Episode notes
Chris and Xand continue their conversation about toothache with Praveen Sharma, Associate Professor & Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry at the University of Birmingham. They explore how dental pain was treated in the past, and what’s changed since. They also explore how modern lifestyles and diets may be contributing to dental problems. If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email us at [email protected] or Whatsapp on 08000 665 123. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Praveen Sharma Producer: Maia…
Podcast
What's Up Docs?
BBC Radio 4 · Tech & Science · English
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
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E127 · 31 Mar 2026 · 29 min
Why do we feel happier when the sun’s out?
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In this episode, Chris and Xand will shine a light on…light. They discuss why the sun can help lift our mood, and its effects on our sleep and general wellbeing. Joining them to discuss this is Professor Hester Parr, a professor of Human Geography with an interest in sunlight's effect on mental health and runs the research group Living with Seasonal Affective Disorder. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at…
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E126 · 24 Mar 2026 · 33 min
Doctors' Notes: Buildings
Chris and Xand continue their conversation about how the built environment affects our health, with architect Lisa Finlay from Heatherwick Studio. They ask when wellbeing first became a serious consideration in architecture, how Lisa weaves it into her own projects, and whether cities can be designed in ways that actively support public health. They also explore what the “healthy building” of the future might look like, and whether architecture could play a bigger role in preventing illness before it starts. If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the…
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E125 · 24 Mar 2026 · 30 min
Can buildings make us healthier?
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the building blocks of our health and wellbeing. In this episode, they step outside into the built environment to ask: can buildings affect our health? From light and air to noise, materials and design, they explore how architecture shapes the way we feel, think and function. They visit Coal Drops Yard to see how a former industrial site was transformed into a modern public space, ask whether wellbeing is something architects actively design for, and explore what small changes we can…
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E124 · 17 Mar 2026 · 25 min
Doctors' Notes: Hips
Chris and Xand continue their conversation about hips with Dr Paulina Kloskowska, physiotherapist, academic, and researcher. The doctors discuss hip replacements, how they can potentially be avoided and which activities best support hip health. They also want to learn more about why women are more likely to need a hip replacement and what research is being done to change the landscape of women’s hip health. If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email us at [email protected] or Whatsapp on 08000 665 123. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand…
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E123 · 17 Mar 2026 · 29 min
How can you look after your hips?
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In this episode, Chris and Xand dive into hip health. How do your hips work? Why is it such a unique part of the body? What can go wrong? They also examine common hip injuries, how women’s hips differ from men’s, how our hips change over our lifetimes, whether a little wear and tear is normal, how best to protect and strengthen your hips and whether a hip replacement can really be avoided. Joining them to discuss this…
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E121 · 10 Mar 2026 · 29 min
How can you avoid toothache?
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken get to the root of what shapes our health and wellbeing. In this episode, they ask why our teeth so often cause pain and problems. They look at how teeth work, why they’re so prone to decay, and what actually causes toothache. They ask when it’s time to see a dentist, what helps with the pain, and whether there’s anything we can do ourselves to prevent it. To help answer these questions, they’re joined once again by Praveen Sharma, Associate Professor and Honorary Consultant at the…
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E120 · 3 Mar 2026 · 32 min
Doctors' Notes: Shoulders
Chris and Xand continue their conversation about endometriosis with Kate Haynes, Chartered Human Physiotherapist and Veterinary Physiotherapist. The doctors want to know how to maintain shoulder health year-round, how to avoid overworking our shoulders and some top tips for rehabilitation of shoulder injuries. They also want to learn more from Kate about the similarities and differences between human and horse anatomy, including the common issues she sees with riders versus horses, how these issues are dealt with and what we can learn from the comparative anatomy of horses and humans. If…
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E119 · 3 Mar 2026 · 28 min
How can you best look after your shoulders?
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In this episode, Chris and Xand dive into shoulder health. How do your shoulders work? What can go wrong? What to do if you experience problems with your shoulders? They also examine how best to maintain shoulder health through exercises like weightlifting and paying attention to your posture, highlight some important lessons about shoulder health that we can all utilise in our daily lives, and get an insight into…
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E118 · 24 Feb 2026 · 16 min
Doctors' Notes: Endometriosis
Chris and Xand continue their conversation about endometriosis with Dr Chi Eziefula, Associate Professor in Global Health and Infection at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. The doctors want to know what the deeper biology of endometriosis is, how general attitudes around women’s health impact the time it takes to be diagnosed with conditions, and if we are seeing any change in the research and social landscape surrounding endometriosis. They also explore how medical training impacts doctors' ability to identify and diagnose women’s health conditions like endometriosis, which currently have…
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E117 · 24 Feb 2026 · 29 min
How can we better understand endometriosis?
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In this episode, Chris and Xand dive into endometriosis, a condition that occurs when cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other areas of the body. It affects around one in ten women of reproductive age, often causing severe pain, mental health issues and in some cases, it can result in infertility. In this episode, the doctors discuss the symptoms of endometriosis, the theories about…
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