Our “Ask the Experts” web chats are designed to offer tips and information about hot topics in health and wellness. We bring together panels of doctors, researchers, and other health specialists to give you the facts and answer your burning questions.
Watch on the Michigan Medicine YouTube channel.
Upcoming Web Chats
Check back for the date and time of the next Ask the Experts web chat.
How to Participate in a Web Chat
Participation is free and the chat will be streamed live from this page, over the Michigan Medicine Facebook page and over the Michigan Medicine YouTube channel. Submit your questions: We welcome your questions for this experienced panel. You may submit questions live during the web chat through Facebook (via private message or by commenting on the video itself) or by emailing Ask-MichMed@med.umich.edu. Can’t participate live? The web chat will be available for viewing on the Michigan Medicine Facebook page, on the Michigan Medicine YouTube Live Stream playlist, as well as archived below.
Past Web Chats
Brain and Neurological Conditions
- Concussion: Clearing Up the Confusion Michigan Medicine NeuroSport professionals: Matthew Lorincz, M.D., physical therapist Pam Knickerbocker and athletic trainer Jere Freeman discuss important concussion-related topics, including how to tell if your child has a concussion, what happens to the brain, recovery myths, safe return to activity and more.
- Stroke 101: Identification, Diagnosis & Treatment U-M stroke experts Cemal Sozener, Mollie McDermott and Ted Claflin review identifying signs and symptoms of stroke and what to do, discuss the latest treatments and also give an overview of what stroke rehab entails for patients. Learn about how critical stroke rehab is in maximizing a stroke patient’s recovery and about resources for adaptive activities to maintain quality of life during that journey.
Cancer
- Breast Cancer 101 Director of the Rogel Cancer Center Breast Care Center Jacquline Jeruss, MD, PhD, and medical director of the Rogel Cancer Center Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Evaluation Program Sofia Merajver, MD, PhD talk everything about breast cancer. From diagnosis, to genetics, to metastasis.
- Cervical Cancer: What to Know Gynecologic oncologist, Jean Hansen, D.O., along with family medicine scientist, Diane Harper, M.D., answer questions regarding prevention, screening and treatment options for cervical cancer.
- Ovarian Cancer Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Q&A
- Prostate Cancer Members of the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center’s multidisciplinary urologic oncology team answer your questions on prevention, screening, treatment and what research is being done around prostate cancer.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Coronavirus Q&A from Michigan Medicine Michigan Medicine infectious disease specialist Sandro Cinti, M.D. answers your questions about the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
- COVID-19: Behind the Scenes of Testing Duane Newton, Ph.D., director of the clinical microbiology laboratory at Michigan Medicine, explains the challenges of COVID-19 testing and how U-M is helping to address them.
- COVID-19: Clinical Trials Q&A A panel of Michigan Medicine experts answers your questions about vaccines and other clinical trials to prevent and treat COVID-19.
- Mask Q&A: Your Questions On Face Coverings Answered Amanda Valyko, MPH, director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology, covers commonly asked questions regarding masks and discusses the importance of face coverings.
- Vaccine Q&A: From Flu to COVID-19, Everything You Need to Know About Vaccines Are vaccines safe? Will a COVID-19 vaccine mean we can go back to normal? If I get a flu shot this year, why do I have to get another one next year? There are a ton of questions about vaccines, and Dr. Pamela Rockell, family medicine physician and author of the book Vaccine Science and Immunization Guideline: A Practical Guide for Primary Care, answers questions about vaccines, from flu to COVID-19.
Eye Care and Vision
- LASIK 101 For many people, refractive surgery offers tremendous benefits: clearer vision and freedom from contact lenses and glasses. But, there is a lot to consider before you choose LASIK surgery or any other form of vision-correcting surgery. First, are you a good candidate for the surgery? Which of several procedures is best for you? What are the risks? Michigan Medicine ophthalmologist Christopher Hood, MD, ophthalmic technician Erin Mano and LASIK patient Andrea Scafasci answer your LASIK questions.
- Gene Therapy for Inherited Retinal Dystrophies Advances in gene therapy are yielding new options for treating inherited retinal degenerations, giving specialists new tools — and new hope for patients and families. Experts from the University of Michigan's Kellogg Eye Center - one of the few facilities performing the groundbreaking treatment - provide informaton about gene therapy, the science behind it, and what types of patients are potential candidates.
