In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Amaal Starling discuss the prevalence and impact of migraines, affecting approximately 1 billion people worldwide. Dr. Starling highlights the genetic and hormonal factors and discusses the different subtypes of migraines. They delve into the importance of talking to your doctor or seeing a headache specialist if you are experiencing headaches and migraines, as well as the economic burden of migraines in the US. Finally, they discuss exciting new treatment options, ones that have been developed over the last decade.

Key Takeaways:

• There is a lot of stigma around people with migraines. Women with migraines and pain conditions are disproportionately stigmatized.

• 1 in 5 women, 1 in 11 children, and 1 in 16 men are affected by migraines - an average of 1 in 7 worldwide.

• Different people will experience migraines and migraine treatment differently. They all also have different triggers, though some are more common, such as red wine, nitrates, and caffeine.

• Many new migraine treatment options are not covered, either immediately or at all, by insurance providers.

• Colic in infants appears to be associated with increased risk of adult migraine.

"There is still a lot to learn about the genetics of migraines. Genetics is a strong factor in who is going to have migraines versus not, but there are also a lot of other external and internal factors." — Dr. Amaal Starling

Episode References:

• American Migraine Foundation: https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/

Connect with Dr. Amaal Starling:

Professional Bio: https://www.mayo.edu/research/faculty/starling-amaal-j-m-d/bio-20147052

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amaal-starling-md-fahs-faan-085b58a3

Connect with Therese:

Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net

Threads: @critically_speaking

Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Therese Markow and Richard Kirk discuss the rise of inequality and homelessness, highlighting the lack of access to healthcare and resources for marginalized populations. They delve into the myth of trickle-down wealth and the downsides of gentrification. Richard also discusses the impact of large projects, such as stadiums, which increase property values and rents, exacerbating homelessness. He emphasizes the need for better regulations and policies to address these issues.

Key Takeaways:

• There is no adequate tracking of the fates of people displaced by gentrification, large-scale projects, and other circumstances.

• Gentrification sometimes starts informally with young professionals, artists, or students moving into an affordable area with new businesses following. Other times, it is intentional with cities and developers targeting an area for development, but this is often done without protections for those original community members.

• People in displaced communities often don’t have the knowledge and energy, due to the roadblocks placed by those in charge and the need to work, in order to fight back against the gentrification and aggressive acquisition of their property.

• Since the 1970s, the government has stepped back from providing affordable housing and robust social safety nets, prioritizing private investment and large development projects.

"It's really, really hard to combat something that is a global phenomenon without major reforms at the federal level. But elections at every scale matter, and voting still matters." — Richard Kirk

Episode References:

• SAJE - https://www.saje.net/

• Necropolitics by Achille Mbembe: https://muse.jhu.edu/article/39984/summary

• Neoliberal necropolitics and the global competition for urban dominance by Richard Kirk - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016718524001684?via%3Dihub

Connect with Richard Kirk:

Professional Bio: https://geog.ucla.edu/person/richard-kirk/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/richard-kirk-49110024a

Connect with Therese:

Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net

Threads: @critically_speaking

Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this episode, Therese Markow and Dr. Molly Hales discuss the growing trend of young children using anti-aging skincare products, influenced by social media and influencers. Dr. Hales highlights the concerns about the rise in young patients with skin reactions to these products. These young users often apply multiple products with potentially irritating ingredients (and often multiple active ingredients or multiple products with the same active ingredient). Dr. Hales also emphasizes the need for basic skincare routines for young users, with a focus on sunscreen, and calls for better education and regulation to protect these children.

Key Takeaways:

• Girls as young as 9 are increasingly using antiaging creams geared to older women. These products contain ingredients and are designed for more mature skin rather than youthful skin.

• Sunscreen is the number one recommended product for people of all ages (except babies under 6 months). This is also not the most commonly used product among social media influencers with their viral skincare routines.

• There are three main risks associated with using improper skincare products, with the main risk being irritation (irritant contact dermatitis).

• Brands get more attention and recognition by sending free products to influencers for videos, reaching a wider (and younger) audience than they might otherwise.

"It seems like, as more younger and younger people are putting more and more products on their skin, that there is more and more skin allergy that's happening and that's going to follow kids around for the rest of their lives." — Dr. Molly Hales

Episode References:

• Pediatric Skin Care Regimens on TikTok - Molly Hales, MD, PhD - https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/156/1/e2024070309/202103/Pediatric-Skin-Care-Regimens-on-TikTok

Connect with Dr. Molly Hales:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-hales-987b6410/

Connect with Therese:

Website: www.criticallyspeaking.net

Threads: @critically_speaking

Email: theresemarkow@criticallyspeaking.net

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.