G2Endo: Endocrinology & Metabolism

07/10/2025

Overactive Bladder and Diet

The urgency and frequency of overactive bladder symptoms can increase after eating certain foods. They stimulate the sensation that the bladder is full and needs to be urgently emptied. These foods include foods known to exacerbate acid reflux, like alcohol, caffeine, sodas, citrus, tomatoes, spicy foods, onions, and high water content foods, like watermelon, cucumbers and strawberries. Leeks are a milder type of onion, that are generally well-tolerated in moderation.

Many people with overactive bladder make the mistake of restricting water intake. This will lead to constipation, which limits how much the bladder expansion and contraction. This makes the pain and other symptoms far worse.

“Taking a Leek” is made from a leek, a red scallion, yellow zucchini, cherry tomato, and a bulb of garlic. (Image is copyright protected.)

07/04/2025

AACE & AHNS Collaborative Multidisciplinary Webinar on Graves Disease

On June 8, 2025, faculty members of AACE and AHNS came together for a case based discussion about the treatment of Graves Disease. This insightful discussion was moderated by Dr. Kaniksha Desai and Dr. Marika Russell, and included faculty Dr. David Shonka, Dr. Amanda Silver-Karcioglu, Dr. Ioannis Papagiannis, and myself. You can find the webinar recording here https://www.ahns.info/meetings/virtual-education/

02/28/2024

I am enjoying being the faculty chair & host for the educational program “KOL Knockout about Thyroid Eye Disease.”

Last night, the champion from round one Rokshana Thanadar (against Alireza Falahati & Anupam Kotwal) battled Melissa Young and Kaniksha Desai, the new champion. Stay tuned for Round 3 in April!

11/10/2023

Really an honor to work with Medscape and the American Thyroid Association to make this educational video about the progression of thyroid eye disease (TED) using my art made fruits and vegetables. Special thank you to Kaniksha Desai at Stanford.

Thyroid Eye Disease often causes quality-of-life changes for patients. Endocrinologist Malini Gupta, MD, demonstrates the structural changes of thyroid eye disease in this series of images.

07/09/2021

Anterior Uveitis

The symptoms of acute anterior uveitis are pain, redness, and photophobia (sensitivity to light), that typically develop rapidly, over a few days. The most common illnesses associated with anterior uveitis are also associated with a genotype known as HLA-B27. However, there is frequent prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in patients with non-infectious uveitis. Routine evaluation of thyroid function and related antibodies is recommended in cases of idiopathic uveitis.

This piece is made from watermelon radish, beets, apple, kiwi, blueberry, and gold sugar. (image under copyright © protection).

07/08/2021

Bicornuate Uterus

A bicornuate uterus is a type of uterine duplication anomaly. It is a type of congenital uterine malformation or müllerian duct anomaly in which the uterus appears to be heart- shaped. It is rare, but it is associated with worse reproductive outcomes, including recurrent pregnancy loss and preterm labor.

This piece is made from corn, peaches, strawberries, cucumber, bell pepper, rambutan.

07/07/2021

Pelvic Fractures

Fractures of the pelvis are uncommon and range widely from mild to severe. The pelvis ring often breaks in more than one place. A mild fracture can heal without surgical repair. A severe fracture can be life threatening to include bleeding and damage to internal organs.

Most pelvic fractures happen during high-speed accidents (such as car or motorcycle crashes) and falls from great heights. Pelvic fractures can also occur spontaneously or after minor falls in patients with osteoporosis.

This piece is made from sweet peppers, kiwi, blueberries, Persian cucumbers, raisins, squash blossoms.

07/05/2021

Diabetic Bladder Dysfunction

Diabetic bladder dysfunction appears as a spectrum of clinical symptoms representing a number of disorders ranging from bladder overactivity to impaired bladder contractility. The pathogenesis of diabetes induced bladder dysfunction is multifactorial. Alterations in detrusor muscle physiology, neuronal impairment, and urothelial dysfunctions are considered factors. This is an important consideration in diabetes care that isn’t often discussed.

“Urine-credible” is made from beets, watermelon, and lemongrass. (Image is under copyright © protection.)

07/04/2021

Capillaries and High Blood Sugar

A capillary is a small blood vessel from 5 to 10 micrometres (μm) in diameter. Their wall is one endothelial cell thick. They are the smallest blood vessels in the body. They connect arterioles and venules. The capillaries and interstitial fluid around them exchange many substances through the thin wall, including fluid, oxygen, carbon dioxide, glucose.

Excess blood sugar decreases the elasticity of blood vessels and causes them to narrow, hampering blood flow. This can lead to a reduced supply of blood and oxygen, increasing the risk of high blood pressure and damage to large and small blood vessels.

“We Are All One” is done in honor of Independence Day in the United States. One side and the other side must communicate for there to be a good system in place. This piece is made from purple cabbage and Swiss chard.

07/03/2021

Tears & Onions

There are three types of tears produced by lacrimal glands: basal, irritant, and emotional tears. The basal tears are the tears that coat the eye with every blink. Irritant tears are produced when exposed to chemicals, like onions, and emotional tears are produced during emotional moments.

Onions produce chemical irritants that irritate the eyes to produce tears.

1. Lachrymatory-factor synthase is released into the air when an onion is cut
2. The synthase enzyme converts the amino acids sulfoxides of the onion into sulfenic acid.
3. The sulfenic acid rearranges itself into syn-Propanethial-S-oxide.
4. Syn-Propanethial-S-oxide comes in contact with our eyes, irritating the lachrymal glands, which then produce tears.

How can you prevent crying when cutting an onion? Share your tips with the rest of us!

This piece is made from onion, beets, tomato, broccoli stem, green onion roots, aloe.