

What's That Rash?
ABC Australia
Get answers to the health questions everyone's asking. Our experts give you the information you need to feel good and make the best decisions for your brain and body.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 16, 2024 • 9min
Why do we eat cereal for breakfast?
Have you ever been chastised for eating a bowl of cereal for lunch? Or having leftovers for breakfast?There are certain foods designed 'breakfast foods' in the collective imagination: eggs, toast, cornflakes, pancakes. But the stories of how they came to earn their morning timeslot are far from science-based. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences: Is breakfast the most important meal of the day? Bath Breakfast ProjectTowards an Evidence-Based Recommendation for a Balanced BreakfastBreakfast skipping and timing of lunch and dinner: Relationship with BMI and obesity

Jan 9, 2024 • 15min
Working out? Why 'No Pain No Gain' is bull
No pain, no gain — right?Well, if you're looking to build muscle, not necessarily. Chasing discomfort might even slow you down. Norman and Tegan discuss delayed-onset muscle soreness, and why it's not always indicative of a good workout. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences:Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness and Critical Neural Microdamage-Derived NeuroinflammationPost Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS) and Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): Do They Have Anything in Common?Effects of Descending Stair Walking on Health and Fitness of Elderly Obese Women“The Glorious Pain”: Attaining Pleasure and Gratification in Times of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) among Gym Goers

Jan 2, 2024 • 14min
Is there such thing as TOO much sun protection?
Because of the country's high UV levels, Australians hear a lot about the risks of sun exposure. But there are some benefits too. Sunlight enables us to produce vitamin D for strong bones and immune function. But there are other ways rays can help our health. Norman and Tegan take a look at how the right dose of sunlight can be beneficial. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences:The effect of sunscreen on vitamin D: a reviewSanatoria revisited: sunlight and health

Dec 26, 2023 • 15min
Can you adapt to allergies or does the dog have to go?
Pet allergies can range from mild to severe — from a nuisance to, occasionally, anaphylaxis. When all you've got is some itchiness and a runny nose, are you doomed to a life without a furry friend?Norman and Tegan discuss the possibility of building up a tolerance to allergens. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences: Dog ownership at three months of age is associated with protection against food allergySensitisation, asthma, and a modified Th2 response in children exposed to cat allergenSpecific gut microbiome signatures and the associated pro-inflammatory functions are linked to paediatric allergy and acquisition of immune tolerance

Dec 19, 2023 • 14min
Why do you feel so tired after a big meal?
Learn why you feel tired after a big meal, uncovering the evolutionary implications and discussing the role of feast and famine genes. Explore the impact of feasting on the nervous system, digestion, and energy levels. Discover how Christmas feasting affects sleepiness and the relationship between food, hormones, and alertness.

Dec 12, 2023 • 12min
Can listening to music make you smarter?
Binaural beats are a phenomenon that happens in your brain when you listen to two different tones in each ear. There are lots of claims surrounding them — that they can trigger different brain waves and promote different states of mind. Norman and Tegan are here to unpack whether there's any evidence this musical illusion can aid with concentration. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences:Reverse effect of home-use binaural beats brain stimulationPilot feasibility study of binaural auditory beats for reducing symptoms of inattention in children and adolescents with ADHDBinaural beats reduce feeling of pain and discomfort during colonoscopy procedure in not-sedated patients

Dec 5, 2023 • 13min
Am I addicted to caffeine?
Caffeine is a part of many people's routines, whether it be a shot of coffee or a cup of tea. If you've ever noticed a headache creeping in when you've missed your morning cup of joe, Norman and Tegan are here to explain why. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences:Adenosine, caffeine, and sleep–wake regulation: state of the science and perspectivesCaffeine for headaches: Helpful or harmful?Caffeine in the management of patients with headache

Nov 28, 2023 • 13min
What is the perfect nap duration?
Napping can be risky. Will you wake up feeling better or worse?There's no doubt that sometimes an afternoon snooze is an absolute necessity. Norman and Tegan explore what's going on when you nap, and what you can do to get the most benefit.References:Influence of mid-afternoon nap duration and sleep parameters on memory encoding, mood, processing speed, and vigilanceLifestyle mediators of associations among siestas, obesity, and metabolic healthEffects of planned cockpit rest on crew performance and alertness in long-haul operations

Nov 21, 2023 • 15min
Are probiotics worth the money?
If you've ever been told to take a probiotic — after a course of antibiotics, or just for your general health — you may be wondering what they actually do. Well, Norman and Tegan are here to dig into the research about these over-the-counter supplements, which claim to support digestion, boost immunity and even improve mood. Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health ReportReferences:Probiotics for the prevention of paediatric antibiotic-associated diarrhoea Multispecies Probiotic for the Prevention of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhoea in ChildrenA systematic review of gut microbiota composition in observational studies of major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia Post-Antibiotic Gut Mucosal Microbiome Reconstitution Is Impaired by Probiotics and Improved by Autologous FMT

Nov 14, 2023 • 14min
Does it matter whether I enjoy exercise?
Consistent exercise is good for you, but does it make any difference whether you actually enjoy what you're doing?Norman and Tegan explore how fun might help you establish a work-out habit that benefits your body and your mind.Got a health question? Shoot us a line @ABCHealth on Instagram, or send a voice memo to thatrash@abc.net.au. We'd love to hear from you!Looking for COVID-19 updates? Don't panic, they've moved over to The Health Report


