Latest news with #diarrhoea
The Sun
11-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Warning over surge in cases of deadly bacteria in UK that kills one in 10 – check 3 symptoms to watch out for
BRITS have been warned as a deadly bacteria that kills one in 10 sufferers has spiked in the UK. Cases of the "worst diarrhoea ever" are rising - here are three symptoms to watch out for. 2 Clostridioides difficile, otherwise known as C. diff, has killed more than one in 10 cases from 2023 to 2024. Concerned doctors are warning the death toll could continue to soar if action isn't taken. The infection stems from a highly contagious bacterium, which lives in people's bowel. Dr Kerrie Davies of the C. Diff Trust told Metro: "We cannot afford for more patients to be dying of this every year." She said people "can't function" when struck down with the nasty bacteria. "Patients with it tell us how scared they are. It is the worst diarrhoea that you have ever, ever had in your life," added the expert. From February 2024 to January 2025, the UK Health Security Agency received 19,239 reports of C. diff sufferers. This alarming figure is the highest since 2011/12. Huge efforts to tackle the potentially killer bug were taken in 2007, which helped reduce the rate of infections. The most common symptoms to recognise are severe diarrhoea, high temperature and stomach ache. ITV reality star rushed to A&E as she shares worrying hospital bed snaps Stats revealed 2,164 patients died from C. diff from 2023 to 2024, which translates to a 12.9 per cent fatality rate. When it reached it's peak in 2007, over 7,000 people lost their lives. It is actually normal to have C. diff bacteria in your bowel, without experiencing any trouble. However, problems arise when the normal balance is disrupted, and you become infected. And, those who are diagnosed with the bug onCe, are 25 per cent more likely to catch it again. Bizarrely, if you catch it a second time, there's a 40 per cent chance you'll get it a third time. After this, you'll be a staggeringly 60 per cent more likely to be struck down with it again. The risk of death increases with each infection too. Cases have been spiking across all ages and sexes across the UK, but the worst affected group has so far been the elderly. Dr Davies further explained how the medical profession has "taken their eye off the ball" since the Covid pandemic. But the NHS is struggling to keep up with the costs, as each case can cost between £19,000 to £31,000 to treat. The eye-watering sum is partly down to the quarantine precautions required, and isolation of nurses. However, even if people do recover, they're likely to experience long-lasting systems which can continue affecting them forever. Campaigners trying to bring figures down have been calling for the medical industry to do routine tests for C. diff in all patients who come in with diarrhoea. They also argue antibiotics need to stop being overprescribed. Meanwhile, Russell Hope, UKHSA Senior Scientist and Team Lead, said: "UKHSA is working alongside partners, including NHS England, to investigate recent increases in C. difficile cases in hospitals and community settings. "It's likely the current rise is caused by a combination of factors, including an ageing population with multiple illnesses. Work to identify the causes is ongoing and the appropriate public health action will be taken in response to our findings. "C. difficile is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs)." He said the "infections diarrhoea" which can "increase morbidity, mortality and hospital length of stay". The expert warned the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are most at risk. Mr Hope explained infections are best managed through "prevention and control" alongside strict monitoring. 2
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
I can't go to work & am scared to move from the loo because of Mounjaro… but people say it's down to WHERE I'm injecting
A MOUNJARO user has claimed that after 19 weeks of injecting, she is 'too scared to move away from the toilet' as a result of her side effects. Maddy, who has lost 40lbs [2 stone 8lbs] since using the weight loss jabs, is now unable to go to work as a result of suffering from diarrhoea. 3 3 Posting on social media, the content creator got candid on her Mounjaro side effects, leaving many open-mouthed. As she stood in her bathroom, she confirmed that after injecting herself with Mounjaro, which is known as the King Kong of jabs, in her arm, she was very 'poorly.' Not only did she feel sick, but she also had diarrhoea and sulphur burps too. Despite this, Maddy confirmed that last Tuesday, she decided to inject in her arm again. But by Wednesday afternoon, she noticed the re-emergence of sulphur burps - which have been described by many as foul-tasting burps that taste like eggs. And that wasn't all, as Maddy continued: 'And I know what comes hand-in-hand with sulphur burps - it's the s***s.' So it didn't come as a surprise when Maddy woke up the following morning with an upset stomach, as she admitted: 'I felt rough, but not too bad - I still went to work and then towards the end of the day at work, I felt like s**t, I literally went and slept in my car for half an hour because I just felt rough.' Upon returning home from work, Maddy then slept from 5:30pm until 11pm. After waking up, the brunette beauty had some dinner and went back to bed, but it wasn't long before more side effects started, as she confessed: 'My belly felt so bubbly and gassy…Woke up two or three times in the night with the s***s and I actually did s**t myself. 