logo
‘I'm scared:' Family seeks answers after missing pregnant woman walks away from Atlanta hospital

‘I'm scared:' Family seeks answers after missing pregnant woman walks away from Atlanta hospital

Yahoo26-05-2025
Atlanta police and the family are asking for help in locating 25-year-old Victoria Harris.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Harris has been missing ever since she was discharged from Piedmont Hospital on May 16.
'My sister is like my first friend, and we are really close,' Brittaney Bethea said.
For years, Bethea has had a built-in best friend. However, shortly before 2020, doctors diagnosed Harris with schizoaffective disorder.
'On top of that, she has hallucinations and delusions,' Bethea told Channel 2's Michael Doudna.
Bethea says on May 13, Harris, who is 20 weeks pregnant, was involuntarily committed to Piedmont Hospital over concerns she might be a danger to herself.
TRENDING STORIES:
Pinky Cole Hayes says her Bentley was stolen in front of new restaurant on opening weekend
Mother, daughter murdered in middle GA
Man accused of gunning down Georgia Tech student in targeted shooting has turned himself in
Bethea, who has medical power of attorney, brought her sister clothes and shoes. She expected the stay would lead to her sister receiving some longer-term care.
However, on May 16, Harris was reportedly discharged.
'I don't think a person who came into a hospital barefoot on the 13th, who was considered an imminent danger to herself, who is 20 weeks pregnant, without a phone should have been released,' Bethea said.
Piedmont Hospital has not responded to a request for comment.
Over the past 10 days, Bethea has searched morning and night, chasing reported sightings of her sister.
'It's like a wild goose chase,' Bethea said.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
So far, there have been sightings at some MARTA stations and a picture taken by a Kroger security guard.
However, Harris is still missing, leaving her sister desperate to find her.
'I'm scared, I'm scared for her. I'm upset, I'm disappointed, I'm frustrated,' Bethea said.
Anyone who sees the missing woman is requested to call APD.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

A healthy gut is key to your physical and mental well-being, doctor says: 'It is literally the engine for everything'
A healthy gut is key to your physical and mental well-being, doctor says: 'It is literally the engine for everything'

CNBC

time4 days ago

  • CNBC

A healthy gut is key to your physical and mental well-being, doctor says: 'It is literally the engine for everything'

An unhappy gut can significantly impact both your mental and emotional health, experts say, affecting your mood and overall well-being. When your gut is in poor health, you may experience bloating, gas, constipation, abdominal discomfort, mood swings and even acne. On a recent episode of the 10% Happier podcast, host Dan Harris discussed the connection between gut health and mental health with gastroenterologist and author Dr. Robynne Chutkan. Harris opened the episode with a brief explanation of the gut-brain axis, which simply put, is a "two-way communication system involving nerves, hormones and immune signals," he says. The gut-brain axis links your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) with your enteric nervous system (the nervous system of the gut). This two-way street allows your brain to influence your gut's functions—like motility, secretion, and immune responses. In turn, your gut influences your brain's emotional and cognitive centers. To kick off their discussion, Chutkan asked Harris to look down at his stomach and consider its position in the body. "It is in the absolute center of your body. It is literally the engine for everything," she said. "I would imagine that if your car engine breaks down, even if the brakes are working, or the carburetor is working or something else, you are not going to get very far because your engine is not working. So the gut really fuels the entire body." Even if someone eats a healthy, plant-based, and fiber-rich diet — all of which are proven to maintain or improve gut function — if their pH balance is off or the gut lining is damaged, they won't be able to absorb nutrients properly, Chutkan explained. "If the gut is not optimized, those nutrients aren't going to get absorbed and assimilated, and they're not going to get to the brain and the immune system and all the other parts of the body," she said. And that's why, according to Chutkan, the gut is the No. 1 organ you should focus on: "Everybody in medicine thinks that their field is most important," she said. "The neurosurgeons think it's the brain, but it's the gut." The enteric nervous system lives within the gut and is often called the second brain, Chutkan said. The system has more nerve cells than a spinal cord, and it allows the gut and the brain to communicate with one another. "What are they telling each other?" Chutkan asked. "The brain is controlling things like gut motility, enzyme secretion and also nutrient absorption that we talked about. And the gut is controlling things like mood and memory. When I say controlling, not completely, but influencing dramatically." As far back as the 1800s, when melancholia was the term used for what we now know as depression, people were treating it with diet, she said. In 1859, physician Wooster Beach, suggested that those suffering from melancholia "peruse interesting books, and converse with cheerful friends; and above all, be located amid pleasant scenery, where he can enjoy a water prospect, a country air, and country diet." The bacteria in your gut form what's called the microbiome, and it's responsible for making certain chemicals in your body function correctly, according to Kaiser Permanente. Those chemicals include neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin that affect your mood and sleep, as well as postbiotics that can reduce inflammation and lower stress levels. When your gut is unhealthy and those chemicals are out of whack, you may experience mood swings, sleep disturbances and brain fog. Even conditions like Parkinson's diseases, have connections to gut health. "We know that it begins in the gut," Chutkan said. "There's a theory called a gut-first theory of Parkinson's." German neuroanatomist, Dr. Heiko Braak noticed abnormal proteins in the brains of people with Parkinson's. Those same proteins were present in the gut linings of those individuals years before they developed the brain disease. Braak's evidence is based on autopsies, but certain research has been done in mice to indicate that injecting those same abnormal proteins into the gut of the animals led to later development of Parkinson's disease. "I think that's one of the clearest connections between the gut and the brain," Chutkan said. Now that you know how important it is to keep your gut healthy, you may be wondering how to get your own in better shape. Dr. Christopher Damman, a gastroenterologist at the Digestive Health Center at the University of Washington Medical Center, shared four ways to improve gut health with CNBC Make It in 2022. Here are his suggestions: "Shift back to a truly healthy diet which has more balance to it," Damman said. "The balance that we've been missing is whole foods and fiber."

