The Vagus Nerve - what’s all the fuss about and could it be the key to battling chronic disease?

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/s42234-022-00100-3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Medicine is an inexact science. My patients who are engineers find it frustrating that there is so much conjecture and educated guess work in medicine. But this episode highlights why diagnoses can take time. It’s a mix of detective work, bias and listening to the patient story.Links:Chilblains: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chilblains/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351103STI and painful knee: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/gonococcal-arthritisCarpal tunnel syndrome: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/carpal-tunnel-syndrome/Psychodermatology (the mind-skin link): https://www.psychodermatology.co.uk/Liver inflammation and glandular fever: https://www.healthline.com/health/mono-hepatitis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not a week goes by in practice where I don’t see a patient who hasn’t collapsed or had a dizzy spell.There are so many reasons for this, some preventable, some not. I look at some of the syndromes that lead to these issues.Links:Fainting: https://www.healthline.com/health/fainting#causesPseudoseizures (non-eplieptic seizures): https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24517-psychogenic-nonepileptic-seizure-pnesAbsence seizures: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/petit-mal-seizure/symptoms-causes/syc-20359683Epilepsy and driving: https://www.gov.uk/epilepsy-and-drivingBPPV (a type of vertigo): https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11858-benign-paroxysmal-positional-vertigo-bppvPatient perspective of Mal de Debarquement syndrome: https://www.rarediseaseday.org/heroes/a-uk-patient-perspective-on-mal-de-debarquement-syndrome/Heartblock: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-block/Gluten ataxia: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320730Proprioception: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/proprioception Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5-15% of GP consultations are linked to tiredness. And the number is growing. In this episode I look at common and rarer reasons for tiredness. Hydration - if you’re feeling thirsty you’re partly dehydrated: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/nutritional/dehydration/Sleep apnoea: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631Breathing to help some root causes of fatigue: https://buteykoclinic.com/blogs/buteyko-breathing-technique/buteyko-breathing-techniqueMycotoxin illness: https://www.parsleyhealth.com/blog/mold-toxicity-symptoms/Co-enzyme Q10: https://bjcardio.co.uk/2015/10/coenzyme-q10-and-cardiovascular-disease-an-overview/Antibiotic tiredness: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/do-antibiotics-make-you-tiredBurnout: https://mentalhealth-uk.org/burnout/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teenage and adolescent health offers us a glimpse into the future health of the world. The Lancet Commission wrote a report in 2016 and have recently written a follow up which paints a slightly concerning picture.In this episode I look at health in this group of people, the challenges they face and what, if anything, can be done about it.Links:The Lancet Commission report summary: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)00863-3/fulltextBarriers to healthcare for adolescents: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8070789/Global numbers: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescents-health-risks-and-solutionsOmega-3 and brain health: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35960396/Climate Stress: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10154789/Free tips from Annette Du Bois (teenage coach): https://www.champs-academy.co.uk/free-help-and-support/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I look at our health compared to 100 years ago. I was pleasantly surprised at some similarities having stumbled across something online but then also appreciate that we live in a different world now. Links: Donald Moore’s health habits in 1925: https://archive.org/details/health.habits.moore.1925/page/n1/mode/2upAdventist health: https://www.bluezones.com/explorations/loma-linda-california/Health in the 1920s: https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/culture-magazines/1920s-medicine-and-health-overviewTech neck: https://sharpphysiotherapy.co.uk/the-hidden-dangers-of-tech-neck/Pesticides and human health: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11426366/Mycotoxin illness: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8619365/Toxic productivity: https://hbr.org/2024/11/lets-end-toxic-productivity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the UK, there is much discussion around assisted dying with a bill that is being voted on in government at the moment.In this episode I look at the ethics around it and what it might mean on an individual and societal level.Palliative Care: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/end-of-life-care/what-it-involves-and-when-it-starts/Dr Florian Willett’s death: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/suicide-pod-activist-euthanasia-sarco-b2762514.htmlLocked-in syndrome: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22462-locked-in-syndrome-lisHow assisted dying works in The Netherlands: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/sep/11/assisted-dying-dutch-end-of-life-netherlands-unbearable-sufferingTalking about death and dying: https://www.hospiceuk.org/information-and-support/death-and-dying-what-expect/about-death-and-dyingThe Humanists view: https://humanists.uk/2023/10/03/six-reasons-we-need-an-assisted-dying-law/The current state of affairs in the UK regarding the assisted dying bill: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y5d2g3wgxoMy new website: https://drayan.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fasting is a hot but contentious topic. It has been practised for thousands of years and is now purported to be a way of tackling or preventing certain metabolic diseases. In this episode I look at the pros, cons and mechanisms of fasting. Links: Historical perspectives of fasting: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8838777/Time restricted feeding in mice (Sachin Panda): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3491655/Further study (see first image for feeding habits): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S15504131140049875:2 diet summary: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/the-5-2-diet-guideProlonged fasting: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37377031/Fasting and autophagy: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24058-autophagyThe flip side - analysis of a study that found a increased link to heart disease from fasting: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/behind-the-headlines/intermittent-fasting# Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every week or so you will see and article about one or more of these topics.Maybe you have tried them or do them regularly. In the episode I look at the science and thinking behind them all.Links: Cold water exposure - a paper: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9518606/Vagus nerve stimulation: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17598-vagus-nerve-stimulationHyperbaric oxygen: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapySaunas and potential benefits (academic paper): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0531556521002916#s0180High Protein Diet: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/high-protein-diet-planBuy my book THE HEALTH FIX now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0My new website: https://drayan.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prescribing Lifestyle Medicine is a course I run with Dr Rangan Chatterjee that has been going for 8 years now.It was the first course of its kind in the UK and in this episode I look at a recap of our recent conference, what has changed in lifestyle medicine over the years and the latest science.Links:Dr Emily Leeming: https://www.emilyleeming.com/Dr Rob Lustig: https://robertlustig.com/Dr Kiran Sodha: https://www.drsodha.co.uk/Dr Nathaniel Roocroft’s work: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2023/november/23/20231123-uk-flagship-pioneers-largest-ever-mental-and-physical-health-drive-at-seaDr Madhvi Joshi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhvi-joshi-419b71353/Depression as an inflammatory disease: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38826138/Gut-brain axis and the role of the microbiome in neurodegeneration: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-024-01743-1Fibre benefits: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/why-is-fiber-good-for-youWeight loss drugs hold key to longer life?: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/golden-age-of-medicine-weight-loss-drugs-seen-as-key-to-longer-life-3wblnx3j6#Prescribing Lifestyle Medicine:https://www.practiceunbound.org.uk/product/prescribinglifestylemedicine/home Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.