'If you're on Mounjaro, then you know, if you're not, you won't understand, so after that I thought, I'm not going to work today, I'm not even going to risk it. It's not worth it at work.' Sun Health Explainer: Fat jabs Not only this, but she also revealed: 'I've been too scared to move away from the toilet all morning because I still feel like s**t.' The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @ mjwithmad, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 56,100 views, 892 likes and 118 comments. But Maddy isn't the only Mounjaro user to be experiencing such horrendous side effects, as many others flocked to the comments to share their similar experiences. One person said: 'These sulphur burps are something else! I'm week three and I jabbed my arm yesterday. I feel dreadful!' Another added: 'Did my first injection in my belly last week was fine, did my arm yesterday and today I feel so tired and sluggish, lost half a stone in a week though!' A third commented: 'Not me seeing this video one day after I decided to jab in my arm for the first time. Now I'm scared.' Whilst one woman claimed: 'Girl, this is so so common on Mounjaro!! More common than I'd like to admit.' Meanwhile, someone else wrote: 'I was looking forward to trying my arm but now I'm not so sure.' Everything you need to know about fat jabs Weight loss jabs are all the rage as studies and patient stories reveal they help people shed flab at almost unbelievable rates, as well as appearing to reduce the risk of serious diseases. Wegovy – a modified version of type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – and Mounjaro are the leading weight loss injections used in the UK. Wegovy, real name semaglutide, has been used on the NHS for years while Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a newer and more powerful addition to the market. Mounjaro accounts for most private prescriptions for weight loss and is set to join Wegovy as an NHS staple this year. How do they work? The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less so your body burns fat for energy instead and you lose weight. They do this my mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full, so the drugs are officially called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They slow down digestion and increase insulin production, lowering blood sugar, which is why they were first developed to treat type 2 diabetes in which patients' sugar levels are too high. Can I get them? NHS prescriptions of weight loss drugs, mainly Wegovy and an older version called Saxenda (chemical name liraglutide), are controlled through specialist weight loss clinics. Typically a patient will have to have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, classifying them as medically obese, and also have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure. GPs generally do not prescribe the drugs for weight loss. Private prescribers offer the jabs, most commonly Mounjaro, to anyone who is obese (BMI of 30+) or overweight (BMI 25-30) with a weight-related health risk. Private pharmacies have been rapped for handing them out too easily and video calls or face-to-face appointments are now mandatory to check a patient is being truthful about their size and health. Are there any risks? Yes – side effects are common but most are relatively mild. Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea. Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at said: 'One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.' Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia. Evidence has so far been inconclusive about whether the injections are damaging to patients' mental health. Figures obtained by The Sun show that, up to January 2025, 85 patient deaths in the UK were suspected to be linked to the medicines. What do the experts say? After numerous fat jab users complaining of similar side effects following injecting Mounjaro, which is said to suppress the appetite, into their arms, we spoke to the experts to get their thoughts on why this might be happening. Jason Murphy, Head of Pharmacy at Chemist4U told Fabulous: 'Your choice of injection site can affect the side effects that you can experience when taking Mounjaro. 'In a clinical trial, it was revealed that the overall percentage of participants who experienced side effects varied considerably - abdomen: 68.52%, upper arm: 57.41% and thigh: 43.40%.' Not only this, but Roj Helin Parlakyildiz, a Clinician and Clinical Content Lead at Voy, shared: 'While the pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous injections like Mounjaro are generally consistent across approved sites (abdomen, thigh, upper arm), local absorption can still vary slightly based on factors like blood flow, fat distribution, and muscular activity in those areas. This may influence how quickly the medication is absorbed. 'For example, the upper arm may have less subcutaneous fat and more variable injection depth compared to the abdomen or thigh, especially if the injection technique is less controlled, as the upper arm can be an awkward site. 'This might lead to faster absorption, potentially triggering more acute gastrointestinal side effects like sulphur burps or diarrhoea in sensitive individuals.' Meanwhile, Clinical pharmacist Kiran Jones of Oxford Online Pharmacy also said to us: 'While the injection site doesn't theoretically have much influence on side effects experienced, some users consistently report more nausea with stomach injections. What are the other side effects of weight loss jabs? Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects. Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include: Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts. Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea. Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset. Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation. Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort. Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss. Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating. Serious side effects can also include: Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon. Thyroid tumors: There's a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic. Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin. 'We've heard similar things from our patients, though we think this feedback is due to small individual differences like body fat distribution, blood flow, skin thickness and personal sensitivity. These can all subtly affect how your body responds, even if the absorption is technically the same. 'At the moment, science hasn't quite caught up with this phenomenon. But just because it isn't fully explained doesn't mean it isn't happening.' As a result, this pharmacist stressed the importance of rotating injection sites, as he added: 'If you notice more side effects in one area, try a different site next time. Keep a log of your symptoms and discuss any patterns with your pharmacist or healthcare provider. 'There's no universally 'best' site to inject - just the one that works best for you.'
