MedEvidence Articles

In this week's episode we review Major Depressive Disorder, a common mental disorder affecting millions of Americans. We explore who this disorder affects, what happens in the brain and body, and what treatments are available. We also get into the psychadellic substance psilocybin (psylocin) and how this breakthrough therapy may help those with Major Depressive Disorder. References: Substance...

In this week's episode, we explore the chronic inflammatory skin condition Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS). With HS, hair follicles located in large skin creases like the armpits become inflamed and clogged. The units, called the pilosebaceous unit, fill with puss, rupture, and cause a host of problems for sufferers. We investigate what hidradenitis suppurativa is, who it affects, what goes wro...

In this episode we review what happens in dehydrtion, who may be at increased risk, and what happens to the body when it doesn't get enoug hwater. We also distinguish between two major types of dehydration; intracellular (without salt loss) and extracellular (with salt loss). Learn all about how this summer condition can lead to problems that feel as dangerous as being marooned on a desert is...

This week, we investigate the links between heart failure and obesity. We explore what heart failure is, the risks, and how it can have long-term impacts on health. We also look into obesity, some of it's causes, and how it can contribute to heart failure risks. We also look at he two-way street between heart failure and obesty and how each can contribute to the other in a feedback loop, and...

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is the most common cause of primary liver cancer. Curative treatments include surgery and transplant, but many patients don't know they have the disease until it's too late. In this week's article, we explore what HCC is, risks and complications of the disease, and what people can do to find out if they have signs of the HCC before it spreads too far....

In this week's episode, we look into the history of Hepatitis C. The hepatitis C virus spread far and wide during the era before modern sterilization and screening, infecting millions. We look into the history, risks, symptoms (many have none!), and complications of hepatitis C. Finally, we look at how far treatment has progressed and what's coming up on the horizon. References: Khalili,...

In this episode, we delve into the science and struggle behind social anxiety disorder. This condition affects millions of people and often begins in childhood. We explore how the brain’s fear circuitry becomes overactive, and common treatments like SSRIs. We also highlight an intriguing new treatment being tested: a nasal spray of pheromone-like compounds aimed at calming fear responses. Referenc...

In this episode, we explore the complex world of gastroparesis. Gastroparesis is a condition that slows the stomach’s ability to empty food and turns mealtime into a daily challenge. From the science behind digestion to the symptoms, causes, and evolving treatments for idiopathic gastroparesis, we break down what happens when the stomach stops cooperating. Learn how this disorder affects quality o...

Scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, once killed thousands of sailors during long sea voyages. The breakthrough came in 1747 when Dr. James Lind conducted the first recorded clinical trial, proving citrus fruits could prevent the illness. British sailors were later issued lime juice, earning them the nickname “limeys.” Though now considered offensive by some, the term reflects an impo...

This week we explore tinnitus, a condition marked by ringing in the ears. Tinnitus is affects roughly 10% of Americans and remains poorly understood. Unfortunately, this poor understanding means there are no disease-modifying treatments available. Luckily, clinical researchers have been hard at work looking for relief for tinnitus sufferers, and there are some symptomatic treatments. Listen in to...

In this week's episode, we jump into the emerging field of personalized cancer vaccines. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death worldwide due to its complex nature. "Cancer" actually encompasses over 275 diseases, each driven by genetic mutations that make cancer cells act independently and harmfully within the body. Find out how scientists are using genetics to identify u...

In this week's episode, we talk about vascular dementia, a significant yet often overlooked brain disorder caused by reduced blood flow, usually due to stroke and/or vascular disease. It accounts for 15-20% of dementia cases and leads to cognitive decline, memory loss, and motor impairments. While no cure exists, prevention is key—controlling risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, a...

Measles a highly contagious virus that can cause serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and death. It was declared eradicated in the U.S. in the year 2000 but has resurfaced, with over 700 cases reported so far this year. What are the causes of this latest outbreak? Despite a long history of vaccine success, recent declines in MMR vaccination rates have made populations vulner...

On this week, we discuss psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune disease affecting 2-3% of Americans. It's characterized by red, flaky skin and linked to serious health conditions like arthritis and cardiovascular disease. It results from an overactive immune response which may be initiated or worsened by environmental factors such as stress, obesity, and smoking. Inside the body, immune molecules -i...

In this week we talk about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive lung condition that restricts airflow due to chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which damages the alveoli. COPD affects around 11% of adults over 30 and is linked to smoking, pollution, and genetic factors. This episode relates COPD to a house with big rooms and narrow doors, making furnishing a challenge, and fi...

This podcast explores Limbic-predominant Amnestic Neurodegenerative Syndrome (LANS), a newly identified condition that primarily affects episodic memory while leaving other cognitive functions relatively intact. LANS is associated with the misfolding of TDP-43, a protein that can accumulate and damage limbic structures. Unlike Alzheimer’s, LANS has a slower onset and lacks definitive diagnostic te...

Medical treatments are shifting from broad approaches to precise genetic targeting, especially for finicky diseases like Alzheimer's dementia. While many past efforts focused on amyloid β plaques, new research is exploring genetic regulators like APP, which influences amyloid levels, and KDM5, an enzyme linked to memory and cognition. Clinical trials are testing drugs that could balance these...

This St. Patrick's Day we explore the history, nutritional profile, and potential health benefits of potatoes. Potatoes are a major global food staple, providing significant calories worldwide. Though often criticized for their high glycemic index (GI), different cooking methods, particularly chilling after cooking, can increase resistant starches, which improve gut health and reduce blood su...

In this week's episode, we discuss cluster headaches, one of the most severe pain conditions known. This rare condition affects about one in a thousand people  with excruciating, clockwork-like attacks can last for weeks or months, with few effective treatment options. In this episode, we break down the causes, triggers, and latest research on cluster headaches, from abortive therapies like o...

Forgetting a name or misplacing your keys can be frustrating, but when does memory loss signal something more serious? In this episode, we explain the key differences between normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease. We break down how doctors diagnose Alzheimer’s, the role of biomarkers, and why early detection is crucial for those considering clinical trials. Share with a friend. Rate, Review, and Su...

This week, we talk about one of the big contributors to heart failure: inflammation. Heart failure affects millions and comes in two main types: HFrEF (weakened pumping) and HFpEF (thickened, stiff walls). While conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes contribute, chronic inflammation—driven in part by Interleukin 6 (IL-6)—plays a major role. IL-6 causes muscle damage, fibrosis, and worsen...

When the hot water went out, you might call a plumber, but if the water heater is out it might instead be an electrical problem - just like how heart problems can stem from faulty electrical signals rather than the heart muscle itself. Atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most common arrhythmia affecting six million Americans, disrupts the heart’s electrical system, causing rapid, chaotic beating that...

This week's podcast is a crash course on what the heart is, why we need it, how it works, and what can go wrong. Share with a friend. Rate, Review, and Subscribe to MedEvidence! Articles to be notified when new episodes are released. Follow us on Social Media: Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn Tiktok Youtube For more great content, including discussions by physicians and clinical research e...

This week we talk about two recent studies which suggest a potential link between adult ADHD and an increased risk of developing dementia; though causation remains unproven. These studies, one in Israel and another in Sweden, found that adults with ADHD were significantly more likely to develop dementia or mild cognitive impairment. These findings were consistent across most demographics, though A...

This week we discuss peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition affecting blood flow in the peripheral arteries, most commonly in the legs. We cover its symptoms, such as leg pain, skin changes, and slow-healing wounds, as well as the potential risks of untreated PAD, including amputation and cardiovascular complications. We then talk about  treatment options, including medications, lifestyle ch...