What's Up Docs? Podcast
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves.
In this ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ 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 ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4.
Episodes to download
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Is it ever safe to tan?
Yesterday
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken discuss whether having a tan is ever good for us.
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How To Build Your Core Strength
Last Tuesday
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken want to know what true core strength really means.
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Doctors’ Notes: Hair Loss
Tue 1 Jul 2025
Drs Chris and Xand hear about the latest groundbreaking research on hair loss.
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Why does our hair fall out?
Mon 30 Jun 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken get to the root of the issue of hair loss.
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Doctors’ Notes: Smiling Special at Hay Festival
Tue 24 Jun 2025
Chris and Xand dig deeper into smiling in this special live episode of the podcast..
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Will smiling make you happier?
Tue 24 Jun 2025
Chris and Xand explore the health claims behind smiling for a Hay Festival special.
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Doctors' Notes: Boredom
Tue 17 Jun 2025
Drs Chris and Xand Van Tulleken dive deeper into the science of boredom.
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How to Avoid Boredom
Tue 17 Jun 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken find out how we can get better at completing boring tasks.
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Doctors' Notes: Protein
Tue 10 Jun 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the importance of protein for our health.
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Protein - are you getting enough of it?
Tue 10 Jun 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore how much protein we really need in our diets.
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Doctors' Notes: HRT and Menopause
Tue 3 Jun 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken dig deeper into HRT and the menopause.
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Menopause - is HRT for you?
Tue 3 Jun 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore HRT and the menopause.
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Doctors' Notes: Memory
Tue 27 May 2025
Drs Chris and Xand Van Tulleken dive deeper into the science of memory.
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What’s happening to your memory when you take photos?
Tue 27 May 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken find out how photographs impact our memory.
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Doctors' Notes: Microplastics
Tue 20 May 2025
Drs Chris and Xand explore what impact microplastics may have on our health.
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Should I worry about microplastics?
Tue 20 May 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore concerns about microplastics in our environment.
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Doctors' Notes: Difficult Conversations
Tue 13 May 2025
Chris and Xand explore their own difficult conversation with the help of Kimberly Wilson.
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How to have a difficult conversation
Tue 13 May 2025
How can we best navigate difficult conversations? Chris and Xand van Tulleken investigate.
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Doctors' Notes: Headaches
Tue 6 May 2025
Chris and Xand van Tulleken dig into their guest’s personal experience of headaches.
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How can I help my headaches?
Tue 6 May 2025
Drs Chris and Xand Van Tulleken explore the causes and cures of everyday headaches.
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Doctors' Notes: Fresh Breath
Tue 29 Apr 2025
Drs Chris and Xand Van Tulleken explore the causes and effects of gum disease.
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How can I freshen my breath?
Tue 29 Apr 2025
Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken want to know what they can do about bad breath.
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Doctors' Notes: Sleep
Tue 22 Apr 2025
Drs Chris and Xand Van Tulleken explore the difference between sleepiness and fatigue.
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Am I getting enough sleep?
Tue 22 Apr 2025
How worried should we be about lacking sleep? Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken investigate.
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Doctors' Notes: Testosterone
Tue 15 Apr 2025
Drs Chris and Xand discuss how  testosterone interacts with other hormones.
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Do I need testosterone?
Tue 15 Apr 2025
Drs Chris and Xand ask - what are the pros and cons of testosterone replacement therapy?
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Doctors' Notes: Knees
Tue 8 Apr 2025
Drs Chris and Xand discuss exercises that can help with chronic knee pain.
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How can I look after my knees?
Tue 8 Apr 2025
A pain in the knee. Can we do anything about it? Chris and Xand van Tulleken find out.
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Doctors' Notes: Hanger
Tue 1 Apr 2025
Chris and Xand dig deeper into hanger, exploring the politics of hunger.
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Am I hangry?
Tue 1 Apr 2025
Can you be hangry? Chris and Xand van Tulleken’s stomachs are rumbling to find out.