Spoonful of Sugar: Recent Episodes
Ria Mulherkar
Lipids are an incredibly dense subject that you've probably spent MANY hours to understand only to lose the big picture. OMS3 Trent Henderson aims to attack this problem in this high yield 2-episode series!
Can't pay attention? Well, you're gonna want to save SOME of that attention to learn about ADHD pharmacology, a surprisingly tricky topic made easy by OMS3 Ghazal Adibi!
In this episode, OMS4 Julia Shepherd from UNECOM discussed an often-overlooked Step 2/Rotations relevant topic in an incredibly detailed manner! This MAY pop up on Step 1, so if you have the time, listen in :)
From painless hematuria to paraneoplastic syndromes, GU cancers can get overwhelming very quickly. Fortunately, OMS3 Angelica Batholomew from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in Cleveland will make this topic much easier!
PVD is REALLY common. This episode by MS3 Sahil Sardesai will help you net several high yield points!
Osteomas... Osterosarcomas... Chondrosarcomas... they all sound so similar! MS3 Angia Chen will clarify these differences by discussing the high yield concept of bone tumors.
This is part 2 to our review on high yield stats concepts. In this episode 3rd year medical student, Akiva Eleff, will be going over study designs and biases that are commonly tested on board exams. Be sure to tune in and check it out!
In this episode 3rd year medical student, Akiva Eleff, will cover a common tough subject among medical students: Stats. It can be a very dense topic but it will be broken into a 3 part series to help break it down into bite-sized pieces. This episode will go over introductory concepts and equations. Be sure to tune in and check it out!
In this episode, 3rd year medical student Tal Sherman will cover the most common causes of vaginitis—bacterial vaginosis (BV), candida vulvovaginitis, and trichomoniasis. We’ll also touch on noninfectious vulvovaginitis in children and considerations for infectious vulvovaginitis during pregnancy. Be sure to tune in and check it out!
In this episode of Spoonful of Sugar, Verity Lee, an M3 at Drexel University College of Medicine, takes you through the most critical ethics concepts for Step 1. From foundational principles like autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice, to scenarios on informed consent, confidentiality, and mandatory reporting, this episode simplifies complex topics with practical examples and test-style questions. Verity also discusses cultural competence, motivational interviewing, and common ethical dilemmas like gift-giving and medical errors. Tune in for essential tips, helpful mnemonics, and practice questions to ace your exam while gaining a deeper understanding of patient-centered care!
In this episode of Spoonful of Sugar, host Felina Thomas, a medical student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, tackles one of the most high-yield yet confusing topics for DO students: viscerosomatics. Felina breaks down viscerovisceral, somatovisceral, somatosomatic, and viscerosomatic reflexes with relatable examples and clinical vignettes to help you prepare for COMLEX exams. From understanding reflex definitions to reviewing key viscerosomatic levels and their clinical implications, this episode is packed with practical tips and mnemonics to simplify your studies. Tune in for a rapid-fire review and actionable strategies to master this challenging topic!
In this episode of Spoonful of Sugar, host Eishan Ashwat, a medical student at the University of Pittsburgh, dives into the essential yet often life-threatening topics of aortic aneurysms and dissections. Starting with a clinical vignette to set the stage, Eishan explores the anatomy, pathophysiology, and clinical presentations of these conditions. Tune in to learn about key risk factors, diagnostic strategies, and the latest management approaches, including surgical interventions and emerging treatments. Perfect for medical students looking to master the essentials of aortic pathology and ace their boards!
One thing possibly more annoying than tick bites is trying to study the various tick-borne illnesses and keeping them straight! Have no fear, in this episode 3rd year medical student, Alexis Seery, will discuss several high yield tick-borne illnesses. If this topic has you ‘itching’ to learn more, be sure to tune in and check it out!
In this episode, Drexel's Hayley Hart will walk us through the stages of labor, a helpful topic for Step/Level 1 and 2 listeners!
In this episode, 3rd year medical student Hashim Aslam will start by looking at the primary headaches such as migraines, and then explore some warning signs of head pain and types of secondary headaches that tend to show up on boards.
OMS4 Rebecca Shaneck guides us through a rapid review of the high yield liver diseases you will see in board exams. If you find the liver confusing, start here to develop a foundation!
In this episode, 3rd year medical student Sahil Sardesai will discuss Appendicitis and Pseudoappendicitis as this is a heavily tested topic on Step and Level exams and comes up often on rotations! Be sure to tune in and check it out!
