Narrative Medicine - how storytelling helps us heal

Narrative Medicine is an important art in a consultation involving both talking and listening. In this episode I look at why it is important and how it can help our health outcomes. AI in consultations: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13169325/GP-AI-listening-auto-generate-patient-notes-confidential-medical-information-wrong-hands.htmlNeurodivergence: https://autietraumageek.medium.com/lost-in-translation-the-social-language-theory-of-neurodivergence-part-1-of-2-1963ba0073c5Data usage in medicine: https://bjgp.org/content/68/668/e146Pre-surgery anxiety: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/surgery-anxiety#pre-surgery-vs-post-surgery-anxietyThe therapeutic benefit of being heard: https://thelionmind.org.sg/the-importance-of-being-heard-enhancing-mental-health-through-active-listening/The seven C’s: https://www.conversationsinvitingchange.com/about/Narrative medicine - journal article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/194300A review of narrative medicine and outcomes: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/1/e031568Narrative medicine - good for both patients and clinicians: https://www.thepermanentejournal.org/doi/10.7812/TPP/23.116#AI and empathy: https://www.wavestone.com/en/insight/the-empathy-paradox-can-ai-connect-with-customers-in-contact-centres/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Community as a cure? We often think of healthcare being a relationship between a clinician and a patient but amazing things can occur through the power of community and using it as sociological therapy. I look at why groups can be so powerful and how you might run one.Parkrun: home | parkrun UKWeight Watchers: How The WeightWatchers Weight-Loss Program WorksStanley Schachter’s work - an article: https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2009/2/16/the-tribe-mentality.htmlAn example of healthy living delivered in groups, initially churches: https://www.danielplan.com/#Group consultations - Dr Rupa Joshi: https://painconcern.org.uk/empowering-patients/Shape Up: https://www.watfordfccsetrust.com/project/shape-up/Nushu: https://nushu.com/groupCommunities in health - people as a valuable commodity: https://www.health.org.uk/publications/at-the-heart-of-health-realising-the-value-of-people-and-communities#:~:text=Mental and physical health and,community capacity and resilience%2C amongRural groups in India: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9207712/Thalassemia awareness (charity): https://ukts.org/Children’s Heart Disease Awareness: https://chfed.org.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases are on the rise. In this episode I look at why this is the case, the mechanisms behind autoimmunity and what we can do to prevent and manage it.Innate vs adaptive immunity (including B and T cells): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279396/#Molecular mimicry in autoimmunity: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896841118305365#Hashimoto’s - molecular mimicry in action. Gluten mimics the surface proteins of the thyroid gland: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37554764/Autoantibodies: https://pathology.jhu.edu/autoimmune/definitionsThe rise of autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9918670/#Intestinal permeability and autoimmunity: https://academic.oup.com/biohorizons/article/doi/10.1093/biohorizons/hzx015/4670557#'Leaky gut’ syndrome: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326117Autoimmune protocol diet: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/aip-diet-autoimmune-protocol-diet#how-it-worksProteus and rheumatoid arthritis; https://www.iomcworld.org/open-access/worldwide-links-between-emproteus-mirabilisem-and-rheumatoid-arthritis-46162.htmlSleep and autoimmunity: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanrhe/article/PIIS2665-9913(22)00311-3/fulltextStress and autoimmunity: https://www.autoimmuneinstitute.org/articles/stress-autoimmune-disease-navigating-the-complex-relationship/An expert opinion on the rise in autoimmunity: https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/why-are-autoimmune-and-allergic-diseases-rising-andrew-wang/Vitamin D and autoimmunity: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2306132-vitamin-d-supplements-really-do-reduce-risk-of-autoimmune-disease/#ixzz7KF2W0SEL Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our biomechanics affect us all the time, each and every day and is often ignored when it comes to its impact on health. From hip pain to heartburn, our anatomy and the way we move can have impacts on our health on a daily basis.Leg length discrepancy: https://www.thebiomechanicsmethod.com/2021/06/01/how-a-leg-length-discrepancy-affects-the-body/Podiatry and foot biomechanics: https://www.ukpodiatry.com/our-assessments/biomechanical-analysisKyphosis exercises: https://www.healthline.com/health/exercise-fitness/kyphosis-exercises#exercises-to-tryWorld Athletics: https://worldathletics.org/news/press-release/2017-world-championships-athletics-biomechaniThe kinetic chain: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7174497/Exercise for constipation: https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-constipation/exercises-to-relieve-constipation#1Looking at your phone: https://www.cprtherapy.org/blog/Postural-Awareness-with-Mobile-Devices~6435.htmlDouglas Heel (activation therapy): https://douglasheel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In my book The Health Fix I talk about how I ask patients about their typical day and why that is a great question to ask in order to generate a 'Lifestyle Prescription’.Looking at your typical day may not be something you’ve done recently or in any detail but it can give you clues to why you may be contributing to some of your symptoms or how you feel. Carpal tunnel syndrome and sleep position: https://www.athletico.com/2017/04/14/sleep-positioning-carpal-tunnel-syndrome/Sleep and circadian rhythm tips: https://www.stylist.co.uk/health/sleep/cant-sleep-mistakes/496595Health trackers and anxiety: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8357265/Caffeine and our genes: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4242593/Systems medicine and biology: https://laskerfoundation.org/leroy-hood-there-is-going-to-be-a-fantastic-revolution-in-medicine/Eating late and sleep disruption: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-eating-before-bed-bad-for-youMicrowave ovens and health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4242593/Repressed emotions and dealing with them: https://www.healthline.com/health/repressed-emotionsMy IDEAL framework in print: https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/the-health-fix-dr-ayan-panja-new-years-resolutionsMy IDEAL framework on this podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/saving-lives-in-slow-motion/id1573742958?i=1000567557435Our monkey brain: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/saving-lives-in-slow-motion/id1573742958?i=1000597803315THE HEALTH FIX:  The Health Fix: Transform your Health in 8 Weeks amazon.