World Heart Rhythm Week: Could you have an abnormal heart rhythm?
It’s believed around three million Brits have an abnormal heart rhythm or arrythmia – and many may not even realise it. The most common arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation (AF), which causes an irregular and often unusually fast heartbeat, and is associated with a five-times higher risk of having a potentially fatal or life-changing stroke. If diagnosed, AF can be treated – however, it’s estimated there are at least 270,000 people in the UK who are unaware they have the condition, according to the British Heart Foundation (BHF). “What remains troubling is the sheer number of people who are undiagnosed and unaware that they are living with a heightened risk of stroke,” says BHF medical director, Professor Sir Nilesh Samani. “Finding people with this hidden threat must remain a priority.” Trudie Lobban, founder of the Arrhythmia Alliance – a coalition of patients, healthcare professionals and policymakers, adds: “Heart rhythm disorders are a leading cause of sudden cardiac death and devastating strokes, and yet too few people are aware of the rhythm of their heart.” To mark World Heart Rhythm Week (5-11 June), experts are highlighting the importance of being aware of arrhythmia warning signs and getting things checked out. Here’s what you need to know… Arrhythmias can affect all age groupsHowever, AF is most common in older age groups. As Dr Anthony Chow, a consultant cardiologist at The Wellington Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK, explains: “Heart rhythm problems are a very common condition that can affect all age groups, but AF is more common in older people. It can be as common as 10% of the population in their 70s, and almost 29% of those in their 80s.” Arrhythmias can have many causes Lobban says many conditions can cause heart rhythm problems, including heart failure, blackouts, electrolyte disturbances, thyroid disorders, infections, heart attacks, strokes, cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea and obesity. Triggers can also include stress, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, diet pills, and cough or cold medicines. “But there is usually an underlying physical reason for it,” Lobban adds. Warning signs to look out for Key warning signs, says Chow, are palpations (a thumping or fluttering sensation in your heart/chest), dizzy spells and feeling faint, breathlessness, chest discomfort, and feeling overly tired. These things don’t automatically mean you have a heart problem, but it’s important to get any symptoms checked out. And Chow adds: “Not everyone experiences these exact symptoms and, in some cases, patients can experience no symptoms at all.” How to measure your heart rhythmThere are many ways heart rhythms can be measured clinically, through ECGs or monitors. You can check your pulse yourself at home, too. “The easiest way to detect an arrhythmia is to feel your pulse and hence your heart rhythm – is it irregular, too fast, or too slow?” says Lobban. “Such a simple thing as a 30-second pulse rhythm check can literally save your life.” The Heart Rhythm Alliance has a ‘know your pulse’ guide on their website. Lobban says you should sit down for five minutes beforehand, and remember that any stimulants you’ve taken, like caffeine or nicotine, will affect the rate. You’ll need a watch that measures seconds (take it off to do the test), or your phone timer could work. Hold your left or right hand out with your palm facing up and elbow slightly bent. With your other hand, place your index and middle fingers on your wrist near the base of your thumb, between the bone and stringy thumb tendon, to find your pulse. Once you’ve found your pulse, maintain a firm pressure and count the beats for 30 seconds, then multiply by two to get your heart rate in beats per minute. If your heart rhythm is irregular, you should count for one minute and don’t multiply. Arrhythmia can cause many serious health problemsHeart arrhythmia can cause a variety of serious heart health complications including strokes, heart failure and heart attacks, explains Chow. “Heart arrhythmias, in particular AF, are often associated with an increased risk of blood clots, so it’s extremely important to be aware of the warning signs,” he says. “If a blood clot breaks loose, it can travel directly from the heart to the brain, which can cause a stroke. You should consult your doctor and get referred to a cardiac rhythm specialist for assessment if you have significant symptoms.” When to see a doctor If you have any previous history of heart problems and/or are becoming increasingly concerned about palpations, you should speak to a medical expert, Chow advises. Those with a family history of arrythmia and/or sudden cardiac death should also make sure they get checked out. “It’s not usual that we’re aware of our heart beating, unless there’s a disturbed rhythm,” he says. “You should speak to your doctor if your heart palpations are lasting a long time, or aren’t improving and seem to be getting worse. Acute instances of symptoms could be a warning sign of something more serious, so it’s important to seek medical advice if you’re concerned. In some cases, arrhythmia could be an indication of a medical emergency such as a heart attack.” Treatment for arrhythmiaArrhythmias can be treated in a variety of ways. “Some require no more than reassurance after diagnosis, but others may need drug therapy, or implantation of an electrical device such as a pacemaker or ICD,” says Lobban. Chow says therapies such as cardioversion can be used to reset the heart rhythm by sending a shock through the chest to the heart, and there are also procedures and surgeries including catheter ablation, where wires are threaded through blood vessels directly to the heart and heat is used to create tiny scars in the heart to block abnormal electrical signs and restore a normal heartbeat. Chow adds: “Most people with abnormal heart rhythms can lead a normal life when the condition has been properly diagnosed and managed.”
