GPnotebook Podcast

In this episode, Dr Roger Henderson focuses on nasopharyngeal carcinoma, an uncommon head and neck malignancy in many parts of the world, but one with distinctive epidemiology, biology and patterns of presentation. It has a strong association with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), occurs with striking geographical and ethnic variation, and often presents with cervical lymphadenopathy rather than obvious symptoms from the primary tumour. The episode looks at the current WHO histological classification, the role of EBV and host factors, the clinical features that should raise suspicion, and how the disease is investigated and staged. It then reviews the principles of modern treatment, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and multidisciplinary management, and discusses prognosis and post-treatment surveillance.

Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at:
https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/podcasts/ear-nose-and-throat/ep-231-nasopharyngeal-cancer

Did you know? With GPnotebook Pro, you can earn CPD credits by tracking the podcast episodes you listen to. Learn more.

In this episode, Dr James Waldron is joined by Dr Rik Fijten, a GP with an extended role in gastroenterology, to discuss hepatitis B, the third instalment in a four-part hepatology series. Why are emergency departments (EDs) finding so much hepatitis B through opt-out blood-borne virus testing? Who is most at risk and why is hepatitis B such an important health inequalities issue? The discussion covers how hepatitis B is often missed, what primary care can do better, and how earlier detection can help prevent cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at:
https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/podcasts/infectious-disease/ep-230-hepatitis-b

Did you know? With GPnotebook Pro, you can earn CPD credits by tracking the podcast episodes you listen to. Learn more.

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has moved from being a specialist technology used mainly in type 1 diabetes to becoming one of the most important developments in modern glucose management. What began as a way of collecting more frequent glucose measurements has evolved into a platform capable of displaying trends, predicting future glucose changes and, when integrated with insulin pumps, automatically influencing treatment. More recently, CGM has expanded into type 2 diabetes, consumer health, early diagnostic research and telemedicine, while artificial intelligence is opening the possibility of increasingly individualised prediction and decision support. At the same time, researchers are working on longer-lasting and potentially non-invasive sensors. In this episode, Dr Roger Henderson revisits how CGM developed, looks at where the technology is heading, what these advances could mean for clinical practice, and the challenges GPs need to consider as glucose monitoring becomes increasingly predictive and automated.

Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at:
https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/podcasts/diabetes-and-endocrinology/ep-229-continuous-glucose-monitoring

Did you know? With GPnotebook Pro, you can earn CPD credits by tracking the podcast episodes you listen to. Learn more.

In this episode, Dr Roger Henderson discusses infectious mononucleosis, a common viral illness that can present a surprisingly complex diagnostic and clinical challenge. Most often associated with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), infectious mononucleosis is particularly familiar in adolescents and young adults, where fever, pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy and fatigue can create a classic clinical picture. But recognising the syndrome is only the beginning. Similar presentations can occur with other infections, including acute HIV and cytomegalovirus, while complications such as airway obstruction and splenic rupture, although uncommon, require careful attention. Here, he explores how EBV infection presents, how to approach diagnosis and differential diagnosis, what evidence-based supportive management involves, and the key advice GPs should give patients about activity, recovery and potential complications.

Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at:
https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/podcasts/infectious-disease/ep-228-infectious-mononucleosis

Did you know? With GPnotebook Pro, you can earn CPD credits by tracking the podcast episodes you listen to. Learn more.

In this episode, Dr Roger Henderson explores a fascinating and sometimes unsettling area of clinical practice: parasomnias. Sleep is something everyone experiences, but for some patients it is far from quiet or predictable: they may walk, shout, experience vivid nightmares or even physically act out their dreams, leaving both them and their partners confused, frightened or concerned about what these behaviours might mean. For GPs, recognising the pattern is crucial. Is the episode occurring early or late in the night? Is the patient confused or fully alert afterwards? Do they remember what happened, and could medication, another sleep disorder or an underlying neurological condition be contributing? Here, we cover the key clinical features of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnias, nightmare disorder and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder, and discuss practical approaches to their assessment, differential diagnosis and management.

Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at:
https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/podcasts/neurology/ep-227-parasomnia

Did you know? With GPnotebook Pro, you can earn CPD credits by tracking the podcast episodes you listen to. Learn more.