Dr. Carolyn in Cleveland: A Women's Health Podcast

The Truth About Domestic Violence

I am dedicating today's episode to Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time in October to bring attention to a critical issue affecting our community. Here are some sobering statistics: * More than 10 million people in the U.S. are affected by domestic violence each year. * An average of 24 people per minute are victims of intimate partner violence, which includes rape, physical violence, or stalking. * One in four women and one in seven men have been victims of severe physical violence in their lifetime. * On a typical day, domestic violence hotlines receive more than 20,000 calls nationwide. Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that affects people from all walks of life, regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic status. We'll be discussing how we can all be part of the solution. Leaving is the Most Dangerous Time Concrete things you can do for a domestic violence victim: * Offer to help them create a safety plan. * Help them find a safe place to stay. * Help them gather important documents. * Connect them with professional resources. * Respect their decisions. Resources: Journey Center for Safety and Healing: 24-Hour Helpline: 216-391-4357 (HELP) Answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Website: https://www.journeyneo.org [https://www.journeyneo.org] To Donate: Go to https://www.journeyneo.org/donate [https://www.journeyneo.org/donate] Todays's guest is Lavonne Urban, clinical psychotherapist and owner of Advanced Marketing Solutions, LLC. She works with medical practices, mission-driven businesses, and women in leadership to help them build scalable, values-aligned, and operationally brilliant systems––without losing their soul (or their sanity). She sits on Board of Directors of Journey Center For Safety and Healing.

Why We Need Gina Barreca Right Now

On this podcast, I get to talk with so many great people. And today is super-great because I get to introduce to you a woman who is funny and fierce and on fire: Gina Barreca – author, professor, humorist and feminist. Gina has appeared on the Today Show, CNN, BBC and Oprah. She's also appeared on "American Masters" and "This American Life." Her work has been published in most major publications including the New York Times. Her blog for Psychology Today has over 8 million views and counting. Author of eleven books and editor of seventeen others, she is an important voice for our time. People Magazine called her "smart and funny." Ms. Magazine notes her "characteristic wit and wisdom." And the Chicago Tribune raves, "Barreca learned to do what any sassy smarty-pants would: challenge stale ideas and press buttons." Today we will talk about * how Gina got her start in the "humor business" * how women use humor differntly than men * why it's imporntant to make stories out of painful moments * how NOT to use humor * and why humor is more important now than ever We will touch on a few of her books, but the real gem of the collection, the book I can't wait to talk about, is her latest book: GINA SCHOOL. GINA SCHOOL comes out on October 7th, 2025. If you'd like to pre-order a copy, simply follow the link to Mac's Backs-Books, my favorite indie bookstore here in CLE: https://macsbacks.com/book/9781960456410 [https://macsbacks.com/book/9781960456410] NOTE: Mac's Backs-Books will notify you when your copy is available or it can be shipped directly to you. ABOUT GINA BARRECA Gina Barreca's classic on women's humor, They Used to Call Me Snow White But I Drifted, was followed by Perfect Husbands (And Other Fairy Tales), Sweet Revenge, Babes in Boyland: A Personal History of Coeducation in the Ivy League, and It's Not That I'm Bitter, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Visible Panty Lines and Conquered the World. Author of eleven books, she's also the editor of seventeen others, including Don't Tell Mama: The Penguin Book of Italian American Writing, and the Fast Women series for Woodhall Press. Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of English Literature at the University of Connecticut, Barreca has been published by the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, the LA Times, Cosmopolitan, Forbes, The Chronicle of Higher Education and the Harvard Business Review. You can find her in the Library of Congress or in the make-up aisle at Walgreens.

How Healthy Are Your Eyes?

