There are headaches. And then, for almost 40 million Americans, there are migraines.

“A migraine is more than just a simple or even a bad headache. For some people, it can be a debilitating neurological dysfunction that can significantly impact daily life,” says Anam Baig, MD, a neurologist with the Headache and Facial Pain Center at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital.

In this episode of the Florida Health Care Insider podcast, presented by Cleveland Clinic in Florida in partnership with the South Florida Business Journal, Dr. Baig discusses migraines’ myriad causes and symptoms, and existing and potential future remedies.

Dr. Baig says one of the most exciting recent developments for treating migraines is Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) inhibitors. These medications block the effect of the CGRP molecule, one factor that causes migraines. Botox injections are another option that Dr. Baig says can be highly effective for some people.

Before any treatment is administered, patients undergo detailed, individualized evaluations to uncover potential causes or “triggers” and their unique symptoms - and then determine treatment plans.

“Our number-one goal is to create a holistic treatment plan that fits the patient and delivers the relief they’re seeking,” Dr. Baig says.
Listen to this episode to hear about:

• Some surprising migraine triggers (4:40)
• The latest medical treatments (9:15)
• Feedback from patients at the Headache and Facial Pain Center (13:30)

Learn more here about the Headache and Pain Facial Center at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital.

Disclaimer

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine or any professional health care services. The information provided is not intended to create, and the receipt of it does not constitute, a health care provider-patient relationship. This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any professional advice or medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a licensed medical professional before undertaking any form of medical treatment, exercise program, or dietary guidelines. If you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, you should call a physician or 911 immediately. It is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Cleveland Clinic Florida Regional Health System or the South Florida Business Journal policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Cleveland Clinic Florida Regional Health System or the South Florida Business Journal. This podcast is provided as a courtesy, and we cannot guarantee that it is completely accurate or error-free. You assume all risk arising from the content of this podcast and Cleveland Clinic Florida Regional Health System or the South Florida Business Journal disclaim any liabilities to any parties.

For Dr. Nicolas Brozzi and heart-transplant recipient Anamaria Hernandez, April – National Organ Donor Awareness Month has personal significance.

“Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States and developed countries throughout the world,” says Brozzi, a cardiothoracic surgeon and researcher with Cleveland Clinic Florida’s Heart Transplant Program. “Although much progress has been made in treating cardiovascular disease, we continue to live with many risk factors and are working hard to defeat it.”

In this episode of the Florida Health Care Insider podcast, presented by Cleveland Clinic in Florida in partnership with the South Florida Business Journal, Brozzi and Hernandez share insights into the impact of organ transplants and donations.

“I'm eight months post-heart transplant now, and I feel great,” says Hernandez, whose surgery took place at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital following a lifetime of debilitating, heart-related problems that threatened her life.

Despite the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, Dr. Brozzi says advances in medical interventions are providing more treatment options for patients.

“Medicine continues to evolve at a very rapid pace,” Dr. Brozzi says. “There is opportunity to modify risk factors and prevent heart disease from advancing to late stages.”

Listen to this episode to hear about:

• Heart conditions that can lead to patients becoming-transplant candidates (10:58)
• The multidisciplinary nature of heart transplant procedures (16:53)

Click here to learn more about Cleveland Clinic’s Transplant Center in Weston Hospital.

Disclaimer

This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine or any professional health care services. The information provided is not intended to create, and the receipt of it does not constitute, a health care provider-patient relationship. This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any professional advice or medical advice, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a licensed medical professional before undertaking any form of medical treatment, exercise program, or dietary guidelines. If you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, you should call a physician or 911 immediately. It is neither a legal interpretation nor a statement of Cleveland Clinic Florida Regional Health System or the South Florida Business Journal policy. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Cleveland Clinic Florida Regional Health System or the South Florida Business Journal. This podcast is provided as a courtesy, and we cannot guarantee that it is completely accurate or error-free. You assume all risk arising from the content of this podcast and Cleveland Clinic Florida Regional Health System or the South Florida Business Journal disclaim any liabilities to any parties.

For Marylise Boutros, MD, the high point of her career has been leading research that can improve the quality of life for patients following surgery for colorectal cancer. It’s a reward that continually pays dividends with each recovering patient.

“This is the fruit of my last 12 years of work and really my passion,” says Boutros, director of research for Cleveland Clinic’s Ellen Leifer Shulman and Steven Shulman Digestive Disease Institute in Florida.

In this episode of the Florida Health Care Insider podcast, presented by Cleveland Clinic in Florida in partnership with the South Florida Business Journal, Dr. Boutros discusses advances in post-surgery care for patients experiencing low anterior resection syndrome, or LARS — advances she helped develop.

One advancement: an AI-assisted app Boutros and other researchers are developing that connects patients with each other, and with physicians, who can provide support and answer questions.

“Patients will be able to seek education and counseling and not feel alone and get real expert advice,” Boutros says.

Listen to this episode to hear about:

• The cornerstone of LARS management (8:59)
• Boutros’ interest in the interaction between the brain and the gut (22:57)

Learn more here about Cleveland Clinic in Florida’s Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute.