Sometimes hearing a subject explained clearly can make it easier to understand your health, make sense of treatment or prepare questions for your healthcare team.
Members of our NAC Thursday Sessions recommended What’s Up Docs?, the BBC Radio 4 podcast presented by doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken. Expert guests join them to explore health questions in an informal, conversational way.
The series covers many subjects. Here are a few starting points that may interest people living with aspergillosis and other lung conditions.
Your nose, mucus and nasal symptoms
Why do we produce mucus, and where does it go? What commonly goes wrong with our noses, and what is the evidence behind treatments such as nasal sprays?
Chris and Xand explore these questions with ear, nose and throat surgeon Katherine Whitcroft. They also discuss our sense of smell and how it changes throughout life.
This subject came up during a Thursday Session when members were sharing experiences of sinus symptoms, postnasal drip and nasal treatments.
Listen: What do you need to know about your nose?
Understanding your lungs
Respiratory consultant Professor Robin Condliffe explains how lungs work and what happens when things go wrong.
The conversation covers asthma, COPD, respiratory infections, smoking and air pollution, as well as the relationship between lung health and our environment. It provides broader background for anyone interested in understanding their lungs.
Listen: How can we look after our amazing lungs?
Calcium, vitamin D and bone health
Endocrinologist Dr Sagen Zac-Varghese explains what calcium does, its relationship with vitamin D and its role in bone health. The discussion includes supplements and ways of strengthening bones.
Listen: Are we getting enough calcium?
A closer look at osteoporosis
The companion episode continues the conversation, specifically discussing osteoporosis, who is at risk and why it is more common in women.
Bone health was another subject mentioned by our Thursday group. One member described how hearing a clear explanation had helped them feel less apprehensive about treatment. Understanding why a treatment is offered can make it easier to discuss concerns and ask questions.
Listen: Doctors’ Notes: Calcium
The programme’s episode notes correct a website address mentioned in the recording: the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool website is fraxplus.org.
Finding more episodes
In the UK: Browse the series on BBC Sounds.
Outside the UK: Look for What’s Up Docs? — BBC Radio 4 in your usual podcast app, or browse the series on Apple Podcasts.
The episode links above provide alternatives to BBC Sounds, which is no longer available to listeners based outside the UK. Availability may vary by country and platform.
Bring the conversation to our group
If an episode prompts a question or reminds you of an experience, you are welcome to bring it to one of our online support meetings.
Members share their own experiences, while Graham can add context, clarify a point or identify something worth checking afterwards. Useful questions can also become subjects for future discussions or information on this website.
These programmes provide general health information and are not specifically about aspergillosis. Your circumstances, medicines and treatment plan may affect how the information applies to you. Discuss treatment changes with your own healthcare team.
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