Banned chemicals found in American shampoo, sunscreen and tampons across major brands
Banned chemicals found in American shampoo, sunscreen and tampons across major brands

Fox News

time31-07-2025

  • Fox News

Banned chemicals found in American shampoo, sunscreen and tampons across major brands

From shampoo and sunscreen to tampons, many personal care products on American shelves contain chemicals linked to cancer, infertility, and hormone disruption—ingredients that are banned or restricted in the European Union and other countries. Despite these alarming associations, no federal law in the U.S. requires companies to disclose potentially harmful ingredients. Only California mandates limited transparency, leaving most Americans in the dark about what they're putting on—and absorbing into—their bodies. For Tiah Tomlin-Harris, a two-time survivor of triple-negative breast cancer, that lack of transparency was a wake-up call. Diagnosed before age 40 with no genetic predisposition, Tomlin-Harris began asking hard questions: Where is this coming from? Genetic testing came back negative, placing her among the 80–90% of breast cancer patients whose illness isn't linked to family history. Her background as a chemist in the pharmaceutical industry gave her a unique perspective—and a critical eye for labels. "I started to dig into the causations," she told FOX. "The first thing I did was remove every single product in my house—from hair care to dish detergent. I went back to grandma's remedies—baking soda, vinegar—because I didn't know what was safe anymore." As she researched, she realized just how many widely used beauty and hygiene products are packed with potentially harmful chemicals. While Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pushed for the removal of toxic additives in processed foods, he has yet to tackle the personal care industry. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary admits the agency is in a "deregulatory mindset," saying, "[We've] been regulating too much." That mindset has led to an explosion of consumer-driven tools like Yuka and Clearya, apps that scan barcodes and analyze ingredient safety using AI. "Most people are shocked," said Julie Chapon, Yuka's co-founder. "They assume green packaging means safety." Tomlin-Harris emphasized the disproportionate impact on women of color, particularly Black women. "We spend nine times more on beauty products than any other demographic, yet these products often contain the most harmful ingredients—parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, benzene. These aren't just linked to cancer. They're weakening chemotherapy drugs. They're disrupting hormones. They're impacting fertility—for men and women." A Consumer Reports investigation found carcinogens in 10 of the top braiding hair brands, many of which are marketed to Black women and girls. Janet Nudelman, Director of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics at Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, agrees that consumers are often left choosing "between protecting against skin cancer versus increasing their risk of breast cancer" because of harmful ingredients. Dr. Leonardo Trasande, whose studies highlight the health hazards of common chemicals, called the current system "rigged to produce chemical exposures that are toxic to our hormones." The consequences, he warns, are societal: higher healthcare costs and lifelong reproductive and developmental health problems. The federal government is slowly responding. The Safer Beauty Bill package, reintroduced in Congress, seeks to ban toxic ingredients, increase ingredient disclosure and protect vulnerable populations like hairstylists, nail technicians, and women of color. But for now, consumers are largely left to protect themselves. FDA Commissioner Makary insists change is coming: "We're doing an inventory of all chemicals in the food supply to see how we can make it safer." Still, advocacy groups say the U.S. is far behind the EU in regulating cosmetic safety. Industry representatives push back. The Personal Care Products Council asserts: "PCPC and our member companies are fully committed to upholding the highest standards of safety, quality and transparency." But for advocates like Tomlin-Harris, promises aren't enough. "This isn't just a women's issue," she said. "It's a people's issue. Men are affected. Children are affected. Our entire population is being exposed to chemicals we didn't consent to, and we're paying the price." Her message is clear: "We need transparency. We need regulation. And we need accountability from the companies creating these products. It's time to detox our routines, demand safer alternatives and prioritize our health."

