Psychiatry and Surgery - essential specialties which may appear worlds apart but in some ways are similar and deserve more recognition.

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) affects more people every year with a global increase in ageing populations. There is no cure for the condition but medication can alleviate symptoms. In this episode I look at the causes of the disease and what we can do to prevent it. Your opinion matters. SURVEY here - please help me by taking this 10 minute survey -thank you!: http://bit.ly/savinglivesinslowmotion-surveyThe Parkinson's pandemic: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laneur/article/PIIS1474-4422(20)30302-1/fulltextGut-brain link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10358673/REM sleep behaviour disorder: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24465-rem-sleep-behavior-disorder-rbdPer Borghammer - body-first and brain first model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVew2OVZTXsGenes in PD: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/parkinsons-disease/the-genetic-link-to-parkinsons-diseaseLeaky gut in Parkinsons Disease: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(25)00240-3/fulltextCoeliac Disease, gluten sensitivity and Parkinson’s Disease link (a literature review): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12011982/H pylori and Parkinson’s Disease: https://immunityageing.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12979-023-00404-1Diet: https://www.healthline.com/health/parkinsons-and-dietExercise - tai chi: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-67208745Iron overload: https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/home/PressRelease/30Vitamin D: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667268523000499Pesticides: https://www.uclahealth.org/news/release/researchers-identify-10-pesticides-toxic-neurons-involvedRotenone (insecticide) and PD: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41531-023-00561-6Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vaccines are often the subject of heated discussion. In this episode I share some thoughts on the topics as it affects us all and needs handling sensitively.Your opinion matters. SURVEY here - thank you!: http://bit.ly/savinglivesinslowmotion-surveyEdward Jenner and vaccine discovery: https://www.jenner.ac.uk/about/edward-jennerA broad overview: https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/history-of-vaccination/a-brief-history-of-vaccinationCommon short term side effects of vaccines: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5dfa14bfed915d54aca2b837/PHE_what_to_expect_after_vaccination_English.pdfOld Friends Hypothesis: https://www.news-medical.net/health/Old-Friends-Hypothesis.aspxHerd Immunity explained: https://vaccineknowledge.ox.ac.uk/herd-immunityVaccine hesitancy: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jgrlxx37doMeasles in the USA: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/measles-is-making-a-comeback-can-we-stop-it-202503063091Vaccine injury cases: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gzleyydp8o#Neanderthal genes and COVID: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3673483Decision making and vaccines: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264410X25004311Travel vaccines: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I look at this big question which I often hear in the consulting room, the reasons that lie behind it and what the point to life might be.Your opinion matters. SURVEY here - thank you!: http://bit.ly/savinglivesinslowmotion-surveyNihilism in philosophy: https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-nihilism-history-250581Cosmic Insignificance: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4340547/Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: https://www.bitesizelearning.co.uk/resources/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-theoryAcceptance and Commitment Therapy: https://therisingsuncounseling.com/acceptance-and-commitment-therapy-a-framework-for-a-meaningful-life-copy/Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman: https://www.oliverburkeman.com/fourthousandweeksThe science behind gratitude: https://positivepsychology.com/neuroscience-of-gratitude/The benefits of volunteering: https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/volunteering/why-volunteer/benefits-of-volunteering/Ways to ask for help if you struggle to: https://www.wondermind.com/article/asking-for-help/Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Continuity of care saves lives. There is evidence that outcomes are improved and itused to be a core part of medicine. In recent years for many reasons continuity has been slightly eroded. In this episode I make the case for it and give examples of why it can beof critical importance.Links:Please help me improve my content for you by taking this audience survey which takes 10 minutes:http://bit.ly/savinglivesinslowmotion-surveyStudy on continuity and outcomes: https://bjgp.org/content/72/715/e84How seeing the same doctor has changed in the UK: https://www.bmj.com/content/389/bmj.r833Patient examples of the benefits: https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/the-importance-of-continuity-four-personal-viewpointsSave your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PCOS is a growing global issue. Its prevalence has increased in recent years and the reasons behind it are complex.In this episode I look at its roots, causes and impact plus what we can do about it in terms of lifestyle and treatments.Links: Depression and PCOS: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10607337/LH (luteinziing hormone): https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22255-luteinizing-hormoneLH:FSH ratio in PCOS: https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/pages/gynaecology/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-hormonal-measurements-inPancreatic function in PCOS: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9962893/The gut microbiome and PCOS: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9998696/The steroid synthesis pathway starting with cholesterol: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Biosynthesis-of-steroid-hormones-from-the-cholesterol-pathway_fig1_258055538Angelique Panagos book on hormonal balance: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Balance-Plan-Optimize-Hormonal-Health/dp/1844039447Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I look at metabolic health which is one of the most important aspects of our long term health. I look at the mechanisms and measures of metabolic health and what we can do to improve ours.Continuous Glucose Monitoring: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/continuous-glucose-monitoring-cgmHba1c: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/looking-after-diabetes/hba1c#American metabolic health stats: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/met.2018.0105High fructose corn syrup; https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/why-high-fructose-corn-syrup-is-badFibre in your diet: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/why-is-fiber-good-for-youExercise and metabolic health: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2024.1365761/fullMetabolic health and Alzheimer's risk: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10001958/Non-communicable diseases: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseasesSave your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I cover my own personal tips from the view point of a GP and lifestyle medicine doctor. Gut symptoms Around 86% of us in the UK have experienced gut symptoms at some point. My tips are simple, for everyone and hopefully make sense.Parasympathetic drive for digestion: https://www.livescience.com/parasympathetic-nervous-system-rest-and-digestDigestive enzymes: https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-are-digestive-enzymesBlue Zones eating habits: https://www.bluezones.com/2020/07/blue-zones-diet-food-secrets-of-the-worlds-longest-lived-people/Mediterranean Diet: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16037-mediterranean-dietLate night eating: https://hms.harvard.edu/news/late-night-eating-impactTime restricted eating: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/time-restricted-eatingIleo-caecal valve issues: https://www.carygastro.com/blog/what-are-the-symptoms-of-a-faulty-ileocecal-valveHydration and the gut (an academic paper): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004224011258Buy my book The Health Fix now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chronic inflammation is a key process which is linked to almost all non-communicable disease. In this episode I look at how it arises and why it is so harmful.Links: Age-related end glycation products: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/advanced-glycation-end-products#what-they-are'Leaky gut’ syndrome: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8305009/Depression as an inflammatory condition: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661824002676Probitoics after antibiotics?: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190124-is-it-worth-taking-probiotics-after-antibioticsDiabetes and inflammation: https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/inflammation-and-diabetesInflammation from toxins (metals and brain inflammation): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2468202021000127Anti-inflammatory diet: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/anti-inflammatory-dietFibre: https://dremilyleeming.substack.com/p/is-fibre-the-missing-link-to-trueOmega-3 and inflammation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37606147/Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do surgery and psychiatry have in common? They are both demanding specialties, occasionally of last resort, that save lives acutely and help people back to better health.LinksAntipsychotic drug discovery: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.903156/fullPyrrole Disorder: https://www.healthline.com/health/pyrrole-disorder#diagnosisRationing in the NHS: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/blogs/nhs-rationing-under-the-radarAn example of risks vs benefit in surgery: https://www.neurosurgeonsofnewjersey.com/blog/spinal-fusion-surgery-risks/Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are so many posts, papers and publications about the vagus nerve.In this episode I look at why it’s so popular and whether it really can be a key to future treatments with advances vagus nerve stimulation.Links: Quick overview: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/vagus-nerve-stimulation/about/pac-20384565Polyvagal Theory: https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/whatispolyvagaltheoryThe Great Nerve: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Nerve-Science-Harness-Reflexes/dp/059371699XResearch on the vagus and rheumatoid arthritis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27382171/Ear stimulation: https://medicine.ouhsc.edu/news/article/ear-clip-stimulation-of-vagus-nerve-shows-promise-as-pots-treatment-according-to-ou-college-of-medicine-studyVasovagal attacks: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23325-vasovagal-syncopeCrohn’s Disease and vagus nerve stimulation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32515156/Vagus nerver and inflammation: https://bioelecmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42234-022-00100-3Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.