Heart and Vascular Care
- Do You Need a Sports Cardiologist? Experts Eugene Chung, M.D., and Sharlene Day, M.D., discuss how a sports cardiologist provides specialized care to athletes and active individuals. Find out what people at different age levels should know about their heart health, conditions such as atrial fibrillation and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, when to consider genetic counseling and more.
- Heart Month 2020: Take control of your heart health Michigan Medicine experts take a close look at the risk factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease such as smoking, obesity, cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension and a discussion on strategies to control these with both lifestyle modification and medical treatment. While we can’t control genetics, there is a lot that can be done to optimize heart health and quality of life. Our experts in cardiology, cholesterol management and nutrition welcome your questions.
- Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators 101 Our ICD panel, electrophysiologist Ryan Cunnane, nurse practitioner Laura Horwood and ICD patient Lisa Mulcrone, answers a variety of questions about ICDs: what they look like, where and how they’re implanted, who benefits from them and, from a patient perspective, how to live confidently with the device.
- Metabolic Syndrome: A dangerous combination of risk factors Listen as Michigan Medicine cardiologist and gastroenterologist discuss Metabolic Syndrome – a group of health conditions that increases your risk for heart attack, stroke, heart failure and diabetes. Our experts will talk about what metabolic syndrome means and how obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and liver disease play a role in diagnosis. Treatment involves lifestyle modification, and our panel includes a patient who had success in making changes to improve her health through treatment. She will share what she learned and how she overcame challenges and obstacles.
- Understanding Ventricular Assist Devices Have you been told you need a ventricular assist device (VAD), also known as a heart pump? Or are you new to having one and have questions? Cardiac surgeon Francis Pagani, M.D., cardiologist Keith Aaronson, M.D., and LVAD patient Mike Sovran discuss these devices.
- Women’s Cardiovascular Health: Getting to the Heart of the Matter A panel of Frankel Cardiovascular Center cardiologists, including Sara Saberi, M.D., Claire Duvernoy, M.D. and John Bisognano, M.D. discuss the unique characteristics of heart health in women, how heart attack symptoms vary for women, how things like obesity, pregnancy, cholesterol, and high blood pressure can impact women’s heart health, and more.
Lung Disease and Respiratory Care
- Breathing Easier: A Minimally-Invasive Treatment Option for COPD Our expert panel discusses the latest treatment options for COPD, including the Zephyr valve treatment, which is a minimally invasive procedure to help improve breathing and quality of life. Panelists include Michigan Health Pulmonology specialists Wassim Labaki, M.D. and Jose De Cardenas, M.D., and patient Janice Bright, who received the Zephyr Valve treatment.
- COPD: The Unknown Epidemic COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., yet many people have never heard of it. In fact, millions of people have symptoms of COPD and don’t know it. Michigan Medicine experts Meilan Han, M.D., José De Cárdenas, M.D., and Doug Arenberg M.D. discuss the symptoms, risk factors and the latest therapies for this prevalent but under-recognized lung disease.
- Dangers of Vaping Last year, an outbreak of a mysterious lung disease associated with vaping sent hundreds of people to the hospital. While public health authorities are closer to identifying the cause of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), questions still remain. Is it safe to vape? Michigan Medicine experts discuss the risks associated with vaping, what is known about the vaping illness outbreak, and what parents should be on the lookout for.
- Living with Cystic Fibrosis Our pediatric and adult cystic fibrosis (CF) physician experts, along with a CF patient who is thriving and doing great things for CF awareness talk about what CF is, how treatments and life expectancy have changed over the years, and what it is like to grow up with and live with CF.
- New Treatments for Severe Asthma & Managing Allergy Triggers Pulmonologist and director of the Asthma Program Njira Lugogo, M.D., and allergist Anna Kovalszki, M.D., along with patient Latasha Phelan Wright, discuss severe asthma, including how it is diagnosed and managed, and how allergies may play into it.
- Understanding COPD Michigan Medicine pulmonologists Meilan Han, M.D., and Wassim Labaki, M.D. answer questions about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and discuss symptoms of the disease, risk factors you may not be aware of, the latest treatment options and more.