In this episode, third-year medical student Patrice Nguyen will discuss Sturge–Weber syndrome, Neurofibromatosis (Type 1 and 2), and Tuberous Sclerosis, which are three neurocutaneous syndromes that often get confused for one another. She will also provide some helpful dedicated advice at the end of the episode, so stay tuned!
If the thought of trying to study the various congenital GI diseases has your stomach turning, you’re in the right place. In this episode, third-year medical student Vivian Zhong, will discuss congenital GI diseases as this is a heavily tested topic on Step and Level 2. Be sure to tune in and check it out!
We can't believe this is our 100th episode of Spoonful of Sugar! Thank you so much to all of our listeners who have supported us along the way, and an enormous thank you to all of the medical students who have contributed to our team and helped create content. SoS is about building a community of medical students that continually teach and learn from one another. We are always looking for medical students to join our team. Tune in to hear our founder Ria provide a reintroduction to the podcast and tell you how you can get involved!
Wind, water, walking, wound, & wonder drugs. The infamous 5 W’s of your surgery rotation. Although this podcast is a bit more geared towards third-year shelf exams and Step 2/Level 2, its content is still super high-yield. In this episode, third-year medical student Maya Amy will discuss different etiologies and presentations of postoperative fever. Be sure to tune in and check it out!
Hair loss is one of those topics that often tricks students on the USMLE exams. Don’t be fooled into thinking it isn’t high yield! In this episode, third-year medical student Zane Sejdiu will discuss different etiologies and presentations of hair loss. From alopecia areata, androgenic alopecia, tinea, and more, we cover it all. Be sure to tune in and check it out!
MS3 Bilal Rana goes over the highest yield topics for psychiatry for USMLE Step 1/COMLEX Level 1. Best of luck to everyone studying!
In this episode, MS3 Bilal Rana will go over the most pertinent information regarding barbiturates and benzodiazepines, a topic that can be more confusing than it needs to be!
Welcome to part 2! In this episode, Bilal Rana will go over easy ways to remember how to differentiate meningitis using CSF findings as well as touch upon high yield points about GBS.
You'll definitely run into questions about CSF. In this episode, Bilal Rana will go over some must know points about communicating and noncommunicating hydrocephalus, as well as hydrocephalus ex vacuo.
In this episode, MS4 Tania Mulherkar will review common anesthetic agents, their properties, usage, and side effects. This is an excellent Step 1 and 2 review!
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is arguably one of the highest yield topics on USMLE Step 1/COMLEX Level 1 exam. In this episode, third-year medical student Alexa Rae Churan will discuss HIV and all the critical facts you need to know. From basic biology, including genes, viral structure, and lifecycle, to clinical presentation, workup, and treatment, we cover it all. Be sure to tune in and check it out!
Arguably one of the most complicated topics concerning the psychiatry questions seen on USMLE/COMLEX. In this episode, Bilal Rana will work through the differentials related to schizophrenia to clarify the pitfalls students find themselves in.
Have you heard of the specialty of integrative medicine? What is it, and how does an integrative medicine physician care for their patients? In this episode, Ria interviews Dr. Chiti Parikh, who is board certified in integrative medicine and is the executive director of the Integrative Health and Wellbeing Program at Weill Cornell Medicine. She also recently published a book called “Intentional Health,” which talks about how she blends ancient health principles from ayurvedic medicine with modern Western medical practices. Tune in to listen to this interview, learn about integrative medicine, and learn about how you can potentially incorporate this specialty into your future career.
There are a long list of mature and immature mechanisms. Our very own Bilal Rana will go over all of them!
Everyone in medicine has to teach at some point - whether you’re educating peers, residents, medical students, or patients. Despite this expectation, most of us are never formally trained in how to teach. How do you pick a topic that’s salient and appropriate for the time and space you’ve been allotted, how do you structure the content in a way that makes sense, and most importantly, how do you make it stick? In this special episode, Spoonful of Sugar founder Dr. Ria Mulherkar shares some advice from her experience with teaching on the podcast.
There are quite a number of psychotherapy modalities discussed on USMLE/COMLEX. In this episode, Bilal Rana will be talking about the most high yield ones.
Whether or not you’re going into ophthalmology, you’re likely to see a patient with an eye-related complaint at some point in your career. In this episode, Ria interviews ophthalmology resident Dr. Will Foos about his specialty - common consults he sees, when you should absolutely consult an ophthalmologist, and some specialty-specific advice for folks who are interested. Tune in to see what he has to say!
