Latest news with #BBCTees
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'I had to leave my job due to endometriosis'
A mother has spoken of her struggles with endometriosis as part of her work to raise awareness and support others with the condition. Samantha Ray, 34 and from Hartlepool, was diagnosed in 2021 while she was being treated for a hernia, having suffered monthly pain for years. She gave up her job working for a council in January and now runs a support group for women in the north-east of England. The condition was not spoken about enough, she said, and called for more training for health professionals. It is estimated endometriosis affects 1.5 million women in the UK and can cause chronic pain, heavy periods and extreme tiredness. The condition occurs when cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow in other parts of the body like the pelvis, bladder and bowel. Mrs Ray said: "I was in pain all the time, all month long. Every day is just pain, it affects my life. "I had to leave my job in January, because I was struggling at one point to survive." She said a lack of awareness meant girls thought "it's a part of life, being in pain and it's not normal". She said she would like to see more training "around what's normal and what isn't" and for doctors to know the warning signs. "A lot of GPs are quite dismissive and I think that is what needs to change," she said, "as well as educating young women." The support group, which is supported by the charity Endometriosis UK, runs weekly sessions in Hartlepool. One attendee is Katherine Elliot, 50, who found the group on Facebook having looked for support for years. Mrs Elliot was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2018 and said despite being a nurse, she had not thought the pain she was suffering was endometriosis. She said: "I started to experience symptoms in my late teens whilst I studying at university. I had no knowledge of what endometriosis was, in my mind I expected that it was cancer. "I had an ultrasound and nothing was cancerous. My GP mentioned endometriosis but only in passing. I was put on birth control and that was that." She said it was not until she went back to another GP a few years later over the pain that endometriosis was flagged "in the first few minutes". "If it wasn't for that female GP, I probably would have walked away as I thought it would have been nothing," she said. Doctors say being aware of the symptoms of endometriosis is the first step to diagnosis. Gynaecologist Dr Pinky Khatri, at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, said some people felt pain on and off throughout the month, often when going to the toilet. In some cases there could be bleeding. There was "no one symptom" of endometriosis, she said, but "the more symptoms which are described, the more likelihood" there was of having the condition. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. 'We can't stay silent over endometriosis struggle' 'I lost my kidney to a silent assassin' Woman 'keeled over in agony' from endometriosis
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'I had to leave my job due to endometriosis'
A mother has spoken of her struggles with endometriosis as part of her work to raise awareness and support others with the condition. Samantha Ray, 34 and from Hartlepool, was diagnosed in 2021 while she was being treated for a hernia, having suffered monthly pain for years. She gave up her job working for a council in January and now runs a support group for women in the north-east of England. The condition was not spoken about enough, she said, and called for more training for health professionals. It is estimated endometriosis affects 1.5 million women in the UK and can cause chronic pain, heavy periods and extreme tiredness. The condition occurs when cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow in other parts of the body like the pelvis, bladder and bowel. Mrs Ray said: "I was in pain all the time, all month long. Every day is just pain, it affects my life. "I had to leave my job in January, because I was struggling at one point to survive." She said a lack of awareness meant girls thought "it's a part of life, being in pain and it's not normal". She said she would like to see more training "around what's normal and what isn't" and for doctors to know the warning signs. "A lot of GPs are quite dismissive and I think that is what needs to change," she said, "as well as educating young women." The support group, which is supported by the charity Endometriosis UK, runs weekly sessions in Hartlepool. One attendee is Katherine Elliot, 50, who found the group on Facebook having looked for support for years. Mrs Elliot was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2018 and said despite being a nurse, she had not thought the pain she was suffering was endometriosis. She said: "I started to experience symptoms in my late teens whilst I studying at university. I had no knowledge of what endometriosis was, in my mind I expected that it was cancer. "I had an ultrasound and nothing was cancerous. My GP mentioned endometriosis but only in passing. I was put on birth control and that was that." She said it was not until she went back to another GP a few years later over the pain that endometriosis was flagged "in the first few minutes". "If it wasn't for that female GP, I probably would have walked away as I thought it would have been nothing," she said. Doctors say being aware of the symptoms of endometriosis is the first step to diagnosis. Gynaecologist Dr Pinky Khatri, at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, said some people felt pain on and off throughout the month, often when going to the toilet. In some cases there could be bleeding. There was "no one symptom" of endometriosis, she said, but "the more symptoms which are described, the more likelihood" there was of having the condition. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. 'We can't stay silent over endometriosis struggle' 'I lost my kidney to a silent assassin' Woman 'keeled over in agony' from endometriosis
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Fourth teenager charged over park stabbing
A fourth teenager has been charged following a knife attack. The 17-year-old victim suffered life-threatening injuries in the assault in Phoenix Park, in Hemlington, Middlesbrough, on 30 April. Cleveland Police said an 17-year-old boy would appear at Teesside Magistrates' Court charged with attempted murder. Three others, aged 17, 18 and 19, have also been charged with attempted murder in connection with the same attack. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Third teenager charged over park stabbing Teenager suffers 'life-threatening' stab wounds HM Courts Service
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
Three people and boy arrested over baby's death
Four people, including a teenage boy, have been arrested in connection with the death of a baby. Cleveland Police said the child died in Middlesbrough on Saturday. A 16-year-old boy and a 21-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of a child, while a woman, 19, and a man, 21, were arrested on suspicion of child neglect. All four have been interviewed and were released on bail pending further inquiries, police said. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Cleveland Police
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Crews tackle van fire in town centre
Firefighters are tackling a van fire in Middlesbrough town centre. Cleveland Fire Brigade was called to Whin Street shortly before 10:00 BST, with plumes of black smoke seen nearby. It said the vehicle was "well alight" and one fire engine from Grangetown was in attendance. Cleveland Police said its officers were not required to attend. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Cleveland Fire Brigade
