Sarah Has Questions

Menopause hormone therapy is getting major attention, but there’s still a lot of confusion out there. In this episdoe, we break down the history, the misconceptions, and the science behind HRT with Dr. Amantia Kennedy from WakeMed. The takeaway? It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Timing, individualized care, and understanding your own risk factors are key. Plus, lifestyle matters just as much as the meds themselves. DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action.  Submit questions for future episodes at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahhasquestions/   You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@SarahHasQuestions   TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahhasquestions    

GLP-1 drugs are all the rage right now. Whether you’ve heard them called “miracle weight loss drugs” or revolutionary treatments for diabetes, there’s a whirlwind of speculation and questions surrounding how they work, their safety, possible side effects, and who should consider taking them. Dr. Michael Soboeiro from WakeMed is back with answers to all Sarah's questions. Submit questions for future episodes at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahhasquestions/ You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@SarahHasQuestions TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahhasquestions   DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

This episode dives into the fascinating world of the colon with the help of colorectal surgeon Dr. Brenna Houlihan from WakeMed. We’re covering everything, from how your colon actually works to the latest on screening for colon cancer, the importance of fiber, and whether you should be spending more time with a bidet than a roll of toilet paper. Expect honest answers about Cologuard versus colonoscopy, what your poop says about your health, why more young people are facing colon cancer, and even surprising insights on topics like fecal transplants and the right way to sit on the toilet! Submit questions for future episodes at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahhasquestions/ You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@SarahHasQuestions TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahhasquestions   DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

Sarah King and Dr. Micah Krempasky from WakeMed dive into the changing landscape of mental health, exploring how conversations have shifted from stigma and secrecy to openness and advocacy. Together, they tackle everything from how personal and family experiences shape our understanding of mental illness, to why so many people are struggling to find therapists today. They break down myths, share honest stories, and discuss why mental health exists on a spectrum—just like physical health. You'll also hear insights about the influence of social media, the pitfalls of self-diagnosis, and practical advice on starting tough conversations with friends or checking in with yourself. Submit questions for future episodes at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahhasquestions/ You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@SarahHasQuestions TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahhasquestions DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action.   

In this episode, Sarah King sits down with WakeMed pharmacist Mary Covington Coleman to uncover the crucial role pharmacists play in making sure our medications work together. We break down the real differences between generic and brand-name drugs, why expiration dates truly matter, and why e should always involve our pharmacist before starting any vitamins or supplements.  Submit questions for future episodes at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahhasquestions/ You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@SarahHasQuestions TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahhasquestions DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

We're digging into the confusing and often frustrating world of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). With gastroenterologist Dr. Luis Vazquez from WakeMed as our expert guest, we explore what IBS really is, how it’s diagnosed, and how to tell it apart from other gut conditions like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. Sarah shares her own journey with IBS since the age of 13. From the role of fiber and diet to the mysteries of the gut microbiome, this episode covers the latest science on IBS and why why treatment looks different for each person. 00:00 IBS vs. IBD Symptom Differences 04:09 Red Flags for Digestive Health 08:58 Stress and IBS Connection 09:43 IBS: Nervous System Connection 13:45 Food Allergies and IBS Connection 18:01 Minimizing Medications for IBS Treatment 18:59 FODMAPs and Digestive Pain 24:22 "Living with IBS" Submit questions for future episodes at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahhasquestions/   You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@SarahHasQuestions   TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahhasquestions   DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

Ever wonder how stress truly impacts your mind and body? On this episode of Sarah Has Questions, we dive into cortisol—the so-called stress hormone—with WakeMed family nurse practitioner Crystal Evans. We learn how cortisol regulates your metabolism, sleep, blood pressure, and even that stubborn belly fat. Chronic stress and lack of sleep can throw your hormones way off, but Crystal has some real, actionable ways to manage it. Submit questions for future episodes at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahhasquestions/   You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@SarahHasQuestions   TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahhasquestions DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

