
The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast
Supercharge your learning and enhance your practice with this Internal Medicine Podcast featuring board certified Internists as they interview the experts to bring you clinical pearls, practice-changing knowledge, and bad puns. Doctors Matthew Watto, Paul Williams, and friends (a national network of students, residents, and clinician-educators) deliver a little knowledge food for your brain hole. Yummy! No boring lectures here, just high-value content and a healthy dose of humor. Fantastic for Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, Primary Care, and Hospital Medicine.
Latest episodes

12 snips
Mar 21, 2022 • 1h 7min
REBOOT #146 Pain Meds in CKD
We tackle the complexities of pain management in patients with chronic kidney disease in this reboot from @NephMadness 2019 that, on a scale of 1-10, will leave you feeling very relieved in addressing pain. Topics: Opioids, gabapentinoids, NSAIDS, pain ladders, why tramadol is tramadont, and more!
Episodes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com | Free CME!
Credits
Written and produced by: Justin Berk MD
NephMadness Pain Region: Samantha Gelfand MD
NephMadness Pun Contest produced by: Hannah R Abrams
Cover art by: Kate Grant MBChB, Dip GUMed
Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, Paul Williams MD, Stuart Brigham MD
Edited by: Matthew Watto MD (audio), Emi Okamoto MD (show notes)
Guests: Samantha Gelfand MD, Matthew Sparks MD, David Juurlink MD
Show Segments
Kidney Pun
Disclaimer, intro and guest bios
Guest one-liners
Clinical Case and Pain Management Disclaimer
Modalities for pain meds in ckd
Opioids for pain and their metabolites
Dave Juurlink reframes the question, “what is our real goal with pain management?”
Matt Sparks reiterates the dangers of morphine and codeine in patients with advanced CKD
Communicating meds that are contraindicated or relatively contraindicated in CKD
Buprenorphine
What about the WHO Pain Ladder for CKD?
Should we use more cannabinoids? Ketamine?
Dave Juurlink rants on Tramadol
NSAIDS and CKD
Gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin) for neuropathic pain and driving?!
Estimating eGFR in CKD and AKI. Which equation is best?
How would each of our experts treat this patient with CKD and knee pain
Outro
Sponsors:
Birch by Helix birchliving.com/curb for $200 off all mattresses and 2 free eco-rest pillows
BetterHelp betterhelp.com/curb for 10% of your first month
Indeed indeed.com/internalmedicine for a $75 sponsored job credit
Squarespace squarespace.com/curb offer code: CURB to save 10%

