What's That Rash?

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MEDICINE
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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 DAY AGO

Anything wrong with falling asleep in front of the TV?

You’re settling into the couch after a long day, ready to relax with your favourite show … next thing you know, you’re asleep. What is it about the TV that puts people to sleep, and what can you do to avoid dozing off? Norman and Tegan explore comfort watching, binge-watching and blue light exposure. References: Exploring the Bob Ross effect: A psychophysiological investigationBinge Viewing, Sleep, and the Role of Pre-Sleep Arousal | Journal of Clinical Sleep MedicineThe inner clock—Blue light sets the human rhythm Morning and Evening Blue-Enriched Light Exposure Alters Metabolic Function in Normal Weight AdultsMitigating the Effects of Blue Light - Sleep Foundation If you enjoyed this episode, check these out! What is the perfect nap duration?Why do you feel so tired after a big meal?Is your (artificial) sweet tooth killing you?

20 min
4 NOV

Difference between dry needling and acupuncture?

If you've seen a physiotherapist, you might’ve undergone needling with the promise it will reduce your pain. Did you receive dry needling or acupuncture? How can you tell the difference between the two? Norman and Tegan poke through the evidence to find out how effective these techniques can be. References: Similarities between Ashi acupoints and myofascial trigger points: Exploring the relationship between body surface treatment points Dry Needling versus Acupuncture: The Ongoing DebateAcupuncture: Past, Present, and Future Clinical Effectiveness of Dry Needling in Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain—An Umbrella Review Methodological challenges in design and conduct of randomised controlled trials in acupuncture Needling Point Location Used in Sham Acupuncture for Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-AnalysisComparison of dry needling and trigger point manual therapy in patients with neck and upper back myofascial pain syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysisAcupuncture for Chronic Pain: Individual Patient Data Meta-analysisAcupuncture for musculoskeletal pain: A meta-analysis and meta-regression of sham-controlled randomized clinical trialsMagic tricks are helping scientists understand the placebo effect and pain - ABC NewsIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Can you zap yourself buff with electrical muscle stimulation?Are office jobs ruining our bodies?Is gluten really the enemy?

21 min
28 OCT

What is lead doing in protein powder?

You might’ve seen headlines about high levels of lead being found in common protein supplements. With these products becoming more popular, the news has some eager gym-goers concerned about what they’re consuming. Norman and Tegan discuss how these results compare to our historical exposure – from Ancient Rome to Australia in the 1960s. References: Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead - Consumer ReportsBioaccumulation of lead (Pb) and its effects on human: A review Lead in Food and Foodwares - FDA Low Level Lead Exposure: History and Discovery Lead Toxicity: an Australian Perspective Some US protein powders contain high levels of lead. Can I tell if mine is safe? - the ConversationIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! How much protein do you REALLY need?Norman tried an ice bath so you don't have toWhy do hangovers get worse as we age?

22 min
21 OCT

Should you be avoiding perfumes and fragrances?

Once you go looking, you realise there are scents in everything – from skincare to cleaning supplies to candles. And of course, perfume. Are there any implications to our health from taking in natural and synthetic fragrances from all these products? Norman and Tegan sniff out the evidence when it comes to scent, and whether we should be worried. References: The first chemist in history may have been a female perfumer – here’s how the science of scents has changed since - the Conversation A Smelling Trip into the Past: The Influence of Synthetic Materials on the History of PerfumeryHealth and societal effects from exposure to fragranced consumer products – University of MelbourneEffects by inhalation of abundant fragrances in indoor air – An overview Cleaning at Home and at Work in Relation to Lung Function Decline and Airway ObstructionCleaning at Home and at Work in Relation to Lung Function Decline and Airway ObstructionSynthetic Endocrine Disruptors in Fragranced Products Do fragrant products like perfume, toilet paper and baby wipes cause cancer? - Cancer Council Characterization of phthalates exposure and risk for cosmetics and perfume sales clerks Chemical exposure and lung function in fragrance industry employees Butter and Plant-Based Oils Intake and Mortality - JAMAIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Don't sweat it? Conventional vs natural deodorantsWhy is everyone suddenly talking about seed oils?Are mobile phones giving us cancer?

21 min
14 OCT

Should you be flexible enough to touch your toes?

