Dr. Shazma Mithani, MD, FRCPC

Dr. Shazma Mithani, MD, FRCPC I am an Emergency Doctor in Edmonton, Alberta at one of the busiest inner city emergency departments

05/09/2026

This is super concerning. I received this DM earlier this week essentially trying to sell me services that will use my likeness and AI to make videos on my behalf.

We already know that several prominent professionals have had their likeness used by AI to promote supplements and wellness products. Where are the safeguards to prevent this kind of content from continuing?

Let me know your thoughts.

05/07/2026

If you’re firing up the BBQ this summer, here’s one safety swap worth making: ditch the metal bristle grill brush.

Those tiny wire bristles can break off, stick to the grill and accidentally end up in food. Every year, people end up in the ER with injuries ranging from painful mouth and throat injuries to bowel perforations requiring surgery. It’s uncommon, but when it happens, it can be serious.

A safer alternative? Coil brushes, scraper-style cleaners or even a grill stone. They clean well without the risk of loose metal bristles getting left behind.

If you are still using a wire brush:
• Inspect it regularly for loose or worn bristles
• Replace it often
• Wipe the grill down before cooking
• Consider using a damp cloth or paper towel after brushing to pick up any stray debris

05/02/2026

Thunderclap headache = medical emergency 🚨

This is a headache that comes on suddenly and reaches peak intensity within seconds to minutes. Patients will often describe it as the “worst headache of my life.”

While there are a few possible causes, one of the most serious is a subarachnoid hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain), which can be life-threatening and needs immediate assessment.

What matters most:
• Sudden, explosive onset
• Max intensity right away (within seconds?
• Feels very different from your usual headaches

This is not something to “wait out” or treat at home.

If you or someone else experiences a headache like this, go to the ER immediately or call emergency services.

A few other red flags that should push you to seek urgent care include:
• Neck stiffness
• Vomiting
• Fainting or decreased consciousness
• Neurological symptoms (weakness, vision changes, trouble speaking)
• Headache triggered by exertion, s*x, or coughing

Bottom line: when it comes to thunderclap headaches, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.

Happy National Physicians Day to all of my amazing colleagues. Recently, I was asked by my friend’s amazing daughter to ...
05/01/2026

Happy National Physicians Day to all of my amazing colleagues.

Recently, I was asked by my friend’s amazing daughter to be interviewed for her Kindergarten project. She was asked to interview a community helper and I was so honoured to be picked!

Her questions reminded me of why I chose this career so many years ago. The system is so good at wearing us down, with so few things in our control and so many patients needing our help, it’s hard sometimes to remember the impact we can have.

So, to all of the doctors out there who need a little reminder…what you do matters ❤️

Tag your favorite physician in the comments or share a story of the impact a physician has made on you.

04/27/2026

Fevers in kids can feel scary (and a common reason parents bring their kids to the ER) but the approach at home is actually pretty simple.

Here’s how I handle it with my own kids:

1. Don’t chase the number
The temperature matters less than how your child looks and behaves.

2. Treat only if they’re feeling crummy
If they’re uncomfortable, in pain, not drinking or not themselves, that’s when I reach for medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

3. Watch for red flags
This is the most important part. Fevers are common and usually don’t require a visit to the ER, but there are a few important things to watch for at home.

When to seek medical care:
* Under 3 months with any fever (38°C/100.4°F or higher)
* Lethargy (difficult to wake or not interacting)
* Trouble breathing
* Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, no tears, peeing much less)
* Severe headache, stiff neck or sensitivity to light
* Persistent vomiting or unable to keep fluids down
* Seizure
* Fever lasting more than 5 days
* Rash that doesn’t blanch or looks like bruising
* You’re worried. Trust that instinct

Bottom line: treat the child, not the number

Save this for the next time your kid spikes a fever because it will happen again

04/17/2026

The Pitt finale has arrived! If you’re looking for a deeper dive into the finale, and I will be releasing a special episode of tomorrow evening!

Ok, so a lot of this episodes focused on the characters, with just really one new medical case.

We saw a lot of full circle moments, parallels to season 1, and some (sort of) closure with Robby.

Let me know your thoughts on the episode. What did you love? What did you not love? What are your predictions for season 3?

04/15/2026

Gum doesn’t sit in your stomach for 7 years. That’s a myth.

Your body can’t digest the gum base, but that doesn’t mean it just stays there. What actually happens is that the rest of the gum (sweeteners, flavouring) gets broken down like any other food, and the gum base moves through your digestive system intact and is passed in your stool, usually within a few days.

So if you accidentally swallow gum, it’s not harmful in typical amounts.

Where we do get concerned:
• Repeatedly swallowing large amounts of gum
• Especially in kids
• Particularly if combined with constipation

In rare cases, that can form a blockage, but this is not common.

Bottom line:
Swallowing gum once in a while is not a problem. It won’t sit in your stomach for years.

If your child has abdominal pain, vomiting, or hasn’t had a bowel movement, that’s when it’s worth getting checked.

Save this for the next time someone brings up the “7-year gum” myth.

04/10/2026

It’s the penultimate episode of The Pitt and it feels like there is still so much left to wrap up.

I think we will finally get answers to what’s going to happen with Robby. I also think we will see some sort of closure with Langdon and Robby. Dr. Al’s news will for sure play into this somehow. Same with Dr. Abbott.

One outstanding question I have from this episode that I’m hoping will weigh in on is whether the C-spine reduction is legit.

Let me know your thoughts on episode 14 and your predictions for the finale in the comments!

04/09/2026

Most of the time, when a tooth gets knocked out, it’s either spit out or swallowed (and passes without issue).

But very rarely, it can be aspirated (meaning it goes into the airway instead of the esophagus).

That’s the scenario we worry about.

A tooth sitting in the airway or lung might not cause dramatic symptoms right away. Someone can look relatively well, but over time, it can lead to:
• persistent cough
• recurrent pneumonia
• localized infection or abscess

That’s why if a tooth is missing and unaccounted for after trauma, we don’t just assume it was swallowed. We go looking for it.

A simple chest X-ray can help confirm whether it’s in the airway, and if it is, it needs to be removed.

Bottom line:
If a tooth is knocked out and you can’t find it, don’t ignore it. You need a chest x-ray!

04/07/2026

Gallbladder pain isn’t always obvious, but once you know the pattern, it’s hard to miss.

If you’ve been told you have gallstones or you’re having symptoms that sound like biliary colic (that intense, steady pain in the upper right abdomen, often after eating, sometimes going to your back or shoulder, with nausea), what you eat can make a big difference in how often those attacks happen.

Foods more likely to trigger attacks (try to limit):
- High-fat, greasy or fried foods (deep fried foods, fast food)
- Fatty cuts of meat (bacon, sausage, ribs)
- Full-fat dairy (cream, butter, cheese in large amounts)
- Rich desserts and pastries
- Large, heavy meals

Fat causes your gallbladder to squeeze to release bile. If gallstones are present, that squeeze can trigger pain.

Foods that are generally better tolerated:
- Lean proteins (chicken, turkey, fish, tofu, lentils)
- Low-fat or non-fat dairy
- High-fiber foods (vegetables, fruit, whole grains)
- Smaller, more frequent meals instead of large ones

Diet can help reduce symptoms, but it does NOT get rid of gallstones. If you’re having recurrent attacks, the definitive treatment is surgery to remove the gallbladder.

Go to the ER urgently if you have:
- Pain lasting more than a few hours
- Fever or chills
- Yellowing of your skin or eyes
- Persistent vomiting
- Pain in your chest or shortness of breath

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