

The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast
The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast
The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast brings you expert interviews, clinical pearls, and practice-changing knowledge — plus the occasional bad joke. Trusted by 100,000+ health professionals every month, we cover the full spectrum of internal medicine to keep you learning and laughing. 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.
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Episodes
Mentioned books

4 snips
Sep 14, 2020 • 1h 13min
#232 Skinternship: Scalp & Face with Helena Pasieka MD
Join Dr. Helena Pasieka, a dual board-certified expert in internal medicine and dermatology, as she breaks down common skin conditions like alopecia, seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, and acne. Discover effective management strategies through real case studies and the emotional impact of hair loss, especially among women. The conversation also touches on disparities in dermatological education for people with darker skin tones, underscoring the need for greater awareness and representation in medical practices.

36 snips
Sep 7, 2020 • 1h 29min
REBOOT #48 Hyponatremia Deconstructed
Take your salt game to the next-next level. We brushed off this fan favorite episode and rebooted #48 hyponatremia deconstructed with our Chief of Nephrology, Dr. Joel Topf aka @kidney_boy aka The Salt Whisperer for your CME earning pleasure. Learn the correct steps to diagnose and manage this common and dangerous condition. Topics covered include: true versus false hyponatremia, SIADH, tea and toast hyponatremia, beer potomania, safe rates of sodium correction, IV fluid choice, vaptans and more.
Listeners can claim Free CE credit through VCU Health at http://curbsiders.vcuhealth.org/ (CME goes live at 0900 ET on the episode’s release date).
Show Notes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com | Free CME!
Credits Original episode written and produced by: Matthew Watto MD, FACP Show Notes and CME questions by: Deb Gorth ScM Cover Art and Infographic by: Edison Jyang Hosts: Stuart Brigham MD; Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP Editor: Molly Heublein (written materials); Matthew Watto MD (audio) Guest: Joel Topf MD
Sponsors
POCUS Fellowship at University of Pennsylvania A novel, collaborative, POCUS fellowship training is available at the University of Pennsylvania for IM and FM graduates! In 2016 they leveraged the robust EM ultrasound fellowship training infrastructure with UPenn’s progressive Department of Medicine to create the 1st multi-specialty clinical ultrasound fellowship. Their graduating fellows have made them proud by accepting leadership positions, and if you want to be on the cutting edge, you should join their team.
Interview season is in full swing and they’re actively accepting applications. Please go to pennultrasound.org or contact nathaniel.reisinger@pennmedicine.upenn for information. You can apply for fellowship using the eusfellowships.com portal.
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. Note: A free VCU Health CloudCME account is required in order to seek credit.
Time Stamps 00:00 Intro 03:30 Guest interview 07:15 Pick of the week w/Dr. Topf 16:20 Clinical case of hyponatremia 17:48 False hyponatremia normal osmolality 19:34 False hyponatremia high osmolality 20:36 Understanding why osmolality matters 23:28 Workup false hyponatremia 24:45 Recap of discussion so far 25:40 ADH dependent vs independent hyponatremia 27:00 Psychogenic polydipsia 289:15 Renal failure and hyponatremia 30:03 Tea and toast, and Beer Drinker’s potomania 35:22 ADH dependent hyponatremia 38:15 Volume versus osmolality 40:00 Volume status exam 45:14 Additional testing with urine lytes and uric acid 47:30 Treatment for SIADH 52:42 Discussion of the vaptans 58:21 Additional testing in SIADH 62:50 When to admit patient for hyponatremia 63:59 Clinical case of hyponatremia complications 68:56 Fluids and rate of correction 73:36 DDAVP clamp 76:30 Moderate hyponatremia 78:35 Diuretic dosing DOES matter! 81:59 Loop diuretics for SIADH 84:25 Take home points 87:25 Outro
Links* Dr. Joel Topf’s Textbook Dr. Joel Topf’s Blog Dungeons and Dragons Tartine (cookbook) by Elizabeth M. Prueitt I Hate You, Don’t Leave Me by Hall Strauss Intentional Parenting by Sissy Goff Mindset by Carol Dweck Nintendo Switch 8.0 Bit Techno- The Curbsiders Theme Song by Stuart Kent Brigham Ure-Na
European Society of Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guidelines. Don’t miss Dr. Topf on twitter aka @kidney_boy.
*The Curbsiders participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising commissions by linking to Amazon. Simply put, if you click on our Amazon.com links and buy something we earn a (very) small commission, yet you don’t pay any extra.
Goal Listeners will recall the pathophysiology of hyponatremia and develop a systematized approach to identifying the type and cause of hyponatremia, as well as how to safely manage hyponatremia.
Learning objectives After listening to this episode listeners will…
Differentiate true and false hyponatremia Recall the pathophysiology of true and false hyponatremia Interpret blood and urine tests to identify the cause of hyponatremia Recall the limitations of the volume status exam List ADH dependent causes of hyponatremia List ADH independent causes of hyponatremia Explain the pathophysiology of beer drinker’s potomania and “tea and toast” hyponatremia Use uric acid to differentiate SIADH from other causes of hyponatremia Basic therapy for SIADH Recall safe rates of correction for hyponatremia
Disclosures Dr. Topf has received honoraria from AstraZeneca and Cara Therapeutics. He is joint venture partner in Davita Dialysis centers receiving dividends. The Curbsiders report no relevant financial disclosures.
Citation Topf J, Gorth DJ, Williams PN, Brigham SK, Heublein M, Jyang E, Watto MF. “REBOOT #48 Hyponatremia Deconstructed”. The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast. https://thecurbsiders.com/episode-list Original air date: July 17, 2017; Updated September 7, 2020.

Aug 31, 2020 • 1h 2min
Become #1 in T1DM (Cribsiders #6)
Type 1 Diabetes - this episode is definitely a sweet one! Join us for a conversation with our guest Dr. Hussein Abdullatif (UAB), covering the diagnosis, workup, and management of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. We discuss the initial lab work-up, approach to treatment, atypical presentation, and how it’s okay to eat donuts around the time of an insulin shot!
NOTE: The show notes and CME for this episode will not be available until Wednesday September 2, 2020 at https://thecribsiders.com/ and cribsiders.vcuhealth.org respectively.
Credits Written and Produced by: Shannon Snellgrove Infographic: Shannon Snellgrove Cover Art: Christopher Chiu MD (Cribsiders); Shannon Snellgrove (Curbsiders) Hosts: Justin Berk MD and Christopher Chiu MD Editor:Justin Berk MD; Clair Morgan of nodderly.com
Guest(s): Hussein Abdullatif MD
*Sponsors*
POCUS Fellowship at University of Pennsylvania A novel, collaborative, POCUS fellowship training is available at the University of Pennsylvania for IM and FM graduates! In 2016 we leveraged the robust EM ultrasound fellowship training infrastructure with UPenn’s progressive Department of Medicine to create the 1st multi-specialty clinical ultrasound fellowship. Our graduating fellows have made us proud by accepting leadership positions, and if you want to be on the cutting edge, you should join our team.
Interview season is in full swing and we’re actively accepting applications. Please go to pennultrasound.org or contact nathaniel.reisinger@pennmedicine.upenn for information. You can apply for fellowship using the eusfellowships.com portal.
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. See info sheet for further directions. Note: A free VCU Health CloudCME account is required in order to seek credit.
Time Stamps Diagnosis of T1DM 6:50 Presentation of T1DM 10:10 Explaining T1DM to a parent 12:00 Genetic Predisposition to Diabetes 15:20 T1DM Antibodies 17:10 Initial work-up for concomitant autoimmune disease 21:10 Atypical Presentation of T1DM 22:44 Treatment of T1DM 29:10 Dietary Modifications in T1DM 33:10 Checking blood sugars 39:50 Honeymoon Period 42:25 Hypoglycemia 44:00 Sports, Sickness, Alcohol and Glucose levels 48:25 Periop glucose management 51:10 Long-term complications of T1DM 53:50 Closed Loop System and Future Treatments 56:10
Goal Listeners will feel confident in the presentation, diagnostic workup, and management of Type 1 Diabetes.
Learning objectives After listening to this episode listeners will…
Identify the signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes Practice appropriate work-up in the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes Manage type 1 diabetes with evidence-based therapies Identify the appropriate insulin analogues in daily diabetes management using basal/bolus concepts Educate patients and have meaningful discussions about effective self-management of type 1 diabetes (including diet and lifestyle changes)
Disclosures Dr Abdul-Latif reports no relevant financial disclosures. The Cribsiders report no relevant financial disclosures.
Citation Abdullatif H, Snellgrove S, Chiu C, Berk J. “Type 1 Diabetes”. The Cribsiders Pediatrics Podcast. https:/www.thecribsiders.com/ September 2, 2020 (link goes live on 9/2/2020)

4 snips
Aug 24, 2020 • 1h 8min
#231 U Talkin’ UTIs Re: Me?
Are U Talkin’ UTIs Re: Me? Infectious Diseases expert, Dr Boghuma Titanji MD, PhD @boghuma (Emory; TED) schools us on the diagnosis and management of urinary tract infections: updated definitions of complicated and uncomplicated UTI, pitfalls of the urinalysis, first line antibiotics, duration of therapy and which agents to use for complicated UTI. This episode is liquid gold!
Listeners can claim Free CE credit through VCU Health at http://curbsiders.vcuhealth.org/ (CME goes live at 0900 ET on the episode’s release date).
Show Notes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com | Free CME!
Credits Written and Produced by: Matthew Watto MD, FACP Cover Art and Infographic by: Edison Jyang Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP Editor: Molly Heublein MD (written materials); Clair Morgan of nodderly.com
Guest: Boghuma Kabisen Titanji MD, PhD
Sponsor - 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. See info sheet for further directions. Note: A free VCU Health CloudCME account is required in order to seek credit.
Time Stamps Sponsor - VCU Health Continuing Education
00:30 Intro, disclaimer, guest bio 02:50 Guest one-liner, Picks of the Week*: Urban gardening, Behave (book) by Robert Sapolsky 08:54 Defining UTI; Framework for UTI 16:35 Case 1 - Cath Foley; Acute uncomplicated cystitis; Interpreting the Urinalysis 28:00 Women with recurrent UTIs 38:55 Case 2 - UTI in a man 47:15 Treatment of complicated infections; Duration of therapy 52:27 Case 3 - Catheter associated UTI; MRSA UTI 61:25 Duration of therapy for bacteremia from UTI 64:40 Take home points, plugs and outro Sponsor - VCU Health Continuing Education
Links* Behave (book) by Robert Sapolsky Boghuma’s blog theiddoc.net
Boghuma’s TED Talk Emory’s ID fellowship program
*The Curbsiders participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising commissions by linking to Amazon. Simply put, if you click on our Amazon.com links and buy something we earn a (very) small commission, yet you don’t pay any extra.
Goals Listeners will appropriately recognize, diagnose and treat the various presentations of urinary tract infection.
Learning objectives After listening to this episode listeners will...
Define UTI and feel confident making the diagnosis of UTI based on lab tests, history and exam findings Differentiate between complicated and uncomplicated UTI Recognize how UTI may presents differently in differ groups (paraplegic, chronic foley catheter, men and women) Choose the appropriate antibiotic and duration with an eye towards antibiotic stewardship Determine an approach to the patient with recurrent UTIs, including who may benefit from long term antibiotic prophylaxis.
Disclosures Dr Titanji reports no relevant financial disclosures. The Curbsiders report no relevant financial disclosures.
Citation Titanji BK, Williams PN, Watto MF. “#231 U Talkin’ UTIs Re: Me”. The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast. https://thecurbsiders.com/episode-list Final publishing date August 24, 2020.

18 snips
Aug 17, 2020 • 1h 12min
#230 Kittleson Rules Acute Heart Failure
Does the thought of managing acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) give you paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea? Recline for a bit while Dr. Michelle Kittleson MD, PhD @MKittlesonMD (Cedars Sinai) takes us through the Zen of jugular venous pressure (JVP) exams, how to approach diuresis, and the fine points of hospital discharge. This knowledge food is easier to swallow than an oral potassium replacement.
Show Notes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com | Free CME!
Credits
Written and Produced by: Deborah Gorth ScM
Cover Art and Infographic by: Edison Jyang
Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP and Paul Williams MD, FACP
Editor: Cyrus Askin MD (written materials); Clair Morgan of nodderly.com
Guest: Michelle Kittleson MD, PhD
Sponsor - 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.
Time Stamps
00:00 Intro
02:40 Guest one-liner; Picks of the Week
08:33 Case from Kashlak part 1, Definition of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), Factors that lead to ADHF (FAILURE mnemonic)
13:39 Historical clues for ADHF; Is salt restriction needed? Fluid restriction?
20:42 More on History and Physical exam for ADHF; JVP exam in detail; Crackles are worthless?!
28:36 Labs to trend during an ADHF admission
33:15 Recap of history, physical exam, and initial approach; Initiating diuresis; Goal urine output; Diuresis in HFrEF vs HFpEF phenotypes
45:32 Diuretic resistance and when to use a drip, metolazone; Do K and Mg need to be 4 and 2?
49:05 When to hold guideline directed medical therapy (Beta blockers, ARNI, ACEI/ARB)
56:05 Who needs a right heart cath?
59:30 Endpoints for discharge; Switch to PO diuretics; Approach to discharge and transitions of care
64:04 SGLT2i in heart failure
68:15 Take home points and outro

Aug 10, 2020 • 43min
#229 Hotcakes: COVID on steroids, statins over 75, short duration DAPT
Join us for an extra-hot summer episode featuring our critical appraisal expert, Rahul Ganatra MD, MPH @rbganatra. Prepare to marvel as he breaks down his recent tweetorial on the RECOVERY trial of dexamethasone for COVID-19; to gasp as Paul Williams updates us on statins and ASCVD prevention and to be enthralled by the dulcet tones of Matt Watto explaining the latest research on DAPT vs. monotherapy with ticagrelor. Bonus: a new hotcakes rating scale has arrived!
Show Notes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com | Free CME!
Credits
Producer: Sarah Phoebe Roberts
Show Notes by: Sarah Phoebe Roberts
Writer: Rahul Ganatra MD, Sarah Phoebe Roberts, Matthew Watto MD, Paul Williams MD
Cover Art: Matthew Watto MD
Hosts: Rahul Ganatra MD, Matthew Watto MD, Paul Williams MD
Editor: Matthew Watto MD (written materials); Clair Morgan of nodderly.com
Sponsor: 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.
Time Stamps
00:00 Intro
02:15 Picks of the Week
06:15 New Hotcakes rating scale
09:20 RECOVERY trial
17:30 Rapid home-testing for COVID
20:15 Statins and ASCVD prevention
32:30 Ticagrelor monotherapy after ACS
41:30 Outro
Picks of the week
Paul: U Talkin' Talking Heads 2 My Talking Head podcast
Sarah: New hotcakes scale!
Rahul: Chromeo’s new Quarantine Casanova album
Watto: 30 Rock season 1, episode 3 “Blind Date”

8 snips
Aug 3, 2020 • 1h 11min
#228 Thyroid on Fire! Hyperthyroidism with Dr. Eve Bloomgarden
Dr. Eve Bloomgarden, a board-certified endocrinologist from Northwestern University, shares her expertise on hyperthyroidism. She breaks down the nuances of interpreting thyroid function tests and conducting thorough examinations. The discussion includes insights on Graves' disease and its potential impact on eye health. Bloomgarden also covers treatment options like methimazole, radioactive iodine, and surgical interventions. Listeners will learn about the challenges of diagnosing thyroid disorders, especially with biotin supplements in play.

Jul 29, 2020 • 59min
Back to School Special - COVID Edition (Cribsiders #3)
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that schools strive to reopen in the Fall, but there is hesitation from families and teachers alike. We speak with Dr. Sharfstein, a public health expert and pediatrician, regarding the importance of reopening schools for children, what criteria need to be met prior to opening, and how to keep children and teachers safe. Tune in to learn transmission amongst children, how other countries have reopened, why to cohort children, and how the primary care pediatrician can assist in the coming school year!
Credits
Producers & Writers: Edward Corty, Nicholas Lee MD
Infographic: Nicholas Lee MD
Cover Art: Chris Chiu MD
Hosts: Justin Berk MD, Chris Chiu MD, Edward Corty
Editor:Justin Berk MD; Chris Chiu MD
Guest(s): Joshua Sharfstein MD
Sponsors: Pediatrics On Call
Sponsor: VCU Health Continuing Education - to offer FREE continuing education credits for physicians and other healthcare professionals. Check out curbsiders.vcuhealth.org or cribsiders.vcuhealth.org
Time Stamps
Introduction 1:00
How to answer “What do you think about school openings?” 11:30
Risk Assessment of School Re-openings 14:40
Evidence of Transmission among Children 17:10
What Other Countries Have Done 19:40
Community Threshold for Re-Opening and Using Protocols 20:30
The Reasons to Cohort 22:45
How to Address Scenarios 24:20
Health Disparities and Return to School 27:00
Existing Inequities and Children’s Sacrifice of Education 29:00
“Opting Out” of School Return and Feeling Safe 31:30
How Can Governments Help Support the Return 35:50
Guidance to give as PCP 37:50
School Alternatives / Innovations to Going Back 40:10
The Difference Between Equity and Equality 42:50
Testing in Schools 43:45
Resources to Follow For More Information 46:00
Take-Away Points 47:10
Optimism 48:25
Picks of the Week 53:50

4 snips
Jul 27, 2020 • 1h 15min
#227 Baffled by NAFLD?
Swim through the sea of acronyms as Dr Scott Matherly (@liverprof) helps us become a little less baffled by the thought of NAFLD. We discuss the initial diagnosis of fatty liver disease, indications for additional evaluation with imaging and/or biopsy, and potential treatment options. With a quarter of the world affected, it’s crucial to understand the various forms of disease and how to counsel patients about this all-too-common condition!
Show Notes | Subscribe | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com | Free CME!
Credits
Written and Produced by: Elena Gibson MD
Infographic and Cover Art: Elena Gibson MD
Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Editor: Emi Okamoto MD (written materials); Clair Morgan of nodderly.com
Guest: Scott Matherly MD
Sponsor: Pediatrics On Call
Sponsor: VCU Health Continuing Education to offer continuing education credits for physicians and other healthcare professionals. Check out curbsiders.vcuhealth.org and create your FREE account!
Time Stamps
00:00 Intro
03:15 Guest one-liner; Picks of the Week*
:
08:15 Sponsor
08:50 Case from Kashlak part 1; What is hepatic steatosis?
11:43 NAFLD acronyms and definitions
18:20 Alcohol and Fatty Liver
23:15 Initial Evaluation of NAFLD
35:12 Dr Matherly’s piel to patients with fatty
41:11 NASH/Fibrosis Risk Assessment
48:54 Outcomes in NASH with Fibrosis
51:20 Statins are safe in liver disease
56:15 Treatment Options (surgery, Vitamin E, Pioglitazone, SLGT2 inhibitors and GLP1 agonists; Coffee?!)
71:42 Take home points and Outro

38 snips
Jul 20, 2020 • 1h 9min
#226 Kidney Boy on Acute Kidney Injury: Myths & Musings - Tips and Tricks from Joel Topf MD
Get a grip on acute kidney injury (AKI) with Dr. Joel Topf (AKA @kidney_boy), Kashlak’s Chief of Nephrology! We’ve put together an AKI highlight reel - focusing on practical tips and tricks to help you identify, diagnose and manage AKI, plus how to recognize AIN and random myths and musings on vancomycin, NSAIDS, contrast nephropathy, and the risk of NSF from gadolinium.
Show Notes | Spotify | Swag! | Top Picks | Mailing List | thecurbsiders@gmail.com | Free CME!
Credits
Written (including CME questions) and Produced by: Cyrus Askin, MD
Infographic by: Cyrus Askin, MD
Cover Art: Kate Grant MBChb, MRCGP
Hosts: Matthew Watto MD, FACP; Paul Williams MD, FACP
Editor: Matthew Watto MD, FACP (written materials); Clair Morgan of nodderly.com
Guest: Joel Topf, MD
Sponsor: Pediatrics On Call
Sponsor: VCU Health CE - Check out curbsiders.vcuhealth.org and create your FREE account!
Time Stamps
00:00 Intro
03:00 Guest one-liner, Picks of the Week*: Zoe Keating albums (Cellist); Mrs. America (TV series) on FX; The Last of Us (Videogame);
08:45 Sponsor
09:15 Definition of acute kidney injury (AKI) and fundamentals
11:00 Cardiorenal syndrome
12:24 Schema for AKI
17:30 Establish an etiology, determine urine output and address electrolyte abnormalities
21:22 AKI in the otherwise-healthy patient;
32:20 Rhabdomyolysis
38:21 Vancomycin
41:43 Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN)
44:52 Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN)
50:37 Gadolinium in AKI and/or CKD
52:53 Timing of dialysis
56:37 AKI in the out-patient setting and how to handle home meds e.g. TMP-SMX, RAAS inhibitors;
62:01 Is Ultrasound necessary in AKI
64:58 Dr. Topf’s take home points and Plug for Seminars in Nephrology