2023-06-05 18:57
Man spends £86,000 lengthening his limbs
A father-of-two has had limb-lengthening surgery to increase his height from 6ft to almost 6ft 7in after deciding his legs were “too short” for his body, and hopes to feel “on top of the world” once the £86,000 (USD $106,000) procedure has fully healed. Brian Sanchez, 33, a mortgage broker who lives in Georgia in the United States with his wife, Nidia, 30, and their daughters, Kaisley, two, and Kairi, six, felt in January 2022 that his body was “out of proportion” and he looked like “like a huge thumb”. After some research, he discovered he could have limb-lengthening surgery in Turkey to become his ideal height and as soon as he saw it he thought: “OK, I guess this is what I’m doing.” Brian’s main reasons for wanting the surgery were not only for his physical appearance but also to improve his weightlifting goals in the gym and be around nine inches taller than his wife so they will no longer be at “almost eye level”. When he told his loved ones about his plans, they thought it was “typical of (him)” as just because “something is crazy it never means that (he) won’t do it”. Brian had his first operation in December 2022, which involved breaking his tibia and fibula, putting a rod inside the bones, and fastening it with screws. He underwent a second procedure in March 2023 to extend his femur. To recover, Brian had to be in a wheelchair and turn the screws with an Allen wrench four times a day, but when he is fully recovered he thinks the pain will have been “worth it” as he will be able to “enjoy being taller”. “My wife is pretty tall – we were only about three inches apart – but once I’m fully recovered it’ll be a nine-and-a-half-inch difference,” he said. “It’s going to be really nice just to be able to hug her and have her all the way down there on my chest instead of being almost eye level. “One of the things that I’ll enjoy the most is being able to work out again and put some weight on my legs and have my body look a little bit more how I want it to.” In January 2022, Brian suddenly realised his legs didn’t match his “torso proportions”. He said: “I realised that my legs were always looking weird, and I didn’t know what it was, until one day I was sitting next to my brother-in-law who is almost 6ft 6in, and I was actually a little taller than he was. “I thought that was weird, because I knew he was taller than I am by a lot, and we stood up, and all of a sudden, I started looking and realised my legs were too short for my body. “I’m broad, have long arms, and I’m wide, but my short legs make me look different – I almost look like a huge thumb, like those thumb men from Spy Kids.” After the realisation, Brian, who had never previously had cosmetic surgery, started to “not like (his) aesthetics” and decided to research ways to make himself taller. He said: “I thought I can either find a new hobby, and give up lifting weights, or I can fix the issue. “I started Googling and ran into the procedure from there – as soon as I saw it, I thought ‘OK, I guess this is what I’m doing’.” Brian set himself a goal of becoming at least 6ft 6in tall and said of his loved ones’ reaction when he told them about his idea: “It was a combination of disbelief, but they also said that it is typical of me. “I know this is a very crazy thing, it’s extremely expensive, time-consuming, difficult, painful and even risky in some respects.” In December 2022, he had his first operation in a clinic called Live Life Taller in Turkey, which cost him £30,000. The first procedure involved lengthening the tibia and fibula together. “In the first surgery, they broke my tibia and fibula and hollowed out the inside of the tibia, taking out the bone marrow,” he said. “They then put a rod inside the bone and fastened it with screws and attached the bone segments via pins to external fixators – so you have this piece of steel on the outside of your legs and have these constant open wounds that won’t close until you remove all the hardware.”. His recovery involved being in a wheelchair and using an Allen wrench to turn a bolt on the fixators four times a day at 90 degrees to separate the bone segments a little at a time. Brian continued to do this every day for two months, saying of his painful recovery: “The hardest part of the whole thing was the lack of sleep, but I think the pain will be worth it – once it’s all finished I’ll just be able to enjoy being taller, and hopefully feel on top of the world.” In February 2023, the external fixators on his tibia were removed and he was around three inches taller. In March 2023, he had the second operation, which cost him an additional £56,000, to carry out the same procedure on his femur. He said: “I actually felt great after my femur procedure, and there was almost no