Latest news with #insomnia
The Independent
an hour ago
- Health
- The Independent
I've been ordered by my doctor to stop doomscrolling for medical reasons
At a particularly dark time for world affairs, I often find myself compulsively doomscrolling at on my phone, sometimes disappearing into the bathroom to do it. It often feels like a brief escape from the kids. But I had no idea that it can cause serious health problems. Earlier this week, Dr Pumam Krisham, the resident doctor on BBC Morning Live, claimed that sitting on the loo and scrolling on your phone has been known to cause haemorrhoids – or worse. It can also give you a weakened pelvic floor, which can trigger bladder issues such as incontinence, or even result in prolapse. If the perils of being exposed to too much bluescreen weren't giving you sleepless nights, that surely will. But doomscrolling on the loo is a habit that 57 per cent of Britons admit to doing, according to a YouGov poll – myself included. It's so easy for a three-minute trip to the loo to turn into 15 to 20 minutes of scrolling, posting and texting. And it's the reason I ended up in hospital last week. I've had insomnia, which has weakened my immune system. It turns out that waking at 3am and checking your phone, thinking 'Has the US bombed Iran yet…?', interferes with your sleep patterns, suppressing melatonin production and making it harder to drift off and stay asleep. A recent study showed how an extra hour of screen time each day was linked to a 33 per cent increase in insomnia risk. And, earlier this month, another study – of teenagers' habits – revealed that spending more than two hours a day scrolling on phones or tablets doubles their risk of anxiety disorders and increases their chances of depression fourfold. I hit rock bottom in my bathroom last week. Having lost all sense of time, I eventually realised I'd been scrolling through stories about the Air India crash for 45 minutes, which itself is pretty unhealthy. But 'toilet-scrolling', as it's known, is a double-whammy health hazard. The combination of the pressure on your lower quarters from prolonged sitting and the negative impact on mental health of doomscrolling finally took its toll on me: I had to go to hospital. In hindsight, I had been needing to use the bathroom more frequently, which had meant scrolling even more than usual while locked in there… and eventually I started to feel quite unwell. But I had no idea that, on a Sunday at an urgent walk-in centre, I would be diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. I was given emergency antibiotics – but it didn't get any better. When I developed a mild fever and a rash on my leg, I was directed to A&E as there was a chance the infection could be sepsis. When I did the 'blanching test', the rash didn't fade when pressed with a clear glass. Typically, before I was called to give a urine sample, do blood tests and have an ultrasound to check my kidneys, I spent my time in the hospital waiting room doomscrolling. I was put on new, mega-strong antibiotics and ordered to rest in bed, which I'm not good at. I was also told that I needed to look at the stress levels in my life and make changes. Doomscrolling on the loo has got to go. To avoid further bladder issues, I have now weaned myself off toilet-scrolling – a filthy habit that triggers a dopamine release but is just not worth it. So, goodbye, doomscrolling. Catching up on all the bad news from around the world on your phone is one thing – but doing it on the loo is a recipe for disaster.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Model dies after ‘milk injection' from the ‘Godfather of Liposuction' in attempt to cure her chronic insomnia
A MODEL has died after getting a "milk injection" from the "Godfather of Liposuction". Cai Yuxin - who boasted tens of thousands of followers online - was desperately seeking any treatment to cure her chronic insomnia in Taiwan. 4 4 4 The 40-year-old model got a "milk injection" at a clinic in Taipei - a short-acting intravenous anaesthetic called propofol used for sedation and anaesthesia in hospital settings. The killer injection was administered by Taiwan's "Godfather of Liposuction" - Wu Shaohu, the clinic's director. After Cai was injected, the liposuction Godfather then reportedly left the clinic - leaving only an assistant with no nursing licence to monitor the model's condition. Local media reports that the equipment may not have been set up properly, leading to an increase in the drip rate of the injection. This therefore caused a larger dose of the anaesthetic to be delivered in a short time frame. Cai - who had over 32,000 social media followers - tragically suffered cardiac and respiratory arrest. The assistant managed to reach Wu on a video call, who guided him in performing CPR on Cai. But by the time the clinic director desperately scrambled back to the clinic, the model was no longer breathing and her heart had stopped. She was then rushed to hospital for emergency treatment, where she remained in a coma for 19 days - but her family later decided to