If these tricky trisomies have been giving you some trouble, you are in the right place! Third year medical students Michelle Troup, Carla Wyatt-Ingram host an episode on Prenatal Screenings. They’ll walk you through the high-yield concepts and have plenty of mnemonics and questions to keep you engaged!
Third year medical students Michelle Troup, Carla Wyatt-Ingram host an episode on Neuroembryology. “If the thought of parsing through neuroembryology sends a chill down your spine, you’re in the right place”. In this episode, they walk through important landmarks in neurodevelopment and explore the pathology that can present when that development goes wrong.
Sex chromosome disorders and disorders of sexual development can be a tricky topic on boards. If you need a refresher, MS3 Rachel Garza is here to help you review and understand how to approach this topic! As always, we use lots of questions to keep you engaged.
Curious about the mind-body connection? Elise Kao and Michelle Troup have you covered, as they will help us understand when this connection goes awry. Topics include conversion disorder, somatic symptom disorder, illness anxiety disorder, pseudocyesis, as well as a discussion of the differences between factitious disorder and malingering.
To start off the fourth season, third year medical students Darby Billing and Michelle Troup host an episode on sleep disorders. In this episode, they cover topics ranging from stages of sleep, features of sleep waves, night terrors, and other various sleep pathologies. Tune in for this short but packed review on all things sleep. As Michelle and Darby say, you better not “doze off” for this one!
For our Season 3 finale, MS3 students Darby Billing and Elise Kao host an episode on disorders of sexual development. They’ll cover topics such as 5-alpha reductase deficiency, Mullerian agenesis, androgen insufficiency, and more in our usual question-and-answer style format. Never feel bad for not knowing the answers when you’re listening to SoS! The point is to miss questions now so you’ll never miss them again.
DNA damage can result in single-stranded or double-stranded breaks, and you need to know the different mechanisms we have to repair them! This topic is relevant not just for board exams, but also if you choose to pursue an oncologic specialty down the road. Tune in now for an easy review of this important topic. We’ll be sure to include some silly mnemonics that help you remember some tricky concepts.
Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer to occur in the United States (not including skin cancers) and THE most common cause of death! So, it’s naturally very important to know the different types of lung cancer, including their risk factors and how they manifest. Tune in for a short but sweet review on this commonly tested topic by MS3 Kate Spencer.
What are personality disorders? Do you remember the different clusters of personality disorders? (Hint: A, B, C). If you need a refresher, MS3 Bilal Rana is here to help you review and understand how to approach this topic! As always, we use lots of questions to keep you engaged.
Most students take the USMLE Step 1 in the spring or early summer towards the end of MS2. If you’re in your second year, now might be a good time to start planning your approach to this daunting and monumental exam. Here, we lay out 5 steps that can help you prepare for the USMLE Step 1 while maintaining a positive mindset and trying to enjoy the process!
Part 2 of 2 in our 2-part series on the pharmacology of mood disorders. In this second part, MS3 Bilal Rana covers mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. Tune in for a packed and powerful review!
A few weeks ago, MS3 Bilal Rana hosted an episode on Mood Disorders. This is a two-part follow-up to that episode, with a packed and powerful review of the pharmacology of mood disorders – what are the drugs we use to treat mood disorders, and how do they work? In part 1, we cover SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, atypical antidepressants, MAU inhibitors. Let’s go!
What kind of crystals are seen in gout versus pseudo-gout? Which arthritis is worse in the morning, and which one at night? If you have trouble keeping these joint disorders straight, this episode is for you! MS3 Kate Spencer asks tons of questions to help you review gout and arthritis.
Does the idea of choosing an anti-arrhythmic drug make your heart skip a beat? Fear not, for MS3s Darby Billing and Michelle Troup have a steady pulse on this challenging topic. With lots of questions to keep you engaged, they will make sure you remember the key points for the boards, and beyond!
The only thing harder than remembering details of all the hepatitis viruses is memorizing those pesky hepatitis B antigens. Lucky for you, our newest team member Alexa Rae (Lexie) Churan simplifies it in our classic Spoonful of Sugar style – lots of questions (but no pressure), and lots of repetition to make sure these commonly tested concepts get ingrained your memory.
At some point during clinical rotations, you’ll be asked about screening guidelines for lung cancer. It’s important to know these for sure, but it’s also important to know what to do if there are any abnormalities after you order that screening. Here, we’ll review the guidelines for how to classify and further work up pulmonary nodules!
