• How can I help my headaches?
    May 6 2025

    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.

    Are headaches clouding your day? Join Chris and Xand as they speak to Dr Katy Munro, a senior doctor at the National Migraine Centre, to delve into the science behind those nagging pains. Discover practical remedies to ease the throbbing, best ways to avoid getting them in the first place and common headache myths.

    If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665 123.

    Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Katy Munro 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 Rickarby

    At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

    A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

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    29 mins
  • Doctors' Notes: Headaches
    May 6 2025

    In this bonus episode, Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken dig deeper into headaches. They talk to Dr Katy Munro, a senior doctor at the National Migraine Centre, about her personal experience of headaches, how she dealt with them and how it motivated her to help others.

    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: Dr Katy Munro 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 Rickarby

    At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

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    23 mins
  • How can I freshen my breath?
    Apr 29 2025

    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 know about bad breath. Chris' wife calls him out on it when he has it. But what causes it? And is there anything we can do about it? They speak to Dr Praveen Sharma, Associate Professor & Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, to find out.

    If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665123.

    Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Dr Praveen Sharma 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 Rickarby

    At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

    A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

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    29 mins
  • Doctors' Notes: Fresh Breath
    Apr 29 2025

    In this bonus episode, Chris and Xand dig deeper into gum disease. They are joined by Associate Professor & Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry Praveen Sharma to discuss how different types of bacteria in our mouths affect the rest of our bodies, and the link between gum disease and systemic conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

    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: Associate Professor Praveen Sharma 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 Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

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    25 mins
  • Am I getting enough sleep?
    Apr 22 2025

    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 explore sleep deprivation, something both Chris and Xand experience. Many people have become obsessed with getting the perfect night’s sleep. We’re using gadgets, monitoring how many hours we’re getting each night, and taking supplements. But how worried should we actually be?

    Chris and Xand talk to Russell Foster, Professor of Circadian Neuroscience at Oxford University, to seek some reassurance. How do we stop our lack of sleep from keeping us up at night?

    If you’d like to share your thoughts on sleep deprivation 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: Professor Russell Foster Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Grace Revill and Lisa Lipman Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

    A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

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    29 mins
  • Doctors' Notes: Sleep
    Apr 22 2025

    Chris and Xand dig deeper into sleep deprivation with Professor of Circadian Neuroscience at Oxford University, Russell Foster. They discuss the evolution of sleep and the difference between sleepiness and fatigue.

    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: Professor Professor Russell Foster Producer: Jo Rowntree Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researchers: Grace Revill and Lisa Lipman Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby

    At the BBC: Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith

    A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

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    26 mins
  • Do I need testosterone?
    Apr 15 2025

    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 know about 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 Rickarby

    At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

    A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

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    29 mins
  • Doctors' Notes: Testosterone
    Apr 15 2025

    Chris and Xand dig deeper into the role of testosterone with Dr Channa Jayasena, expert in reproductive endocrinology from Imperial College London.

    They discuss how  testosterone interacts with other hormones, particularly oestrogen and the different roles these hormones play when it comes to male and female biology. They also explore the populism of testosterone.

    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 Whatsapp on 08000 665 123.

    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 Rickarby

    At the BBC: Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith

    A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

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    19 mins