How I told my family and friends about my cancer
In this installment of what I call my 'living with dying' series, I'm going to share how I told my friends about my terminal diagnosis. As with all of these pieces, one size does not fit all. But I hope others might snag something useful from it.
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an hour ago
- Yahoo
Big City Lights Could Be Damaging Your Heart Health
It might be time to invest in some blackout curtains, turn off the TV before bed, and dim those lamps. New research suggests that exposure to light at night could elevate your risk of multiple heart issues. The association makes biological sense. Our bodies use light signals to tell when it's time to sleep, and any disruption to that routine can interfere with our circadian rhythms, which regulate countless internal processes. "Light at night causes circadian disruption, which is a known risk factor for adverse cardiovascular outcomes," writes the international team of scientists in a new study, which is yet to be peer-reviewed or published. "However, it is not well understood whether personal light exposure patterns predict an individual's risk of cardiovascular diseases." Related: To investigate, the researchers analyzed data from 88,905 adults who wore wrist sensors to track light exposure over the course of a week, with follow-up health checks for the next 9.5 years. The volunteers were grouped based on how much light they were exposed to overnight. Compared to the bottom half of the participants, the 10 percent exposed to the most light at night had a significantly higher risk of heart issues, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and stroke. The researchers accounted for factors that impact heart health, including smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, sleep duration, physical activity, socioeconomic status, and genetic risk, to try and better isolate the effect of light exposure at night. The data from this type of study doesn't prove direct cause and effect – only that there's a strong association. It's enough to suggest light at night as a risk factor for heart health problems and that minimizing it could be a simple and effective way of reducing risk. "Relationships of night light with risk of heart failure and coronary artery disease were stronger for women, and relationships of night light with risk of heart failure and atrial fibrillation were stronger for younger individuals in this cohort," write the researchers. The researchers point to the many functions of our bodies that rely on regular, well-defined circadian rhythms – everything from blood pressure to glucose tolerance. Disrupting those rhythms, with night shifts for example, can impact our health. One of the mechanisms at play could be hypercoagulability – an increased tendency for blood to clot, which has previously been linked to disruptions in circadian rhythms. However, there are likely to be numerous reasons for these associations. The researchers hope to see future studies collecting nighttime light data over a longer period of time, and with extra information about the sources of light, which should help improve our understanding of this relationship. Most of us will now have at least one glowing screen inside our bedrooms, and this gives us another reason to turn those screens off: a survey suggests more than half of the US population actually falls asleep with the TV on. "Avoiding light at night may be a useful strategy for reducing risks of cardiovascular diseases," write the researchers. The research has yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, but a preprint is available on MedRxiv. Ice Bath Trend Raises Health Concerns. Here Are 6 Tips For Staying Safe. Scientists Identify a Trait in Speech That Foreshadows Cognitive Decline Massive 16-Year Study Links Wellbeing to Stronger Memory in Aging
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Parents urged to get children vaccinated as child with measles dies in North West
A child in Liverpool has died after contracting measles, it has been reported. According to The Sunday Times newspaper, the child was ill with measles and other health problems and was receiving treatment at the Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Measles, an infection that typically starts with cold-like symptoms followed by a rash and sometimes small spots in the mouth, is contagious and can lead to serious problems such as meningitis, blindness and seizures if it spreads to other parts of the body. A statement from the Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust said: 'To respect patient confidentiality, we can't comment on individual cases. 'We are concerned about the increasing number of children and young people who are contracting measles. Measles is a highly contagious viral illness which can cause children to be seriously unwell, requiring hospital treatment, and in rare cases, death. 'The number of children being treated at Alder Hey for effects and complications of measles is increasing (we have treated 17 since June). 'We treat children with a range of conditions and illnesses in our hospital, including those with compromised immunity due to other health issues, making them more susceptible to infections, including measles. 'We can prevent people, including children, from contracting measles through vaccination. Please protect yourself and vulnerable children and young people by ensuring you are fully vaccinated.' The child is believed to be the second to succumb to an acute measles infection in Britain this decade. The news comes amid a decline in the uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, as experts said only 84% of five-year-old children in England have had the two doses, with uptake 'much lower' in areas like Liverpool and parts of London. Prof Helen Bedford, professor of children's health at UCL (University College London), said: 'It is hugely concerning but not at all surprising that we are continuing to see outbreaks of measles, with very sadly news that a child in Merseyside has died from the infection. 'To stop outbreaks of this highly infectious disease we need to have sustained 95% uptake of two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, but uptake has been lower than this for some years. 'In England only 84% of five-year-old children have had the two doses and in some parts of the country, including Liverpool and parts of London, uptake is much lower.' Dr David Elliman, honorary senior associate professor at the same university, said: 'Uptake of MMR vaccine has been falling around the world and in the USA there have been three deaths in the current outbreak. 'Any death of a child, with so many years left to live, is a tragedy, but this is more so as we have a very effective vaccine, with an excellent safety profile and if enough children had had the vaccine, this death would have been avoided. 'Not only does the vaccine protect the person receiving it, but it helps protect those who cannot receive the vaccine because of a medical condition or they are too young.' A Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) report released earlier this month determined uptake of vaccines in the UK has stalled over the last decade and is, in many cases, declining. None of the routine childhood vaccinations have met the target for 95% coverage since 2021, meaning youngsters are at risk of catching illnesses such as measles, meningitis and whooping cough. The report said while some families are hesitant to vaccinate due to fears about the jabs, many face issues that could be resolved with more support, including difficulties booking and attending appointments and a lack of continuity of NHS care, with many parents seeing a different GP or clinician at each visit.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
TUC plans inspections of workplaces amid heatwave concern
The TUC has organised a nationwide inspection of workplaces this week to check that workers are being helped to cope with the heatwave. More than 1,000 trade union health and safety reps have signed up to take part. Working in hot weather can lead to dehydration, tiredness, muscle cramps, fainting, and – in the most extreme cases – loss of consciousness, said the TUC. Trade union reps will check workplace temperatures, and will discuss with employers the protective steps they can take, including keeping buildings cool, shaded areas for outdoor workers and allowing flexible hours. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: 'Everyone should be safe at work, but working in a heatwave can be dangerous – especially when your employer wants you to carry on regardless. 'That's why union reps are taking action this week to keep their workmates safe in the heat, and it's why we're calling on the government to strengthen legal protections with a maximum working temperature. 'A lot of the best safety steps are just common sense. 'For example, employers should allow flexible hours to avoid the hottest parts of the day. And indoor workplaces should be kept at comfortable temperatures, with relaxed dress codes.'
