What's That Rash?

Cold season is upon us, so it’s no wonder you’re side-eyeing that person coughing on the bus.But does a cough mean someone is still infectious? How do you know you’re in the clear to go back to work?Norman and Tegan talk through the science, and also how attitudes have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic.References:How Long Does a Cough Last? Comparing Patients’ Expectations With Data From a Systematic Review of the LiteratureAcute cough in outpatients: what causes it, how long does it last, and how severe is it for different viruses and bacteria? Estimating influenza latency and infectious period durations using viral excretion dataDuration of viral infectiousness and correlation with symptoms and diagnostic testing in non-hospitalized adults during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection: A longitudinal cohort studyHow the pandemic shaped presenteeism trends between healthcare and non-healthcare workers using the Korean working conditions surveys (2010–2023) Sickness Presenteeism in the Aftermath of COVID-19: Is Presenteeism Remote-Work Behavior the New (Ab)normal? Over‐the‐counter (OTC) medications for acute cough in children and adults in community settingsComprehensive evidence-based review on European antitussivesIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out!Is it OK to exercise when you're sick?Are office jobs ruining our bodies?Should you add snail slime to your skincare routine?

It’s good to be on top of your health – but how far would you go to ensure you’re staying healthy?Ads have popped up for full-body MRIs, promising to catch things from cancer to aneurysms.Norman and Tegan scan through the potential benefits and risks of looking inside seemingly healthy bodies. References:Principles of screening - Cancer CouncilIncidental Findings and Low-Value CarePrevalence of abnormalities in knees detected by MRI in adults without knee osteoarthritis: population based observational study (Framingham Osteoarthritis Study)Whole‐body MRI for preventive health screening: A systematic review of the literatureThe effects of incidental findings from whole-body MRI on the frequency of biopsies and detected malignancies or benign conditions in a general population cohort studyClinical value of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging in health screening of general adult populationLong-Term Psychosocial Consequences of Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Reporting of Incidental Findings in a Population-Based Cohort Study Impact of whole-body MRI in a general population studyElective MRI Screening of the General Public—Buyer BewareIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out!At-home DNA tests — what can they tell you?Do glasses make your eyesight worse?Can functional mushrooms really help treat cancer?

A cruise ship at the centre of a virus outbreak — sound familiar?Passengers and crew are beginning to disembark the MV Hondius after several cases of hantavirus sent them into quarantine. The virus is usually caught through contact with infected rodent urine, droppings or saliva. Transmission between humans is rare. Norman and Tegan answer common questions about the hantavirus, and how it compares to the handling of COVID-19.

How many times a week are you eating fish? What about oily fish, like salmon and tuna?Our dietary guidelines recommend the regular consumption of fish to potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia and even macular degeneration.Norman and Tegan dig into the oily history of fish, and whether supplements can have the same effect.References:The Man with a Fish on His Back: In the late 19th century cod-liver oil was proclaimed the cure for many ailments"Fishing" for the origins of the "Eskimos and heart disease" story: facts or wishful thinking?Omega-3 Fatty Acids - National Institutes of HealthThe relationship between polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammation: evidence from cohort and Mendelian randomization analysesOmega‐3 fatty acids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseaseRegular use of fish oil supplements and course of cardiovascular diseases: prospective cohort studyAssociations Between Plasma Omega-3 and Fish Oil Use With Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in the UK BiobankAssociations of fish oil supplementation with incident dementia: Evidence from the UK Biobank cohort studyOmega-3 Fatty Acids for the Management of Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Review Omega 3 fatty acids for preventing or slowing the progression of age‐related macular degenerationOmega-3 fatty acids for depression in adultsFish-Oil Supplementation and Cardiovascular Events in Patients Receiving HemodialysisIf you enjoyed this episode, check these out!Why is everyone suddenly talking about seed oils?Does magnesium work against muscle cramps?Why is the internet telling me to lower my cortisol?

Last year Norman made the shocking statement that people shouldn’t retire because it’ll be bad for their brains.After an influx of requests, we’ve looked at the evidence not only when it comes to brain health, but heart health, metabolic health and mental wellbeing.Norman and Tegan unpack the complex story of what happens to your brain and body when you retire – depending on the job you had.References:How Retirement Was Invented: The earliest schemes for financial support in old age were pegged to life expectancy Towards higher retirement incomes for Australians: a history of the Australian retirement income system since Federation Impact of retirement transition on health, well-being and health behaviours: critical insights from an overview of reviews Effect of retirement on cognitive function: the Whitehall II cohort study Retirement or no Retirement? The Decision’s Effects on Cognitive Functioning, Well-Being, and Quality of LifeRisk of Cognitive Declines With Retirement: Who Declines and Why?The Impact of Retirement on Cardiovascular Disease and Its Risk Factors: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal StudiesRetirement and mental health: Analysis of the Australian national survey of mental health and well-beingThe Effects of Retirement on Sense of Purpose in Life: Crisis or Opportunity?The Role of Meaning in the Retirement Transition: Scoping ReviewLife after work: how we can support retirees – R U OK? If you enjoyed this episode, check these out!Is NAD+ a miracle anti-ageing supplement?At-home DNA tests — what can they tell you?How much protein do you REALLY need?

It can be hard to keep up with food fads and diet trends (and spoiler: you don’t need to).But an intriguing assumption that has gained traction recently is that seed oils – think canola, sunflower, grapeseed – are terrible for you.Norman and Tegan unpack how that assumption has spread, and whether there’s any solid evidence to back it up.References:Biomarkers of Dietary Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Incident Cardiovascular Disease and MortalitySerum n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and risk of death: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor StudyOmega-6 fats to prevent and treat heart and circulatory diseasesPolyunsaturated fatty acids intake and risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, mental health, and type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studiesPerspective on the health effects of unsaturated fatty acids and commonly consumed plant oils high in unsaturated fatIf you’re worried about inflammation, stop stressing about seed oils and focus on the basics