It’s time for your weekly dose of medicine!
Learn from medical doctors, healthcare professionals and research experts about the fundamentals of health and disease.
All episodes originally appeared as live segments on ABC Radio Hobart.
Series organised & curated by Dr Lila Landowski
World Digestive Health Day with Gastroenterologists Dr Dean Al-Hajjiri and Dr Steve Chung
Dean and Steve spoke to Kylie Baxter live on ABC Radio for World Digestive Health Day 2025Dr Dean Al-Hajjiri, Consultant Gastroenterologist at the Hobart Private Hospital, Calvary & Royal Hobart Hospital; Honorary lecturer, University of Tasmania
Dr Steve Chung, Consultant Gastroenterologist at the Hobart Private Hospital
Series curated & organised by Dr Lila Landowski
Keywords: digestive health, colonoscopy, gastrointestinal health, bowel cancer, gut health, colon health, endoscopy, bowel preparation, reflux, diverticulitis
Summary
In this conversation, gastroenterologists Dr. Dean Al-Hajiri and Dr. Stephen Chung discuss the significance of digestive health, focusing on colonoscopies, their preparation, and common gastrointestinal issues. They explain the procedure, its importance in detecting potential health problems, and address common concerns about pain and preparation. The discussion also touches on dietary factors affecting gut health and humorous anecdotes from their experiences in the field.
Takeaways
World Digestive Health Day emphasizes the importance of digestive health.
A colonoscopy is a procedure to examine the large intestine.
Preparation for a colonoscopy is crucial for accurate results.
Colonoscopy can detect and treat issues like polyps and cancer.
Screening can significantly reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer.
Coffee consumption has health benefits when kept to moderate levels.
Reflux is common but can indicate serious health issues if persistent.
Colonics lack evidence of benefit and can pose risks.
Bowel blockages can be caused by scar tissue or cancer.
Gastroenterologists play a key role in diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal cancers.
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Digestive Health and Colonoscopies
04:42 The Importance of Colonoscopy Preparation
08:59 Common Gastrointestinal Issues and Their Treatments
13:00 Unusual Findings During Colonoscopies
2 Jan 2026
The Hidden Dangers of Hypertension with Cardiologist Dr Andrew Black & Hypertension Research Fellow Dr Niamh Chapman
Dr Andrew Black & Dr Niamh Chapman joined Kylie Baxter live on ABC Radio to discuss hypertension for World Hypertension Day.Dr Andrew Black: Consultant Cardiologist, Royal Hobart Hospital; Senior Lecturer University of Tasmania
Dr Niamh Chapman: Senior Research Fellow (Hypertension research), Lead of the People and Systems Hypertension team, University of Sydney
Segment organised & curated by Dr Lila Landowski.
Keywords: hypertension, blood pressure, heart health, lifestyle changes, monitoring, atrial fibrillation, alcohol, weight management, DASH diet, health awareness
Summary:
This conversation explores the critical connection between hypertension and heart health, emphasizing the importance of monitoring blood pressure, understanding lifestyle changes, and addressing related health issues such as atrial fibrillation. Experts Dr. Andrew Black and Dr. Neve Chapman provide insights into effective management strategies, the role of diet and exercise, and the impact of alcohol consumption on blood pressure.
Takeaways
Hypertension is high blood pressure that can lead to serious health issues.
Regular monitoring of blood pressure is crucial for awareness.
Home blood pressure monitors can help track changes effectively.
Lifestyle changes can significantly lower blood pressure.
The DASH diet is recommended for managing hypertension.
Limiting sodium intake is essential for blood pressure control.
Alcohol consumption should be moderated to manage blood pressure.
Weight loss, even modest, can improve blood pressure readings.
Atrial fibrillation is linked to high blood pressure and requires management.
Support from healthcare professionals can aid in lifestyle changes.
Chapters
00:00 Understanding Hypertension and Its Importance
03:38 Monitoring Blood Pressure Effectively
06:38 Lifestyle Changes to Manage Hypertension
10:41 The Role of Medications and Treatment Options
12:02 Addressing Obesity and Its Impact on Hypertension
31 Dec 2025
The Art of Emergency Medicine: Fixing Broken Bones with Prof Viet Tran
Prof Viet Tran joins Kylie Baxter live in the ABC Radio Studio
Prof Viet Tran
Emergency Physician, Royal Hobart Hospital
Professor of Emergency Medicine, UTAS
Founding Director TASER Institute
Chair, Tasmanian Health Senate
Segment organised & curated by Dr Lila Landowski.
Keywords: emergency medicine, broken bones, pain management, recovery, emergency department, twilight sedation, osteoporosis, personal stories, injury experiences
Summary
In this conversation, emergency physician Viet Tran discusses the complexities of treating broken bones and injuries in the emergency department. He explains the pain management techniques used, including the green whistle and twilight sedation, and emphasizes the importance of preventative health measures to avoid injuries. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by emergency departments and shares personal stories from listeners about their experiences with injuries.
Takeaways
Emergency physicians prioritize pain management for patients.
The green whistle is a unique pain relief device.
Twilight sedation helps patients during painful procedures.
Accidents are the most common cause of broken bones.
Recovery from a broken bone typically takes six weeks.
Preventative health is crucial for bone health.
Emergency departments face universal challenges.
Teamwork and collegiality are vital in emergency medicine.
Dislocations can be more painful than clean breaks.
Personal stories highlight the commonality of injuries.
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