Abdominal Adhesions
PodcastDX
This week we discuss Abdominal adhesions. These are bands of scar tissue that form between abdominal tissues and organs. Like the name suggests, the tissue can cause your organs to “adhere,” or stick together. Adhesions commonly form after abdominal surgery. Typically, you don’t need treatment unless they cause a complication, like a small bowel obstruction. Abdominal adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form between the organs in your belly and pelvis. Mainly, they form between loops of your . They can also form between an organ and the wall of your abdominal cavity. Your...
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Vaccines/ Re-Run
PodcastDX
The first human vaccines against viruses were based using weaker or attenuated viruses to generate immunity. The smallpox vaccine used cowpox, a poxvirus that was similar enough to smallpox to protect against it but usually didn’t cause serious illness. Rabies was the first virus attenuated in a lab to create a vaccine for humans. Vaccines are made using several different processes. They may contain live viruses that have been attenuated (weakened or altered so as not to cause illness); inactivated or killed organisms or viruses; inactivated toxins (for bacterial diseases where toxins...
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Ablation or Meds for AFIB
PodcastDX
This week we will discuss possible treatment methods for AFIB. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common type of irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat chaotically and out of sync with the lower chambers (ventricles). This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including: Palpitations (a feeling of a racing or irregular heartbeat) Fatigue Shortness of breath Dizziness or lightheadedness Chest discomfort AFib can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications. ...
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Vagus Nerve Injury
PodcastDX
This week we are talking about the Vagus Nerve. The vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve) is a critical part of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for regulating vital functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiration. It extends from the brainstem (medulla oblongata) through the neck and chest to the abdomen, with motor and sensory fibers allowing communication between the brain and organs. The vagus nerve has two branches—left and right—which overlap in regulating autonomic functions. Functions and Importance Cardiac and Pulmonary Regulation: The left vagus nerve...
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CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
PodcastDX
Our guest this week is Christine James. Christine is a mother to two daughters, 19 and 23, a nurse of 8 ½ years and now a chronic pain patient. She was happy to take the time to speak with us in order to bring awareness to a rare and largely unknown disease: CRPS or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. As a nurse she worked in the fields of home health, acute medical, psych, long term care, dialysis; and has floated to many other units within hospitals. She has worked at the bedside and have also held supervisory positions. Passionate about her career as a nurse, she hopes to get well...
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Integrative Neurology with Dr. Alexander Zubkov
PodcastDX
This week we discuss the field of Functional Neurology with Dr. Alexander Zubkov. Stroke care is complex and does not stop when a patient is discharged from the hospital. As a Functional Neurologist, Dr. Zubkov offers comprehensive follow-up for Stroke care, and focus on prevention through health and wellness. According to his online presence, these are the benefits of such tailored medical care: Benefits of Integrative Neurology and Functional Medicine Identify the root cause of your illness Decrease excessive inflammation ...
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Winter Safety
PodcastDX
The winter season brings cold temperatures and severe weather conditions that create many hazards for individuals working in areas that experience these conditions. Even if you work indoors, winter weather still poses many hazards for you, such as driving into work in bad weather or walking through an icy parking lot to get to your building. It is important to recognize and address the hazards the winter season brings with it. During extremely cold weather or winter storms, staying warm and safe can be a challenge. Winter storms can bring cold temperatures, power failures, loss of...
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Staying Healthy as a Veteran
PodcastDX
This week we are talking once again with Dan "Dry Dock" Shockley on "Staying Healthy as a Veteran" For Veteran's Day this year we are featuring Dan because even though he has been dealt a hard blow with a hereditary colon cancer gene he is not letting that slow him down one bit! As a matter of fact he is thriving and advocating for others around the globe as a hereditary colon cancer ambassador! Here is some more about Dan: Dan Dry Dock Shockley, retired U.S. Navy veteran; Operation Desert Storm; Enduring and Iraqi Freedom veteran and a hereditary colon cancer...
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Halloween Safety
PodcastDX
In this episode we will discuss Halloween Safety during COVID Fall celebrations like Halloween and Harvest Day are fun times for children, who at one time could dress up in costumes, enjoy parties, and eat yummy treats. These celebrations also provide a chance to give out healthy snacks, get physical activity, and focus on safety. Check out these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and some ideas to replace typical parties during these uncommonly scary times.
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Silicosis
PodcastDX
Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling tiny crystalline particles of silica, or silicon dioxide, often linked to work environments like mining, construction, stonework, and sandblasting. The disease leads to symptoms such as coughing, inflammation, and fibrosis (scarring) and is classified under pneumoconioses, a group of lung conditions caused by inhaling dust. Silicosis can be chronic, developing over more than 10 years of exposure; subacute, occurring in two to five years with heavier exposure; or acute, which can happen within months of intense exposure. Although silicosis is...
info_outlineThis week we will continue our coverage of Bile acid malabsorption (BAM), a gastrointestinal disease. It’s a common cause of chronic diarrhea. When bile acids aren’t properly absorbed in your intestines, they build up, upsetting the chemical balance inside. Excess bile acids trigger your colon to secrete extra water, leading to watery stools.
This week we will continue our coverage of Bile acid malabsorption (BAM), a gastrointestinal disease. It’s a common cause of chronic diarrhea. When bile acids aren’t properly absorbed in your intestines, they build up, upsetting the chemical balance inside. Excess bile acids trigger your colon to secrete extra water, leading to watery stools.
Bile acid malabsorption (BAM) is often misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or is overlooked in individuals with Crohn’s disease.
Bile Acid Malabsorption happens when the small intestine is unable to direct bile acid back to the liver. This means that the body doesn’t absorb water properly and affects digestion. The condition results in what is known as Bile Acid Diarrhoea.
How will a new test for Bile Acid Malabsorption be developed?
Currently, the only test for bile acid malabsorption is the SeHCAT test which is expensive, time consuming and uses radiation.
The team have developed a test which they believe will diagnose the condition more rapidly and cost effectively than the current test. For its initial testing phase, it will be used on stool (poo) samples, and in its second phase the research team will assess whether it can also guide treatment decisions on what dose should be given to individual patients.
The aim of the study is to establish a better test for BAM, do the groundwork for a future study of the role of faecal bile acid measurements within the NHS, and use the data collected from this trial to prepare other studies to assist with the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with BAM.
Why diagnose bile acid malabsorption?
Chronic diarrhea is one of the most common reasons why people get referred to specialist gastroenterology clinics, and can account for as many as 1 in 20 referrals. Bile acid malabsorption is a major cause of chronic diarrhoea and is thought to affect up to 1 million people in the UK.
As well as individuals with Crohn’s disease, as many as one in three people diagnosed with IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D) may actually be experiencing BAM but the current gold standard SeCHAT test is only available in certain UK centres. It is also time consuming and costly.
In 2012 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s Diagnostic Advisory Group concluded that a new test for the diagnosis of BAM was needed. (credits: Diagnosing bile acid malabsorption - Bowel Research UK :Bowel Research UK )