Embarrassing Bodies (2008)

Dr Christian Jessen and Dr Pixie McKenna – the nation’s favourite doctors for those toes curling embarrassing conditions are back – and now they’re joined by A&E Doctor, Dr Priya Manickavasagar and leading cosmetic Dentist, Dr James Russell – between them they’ve got every orifice covered. This week’s episode starts with a visit to the clinic for 21-year-old Rebecca. She’s always had noticeably asymmetric breasts (in common with many women in the UK) but pregnancy has accentuated this problem and left her with a severe imbalance. Dr Pixie sends Rebecca to a specialist to see if anything can be done to rectify the problem. The specialist performs a surgical procedure to give Rebecca more balanced and symmetrical breasts. Next through the clinic doors is Mark, who’s firing on all cylinders – but unfortunately he’s firing blanks. As a long-term diabetic, Dr Christian suspects this might be connected with his erectile problems, but first sends him for a check-up on his prostate. Tests r

April 15, 2009, midnight

This week’s episode starts with 8-year-old Charlotte from Suffolk who’s been suffering from sore verrucas on her feet for over 2 years. Dr Christian sends Charlotte for tests to check her immune system and try and find out why the virus is winning. The tests reveal that her immune system is unable to fight the virus and so the usual treatment for verrucas will not do the job. Whilst a formaldehyde treatment produces some encouraging results, further immunology test reveal that she’s missing certain lymphocytes and the possible treatment course includes a bone marrow transplant and chemotherapy. +++UPDATE+++ Charlotte’s operation to remove the verrucas from her foot appears to have been successful and her foot is healing really well. She’s back on her bike and back to being a normal child, pending a potential bone marrow transplant. The EB bus heads to Southend, where Dr Priya has a patient with case of cold feet, medically known as Chilblains. Dr Pixie’s patient can’t stop scratc

April 22, 2009, midnight

First through the door this week is 18-year-old Cherie who’s suffering from back pain caused by extremely large breasts. The best option to ease the discomfort caused by her gigantic 30JJ bust is breast reduction and Dr Pixie refers Cherie to a specialist surgeon to get the procedure done. Visiting the dental clinic is Richard, 27, who has painful, aching teeth. Dr James’ examination reveals that Richard’s teeth are worn down as a result of Bruxism, an involuntary grinding of the teeth. Richard is sent to a specialist to clear the decay in his gums and teeth before Dr James can restore his smile with veneers and crowns. Read Dr James’ guide to How to Look After Your Teeth > Next in is Vicky, 28, who’s been dealing with boils in her groin area. Dr Christian believes the boils are caused by a condition in the sweat glands called Hidradenitis Suppurativa. As Vicky’s case is fairly mild, Dr Christian recommends treatment with antibiotics, the contraceptive pill, or acne treatments as o

April 29, 2009, midnight

This week’s episode starts with a visit to the clinic for Natalie, a 31-year-old woman who has had to endure taunts from children about the boils and cysts that she has suffered since childhood. Dr Pixie suspects she is suffering from painful cystic acne, and sends her to a specialist for treatment with antibiotics and lazer resurfacing. On returning to the clinic, Natalie has been prescribed the contraceptive pill and some small skin grafts that drastically improve the appearance of her condition. The EB bus heads to Merseyside, where Dr Christian sees a case of a pierced problem nipple, whilst Dr Pixie sees a case of dermatitis that has it’s sufferer scratching himself in a very sensitive area. Meanwhile Christian puts a hydrocele sufferers mind at ease. Dr James meets Thomas, whose mouthful of manky molars has left him with a smile that would worry a 70-year-old, but he’s only 20! Dr James recommends implants, but Thomas’s smoking substantially reduces the success rate, so denture

May 6, 2009, midnight

This week the doctors have set up shop at the airport. First patient Joanne, an air-hostess, feels that her psoriasis is alienating her passengers. Dr Pixie sees Donna, who has a patchy rash on her back that is diagnosed as shingles and Dr Christian deals with Arthur who has a disfigured fingernail due to an accident at work. The doctors also check random samples from passengers to test for bacteria and bugs that have travelled with them. Back at the clinic, 44-year-old Stuart thinks that his holiday is responsible for the constant burning at the end of his penis. Dr Pixie believes an inflammation of the prostate, caused by a possible bladder infection, may well be the reason for Stuart’s troubles. He’s sent for a visit to a specialist and a treatment involving a prostate massage… After the birth of her child a year ago, Kerry has begun to feel pain and bleeding with her bowel movements – and visits to the loo are few and far between. Dr Christian notes that Kerry has developed a ski