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Big Pharma gets a lot of bad press, yet most of us have needed to take medication for something at some point in our lives. How do we minimise the risk of our coming to harm from drugs and what can industry do to work more openly with us?Diuretic drugs: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-79565-7_4Ben Goldacre - a review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3635613/Evidence Based Medicine: https://guides.mclibrary.duke.edu/ebmLorcainide story: https://www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.g7717/rr-1Anti-arrhythmic drugs: https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/medical/drug-cabinet/anti-arrhythmicsDrug reps and doctors: https://www.npr.org/2024/04/19/1245972805/pharma-reps-have-visited-doctors-for-decades-what-impact-does-it-have-on-patientThe opioid crisis and Oxycontin latest: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-60610707PHQ-9 for depression: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3416649/#Monoclonal antibodies: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/114311.stmALLTRIALS: alltrials.netThe NHS and big pharma: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jul/08/its-naive-to-think-this-is-in-the-best-interests-of-the-nhs-how-big-pharmas-millions-are-influencing-healthcare Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The evidence is compelling. Clutter can be harmful to our health in many ways from poor sleep, stress, anxiety and even physical pain. Why is this the case and what can we do about it? Graham Hill - less stuff, more happiness: https://www.ted.com/talks/graham_hill_less_stuff_more_happiness?subtitle=enMarie Kondo and her work: https://konmari.com/Attention and the visual cortex: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21228167/Fals risk: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10735369/\\Eating behaviours and hoarding: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25440599/Procrastination and clutter: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36767429/Decluttering challenge: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-10-100-decluttering-challenge-37394185Clutter, sleep and fatigue: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9616259/ADHD and clutter: https://www.additudemag.com/making-peace-with-your-clutter/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I got thinking about this recently whilst on holiday recently where I was having a lot of lie-ins anddoing a lot of daydreaming. Coffee: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffeeChewing and alertness: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4449949/Chewing and effects on the immune system: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/research-reveals-surprising-health-benefits-of-chewing-your-food/Fidgeting and NEAT: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/fitness/fat-loss/a36287384/neat-exercise/Eating bogies - benefits?: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25344244/Lie-ins: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/sep/13/dream-on-the-surprising-health-benefit-of-a-weekend-lie-inMissing breakfast: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/is-skipping-breakfast-badAlcohol and cognitive health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4866612/Daydreaming: https://time.com/6256541/why-daydreaming-is-good-for-you/Bottling up anger: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8374519.stmBouts of anger: https://blog.swedish.org/swedish-blog/new-study-bouts-of-anger-can-take-a-toll-on-your-heartHow to process anger (Dr Gabor Maté): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh1-y3TzSO4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many of us have role models but do they impact our health?As the Olympics were taking place recently I started to think aboutthis and in this episode I look at some studies and reveal their interesting findings.Role models (an alternative view): https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-problem-with-role-models/Smoking in popular culture: https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/tobacco-pop-culture/why-smoking-still-being-glamorized-media-and-pop-cultureStudy 1: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380209172_Health_Motivation_in_the_Influencer_Era_Analyzing_Entertainment_Personal_and_Social_Media_Role_ModelsStudy 2: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9421350/Study 2 questionnaire: https://redcap.ctsi.psu.edu/surveys/index.php?s=4L973C8FFLThe importance of mentoring: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2352144/Chasing your hero: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD2cVhC-63I Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a topic close to my heart and is important to address for patients and medical staff.Race is a sociological construct and differs from ancestry. It has a surprising impact in medicine, both in terms of care and outcomes for patients. In addition racism needs stamping out in the medical profession in all corners.Prostate cancer risk in black men: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9826514/Maternal mortality in black women during and after pregnancy : https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/maternal-mortality-rates-in-the-black-community/#South Asians and type 2 Diabetes: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/node/12895Black people and stroke risk: https://www.healthline.com/health/stroke/why-do-african-americans-have-a-greater-stroke-riskJames Sims: https://www.history.com/news/the-father-of-modern-gynecology-performed-shocking-experiments-on-slavesAbuse during COVID: https://www.phc.ox.ac.uk/about/staff-stories/racist-abuse-against-asians-during-the-covid-19-pandemicHead injuries and race in sport: https://apnews.com/article/health-nfl-race-and-ethnicity-sports-066d9fd6bd85f5b5023207467701fde4#Dr Arora and the GMC: https://www.bmj.com/content/379/bmj.o2619Beta Thalassemia: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/beta-thalassemiaTay-Sachs Disease: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tay-sachs-disease/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.