Blind, Warwick golfer refuses to be bunkered when aiding charity
Ms White said her diagnosis explained what she experienced during her early life. "It was a Eureka moment," she explained. "I realised then why I'd knocked glasses of water over, or couldn't see in a nightclub, or missed that goal in hockey. "I could understand why it was all happening, I wasn't just clumsy, there was a reason for it."The 60-year-old added that in the 1980s she had made the decision not to have children as she feared they could have experienced similar struggles, however she stressed that science and research were "far better now"."It's by no means a bad thing to have Ushers and you can live a full life, but at the time there was not the research," she said.She hoped that along with her brother, she would be part of the "breakthrough" in new treatments for Usher Syndrome.
Ms White's latest event, a charity golf day held at Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Club on Wednesday, raised £14,800. She said 20% of the proceeds were donated to England and Wales Blind Golf, a charity which helped her rediscover her passion for the sport while her eyesight continued to deteriorate."I played golf until 2006, but gave up as I lost my competitive edge. I can see to hit a ball, but I can see it's flight. "People would say 'your ball is over there' but 'over there' doesn't mean anything to me."Ms White said playing golf with the support of charity helped her mental health and enabled her to meet lots of new friends. The 60-year-old added that she needed to "up her fundraising game" now that she had two charities to support.
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The Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Sun
Warning as cases of agonising infection surge over summer – with swimming a key trigger
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Many of these patients were in hospital for less than a day - with Boots suggesting hospital trips could be avoided by accessing early advice and appropriate treatment. Dr Gauher said: 'UTIs are common bacterial infections affecting the urinary tract that can cause painful symptoms, interrupt travel plans, and sometimes lead to more serious health complications if left untreated." These can include a high temperature, pains in the lower tummy or back, as well as needing to pee urgently and a burning sensation when you do so. 'Dehydration, frequent swimming, and changes in hygiene routines during the holidays can increase the risk of UTIs," the GP went on. "It's important to stay aware and take preventive measures, especially during these warmer months.' The GP shared her seven top tips for preventing UTIs or stopping them in their tracks. The most common illnesses you can catch on holiday 1. Stay hydrated Are you forgetting to drink water while getting caught up in your summer plans? This can make UTIs more likely, Dr Gauher warned. 'Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is one of the best ways to help flush out bacteria from your urinary tract and relieve UTI symptoms," she said. "Try and aim for at least six to eight glasses of water a day.' 2. Pee regularly The same applies for going to the loo. 'Urinating regularly is key too," the GP went on. "Don't hold in urine and try to go to the toilet as soon as you feel the need to. "This helps clear bacteria from the urinary tract before it has the chance to multiply.' What is a UTI? Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are usually caused by bacteria - found in poo - entering the urinary tract. The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body (urethra). Women are more likely than men to pick up UTIs as they have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection. According to the NHS, things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include: Having sex Pregnancy Conditions that block the urinary tract – such as kidney stones conditions that make it difficult to fully empty the bladder – such as an enlarged prostate in men and constipation in children Urinary catheters (a tube in your bladder used to drain urine) Having a weakened immune system – for example, people with diabetes or people having chemotherapy Not drinking enough fluids Not keeping the genital area clean and dry Check if it's a UTI Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) may include: Pain or a burning sensation when peeing (dysuria) Needing to pee more often than usual Needing to pee more often than usual during the night (nocturia) Needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual Pee that looks cloudy Blood in your pee Lower tummy pain or pain in your back, just under the ribs A high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery A very low temperature below 36C Your pee may also be dark or smell. If this is your only symptom, it might be because you've not been drinking enough water. What to do if you think you have a UTI If you think you have UTI symptoms, you should speak to your GP to discuss treatment options. Most people will need antibiotics. Some people may be prescribed a 'delayed antibiotic', meaning they'll be asked only to use it if their symptoms don't go away after a certain amount of time. If you keep getting UTIs, your GP might recommend you have a low dose of antibiotics over a long period of time or refer you to a specialist for more tests and treatments. For women who have gone through menopause, there is evidence that vaginal oestrogen creams can reduce UTI symptoms. Source: NHS 3. Wipe well Sometimes your wiping habits could put you in the danger zone of a UTI, according to Dr Gauher. 'Practising good hygiene is another important step," she stressed. 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The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Calvin Harris and Vick Hope appear to share ‘placenta capsules' photo – here's what the experts say