pain throughout the entire process, only from lengthening from actually stretching my legs.” Now, Brian is just over an additional three-and-a-half inches taller – making him just under 6ft 7in – but is still in a wheelchair and is waiting for it to be completely healed. He joked: “When it’s fully healed, I’m trying to not have expectations because I don’t want to be disappointed but it’s hard to imagine that I’m not going to enjoy it. “From the few times that I’ve already stood up, it is bizarre to see people that used to be my height come up to under my nose – it’s really weird, and it’s a lot of fun just seeing the world in a slightly different perspective. “I can see above the fridge more easily – not that it’s that important, but it’s cool. I’ll be able to see other people’s bald spots, everything will be just different.” Looking back on his decision to undergo the surgery, Brian said: “I didn’t need to do this procedure, but I really wanted to, and I didn’t know how hard it would be. “So, when I made the decision to do it, I kind of over-estimated how easy it would be and under-estimated how much pain and how much difficulty would be involved. “I don’t regret my decision, and I hope that I’m going to be really happy with the results.” Read More The worst day of the week for heart attacks revealed Husband of non-smoker, 24, who died two weeks after lung cancer diagnosis reveals single telltale sign A Place In The Sun’s Jonnie Irwin admitted to hospital amid terminal diagnosis Triathlete shares race photo where she bled through swimsuit while on her period The telltale sign of lung cancer everyone should know A Place In The Sun’s Jonnie Irwin admitted to hospital amid terminal diagnosis
2023-06-05 17:27
10 of the best affordable gifts for dads of all ages
Because he’s worth it – make your dad feel like the champ he is with a little something to go with the Father’s Day card…. 1. Hotel Chocolat Father’s Day H-Box, £14.95, Hotel Chocolat From Champagne Truffles to Going Nuts and Mousse au Chocolat, these decadent chocs are bound to delight. 2. Gentlemen’s Hardware Beard Survival Kit, £20, John Lewis Best beard grooming begins with the essentials: a nourishing beard wash, scented beard oil infused with an earthy Oak Moss fragrance (worth a kiss), and an angled wooden beard comb to keep everything just so. 3. M&S Collection Personalised Cotton Poplin Baseball Cap, £19.50, Marks & Spencer With the option of three initials, this personalised baseball cap will definitely get his seal of approval. Cuts out glare as well as giving protection from the sun’s rays. 4. Rainbow Toast Wonderful Dad ½ Pint Mug, £16.10 (was £23), Emma Bridgewater Job done… when it’s finally his turn to kick back and relax, a rewarding cuppa will taste that much nicer when he’s reminded by ‘loving’ wording: Bad Jokes, Terrible Dancing, Wonderful Dad – on the front; Flustered Chef, Sports Addict, Kind Taxi Driver – on the back; and most importantly, Love You Dad – inside. 5. LEGO Speed Champions 007 Aston Martin DB5 (76911), £20, Moonpig Car fanatics and Bond fans will be onto a winner with this No Time To Die model kit. Special features include James Bond mini-figure, swanky silver-coloured wire alloy wheel inserts and four sets of interchangeable number plates from different Bond movies. 6. Arber Eau de Toilette, £20, (100ml), The Body Shop Give him the gift of a gorgeous fragrance with top woody notes, core of coriander and mint, and a touch of citrus to stir the senses. 7. Three Pack BBQ Socks Set, £15, FatFace One for the BBQ King, those marinades and burgers will taste that much more delicious when he dons these sizzling socks. 8. Just Spices Gin-Making Kit, £49.99, Just Spices With gin palaces in season, surely the best way to spice up his G&T is with a bunch of botanicals he’s tailored himself. Includes equipment, spices and creative recipes. 9. Molton Brown Re-Charge Black Pepper Infinite Bottle, £40, (400ml), Molton Brown Enriched with brilliant refreshing benefits, this woody-citrus body wash marries heated black pepper, woody coriander and earthy vetiver for a power shower. As an added bonus, the bottle can be topped up with a waste-reducing refill pouch when he’s reached the last drop. 10. Black Flag Selection in Father’s Day Gift Box, £43.99, Virgin Wines Featuring three bonzer wines from top regions Down Under, you can’t go wrong with these labels to love. Think a rich, round Barossa Valley shiraz cabernet, a smooth Adelaide Hills shiraz, and refreshing sémillon with delightful lemony notes to perk up his palate. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Top tips to avoid garden injuries Planning an LGBTQ+ wedding? Why inclusivity can be a driving factor for couples Amanda Holden’s most extravagant fashion from the BGT live shows
2023-06-05 15:48
