Jenny was diagnosed as a child with the rare diseases Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) and Short Bowel Syndrome. She lived with an ileostomy for 6 years before having it reversed into a straight pull thru. In her spare time, Jenny shares about life with rare disease on Life's a Polyp blog and Youtube channel. She raises funds for NORD FAP Research Fund through Life's a Polyp Shop and is writing a children's book about FAP. Jenny graduated with a Master's of Social Work and works with individuals with chronic illness.  Short bowel syndrome is a group of problems related to poor absorption of nutrients. Short bowel syndrome typically occurs in people who have  had at least half of their small intestine removed and sometimes all or part of their large intestine removed significant damage of the small intestine poor motility, or movement, inside the&nbsp;  Short bowel syndrome may be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on how well the small intestine is working.  People with short bowel syndrome cannot absorb enough water, vitamins, minerals, protein, fat, calories, and other nutrients from food. What nutrients the small intestine has trouble absorbing depends on which section of the small intestine has been damaged or removed.

Short Bowel Syndrome

This week we will discuss the topic of Diagnostic Radiology.&nbsp; The error rate of radiology is 4% world wide which comes out to be 40 million interpretive errors a year.&nbsp; Errors in diagnostic radiology occur for a variety of reasons related to human error, technical factors and system faults. It is important to recognize that various &nbsp;contribute to these errors.&nbsp; &nbsp; Cognitive biases have a complex and significant impact on the perception of examinations within diagnostic radiology, with the clear and present danger of&nbsp;. The following are some of the more common cognitive biases that can affect day-to-day decision making Alliterative bias Alliterative bias (sometimes called satisfaction of report) is the tendency for your diagnostic impression to be unduly influenced by the prior interpretation made by another radiologist or clinician. It is a type of confirmation bias and it can result in the same incorrect impression being propagated from one radiologist to the next. Formulating your own interpretation before reviewing any prior imaging reports may help reduce alliterative bias. Anchoring bias Anchoring bias is the tendency for your initial impression to unduly influence your evaluation of subsequently collected information. Careful assessment of all imaging findings prior to formulating a diagnosis and consideration of alternate diagnoses may help minimize anchoring bias. Automation bias &nbsp;is the tendency for reporters using computer-aided decision support to over rely on the software for the diagnosis, and to ignore their own opinions 2. Making your own assessment prior to reviewing the computer-aided findings, and knowing the limitations of the automated software, can help reduce this bias. Availability bias Availability bias refers to the tendency for your diagnostic judgements to be unduly influenced by information or experiences that are readily recalled in your mind. Use of information sources beyond your own personal experience, such as publications or an opinion from colleagues, may help to minimize availability bias. Bandwagon effect The bandwagon effect (sometimes termed diagnosis momentum) refers to the tendency for you to do or think as others do, simply because that's what others are doing. Applying your own judgment and not dismissing your own opinion can help avoid this bias. Confirmation bias Having a predetermined diagnosis in mind, then looking for evidence that supports this predetermined idea. Alliterative errors 3, sometimes referred to as satisfaction of report errors, are caused by the tendency to overvalue previous reports, and can be conceptualised as a type of confirmation bias. Framing bias Framing bias refers to the tendency to be unduly influenced by how a clinical question is asked or how the problem is presented. For example, a request form that presents a succinct history that perfectly matches a particular pathology, may influence your interpretation of the imaging. Reviewing the images prior to reading the clinical indication can help avoid any influence. Obtaining more detailed clinical information via the electronic medical record may help provide you with a more balanced assessment of the clinical situation. Hindsight bias Hindsight bias is the tendency to overestimate the prior predictability of an event (eg. a diagnosis) after the event is known. In other words, the difficulty of making the correct diagnostic decision initially is retrospectively de-emphasized, after the diagnosis has been proven. It is also informally termed as the “I knew it all along” or "retrospectoscope" bias 5. It is important to be conscious of this bias so that you are not overly critical of yourself or others when quite reasonable errors are made. Outcome bias A tendency to favor a less severe diagnosis based on empathy for a patient. Representativeness bias Making a judgment on an aspect of an image that is based on one's own perception of what that represents....

