What's Up Docs?

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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Mar 25, 2025 • 26min

Doctors' Notes: Willpower

Kimberly Wilson, a chartered counselling psychologist and former governor of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Mental Health Trust, shares her expertise on willpower and behavior change. She discusses the emotional complexities of willpower, advocating for self-acceptance and compassion as keys to overcoming negative self-talk. The conversation also highlights that relapses are natural and should be viewed as part of personal growth. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences with willpower to foster healthier habits.
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Mar 25, 2025 • 29min

How important is willpower?

Kimberley Wilson, a chartered counseling psychologist and former Bake Off finalist, dives into the intriguing question of willpower. Is it even a real thing? She highlights the complexities of willpower in health, emphasizing the risks of blame and shame. Kimberley advocates for preparation and understanding motivations over simply relying on willpower. The conversation also touches on how our relationship with comfort evolves across generations, sparking a humorous look at 'old person' habits embraced by the youth.
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Mar 25, 2025 • 15min

Meet the Docs

Identical twin doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken share their unique journey into medicine, revealing how childhood dreams shifted from being rock stars to caring for patients. They recount early medical experiences that shaped their views and highlight the complexities of the profession, including humanitarian work and the disparities faced by patients. With diverse paths in medicine, they aim to tackle health discussions and encourage open dialogue, bridging the gap between traditional roles in healthcare and pressing societal issues.
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Mar 20, 2025 • 2min

Welcome to What's Up Docs?

In this BBC Radio 4 podcast, Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves.When it comes to looking after our own health, it can be confusing. With new statistics and treatments coming out every week, it feels impossible to decide what works best for us. So each episode, Chris and Xand are joined by an expert guest to examine the latest science, insights and data, to help you navigate the overwhelming amount of information and advice out there.From willpower to hunger, from dodgy knees to bad breath, they'll sort fact from fiction and tussle over their understanding of it all. And Chris and Xand want to hear from you. What are your health and wellbeing worries and wonders? You can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on 08000 665123.Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis 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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