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What's Up Docs?

Latest episodes

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Apr 29, 2025 • 25min

Doctors' Notes: Fresh Breath

In this bonus episode, Chris and Xand dig deeper into gum disease. They are joined by Associate Professor & Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry Praveen Sharma to discuss how different types of bacteria in our mouths affect the rest of our bodies, and the link between gum disease and systemic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp on 08000 665 123.Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Associate Professor Praveen Sharma Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Grace Revill Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.
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Apr 29, 2025 • 29min

How can I freshen my breath?

Chris and Xand want to know about bad breath. Chris's wife calls him out on it when he has it. But what causes it? And is there anything we can do about it? In this episode they speak to Dr Praveen Sharma, Associate Professor and Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, to find out. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665123.Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Dr Praveen Sharma Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Grace Revill Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin RickarbyAt the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian RobertsA Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4
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Apr 22, 2025 • 26min

Doctors' Notes: Sleep

Join Russell Foster, a leading expert in circadian neuroscience from Oxford, as he dives into the complex world of sleep. He shares insights on sleep's evolutionary significance and dispels myths around sleep hygiene. The discussion highlights how blue light affects our rhythms and critiques the reliability of sleep tracking devices. Foster also emphasizes the diverse sleep needs of individuals and the crucial link between sleep quality and mental health. A thought-provoking exploration of why we sleep and how to improve our rest!
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Apr 22, 2025 • 29min

Am I getting enough sleep?

In this discussion, Russell Foster, a Professor of Circadian Neuroscience at Oxford and author of 'Lifetime,' dives into the complexities of sleep and its effects on well-being. He addresses the growing anxiety around sleep deprivation and both offers reassurance and practical tips for achieving better rest. The conversation explores how our biological clock impacts sleep cycles and external factors affecting quality of sleep. Personal anecdotes and insights about finding balance in a restless world keep this engaging and informative.
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Apr 15, 2025 • 19min

Doctors' Notes: Testosterone

Chris and Xand dig deeper into the role of testosterone with Dr Channa Jayasena, expert in reproductive endocrinology from Imperial College London.They discuss how  testosterone interacts with other hormones, particularly oestrogen and the different roles these hormones play when it comes to male and female biology. They also explore the populism of testosterone.If you’d like to share your thoughts on this, or any other topic in the series, you can email at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp on 08000 665 123.Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Channa Jayasena, Imperial College London Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Lisa Lipman Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin RickarbyAt the BBC: Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Greg SmithA Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.
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Apr 15, 2025 • 29min

Do I need testosterone?

In this epsiode, Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore testosterone replacement therapy. It’s been suggested to Xand that he needs some testosterone replacement therapy - but should he take it? Does testosterone really boost mood, sexual appetite and energy? When testosterone declines in men as they get older and when women go through the menopause, can increasing testosterone offer positive results? Chris and Xand are joined by Dr Channa Jayasena, expert in reproductive endocrinology to find out. If you’d like to share your thoughts on testosterone or anything else that caught your attention in this episode - you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp us on 08000 665123.Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Channa Jayasena, Imperial College London Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Lisa Lipman Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin RickarbyAt the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian RobertsA Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4
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Apr 8, 2025 • 21min

Doctors' Notes: Knees

Join Chris and Xand for some bonus content, digging deeper into the topic of each week’s episode of What’s Up Docs?In this episode they look at knees and are joined by Philip Conaghan, Professor of Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Leeds. They discuss key exercises we can be doing to help with chronic knee pain, what the best kind of pain relief is, and how to ensure longevity of the ligaments.If you’d like to share your thoughts on this, or any other topic in the series, you can email at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or send us a message or voice note on Whatsapp on 08000 665 123.Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Philip Conaghan, Professor of Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Leeds Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Grace Revill Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin RickarbyAt the BBC: Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Greg SmithA Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.
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Apr 8, 2025 • 29min

How can I look after my knees?

In a new podcast from BBC Radio 4, doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the messy and complicated world of health and wellbeing.In this episode they want to know about knee pain - why do we get it, what can we do to treat and prevent it, and should we really just ‘push through it’? They talk to Philip Conaghan, Professor of Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Leeds, to find out. If you want to get in touch, you can email at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665123.Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Philip Conaghan Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researcher: Grace Revill Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Production Manager: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4
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Apr 1, 2025 • 16min

Doctors' Notes: Hanger

Join Chris and Xand for some bonus content, digging deeper into the topic of each week’s episode of What’s Up Docs? Such is their passion for health and wellbeing that when joined by an expert they find it hard to contain their excitement and the questions just keep coming. Doctors' Notes is the solution. Here, they spend a little more time with the expert and explore some ideas that they can’t get out of their minds.In this episode, picking up from their conversation with Professor of Social Psychology, Viren Swami, Chris and Xand take a further look at hanger. Looking into the personal, physical and psychological components of hanger, they delve into the political and social issues attached to hunger.If you’d like to share your thoughts on hanger or anything else that caught your attention in this edition of Doctors' Notes or the main episode on hanger, you can email whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp on 08000 665123.Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Viren Swami of Anglia Ruskin University Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researcher: Lisa Lipman Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Production Manager: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4
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Apr 1, 2025 • 29min

Am I hangry?

In this lively discussion, Professor Viren Swami, a social psychology expert from Anglia Ruskin University, dives into the intriguing psychology behind being 'hangry.' He reveals that hunger definitely impacts our emotions, connecting it to feelings of anger and irritability. The talk explores how external factors shape our internal states and how awareness can improve personal relationships. Swami also touches on the complex relationship between hunger, beauty standards, and societal dynamics, making for an eye-opening conversation!

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