COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a serious lung condition that makes you feel like you just can’t catch your breath and yet feel too full of air. Val Chang founder and president of the Hawai’i COPD coalition is in the studio sharing her personal story and what you can do if you or someone you love has COPD.

Parkinson’s disease affects approximately 8000 Hawaii residents and causes both movement symptoms along with other changes in mood, speech, and more. Glen Higa the President of the Hawaii Parkinsons Association along with Kevin Lockette, physical therapist and Vice President are in the studio along with speech therapist Terry Kennedy talking about novel ways to help patients with this condition delay progression and improve overall function…. And maybe learn to play the harmonica in the process!

The four pillars of a healthy revolution include education, exercise, socializing, and being outside in nature. Dr. Theresa Wee talks about this and her Covid 19 diary on the show today.

Sun safety while still having fun! That’s the message from Dr. Theresa Wee for patients if all ages! What can you do to make this your healthiest summer yet? She has tips and tricks to make it happen!

Topic: Advance Care Planning

The loss of a loved one is difficult, but one type of loss is often not talked about enough. The loss of a beloved pet affects many of us and Claire Santos, RN is in the studio, sharing her recent experience with loss, and how she created a memorial for her dog as part of the healing process.

Asthma is not just about wheezing, and as we all enjoy more of the summer weather, knowing how to avoid exacerbations can help. Maya Nordstrum, NP in the pulmonary department at Straub Medical Center is in the studio, sharing her expertise on how to know when it’s asthma, and what can be done about it to help everyone breathe a little easier.

JABSOM alumni Dr. Shane Morita and Dr. Jamie Tom talk about their recent gala to bring together the community and to help provide opportunities for students and future medical professionals to establish their careers here in Hawaii, especially in our rural and neighbor island communities.

High intensity focused ultrasound, HIFU, has come to the islands! Dr. Herbert Chinn, a local urologist for almost 40 years, is pioneering this treatment with Kuakini Medical Center for those diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer.

Skin check, a community initiative from the UH Cancer Center, is bringing sun education to a location near you. Dr. Kevin Cassel is in the studio sharing his sun protection tips and the fun tools in the mobile van that can show you how much skin damage you have and how to prevent more. The calendar for locations is at https://uhcancercenter.org/skincheck

Lung cancer is unfortunately diagnosed in later stages than it could be for a lot of patients in the islands. Screening CT scans can help find tumors early for those at risk. Dr. Evan Wu from Hawaii Pacific Health and the UH Cancer Center is in the studio sharing his expertise on the different types of lung cancer and why it is so important to consider enrolling in clinical trials for patients who have been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Tony Meredith, Former US Professional Latin Dance Champion, and owner of Aloha Ballroom Company has come home to the islands and brought his health-promoting dance classes along! From cardiovascular benefits to better brain health and muscle strength, this might just be one of the most fun ways to get a workout! He shares the medical benefits of staying fit as we age along with tips on the body boost as well!

Heart disease is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Women often have slightly different symptoms of this condition than men. Why? Dr. Giselle Baquero, cardiology expert at Kuakini Medical Center is in the studio, sharing her knowledge of what to do if you think you might be having a heart attack, and what happens next if you are – along with helpful tips on what medications might help to prevent another one from coming along!

Do you know someone who needs extra help at home? How about a ride home from the hospital when they are discharged, along with some help getting settled at their house? Home nursing care for a few weeks? Long term help in the home? Bonnie Castonguay, RN founded Ho’okele along with a colleague and for almost 20 years has tried to respond to the growing need for care at home for our kupuna. She’s on the show to talk about why she created the health navigation company and how it might just help more of our seniors age in place with ease.

What might a nurse with decades of experience say about the changes in healthcare that have taken place during her career? Are the new expanded practice rules set up to help the next generation to succeed? Could medicine be headed down a path that might just put patients at risk? Claire Santos, RN has a lot to say on the subject. Tune in to hear more!

The emergency room can be a busy place, just ask our guest Dr. Jason Fleming from Kuakini Medical Center about what he sees on a daily basis come through the doors. What types of conditions absolutely need a visit to the ER? We’ll learn about that and more in our discussion about the latest happening in the ER’s in Hawaii.

Hepatitis Free Hawai’i in 2030 is the goal? How might we get there? Nikos Leverenz from the Hawai’i Health and Harm Reduction Center is in the studio sharing his expertise with the treatment of Hepatitis C in our community and what might be needed to achieve Hep Free Hawai’i in the next few years.

February is Heart Month! Dr. Debleena Dutt from Kaiser Permanente explains the different types of heart failure, the latest medication available and how remote patient monitoring might just make treatment easier than ever.

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the US. The rates are declining overall except for younger adults. That’s why screening starts at 45. Part 2 with Dr. Rao airs Monday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. on HPR-1.

No one likes to talk about it but certain problems ‘down there’ can be quite serious. Hemorrhoids, anal warts, even cancer are major concerns. Dr. Krishna Rao is in the studio for part 1 of our Colorectal surgery series.