Did you know approximately 21% of US adults experience a mood disorder at some point in their lives? This is an extremely important, not to mention commonly tested, topic that all medical students should be familiar with. In this episode, our newest team member MS3 Bilal Rana will review Major Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Cyclothymic Disorder, Adjustment Disorder, Grief, and Postpartum Blues vs. Depression vs. Psychosis. Stay tuned for a future episode on the pharmacology related to these disorders!
In this episode, we’ll cover all things bradycardia, including sinus bradycardia, and all three degrees of heart block. We’ll review how they present, how to recognize them on an EKG, and basics of how to manage them. Hosted by MS4 Tania Mulherkar, this episode reviews everything about heart block that you’ll need for USMLE!
The medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease can be complicated and hard to remember. In this episode, our newest team member MS3 Rachel Garza reviews the pharmacologic options for Parkinson’s treatment, including their mechanisms and side effects. We always try to explain concepts in a way that makes sense so that reviewing is fun and easy to remember!
Part 2 of 2 in our series on autoimmune diseases with MS3 Alicia Podwojniak. In this episode, we review Sjogren’s syndrome, dermatomyositis, and polymyositis. These are commonly tested conditions which can be easy to confuse! Hopefully this review helps to clarify and lock in some key rheumatology concepts.
In this 2-part series, MS3 Alicia Podwojniak is back to review the complex and commonly tested topic of rheumatologic autoimmune diseases. In part 1, we’ll review rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma. Stay tuned for part 2!
Do you have a hard time keeping track of all the diseases of the thyroid? So many last names – Graves, Hashimoto, Reidel, De Quervain. It’s okay if you’re a little overwhelmed! In this episode, MS3 Kate Spencer is back to sort out the different thyroid disorders. Get ready for a fun but packed review.
Disorders of the esophagus are fairly straightforward, but there are quite a few and they can be difficult to keep straight. Packed with lots of quiz questions for a relaxing yet engaging review, this episode is just the ticket to organize these various conditions in your brain. Our newest team member MS3 Kate Spencer will drill these disorders into your memory!
How does an X-ray work? How about a CT scan, or an MRI, or an ultrasound? How do you know which one to order? In this episode, our newest team member MS4 Mohit Bhide will review the fundamentals of different imaging modalities and explain how they work. Then, he’ll walk through some rapid-fire cases as tested on USMLE board exams to build on your knowledge. Let’s shed some light on diagnostic imaging!
Do you have a hard time differentiating two commonly tested autoimmune blistering skin disorders of pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid? Which one is associated with Nikolsky sign, and which one has antibodies against the hemi-desmosomes? If you feel like you need to review these concepts and find memory devices to make them stick, tune into this episode hosted by our newest team member MS3 Alicia Podwojniak!
A major aspect of outpatient pediatric practice, and therefore also the shelf and board exams, is knowledge of childhood developmental milestones. This includes gross and fine motor skills, language, social and cognitive development, growth tracking, and sexual maturation. Review all of this material in this high-yield episode hosted by our newest MS4 team member Tania Mulherkar!
It is not the same as radiology! But believe it or not, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In this episode, we talk about how radiation therapy works, when it is indicated, what treatments look like for patients, and how to generally counsel them about short- and long-term side effects of radiation. At some point in your career you will definitely care for a patient who is getting radiation therapy. Tune in to learn the basics!
Do you have trouble answering questions about urinary incontinence? There are so many different types, and it can be difficult to diagnose and treat. If so, tune into our latest episode hosted by MS4 Xia Liu on the different types of urinary incontinence. He’ll review the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment to help you answer these questions correctly, and more importantly help patients with this very common problem!
In this short but sweet review on skin cancer, MS3 Julia May reviews the most common types of skin cancer, including their presentation, clinical features, and diagnosis. Tune in to review just how exactly these pesky tumors are tested on the boards.
In this episode, our newest team members and MS3s Laurel Parker and Kylie Schmitt review the primary and secondary disorders of hemostasis. They’ll talk about the steps and goals of primary and secondary hemostasis, and then get into the nitty gritty of various bleeding disorders. If you have a hard time remembering how bleeding time, platelet count, PT, and PTT are affected by all these disorders, this episode is for you!
Myasthenia gravis and Lambert Eaton syndrome are two neuromuscular disorders that are commonly tested but can be easily confused due to their similar presentations. In this episode, medical student Divya Patel reviews the separate pathophysiology and presentation of each disease so that you can tell the difference on any exam!
Aditi Kothari is back to host a thorough review of ascites – how to evaluate, diagnose, and manage ascites from various causes. If you don’t remember how to calculate SAAG, this episode is for you. After tuning in to this episode, you’ll definitely have a belly full of knowledge. Get it?
