PodBites

By palbites2023

”PodBites” is a podcast-style segment under the PAL Bites program designed to help medical students master key diagnostic concepts in minutes. Each episode focuses on comparing two closely related dis... more

· Education

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FAQs about PodBites:

How many episodes does PodBites have?

The podcast currently has 106 episodes available.

PodBites episodes:

February 19, 2026 Clinically Speaking with a Pediatric Pulmonologist: Dr. Wadha Alotaibi
Clinically Speaking is PodBites’ special interview series where we step beyond textbooks and into real clinical practice — sitting down with specialists to explore how medicine is actually practiced, how clinical decisions are made, and what it truly means to care for patients.
In this episode,Our host Abdulah Alotaibi sits down with Dr. Wadha Alotaibi, Pediatric Pulmonologist at King Fahad Medical City Hospital (KFMC), to explore the clinical world of pediatric respiratory medicine through the lens of a specialist working on the frontlines.
From evaluating a child with a persistent cough to managing complex chronic respiratory conditions, Dr. Alotaibi shares her clinical approach, diagnostic reasoning, and real-world insights into pediatric lung disease — offering valuable perspectives for students transitioning from theory to practice.

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22min
February 19, 2026Gastroenterology | Drugs for Viral Hepatitis & Cirrhosis
🍐 In this episode of PodBites, Jana Khalifa and Sabin Fadlalla guide you through the pharmacologic management of viral hepatitis and cirrhosis — from shutting down viral replication to managing life-threatening complications of end-stage liver disease — using molecular mechanisms, clinical reasoning, and high-yield treatment principles.
🎙️ Tune in to explore:
The pathophysiology of chronic hepatitis B and C, and how persistent infection leads to cirrhosis and cancer
First-line treatments for hepatitis B, including Tenofovir, Entecavir, and Pegylated Interferon, and how they block viral replication
The mechanism and clinical role of nucleoside and nucleotide analogues, including chain termination of viral DNA
Modern direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for hepatitis C, including -previr, -asvir, and -uvir drugs, and their targeted mechanisms
Ribavirin’s mechanism, role in combination therapy, and its critical adverse effect of hemolytic anemia
The pathophysiology of cirrhosis, including fibrosis, portal hypertension, and progressive liver dysfunction
Management of cirrhosis complications, including beta-blockers for portal hypertension, diuretics for ascites, and lactulose and rifaximin for hepatic encephalopathy
Emerging therapies like Resmetirom, targeting fibrosis and disease progression
🌟 A structured, high-yield guide to understanding antiviral therapy and cirrhosis management, helping you connect molecular pharmacology to real clinical outcomes with confidence.
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19min
February 19, 2026Gastroenterology | Appendicitis
🍐 In this episode of PodBites, Lyan Tawfik and Reem Ahmed guide you through acute appendicitis — from embryology and anatomy to perforation and surgical management — using clinical reasoning, exam-defining clues, and high-yield diagnostic frameworks.
🎙️ Tune in to explore:
The anatomy, embryology, and function of the appendix, and why its structure explains its disease
The critical first step in appendicitis: luminal obstruction, and its common causes across different age groups
The classic pathophysiologic cascade: obstruction → pressure → ischemia → necrosis → perforation
The timeline of pain progression, from vague periumbilical visceral pain to localized right lower quadrant pain