Vick Hope and Calvin Harris recently announced they'd welcomed a baby boy into the world in a series of Instagram posts. The posts showed photos of Harris and the baby, named Micah, and photos of Hope in a birthing pool. There were also photos of Hope's placenta and some capsules that looked like the product of placenta encapsulation. Harris wrote, '20th of July our boy arrived. Micah is here! My wife is a superhero and I am in complete awe of her primal wisdom! Just so grateful. We love you so much Micah.' Many women opt to consume their own placenta after their baby is born, and although many animals do this, experts disagree about whether this is a worthwhile practice for humans. The placenta is a temporary organ that provides a baby with nutrients during pregnancy, and it looks as though Hope decided to have hers encapsulated – a practice that is growing in popularity. Hillary Duff opted to drink a portion of her placenta in a smoothie after giving birth. 'I know it sounds gross, but it's so badass a woman can grow a temporary organ – and then you can eat it!' she said. Millie Mackintosh also posted that she had 'decided to get my placenta made into pills' after the birth of her second daughter, and Kourtney Kardashian also opted for placenta encapsulation. Many women choose to consume their placenta after giving birth, sometimes raw but otherwise cooked, dehydrated, processed, drunk as tea or encapsulated as a supplement. We asked the experts whether there are any benefits to doing this and, if so, are placenta pills the best way to do it? What is Placentophagy? Placentophagy is the postpartum ingestion of the placenta, which can be eaten in a variety of ways. Placenta tablets, also known as placenta capsules, are pills created by drying and grinding up a placenta into a powder, then encapsulating it. Placentophagia is a common mammalian behaviour observed in rats, sheep and primates, and studies have shown the benefits in these animals. However, there is little evidence that the practice is beneficial for human health. Women who choose to consume their placenta after birth believe it provides health benefits associated with hormones and nutrients that might have been depleted during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Some people consume a portion of or the whole placenta immediately after giving birth, and some might take capsules each day during the postpartum period. A 2020 research paper explains that, 'the supposed benefits' of eating placenta are '[an] increase in milk production quality and quantity, improving weight gain of the newborn, as well as decreasing postpartum depression rates'. However, the same paper cites reports disputing these supposed benefits. Researchers found that 'Placebo-controlled studies of placental capsules have not shown significant effects on hormonal levels, milk production, and weight gain in the newborn.' In fact, there is also evidence that eating a placenta could be harmful. Placentas exchange nutrients and waste products between a mother and her baby, so placentas have been known to contain trace elements of toxic elements like arsenic and cadmium, particularly if the mother is a smoker. Placentas also need to be prepared safely to prevent disease. This 2020 paper states that if a mother chooses to eat or drink her placenta, there is also a present risk of 'bacterial or viral infections, hormonal, or trace elements that could become toxic for both the mother and baby.' 'It can be very appealing thinking that the placenta that has helped you nourish your baby inside your womb, can then also nourish you after birth. In one sense, it feels right because that is its job – to nourish and grow your child, ' adds consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Shazia Malik. 'But we shouldn't forget that the equally important role of the placenta is to remove toxins and chemicals from the baby via your circulation, so you could inadvertently be giving yourself a concentrated dose of heavy metals, toxins, and also bacteria. Cases of babies getting GBS infections from placenta capsules have been described, and as there is no universal screening for this, you would not know if this is present in your placenta.' Placenta pills: Are there any health benefits? Despite the increasing popularity of placenta pills, some research has debunked the theory that consuming the placenta offers health benefits. In 2015, the BBC reported that a review by Northwestern University found no proven benefits and no research on the potential risks. Lead study author Cynthia Coyle says, 'Women really don't know what they are ingesting.' A 2018 study showed that women who were given placebo capsules or placental capsules had no significant differences in mood, fatigue, or the emotional bond between mother and newborn. Another paper from 2017 compared placenta capsules with a beef placebo and found that, despite the placenta being higher in iron, there was no difference in the iron levels of the women consuming the capsules. Some experts suggest that the way the placenta is prepared – whether raw, cooked, dehydrated, processed, or encapsulated – alters its components, and thus the desired effects. However, the level of digestive absorption of the different hormones present in the placenta has never been studied. 'The science for any benefit just isn't there,' says Malik. 'It's an expensive, unregulated business to encapsulate placentas. Women should not be made to feel that they are missing out by not doing it, and the concerns regarding potentially passing on harmful infections are valid.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
