In this podcast, we will switch from water soluble vitamins to fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K). Unlike water soluble vitamins that need constant intake, fat soluble vitamins can be stored by the body. We will discuss what happens when we are deficient with the fat soluble vitamins A, E and K.  Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he dives deep into what makes these vitamins different from their water soluble counterparts. April 15, 2024 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care...

Next up in our Nutrition Series, we’ll crack the code on what B12 and folic acid do to your body. Those sneaky deficiencies can lead to you feeling less than normal. We will discuss the signs and symptoms between the two and try to understand the various factors that contribute to these deficiencies. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal so we can all be well informed about B12 and folic acid. April 8, 2024 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program...

In this episode, we will discuss part 2 of our micronutrient series: water-soluble vitamins. We will dive into the world of Vitamin C, and squeeze out the juicy details that boost our immune system. We will also take a tangy detour into the history of a happy hour drink, Gin and tonic. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he connects Vitamin C and happy hour. April 1, 2024 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for...

This week, we’ll start a new micronutrient series, water-soluble vitamins. We’ll break down the basics of water-soluble vitamins, explaining their role in health and why we need them. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, our bodies do not store them, and we need them regularly in our diet. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he sets the stage for this new micronutrient series. March 25, 2024 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically...

Do you ever feel like your hand is falling asleep all the time? Is it tingling or having a numb feeling? This common condition that is cramping your style is carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by repetitive hand motion, pregnancy and other medical conditions. The symptoms that your patient might experience is numbness, tingling or weakness in their hand. To make the diagnosis, you’ll perform various sensory and motor testing. Next, the treatment will depend on the...

In our State of the Union (medical edition), we will go over a number of changes in the medical field. We’ll crack open CDC guideline updates, explore a potential cancer link in acne medications, a melatonin gummy warning and debunking a TikTok trend. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he addresses the State of the Union (medical edition). March 11, 2024 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers...

Does your thumb hurt from doing repetitive movements such as texting or scrolling? In this episode, we will dive into a very common pain and swelling around the thumb tendons. In the past, we used to call it the Blackberry thumb, but now it’s more like iPhone or Android thumb. This condition is known as de Quervain tenosynovitis. We’ll discuss how your patient might present including tenderness, difficulty grasping objects and pain when twisting their wrist. Then, we’ll provide the different...

In this episode, we will discuss portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG). The most common cause for PHG is cirrhosis and can cause bleeding, ulcers and other complications. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he will go over the symptoms such as nausea, hematemesis and indigestion. Diagnosing PHG will include an upper endoscopy and possible biopsy if needed. The treatments will depend on severity. February 26, 2024 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand...

In this latest podcast episode, we will talk about radiation. No, not the radiation that gives you superpowers like in the movies. But, radiation proctitis, which is inflammation of the rectum caused by exposure to radiation therapy. Typically for pelvic cancers like prostate, cervical and rectal cancers. There are two types of radiation proctitis, acute and chronic. Acute develops up to 3 months after treatment and chronic develops more than 3 months after. To treat acute radiation...

In this week’s episode of Bugs and Drugs, we will dive into two worlds of food borne bacteria. One can be found in reheated rice, known as Bacillus cereus. The other is found in raw or undercooked pork, known as Yersinia enterocolitica. B. cereus can present with vomiting syndrome or diarrheal syndrome. You won’t need to do any testing unless there is an outbreak and antibiotics are not needed. Your patient will need some IV fluids and letting the bacteria go through their system. Patients...

In the latest episode of Bugs and Drugs, let’s dive into the microscopic world of Entamoeba histolytica. What is Entamoeba histolytica you ask? It is a parasitic infection that primarily affects the large intestine but can also travel to other organs like the liver. It can come from contaminated water and/or foods cooked with contaminated water. The signs and symptoms to look for range from mild diarrhea to severe dysentery with abdominal pain and bloody stool. In order to diagnose, you’ll...

In this latest Bugs and Drugs episode, we will discuss a very rare bacterial disease that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract. However, it can affect other organs such as joints, heart and lungs. This infectious disease is known as Tropheryma whipplei or Whipple disease. Your patient might present with chronic diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain and joint problems. To help you correctly diagnose this, you’ll need to take some biopsies and imaging to identify the T. whipplei...

For those that travel to paradise, you are looking forward to sunshine, sandy toes and…intestinal pain? Tropical Sprue, not to be confused with traveler’s diarrhea, is a chronic malabsorption syndrome that can plague those living in or visiting tropical regions. Symptoms like chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue can turn your dream vacation into a living nightmare. We’ll break down how to diagnose this sneaky, gut mimicking gut issue and the different treatments like dietary changes...