25 snips
Mar 14, 2022 • 57min
#326 Cardiorenal Syndrome, Biomarkers, Diuretic Resistance (NephMadness 2022)
Lose your heart to NephMadness 2022! Dr. Joel Topf (@kidney_boy) and Dr. Sadiya Khan (@HeartDocSadiya) tackle the NephMadness 2022 Cardiorenal Syndrome region, leading us through the pathophysiology of cardiorenal syndrome, how to approach the creatinine “bump” with diuresis, managing patients with diuretic resistance, and more. This episode is part of our first ever NephMadness Pod Crawl, so check out the other podcasts, and fill out your NephMadness 2022 brackets!
Credits
Producer, Writer, Show Notes, Infographics: Malini Gandhi
Cover Art: Beth Garbitelli
Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Reviewer: Emi Okamoto MD, FACP
Executive Producer: Beth Garbitelli
Showrunner: Matthew Watto MD, FACP
Editor: Clair Morgan of nodderly.com
Guest: Dr. Joel Topf MD, Dr. Sadiya Khan MD
*Claim free CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org! *Available within 24 hours of release.
Episodes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com | Free CME!
Show Segments
Intro, disclaimer, guest bios
Guest one-liners, Introduction to Nephmadness 2022
Case #1 from Kashlak: acute decompensated heart failure with elevated creatinine
Definition and pathophysiology of cardiorenal syndrome
Use of home ACE-is/ARBs and SGLT-2 inhibitors in cardiorenal syndrome
Case #2 from Kashlak: the creatinine bump with diuresis
Approach to the creatinine bump with diuresis
Tips for the volume exam
Interpreting cardiac biomarkers in patients with chronic kidney disease
Case #3 from Kashlak: diuretic resistance
Maximizing loop diuretic efficacy
Sequential nephron blockade
Use of hypertonic saline
Outro
NephMadness 2022 Pod Crawl
Tues 3/15: The Drs. Washington - Inequities in Nephrology. Listen on Apple or Spotify. Website: https://www.drlatonyawashington.com/drswashingtonpodcast
Wed 3/16: The Cribsiders - Neonatal AKI. Listen on Apple or Spotify. Website: http://thecurbsiders.com/thecribsiders
Thurs 3/17: Up My Nursing Game - Hemodialysis. Listen on Apple or Spotify. Website: www.upmynursinggame.com
Fri 3/18: BS Medicine - #505: Albuminuria, basketball and the Great White North. Listen on Apple or Spotify. Website: https://therapeuticseducation.org/
Sat 3/19: Freely Filtered - Animal House Region. Listen on Apple or Spotify. Website: http://www.nephjc.com/freelyfiltered
Twitter: @thecurbsiders @TheCribsiders @NephJC_Podcast @drs_washington @upmynursinggame @medmyths
Sponsor: ACP’s Internal Medicine Board Review
The Greater Chicago course, beginning on May 23rd through May 27th or
Washington, D.C., on July 11th through July 15th
New registrants will receive 6 months of access to the course recordings. Visit acponline.org/imbr2022 to register or learn more.
Sponsor: SquareSpace
Go to Squarespace.com for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch, go to squarespace.com/Curb to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
Sponsor: Green Chef
Go to GreenChef.com/curb130 and use code curb130 to get $130 off, plus free shipping!
Sponsor: Masterworks
Masterworks is giving listeners priority access to their newest offerings. Just head to masterworks.art/curbsiders
CME Partner: VCU Health CE
The Curbsiders are partnering with VCU Health Continuing Education to offer FREE continuing education credits for physicians and other healthcare professionals. Visit curbsiders.vcuhealth.org and search for this episode to claim credit.

Mar 7, 2022 • 46min
#325 Hotcakes: Fluid Wars revisited, Sleep & Weight Loss, Vitamin D, Pneumonia and HBV Vaccine Updates
Find out whether balanced solutions beat saline in the ICU (fluid wars revisited), how sleep affects weight loss and calorie intake, whether or not Vitamin D can prevent autoimmune disease, new guidelines for pneumonia and hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination, and the utility of ultrasound to measure JVP! Time to fill your plate with a fresh stack of hotcakes! Drs. Paul Williams (@PaulNWilliamz), Rahul Ganatra (@rbganatra), Nora Taranto (@NoraTaranto), and Matt Watto (@doctorwatto) catch us up on recent practice-changing articles and guidelines!
Claim free CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org!
Episodes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com | Free CME!
Credits
Hosted and Written by: Nora Taranto MD; Rahul Ganatra MD, MPH; Paul Williams, MD, FACP, Matthew Watto MD, FACP
Reviewer: Matthew Watto, MD, FACP
Executive Producer: Beth Garbitelli
Showrunner: Matthew Watto MD, FACP
Editor: Clair Morgan of nodderly.com
Sponsor: Green Chef
Go to GreenChef.com/curb130 and use code curb130 to get $130 off, plus free shipping!
Sponsor: BetterHelp
Special offer for The Curbsiders listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/Curb
Sponsor: Panacea Financial
Visit panaceafinancial.com today for information on their student loan refinance loans and to learn about their “refer a friend” program.
Sponsor: Indeed
Go to Indeed.com/INTERNALMEDICINE to claim your $75 CREDIT before March 31st.
CME Partner: VCU Health CE
The Curbsiders are partnering with VCU Health Continuing Education to offer FREE continuing education credits for physicians and other healthcare professionals. Visit curbsiders.vcuhealth.org and search for this episode to claim credit.
Show Segments
Intro, picks of the week
Fluid wars: balance solution vs saline
Sleep and energy intake, weight loss
Vitamin D to prevent autoimmune disease
New ACIP guidelines for Pneumonia and Hepatitis B (HBV) vaccines
Ultrasound for JVP
Outro

