Tonsillectomies are one of the most common operations both today and historically, however, it has always been mired in controversy. In ancient times, this was touted as being either life-saving or completely unnecessary and continued to be a polarising topic into the twentieth century.

An evidence based approach has helped to provide guidelines such as the Paradise criteria. However, there is always nuance and particular patient circumstances that play a role in deciding if surgical management is appropriate. We talk to one of Australia’s foremost experts to help us navigate this topic.

This is the story of Tonsillectomies.

Our special guest:

Dr Eric Levi is a triple-Fellowship trained Specialist Otolaryngologist (Ear Nose & Throat), Head & Neck Surgeon based in Melbourne, Australia. He has completed Fellowships in Head & Neck Surgery, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and Paediatric Otolaryngology.

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Over two-thirds of the world’s population lose the ability to metabolise during their lifetime (the majority during childhood). We know today that lactose intolerance, or lactase persistence, has a strong genetic predisposition. Almost 100% of Asians, 70% of African-Americans, East Indians, US Hispanics and approximately 50% of Spanish and French have very low levels of lactase in adulthood (what we would call lactose intolerant). Alternatively, the majority of Caucasians can tolerate lactose into adulthood.

Testing for lactose intolerance/lactase persistence can be done either via chemical or genetic testing. Each has their advantages and disadvantages but is important for any doctor or patient to know about.

This is the story of Lactose intolerance.

Our special guests:

Dr Michael Page is a Chemical Pathologist and Chief Executive Officer at Clinipath in Western Australia.

Dr Melanie Galea is a Genetic Pathology specialist and Director of genetics at Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology in Sydney.

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Pelvic pain is a difficult and challenging medical condition for both patients and doctors. It can be debilitating for women that can begin as a teenager or a young adult and progress for years impacting every facet of their lives.

Similiarly, pelvic pain can be challenging for symptom to assess and manage for doctors as there are a multitude of causes that range from simple and straight forward to complex and chronic diseases such as endometriosis.

In this episode we discuss pelvic pain and endometriosis with two guests who are leaders in diagnosis, treatment and management.

Travis also references a previous episode that touched on this issue: The Tragedy Of The Wandering Womb.

Also, Associate Professor Susan Evans, promised to share a link to this paper (click to download): An Embodied Predictive Processing Theory of Pain Experience (NEI Ensemble Paper).

This is the story of pelvic pain and endometriosis

Our special guests:

Dr Alecia Macrow who is a General Practitioner, owner of Thrive Family Practice, and one of 22 clinics around Australia that received government funding to assist patients with pelvic pain and endometriosis.

Associate Professor Susan Evans who is a Gynaecologist, Surgeon and Pain management physician in Adelaide. Associate Professor Evans is Executive Chair of the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia and CEO of Alyra Biotech which is a biopharmaceutical company developing intrauterine products for pain relief.

This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify.

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