Saving Lives In Slow Motion

Do superfoods exist? What makes a food a superfood and how does it relate to everyday life? In this episode I take a broader look at this ever popular topic. Links:  Survey about this podcast:   http://bit.ly/savinglivesinslowmotion-survey A list of ‘superfoods’:  https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/true-superfoods Fibre benefits:  https://www.sciencedirect.com/scien...

It seems that the mental health crisis is never ending and although awareness is much better, spotting the signs can be hard as there are so many factors. In this episode I look at how we approach mental health. This information does not replace professional advice and if you feel you need support then please reach out to a qualified health care practitioner. Depression as...

In this episode I cover a range of symptoms that I have seen recently, what they may mean, how to handle them as well as what I am noticing in primary care. Links: Silent reflux:  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15024-laryngopharyngeal-reflux-lpr Tietze’s syndrome (chest pain):  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23565-tietze-syndrome Costoc...

Sepsis can kill. It is an important public health issue that we all need to be aware of as swift action can save lives.  In this episode I look at what it is, how we can prevent it and some common examples from the consulting room.  Links:  Survey: Your opinion matters. SURVEY here - please help me by taking this 10 minute survey -thank you!:  http://bit.ly/savinglive...

Stress is an invisible killer. The longer it goes on and remains unaddressed, the more harm it causes. In this episode I look at sources of stress and some techniques I find useful beyond standard stress management advice. Links: Audience survey - thank you so much!  http://bit.ly/savinglivesinslowmotion-survey Stress management techniques:  https://www.mind.org.uk/information-suppo...

1 in 5 people on earth experience heartburn or reflux symptoms. It’s strikingly common, more so in the western hemisphere. In this episode I look at the causes and some treatments. Reflux in babies:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-54792702 Silent reflux or LPR:  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15024-laryngopharyngeal-reflux-lpr PPI drugs:  https://my.clevelandcli...

It’s a boon that so many people ask for on the back of feeling tired or fatigued - more energy. Here are my 5 tips which will help you feel more energetic during the day. Links: Your opinion matters. SURVEY here - please help me by taking this 10 minute survey -thank you!:  http://bit.ly/savinglivesinslowmotion-survey Mind body link:  https://positivepsychology.com/body-mind-integration-...

I am down with a cough and cold at the moment, and it got me thinking about immunity, seasons and people’s beliefs about illness as well as what we can do to stave off these bugs.  Links:  Your opinion matters. SURVEY here - please help me by taking this 10 minute survey -thank you!:  http://bit.ly/savinglivesinslowmotion-survey Hippocrates and Galen:  https://www.thecolourwork...

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) affects more people every year with a global increase in ageing populations. There is no cure for the condition but medication can alleviate symptoms. In this episode I look at the causes of the disease and what we can do to prevent it.  Your opinion matters. SURVEY here - please help me by taking this 10 minute survey -thank you!:  http://bit.ly/savinglives...

Vaccines are often the subject of heated discussion. In this episode I share some thoughts on the topics as it affects us all and needs handling sensitively. Your opinion matters. SURVEY here - thank you!:  http://bit.ly/savinglivesinslowmotion-survey Edward Jenner and vaccine discovery:  https://www.jenner.ac.uk/about/edward-jenner A broad overview:  https://www.who.int/news-r...

In this episode I look at this big question which I often hear in the consulting room, the reasons that lie behind it and what the point to life might be. Your opinion matters. SURVEY here - thank you!:  http://bit.ly/savinglivesinslowmotion-survey Nihilism in philosophy:  https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-nihilism-history-250581 Cosmic Insignificance:  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih...

Continuity of care saves lives. There is evidence that outcomes are improved and it used to be a core part of medicine. In recent years for many reasons continuity has been  slightly eroded. In this episode I make the case for it and give examples of why it can be of critical importance. Links: Please help me improve my content for you by taking this audience survey which takes...