We humans are ruled by our hormones. As women, hormonal changes can make us feel like completely different people. It's not just hot flashes and lack of libido, it's EVERYTHING. In this episode Sarah is joined by Dr. Victoria Fashikin Thore from WakeMed to discuss the complex balance of hormones.  They talk about the roles of key hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, and bust some common myths, like whether hormone replacement therapy is really as risky as it once seemed. Plus, they tackle real questions about digestive issues, stress, and why women should never settle for feeling less than their best.  00:00 "Why Hot Flashes Vary" 03:56 "Estrogen's Role in Women's Health" 08:35 "Stress's Impact on Health" 10:30 Estrogen's Role in Vaginal Health 14:46 "HRT Study Misconceptions Explained" 16:15 Breast Cancer Risk and Hormones 19:45 "Thanks and Be Well" Submit questions for future episodes at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahhasquestions/   You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@SarahHasQuestions   TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahhasquestions DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

When should you rush to the ER, and when is urgent care enough? Most of us have faced that question at some point. In this episode, Sarah King talks with WakeMed ER doctor Graham Snyder. The two break down common scenarios—from cuts, fevers, and broken bones, to allergic reactions, animal bites, and sports injuries. They discuss the nuances that determine whether you really need the full arsenal of emergency services or if your situation can be handled in a lower-stress, often quicker setting. Whether it's a child’s high fever, a suspected concussion, or the aftermath of using an EpiPen, Dr. Graham Snyder offers practical guidance to help you decide confidently where to turn in a medical crisis. It's all about knowing when to seek help and understanding what each type of care is equipped to handle. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Is this an ER thing?” you won’t want to miss these answers. Submit questions for future episodes at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.   Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahhasquestions/   You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@SarahHasQuestions   TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahhasquestions DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

Ending all communication with your parents is a tough decision a lot of people are making. Getting to the point of "no contact" comes with anguish on both sides. Dr. Micah Krempasky from WakeMed has advice on what to do before you reach this point, and how to manage life after. Find Dr. Krempasky at wakemed.org. Submit questions for future episodes at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahhasquestions/ You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@SarahHasQuestions TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahhasquestions DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

In this episode, Sarah is joined by Dr. Strahinja Talic, a primary care physician from WakeMed, to tackle the hot topic of fevers. We’ve all had them, our kids have had them, but what really causes a fever? Are we contagious when we have one? How high is too high? From the science behind why our bodies heat up when we’re sick, to the myths and realities about treating fevers in both adults and children, Sarah and Dr. Talic break it all down. Spoiler: protein and fat are your friends during a fever! Submit questions for future episodes at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahhasquestions/   You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@SarahHasQuestions   TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahhasquestions DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action.   

The foods we eat can cause inflammation. Inflammation can lead to chronic disease. Chronic disease can exacerbate inflammation. It's a vicious cycle that's hard to break. Registered Dietician Marissa Robinson shares advice on which foods to eat and what to avoid to prevent inflammation. Find Marissa at wakemed.org. Submit questions for future episodes at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahhasquestions/ You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@SarahHasQuestions TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahhasquestions DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action.   

If you get diagnosed with prediabetes, does that mean you'll eventually be diabetic, or is it your wake-up call to turn things around? According to Dr. Michael Soboeiro from WakeMed by the time you're prediabetic you've probably been dealing with insulin resistance for years. How does this happen? Why does it happen so often. And what can we do about it? Find Dr. Soboeiro at wakemed.org. Submit questions for future episodes at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahhasquestions/ You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@SarahHasQuestions TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahhasquestions DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action.   

Is your body image realistic, or are you fixated on your flaws? For most of us there are things we don't like about our bodies. But what if we changed our perceived body image instead of covering the bits we don't like? Dr. Micah Krempasky has some advice on how we can change our attitudes toward how we look.   Find Dr. Krempasky at wakemed.org. Submit questions for future episodes at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarahhasquestions/ You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@SarahHasQuestions TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahhasquestions DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

Botox isn't just for your face. It's a treatment for migraines, TMJ and even overactive sweating. Sarah King has lots of questions for Dr. Gita Fleischman from wakemed.org. She talks us through Botox and how it works its cosmetic magic on your face, and its many other uses. Connect with Sarah and the show at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

Have you seen at-home, over-the-counter menopause test kits? Sarah took one and compared her results to actual lab tests. Dr. Amantia Kennedy from wakemed.org gives us her expert opinion on whether or not the home test is worth the hype. Connect with Sarah and the show at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.  DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

