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. Although they are identical twins, Chris and Xand are very different and they never stop thinking and arguing about science and health. They want to lead healthy, happy lives and as doctors, they want this for everyone. Yet they tussle over how best to get there. When it comes to looking after our own health, it can be confusing. Medicine and science produce amazing new treatments and diagnostics every day and we are bombarded with so many headlines and pieces of advice; but how are we supposed to know what's really best for us and then successfully apply it to our lives? Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken embrace this challenge; even as they marvel at the scientific breakthroughs, they grapple with the competing claims about health, wellbeing and how to live. From understanding testosterone therapies to microplastics in our diets, and the concept of 'hangriness' to the power of saying no - this podcast deals with the health stresses we all face every day, while taking on board how the decisions by corporations and governments affect all our health. Each episode, Chris and Xand are joined by an expert guest to examine the latest research, psychological insights, and data, to help listeners navigate the overwhelming amount of information and advice out there. They talk about the trials and tribulations in their own lives in their characteristically witty way - each teasing the other as they search for solutions. Xand has trouble sleeping , Chris has noisy knees, one of them has got an embarrassing itch. They have different ways of looking at things and find it really helpful to get the other one's point of view. These doctors are trying their best and encouraging listeners to do the same. Email: whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk Whatsapp: 08000 665123 A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.
Episodes
Chris and Xand continue their conversation about tanning with Dr Rachel Abbott, Consultant Dermatologist at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. They discuss the role of skin tone in tanning and also why it is that some people burn more than others. They also discuss the cultural perception of tanning and what it means for our health and habits.
If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the p...
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken clear up the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing.
In this episode, the Doctors turn their attention to tanning. As sun-lovers themselves, Chris and Xand know there’s a lot of confusion surrounding how to tan safely - if that’s even possible.
In today’s episode they’re weighing up the pros and cons of being in di...
Chris and Xand return with a bonus episode, continuing their discussion with physiotherapist James Moore about which exercises to do for our core, how often to do them, and why core strength is crucial for the rest of our bodies.
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: ...
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore core issues around every aspect of our health and wellbeing.
In today’s episode, the Doctors explore core strength. When most people think of a “strong core”, they picture sculpted six-pack abs - but there’s much more beneath the surface. Chris and Xand will unpack the real meaning of core strength - what it is, why it matte...
Hair we go again! Chris and Xand are back with a bonus episode, as they continue their conversation with Dr Christos Tziotzios, Consultant Dermatologist and Senior Lecturer at Kings College London. They learn about a particular type of hair loss which predominantly affects women, investigate the hair growth cycle, and discuss the psychological impact of losing your hair. Plus, what connects the Black Death hundreds of years ago wit...
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken untangle the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing.
In today’s episode, the Doctors explore hair loss. Chris and Xand, who've both battled the receding tide of hair loss (and the accompanying existential dread), are getting to the follicle of the matter.
They'll be digging into what causes it, how different types ...
In this ‘uncut’ special episode, recorded before an audience at the Hay Festival in Wales, Chris and Xand discuss the anatomy of the smile, explore its evolutionary origins and examine some of the health claims about the power of the smile.
Can a smile really give your brain the same reward as two thousand bars of chocolate? Will putting a pencil in your mouth make you feel happy? And how do you fake the perfect smile when realising...
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore every aspect of our health and wellbeing.
In this special episode, recorded before a live audience at the Hay Literary Festival in Wales, Chris and Xand discuss the anatomy of the smile, its evolutionary origins and some of the health claims about smiling. Is smiling uniquely human? Can the simple act of moving our muscles ...
Chris and Xand continue their conversation about boredom with Dr Wijnand Van Tilburg. They discuss what happens in our brains when we feel bored, whether some people are more prone to boredom than others, and why boredom isn’t always a bad thing.
Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Wijnand Van Tilburg Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Re...
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore every aspect of our health and wellbeing.
In this episode, they want to find out whether we can conquer boredom. Why do we experience boredom? Do we experience it less than we used to? And how can we motivate ourselves to complete tasks we find boring? They speak to Dr Wijnand Van Tilburg, experimental social psychologist a...
Chris and Xand take a deeper dive into the world of protein. They are joined by Nita Forouhi, Professor of Population Health and Nutrition at the University of Cambridge, to discuss which groups of people might need more protein in their diets, how we can best optimise our protein intake, and the joys and challenges of Nita’s research.
If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email ...
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken untangle the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing.
In this episode, they want to get to the bottom of the hype around protein. Should we be worried about not getting enough? What are the best sources of protein? And are protein supplements fact or fad? They speak to Nita Forouhi, Professor of Population Health a...
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken dig deeper into hormone replacement therapies for the menopause and are joined again by Professor Mary Ann Lumsden, gynaecologist and academic at the University of Glasgow. Can testosterone replacement be effective in women? What are the benefits of HRT? Is it right for everyone? And are there gaps in the research?
If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us o...
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast show where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In recent years, long-overdue conversations around the menopause have begun to break taboos and change perceptions. But it can still be a confusing or misunderstood topic, especially with the explosion of menopause marketing that’s come alongside increased awareness.
In this...
In this episode, Chris and Xand continue their trip down memory lane, joined by Linda Henkel, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Fairfield University. They discuss Linda’s personal experience with memory, how digital technologies like GPS are affecting our memories, and why forgetting isn’t always such a bad thing.
If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you can email us ...
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore every aspect of our health and wellbeing.
In this episode, they want to find out about photographs and memory. How does our memory work? How can taking photos impact our ability to form memories? And can we use photos to enhance our memory? They speak to Linda Henkel, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Fairfie...
In this bonus episode Chris and Xand continue to explore microplastics - an issue gaining a lot of media and academic interest. They are joined by Dr Stephanie Wright, a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Toxicology at Imperial College, London, whose work looks at the intersection between plastic pollution and human health.
If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email us at whatsupd...
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore every aspect of our health and wellbeing.
In this episode, they delve into the issue of microplastics - minute fragments of plastic material that have been found in every environment on the planet, as well as in our brains and bodies. How did they get there, are they doing us harm and, if they are, what can we do about it? ...
After an unexpected wave of emotion in the main episode, Chris and Xand took a breather and grabbed some lunch. In this bonus episode, we pick up where we left off. Chartered psychologist Kimberly Wilson helps the twins unpick what happened in their own difficult conversation and explains how we can all respond better when having these tricky talks in our lives.
If you’d like to share your thoughts on difficult conversations or anyt...
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore every aspect of our health and wellbeing. How do you tell your friend that something they’ve been doing is really starting to hurt your feelings? Talk to your mum about her health? Or even ask your partner to try something new in bed?
If just thinking about these types of conversations makes your stomach flip, you’re not ...
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