Saving Lives In Slow Motion

Increasingly we see different presentations to a doctors surgery and our access to knowledge and understanding of health and medicine means there are many ports of call for information and seeking help. In this episode I look at the gap between health and medicine and what we can about it.Links: Medicine powered by plants: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/essential-medicines-powered-by-plants.htmlThe evolution of ‘medicine'- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11245246/Holism in medicine: https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-holistic-medicineSelf care: https://www.selfcareforum.org/about-us/what-do-we-mean-by-self-care-and-why-is-good-for-people/

Most of us drink caffeine and it is in many foods too such as chocolate.What are its impact on health? In this episode I look at the pros and cons of this ubiquitous every day legal drug.Links:Genetics of caffeine metabolism: https://www.sleepmattersperth.com.au/how-genetics-influence-caffeines-impact-on-sleep/Cognitive and physical performance: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4462044/Caffeine and Parkinson’s Disease: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7773776/Coffee and dementia risk: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-00409-yCoffee and Liver Disease: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250921/Coffee-protects-the-liver-by-blocking-inflammation-and-scarring-review-finds.aspxCaffeine as pain relief: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgr44j201rzo

We live in a data driven world and increasingly this applies to health. In this episode I look at some examples of how they can help or hinder.Body composition scales: https://www.healthline.com/health/body-fat-scale-accuracyHRV: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21773-heart-rate-variability-hrvContinuous glucose monitoring: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2024/jun/use-glucose-monitors-people-not-living-diabetes-needs-more-regulationBlood glucose spikes: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/avoid_blood_sugar_spikesSleep trackers: https://www.euronews.com/health/2026/01/27/sleep-tracking-using-smart-watches-and-rings-has-limits-do-they-really-workAtrial fibrillation: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atrial-fibrillation/EMF: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772671124000901THE HEALTH FIX: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Dr-Ayan-Panja/dp/1914239326/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

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