As estrogen decreases, we see all kinds of changes, including changes to the vagina, labia, libido...the list goes on and on. It all adds up to major changes in how sex feels. The moves that worked forever don't get it done anymore. Sarah talks to Dr. Amantia Kennedy from wakemed.org about what to expect, when to talk to your doctor and what you can do to keep your sex life alive. Connect with Sarah and the show at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.  DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

If you're having a baby and you're 35 or older, congratulations, you are of "advanced maternal age." You're in for a lot more testing at your OB appointments. Dr. Bassam Rimawi from WakeMed discusses advanced maternal age. There are risks, and rewards, but should the label still exist if women are having babies at a later age in general? Connect with Sarah and the show at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

We've all had forgetful moments, but what's the difference in normal cognitive decline and dementia? How do we know if our brains are aging normally? Dr. Michael Soboeiro from WakeMed has some clear info on how to spot the differences and eight things we can all do to keep our brains young. DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action.   

Are people having more casual sex these days, or have apps like Tinder just changed the way people hook up? Either way, sexually transmitted infections are still a thing. In this episode Dr. Jenna Beckham from wakemed.org talks about safe sex practices, and what you should know before you decide to stop using barrier methods. Reach out to Sarah King with your questions at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

Your gut biome is full of bacteria, and that's a good thing! What's living inside your gut makes a huge difference to your overall mental and physical health. In this episode Sarah King talks to Dr. Jiselle Bock who is all in on cultivating a healthy gut biome. Find her at wakemed.org. Send your ideas for future episodes at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

Are you getting enough protein? If your social media alogrithm is like Sarah's, you're seeing it all the time. It seems impossible to eat enough! And just exactly how much are we supposed to get? Marissa Robinson is a certified dietician at WakeMed. She has a calculation to figure out your daily number and advice on how to eat enough. (Yes, there is math in this episode!) Send us your questions at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. Make an appointment with a WakeMed nutritionist at wakemed.org. DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action.   

Two WakeMed OB/GYNs dispel the myths surrounding gynecologist appointments. Do we need pap smears every year? Can a pap smear detect sexually transmitted infection? Does your doctor know when you've had sex the day before your appointment? Sarah King has lots of questions. Send us your questions at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. Make an appointment with WakeMed doctors at wakemed.org. DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action.

"Mental Load" is a relatively new term for an age-old issue. It encompasses all the tasks we have to do, plus all the mental and emotional planning, organizing and scheduling it takes to get everything done. Sarah talks to Dr. Micah Krempasky about ways to balance priorities and unburden yourself. Dr. Krempasky was our guest on an earlier episode about Setting Boundaries. You can find that in season two of this podcast. Learn more about WakeMed's mental health and well-being services at wakemed.org. Send us your questions for future episodes at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

We've talked about pelvic floor issues a lot on this show. The pelvic floor is the bowl of muscles between your hips that holds all your pelvic organs. Weakened pelvic floor muscles can lead to bladder leakage and sexual pain and dysfunction. So what's the solution? Pelvic floor therapy is one option, but what exactly is it? Jenn Harrington is our guest in this episode. She's a pelvic floor physical therapist who shows Sarah what a typical PT visit is like, from assessment to excercises. You can find her at WakeMed.org. Send us your questions and ideas for future episodes at www.wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.

Making the right nutrition choices for yourself isn't easy. There's so much info out there, where do you start? Add social media to the mix and you're probably getting a constant stream of contradicting, too-good-to-be true advice on what to eat and how often. To clear up the confusion, we're talking to an actual registered dietitian, Marissa Robinson, who has some very sensible advice on nutrition. You can find her at WakeMed.org. Send us your questions and ideas for future episodes at www.wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.

