Obesity is far more complex than willpower. In this episode, we spoke with Robert F. Kushner, MD, renowned weight management expert, to explore how the medical community’s understanding of obesity has shifted – from a perceived lifestyle choice to a recognized chronic condition shaped by biology, genetics, and environment. Our guest expert breaks down modern diagnostic tools, new treatments like GLP-1 receptor agonists, and how to create stigma-free care. We also spoke to patient guest, Michele Tedder, RN, host of Dear Healthcare Provider, who shares her lifelong struggle with weight and related health issues, how GLP-1 medication helped her, and how obesity should be treated with the same compassion and seriousness as other chronic diseases. 

Credits
Host: John Whyte, MD, MPH
Guest: Robert F. Kushner, MD; Michele Tedder RN
Producer: Lauren Summers
Editor: Jason Hammel
Show Notes: Lauren Summers

<a href="https://www.webmd.com/obesity/what-obesity-is">Obesity</a> is far more complex than willpower. In this episode, we spoke with <a href="https://drrobertkushner.com/">Robert F. Kushner, MD</a>, renowned weight management expert, to explore how the medical community&rsquo;s understanding of obesity has shifted &ndash; from a perceived lifestyle choice to a recognized chronic condition shaped by biology, genetics, and environment. Our guest expert breaks down modern diagnostic tools, new treatments like GLP-1 receptor agonists, and how to create stigma-free care. We also spoke to patient guest, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coach_tedder/?hl=en">Michele Tedder, RN</a>, host of Dear Healthcare Provider, who shares her lifelong struggle with weight and related health issues, how GLP-1 medication helped her, and how obesity should be treated with the same compassion and seriousness as other chronic diseases.&nbsp;
Credits
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Host: John Whyte, MD, MPH</li>
<li aria-level="1">Guest: Robert F. Kushner, MD; Michele Tedder RN</li>
<li aria-level="1">Producer: Lauren Summers</li>
<li aria-level="1">Editor: Jason Hammel</li>
<li aria-level="1">Show Notes: Lauren Summers</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

Rethinking Obesity: A Chronic Condition, Not a Choice

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>

Type 2 Diabetes Remission: The Goal We Should Be Talking About

Allergy season is more than a few weeks of sneezing. It can be hard to tell what’s “just allergies,” what might be an infection, and when it’s time to seek more than over-the-counter relief. What’s actually happening in your immune system when symptoms flare? And why can they feel so intense? We spoke with Zachary E. Rubin, MD, author of All About Allergies, about how allergy evaluations work, how to identify your triggers, and how to use OTC treatments effectively. Plus, when it’s time to see an allergist. You don’t have to suffer – listen in to this episode for expert guidance on finding real, lasting relief.

Credits
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guest: Zachary E. Rubin, MD

<a href="https://www.webmd.com/allergies/when-allergy-season" data-testid="linkable-text">Allergy season</a> is more than a few weeks of sneezing. It can be hard to tell what&rsquo;s &ldquo;just <a href="https://www.webmd.com/allergies/allergy-symptoms" data-testid="linkable-text">allergies</a>,&rdquo; what might be an infection, and when it&rsquo;s time to seek more than over-the-counter relief. What&rsquo;s actually happening in your immune system when symptoms flare? And why can they feel so intense? We spoke with <a href="https://www.oakbrookallergists.com/our-team/zachary-e-rubin-md/" data-testid="linkable-text">Zachary E. Rubin, MD</a>, author of <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/790561/all-about-allergies-by-zachary-rubin-md/" data-testid="linkable-text">All About Allergies,</a> about how allergy evaluations work, how to identify your triggers, and how to use <a href="https://www.webmd.com/allergies/allergy-medications" data-testid="linkable-text">OTC treatments effectively</a>. Plus, when it&rsquo;s time to see an allergist. You don&rsquo;t have to suffer &ndash; listen in to this episode for expert guidance on finding real, lasting relief.
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: Zachary E. Rubin, MD</li>
</ul>

From Triggers to Treatment: A Smarter Way to Manage Allergies

Non-small-cell lung cancer accounts for about 85% of all lung cancer cases. It’s a diagnosis that changes everything, yet conversations often focus on treatment and overlook what patients live through every day. We hear from writer and lung cancer patient advocate Janet Freeman-Daily, who shares her experience with non-small-cell lung cancer – from her first symptoms and imaging tests to the shock of diagnosis and learning how to advocate for herself. Then Donald Rosenstein, MD, psychiatrist and director of the Comprehensive Cancer Support Program at UNC-Chapel Hill, discusses the emotional impact of cancer, including feelings like guilt and fear, and how patients can process them. He also explains the support available – from cancer care teams and palliative care to psychiatry, counseling, and social work – reminding patients they don’t have to face a life-changing diagnosis alone.

Credits
Host: Neha Pathak, MD, FACP, DipABLM
Producer/Editor: Lauren Summers
Show Notes: Lauren Summers
Guests: Donald Rosenstein, MD; Janet Freeman-Daily

<a href="https://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/non-small-cell-lung-cancer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/non-small-cell-lung-cancer&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773777307882000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3x2b_Px0yCw6sRbdXCGhPR">Non-small-cell lung cancer</a>&nbsp;accounts for about 85% of all&nbsp;<a href="https://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/small-cell-vs-non-small-cell-lung-cancer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/small-cell-vs-non-small-cell-lung-cancer&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773777307882000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0XS31neMb4541t6w_YLOUO">lung cancer</a>&nbsp;cases. It&rsquo;s a diagnosis that changes everything, yet conversations often focus on&nbsp;treatment and overlook&nbsp;what patients live through every day. We hear from writer and lung cancer patient advocate&nbsp;<a href="https://grayconnections.net/about-janet/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://grayconnections.net/about-janet/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773777307882000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1IyRJYoXqAIpYLvvam1b2a">Janet Freeman-Daily</a>, who shares her experience with non-small-cell lung cancer &ndash; from her first symptoms and imaging tests to the shock of diagnosis and learning how to advocate for herself. Then&nbsp;<a href="https://www.med.unc.edu/psych/people/donald-rosenstein-md/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.med.unc.edu/psych/people/donald-rosenstein-md/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773777307882000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2u-8K30jA9P5FGdCMtr3QX">Donald Rosenstein, MD</a>, psychiatrist and director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://unclineberger.org/ccsp/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://unclineberger.org/ccsp/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773777307882000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0SU9En_sKt9w3tDfYk-j0Q">Comprehensive Cancer Support Program</a>&nbsp;at UNC-Chapel Hill, discusses the emotional impact of cancer, including feelings like guilt and fear, and how patients can process them. He also explains the support available &ndash; from cancer care teams and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/cm/palliative-care-what-is" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/cm/palliative-care-what-is&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773777307882000&amp;usg=AOvVaw19kevCPxcUc9slqbAuE4Un">palliative care</a>&nbsp;to psychiatry, counseling, and social work &ndash; reminding patients they don&rsquo;t have to face a life-changing diagnosis alone.
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">Guests: Donald Rosenstein, MD; Janet Freeman-Daily</li>
</ul>

Rethinking Obesity: A Chronic Condition, Not a Choice

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