Latest news with #healthcomplications
Health Line
14 hours ago
- Health
- Health Line
Can Ulcerative Colitis Be Deadly?
Key takeaways While ulcerative colitis itself is not fatal, it's a chronic disease that needs to be properly managed to prevent serious health complications. Potentially serious health complications that can result from UC include toxic megacolon, a perforation in your bowel, primary sclerosing cholangitis, colorectal cancer, and heart disease. UC is a chronic condition that, for most people, requires lifelong treatment, and the only way to cure the condition is by having surgery to remove your colon and rectum. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a lifelong condition that you need to manage. It's not deadly on its own, but it is a serious disease that can cause some dangerous and potentially life threatening complications, especially if you don't get the right treatment. UC is one form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation in the inner lining of your rectum and your large intestine (also known as your colon). The other type of IBD, Crohn's disease, can affect any part of your digestive tract. When you have UC, your immune system mistakenly attacks your intestines, and these attacks lead to inflammation and sores, or ulcers, in your intestines. Treatments are available for UC. Most people with UC have a full life expectancy. However, according to one 2003 Danish study, complications can increase the risk of an early death. Ulcerative colitis complications While UC itself usually isn't fatal, some of its complications can be. Potentially serious health complications that can result from UC include: toxic megacolon a perforation (hole) in your bowel primary sclerosing cholangitis colorectal cancer heart disease Toxic megacolon The most serious possible complication related to UC is toxic megacolon, which is swelling of your colon that can cause it to rupture. This condition affects up to 10% of people with UC. Some studies show that the death rate among people hospitalized with toxic megacolon is around 6.5%. However, the death rate drops to less than 2% in people with IBD who receive an early diagnosis and prompt medical care. Bowel perforation A hole in your bowel is also dangerous. Bacteria from your intestine can get into your abdomen and cause a potentially life threatening infection called peritonitis. Primary sclerosing cholangitis Primary sclerosing cholangitis is another rare but serious complication of UC. It causes swelling and damage around your liver and in your bile ducts, which carry digestive fluid from your liver to your intestines. Scars can form and narrow your bile ducts, and this can eventually cause severe liver damage. In time, you can develop serious infections and liver failure. These conditions can be life threatening. Colorectal cancer According to a 2001 research review, people with UC have up to an 8% chance of developing colorectal cancer within 20 years of their UC diagnosis. In comparison, the review noted that the risk among the larger population was 3% to 6%. More recently, a 2023 review article noted that rates of colorectal cancer among people with UC are decreasing but are still higher than the rates in the larger population. Colorectal cancer can be fatal if it spreads to other parts of your body. Heart conditions According to a 2022 study, UC is associated with a greater risk of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. And a 2023 study suggests that people with IBD are at a higher risk of death from these types of heart conditions.
CNET
4 days ago
- Climate
- CNET
Summer Blackout To-Do List: 9 Things to Keep Everyone Cool and Safe
Climate Central reports that from 2014 to 2023, the US experienced 60% more power outages during the summer season than it did from 2000 to 2009. This can be due to the increased use of electricity for air conditioners, wildfires, severe weather and downed power lines. Being prepared for a summer blackout is especially important because, according to the US Energy Information Administration, the average blackout is over 5 hours. That means over 5 hours without air conditioning, which can lead to heat-related health complications. Fortunately, there are ways you can keep yourself and others physically and mentally cool when a summer blackout happens. 1. Prepare an emergency kit An emergency kit is simple to build and doesn't cost much money. You can even buy one at big-box retailers. They include Band-Aids, gauze, ointments, butterfly bandages and more. If you or someone else in your home takes medication, you'll also want to pack an extra supply into the kit. On top of this, you'll want to prepare for a prolonged summer blackout. Have at least one gallon of drinking water available per person for at least a few days. Also, consider buying a well-insulated cooler and storing ice packs in the freezer. These can help keep any medications requiring lower temperatures cool and can prevent you from overheating. You'll also want access to non-perishable food items. Keep a supply of canned goods, dry cereal, nuts, snacks and other shelf-stable items that don't require cooking. 