Key physical exam findings, including McBurney’s point tenderness, Rovsing’s sign, psoas sign, and obturator sign
Essential diagnostic tools, including Alvarado score, laboratory markers, ultrasound, CT, and MRI
Definitive management with laparoscopic appendectomy, and when conservative antibiotic management is appropriate
Critical complications, including perforation, abscess, sepsis, and appendiceal tumors
🌟 A structured, high-yield guide to understanding appendicitis, helping you connect anatomy, pathophysiology, and clinical management with confidence for both exams and real clinical practice.
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19min
February 19, 2026Gastroenterology | Lower GI Bleeding
🍐 In this episode of PodBites, Tariq Makhzoum and Amro Badra guide you through lower GI disorders — from common anorectal conditions to life-threatening mesenteric ischemia — using clinical cases, anatomy-based reasoning, and high-yield diagnostic and management principles.
🎙️ Tune in to explore:
The definition and causes of lower GI bleeding, including hemorrhoids, fissures, diverticular disease, and ischemia
The importance of the dentate line and how it explains differences in pain, bleeding, and management
Hemorrhoids, including internal vs external classification, clinical presentation, and treatment options
Anal fissures, their association with constipation, and the role of topical calcium channel blockers, nitrates, and surgical management
Perianal abscesses and fistulas, their pathophysiology, clinical features, and definitive surgical treatments
Rectal prolapse, key exam findings like concentric folds, and the role of rectopexy as definitive management
Acute mesenteric ischemia, including embolic, thrombotic, venous, and non-occlusive causes, and why it’s a true vascular emergency
Chronic mesenteric ischemia, the concept of intestinal angina, and the role of revascularization in restoring blood flow
🌟 A structured, high-yield guide to understanding lower GI disorders, helping you connect anatomy, vascular physiology, and clinical management with confidence.
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37min
February 19, 2026Gastroenterology | Bowel Obstruction
🍐 In this episode of PodBites, Rida Shahab and Maryam Tarique guide you through bowel obstruction — from early mechanical blockages to life-threatening complications — using clinical reasoning, imaging clues, and high-yield management principles.
🎙️ Tune in to explore:
The definition of bowel obstruction and the difference between mechanical vs functional causes
Extramural, intramural, and intraluminal etiologies, including adhesions, hernias, tumors, and volvulus
Open-loop vs closed-loop obstruction and why strangulation is a surgical emergency
How to localize obstruction clinically, including key differences between proximal and distal obstruction
The pathophysiologic cascade: distention → fluid shifts → ischemia → necrosis → perforation
Essential diagnostic tools, including the 3-6-9 rule, transition zone, and critical CT scan findings
Small bowel obstruction, especially adhesions, and the stepwise approach to conservative vs surgical management
Large bowel obstruction, volvulus, Ogilvie’s syndrome, and malignant obstruction, and their definitive treatments
🌟 A structured, high-yield guide to understanding bowel obstruction, helping you connect anatomy, physiology, and emergency management with confidence.
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30min
February 17, 2026Gastroenterology | Pancreatitis & Pancreatic Tumors
🍐 In this episode of PodBites, Nagham Shabaka and Noha Shabaka guide you through pancreatic disorders — from acute pancreatitis to pancreatic neoplasms — using clinical reasoning, pathophysiologic mechanisms, and exam-defining diagnostic clues.

