Latest news with #DrAsifAhmed
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctor warns millions of Britons have undiagnosed sleep condition that's linked to swathe of killer diseases
A GP has warned patients to check for signs of a hidden sleep problem linked to a host of conditions that could shorten your life. Dr Asif Ahmed took to social media to raise the alarm about what he labelled 'one of the most chronically undiagnosed conditions out there' sleep apnoea. This is a condition where a patient suffers interruptions to their breathing while they sleep and is estimated to blight the lives of millions of Britons. 'We need to stop missing this diagnosis' Dr Ahmed said on Instagram. 'If you've been diagnosed with chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia, or you can't lose weight or a prediabetic, this condition has to be ruled out. 'Nothing will work, nothing will get better until we treat this.' Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. As well as causing exhaustion, sleep apnoea is linked to an increased risk of deadly conditions like high blood pressure, stroke and type 2 diabetes as well as depression. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr Asif Ahmed (MBBS, MRCGP, BSc) (@dra_says) One recent study even found a link between the sleep apnoea and lung cancer, though this is still being explored. Its connection to numerous health problems is part of the reason Dr Ahmed said that if sleep apnoea goes untreated it can knock 10 to 14 years off your lifespan. He said the impact of sleep apnoea on a person's health couldn't be understated and it could act as barrier to successfully treating other conditions. 'It is so significant, it really messes with your metabolism,' he said. 'If it's undiagnosed and untreated, nothing we do therapeutically is going to work.' Despite the dangers, Dr Ahmed said sleep apnoea often remains hidden particularly among single people, as it is often partners who spot it first. 'They complain of loud snoring or recognise anionic episodes (periods where a person stops breathing) while the other person is sleeping,' he said. Thankfully, he added that there are now simple test kits that can be used at home to tell if a person had the condition within days. 'I urge everyone whose got chronic fatigue or are feeling tired all the time or can't lose weight to really get checked for sleep apnoea,' he said. While sleep apnoea has multiple types the most common is called obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). This where the walls of the throat relax and narrow or close during sleep, limiting the flow of oxygen into the body. In response the brain instinctively pulls a person out of deep sleep to get more oxygen. This leads to significant sleep interruptions and as a consequence exhaustion in daily life and additionally—in the longer term—an increased risk of serious health problems. Almost 4million people in the UK are estimated to have moderate or severe OSA, although it is considered to be under-diagnosed and could affect up to 10million. Causes of sleep apnoea vary but include obesity leading to more tissue on the neck, smoking and drinking as well as having large tonsils. The most obvious symptoms of sleep apnoea are the aforementioned snoring and breathing interruptions noticed by partners. Individuals themselves may notice they wake up a lot in the night and feel exhausted during the day, suffer concentration problems at work or school, have mood swings or have a headache upon waking. The NHS encourages anyone with signs of sleep apnoea to contact their GP due to its links to serious health problems and the impact it can have on a patient's life. Diagnosis is usually done through special kits that measure breathing rate and heartbeat which can often be worn at home. Data from the kit is then analysed to see if a patient does have sleep apnoea and if so, how severe it is. Treatment can involve wearing mechanical masks that pump fresh air into the nose and mouth as a patient sleeps or surgery to open the airways more. However, some low-tech methods like taping a tennis-ball to your back to encourage you to sleep on your side—which can help with sleep apnoea—can also be tried. Regardless, medics urge patients not to self-diagnose and seek help from their GP if they have symptoms.
