Sphincters

Psychologist Kimberley Wilson and Dr Xand van Tulleken continue their journey around the human body, asking what our insides can reveal about our lives and the world around us.

This week, it's Sphincters' turn. While the one in our bottoms tends to claim the most mindshare, we’re absolutely full of sphincters, and they’re critical to our lives.

In this episode, Xand explores the inability to burp, meeting a 27-year-old who was unable to belch until an American Doctor’s revolutionary procedure changed his life forever. Meanwhile, Kimberly investigates urinary sphincter failure and the innovative implants that can help restore continence.

Producer: James Tindale
Researcher: Leonie Thomas
Executive Producer: Robert Nicholson
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4