In this episode, we will talk about a microbe lurking in your water. It can cause intestinal problems such as diarrhea, stomach cramps and bloating. It’s found in contaminated water and undercooked or raw foods and is one of the most common waterborne illnesses in the United States. This microscopic parasite is giardia. Giardia can be diagnosed from a stool test or microscopic examination. And is treated with antibiotics, in most cases it will clear up within a few days. The best thing to do...

Knees causing trouble again? This time, it is not gout, but an imposter known as pseudogout. Now what is pseudogout, you ask? Think of it as gout’s mischievous twin. Like gout, it triggers sudden knee pain and inflammation, but instead of uric acid crystals, it is calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals in your joints. The symptoms are similar to gout, swelling, redness and pain, often in the knees, ankles or wrists. To diagnose pseudogout, you’ll do some blood work to check for uric...

Happy New Year! Have you or your patient ever experienced a pain in your toe so agonizing it feels like someone stabbed you in the joint? Then you might have what used to be known as, “the disease of kings,” also known as gout. We will dive into exploring gout, busting myths, exploring remedies and offering tips to keep those crystals calm. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he unravels the myths and misery of this royal pain. January 1, 2024 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care...

Happy holidays! Let’s take a deep dive into the world of water, that essential liquid we sometimes take for granted.  In this episode, we’ll be busting some myths about water’s most popular misconceptions.Is the pH in that alkaline water better for you? Is 8 cups of water enough to keep you hydrated throughout the day? Does dark urine mean you are dehydrated? Join Dr. Niket Sonpal on this refreshing journey as he dispels water myths. December 25, 2023 — Do you work in primary care...

As the holidays approach, one of the classic holiday movies that will be playing is Home Alone. As you may know, Kevin, the pint-sized architect of chaos, unleashes some amazing booby traps on the Wet Bandits. Ever wonder how they could have survived after each trap? Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he peels back and examines the (not-so-realistic) physics that kept our favorite burglars breathing. December 18, 2023 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our...

With the holiday season in full swing, it also comes with more people getting sick and getting sinus infections. The specific sinus infection that we will discuss is rhinosinusitis, which is an inflammation of the lining of the sinuses and the nasal cavity. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including allergies, infections and structural abnormalities. We will go over the four different types of rhinosinusitis: acute, subacute, chronic and recurrent acute. Next, is the symptoms your...

In the latest podcast episode, we will discuss a common foot condition known as plantar fasciitis. It is the inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. This tissue plays a crucial role in supporting the arch of the foot and absorbing shock while walking or running. Dr. Niket Sonpal will go over the symptoms, most common is heel pain and it is usually when taking the first couple of steps. Treatments for plantar fasciitis typically include rest, ice, pain...

In this episode, we will go over some common bicep injuries, which sometimes can be masked as shoulder pain. The bicep is located in the front of the upper arm and is responsible for bending the elbow.  Bicep injuries can range from mild to severe, and can be caused by a variety of factors, including overuse, sudden trauma, and underlying medical conditions. Some symptoms of a bicep injury can vary depending on the severity of the injury. Such as pain in the bicep muscle, bruising and...

Do you know what can cause chest pain and difficulty swallowing? Both, distal esophageal spasm (DES) and hypercontractile esophagus (HE). DES causes spasms of the lower esophageal sphincter, while HE causes contractions of the esophagus that are stronger than normal, also known as jackhammer esophagus. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he discusses the symptoms of DES and HE such as chest pain, difficulty swallowing and regurgitation. Both conditions can be diagnosed by using an esophageal manometry,...

In our latest podcast, we will discuss a common infection of the outer ear known as otitis externa or Swimmer’s Ear. It is caused by water getting trapped in the ear and creating a moist environment for bacteria and fungi. Some symptoms of swimmer’s ear are itching, discharge and hearing loss. The best ways to prevent swimmer’s ear, including drying your ears thoroughly and earplugs. Next, is the different treatments you can offer your patient depending on the severity of their infection. ...

Happy Halloween! In this episode, we will talk about some myths in medicine. First, we will talk about diverticulitis and we used to tell patients not to eat nuts and seeds. Next, we will talk about statins and myopathy. When we thought we should tell patients to take statins in general. The last myth will discuss STDs. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he enlightens us about some scary myths about medicine. 10/30/2023 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is...