Pro-PA Podcast

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a disorder of gut-brain interaction characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with changes in bowel habits. You’ll learn how to recognize the major IBS subtypes, apply the Rome IV diagnostic criteria, and identify alarm features that should prompt evaluation for an alternative diagnosis. We’ll also cover practical management strategies—including dietary modification, lifestyle interventions, and symptom-directed therapy for constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Perfect for PANCE prep and strengthening your approach to one of the most common GI complaints encountered in clinical practice.

#IBS #IrritableBowelSyndrome #RomeIV #Gastroenterology #GI101 #PANCEPrep #PAstudent #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Diverticulitis, inflammation of colonic diverticula that commonly presents with left lower quadrant abdominal pain, fever, and changes in bowel habits. You’ll learn to recognize the classic presentation, understand the role of CT imaging in diagnosis, and differentiate uncomplicated from complicated disease. We’ll also cover current management strategies—including when outpatient treatment is appropriate, the evolving role of antibiotics, and when complications such as abscess, perforation, fistula, or obstruction require hospitalization or surgical consultation. Perfect for PANCE prep and strengthening your approach to acute abdominal pain.

#Diverticulitis #DiverticularDisease #AcuteAbdomen #Gastroenterology #GI101 #PANCEPrep #PAstudent #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Diverticulosis, the presence of sac-like diverticula within the colon that becomes increasingly common with age. You’ll learn how diverticula form, recognize that most patients are asymptomatic, and distinguish uncomplicated diverticulosis from complications such as diverticular bleeding and diverticulitis. We’ll also cover common risk factors, diagnostic considerations, and practical management strategies—including the role of dietary fiber and lifestyle modification. Perfect for PANCE prep and building a strong foundation before tackling diverticulitis.

#Diverticulosis #DiverticularDisease #Gastroenterology #GI101 #PANCEPrep #PAstudent #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of CARDIO101, guest host Dr. Angelica Urbina, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs) from a cardiovascular perspective. You’ll learn how AVMs bypass the normal capillary bed to create high-flow shunting, how they present in the brain, lungs, and extremities, and their association with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). The episode also covers key clinical features, basic imaging approaches, potential complications such as hypoxemia and high-output heart failure, and practical management principles—all at a clear, PANCE-ready level.

#AVM #ArteriovenousMalformation #Cardiology #HHT #VascularMedicine #PANCEPrep #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Appendicitis, one of the most common causes of acute abdominal pain requiring surgical intervention. You’ll learn to recognize classic symptom progression from periumbilical pain to right lower quadrant tenderness, understand key exam findings such as McBurney point tenderness and rebound pain, and review diagnostic strategies including labs and CT imaging. We’ll also cover management—ranging from antibiotics in select cases to urgent appendectomy—and discuss complications like perforation and abscess formation. Perfect for PANCE prep and strengthening your acute abdominal decision-making skills.

#Appendicitis #AcuteAbdomen #RightLowerQuadrantPain #GI101 #PANCEprep #PAstudent #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Small Intestine Polyps, uncommon but clinically important lesions that may present with bleeding, anemia, obstruction, or be discovered incidentally. You’ll learn about different polyp types—including adenomatous, hamartomatous, and those associated with hereditary syndromes such as Peutz-Jeghers and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)—along with key diagnostic tools and management strategies. We’ll also discuss surveillance considerations and when referral for genetic evaluation is warranted. Perfect for PANCE prep and strengthening your understanding of small bowel pathology.

#SmallIntestinePolyps #GI101 #PeutzJeghers #FAP #GIpathology #PANCEprep #PAstudent #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Food Allergies and Food Sensitivities, helping you distinguish immune-mediated reactions from non-immune food intolerances. You’ll learn the difference between IgE-mediated food allergies—which can cause urticaria, angioedema, or anaphylaxis—and food sensitivities such as lactose intolerance or other non-allergic gastrointestinal responses. We’ll also cover diagnostic approaches, elimination diets, when to refer for allergy testing, and key counseling points for patient safety. Perfect for PANCE prep and strengthening your approach to patients with food-related GI complaints.

#FoodAllergy #FoodSensitivity #GI101 #PrimaryCare #PANCEprep #PAstudent #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Lactose Intolerance, a common cause of osmotic diarrhea due to lactase deficiency in the small intestine. You’ll learn how to recognize hallmark symptoms such as bloating, flatulence, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea after dairy ingestion, understand the difference between primary and secondary lactase deficiency, and review diagnostic options like the hydrogen breath test. We’ll also cover practical management strategies including dietary modification and lactase enzyme supplementation. Perfect for PANCE prep and strengthening your approach to malabsorption and chronic diarrhea.

#LactoseIntolerance #Malabsorption #OsmoticDiarrhea #GI101 #PANCEprep #PAstudent #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Celiac Disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten ingestion that leads to small intestinal villous atrophy and malabsorption. You’ll learn hallmark features such as chronic diarrhea, weight loss, iron deficiency anemia, and dermatitis herpetiformis, along with key diagnostic testing including tissue transglutaminase (tTG-IgA) antibodies and confirmatory biopsy. We’ll also cover associated autoimmune conditions and the cornerstone of management—a strict lifelong gluten-free diet. Perfect for PANCE prep and strengthening your understanding of malabsorptive disorders.

#CeliacDisease #Malabsorption #GlutenFree #Autoimmune #GI101 #PANCEprep #PAstudent #ProPAPodcast

In this episode of GI101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Paralytic Ileus, a functional obstruction caused by decreased intestinal motility rather than a mechanical blockage. You’ll learn to recognize hallmark features such as abdominal distention, hypoactive or absent bowel sounds, and diffuse dilation of bowel loops on imaging. We’ll also break down common causes—including postoperative states, electrolyte abnormalities, medications, and systemic illness—and review evidence-based management strategies focused on supportive care and correction of underlying factors. Perfect for PANCE prep and strengthening your clinical reasoning when differentiating ileus from true obstruction.

#ParalyticIleus #FunctionalObstruction #AbdominalDistention #GI101 #PANCEprep #PAstudent #ProPAPodcast