Case Notes
Childrens' Health At School
broadcast on Wed, 16 Sep 2009, 16:30 on BBC Radio 4
Schools are playing an increasingly important role in the health of our children. As well as caring for pupils with serious health issues, much attention and funding is also being directed towards the prevention of illness and healthy living. School nurses are the ones who are charged with delivering these important public health messages; Dr Mark Porter finds out just how much the role of school nurse has changed.
After a cold winter with little sunlight lack of vitamin D is common, but how do you know if your levels are too low? Traditionally lack of Vitamin D is linked with poor bone health, but new studies suggest that milder deficiency may also be linked to asthma, some cancers and diabetes. Dr Mark Porter investigates and hears from a night shift worker who had such excruciating pain in her hands she thought that she had arthritis - when her doctor checked for vitamin D levels, 3 weeks of supplements cured the pain.
Related Links
Institute of Health Sciences Education: Trial of Vitamin D Supplementation in Asthma (www.ihse.qmul.ac.uk)
IHSE: Trial of Vitamin D Supplementation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (www.ihse.qmul.ac.uk)
Food Standards Agency (www.food.gov.uk)
Case Notes
Trauma
Broadcast 04/05/2010 @ 21:00 on BBC Radio 4
Dr Mark Porter visits the Trauma Centre at the Royal London Hospital, in East London. It has set up teams of experts to rapidly deliver treatments to those who are seriously injured, following a model of care that was established in the United States. This approach has been shown to save lives and improve the outcome for severely injured patients.
The Royal London Hospital Trauma Centre treats around 1400 patients a year, and about a quarter of these are very seriously injured. This can be the result of knife or gunshot wounds, traffic accidents, burns or falls. The team was heavily involved in the treatment of the victims of the London bombings in 2005. The Trauma Centre is now one of three in London, which are collaborating to provide the best treatment to the capital.
Mark Porter spends a day with the team of doctors and nurses, to find out how they work together to save the lives of the seriously injured.
Related Links
* Barts and the London (www.bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk)
* An overview of trauma care in the UK and what can be done to improve it (www.ncepod.org.uk)
* New trauma network in London (BBC News)
Case Notes
Occupational Health
broadcast on Wed, 8 Apr 2009, 16:30 on BBC Radio 4
Dr Mark Porter explores men's health in the workplace and how even the threat of redundancy can make you ill.
Mark visits the Olympic venue for London 2012 to talk to doctors and construction workers about the importance of having on-site facilities. He also hears how cab drivers on Merseyside are giving tips on stopping smoking and becoming more healthy by eating five portions of fruit and veg per day. Also, how the Metropolitan Police are managing the stress levels of their officers.
Case Notes - mephedrone
Broadcast on 06/04/2010 @ 21:00 on BBC Radio 4
Dr Mark Porter returns with a new series of Case Notes.
The dangers to health from the misuse of drugs have been much in the news - particularly the concerns surrounding the so-called legal high, mephedrone.
In this edition of Case Notes, Mark talks to the scientist who led the group of experts which recommended the drug be made illegal and to young people about their experiences of taking mephedrone.
He also hears the latest evidence on the link between schizophrenia and cannabis, and why cocaine is bad for the heart and the brain.
Case Notes
Iron Deficient Anaemia
broadcast on 27/04/2010 @ 21:00 on BBC Radio 4.
Iron deficient anaemia is common but so are the uncomfortable side effects from the tablets used to treat it. Dr Mark Porter hears the wide ranging causes of this form of anaemia, and visits Birmingham hospitals where new techniques are being used to manage the condition. He asks when the lack of iron may indicate something more serious.
Producer: Erika Wright.
Related Links
# Food Standards Agency: Iron Deficiency (www.eatwell.gov.uk)
# UK Anaemia (ukanaemia.co.uk)
# Patient UK: Iron Deficiency Anaemia (www.patient.co.uk)
# The Haemophilia Society (www.haemophilia.org.uk)
# NHS Blood and Transplant: Managing Anaemia in the Community
Case Notes
Internet
broadcast on Wed, 23 Sep 2009, 16:30 on BBC Radio 4
The internet is changing the face of medicine. Eight out of every ten people now use it to search for health information, and some go on to self-diagnose and treat their illnesses. But is it safe to play doctor? And can ordinary citizens with a computer really replace years of medical training?
Dr Mark Porter looks at what the web has to offer healthcare and asks where we can find helpful and accurate advice. Wikipedia is a popular source of information, but should it be trusted? Kevin Clauson from Nova Southeastern University discusses his findings.
There's also the issue of online pharmacies - a common choice for people seeking value for money. The websites are not always hosted in the UK and many are completely unregulated. Dr Porter finds out about the risks and how to avoid buying a box full of counterfeits.
