Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Jacob K. Dey, M.D. Bell’s Palsy is the most common cause of 7th cranial nerve dysfunction and clinically, it has a relatively abrupt onset resulting in unilateral facial paralysis. Fortunately, the majority of patients recover completely without treatment. Unfortunately, in some cases, the facial paralysis is persistent, and surgical…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Gregory A. Poland, M.D. Measles is a viral illness that very recently was considered rare in this country but unfortunately has seen a resurgence in recent times. It’s highly contagious and can lead to severe complications including encephalitis and potentially death. There is an effective vaccine and it’s typically…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Stacy D. D’Andre, M.D. When we diagnose a patient with cancer, we typically focus on finding the most effective treatment for that malignancy: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy. However, to a patient, the diagnosis of cancer means much more. Patients commonly experience fear and anxiety just from receiving the…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Melinda J. Hahm Bariatric surgery is very likely the most effective method for long-term weight loss. It’s not unusual for patients to lose well over 50% of their excess body weight. As a result, a variety of chronic health risks are reduced including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, hypertension…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Eric J. Moore, M.D. Salivary gland tumors can be benign or malignant, as well as primary or metastatic. Malignant salivary gland tumors usually present after the 6th decade, whereas benign lesions tend to occur a bit earlier, usually in the 4th to 5th decades. An interesting statistic is that…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Sunanda V. Kane, M.D. Most people who develop inflammatory bowel disease are diagnosed before the age of 30. In women, this often occurs during the middle of their reproductive years. Some with inflammatory bowel disease choose to avoid pregnancy, usually due to misconceptions about pregnancy risks. Yet if properly…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guests: Amanda M. Johnson, M.D., and Victor G. Chedid, M.D., M.S. This podcast continues our series on inflammatory bowel disease. The topic is important and timely: “Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Special Populations: The Elderly, the Obese and the LGBTQ Patient.” It’s critical that we broaden our perspective in addressing the…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guest: Konstantinos A. Papadakis, M.D. Due to the complexity and new pharmacologic options for the management of inflammatory bowel disease, patients often have their care provided by a gastroenterologist. They may not see their primary care provider as often as in the past and some of their preventive health maintenance…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guests: Darrell S. Pardi, M.D., and Laura E. Raffals, M.D. Pouchitis is a relatively common complication in patients who have ulcerative colitis and have had a proctocolectomy with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. It represents inflammation of the ileal pouch and symptoms may include increased stool frequency, cramps, fecal urgency and…

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. Guests: Darrell S. Pardi, M.D., and Laura E. Raffals, M.D. Microscopic colitis is one of the lesser-known members of the inflammatory bowel disease family. Symptoms include chronic, frequent diarrhea and fecal urgency. It’s usually suspected from the patient’s clinical symptoms and diagnosis is established by colonoscopy with biopsy. Biopsy is…