Al Roker shares health update after second knee replacement surgery
Al Roker has undergone his second knee replacement surgery, which had to be delayed after he was admitted to hospital for blood clots in his legs and lungs last December. The Today show weatherman, 68. has been reporting on the weather for the NBC morning show since 1996. Following his surgery, he returned to the programme on Tuesday (30 May). Roker has now said he is feeling “good” after the surgery on 9 May, which comes more than a year after his first knee replacement. He attended the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic event in New Jersey with his wife Deborah Roberts over the weekend, which he said was his first public outing since the surgery apart from work. Speaking to People, Roker said: “[It’s] nice to be wearing nice clothes. Here we are. You can’t help but feel better.” Roker was rushed to hospital the day after Thanksgiving and remained there for nearly two weeks due to the blood clots. He told his followers on Instagram that he was admitted “with a blood clot in my leg which sent some clots into my lungs”. “After some medical whack-a-mole, I am so fortunate to be getting terrific medical care and on the way to recovery,” he said, thanking fans for their well wishes. In March, Roker said he “wouldn’t be alive” if not for Roberts, 62. He told PageSix: “I guess I know it now. I didn’t know it at the time. Deborah was great at keeping all that away from me so I thought I was doing OK but that was great because I was able to focus on getting better.” Roberts is the presenter’s second wife, who he married in 1995 after splitting from ex-wife Alice Bell the year before. He shares daughter Courtney, 35, with Bell, and two children Leia, 24, and Nick, 20, with Roberts. Read More Jessie J confirms identity of her baby’s father after ‘struggling to keep things private’ Husband of non-smoker, 24, who died two weeks after lung cancer diagnosis reveals single telltale sign How noise complaints became a very British obsession Pharmacist warns against one common hay fever habit 7 tips and tricks for hay fever relief A Place In The Sun’s Jonnie Irwin admitted to hospital amid terminal diagnosis
2023-06-05 14:58
Husband of non-smoker, 24, who died two weeks after lung cancer diagnosis reveals single telltale sign
A young paramedic died from a rare form of lung cancer despite never smoking. Meadhbh Cameron, 24, died on March 11, after being told two days before Christmas that she had weeks to live. She married police officer Lee Cameron shortly before her death, the day after his 27th birthday. Meadhbh first noticed something was wrong in September when she coughed up a blood clot while in hospital as part of her job. Lee says she had an intermittent nighttime cough with no other symptoms, but a scan revealed a shadow on her lung. Four weeks later, Meadhbh was told she had stage 4 combined small cell lung cancer, an extremely aggressive and rare form of cancer, not typically seen in a young, non-smoker in good health. Meadhbh, who worked in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, was given chemo but the cancer had spread to bones and lymph nodes, She married Lee at a ceremony carried out by Kenny Gray, a healthcare support worker who worked in the ward in the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. Lee, who lives in Glasgow, is running the Loch Ness Marathon in October - as it was top of his wife’s bucket list of things she hoped to do. Lee said: “She told me she had coughed up a blood clot while in hospital with a patient and that an x-ray had revealed a shadow in her left lung. “This was totally out of the blue, as she had no other symptoms, other than an intermittent cough at night. “The specialists advised us that Meadhbh’s type of cancer was incurable, however it tended to respond well to chemotherapy. “They informed us that with chemo Meadhbh would likely have a year to live if not more due to her age and health.” Meadhbh received three rounds of chemotherapy but was hospitalised each time with neutropenia, a condition which results in a low number of white blood cells, neutrophils, in blood. Lee said: “On the third time she was hospitalised, we were informed that Meadhbh’s treatment wasn’t working and that the cancer in her spine was compressing her spinal cord. “We were told that she had six to eight weeks to live, on December 23.” Meadhbh passed away the day after Lee’s 27th birthday. Lee added: “Despite the high levels of sedation she was under, Meadhbh still managed to wake up and hum ‘Happy Birthday’ to me. “This was a true testament to Meadhbh’s strength and character. “In the end cancer robbed Meadhbh of everything but her compassion, humour and mental strength. “Meadhbh was an incredibly caring and compassionate