It is on the rise in the desert. Valley Fever is a fungal infection found in desert soil. And while the desert is magnificent place to hike and recreate, people need to be aware of this under diagnosed disease. Listen and learn about the desert dust that causes Valley Fever.AWLS

Join us for an engaging discussion on decision-making in high-stakes environments, blending insights from the wilderness and the clinic! In this talk, Dr. TJ Hartridge, DO FAWM DiMM, Dr. Nate Furman, PhD, and Sarah Petelinsek will explore the fascinating overlap between backcountry adventures and clinical practice. Discover how our choices are infl…

This podcast that explores the unexpected secrets hidden in some of your favorite fruits and nuts. Join us as we dive into the surprising world of urushiol, the natural compound responsible for skin reactions in plants like poison ivy—and found in some edible fruits and nuts! From mangoes to cashews, discover the science, history, and culinary quir…

Lake Powell is the second largest reservoir in the USA and has been visited by millions of people. The National Park Service has reported that the scary Algae Blooms are now found all over the reservoir. These disease causing algae are to be avoided at all costs. Listen and learn about scary Lake Powell.…

For a fisher, it is almost a rite of passage that they get a hook in their skin. But there are a many other potential injuries in the great sport of fishing. Listen and learn about them as you become hooked on fishing.AWLS

Urine will darken in color with dehydration, which is bad enough. But when it turns to a 'cola' color, watch out! This might indicate something far more perilous as muscle breakdown might be occurring which can damage the kidneys. It is called rhabdomyolysis. It is dangerous and far more common than you would think. Listen and learn about dangerous…

'Pagkain para aa bata' means 'food for children' in the language of the Filipinos. The lack of nourishing food and soil transmitted worms makes it almost impossible for some children in the Philippines to thrive. But one man's dream has come true and now thousands of children daily are eating nourishing food and becoming free of horrible parasitic …

So many effective medicines have come from fungi. There is a new one that outdoor enthusiasts are using called the Zombie Fungus. It is actually called Cordyceps and its potential use is staggering. Listen and learn what we know about this exciting new fungi.AWLS

Long a mainstay for the treatment of allergic reactions, Benadryl's side effects may be too problematic for backcountry medical treatment. Listen and learn to say goodbye to Benadryl and hello to new antihistamines.AWLS

It is one of the least talked about subject in wilderness medicine. You think about it briefly when you camp under a tree with dead branches or one that is leaning toward your tent. Listen and learn how to be safe from the falling risks of camping under a tree.AWLS

Its symptoms depend on where it enters the body. Both animals and insects spread it. In this podcast. we explore the rare bacterial infection known as tularemia, or ‘Rabbit Fever.’ We look into the science, symptoms, transmission, and treatments of this little-known disease that is on the rise.AWLS

Three viruses you might have read about in the news, remind us that disease is spread to humans from insects. Don't be scared, just be safe always when exploring the world. Listen and hear about three rare viruses and are emerging.AWLS

If you have a fever headache and chills after your wilderness adventure, you may have typhus. Thought to be rare, this set of diseases is making a comeback. It is spread by chiggers, fleas and lice, insects that are so tiny that they can barely be seen. Listen and learn what you need to know about typhus.…

In this podcast we explore the science behind chiggers, their life cycle, their diseases and where you find them. Listen and learn everything you need to know about these tiny, troublesome tiny biters.AWLS

They are made from red pepper oil and are great deterrents for bears and mountain lions. But other issues remain in their effective use. Listen and learn about how to spray and survive.AWLS

Adventures who go up to altitude can have a number or problems. One of these is an odd breathing pattern when trying to sleep. it is called periodic breathing. It is caused by the ups and downs of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood when sleeping at altitude. And it can cause its own set of problems for those trying to go higher. Listen a…

We all love to 'smell' the outside. But what role does it play in our health. Research is starting to look at this. And surprising results in a new study show that regular exposure to greenery in middle age can delay the onset of dementia. Listen to this newest in our podcast series of using wilderness as medicine.…

While an incredible outdoor experience, few people know how to make it happen. Listen to this podcast as Matt McKinnon tells us how we can safely enjoy this wilderness sport and see all the beauty slot canyons have to offer.AWLS

Deaths from hyperthermia are on the rise. Water is simply essential in the metabolism of our body. But is it the solution to prevent hyperthermia? Transferring heat from the body is how to avoid hyperthermia. Listen to this important podcast on the physics of the prevention and treatment of heat related disease.…

It sounds like the premise of a creepy movie, but this one is real. It is Vibrio vulnificus. It is found in warm salty water where people like to swim. It enters the skin through small cuts and can cause necrotizing fasciitis. Listen and learn about this growing threat.AWLS

Are you ready for the remote jungle? Dehydration and nutrition are essential for a successful expedition. And get ready for a whole host of new diseases. Listen as Dr. Samuel Dyer shares his knowledge and experience of working in Kaieteur National Park in the country of Guyana.AWLS

Here is an open discussion about menstrual periods in the wilderness. Listen as Holly Davis and Freya Sutcliffe from Cambridge University in the U.K discuss an important but overlooked topic.AWLS

Not all medicine is practiced in a clinic - sometimes it is on rough waters where the penguins live. Expedition medicine is austere medicine and wilderness medicine at its finest. Listen and learn from Dr. Jennifer McGowan and Dr. Raymond Orthober from the University of Louisville School of Medicine's Department of Emergency Medicine as they discus…

We all worry about HAPE and HACE when we go up on the mountain. Little attention is placed on the heart. But new studies give us data and create cause for concern. Listen and learn about the heart at altitude.AWLS

