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This episode explores three distinct health topics: a new non-hormonal drug, Phasolinitant, approved for menopausal hot flushes, offering an alternative to HRT. It also examines an innovative project at Wexham Park Hospital to combat antimicrobial resistance by removing sinks from wards. Finally, the podcast delves into the science of flatulence with a "fart detector" study, revealing insights into gut health and the impact of diet on gas production.
Delving into the unprecedented Kent meningitis outbreak, the podcast hears a heartbreaking account from Michael Rosen whose son died from the disease, and experts discuss diagnosis, causes, and the Meningitis B vaccine debate. It then pivots to examine AI chatbots in healthcare, with user experiences and a GP's concerns about their reliability, biases, and the need for robust evidence before trusting them with medical advice.
More than 30,000 people are being contacted in the Canterbury area regarding the outbreak of bacterial meningitis in Kent. Two people have died, and others are seriously ill. James Gallagher speaks with immunologist Sir Andrew Pollard about the disease, and finds out what could have caused the outbreak. That’s the major headline from the UK. But more broadly, for the last few weeks the news has been dominated by the situation in the Middle East. James speaks with Dr Antoine Abou Fayad, a microbi...
There have been nearly 200 cases of measles in the UK so far this year. Measles can be prevented with vaccines - but the proportion of children being immunised is declining across the UK, particularly in parts of London. James visits Hackney, which has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, to find out why and to see what is happening to tackle this issue. And have you tried an adaptogenic drink? They claim to relax the mind, without giving you a boozy hangover. James samples some i...
Penis fillers were an unexpected talking point at the recent Winter Olympics after claims that male ski jumpers were having them to improve performance. So this week we’re digging into the UK’s penis filler industry. James visits a private clinic in Manchester to hear about about the procedure, which involves hyaluronic acid being injected to temporarily increase penis girth. He meets Jason, who had his first penis filler five months’ ago, and he explains why he wanted it and how he weighed up t...
ME – also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – has long been one of medicine’s most perplexing conditions. With no definitive diagnostic test and a legacy of scepticism in parts of the medical community, patients have often struggled to be believed. But a surge of new research may finally be shifting the landscape. The emergence of Long COVID – a condition with striking similarities to ME – has accelerated scientific interest and opened new lines of inquiry into the underlying biology of both ill...
Over 1.5million adults in the UK tried weight loss drugs in 2024-25. Many swear by them, but they have been associated with side effects including nausea and, in some cases, extremely painful gallstones. But what does the evidence actually tell us, and what is the wider impact on the way we view our bodies in society? James Gallagher is joined by Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine at the University of Glasgow Naveed Sattar, Dr Beverley O’Hara, Lecturer in Public Health Nutrition at Leeds Beck...
Dentistry is high on the public and political agenda. There have been dozens of headlines about access to NHS dentistry, with some people having to travel huge distances to find a dentist, or being put onto long waiting lists to get an NHS appointment. In this episode of Inside Health, James Gallagher is joined by chairman of the British Dental Association Eddie Crouch, the Oral Health Foundation's Dr Rachael England, and consultant oral surgeon Tom Thayer. Together, they drill into the issues s...
Most of us have Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) hiding in our bodies. You may know it as the cause of glandular fever or “kissing disease”. But more research is suggesting that it can turn our immune systems against us to cause autoimmune disease, such as multiple sclerosis or lupus. So, what is the virus doing in our bodies - and can we do anything about it? James is joined by Dr Claire Shannon-Lowe, a virologist at the University of Birmingham, and Dr Patrick Kearns from the University of Edinburgh, ...
This week we’re looking at government plans to start sequencing the DNA of every newborn baby in England within the next decade. Each newborn would undergo whole genome sequencing to assess their risk of hundreds of diseases, under NHS plans. It promises a revolution in spotting disease early - but are there also risks? And use of nicotine pouches is rising, especially among young men. But these little sachets that fit under the top lip aren’t yet regulated – so what do we know about the potenti...
James Gallagher stands by four lanes of traffic and inhales exhaust fumes all to see if he can see air pollution in his body. He looks at an intriguing finding that an mRNA vaccine might benefit people being treated with immunotherapy for some cancers and could we be on the cusp of a holy grail in dentistry? A breakthrough could mean we will soon be able to replace the enamel on our teeth. Presenter: James Gallagher Producer: Tom Bonnett Researcher: Thom Hunt Editor: Ilan Goodman
This episode delves into the health benefits of saunas, with host James Gallagher experiencing a session firsthand and discussing the physiological responses and long-term observational data. It then shifts to a groundbreaking gene therapy for Huntington's disease, exploring the complex brain surgery, the emotional impact on patients and families, and the future potential for this life-changing treatment.
The episode delves into the remarkable revolution in cystic fibrosis care, highlighting the life-changing impact of new modulator drugs through a patient's story and an expert's insights. It also examines how AI is being trialed to transform breast cancer screening, aiming for earlier detection and reduced workload. Finally, it explores the surge in social running clubs, discussing personal motivations and the scientific benefits of group exercise for both physical and mental well-being.
Inside Health investigates groundbreaking developments in health. Discover new data from Wales suggesting the shingles vaccine could reduce dementia risk, prompting a discussion on viral links to brain health. The episode also tackles the rise of 'super gonorrhea' and the UK's first vaccine rollout for the STI, alongside a look at futuristic robotic trousers designed to support independent living for the elderly by aiding mobility and muscle strength.
More and more parents are using melatonin to help their children sleep - but there is little research on the long-term effects. So, what do we know about the risks and is it ok to give it to children as an aid to help sleep? James chats to Paul Gringras, professor of children’s sleep medicine and neurodisability at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Vicki Beevers, chief executive of The Sleep Charity. Also this week, resident GP Margaret McCartney on the potential promise - and peril ...
Drug-related deaths are at their highest levels in England and Wales since records began 30 years ago. Scotland has had the highest number of drug deaths in Europe for at least seven years. And the UK has even seen opioid-related deaths surpass the number of people dying in road traffic accidents. So today on Inside Health we’re asking, what's the real story behind these numbers? Who is dying of a drug overdose and why - and how can we tackle this issue? James Gallagher is joined by an expert pa...
Exosomes are tiny balls of fat that allow cells to communicate with each other in our bodies. They're being actively researched as an experimental new type of medicine, and they're also being used in the cosmetics industry in serums, as well as being injected into people's skin. Researchers have raised concerns about the safety of this hot new trend in beauty. Presenter James Gallagher meets Dr James Edgar from the University of Cambridge who studies exosomes in his lab, he's also joined by cons...
With bin strikes in Birmingham having gone on for months, James Gallagher heads to the Small Heath area of the city to ask what the health risks could be from rubbish left on the streets. He meets campaigners Shafaq, Ashid and Danni from End the Bin Strikes who tell him what residents are worried about. To discuss what diseases could be brewing and how they might spread, he's also joined by Professor Malcolm Bennett from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingh...
As an era-defining summer of women’s sport kicks off, Inside Health looks at the science of sport and the female body. What do we know about how female physiology affects sporting performance? James visits Manchester to meet elite athletes and the scientists who are at the forefront of investigating the impact of periods on athletic performance and why women are more prone to certain injuries than men. He also hears about breast movement and why the right sports bra really matters. You'll hear f...
The Prime Minister has launched a 'new era' for the NHS that aims to move away from reactive care in hospitals to preventing illness through community services. It's an ambitious plan and one with a lot of ambition and a lot of unknowns. James Gallagher discusses the plans with Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King's Fund, an independent think tank working to improve health and care across England, and Sally Gainsbury, Senior Policy Analyst at the Nuffield Trust, specialising in evidence-...
This episode delves into the complex balance between sun exposure's health benefits and risks. Experts discuss the evolution of sun-related public health messaging, the role of Vitamin D, and controversial theories linking sun exposure to lower all-cause mortality. The conversation highlights the challenges of providing general advice given individual differences and the limitations of current scientific evidence.
The episode delves into the scientific debate surrounding sugar addiction, defining substance use disorders, and examining how the brain's dopamine system, genetics, hormones, and emotions drive sugar cravings and consumption patterns. It also features a segment on essential dental hygiene, with experts demonstrating correct toothbrushing and flossing techniques, emphasizing their importance for overall health.
Inside Health delves into the practicalities and potential realities of assisted dying's final moments with an expert panel, discussing drug protocols and societal impact. The episode also fact-checks viral claims about consuming microplastics, like a credit card's worth per week. Finally, listener questions on hearing loss are answered, covering NHS vs private hearing aids, using remote microphones, the link to balance, noise exposure from loud events, and the potential use of devices like AirPods.
You sent in your questions on dementia and now we're tackling them. Professor Tara Spires-Jones, Director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, joins James Gallagher to go through the insidehealth@bbc.co.uk mailbag. James also visits mushroom grower the Bristol Fungarium which has teamed up with the University of the West of England to examine a mushroom called lion's mane. Lion's mane has a lot of hype about it online as well as a long history in traditional...
We continue our exploration of some of the issues that could crop up if assisted dying becomes law under The Terminally Ill Adults End of Life Bill that is currently working its way through Parliament. Today we tackle safeguarding. How can we be certain an assisted death is what the person wants? And who should even bring up the conversation? To discuss we're joined by: Katherine Sleeman - Professor of Palliative Care at King's College London David Nicholl - Consultant Neurologist at University ...
This episode explores eligibility criteria for the UK's proposed assisted dying bill, focusing on the challenges of predicting a six-month prognosis and the disconnect between the bill and public expectations regarding suffering and capacity. It also features exclusive research revealing biological differences between men and women's immune systems, finding a link between B cells, hormones, and chromosomes that may explain varying risks for autoimmune diseases and infections, and discusses implications for future personalised medicine.
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 ...
Fitness trackers at the ready! Join James Gallagher at Cardiff Science Festival as he runs through the ways wearable tech is making an impact on health and how it might shape the future of medicines and care. With him are Dr Sanne Lugthart, Haematology consultant at the University Hospital of Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust. She's pioneering using wearables and an app to track pain in people who suffer from sickle cell disease. Also on the panel is Professor Kathryn Peall who is Personal...
This episode explores the significant challenges young people with severe allergies face transitioning from pediatric to adult healthcare services. Featuring Priya Matharu's personal journey, it highlights the emotional and practical difficulties of managing a life-threatening condition independently while navigating adolescence. Allergy specialists Dr. Claudia Gore and Dr. Paul Turner discuss systemic issues, the importance of tailored support, and potential solutions to improve this critical transition period. Additionally, the episode addresses listener questions on genital herpes and urinary incontinence.
