A popular drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and symptoms of an enlarged prostate may increase the risk of a serious eye disease that can lead to blindness.
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Cases of a diarrhea causing parasite have reached its highest levels since 2016, health officials have warned.
Getting vaccinated against shingles could cut the risk of developing not only dementia but heart disease, heart failure and stroke, according to a major study.
Bright-eyed, full of smiles and often wearing something sparkly and fabulous, she spends most of her days chatting to customers in the Walton-on-Thames clothing shop where she works.
Swapping cigarettes for vapes does not put users ‘at risk of serious harm’ – is the surprising conclusion of a major review into e-cigarette safety.
Daily habits could increase your dementia risk (Image: Getty)
Around a quarter of UK adults over the age of 40 cannot name any habits or health conditions that increase their risk of dementia, according to new research by the Alzheimer’s Society. The study indicates that millions of Brits lack the knowledge to take effective steps to reduce their risk of developing the disease. It estimates that close to one million people in the UK are living with dementia, with around a third living without a formal diagnosis.
That figure is expected to increase to around 1.4 million by 2040, with the Alzheimer’s Society sharing the everyday habits and health conditions that increase a person’s risk of developing dementia. It comes as a poll of 1,393 people in the UK, conducted on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society, found that 26% could not name a single risk factor.
Everyday lifestyle choices and habits that are known to increase a person’s risk of dementia include:
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Physical inactivity
- Smoking
- Infrequent social interaction.
Meanwhile, other factors and health conditions that could increase a person’s risk of dementia include:
- Air pollution
- Obesity
- Head injury
- Hypertension
- Vision loss
- Diabetes
- Less education
- Depression
- Hearing impairment
- High cholesterol.
The research found that fewer than a third (32%) of people knew that high blood pressure could increase their dementia risk.
Smoking is among the habits that increase a person’s risk of developing dementia (Image: Getty)
Michelle Dyson, chief executive at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “These new findings show that many people are not aware of the factors they can influence to help reduce their risk of developing dementia, the UK’s biggest killer.
“As a result, millions of people are missing the chance to take simple steps today that could help protect their brain health tomorrow, from getting their hearing checked to managing their blood pressure.
“By helping people to understand their risks and the actions they can take, we have a meaningful opportunity to reduce the number of people affected by dementia in the future.”
Professor Ian Maidment, a professor in clinical pharmacy at Aston University, said: “Many people understandably live in fear of dementia.
“But there are many things that we can do to reduce the risk of dementia, including exercise, not smoking, alcohol in moderation and managing diseases such as high blood pressure and raised cholesterol.
“The key message is: what is good for the heart is good for the head. This message needs to be communicated in accessible ways to a diverse audience; social media has a key role.”
David Thomas, head of policy and public affairs at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said that the research highlights a gap in knowledge around dementia in Britain.
“The question is no longer whether awareness is too low – that’s been established,” he said. “But what can be done to help people understand how to keep their brains healthy and reduce their risk of dementia.
“We are calling on the Government to introduce a national dementia risk reduction campaign delivered through the NHS, so people can access clear, evidence-based information about protecting their brain health.”
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Tesco is urgently recalling its Finest Mozzarella Pearls and Pesto Orzo Salad over fears it could be contaminated with potentially deadly bacteria.
Food safety watchdogs have slapped a ‘do not eat’ warning on the packaged pasta salad and advised customers to return the product to any store for a full refund. No receipt is required.
It is feared the pasta salad may be contaminated with a rare strain of E. coli which can cause kidney failure and prove fatal.
Affected batches include those with use by dates of August 25, 26 and 27, 2026.
Tesco has recalled the limited edition dish and has issued a recall notice to alert customers, asking customers not to eat the above product.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has warned that eating the pasta salad could result in a bacterial infection known as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
E. coli are bacteria that are found in the environment, food and the intestines of animals and people.
Common symptoms of STEC include severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and eventually kidney failure.
The Food Standards Agency issues food recall notices when a product presents a risk to public health
It usually takes between two to four days from being infected with STEC to develop symptoms.
A small number of people, mainly children, with STEC infections go on to develop a serious and life-threatening condition called haemolytic uraemic syndrome.
Common warning signs include less frequent urination, fatigue, swelling and bruising – with children under the age of five at the highest risk.
For more information on the recall, Tesco is asking customers to contact its customers services via its contact page on the website.
No other Tesco products are affected by the recall and the retail giant has apologised for any inconvenience caused.
It comes just days after four popular chicken wraps -stocked at Iceland and other convenience stores – were pulled from shop shelves, after it was discovered they could be contaminated with the bacteria.
The series of recalls come following a 26 per cent rise in STEC infections in England, which was previously linked back to lettuce in pre-packaged sandwiches and wraps.