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Trendy designer Cavapoos are most at risk of embarrassing health problem, vets warn
With their adorable teddy bear-esque coats and affectionate nature, it's no wonder Cavapoos have become all the rage. But they're the breed most likely to suffer from a troublesome health condition – and it's bad news for owners who have cream carpets. Researchers have discovered that the designer crossbreed – a mix between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and either the Toy or Miniature Poodle – is most likely to experience diarrhoea. In fact, they're more than three times more likely to be diagnosed with condition each year compared to Chihuahuas, a study found. A team from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London analysed the health records of more than two million dogs brought to the vet in the UK in 2019. They found around one in every 12 dogs in the UK will be diagnosed with diarrhoea every year, with some breeds more susceptible than others. Overall the Cavapoo was most likely to suffer from the runs, with an annual incidence risk of 14.95 per cent. Coming in close second was the Maltese, followed by the Miniature Poodle and German Shepherd. At the other end of the scale the Jack Russell Terrier and the Chihuahua were the least likely to experience the runs, the study showed. It follows recent reports that, despite their Instagram-perfect curls, trendy Cavapoos can be far from an ideal companion. Speaking to MailOnline, owners have shared how they've spent thousands on the 'expensive' pets only to be floored by extortionate vet bills as a result of recurring health issues. And far from being perfectly behaved, owners have ended up being forced to deal with ultra-clingy 'velcro' dogs who show displays of aggression towards others and display 'food-avoidant' habits, necessitating expensive alternatives. 'Poodle crosses were meant to be the answer to everything - hypoallergenic, versatile size, easy to train and absolutely heart-meltingly cute ,especially as teddy-like puppies,' Francesca Verney, veterinary director of Pet People told MailOnline. 'But in many cases - a poorly bred, insufficiently socialised dog in the dedicated but often naive owner's hands can be a recipe for difficulty with high prevalence of disc disease, allergy, immune-mediated disease, separation anxiety and reactivity. 'A crying shame that the context has affected the original stamp of a lovely cross.' Mark Graham, from Sage Vets in Loughton, said they do see particular traits among the poodle breed and its crosses. While the Cavapoo, Maltese and Miniature Poodle topped the list for the highest risk of diarrhoea, the Chihuahua and Patterdale Terrier were the least likely breed to suffer from the condition He said: 'We do find certain breeds and their crosses, such as Cockapoos and Cavapoos, are prone to particular behavioural traits, clinginess and anxiety among them. There is growing evidence that some of these may have a genetic basis. 'These dogs surged in popularity during the lockdown, when reduced opportunities for training and socialisation meant many became accustomed to constant human company, making separation anxiety increasingly common.' Cavapoos are also susceptible to health conditions such as patellar luxation – when the kneecap slips and causes discomfort – and dental issues like bad breath, tooth decay and cavities. Results of the new study also showed that dogs aged three and under, as well as dogs aged nine and older, were more likely to suffer from diarrhoea than dogs aged four to five. Young dogs were more likely to eat things they shouldn't, giving them digestive issues, while older dogs may experience the issue from the complications of ageing, the researchers said. Thankfully, most dogs appeared to recover quicker from the condition – with more than 80 per cent needing just one visit to the vets. Dr. Dan O'Neill, Associate Professor of Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC and co-author of the paper, said: 'Experiencing the dreaded 'poonami' with your dog is one of those events any dog owner fears. 