Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guest: Joshua M. Romero, M.D.  Pickleball has become one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S., especially among older adults. This rapid rise in popularity has also resulted in a significant number and variety of sports-related injuries. It’s important for primary care clinicians to recognize the most common injuries and their risk factors. We should also discuss preventive…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guest: Stacey Rizza, M.D.  Although vector-borne illnesses can be acquired by travel to distant parts of the world, some can be acquired here in the U.S. As a result, these infections become pertinent to primary care clinicians as they can produce serious complications. When should we suspect a vector-borne illness in a patient? How do we distinguish it from other viral syndromes?…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guest: Stacey Rizza, M.D.  Lyme Disease is a tick-borne illness commonly seen in various parts of the country. Despite its common occurrence in the primary care practice, it’s associated with confusion and controversy. From the presenting symptoms, occasional ambiguous serologic results, to managing patients with persistent symptoms following treatment, primary…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guest: Stacey Rizza, M.D.  We’ve now had our second outbreak of a potentially deadly infectious disease. Hantavirus has been diagnosed in several individuals and most recently just under 100 cases of Ebola Virus have been confirmed along with several hundred suspected cases. Ebola virus is caused by several species of the Ebola…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guest: Benjamin Lai, M.D.  Substance use disorders are chronic and often relapsing conditions associated with compulsive substance use. They result from a complex interaction of chemistry within the brain, often combined with genetic and environmental issues. Common substances involve alcohol, stimulants, sedatives and opioids; opioids commonly prescribed by health care clinicians. Early identification of…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guest: Michael Mueller, M.D.  Fibromyalgia is a chronic health problem commonly seen in a primary care setting. It can be challenging to diagnose and even more so to manage. It can have a devastating effect on a patient’s lifestyle, and patients will commonly go from provider to provider seeking relief for their…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D  Guest: Mark D. Tyson, III, M.D., M.P.H.  Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, and primary care clinicians are often the first to evaluate patients with bladder cancer. The symptoms are usually subtle and may include either gross or microscopic hematuria. The decision in whether to investigate these presenting symptoms can often impact early diagnosis and the patient’s…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guest: Stacey Rizza, M.D.  Hantavirus has been in the news lately. Although it’s rare, it can cause serious disease which can be life-threatening.  Early symptoms are similar to other common viral infections including fever, myalgias, headache, and fatigue. As a result, the ability to establish an early diagnosis is challenging. Who’s…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.   Guest: Joseph Murray, M.D.  Celiac Disease affects approximately 1% of the population worldwide and can present at any age, frequently with very subtle, atypical or at times entirely non-GI symptoms. The presentation can be extremely diverse and may involve a variety of organ systems. If not recognized and effectively treated, multiple potentially serious complications can…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guest: Uma Thanarajasingham, M.D., Ph.D.  Systemic lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease with a variety of immunologic and laboratory abnormalities. It has numerous clinical manifestations potentially involving multiple organs. It’s known as the great imitator because it can mimic a variety of other diseases, and it’s not uncommon for patients to have symptoms for a number of years prior to a diagnosis being established. What symptoms…