Last year, there was a major STEC outbreak linked to nursing homes in Belgium, resulting in ten deaths.
Investigators concluded that raw minced beef served to residents was the most plausible source of infection.
It is primarily spread through eating contaminated foods such as raw fruit and vegetables that have not been washed or stored correctly, or from undercooked meat.
It can also be spread by touching infected animals or their faeces, either directly or through contaminated water.
Anyone who experiences symptoms is advised to stay away from work, school or nursery until symptoms have resolved to avoid passing it on to others.
STEC infections are rarely fatal, with only a handful of deaths recorded each year in England despite thousands of cases being reported.
The FSA issues food recall notices when a product presents a risk to public health.
It comes as more than 200 Britons have been struck down with Salmonella food poisoning, in what health chiefs have declared a national outbreak.
Nine ways to naturally lower your blood pressure have been revealed by The British Heart Foundation. Senior cardiac nurse Regina Giblin shared tips for managing high blood pressure without medication.
High blood pressure is a common medical condition where the force of blood pushing against your artery walls is consistently too high. It often has no symptoms, but over time, it can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. So, it’s important to get your blood pressure checked regularly and know your numbers.
1. Cut down on salt
Eating too much salt makes your body hold on to extra water, which can raise your blood pressure. Much of the salt we eat comes from processed foods, ready meals, soups, sauces and processed meats, rather than the salt shaker. Cooking from scratch and flavouring food with herbs and spices instead of salt can also make a difference over time.
(Image: Getty)
2. Eat a balanced diet
A healthy, balanced diet helps keep your heart and blood vessels healthy. Aim for plenty of fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. The DASH and Mediterranean-style diets have been shown to support healthy blood pressure. Try eating in a similar way by having more fruit and vegetables, choosing wholegrains, including unsalted nuts, seeds or pulses, and using small amounts of unsaturated oils.
(Image: Getty)
Radio host Hannah French tripped and fell so often during her early 20s that she lost count of the injuries she sustained.
‘I would be walking down the street and my knee would suddenly give way, or I would tumble down the stairs for no apparent reason,’ says Hannah, 45, a BBC Radio presenter who lives in London with her husband Paul, a communications director, and their daughter, 11.
Her body became riddled with scars as a result, ‘but why it was happening was always a bit mysterious’, she says.
Even minimal impact could lead to injury – once the force of a sneeze resulted in her dislocating her jaw.
‘I’d often end up in [the emergency department] because my shoulder dislocated as I reached into the back of my car, or my knee had come out of place walking down the road,’ says Hannah.
Doctors were convinced her problem was isolated to her left knee, which was starting to face inwards. At 28, she had surgery to straighten it by cutting the iliotibial band, the fibrous tissue that runs from the hip to the shin.
It did nothing to help – because the problem wasn’t actually specific to her knee. It was, in fact, a form of Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) – an umbrella term for a group of 13 conditions where collagen that forms the connective tissue holding much of the body together is weaker than normal.
Hannah was diagnosed by a rheumatologist, who had only to witness her range of movements and hear her medical history to identify the condition.
Radio host Hannah French has hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). She uses a wheelchair to avoid injury
The type she has is hypermobile EDS, which accounts for 90 percent of EDS cases, with symptoms such as excessively flexible joints as ligaments that should hold them in place fail to do so properly.
Those affected ‘may regularly pick up injuries such as twisted ankles or dislocated shoulders’, says Dr Benjamin Ellis, a consultant rheumatologist at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London.
Chronic pain and fatigue are also common – often not due to injuries, says Dr Ellis, but because the central nervous system is confused by the unpredictable way the body behaves and creates relentless pain and fatigue to slow it down.
A year before her diagnosis, Hannah had agonizing pain radiating from her knees and hips that painkillers did not help. In desperation, she applied packs of frozen peas to her joints.
But when she started falling virtually every time she left the house, she took the decision to use a wheelchair. She was just 28.
‘It seemed the safer option,’ she says. ‘It’s frightening to keep falling – I was scared I would do real harm to myself.’
Hannah’s experience is all too common.
Astonishingly, people with hypermobile EDS wait on average 21 years for a diagnosis, according to new research published in the journal Disability and Rehabilitation and based on surveys with 2,000 people.
Around 80 percent of those affected are women and many were labeled as ‘anxious and hysterical’ before their diagnosis, says Kathryn Berg, research manager at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer at the University of Edinburgh, who co-led the study. ‘Some were told by doctors they were just anxious, stressed or even that they were hypochondriacs.’
Some, like Hannah, used wheelchairs to avoid further injury – but still spent years waiting for a diagnosis, the team discovered.
