BMJ Best Practice Podcast

We release episodes fortnightly. Bell's palsy is the most common unilateral facial palsy in adults. It is most prevalent in people between 15 and 45 years of age. And it can cause a range of complications - including ongoing facial weakness, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, exposure keratopathy, and ectropion. So it is important that we get the diagnosis and management of this condition right. In this BMJ Best Practice podcast, Kieran Walsh talks with Professor Matthew Miller about Bell's palsy. Matt is Assistant Professor Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Competing interests: none declared

We release episodes fortnightly. Hypothermia is a serious condition - it can cause rhabdomyolysis, electrolyte disturbances, and cardiac arrhythmias. It can also kill. In the UK, the annual number of hypothermia-related deaths is about 300. And in countries with colder climates, the numbers are far higher. So it is important that we get the diagnosis and management of this condition right. In this BMJ Best Practice podcast, Kieran Walsh talks to Dr Alexander Alexiou, Emergency Medicine Consultant, Barts Health NHS Trust about hypothermia. Competing interests: none declared

In this discussion, Dr. Abel Jarrell, a dermatologist and dermatopathologist, sheds light on rosacea, a common inflammatory skin condition affecting many. He highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis, detailing symptoms like persistent redness and papules. Dr. Jarrell discusses various treatment options, including topical agents and light therapies, and emphasizes the need for personalized management. He also cautions against misdiagnosis and the significance of identifying triggers, offering valuable insights for both patients and practitioners.

Delaram Safarpour, an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Oregon Health & Science University, dives into the complexities of Parkinson's disease. She outlines how it presents with both motor and non-motor symptoms, including key diagnostic signs and the importance of careful patient history. Delaram discusses the role of levodopa and the trade-offs with dopamine agonists, alongside treatment for associated issues like depression and cognitive decline. Practical advice on managing symptoms and recognizing atypical syndromes rounds out her insights.

Data and big data in healthcare are both important and topical. Big data has the potential to transform how we provide healthcare but can also be problematic. There can be problems with how data is captured, cleaned, and corrected or with how we update data. BMJ is playing an increasing role in this field. We have our own BMJ Data Set which provides AI healthcare technologies with current, credible, and AI-ready content. In this BMJ Best Practice podcast on healthcare and data, Kieran Walsh talks to Professor Dipak Kalra, President of The European Institute for Innovation through Health Data.

Herpes zoster: an update on diagnosis and management The annual incidence of herpes zoster in the UK is between 2 and 4 patients per thousand population. It can cause a range of complications including post-herpetic neuralgia, herpes zoster of the eye, and disseminated zoster. So it is important that we get the diagnosis and management of this condition right. In this BMJ Best Practice podcast on herpes zoster, Kieran Walsh talks to Professor Michael Rothberg, Center for Value-Based Care Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio. MR declares that he has no competing interests.- The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. The content of this podcast does not constitute medical advice and it is not intended to function as a substitute for a healthcare practitioner’s judgement, patient care or treatment. The views expressed by contributors are those of the speakers. BMJ does not endorse any views or recommendations discussed or expressed on this podcast. Listeners should also be aware that professionals in the field may have different opinions. By listening to this podcast, listeners agree not to use its content as the basis for their own medical treatment or for the medical treatment of others.

Explore the complexities of status epilepticus, from diagnosis challenges to management strategies. Learn about distinguishing convulsive from non-convulsive status epilepticus, the use of antidepressants in epilepsy patients, and the critical need for timely intervention to prevent adverse outcomes.

Acute pancreatitis: an update on diagnosis and management Acute pancreatitis is a common and serious condition. The incidence of acute pancreatitis in the UK is about 50 per 100,000 per year. And it can cause a range of complications including acute renal failure, pancreatic abscess and of course chronic pancreatitis. So it is important that we get diagnosis and management of this condition right. In this BMJ Best Practice podcast on acute pancreatitis, Kieran Walsh talks to Professor Scott Tenner, Clinical Professor of Medicine, State University of New York. ST is an author of references cited in the BMJ Best Practice topic on acute pancreatitis. He declares that he has no other competing interests. BMJ Relevant topic link - https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/3000118 - The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. The content of this podcast does not constitute medical advice and it is not intended to function as a substitute for a healthcare practitioner’s judgement, patient care or treatment. The views expressed by contributors are those of the speakers. BMJ does not endorse any views or recommendations discussed or expressed on this podcast. Listeners should also be aware that professionals in the field may have different opinions. By listening to this podcast, listeners agree not to use its content as the basis for their own medical treatment or for the medical treatment of others.

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Hanna Sandelowsky, a general practitioner and senior researcher at Karolinska Institutet, delves into the complexities of COPD, pointing out its rising prevalence linked to smoking and aging. She clarifies the diagnostic challenges, including distinguishing COPD from asthma. Hanna emphasizes the importance of comprehensive management, covering non-pharmacological strategies like smoking cessation and pulmonary rehabilitation, alongside pharmacological options. She also highlights the critical role of continuity in care for improved patient outcomes.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Jennifer Simpson, a vascular neurologist and associate professor at the University of Colorado, delves into the importance of timely diagnosis and management of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). She highlights the critical risk of stroke following a TIA, especially in the first week. Dr. Simpson elaborates on essential diagnostic tests like MRI and echocardiograms, the role of antiplatelets and statins for prevention, and strategies for patient lifestyle changes. Her insights into the management of atrial fibrillation and the use of telemedicine provide valuable guidance for better care.