Health Report

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**Health Report**

Covering the health stories that make a difference. Dr Norman Swan and Dr Preeya Alexander dissect the latest and breaking news in the medical world.

Latest Episodes:

'Life and potential death': Being diagnosed with cancer while pregnant Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

The shock of a cancer diagnosis is familiar for far too many people.

But when Na'ama Carlin was diagnosed with breast cancer, her health wasn't the only consideration.

If you're in need of support you can contact Mummy's Wish or Hope for Two.

Care and detection of younger onset dementia | Breastfeeding aversion Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

First heard in July 2023

It’s called ‘young onset’ dementia if diagnosed before the age of 65—and can occur while people are still caring for kids and supporting a household.

First heard in July 2023

We think breastfeeding is quite natural, but it doesn’t always come easily, and some issues—such as Breastfeeding Aversion Response (or BAR)—are still under-researched.

Where does Australia stand on drug decriminalisation? Jan 01, 2024

Show notes

Drug use has been increasing, whether it be cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens, or ketamine. That includes recreational use and substance abuse.

So it begs the question: Has criminalising drugs ever worked? And what needs to be done to drive down the harms associated with this increasing drug use?

If you're in need of support, you can contact the National Alcohol and Other Drug hotline on 1800 250 015, or contact Counselling Online.

ADHD clinics and the diagnosis explosion | Chat GPT and virtual health care Dec 25, 2023

Show notes

A new kind of ADHD clinic is cashing in on surging demand for diagnoses—and promising salaries of more than $900,000 to recruit psychiatrists. As the need for services has grown, so have waitlists.

Given the choice between a ChatGPT bot or a real doctor, a panel of health care professionals found the bot's responses were both more empathetic and gave higher quality information.

Invigorating ice baths | Waves in the dying brain | Gaming and exercise Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

More and more people are tackling the bracing discomfort of ice bath sessions. Alongside several touted health benefits there are some serious risks. Norman is at Bronte Beach to chill.

Researchers observed the cardiac and neural signals from a small number of ICU patients at the point when ventilatory support was withdrawn. They recorded the quite new phenomena of electrical activity in a particular area of the brain.

Keeping motivated to exercise can be difficult, but for people getting over a traumatic brain injury it's even more so. An exercise program at Liverpool Hospital uses gaming to encourage activity.

Body dysmorphic disorder | Benefits of a low-salt diet | Primary aldosteronism | How a country buys its drugs Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

Feeling dissatisfied with their appearance can become an obsession for some people, and affect quality of life and relationships.

Most people can benefit from reduced salt intake, and so reduce the risk of heart attack, atrial fibrillation, stroke, dementia, and kidney damage.

A few months ago the program there was a story on an under-recognised cause of high blood pressure called primary aldosteronism. One listener asked to be tested.

An area of Australian healthcare that might be a candidate for review is drug subsidy. We might consider what New Zealand's PHARMAC does, and conduct a competitive tender.

Concerns about a cancer therapy | Promise and risk in health AI | Where are all the psychiatrists? | Tackling high blood pressure Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

Bringing clarity to health and medical issues from social, scientific and political points of view.

Respiratory illnesses in China | ACL injury in women | GP referrals to psychiatrists Nov 27, 2023

Show notes

There are eerily familiar of clusters of respiratory infections being reported across China.

We know that for some health conditions women are more likely to have a worse time than men. But for the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the chances of a woman sustaining an injury to it are up to 6 or even 10 times as likely as men.

When someone has a complex or severe mental health issue, the specialist they really need is a psychiatrist. However, GPs are finding it now more difficult to track down a psychiatrist to accept their patients.

CORONACAST BONUSCAST: The latest wave, a new vaccine and let's talk about lockdowns Nov 23, 2023

Show notes

Another COVID wave, another COVID vaccine and another episode of Coronacast ... sort of?

Norman and Tegan will be providing coronavirus updates when needed, so subscribe to The Health Report feed so you don't miss out!

References:

The unequal effects of the health–economy trade-off during the COVID-19 pandemic

Weighing the data on legal cannabis | Overuse of antimicrobials | Delayed cord cutting in premature babies Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

In 2016 Australia legalised cannabis for medicinal use and now the Greens party are advocating for its recreational use as well. The Australian Medical Association say that would send the wrong message.

Antimicrobial resistance has been described an emerging public health emergency. A major cause is overuse of antibiotics and other drugs to combat microbes, like fungi.

When a baby is born premature time is of the essence, and the idea of slowing things down in those first few moments seems counter-intuitive.

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