Woman's snoring was symptom of rare form of cancer: 'Don't ignore it'
"I started snoring, which I'd never done before," she recalled. "I was waking myself up, breathing through my mouth rather than my nose."
Claire Barbery, 51, initially brushed off the blockage on one side of her nose, blaming it on the after-effects of COVID-19 or irritation from frequent testing while working at a care facility, as reported by SWNS.
It wasn't until the persistent congestion worsened and she started snoring in her sleep that she sought medical advice.
"I very nearly canceled that appointment because I didn't want to be wasting NHS time," Barbery said, per SWNS. "There's nothing wrong, I thought. But looking back, that decision could have cost me my life."
Barbery tried using a steroid spray without success before being referred to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist in January 2023.
After undergoing scans and a biopsy, she was diagnosed with olfactory neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer that develops in the upper part of the nasal cavity.
Doctors discovered a 5-centimeter tumor that had already begun eroding the bone at the base of Barbery's skull.
It was a dangerous and complex case requiring urgent intervention.
The surgery was performed at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham by consultant surgeon Shahz Ahmed, a skull base specialist, SWNS reported.
"If there's something wrong, don't ignore it."
The procedure, which was featured in the Channel 5 documentary "Surgeons: A Matter of Life or Death," involved removing the tumor along with Barbery's olfactory bulbs, leaving her with a permanent loss of smell.
"Claire had a very rare form of cancer that needed to be removed," Ahmed said in the report. "Untreated, it could have metastasized and spread into the neck and the rest of the body."
Because the tumor had already spread through the skull base into the bottom of the brain, the surgery posed serious risks due to the proximity to vital structures.
"The key worries were operating between the left and the right eye," Ahmed said. "The main blood supply to the brain is in very close proximity, so the risk of seizures, stroke, injury to the brain and loss of life were all very real."
The surgery was a success and there were no complications. Following the procedure, Barbery underwent six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
She is now under regular medical monitoring and continues to recover, gradually returning to work and enjoying time with her husband and daughters, SWNS reported.
Now living in Newquay, Cornwall, Barbery is using her experience to advocate for awareness of head and neck cancers.
She recently partnered with the Get A-Head Charitable Trust to raise awareness for World Head and Neck Cancer Day.
"If you know your body, then you've got to push," she said. "If there's something wrong, don't ignore it."
According to SWNS, Barbery's case is a reminder that even minor or unusual symptoms, like snoring, can sometimes be signs of something far more serious.
For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health
Looking back, Barbery said she's grateful she went to the appointment she almost canceled.
"Even then, I didn't want to waste anyone's time," she admitted. "But that decision ended up saving my life."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
35 minutes ago
- CNN
New ‘Make America Healthy Again' report to be released in weeks
Food & healthFacebookTweetLink Follow Americans will have to wait several weeks for the Trump administration's next steps in its agenda to 'Make America Healthy Again,' according to three people familiar with the matter. While President Donald Trump's MAHA Commission will submit its strategy to the White House on Tuesday — sticking to an executive-ordered deadline — scheduling issues stand in the way of its public release. The commission is 'on track' to deliver its report to the White House by August 12, White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement. 'The report will be unveiled to the public shortly thereafter as we coordinate the schedules of the President and the various cabinet members who are a part of the Commission.' Officials are aiming to launch their strategy by the end of this month, according to the three people familiar. The commission's first MAHA report, issued in May, laid out the case that ultraprocessed foods, pharmaceutical prescriptions and environmental toxins are driving a crisis of childhood chronic disease in America. Much of the reports' findings echoed longtime arguments of health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who leads the commission. The second installment is expected to propose strategies and reforms to tackle those issues. Actions can include, per the president's executive order, ending certain federal practices that 'exacerbate the health crisis' and 'adding powerful new solutions.' Public health experts, MAHA supporters and industry advocates alike have been anxiously awaiting the commission's recommendations, and how far they will go. There is lingering unease among farmers and agricultural groups after the first report flagged studies that suggest links between commonly used pesticides and various illnesses such as cancer and liver problems. Groups like the American Farm Bureau Federation called those 'unproven theories' and