Deion Sanders health update: Tumor discovery led to removal of bladder for Colorado coach
Deion Sanders health update: Tumor discovery led to removal of bladder for Colorado coach

Yahoo

time28-07-2025

  • Yahoo

Deion Sanders health update: Tumor discovery led to removal of bladder for Colorado coach

Deion Sanders had his bladder removed after a cancerous tumor was discovered on it, the Colorado football coach announced in a news conference alongside his medical team on July 28 in Boulder. The tumor was described by Dr. Janet Kukreja of the University of Colorado Cancer Center as 'very high grade,' having moved through the bladder wall, but not into the muscle layer. Monday's announcement brings an end to months of speculation about Sanders' medical condition. REQUIRED READING: Coach Deion Sanders returns to Colorado after recovering from health issue The 57-year-old Pro Football Hall of Famer had been away from campus for extended stretches during the spring and summer while recuperating at his estate in Canton, Texas. "It's been a tremendous journey," Sanders said. "It's been tough." Deion Sanders health update Prior to his diagnosis, Sanders said he hadn't been feeling any of the symptoms typically associated with bladder cancer. Sanders has received annual CT scans on his foot since he was diagnosed with compartment syndrome on his left leg, which required the amputation of toe toes from his left foot. About two weeks after his most recent scan, Sanders' primary care doctor reached out to him and referred him to a urologist. Three days later, he underwent what was described as a 'quick' procedure and was later referred to Kukreja, who informed him he had bladder cancer. 'Men, everybody, get checked out because if it wasn't for me getting tested for something else, they wouldn't have stumbled on this," Sanders said. "Make sure you get the right care because without wonderful people like this, I probably wouldn't be sitting here today because it grew so expeditiously.' Deion Sanders bladder removal After the tumor was removed, Sanders was given options he said 'scared me to death' and ultimately chose to have it removed through a robot-assisted laparoscopic procedure. A new bladder was created and put in its place. Sanders opted for removal over undergoing a series of treatments over several years. Kukreja said Sanders' form of bladder cancer has 'a very high recurrence rate' and that even with the treatment option, there would have had a 50% chance of recurrence. Sanders said he lost 25 pounds following the procedure and that he "can't pee like I used to pee.' What did Deion Sanders say about Colorado future? Due to his immense fame and wealth beyond coaching, Sanders' future at Colorado has been an open question from virtually the moment he was hired in December 2022, with that chatter only intensifying during his absence from campus. Sanders said Monday that "I'm able, I'm strong, I'm ready" when asked about where things stand with his role as the coach of the Buffaloes, who open the 2025 season on August 29 against Georgia Tech. At least part of the reason Sanders opted to have his bladder removed was because of the significant time commitment that the series of treatments would have required. Sanders is entering his third season at Colorado after inheriting a program that went 1-11 the season before he arrived. He has led the Buffs to a 13-12 record during that time, which included a 9-4 finish last season that was highlighted by Travis Hunter becoming the program's second-ever Heisman Trophy winner. The nine victories were Colorado's second-most in a season since 2003. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Deion Sanders health update: Colorado football coach had bladder removed Solve the daily Crossword

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store