According to the Canadian Association of Optometrists, 2.4% of North Americans have lazy eyes, and 5% of children have crossed eyes, conditions that often go unnoticed but can lead to blindness if untreated. On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie is joined by Dr. Sapna Sharan, an Ophthalmologist from St. Joseph's Health Care London's Ivey Eye Institute to uncover the causes, symptoms, early detection techniques and treatments for these serious eye conditions.Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break.

For most women, pregnancy and birth are a time for celebration. It can also be a time of significant change in their bodies, hormones, diet and sleep. These changes can worsen or bring on mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Between 10 and 20 percent of pregnant women and new mothers are affected by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth, but many of them are reluctant to report psychiatric symptoms, feeling shame and worry or thinking their symptoms are normal. On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie chats with Dr. Verinder Sharma, a psychiatrist in St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Mental Health Program at Parkwood Institute. Dr. Sharma specializes in diagnosis, treatment and research of mood disorders and peripartum psychiatric illnesses.Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break

Inside all of us are tiny microbes that help our immune system judge friend from foe, breakdown and absorb nutrients and protect us from pathogens. Numerous studies have proven our gut flora, made up of these microorganisms, is tied to virtually every process in our body. Various diseases and conditions can affect our bodies microbiome and one way we can help bring balance back is through ingesting microbes in probiotics, prebiotics and fermented foods. On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie and Jeremy Burton, a Ph.D. scientist and Deputy Director of the Canadian Centre for Human Microbiome and Probiotics based at St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Lawson Health Research Institute discuss how microbes affect our health.  Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break

Nearly 8 million or 1 in 5 Canadians live with chronic pain (Government of Canada). People who experience chronic pain face a wide range of physical, emotional and social challenges while suffering what's often referred to as an invisible illness. There is hope and in this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie chats with Dr. Geoff Bellingham an anesthetist and the Medical Director of the Pain Management Program at St. Joseph’s Health Care London to find out what treatments are available for people living with chronic pain.  Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break

Some of us remember a time when booking a yearly check-up with our family doctor was just part of trying to stay healthy. But is that common practice now? And is it something that people who don’t have a family doctor, a number that’s rising in Ontario, need to be worried about? On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie chats with Dr. Laura Lyons, a family physician at St. Joseph’s Health Care London's Family Medical and Dental Centre about yearly physicals and when and how people can get important screening for diseases and conditions.   Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break

Wrist pain is often caused by sprains or fractures from sudden injuries but can also be from long-term problems, such as repetitive stress, arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. How do you know what is causing your wrist pain and what will help? In this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie asks these questions of Dr. Ruby Grewal and orthopaedic surgeon at St. Joseph's Health Care London's Roth McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre who specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions and ailments that affect the wrist, hand and arm.Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break

Did you know rheumatoid arthritis affects one in 100 Canadians of all ages? This debilitating autoimmune condition causes the body's immune system to mistakenly attack its own tissue. Experts say it's like the body is on fire but if diagnosed and treated early that fire can be put out. In this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie and Dr. Tom Appleton, a Rheumatologist in the Rheumatology Centre at St. Joseph’s Health Care London discuss the symptoms, treatment options and exciting future care for people living with rheumatoid arthritis.Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break

Sexual assault is a crime of violence, one that often leaves victims in need of medical care and support to help them recover. How do you best support someone after a SA, or where do you go if you have been a victim? In this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie and Dr. Susan McNair, a family physician and the medical director of the Regional Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Treatment Centre at St. Joseph’s Health Care London discuss what care and services are available for people who have experienced sexual assault and how to help survivors. Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break

According to Brain Injury Canada approximately 200,000 Canadians suffer a concussion each year. While 80 per cent of people recover from a concussion, up to 20 percent can suffer from what’s known as persistent concussion symptoms.People are often told to rest after a concussion diagnosis and while rest is important, getting back to activity is as important for recovery. But how do you safely start activity or support someone after concussion? On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie talks to Dr. Heather MacKenzie a physiatrist in the Acquired Brain Injury Program and St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Parkwood Institute. She is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of concussions, and rehabilitation therapies to help those who are suffering from persistent concussion syndrome.Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break

