Rheumatology
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: Overcoming doctor bias for a life-changing diagnosis
“Do you have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?”
It wasn’t a question I expected during an ophthalmology appointment. It was, however, one I’d been asked before. Two other specialists had suggested I might have connective tissue issues, but nothing had ever come of it. All I could tell my ophthalmologist, then, was what I’d said before when it had come up: “No, not as far as I know, but I’ll ask about it.”
A patient advocate’s battle scars in health care [PODCAST]
Behind closed doors of traveling: the concerns often overlooked
One thing is for sure: in today’s modern world, and as we recover from the impact of a pandemic, we are busier than ever. Another certainty is just how many of us are constantly on the move, with over 900 million people traveling internationally every year. Whether you’re traveling for pleasure or business, many do so without ever considering the health risks and security concerns to which we are exposed. …
A complex patient interviews a retired physician
Dr. James (Jim) Whitlock, a neurologist, and Ann McColl met at a writers’ workshop in Maine in 2022 and discovered a shared interest: patients with complex conditions and their journeys in the medical system. Dr. Whitlock’s practice focused on the rehabilitation of individuals with severe traumatic brain injuries. Attorney McColl had been a patient with a debilitating spinal condition and was ultimately helped by a neurosurgeon. A year after her …
Protecting your health from environmental threats [PODCAST]
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Join Tami Burdick, a patient advocate and the author of Diagnosis Detective: Curing Granulomatous Mastitis. Discover the overlooked factors that can contribute to unexplained health issues and learn practical steps to protect yourself and your loved ones …
Unmasking medical gaslighting [PODCAST]
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Join Tami Burdick, a patient advocate and author of Diagnosis Detective: Curing Granulomatous Mastitis. Discover the ins and outs of medical gaslighting, learn to recognize the red flags, and explore how both patients and health care providers …
Challenges faced by patients with mast cell disorders
As an allergist/immunologist, the spectrum of mast cell disorders, including mastocytosis, idiopathic anaphylaxis, chronic hives, and angioedema, is not a new concept. That said, in recent years, we have seen an uptick in patients presenting with a spectrum of symptoms attributed to misbehaving mast cells. Although the medical community has acquired extensive knowledge of these more established diagnoses over time, the newer entity mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is not …
Navigating grief: a doctor’s personal journey [PODCAST]
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Join Humeira Badsha, a rheumatologist, as she shares her recent, unexpected journey through grief, offering profound insights into the emotional challenges faced by medical professionals. From a tearful moment of vulnerability with a patient to the traumatic …
Everyday dangers unknowingly impacting our health
When we think of symptoms or ailments, they are often a signal to us that there’s something off with our health. Yet, many of us, as well as doctors, often don’t think so much outside the traditional box when it comes to what may be influencing or causing these health issues. I have even experienced this personally in my life.
Some people may even experience ongoing frustrations with concerns failing to …
Navigating chronic diseases and menopause: healthier habits for aging
An excerpt from The Menopause Menu.
Whether it’s heart disease or cognitive decline, arthritis or diabetes, getting older is linked to an increased incidence of many different chronic diseases. The menopausal journey adds an extra layer of health risks to some of them but is also an opportunity to fine-tune healthy …
Medical gaslighting: a growing challenge in today’s medical landscape
Chances are, you or someone you know has fallen victim to medical gaslighting at some point, especially as we see an increase in this unfortunate practice in today’s modern health care system. Maybe you have experienced medical gaslighting without even realizing it. What exactly is medical gaslighting? It’s a term given to a practice stemming from our medical community where doctors and specialists alike make patients feel a multitude of …
Heart disease in the shadows: a closer look at cardiac sarcoidosis
My new internist began my annual checkup with a nervous confession: “You are my first patient with cardiac sarcoidosis.” Even during an urgent care visit for potential cellulitis, I was met with raised eyebrows from the treating physician who reviewed my chart: “Very interesting, I’ve never seen a case of this heart disease.” With over 7000 rare diseases affecting more than 25 million people in the United States alone, patients …
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and regenerative injection therapy [PODCAST]
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Join Francisco M. Torres, an interventional physiatrist, and Felix S. Linetsky, a pain management physician, as they delve into the world of chronic pain and its often misunderstood connection to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). They discuss the challenges …
Modern medicine is disappointing to many of us at the later end of our careers
I graduated from medical school in 1995. I completed an internal medicine and pediatrics residency in 1999, after which I spent three years in private practice, then moved on to a hospitalist practice for the next four years. From there, I transitioned to an ER job, where I have been for the last seventeen years.
In the ER, my role initially involved expeditiously seeing patients and only performing what was absolutely …
Medical gaslighting: How dismissing patient concerns harms patients with chronic illnesses [PODCAST]
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Join us as we discuss with family physician Lisa Baron the pervasive issue of medical gaslighting, particularly in women seeking care for chronic illnesses. We’ll delve into the consequences of dismissing symptoms and the importance of validating patient concerns. …
Finding hope and relief: a physical therapist’s journey with chronic pain and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
The day Ann entered my clinic, I had already been practicing pain management for over ten years. A 40-something physical therapist, she had a warm smile, a positive attitude—and chronic pain in every part of her back.
Twenty-five years earlier, Ann had been inspired to go into physical therapy to help her family members who suffered from severe chronic pain to the point of disability. However, to her dismay, upon graduating …
A man’s life turned upside down by pneumonia and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
An excerpt from Particles in the Air.
As he sat in the empty waiting room several hours later, Forest couldn’t recall how he made it through the remainder of the morning. He had never felt so terrible in his life, even as a child. His chest and ribs were exceptionally sore …
Breaking barriers in arthritis care with telemedicine [PODCAST]
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In this episode, we welcome Diana M. Girnita, a rheumatologist and founder and CEO of Rheumatologist OnCall. We discuss the challenges facing patients with arthritis and the shortage of rheumatologists. Despite the growing need for specialized care, …
Navigating complex medical issues: one family’s story of advocacy and hope [PODCAST]
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In this episode, we have a special guest, Laura Fernando, a patient advocate, who shares her heart-wrenching story of her daughter Lily’s medical journey with COVID-19 and other health conditions. Joining her and Lily is Linda Bluestein, …
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