Mary Flett at drmaryflett.comI will be with Dr. Mary LIVE in Sonoma at the very first Insight into Health, LIVE! event coming up August 24th, please consider joining us.Thanks for being here,~AllisonSubscribe for free at insightintohealth.substack.com to receive new episodes.Remember that this information is meant to educate and inspire, but is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team to determine what is most appropriate for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insightintohealth.substack.com

Health is more than a number. Your health starts with exploring what that actually means. Today, I introduce a framework that I often use with my patients and clients to explore the motivators behind desired habit change. You can read more about defining health on your terms here.Before jumping into the nutrition, movement, sleep, and connection interventions that can affect health, I highly recommend you take the time to define health for you.Over the next four weeks, I’ll be joined by a different guest to explore a different “bucket” of health:* Physical* Functional* Cognitive* EmotionalInterested in more, and meeting me in person? Consider joining me at my first Insight into Health, LIVE! event coming up August 24th.Thanks for being here,~AllisonSubscribe for free at insightintohealth.substack.com to receive new episodes.Remember that this information is meant to educate and inspire, but is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team to determine what is most appropriate for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insightintohealth.substack.com

I was joined by my brother, Ben Spencer, who is about to start a physical therapy program this fall. We talk about how he came to understand and appreciate the importance of sleep to improve his health and performance while also managing being a full-time student and new dad. Books on sleep: Why We Sleep, Dr. Matt WalkerAt Day’s Close: A History of Nighttime, Roger EkirchThanks for being here,~AllisonSubscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work:Remember that this information is meant to educate and inspire, but is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team to determine what is most appropriate for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insightintohealth.substack.com

If you came to listen in on a conversation, you’ll have to settle with just me this week. Perhaps you can think of it as a monologue that I put together just for you?Today, I give a little more context about the importance of sleep — how sleep happens and how to set yourself up for the best sleep for you.Resources I mentioned:* Insight into Health Framework* Chronotype Quiz* The first article in my series on sleep (subscribe for free to receive upcoming articles)Thanks for being here,~Allisonallisonmckeany.comRemember that this information is meant to educate and inspire, but is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team to determine what is most appropriate for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insightintohealth.substack.com

Listen in on my conversation with Dr. Mary Flett, a clinical psychologist with a lot to share about defining good sleep, handling sleep anxiety, and cutting yourself some slack. For more information on sleep “hygiene,” refer to trusted resources like Dr. Matt Walker’s podcast & book and the National Sleep Foundation. Learn more about Dr. Mary at drmaryflett.com - "No matter who is on the other side of the conversation with me, I offer compassionate honesty, real tools, and an experienced ally who will help you create your own pathway forward as all of us navigate aging in the 21st century.  Consultations available by Zoom or phone."Thanks for being here,~Allisonallisonmckeany.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insightintohealth.substack.com

Hi, and welcome to the first episode of the Insight into Health podcast. Listen in on my conversation with Dr. Larry Burchett, where I try to make him laugh, and he’s “not impressed by that.” Are you tired? Dragging? Just... feel bad?Hear what an experienced emergency medicine physician has to say about improving mood and energy levels, coming from a person who has seen it all. Thanks for being here, ~Allison Learn more about Dr Larry at @DrLarryBurchett on the gram.Learn more about me at allisonmckeany.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insightintohealth.substack.com

Follow Insight into Health to get the latest episodes every Wednesday, as I explore a different area of health and nutrition each month through conversations with colleagues & friends.Coming up:June: Understanding SleepJuly: What Does It Mean to Be Healthy, Anyway?August: Demystifying MetabolismSeptember: Women's HealthOctober: The Ins and Outs of Digestive HealthHosted by Allison McKeany, MS, RD - Registered Dietian working to increase access to health and nutrition information that is accurate, approachable, and actionable. Find more about Allison at allisonmckeany.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit insightintohealth.substack.com