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Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Morning Live doctor on how to get rid of a UTI without seeing a GP
Dr Kasim Ahmed appeared on Morning Live's expert panel on Tuesday to shed light on urinary tract infections, highlighting their increased rates in summer due to dehydration from sweating which can stop your body from being able to properly flush the urinary system. He offered a straightforward tip for tackling UTIs, saying: "Some simple UTIs can be treated just by having enough water on board. However, some UTIs need more treatment than that, it may be a case of trying to get antibiotics." For those needing antibiotics, Dr Ahmed pointed out who can skip a GP visit to get it: "Antibiotics are actually quite readily available for you especially if you're a woman between the ages of 16 and 64." "Through the Pharmacy First scheme you can go to a pharmacist with your symptoms, describe your symptoms to your pharmacist and they should be able to give you a short course of antibiotics. Normally that's three to five days. "Now if you're outside of that demographic; you're a woman over 65, you're a child under 16, you're a man or if you're pregnant, you'll need to see your GP." The doctor weighed in on cranberry juice for UTIs, noting that despite limited scientific support, there's no real harm in taking it if it eases your symptoms, so long as you're not diabetic. He said: "I'm never one to say no to something if it helps someone, if it's helping your symptoms that's what is important. "There's some evidence for it but it's really limited and the mechanism isn't fully understood. It may be molecules in the cranberry juice that might stop bacteria attaching to the lining of your bladder or urethra, which would then potentially stop an infection. However, how that happens isn't quite understood. But if it works for you, excellent." For diabetics considering cranberry juice as a remedy, Dr Kas highlights the need for caution given its typically high sugar content, advising them to monitor their blood sugar levels closely. Committed to destigmatising UTIs, the NHS doctor encouraged people to have open discussions about the condition, stating: "(UTIs) affect millions of people every year. "From a hospital perspective, they're one of the most common infections in A&E that end up getting admitted to hospital. It can go all the way up to the kidneys, you can get very very serious infections as a result of it. It's not a comment on your hygiene at all." He also emphasised the mental strain that UTIs can impose, alongside the "debilitating" physical symptoms they often bring. He elaborated: "The psychological effects of a UTI, the toll it can take is huge. It is more prevalent in women and the symptoms women get can be absolutely knackering."
Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
GPs' strict rules for prescribing weight loss jab explained
GPs are now able to prescribe Mounjaro injections, but only if patients meet strict guidelines NHS England has announced that GPs will now be able to prescribe Mounjaro injections. Originally licensed for type 2 diabetes treatment, the medication's use as a weight loss aid stems from its appetite-suppressing properties. The health service aims to make these injections widely available, but this is a long-term objective. Starting on Monday, a very limited group of people will be able to get prescriptions for it through their GP. Currently, two criteria must be met to qualify for the prescription. Firstly, a BMI of 40 or over is required, however, if you're from a minority ethnic background, you may be eligible with a BMI of 37.5 or over. Additionally, you'll need to have been diagnosed with four out of the following five conditions: Type 2 diabetes High blood pressure Heart and vascular disease High cholesterol Obstructive sleep apnoea In this initial rollout, it's expected that 220,000 people will be eligible and receive Mounjaro through the NHS in the next three years, according to the Guardian. Previously, patients needed to use special weight loss services to access the medication. As weight loss medication became mainstream news, GP surgeries have reported being overwhelmed with requests for the injections. With these criteria now in the open, GPs are urging people not to approach their local surgery unless they meet the eligibility requirements, according to the BBC. BMI is calculated by comparing your height and weight, with ethnicity factored in for certain risk factors. It has faced criticism for not accounting for muscle mass, which could skew results, but remains the most common method for assessing obesity in healthcare. The NHS provides a complimentary BMI calculator online here. According to this tool, a BMI between 18.5 and 25 is deemed healthy, below 18.5 is underweight, 25 to 30 is overweight, and over 30 is considered obese. The NHS tool also suggests "next steps" for those whose BMI falls outside the healthy range. Even if you are eligible for the jabs, the early days of this rollout could lead to some hiccups as experts have already warned the supply set aside for GP prescriptions won't be enough to satisfy demand. Mounjaro also requires monthly follow-ups, demanding significant time and effort from medical professionals. As a result, GP surgeries will likely be strategising to ensure they don't exceed their capacity. In Wales, the government is deliberating on a primary care rollout, with the injections presently accessible only via specialist weight management services. Northern Ireland, meanwhile, is implementing a regional obesity management service. For people who don't qualify or live in regions where GPs aren't offering the treatment, Dr Xand offered reassurance on Morning Live: "If you think these drugs would help but you don't meet the criteria, I think it's worth saying there are lots of drugs in the pipeline, it is very likely that the price can come down. "It can be frustrating to have to wait. But I think over the next few years, the picture is optimistic for people who want these drugs."
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Food poisoning alert as doctor says one meat has 'a lot' of bacteria
The common meal can easily lead to some uncomfortable health issues if people are not fully aware of these dos and don'ts A BBC doctor has issued a health alert to anyone cooking this summer to watch out for something 'really common' that could result in serious sickness. Speaking on BBC's Morning Live, Dr Punam Krishan shared some tips to make sure people are able to avoid food poisoning this season. It often spikes in the summer due to the warmer weather conditions, making it much easier for bacteria to spread. She said: "In warmer weather, bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli tend to multiply much faster, so it's really important to store [and cook] your food properly." The practising GP said that the simplest defence is knowing how the use your fridge, so Dr Punam provided a list of tips to keep your food safe, including: Keep your fridge set to between 0C and 5C: Some fridges have built-in thermometers, but you can buy and fit a separate one Don't overfill your fridge: It leaves little to no space for cold air to move about. Get food into the fridge as soon as possible: Avoid leaving your groceries in the car for long periods between shopping. Dr Punam issued some advice to anyone who eats chicken, turkey and duck. She said: "Raw poultry has a lot of bacteria, like salmonella and Campylobacter, that sit on the surface of your poultry. If it's not cooked properly, you can get really unwell." Leftovers might pile up if you cook for a crowd but don't have room for them on your plate. But even if you avoid all the food poisoning pitfalls, your leftovers might offer bacteria a second chance to infect. Dr Punam stressed the importance of letting cooked food cool completely before storing it in the fridge. If you know you won't eat the dish within the next couple of days, freeze it instead. She also warned that defrosting anything frozen could also lead to food poisoning and said the best thing to do is to transfer items from the freezer into the fridge to thaw gradually and safely. She said: "It might all sound like common sense, but [food poisoning] is one of the common culprits for why so many people get diarrhoea and vomiting." What are the signs of food poisoning? According to the NHS, food poisoning symptoms usually start within a few hours or a few days of eating food that caused the infection. Sometimes symptoms do not start for a few weeks - which could make it hard to pinpoint the meal that caused the issue - but this kind of delayed reaction is very rare. You can typically spot the signs of food poisoning in yourself or others by checking for the following red flags: feeling sick or being sick diarrhoea tummy pain a high temperature feeling generally unwell How to treat food poisoning? Any type of food can cause this poisoning, although it is rarely serious and usually gets better within a week. However, battling through the symptoms can be quite uncomfortable. You can normally treat yourself at home. The NHS says that "the most important thing is to have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration". Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration (such as dark, smelly urine or peeing less than usual). People who are older, have a weakened immune system, or have other health conditions that increase their risk of dehydration should also get additional help from a pharmacist, who may recommend some oral rehydration powder that you mix with water to make a drink. The experts add that people should try to eat when they feel able to, and it may help to avoid foods that are fatty or spicy. Taking paracetamol if you're in discomfort should also help.
