This Podcast Will Kill You

This Podcast Will Kill You is an educational series that delves into the biology, history, and epidemiology of various diseases and medical mysteries. Hosted by Dr. Erin Welsh, a disease ecologist and epidemiologist, and Dr. Erin Allmann Updyke, a physician and epidemiologist, the podcast aims to make complex medical topics accessible and engaging for a broad audience.

August 5, 2026

Ep 218 The Lowdown on Statins

Raised low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is usually asymptomatic, so statin decisions depend on future cardiovascular risk rather than symptom relief. Mechanism, evidence, muscle symptoms, negative expectations, non-statin options and variable statin-like content in red yeast rice all shape balanced counselling and adherence.

July 28, 2026

Ep 217 The High Stakes of Cholesterol

Cardiology, primary-care and basic-science clinicians get a mechanism-led cholesterol review. It explains LDL, VLDL and HDL transport, atherosclerotic plaque formation, familial hypercholesterolaemia, cumulative LDL exposure and why premature cardiovascular disease in relatives should change risk assessment.

July 22, 2026

Ep 216 Cyclospora: Explosive Diarrhea Everywhere

Infectious-diseases, gastroenterology and emergency clinicians get a foodborne-parasite update for prolonged watery diarrhoea. Raw berries, herbs, salad leaves, travel and shared meals guide the exposure history, while targeted stool PCR or specific microscopy, hydration assessment, co-trimoxazole treatment and public-health reporting shape management.

July 15, 2026

Special Episode: Alev Scott & Cash Cow

Obstetrics-gynaecology, fertility and safeguarding teams get an ethical and clinical discussion of IVF, egg freezing, donor conception, surrogacy and donor breast milk. It distinguishes regulated milk-bank supply from informal online purchase and keeps informed consent, commercial pressure, cross-border treatment, multiple pregnancy and the future welfare of children in view.

July 8, 2026

Ep 215 The Hidden Depths of Earwax

ENT, general-practice and emergency clinicians get a practical cerumen review. It reframes earwax as protective rather than dirty, covering lubrication, acidic antimicrobial activity, epithelial clearance, impaction, hearing aids, earbuds, cotton-swab injury, safe softening and ear-candling harm.

July 1, 2026

Ep 214 Boogers: Digging for treasure

ENT, infectious-diseases and basic-science learners get a clinically useful review of nasal mucus, mucins, cilia, IgA, humidification and particle trapping. It turns runny nose, blocked nose, post-nasal drip, mucus colour and recurrent nose-picking into practical counselling points that help avoid unnecessary antibiotics.

June 24, 2026

Special Episode: Dr. Carl Elliott & The Occasional Human Sacrifice

A research ethics and human-factors discussion for clinicians, educators and investigators. Acute mental illness, impaired voluntariness, therapeutic misconception, authority gradients and institutional conflicts show why valid consent requires more than a signature and why unresolved participant-safety concerns may need independent escalation.

June 16, 2026

Ep 213 Burns Part 2: It’s like sci-fi but real

Acute-care and burns teams get a practical view of severe burns as systemic illness. Airway risk, circulation, fluid loss, infection prevention, debridement, wound cover and rehabilitation sit alongside grafts, dressings, scar prevention and long-term function.

June 9, 2026

Ep 212 Burns Part 1: The first million or so years

Burn assessment starts with mechanism, depth and total body surface area, not degree labels alone. The teaching separates superficial, partial thickness and full thickness patterns, then links circumferential swelling, inhalation risk and early physiology to escalation.

June 3, 2026

Special Episode: Alexandra Sifferlin & The Elusive Body

Persistent symptoms without a clear label need a plan, not another disconnected consultation. This conversation focuses on wrong, delayed and missed diagnoses, with practical habits around documenting uncertainty, safety-netting, follow-up, examination and team review when symptoms cross specialties.

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