Your Horoscope This Week: October 23 to October 28
Scorpio Season starts this Monday, and the final eclipse of the Taurus-Scorpio axis strikes on October 28th. We’re nearing the end of a two-year cycle of potent evolution, and with the ongoing global revolution occurring this eclipse is quite timely as it will awaken us to the shadow work we must navigate in order to transmute personal and collective pain into healing. This eclipse week, it’s essential to treat ourselves and others with tremendous kindness, compassion, respect, and empathy — even if, or especially if, we may have differing viewpoints.
2023-10-22 19:46
Fiona Phillips Alzheimer’s diagnosis at 62: 7 ways to reduce your risk
TV presenter Fiona Phillips has revealed she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 62. The presenter and Daily Mirror columnist said the disease has “ravaged” her family and she had long feared being given the diagnosis. According to the Mirror, Phillips was diagnosed more than a year ago and is undergoing trials for a new drug that could slow the effects of the disease. Phillips, who is an Alzheimer’s Society ambassador, told the Mirror: “This disease has ravaged my family and now it has come for me. “And all over the country there are people of all different ages whose lives are being affected by it – it’s heartbreaking. “I just hope I can help find a cure which might make things better for others in the future.” As well as her column in the national newspaper, Phillips anchored GMTV for more than a decade from 1997. She also competed in the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2005. She is married to Martin Frizell, editor of ITV’s flagship programme Good Morning Britain. Phillips told the Mirror that, despite fearing she would one day be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the news was still a “gut-punching, shuddering shock”. The presenter said she feels “more angry than anything else” due to the disease having already affected her family life. “My poor mum was crippled with it, then my dad, my grandparents, my uncle. It just keeps coming back for us,” she said. Though she previously kept the news private, Phillips said she has decided to share her story to help end the stigma around Alzheimer’s. “There is still an issue with this disease that the public thinks of old people, bending over a stick, talking to themselves,” she said. “But I’m still here, getting out and about, meeting friends for coffee, going for dinner with Martin and walking every day.” She is taking part in clinical trials at University College Hospital in London, which aim to revolutionise future treatment. Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “We’re sending our love and support to Fiona and her family following her announcement that she’s living with Alzheimer’s disease. “Fiona’s been a friend of Alzheimer’s Research UK for well over a decade, and her support has shone such a valuable spotlight on the importance of research in overcoming the diseases that cause dementia. “There are around 70,800 people with dementia in the UK who, like Fiona, are under 65 and we’re determined to find a cure to end the heartbreak it causes.” It is thought at least five in every 100 people with Alzheimer’s are under 65. Though this figure may be higher, as it can be more difficult to get an accurate diagnosis at a younger age. So, is there anything you can actually do to help prevent dementia? 1. Stop drinking fizzy drinks Drinking too much coke or lemonade could increase your chances of developing dementia. People who consume the highest amounts of ultra-processed foods, like fizzy drinks and chocolate, may have a higher risk of developing dementia than those who eat the lowest amounts, a study by Huiping Li, of Tianjin Medical University in China, published in the Neurology journal, has indicated. 2. Say no to UPFs Sadly, lots of our go-to ingredients like sausages, ketchup and baked beans are highly processed, making them a risk-factor if consumed too frequently. Li, the author of the study, said: “These foods may also contain food additives, or molecules from packaging or produced during heating, all of which have been shown in other studies to have negative effects on thinking and memory skills. “Our research not only found that ultra-processed foods are associated with an increased risk of dementia, it found replacing them with healthy options may decrease dementia risk.” 3. Reduce your treats Too much chocolate and things like biscuits aren’t good for you, because they are highly processed and sugary. In fact, according to the study, for every 10% increase in daily intake of ultra-processed foods, people had a 25% higher risk of dementia. So, even just having a few extra biscuits or chocolates at work each day can heighten your risk. 4. Keep moving We all know being slumped at a desk, staring at a screen all day, isn’t great for your health, but it turns out sedentary jobs actually increase your risk of getting dementia. Dr Sara Imarisio, head of strategic initiatives at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Our brains are incredibly complex, responsible for our memory, as well as what we think, feel and do. “Keeping our brains healthy as we age can help stave off diseases like Alzheimer’s, which physically attack brain cells, tearing away at the very essence of who we are. “We know that being physically and socially active can help us feel happier, healthier and more positive in general. “Lifting weights and running marathons aren’t for everyone, but there are many ways that we can stay physically active in our lives.” Noting more research published in the Neurology Journal, by Huan Song of Sichuan University in China, Imarisio continued: “This self-reported study adds to evidence that finding something you can stick to, that keeps you physically and socially active, is likely to have the greatest benefit to your health, rather than the activity itself. “The researchers found that even people with a high genetic risk for Alzheimer’s, the most common cause of dementia, could benefit from keeping physically active.” 