What’s the most common type of brain tumor? What’s the most common type of primary brain tumor? In this episode, our newest team member Oliver Mui reviews the presentation and pathophysiology of common brain tumors, including GBM, meningioma, schwannoma, ependymoma, and more. Tune in for a thorough, question-based review of this important USMLE topic!
Board examiners love to test on cancer drugs, because they’re a great way to connect complex disease presentations to basic biochemical mechanisms and the phases of the cell cycle. In this episode, we’ll review various classes of cancer drugs, their mechanisms, and important adverse effects so that you can build a foundation on which to tackle USMLE level questions surrounding this topic.
Do you have trouble hearing and interpreting heart sounds? Systolic vs. diastolic murmurs, S3 vs. S4 gallops? In this episode, we’ll review strategies on how to listen to common heart sounds so you’re no longer intimidated by this topic on board questions or rounds. This episode pairs well with our Season 2 episode on Valvular Heart Diseases, which delves deeper into the physiology of common heart murmurs. Welcome to Season 3 of the podcast!
We’re celebrating our season finale through a collaboration with hosts of a medical humanities podcast, What Brings You in Today! Leigh Burman & Mayra Betancourt Ponce host an interactive episode on bacterial endocarditis, reviewing the pathophysiology, presentation, and management of both acute and subacute presentations of bacterial endocarditis. Tune in for a thorough review of this highly tested topic, and definitely check out the WBYIT podcast for an entertaining and enriching study break!
Electrolyte repletion is a rather well-known task typically assigned to medicine and surgery interns on a patient’s primary team. The specifics surrounding dose and formulation are things you will quickly pick up on the job, but as a medical student it is probably more valuable to understand the importance of managing electrolytes, as well as the consequences of dysregulated electrolyte levels. In this episode we review exactly that, covering the ins and outs of potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and sodium. If you have any qualms about handling electrolytes, let’s solve them now!
Cardiac arrest can be a harrowing phenomenon to witness both within and outside of a hospital. Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) is a set of clinical guidelines used in managing cardiac arrest. Most residency programs will introduce their trainees to the basics of ACLS, but even as a medical student it is very important to understand the purpose of ACLS and the elements involved in delivering life-saving care. The goal of this episode is to review the components of the ACLS algorithm and discuss important considerations surrounding the care of cardiac arrest patients. Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to educate and facilitate discussion, and the contents of this episode should not substitute advice from a qualified, board-certified practicing physician.
Join us for a review of some commonly seen and commonly tested biliary and pancreatic disorders. MS4 Anisha Reddy navigates through some representative vignettes, making sure to highlight key concepts and clinical pearls throughout the episode. This topic is a staple for your GI content review!
If you have a hard time remembering all the hormones as they pertain to menstruation and pregnancy, this episode is a perfect review for you. MS4 Julie Eggleton hosts this comprehensive overview of reproductive physiology in an engaging, Q&A format.
Anisha Reddy is back to host an enlightening episode on the physiology of bilirubin and many of the related disorders! Do you ever get confused by any of the following? Breast milk vs. breast feeding jaundice? Dubin-Johnson vs. Crigler-Najjar? Primary biliary vs. sclerosing cholangitis? This is your time to clarify and solidify these concepts.
Our newest team member Drashti Patel hosts a brief but comprehensive episode reviewing pleural effusions, a commonly encountered phenomenon in practice and on tests. If you’d like to solidify concepts such as Light’s Criteria for transudative vs. exudative effusions, this episode is made for you!
Sepsis is another bread-and-butter topic in medicine, and it is guaranteed to appear on boards as well in the hospital. Patients with sepsis are sick and have the potential to quickly decompensate, so timely and thorough management is key. In this episode, we’ll review the diagnostic criteria for sepsis and discuss strategies for management of sepsis. Let’s make sepsis less scary so you feel confident on your next encounter!
We are so excited to introduce the Clinical Concepts series! In these episodes, we’re taking our content review up a level so that material is geared more towards clinical rotations and the Step 2 exam. With Clinical Concepts, we’ll focus more on diagnostic and treatment strategies for various disease processes, while integrating basic concepts from Anatomy and Physiology when applicable. Tune into our first episode on atrial fibrillation to review how atrial fibrillation presents, how it is diagnosed, and the basic management algorithm. You are guaranteed to see atrial fibrillation multiple times in your career, so might as well solidify this topic now!
