While heart disease may be the number-one killer in the United States, kidney disease is the silent partner we rarely discuss. It often develops quietly, with no pain or clear symptoms until advanced stages. What should we know about kidney health and kidney diseases? We spoke with Kirk Campbell, MD, president of the National Kidney Foundation, about the kidneys’ vital roles – from red blood cell production to supporting heart function – why testing matters, which tests to request, and the importance of knowing your numbers. If you’re at risk, don’t hesitate to advocate for screening at your appointments.

Credits
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Kirk Campbell, MD

While heart disease may be the number-one killer in the United States, <a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-kidney-disease-basic-information" data-testid="linkable-text">kidney disease</a> is the silent partner we rarely discuss. It often develops quietly, with no pain or clear symptoms until advanced stages. What should we know about kidney health and kidney diseases? We spoke with <a href="https://www.kidney.org/bio/dr-kirk-campbell" data-testid="linkable-text">Kirk Campbell, MD</a>, president of the <a href="https://www.kidney.org/" data-testid="linkable-text">National Kidney Foundation</a>, about the kidneys&rsquo; vital roles &ndash; from red blood cell production to supporting heart function &ndash; why testing matters, which <a href="https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/glomerular-filtration-rate" data-testid="linkable-text">tests to request</a>, and the importance of knowing your numbers. If you&rsquo;re at risk, don&rsquo;t hesitate to advocate for screening at your appointments.
Credits
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Show Notes: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Kirk Campbell, MD</li>
</ul>

WebMD Chief Physician Editor Neha Pathak, MD, and Chief Medical Officer, John Whyte, MD, MPH, explore fascinating stories to find the unexpected things that help us understand our health.

Health Discovered

Know Your Numbers: Why Kidney Health Can’t Wait

Apr. 30, 2026 -- Nearly everyone will either become a caregiver or need one at some point, yet few are truly prepared for what that role involves. Caring for an aging loved one can be profoundly meaningful but also emotionally and logistically challenging, and our healthcare system doesn't always make it easier. In collaboration with The John A. Hartford Foundation, this six-part Aging in America series offers guidance for navigating this caregiving journey and what it means to age well. In our final episode, we spoke with Rani E. Snyder, MPA, president of The John A. Hartford Foundation, to reflect on key themes from this series – from aging with dignity and the 4Ms of age-friendly care, to scams, AI in healthcare, and advance care planning. The biggest takeaway: start these conversations early to ensure your loved ones receive the care they deserve. Caregiving may feel overwhelming, especially the first time – but you are not alone, and support is available.

Check out The John A. Hartford Foundation at https://www.johnahartford.org/. 

Additional resources:
WebMD Healthy Aging
Eldercare Locator

Credits
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Rani E. Snyder, MPA

Apr. 30, 2026 -- Nearly everyone&nbsp;will either become a caregiver or need one at some point, yet few are truly prepared for what that role involves. Caring for an aging loved one can be profoundly meaningful but also emotionally and logistically challenging, and our healthcare system&nbsp;doesn't always make it easier.&nbsp;In collaboration with <a href="https://www.johnahartford.org/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.johnahartford.org/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1777404700487000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2etO9bZkfXU7bc9EkJAA6i">The John A. Hartford Foundation</a>, this six-part Aging in America series offers guidance for navigating this caregiving journey and what it means to age well. In our final episode, we spoke with <a href="https://www.johnahartford.org/about/staff/rani-e.-snyder-mpa" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.johnahartford.org/about/staff/rani-e.-snyder-mpa&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1777404700487000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3oYJgBnXyumFAYAxjzgAtT">Rani E. Snyder, MPA,</a> president of The John A. Hartford Foundation, to reflect on key themes from this series &ndash; from aging with dignity and the 4Ms of <a href="https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/age-friendly-health" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/age-friendly-health&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1777404700487000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Zhk6C4c14VIG_FnX9l0pf">age-friendly care</a>, to scams, AI in healthcare, and advance care planning. The biggest takeaway: start these conversations early to ensure your loved ones receive the care they deserve. Caregiving may feel overwhelming, especially the first time &ndash; but you are not alone, and support is available.
Check out The John A. Hartford Foundation at <a href="https://www.johnahartford.org/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.johnahartford.org/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1777404700487000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2etO9bZkfXU7bc9EkJAA6i">https://www.johnahartford.org/</a>.&nbsp;
Additional resources: <a href="https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/default.htm" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/default.htm&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1777404700487000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1F9i-N2WKg15BHhdCgxtRJ">WebMD Healthy Aging</a> <a href="http://eldercare.acl.gov/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://eldercare.acl.gov/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1777404700487000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3wkOByK4laysPGizGE6ZGJ">Eldercare Locator</a>
Credits
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Show Notes: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Rani E. Snyder, MPA</li>
</ul>