Daily Mail
22-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctor lifts lid on the supplement he'd never take as it can raise risk of death
One popular daily supplement could be putting people at an increased risk of liver failure, bone problems and bleeding disorders, an expert has warned. Taking an 'all-in-one' multivitamin every day may even raise mortality risk, UK-based general practitioner Dr Asif Ahmed said. In an Instagram video, he explained: 'There is only one supplement that I would never take as a doctor. Lots of people still take it, despite studies showing it can increase your mortality rate - this is any multivitamin supplement.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr Asif Ahmed (MBBS, MRCGP, BSc) (@dra_says) It comes as a study by scientists from the National Cancer Institute in Maryland last summer, found that taking a daily multivitamin was associated with a four per cent increased risk of death over the course of the 20-year study. The researchers found no evidence that the vitamin pills served any benefit for prolonging life. Dr Ahmed added: 'The vast majority of people do not need an all-in-one multivitamin. 'They often have more than 100 per cent of the recommended daily allowances for all your vitamins and minerals which can be dangerous.' The average male adult needs around 700 micrograms (µg) of vitamin A a day, and women 600µg. But some multivitamins sold on the high street can contain a much higher dose at 800µg per tablet. Unlike other supplements that are difficult to overdose on, as excess comes out in your urine, multivitamins containing higher levels of vitamin A and vitamin K could also remain in the body as they're fat-soluble. Dr Ahmed said: 'For things like vitamin A and vitamin K which are fat-soluble it can be quite dangerous and potentially in the long term can lead to liver failure, bone problems, and even bleeding and blood clot disorders.' Fat-soluble vitamins can accumulate in the body over time in the liver and fatty tissue. If consumed in excess, however, this can weaken the bones, and damage the kidney and the heart. Taking vitamin D at high doses for an extended period of time can also cause complications like hypercalcemia. This is where excess calcium is deposited into the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart and kidney disease. Dr Ahmed advised people who are worried they are not getting enough essential vitamins and minerals to take one specific supplement for their needs. For example, vitamin D supplements to boost bone health. He has also said a healthy balanced diet that includes lots of oily fish, fortified foods and fiber is the best way to get all the essential vitamins the body needs: 'One thing that is fantastic that I take every day is a seed mixture. 'I get the milled version, where they take out the hard shell, to help with digestion and some say it can also increase the nutrient absorption. 'This is super high in fiber and protein and it's got so many minerals and vitamins in it as well. It's a food not a supplement so this is probably the best way to make sure you get all the trace elements you need in your diet.'
Daily Mail
20-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Top GP reveals the massively popular supplement he would never take... because increases risk of death
Almost half of Brits admit to taking a supplement at least once a month in the pursuit of achieving optimum health. But one of the UK's most popular pills could be putting users at an increased risk of deadly liver failure, bone problems and bleeding disorders, an expert has warned. Taking an 'all in one' multivitamin every day may even raise mortality risk, UK-based GP Dr Asif Ahmed said. It comes as a study by scientists from the National Cancer Institute in Maryland last summer, found that taking a daily multivitamin was associated with a four per cent increased risk of death over the course of the 20-year study. The researchers found no evidence that the vitamin pills served any benefit for prolonging life. In an Instagram video seen over 300,000 times, Dr Ahmed said: 'There is only one supplement that I would never take as a doctor. 'Lots of people still take it, despite studies showing it can increase your mortality rate—this is any multivitamin supplement. 'The vast majority of people do not need an all-in-one multivitamin. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr Asif Ahmed (MBBS, MRCGP, BSc) (@dra_says) 'They [multivitamins] often have more than 100 per cent of the recommended daily allowances for all your vitamins and minerals which can be dangerous.' The NHS says most people should get all the nutrients they need by having a varied and balanced diet. The average male adult needs around 700 micrograms (µg) of vitamin A a day, and women 600µg, according to the health service. But some multivitamins sold on the high street can contain a much higher dose at 800µg per tablet. Unlike other supplements that are difficult to overdose on, as excess comes out in your urine, multivitamins containing higher levels of vitamin A and vitamin K could also remain in the body as they're fat soluble. Dr Ahmed said: 'For things like vitamin A and vitamin K which are fat soluble it can be quite dangerous and potentially in the long term can lead to liver failure, bone problems, and even bleeding and blood clot disorders.' Fat soluble vitamins can accumulate in the body over time in the liver and fatty tissue. If consumed in excess, however, this can weaken the bones, and damage the kidney and the heart. Taking vitamin D at high doses for an extended period of time can also cause complications like hypercalcemia. This is where excess calcium is deposited into the bloodstream, increasing the risk of heart and kidney disease. Dr Ahmed advised people who are worried they are not getting enough essential vitamins and minerals to take one specific supplement for their needs—for example, vitamin D supplements too boost bone health. Dr Ahmed also said a healthy balanced diet that includes lots of oily fish, fortified foods and fibre is the best way to get all the essential vitamins the body needs. 'One thing that is fantastic that I take every day is a seed mixture,' he said. 'I get the milled version, where they take out the hard shell, to help with digestion and some say it can also increase the nutrient absorption. 'This is super high in fibre and protein and its got so many minerals and vitamins in it as well. It's a food not a supplement so this is probably the best way to make sure you get all the trace elements you need in your diet,' he added. It comes as the latest official figures show the number of Brits being hospitalised for malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies has almost tripled in a decade. In 2022, there were more than 800,000 admissions in England and Wales with conditions linked to poor nutrition, including 'Victorian' illnesses scurvy and rickets. Iron deficiency was the biggest problem, NHS data revealed, with admissions for the bone-weakening condition shooting up by 149 per cent since 2013. Other research has, however, shown that multivitamins may serve no real health benefits. In 2018, a major study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that the most popular supplements — multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin C — made no difference to the risk of heart disease, stroke or early death. Folate — found in leafy greens and eggs — and other B-vitamins were seen to offer some reduced risk of heart disease, although the authors noted that the evidence for this was 'low to moderate quality'.
