What's That Rash?

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  • 4.5 (82)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
What's That Rash?

Get answers to the health questions everyone's asking. Our experts give you the information you need to feel good and make the best decisions for your brain and body.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Can't stop sneezing? What to do when hay fever hits

    It’s hay fever season, and as you sniffle away next to an air purifier, you might be wondering why we haven’t cured such a common ailment. Allergic rhinitis, as it’s scientifically known, has plagued people for generations. It's thought up to 24 per cent of Australians suffer from it. Norman and Tegan run through what hay fever is, how we identified it and what can be done to treat it.  References: Allergic Rhinitis: A Review O Rose thou art sick… history of allergic rhinitis I’m considering allergen immunotherapy for my hay fever. What do I need to know? Ingestion of honey improves the symptoms of allergic rhinitis: evidence from a randomized placebo-controlled trial The Potential use of Honey as a Remedy for Allergic Diseases: A Mini Review Can you adapt to allergies or does the dog have to go?

    18 min

  2. 15 OCT

    What on earth is grounding?!

    Many of us are disconnected from nature – we live in cities, work in offices, exercise indoors. There is a hypothesis that our disconnection from the earth itself – the ground – is causing a range of illnesses. But the people selling this hypothesis are also trying to sell you a range of expensive products. Norman and Tegan debunk a pseudoscience that has been gaining traction. References: Electrical Grounding Improves Vagal Tone in Preterm Infants Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence

    17 min

  3. 8 OCT

    MSG's messy myths and racist tropes

    Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavour enhancer that often gets a bad wrap. You might know someone who swears it makes them sick, or you yourself might steer clear of foods unless they have that 'no added MSG' label. Norman and Tegan explain why the bad PR around MSG has more to do with shonky research and misconceptions than the ingredient itself. References: MSG in food - Food Standards Australia and New Zealand A review of the alleged health hazards of monosodium glutamate Monosodium glutamate sensitivity in asthma Chinese-Restaurant Syndrome - New England Journal of Medicine

    19 min

  4. 1 OCT

    Why is the internet telling me to lower my cortisol?

    If you've found yourself in a particular corner of health and wellness TikTok, chances are you've heard all about cortisol. Influencers might be urging you to massage your face, stuff your mouth full of dates and even supplement your diet with sea moss. Norman and Tegan explain why some of that MIGHT make you healthier, but not in the way that you think.  References Forgotten episodes of the birth of cortisone The effects of exercise intensity on the cortisol response to a subsequent acute psychosocial stressor Signalling cognition: the gut microbiota and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

    19 min

  5. 24 SEPT

    Is melatonin the answer to a good night's sleep?

    If you've ever complained about a bad night's sleep, you might've been urged to take melatonin.  It's a hormone our bodies naturally produce, and also a supplement that many claim can cure insomnia and leave you better rested.  But Norman and Tegan tuck into all the reasons we shouldn't be taking melatonin lightly.  References What do we really know about the safety and efficacy of melatonin for sleep disorders? Is melatonin safe for children? Quantity of Melatonin and CBD in Melatonin Gummies Sold in the US Clinical trial on the effect of regular tea drinking on iron accumulation in genetic haemochromatosis

    19 min

  6. 17 SEPT

    What it takes to avoid iron deficiency

    Iron deficiency is incredibly common, especially in menstruating women. But this mineral is vital. Our bodies use iron to make haemoglobin, which carries oxygen to our cells. Norman and Tegan take us through what it means to have adequate iron levels, and what it takes. References A Review of Nutrients and Compounds, Which Promote or Inhibit Intestinal Iron Absorption Intermittent iron supplementation for reducing anaemia and its associated impairments in adolescent and adult menstruating women The yersiniabactin transport system is critical for the pathogenesis of bubonic and pneumonic plague

    18 min

  7. 10 SEPT

    Why do hangovers get worse as we age?

    It's a tale as old as time – as you age, hangovers hit harder. The tolerance of your youth wastes away. There's no doubt that any alcohol consumption is bad for you. But that doesn’t mean people aren't drinking. Norman and Tegan explain what alcohol is doing to the body, and why the after effects get harder to cope with as you get older. References The Assessment of Overall Hangover Severity Aldehyde dehydrogenase isozyme variation and alcoholism in Japan Endogenous formation of 1-propanol and methanol after consumption of alcoholic beverages Understanding trends in Australian alcohol consumption—an age–period–cohort model The Alcohol Hangover Research Group: Ten Years of Progress in Research on the Causes, Consequences, and Treatment of the Alcohol Hangover

    18 min

  8. 3 SEPT

    Rapid-fire round: Answering your sleep questions

    We get a LOT of questions about sleep – on everything from cheese dreams to sleep farts. Why do you jerk awake as you're drifting off? Why are you itchy as soon as you get into bed? Norman and Tegan snooze through some sleep-related questions in this rapid-fire special. References Too Sour to be True? Tart Cherries (Prunus cerasus) and Sleep: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Dreams of the Rarebit Fiend: food and diet as instigators of bizarre and disturbing dreams Sleeping position during early and mid pregnancy does not affect risk of complications The Relationship between Sleeping Position and Sleep Quality: A Flexible Sensor-Based Study Nocturnal Pruritus: The Battle for a Peaceful Night’s Sleep

    18 min
See All (570)

Hosts & Guests

4.5
out of 5
82 Ratings

About

Get answers to the health questions everyone's asking. Our experts give you the information you need to feel good and make the best decisions for your brain and body.

Information

  • Creator
    ABC listen
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    570
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Show Website
    What's That Rash?

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