Health Stuff

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over-the-counter pain medications are common, but how much do we actually know about what we’re taking? Dr. Priyanka and Hari break down the differences between acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, including what each medication treats, how they work, and the risks to your liver, kidneys, stomach, and heart. Plus, they bust common myths about mixing medications, drinking alcohol, daily use, and how to read the label so you don’t accidentally take too much.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonsil stones are small, common, and easy to mistake for something more serious. Hari and Dr. Priyanka break down how these little balls of trapped debris form in the tonsils, why they can cause bad breath and throat irritation, and what makes some people more prone to them. They also cover how to prevent them, what you can safely do at home, and why you should resist the urge to go digging around your throat with a Q-tip.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this mini episode, Dr. Priyanka Wali shares practical health advice about the everyday symptoms and screenings people often overlook. She explains when eye floaters can signal something serious, why routine eye and hearing exams matter more than most people realize, what your gums and teeth can reveal about your overall health, and why pregnant women should avoid changing cat litter. She also breaks down the safest way to handle earwax, when a fever requires urgent care, what persistent wounds can signal, common causes of hair loss, and why massage therapy may offer real health benefits beyond relaxation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hemorrhoids are incredibly common, but most people are too embarrassed to talk about them. Hari and Dr. Priyanka break down what hemorrhoids actually are, why they happen, how to prevent them, and when it’s time to see a doctor. They cover toilet habits, fiber, pregnancy, treatment options, and accidentally invent the phrase "hemorrhoid salad.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lyme disease gets most of the attention, but it’s only one of several serious illnesses that ticks can spread. This week, Hari and Dr. Priyanka explain how tick-borne diseases are changing alongside our environment, why quick tick removal matters, and how to protect yourself during peak tick season. They also discuss alpha-gal syndrome, the challenges of diagnosing Lyme disease, and what to watch for after a tick bite.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

White noise might be the most famous sleep sound, but it’s not the only one. This week, Hari and Dr. Priyanka explore the world of noise colors, including white, pink, brown, blue, and green noise. They break down how different sound frequencies affect the brain, what the research says about sleep, focus, ADHD, and tinnitus, and why some people find certain sounds calming while others can’t stand them. Plus, Priyanka shares the story of a rare ear condition that temporarily affected her hearing and changed the way she thinks about sound.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Priyanka and Hari take a hard look at the state of American healthcare and what it means to advocate for yourself in a system that often feels impossible to navigate. Joined by OBGYN physician assistant and We Deserve More author Nikki Sapiro Vinkier, they discuss medical gaslighting, reproductive justice, trauma-informed care, and why patients deserve more than the bare minimum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

STIs are common, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of. In this episode, Hari and Dr. Priyanka break down chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis, how they spread, why many people don’t have symptoms, and how at-home testing is changing sexual health. They also talk openly about stigma, partner communication, and why getting tested is a normal part of caring for yourself and others.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Priyanka and Hari dive into the science of better sleep with expert Dr. Ashley Mason, unpacking what “healthy sleep” really means. From inconsistent schedules and late-night scrolling to alcohol, naps, and blue light, they explore what’s helping or hurting your rest.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Priyanka and Hari break down the history of poliovirus, how it spreads, and what it actually does to the body, from mild illness to permanent paralysis. They explore how the iron lung, early outbreaks, and decades of medical innovation shaped our understanding of the disease, and how the development of the polio vaccine became one of the greatest public health achievements in history. They address common concerns, misinformation, and the real risks versus risks of vaccination.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Priyanka and Hari explore the science of blood, blood transfusions, and why donated blood remains one of the most essential tools in modern medicine. They break down what blood actually does in the body, the different components of blood, and how blood types determine who can give and receive lifesaving transfusions. They also cover who can donate blood, the issue with blood shortages, and how blood donations save lives. Then they unpack the strange and surprisingly chaotic history of blood substitutes and the ongoing effort to create artificial blood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.