The Rx Bricks Podcast

USMLE-Rx

The Rx Bricks podcast from USMLE-Rx is designed to help you master medical school. Each episode is an audio version of one of our revolutionary Rx Bricks, which are short, high-yield, interactive learning modules. Each week, we present a new audiobrick based on an important basic science topic (e.g., pressure-volume loops) or clinical concept (e.g., ischemic heart disease). Learn more at www.usmle-rx.com read less

Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (Re-Release)
May 9 2023
Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (Re-Release)
You probably know that the kidneys play an important role in maintaining blood pressure within the normal range. You might also know that they do this by regulating blood volume and the degree of arterial contraction or dilation (the systemic vascular resistance). But do you know how the kidneys do this? The answer is the kidneys accomplish this primarily through a set of hormones and enzymes known together as the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). In this brick, we will discuss the components, functions, and regulation of the RAAS. Renin is an enzyme released by the kidneys that ultimately causes the formation of the hormone angiotensin II (Ang II) in the body—which in turn stimulates the release of the hormone aldosterone from the adrenal cortex. Ang II and aldosterone act in a number of ways to increase blood volume and blood pressure. RAAS acts to increase sodium reabsorption in the kidney, increase vascular tone, and even stimulate antidiuretic hormone (ADH) to reabsorb more water: all of these defend our extracellular volume and blood pressure. RAAS is therefore a critical system for keeping us upright! After listening to this Audio Brick, you should be able to: Outline the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, including sensors, factors that control it, sources of hormone release, and the actions of each hormone.Describe the mechanisms by which the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system regulates blood pressure.Compare and contrast tubuloglomerular feedback with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. You can also check out the original brick from our Endocrine collection, which is available for free. Learn more about Rx Bricks by signing up for a free USMLE-Rx account: www.usmle-rx.com You will get 5 days of full access to our Rx360+ program, including nearly 800 Rx Bricks.  After the 5-day period, you will still be able
Hemophilia (Re-release)
Apr 25 2023
Hemophilia (Re-release)
Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder resulting from defects in factors of the coagulation cascade. There are two primary types of hemophilia: A and B. Both types of hemophilia are rare, with only a combined frequency of about 1 in 5000 live births. Of the two types, hemophilia A is about four times more common. In the intrinsic arm of the coagulation cascade, factor VIII serves as a cofactor for factor IX. They cooperate to activate factor X, leading to the formation of fibrin. After listening to this AudioBrick, you should be able to: Compare and contrast the underlying defect in hemophilia A and B.Describe the inheritance pattern and relative incidence of hemophilia A and B.Describe the clinical features of hemophilia A and B.Explain how hemophilia A and B are diagnosed.List and briefly describe other factor deficiencies. You can also check out the original brick on Hemophilia from our Hematology collection, which is available for free. Learn more about Rx Bricks by signing up for a free USMLE-Rx account: www.usmle-rx.com You will get 5 days of full access to our Rx360+ program, including nearly 800 Rx Bricks.  After the 5-day period, you will still be able to access over 150 free bricks, including the entire collections for General Microbiology and Cellular and Molecular Biology. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  It helps with our visibility, and the more med students (or future med students) listen to the podcast, the more we can provide to the future physicians of the world. Follow USMLE-Rx at: Facebook: www.facebook.com/usmlerx Blog: www.firstaidteam.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/firstaidteam Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstaidteam/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/USMLERX Learn how you can access over 150 of our bricks for FREE: https://usmlerx.wpengine.com/free-bricks/
Mitral Stenosis (Re-release)
Mar 28 2023
Mitral Stenosis (Re-release)
Mitral stenosis (MS) is a narrowing of the mitral valve. In the normal cardiac cycle, the heart relaxes during diastole and allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle through the open mitral valve. When the mitral valve is narrowed, blood flow becomes restricted (Figure 1). Excess volume and pressure build up in the left atrium, while forward flow to the left ventricle decreases. After listening to this AudioBrick, you should be able to: Define mitral stenosis.List and explain the common causes of mitral stenosis.Describe the clinical presentation and diagnosis of mitral stenosis.Describe the treatment of mitral stenosis. You can also check out the original brick from our Cardiovascular collection, which is available for free. Learn more about Rx Bricks by signing up for a free USMLE-Rx account: www.usmle-rx.com You will get 5 days of full access to our Rx360+ program, including nearly 800 Rx Bricks.  After the 5-day period, you will still be able to access over 150 free bricks, including the entire collections for General Microbiology and Cellular and Molecular Biology, plus all of the bricks developed by MeSAGE, the Medical Student Alliance for Global Education. *** If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  It helps with our visibility, and the more med students (or future med students) listen to the podcast, the more we can provide to the future physicians of the world. Follow USMLE-Rx at: Facebook: www.facebook.com/usmlerxBlog: www.firstaidteam.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/firstaidteamInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstaidteam/YouTube: www.youtube.com/USMLERXTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@firstaidteam
Social Determinants of Health
Mar 7 2023
Social Determinants of Health
Social determinants of health are the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes, many times in ways that we may not be even aware of. Even though we often consider the medical risk factors that affect the health of individuals, we can ignore the role that social and environmental factors, such as housing conditions and access to healthcare and education, can play. In this episode, we present the podcast version of the Social Determinants of Health brick developed by MeSAGE, the Medical Student Alliance for Global Education, and explore the ways in which social determinants impact health outcomes. We discuss how factors such as income, education levels, access to healthcare, and living conditions all affect the overall health of an individual or a population. We also explain the importance of recognizing these social determinants in order to develop successful interventions that improve health outcomes. This is just one of the free and open Bricks that MeSAGE developed for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion collection.  Through this collection, we aim to generate awareness and provide support for health care students and educators to learn more about cultural competency and social determinants of health. We hope that these resources will help provide a foundation for educators, students, and healthcare providers to better understand how social determinants can influence the health outcomes of their patients and communities. If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  It helps with our visibility, and the more med students (or future med students) listen to the podcast, the more we can provide to the future physicians of the world. Follow USMLE-Rx at: Facebook: www.facebook.com/usmlerx Blog: www.firstaidteam.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/firstaidteam Twitter: https://twitter.com/mesage_hub Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstaidteam/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/USMLERX Learn more about Rx Bricks by signing up for a free USMLE-Rx account: www.usmle-rx.com You will get 5 days of full access to our Rx360+ program, including over 800 Rx Bricks.  After the 5-day period, you will still be able to access over 150 free bricks, including the entire collections for General Microbiology and Cellular and Molecular Biology.