Cardiac pathophysiology can be one of the hardest topics to master in medical school. We’re lucky to have MS4 Anisha Reddy help out in this area by reviewing some of the basics of valvular heart disease. We’ll present lots of vignettes, provide some pearls, and cover these diseases the way they are tested on boards.
Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer (that’s not skin cancer) in men. In this episode, MS3 Gary Price reviews the diagnosis, pathophysiology, characteristics, and treatment of prostate cancer. Parts of this review transcend the scope of Step 1, but don’t worry because we’ll be sure to hone in on what’s important for the boards while giving you a comprehensive overview of the topic.
MS3 Tiana DiMasi is back to host an episode reviewing some of the most common neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, and more. We’ll also cover some common medical conditions that can masquerade as neurodegenerative disorders. Get excited for a thorough review!
Opioids are very important in clinical practice because of their crucial use and frequent abuse. The topic is difficult to understand, but can be easily mastered once conceptually understood. In this episode, MS4 Aditi Kothari provides an overview of opioids, including their mechanisms, uses, adverse effects, and management of abuse. As always, we will ask several questions along the way to reinforce important concepts.
Step 1 Season is among us! This episode is meant to provide a little motivation and perspective for anyone who needs it in the days and weeks leading up to the exam.
MS4 Waneeza Mughees is back with an episode on gynecological malignancies! In this episode, we’ll review several topics including molar pregnancies, choriocarcinoma, as well as ovarian, vaginal, vulvar, and breast tumors. We’ll be reviewing questions in a case-based, Q&A format, so get ready to participate!
Future Neurosurgeon & current MS4 Lohit Velagapudi dissects the topic of stroke in an easy, fun, and approachable way. We’ll talk through the pathophysiology of stroke, and then cover commonly tested stroke syndromes based on their location, blood supply, and clinical presentation. This topic is definitely a brainy one, but nothing we can’t handle with a step by step approach and some fun mnemonics.
Placental disorders all sound similar and can be really confusing. In this episode, hosted by MS3 Waneeza Mughees, we will break down placental abruption, placenta accreta, vasa previa, and placenta previa with the high-yield buzzwords for each so you can get these right every time on your exams and in practice!
Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are relatively common in patients, and they pop up frequently on the boards! There are a lot of specific findings associated with each Crohn’s and UC, and there are also a lot of overlapping findings. The two diseases can be easily confused, and it’s really important to be able to distinguish the two. In this episode, we’ll try to do just that with both silly mnemonics and some physiological explanations. As always, it’s all about understanding concepts and making key connections.
Cirrhosis is such a cool topic (if your definition of cool = highly nerdy) because damage to the liver has systemic effects that involve nearly every organ. In this episode, we’ll review the pathophysiology of cirrhosis and how this relates to physical exam and lab findings, as well as some common complications of cirrhosis that you should be aware of. We won’t cover everything as this is a very broad topic with so many possible sequelae, but if you’re studying cirrhosis, at least know this!
Do you remember anything about renal physiology? We hope so! But just in case you’d like a review, in this episode we’ll cover the basics of the nephron in the context of diuretic drug actions. We’ll touch on the mechanisms, adverse effects, and uses of the major classes of diuretic agents. This will be a big picture overview of a quite complex and intricate topic, but hopefully you’ll take away some key points that help you not just for the test, but also in clinical practice.
There’s at least 20 different types of vasculitis. We won’t go through all of them, but we’ll definitely hit some of the most common ones which you should be familiar with for the boards and the wards. As always, it’s about having a good mental map to organize the diseases into different classes. We’ll classify vasculitis based on small, medium, and large vessel diseases and try to help ingrain concepts with some silly mnemonics and a rapid-fire review at the end. Don’t worry if it doesn’t stick right away! Practice makes perfect.
It’s super important to know about the different vitamins and minerals – where they are found, what they do, and what happens if there is deficiency or excess. As we review this topic, you’ll realize how integrated the vitamins and minerals are with all those biochemical pathways we once had to learn. This is a long one, but worth it. Get ready for a fun review!
It’s hard enough to learn the different drugs, but sometimes even harder to understand how all the details from pharmacology class translate to clinical practice. In this episode, we’ll try to pare down all the different classes of anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents in a way that is applicable and easy to remember. Hopefully this episode helps make these challenging drugs seem a little less overwhelming.
Psychoactive drugs and the symptoms associated with intoxication vs. withdrawal can start to blend together. In this episode, hosted by MS3 Tiana DiMasi, we will organize these drugs into categories of major depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens. We will compare and contrast how they work, the symptoms of intoxication and withdrawal, and treatments, so you can keep them straight for test day!