Whether you can or not, it feels like a sign of fitness to be able to reach down and touch your toes. But how important is flexibility when it comes to your physical fitness? Is it a necessary part of healthy ageing? Norman and Tegan stretch through the evidence on flexibility – when does it count, and how can you achieve it? References: Genetics of Muscle Stiffness, Muscle Elasticity and Explosive StrengthGenetic associations of body composition, flexibility and injury risk with ACE, ACTN3 and COL5A1 polymorphisms in Korean ballerinasWhole-spine dynamic magnetic resonance study of contortionists: anatomy and pathologyPractical recommendations on stretching exercise: A Delphi consensus statement of international research expertsThe ideal stretching routine – Harvard HealthHow stretching actually changes your muscles - Malachy McHugh for Ted-EdIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Working out? Why 'No Pain No Gain' is bullWhat on earth is grounding?!Can you zap yourself buff with electrical muscle stimulation?You can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

22 min
7 OCT

Butter vs margarine: what's better for you?

The battle between butter and margarine has been happening since margarine was invented in the 19th century. So have we figured out which one is better for your health – butter with its high saturated fat content, or margarine which is an ultra-processed food? Norman and Tegan unpack the winding history of this debate from its inception to the present day. References: The Butter Wars: When Margarine Was Pink – National Geographic The Butter-Margarine Controversy - 1946What the margarine vs butter argument says about nutrition – University of MelbourneDietary fats - Healthdirect What’s better, butter or margarine? - Diabetes Australia Serum cholesterol response to replacing butter with a new trans-free margarine in hypercholesterolemic subjectsIndividual Cholesterol Variation in Response to a Margarine- or Butter-Based Diet: A Study in FamiliesEffects of margarines and butter consumption on lipid profiles, inflammation markers and lipid transfer to HDL particles in free-living subjects with the metabolic syndromeBMI modifies the effect of dietary fat on atherogenic lipids: a randomized clinical trialFrom margarine to butter: predictors of changing bread spread in an 11-year population follow-upAssociation between dairy intake and multiple health outcomes: a scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses | European Journal of Clinical Nutrition Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses on Consumption of Different Food Groups and Risk of All-cause Mortality - ScienceDirectIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Is emu oil the new snake oil?Is daylight saving time bad for us?Should you be avoiding nightshades?You can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

21 min
30 SEPT

No-poo: why do we shampoo our hair?

Do you ever wonder while you’re shampooing and conditioning – is this really necessary? The no-poo movement encourages people to ditch their products and turn to homemade concoctions, or nothing at all. Norman and Tegan rinse out the evidence for and against hair care, and how we got here in the first place. References: Clean: A History of Personal Hygiene and PurityShampoo and Conditioners: What a Dermatologist Should Know?The "No-poo" Craze: What do Gwyneth Paltrow, Kim Kardashian, Adele and Howie Mandel have in common? They don’t "poo" - McGill UniversityEssentials of Hair Care often Neglected: Hair CleansingUnlocking the secrets of the hair microbiome: From scalp health to therapeutic advancesParabens in Cosmetics - US Food and Drug AdministrationIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Can you get away with skipping your daily shower?Which hair loss treatments actually work?Does magnesium work against muscle cramps?You can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

18 min
23 SEPT

Is running bad for your knees?

It’s marathon season, but whether you’re running 40 kilometres or four you might’ve wondered what it’s doing to your joints. It used to be thought things like osteoarthritis of the knee or the hip were caused by wear and tear, and running made things worse. Norman and Tegan jog through how the evidence has evolved, and answer the question: should you be hopping on the run club trend? References: Running and your knees - ABC listenEffects of Running on the Development of Knee Osteoarthritis: An Updated Systematic Review at Short-Term Follow-upThe Association of Recreational and Competitive Running With Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysisThe risk of osteoarthritis with running and aging: a 5-year longitudinal study. - AbstractCan marathon running improve knee damage of middle-aged adults? A prospective cohort studyHow much running is too much? Identifying high-risk running sessions in a 5200-person cohort studyUsing metformin to treat knee osteoarthritis - ABC listenChanging the brain to reduce pain and walk the Camino - ABC listenMetabolic syndrome meets osteoarthritis | Nature Reviews RheumatologyMechanical loading and orthobiologic therapies in the treatment of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA): a comprehensive reviewLeisure-Time Running Reduces All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality RiskIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out! Is sitting the new smoking?Sweaty sauna bathing for better healthIs being an Olympian bad for your health?You can listen to more episodes of the What’s That Rash? podcast with presenters Norman Swan and Tegan Taylor on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. We answer your questions on everything from TikTok wellness trends to wonder drugs and diet myths.

21 min

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Norman Swan

Host
Tegan Taylor

Host

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.