2. Alert your utility company Have your utility company's number available to report the outage. While they might already know of your situation, informing them gives them a better idea of the outage's scope. In some instances, they might provide an estimate for when your power will return. This is vital information to have, as it can help prepare you for a prolonged outage if one happens. 3. Check on relatives, friends and neighbors If the summer blackout is widespread, affecting loved ones or friends, connect with them and see if they're OK. Outages can especially affect those with medical conditions, children and older adults. Therefore, ensuring they have a place to go with air conditioning and enough water is paramount. If the whole neighborhood is out of power, check with your local Red Cross or the news about nearby areas like libraries or schools that have power and are open to the public. These sanctuaries ensure people with medical conditions have someplace cool to rest until power is back on. doble-d/Getty Images 4. Stock up on food for longer outages For those living in areas with more inclement weather, preparing for prolonged outages is ideal. Along with following these tips, you'll want to inspect your fridge and freezer to toss food you can't properly store without power before it decays. If you can afford it, consider buying an ice chest to store frozen and refrigerated goods. And if you have a grill, you have an outside cooking source to use up meat and veggies before they expire. If you can't afford an ice chest, keep meats, fruits and vegetables in coolers. Moreover, if you live in areas where prolonged outages happen often, like Houston, you should consider a home generator. Although they are expensive, they can also provide a much-needed sanctuary when your home runs out of power and will be out for an extended period of time. 5. Have other light sources Store a flashlight in every room of your home. That way, when the power goes out, you'll have lighting in every room. If you don't want to mess with batteries, consider motion-powered options. However, if you select battery-powered flashlights, keep a fresh supply of batteries on hand. Alternatively, you could also use candles as light sources. Stock matchsticks or check on your lighter to ensure it works and doesn't need lighter fluid. Before lighting a candle, move around your room and check for gas leaks (if applicable).6. Install blackout curtains Blackout curtains achieve several goals. They prevent light from entering your room by blocking out UV rays and exterior light from other sources. They work as another layer of protection for rooms with blinds, where gaps can allow light to shine through. Since blackout curtains also reflect heat, they'll keep that area of your home cooler during a summer blackout. If you have someone with a medical condition or heat sensitivity, you'll want to place them in a room with blackout curtains during a power outage. 7. Wear cooling clothes When the power goes out, it won't take long for your home to heat up. One way to combat the heat is to wear cooling clothes, which dissipate heat and promote airflow, helping you to remain comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. Usually, cooling clothes have three properties: Breathable materials: By allowing for more airflow, these materials prevent sweat from sticking to your skin, so you'll cool off quickly. You should refrain from wearing fabrics containing wool or polyester since they'll make you sweatier. Moisture-wicking capabilities: When your body overheats, sweat is created to cool it down. However, if you're wearing non-cooling clothing, you'll be uncomfortable because the fabric won't remove the moisture from your skin. Cooling clothing achieves this by using hydrophobic fibers to repel the sweat from your clothing and skin, allowing your body to cool down without feeling bogged down. Temperature regulation: You'll want to wear clothes that evaporate sweat quickly, contain higher thermal connectivity and have thermal convection. When you put on a cooler material, your body feels cooler since heat goes from the warmest parts of your clothing to the coolest.8. Keep devices charged with portable chargers Having cell service is akin to a bodily function for most of us. However, when the lights go out and you don't have access to a power source, then anxiety can be induced. After all, you don't want a dead phone battery to prevent you from contacting friends and loved ones, and if you need them, emergency personnel. That's why you'll want to have backup charging solutions ready to go. Power banks are a wise choice if you keep them charged before an outage occurs. That way you can plug in your smartphone and remain connected. You can also buy battery-powered or hand-crank phone chargers. With either option, you don't have to worry about them being plugged in and powered before an outage. Just be sure to have fresh batteries on hand for battery-powered options. 