Case Notes
Head Injuries
broadcast on Wed, 9 Sep 2009, 16:30 on BBC Radio 4
Dr Mark Porter on how best to help people rebuild their lives after a head injury. Damage to the brain affects people in all kinds of ways, both physically and emotionally. At the Bath Neuro Rehabiliation Services, Mark discovers how timely intervention can reduce problems.
Case Notes
Food Intolerance
broadcast on Wed, 15 Apr 2009, 16:30 on BBC Radio 4
Dr Mark Porter reports on food intolerance. Many people think they have an intolerance or an allergy to certain foods. Mark discovers the difference between these conditions and asks what happens when we go to a clinic to be investigated.
Case Notes
Eczema
broadcast on Wed, 5 Aug 2009, 16:30 on BBC Radio 4
Dr Mark Porter visits the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology in Nottingham to find out about the latest reasearch into treating the symptoms of eczema.
One in five children and one in twelve adults are affected by eczema, the dry, cracked and itchy skin commonly found in the crooks of the elbows and knees. Many children grow out of the disorder, but others face a lifetime of creams, moisturisers and trying not to scratch.
There is a lot of conflicting advice about childhood eczema, so Mark visits the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology to examine the known causes and the best ways of treating the disorder. Will changing your child's diet or getting rid of the family pet make any difference? And what is the safest and most effective way to use steroid creams?
The Centre is also investigating new treatments. Prof Hwyel Williams is currently running a trial to find out if installing a water softener in the home can improve symptoms. But having eczema isn't just about the skin. Mark also finds out about the psychological scars caused by having a severe skin complaint in school, and speaks to a mother and son who are doing their best to keep eczema under control.
Diabetes is the cause of 100 amputations every week in the UK. One of the commonest consequences of diabetes is restriction of blood flow to different organs and parts of the body. With reduced blood flow in the feet, sufferers are at considerable risk of developing dangerously infected ulcers. If the ulcers are not caught in time, many patients have to lose their feet or legs in order to save their lives
In this edition of Case Notes, Dr Mark Porter visits the specialist diabetic foot clinic at King's College Hospital in London. There he talks to doctors, surgeons and foot specialists about the risks of life-threatening complications of diabetes in the feet, and hears about the various treatments and surgical operations which are helping to reduce the number of amputations for their patients. Mark also talks to patients about their experiences of the insidious threat from foot ulcers and how they've been treated.
Replies
Vitamin D
20-04-2010
After a cold winter with little sunlight lack of vitamin D is common, but how do you know if your levels are too low? Traditionally lack of Vitamin D is linked with poor bone health, but new studies suggest that milder deficiency may also be linked to asthma, some cancers and diabetes. Dr Mark Porter investigates and hears from a night shift worker who had such excruciating pain in her hands she thought that she had arthritis - when her doctor checked for vitamin D levels, 3 weeks of supplements cured the pain.
Related Links
Institute of Health Sciences Education: Trial of Vitamin D Supplementation in Asthma (www.ihse.qmul.ac.uk)
IHSE: Trial of Vitamin D Supplementation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (www.ihse.qmul.ac.uk)
Food Standards Agency (www.food.gov.uk)
Case Notes - Vitamin D - 20-04-2010.mp3
Trauma
Broadcast 04/05/2010 @ 21:00 on BBC Radio 4
Dr Mark Porter visits the Trauma Centre at the Royal London Hospital, in East London. It has set up teams of experts to rapidly deliver treatments to those who are seriously injured, following a model of care that was established in the United States. This approach has been shown to save lives and improve the outcome for severely injured patients.
The Royal London Hospital Trauma Centre treats around 1400 patients a year, and about a quarter of these are very seriously injured. This can be the result of knife or gunshot wounds, traffic accidents, burns or falls. The team was heavily involved in the treatment of the victims of the London bombings in 2005. The Trauma Centre is now one of three in London, which are collaborating to provide the best treatment to the capital.
Mark Porter spends a day with the team of doctors and nurses, to find out how they work together to save the lives of the seriously injured.
Related Links
* Barts and the London (www.bartsandthelondon.nhs.uk)
* An overview of trauma care in the UK and what can be done to improve it (www.ncepod.org.uk)
* New trauma network in London (BBC News)
Case Notes - Trauma - 04-05-2010.mp3
Occupational Health
broadcast on Wed, 8 Apr 2009, 16:30 on BBC Radio 4
Dr Mark Porter explores men's health in the workplace and how even the threat of redundancy can make you ill.
Mark visits the Olympic venue for London 2012 to talk to doctors and construction workers about the importance of having on-site facilities. He also hears how cab drivers on Merseyside are giving tips on stopping smoking and becoming more healthy by eating five portions of fruit and veg per day. Also, how the Metropolitan Police are managing the stress levels of their officers.
Case Notes - Occupational Health.mp3
Broadcast on 06/04/2010 @ 21:00 on BBC Radio 4
Dr Mark Porter returns with a new series of Case Notes.
The dangers to health from the misuse of drugs have been much in the news - particularly the concerns surrounding the so-called legal high, mephedrone.
In this edition of Case Notes, Mark talks to the scientist who led the group of experts which recommended the drug be made illegal and to young people about their experiences of taking mephedrone.
He also hears the latest evidence on the link between schizophrenia and cannabis, and why cocaine is bad for the heart and the brain.
Related Links
Frank (www.talktofrank.com)
DrugScope (www.drugscope.org.uk)
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk)
Case Notes - Mephedrone - 06-04-2010.mp3
Iron Deficient Anaemia
broadcast on 27/04/2010 @ 21:00 on BBC Radio 4.
Iron deficient anaemia is common but so are the uncomfortable side effects from the tablets used to treat it. Dr Mark Porter hears the wide ranging causes of this form of anaemia, and visits Birmingham hospitals where new techniques are being used to manage the condition. He asks when the lack of iron may indicate something more serious.
Producer: Erika Wright.
Related Links
# Food Standards Agency: Iron Deficiency (www.eatwell.gov.uk)
# UK Anaemia (ukanaemia.co.uk)
# Patient UK: Iron Deficiency Anaemia (www.patient.co.uk)
# The Haemophilia Society (www.haemophilia.org.uk)
# NHS Blood and Transplant: Managing Anaemia in the Community
Case Notes - Iron Deficient Anaemia - 27-04-2010.mp3
Internet
broadcast on Wed, 23 Sep 2009, 16:30 on BBC Radio 4
The internet is changing the face of medicine. Eight out of every ten people now use it to search for health information, and some go on to self-diagnose and treat their illnesses. But is it safe to play doctor? And can ordinary citizens with a computer really replace years of medical training?
Dr Mark Porter looks at what the web has to offer healthcare and asks where we can find helpful and accurate advice. Wikipedia is a popular source of information, but should it be trusted? Kevin Clauson from Nova Southeastern University discusses his findings.
There's also the issue of online pharmacies - a common choice for people seeking value for money. The websites are not always hosted in the UK and many are completely unregulated. Dr Porter finds out about the risks and how to avoid buying a box full of counterfeits.
Case Notes - Internet.mp3
Head Injuries
broadcast on Wed, 9 Sep 2009, 16:30 on BBC Radio 4
Dr Mark Porter on how best to help people rebuild their lives after a head injury. Damage to the brain affects people in all kinds of ways, both physically and emotionally. At the Bath Neuro Rehabiliation Services, Mark discovers how timely intervention can reduce problems.
Case Notes - Head Injuries.mp3
Food Intolerance
broadcast on Wed, 15 Apr 2009, 16:30 on BBC Radio 4
Dr Mark Porter reports on food intolerance. Many people think they have an intolerance or an allergy to certain foods. Mark discovers the difference between these conditions and asks what happens when we go to a clinic to be investigated.
Case Notes - Food Intolerance.mp3
Eczema
broadcast on Wed, 5 Aug 2009, 16:30 on BBC Radio 4
Dr Mark Porter visits the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology in Nottingham to find out about the latest reasearch into treating the symptoms of eczema.
One in five children and one in twelve adults are affected by eczema, the dry, cracked and itchy skin commonly found in the crooks of the elbows and knees. Many children grow out of the disorder, but others face a lifetime of creams, moisturisers and trying not to scratch.
There is a lot of conflicting advice about childhood eczema, so Mark visits the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology to examine the known causes and the best ways of treating the disorder. Will changing your child's diet or getting rid of the family pet make any difference? And what is the safest and most effective way to use steroid creams?
The Centre is also investigating new treatments. Prof Hwyel Williams is currently running a trial to find out if installing a water softener in the home can improve symptoms. But having eczema isn't just about the skin. Mark also finds out about the psychological scars caused by having a severe skin complaint in school, and speaks to a mother and son who are doing their best to keep eczema under control.
Case Notes - Eczema.mp3
13/04/2010
Diabetes
Diabetes is the cause of 100 amputations every week in the UK. One of the commonest consequences of diabetes is restriction of blood flow to different organs and parts of the body. With reduced blood flow in the feet, sufferers are at considerable risk of developing dangerously infected ulcers. If the ulcers are not caught in time, many patients have to lose their feet or legs in order to save their lives
In this edition of Case Notes, Dr Mark Porter visits the specialist diabetic foot clinic at King's College Hospital in London. There he talks to doctors, surgeons and foot specialists about the risks of life-threatening complications of diabetes in the feet, and hears about the various treatments and surgical operations which are helping to reduce the number of amputations for their patients. Mark also talks to patients about their experiences of the insidious threat from foot ulcers and how they've been treated.
Related Links
Diabetic Foot Clinic at Kings College Hospital (www.kch.nhs.uk)
Diabetes UK (www.diabetes.org.uk)
Patient UK: Neuropathic Joints (Charcot Joints) (www.patient.co.uk)
Case Notes - Diabetes - 13 04 2010.mp3