Pregnancy, Childbirth and Infertility
- Breastfeeding 101 Whether you’re pregnant with your first child, experiencing latch difficulties, or planning for the transition back to work, our specialists answer your questions!
- Fertility 101 Featuring Center of Reproductive Medicine team members Dr. Samantha Schon and Dr. Elizabeth Constance, fertility specialists, and Melissa Medina, financial counselor
- Is Egg Freezing Right For You? Featuring Dr. John Randolph and Kristina Bak, RN, from the Center for Reproductive Medicine
- Trying to Conceive: Understanding Female and Male Infertility During National Infertility Awareness Week 2022, Center for Reproductive Medicine team members Dr. Samantha Schon, Dr. James Dupree and Brandi Walerski discussed female and male infertility.
- Understanding Male Infertility Featuring Dr. Jim Dupree and Dr. Miriam Hadj-Moussa, urologists with the Center for Reproductive Medicine
Safety
- Summer Safety 101 Whether you're planning a day on the water, mowing the lawn or a picnic in the park, our specialists aanswer your questions and give you easy-to-follow tips to keep your whole family safe.
Social Issues
- Alcohol Awareness and Recovery Opioids and marijuana grab the headlines – but alcohol remains the most-abused drug, partially because of its socially-acceptable reputation. Join experts from the University of Michigan Addiction Treatment Services for a thoughtful discussion about being aware of your own use, how to tell if you have a problem, cutting back or quitting entirely, and different types of recovery options.
- Children, Teens & Firearms Expert panelists, Dr. Rebecca Cunningham, Dr. Patrick Carter and Dr. Marc Zimmerman, lead a new effort to study the issue of children, teens and firearm-related injuries and deaths. Their program is called the F.A.C.T.S. Consortium, short for the Firearm Safety Among Children and Teens. The program is funded by the National Institutes of Health and includes researchers from across the country. Drs. Cunningham and Carter are both trained as emergency physicians, and Professor Zimmerman specializes in studying resilience and violence prevention among teens.
- Marijuana's Impact on Your Health Recreational marijuana is now legal in Michigan, but do you know all you need to about the health effects of cannabis? A panel of Michigan Medicine experts talk about addiction issues, physical effects (including lung disease) and the medicinal benefits of marijuana for the treatment of chronic pain.
Surgery
- Closer Than Ever to a Healthier You: Bariatric Surgery Q&A Members of Michigan Medicine’s nationally-accredited bariatric surgery program – including a surgeon and a nutritionist – join one of our real-life patients to provide insight and answer questions about the entire bariatric surgery process, including pre- and post-procedure.
- Oh My Aching Back! Surgical Solutions for Back and Neck Conditions Our board-certified orthopaedic surgeons talk about back and neck conditions and the latest advances in surgical treatment options. You will gain the knowledge you need to take the next step in caring for your back and neck issues.
Wellness
- Managing Addiction During Quarantine Jonathan Morrow, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Michigan Addiction Center explains the strains that social distancing and the COVID-19 pandemic place on those struggling with addiction, and provides suggestions for getting help and prioritizing recovery during this challenging time.
- Mental Health during COVID-19 Michigan Medicine mental health experts discussing tips for coping with the stress, anxiety, uncertainty and distress that are rampant because of COVID-19.
- Social Distancing and Kids Caring for children during the COVID-19 outbreak can mean more than just practicing good hygiene. When social distancing is a must, establishing routines, behavior management and information on how to schedule your day can help provide some structure in a time of uncertainty. Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician Dr. Jenny Radesky offers helpful information and tips to help your child during the coronavirus outbreak.
Women's Health
- Breast Reconstruction - Your Questions Answered Join Michigan Medicine plastic surgeons Jessica Hsu and Paige Myers for an interactive discussion about the complicated matter of breast reconstruction. They'll discuss various options and you'll hear from patients who have undergone different procedures.
- Break Free from Pelvic Floor Disorders Urogynecologists Megan Schimpf, M.D., and Pamela Fairchild, M.D., and urologist Priyanka Gupta, M.D., talk about basic bladder and pelvic health as well as common problems and treatment options.
- The “Fourth Trimester:” Your Questions Answered Michigan Medicine experts from Obstetrics and Gynecology and Psychiatry talk about the care moms need in the "fourth trimester," the first six weeks after having a baby.