The Better Health While Aging Podcast

Get practical health tips from a geriatrician and other experts! We discuss common health problems that affect people over age 60, the best ways to prevent and manage those problems, and we also often address common concerns and dilemmas that come up with aging parents and other older loved ones.

165 – Constipation After 60: Causes, Relief & Safe Treatments

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

165 – Constipation After 60: Causes, Relief & Safe Treatments

00:00 / 00:41:23

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains why constipation happens in older adults, the signs to watch for, and what to know about laxatives and fiber supplements. She goes over which medicines commonly cause or worsen constipation, when to ask for a medical evaluation, and how to prevent complications like hemorrhoids or fecal impaction.

She covers:

Constipation in Aging
Signs, Symptoms & What’s Normal
Health Consequences of Constipation
Causes of Constipation in Aging
Medications that Cause or Worsen Constipation
The Medical Evaluation of Constipation
Treating Constipation
Using Fiber for Constipation
3 Types of OTC Laxatives That Work
Maintenance vs. Rescue Treatments
Enemas & Treating Severe Constipation
Dr. K’s Approach to Managing Constipation
Recap & Key Takeaways

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164 – 4 Must-Know Lab Tests for Older Adults: Kidney, Liver, CBC & More

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

164 – 4 Must-Know Lab Tests for Older Adults: Kidney, Liver, CBC & More

00:00 / 00:27:32

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains four common blood tests ordered in older adults: the Complete Blood Count (CBC), the Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP), the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP), and the Lipid Panel. She goes into detail about what these tests measure, what abnormal results might mean, and how they relate to common health problems like anemia, kidney issues, liver function changes, and high cholesterol.

She covers:

4 Tips to Benefit From Blood Tests

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Why Blood Tests Matter & Why Doctors Order Bloodwork
CBC: What It Measures and Why It’s Important
Basic Metabolic Panel: Kidney Function, Electrolytes & Glucose
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: Liver Function & Calcium
Lipid Panel: Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Risk
Understanding “Normal” vs “Abnormal” Results
4 Tips to Benefit From Blood Tests

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163 – Dehydration in Older Adults: Symptoms, Treatment, & Prevention

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

163 – Dehydration in Older Adults: Symptoms, Treatment, & Prevention

00:00 / 00:33:04

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks about dehydration in aging, including signs and symptoms of dehydration, how dehydration is actually diagnosed, and how to prevent and treat it. She also explains what to know about heat stroke and how to take precautions during heat waves.

She covers:

Introduction to Dehydration
What is Dehydration?
Why Older Adults Are at Risk
Causes of Dehydration in Aging
Symptoms & Signs to Watch For
Diagnosing Dehydration
Consequences of Dehydration
How to Treat Dehydration
When to See a Doctor
Tips for Preventing Dehydration
Managing Hot Weather
Recap & Final Tips

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162 – Chronic Pain in Aging: What Really Helps & What to Know About Prescription Painkillers

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

162 – Chronic Pain in Aging: What Really Helps & What to Know About Prescription Painkillers

00:00 / 00:44:56

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains how the most common causes of chronic pain in later life, and how pain should be evaluated. She also covers treating pain through non-drug methods, and explains what to know about commonly used painkillers.

In this episode:

Truths about chronic pain in aging
Types of chronic pain: arthritis, stenosis, myofascial, more
How pain should be evaluated
How geriatricians approach chronic pain
Non-drug options for pain
Medications used to treat pain

[Read more…]

160 – Is Your Blood Pressure Too Low? Understanding Hypotension

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

160 – Is Your Blood Pressure Too Low? Understanding Hypotension

00:00 / 00:32:54

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what counts as low blood pressure, why it becomes common with aging, and what to do about it. She also explains orthostatic hypotension, a common problem that affects many older adults and can lead to symptoms, such as dizziness or even falls.

She covers:

Defining Hypotension and Low Blood Pressure
Causes of Very Low Blood Pressure
Vasovagal Hypotension
Common Low Blood Pressure Causes in Aging
Understanding Orthostatic Hypotension
Signs and Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure
Managing Low Blood Pressure in Geriatrics
If You’re Concerned About Low Blood Pressure

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159 – Best Ways to Treat High Blood Pressure

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

159 – Best Ways to Treat High Blood Pressure

00:00 / 00:42:33

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains the best ways to lower blood pressure in older adults, using both lifestyle changes and medications that are safe and effective for aging bodies. She goes into detail on the DASH diet, sodium and potassium intake, types of blood pressure medications (like calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors), and how to decide on the right blood pressure goals for your age and health status.