Did you know that many eye diseases are silent? You might not even realize you are developing eye damage. That's why Dr. Sue Saliba encourages her patients to get a comprehensive eye exam every two years and every year if they have diabetes. Here are some other thoughts from Dr. Saliba: * Always wear sunglasses when outdoors, even on cloudy days. Get a good pair that protects you from 100% UVA and UVB light. * Dark leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale are very important for eye health, in particular for preventing macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in older US adults. * The AREDS2 study proved the importance of taking supplements such as Ocuvite and Preservision in patients who have macular degeneration (MD). It is also recommended to take these supplements if you have a family history for MD. * Studies show that following the Mediterranean diet can slow both the wet and dry forms of MD. Taking Omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil can also help. (Always speak with your doctor before taking any new vitamins or supplements.) * Dry eye syndrome can now be treated with several new prescription eye drops. These drops are much more effective than over-the-counter drops. * Dr. Saliba says, "Contact lenses don't cause dry eyes! If you first treat dry eyes, many patients can return to wearing contact lenses." * For blepharitis, Dr. Saliba recommends special eye wipes. Medication can also be given to treat mites, often the cause of a red, irritated eyelash line. If these measures don't work, there are special devices used in the office that can eradicate the problem. * If you spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen, take frequent breaks (every 20 minutes) and look into the distance. Use eye drops regularly. Consider wearing special glasses that will help block the blue light emitted from computers, iPads, etc. * Final take home message from Dr. Sue: Be sure to get regular eye exams! For further information, Dr. Saliba can be reached at (440) 684-0080.

What You Need To Know About Your Vagus Nerve

If you suffer from anxiety, insomnia, chronic inflammation, or autoimmune issues, enhancing your Vagus Nerve just might be the key to feeling better. Today the brilliant Dr. Navaz Habib tells us all about the very mysterious and completely necessary Vagus Nerve. Actually, there are two vagus nerves that travel from your brain, down either side of your neck (near the carotid arteries) then branch out to every organ in your body. Most of the Vagus Nerve signals travel FROM your organs back TO your brain. Your brain needs good signals from the Vagus Nerves in order to make decisions about your organ function and decide what to do next to optimize your health. Some major roles of the Vagus Nerve include: * Controlling inflammation * Boosting your immune system * Improving your Heart Rate Variability (HRV) * Connecting your microbiome and your brain The Vagus Nerve is a crucial part of the parasympathetic nervous system, the state when you "rest and digest." Healing your body ONLY occurs in the parasympathetic state. You can't heal if you are stuck in the sympathetic nervous system, the flight-flight state. Dr. Habib shares with us some of the best ways to enhance the Vagus Nerve: * Eat "green, clean, and lean." Avoid highly processed foods, especially soy, corn oil , canola oil , and other inflammatory oils like seed oils. * Find ways to incorporate movement into your day. The key is to move just a little more each day. Dr. Habib says, "Movement is life!" * Practice deep breathing techniques, especially the 4-7-8 pattern. Make sure your breathing is nasal, diaphragmatic, and includes long exhales. * Try using Noninvasive Electrical Vagus Nerve Stimulation. Dr. Habib uses a device called Truvaga. This small handheld device will help you shift from the sympathetic state to the parasympathetic state. (Disclosure: Dr. Habib does speak on behalf of Truvaga.) Dr. Habib says the best way to measure your Vagus Nerve function is to measure something called Heart Rate Variability (HRV). A high HRV is associated with better health and increased resilience. Reduced HRV is associated with poorer health including cardiovascular disease, anxiety, stress, and autonomic dysfunction. Devices that measure HRV include: * Chest strap devices * Fitbit and Garmin * Apple watch and Samsung watch * Oura ring Dr. Habib owns an Oura ring, while his wife prefers the Apple watch. You can reach his website at https://www.drnavazhabib.com [https://www.drnavazhabib.com].

You Can Have Better Hair: An Expert Explains How to Prevent and Treat Hair Loss

If you're experiencing hair thinning or bald spots, here are some things Dr. Kyei would like you to know: First, losing your hair is just a symptom. If you're experiencing hair loss, you deserve a DIAGNOSIS. See a dermatologist for a complete history and scalp exam. You might also need lab work and a biopsy. DON'T WAIT! If you're experiencing hair loss, get an evaluation within 3-6 months. Avoid hair dyes with peroxide, ammonia and PPD. Pulling hair tightly in braids or ponytails can inflame hair follicles and cause hair loss. If hair loss occurs at menopause, check your hormones, including DHEAS and testosterone. Treatments that Dr. Kyei recommends: DHT blockers Minoxidil Saw Palmetto Topical steroids Spironolactone Hormone Replacement Therapy PRP: Platelet Rich Plasma She regularly recommends Nutrafol as it has good data behind it. She does not recommend collagen for hair growth. There are no good studies to support its use. Check www.EWG.com for a list of safe, non-toxic hair products. If you're interested in an appointment, you can reach Dr. Kyei at Cosmopolitan Dermatology 3461 Warrensville Center Rd. Ste 100 Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122 216-417-3250