07/19/2026

The Healthy Matters Podcast

S06_E03 - Tick-Talk! We're Talking Tick-Borne Illnesses

With Special Guest: Dr. Diana Zychowski, MD, MPH

Ticks are usually really small, but the fear factor around them is HUGE - and for good reason! These little menaces are responsible for Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Alpha-Gal syndrome, and other illnesses you might not have even heard of, and this can produce a lot of anxiety around going outdoors during the summer months. But what's the truth around these little hitchhikers? Is there really that much cause for concern? And how would you know if that fatigue, headache, lethargy, or muscle ache isn't just from being dehydrated while toughing out another hot Summer in Minnesota?

Joining us on Episode 3 is Dr. Diana Zychowski, an infectious diseases specialist at Hennepin Healthcare, and she'll help us get wise with the basics on these bothersome bugs. We'll talk about the current state of ticks in Minnesota, the myriad illnesses they can carry, what to do if you happen to get bitten, and most importantly, the best tips for how to still get out and enjoy a little of the outdoors this Summer. We hope you'll join us!

Read more helpful information on ticks here: Tiny Ticks, Big Impact

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