warned that calling use of common pesticides into question could jeopardize Americans' confidence in the food supply. Federal health and agricultural officials sought to reassure farmers in the ensuing weeks. This month, a high-ranking Enviornmental Protection Agency official told attendees at a sugar industry conference that agencies would 'respect' the current regulatory framework, as reported by DTN Progressive Farmer, an agriculture news and analysis company. Another potential battleground is the federal path forward on ultraprocessed foods. Kennedy has led a public campaign for major food brands to voluntarily remove artificial additives and dyes from popular products, but nutrition advocates have pushed for the administration to crack down with regulations. This month, a former leader of the US Food and Drug Administration challenged the agency to remove ultraprocessed foods from the market by essentially outlawing certain ingredients. But some have remained skeptical that federal MAHA leaders will take drastic action. 'We need policies to change big food and the food system, so it produces healthier foods,' Jim Krieger, executive director of Healthy Food America, said in a news briefing Monday. 'Will [the MAHA commission] move beyond PR efforts, voluntary agreements and handshakes — none of which have really worked to improve the food system in the past — and suggest regulatory action with real teeth?'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
The Underrated Ingredient That Could Help You Lose Weight, According to Dietitians
Reviewed by Dietitian Karen Ansel, M.S., RDNKey Points Dietitians say beans are the most underrated ingredient for weight loss. Beans are packed with protein and fiber to keep you full and satisfied. They also help with weight loss by supporting gut health and managing blood one has to tell you that weight loss can feel challenging for so many reasons. Between the latest fad diets and social media messages insisting that special powder will melt off the pounds, it's hard to know what really works and what's just clever marketing. While we wish there were a magic solution, dietitians agree that one of the best things you can do is to choose foods that have actually been shown to help with weight loss. Like beans. 'Beans are the unsung heroes of weight management,' says Drew Hemler, RD, CDN. 'They're inexpensive, versatile and loaded with a trio of fiber, protein and slow-digesting carbs that keep you full longer while curbing cravings.' Read on to find out why beans are our MVP ingredient for weight loss, plus quick, tasty ways to add them to your favorite meals and snacks. How Beans May Help with Weight Loss They're Low in Calories, Yet Big on Volume 'Beans are relatively low in calories but high in volume, thanks to their fiber and water content,' says Hemler. 'That means you can eat a satisfying portion that fills you up without overloading on calories, which is an ideal combo for anyone trying to lose or manage weight.' For instance, 1 cup of canned black beans contains just 220 calories. At the same time, they're 75% water, which pumps up their volume. Even though beans are low in calories, they pack a slew of vitamins and minerals, making them nutritional superstars. Lauren Harris-Pincus, M.S., RDN, points out that beans, like black, kidney, white, garbanzo and pinto beans, also provide potassium, a nutrient that we need for healthy blood pressure, yet most of us fall short of. So, in addition to helping with weight loss, they also fill in an important nutrition gap. They're Packed with Protein and Fiber Beans contain a dynamic weight-loss duo of protein and fiber. 'The protein, slowly digestible starches and soluble fiber in beans help slow gastric emptying and regulate blood sugar, and as a result, reduce hunger-driven cravings,' says Hemler. And when you feel full, you're a lot less likely to mindlessly munch, which may help you eat fewer calories. Their combo of protein and fiber is so powerful that one study found that people who ate roughly 1 cup of beans per day had a lower body mass index and body weight and smaller waist size compared to people who didn't usually eat beans. While all beans differ slightly, 1 cup of canned black beans gives you a whopping 17 grams of fiber and 15 grams of protein. They May Enhance Gut Health A healthy gut microbiome doesn't just keep your digestive system running smoothly. It's also a key player in long-term weight management, helping manage appetite and blood sugar. Regularly eating beans helps keep your gut bacteria in tip-top shape, which may translate to easier weight loss, says Harris-Pincus. That's because beans are rich in a hard-to-digest carbohydrate called resistant starch. After you eat, say, a bowl of bean chili, the resistant starch from the beans travels to your gut. When it gets there, your gut good bacteria gobble it up for food. As they do this, they produce helpful compounds, called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), linked to lower body weight, a reduced risk of obesity and lower blood sugar. They May Promote Healthier Blood Sugar Nearly one-third of U.S. adults are living with prediabetes. That doesn't just increase the risk of diabetes, it's also a sneaky cause of weight gain. Prediabetes often begins with a silent condition called insulin resistance, which can disrupt your ability to maintain a healthy weight. Trouble is, health care providers don't usually test for insulin resistance. So, many of us have it without even knowing it. Eating beans might just help protect against insulin resistance and the weight gain that comes along with it. 