One is painful, one is noticeable, one will cause blindness. These three eye diseases happen, in part, because we go outdoors in the sun. Listen and learn about the trifecta of outdoor eye disease.AWLS

It was isolated in Uganda in the 1930's, then quickly spread around Africa. It found its way to the USA in 1999. It is on the rise and it is not a benign disease. The fatality rate for West Nile Virus can be as high as 9%. Listen and learn about this disease and how to avoid it.AWLS

Trekking poles are basically ‘ski poles’ that are specifically designed for use while hiking. Science gives some important data into the value of using them. But in the end it is up to you. Listen and learn about the medicine of trekking poles.AWLS

Most people who go outdoors have heard of this. Most people don't know much about it. It can change the color of the water, making it easy to see, but many of these bacteria live on the side or bottom of a river or lake. You cannot treat water containing cyanobacteria to make it safe to drink. Listen and learn about another growing danger in the wa…

They happen to almost everyone. You are hiking on a beautiful trail, maybe up a steep hill, all is going well. Then all of a sudden, it hits. A muscle cramps . It is so painful that it prevents you from going any further. What causes them, how can they be prevented, how are they treated? While they remain mysterious in their origin, there are certa…

More people are being injured by lightning as they go outside to places and at times where lighting is present. This podcast will spark your curiosity and illuminate the mysteries of lightning and help you stay safe as you venture outdoors.AWLS

Deaths from drowning incidents are increasing for the first time in 20 years. What is drowning? What causes injury, how do you treat someone? And most importantly, how do you prevent drowning from happening? Listen to this important update on drowning.AWLS

It was first isolated in the forests of Africa but now Zika Virus is found in many places of the world. This disease does not cause serious symptoms, if any at all. But this is what makes it scary, because it can cause serious birth defects. Listen to know more about this horrible disease.AWLS

Most people call it Crypto, and most people will have only mild diarrhea. But don't be mistaken, not only can it ruin a trip, it is very contagious and many people can get it. And some will get very sick. Worse still, It is resistant to chlorine and iodine. Listen and learn how to prevent this parasite from entering your body.…

It is estimated that more than 280 million human infections each year are found just in Africa, Asia, and America. In Mexico, the seroprevalence is 53%. Half of all people don't show symptoms. When they do, they stink! Listen and learn about this parasite that is found everywhere.AWLS

We have longed talked about wilderness medicine, that is treating people in the outdoors. But what about using the wilderness AS medicine to treat people by using the outdoors as therapy. We start an important concept with this podcast.AWLS

One year before recording this podcast, Matt was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Instead of canceling his goals, he elevated them with the plan to summit a 4000 m (13,000 foot) mountain. The obstacles are real. Listen to how he's overcoming them.AWLS

Most people know that ticks can cause disease. And most people have heard of Lyme disease. But there are many more and some are deadly. Listen and learn about the many diseases that ticks put in us.AWLS

You notice a red circular rash on your skin where a tick had bitten you. It must be Lyme disease - right? Think again! While the causative agent is not known, the STARI rash is being seen more and more. So, is it STARI or Lyme? Listen and find out.AWLS

Its fantastic to take your dog outdoors into the wild. But you watch as they swallow water you would not drink. They sniff and eat things you would not touch. And then you wonder if they will get sick? Giardia is everywhere. Do dogs get it?. How do you know if your pet has it? What do you do to treat it? Can you get a Giardia infection from them? L…

People know to where a personal flotation device (PFD) when in and around water. But how can a tiny thing support me? What types of PFD's are there and which ones are the best? Listen to his important podcast about the essentials of the PFD and me.AWLS

Broken legs are common skiing injuries. But this one was a race against the cold and pain. Life lessons learned come from hindsight. Let's listen and learn how to be better prepared when a great day turns bad.AWLS

So many things can cause pain in the knee when we are outside recreating. Trail runners and backpackers frequently feel the strain on their knees for sure. Surpirsingly, some of the problems can be corrected by a simple change to our shoes. Listen and find out about the Gooses's Foot and other knee problems caused by our feet.…

These worms go back and forth from humans to pigs and back to humans again. They live in human intestines as tape worms, but can find themselves in our muscles, eyes and even our brains. Listen and learn about the crazy life of the pork tapeworm.AWLS

Few people do this beautiful sport but most people know about it. When done safely it is not as extreme a sport as once thought. Listen and learn about the medicine and safety of ice climbing.AWLS

Ice fishing is one of the most beautiful outdoor sports possible. It has its own unique medical issues that most people don't think about. Listen and learn about fishing on ice - just not on thin ice.AWLS

A common name for this disease implies it causes illness in the winter time. It actually is called Norovirus and happens all year round. It poses a special risk to backcountry travelers because, it can be spread in the air by vomit and is resistant to hand sanitizers. Listen and learn about the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the worl…

While not recognized as a true medical diagnosis, its effects are very real. Many people are not going outside and experiencing nature, and this is causing problems, particularly in children. Listen and learn about the growing school of thought that describes nature deficit disorder.AWLS

So they've earned the nickname “the murder hornet,” but really they're known as the Asian giant hornet. Raiding parties of several dozen of these can kill whole hives containing thousands of bees in a few hours! In the last of this series, here is the untold and dramatic story of this new insects that stings us by Dr. Matt Gunderson .…

In July of 2021 a family suffered the ultimate tragedy when their dad, Wil Lundberg died while riding his electric skate board. For the first time ever, he did not wear a helmet. Turning sadness into hope, his wife created a foundation to encourage people to wear helmets. Listen to this amazing story and help her in her mission to save lives. The f…

We all know the feeling of being colder when the wind blows across our skin, and we have heard of the charts that measure that effect. Listen and learn about the wind chill factor.AWLS