soul who had an outstanding passion for life. “Her smile could brighten even the darkest of days and she was the life and soul of the party. “Those traits are what made her an exceptional paramedic, a job that she absolutely loved. “It gives me great honour in being able to call her my wife.” Lee is fundraising for Beatson Cancer Charity, which supported the couple. He added: “The support they provided to my wife and I was second to none, especially with Meadhbh’s prognosis, which unfortunately involved spending her last Christmas in hospital. “The Teenage and Young Adult team arranged for Meadhbh to get a private room so I could stay with her and also provided festive food along with a host of other things, including psychological support. “They even helped Meadhbh and I bring forward our wedding so we could still have our big day, which is something I am incredibly grateful for. “Before passing, she had a bucket list of things she wanted to do and at the top was run a marathon.” Read More A Place In The Sun’s Jonnie Irwin admitted to hospital amid terminal diagnosis New blood test for 50 types of cancer sparks hope of ‘revolutionary’ breakthrough Why the NHS can’t win the battle on treating cancer
2023-06-04 17:20
Dentist warns of common mistake people make brushing teeth
A dentist has issued a warning to Britons about one common mistake that could impact a person’s oral health. The debate about whether to wet your toothbrush before applying your toothpaste or leaving it dry is one that divides many, but according to Dr Sahil Patel of Marleybone Smile Clinic in London, it is not recommended because it “dilutes” the toothpaste. “Toothpaste already has the right amount of moisture,” Dr Patel said. “If it’s wet, it makes it foam up faster and makes you spit it out sooner.” Dr Patel also told GB News that people often hold their toothbrushes with too much force. “Often people hold their brush with a fist. You shouldn’t feel like you’ve had a scrub against the teeth, that’s too much,” he said. "If the bristles splay against the tooth, it’s not doing a good job. "Bristles should be straight against the teeth and you should have a soft touch." Dr Patel also recommends working back to front when it comes to cleaning your teeth. “The back is often the hardest part to clean, so I’d recommend starting there first,” he said. “If you start at the front and do the back last, you’re more likely to stop and put your brush down, missing the back or not cleaning the back properly.” Dr Patel added that he would rather a patient brushed their teeth once a day thoroughly, as opposed to a “slap and dash” twice a day. Read More Triathlete proudly shares ‘beautiful’ racing photo where she bled through swimsuit while on her period A Place In The Sun’s Jonnie Irwin admitted to hospital amid terminal diagnosis Prince William overheard telling Kate to ‘chop chop’ at Jordan royal wedding Should I keep my windows closed or open in hot weather? Jonah Hill’s girlfriend Olivia Millar gives birth to first baby Gogglebox stars Ellie Warner and Pete Sandiford show newborn babies on air
2023-06-03 22:21
Jonah Hill’s girlfriend Olivia Millar gives birth to first baby
Jonah Hill, the Superbad actor and filmmaker, has welcomed his first baby with his girlfriend Olivia Millar. Hill, 39, was absent from his sister Beanie Feldstein’s wedding on 20 May and he did not appear in any photos or anywhere throughout Feldstein’s Vogue profile, raising speculation that the baby’s arrival may be imminent. The 21 Jump Street actor’s girlfriend was first seen with a baby bump in late March, in photos published by The Daily Mail. Hill’s representatives have now confirmed to the American publication People that Millar gave birth to a child in May but did not announce the baby’s name. Millar is the co-owner of an online vintage shop called Chasseresse, a business she owns with her sister. She was first spotted with Hill in August 2022 and the pair have been romantically linked ever since, keeping their relationship out of the public eye. Hill was previously engaged to photographer Gianna Santos before splitting in October 2020. Hill was then linked to surfer Sarah Brady and shut down claims that the two were engaged in February 2022. The Don’t Look Up actor, who has been more candid about his personal life in recent years – mainly his mental health – revealed in an open letter to fans that he has long dealt with anxiety and panic attacks. His Netflix documentary Stutz, a conversation between Hill and his longtime therapist Phil Stutz, was made to give other people the tools he learned through therapy. Hill decided not to promote the film but instead wrote a letter to his fans, which read: “The whole purpose of making this film is to give therapy and the tools I’ve learned in therapy to a wide audience for private use through an entertaining film. “Through this journey of self-discovery within the film, I have come to the understanding that I have spent nearly 20 years experiencing anxiety attacks, which are exacerbated by media appearances and public-facing events.” Read More Triathlete proudly shares ‘beautiful’ racing photo where she bled through swimsuit while on her period Prince William overheard telling Kate to ‘chop chop’ at Jordan royal wedding A Place In The Sun’s Jonnie Irwin admitted to hospital amid terminal diagnosis