How the hot & humid summer weather causes frizzy hair, breakage & bald spots – the key to fixing it is in your kitchen
SUMMER might be great for your tan but your hair - not so much. As the heatwave rolls on, hair experts are warning that rising temperatures, sun exposure and sticky humidity could be silently wrecking your locks. 6 6 According to Sam Cinkir, CEO of top UK skin and hair clinic Este Medical Group, the summer months bring a cocktail of factors that can secretly sabotage your strands and lead to frizz, breakage and even bald spots. Sam warns: ' Warmer temperatures, increased exposure to the sun and higher levels of humidity can all combine to cause problems for our hair in summer.' While we slather on SPF to protect our skin, our hair often gets forgotten and that's when trouble starts. The heat can dry out your strands, zap moisture from your scalp, and weaken hair follicles, making hair more prone to thinning and damage. Humidity adds insult to injury, lifting the cuticle layer of the hair and letting in moisture, which causes swelling, frizz, and that all-too-familiar 'triangle head' situation. 'You might find your locks more susceptible to issues such as breakage, split ends, frizziness or even hair loss,' Sam told The Sun. But it turns out, the real hair hero isn't sitting on a salon shelf, it could already be in your kitchen. Sam explains that a few simple dietary tweaks can play a big role in restoring shine, strength and scalp health during the hotter months. He recommends focusing on foods rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and key nutrients like vitamins A, C and E, along with iron and zinc. My hair's so thin you can see my scalp but miracle £8 buy fixes it in seconds These are all crucial for keeping the hair follicle strong, encouraging healthy growth, and locking in moisture. And don't forget hydration. A dry scalp is an unhappy scalp and not drinking enough water can leave both your hair and skin looking parched. So what should you be eating? Oily fish 6 Sam highlights oily fish, like mackerel, herring and tuna, as one of the top summer saviours. These fish are packed with omega-3 s, which help nourish the scalp and improve blood flow to hair follicles, key for reducing inflammation and preventing shedding. Leafy greens Leafy greens are another smart swap. Spinach, kale and bok choy are rich in iron and vitamin C. Vitamin C helps your body produce collagen, a protein that keeps your hair strong and structured. Eggs 6 Sam also notes that eggs are a brilliant source of keratin. Keratin is the main protein your hair is made of and plays a big part in preventing thinning. So it's important to add this breakfast staple into your diet if you want to combat thinning hair. Greek yogurt 6 For a tasty way to end the day, try a bowl of Greek yogurt. Not only is it high in protein, but it also contains vitamin B5, which supports healthy hair texture and cell renewal. It even helps with dandruff by keeping the scalp nourished. With tubs going for around £3.50 in most supermarkets, it's a small price to pay for big results and certainly cheaper than an emergency trip to the salon. You can also add nuts and seeds for added benefits. Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, pumpkin seeds and flaxseeds, are packed with biotin and healthy fats that boost keratin production and encourage growth. So, if your hair's looking limp, frizzy or falling out more than usual, it might not be your shampoo to blame. The answer could be on your plate and a few simple swaps could be all it takes to save your summer strands. Hair re-growth FAQs Anabel Kingsley, Consultant Trichologist and Brand President at Philip Kingsley spoke exclusively to Fabulous. How long does it take for hair to grow back? Hair grows, on average, half an inch a month. You cannot speed this up. Do rosemary oil and scalp massages work? Oils do not promote hair growth. In terms of rosemary oil, the current trend stems from one small study carried out on 50 men in 2015. No women were involved, and the study compared the effects of 2 per cent minoxidil to Rosemary oil. 2 per cent minoxidil doesn't do much for male pattern hair loss anyway, so the results were not very impressive. Oils do serve a purpose in conditioning hair treatments though. They help add shine and smooth the hair cuticle to lock-in moisture and improve combability. Scalp massages alone won't cure hair loss, but it can help relax you, aid in lymphatic drainage, exfoliate and help topicals penetrate. Are there any products or foods/vitamins you recommend someone using or eating to help with hair regrowth? To support healthy hair regrowth, if you are experiencing hair thinning we'd recommend our Density Preserving Scalp Drops clinically proven to help slow hair loss with continued daily use within three months. Telogen effluvium (hair shedding) due to nutritional deficiencies can often be simply treated with changes to your diet, and nutritional supplements such as our specially formulated Density Healthy Hair Complex and Density Amino Acid Booster. Iron and Ferritin (stored iron) in red meat, dried apricots and dark, leafy greens. Vitamin B12 in animal products and fortified plant-based foods. Protein from oily fish, lean meat, cottage cheese, tofu, nuts, chickpeas, and beans. However, there may be an underlying cause for their hair loss and rather than this being masked by using an off-the-shelf product, they should be encouraged to seek the advice of a specialist such as a Trichologist.