She covers:

Defining hypertension
Causes of high blood pressure
How high is too high?
How to lower BP
Lifestyle changes to lower BP
DASH diet for hypertension
Reducing dietary sodium
Potassium and blood pressure
Medications for hypertension treatment
Special hypertension considerations for older adults

[Read more…]

158 – Bradycardia and Pacemakers in Aging: What to Know

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

158 – Bradycardia and Pacemakers in Aging: What to Know

00:00 / 01:00:59

In This Episode:

Dr. K speaks with cardiologist and electrophysiology expert Cara Pellegrini, MD, to explain bradycardia (slow heart rate), how it’s diagnosed and treated, and when a pacemaker might be recommended. Dr. Pellegrini also explains the different types of pacemakers, including traditional and leadless options, what to expect during implantation and recovery, and how modern pacemakers are monitored.

She covers:

Introduction to Bradycardia and Pacemakers
What is a pacemaker?
What is bradycardia & when is it a problem?
Signs, symptoms & diagnosis of bradycardia
Causes of bradycardia in aging
How to treat bradycardia
How different pacemakers work
Implantable Cardiac Devices: Pacemakers vs. ICDs
Understanding pacemaker insertion & recovery
Monitoring and adjusting pacemakers
Pacemakers in frailty or Alzheimer’s
End-of-life considerations for pacemakers
Recap of bradycardia and pacemakers
Battery changes for pacemakers
Questions to ask your doctor

[Read more…]

157 – High Blood Pressure in Aging: When to Treat & Why It Matters

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

157 – High Blood Pressure in Aging: When to Treat & Why It Matters

00:00 / 00:38:43

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what blood pressure numbers really mean, what’s normal BP in older adults and what’s considered too high, and why managing hypertension is so important for long-term health. She also talks about what causes high blood pressure and what to do if you’re concerned.

She covers:

What is blood pressure?
Defining hypertension
How to accurately measure BP
What causes high blood pressure?
Signs and symptoms of high BP
How high is too high for BP?
The concept of a “BP” goal

[Read more…]

156 – Methylcobalamin vs Cyanocobalamin: Which Vitamin B12 is Best?

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH Leave a Comment

Better Health While Aging

156 – Methylcobalamin vs Cyanocobalamin: Which Vitamin B12 is Best?

00:00 / 00:19:00

In This Episode:

Dr. K addresses a common question: which type of Vitamin B12 supplement to take? She takes a closer look at the two most common forms — methylcobalamin and cyanocobalamin — to help older adults make an informed choice about which type of Vitamin B12 to take.

She covers:

Vitamin B12 Deficiency Overview
The Main Types of Vitamin B12 Supplements
Features of Cyanocobalamin vs Methylcobalamin
How Different Types of Vitamin B12 Work in the Body
Clinical Evidence on Different Types of Vitamin B12
Dr. Kernisan’s Interpretation of Vitamin B12 Science
Recommendations on Methylcobalamin vs Cyanocobalamin

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155 – Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Aging: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

by Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH 2 Comments

Better Health While Aging

155 – Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Aging: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

00:00 / 00:30:29

In This Episode:

Dr. K explains how older adults can detect, treat, and prevent vitamin B12 deficiency, a common problem that can affect nerve function, red blood cells and brain function.

She covers:

Introduction to Vitamin B12 Deficiency
What is Vitamin B12?
Common Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Older Adults
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Pernicious Anemia and Its Relation to B12 Deficiency
Why Vitamin B12 Deficiency is Often Missed
Who Should Be Checked for Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
Testing for Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Treatment Options for Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Preventing Vitamin B12 Deficiency

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Introduction to Vitamin B12 Deficiency
What is Vitamin B12?
Common Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Older Adults
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Pernicious Anemia and Its Relation to B12 Deficiency
Why Vitamin B12 Deficiency is Often Missed
Who Should Be Checked for Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
Testing for Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Treatment Options for Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Preventing Vitamin B12 Deficiency

[Read more…]

The Better Health While Aging Podcast

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