Dr. Sehil Khanna discusses the risk factors and symptoms of C. difficile infection, including the role of antibiotic exposure and the spread of the infection in hospitals and nursing facilities. This chapter also covers the potential complications of the infection and the recommended treatments, including vancomycin and fidaxomicin. Furthermore, it explores options for recurrent infections such as antibiotic regimens, bezel or toxin map monoclonal antibody, and fecal microbiota transplantation. In addition, learn about the key points in diagnosing and treating C. difficile infection, including the importance of risk factors and obtaining a thorough patient history. Discover the recommended first-line treatments and the availability of bezlotoxumab for recurrence prevention, as well as the potential of microbiome-based therapies in the future.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. [@chutkaMD] Guest: Katherine A. Zeratsky, R.D.N., L.D. Chronic disease is creating a tremendous financial impact on our healthcare system. Cardiovascular disease alone accounts for approximately 18 million deaths globally, annually. Most often, we think of pharmacologic therapy in managing chronic disease, yet there’s good evidence that shows adults who eat a healthy diet have a lower risk of suffering from a variety of chronic diseases. Diet can play an extremely important role in preventing and managing such conditions as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, osteoporosis, and malignancy. Today’s podcast will review the role of nutrition in lowering the risk of chronic disease and our guest is registered dietician and nutritionist, Katherine A. Zeratsky, R.D.N., L.D., from the Division of Endocrinology at the Mayo Clinic. https://www.usdairy.com/about-us/national-dairy-council Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Host: Darryl S. Chutka M.D. [@chutkaMD] Guest: Liz A. Gilman, M.D. Guest: Chris R. Stephenson, M.D., M.H.P.E. As clinicians, we’re used to obtaining health information from our patients through a medical history, performing a physical exam and ordering a variety of lab tests or imaging studies. We then formulate a differential diagnosis and eventually a diagnosis to explain the patient’s health problem. But what happens when a diagnosis isn’t obvious or we’re uncertain what may be causing the patient’s problems. What if a patient asks us a question and we don’t know the answer? How do we express our uncertainty to our patients and how do our patients react to our uncertainty? In this podcast, we’ll discuss diagnostic uncertainty and how to approach our patients when we can’t find a specific diagnosis to explain their symptoms. Our guests include Liz A. Gilman, M.D., and Chris R. Stephenson, M.D., M.H.P.E., both from the Division of General Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic. Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Host: Darryl S. Chutka M.D. [@chutkaMD] Guest: Teresa A. Rummans, M.D. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused innumerable health complications. One complication which hasn’t received a lot of attention has been the effect seen on mental health. Since the pandemic, the incidence of mental illness has increased dramatically, both in patients who have been infected as well as those suffering the social consequences of the pandemic. This has led to mental health disorders representing a major cause of disability. What can we learn from a historical perspective as a result of previous pandemics? How does the COVID-19 virus produce the variety of neuropsychiatric disorders commonly seen? And most importantly, how can we help our patients with their mental health disorders associated with the pandemic? This podcast will review “Psychiatric Issues Stemming From COVID-19” with our guest, Teresa A. Rummans, M.D., a psychiatrist from the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at the Mayo Clinic. Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Host: Darryl S. Chutka M.D. [@chutkaMD] Guest: Lisa Lammert, R.D.N., L.D. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death to individuals in the U.S. Many feel that our typical American diet with its high saturated fat content is a major contributor to this. There’s good evidence that shows plant-based diets are cost-effective in lowering the risk factors for cardiovascular disease including obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. They may also lower the number of medications an individual needs to take to manage their chronic diseases. So, are there any disadvantages to a plant-based diet? Are all plant-based diets healthy and what are the nutritional challenges for a patient on a plant-based diet? We’ll discuss these questions in this podcast on “Plant-Based Diets”. Our guest is Lisa Lammert, a registered dietician and nutritionist at the Mayo Clinic. Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Host: Ishna A. Sharma, M.D. (@IshnaSharmaMD) Guest: Julia A. Jurgensen, APRN, C.N.P., D.N.P. The issue of obesity has become a significant public health concern not only in the United States but across the globe. Bariatric surgery was performed on almost 200,000 patients in the U.S. alone in 2020. Despite the recommendation for regular follow-up visits with bariatric providers, studies indicate a high rate of loss to follow-up among these patients. Consequently, they may seek assistance from a primary care physician years later, presenting concerns such as malnutrition or weight gain. Today, we are fortunate to have Julia A. Jurgensen, APRN, C.N.P., D.N.P. , a Mayo Clinic nurse practitioner who specializes in obesity and has vast experience managing patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. Link to weight loss blog referenced in the episode: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/weight-management-1/tab/newsfeed/#ch-tab-navigation Mayo Clinic Talks Obesity Edition Online CME Course Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. [@chutkaMD] Guest: Jason C. Sluzevich, M.D. Hair loss is quite common and although it occurs more commonly in men, it can also occur in women. It’s estimated that up to 80% of men and nearly 50% of women experience hair loss. While it’s not a life-or-death health issue, it can have a negative effect on confidence and self-esteem and a significant amount of money is spent on hair regrowth products and restoration procedures. Did you know that about 95% of our total skin area is covered in hair and you can lose up to 50% of your hair before it’s noticeable to others? How does hair loss differ in males and females? Why do some men go bald? And how effective is the pharmacologic treatment that’s available in producing hair regrowth? We’ll discuss these questions and more with our guest, Jason C. Sluzevich, M.D., a dermatologist at the Mayo Clinic. The topic for this podcast is “Handling Our Patients with Hair Loss”. Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Host: Ishna A. Sharma, M.D. (@IshnaSharmaMD) Guest: Seema Kumar, M.D. Guest: Todd A. Kellogg M.D. The topic of concern that is currently growing in both the United States and around the world is the issue of childhood obesity. According to the CDC growth charts, the number of children and adolescents affected in the US is about 15 million, with the prevalence reaching nearly 20% between the years 2017 and 2020. This is characterized by having a BMI that is at or above the 95th percentile. In order to delve deeper into this issue, we are pleased to have Seema Kumar, M.D., a pediatric endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic, and Todd A. Kellogg, M.D., a metabolic and bariatric surgeon, joining us today. Resources mentioned in the episode: American Academy of Pediatrics community resources Mayo Clinic Talks Obesity Edition Online CME Course Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.

Host: Darryl S. Chutka, M.D. [@chutkaMD] Guest: Michael J. Link, M.D. Guest: Matthew L. Carlson, M.D. Hearing loss is a commonly seen symptom in a primary care office practice, as is tinnitus and vertigo. Fortunately, they’re almost always due to a benign cause. However, these symptoms may represent something more ominous, an acoustic neuroma, also known as a vestibular schwannoma. It’s important to consider this diagnosis when we see them in our patients, as there is the potential for serious consequences to develop if this remains untreated. What type of hearing loss is associated with a vestibular schwannoma? What are the other associated symptoms? How do we go about evaluating these patients and how are they best treated? I’ll be asking these questions of our guests Michael J. Link, M.D., a neurosurgeon from the Department of Neurologic Surgery and Mathew L. Carlson, M.D., a head and neck surgeon from the Department of Otolaryngology, both at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Our topic for this podcast is vestibular schwannomas. Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd. 

Host: Ishna Sharma, MD (@IshnaSharmaMD) Guest: Omar M. Ghanem, M.D. Obesity has become a significant public health crisis worldwide, with the United States being no exception. A range of treatments is available, but metabolic and bariatric surgery is widely regarded as the most effective and sustainable option for managing obesity. In fact, this type of surgery can reduce the risk of premature death by 30% to 50%. Today's guest is Omar M. Ghanem, M.D., a prominent metabolic bariatric and foregut surgeon at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Ghanem is renowned for his extensive research work, which has resulted in over 75 peer-reviewed publications. Mayo Clinic Talks Obesity Edition Online CME Course Connect with the Mayo Clinic’s School of Continuous Professional Development online at https://ce.mayo.edu/ or on Twitter @MayoMedEd.