By popular request, here’s an episode reviewing some common benign dermatological conditions. We won’t hit every disease, but we will review some key diseases and concepts that are commonly tested on boards. Feel free to follow along with your review book or Google images to ingrain the images associated with each disease. For a review of malignant dermatology, check out S1E16 on Cancer Epidemiology, where we address the different types of skin cancer!
Final episode of our 3-part series on anemia! Congratulations if you’ve made it this far. In this final episode of our anemia series, we wrap up anemia with the very last category of macrocytic anemia. Often times the best way to remember the “what” is by understanding the “why.” That’s why we try to break down concepts so they make sense and are easy to remember.
Part 2 of a 3-part series. It’s getting long, but bear with us. In this episode, we tackle the second big category of anemia – the normocytic anemias. We’ll try to review each of these diseases the way they are asked on board exams, and then come up with ways to help organize and remember the various types of normocytic anemia.
Part 1 of a 3-part series. It can be so hard to keep track of all the different types of anemia. In this episode, we discuss the importance of creating a mental schema or "mind palace" to organize the various types of anemia. Then, we delve into the first branch and discuss the different types of microcytic anemia. We’ll ask lots of questions as usual to keep listeners engaged, and we’ll come up with silly but easy mnemonics to keep things straight.
Having trouble keeping track of all the different types of lymphoma? Hodgkin’s vs. Non-Hodgkin, B-cell vs. T-cell – it’s complicated and it can get confusing really fast. In this episode, we’ll organize the different types of lymphoma based on their defining characteristics and come up with some creative ways to make key associations which will be important for exams. As always, this review is in a Q&A format, so feel free to answer questions out loud and know that mistakes are part of the learning process!
It’s been a while, but welcome back to Season 2 of Spoonful of Sugar! In this episode, we’ll review the 4 types of leukemia – acute and chronic, lymphoid and myeloid. These can be challenging vignettes but on Step 1 it’s really about identifying some key associations. Get ready to review leukemia in an active, Q&A format. If you’ve already taken Step 1 and want to help out on our team, please contact us through spoonfulofsugar.org.
How hard is it to remember all the germ layers, aortic arches, and branchial arches? In this episode, hosted by DUCOM MS4 Adam Elwood, we try to simplify all of these challenging concepts with quick and easy mnemonics. Tune in to learn about reproductive embryology from a future Ob/Gyn!
Spoonful of Sugar is back with a long but awesome episode on ocular pathologies by future ophthalmologist and DUCOM MS4, Will Foos! Tune in to learn about glaucoma, uveitis, trachoma, retinitis, and more.
Hosted by DUCOM MS4, Will Foos, this episode provides an overview of neuro-ophthalmology. We will cover ocular motility, including the relevant cranial nerves and anatomy, review the optic pathway, and discuss the basics of an ophthalmologic exam. Tune in for an in-depth episode with our future ophthalmologist!
Hosted by DUCOM MS4, Will Foos, this episode features the basics of ophthalmology. We’ll cover the structures of the eye, discuss the autonomic innervation of the eye, and review pathologies including refractive error, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Get ex-eye-ted for some fun facts and questions along the way! And please don’t lash out for that terrible pun.
Common things are common, and the boards love to test on these. In this episode, we’ll hit the most common types of cancer that affect children and adults, and review as many testable topics as we can. This cancer episode is packed with fun facts, so don’t worry if you’re overwhelmed. Cancer is a mighty beast but hopefully together we can start to tackle it!
Who wants to talk about pee? In this episode, we’ll review the different components of urinalysis including dipstick, microscopy, and culture. We’ll hit the different types of casts and stones, trying to understand when and why they form. Get excited to interpret some urine!
We’ll review the lab values used to monitor the status of our kidneys and then dive into the different etiologies of acute kidney injury, including pre-renal, intrinsic renal, and post-renal azotemia. Our goal will be to understand the different ways the kidney can be damaged, and how this is reflected in lab values such as the BUN/Cr ratio and FeNa. Don’t know what these mean? Tune in to find out!
Glomerular disease is generally thought of as nephritic vs. nephrotic. In this episode, we will try to understand the difference between the two, acknowledging that these can occur on a spectrum. We’ll talk about specific diseases that fall under each category and work through several case vignettes, highlighting key features that you should know for each. It’s tough to get a hang of these diseases, but this episode is definitely a step in the right direction!
