From cons to cures, scams to scares and sifting fakes from facts. Health consumer show Con or Cure is dedicated to righting the wrongs of ‘bad medicine'. Dr Xand van Tulleken and journalist Ashley John-Baptiste scour the country to expose medical quacks, explode false news, explain topical health and showcase extraordinary cases. In a world of social media and information at our fingertips, they'll help you sift the right advice from the downright dangerous, shine a light on medical malpractice and criminal behaviour, and help you take your health in your own hands.
Two thousand and five hundred people die each year from mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos that is completely preventable. Liam and Helen are in their 30s and 40s but have been given the devastating diagnosis. Despite being a banned material, asbestos is still found in schools, hospitals, factories and many public buildings. So, how can we keep ourselves safe?
We investigate the dodgy practitioners offering cheap hair transplants leaving men with botched jobs and scarred scalps. Jerry lost his hair in his 20s and thought a transplant could help him get his confidence back. But he was left with excessive bleeding and patchy results. Renowned hair transplant surgeon Dr Greg Williams reveals what to look out for, how to choose the best clinic, and when to walk away.
Every year, thousands of people from the UK travel abroad for dental surgery. With the promise of affordable perfect gnashers, Turkey has become one of the go-to destinations for the Hollywood smile. But when Amanda from Belfast booked a trip to get some crowns done, it turned into a nightmare that took over 40 hours of dental repair back in the UK. Specialist dentist Dr Rhona Eskander advises on the red and green flags to look out for when considering dentistry abroad.
Epilepsy drug sodium valproate causes birth defects and developmental delay in babies whose mothers take the drug while pregnant. But when Susan got pregnant taking the drug, she wasn't aware of the life-changing consequences her epilepsy medication would have. Three babies a month are still being born after exposure to sodium valproate, and Susan campaigns to raise awareness of the issue.
The incredible story of the woman who can smell Parkinson's. Seventy-two-year-old Joy first recognised her superpower when she realised she could smell the disease in her own husband. She is now working with a team of medical scientists to help develop earlier detection of the illness.
When Clare from Bristol booked a cheap teeth whitening service through social media, her ‘too-good-to-be-true' treatment made eating and drinking very difficult. Dentist Dr Rhona Eskander reveals the red flags to look out for in the pursuit of a perfect smile.
We explore the dangerous side effects of some common acne medications and reveal the best tips and tricks for healthy, clear skin.
When Scottish couple Sheila and Michael took out a pre-payment funeral plan, they thought they were helping to make things easier for friends and relatives. But a visit from the police some months later revealed that they were one of tens of people ripped off by the undertaker, who had simply stolen their money.
When Jo from Broadstairs heard that her friend was battling cancer and needed £45,000 for treatment abroad, she flew into action. She organised concerts to raise money and enrolled the help of many friends in the process. But she was devastated to discover that the whole thing was a lie, enabling her friend to live a lavish lifestyle of champagne and casinos.
A revolutionary treatment for depression available on the high street. What gadgets can help seasonal affective disorder? Is neck cracking dangerous? And can cheese cause nightmares?
Can eating spicy curry cause ulcers? Advice on helping someone with an eating disorder. Beware of the small print in your travel insurance. And gadgets to help with headaches.
Do detoxing gadgets work? Tips on helping us with our sleep. A revolutionary scientific advance that might spell the end of mammograms. And the dangers of weight loss surgery abroad.
Can a public toilet seat cause infectious diseases? Are non-branded painkillers OK? The woman who spent £25000 on a cure that was a con. The dangers of low-cost cosmetic surgery.
Is there a cure for a hangover? Can drinking celery juice help with weight loss? The dangers of DIY dentistry. And advice on dealing with tinnitus.
A look at some of the latest back pain gadgets and robotic pets that help people with dementia. There's also a shocking tale of care home abuse. And is stifling a sneeze dangerous?
A look at the baby hearing test scandal and the dangers of home gel nail kits. Also, does reading in dim light damage our eyes, and can ice cure acne?
The dangers of home dental kits, how to be healthy in old age and the latest on painful mesh implants.
The dangers of using antidepressants long term, how to deal with stress, and the groundbreaking virtual reality treatment for stroke and brain injuries. Also, is aloe vera juice good for you?
A look at the online weight loss drugs that could kill you. Are allergy nasal sprays addictive, and can you die of a broken heart? Plus, the dangers of tattoo numbing cream.
A look at eye supplements and the dangers of buying prescription medication online. Also, is there a cure for hiccups, and can a red onion drink cure the cold?
The dangers of long-term steroid use for eczema. How to stop snoring. Can a base tan prevent sunburn? And why drinking saltwater can be fatal.
Are collagen supplements worth the money? Do microwaves remove the goodness from food? And is tongue scraping a good idea?
Can spices help with our health? Is drinking lettuce juice the key to a good night’s sleep? Are online food intolerance tests worth the money? And a look at the dangers of aerosol cans.
Tips on getting a good night’s sleep, and is castor oil a cure-all? Also, a look at the dangers of skin-lightening creams, and whether crossing your legs can cause varicose veins.
Brazilian butt lift dangers, the robot transforming one boy’s experience of cancer, choosing the right toothpaste, and should we drink pickle juice?
Ashley John-Baptiste goes to the moon and back to explore new treatments for pain, devised for astronauts. Dr Xand gets to the truth of why we get sick when we have time off. And is there anything that can help about long Covid symptoms?
Scammers targeting funerals, the contraceptive device causing pain, and the dangers of cotton buds.
Protecting ourselves from financial scams, the addictive dangers of a hair loss drug, and does drinking alcohol help keep us warm in cold weather?
The cheap deals for cosmetic surgery that left people out of pocket, can stress turn our hair grey, and why electric toothbrushes really are worth the money.
The criminals selling fake or stolen disabled blue badges, plus the latest gizmos and gadgets for bunions, plantar fasciitis and other foot issues. But do any of them work?
With whooping cough on the rise, there is confusion over vaccines and who should get one. And what’s the right number per day when it comes to having a poo?
Are meal replacement drinks really a healthy alternative? And Dr Xand shares what to do to check out the medical professionals who treat the public.
The beauticians illegally offering dodgy injectables without a prescription. And is it safe to swallow chewing gum?
Dr Xand investigates a common prescription drug with horrific withdrawal symptoms. Also on the programme, the effects of late-night eating on sleep and weight gain. And the incredible story of a condition that makes sufferers drunk without drinking alcohol.
Delayed discharges keeping hundreds of young people locked in hospitals, the effectiveness of gut health drinks exposed, and the importance of cervical screening.
Beauty salons breaking the law by selling hay fever injections, frozen food v fresh food, and why placebo is so effective.
A terminally ill patient whose insurance didn’t cover him, how healthy is it to eat honey?, what to do if your surgery has gone wrong, and does apple cider vinegar work for weight loss?
The dangers of nicotine pouches and patches, mixing lemon juice and coffee for supposed health benefits, and the rise of bootleg weight-loss jabs.
How to fall safely, the pros and cons of milk alternatives, and how a private ADHD diagnosis doesn’t guarantee access to the necessary medications on the NHS.
