Episode notes
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…
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
More from What's Up Docs? All episodes →
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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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E122 · 10 Mar 2026 · 20 min
Doctors' Notes: Toothache
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…
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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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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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E116 · 17 Feb 2026 · 27 min
Doctors' Notes: Immune Health
Chris and Xand continue their conversation about immune health with Prof Dan Davis, Head of Life Sciences and Professor of Immunology at Imperial College London. The doctors want to know more about the deeper biology of the immune system. Is it true that a bit of stress prevents infection, while chronic stress is detrimental to your immune system? Why does intense exercise drop the immune response? They also examine autoimmune diseases, what they are and what they do to the body. If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email us at…
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E115 · 17 Feb 2026 · 29 min
Does your immune system need boosting?
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. What defines a well-functioning immune system, and why are some people seemingly "immune" to everything while others catch every cold? In this episode, Chris and Xand dive into the complex mechanics of immunology. They tackle the controversial trend of "immune boosting" and discuss the delicate balance between under-active and over-active responses. To help unpick this, they're joined by Professor Dan Davis, Head of…
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