primary care today

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

With more than 100 different disorders, rheumatic diseases comprise one of the most prevalent disease groups in the industrialized world. In fact, a third of the population will be affected by a rheumatic disease at some point during their lifetimes.

Host Dr. Brian McDonough sits down with Dr. Carol Langford, Chair of the Committee of Education at the American College of Rheumatology, about the diagnostic and treatment challenges of rheumatic diseases.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Allergies occur when your immune system mistakes a normally harmless allergen for a dangerous invader and moves to destroy it, producing an allergic reaction. What exactly causes this response, and what are the best treatments to combat it?

Host Brian McDonough chats with Dr. Avery August, Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine, about his research regarding how allergens affect the immune system.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Every year, 1 in 6 Americans get sick from eating contaminated food.

USDA Food Safety expert Sarah Lichtman joins host Dr. Brian McDonough to discuss ways to safely handle food, prevent food poisoning, and minimize risk of foodborne illnesses.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

The Mediterranean Diet, rich in plant-based foods, is associated with a variety of health benefits, including a lower incidence of dementia. Extra-virgin olive oil, a specific ingredient used abundantly in this diet, is now speculated to help protect people against cognitive decline.

Host Brian McDonough talks with Domenico Pratico, Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Microbiology at the Center for Translational Medicine at the Louis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, about how consumption of olive oil can preserve memory and cognitive ability and potentially reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Guest: Allison Willis, MD

More men than women are diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease by almost a 2 to 1 margin. However, women receive supportive surgery less often than men, and their symptoms are more severe on average by the time surgical options are taken.

Host Brian McDonough chats with Dr. Allison Willis, Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, about gender differences in diagnosing and managing Parkinson's Disease.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

The Mediterranean Diet, rich in plant-based foods, is associated with a variety of health benefits, including a lower incidence of dementia. Extra-virgin olive oil, a specific ingredient used abundantly in this diet, is now speculated to help protect people against cognitive decline.

Host Brian McDonough talks with Domenico Pratico, Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Microbiology at the Center for Translational Medicine at the Louis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, about how consumption of olive oil can preserve memory and cognitive ability and potentially reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Vegetative state is commonly defined as "wakefulness with awareness." Patients with a vegetative state diagnosis will show only reflex behavior, are not able to follow commands and are unable to communicate. This barrier in the inability for patients to communicate can make it difficult for doctors to measure their level of consciousness. In fact, some patients who are believed to be in a completely vegetative state may be more aware of what's going on than people realize.

Host Brian McDonough joins Dr. Adrian Owen, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience and Imaging at the Brain and Mind Institute at Western University. They talk about how the use of MRI technology is aiding doctors in measuring the level of consciousness in patients under vegetative states.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Could constant cell phone use be damaging children's brains?

Host Dr. Brian McDonough chats with Daniel Debaun, author of Radiation Nation: The Fallout of Modern Technology," about how electromagnetic frequency (EMF) radiation produced by modern technology such as cell phones, tablets, laptops, Wi-Fi, and smart meters may be emerging as a health threat with many unknown consequences.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

It's widely known that genetics, family history, race, and other factors all play important roles in cancer risk. But what kinds of roles do they play, specifically, and how can we leverage these understandings into better primary care?

Dr. Brian McDonough is joined by Dr. Maureen Murphy, research scientist at the Wistar Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Murphy has spent the past twenty years studying how genes affect breast cancer risk in women, particularly for African American populations. She discusses her findings on the discovery of p53 protein variants and how this advances the role for precision medicine in treating breast cancer.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

It's widely known that genetics, family history, race, and other factors all play important roles in cancer risk. But what kinds of roles do they play, specifically, and how can we leverage these understandings into better primary care?

Dr. Brian McDonough is joined by Dr. Maureen Murphy, research scientist at the Wistar Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Murphy has spent the past twenty years studying how genes affect breast cancer risk in women, particularly for African American populations. She discusses her findings on the discovery of p53 protein variants and how this advances the role for precision medicine in treating breast cancer.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Guest: Annalisa Scimemi

Hemorrhagic strokes account for about 200,000 strokes per year. Of those who survive, about 66 percent suffer some permanent brain damage. Our guest, biophysicist Dr. Annalisa Scimemi, has been studying the receptors in the brain that may contribute to brain damage immediately after hemorrhagic stroke. Alongside host Dr. Brian McDonough, she will discuss how to lessen the effects of brain damage following a stroke.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP
Guest: Howard Spiva

Wearing a helmet is an overlooked but critical safety precaution, particularly among children. Attorney Howard Spiva knows the lifelong struggle of individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries, having devoting much of his career to providing helmet safety education for children. Joined by host Brian McDonough, Mr. Spiva discusses important details about helmet safety, the current status of helmet laws, and continuing efforts to reduce traumatic brain injuries nationwide.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Host Brian McDonough talks with Dr. Joel Nitzkin, preventive medicine physician and senior fellow in tobacco policy for the R Street Institute. The two discuss their respective priorities for reducing tobacco-attributable illnesses and death.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Host Brian McDonough talks with Dr. Joel Nitzkin, preventive medicine physician and senior fellow in tobacco policy for the R Street Institute. The two discuss their respective priorities for reducing tobacco-attributable illnesses and death.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Polycystic Ovary Syndrom (PCOS) afflicts 10 to 15% of women worldwide, yet physicians often don't recognize the symptoms associated with this disease.

Host Dr. Brian McDonough chats with Dr. Fiona McCulloch, a Toronto-based naturopath and author of the book 8 Steps to Reverse Your PCOS, about different approaches to managing PCOS and how dietary changes can make huge impacts for women dealing with PCOS.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Polycystic Ovary Syndrom (PCOS) afflicts 10 to 15% of women worldwide, yet physicians often don't recognize the symptoms associated with this disease.

Host Dr. Brian McDonough chats with Dr. Fiona McCulloch, a Toronto-based naturopath and author of the book 8 Steps to Reverse Your PCOS, about different approaches to managing PCOS and how dietary changes can make huge impacts for women dealing with PCOS.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Dr. Brian McDonough chats with Deadly Prescription author Dr. Robert Marx, Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine. The two discuss powerful impacts that corporate conflicts of interest from pharmaceutical companies can have on patient health.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Dr. Brian McDonough chats with Deadly Prescription author Dr. Robert Marx, Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine. The two discuss powerful impacts that corporate conflicts of interest from pharmaceutical companies can have on patient health.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Dr. Brian McDonough chats with Deadly Prescription author Dr. Robert Marx, Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine. The two discuss powerful impacts that corporate conflicts of interest from pharmaceutical companies can have on patient health.

Host: Brian P. McDonough, MD, FAAFP

Dr. Brian McDonough chats with Deadly Prescription author Dr. Robert Marx, Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine. The two discuss powerful impacts that corporate conflicts of interest from pharmaceutical companies can have on patient health.