Category Archives: Uncategorized

How does the liver regenerate after resection or injury? The liver is a remarkable organ and a bit of an unsung hero in medicine. It’s a tremendously resilient organ that just trucks along and does its many, many jobs to keep us alive. One of the reasons it can maintain function is its ability toContinue reading “Episode 76 – Radical Regeneration”

Why does alcohol make you feel warm? Alcohol makes you feel warm. This effect is so common and historically reported that both German and Russian military leaders recommended the prophylactic administration of alcohol to soldiers during World War II. And during WWI there was a months-long back and forth in the pages of The British MedicalContinue reading “Episode 75 – Feeling the Burn”

Why are infants less likely to have Clostridium difficile infection? Adult clinicians are quite familiar with Clostridium (or Clostridioides) difficile infection (CDI). But this infection is remarkably rare in infants. The explanation is both fascinating and has important implications. Beginning at the beginning, Clostridium difficile was first isolated in 1935 by two microbiologists, Elizabeth O’Continue reading “Episode 74 – DIFFerent Babies”

What caused Beethoven’s hearing loss? In Episode 54, A Lincoln Theory, we discussed an original theory about Abraham Lincoln’s health and whether he might have had Loeys-Dietz syndrome. The health of another famous historical figure, composer Ludwig van Beethoven, has been in the news lately. In this episode, we investigate what may have caused Beethoven’sContinue reading “Episode 72 – Bringing Up Beethoven”

Why does it take weeks for the radiographic evidence of pneumonia to clear? Early in medical training, many of us are told that it takes weeks for the radiographic infiltrate to resolve after a bout of pneumonia. This is the sort of statement many accept without question. But it is worth wondering what is inContinue reading “Episode 71 – Slow to Resolve”