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 treatments depending on the severity such as splints, NSAIDs or surgery. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he provides us with a roadmap to recovery for de Quervain tenosynovitis. March 4, 2024 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

de Quervain Tendinopathy

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 new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

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 proctitis, it is often managed with dietary changes and medications like stool softeners and antidiarrheal drugs. Treatment for chronic proctitis will vary depending on severity and may involve medications, lifestyle modifications, procedures like balloon dilation or surgery. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal, your friendly neighborhood internist and gastroenterologist. February 19, 2024 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —   

Radiation Proctitis

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 that come in with Yersinia enterocolitica, will present with diarrhea and abdominal pain.  In some cases, your patient can experience reactive arthritis and erythema nodosum, affecting joints and skin. Once you confirm with a stool and blood test, antibiotics are recommended along with IV fluids. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal, survivor of contaminated PB&J, in Bugs and…IV fluids. February 12, 2024 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

Bugs and Drugs: Be Cereus

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 have to order a stool microscopy, antigen detection tests and PCR. The best way to treat Amoebiasis will depend on the severity of the infection, including antibiotics and antiparasitic medications. The best way is to prevent the infection in the first place with proper hygiene and safe water consumption. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he dives into this common yet complex gut dweller, known as Entamoeba histolytica. February 5, 2024 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

Bugs and Drugs: Amebiasis

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 bacterium. Next, the treatments that can be offered are prolonged antibiotic therapy and potential surgical intervention. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he dives deep into this enigmatic world of Whipple’s disease. January 29, 2024 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

Bugs and Drugs: Whipple Disease

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 and antibiotics to restore your gut health back to normal. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he dives into this mysterious gut condition and unravels its secrets to get you back to enjoying paradise. January 22, 2024 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

Bugs and Drugs: Tropical Sprue

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 is to prevent giardia by not drinking untreated water, avoid swimming in lakes or streams that may be contaminated and wash your hands after using the restroom. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he discusses this common, yet sneaky microscopic parasite. January 15, 2024 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

Bugs and Drugs: Giardia

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 acid and X-rays and joint fluid analysis will help identify the culprit. Some treatments are rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medications. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he spreads awareness about this lesser-known joint troublemaker. January 8, 2024 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

Now it's the Knees - Pseudogout

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 Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —    

Big Toes Watch Out - Gout

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 medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

Wondering about Water

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 brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

Home Alone Holiday Analysis

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 patient will present with such as facial pain, nasal congestion and loss of smell. The different treatments that you can offer are over-the-counter medications, antibiotics and nasal corticosteroids. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he helps us understand and manage rhinosinusitis. December 11, 2023 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

More Than Just a Stuffy Nose

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 swelling, weakness of the muscle and/or difficulty flexing the elbow. Treatment options will vary from rest, ice, compression, over-the-counter medications and physical therapy. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal helps everyone with this very common injury. November 27, 2023 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

Bothersome Biceps

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 relievers and physical therapy. Surgery may be recommended, but studies have shown that it might not actually help. We hope you have a great holiday week! Happy Thanksgiving! December 4, 2023 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —    

Plantar Fasciitis

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, which measures the pressure in the esophagus. And the treatments vary depending on the patient and the severity of their symptoms. November 13, 2023 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

A Different Kind of Chest Pain

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. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he helps keep an ear to the ground on Swimmer’s Ear. November 6, 2023 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

Swimmer's Ear

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 our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

Scary Myths for Halloween

In this week’s podcast, we will discuss two common overuse injuries of the elbow, commonly known as tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. Both are caused by repetitive use of the forearm muscles from a variety of activities, not just tennis or golf. Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is inflammation of the tendon on the outside of the elbow. Golfer’s elbow, also known as medial epicondylitis, is inflammation of the tendon on the inside of the elbow. Next we will go over the symptoms your patient will present with and the different types of treatments you can offer them. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he goes over these common, but painful elbow injuries. October 23, 2023 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

Elbows Aren't That Funny

In this week’s podcast, we will start our next series on dysphagia, specifically achalasia. Achalasia is a rare esophageal disorder that affects the nerves and muscles of the esophagus, in which the muscle does not relax properly. Making it difficult for food and liquid to pass into the stomach. We will discuss the symptoms your patient might present with such as dysphagia, regurgitation of undigested food, chest pain, and heartburn. Next, will be how achalasia will be diagnosed and the treatments that are available, depending on the type of achalasia. Join Dr. Niket Sonpal as he helps us swallow this difficult disorder our patients might encounter. October 16, 2023 — Do you work in primary care medicine? Primary Care Medicine Essentials is our brand new program specifically designed for primary care providers to increase their core medical knowledge & improve patient flow optimization. Learn more here: Primary Care Essentials —

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