GPnotebook Podcast

Raynaud's phenomenon is a relatively common condition seen in primary care (especially during the autumn and winter months) that is characterised by vasospasm. This causes digits to change colour to white due to a lack of blood flow, usually brought on by cold temperatures. Affected areas subsequently turn blue due to deoxygenation and red due to reperfusion. The most common type is primary (idiopathic) Raynaud’s, affecting around 90% of people with the condition. Secondary Raynaud’s is often the initial manifestation of an associated underlying connective tissue disease. Both primary and secondary Raynaud’s can be painful, but secondary Raynaud’s can lead to complications from prolonged periods of ischaemia. In this episode, Dr Roger Henderson looks at the typical triggers for and presentation of Raynaud’s, along with lifestyle and treatment options including referral criteria.

Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at:

https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/podcasts/dermatology/ep-149-raynauds-phenomenon

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Sickle cell anaemia is a disease of red blood cells, caused by an autosomal recessive single gene defect in the beta-chain of haemoglobin, which results in production of sickle cell haemoglobin. Sickle cells can obstruct blood flow and break down prematurely, and they are associated with varying degrees of anaemia. A common presentation of sickle cell disease (SCD) is a painful sickle crisis, caused by obstruction of small blood capillaries. Treatment includes symptom control (including pain management) and prevention and management of complications. Until now, haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation has been the only potentially curative treatment option, but a new type of gene therapy has just been launched by NHS England. In this episode, Dr Roger Henderson gives an overview of some of the key points of SCD, with a focus on this new treatment and its availability.

Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at:

https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/podcasts/haematology/ep-148-sickle-cell-disease

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Paronychia is a common condition affecting the proximal and lateral nail folds of the hands or feet. In this episode, Dr Kate Chesterman discusses the differences between acute and chronic paronychia and the thinking around the causes and treatment of each. She also gives some tips that we can pass on to our patients regarding self-management and prevention.

Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at:

https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/podcasts/dermatology/ep-147-paronychia

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In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa discusses the new asthma guideline from the British Thoracic Society (BTS), NICE and SIGN, which was published in 2024. This guideline, based on the latest research, contains some big changes, which will hopefully help you to improve the lives of your patients living with asthma. In this first part of a two-episode series, topics covered include when to suspect asthma, how to confirm an asthma diagnosis and the pharmacological treatment pathway in people aged 12 and over. The second part of the series, which will be released later in the year, covers pharmacological treatment in children aged 11 and under, monitoring asthma control and self-management.

Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at:

https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/podcasts/respiratory-and-chest-medicine/ep-146-asthma-diagnosis-and-treatment-whats-changed-in-the-2024-bts-nice-and-sign-guideline

Did you know? With GPnotebook Pro, you can earn CPD credits by tracking the podcast episodes you listen to. Learn more.

Around 0.5% of the adult population in England experience problems gambling, 3.8% are at elevated risk of gambling harms and an estimated 7% are negatively affected by someone else’s gambling. NICE has published NG248 – its first recommendations on gambling, covering the identification, assessment and treatment of people over the age of 18 who are experiencing gambling-related harms. The recommendations are also for people of any age affected by someone close to them who is experiencing gambling that harms. In this episode, Dr Roger Henderson looks at some of the key points in the guideline as well as the pharmacological options that are recommended if required.

Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at:

https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/podcasts/general-information/ep-145-gambling-related-harms

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The National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG) clinical guideline for osteoporosis was updated in December 2024. In this episode, Dr Hannah Rosa shares 10 things she learnt from the updated guideline about how to prevent and treat osteoporosis.

Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at:

https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/podcasts/musculoskeletal-medicine/ep-144-osteoporosis-key-learnings-from-the-nogg-2024-clinical-guideline

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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition characterised by abdominal pain associated with bowel dysfunction and is one of the most common gastroenterology presentations in primary care. The pain is often relieved by defecation and is sometimes accompanied by abdominal bloating, with no structural abnormalities to explain the pain. IBS occurs in up to 20% of the adult population, and its aetiology is multi-factorial. In this episode, Dr Roger Henderson looks at the diagnosis of IBS along with lifestyle options and newer medications now available for its management.

Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at:

https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/podcasts/gastroenterology/ep-143-irritable-bowel-syndrome

Did you know? With GPnotebook Pro, you can earn CPD credits by tracking the podcast episodes you listen to. Learn more.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common malignancy in the UK and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. It refers to malignancies that arise from the caecum to the rectum and can be detected on screening, on imaging or endoscopy, or following presentation with change in bowel habit, iron deficiency anaemia or bowel obstruction. Its management depends on the stage of the disease and patient factors, with treatment options including surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In this episode, Dr Roger Henderson gives an overview of CRC and looks at how to achieve early diagnosis, which is essential for effective treatment and the greatest chance of survival.

Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at:

https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/podcasts/gastroenterology/ep-142-colorectal-cancer

Did you know? With GPnotebook Pro, you can earn CPD credits by tracking the podcast episodes you listen to. Learn more.

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that typically affects areas of pilosebaceous gland-containing skin. In HS, patients often suffer recurrent attacks of discharging and painful lesions that can require multiple courses of antibiotics or surgical drainage. The condition causes significant morbidity, distress and sometimes long-term scarring. In this episode, Dr Roger Henderson looks at the disease process, classification and classical features of HS as well as conservative, medical and surgical treatment options.

Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at:

https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/podcasts/dermatology/ep-141-hidradenitis-suppurativa

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Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that occurs at specific times of the year, most commonly during the autumn and winter months when daylight hours are shorter. Characterised by symptoms such as persistent sadness, fatigue and changes in appetite or sleep patterns, SAD is more than just the "winter blues." It is a clinically recognised but often underdiagnosed condition that can significantly impact an individual's quality of life. In this episode, Dr Roger Henderson looks at how to diagnose SAD as well as the causes, symptoms and treatment options in primary care.

Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at:

https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/podcasts/mental-health/ep-140-seasonal-affective-disorder

Did you know? With GPnotebook Pro, you can earn CPD credits by tracking the podcast episodes you listen to. Learn more.