May 13, 2009, midnight

This week’s episode starts with a visit to the clinic for former RAF airman Richard, whose case of gynaecomastia has left him with no body confidence and feeling repulsed when he looks in the mirror. After 26 years of suffering, Dr Pixie decided to send Richard for surgery to get rid of them once and for all. Next into the Doctors’ mobile clinic is 16-year-old Wendy, who after recently giving birth has been left with severe stretch marks on her tummy. Vitamin E creams and Bio Oil are recommended by Dr Pixie as a way of reducing the marks that will also fade over time. A case of excessive sweating has left one woman feeling extremely embarrassed, but Dr Christian reassures her that there are multiple treatments available for this common condition. EB Dentist Dr James Russell has a case in his surgery involving bulimia sufferer Harriet. Self-induced vomiting has left her with acid erosion on her teeth, shortening and eating away at the enamel. Porcelain veneers can be used to extend an

May 20, 2009, midnight

First up is Maria, who came to the clinic with a potentially life threatening weight problem. Although very young, Maria’s health was deteriorating so rapidly that a gastric band operation was carried out. Having reduced her stomach to the size of a walnut, Maria returned to the clinic to reveal that she had dropped over 4 stone in just 10 weeks. 8 months later, and Maria had dropped a further 4 stone, and been able to start work in a local hair salon. 53-year-old Christopher came to the clinic with a painful problem with his penis. Following a years treatment by a dermatologist, Christopher returned to the clinic with some good news for Dr Christian. Having been diagnosed with an atopic dermatitis, Christopher has responded well to treatment and now has ‘a normal penis’. We next catch up with Emma, who had suffered for over a decade with facial hair growth. Following 6 rounds of lazer treatment on the problem hairs, Emma is finally feeling like a women again, with her confidence mas

May 27, 2009, midnight

First up, is 26-year-old David whose rotting, bleeding, puss-filled armpit has left him unable to lift up his arm without tearing the skin. The problem is diagnosed as Hidradenitis Suppurativa, a condition in which the sweat glands are blocked up, infected and develop into boils. Dr Christian sends a swab sample for analysis to reveal the bacteria infecting David, in order to prescribe the appropriate antibiotics. In the meantime, David is told to take steroids to help contain the symptoms and has been referred to a surgeon to see what can be done about the damaged skin. The EB Bus heads out to Cambridge, and first to see Dr Pixie is Lucy who has a problem growing hair, whilst Dr Christian sees a 3-year-old that has problems staying on her feet. Meanwhile, Dr Priya meets a footballer whose passing is not being helped by a curling toe. Next up there is David who consults with Dr Christian about pains in his penis and lower back. Believing that the pain is stemming from his nerves, Dr

June 3, 2009, midnight

The doctors are back in the clinic to check-up on some of the most interesting cases that they’ve encountered over the past 2 years. Dr Dawn asks Scotsman John back to the clinic to update her on progress with his treatment for the disfiguring condition Acne Keloidalis. It had left John with painful nodules on the back of his head and some severe scarring, forcing him to not go out in public without a baseball cap. Thanks to some extensive treatment from Consultant Dermatologist Dr Sunil Chopra, John’s condition has improved beyond all recognition, leaving him with a full head of hair and brimming with confidence. Confidence, or lack of it, was what drove 16-year old Nathan to visit the EB clinic with some severe pubescent acne. With home treatments not proving effective, Dr Dawn referred Nathan for hydra-dermabrasion, a procedure that removes impurities and lessens the scarring caused by acne. Following treatment Nathan’s acne: has improved dramatically, ensuring that he can hopeful

June 10, 2009, midnight

The doctors are back in the clinic to check-up on some of the most interesting cases that they’ve encountered over the past 2 years. Dr Dawn asks Scotsman John back to the clinic to update her on progress with his treatment for the disfiguring condition Acne Keloidalis. It had left John with painful nodules on the back of his head and some severe scarring, forcing him to not go out in public without a baseball cap. Thanks to some extensive treatment from Consultant Dermatologist Dr Sunil Chopra, John’s condition has improved beyond all recognition, leaving him with a full head of hair and brimming with confidence. Confidence, or lack of it, was what drove 16-year old Nathan to visit the EB clinic with some severe pubescent acne. With home treatments not proving effective, Dr Dawn referred Nathan for hydra-dermabrasion, a procedure that removes impurities and lessens the scarring caused by acne. Following treatment Nathan’s acne: has improved dramatically, ensuring that he can hopeful

June 17, 2009, midnight

The doctors are back in the clinic to check-up on some of the most interesting cases that they’ve encountered over the past 2 years. First up is a visit from fifty year old Jackie, who was suffering from one of the commonest problems seen by GPs – urinary incontinence. A staggering one in five women over the age of 40 will suffer from the condition. Fortunately there was a simple solution to Jackie’s problem, as tension free vaginal tape was added to support the bladder and replace the muscle that she has lost as she got older. The doctors also caught up with 72-year-old Bryan, who had been suffering for over 10 years with a painful problem with his penis, a direct result of a circumcision that hadn’t gone to plan. Bryan is packed off by Dr Christian to have a second circumcision carried out, and returns to the clinic two years later to check that Bryan is still firing on all cylinders following the opp. Dr Dawn next sees a patient whose life was literally torn apart by the birth of

July 1, 2009, midnight