Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guest: Erick Bothun, M.D.  Normally, our eyes work together, providing us with one single image and providing accurate depth perception. However, when there’s misalignment of the eyes and they don’t point in the same direction, that’s known as strabismus. It’s much more than a cosmetic issue; a variety of complications…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guests: Erin O’Brien, M.D. & Rohit Divekar, M.B.B.S  Patients frequently come to primary care with symptoms of nasal congestion, facial pressure, post-nasal drainage and recurrent sinus infections and they often believe their symptoms should be treated with an antibiotic. Determining the underlying cause of the patient’s symptoms, deciding who will…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guest: Cheryl L. Khanna, M.D.  Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide and is characterized by progressive optic nerve damage often but not always associated with elevated intraocular pressure. When vision loss occurs, it begins insidiously and progresses silently. Many patients are unaware of any eye problems until they become advanced. Although ophthalmologists diagnose and manage those with…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guest: Joshua M. Romero, M.D.  Tendon disorders can be difficult to manage, and patients often suffer with chronic symptoms. Traditional treatments such as physical therapy, braces, and steroid injections have shown to be of limited benefit. There’s another treatment option for chronic tendon disorders; focused shockwave therapy. It’s non-invasive and uses acoustic pressure waves to stimulate healing in injured musculoskeletal tissue….

Host: Andy Herber, P.A.-C. Guests: Jennifer Bold, D.N.P., APRN, C.N.P.; Michelle Booth-Kowalczyk, APRN, C.N.P.; John Weimer, PA-C; Alec Williams, APRN, C.N.P., D.N.P.; As healthcare grows increasingly complex, the success of newly hired nurse practitioners and physician assistants depends not only on their preparation, but also on the systems that support their integration, development, and long-term…

Host: Darryl S. Chukta, M.D.  Guest: Robert D. McBane, M.D.  At times, pulmonary embolism can be very challenging to diagnose. While some patients have a very dramatic presentation, others may have very subtle, non-specific symptoms. Establishing a diagnosis quickly is important as a delayed or missed diagnosis can lead to excessive morbidity and mortality. What clues might a patient have that should…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guest: Ruti Sella Svetlit, M.D. Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision impairment, especially among older adults. While cataract surgery has been available for many decades, it has evolved significantly over the last several years. Patients now have multiple lens options which can give them a variety of…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guest: Stephanie L. Grach, M.D., M.S.  Chronic fatigue syndrome is now known as myalgic encephalomyelitis. Despite this change in terminology, there’s still a great deal that’s not known regarding this health problem. Clinical manifestations can include severe, persistent fatigue, often with a worsening of symptoms following physical exertion. Impaired sleep, potential cognitive impairment, and possible orthostatic intolerance is also commonly seen. The exact cause remains unknown, although several…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guest: Josh P. Wiedermann, M.D. Neck masses in children are commonly seen in a primary care practice. Fortunately, most are benign, although serious causes, including malignancy, always remain a possibility. Based on medical history, physical examination, and occasionally imaging studies, the cause is usually able to be identified. What are some key elements consistent with a benign neck mass? When does the management consist of…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D.  Guest: Karthik Ravi, M.D.  Eosinophilic Esophagitis is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed in primary care settings, yet it’s a common cause of esophageal symptoms. It’s commonly mistaken for the more common gastroesophageal reflux disease as it can present with symptoms of reflux and dysphagia. How can we differentiate eosinophilic esophagitis from reflux esophagitis? What’s needed to establish a diagnosis? What are the…