MUSC Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism Podcast

Diabetes: Screening for Coronary Artery Disease

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Thu, 9 Jul 2009 14:45:16 EST

According to a recent article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, routine screening for coronary artery disease is of no value for adults with diabetes who have no symptoms of heart problems.

Diabetes: Study using Otelixizumab for Type I Diabetes

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:41:04 EST

DEFEND-1 is a clinical study evaluating a new investigational agent called otelixizumab for adults with new onset type 1 diabetes. The study is testing otelixizumab to see if it can reduce the destruction of beta cells that make insulin for the body.

Dementia: Links with Hypoglycemia

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Fri, 29 May 2009 10:51:35 EST

New research suggests that older individuals with type 2 diabetes who have been hospitalized with severe low blood sugar levels seem to have a greater risk of developing dementia. Experts reviewing research findings debate the cause and effect of the link between dementia and low blood sugar.

Diabetes and Pregnancy: Links with Depression

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Wed, 13 May 2009 11:07:54 EST

Low-income women with diabetes who are pregnant or who recently gave birth face almost twice the risk of depression compared to women without diabetes. Furthermore, women who had never been depressed before appeared to be at risk, too.

Diabetes: Links with Sleep Apnea

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:29:58 EST

Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening problem affecting one out of three people with diabetes. Based on evidence linking the two disorders, health experts are encouraging physicians to assess their diabetic patients for sleep apnea symptoms and to screen sleep apnea sufferers for metabolic disease.

Research on Lipid Molecules

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Thu, 5 Feb 2009 11:27:13 EST

Dr. Yusuf Hannun, professor of biochemistry and associate director of research at Hollings Cancer Center at MUSC, discusses his research in lipid metabolism and its mechanisms and function. He explains that while lipids are most commonly associated with obesity and obesity issues, in fact many lipid molecules within the cells can serve important regulatory functions. Dr. Hannun is also working to better understand the role certain lipid molecules can play in the evolution of conditions like cancer and diabetes.

Clinical Trials on Pioglitazone

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Tue, 3 Feb 2009 10:13:47 EST

Dr. Dana King, professor in the Department of Family Medicine, discusses a new clinical trial being conducted to determine the effect of a drug known as pioglitazone on ADMA levels, which has found to be a risk factor for heart disease among diabetes patients. He explains that pioglitazone is already an approved drug for the treatment of diabetes, and that this research is being conducted to determine what added benefits the drug may have. Dr. King provides a description of exactly how this study is conducted on the patient’s part, and the benefits associated with it.

Pregnancy: Gestational Diabetes and Dietary Guidelines

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Tue, 20 May 2008 10:09:59 EST

Abby Van der Veer, a registered dietician who specializes in dietary counseling for pregnant women, offers advice for women with gestational diabetes. She emphasizes the importance of tight control of blood sugar as a protective measure for the fetus as well as the mother. Ms. Van der Veer recommends avoidance of drinks with excess sugar and suggests better alternatives.

Overweight: Nutritional Guidance for Overweight Children

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:25:15 EST

Dietician Katherine Nashatker, who specializes in pediatric endocrinology, discusses helping overweight children either by behavior change or diet modification. She emphasizes that heavy calorie restrictions are not favored for overweight children, but rather weight maintenance is preferred. Ms. Nashatker addresses the problematic nature of a parent using overly negative terminology when referring to his or her child’s weight problem. To conclude, she enforces the critical role of exercise in a healthy lifestyle.

Diabetes: Nutrition for Children with Diabetes

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:21:42 EST

Katherine Nashatker, a dietician at MUSC specializing in pediatric endocrinology, talks about helping children newly diagnosed with diabetes. She explains how she teaches parents and children of important dietary requirements and limitations, focusing on carbohydrate intake. Ms. Nashatker stresses the importance of relying on the team of care providers at MUSC to assist in maintaining the new lifestyle associated with diabetes nutrition.