Around 1 in 5,000 people worldwide have EDS, according to the Ehlers-Danlos Society, but the prevalence of the condition could be much higher as it is often misdiagnosed or missed.
This is especially true for hypermobile EDS, for which there is no genetic test – unlike some of the rarer forms, such as vascular EDS (where fragile blood vessels can develop swellings or aneurysms that can be life-threatening).
And as connective tissue is found all over the body, hypermobile EDS may cause numerous – seemingly unrelated – symptoms.
The skin may be fragile and tissues that form the lining of the gut may be more lax than normal. This can cause constipation, as waste is not propelled along the gut properly.
The Ehlers-Danlos society say that EDS and hypermobile EDS ‘are two of the most understood conditions of our time.’
‘But others may have IBS,’ says Dr Ellis. ‘It is very variable.’
Hannah had this mixture of gut symptoms.
Other signs include bladder problems, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) – where the heart races and they get dizzy standing up because the connective tissue in the blood vessels is loose and they don’t constrict to stop blood pooling.
‘As a result, not enough blood reaches the brain temporarily and you feel faint,’ says Dr Ellis.
Diagnosis of hypermobile EDS is based on signs of hypermobility, such as being able to bend the thumb back to the forearm, widespread chronic pain, and highly stretchy skin. Doctors may see if they can pinch skin from the back of the hand beyond 1.5cm.
Yet this isn’t straightforward if someone is older, for example. And awareness is low, even among healthcare professionals.
‘From what we’ve determined, some medical students get an hour on this subject and some none at all,’ adds Kathryn Berg.
If hypermobile EDS is caught early, physiotherapy can help to keep joints stable, and ease bladder problems.
Gastric problems can sometimes be addressed through dietary changes, says Dr Ellis – but he adds: ‘The longer the person goes unsupported, the harder it can be to improve symptoms’.
Diagnosis of hypermobile EDS is based on signs of hypermobility, such as being able to bend the thumb back to the forearm (pictured), widespread chronic pain and highly stretchy skin
As well as the numerous dislocations, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and pain, mild exertion could leave Hannah needing to rest for days
By the time Hannah was diagnosed in 2010 there was so much ‘wrong’ with her that she hesitated to tell the rheumatologist all her symptoms, she says. ‘There are so many elements of your health that are affected you question if you’re a hypochondriac.’
As well as the numerous dislocations, IBS and pain, mild exertion could leave her needing to rest for days.
Even the way her teeth were crowded into her mouth was due to EDS (the faulty collagen can affect the jaw shape, leaving it unusually high and thin).
It was also why local anesthetic rarely worked at the dentist (the loose tissue means the drug disperses quickly rather than blocking pain). ‘But I was made to feel I was just making a fuss,’ says Hannah.
While not linked to a single gene, hypermobile EDS often runs in families. Hannah realized many relatives on her mum’s side ‘had lived with what we thought was just mysterious chronic pain – but I now know was EDS’.
She recalls: ‘My great grandmother used to regularly have to take to her bed with pain and exhaustion – and people thought she was just a hypochondriac.’
Hannah’s diagnosis brought no miracle cure, but she has learned to adapt. However she had to give up her career as a flautist. ‘Holding the flute was physically exhausting,’ she says. ‘Plus, my wheelchair once became stuck in a field following a concert, and so I thought, “Enough”.’ She can take a few steps unaided but sticks to the wheelchair ‘because otherwise I fall over’.
She coped with pregnancy surprisingly well – ‘finally my body stretched into itself’, she says – but the birth was a carefully managed caesarean. A natural birth was out of the question.
The pain she has been in constantly for 20 years has been one of the hardest elements to bear.
She was sent to a pain clinic in 2013, where she was taught coping strategies, such as ‘rather than thinking, “I hurt so much all over” I pull back and think, “No, your hand doesn’t hurt or your shoulder doesn’t hurt,” – and it isn’t quite so overwhelming’, she explains.
Even so, Hannah takes ‘stacks’ of paracetamol as well as ibuprofen and codeine daily – and keeps Oramorph [liquid morphine] on top of the bathroom cabinet. ‘I know it’s there but don’t go to it easily,’ she says.
She also has to remember to pace herself.
‘Recently I presented the Proms [a classical music concert] for Radio 3 for two nights in a row – and after that I had to allow for a day in bed,’ she says.
‘My one wish is that I had been kinder to my younger self, rather than pushing through my pain and fatigue.’
She knows there is a high chance her daughter will have inherited the condition.
‘But we know what we are looking for now and if we can catch it early for her – and others – that could make all the difference.’
Packed with happy children, council-run paddling pools and splash parks have offered welcome relief for families from the heatwaves of this summer.