Mar 5, 2022 • 2min
NephMadness 2022 Pod Crawl is coming!
Resuscitate your inner nephrology nerd with a bolus of kidney themed podcast episodes in the first annual NephMadness Pod Crawl featuring topics like cardiorenal syndrome, hemodialysis, chronic kidney disease (CKD), neonatal AKI, and inequalities in nephrology! The pod crawl starts Monday March 14, 2022 with The Curbsiders Cardiorenal episode and continues all week! See the schedule below, check out the other podcasts in the pod crawl, and fill out your brackets for NephMadness 2022 #nephmadness #NephPodCrawl
Pod Crawl Release schedule:
Mon 3/14: The Curbsiders - Cardiorenal Syndrome. Listen on Apple or Spotify. Website: https://thecurbsiders.com
Tues 3/15: The Drs. Washington - Inequities in Nephrology. Listen on Apple or Spotify. Website: https://www.drlatonyawashington.com/drswashingtonpodcast
Wed 3/16: The Cribsiders - Neonatal AKI. Listen on Apple or Spotify. Website: http://thecurbsiders.com/thecribsiders
Thurs 3/17: Up My Nursing Game - Hemodialysis. Listen on Apple or Spotify. Website: www.upmynursinggame.com
Fri 3/18: BS Medicine - #505: Albuminuria, basketball and the Great White North. Listen on Apple or Spotify. Website: https://therapeuticseducation.org/
Sat 3/19: Freely Filtered - Animal House Region. Listen on Apple or Spotify. Website: http://www.nephjc.com/freelyfiltered

Feb 28, 2022 • 55min
#324 Obesity Medicine FAQ
Learn how to prescribe affordable, effective medications for obesity medicine! We discuss metformin, naltrexone, bupropion, phentermine, topiramate, GLP1 agonists, and how to counsel patients about the available weight loss modalities. Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford (@AskDrFatima) of Massachusetts General Hospital helps reframe our approach as she walks through these Obesity Medicine FAQs. Obesity treatment has been around since the 1950s but we’ve been underutilizing it for far too long!
Claim free CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org!
Episodes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com | Free CME!
Credits
Producer, Writer, Show Notes, Infographics, Cover Art: Isabel Valdez, PA-C
Show Notes, Infographics: Maddison McLellan
Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Reviewer: Monee Amin, MD
Executive Producer: Beth Garbitelli
Showrunner: Matthew Watto MD, FACP
Editor: Clair Morgan of nodderly.com
Guest: Fatima Cody Stanford, MD
Sponsor: ACP
Join us in Chicago for internal medicine’s premier educational meeting April 28-30, 2022! We’ll be there in person. For the Early Bird discount: use code IM22CURB. Visit annualmeeting.acponline.org to learn more.
Sponsor: Grammarly
Our listeners can get 20% off Grammarly Premium at grammarly.com/CURB
Sponsor: MedMastery
Listers are eligible for a lifetime 15% off discount on subscription if you go to https://www.medmastery.com/curbsiders!
CME Partner: VCU Health CE
The Curbsiders are partnering with VCU Health Continuing Education to offer FREE continuing education credits for physicians and other healthcare professionals. Visit curbsiders.vcuhealth.org and search for this episode to claim credit.
Show Segments
Intro, disclaimer, guest bio
Guest one-liner by Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford
Case from Kashlak
Guidelines for treatment
Getting the history and discussing weight goals
The Care Team: Dietician, Behavioral Specialist, Provider
Medications: Phentermine, Topiramate, Bupropion, Naltrexone
Obesity treatment in pregnancy
Referring to bariatric surgery
Take home points
Outro

Feb 23, 2022 • 39min
#323 Pelvic Pain, Constipation, Long COVID (TFTC)
We recap the top pearls on pelvic pain, constipation, and Long COVID. It’s Tales from the Curbside! (TFTC), our monthly series providing a rapid review of recent Curbsiders episodes for your spaced learning.
Note: There is no CME for this mini-episode, but visit curbsiders.vcuhealth.org to claim credit for shows #311, #314, and #315 at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org!
Episodes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com | Free CME!
Credits
Written, Produced, and Hosted by: Beth Garbitelli, Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Cover Art: Edison Jyang
Editor: Matthew Watto MD (written materials); Clair Morgan of nodderly.com
Sponsor: Birch
Birch is giving 200 dollars off ALL mattresses and 2 free eco-rest pillows at BirchLiving.com/curb
Sponsor: Blueland
Right now, you can get 20% off your first order when you go to Blueland.com/CURB
CME Partner: VCU Health CE
The Curbsiders are partnering with VCU Health Continuing Education to offer FREE continuing education credits for physicians and other healthcare professionals. Visit curbsiders.vcuhealth.org and search for this episode to claim credit.
Show Segments
Intro, disclaimer, guest bio
Pelvic Pain
Constipation
Long COVID
Outro

Feb 21, 2022 • 58min
#322 H. Pylori Infection
Say hi and bye to H. pylori infections! We review the basics of H. pylori screening, refresh your memory on testing basics, discuss treatment strategies, and talk through eradication testing with gastroenterologist Dr. George Saffouri (@gbsaff).
A special thanks to our listener Ana Maria Keilhauer Varona (@KeilhauerMa) of @UFMedu who pitched this episode. Her hard work formed the basis for our script!
Claim free CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org!
Episodes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com | Free CME!
Credits
Pitch Writer and Initial Script: Ana Maria Keilhauer Varona
Producer, Writer, Show Notes, Infographic, Cover Art: Beth Garbitelli
Script Co-Writer: Elena Gibson, MD
Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP, Beth Garbitelli
Reviewer: Emi Okamoto, MD
Executive Producer: Beth Garbitelli
Showrunner: Matthew Watto MD, FACP
Editor: Clair Morgan of nodderly.com
Guest: George Saffouri, MD
Sponsor: Panacea Financial
Visit panaceafinancial.com today for information on their student loan refinance loans and to learn about their “refer a friend” program.
Sponsor: BetterHelp
Special offer for The Curbsiders listeners: get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/Curb
Sponsor: SquareSpace
Go to Squarespace.com for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch, go to squarespace.com/Curb to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
Sponsor: Indeed
Go to Indeed.com/INTERNALMEDICINE to claim your $75 CREDIT before March 31st.
CME Partner: VCU Health CE
The Curbsiders are partnering with VCU Health Continuing Education to offer FREE continuing education credits for physicians and other healthcare professionals. Visit curbsiders.vcuhealth.org and search for this episode to claim credit.
Show Segments
Intro, disclaimer, pitch contest winner, guest bio
Guest one-liner, Picks of the Week
Case from Kashlak; Conceptualizing gastritis vs. dyspepsia
When to screen for h.pylori
Gastric cancer and h.pylori infection
Cultural competency in screening
Other indications for h.pylori testing, ITP and h.pylori
How to test
Treatment modalities
Eradication testing, persistent infection

14 snips
Feb 14, 2022 • 1h 23min
#321 Hypertension FAQ: Common Outpatient Cases with Dr. Jordy Cohen
Master common hypertension scenarios in the clinic! Our guest Dr. Jordy Cohen (@jordy_bc) will lead us through the FAQs of outpatient hypertension management, including making a diagnosis of hypertension, managing blood pressure in patients with chronic kidney disease, working up refractory hypertension, and more.
Claim free CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org!
Episodes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com | Free CME!
Credits
Writer: Matthew Watto, MD, FACP
Producers: Matthew Watto, MD, FACP and Malini Gandhi
Show Notes, Infographic, and Cover Art: Malini Gandhi
Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Reviewer: Emi Okamoto MD
Executive Producer: Beth Garbitelli
Showrunner: Matthew Watto MD, FACP
Editor: Clair Morgan of nodderly.com
Guest: Jordy Cohen MD
Sponsor: Provider Solutions & Development
Start the conversation or reach out to one of their career navigators today at info.PSDConnect.org /curbsiders
Sponsor: Southern California Permanente Medical Group
Learn more or apply at scpmgphysiciancareers.com or call (866) 449-1684.
Sponsor: Stamps.com
Sign up with promo code CURB for a special offer that includes a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale. No long-term commitments or contracts. Just go to Stamps.com, click the microphone at the top of the page, and enter code CURB.
Sponsor: SquareSpace
Go to Squarespace.com for a free trial, and when you’re ready to launch, go to squarespace.com/Curb to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
Sponsor: Green Chef
Go to GreenChef.com/curb130 and use code curb130 to get $130 off, plus free shipping!
CME Partner: VCU Health CE
The Curbsiders are partnering with VCU Health Continuing Education to offer FREE continuing education credits for physicians and other healthcare professionals. Visit curbsiders.vcuhealth.org and search for this episode to claim credit.
Show Segments
Intro, disclaimer, guest bio
Guest one-liner, Picks of the Week*
Case from Kashlak: New diagnosis of hypertension
How to make a diagnosis of hypertension
When to start anti-hypertensive medication
Initial blood pressure regimen
Case from Kashlak: White coat hypertension
Case from Kashlak: Hypertension in chronic kidney disease
ACEis and ARBs in chronic kidney disease
Diuretics in chronic kidney disease
Case from Kashlak: Refractory hypertension
History and initial workup for refractory hypertension
Treatment of primary hyperaldosteronism
Outro

Feb 7, 2022 • 1h 36min
#320 Palpitations with Dr. Joshua Cooper
Dr. Joshua Cooper, director of cardiac electrophysiology at Temple University Hospital, talks about palpitations, emphasizing the importance of properly characterizing them and recognizing red flag symptoms. They discuss the diagnosis of palpitations in young patients, the danger of prematurely diagnosing anxiety, and the importance of recognizing abnormal P-waves. They also touch on the workup for tachycardia and the need to validate patients' symptoms and refer to specialists.

Jan 31, 2022 • 45min
#319 Hotcakes: Afib, Chlorthalidone in CKD, Outpatient COVID Treatment Update
Fill up your plate with a fresh stack of 2022 hotcakes! Drs. Paul Williams (@PaulNWilliamz), Rahul Ganatra (@rbganatra), Nora Taranto (@NoraTaranto), and Matt Watto help catch us up recent practice-changing articles and guidelines including patient-directed interventions in atrial fibrillation, the utilization of chlorthalidone in advanced CKD, and updates on outpatient COVID treatment.
Claim free CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org!
Episodes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com | Free CME!
Credits
Hosted and Written by: Nora Taranto MD; Rahul Ganatra MD, MPH; Paul Williams, MD, FACP, Matthew Watto MD, FACP
Reviewer: Rahul Ganatra MD, MPH, Matthew Watto, MD, FACP
Executive Producer: Beth Garbitelli
Showrunner: Matthew Watto MD, FACP
Editor: Clair Morgan of nodderly.com
Sponsor: Grammarly
Our listeners can get 20% off Grammarly Premium at grammarly.com/CURB
Sponsor: Green Chef
Go to GreenChef.com/curb130 and use code curb130 to get $130 off, plus free shipping!
Sponsor: Blueland
Right now, you can get 20% off your first order when you go to Blueland.com/CURB
Sponsor: Provider Solutions & Development
Start the conversation or reach out to one of their career navigators today at info.PSDConnect.org /curbsiders
CME Partner: VCU Health CE
The Curbsiders are partnering with VCU Health Continuing Education to offer FREE continuing education credits for physicians and other healthcare professionals. Visit curbsiders.vcuhealth.org
Show Segments
Intro, disclaimer
Picks of the week, Listener Email
I-STOP Afib
Chlorthalidone in CKD
Outpatient COVID Treatment Update
Outro