Title: Inside Health

For more than a year, this program has been delivering essential health insights. This week, we explore a breakthrough in menopause care: a newly approved, non-hormonal medication designed to alleviate hot flushes. By modulating the body’s thermoregulatory signals, the treatment is now accessible via the NHS in England for patients who are unable to undergo hormone replacement therapy. To understand the phenomenon firsthand, James investigates the physical sensations of a hot flush before examining the clinical evidence alongside resident GP Dr. Margaret McCartney.

The episode also features an interview with Dr. Manjula Meda, a microbiologist leading a controversial initiative to combat antimicrobial resistance. Dr. Meda’s research suggests that hospital water systems serve as incubators for resistant bacteria. Her solution? The complete removal of sinks from patient wards. James questions whether this drastic measure is both safe and effective.

In a lighter segment, we address a topic rarely discussed in polite conversation: flatulence. Professor Brantley Hall from the University of Maryland has engineered a device capable of detecting gas emissions to provide deeper insights into gut health. James agrees to test the "fart detector" by wearing it for three days, purely for the sake of science.

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. Programme Website

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