Health and medicine news covering public health, clinical care, medical research, biotech, and wellness trends.
A women's health summit in Wales heard that women's pain is too often dismissed as 'normal' within the NHS. Donna Davies, 56, requires bowel removal after her vaginal mesh pain was ignored until her husband spoke up. Minister Delyth Jewell wants stronger rules for women's inclusion in service design.
The commentary argues that perimenopause is surrounded by hype and misinformation, cautioning against over-reliance on unproven tests and treatments promoted online. It contends that hormone levels fluctuate too much for reliable testing and that treatments like HRT should not be sought without proper medical guidance.
A study published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology on July 15 found that semaglutide may reduce liver scarring in patients with advanced MASH, including early-stage cirrhosis. The Phase II trial showed statistically significant improvement without worsening inflammation.
This commentary argues that endometriosis is a serious workplace issue, citing evidence that one in six women leave their jobs due to the condition. It contends that UK legislation is needed to protect workers with menstrual health conditions, highlighting the personal story of a former model who was forced to change careers.
This commentary argues that night shift work imposes significant health costs, including increased risks of heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and mental illness, due to disruption of the body's internal clock. It suggests that splitting sleep into two blocks may help mitigate these effects, based on emerging scientific research.
Sonam Wangchuk's 21-day hunger strike has led to deteriorating health, including low blood sugar, low potassium, and muscle breakdown. He was forcibly admitted to Safdarjung hospital on July 18 but is refusing medical help despite signs of dehydration and acidosis.
The author recounts her traumatic experience with placenta accreta and emergency surgery after childbirth, arguing that the emotional and physical aftermath of such complications is often overlooked. She contends that families are not necessarily safe after the immediate crisis, highlighting the need for better postpartum support and awareness.
This commentary argues that women's health symptoms are often dismissed by medical professionals, using the author's personal experience with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome as evidence. It contends that patients must advocate for themselves and suggests that tools like ChatGPT can aid in diagnosis when doctors fail to listen.
This commentary explains the physiological effects of prolonged fasting, using activist Sonam Wangchuk's hunger strike as a case study. It details risks such as dehydration, blood pressure drops, and organ stress, arguing that even with electrolyte water, fasting can become fatal without proper medical intervention.
This commentary argues that walking speed should be considered a vital sign for health, citing links to dementia, heart disease, and mortality. It provides a simple test for readers to measure their own walking speed and offers advice on improvement, based on expert sources.