Saving Lives In Slow Motion

This episode is about alcohol, an ever popular topic when it comes to health and harm. In this episode I look at its history and some of the ways in which it affects us and our health as well as why we drink alcohol in the first place.Links:Oldest brewery: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-45534133Distillation: https://www.britannica.com/video/how-is-liquor-made/-340178UK alcohol limits: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/calculating-alcohol-units/Hangovers: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health/curing-hangoverAlcohol and mental health: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/alcohol-and-mental-healthSleep: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/nutrition/alcohol-and-sleepRed wine and gut microbes: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/red-wine-benefits-linked-to-better-gut-health-study-findsRelaxing without drinking alcohol: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/news/how-to-relax-at-home-without-drinkingAlcohol free drinks: https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2025/feb/04/best-low-alcohol-non-alcoholic-drinksAlcoholic liver disease: https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-conditions/alcohol-related-liver-disease/#causesAlcohol and cancer risk: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/alcohol-and-cancer/how-does-alcohol-cause-cancerAlcohol consumption data: https://ourworldindata.org/alcohol-consumption

In this episode look at some rarer diagnoses, how they come to light and how they can be hard to live with and diagnose.Links: Pyrrole Disorder (not recognised in conventional medicine): https://www.healthline.com/health/pyrrole-disorderAcademic analysis of pyrroles (deep dive): https://academic.oup.com/labmed/article/55/3/334/7271490Patent foramen ovale: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/patent-foramen-ovale/symptoms-causes/syc-20353487Migraines and PFO: https://www.migrainedisorders.org/diving-into-the-connection-between-migraine-and-patent-foramen-ovale/Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17813-ehlers-danlos-syndrome

Rest is often seen as a guilty pleasure but in this episode I cover the reasons behind why rest is essential to our lives and examples that work.Links: Deep rest: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11003855/Rest Quiz: https://www.restquiz.com/quiz/rest-quiz-test/The Art of Rest: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Rest-Find-Respite-Modern/dp/1786892804Attention Restoration Theory: https://positivepsychology.com/attention-restoration-theory/Nature breaks: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4039544/Rest during demanding tasks: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6585675

Second opinions are an increasingly common request in healthcare and in this episode I look at reasons why people seek them and their pros and cons Links:Martha’s rule: https://www.england.nhs.uk/patient-safety/marthas-rule/Hyponatraemia (low sodium): https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyponatremia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373711Advice on second opinions: https://www.patients-association.org.uk/getting-a-second-opinionTumour Treating Fields: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/tumor-treating-fields.htmlLithium and MND doesn’t work?: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/archive/news/ioppn/records/2013/march/lithium-shows-no-benefit-to-mnd-patientsLithium and MND works?: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/centre-for-neuromuscular-diseases/research/experimental-clinical-trials/mnd/motor-neurone-disease-closed-trials/licals-therapeutic

In this episode I look at things that can hamper our health journey by looking at our own life in an easy and compassionate way.Links:The Health Fix on Kindle offer January 2026: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja-ebook/dp/B0B2VTFFVS/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0Sleep and its importance: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6281147/Phone and screen usage: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11236742/Decluttering: https://drayanpanja.substack.com/p/decluttering-your-home-how-it-could-1fd\\Exercise: https://www.sciencefocus.com/wellbeing/exercise-snacksImpulsivity: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/impulsive-behavior#Impulsive-behavior-meaningOverwhelm: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002pf4w

It’s a new year and that can feel overwhelming.In this episode I look at what the year is likely to bring in terms of health and medical trends, our own personal goals and how to generate ideas for them if you are feeling a bit stuck.Links: The Health Fix: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja-ebook/dp/B0B2VTFFVSMed tech in 2026: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2025/10/27/the-8-biggest-healthcare-technology-trends-to-watch-in-2026/Misinformation - how to spot it: https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2024/02/16/sorting-fact-from-fiction-a-guide-to-spotting-health-misinformation/