Planning Ahead: Lessons on Caregiving with The John A. Hartford Foundation

Stroke remains a leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the CDC – but many cases are preventable. What raises your risk, and how can you recognize the warning signs in time? We speak with Shyam Prabhakaran, MD, MS, FAHA, a leader in vascular neurology and stroke research, about the lifestyles that increase stroke risk, the BE FAST acronym for spotting symptoms and knowing when to call 911, and the changes that can help lower your risk. We also explore recovery after stroke – and why there is hope.
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Shyam Prabhakaran, MD, MS, FAHA

<a href="https://www.webmd.com/stroke/stroke">Stroke</a> remains a leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the CDC &ndash; but many cases are preventable. What raises your risk, and how can you recognize the warning signs in time? We speak with <a href="https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/find-a-physician/physician/shyam-prabhakaran">Shyam Prabhakaran, MD, MS, FAHA</a>, a leader in vascular neurology and stroke research, about the lifestyles that increase stroke risk, the <a href="https://www.webmd.com/stroke/signs-of-stroke">BE FAST</a> acronym for spotting symptoms and knowing when to call 911, and the changes that can help lower your risk. We also explore recovery after stroke &ndash; and why there is hope.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Show Notes: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Shyam Prabhakaran, MD, MS, FAHA</li>
</ul>

Stroke: Risks, Symptoms, and Steps That Could Save a Life

For decades, people with type 2 diabetes have heard the same message: manage it, slow it down, but expect it to progress. But what if the words "you have type 2 diabetes" didn't have to mean a lifetime of medications, worsening numbers, and a condition that only ever gets harder to manage? Why don't we talk more about the fact that remission is possible? We spoke with Mahima Gulati, MD, MSc, a triple board-certified physician in endocrinology, internal medicine, and lifestyle medicine, about what diabetes remission really means, what it takes to achieve it, and how to start that conversation with your care team. From the science to the lifestyle shifts – and the honest realities of the journey – we explore why type 2 diabetes does not have to be a lifelong sentence.

Additional Resources:
Project Remission - American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Credits
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Mahima Gulati, MD, MSc

For decades, people with <a href="https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-2-diabetes" data-testid="linkable-text">type 2 diabetes</a> have heard the same message: manage it, slow it down, but expect it to progress. But what if the words "you have type 2 diabetes" didn't have to mean a lifetime of medications, worsening numbers, and a condition that only ever gets harder to manage? Why don't we talk more about the fact that <a href="https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/can-you-reverse-type-2-diabetes" data-testid="linkable-text">remission</a> is possible? We spoke with <a href="https://www.uconnhealth.org/providers/profiles/gulati-mahima" data-testid="linkable-text">Mahima Gulati, MD, MSc</a>, a triple board-certified physician in endocrinology, internal medicine, and lifestyle medicine, about what diabetes remission really means, what it takes to achieve it, and how to start that conversation with your care team. From the science to the lifestyle shifts &ndash; and the honest realities of the journey &ndash; we explore why type 2 diabetes does not have to be a lifelong sentence.
Additional Resources: <a href="https://lifestylemedicine.org/type-2-diabetes-remission/" data-testid="linkable-text">Project Remission - American College of Lifestyle Medicine</a>
Credits
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Show Notes: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Mahima Gulati, MD, MSc</li>
</ul>

Know Your Numbers: Why Kidney Health Can’t Wait

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