S2E39: E39 Coeliac disease and pathology | Slag om Gluten (Dutch)

Coeliac disease has been recognised since the times of Ancient Greece.

This is a malabsorption disease that causes abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, diarrhoea, and leaves sufferers starved of nutrients.

The offending protein is Gluten which is found in wheat, rye, and barley.

It was a Dutch Paediatrician by the name of Dr Willem Dicke who discovered the link between Gluten and Coeliac disease around the 1940s. This arose from the keen observation of a young patient’s mother to the devastation and starvation of the Hunger Winter in World War 2.

This is a story like no other.

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S2E38: Ep 38 Leprosy and Pathology | From tzaraat to leprosy

Leprosy the disease, is rife with myths and false beliefs.

In 1863, Hawaii recognised leprosy an official public health threat. In 1865, a law of segregation was enacted forcing sufferers to Kalaupapa on Molokai island.

As fate would have it, St Damien of Molokai (canonized in 2009) was there to serve.

His role was that of a model Priest and his feats were super-human. However, local legends are not always a perfect reflection of historical events, and Damien the man can be lost in St Damien the hero.

Leprosy is a terrible disease but it is much less contagious than commonly thought.

Its historical significance may have heightened due to inter-language Biblical translation over centuries.In any event, it is a fascinating disease and one worth knowing more about.

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S2E37: Episode 37: Lead Pathology | Saturn’s sweet poison

Lead has been used for thousands of years.

And why not? This is a metal that is abundant, pliable, has a low melting point, and does not easily corrode. However, even our ancestors knew that those who worked closely with it often became sick.

Called Saturnism by the Ancient Romans, lead poisoning was known to cause a pale appearance, intestinal problems, paralysis, delirium, and even death.

We have not escaped the perils of lead in our modern times.

Petrol, paint, construction, ammunition, cosmetics, toys, etc. have at all included lead at some point in time. Recent regulations have reduced the exposure of the general population. However, we are not immune from contamination and outbreaks as recent history has shown.

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S2E36: Ep 36 HIV | Defenceless

In June 1981, the CDC reported an article of 5 men who presented with Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). PCP is an opportunistic infection more commonly found immunosuppressed patients (ie. patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer). The 5 men were young and otherwise healthy. They were also all homosexual.

In July 1981, another CDC article reported 26 men who presented with PCP as well as Kaposi sarcoma. Kaposi sarcoma is a rare blood vessel tumour. This could not be a coincidence and the world was on the precipice of a pandemic that would kill millions and unleash a wave of homophobia, prejudice and demonization.

Fortunately, today, HIV is a manageable disease and patients can continue to live productive and healthy lives which could not be further from this once terminal diagnosis.

This is the story of HIV.

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S2E35: Ep 35 Piercing the smoke screen | Cigarettes, Smoking & Vapes

The rise of the tobacco industry and prevalence of smoking has significantly shaped the health (or lack of) in the last century. In 1900s, lung cancer was rare. 60 years later, it was the top cause of cancer deaths in men and second in women. This remains the case to this day. However, as the evidence mounted against smoking, the tobacco industry was not going to let studies, public health or facts get in the way of such a promising albeit fatal product.

Fortunately, the risks and diseases associated with cigarettes are well known today. Unfortunately, the rates of smoking worldwide are still very high and accounts for approximately 8 million deaths per year. However, the a new product has emerged in the last two decades called ‘heated tobacco’ and Vaping.

We explore what we know, and what we don’t about this new trend.

Every disease has a story to tell – Dr Travis Brown This Pathological Life podcastis brought to you by Clinpath Pathology in South Australia

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S2E34: Ep 24 Hodgkin Lymphoma | Almost Lardaceous Disease

Hodgkin Lymphoma, formerly known as Hodgkin disease, is a cancer of the lymph node(s).

First described by Thomas Hodgkin (1832) where he wrote a paper titled ‘On Some Morbid Appearances of the Absorbent (now Lymphatic) Glands and Spleen’. However, the significance of this did not become apparent until decades later.

Hodgkin Lymphoma is the most common malignancy of adolescents and young adults.

This used to be a fatal disease but because of meticulous studies, research, modern medicine and advances in treatment, the prognosis is excellent.

Our interview is with Dr Bradley Webster, Histopathologist specialising in Uropathology and Lymphoid Pathology and this section of the podcast is eligible for 1 RACGP CPD point – self reporting.

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