9. Recognize the signs of heat stroke During hotter months, and especially when a summer blackout takes out your A/C, it's vital to know the signs of heat stroke. If you notice someone starting to feel disoriented or appear flushed, you'll want them to rest someplace cooler, apply a cold pack or towel to their skin and call 9-1-1. You don't want to give them water to drink, as they may be confused and unable to swallow safely. These are other symptoms of heat stroke to keep an eye out for, per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Slurred speech Loss of consciousness (coma) Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating Seizures Very high body temperature Also, if you have older neighbors or those with mobility disabilities, check on them regularly. Doing so can help you identify signs of heat stroke and address the situation before it becomes even more dangerous.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
‘Game-changer' new blood test to detect prevalent autoimmune disease without nightmare side effects
People with coeliac disease may soon be able to avoid consuming large quantities of gluten – the substance that triggers their symptoms – to get a diagnosis. New clinical research published in the journal Gastroenterology has shown a 'game-changer' blood test for gluten-specific T cells that can detect coeliac disease – even when no gluten has been consumed. Currently, people with suspected coeliac are required to eat large amounts of gluten for weeks to get an accurate diagnosis. However, researchers said the new blood test could boost rates of diagnosis, identify patients at risk of severe reactions to gluten and detect silent coeliac disease in asymptomatic people. Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own tissues when gluten is eaten, which prevents normal digestion and absorption of food, with the risk of developing serious health complications. It is driven by eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. An estimated 1 in 100 people have it in the UK. However, only 36 per cent with the condition are clinically diagnosed, according to Coeliac UK. Undiagnosed or untreated coeliac disease can result in complications such as osteoporosis, unexplained infertility, neurological dysfunction and, in rare instances, small bowel cancer, Coeliac UK says. Currently, all coeliac testing methods require regular gluten consumption to be effective, the researchers said. Many people are deterred from seeking a definite diagnosis because they do not want to consume gluten and be sick, the Australia-based scientists added. Associate Professor Jason Tye-Din, Head of WEHI's Coeliac Research Laboratory and a gastroenterologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, said: 'There are likely millions of people around the world living with undiagnosed coeliac disease simply because the path to diagnosis is difficult, and at times, debilitating.' 'By eliminating the need for a gluten challenge, we're addressing one of the biggest deterrents in current diagnostic practices,' she added. 'This test could be a game-changer, sparing thousands of people the emotional and physical toll of returning to gluten. It's a major step towards faster, safer diagnosis.' The study evaluated the potential of a blood test to measure an immune marker interleukin 2 (IL-2). In 2019, researchers found this immune marker spiked in the bloodstream of people with coeliac disease shortly after they ate gluten. The scientists used blood samples from 181 volunteers, including 75 people with treated coeliac disease, 13 with active, untreated coeliac disease, 32 people with non-coeliac gluten sensitivity and 61 healthy people. Participant blood samples were then mixed with gluten in a test tube for a day to see if the IL-2 signal appeared. The team was 'thrilled' to find the test could detect the condition with up to 90 per cent sensitivity and 97 per cent specificity – even in patients following a strict gluten-free diet, PhD researcher Olivia Moscatelli, who was diagnosed with coeliac disease at 18, said. The IL-2 signal only increased in the volunteers with coeliac disease, showing the immune response to gluten can be detected in a tube, without the need to consume gluten, researchers said. Ms Moscatelli said the test also performed exceptionally well in people with coeliac disease who had other autoimmune conditions, such as type 1 diabetes or Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute team are now collaborating with Novoviah Pharmaceuticals to confirm the test's accuracy across diverse populations and find real-world data.
