Saving Lives In Slow Motion

Dr Ayan Panja

Dr Ayan Panja puts health into context. A lifestyle medicine expert, author and family physician with over 25 years of experience, his unique blend of candour, perspective and knowledge make for a mind-expanding essential weekly bite-sized listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

232 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes232

Newest first

Feb 10, 2023 · 18 min
Motivation - how to get going
One of the hardest things people often find is to get going with things. How do you motivate yourself and how do you keep momentum going? I have struggled with procrastination myself in the past. In this episode I look at ways to make motivating yourself easier, the different drivers involved and what makes us tick when it comes to turning contemplation into action. The science of motivation: https://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2018/06/motivation Daniel Pink on motivation: https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_the_puzzle_of_motivation?language=en How to motivate others with MI techniques https://motivationalinterviewing.org/understanding-motivational-interviewing Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 3, 2023 · 15 min
Monkey Brain - our inner child and how to control it
Our monkey brain is the part of our brain that is impulsive and powerful, hijacking us when we are tired or stressed. Ever regretted shouting at someone? Ever gorged yourself on food and then regretted it? In this episode I explore why this happens, the links to our past experiences and our neuroanatomy. Links: Anatomy of the brain: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/anatomy-of-the-brain Dopamine and impulsivity: https://www.jneurosci.org/content/30/26/8888 Schizophrenia and the amygdala: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-74771-w Calming the monkey mind: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-empowerment-diary/201709/calming-the-monkey-mind Prof Steve Peters work on this subject of the chimp or monkey brain: https://chimpmanagement.com/books-by-professor-steve-peters/the-chimp-paradox/ THE HEALTH FIX: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Transform-Your-Weeks/dp/1914239296 Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 27, 2023 · 20 min
Leadership - why it matters in modern society and what makes a good one
TW: (this episode mentions death) Leadership takes many guises. Some people are born leaders and other have to learn it. What makes a good leader? No business or organisation could survive without it and we know how bad leadership can damage organisations. In this episode I look at types of leadership, the qualities of a good leader, what to do about toxic leaders and what sets a leader apart from other roles. Links: Understanding leadership: https://hbr.org/2004/01/understanding-leadership 12 types of leadership: https://www.usa.edu/blog/leadership-models/ Bad leadership: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikemyatt/2012/10/18/15-ways-to-identify-bad-leaders/?sh=7f03512115da Good leadership: https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/characteristics-good-leader/ Traits of successful leaders: https://www.forbes.com/sites/deeppatel/2017/03/22/11-powerful-traits-of-successful-leaders/?sh=5a85589e469f The future of leadership: https://quantic.edu/blog/2022/08/05/the-future-of-leadership-in-2030-6-new-disruptive-trends/ Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 20, 2023 · 18 min
Managing change - an important skill for life
Change can be fun or stressful depending on what it is. Until I did my GP training 20 years ago I didn’t realise that change needs to be managed. Change often happens ‘to’ us but we need to be mindful of how to manage it and particularly if we want to make changes for ourselves. Links: Bridges Transition model: https://wmbridges.com/about/what-is-transition/ Kotter’s Framework for change: https://www.kotterinc.com/methodology/8-steps/ The PDSA cycle: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/qsir-pdsa-cycles-model-for-improvement.pdf My IDEAL framework (at 29 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhN12lmePQE Order THE HEALTH FIX: https://rb.gy/uhvnxl Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 13, 2023 · 13 min
THE HEALTH FIX - out now: the only health manual you will ever need
Thank you for your support with the release of THE HEALTH FIX which has become an instant bestseller on Amazon. In this episode I dive into the method of the book by going over my own health story which was the catalyst for me writing it. I then look at The Health Loop which turns 'what' into ‘why’. I hope it makes sense and remember to cross refer to previous episodes. Links: Re-activation of viruses in long COVID: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20221116/SARS-CoV-2-infection-triggers-reactivation-of-latent-viruses-in-people-with-chronic-fatigue-syndrome.aspx The effects of sleep deprivation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5449130/ The ‘when’ of eating: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6520689/ Stress and its effect on body function: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5579396/ NICE guidance on Vitamin D supplementation: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph56 Buy THE HEALTH FIX now (UK): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Transform-Your-Weeks/dp/1914239296 Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 6, 2023 · 14 min
