Inside Health

Kirsty Elliott-Sale, a Professor of Female Endocrinology and Exercise Physiology, joins the conversation about the unique challenges faced by female athletes. They dive into how menstrual cycles can profoundly affect both performance and injury risks. Insights on tracking menstrual health offer strategies for optimizing athletic training. The importance of a well-fitting sports bra is also highlighted, reflecting on its impact on performance. Overall, the dialogue stresses the need for tailored support and research to empower women in sports.

In this engaging discussion, Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King's Fund, and Sally Gainsbury, Senior Policy Analyst at the Nuffield Trust, delve into the ambitious NHS 10-year plan aimed at shifting focus from reactive hospital care to proactive community services. They explore the transformative potential of AI in healthcare, particularly in enhancing heart scans to better predict health outcomes. The episode also intriguingly touches on the rich history of condoms, revealing their evolution and cultural significance over the centuries.

When the sun shines, out come the warnings that we all need to be careful in the sun to avoid burning and the risk of skin cancer. There are, though, those who believe that sort of public health messaging isn't positive enough about the benefits of the sun.As James Gallagher hears on the streets of Brighton, many of us know about the health benefits of vitamin d but new research suggests other benefits could be important for our health too.Should we working harder to get a balance of taking care in the sun but making sure we get enough exposure to it?James Gallagher looks at the evidence with Dr Richard Weller, Personal Chair of Medical Dermatology and Honorary Consultant Dermatologist at the University of Edinburgh, Dr Zoe Venables, a dermatologist with an interest in skin cancer epidemiology at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, and Dr Margaret McCartney, GP, expert in evidence-based medicine. This episode is produced in partnership with The Open University.Presenter: James Gallagher Producer: Tom Bonnett Assistant Producer: Katie Tomsett Editor: Glyn Tansley

Join Professor Susanne Dickson, a neurobiology expert, Professor James Brown from Aston University, and dental hygienist Claire McCarthy for a sweet discussion on sugar addiction. They unveil the science behind sugar cravings and the brain's reward system. The trio dives into how stress influences sugar consumption and its parallels with traditional addiction. Plus, Claire shares humorous and invaluable dental tips to balance enjoyment and hygiene, ensuring your teeth stay healthy while indulging in those Easter treats!

Delve into the poignant topics surrounding assisted dying and what the final moments of life might entail. Experts discuss the realities of peaceful endings versus the drugs used. The conversation also touches on the controversial science of microplastics in our bodies. Listeners learn about hearing health, including the implications of noise exposure and the differences between NHS and private hearing aids. Enjoy insights into how hearing loss relates to balance and the importance of proactive care.

Professor Tara Spires-Jones, a leading expert at the University of Edinburgh, answers pressing listener questions about dementia. She discusses the impact of lifestyle choices on dementia risk and the balance between genetics and societal interventions in prevention. The episode also explores the fascinating potential of lion's mane mushrooms in combating cognitive decline, revealing both the excitement and skepticism tied to their benefits. Insights into various dementia types and the urgent need for research funding round out this enlightening conversation.

The podcast dives deep into the complexities of assisted dying, examining the emotional and ethical challenges faced by patients and healthcare professionals. Conversations revolve around ensuring that individuals truly wish to end their lives, alongside the roles of familial influence and societal perceptions. The shift from judicial to tribunal oversight for decision-making brings forth questions about bureaucracy and patient autonomy. Additionally, it touches on topics like lichen sclerosis, underscoring the intersection of health conditions with intimate and societal well-being.

Delve into the implications of the proposed Terminally Ill Adults End of Life Bill, focusing on who might qualify for assisted dying. Experts discuss the complexities of prognosis and the ethical challenges surrounding chronic conditions. Additionally, explore fascinating research on gender differences in immune systems, unraveling why men and women experience infections and autoimmune diseases differently. Listen for insights that bridge medical ethics and groundbreaking science.

Five years on from the first Covid lockdown in the UK, we consider how the pandemic changed medicine. We're joined by Dr Emma Wall, academic consultant in Infectious Diseases at University College London Hospital who also runs a long covid clinic, Professor Katrina Pollock, Associate Professor in Vaccinology at the Oxford Vaccine Group and Jon Otter Director for Infection Prevention and Control at Guy’s Hospital London. Presenter: James Gallagher Producer: Hannah Robins

John is registered blind, and relies on his hearing to get around in his everyday life. But as he has got older, he’s started to notice his hearing deteriorate. He wants to know – is there anything available in between the initial solution of wax removal, and the final destination of hearing aids? He emailed Inside Health to ask James Gallagher to investigate. James speaks to Nish Mehta, an Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon at Royal National ENT Hospital, to find out how we hear, and learn about the different causes of hearing loss. He then visits UCL Ear Institute to undergo a hearing test with audiologist Dr Hannah Cooper, and see the potential future of hearing tests with Professor Maria Chait, an auditory cognitive neuroscientist. But hearing in day to day life is not as simple as in a science laboratory. James meets Kevin Munro, Professor of Audiology at the University of Manchester, in a noisy café to discuss hearing aid technologies and learn about their latest advancements. Presenter: James Gallagher Producer: Hannah Fisher Editor: Holly Squire and Colin Paterson