And this is Part 2 of our 2-part series on Diabetes Mellitus. Here, we’ll venture bravely into the treatment of Types 1 and 2 DM. We’ll discuss the various types of insulin and briefly talk about how they’re utilized. Then get ready for a tour showcasing many of the pharmacological drug classes that are available for the treatment of diabetes. We’ll try to make some silly mnemonics to remember the mechanisms and adverse effects (it’s hard, we know!). Repetition is key when it comes to learning pharm though, so tune in now for some practice recalling the drugs.
Part 1 of a 2-part series. In the first episode on Diabetes Mellitus, we’ll compare and contrast the pathogenesis and presentation of Types 1 and 2 DM. We’ll also talk about the diagnosis of DM and discuss mechanisms of the damage caused by hyperglycemia. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a series of cases to review the complications of DM. Spoiler alert: some of the complications we hit are DKA, HHS, neuropathy, and infections. You don’t want to miss our discussion on diabetes and its complications.
Adult and neonatal respiratory distress syndromes aren’t exactly related to each other, but they do present with the same CXR finding. They can also make difficult exam questions that require making the diagnosis based on a complicated vignette, and then knowing more details about the pathophysiology of each disease. We’ll try to strengthen our foundational knowledge of ARDS & NRDS, and then understand how they present so we’re not intimidated by the tough vignettes.
There are myriad pathogens that cause pneumonia, but fortunately, those that are most frequently tested are associated with certain classic presentations and diagnostic findings. In this episode, we’ll talk about the different patterns of pneumonia (e.g. lobar, interstitial) and then talk about presentation of typical vs. atypical pneumonia. We’ll talk about classic pathogens acquired in community vs. hospital settings, review some classic vignettes, talk about diagnosis of pneumonia, and get into a little treatment as well. If pneumonia overwhelms you, hopefully by the end of this episode it’ll get easier!
D-dimer? Hampton’s hump? Westermark’s sign? Listen to this episode to hear about the causes, presentation, diagnosis, and management of PE. And hopefully we’ll clarify all these random buzzwords. If you stay tuned until the end you’ll even get a review of some drugs used for anticoagulation.
We’ll talk about how to use pulmonary function tests to differentiate between obstructive and restrictive lung diseases, then review the etiologies and presentations of specific diseases within each category. See what you can remember, but don’t panic about the things you miss. That’s what reviews are for!
Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are probably two of the most common conditions that are seen and treated in primary care offices. In this episode, we’ll try to go why they’re treated, when they’re treated, and how they’re treated. Fret not, we’ll make sure to ask about commonly tested mechanisms and side effects of the major pharmacological treatments. Hopefully this episode serves not just as a pharmacology review, but also gives you some insight into the management of these conditions.
We’ll try to cover all the salient points about heart failure in a Q&A format. This includes a discussion on the various types of cardiomyopathy, the difference between systolic and diastolic heart failure, and techniques for diagnosis and management of the disease. We’ll try to throw in as many test-able facts as possible so you get the most of your time.
Questions about shock can be—well, shocking, especially when you’re tested on multiple physiologic parameters based on a complex vignette. In this episode, we’ll break down the different types of shock, and come up with a strategy to tackle tough questions on the subject. We’ll discuss what causes each type of shock and how it affects the body physiologically. Hopefully you’ll walk away with a plan of attack the next time someone asks you about shock.
Myocardial infarction is a widely tested topic on boards because there is just so much they can ask you about. We’ll try and hit all the major points in a Q&A format. We’ll talk about the pathophysiology of MI, presentation, diagnostic steps, approach to management, and complications of MI. Don’t get a heart attack if you don’t know all the answers, mistakes are part of the learning process!
In this episode, we will go over congenital heart defects in a Q&A format, focusing on the presentation and major risk factors of each. The acyanotic heart defects include VSD, ASD, and PDA. The cyanotic heart defects include Truncus Arteriosus, Transposition of the Great Vessels, Tricuspid Atresia, Tetralogy of Fallot, and TAPVR. We’ll also cover a mix of a few other congenital heart defects that don’t fall into the cyanotic/acyontic delineations. We’ll leave these as a surprise for the end!
Spoonful of Sugar is an educational podcast made for medical students by medical students. We review important medical topics at the foundational level of USMLE Step 1 to help students solidify their basics and bridge their knowledge from review books to question banks. We are striving to build a community where medical students can teach each other and grow together. Listen to this first episode to learn more about Spoonful of Sugar, including what we hope to offer and how you can get involved!