2023 - hopes and fears
Happy New Year! In this episode I look at the different ways people approach a 'new year' and discuss the principles I use myself to get through what is undoubtedly a tough time in history. A lot has happened over the past 2 years and we need a way of coming out of that. What are your plans for 2023? I’d love to hear from you on my socials. Links: Have people changed since COVID? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/28/covid-might-have-changed-peoples-personalities-study-suggests Sleep: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/why-do-i-wake-up-at-the-same-time-every-night Generalism and why I think it is crucial to society: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST6XEDcD_C4 My book THE HEALTH FIX: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Transform-Your-Weeks/dp/1914239296/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 9, 2022 · 16 min
Antibiotics - life saving double edged sword
Today’s episode is on antibiotics. The balance between increasing resistance and lack of effectiveness and saving lives is increasingly difficult to navigate. Antibiotic resistance: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance Longer term effects of antibiotics: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32319703/ Vitamin D and sepsis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6377223/ Sepsis information: https://www.sepsis.org/sepsis-basics/what-is-sepsis/ Invasive group A strep info iGAS - a particular type of group A strep: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/group-a-strep/ Health Freaks trailer 2013: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEGH4hfxMfU Turmeric and infection: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326809 THE HEALTH FIX: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Transform-Your-Weeks/dp/1914239296 Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 2, 2022 · 16 min
Cancer - 101
TW: Today’s episode is on cancer which will affect one in two people. I look at the different types, the variables that cause it, whether there are ways of preventing cancer and also why some cancers are common and others not. Links: How cancer starts: https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/cell-division-and-cancer-14046590/ Why are cancers on the rise?: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2022/09/researchers-report-dramatic-rise-in-early-onset-cancers/ The commonest cancers: https://www.healthline.com/health/most-common-cancers Viruses and cancer: https://www.cancer.org/healthy/cancer-causes/infectious-agents/infections-that-can-lead-to-cancer/viruses.html David Servan-Schreiber, the author of *anti-cancer* (survived over 20 years after being given 3 months to live): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VNjuBgHIAw RAS genes and signalling: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2019.00965/full Dr Carl June and CAR T cell therapy: https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-releases/2022/november/car-t-cell-therapy-reaches-beyond-cancer Macmillan Cancer Support: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/ Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 25, 2022 · 18 min
Prevention - making it easy
This episode is about prevention. What do we mean by it and how can we make prevention accessible? There is prevention on a public health level but also we take precautions as individuals. I look at examples of both and try to separate out the different types plus a living example of prevention at work (Dr David Unwin). Links: Global patterns of disease: https://ourworldindata.org/burden-of-disease Non-communicable disease: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases Leading causes of global mortality: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/the-top-10-causes-of-death The DASH diet: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/dash-diet/art-20048456 Turmeric and Alzheimer’s Disease: https://actaneurocomms.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40478-018-0577-2 Press ups and heart disease: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2724778 Dr David Unwin and his work on diabetes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlKDM3SDHPA Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 18, 2022 · 18 min
Personalised Medicine - it's already here
Personalised medicine is the future. We live in a world of AI and machine learning and the expectation of medicine is to be more precise. Can we get half way there ourselves by thinking about things a certain way? How do we get to the root cause? Leroy Hood: https://isbscience.org/bio/leroy-hood/ P4 medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4204402/ The counterpoint to P4 medicine: https://academic.oup.com/jalm/article/4/1/108/5603054 David Unwin’s work on type 2 diabetes: https://collegeofmedicine.org.uk/our-beyond-pills-campaign-dr-david-unwin-on-beating-diabetes-with-diet-and-how-his-own-merseyside-practice-has-saved-68000-a-year-on-drugs/ Group consultations: https://www.england.nhs.uk/gp/case-studies/group-consultations-together-patients-are-stronger/ Leafyard: AI driven mental health app (COI: I am in a partnership with Leafyard): https://www.leafyard.com/healthfix Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 11, 2022 · 15 min
Teamwork - the secrets of great teamship
Why is teamwork important? Are teams all they’re cracked up to be? What makes a good team? Is it personalities, culture or beyond? In the episode I look at what makes teams work and what factors to consider when creating an effective team. Do listen right to the end until I get to the bit where you I leave you with some thoughts as I'd love to hear your analysis Links: Hackman’s five factor model: http://www.free-management-ebooks.com/faqld/development-03.htm Why teams don’t work: https://hbr.org/2009/05/why-teams-dont-work Belbin - Dr Meredith Belbin’s tool used commonly to work out what your role in a team might be: https://www.belbin.com A story of teams trying something different: https://willitmaketheboatgofaster.com/about/ "Forming, norming, storming and performing": https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_86.htm Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 4, 2022 · 13 min
Toxic people
TW: I talk about manipulation and harm in relationships. Toxic people drain us. Is it 'them' or their behaviours? Many people develop these toxic behaviours because of their early life. In this episode I discuss the features to look out for and what we can do about them. Toxic traits: https://www.betterup.com/blog/toxic-traits Toxic people - another view: https://www.purewow.com/wellness/traits-of-toxic-people Everyday narcissism: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-author-speaks/201708/everyday-narcissism Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 28, 2022 · 19 min
Allergies
Allergies are on the rise and can range from mild to life threatening. In this episode I look at how they originate, why they are increasing in prevalence and what we can do about it. The show notes and links below contain texting methods and some of the many themes covered in this episode. (TW: I talk about a case of life threatening anaphylaxis). Links: The allergic cascade: https://www.medicinenet.com/allergic_cascade/article.htm Cows Milk Allergy - IgE and non-IgE: https://www.allergyuk.org/about-allergy/allergy-in-childhood/cows-milk-allergy/ Peanut allergy - the LEAP study: https://www.leapstudy.co.uk Anaphylaxis: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/anaphylaxis/ The Hygiene Hypothesis - outdated?: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1700688114 Rook and the Old Friends Hypothesis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3868387/ Gut flora and allergies: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/gut-microbes-may-be-key-to-solving-food-allergies/ Intolerances: https://www.allergyuk.org/about-allergy/allergy-vs-intolerance/ Vitamin D and allergy: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4369152/ Immunotherapy: https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/fact-sheet/allergen-immunotherapy/ MI allergy: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4689087/ Testing methods for allergies: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/allergy-testing Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 21, 2022 · 20 min
Depression and anxiety
Both of these potentially debilitating conditions are often experienced together and affect up to 1 in 4 people at any time. In this episode I look at the underlying reasons, what we can do about them and how to approach depression and anxiety practically. Links: NHS waiting list: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/nhs-mental-health-waiting-list-b2145432.html Definitions and statistics: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/statistics-and-facts-about-mental-health/how-common-are-mental-health-problems/ The genetic basis of depression: https://journals.lww.com/hrpjournal/fulltext/2015/01000/genetic_determinants_of_depression__recent.1.aspx DNA methylation and depression: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6362194/ NICE guidance and treatment of depression: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng222 CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy): https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/overview/ Adolescent depression: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/drt/2020/5951792/ Cultural influences on mental health: https://pha.berkeley.edu/2017/04/16/cultural-influences-on-mental-health/ Box breathing: https://www.healthline.com/health/box-breathing Mindfulness (being in the moment): https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/drugs-and-treatments/mindfulness/about-mindfulness/ The Power of Now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Now-Guide-Spiritual-Enlightenment/dp/0340733500 Pre-order my book now: THE HEALTH FIX > https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Transform-Your-Weeks/dp/1914239296 Leafyard (CBT based app): Leayard.com/actnow Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 14, 2022 · 17 min
Jealousy
Jealousy is something most of us have experienced from both sides. In this episode I look at the different types of jealousy, the reasons behind it, and discuss whether it can be ‘normal’ or not. The evolutionary psychology of jealousy: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5609545/ Jealousy in the first year of life: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5302134/ Othello syndrome: https://www.medicinenet.com/othello_syndrome/definition.htm Famous examples of jealousy from books and films: https://blog.ted.com/9-memorable-manic-moments-of-jealousy-in-literature/ Keeping up with the Joneses: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26190653/ Managing jealousy and abusive behaviours: https://respectphoneline.org.uk/resources/resources-for-perpetrators/factsheets-hp/managing-jealousy/ Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 7, 2022 · 18 min
