Episode 4: Parkinson's Disease Explained: Early Signs, Treatment Options, and Prevention

Episode 4: Parkinson's Disease Explained: Early Signs, Treatment Options, and Prevention

Listen to This Episode In this episode of The 518 Thrives Healthcast, Dr. Disha Spath, internal medicine physician and founder of Thrive Direct Primary Care, sits down with Dr. Kathrin LaFaver, a neurologist with expertise in movement disorders and Parkinson's care. Parkinson's disease affects millions of families, but it is still widely misunderstood. Many people think Parkinson's is only about tremors, but it can also affect movement, handwriting, smell, digestion, mood, sleep, blood pressure, and quality of life. If you or someone you love has noticed a new tremor, slower movement, smaller handwriting, loss of smell, constipation, or changes in walking or balance, this episode gives a clear and practical explanation of what may be happening and when to seek medical guidance. What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why Parkinson's disease is more than just a tremor * What early Parkinson's symptoms can look like * How Parkinson's disease is diagnosed * The difference between Parkinson's tremor and essential tremor * Why delaying Parkinson's treatment is not always the right approach * How levodopa and other medications help with Parkinson's symptoms * Why exercise, physical therapy, and speech therapy are so important * How environmental toxins and pesticides may affect Parkinson's risk * What new treatments and breakthroughs are being studied * How people in the Capital Region can find Parkinson's support Resources: * Dr. Kathrin LaFaver on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrin-lafaver-md-faan-66ba143b] * Michael J. Fox Foundation [https://www.michaeljfox.org/] * Parkinson's Foundation [https://www.parkinson.org/] * The Parkinson's Plan by Dr. Ray Dorsey and Dr. Michael Okun [https://pdplan.org/] * HelpForPD.org [https://www.helpforpd.org/] * Thrive Direct Primary Care [https://www.thriveconciergecare.com] * Follow: @518ThriveHealth [https://www.instagram.com/518ThriveHealth] Hosted by: Dr. Disha Spath, MD, FACP — Internal Medicine Physician & Founder, Thrive Direct Primary Care, Latham, NY Guest: Dr. Kathrin LaFaver — Neurologist with expertise in movement disorders and Parkinson's care

Episode 3: Direct Primary Care Explained: Why Healthcare Feels Broken — And What We Can Do About It

Listen to This Episode In this episode of The 518 Thrives Healthcast, Dr. Disha Spath — internal medicine physician, Direct Primary Care doctor, and founder of Thrive Direct Primary Care in Latham, NY — sits down with her husband Josh Spath for a candid, relatable conversation about what's really happening inside today's healthcare system. If you've ever felt rushed at a doctor's appointment, struggled to get a same-day visit, or received a surprise medical bill, this episode will help you understand why — and what a better model of care actually looks like. What You'll Learn in This Episode * Why today's healthcare system leaves patients feeling rushed and unheard — and why doctors feel burned out * What Direct Primary Care (DPC) is and how it's different from traditional insurance-based medicine * The biggest primary care access gaps facing families in Albany, Latham, and the Capital Region * How a simple monthly membership can give you direct access to your physician * What the future of healthcare could look like — transparent, affordable, and relationship-centered Resources: * Thrive Direct Primary Care [https://www.thriveconciergecare.com] * Follow: @518ThriveHealth [https://www.instagram.com/518ThriveHealth] Hosted by: Josh Spath, Husband, IT guru, Co-host of 518 Thrives Guest: Dr. Disha Spath, MD, FACP — Internal Medicine Physician & Founder, Thrive Direct Primary Care, Latham, NY

Episode 2: ACL Tear from Skiing? What Active Adults in the Capital Region Need to Know About Knee Injuries & Recovery

In this episode of The 518 Thrives Healthcast, Dr. Disha Spath is joined by a leading orthopedic sports medicine specialist to break down ACL tears and meniscus tears — two of the most common knee injuries, especially during skiing and winter sports. Learn the key ACL injury symptoms, how to tell the difference between an ACL vs meniscus tear, and what happens inside the knee during injury. The episode also covers when to seek care, whether surgery is necessary, and what to expect from the ACL surgery recovery timeline, including the typical 6–8 month recovery process. If you live in Albany or the Capital Region and want to better understand sports knee injury treatment, prevention strategies, and how to safely return to activity after a knee injury from skiing, this episode provides practical, easy-to-understand guidance. Resources: * Dr. Kyle Flik: Ortho New York Profile [https://www.orthony.com/providers/physicians/kyle-r-flik-md/] * American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) [https://www.aaos.org/] * Thrive Direct Primary Care [https://www.thriveconciergecare.com]

Episode 1: The Widowmaker Heart Attack: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

In this first episode of The 518 Thrives Healthcast, Dr. Disha Spath interviews Saratoga cardiologist, Dr. Disha Mookherjee Philip, who explains the widowmaker heart attack, caused by a blockage in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery — one of the most dangerous forms of heart attack. Learn the early warning signs of LAD artery blockage, risk factors for coronary artery disease, and how screening tests like calcium scoring may help detect heart disease before symptoms appear. If you live in the Albany and Capital Region, this episode covers what every adult over 40 should know about protecting their heart.