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
GP warns heartburn could be sign of a 'hidden' condition that affects one in six - if you don't get treated, it could kill
An NHS GP has warned that millions of people in the UK could be unknowingly suffering a little-known condition that puts them at risk of a deadly allergic reaction. Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is an increasingly common blood cell problem that affects around one in six people, but is 'widely undiagnosed', according to Dr Asif Ahmed. In a new clip posted to Dr Ahmed's Instagram page, where he has more than 100,000 followers, the medic said the symptoms, like heartburn, headaches and nausea, can easily be mistaken for other conditions. 'If you've got lots of symptoms, no one knows what's going on, you've been referred to one specialist then the other, then this is a condition you definitely need to consider,' he said in the video that has so far garnered over 40,700 views. He added that the condition can cause 'almost any symptom including headaches, visual problems, nausea, heartburn, skin rashes, extreme fatigue or widespread joint pain', which is why MCAS often gets misdiagnosed. Mast cells are a type of blood cell found all over the body, and are a vital part of the immune system. These so-called 'police officer' cells detect different types of triggers and fight off infection. 'Firstly, mast cells are everywhere in the body—your eyes, gut, joints, skin—and when they release [the hormone] histamine you get symptoms,' Dr Ahmed explained. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr Asif Ahmed (MBBS, MRCGP, BSc) (@dra_says) In a healthy person, mast cells trigger a protective response, but in someone with MCAS, they can mistake harmless substances such as pollen for infectious germs, and spark a range of unpleasant—and potentially dangerous—symptoms. Other common triggers include alcohol, heat, medication such as antibiotics, insect bite and sings, exercise, certain foods, perfume and stress. 'In MCAS, what happens is that the mast cells inappropriately release histamine. This means a trigger, environmental generally, that normally shouldn't release histamine, does in you,' the GP explained. This can cause a number of symptoms in different parts of the body—including the build-up of mucus in the airways, which become narrower, cutting off life-giving oxygen. In some severe cases it can cause anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that limits breathing and can be life-threatening. As well as rapid organ failure, this can restrict oxygen to the brain, resulting in lethal brain damage. Other common symptoms include swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty swallowing, skin that feels cold to the touch, wheezing, and blue, grey or pale skin. One telltale sign of the condition, present in over half of sufferers, is dermatographism—more commonly known as skin writing. 'This is when they can generally draw on their skin and this leaves a wide raised red rash,' Dr Ahmed explained. Doctors can also run blood and urine tests to pick up high levels of chemicals released by mast cells during an episode—but this only works shortly after an episode. Another way doctors may test for MCAS is by seeing if a potential sufferer responds to typical treatments. Dr Ahmed said: 'Often patients who are thought to have MCAS just get started on treatment—which are generally H1 and H2 receptor antagonists and if there's a response to this, they're often diagnosed with MCAS. 'So generally it's a very easy and safe diagnosis option to take, and I think it's an option which is worth considering for people who have ongoing symptoms despite treatment and diagnosis for another condition.' While there is no known cause of MCAS, according to the London Clinic of Nutrition, 74 per cent of people with MCAS have a first-degree relative who also suffers with the condition. It has also been linked with obesity, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), depression and type 2 diabetes. In the most severe cases MCAS can cause severe reactions to almost everything, including foods. This is the case for Caroline Cray Quinn, a healthcare recruiter from Boston, who can now only eat two foods—oats and a specially prepared nutritional formula. Any other food could see her suffer a potentially fatal allergic reaction. While Ms Quinn had severe food allergies growing up, she was only diagnosed with MACS in 2017. 'I got sick with MCAS in September of 2017 after one true allergic reaction to cross-contamination with nuts spiraled into a series of anaphylactic episodes to foods I wasn't allergic to,' Ms Quinn recalled. 'After a long waiting list of eight months, I saw an MCAS specialist who officially diagnosed me.' She added: '(MCAS) presents in a lot of uncomfortable and life-threatening symptoms like difficulty breathing, swelling/itchiness in throat and mouth, loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, and hives/rashes. 'In order to avoid MCAS flare-ups and MCAS symptoms, I avoid triggers like food, animal fur/dander, mould, dust, heat, and certain smells.'