Self-care
Self-care sounds pretty obvious but is it? There are so many definitions of self-care and here I make the argument that it is actually totally individual. We know the public health messaging around the basics such as alcohol, smoking, diet, exercise and sleep, but self-care goes way beyond these. What do you think of as self-care? We explore more in this episode. Links: The Health Fix (pre-order): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Transform-Your-Weeks/dp/1914239296 The self-care continuum: https://www.selfcareforum.org/about-us/what-do-we-mean-by-self-care-and-why-is-good-for-people/ The benefits of exercise: https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/exercise-benefits-weekend-two-days-1874641 Garlic ; ) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7570905/ Extra Virgin Olive Oil: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30487558/ Maslow’s hierarchy: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-the-5-levels-of-maslows-hierarchy-of-needs Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 30, 2022 · 18 min
A good death
TW: Today’s episode covers death. What is a good death and is it important? In my work I see examples of good and bad deaths depending on how it is perceived by those who bear witness to it and those left behind. I discuss whether death planning is something we should talk about more as a society as death is an inevitable part of life. Links: BMJ article - A good death: https://www.bmj.com/content/320/7228/129 Elisabeth Kubler-Ross: https://www.ekrfoundation.org/elisabeth-kubler-ross/quotes/ Euthanasia: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8857436/ Merope Mills article: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/sep/03/13-year-old-daughter-dead-in-five-weeks-hospital-mistakes Marie Curie (end of life care charity): https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/blog/we-cant-prevent-death/153956 Death planning: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/talkabout/articles/get-your-planning-checklist/260241 Why smell is so evocative: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3782615/ Puja flowers (my favourite smell): https://www.thedailystar.net/lifestyle/spotlight/flowers-my-goddess-159139 Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 23, 2022 · 16 min
Feedback - how to give it, how to take it and what to do with it
Feedback is a part of everyday life. It is used in most industries as a learning tool but is it help or hindrance? Here I look at types of feedback and how we can give and receive it better. Links: Building a feedback culture: https://hbr.org/2013/12/building-a-feedback-rich-culture Pendleton feedback rules: https://www.thecoach.zone/a-method-of-delivering-a-great-feedback-session-pendletons-rules/ Giving feedback effectively: https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/how-to-give-feedback-effectively Types of feedback: https://www.betterup.com/blog/types-of-feedback Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 16, 2022 · 15 min
Failure - an essential part of success?
Failure and feelings of failure are common. Where do they come form? Why do some people feel like failures when others don’t? I explore this and ways to combat feelings of failure in our lives. Schema: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F624Baz-Vzk Human failure and its types: https://www.hse.gov.uk/humanfactors/topics/types.pdf Failure is essential for success: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/failure-found-to-be-an-essential-prerequisite-for-success/ My musings on failure - BMJ 2003: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC261763/ Leafyard app - one of many CBT based apps which can help with false beliefs: https://www.leafyard.com/actnow Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 9, 2022 · 15 min
Burnout - spot the signs and stop it in it's tracks
TW: This is a topic close to my heart having had colleagues and friends succumb to it. In the UK it has never been a harder time to be a doctor, but it’s not about us - burnout can affect anyone. I hope you find the episode and these links useful. Burnout - a paper by Prof Maslach: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4911781/ Burnout and the brain: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/burnout-and-the-brain Burnout recovery tips: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/burnout-recovery#assessment Dr Claire Ashley, burnout survivor and coach: https://www.drclaireashley.com Dr Kim Hires, TikTok burnout coach: https://www.tiktok.com/@drkimhires?is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1 For anyone working in the NHS who feels they need help for burnout: https://www.practitionerhealth.nhs.uk Micro breaks: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/10-minute-micro-breaks-may-help-prevent-worker-burnout-study-finds Save your life in slow motion and those of others by subscribing now and sharing. Thank you for listening and for your support. It means a lot to me. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.