Title: Inside Health

Episode Overview

Available for more than a year, this episode of Inside Health explores a range of medical innovations and personal health experiences.

New Treatment for Menopausal Symptoms A groundbreaking non-hormonal medication has received approval to alleviate hot flushes associated with menopause. By modulating the body’s internal cooling mechanisms, this drug offers a viable option for patients in England who are unable to undergo hormone replacement therapy and can now access it through the NHS. The program begins by examining the subjective experience of hot flushes before resident GP Dr. Margaret McCartney joins James to analyze the clinical evidence supporting this new treatment.

Combating Hospital-Acquired Infections In a segment focusing on antimicrobial resistance, James interviews Dr. Manjula Meda, a microbiologist leading an innovative initiative. Dr. Meda’s research suggests that hospital water systems may serve as incubators for resistant bacteria. To combat this, she is implementing a strategy that involves removing sinks from patient wards. The episode investigates whether this radical approach is both effective and safe.

The Science of Flatulence Turning to a topic often shrouded in silence, James discusses the science of flatulence with Professor Brantley Hall from the University of Maryland. Professor Hall has engineered a "fart detector" designed to measure emissions, aiming to gain deeper insights into gut health. To demonstrate the technology’s capabilities, James volunteers to wear the device on his trousers for a three-day trial, strictly for scientific purposes.

Credits * Presenter: James Gallagher * Producers: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell and Gerry Holt * Content Editor: Ilan Goodman * Production Coordinator: Stuart Laws

Inside Health is produced by the BBC’s Audio Science Unit in partnership with The Open University. For more information, visit the Programme Website.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-03-31 09:00:00 UTC