Health Line
19-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Tips for Talking with Your Doctor About Insomnia and Why It Matters
Chronic insomnia can affect daily life. To prepare for a doctor's visit to discuss treatment for your insomnia, track your sleep habits and write down any questions you may have. There's a long list of health complications linked to long-term lack of sleep. Chronic insomnia can also seriously affect your quality of life, from constantly feeling tired to an increased risk of depression. The occasional bout of sleeplessness is no cause for alarm. But if you go night after night without getting a full night's sleep, that's a wake-up call to reach out to a doctor for help. When to talk with your doctor about chronic insomnia Most doctors understand that sleep disorders are a major health concern. Try to raise the subject of sleep if you're having issues with your doctor if they don't bring it up. If you have chronic insomnia, you shouldn't sweep it under the rug. You can try a few things at home first to improve your sleep before reaching out to your doctor. This includes, but isn't limited to: keeping regular sleep-wake and meal schedules, even on weekends limiting screen time before bed and reducing light in your sleep space exercising regularly, at least 5 to 6 hours before bedtime. cutting down on caffeine, alcohol, and other drug use, especially before bed avoiding smoking, if you smoke, or trying a smoking cessation program avoiding daytime napping practicing relaxation techniques before bed, such as meditation, gentle yoga, or light stretching leaving bed if you can't sleep, then return to bed when you feel tired again. If these steps don't resolve your insomnia, you should discuss your sleep concerns with your doctor. You should talk with your doctor if you consistently: have trouble falling asleep can't stay asleep wake up earlier than you want to don't feel refreshed after sleep have excessive sleepiness during the day Tips to prepare for your doctor's visit To make your doctor's visit as productive as possible: Write down your sleep-related questions. Record your sleep and sleep-related activities by hand or app and share it with your doctor. Detail any self-help techniques you've tried and what the results were. Make sure you know the name and dosage of any medications you're taking. Some questions you may want to ask are: How can I fall asleep again after waking up at night? Can exercise help with my insomnia? Can I take any supplements to help me fall asleep? What are the side effects? What over-the-counter medications can help me? What are the side effects? What prescription medications can treat my insomnia? What are the side effects? Is insomnia genetic? What can my doctor do for my chronic insomnia? Your doctor may be able to recommend behavioral therapy to help you overcome your chronic insomnia, such as cognitive b e havioral therapy. Medications can help restore typical sleep patterns. 'I recommend using cognitive behavioral therapy as the first-line treatment for insomnia since it is safer, more lasting, and at least as effective as any sleep medication,' says Pietro L. Ratti, MD, a neurologist and sleep specialist. Takeaway Chronic insomnia is a serious health condition. It can lead to or worsen other physical and mental health disorders. Talk with your doctor about any chronic sleep problems. You can prepare questions ahead of time and use an app or paper to track your sleep habits to discuss with your doctor. Self-help techniques may be effective in resolving chronic insomnia, but your doctor also can recommend treatments for chronic insomnia, including behavioral therapy and medication.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Getting skinny on fat jabs left me with a HOLE in my throat and that wasn't the worst of it – I beg you, DON'T do it!
WHEN Aimee Chapman began using fat jabs just over a year ago, she never expected to end up in hospital fighting for her life, with a hole in her throat. The 34-year-old lost four stone in a matter of months, but was left suffering complications so severe that doctors were left baffled as to how to help her. Now she says she regrets ever taking the injections. 12 12 12 Aimee was rushed to hospital just a few months after starting on the jabs, where doctors discovered a hole in her oesophagus due to frequent vomiting, and a failing liver. Aimee told The Sun: "They were trying all sorts of things to get my liver levels back to normal. It was failing. "They had said it was down to the weight-loss jab, but they didn't know why or how to fix it. "There was so little out there medical-wise, doctors didn't know how to fix it. "I was terrified. It all happened so quickly and I hadn't realised how serious it was until I was transferred and it sunk in that it was worse than I thought it was.' And months after her ordeal, Aimee's waist-length hair began falling out in clumps. She's now warning others against using the popular jabs. The 34-year-old began using the GLP-1-class weight loss injections in March last year. She claims it was for her health, as she'd been diagnosed with fibromyalgia 15 years ago. The condition causes widespread pain, fatigue, headaches and mood problems, and is incurable. But GPs advise exercise, therapy and antidepressants for managing symptoms. Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons Aimee, who lives in Southampton, Hampshire, said: "I'd never even thought about it until I saw a post on social media saying you can just buy [weight-loss jabs]. "I noticed that as my weight changed, I was taken less seriously by doctors. My thinking was that if I could weigh less, I would at least get taken a bit more seriously. "It wasn't about getting thinner or looking better for me. That hadn't even crossed my mind." The family of drugs known as GLP-1 RAs were originally developed to treat diabetes - one notable example is Ozempic. 12 12 Now, the same technology has been deployed for weight loss, in the form of drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy. They suppress a patient's appetite, mimicking hormones naturally released by the gut to signal fullness. 'In denial' Aimee bought her jabs from an online pharmacy. She paid around £200 for a month's worth of them. She lost a whopping four stone when she first began using the injectables, dropping from 14 stone to just 10 stone in four months. However, in June last year, Aimee - who is married to Christopher Chapman, 41, a security officer - began feeling unwell and was barely able to eat. She says: '[After a few months of using the jabs] I started noticing I didn't have a lot of energy, I couldn't really do much. I was only eating a couple of times a week. "I stopped being able to walk. I would take a couple of steps and have to stop.' I was throwing up all the time and started throwing up blood. I was sick between 50 and 60 times Aimee But worryingly, Aimee couldn't stop being sick. Feeling and being sick are among the most common side effects when taking GLP-1s, thought to affect around one in 10 people on them. "I was throwing up all the time and started throwing up blood,' says Aimee. 'I was sick between 50 and 60 times. "I collapsed a couple of times. My husband came home and found me passed out in the hallway one night. "I was in a bit of denial about it being linked to the jab because I was fine up until now. I just thought I was poorly and it was some sort of virus." 'Could have died' When Aimee began experiencing chest pains a month later, she went to Winchester Hospital's A&E. It was then that doctors discovered she had developed a hole in her oesophagus that was leaking air around her heart and lungs. Aimee was admitted to the intensive care unit on July 12, and her blood pressure and potassium levels began to plummet. Then, she was rushed to ICU at Southampton General Hospital when doctors noticed her liver function was deteriorating. An organ transplant was considered when Aimee's liver began showing signs of failure. But luckily, Aimee was able to return home after 11 days in hospital. What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs? Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects. Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include: Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts. Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea. Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset. Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation. Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort. Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss. Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating. Serious side effects can also include: Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon. Thyroid tumors: There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic. Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin. Her liver made a full recovery and the hole in her throat healed itself. But the 34-year-old was told she would never be able to touch GLP-1 jabs again. "After coming out of ICU, the nurse told me this has happened because of these jabs and I can never take one ever again even if I had type 2 diabetes,' Aimee says. "I don't think they know whether this was a general side-effect or whether this was a rare case. I was really surprised about how much of my body it affected. "I was told the hole in the oesophagus can kill people and I may have needed a new liver. They said I could've died." Liver issues are not a common side effect of weight loss injections, but there have been a isolated reports of people developing liver injury after taking the jabs. On the other hand, research has indicated that GLP-1s could lower the risk of liver disease, as people with obesity have a higher risk of developing a particular type called fatty liver disease. Some weight loss jab users develop gallstones or an inflamed gallbladder, which can be connected to liver function. 12 'Don't do it' In September 2024, a few months after her ordeal Aimee began to notice her hair was coming out in clumps. She believes this is related to a vitamin B12 deficiency linked to being on the weight loss jabs. Aimee said: "[The hair loss] kept happening and the handfuls kept getting bigger. I would be so sad. My hair was just above my bum when I went into hospital. 'My husband just said why don't you just cut it off? My hair was such a massive part of my identity and to cut it off just felt really traumatic. But I said to myself it was just hair, it'll grow back. "This feels like another result of the injections.' The 34-year-old was diagnosed as vitamin B deficient after blood tests in October. She now has to get quarterly vitamin B12 injections. Aimee, who doesn't work due to her disability, is now calling on others who are considering using the injectables to do their research and consult a doctor. 'I'm not going to tell people what they can and can't take but I do believe more research needs to be done into these jabs,' she says. "I regret ever taking them. I'd say to other people thinking about trying them, don't do it online, go through your doctor who can give you blood tests and check how you're doing." Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines.