The #1 cause of lung cancer is smoking. Even if you stopped years ago, you could still be at risk depending on how much you smoked and for how long. The #2 cause of lung cancer is environmental exposure to radon. Dr. Vickie Fowler, a primary care physician from WakeMed is here to discuss both types of risk and how to know when to get screened. Get more information on WakeMed's online smoking cessation program here. https://www.wakemed.org/care-and-services/quit-with-wakemed-tobacco-cessation-program. Send us your questions and ideas for future episodes at www.wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

We all burp. We all fart. But why? What's going on inside us that makes those gas bubbles form and then demand to be released? Carbonated beverages, gum, lactose and even pork could be making us gassy. Sarah has plenty of questions for Jordan Meaton from WakeMed Gastroenterology. https://www.wakemed.org/wakemed-physician-practices/specialties/gastroenterology This episode is packed with listener questions. Send us your questions for future episodes at www.wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

An attack of kidney stones is enough to drop a strong, healthy person to the ground. Why is the pain so terrible? What causes stones to form? And most importantly, how can we prevent and treat recurrent stones? Dr. Josip Vikina has the answers! We're talking about foods that cause stones, the impact of too much tea, and treatments like lithotripsy, medication and stents. If kidney stones are a recurrent issue for you, check out WakeMed's Kidney Stone Center for treatment. https://www.wakemed.org/wakemed-physician-practices/specialties/urology/kidney-stone-center Send us your ideas for future episodes at www.wralfm/com/sarahhasquestions DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

70-80% of women will develop uterine fibroids! These non-cancerous growths can cause a lot of problems, especially if you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Some people never need treatment, but others experience heavy bleeding and pain. Sarah King has tons of questions about uterine fibroids! Her guest in this episode is Dr. Michael Armstrong from WakeMed. You can find out more about him and WakeMed Women's care at https://www.wakemed.org/care-and-services/womens Send us your episode ideas at www.wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

The symptoms of perimenopause are all-incompassing. Insomnia, brain fog, sore joints, itchy skin, weight gain, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, low libido, UTIs, mood swings... Perimenopause is the time between regular periods and menopause. It's only a phase, right? Maybe, but this "phase" can last for years. Dr. Amantia Kennedy from WakeMed discusses the litany of symptoms and what we can do about them. Find her and other WakeMed Women's doctors at https://www.wakemed.org/care-and-services/womens. Send your questions to us at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.  DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

Getting a mammogram might not be your favorite thing to do, but if you have boobs, it's vital. This life-saving test is one of the best cancer detection tools we have. Adrienne Jackson and Dana Knapp from Wake Med discuss mammograms, dense breast tissue, 3-D images, breast health and what happens if you get called for a "second look."  https://www.wakemed.org/care-and-services/womens/womens-health/breast-cancer-awareness Send us your questions or ideas for future episodes. Go to www.wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

Dry January. Sober October. Mocktails. A lot of drinkers flirt with sober curiousity. Have you ever tried to go alcohol-free for a whole month? Dr. Christopher Thompson from WakeMed discusses how alcohol impacts the body and mind and how being sober for even a month can make a big difference. Dr. Thompson's blog https://www.wakemed.org/blog/drinking-defined-sober-curious-beyond Send your questions to www.wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

When it comes to stroke, BE FAST! That's an acronym to help you learn how to test yourself and others for a possible stroke. Sarah talks with Dr. Chandni Kalaria from WakeMed in Raleigh, NC on the importance of calling 911 quickly and not waiting around, hoping for symptoms to pass. Get in touch with Sarah King at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions Calculate your risk of stroke on WakeMed's website https://tinyurl.com/mrxus4rk DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

Life without healthy boundaries can result in anger, dread or frustration. Setting boundaries is a learned skill and if you’re a people pleaser who doesn’t like to say no, it’s probably a skill you find challenging.  Dr. Micah Krempasky from WakeMed answers Sarah’s questions about boundaries and self-care, including how to start examining your own relationships for triggers that signal your boundaries need some work.  Find Dr. Krempasky at wakemed.org. Send your questions to Sarah at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.  DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

PCOS affects up to 15% of women and is usually diagnosed in the teen years. The hormonal imbalance can be tied to insulin resistance, high triglycerides, metabolic syndrome and an increase in the male hormone, androgen. You can bet Sarah King has a lot of questions about this one! Dr. Darlene Esper from WakeMed covers the causes, symptoms and treatments.  Find Dr. Esper at wakemed.org. Send your questions to Sarah at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.  DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action.   