2023-06-03 20:55
Gogglebox’s Ellie Warner announces newborn son while co-star Pete Sandiford welcomes baby girl
Gogglebox star Ellie Warner has announced that she has given birth to a son she shares with her boyfriend Nat Eddleston, while co-star Pete Sandiford and his wife Paige Yeoman have welcomed a newborn girl. Both new parents confirmed the arrivals while appearing on Friday’s (2 June) episode of the Channel 4 show, giving viewers a glimpse at the children. Warner, 32, introduced her newborn as she handed the baby to her sister Izzi. Later, she shared a picture of her son on Instagram, who she has named Ezra. The picture sees baby Ezra sleeping in a cot underneath a yellow blanket. She wrote: “Sweet baby Ezra, he has made our lives complete, we love you so much son.” Meanwhile, Sandiford also confirmed his wife Paige Yeoman has given birth to their second child, a baby girl, on Friday’s show. Appearing on the segment with his sister Sophie, Sandiford is seen holding his baby, before saying to Sophie: “Did I tell you her full name? We think we’re going to call her Evie Sylvie Sandiford.” Sandiford and his wife Paige welcomed their first son Jimmy in August 2021 and wed last year. Announcing his baby news, Sandiford told his son Jimmy in a sweet clip that he was about to become a big brother. He joked: “Jimbers, you’re going to have a little brother or sister coming. You’re going to have to milk it.” Hairdresser Warner confirmed she and boyfriend Nat were expecting their first child together back in December. She confirmed her pregnancy on a Gogglebox episode, appearing alongside her sister Izzi, to who she showed her ultrasound scan. Warner, who has been dating her boyfriend Nat Eddleston since 2018, reflected on the moment she showed her mother her pregnancy scan. “When I showed mum the picture she said, ‘Oh can I take a picture,’ and you didn’t even look at it for two minutes,” she said. Izzi responded: “I did! I told you where the things were, I’ll stare at it a bit longer just to make you happy.” Warner and her sister Izzi first appeared on Gogglebox in 2015 after Warner was reportedly approached by a friend who worked on casting for the show. Sandiford and his sister have been fan favourites since they joined the show in 2017. Read More Triathlete proudly shares ‘beautiful’ racing photo where she bled through swimsuit while on her period A Place In The Sun’s Jonnie Irwin admitted to hospital amid terminal diagnosis Prince William overheard telling Kate to ‘chop chop’ at Jordan royal wedding Sarah Beeny shares health update after all-clear from breast cancer Meet the unconventional couple behind Escape to the Chateau Vanessa Feltz shares horrifying Rolf Harris encounter during live interview
2023-06-03 18:54
Pregnant influencer in coma after suffering from ruptured aneurysm one week before due date
Social media influencer Jackie Miller James is fighting for her life after entering a medically induced coma just one week before she was set to give birth to her first child. The 35-year-old content creator suffered from an aneurysm rupture, which led to severe brain bleeding and injury. According to a GoFundMe campaign established by her sister Natalie Miller, James was found immediately by her husband, Austin, at their California home. She was rushed to a hospital where doctors performed an emergency C-section to deliver her daughter, while simultaneously performing brain surgery. The newborn, whose name was not disclosed, was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where she remained for 12 days. James remains in a medically induced coma, her sister said, and has since undergone five separate brain procedures one week after the incident. “Jackie is expected to remain in the ICU for weeks and will continue to be hospitalized for months,” she wrote. Alongside the GoFundMe page, her family included a picture of James meeting her newborn daughter while still in a coma. “Jackie’s husband and family have not left her side since the incident,” Natalie said. “They are navigating taking care of a newborn in the ICU while fighting to keep Jackie alive.” The family members added that they likely would have lost both James and her daughter if they “arrived a few minutes later at the