🎙️ Tune in to explore:
The pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis and premature enzyme activation
Common causes, including gallstones, alcohol, hypertriglyceridemia, and medications
The clinical presentation and key diagnostic markers, including lipase and amylase
Local and systemic complications, including pseudocysts, necrosis, and organ failure
Chronic pancreatitis and progressive pancreatic damage and fibrosis
Exocrine and endocrine insufficiency and their clinical consequences
Pancreatic neoplasms, especially pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and their risk factors
Prognosis, clinical warning signs, and the importance of early detection
🌟 A structured, high-yield guide to understanding pancreatic inflammation and tumors, connecting pathophysiology to real clinical outcomes with confidence.
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49min
February 17, 2026Gastroenterology | Upper GI Bleeding
🍐 In this episode of PodBites, Rojina Fathalrahman and Nora Fathalrahman guide you through upper GI bleeding — from life-threatening emergencies to structured diagnosis and management — using clinical frameworks, risk stratification tools, and high-yield treatment principles.
Tune in to explore:
The definition of upper GI bleeding and the importance of the ligament of Treitz
The most common causes, including peptic ulcer disease, varices, and mucosal injury
Portal hypertension, variceal formation, and risk factors for life-threatening hemorrhage
The BLEAD criteria and Forest classification for risk stratification and prognosis
Key causes like Mallory-Weiss tears, Dieulafoy’s lesion, angiodysplasia, and hemobilia
The ARID approach: assessment, resuscitation, identifying the source, and definitive therapy
Emergency management, including fluids, transfusion, PPIs, endoscopy, and surgical intervention
Prevention and treatment of variceal bleeding using beta-blockers, octreotide, and TIPS
🌟 A structured, high-yield guide to recognizing, stabilizing, and managing upper GI bleeding with confidence in both exams and clinical practice.
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40min
February 16, 2026Gastroenterology | Constipation & Laxatives
🍐 In this episode of PodBites, Habiba Othman and Hayaa Elsherif guide you through constipation — from diagnostic criteria to laxative pharmacology — using clinical reasoning, physiologic mechanisms, and high-yield treatment principles.
🎙️ Tune in to explore:
The clinical definition of constipation and the Rome IV diagnostic criteria
The Bristol Stool Chart and how stool form reflects transit time
The physiology of defecation and the role of autonomic innervation and interstitial cells of Cajal
Functional, structural, neurologic, metabolic, and medication-induced causes of constipation
The stepwise diagnostic approach, including alarm features and specialized testing
First-line management with lifestyle modification and when pharmacologic therapy is needed
Laxative classes, including bulk, stimulant, osmotic, stool softeners, and lubricants
Special agents like lactulose and lubiprostone and their clinical indications
🌟 A structured, high-yield guide to understanding constipation, helping you connect physiology, diagnosis, and treatment with confidence.§
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24min
February 14, 2026Gastroenterology | Diarrhea & Anti-Diarrheals
🍐 In this episode of PodBites, Nour and Tala guide you through diarrhea — from pathophysiology to pharmacologic management — using clinical reasoning, diagnostic frameworks, and high-yield treatment principles.
🎙️ Tune in to explore:
The clinical definition of diarrhea and how duration shapes the differential
The four major mechanisms: secretory, osmotic, inflammatory, and motility-related diarrhea
How to distinguish small bowel from large bowel diarrhea using clinical clues
Infectious causes and how incubation period helps identify the pathogen
The diagnostic approach to acute versus chronic diarrhea, including osmotic gap interpretation
Oral rehydration, fluid assessment, and essential management priorities
Antidiarrheal drugs, including loperamide, diphenoxylate, bismuth, and their mechanisms
Octreotide and its role in treating severe secretory diarrhea
🌟 A structured, high-yield guide to understanding diarrhea, helping you connect physiology, diagnosis, and treatment with confidence.
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19min
February 10, 2026Gastroenterology | Post-Gastrectomy Syndromes
🍐 In this episode of PodBites, Serina Aboshaikha and Saba Almohammad guide you through post-gastrectomy syndromes — from dumping syndrome to complex reconstruction complications — using clinical scenarios, surgical anatomy, and exam-defining mechanisms.

🎙️ Tune in to explore:
Gastrectomy procedures and reconstruction types, including Billroth I, Billroth II, and Roux-en-Y
Dumping syndrome, its early vs late phases, and the role of hyperosmolar shifts and reactive hypoglycemia
Alkaline reflux gastritis and bile-mediated injury after reconstruction
Marginal ulcers and the mechanisms behind acid exposure at the anastomosis
Afferent and efferent loop syndromes and their characteristic clinical presentations
Post-vagotomy diarrhea and its effects on intestinal motility
Roux stasis syndrome and functional obstruction of the Roux limb
Nutritional deficiencies, weight loss mechanisms, and long-term metabolic complications
🌟 A structured, high-yield guide to understanding post-gastrectomy complications, connecting surgical anatomy to real clinical outcomes with confidence.
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16min

FAQs about PodBites:

How many episodes does PodBites have?

The podcast currently has 106 episodes available.