Coughy Break

Coughy Break Productions

Health information without the jargon, medical myths without the nonsense, and a healthy dose of humour along the way. Welcome to Coughy Break, the podcast for patients, by their GPs. Join Dr Geoff and Dr Sam, two practising GPs from Dorset, as they explore the fascinating, frustrating and the occasionally slightly bizarre world of health and medicine. From everyday ailments and medicines to medical mysteries, surprising science, health myths and the questions you’ve always wanted to ask your GP (but perhaps never quite dared), we’re here to make sense of it all. With decades of experience between us, the occasional special guest and plenty of friendly conversation, we’ll help you separate fact from fiction, understand your health a little better and hopefully raise a smile along the way. Because understanding your health shouldn’t have to be complicated. And learning about it certainly shouldn’t be boring. So grab a cuppa, make yourself comfortable and join us for a Coughy Break. Go on, the kettle’s on!

  1. Nov 2

    A Shot in the Right Direction: Why Insulin, Why Now? - November 2026

    And now, time for a Coughy Break! Welcome back to Coughy Break! Hearing that it might be time to start insulin can feel daunting, confusing, or even like a step backward for people living with type 2 diabetes. In this episode, Dr Geoff Hamp and Dr Sam McGinley welcome back our fantastic Diabetes Specialist Nurses, Sue and Hayley, for part two of our deep dive into diabetes management and are tackling the big question: "Why insulin now?" Together with Sue and Hayley, Dr Geoff and Dr Sam explore why starting insulin is a natural progression rather than a personal failure, how it actually works to protect your long-term health, and what patients can expect when making the transition to insulin therapy. If you have any suggestions for topics you would like covered, any comments or ideas, or even just want to say hello then email us at the show at hello@coughybreak.com Sit back, and enjoy a Coughy Break! Legal DisclaimerAll content provided (“Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or healthcare advice. The content is valid in England at the time of recording. The Content should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Always consult a qualified medical professional for medical matters. Released 02/11/26 Show time 31 minutes 5 seconds Music and audio under license Coughy Break is a Coughy Break Production

    A Shot in the Right Direction: Why Insulin, Why Now? - November 2026
  2. Oct 31

    Scared Stiff! The Terrifying Truth About Sleep Paralysis - Halloween October 2026

    And now, time for a Coughy Break! Welcome back to Coughy Break! Waking up unable to move, feeling a weight on your chest, or sensing a presence in the dark? It sounds like the stuff of horror films, but for millions of people, sleep paralysis is a very real, and terrifying, experience. In this Halloween Special, Dr Geoff Hamp and Dr Sam McGinley shine a light on the science behind our real-life nighttime nightmares. Dr Geoff and Dr Sam delve into what actually happens in the brain and body during sleep paralysis, why it happens, common triggers like sleep deprivation and stress, and what you can do to bring these scary episodes to an end. If you have any suggestions for topics you would like covered, any comments or ideas, or even just want to say hello then email us at the show at hello@coughybreak.com Sit back, and enjoy a Coughy Break! And don't have nightmares... Legal DisclaimerAll content provided (“Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or healthcare advice. The content is valid in England at the time of recording. The Content should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Always consult a qualified medical professional for medical matters. Released 31/1/26 Show time 17 minutes and 29 seconds Music and audio under license Coughy Break is a Coughy Break Production

    Scared Stiff! The Terrifying Truth About Sleep Paralysis - Halloween October 2026
  3. Oct 5

    The Bottom Line: Understanding the FIT Test and Bowel Cancer Screening - October 2026

    And now, time for a Coughy Break! Welcome back to Coughy Break! When a small brown envelope arrives in the post, many people put it off—but doing this simple check could genuinely save your life. In this episode, Dr Geoff Hamp and Dr Sam McGinley dive into lower GI bowel cancer screening and the Faecal Immunochemical Test, better known as the FIT test. Dr Geoff and Dr Sam explain exactly how to do the test at home, why bowel cancer screening is so crucial, and why receiving an abnormal or positive result does not automatically mean you have cancer. If you have any suggestions for topics you would like covered, any comments or ideas, or even just want to say hello then email us at the show at hello@coughybreak.com Sit back, and enjoy a Coughy Break! Link to the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme Page: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/bowel-cancer-screening/ Legal Disclaimer All content provided (“Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or healthcare advice. The content is valid in England at the time of recording. The Content should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Always consult a qualified medical professional for medical matters. Released 5/10/26 Show time 15 minutes 52 seconds Music and audio under license Coughy Break is a Coughy Break Production

    The Bottom Line: Understanding the FIT Test and Bowel Cancer Screening - October 2026
  4. Sep 21

    The Sweet Spot: Making Sense of Type 2 Diabetes Medications - September 2026

    And now, time for a Coughy Break! Welcomeback to Coughy Break! Managing type 2 diabetes can often feel overwhelming, especially with the wide variety of tablets, injections, and treatments available today. In this special episode, Dr Geoff Hamp and Dr Sam McGinley are joined by two fantastic Diabetes Specialist Nurses, Sue and Hayley, to take a deep dive into type 2 diabetes medications. Together,they break down the different types of medications used to manage the condition, how they work in the body, and answer the key questions patients frequently ask about starting, taking, and adjusting their treatment. If you have any suggestions for topics you would like covered, any comments or ideas, or even just want to say hello then email us at the show at hello@coughybreak.com Sit back, and enjoy a Coughy Break! Links to TREND diabetes resources:https://trenddiabetes.online/people-with-diabetes/ Legal Disclaimer All content provided (“Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or healthcare advice. The content is valid in England at the time of recording. The Content should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Always consult a qualified medical professional for medical matters. Released 21/9/26 Show time 36 minutes 25 seconds Music and audio under license Coughy Break is a Coughy Break Production

    The Sweet Spot: Making Sense of Type 2 Diabetes Medications - September 2026

About

Health information without the jargon, medical myths without the nonsense, and a healthy dose of humour along the way. Welcome to Coughy Break, the podcast for patients, by their GPs. Join Dr Geoff and Dr Sam, two practising GPs from Dorset, as they explore the fascinating, frustrating and the occasionally slightly bizarre world of health and medicine. From everyday ailments and medicines to medical mysteries, surprising science, health myths and the questions you’ve always wanted to ask your GP (but perhaps never quite dared), we’re here to make sense of it all. With decades of experience between us, the occasional special guest and plenty of friendly conversation, we’ll help you separate fact from fiction, understand your health a little better and hopefully raise a smile along the way. Because understanding your health shouldn’t have to be complicated. And learning about it certainly shouldn’t be boring. So grab a cuppa, make yourself comfortable and join us for a Coughy Break. Go on, the kettle’s on!