Your Best Life

Learning your child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder can be an overwhelming time for families. When you are looking after a child with autism, there’s some important information you need to know right off the bat. In this episode we're joined by Dr. Sasha Khosravi for a breakdown of everything to help your family thrive after an autism diagnosis.  Dr. Khosravi is the Chief Medical Officer at MercyOne Clive Behavioral Health and Program Director at MercyOne Psychiatry Residency program. Send us your feedback by emailing [email protected], or fill out the submission form at MercyOne.org/podcast Your Best Life – powered by MercyOne  

In this episode we meet Mary Van Heukelom, program director of the nonprofit organization Above + Beyond Cancer.  As part of this work, Mary helps cancer survivors find and achieve a quality of life well beyond their cancer diagnosis.   She considered herself to have a top bill of health when a colonoscopy screening showed a mass in her colon. Because it was detected early, surgery was able to remove her cancer and she has not needed radiation treatments or chemo therapy.   She shares her story with us and why it's important to make time for preventative screenings. Send us your feedback by emailing [email protected], or fill out the submission form at MercyOne.org/podcast Your Best Life – powered by MercyOne  

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Stoecken returns to the podcast to talk about special needs parenting and the importance of being inclusive.   Dr. Stoecken is a pediatrician at MercyOne Grimes Pediatric Care, and is an advocate and guide for children with a diagnosis of Down syndrome. Her daughter Josie was born with Down syndrome in December 2019. "I have been especially fortunate in that I have been able to take many of the tools I have learned to support my own child’s development back to my daily practice to support the development of each of my patients. One of the greatest gifts I have been given is that of empathy," she says.   In society, Dr. Stoecken says there are important things each of us can recognize and strive to improve: Encourage person first language Encourage inclusion Recognize ableism and prejudices and stereotypes we each may carry Be sure to check out our other episode with Dr. Stoecken, where we learn more about Down syndrome and her daughter Josie.  Send us your feedback by emailing [email protected], or fill out the submission form at MercyOne.org/podcast Your Best Life – powered by MercyOne  

Many people "spring forward" this week and turn our clocks ahead one hour to begin daylight saving time.  Some of us need a couple days to adjust when it seems the alarm clock goes off a little earlier than usual! In this episode, sleep expert Dr. Stephen Grant joins us to talk about the importance of maintaining a regular sleep schedule, and the numerous ways your sleep impacts your health, such as: Mood, behavioral health Diet and weight loss Cognitive function  Heart health Diabetes You can find Dr. Grant at MercyOne Clive Sleep Center. Send us your feedback by emailing [email protected], or fill out the submission form at MercyOne.org/podcast Your Best Life – powered by MercyOne  

Colon cancer is the third most common diagnosed cancer in both men and women, according to the American Cancer Society. Colonoscopy screenings are the best preventive action you can take to protect yourself from colon cancer, but the myths surrounding colonoscopies can make you feel uncomfortable with screening. In this episode we're joined by Dr. Mayin Lin at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center to help debunk the myths!! Myth: I don't have symptoms, so I don't need a screening Myth: I'm a woman and less likely to get cancer Myth: I don't have family history so I'm not at risk Myth: The prep is horrible! Myth: A colonoscopy is painful Myth: Colonoscopies are dangerous Myth: It's too embarrassing and uncomfortable Send us your feedback by emailing [email protected], or fill out the submission form at MercyOne.org/podcast Your Best Life – powered by MercyOne  

In this episode we're talking about heart health with Dr. Ramanujam Ramabadran, a cardiologist with Medical Associates Clinic in Dubuque. In addition to some overall heart healthy tips, we learn about transcatheric aortic valve replacement, also called TAVR.   TAVR is a less-invasive approach to aortic valve replacement than open heart surgery. With the TAVR procedure, the physician will make a small incision, usually in your groin.  TAVR is typically associated with a faster recovery and shorter hospital stay than open heart surgery. Send us your feedback by emailing [email protected], or fill out the submission form at MercyOne.org/podcast Your Best Life – powered by MercyOne  

Information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic moves at a rapid pace and Dr. Ravi Vemuri joins the podcast once again to help keep us up to speed. In this episode: What have we learned from the Omicron variant? Why is getting a vaccine booster shot important? Studying what's known as "long covid" When will we get back to normal? Send us your feedback by emailing [email protected], or fill out the submission form at MercyOne.org/podcast Your Best Life – powered by MercyOne  

A week before Christmas in 2019, life-long health care practitioner Maria Steele was introduced to the presence of radon in Iowa. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is tasteless, odorless and colorless. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and national health organizations rank radon as the number one cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. More than 71% of Iowa homes are above EPA exposure guidelines, according to the Iowa Radon Survey.  Maria had no family history of cancer in her family and never smoked. However, a heavy feeling in her chest had her concerned. After heart disease was ruled out, chest imaging detected a mass in her lung later confirmed as lung cancer.  Maria is also sharing her journey on her blog.  Send us your feedback by emailing [email protected], or fill out the submission form at MercyOne.org/podcast Your Best Life – powered by MercyOne  

Este episodio está grabado en español para nuestros amigos de la comunidad Latinx, para hablar sobre la importancia de la atención médica de rutina y su bienestar físico. Nuestro invitado es el Dr. Carlos Alarcon-Schroder de MercyOne Urbandale Family Medicine. Discutimos: Por qué es importante realizar chequeos anuales. ¿Qué es un médico de cabecera y por qué alguien debería establecer una relación con uno.  ¿Existe algún problema de salud que afecte a los miembros de la comunidad Latinx? La pandemia del coronavirus y la importancia de estar vacunado. Envíenos sus comentarios enviando un correo electrónico a [email protected], o complete el formulario de envío en MercyOne.org/podcast. Tu mejor vida: impulsado por MercyOne

We're off into another new year!  You’re ready to live your best life and you’ve made the first step – recognizing your health needs.  So what comes next?  We caught up with Dr. David Ensz from MercyOne South Sioux City Family Medicine for some expert tips to make sure you're setting attainable goals. Focus on your mental health Make sleep a priority Exercise regularly and eat healthy  Build your relationship with your primary care provider Want to hear more?  Check out our past episode "New Year New You" for even more tips from the pros on living Your Best Life! Send us your feedback by emailing [email protected], or fill out the submission form at MercyOne.org/podcast Your Best Life – powered by MercyOne