Causes or Cures
Causes or Cures is a global health podcast hosted by Dr. Eeks. It is an independent, grassroots podcast rooted in curiosity and passion that tries to break down trending health topics into bits that everyone can understand. Dr. Eeks has an MD, MPH and is a West Point graduate who works as a public health consultant and does a lot of work around health communications. She is passionate about how science is communicated and has a penchant for using a blue-collar sense of humor as a health communications tool. On this podcast, she features experts from all over the world (doctors, scientific researchers, public health experts, and public figures) with the goal of discussing hot topics in health and scientific research in a down-to-earth kinda way. *If you SUBSCRIBE to Causes or Cures +, you will have access to the BONUS EPISODES where I do deep dives and share true, colorful stories related to public health.*
DISCLAIMER: Some topics are more controversial than others, so keep in mind that this is information only and not any kind of health advice. Dr. Eeks doesn't endorse any of her guests' views, and despite a strict health routine, nor does she endorse any products, supplements, oils, magic socks or potions. Causes or Cures is not a "news site." It's about having conversations, and Dr. Eeks is confident that she can have a respectful conversation with anyone, even people who think far differently than she does.(At least that's been her experience at hole-in-the-wall bars.) The point is to not take anything here as Gospel. Sometimes Dr. Eeks' dog Barnaby makes his opinion known, but the good news is that he's a smart dog. Most importantly, she hopes this podcast encourages folks to stay curious, empathic, hopeful, compassionate, honest, open-minded and engaged. Freedom of discussion is a beautiful thing, delightfully messy, and one that many take for granted. *The views on this podcast do not reflect the views of anyone she contracts with or consults for. **You can contact Dr. Eeks through her website, bloomingwellness.com.
Causes or Cures
Fentanyl's Ripple Effect: Uncovering a New Syndrome due to Prenatal Exposure, with Dr. Erica Fernandes
In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Erica Fernandes about the identification of a new syndrome linked to fentanyl exposure while in the womb.
Dr. Fernandes first discusses how a new syndrome related to developmental or genetic abnormalities is identified and then explains how they carried out their study at Nemours Children's Hospital. She discusses the specific characteristics identified in the babies enrolled in their study and how fentanyl was identified as the common exposure. She explains how other known syndromes were ruled out and discusses ongoing research to determine how exactly fentanyl causes the new syndrome. Finally, she offers next steps in terms of informing the public and public health.
Dr. Fernandes is a practicing physician and researcher in the division of medical genetics at Nemours Children's Health. Her and her team's study on the new syndrome was recently published here in Genetics in Medicine Open.
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