Radiology 2nd Opinions

This week we will discuss the use of Ketamine for treating Depression.&nbsp; Our guest for this week's show is Karen DeCocker, DNP, PMHNP, CNM Karen DeCocker is the Director of Advanced Practice Providers at Stella overseeing the assessment team. She helps to identify which innovative biological medical treatments &amp; virtual therapies can help relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD &amp; traumatic brain injury.&nbsp; After completing a virtual assessment of each patient, Dr. DeCocker and her team analyze the medical, biological, psychological &amp; social factors to provide personalized treatment recommendations across Stella’s advanced protocols such as Dual Sympathetic Reset (advanced stellate ganglion block), Ketamine Infusion Therapy, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Spravato, integration therapy, and more. Dr. DeCocker’s priority is the patient’s outcome. She became a nurse practitioner in 2007 after 10 years of hospital nursing experience.  As rates of &nbsp;and&nbsp;&nbsp;have increased dramatically, people have sought therapies outside the standard regimen of oral&nbsp;&nbsp;and talk&nbsp;. Beginning in the mid-2010s, more and more doctors started offering ketamine as a treatment for depression. In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved&nbsp; as a treatment for forms of depression that haven’t improved with standard antidepressants (like citalopram/Celexa or bupropion/Wellbutrin).&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ketamine for Depression

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 communication services, and icy roads. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, you should know how to prepare your home and your car before a winter storm hits.

Winter Safety

Our guest this week is Christine James.&nbsp; Christine is a mother to two daughters, 19 and 23, a nurse of 8 ½ years and now a chronic pain patient.&nbsp; 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 enough to work again. In her 20’s she was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the spine. Over the course of many years she went through many procedures and treatments due to lumbar disc herniations to include six back surgeries- one of which resulted in permanent damage to her L-5/S-1 nerve root resulting in permanent right foot drop, and one of which was a fusion of L-5/S-1 using four screws and two rods. After walking 10 years with foot drop and working as a nurse the instability and condition in her right ankle caused constant swelling and pain which led her to seek further treatment. It was found that her joint was arthritic and the bones were collapsing out of position. Her Achilles tendon was also found to be too tight. On March 11, 2024 she underwent a right Achilles tendon release, tendon transfer to improve foot drop.&nbsp; Three weeks later the symptoms of CRPS were recognized by her surgeon and she was diagnosed on April 8, 2024. Due to her foundation of knowledge as a nurse and due to her drive to get better, she joined multiple social media platforms in search of how to find the treatment she needed and through that process she also began helping others learn about this disease. When she is feeling healthy, she enjoys many creative hobbies, gardening, and is an avid concertgoer. She has two cats, &amp; lives with her boyfriend in Michigan.&nbsp; They are currently struggling to make it through this difficult time with her health. Financial issues have become bad enough that she sold personal items, used food pantries, and started a  She is currently active in Facebook groups and has a TikTok account that she uses to network with others that have CRPS, chronic pain, and chronic illness. ​She is grateful to participate in the online community in any way to bring awareness and understanding to CRPS sufferers.

CRPS Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

This week we are talking about the Vagus Nerve.&nbsp; 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 primarily innervates the heart, while the right focuses on the lungs, though both contribute to overall regulation.   Digestive System Support: It promotes digestion by increasing blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract and stimulating enzyme release.   Mental Health and Inflammation: The vagus nerve influences mood, anxiety, and stress by connecting to brain areas that regulate emotions. It also modulates inflammation, reducing pro-inflammatory molecules.   Enteric Nervous System Connection: Acting as a bridge between the brain and the "second brain" in the gut, the vagus nerve ensures coordination of digestive processes.   Vulnerability to Injury Due to its extensive pathway, the vagus nerve is prone to injury from trauma, surgery, infections, tumors, or certain medical conditions. Common causes include:   Trauma: Accidents, falls, or sports injuries affecting the neck or chest.   Surgical Complications: Procedures in the neck, chest, or abdomen can unintentionally damage the nerve.   Medical Conditions: Disorders such as gastric ulcers, reflux, or tumors may affect the nerve. Infections like Lyme disease or meningitis are also potential causes.   Idiopathic Cases: Sometimes, the cause of vagus nerve injury remains unknown, requiring further investigation.   Symptoms of Vagus Nerve Injury Injury symptoms depend on the severity and location of damage and may include:   Cardiovascular: Rapid or irregular heartbeat, blood pressure changes.   Digestive: Bloating, constipation, diarrhea, or difficulty swallowing.   Voice and Throat: Hoarseness, voice changes.   General: Anxiety, depression, or excessive sweating.   Diagnosis and Management Diagnosing vagus nerve damage involves imaging, nerve conduction studies, and blood tests to assess functionality. Early detection is crucial for effective management and preventing complications. Prompt medical intervention can improve symptoms and enhance quality of life. Understanding the vagus nerve’s anatomy and functions underscores its significance in maintaining overall health, aiding healthcare professionals in diagnosing and addressing related dysfunctions.

Vagus Nerve Injury

This week we will discuss possible treatment methods for AFIB. &nbsp; 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. ​ Treatment Options for AFib Management of AFib focuses on controlling the heart rate and rhythm, preventing blood clots, and addressing underlying conditions contributing to the arrhythmia. The choice of treatment depends on the individual's symptoms, overall health, and risk factors. 1. Medications Medications are often the first line of treatment for AFib. These include:   Rate-Control Medications   Aim to slow the heart rate to a normal range.   Common drugs: Beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol), calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil), and digoxin.     Rhythm-Control Medications   Help restore and maintain a normal heart rhythm.   Common drugs: Antiarrhythmics like amiodarone, flecainide, or sotalol.     Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners)   Reduce the risk of stroke by preventing blood clots.   Examples: Warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) like apixaban (Eliquis) or rivaroxaban (Xarelto).     2. Ablation Therapy Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure aimed at correcting the electrical signals causing AFib. It is typically recommended for individuals who:   Do not respond to or cannot tolerate medications.   Have recurrent or persistent AFib that significantly impacts quality of life.   Types of ablation:   Catheter Ablation   Uses thin tubes (catheters) inserted into blood vessels to deliver energy (radiofrequency or cryotherapy) to destroy small areas of heart tissue causing abnormal electrical signals.     Surgical Ablation (Maze Procedure)   Often performed during open-heart surgery for other conditions, creating scar tissue to block abnormal signals.     Both options have high success rates, but catheter ablation is more commonly performed due to its minimally invasive nature. Choosing the Right Treatment Deciding between medications or ablation depends on factors such as:   The severity and frequency of symptoms.   The presence of other medical conditions.   Patient preference and lifestyle.   Consultation with a cardiologist or electrophysiologist is crucial to tailor treatment to the individual’s needs.

Ablation or Meds for AFIB

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 generated by the bacteria, and not the bacteria themselves, cause illness); or merely segments of the pathogen (this includes both subunit and conjugate vaccines).

Vaccines/ Re-Run

This week we discuss Abdominal adhesions.&nbsp; 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&nbsp;. They can also form between an organ and the wall of your abdominal cavity. Your abdominal cavity contains your:   , including your stomach and intestines.  .  &nbsp;and&nbsp;.  .  .  .  Adhesions occur when there’s injury or inflammation in your abdomen. They can even form from normal handling during surgery. In fact, they’re most common after abdominal surgery. As a natural part of healing, scar tissue forms that can cause tissues to stiffen and stick together (“adhere”). How common are abdominal adhesions? Abdominal adhesions are the most common consequence of having surgery on your abdomen. The majority of people develop adhesions after abdominal surgery. But most people don’t need treatment unless they’re experiencing symptoms. Adhesions are also the most common cause of a small&nbsp;. A bowel obstruction is a medical emergency that involves complete or partial blockage in your intestines.

Abdominal Adhesions

In this episode we will discuss food safety at the holidays.&nbsp; From prep to serving there are important tips to remember to ensure a toxin free meal for everyone! ​ Parties, family dinners, and other gatherings where food is served are all part of the holiday cheer. But the joy can change to misery if food makes you or others ill. Typical symptoms of foodborne illness, also known as food poisoning, are vomiting, diarrhea, and flu-like symptoms, which can start anywhere from hours to days after contaminated food or drinks are consumed. The symptoms usually are not long-lasting in healthy people — a few hours or a few days — and usually go away without medical treatment. But foodborne illness can be severe and even life-threatening to anyone, especially those most at risk:   older adults   infants and young children   pregnant people   people with diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, or any condition that weakens their immune system   people who take medicines that suppress the immune system; for example, some medicines for lupus, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis   ​​ The good news is that practicing four basic food safety measures can help prevent foodborne illness. ​ 1. Clean: The first rule of safe food preparation in the home is to keep everything clean.   Wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after handling any food. To help you remember, it takes about 20 seconds to sing "Happy Birthday" two times.   Wash food-contact surfaces (cutting boards, dishes, utensils, countertops) with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item and before going on to the next item.   Rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly under cool running water and use a produce brush to remove surface dirt.   Do not rinse raw meat and poultry before cooking. Washing these foods makes it more likely for bacteria to spread to areas around the sink and countertops.   ​ 2. Separate: Don't give bacteria the opportunity to spread from one food to another (cross-contamination).   Keep raw eggs, meat, poultry, seafood, and their juices away from foods that won't be cooked. Take this precaution while shopping in the store, when storing in the refrigerator at home, and while preparing meals.   Consider using one cutting board only for foods that will be cooked (such as raw meat, poultry, and seafood) and another one for foods that will not be cooked (such as raw fruits and vegetables).   Keep fruits and vegetables that will be eaten raw separate from other foods such as raw meat, poultry or seafood — and from kitchen utensils used for those products.   Do not put cooked meat or other food that is ready to eat on an unwashed plate that has held any raw eggs, meat, poultry, seafood, or their juices.   ​​ 3. Cook: Food is safely cooked when it reaches a high enough internal temperature to kill harmful bacteria.   Color is not a reliable indicator of doneness. Use a food thermometer to make sure meat, poultry, and fish are cooked to a&nbsp;. To check a turkey for safety, insert a food thermometer into the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. The turkey is safe when the temperature reaches 165ºF. If the turkey is stuffed, the temperature of the stuffing should be 165ºF. (Please read on for more pointers on stuffing.)   Bring sauces, soups, and gravies to a rolling boil when reheating.   Cook eggs until the yolk and white are firm. When making your own eggnog or other recipe calling for raw eggs, use pasteurized shell eggs, liquid or frozen pasteurized egg products, or powdered egg whites.   Don't eat&nbsp;, which may contain raw eggs and raw flour.&nbsp;   ​​ 4. Chill: Refrigerate foods quickly because harmful bacteria grow rapidly at room temperature.   Refrigerate leftovers and takeout foods — and any type of food that should be refrigerated — within two hours. That includes pumpkin pie!   Set your refrigerator at or below 40ºF and the freezer at 0ºF. Check both periodically...

Food Safety at the Holidays

This week we discuss hearing loss. A person who is not able to hear as well as someone with normal hearing – hearing thresholds of 20 dB or better in both ears – is said to have hearing loss. Hearing loss may be mild, moderate, severe or profound. It can affect one ear or both ears and leads to difficulty in hearing conversational speech or loud sounds. Hard of hearing refers to people with hearing loss ranging from mild to severe. People who are hard of hearing usually communicate through spoken language and can benefit from hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive devices as well as captioning. ​Hearing loss that comes on little by little as you age, also known as presbycusis, is common. More than half the people in the United States older than age 75 have some age-related hearing loss. There are three types of hearing loss:  Conductive, which involves the outer or middle ear. Sensorineural, which involves the inner ear. Mixed, which is a mix of the two.  Aging and being around loud noises both can cause hearing loss. Other factors, such as too much earwax, can lower how well ears work for a time.&nbsp; Deaf people mostly have profound hearing loss, which implies very little or no hearing. They often use sign language for communication.&nbsp; We will not cover deafness during this episode  &nbsp;

Hearing Loss

In this episode we will discuss Myasthenia Gravis, an Autoimmune Disease affecting the neuromuscular system of the body with Tasha&nbsp;White, Director of a new Non-profit organization called My Walk with MG located in St. Louis, MO. ​ Myasthenia gravis is a chronic neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the voluntary muscles. Voluntary muscles include muscles that connect to a person’s bones, muscles in the face, throat, and diaphragm. They contract to move the arms and legs and are essential for breathing, swallowing and facial movements. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body’s defense system mistakenly attacks healthy cells or proteins needed for normal functioning. The onset of the disorder may be sudden. Symptoms may not be immediately recognized as myasthenia gravis. The degree of muscle weakness involved varies greatly among individuals. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Myasthenia Gravis with Tasha White

Our guest today is a Physical Therapist that specializes in Sciatica.  Dean Volk, MPT, and owner of Sciatica Relief Now, has spent over 33 years revolutionizing sciatica treatment. After owning three successful clinics and a cash concierge practice and working with professional athletes, Volk transitioned to a virtual model in 2018, turning this side hustle into a full-time operation in 2021. Now based in Santa Monica, CA, Dean and his team of coaches provide virtual consultations and coaching to clients worldwide, helping them live their lives to the fullest. The cornerstone of Sciatica Relief Now’s success is Volk’s unique approach, which operates 180 degrees opposite to traditional physical therapy and chiropractic methods. Unlike many standard treatments that rely on generic exercises, stretching, or painful adjustments, Sciatica Relief Now focuses on finding the right motion for each individual’s body. This personalized approach addresses the root causes of their pain. Dean Volk explains, “We believe that the right motion is lotion for the body. Our approach does not involve stretching or digging into the painful side. Instead, we teach our clients to view their sciatica as a wound that needs to heal. By helping them balance out their bodies and reduce compensation, we put their bodies in an optimal position to heal.” Sciatica Relief Now’s 8-week programs, offered through both group and one-on-one coaching, have helped clients return to activities they once thought were impossible. From professional rowing and marathon running to everyday tasks like gardening and walking, clients are finding long-lasting relief and regaining their quality of life. One of the key differentiators of Sciatica Relief Now is its 100% virtual model. This allows clients to receive expert guidance and support from the comfort of their own homes, eliminating the need for time-consuming travel and waiting room visits. Dean Volk’s team offers both group coaching and personalized one-on-one sessions, complemented by their DWY (Do With You) Online course, which empowers clients to take control of their own healing process. By focusing on common-sense solutions and teaching clients how to heal their bodies naturally, Volk and his team are making a significant impact on the lives of those suffering from sciatica.&nbsp; Dean Volk’s dedication to his craft and his clients is evident in his continuous efforts to refine and perfect his treatment protocols. Over the last 16 years, he has diligently worked on his approach. His commitment to education and empowerment is further demonstrated through his extensive experience before he sold his clinics in 2020. With a focus on simplicity and effectiveness, Sciatica Relief Now’s methods are designed to be accessible and understandable for all clients. The virtual nature of the service also means that clients from anywhere in the world can benefit from Volk’s expertise and guidance. For those interested in exploring a new, effective approach to sciatica relief, Sciatica Relief Now offers a promising solution. By thinking differently about sciatica treatment and focusing on the right motion for each individual, Dean Volk and his team are helping people reclaim their lives and move forward without the fear of debilitating pain. For more information, visit Sciatica Relief Now, follow @SciaticaReliefNow, and check out the YouTube Channel. Contact Information:&nbsp;Dean Volk Email:&nbsp; About Sciatica Relief Now: Sciatica Relief Now helps sciatica sufferers who have failed multiple treatment approaches find relief and regain their lives without medications, injections, or surgery. Founded by Dean Volk, MPT, the company offers a unique, 100% virtual approach that teaches clients how to heal their bodies naturally.

Virtual Sciatica Therapy

This week's episode we will discuss the resurgence of TB/ Tuberculosis.&nbsp; TB is a treatable and curable disease. Active, drug-susceptible TB disease is treated with a standard 6-month course of 4 antimicrobial drugs that are provided with information and support to the patient by a health worker or trained volunteer. Without such support, treatment adherence is more difficult. Since 2000, an estimated 66 million lives were saved through TB diagnosis and treatment.     A total of 1.5 million people died from TB in 2020 (including 214 000 people with HIV). Worldwide, TB is the 13th leading cause of death and the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19 (above HIV/AIDS).   In 2020, an estimated 10 million people fell ill with tuberculosis (TB) worldwide. 5.6 million men, 3.3 million women and 1.1 million children. TB is present in all countries and age groups. But TB is curable and preventable.   In 2020, 1.1 million children fell ill with TB globally. Child and adolescent TB is often overlooked by health providers and can be difficult to diagnose and treat.   In 2020, the 30 high TB burden countries accounted for 86% of new TB cases. Eight countries account for two thirds of the total, with India leading the count, followed by China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and South Africa.   Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a public health crisis and a health security threat. Only about one in three people with drug resistant TB accessed treatment in 2020.   Globally, TB incidence is falling at about 2% per year and between 2015 and 2020 the cumulative reduction was 11%. This was over half way to the End TB Strategy milestone of 20% reduction between 2015 and 2020.   An estimated 66 million lives were saved through TB diagnosis and treatment between 2000 and 2020.   Globally, close to one in two TB-affected households face costs higher than 20% of their household income, according to latest national TB patient cost survey data. The world did not reach the milestone of 0% TB patients and their households facing catastrophic costs as a result of TB disease by 2020.   By 2022, US$ 13 billion is needed annually for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care to achieve the global target agreed at the UN high level-meeting on TB in 2018.   Funding in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) that account for 98% of reported TB cases falls far short of what is needed. Spending in 2020 amounted to US$ 5.3 billion less than half (41%) of the global target.   There was an 8.7% decline in spending between 2019 and 2020 (from US$ 5.8 billion to US$ 5.3 billion), with TB funding in 2020 back to the level of 2016.   Ending the TB epidemic by 2030 is among the health targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).   Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs. Tuberculosis is curable and preventable. TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air. A person needs to inhale only a few of these germs to become infected. About one-quarter of the world's population has a TB infection, which means people have been infected by TB bacteria but are not (yet) ill with the disease and cannot transmit it. People infected with TB bacteria have a 5–10% lifetime risk of falling ill with TB. Those with compromised immune systems, such as people living with HIV, malnutrition or diabetes, or people who use tobacco, have a higher risk of falling ill. When a person develops active TB disease, the symptoms (such as cough, fever, night sweats, or weight loss) may be mild for many months. This can lead to delays in seeking care, and results in transmission of the bacteria to others. People with active TB can infect 5–15 other people through close contact over the course of a year. Without proper treatment, 45% of HIV-negative people with TB on average and...

Tuberculosis Resurgence

Gina Rapacz is a 48 year old mother of 2 teenage daughters living in the Chicago suburbs.&nbsp; She recently had a liver transplant after hers failed and she lingered on the transplant list in Chicago for over a year. &nbsp; &nbsp; Her transplant was completed at Duke Medical Center in Durham, NC. She is now on her way to a healthier life with a new liver.

Liver Transplant PodcastDX Episode 2

In this episode we will discuss heat injuries and dehydration.&nbsp; As summer jumps in with both feet, so must we!&nbsp; Please listen, share, and take care of one another. ​ There will not be a guest this week, we will discuss the topic in forum.&nbsp; We hope you will listen and share this important topic.

Heat Injuries

&nbsp;Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA), also known as Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSbP) is a very serious form of child abuse. The perpetrator, usually the mother, invents symptoms or causes real ones in order to make her child appear sick. Our guest today is Craig Lewis, not only survived the ordeal but has written a book on his experiences and is a Peer Counselor to help others.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA)

Our guest this week is Jennifer Kraft.&nbsp; Jenny suffered a spinal cord injury in a bicycling accident which left her paralyzed.&nbsp; Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in loss of nervous tissue and consequently loss of motor and sensory function. There is no treatment available that restores the injury-induced loss of function to a degree that an independent life can be guaranteed. Transplantation of stem cells or progenitors may support spinal cord repair. (https://bit.ly/2VBV9rC) &nbsp;

Spinal Cord Injury and Stem Cell Therapy

Our guest today is Lita again, she has recently had her torn rotator cuff repaired.&nbsp;  I would like to refer to the&nbsp;Mayo Clinic to explain this complex group of muscles and ligaments:&nbsp; The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of your upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. A rotator cuff injury can cause a dull ache in the shoulder, which often worsens with use of the arm away from the body. Rotator cuff injuries are common and increase with age. These may occur earlier in people who have jobs that require repeatedly performing overhead motions. Examples include painters and carpenters. Many people with rotator cuff disease can manage their symptoms and return to activities with physical therapy exercises that improve flexibility and strength of the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint. Sometimes, rotator cuff tears may occur as a result of a single injury. In those circumstances, medical evaluation should be provided as soon as possible to discuss the role of surgery. Extensive rotator cuff tears may not be fixable, and transfer of alternative tendons or joint replacement may be possible.

Rotator Cuff Repair

Kim Shields is 38 years old and just finished her masters in social work program. She was diagnosed with FOP at age 15, but it has mildly affected her throughout her life. She is a wheelchair user, but she doesn’t let that slow her down. She is working on a plan to open a nonprofit in the future to help with access issues for those with disabilities, specifically wheelchair access, but will fight to help anyone with a disability get access to housing, employment, and transportation that meets their individual needs to be as independent as possible. ​&nbsp; __________________________________________________________________ Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a very rare inherited connective tissue disorder characterized by the abnormal development of bone in areas of the body where bone is not normally present (heterotopic ossification), such as the ligaments, tendons, and skeletal muscles. Specifically, this disorder causes the body's skeletal muscles and soft connective tissues to undergo a metamorphosis, essentially a transformation into bone, progressively locking joints in place and making movement difficult or impossible. Patients with FOP have malformed big toes that are present at birth (congenital). Other skeletal malformations may occur. The abnormal episodic development of bone at multiple soft tissue sites frequently leads to stiffness in affected areas, limited movement, and eventual ankylosis (fusion) of affected joints (neck, back, shoulders, elbows, hips knees, wrists, ankles, jaw - often in that order). ​Episodic flare-ups (inflammatory soft tissue swellings) of FOP usually begin during early childhood and progress throughout life. Most cases of FOP occur as the result of a sporadic new mutation and the genetic mutation that results in this disorder has been identified. FOP is caused by the mutation of a gene (ACVR1) in the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway, which is important during the formation of the skeleton in the embryo and the repair of the skeleton following birth.

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva

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