Most women will get a urinary tract infection (or UTI) at some point. Yes, men can get them too, but they’re more common for women. With the rectum, vagina and urethra in close proximity, there’s bound to be some cross contamination.   So how can we avoid UTIs? Nurse Practitioner Emily Shama Barnes answers Sarah’s questions about causes, symptoms, treatments and whether cranberry juice is a cure all. We also discuss the symptoms of UTIs in older people. They’re not at all the same as for younger people!  Find Emily Shama Barnes (who specializes in urogynecology) at wakemed.org. Send your questions to Sarah at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.  DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action.  

Endometriosis sucks! It affects 10-15% of women and there is no cure. It’s a painful condition where cells from the uterine lining end up outside of the uterus. Those cells can attach to your cervix, bladder, bowel or other organs. And they continue to be affected by your monthly cycles just like regular uterine tissue.   Sarah King talks to Dr. Adam Kansagor, an OB-GYN with Wake Med Health and Hospitals about symptoms, treatments, and why simply getting a diagnosis can be difficult.  Find Dr. Kansagor at wakemed.org. Send your questions to Sarah at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.  DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action.  

WTH is a boric acid vaginal suppository? If you've been down the “female hygiene” aisle at the drug store lately you've probably seen them. And there are hundreds of products out now that claim to tackle vaginal pH balance and reduce odor. Do we really need these things? Are soap and water not enough?  Dr. Victoria Fashakin, an OB-GYN from WakeMed in Raleigh, NC, answers Sarah’s questions on vaginal health. And side note: the whole region includes a lot more than the vagina. Dr. Fashakin walks us through the vulva and why it’s important to call things what they are!  Find Dr. Fashaskin at wakemed.org. Send your questions to Sarah at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.  DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action.  The opinions expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Capitol Broadcasting Company or WakeMed Health and Hospitals.   

We could ask questions about sex and sexual dysfunction all day. We tackled the first round of questions in an episode in season one. Now Dr. Jenna Beckham is back to answer more of Sarah’s questions, including:   What exactly happens during an orgasm?  Is wanting less sex really a dysfunction, or is every human just built different?  Do straight and lesbian women bring up different sexual concerns? What about different generations?  Send your questions to Sarah at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions. Find Dr. Beckham at wakemed.org.  DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

We’ve been conditioned to believe “obesity is an epidemic,” but can a person be healthy AND overweight? Are the old standards of obesity and BMI really applicable when human beings come in all shapes and sizes?  Sarah talks with Dr. Tiffany Lowe Clayton, a bariatrician with WakeMed, about body image, obesity, weight loss and the idea that we can be “healthy at any size.” They also dive into weight loss medication (especially the current fad of semaglutides) and how they work.  Send your questions to Sarah at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions  DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

Plantar fasciitis can take months to resolve. If you’ve ever had it (and 1 in 10 of us will at some point), you know it’s an ordeal. Sarah tackles plantar fasciitis, bunions and bone spurs with Dr. Corey Thompson, an orthopaedic surgeon at WakeMed who specializes in feet and ankles.  Sarah and Dr. Thompson will also assess several types of women’s shoes for stability, comfort and how much strain they put on our feet.   Send your questions to Sarah at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions  DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action.

Pregnancy takes a major toll on the human body. Those nine months are tough enough, and even when it’s over most of us never revert to our pre-baby shapes and sizes.  In this episode Sarah asks totally unfiltered questions about everything from nipples and hair loss to permanent changes in shoe size after having a baby. And you know, we’re gonna talk about pelvic floors...again.  Answering Sarah’s questions is Dr. Jessica Schloesser an OB/Gyn at WakeMed.  Send your questions to Sarah at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions  DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action. 

In North Carolina spring pollen is a situation! Yellow pine pollen blankets everything. And guess what...that's not even the pollen that irritates most of us. It's the pollen we can't see that causes the most trouble.  In this episode Sarah asks totally unfiltered questions about seasonal allergies and how to deal with them.  To answer all her questions is Dr. Gita Fleischman an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor from WakeMed. Send your questions to Sarah at wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is intended to be educational and nothing said by the host or guests should be taken as medical advice. The information presented here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your health is important, and seeking the advice of your own healthcare provider is always the best course of action.

