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Series that demystifies health issues, bringing clarity to conflicting advice.

Series that demystifies health issues, separating fact from fiction and bringing clarity to conflicting health advice.

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Inside Health: 20/10/2020

20/10/2020

BBC Radio 4 - Inside Health, 20/10/2020

What's the best way to boost oxygen levels in Covid-19 patients?

A trial testing different ways of improving oxygen levels in the sickest Covid-19 patients, how effective is online physiotherapy - and who's best at swabbing for the coronavirus?

Covid-19 damages the lungs, leaving people struggling to get enough oxygen into their body.  In the early stages of the pandemic many patients needed a lot of support in intensive care - including  artificial ventilation.  But there are other ways of boosting oxygen levels in the body - which are being studied in the Recovery-RS trial. Professor Gavin Perkins from the University of Warwick is comparing oxygen delivered by a mask called CPAP with both regular and high-flow oxygen to see which works best. 

Physiotherapy is one of the hands-on therapies which has been disrupted by the lockdown. Patients who need to do bespoke exercises following a fall or a heart attack might have been offered online sessions instead.  But Manchester University researcher Dr Helen Hawley-Hague says these don't suit everyone - including people who don't have access to the internet or a smartphone. We hear from Jennifer and George - both of them have taken part in Helen's studies and have accessed physiotherapy either face-to-face or via a phone app.  

An Inside Health listener wanted to know if live vaccines like the polio vaccine could protect us against Covid.  Oxford University's Andy Pollard explains about the theory behind this idea and how it might help.  

Dr Margaret McCartney looks at whether it makes a difference if you do a Covid throat and nose yourself - or if it's carried out by a healthcare professional.

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20/10/2020

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