As we age some of us find our joints more tender and prone to injury than before. You may even wake up one morning with unexplained discomfort in major joints such as the shoulder. But how do you know what's caused the pain? Is it an injury, arthritis, overuse or did you just sleep in a strange position? On this episode of the Doc Talks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie gets answers to these questions from world renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Darren Drosdowech from St. Joseph's Health Care London's Roth McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre. Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health and well-being of billions of people across the world, especially frontline health care workers. In this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie sits down with Dr. Don Richardson, a psychiatrist and the medical director of St. Joseph’s Health Care London’s Operational Stress Injury (OSI) Clinic at Parkwood Institute. Dr. Richardson is also the Scientific Director of the MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre and is leading a team conducting a study on the current state of health care worker mental health and how health care organizations can help support their teams. Dr. Richardson is a foremost expert on military-related post-traumatic stress disorder with more than two decades of experience in the assessment and treatment of Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans. Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break

Navigating the health care system on behalf of a child with a lifelong condition like Spina Bifida or Cerebral Palsy can be daunting. St. Joseph's Health Care London's Transitional and Lifelong Care (TLC) Program is a resource for parents and individuals living with these conditions and more. On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie and TLC physician Dr. Caitlin Cassidy, a physiatrist that specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation talk about the transition for these patients from paediatric to adult care.

Did you know you can develop a food allergy at any age? More than 2.6 million Canadians, including 500,000 children, are living with food allergies and there are a lot of myths out there about their prevention, treatment and diagnosis. In this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie learns more about the most common food allergy myths from Dr. Samira Jeimy an expert and allergist at St. Joseph’s Health Care London's Allergy and Immunology Program.

Could your snoring be a warning sign of a bigger health issue? Snoring is one of many signs of sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing repeatedly stops and starts. If you snore loudly and feel tired even after a full night's sleep, you might have sleep apnea. So how do you know if you have sleep apnea and what are the treatment options available? On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie learns more about sleep apnea from expert physician Dr. Brian Rotenberg, an otolaryngologist - head and neck surgeon at St. Joseph’s Health Care London.   Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break.Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.

Fecal transplants - otherwise known as poop in a pill - are now a routine treatment at St. Joseph's Health Care London for a life-threatening condition called Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) – the major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. This novel treatment is also showing promise in helping combat illnesses such as skin, renal and pancreatic cancer, HIV, multiple sclerosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and more. Learn more about how donated poop is making its way into guts in the latest episode of the Doctalks Podcast with host Ian Gillespie and guest Dr. Michael Silverman, St. Joseph's Chief of Infectious Diseases and scientist with Lawson Health Research Institute. For more on the DocTalks Podcast visit www.sjhc.london.on.ca/podcast or follow us on Twitter @stjosephslondon. Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation.Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break

According to the Canadian Continence Foundation more than 3.3 million Canadians experience at least one type of urinary incontinence. The severity of urinary incontinence can range from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that's so sudden and strong you don't get to a washroom in time. In this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie and St. Joseph's Health Care London urologist Dr. Blayne Welk discuss the types of urinary incontinence that affect women and the various treatments available to them. From surgery, to bladder training and even botox for the bladder, listen to learn more what could help you from peeing when you cough. Listen for free to the DocTalks Podcast episode with Dr. Welk. For more information visit www.sjhc.london.on.ca/podcast or follow us on Twitter @stjosephslondon. Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation.Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break

The pituitary is a master gland that regulates the production of six different hormones in the body in a unique balance. Too much or too little of any hormone can have significant effects on your health. But how do you know if your pituitary gland is working properly? There are a range of symptoms and conditions that can be caused and effected by issues with the pituitary gland. In this episode of the DocTalks podcast, host Ian Gillespie chats with St. Joseph's Health Care London's Chief of Endocrinology, Dr. Stan vanUum about the pituitary, what it does, what happens when it's not working and the latest research in the field. For more information visit www.sjhc.london.on.ca/podcast or follow us on Twitter @stjosephslondon. Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation.Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break

Geriatricians are doctors that specialize in providing medical care for older adults. They start by assessing the person to find out what medical conditions they may have. They also review their medications and care needs. They then make suggestions for care options and services in the community. There are many reasons someone should see a geriatrician such as a change in their ability to move around (walk etc.), an increase in falling or a change in their thinking skills. Geriatricians are also crucial members of our provincial health care team. In this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie interviews St. Joseph’s President and CEO Roy Butler and Chief of Geriatrics Dr. Sheri-Lynn Kane to understand when people should seek geriatric care and what St. Joseph's is doing to prepare for the tsunami of older adults needing health care.  For more information visit www.sjhc.london.on.ca/podcast or follow us on Twitter @stjosephslondon. Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation.Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break Help a Patient Who Can't Go Home for the Holidays!Season of Celebration began with a single question from the care-giving team, "How can we make Christmas a little brighter for those in our care, who can't go home for the holidays?" What began as a single wish, has now become a beloved community campaign in support of St. Joseph’s mission of care. Did you know there are more than 1,000 inpatient beds at St. Joseph's? We are a home for Veterans, residents in our long-term care facility, people in our mental health program and those requiring specialized care. Many of these people will not have the option of leaving our care to visit family over the holidays.Your gift to Season of Celebration will support the purchase of care and comfort items that make a hospital feel more like home — everything from accessible furniture and exercise equipment to blanket warmers and interactive technology that keeps those in hospital connected to the outside world.

Delirium is a serious condition that can cause mental confusion and reduce someone’s ability to be aware of their surroundings. Delirium occurs when signals in the brain are impaired. This impairment can be caused by a combination of factors and can affect someone in as little as a few hours. In this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie learns from St. Joseph's Health Care London geriatrician Dr. Alishya Burrell the causes of delirium, what signs to look for and what treatments are available. For more information visit www.sjhc.london.on.ca/podcast or follow us on Twitter @stjosephslondon. Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation.Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner. Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break Help a Patient Who Can't Go Home for the Holidays!Season of Celebration began with a single question from the care-giving team, "How can we make Christmas a little brighter for those in our care, who can't go home for the holidays?" What began as a single wish, has now become a beloved community campaign in support of St. Joseph’s mission of care. Did you know there are more than 1,000 inpatient beds at St. Joseph's? We are a home for Veterans, residents in our long-term care facility, people in our mental health program and those requiring specialized care. Many of these people will not have the option of leaving our care to visit family over the holidays.Your gift to Season of Celebration will support the purchase of care and comfort items that make a hospital feel more like home — everything from accessible furniture and exercise equipment to blanket warmers and interactive technology that keeps those in hospital connected to the outside world.

Can Type 2 diabetes go into remission? On this episode of the DocTalks Podcast, host Ian Gillespie asks St. Joseph's endocrinologist Dr. Tamara Spaic to share strategies people can use to prevent diabetes and even move into remission through use of medications and changes in lifestyle.  Want to learn more? Listen for free to the DocTalks Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. For more information visit www.sjhc.london.on.ca/podcast or follow us on Twitter @stjosephslondon. Like our content? Remember to subscribe to be notified of new episodes. Brought to you in partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care Foundation.Note: The content of St. Joseph's DocTalks Podcasts is for informational purposes only. The material is not intended for and should not be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from a licensed health care practitioner.Produced by The Pod Cabin and Kelsi Break Help a Patient Who Can't Go Home for the Holidays!Season of Celebration began with a single question from the care-giving team, "How can we make Christmas a little brighter for those in our care, who can't go home for the holidays?" What began as a single wish, has now become a beloved community campaign in support of St. Joseph’s mission of care. Did you know there are more than 1,000 inpatient beds at St. Joseph's? We are a home for Veterans, residents in our long-term care facility, people in our mental health program and those requiring specialized care. Many of these people will not have the option of leaving our care to visit family over the holidays.Your gift to Season of Celebration will support the purchase of care and comfort items that make a hospital feel more like home — everything from accessible furniture and exercise equipment to blanket warmers and interactive technology that keeps those in hospital connected to the outside world.