Chris and Xand van Tulleken take a deeper dive into type 2 diabetes and the bigger factors shaping one of the world's most common health conditions.

Joined by Dr Tamara Hibbert, they explore why type 2 diabetes rates are rising, the role of inequality and deprivation, and why some communities are disproportionately affected.

They also discuss how type 2 diabetes treatment has evolved, how important group consultations are in treating the condition, and what can happen when type 2 diabetes is not properly managed.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email us at [email protected].

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken

At the BBC:

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the ideas shaping our health and wellbeing.

In this episode, they turn their attention to type 2 diabetes. To understand this condition, they start with the basics: what blood sugar actually is, why our bodies need it, and how it is normally kept under control. They explore where blood sugar comes from, what healthy levels look like, and what happens when those levels become too high.

They then look at who is most at risk, and why the condition can affect so many parts of the body. Along the way, they discuss the symptoms people should look out for, and what to do if you're worried about your own health including going through the ‘8 care processes’ often described as a diabetes MOT.

To help them unpack it all, they’re joined by Dr Tamara Hibbert, Chair of Newham LMC and Diabetes UK Clinical Champion

If you want to get in touch, you can email us at [email protected].

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken

At the BBC:

Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith

Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where identical twin doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing.

In this episode, they dig into sleep disorders, including insomnia, restless leg syndrome and parasomnias, which include sleepwalking, sleep talking, and night terrors. They explore what it means to have healthy sleep.

Joining them is Dr Sophie West, a consultant respiratory physician and lead of Newcastle regional sleep service, with national roles across the OSA Alliance, British Thoracic Society, and NICE Sleep Disordered Breathing Guidelines group.

If you want to get in touch, you can email us at [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08000 665 123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken

At the BBC:

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken are back with a bonus episode, continuing their conversation on routines with ​​Bas Verplanken, Professor Emeritus of Social Psychology at the University of Bath.

They take a deeper look at how our routines influence our behaviour - do they matter more than our attitudes and beliefs? They also want to know whether routines help or hinder creativity and how our age and social roles shape the routines we form.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken

At the BBC:

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Welcome to What's Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the ideas shaping our health and wellbeing.

In this episode, they turn to routines. With many families heading back to school and September still feeling like a reset for a lot of us, there's no shortage of advice on building the perfect routine, or optimising the ones we have. But are routines actually good for our health and wellbeing? And when, if ever, is breaking one a good thing?

To help cut through the noise, they’re joined by Bas Verplanken, Professor Emeritus of Social Psychology at the University of Bath.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken

At the BBC:

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Chris and Xand van Tulleken continue their conversation about walking with Professor Steve Haake.

Recording in Sheffield's Botanical Gardens, they discuss how why creating opportunities for walking can have benefits far beyond physical health and how Steve got into researching walking. Together, they also take a closer look at public health initiatives, such as parkrun – one of the UK's most successful examples – examining why it has proved so popular and what it can teach us about encouraging lifelong physical activity.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, please email us at [email protected].

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken

At the BBC:

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

Welcome to What's Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the ideas shaping our health and wellbeing.

In this episode, recorded while walking through Sheffield Botanical Gardens, they turn their attention to one of the simplest and most accessible forms of exercise - walking.

Joined by Professor Steve Haake, Professor of Sport Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University and a leading expert on physical activity, they explore what happens in the body when we walk, how walking differs from running, and why such a simple activity can have such profound effects on our physical and mental health.

From weight management and cardiovascular fitness to stress, mood and social connection, they examine the evidence behind the many benefits of walking. Along the way, they tackle some common myths, including whether we really need 10,000 steps a day, whether faster is always better, and whether short walks are just as beneficial as longer ones.

They also discuss why modern life can make walking harder than ever, and ask what individuals, communities and policymakers can do to help us move more.

If you want to get in touch, you can email us at [email protected].

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken

At the BBC:

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken continue their conversation about crying with counselling psychologist Kimberley Wilson.

They look at why people have different thresholds for crying, why other people’s tears can make some of us feel uncomfortable and how we can manage that. They also ask Kimberley why some people can’t cry. Chris is one of those people. What can he do about it? They also discuss how crying shows up in therapeutic settings. Can showing emotion validate someone else’s experience?

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you can email us at [email protected].

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken

At the BBC:

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the ideas shaping our health and wellbeing.

In this episode, they turn to something many of us are familiar with - crying. We cry with laughter, with sadness, and in moments of awe or overwhelm, but it can also be a surprisingly confusing part of our emotional lives. Some people welcome a good cry, while others rarely, if ever, shed tears. Why do we cry? Why do we sometimes feel better after we cry? Is crying actually any good for us?

To help answer these questions, they’re joined once again by counselling psychologist Kimberley Wilson, host of What’s Up Docs? sister podcast Complex.

If you want to get in touch, you can email us at [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08000 665 123.

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken

At the BBC:

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken continue their conversation about relaxation with philosopher and author Julian Baggani.

They look at the history of relaxation, the activities we have chosen to do in order to switch off and how that has changed over the years. They also look at whether relaxation has become commodified and what that might mean for our ability to do it successfully.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, please email us at [email protected].

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken

At the BBC:

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.