In this episode of This Is Why, Dr. Busti walks through a real-world board-style question on community-acquired pneumonia — connecting core pathophysiology to exam reasoning and clinical judgment. Using a 54-year-old patient case, you’ll learn how to differentiate inpatient versus outpatient management, apply CURB-65 and PSI scoring tools, and identify sepsis criteria that drive treatment decisions.

Dr. Busti also unpacks the rationale behind antibiotic selection, comparing macrolide monotherapy, beta-lactam combinations, and fluoroquinolone alternatives — all while reinforcing how understanding why each answer choice is correct or incorrect leads to long-term mastery.

If you’re preparing for your boards, rotations, or want to strengthen your diagnostic thinking, this episode helps you move beyond memorization into true clinical understanding.

Access bonus materials and downloads at https://thisiswhy.health

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard in this content.

Dr. Busti reviews pharmacologic options for smoking cessation—bupropion, nicotine replacement therapy, and varenicline—highlighting mechanisms, dosing strategies, and safety considerations. Learn how to integrate these therapies with behavioral approaches, tailor choices to patient comorbidities, and monitor for clinically relevant risks.

Access bonus materials and downloads at https://thisiswhy.health

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard in this content.

Dr. Busti reviews tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)—their history, evolving role, and why they remain relevant today. Learn how tertiary vs. secondary amines differ, why lower doses are effective for pain and insomnia, and how overdose risks tie back to sodium channel blockade. Practical monitoring, counseling tips, and clinical pearls are highlighted to help you apply TCAs safely and effectively.

Access bonus materials and downloads at https://thisiswhy.health

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard in this content.

Dr. Busti reviews selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—their mechanism, first-line indications, key side effects, and clinical pearls. Learn why SSRIs are widely used for depression and anxiety, how to avoid pitfalls like QT prolongation and drug interactions, and what to monitor to optimize patient care.

Access bonus materials and downloads at https://thisiswhy.health

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard in this content.

Discover serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)—safe, effective antidepressants for depression, anxiety, and pain syndromes.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How SNRIs work in the brain and differ from SSRIs, TCAs, and MAOIs
- Key medications: venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, milnacipran, levomilnacipran
- Important side effects, including blood pressure changes and SIADH in older adults
- Tips for safe switching, monitoring, and counseling patients

💡 Access bonus materials and downloads at https://thisiswhy.health

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard in this content.

Dr. Busti breaks down monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)—where they still fit in modern care, how they work, and how to use them safely.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why MAOIs remain relevant for treatment-resistant depression
• How irreversible MAO-A/B inhibition elevates serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine
• Practical washout rules (why 14 days after MAOI, generally 7 days before starting an MAOI; longer with fluoxetine)
• High-yield differences (e.g., selegiline transdermal for depression vs. oral formulations for Parkinson’s disease)
• Key drug–drug risks (serotonergic agents, certain opioids like tramadol, linezolid/methylene blue)
• Tyramine-containing foods and counseling to prevent hypertensive crisis

Whether you’re prepping for boards or refining clinical practice, this walkthrough turns “what” into the why behind safer, smarter antidepressant selection.

Access bonus materials and downloads at https://thisiswhy.health

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard in this content.

Dr. Busti explores the atypical antidepressants—bupropion, mirtazapine, trazodone, vilazodone, and vortioxetine. Learn how these agents differ from SSRIs/SNRIs, when to use them, and how their unique side effect profiles can actually guide therapy.

Access bonus materials and downloads at https://thisiswhy.health

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard in this content.

Dr. Busti reviews Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)—how they work, why they outperformed H2 blockers, key clinical uses, and important risks. From GERD to GI bleeds, learn the why behind PPIs so you can apply them safely in practice.

Access bonus materials and downloads at https://thisiswhy.health

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard in this content.