Pro-PA Podcast

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Throat Foreign Bodies , ranging from food impactions to accidentally ingested objects lodged in the oropharynx or upper esophagus. You’ll learn to recognize urgent symptoms like drooling, dysphagia, stridor, or respiratory distress, understand the initial evaluation—including airway assessment—and explore managem...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, covers Nasal Foreign Bodies , a frequent issue in pediatrics that can present with unilateral nasal obstruction, foul-smelling discharge, or epistaxis. You’ll learn common object types, safe removal techniques—including positive pressure and instrumentation—and when to refer to ENT, especially for deep or high-risk objec...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Ear Foreign Bodies , a common presentation in pediatric and emergency settings. You’ll learn to identify symptoms such as ear pain, hearing loss, or drainage, understand safe removal techniques based on object type and location, and recognize when to avoid irrigation—such as with organic material or suspected tym...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, discusses Ocular Foreign Bodies , from superficial corneal debris to penetrating globe injuries. You’ll learn how to recognize symptoms like pain, tearing, photophobia, and foreign body sensation, perform a focused eye exam—including fluorescein staining—and understand safe removal techniques, red flags for globe rupture...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Hearing Loss , focusing on how to differentiate sensorineural from conductive causes. You’ll learn the key history clues, exam findings, and tuning fork test results (Weber and Rinne) that help pinpoint the location of the problem, along with common etiologies for each type and when urgent evaluation is warranted...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, covers Tinnitus , the perception of sound—such as ringing, buzzing, or hissing—in the absence of an external source. You’ll learn to distinguish between subjective and objective tinnitus, identify common causes ranging from noise-induced hearing loss to vascular abnormalities, and review diagnostic evaluation and managem...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Mastoiditis , a serious complication of untreated or inadequately treated acute otitis media. You’ll learn to recognize hallmark signs such as postauricular tenderness, swelling, erythema, and protrusion of the auricle, understand the role of imaging in diagnosis, and explore urgent management strategies—includin...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, discusses Ménière Disease , an inner ear disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of vertigo, fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness. You’ll learn about the suspected role of endolymphatic hydrops, common triggers, and how to manage acute attacks and reduce recurrence through dietary mod...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) , the most common cause of peripheral vertigo, triggered by changes in head position. You’ll learn how displaced otoconia in the semicircular canals cause brief, recurrent vertigo episodes, how to diagnose BPPV with the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, and how to treat it effecti...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, explores Vertigo , the sensation of motion—often spinning—when none is actually occurring. You’ll learn how to differentiate peripheral from central causes, identify key bedside exam findings, and recognize red flags that require urgent neuroimaging. We’ll also review common etiologies such as BPPV, Ménière disease, vest...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Labyrinthitis , an acute inflammation of the inner ear that affects both the vestibular and cochlear systems. You’ll learn to recognize hallmark symptoms such as sudden-onset vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus, understand the difference from vestibular neuritis, and explore management strategies including sympto...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, covers Eustachian Tube Dysfunction , a condition where the tube connecting the middle ear to the nasopharynx fails to open or close properly. You’ll learn how this leads to symptoms like ear fullness, muffled hearing, and discomfort with pressure changes, common triggers such as allergies or upper respiratory infections,...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Acoustic Neuroma (vestibular schwannoma), a benign tumor of the vestibulocochlear nerve that can cause progressive unilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and imbalance. You’ll learn about its association with neurofibromatosis type 2, the role of MRI in diagnosis, and management options ranging from observation to mi...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, breaks down Tympanic Membrane (TM) Perforation , a disruption of the eardrum often caused by infection, trauma, or barotrauma. You’ll learn how to identify key features like sudden hearing loss, otorrhea, and pain relief after rupture, as well as how to manage it—including precautions, follow-up, and when surgical repair...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Otosclerosis , a progressive conductive hearing loss caused by abnormal bone remodeling of the otic capsule—most commonly affecting the stapes. You’ll learn about classic features such as bilateral hearing loss in young adults, a normal tympanic membrane, and a positive family history, as well as treatment option...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, discusses Cholesteatoma , an abnormal growth of keratinizing squamous epithelium in the middle ear or mastoid that can lead to chronic infection and bone erosion. You’ll learn to recognize warning signs like painless otorrhea, hearing loss, and retraction pockets, and understand the importance of otoscopic evaluation, im...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, explores Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) , a non-infectious fluid buildup in the middle ear that commonly follows acute otitis media. You’ll learn how to distinguish OME from active infection, recognize signs like hearing loss or ear fullness without fever or pain, and understand management—including observation, hearin...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Acute Otitis Media , a common middle ear infection seen primarily in pediatric patients. You’ll learn to recognize clinical features such as otalgia, fever, and a bulging, erythematous tympanic membrane, and understand when antibiotics are indicated versus when watchful waiting is appropriate. We’ll also touch on...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, dives into Malignant Otitis Externa , a severe, invasive infection of the external auditory canal that can spread to the skull base—most often affecting elderly diabetic or immunocompromised patients. You’ll learn to recognize red flags like severe otalgia, granulation tissue, and cranial nerve involvement, and explore t...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, covers Otitis Externa , an inflammation of the external auditory canal commonly known as “swimmer’s ear.” You’ll learn to identify hallmark features like tragal tenderness, otorrhea, and canal edema, differentiate bacterial from fungal causes, and review treatment strategies including topical antibiotics, wick placement,...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, discusses Cerumen Impaction , a common cause of conductive hearing loss and ear discomfort. You’ll learn how to recognize symptoms, differentiate it from more serious causes of ear canal obstruction, and review safe and effective removal techniques—from cerumenolytics to irrigation and manual extraction. #CerumenImpactio...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Presbyopia , the age-related loss of near vision caused by decreased lens elasticity. You’ll learn how it presents clinically—often as difficulty reading fine print or needing to hold objects farther away—and explore corrective options including reading glasses, bifocals, and newer surgical approaches. #Presbyopi...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, explores Strabismus , a misalignment of the eyes that can be constant or intermittent, congenital or acquired. You’ll learn how to differentiate between esotropia and exotropia, understand its impact on binocular vision and depth perception, and review the importance of early diagnosis to prevent complications like ambly...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, breaks down Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma , an ophthalmic emergency marked by sudden, painful vision loss, headache, and a fixed mid-dilated pupil. You’ll learn how to identify classic symptoms, understand the pathophysiology behind the rapid rise in intraocular pressure, and explore urgent management strategies—from topi...

In this episode of EENT101, host Dr. Christina G. Gonzales, DMSc, MPAS, PA-C, reviews Open-Angle Glaucoma , the most common type of glaucoma and a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. You’ll learn how this silent, progressive optic neuropathy leads to peripheral vision loss, the importance of regular intraocular pressure screening, and first-line treatment options like prostaglandin...