Inside Health

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

Join Professor Kathryn Peall, a leading researcher from Cardiff University focused on early Parkinson's detection and innovative sleep technologies, alongside Professor Damian Bailey, a specialist in physiology from the University of South Wales. They discuss the groundbreaking potential of wearable tech in predicting health conditions and enhancing sleep monitoring. The conversation also touches on the role of wearables in space travel and managing chronic illnesses, painting a promising picture of how technology can revolutionize healthcare.

When we hit our teens it's often a time when everything starts to change. We meet new friends through work or studies, we start going out more at night and we're often in new situations independent from our parents. For people with severe allergies it can be a risky time because they have all this change in their life, on top of what Priya Matharu calls the 'full time job' of managing your condition. Presenter James Gallagher talks to Priya about her experience of having severe allergies from a young age and how she has coped with reactions that mean just touching her face after chopping a carrot has put her in hospital. For Priya, when she reached adolescence and moved out of her family it was a scary time and she had to grow up quickly to take responsibility for her allergies. In a recent debate in the House of Lords it was discussed that moving young people out of the paediatric allergy services they have grown up with the support of and into adult services, just as everything else in their life is changing too can be really difficult for patients, and potentially dangerous. Dr Claudia Gore from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust shared her experience of working in a children's allergy clinic in London for that debate and she joins James along with Dr Paul Turner from Imperial College London to discuss how this transition from children's to adult services could be made safer and smoother for patients.Also in the programme, James is joined again by Dr Vanessa Apea, Consultant in Genito-Urinary and HIV medicine at Barts Health NHS Trust to answer more of your questions on genital herpes, UTIs and urinary incontinence.Presenter; James Gallagher Producer: Tom Bonnett Assistant Producer: Anna Charalambou Editor: Colin Paterson

Dao Tunprasert, a Principal Lecturer in Podiatry at the University of Brighton, dives into how poorly-fitting shoes can create foot deformities like bunions and impact overall health. He emphasizes the importance of well-chosen footwear for maintaining foot mechanics. Meanwhile, Dr. Vanessa Apea, a Consultant Physician specializing in Genito-urinary and HIV medicine, tackles the stigma surrounding genital herpes, sharing insights about its symptoms and encouraging empathy for those affected. Their combined expertise offers valuable lessons on health and well-being.