Medical expert Dr. Kevin Most joins the Steve Cochran Show to discuss how to choose the best allergy medicine for yourself, new blood thinners medication that will prevent clots without the risk of bleeding, and Dr. Most highlights a promising biopsy test that could offer individuals early indications of Parkinson's disease.

Dr. Kevin Most's Steve Cochran Show Notes:

Blood thinners
Many people take medications termed "Blood thinners"
These medications don't actually "thin" the blood, they just impact the clotting mechanisms
Many take these medications to prevent clots that may cause heart attacks or strokes
Because of this, current medications often cause bleeding problems
Now new drugs will prevent clots without the risk of bleeding
The body makes two types of clots- good ones that that stop bleeding from external injury and bad ones that grow in arteries and veins where they serve no function but increase risk to other issues
Current medications focus on stopping both types of clots, so there is a high risk of bleeding with these medications
These medications must be titered and monitored to make sure the fine balance is kept
We have many clotting factors, proteins that trigger the formation of clots
There is a specific factor , Factor XI that causes more clots internally and has little impact on clots needed for external bleeding
The premise is that if we can impact Factor XI, we can minimize the impact on external clots and slow internal clots.
Several drugs are being looked at now in clinical trials that impact only Factor XI
If these drugs can come to market they will be blockbusters, as the current drugs now have a $20 billion market, and that is with many patients refusing to take blood thinners because of the risk of blood thinners
It is expected that over 10 million individuals will need these medications by 2030.


 Chicago- Air pollution
At one point last year Chicago had the poorest air quality among the recorded 95 cities worldwide
Part of this was due to Canadian wildfires but vehicle exhaust and industry emissions cause the problems
In 2023 Chicago was ranked No 2 for worst air pollution among major US Cities
The health impact is noted in our lungs and eyes, but it also has more long term effects as well,
It does have an impact on those with asthma, COPD and heart disease 
Individuals with these medical conditions should consider air purifiers in their homes and bedrooms
Drier and hotter conditions will continue to lead to large wildfires8. With the impact on Children, schools should also look at ways to improve air quality in the class room

Parkinson's  Disease
Diagnosis normally made with symptoms
News in Jama this week highlighting a biopsy test that may allow for identification of individuals who will end up with Parkinsons
Parkinsons thought of as a disease of older individuals, remember Michael J Fox was diagnosed at age 29
This test will identify Parkinson's years before symptoms begin
Cost is currently $1500
Allow doctors to diagnose based on biology not symptoms
The biopsy looks for a specific abnormal protein that impacts nerves
This protein is also being looked for in spinal fluid, blood, nasal swabs
There currently is no cure for Parkinsons, just medications that manage some of the symptoms
As the disease progresses the medications become less effective
Companies are now looking at treatments that target the abnormal proteins
Early diagnosis will hopefully allow for more options for treatment in the future.
Early diagnosis may allow for more research looking for a cause
Parkinsons can be hereditary but is very rare, but most cases have no cause identified

Medical expert Dr. Kevin Most joins the Steve Cochran Show to discuss how to choose the best allergy medicine for yourself, new blood thinners medication that will prevent clots without the risk of bleeding, and Dr. Most highlights a promising biopsy test that could offer individuals early indications of Parkinson's disease.
Dr. Kevin Most's Steve Cochran Show Notes:
Blood thinners
<ol>
<li>Many people take medications termed "Blood thinners"</li>
<li>These medications don't actually "thin" the blood, they just impact the clotting mechanisms</li>
<li>Many take these medications to prevent clots that may cause heart attacks or strokes</li>
<li>Because of this, current medications often cause bleeding problems</li>
<li>Now new drugs will prevent clots without the risk of bleeding</li>
<li>The body makes two types of clots- good ones that that stop bleeding from external injury and bad ones that grow in arteries and veins where they serve no function but increase risk to other issues</li>
<li>Current medications focus on stopping both types of clots, so there is a high risk of bleeding with these medications</li>
<li>These medications must be titered and monitored to make sure the fine balance is kept</li>
<li>We have many clotting factors, proteins that trigger the formation of clots</li>
<li>There is a specific factor , Factor XI that causes more clots internally and has little impact on clots needed for external bleeding</li>
<li>The premise is that if we can impact Factor XI, we can minimize the impact on external clots and slow internal clots.</li>
<li>Several drugs are being looked at now in clinical trials that impact only Factor XI</li>
<li>If these drugs can come to market they will be blockbusters, as the current drugs now have a $20 billion market, and that is with many patients refusing to take blood thinners because of the risk of blood thinners</li>
<li>It is expected that over 10 million individuals will need these medications by 2030.</li>
</ol>
  Chicago- Air pollution
<ol>
<li>At one point last year Chicago had the poorest air quality among the recorded 95 cities worldwide</li>
<li>Part of this was due to Canadian wildfires but vehicle exhaust and industry emissions cause the problems</li>
<li>In 2023 Chicago was ranked No 2 for worst air pollution among major US Cities</li>
<li>The health impact is noted in our lungs and eyes, but it also has more long term effects as well,</li>
<li>It does have an impact on those with asthma, COPD and heart disease </li>
<li>Individuals with these medical conditions should consider air purifiers in their homes and bedrooms</li>
<li>Drier and hotter conditions will continue to lead to large wildfires8. With the impact on Children, schools should also look at ways to improve air quality in the class room</li>
<li></li>
<li>Parkinson's  Disease</li>
<li>Diagnosis normally made with symptoms</li>
<li>News in Jama this week highlighting a biopsy test that may allow for identification of individuals who will end up with Parkinsons</li>
<li>Parkinsons thought of as a disease of older individuals, remember Michael J Fox was diagnosed at age 29</li>
<li>This test will identify Parkinson's years before symptoms begin</li>
<li>Cost is currently $1500</li>
<li>Allow doctors to diagnose based on biology not symptoms</li>
<li>The biopsy looks for a specific abnormal protein that impacts nerves</li>
<li>This protein is also being looked for in spinal fluid, blood, nasal swabs</li>
<li>There currently is no cure for Parkinsons, just medications that manage some of the symptoms</li>
<li>As the disease progresses the medications become less effective</li>
<li>Companies are now looking at treatments that target the abnormal proteins</li>
<li>Early diagnosis will hopefully allow for more options for treatment in the future.</li>
<li>Early diagnosis may allow for more research looking for a cause</li>
<li>Parkinsons can be hereditary but is very rare, but most cases have no cause identified</li>
</ol>

Steve Cochran rings the morning bell and gets your day started right. Featuring the best guests, the best interviews, and the best conversation, Steve Cochran is talking about what’s happening in your world. Smart, informative and (occasionally) funny, The Steve Cochran Show cuts through all the noise and brings you real talk radio every weekday from 5:30-9am on 890 WLS.

Steve Cochran rings the morning bell and gets your day started right. Featuring the best guests, the best interviews, and the best conversation, Steve Cochran is talking about what’s happening in your world. Smart, informative and (occasionally) funny, The Steve Cochran Show cuts through all the noise and brings you real talk radio every weekday from 5:30-9am on 890 WLS.

Steve Cochran on The Big 89

Steve Cochran rings the morning bell and gets your day started right. Featuring the best guests, the best interviews, and the best conversation, Steve Cochran is talking about what&rsquo;s happening in your world. Smart, informative and (occasionally) funny, The Steve Cochran Show cuts through all the noise and brings you real talk radio every weekday from 5:30-9am on 890 WLS.

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