Podcast
Itchy and Bitchy
Hosted by Karen Nickell · EN
Nurse practitioner Karen Nickell discusses the realities of menopause and the female midlife in a way that is both informative and fun.
Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.
Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.
25episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Estrogen Has Been Let Out of Jail!
2w ago00:47:52Tap to summarizeKaren is joined by future Itchy and Bitchy hosts Stephen Miller, an acute care nurse practitioner specializing in cardiovascular disease, and Dr. Keith Hnilica, a veterinary dermatologist, for a wide-ranging conversation about estradiol and hormone replacement therapy. They discuss the recent removal of the FDA black box warning from most menopausal hormone therapy products and the long shadow of the Women’s Health Initiative study.Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.
Transcribe →Dining with Your Dog: No Kibble Needed
4w ago00:30:12Tap to summarizeFamily nurse practitioner Karen Nickell introduces future Itchy and Bitchy host Dr. Keith Hnilica, a veterinary dermatologist, for a lively conversation about pet food and what animals can teach us about wellness. They dig into GLP-1 drugs for pet obesity, the links between processed kibble, gut inflammation, and skin issues, why fresh or Mediterranean-style diets may be better for dogs.Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.
Transcribe →Can Heartbreak Physically Break Your Heart?
Apr 400:23:42Tap to summarizeKaren kicks off a new chapter for Itchy and Bitchy by introducing future host Stephen Miller, a cardiology nurse practitioner, for a conversation on Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or “broken heart syndrome.” Together they explain what this stress-triggered heart condition is, why it so often affects postmenopausal women, and what recovery can look like.Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.
Transcribe →Vaginal Biofilm: Stranger Than Fiction!
Mar 2100:17:10Tap to summarizeKaren answers a listener's question about vaginal biofilms. What are they and why do they make recurrent BV and yeast infections so hard to treat? She explains how these bacterial or fungal communities form protective layers that resist standard treatment, reviews options that may help break the cycle and looks at at-home microbiome testing.Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.
Transcribe →How to Reset Distress to Peace and Joy (RERUN)
Mar 1400:16:45Tap to summarizeKaren shares a collection of grounding techniques to help listeners manage stress, anxiety, and negative emotions. From holding ice, savoring food, and taking mindful walks to laughter, music, anchoring exercises, the 5-4-3-2-1 method, and even the calming power of pets, Karen offers tools to help listeners return to the present moment, ease stress, and reconnect with a sense of safety and calm.Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.
Transcribe →AI in Medicine: Friend or Foe?
Feb 2800:19:02Tap to summarizeKaren explains how AI is already being used in healthcare, from helping find polyps during colonoscopies to speeding documentation. She also covers the biggest concerns, including the possibility of errors, bias, privacy risks, and over-reliance.Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.
Transcribe →Digital Health: The New Wild, Wild West
Feb 1400:15:12Tap to summarizeKaren unpacks the fast-growing world of digital health, from Apple Watch and smartphone apps to telehealth and new hospital tech that can improve care and streamline recovery at home. She also addresses the downsides, raising concerns around the security of these technologies.Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.
Transcribe →Healing After Pet Loss: A Personal Tale
Jan 3100:12:46Tap to summarizeKaren shares a deeply personal episode on the human-animal bond after the loss of her family’s lovebird, Saki, exploring why pet grief can feel so profound and practical ways to heal. She offers suggestions, from letting yourself feel what you feel to creating memorial rituals, revisiting joyful memories, and caring for your body while you mourn, plus when to seek professional support.Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.
Transcribe →Grandmothers Rule: Menopausal Mammals Revisited
Jan 1700:14:39Tap to summarizeKaren Nickell revisits menopausal mammal, this time with brand new context: new research from Uganda’s Ngogo chimpanzees shows some chimps experience menopause too. She explains what makes humans evolutionary outliers, unpacks the grandmother hypothesis, and explores why certain toothed whales (like orcas) stop reproducing yet continue to live for decades.Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.
Transcribe →GLP-1: Not Just a Weight Loss Med
Jan 300:13:14Tap to summarizeKaren takes a look at GLP-1 receptor agonists, best known for weight loss and diabetes. She explores the rapidly expanding list of conditions these medications may help treat. From emerging and sometimes conflicting research on Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease to FDA-approved benefits for cardiovascular health, kidney disease, and fatty liver disease, Karen breaks down what the science currently shows and where caution is still needed.Visit our website itchyandbitchy.com to read blog posts on the many topics we have covered on the show.
Transcribe →