If you have a uterus, menopause is coming for you. But most of us don't really know what to expect. We've heard of hot flashes (heck, I'm fanning myself as I write this) but there are a ton of other symptoms people don't talk about. On this topic, Sarah has even more questions than usual. Her totally unfiltered menopause-related questions include: What's the deal with hot flashes and how can we mitigate them? Why is is so hard to lose weight in menopause? And why am I gaining more weight in different places? Other than not having periods, is there anything to look forward to? What changes are happening to my lady parts? Is this the result of my uterus dying? (Spoiler: no, it's not.) The guest for this episode is Dr. Amantia Kennedy, an OB-GYN from WakeMed who thinks we should all be talking more about our vaginal health! Find out more about her at www.wakemed.org. Send us your questions at www.wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.

People have been having periods since the world began. But where you fall generationally has a great impact on how you talk about it, and what questions you feel comfortable asking. Sarah is a solid Xennial, but she’s asking questions we can all relate too, including: What causes cramps and why are they so bad for teenagers? Besides pregnancy, what are other reasons for skipping periods? WTH is up with…blood clots, toxic shock syndrome, big boobs and upset stomach during your period? Does a super heavy period mean you could have had twins? (SPOILER ALERT: NO, but Dr. Fleischman lets Sarah down easy.) Do we need any special soaps or cleansers?  The guest for this episode is Dr. Anna Fleischman, an OB-GYN from WakeMed who was the fourth doctor (at least) to remind us no one needs to douche! Find out more about her at www.wakemed.org.Send us your questions at www.wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.

One in four Americans has insomia each year. That's a lot of sleepless nights. Sarah is a master sleeper, but with her schedule on morning radio, she gets up super early, and likes a daily nap. Is that a normal sleep pattern? Her totally unfiltered sleep-related questions include: Why is it so hard to go back to sleep after we wake up? What is good "sleep hygiene"? How do depression, stress and anxiety affect sleep patterns? Can a nap be "too long"? Who needs more sleep: babies, teens, adults or seniors? Should our bedrooms be totally dark? When should we see a doctor about those sleepless nights? The guest for this episode is Dr. Nerissa Price, a  psychiatrist from WakeMed who says we should use our bedrooms for two things...sleep and sex! Find out more about her at www.wakemed.org. Send us your questions at www.wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.

We've all heard it before: The signs of heart attack can be different for men and women. So why are men's symptoms considered "typical"? Sarah's totally unflitered questions about women's heart attack symptoms include: What are the signs for women? How can seemingly random symptoms like jaw pain or sweating be related to the heart? What about heartburn and acid reflux? How are those mistaken for heart attack? What role does genetics play in heart health? What causes heart palpatations and is it cause for worry? What can we do to prevent all this mess? The guest for this episode is Dr. Chelsea Ngongang, a cardiologist from WakeMed who is a big fan of getting plenty of water every day (64 oz to be exact). Find out more about her at www.wakemed.org. Send us your questions at www.wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.

Think back to the first thing you learned about sex. Maybe it was misinformation from a friend, or very clinical information from a parent or teacher. Maybe you saw porn when you were a kid (and that image stuck with you forever). Does your first image of sex relate to what you do in the bedroom today? Maybe not... On this topic, you know Sarah has questions. Her totally unfiltered questions on sex include: Should the goal of sex always be orgasm? And what exactly happens to us during an orgasm? How do medicines alter sex drive? Is there a female version of Viagra? What the heck happens in sex therapy? Are STDs still a thing? (Turns out, yes they are!) Does sex without a condom result in vaginal pH imbalance? Can a guy feel your IUD during sex? The guest for this episode is Dr. Jenna Beckham, an OB-GYN from WakeMed who says NO to douches and YES to lube! Find out more about her at www.wakemed.org. Send us your questions at www.wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.

What's the first sound you hear every morning? Perhaps you wake up to chirping birds like Snow White, but if you're like us it's popping ankles and crackling knees. Is all that internal noise normal? Sarah King's totally unfiltered bone and joint questions include: Do men have to worry about bone density loss like women do? How can we maintain bone density? Is milk the cure for all bone and joint problems? What's the #1 thing we can do to prevent arthritis? How much damage does sitting do? The guest for this episode is Dr. Michael Ruffolo, an orthopaedic surgeon from WakeMed who admits his own joints snap, crackle and pop just like everyone else's. Find out more about him at www.wakeortho.com. Send us your questions at www.wralfm.com/sarahhasquestions.