A Look Into Preventive Care, Obesity, and Medical Marijuana With Dr. Stephen Harrold
In this episode, Pete Waggoner and Dr. Stephen Harrold of the Hudson Physicians delve deeper into routine patient visits and preventive care. They talk about the importance of screenings in diagnosing and preventing severe health concerns including cancers, heart attacks, and strokes. They also discuss obesity and how one’s diet can be one of the most important preventive measures against developing chronic diseases.
Towards the end of the episode, they chat about medical marijuana and its potential drawbacks such as physical addiction and withdrawal, especially for those who start using it at a young age. Dr. Harrold also provides more updates on the New Richmond Medical Center that is set to open in February 2023.
Takeaways:
- Preventive care offers many benefits in diagnosing and preventing diseases.
- A person’s diet and lifestyle choices are some of the most important preventive measures against developing chronic diseases.
In this episode:
[1:15] Host Pete Waggoner welcomes Dr. Stephen Harrold to the show by asking him about how he got interested in family medicine and why he decided to pursue a career in the field. The two transition the conversation shortly after to talking about preventive care and its importance in early detection and treatment of various health conditions.
[8:22] Pete shares about his personal experience with obesity and asks Dr. Harrold to provide more information on the topic, including its link to severe health concerns including the risks of heart attack and multiple cancers. Dr. Harrold also talks about the Mediterranean diet and why it is proven to be one of the most effective in maintaining a healthy weight and preventing chronic diseases.
[16:16] The two discuss strength training and whether it can help in lowering cholesterol levels. They then shift the conversation to the benefits of working at a physician-owned medical facility and how it can provide more comprehensive care for patients.
[22:49] Pete and Dr. Harrold talk about medical marijuana and the danger of physical addiction and withdrawal, especially for those who are in their late teens and late 20’s. Dr. Harrold also mentions cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a condition that is associated with excessive vomiting due to regular or long-term marijuana use.
[30:13] Dr. Harrold gives a glimpse into the New Richmond Medical Center and provides more specifics such as their target opening date, the specialties that will be offered, and the hours of operation.
Resources
- Hudson Physicians
- Stephen Harrold, MD
- Hudson Medical Center
- New Richmond Medical Center
- Read Show Transcript
Quotes
- “It’s not as glamorous as some other professions or other specialties, but I felt like I could save the most lives by working in family medicine.” – Dr. Stephen Harrold