hospital”. “Jackie is continuing to fight for her life each day and we are optimistic she can beat the odds by surrounding her with the right specialists and methods of therapy. While the road will be long, we are committed to bringing Jackie home to her daughter and husband.” The GoFundMe, which has since raised more than $170,000 towards its $250,000 goal, was started to “provide a way for family and friends to help Jackie secure the highest level of care,” including speech therapy, physical therapy, home modifications, and alternative therapies once they know the effects of her aneurysm. Jackie Miller James is known for her beauty and lifestyle social media content with 36k followers on Instagram. She and her husband Austin, who were married in April 2022, announced their baby news on Instagram earlier this year. In March, they revealed they were expecting a baby girl. “I still can’t believe it! Can’t wait to meet this angel in May,” she captioned the video. Fans have since flooded James’ comments section with well-wishes for the influencer. “Praying for you and your family Jackie and can’t wait for the day you get to see your beautiful baby girl,” read one comment under her most recent Instagram post. “Sending all the prayers possible around you and your family,” said someone else. Read More TikTok influencer hospitalised for traumatic brain injury after horse falls on her at Arizona ranch Miss Universe finalist Sienna Weir dies aged 23 from tragic horse riding accident Influencer films travel nightmare as hostel fire claims luggage and passports TikTok Influencer hospitalised for after horse falls on her at Arizona ranch Alix Earle claims she was ‘stranded’ in Italy after villa turned out to be ‘scam’ Bioré apologises after influencer references school shooting in pore strips ad
2023-06-03 07:26
Experts advise on how to stay safe while swimming in open water
Each year, rising temperatures and longer days in summer encourage Britons to seek out bodies of water to cool off and have fun in. Swimming, paddleboarding and other water-based activities can provide a wholesome day for families and friends, whether that’s in lakes, rivers, or at the seaside. However, there are a number of safety measures individuals should remember when taking part in these. It comes after several people had drowned in rivers, lakes and in the sea in recent weeks, with four deaths occurring over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend alone. The incidents have prompted warnings from police reminding people to be “vigilant to the dangers of the coast and follow water safety advice”. The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has also issued a safety warning for people planning to be around open water, regardless of whether you consider yourself a strong swimmer. Lee Heard, charity director at RLSS UK, said: “Sadly we see an increase in young men drowning in the summer months and we have tragically seen a number in the past few weeks during the warmer weather we have had. We don’t want to see any more families experience the devastating and sudden loss from drowning.” He added: “We urge people to consider what could happen, understand that the water is colder than it looks, and not take risks if they are not experienced with being in cold, open water. “Whether you are heading to the coast for the bank holiday weekend or even just planning a walk along a river, please ensure that you take precautions to ensure the safety of yourself of those you are with. We want everyone to enjoy the bank holiday but to so with water safety in mind.” When swimming in open water, people should consider the risks involved before jumping in, particularly because bodies of water can be much colder than people realise. Getting straight into very cold water can lead to cold water shock. According to the National Water Safety Forum, this is the body’s short-term, involuntary response to being suddenly immersed in cold water, and is considered to be a principal underlying factor in drowning. When a person gets into cold water very suddenly, the blood vessels in the skin close, which results in increased resistance to blood flow. The heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body, which leads to increased blood pressure. At the same time, the body experienced a “gasp” response as well as a dramatic change in the breathing rate. The person will be unable to keep their breath steady for a while after they first get into the cold water. “The effect of these can lead to a sense of panic, inhalation of water, leading in some circumstance to a cardiac arrest,” the forum says. Cold water shock can be managed by wearing a well-fitting wetsuit and entering the water slowly. However, if a person has had an accidental fall into cold water without a wetsuit, the