stop her life support. Local authorities have launched a probe into Wu on potential charges of causing serious injury due to negligence and violating the Medical Care Act. The Ministry of Health and Welfare in Taiwan classifies propofol as a Schedule IV controlled substance, under the conditions that it is only administered by those qualified to do so under appropriate monitoring. Taiwanese anaesthesiologist Lai Xianyong stressed how propofol is a strictly regulated medication and clinics like Wu's that use it unlawfully to treat insomnia are in breach of medical ethics. Lai said: "Similar incidents occur every year. It's truly deplorable. "Medical personnel providing such services without proper airway management training are placing patients' lives in serious jeopardy." Tributes for Cai from her tens of thousands of followers have been pouring in. One person said on social media: "This is undoubtedly murder. I hope the police swiftly identify those responsible for her death and bring them to justice." Another commented: "Rest in peace. "Thank you for gracing our world – we will miss you." 4
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Taiwan car show model dies after ‘milk injection' for insomnia by ‘Godfather of Liposuction'
A Taiwanese car show model has tragically died after receiving a so-called 'milk injection' – the anaesthetic propofol – from the renowned 'Godfather of Liposuction' in an attempt to treat chronic insomnia, triggering widespread outrage and sorrow across social media. Cai Yuxin, in her 30s, boasted over 32,000 followers on Facebook. A beloved figure at car shows, she was affectionately compared to Lin Chi-ling, a famous Taiwanese actress, thanks to her striking looks and impressive height of 5 feet 7 inches (170cm). Having long battled insomnia, Cai sought sleep therapy on May 25 at the recommendation of a friend and underwent a procedure known as the 'milk injection' at Fairy Clinic in Taipei. The term 'milk injection' refers to propofol treatment – a potent, short-acting intravenous anesthetic commonly employed for sedation and anaesthesia in clinical settings, named for its distinctive milky appearance. Cai was a beloved figure at car shows, thanks to her striking looks and impressive height of 5 feet 7 inches (170cm). Photo: Facebook/@Cai Yuxin The injection was administered by Wu Shaohu, the clinic director and a prominent cosmetic doctor, often referred to as Taiwan's 'Godfather of Liposuction.'
CNA
a day ago
- Health
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Mind Your Money - How can tech help F&Bs survive?
CNA938 Rewind - The Wellness Hour - Beat insomnia without pills Struggling to get a good night's sleep? Insomnia affects many Singaporeans and costs the economy billions every year. Hui Wong hears why pills aren't always the answer and how cognitive-behavioural therapy can help you reclaim restful nights—naturally and effectively with Julian Lim, Lead Psychologist and Co-Founder, Somnus Sleep Wellness 16 mins CNA938 Rewind - Mind Your Money - How can tech help F&Bs survive? With over 3,000 F&B closures last year but nearly 4,000 new openings, why do some businesses shut down while others thrive? Hui Wong explores how technology and smart strategies are shifting the balance with Vivek Matthew Abraham, Commercial Director at foodpanda Singapore 17 mins CNA938 Rewind - Mindline: Help for mental health is just a call, chat away Singapore has launched a new national helpline for residents to reach out to for help — yet another step in boosting the country's mental health resilience. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng speak with Dr Christopher Cheok, Director, National Mindline 1771, to find out more about the team and the benefits for Singaporeans. 18 mins
CNA
a day ago
- Health
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - The Wellness Hour - Beat insomnia without pills
CNA938 Rewind - The Wellness Hour - Beat insomnia without pills Struggling to get a good night's sleep? Insomnia affects many Singaporeans and costs the economy billions every year. Hui Wong hears why pills aren't always the answer and how cognitive-behavioural therapy can help you reclaim restful nights—naturally and effectively with Julian Lim, Lead Psychologist and Co-Founder, Somnus Sleep Wellness 16 mins CNA938 Rewind - Mind Your Money - How can tech help F&Bs survive? With over 3,000 F&B closures last year but nearly 4,000 new openings, why do some businesses shut down while others thrive? Hui Wong explores how technology and smart strategies are shifting the balance with Vivek Matthew Abraham, Commercial Director at foodpanda Singapore 17 mins CNA938 Rewind - Mindline: Help for mental health is just a call, chat away Singapore has launched a new national helpline for residents to reach out to for help — yet another step in boosting the country's mental health resilience. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng speak with Dr Christopher Cheok, Director, National Mindline 1771, to find out more about the team and the benefits for Singaporeans. 18 mins