'The plant-based protein and fiber in beans can aid in blood sugar control as well as increasing satiety to help people lose or maintain weight,' says Harris-Pincus. 'Beans also contain antioxidants, which clinical studies have shown may reduce insulin resistance, aiding weight management.' In addition to protein and fiber, beans contain antioxidant-rich substances called saponins, which have been shown to lower blood sugar and protect against insulin resistance. Tips to Use Beans Beans are incredibly versatile, working well in both sweet and savory dishes. And using canned beans can help you make mealtime magic happen in no time. To add more beans to your favorite dishes, try these dietitian-approved tips. Blend them into dips: Swap in blended white beans for mayo or sour cream in creamy dips and spreads, like our five-star Loaded Black Bean Dip. It's a delicious way to add more protein and fiber to your day! Use them to bulk up meals: Stir cannellini beans into a White Bean Soup with Pasta or some Tuscan White Bean Soup. Toss mixed beans into a steaming pot of Three-Bean Chili, or tuck black beans into tacos or Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchiladas. You can even use beans to pump up the volume and protein in scrambled eggs and quiche! Roast a bean-based snack: Roasted chickpeas are a wonderful canvas for sweet, salty and spicy snacks. If spicy is your thing, give these Spice-Roasted Chickpeas a try. Or, for a healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth, roast a batch of Cinnamon-Sugar Roasted Chickpeas (toss them in your next yogurt parfait for a sweet and crunchy fiber punch!). Puree them into sweet treats: Fold pureed chickpeas into a no-bake cookie dough or whip red lentils into a Chocolate-Banana Protein Smoothie. Upgrade your toast: Mash your favorite beans with spices, a little lemon juice and olive oil to top your avocado toast. Or, for a new spin on ricotta toast, try our protein-packed Cannellini Bean & Herbed Ricotta Toast. Our Expert Take Nutrition experts unanimously agree that weight loss doesn't happen overnight. It's really about the small, sustainable changes that can add up over time. Like adding beans to your day. 'Including beans, lentils and chickpeas regularly in the diet is associated with numerous health benefits, including healthy weight maintenance, gut health and risk reduction for several chronic diseases,' says Harris-Pincus. Beans are big in volume, yet low in calories and are loaded with filling fiber and protein. They may also support weight loss by keeping your gut bacteria happy and healthy and improving your body's ability to use insulin. 'Beans aren't just good for your waistline; they're great for your wallet, gut and the planet, too,' says Hemler. 'Whether you're going meatless or just adding more plants, beans bring big benefits in a small, humble package.' Plus, they're incredibly versatile. Whether you like them in dips, tacos, chili, soup, enchiladas or even smoothies or dessert, there are loads of good reasons to pop open a can! Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Wildfire breaks out in London amid latest heatwave warning
A large wildfire in north east London has been tackled by 60 firefighters, as the UK heads for a potential fourth heatwave. Crews were called to Wanstead Flats on Monday after receiving reports that three hectares of grass had caught fire, with crews tackling multiple pockets of the blaze. A drone was also used by firefighters to monitor the size of the fire, while local residents were advised to keep their windows and doors closed and to avoid the area. The London Fire Brigade received over 30 calls reporting the fire, with crews from Leytonstone, Stratford, Leyton and surrounding fire stations mobilised to the scene. It was brought under control by 7.58pm, with firefighters remaining at the scene. It comes just one month after 70 firefighters were called to tackle a grass fire affecting 14 acres in the same location. Ten fire engines and a wildfire response vehicle were called to Wanstead Flats, near Capel Road in Manor Park, earlier on 11 July. In the coming days, areas of the UK are expected to be hotter than Bali, with thermometer readings forecast to hit the mid-30s on Tuesday. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued heat health warnings for all of England, with the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London and the South East having been upgraded to amber, from 9am on Tuesday to 6pm on Wednesday. The South West, Yorkshire and the Humber, North West and North East have yellow warnings in place over the same period. The agency has warned of significant impacts across health and social care services due to the high temperatures, including the potential for a rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. Forecasters have said that the consecutive days of high temperatures could mean the UK hitting its fourth heatwave of the summer. The heatwave threshold is met when a location records at least three consecutive days with maximum temperatures exceeding a designated value, according to the Met Office.