5. Make an effort to see family and friends Social interaction is a really important way to keep your brain sharp and reduce your risk of dementia. If you avoid it, you are risking your health. According to Song’s research, people who were highly engaged in activity patterns, including frequent exercise and daily visits of family and friends, had 35% and 15% lower risk respectively, compared with people who were the least engaged. 6. Do the chores According to the same study, carrying out household chores is associated with a 21% reduced risk of dementia. Perhaps just increasing your brain activity a little, even just by washing up or changing your sheets, can help keep your mind active. 7. Play an instrument According to several studies, musicians are 64% less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or dementia. So, if you’ve ever fancied playing the piano, guitar or ukulele, now’s the time – it’s never too late to learn something new. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 7 popular destinations that will soon be in London’s ULEZ Kate’s best Wimbledon looks, as she steps out in retro outfit for the tennis How tennis could be harming your body – and why it does you good
2023-07-05 18:26
What is Lyme disease? Bella Hadid reveals ’15 years of invisible suffering’
Model Bella Hadid recently shared an update on TikTok, that her Lyme disease symptoms had flared up following a tooth infection. The Dutch-Palestinian 26-year-old was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012, and in her latest health update, shared she was struggling with its symptoms once again. “There was a low-grade infection underneath the tooth, next to the tooth I thought was suffering (she’s good) which is the one I got a root canal on a year ago. It continued to spread down, causing a low-grade infection in my jaw,” Hadid shared on TikTok. She continued by saying: “Please listen to your bodies my friends! This made my Lyme flare up, which means the Lyme is attacking the places that are suffering i.e. tooth, jaw, gut, brain, spine, bones etc oh, and the entire nervous system.” So, what is Lyme disease? “Lyme disease is an infection caused by a group of bacteria transmitted through an infected tick, giving you a specific set of symptoms,” says Dr Sanjay Mehta, GP at the London General Practice. According to analysis published in the open access journal BMJ Global Health, more than 14% of the world’s population probably has, or has had, tick-borne Lyme disease. But Mehta says you can’t catch it from any tick, only infected ones. The disease can also be seasonal – “It doesn’t die down to zero, but it drops significantly during summer and winter, and peaks during early autumn and spring,” he says. What are the symptoms? Lyme disease can manifest in a variety of different ways – from being asymptomatic, to nerve damage, in more severe cases. “There are two main groups of patients,” says Mehta. “First, there’s the group who catch it early, and they don’t really get any symptoms – they just see they’ve been infected by a tick. “Then there’s the second group of people who don’t get treatment, and although only a very small percentage of them actually end up with symptoms, they are the ones we worry about. “Those patients tend to get three stages of symptoms. First, they might get flu-like symptoms kicking in a week or so after the bite, and a characteristic rash. Second, some might then get symptoms related to their nerves, their heart and their brain, several weeks or months later. “An even smaller number of people might then get the third stage, and these are the symptoms people typically associate with Lyme disease – long-term joint problems and neurological symptoms.” How do you contract Lyme disease? As Lyme disease is passed on exclusively via infected ticks, you can downgrade the disease from unlikely to highly unlikely by avoiding tick-heavy areas or taking precautions within them. “There are areas of the UK known to harbour infected ticks, like the Lake District, the New Forest, the North York Moors, and the Scottish Highlands,” says Mehta. “If you see ticks on your skin, you don’t necessarily get transmission for up to four hours, so if you can remove them, that’s ideal.” If you are going to any of these areas, there are also a few simple things you can do to limit the risk. “Try to keep to paths in grassy, wooded areas, and keep away from long grass and vegetation,” advises Mehta. “It sounds obvious, but shower on your return – often ticks fall off – and check yourself for them too. Wear insect repellent, long T-shirts, and long trousers if possible.” What should you do if you get bitten? The simple answer is, if you’ve gone to a high-risk area and you know you’ve been bitten by something, see a doctor. “It is worth going on to treatment, which is a course of specific antibiotics,” says Mehta. “We do run tests, and the tests are fairly reliable, but the main things are a) have you gone to a risky area? b) have you seen you’ve been bitten? And c) have you developed symptoms?” “The take-home message is to seek medical help if there is a bite, but be aware, it’s only a small percentage of people who end up with problems.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Study reveals how muscle cells deteriorate with age, hampering injury recovery Tips and tricks to preserve your harvest Is it heat exhaustion or are you just tired?
