No Appointment Necessary

We’re giving you a peak behind the curtain as we share our first ever pilot episode of No Appointment Necessary, and it’s very fitting if you're doing Dry January. Join Cherry Healey and Dr Amir Khan as they take a look at alcohol. What it actually does to your body, your brain, and your hormones. Find out why women get drunk faster than men (and how your menstrual cycle, perimenopause and menopause change everything), plus why alcohol is technically a poison, why there’s no truly “safe” level of drinking, and how “wine o’clock” culture has shaped our relationship with booze. You’ll also learn why some people never get hangovers, what alcohol dependency really looks like, how to spot warning signs early, and practical ways to cut back without missing out. We've partnered with ⁠Randox Health⁠. Take their Everyman and Everywoman health check at ⁠randoxhealth.com⁠ - just use the code NAN15 to save 15%. Results will arrive in just 2 hours from your sample arriving at the lab. Have a question, feedback, or want to suggest a topic? Email: [email protected] Watch & listen on YouTube, Apple and Spotify. If this helped, please like, subscribe, and share. The content of No Appointment Necessary is for general information, it's not a substitute for a personalised medical assessment. Always consider your own medical history and personal circumstances before acting on any health information. A Viral Tribe Production Developed and produced by James Carpenter & Jo Scarratt-Jones 00:00 – Introduction 01:40 – What Happens in Your Body When You Drink Alcohol 03:55 – Alcohol and the Brain: Dopamine, Blackouts & Coordination 06:30 – Why Alcohol Is Addictive & the Dopamine Chase 08:40 – Do Men and Women Process Alcohol Differently? 11:10 – Menstrual Cycles, Perimenopause & Getting Drunker 14:30 – Hangovers, Genetics & Alcohol Intolerance 17:30 – Social Drinking, Mum Wine Culture & UK Drinking Habits 21:00 – Is There a Safe Way to Drink? Units, Limits & Dependency 25:45 – Cutting Back, Sober Curious & Healthier Dopamine Hits Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr Amir Khan and Cherry Healey open the surgery doors once again and answer your real health questions. We answer your questions on migraines, health anxiety, joint pain, bunions, strength training in later life and the everyday symptoms many people worry about but don’t always ask their GP. We've partnered with ⁠Randox Health⁠. Take their Everyman and Everywoman health check at ⁠randoxhealth.com⁠ - just use the code NAN15 to save 15%. Results will arrive in just 2 hours from your sample arriving at the lab. Have a question, feedback, or want to suggest a topic? Email: [email protected] Watch & listen on YouTube, Apple and Spotify. If this helped, please like, subscribe, and share. The content of No Appointment Necessary is for general information, it's not a substitute for a personalised medical assessment. Always consider your own medical history and personal circumstances before acting on any health information. A Viral Tribe Production Developed and produced by James Carpenter & Jo Scarratt-Jones Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:45 – Migraines: Triggers, Hormones & Stroke Risk 05:55 – Vaginal Oestrogen & Sex: Is It Safe for Partners? 07:15 – Smelly Armpits Without Excess Sweating 09:05 – Health Anxiety, Menopause & Medication 11:05 – Clicking Knees: Normal or Osteoarthritis? 12:40 – PCOS, High Testosterone & Excess Hair Growth 14:20 – Bunions: Can You Stop Them Getting Worse? 15:55 – Strength Training in Your 70s & Beyond 17:10 – Dizziness, Hydration & How Much Water You Really Need Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do early morning wake ups, cold painful hands, menopausal weight gain and cholesterol warnings all have in common? In this episode, Dr Amir Khan and Cherry Healey open the surgery doors and answer real questions sent in by listeners. From cortisol and poor sleep, Raynaud’s phenomenon, menopause and muscle loss, to sex drive mismatches, pregnancy discomfort and preparing for knee replacement surgery… this is practical, reassuring medical advice without the panic. Dr Amir says his wisdom on hormones, stress, blood tests, cholesterol numbers, lifestyle changes that actually work, and when medication really helps. We've partnered with ⁠Randox Health⁠. Take their Everyman and Everywoman health check at ⁠randoxhealth.com⁠ - just use the code NAN15 to save 15%. Results will arrive in just 2 hours from your sample arriving at the lab. Have a question, feedback, or want to suggest a topic? Email: [email protected] Watch & listen on YouTube, Apple and Spotify. If this helped, please like, subscribe, and share. The content of No Appointment Necessary is for general information, it's not a substitute for a personalised medical assessment. Always consider your own medical history and personal circumstances before acting on any health information. A Viral Tribe Production Developed and produced by James Carpenter & Jo Scarratt-Jones Chapters: 00:00 – Inside the Surgery: Listener Questions, No Prep 02:13 – Why Cortisol Wakes You Up at 3am 04:00 – Do Hormones Disrupt Sleep? 