HealthTalks NOW

What is Long COVID?

Until 2020, the word “pandemic” wasn’t one we heard very often. Fast forward to 2021, and our vocabulary of public health-related buzzwords continues to grow. One term you may have heard in recent months is “long COVID,” also called long-term COVID, post-acute COVID or long-haul COVID-19. The condition has become so widespread that, in January, the World Health Organization revised its COVID-19 treatment guidelines to include the condition.

 

What exactly is a COVID long-hauler? In this informative episode, respiratory disease specialist Erica Gregonis, MD, joins host Kendra Barnes to discuss what physicians are learning about the long-term effects of having the novel coronavirus. Dr. Gregonis, chief medical officer for Baptist Health Richmond and a physician with Baptist Health Medical Group Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, also discusses treatment for long-term COVID. Tune in to learn more from Dr. Gregonis about long-term COVID symptoms, complications and treatment. 

 

You can find more information about COVID-19 at BaptistHealth.com/COVID-19.

 

Note: Baptist Health has developed a program for patients who have had COVID-19 and are still experiencing symptoms or do not feel they have fully recovered. If you are experiencing any issues after having COVID-19, such as persistent shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, or ongoing symptoms, you can get care now from Baptist Health's long COVID program via a virtual visit with a provider. To get started, visit BaptistHealth.com or sign-in to MyChart via your computer or mobile app. 

Undiagnosed ADHD in Adults

If you’re an adult on TikTok, you’ve very likely seen the surge of videos about adult ADHD. It’s gone viral and content creators are raising awareness, which is causing people to self-diagnose and wonder if they may be affected. On this episode, we're joined on the phone with Dr. Jonathan Martin, psychiatrist with Baptist Health Medical Group and an expert on ADHD so we can dig in and ask the questions that matter.

Vaccine Hesitancy Explained

Over the past year many new buzzwords have been added to our everyday vocabulary. One that remains on the forefront today -- vaccine hesitancy. The World Health Organization defines vaccine hesitancy as a “delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccination services." 

In this episode, primary care physician, Jai Gilliam, MD, explains what vaccine hesitancy is and why it's not such a new concept. He retraces history to explain why legitimate hesitancy exists today, and offers facts to combat COVID-19 vaccine misinformation. 

Taking #Pride In Our Care: LGBTQIA+ Health Equality

The first Pride March was in June 1970, marking the anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion in NYC. Since then, we’ve made progress, but there is a long way yet to go. In today's episode, we're joined on the phone by Dr. Eli Pendleton, primary care physician with Baptist Health Medical Group at our Deer Park location in Louisville. Dr. Pendleton is an amazing ally for the LGBTQ community and provides primary care to almost 250 transgender patients who travel in from all parts of KY and Southern Indiana. There are unique health issues and challenges that affect the LGBTQ community, and in today's episode, we’re taking some time to explore some of those.

The Importance of Cancer Screenings Post-Pandemic

Adding to the list of things disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, many elective medical procedures, including cancer screenings, were primarily put on hold to prioritize urgent needs, focusing on reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19 in healthcare settings. Additionally, patients were dissuaded from pursuing screenings with fear of contracting the disease. In today's episode, we're talking with Amitoj Gill, MD, to discuss this further and understand the possible repercussions.

My Why: Vaccine Testimonies from the Frontline

Deciding whether or not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine is intensely personal. Hear from frontline healthcare workers as they describe their decision process, recount their experiences, and share important information.

From Punishment to Privilege: Changing Your Fitness Outlook

Many well-intentioned optimists go into a new year set on living a healthier life. However, research shows even the most heartfelt resolutions go by the wayside way before Valentine’s Day. For American Heart Month, the HealthTalks Now team catches up with Jamie Robertson, a Lexington, Kentucky, fitness specialist. As a certified personal trainer and ACE® Health Coach, Robertson provides lifestyle education to all ages through Baptist Health. In this podcast, she explains the role nutrition and exercise can play before and after surgery and describes how lifestyle coaching can help you manage chronic conditions and improve your heart health. She also warns of the dangers of exercising too much or too strenuously. Tune in to learn more about this new service at Baptist Health and how to begin your fitness journey.

Bonus Content | Mind Unwind: Anxiety Meditation

The meditation is perfect for an end of the day wind-down. You'll work on breathing techniques to sync your mind and body and relax, focusing on releasing anxiety and stress.

 

We believe in healthcare for the whole person. At Baptist Health, we focus on the whole person – body, mind, and spirit. Our behavioral health services provide care for individuals dealing with mental illness, such as anxiety, depression, and drug and alcohol dependency. With treatment plans tailored to meet each person’s needs, we help our patients understand and manage their conditions. Learn more and find a Behavioral Health provider.

 

 

COVID-19: A Primary Care Doctor’s Perspective

Your primary care provider is often the first person you call when you’re sick and the physician who helps manage your overall health. During the pandemic, family doctors are pulling double duty, as they strive to strike a balance between providing safe care in-person and virtually. In this podcast, Russell Bird, MD, a Louisville doctor specializing in family medicine, offers his unique perspective to help us make sense of the pandemic. He explains the phased approach to vaccine administration and describes those who are most at risk for becoming infected with the virus. In addition, he talks prevention, clears up common misconceptions about the coronavirus, and emphasizes the importance of caring for our mental health.

Hospital Leader Talks Hope and Healing

According to statistics, Baptist Health Louisville has cared for 10% of Kentucky’s COVID-19 patients, and as president, Larry Gray has led the front lines of care at the hospital. He has seen firsthand the effects the pandemic has had on nurses, physicians and other staff providing direct patient care, as well as those who support them. He was also there in December, when the first dose of the vaccine against the novel coronavirus was given. For this episode, he takes time out to describe that hopeful moment, as well as ongoing efforts to keep morale high at the hospital. He discusses his greatest challenges, lessons learned, and the long-term impact the pandemic could have on healthcare. In addition, he details the careful planning it has taken to be prepared to safely store and properly administer the vaccine.