'This new study shows that diarrhoea events are very common in dogs but that owners should not panic – no matter how bad the deluge, most dogs will recover in a few days after veterinary treatment.' The researchers said it's possible that different breeds have higher and lower dispositions to diarrhoea. It could also be that the findings are down to different diets and exercise habits – or even differences in the likelihood of dog owners taking their pet to the vet in the first place. Diarrhoea in dogs can be dangerous due to the risk of dehydration, especially in puppies, older dogs and those with underlying health conditions. If the issue is severe or prolonged it can lead to a loss of electrolytes and other important nutrients, potentially causing organ damage or even death. The findings of the new study were published in the journal Plos One. IS DOG INTELLIGENCE AKIN TO HUMAN INTELLIGENCE? Dogs' abilities to learn are varied, much like humans' abilities, according to WebMD. Dogs that were bred in order to hunt, retrieve or herd are faster learners because they are inherently quicker on their feet. Similarly, dogs bred to guard livestock or track scents are usually slower. The key in training your dog, WebMD says, comes down to knowing what your dog was bred to accomplish. However, all dogs can be trained to follow simple commands, according to trainers. WebMD reports that the following are the most naturally intelligent dog breeds: Border Collie Poodle German Shepherd Golden Retriever Doberman Pinscher Shetland Sheepdog Labrador Retriever Papillon Rottweiler Australian Cattle Dog
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The six dog breeds most likely to get DIARRHOEA revealed by scientists – and why Jack Russells evade dreaded ‘poonami'
COCKA-POO! There may even be a "genetic element to the condition," the study said SCIENTISTS have revealed the six dog breeds most likely to suffer from diarrhoea. It turns out some pups are unfortunately more susceptible than others. 5 5 5 Roughly one in every 12 dogs in the UK will be diagnosed with diarrhoea each year, according to a new study. The study, published today in the journal PLOS One, revealed that the following dog breeds are most at risk of a "dreaded poonami": Maltese Miniature Poodle Cavapoo German Shepherd Yorkshire Terrier Cockapoo There may even be a "genetic element to the condition," the study said. That means there's something within the genes of these six breeds that makes them more likely to get diarrhoea than others. With a pool of about 2.25million dogs, lead author Dan O'Neill, of the Royal Veterinary College, UK, and his colleagues, discovered that there were two breed least likely to suffer. According to researchers, the Jack Russell Terrier and Chihuahua are less likely to experience the messy condition. The researchers note that it is the diets and exercise habits of different breeds may influence this. The study relied on data from vets around the country. So the researchers added that the different likelihoods of owners taking their dog to the vet in the first place could have skewed the results. Dogs prefer EVs to fuel-powered cars with heart rates revealing exactly how your pet feels on drive, study shows The condition is most common in dogs under three years old or older than nine years, the study said. Young pups that often eat things they shouldn't may also have digestive issues, while older dogs may experience it as a complication of ageing. More than 80 per cent of suffering pups get better after one trip to the vets, the researchers also found, suggesting the condition is short-lived. 'Experiencing the dreaded 'poonami' with your dog is one of those events any dog owner fears," Dr. O'Neill said in a statement. "This new study shows that diarrhoea events are very common in dogs but that owners should not panic. "No matter how bad the deluge, most dogs will recover in a few days after veterinary treatment.' 5 5
South China Morning Post
02-06-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong public hospitals to step up testing for rare rotavirus: disease expert
Hong Kong public hospitals will step up surveillance of a rare virus and test patients with severe diarrhoea, infectious diseases expert Yuen Kwok-yung has said, after it was found in a doctor who died shortly after feeling unwell. The University of Hong Kong's chair of infectious diseases on Monday revealed the latest move following the release of findings on the death of a doctor initially thought to be linked with a group of oncologists suspected of being infected with a toxic strain of E coli. The Centre for Health Protection confirmed last Friday that there had in fact been no E coli outbreak in the oncology department of Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung, where the three doctors worked. But group C rotavirus, which was known but rare, was found in various tissue samples of the doctor who died just three days after he developed diarrhoea in February 'We need to continue to monitor whether a similar situation will happen,' Yuen, who led a team of experts assisting the investigation, told a radio programme. 'In the future, the Hospital Authority will test for this virus on patients with severe diarrhoea, especially those requiring treatment at intensive care units. If other diarrhoea-causing viruses cannot be found, we will test for group C rotavirus.'