04:22 – Raynaud’s: When Cold Hands Become Painful 06:36 – Mismatched Sex Drives in Midlife 08:01 – Preparing for Knee Replacement Surgery 09:59 – Menopausal Weight Gain Explained 11:22 – Vertical Nail Splits After Illness 12:48 – Painful Sex During Pregnancy 14:25 – Cognitive Shuffling vs ADHD Brains 15:19 – Should You Worry About ‘Amber’ Cholesterol? 18:08 – Why This Surgery Is Coming Back Next Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Dr Amir Khan and Cherry Healey explore the real physical impact of grief and loss, from bereavement and miscarriage to heartbreak, job loss and losing a pet. Dr Amir explains why grief can cause symptoms like chest pain, palpitations, digestive problems, anxiety, low immunity and exhaustion, and he reveals the science behind Broken Heart Syndrome, a very real medical condition triggered by extreme emotional stress. Content warning: This episode discusses grief, bereavement, loss and emotional distress. Please make sure you’re in the right headspace before listening. If this episode brings up difficult feelings, you don’t have to deal with them alone. UK support: If you’re struggling or feel at risk, you can contact Samaritans free, 24/7 on 116 123, or visit samaritans.org. If you’re outside the UK, please seek local crisis support services in your country or speak to a trusted healthcare professional. We've partnered with ⁠Randox Health⁠. Take their Everyman and Everywoman health check at ⁠randoxhealth.com⁠ - just use the code NAN15 to save 15%. Results will arrive in just 2 hours from your sample arriving at the lab. Have a question, feedback, or want to suggest a topic? Email: [email protected] Watch & listen on YouTube, Apple and Spotify. If this helped, please like, subscribe, and share. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction – Understanding grief and loss00:37 – Welcome to No Appointment Necessary00:59 – Episode focus & sponsor message02:35 – What grief really is and why it hurts physically05:22 – Love, loss & broken heart syndrome08:30 – When to see your GP: grief vs depression10:55 – Healing over time & how the body adapts12:48 – How to support someone who is grieving27:16 – Miscarriage, pet loss & unseen grief34:53 – Health hack: showing up for others A Viral Tribe Production Developed and produced by James Carpenter & Jo Scarratt-Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of No Appointment Necessary, Dr Amir Khan and Cherry Healey look into one of the most important topics in modern health... your brain! From brain fog and menopause to Alzheimer’s, dementia, memory loss, stress and sleep, they share practical advice you can start using today. And can you really cut your risk of dementia by 60%? Dr Amir breaks down the latest research, and the simple lifestyle changes that make the biggest difference. The content of No Appointment Necessary is for general information, it's not a substitute for a personalised medical assessment. Always consider your own medical history and personal circumstances before acting on any health information. We've partnered with ⁠Randox Health⁠. Take their Everyman and Everywoman health check at randoxhealth.com - just use the code NAN15 to save 15%. Results will arrive in just 2 hours from your sample arriving at the lab. Have a question, feedback, or want to suggest a topic? Email: [email protected] Watch & listen on YouTube, Apple and Spotify. If this helped, please like, subscribe, and share. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction - What is brain fog?01:08 – Brain health: this week’s focus01:29 – Sponsor: Randox Health & biomarker testing02:24 – Causes of brain fog: hormones, sleep & mood05:21 – When memory issues need a GP check08:56 – Dementia vs Alzheimer’s explained09:29 – Inside the Alzheimer’s brain: plaques, tangles & inflammation11:45 – How to reduce dementia risk: exercise, sleep & diet14:29 – Hearing, sight & oral health links to brain function21:20 – Stress, cortisol & daily habits for a healthier brain A Viral Tribe Production Developed and produced by James Carpenter & Jo Scarratt-Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices