The key to being happier, smarter and ageing better, by leading neuroscientist DR JOSEPH JEBELLI. An extraordinary scientfic breakthrough shows what part of modern life is destroying our brains - now his new book has the cure
You're sitting at your desk, trying to look busy, and your work isn't going well. OK, it's time to double down and try a bit harder... but for some reason your brain fails to ignite.
It's just one of those things we all experience at work – and until recently, no one really understood how to kick-start the brain back into action.
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Daily Mail
36 minutes ago
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EXCLUSIVE I ignored all the signs... then doctors found an aggressive cancer. Here is what I wish I knew
An Oregon man who blamed his extreme fatigue and weight loss on work stress actually had terminal cancer. Once an ultramarathon champion and self-proclaimed 'health nut,' the 41-year-old had grown accustomed to intense weight training and running up to five miles a day. He mostly steered clear of alcohol and processed foods and prioritized a balanced diet with all organic vegetables and lean proteins. But earlier this year, he noticed he could no longer get through his regular exercise routine - 'the first big change' that signaled a deadly issue. Over the course of several months, he suffered extreme fatigue and dropped 30 pounds without trying. 'I thought it was just stress at work,' the mechanical engineer said. However, bloodwork and an abdominal CT at his yearly checkup revealed stage four pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common form of pancreatic cancer. Just one in eight patients with pancreatic cancer is expected to survive five years, data shows, and when it's diagnosed in later stages, which happens most of the time, survival rates dwindle to just three percent. The man, who posted his story in an anonymous Reddit thread, has just six months left to live despite living 'a very healthy lifestyle' and having no family history of the disease. He said: 'I never smoked, almost never drank, ate clean and exercised daily. Sometimes biology lets you down.' Pancreatic cancer affects roughly 67,000 Americans every year and kills about 52,000. More than half the time, the disease is first spotted after it has already reached stage three or four due to its vague symptoms. These include abdominal pain, weight loss, back pain, jaundice and floating or clay-colored stools. This leads patients to assume their symptoms are from more benign causes like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This was the case for Clair Honeywood, a 45-year-old from the UK who chocked her severe stomach pain up to IBS. She was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer and given a year to live. And Matthew Rosenblum of Michigan assumed his bone-white stools in 2021 were from Crohn's disease, but it was actually stage four pancreatic cancer at age 32. It's unclear exactly what causes pancreatic cancer, but smoking, obesity and diabetes are thought to increase the risk by inducing harmful inflammation that causes cells to divide and become mutated more easily. The man in the Reddit thread, however, blames his diagnosis on bad luck. He said: 'Before this diagnosis, I was in perfect health. I thought I had another 50 years left. The first thought was 'This is too soon.'' The former engineer said he will soon move into hospice care and try psilocybin therapy for pain and the mental health effects that have come with his diagnosis. Psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms, has been thought to reduce anxiety and depression in cancer patients. He also has signed up for several clinical trials. It's unclear if he will be getting standard treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. For now, he is focusing on using up his savings on vacations, scuba diving, skydiving and other items on his bucket list. His main regret is not taking enough risks like 'starting a business, moving to another place, trying something you were interested in but didn't know if you could do.' 'In the end, your failures are often not as consequential as you might think,' he added. He said: 'I'm glad I've been able to experience life. In all the possible realities I could've existed in, this was a pretty good one. Even if it's short. 'I don't have any grandiose aspirations for my legacy. A simple 'that guy was alright' is good enough for me. 'The biggest piece of advice I would give is to not take the time you have for granted. I know that's probably a worn out statement, but it rings incredibly true when you realize how finite your life really is.'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
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EXCLUSIVE I died after giving birth...The vision I had before doctors saved me shook my faith in the afterlife
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Medical News Today
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This may be due to the effects of e-cigarettes on the LES. Other tobacco products may also increase the risk of GERD due to their nicotine content. Nicotine relaxes the LES, which increases reflux due to stomach acid flowing back up the esophagus. Quitting smoking may help to improve and reduce GERD symptoms. A 2024 study found that students who quit smoking and vaping had lower GERD symptom scores than current smokers. Quitting smoking may allow the LES to recover and regain its usual function, which can help reduce the severity and frequency of acid reflux. An older 2016 study tested the effects of smoking cessation on GERD. After one year, 141 participants achieved smoking cessation and 50 did not. The group of participants who quit smoking had 43.9% improvement in GERD symptoms and significantly less frequent symptoms, according to a self-report questionnaire. The group who did not quit only experienced 18.2% improvement. If people want to quit smoking or vaping, they can speak with a healthcare professional who can help them follow a quit plan. People can also find advice and support online through resources such as » Learn moreFive ways to quit smoking The following lifestyle changes can help improve and reduce GERD symptoms: maintain or achieve a moderate weight avoid foods and drinks that trigger or worsen GERD symptoms, which may include: spicy, acidic, or high fat foods caffeine alcohol use extra pillows or a soft wedge to raise the head and upper body by 6 to 8 inches when sleeping avoid eating at least 3 hours before lying down Managing other health issues, including asthma and diabetes, may also help reduce GERD symptoms. Exposure to secondhand smoke can be harmful for people with GERD, as it can have similar effects to smoking. Inhaling secondhand smoke can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, which may worsen acid reflux. Nicotine, a key component in tobacco products, relaxes the LES and can lead to acid reflux. Research suggests exposure to nicotine from any source may harm the digestive system and increase the frequency and severity of GERD symptoms. Some smoking cessation products, such as nicotine replacement therapy, may interact with some GERD medications. Nicotine may interact with cimetidine (Tagamet). Cimetidine is an antacid that reduces stomach acid, which may help manage GERD symptoms. It may increase nicotine levels in the blood, which may lead to toxicity. It is important to speak with a doctor before taking any GERD medications alongside smoking cessation products. Smoking is a risk factor for GERD, largely due to its effects on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Smoking weakens the LES, which allows stomach acid to flow back up the esophagus. Vaping, smoking other substances such as cannabis, consuming other tobacco products, and exposure to secondhand smoke may also increase the risk of GERD. Smoking may also increase the frequency and severity of GERD symptoms. Quitting smoking can help the LES to recover, which may reduce and improve GERD symptoms. Acid Reflux / GERD Smoking / Quit Smoking Preventive Medicine Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