forum recommends using a technique called “float-first”, which involves tucking your legs and floating on your back, focusing on staying tucked and controlling your breathing until you feel you can self-rescue or be helped by others. When planning to go swimming in open water, people should check if the area is lifeguarded, has a safe-swim zone or is under any kind of supervision. A list of designated bathing waters in the UK, provided by the Environment Agency, also name many sites that are not supervised. In the instance that the water you are entering is not supervised, the forum recommends asking yourself if you have the right knowledge and experience to establish if conditions are suitable. It warns people to be particularly cautious in quarries and reservoirs, which can be “deceptively deep and cold throughout the year”, as well as in rivers with weirs and fast-flowing water, and potentially polluted locations. Heard adds: “If you or someone else finds themselves in difficulty in the water, it’s vital to remember the Water Safety Code: whenever you are around water you should stop and think to assess your surroundings and look for any dangers; stay together when around water and always go with family and friends; in an emergency call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue service when inland and the Coastguard if at the coast. “Finally, float to live, if you fall in or become tired, stay calm, float on your back and call for help, or if you see someone in the water, throw something that floats to them and resist temptation to go in.” Read More Mother’s warning after viral TikTok hack left skin peeling from her face How one hay fever medication helped my fight against the pollen bomb Dermatologist horrifies viewers by discussing mites that live in your skin How one hay fever medication helped my fight against the pollen bomb FDA warns against using off-brand versions of Ozempic, Wegovy for weight loss The £4 hay fever tablet that ‘cures all symptoms’
2023-06-02 20:51
US FDA revokes emergency use authorization for J&J's COVID vaccine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday it has revoked the emergency use authorization for Johnson
2023-06-02 06:49
I tried Allevia to find out if it’s a hay fever cure
Spring has always been a transformative season for me. As the the weather improves, so, too, does my mood. But there has always been one thing that makes the move from winter much, much worse: my hay fever. Like one in 10 children and one in four adults, according to the Met Office, I have always suffered with hay fever. With that number rising year on year too, it’s likely that if you don’t get symptoms yourself, you’ll know someone who does. For me, the worst symptom has always been unbearably itchy, watery eyes, although the constant sneezing isn’t that much fun either. Other symptoms include itchy mouth, ears and throat, coughing, a blocked nose and many more. For a few years I took prescription strength Loratadine (Clarityn), which worked for a while, up to a point. The symptoms reduced but I was always able to tell when it was a day with high pollen in the air because my eyes would still itch and the sneezes would come and go. If it was the best the doctor could do, then I’d just have to put up with the remaining symptoms, which were reduced. Eventually, Loratadine stopped being as effective. I mentioned it in passing to my GP when I was there for an appointment about something else. “We’ll try something different,” she said. Enter Fenofaxidine. It seems too much to say that Fenofaxide changed my life but, in hay fever terms, it was a total gamechanger. The medication stopped my symptoms instantly. No more sneezing, no more itchy eyes, no more hay fever. Obviously, I’m not a medical professional but it didn’t stop me telling everyone I know with hay fever to speak to their doctor about it. My mum, also a lifelong sufferer, saw the same effects as I did. So when I saw an advert last year for Allevia (a brand name for over-the-counter Fenofaxidine), I knew the potential its declassification could have on hayfever sufferers in the UK. I wasn’t surprised when it sold out after going viral on TikTok last year. One review said: “This actually works. I’m impressed. My eyes are not bulging because they are itching. I feel good, I can enjoy the sun,” she said. Hay fever isn’t life or death, nor should it be treated as such, but for someone whose mood is so dramatically increased by spending time outside it has made quite a big difference to me – the simple pleasure of being able to enjoy the sun. Read More The popular £4 hay fever tablet that ‘cures all symptoms’ Festival checklist 2023: Camping gear, clothing, beauty and more essentials Why do we get hay fever and what are the symptoms?
2023-06-02 00:50