2023-08-07 18:52
Sec. Buttigieg looking for reductions in unruly passengers, close calls after busiest air travel summer on record
As an increasing number of passengers are acting out on crowded aircraft this summer, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has an admonition for passengers.
2023-09-02 01:51
Getting 'the ick' can be surprisingly helpful
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2023-08-05 00:29
Israel Latest: IDF Urges Evacuation of Gaza City, Signaling Incursion
Israel called for an evacuation of all civilians in Gaza City and told the United Nations to move
2023-10-13 14:15
The 24 Best Online Bakeries For Ordering Sweet Mother’s Day Treats
This story includes Black-owned businesses selected as part of Black+, an initiative by VICE Media Group and The National Urban League to support Black Entrepreneurs with free marketing and mentorship opportunities.
2023-05-12 02:52
A skin patch to treat peanut allergies? Study in toddlers shows promise
A new study finds an experimental skin patch shows promise to treat toddlers who are highly allergic to peanuts
2023-05-11 05:19
'Someone has to do it': Ukrainian amputee deminers back in the field
Ukrainian explosives expert Valeriy Onul lost his lower right leg after stepping on a landmine, but it hasn't stopped him returning...
2023-10-26 17:58
Mercedes ‘need to take Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification on the chin’
Toto Wolff said Mercedes must take Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification from the United States Grand Prix on the chin – and make sure it does not happen again. Nearly four hours after Hamilton finished second in his most competitive race of the season – one he could have won if Mercedes did not fluff their strategy lines – the stewards declared his car did not comply with the regulations. The depth of the new floor on Hamilton’s upgraded Mercedes was adjudged to be “outside the thresholds outlined in Article 3.5.9 e).” – which states that the plank cannot wear to below 9mm thickness. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who finished sixth, was disqualified for the same breach following Sunday’s 56-lap race at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas. Mercedes said the sprint format – which allows for just one hour of practice before parc ferme rules heavily constrict changes to the cars – had a bearing on Hamilton’s disqualification. But team principal Wolff said: “In the end, all of that doesn’t matter. Others got it right where we got it wrong and there’s no wiggle room in the rules. “We need to take it on the chin, do the learning and come back stronger next weekend in Mexico.” Four cars were chosen at random following the race. Both winner Max Verstappen’s Red Bull and Lando Norris’ McLaren passed the scrutineering checks. Hamilton’s demise elevated Norris to runner-up behind Verstappen, who claimed the 50th win of his career and 15th from 18 this season, and Carlos Sainz to third. Sergio Perez was promoted to fourth to extend his lead over Hamilton in the fight for second place in the championship from 27 points to 39. Hamilton crossed the line just 2.2 seconds adrift of Verstappen after Mercedes’ move to attempt a one-stop strategy backfired and probably denied the seven-time world champion his first victory in 686 days. But despite expressing frustration at his team’s strategy, Hamilton was asked if he has been provided hope that he could taste victory before the season is out. “Yes, definitely,” replied the 38-year-old. “The steps that we were able to take this weekend has given me a little bit more confidence to throw the car into the corners. “There are still some of the fundamental issues that we’re having with the car, which won’t change until next year. But it was really positive to feel that the decisions we are taking are the right ones.” Hamilton will be back in action at this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix with rounds to follow in Brazil and Las Vegas before the campaign concludes in Abu Dhabi on November 26. Read More Max Verstappen defies Lewis Hamilton to edge United States Grand Prix victory I can do something wiser with my time – George Russell stops using social media Charles Leclerc snatches pole position after Max Verstappen’s lap was deleted Daniel Ricciardo ready for AlphaTauri return at United States Grand Prix On this day in 2009: Jenson Button crowned Formula One world champion in Brazil FIA to review Qatar GP as ‘dangerous’ temperatures prompt driver complaints
2023-10-23 22:50
Watch thousands of shows and movies for just $40
TL;DR: As of October 22, get one year of FreeCast Value Channels for $39.99 —
2023-10-22 17:29
A year after fall of Roe, 25 million women live in states with abortion bans or tighter restrictions
A year after the U.S. Supreme Court rescinded a five-decade-old right to abortion, 25 million women of childbearing age now live in states where the law makes abortions harder to get
2023-06-22 12:28
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