Earwax might seem gross, but it’s actually one of your body’s built-in defense systems. This week, Hari and Dr. Priyanka dive into the sticky science of cerumen: why your ears make it, why Q-tips feel so good, and why doctors desperately want you to stop using them. From impacted wax and hearing loss to ear candling and the surprising genetics behind body odor, this episode explores the strange world living inside your ears.

Earwax might seem gross, but it&rsquo;s actually one of your body&rsquo;s built-in defense systems. This week, Hari and Dr. Priyanka dive into the sticky science of cerumen: why your ears make it, why Q-tips feel so good, and why doctors desperately want you to stop using them. From impacted wax and hearing loss to ear candling and the surprising genetics behind body odor, this episode explores the strange world living inside your ears.

On Health Stuff, hosts Dr. Priyanka Wali and comedian Hari Kondabolu tackle all the health questions that keep you up at night with hilarity and humanity. Together they demystify the flashy trends, and keep you informed on the latest research. You can rely on Health Stuff to bring you real, uninhibited, and thoughtful health talk of the highest caliber, and a healthy dose of humor.

On Health&nbsp;Stuff, hosts Dr. Priyanka Wali and comedian Hari Kondabolu tackle all the health questions that keep you up at night with hilarity and humanity. Together they demystify the flashy trends, and keep you informed on the latest research. You can rely on&nbsp;Health&nbsp;Stuff&nbsp;to bring you real, uninhibited, and thoughtful&nbsp;health&nbsp;talk of the highest caliber, and a healthy dose of humor.

Health Stuff

Earwax, Hearing Loss, & Q-Tips

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/149b1009-ca2e-43bc-b9e0-b45d00fcdecc/transcript

In this final episode of Health Stuff, Dr. Priyanka Wali and Hari Kondabolu look back on the episodes, guests, and health lessons that stuck with them throughout the season. They revisit conversations about racism in medicine, sleep, vaccines, AI, psychedelics, emotional sensitivity, solitude, and the ways our health is shaped by more than individual choices. They share the practical advice they still use, the health myths they wish would disappear, and how making the show changed the way they think about medicine, healthcare, and their own lives. Thank you for listening.

In this final episode of Health Stuff, Dr. Priyanka Wali and Hari Kondabolu look back on the episodes, guests, and health lessons that stuck with them throughout the season. They revisit conversations about racism in medicine, sleep, vaccines, AI, psychedelics, emotional sensitivity, solitude, and the ways our health is shaped by more than individual choices. They share the practical advice they still use, the health myths they wish would disappear, and how making the show changed the way they think about medicine, healthcare, and their own lives. Thank you for listening.

The Final Checkup: Our Favorite Health Stuff

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/baea8dfa-a029-4913-b466-b4d40112dd9b/transcript

Dr. Priyanka and Hari turn the medical microscope on themselves and share two personal health stories. Hari recounts a botched wisdom tooth removal that left a piece of tooth behind and led to an infection, a trip to the dentist in India, and a very humbling lesson about assumptions and advocating for yourself. Dr. Priyanka shares what it was like to develop bullous myringitis, a rare condition that caused excruciating ear pain and temporary hearing loss, and how the experience changed the way she thinks about accessibility and empathy.

Dr. Priyanka and Hari turn the medical microscope on themselves and share two personal health stories. Hari recounts a botched wisdom tooth removal that left a piece of tooth behind and led to an infection, a trip to the dentist in India, and a very humbling lesson about assumptions and advocating for yourself. Dr. Priyanka shares what it was like to develop bullous myringitis, a rare condition that caused excruciating ear pain and temporary hearing loss, and how the experience changed the way she thinks about accessibility and empathy.

Medical Mishaps: Our Own Health Stories

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d182d824-2aab-406c-ae62-b4cc014f9c22/transcript

When you’re standing in the drugstore staring at a wall of pain creams, patches, and gels, how do you know what actually works? Hari and Dr. Priyanka break down topical pain relievers, from diclofenac and lidocaine to menthol, camphor, and capsaicin, including what they do and which kinds of pain they can help. Plus, they cover the risks of burns, heating pads, overuse, and why reading the “active ingredients” on the label matters.

When you&rsquo;re standing in the drugstore staring at a wall of pain creams, patches, and gels, how do you know what actually works? Hari and Dr. Priyanka break down topical pain relievers, from diclofenac and lidocaine to menthol, camphor, and capsaicin, including what they do and which kinds of pain they can help. Plus, they cover the risks of burns, heating pads, overuse, and why reading the &ldquo;active ingredients&rdquo; on the label matters.

Topical Pain Relief: The Good, the Bad & the Burn

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/180701b7-677d-4859-8113-b4c601081fd7/transcript

Earwax, Hearing Loss, & Q-Tips

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