PCOS is a growing global issue. Its prevalence has increased in recent years and the reasons behind it are complex. In this episode I look at its roots, causes and impact plus what we can do about it in terms of lifestyle and treatments. Links:  Depression and PCOS:  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10607337/ LH (luteinziing hormone):  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/hea...

In this episode I look at metabolic health which is one of the most important aspects of our long term health. I look at the mechanisms and measures of metabolic health and what we can do to improve ours. Continuous Glucose Monitoring:  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/continuous-glucose-monitoring-cgm Hba1c:  https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/looking-after-diabete...

In this episode I cover my own personal tips from the view point of a GP and lifestyle medicine doctor. Gut symptoms Around 86% of us in the UK have experienced gut symptoms at some point. My tips are simple, for everyone and hopefully make sense. Parasympathetic drive for digestion:  https://www.livescience.com/parasympathetic-nervous-system-rest-and-digest Digestive enzymes:  https://w...

Chronic inflammation is a key process which is linked to almost all non-communicable disease. In this episode I look at how it arises and why it is so harmful. Links:  Age-related end glycation products:  https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/advanced-glycation-end-products#what-they-are 'Leaky gut’ syndrome:  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8305009/ Depression as an inflamm...

What do surgery and psychiatry have in common? They are both demanding specialties, occasionally of last resort, that save lives acutely and help people back to better health. Links Antipsychotic drug discovery:  https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.903156/full Pyrrole Disorder:  https://www.healthline.com/health/pyrrole-disorder#diagnosis Rati...

There are so many posts, papers and publications about the vagus nerve. In this episode I look at why it’s so popular and whether it really can be a key to future treatments with advances vagus nerve stimulation. Links:  Quick overview:  https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vagus-nerve-stimulation/about/pac-20384565 Polyvagal Theory:  https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/whatis...

Medicine is an inexact science. My patients who are engineers find it frustrating that there is so much conjecture and educated guess work in medicine. But this episode highlights why diagnoses can take time. It’s a mix of detective work, bias and listening to the patient story. Links: Chilblains:  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chilblains/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351103 STI...

Not a week goes by in practice where I don’t see a patient who hasn’t collapsed or had a dizzy spell. There are so many reasons for this, some preventable, some not. I look at some of the syndromes that lead to these issues. Links: Fainting:  https://www.healthline.com/health/fainting#causes Pseudoseizures (non-eplieptic seizures):  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24517-ps...

5-15% of GP consultations are linked to tiredness. And the number is growing. In this episode I look at common and rarer reasons for tiredness.  Hydration - if you’re feeling thirsty you’re partly dehydrated:  https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/nutritional/dehydration/ Sleep apnoea:  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-cause...

Teenage and adolescent health offers us a glimpse into the future health of the world. The Lancet Commission wrote a report in 2016 and have recently written a follow up which paints a slightly concerning picture. In this episode I look at health in this group of people, the challenges they face and what, if anything, can be done about it. Links: The Lancet Commission report summary:  ht...

In this episode I look at our health compared to 100 years ago. I was pleasantly surprised at some similarities having stumbled across something online but then also appreciate that we live in a different world now.  Links:  Donald Moore’s health habits in 1925:  https://archive.org/details/health.habits.moore.1925/page/n1/mode/2up Adventist health:  https://www.bluezones....

In the UK, there is much discussion around assisted dying with a bill that is being voted on in government at the moment. In this episode I look at the ethics around it and what it might mean on an individual and societal level. Palliative Care: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/end-of-life-care/what-it-involves-and-when-it-starts/ Dr Florian Willett’s death:  https://www.independent.co...

Fasting is a hot but contentious topic.  It has been practised for thousands of years and is now  purported to be a way of tackling or preventing certain metabolic diseases.  In this episode I look at the pros, cons and mechanisms of fasting.  Links:  Historical perspectives of fasting:  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8838777/ Time restricted feeding in mice...