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Feel wiped out in the summer months? It could be hidden sign of a deadly paralysing disease that's on the rise, top GP warns
Do you feel exhausted when it is hot outside? It could be an early sign of the debilitating neurological disease multiple sclerosis, an NHS GP has warned. According to Dr Asif Ahmed, if you have fatigue that gets far worse in hot weather, it could be a sign of the progressive disease. In a clip posted to TikTok that's so far had nearly 70,000 views, Dr Ahmed said: 'If you've got pain or [are] tired all the time or have visual problems, and say this one thing to me [that it gets worse in the heat] I'm definitely thinking about multiple sclerosis. 'Often people say they have dizziness or the headache or the pain gets worse when they are exercising or when they go in a sauna or when they have a hot bath,' he said. The worsening of a neurological condition as the body temperature rises is the Uhtoff's Phenomenon, he explained. It is experienced by 60 to 80 per cent of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), so while it doesn't necessarily mean you have the condition, it is a 'strong indicator', he warned. He urged those who experience worsening symptoms in the heat to speak to a doctor who can advise if you need further tests. MS is a life-changing, incurable condition affecting the brain and spinal cord that causes debilitating muscle spasms, among other symptoms. While MS does not directly kill, at advanced stages, it can cause weakness in the chest muscles, leading to difficulty breathing and swallowing—which can have life-threatening complications. Those in the late stage of the illness are also extremely vulnerable to potentially deadly infections. Some studies show that MS patients are up to 75 per cent more likely to die young than those without the disease. Most people find out they have MS in their thirties and forties, but the first signs can start years earlier. The main symptoms include fatigue, numbness and tingling, loss of balance and dizziness, and stiffness or spasms. Others include memory and thinking problems, vision changes, bowel trouble, bladder problems, pain, and tremors. The doctor's warning follows a concerning rise in cases, with around 150,000 people living with MS in the UK. This is up from around 130,000 in 2019, according to recent research by the MS Society. The doctor's warning follows soaring rates—an estimated 150,000 people with MS in the UK , and nearly 7,100 more people being diagnosed each year. While experts don't know the reason cases are on the rise, possible factors are infections, a lack of vitamin D, smoking, solvents, obesity, and stress. It is important to spot the early signs of the condition, as while there is no cure for MS, treatments can slow the progression of the disease. The type of treatment you will need depends on the type of the disease patients have: relapsing remitting, secondary progressive, and primary progressive. Relapse and remitting MS involves flare-ups of symptoms where they get worse (relapse) and get better (remission). Over time it often develops into secondary progressive MS, when symptoms are there all the time, and get slowly worse. In the less common case of primary progressive MS, symptoms slowly getting worse over time without periods of them going away or getting better. Treatments may include several types of medication such as steroids, disease-modifying therapies, muscle relaxants, and those to treat pain and other symptoms. Other types of support include advice on fatigue, physiotherapy, mobility equipment, talking therapies, and cognitive rehabilitation. This warning comes months after, Hollywood actress Selma Blair, diagnosed with MS in 2018, shared she was 'in remission' after receiving a promising new treatment. The Legally Blonde actress underwent a treatment found to slow progression and ease symptoms called a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This procedure extracts and then reinfuses stems cells—undifferentiated cells with the ability to develop into various specialised cell types—into a person's body. The results of this procedure can go as far as to 'see patients go from a wheelchair to walking', experts have said. Doctors are using these types of procedures to repair years-worth of brain damage, even restoring some paralysed patients' ability to walk by re-growing tissue. Dr Alexander Scheer, an expert in regenerative medicine who has treated patients with MS with stem cells, said: 'It's so beautiful to watch. 'I mean, to see a patient go from a wheelchair, to be able to walk is, to me, why I went into medicine.' The doctor successfully treated Richard Benedetto, 56, who has MS, with stem cell transplants. Mr Benedetto regained his ability to walk after undergoing a series of operations to transplant stem cells into his brain.