Diabetes: An Overview

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:57:23 EST

Endocrinologist Dr. Soonho Kwon goes over early symptoms of diabetes and the initial evaluation involving measurement of blood glucose levels. He emphasizes the importance of blood glucose control through diet, exercise, and careful monitoring, noting that medication is necessary in diabetes cases of a certain severity. Dr. Kwon concludes this endocrinology podcast by explaining why diabetes, untreated, is so harmful.

Thyroid Nodules: An Overview

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:54:01 EST

Dr. Soonho Kwon, an expert in thyroid disease, provides an overview of how thyroid nodules are evaluated, indicating common causes. He goes over treatment and prognosis for both cancerous and benign nodules. In this endocrinology podcast, Dr. Kwon emphasizes that most thyroid nodules are benign and that even cancerous nodules are fairly easy to treat, making prognosis very promising.

Transplant: Kidney Transplant

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 10:31:09 EST

Head of the Division of Transplant Surgery at MUSC, Dr. Prabhakar Baliga, discusses causes for a patient requiring a kidney transplant. He also talks about kidney dialysis, pointing to the advantage of transplant for both quality of life and longevity. Dr. Baliga explains the growing success rate of kidney transplants from live donors, including unrelated donors.

Graves’ Disease: An Overview

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Wed, 2 Jan 2008 13:43:53 EST

Dr. Gene Howard, Director of the Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery Center at the Storm Eye Institute, describes Graves’ Disease of the thyroid. He focuses on how the disease affects the eyes and explains how those eye changes can be improved through surgery. Dr. Howard also discusses post-operative recovery.

Hypercholesterolemia: Treatments

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:17:43 EST

Dr. Maria Lopes-Virella, an expert in diabetes and lipidology, elucidates the mechanism of action by which hypercholesterolemia medications called statins reduce cholesterol levels in the body. She comments on both the effectiveness and potential risks of statins as well as on the importance of a proper diet even when on these medications. Dr. Lopes-Virella also describes how non-statin drugs lower cholesterol.

Cardiovascular Disease: Hypercholesterolemia and Other Risk Factors

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:10:41 EST

Dr. Maria Lopes-Virella, an expert in diabetes and lipidology, discusses desirable levels of various lipids in the body, including HDL, LDL, vLDL, and triglycerides. She explains how these numbers vary from individual to individual. In addition to hypercholesterolemia – high cholesterol – she explains some of the other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including diabetes, depression, stress, and lack of exercise in this heart podcast.

Lipids: Cholesterol

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:00:08 EST

Dr. Maria Lopes-Virella, an expert in diabetes and lipidology, explains what lipids are and why they are important for cell functioning, pointing out, however, the danger of excess lipids in the body. Dr. Lopes-Virella elaborates on lipids, describing the differing roles of distinct lipid types. She focuses on cholesterol, explaining the meaning of cholesterol measures and discussing the use of statins to treat cholesterol problems.

Adrenal Glands: Surgical Treatment

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Fri, 5 Oct 2007 11:00:36 EST

Dr. Denise Carneiro-Pla, a surgeon specializing in the endocrine surgery, explains the adrenal gland tumors and the types of surgery available to remove the adrenal glands. Dr. Carneiro-Pla discusses the three surgical options available to remove the adrenal gland; the anterior laparoscopic adrenalectomy, the posterior laparoscopic approach and open surgery.

Thyroid Cancer: The Diagnosis

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Fri, 5 Oct 2007 10:57:17 EST

Dr. Denise Carneiro-Pla, a surgeon specializing in endocrine tumors, hosts this cancer podcast and discusses the different types of thyroid lesions and cancers, how a biopsy is used to confirm whether the tumor is malignant or benign and explains how a thyroidectomy done to remove the thyroid gland.

Thyroid Gland: An Overview

muschlth@musc.edu (Medical University of South Carolina) — Fri, 5 Oct 2007 10:54:39 EST

The thyroid plays an important role in regulating the body's metabolism. Dr. Denise Carneiro-Pla, the endocrine surgeon in the department of surgery, also explains the thyroidectomy discussing the indications for total or partial resection and also commenting on the risks of these procedures.