Inside Health

Immunologist Eleanor Riley explains how inflammation can become self-perpetuating. Cancer researcher Charlie Swanton explores using inflammation to prevent lung cancer, while neuroscientist Tara Spires-Jones examines its harmful and protective roles in Alzheimer’s. Nutritional scientist Sarah Berry discusses foods linked to inflammatory risk, from plant diversity and oily fish to ultra-processed choices.

Dr Erica McAlister, entomologist who studies horsefly biting behavior. Joan Costa-i-Font, health economist exploring incentive design. Dr Renuka Dias, paediatric endocrinologist running screening and teplizumab treatment. Parth Narendran, diabetes professor leading trials of immune therapies. They discuss teplizumab delaying type 1 diabetes, screening and eligibility, NHS walking incentives, and why horsefly bites hurt.

Danny Altmann, immunologist at Imperial College London, discusses the latest long Covid research and upcoming trials. Caroline Burt, consultant colorectal surgeon, explains stoma types, why they are needed and patient experiences. Sarah Berry, nutritional scientist at King’s College London, unpacks the ice cream paradox and how food structure can affect health. The conversation covers treatment trials, stoma-friendly toilets, and dairy science.

Dr Lewis Mattin, hydration researcher who tests electrolyte drinks. Ros Cooke, physiotherapist advising on pregnancy and safe exercise. Damian Bailey, exercise physiologist expert on heat. They discuss how heat changes exercise, pregnancy and running, whether electrolytes help rehydration, and active versus passive recovery. Short, practical conversations about staying active when it is hot.

Dr Damian Bailey, exercise physiology professor and creatine expert; Dr Maria Traka, children's nutrition lead at the Quadram Institute; Dr Margaret McCartney, GP with primary care and screening experience. They discuss HPV vaccination's impact on cervical cancer and screening policy. New school meal standards and practical challenges of healthier menus. Creatine's athletic and possible cognitive roles, dosing and safety.

Professor Ben Parker, rheumatologist who led CAR-T trials, explains how engineered T cells can ‘reset’ B cells and reports striking remission rates. Dr Mojca Kristan, medical entomologist, shows lab mosquitoes and discusses longer mosquito seasons and disease risk in the UK. Professor Vaibhav Modgil, consultant urologist, debunks extreme 'spermmaxxing' tips and gives practical fertility advice.

Professor Brantley Hall, a Maryland researcher who built a wearable sensor for measuring flatulence, Dr Manjula Meda, a microbiologist who led a sink‑removal project to curb hospital superbugs, and Dr Margaret McCartney, a GP who interprets clinical trial evidence. They discuss a new non‑hormonal treatment for menopausal hot flushes. They also cover hospital sink redesigns to reduce resistant infections and scientific measurement of flatulence.

Little over a week on from the first meningitis cases in Canterbury, many crucial questions remain. So this week we're taking an in-depth look at those questions and what we’ve learnt from this outbreak - and could it happen again?James also hears from author Michael Rosen whose son Eddie died from meningitis aged 18 about just how quickly the disease struck and how he deals with his grief. And would you trust health advice from an AI chatbot? We hear from someone who regularly turns to ChatGPT and from GP Dr Margaret McCartney about her concerns.Presenter: James Gallagher Producer: Gerry Holt Content editor: Ilan Goodman Production coordinator: Stuart Laws Studio engineer: Donald MacDonaldInside Health was made by the BBC’s Audio Science Unit in collaboration with The Open University.

Dr Antoine Abu-Fayyad, Beirut-based microbiologist studying how conflict fuels multidrug-resistant infections. Sir Andrew Pollard, immunologist and vaccine expert who has worked on meningitis vaccines and care for children. They discuss a large meningococcal outbreak among students and why strain typing and vaccination matter. They also explore how war accelerates superbugs and the global risks that follow.

There have been nearly 200 cases of measles in the UK so far this year.Measles can be prevented with vaccines - but the proportion of children being immunised is declining across the UK, particularly in parts of London.James visits Hackney, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, to find out why and to see what is happening to tackle this issue.And have you tried an adaptogenic drink? They claim to relax the mind, without giving you a boozy hangover. James samples some in the lab and then gets behind the wheel of a simulator to see what it does to his driving skills…Presenter: James Gallagher Producer: Gerry Holt Researcher: Thomas Hunt Editor: Ilan Goodman Production coordinator: Stuart Laws Sound engineer: Giles AspenInside Health was made by the BBC’s Audio Science Unit in collaboration with The Open University.