Signs your air conditioner is making you sick
Harmful mould growth in air conditioning units, especially with increased AC use during hotter months, poses health risks.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 1.7 million Midea window air conditioners due to potential mould growth, which can cause respiratory issues or infections.
Common indoor moulds like Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus can trigger allergic reactions and respiratory problems; black mould can cause eye irritation and worsen asthma.
The CDC notes that mould can cause symptoms ranging from cold-like symptoms, a skin rash, or burning eyes to severe reactions like fever and shortness of breath, especially in immune-compromised individuals.
Experts recommend regular AC maintenance, proper ventilation, and cleaning to prevent mould growth, and advise wearing protective gear like gloves and masks when removing existing mould.
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
What's you REAL hearing age? Take this 30-second test to see
Life is full of loud noises - from rock concerts to crying babies and noisy football stadiums - so it's not surprising that our ears get weaker the older we get. But just how much should you be able to tune into at your age? Here, you can take a quick, 30-second test to find out. One of the most common types of hearing loss - presbycusis - happens as, while growing up, a person will gradually find it difficult to hear 'high-frequency' sounds, such as the voices of women and young children. According Decibel Hearing Services, this can happen for a number of reasons, including exposure to loudness, genetics and health issues. 'Many things affect our hearing as we age,' the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders also explained. 'For example, changes in the inner ear that can affect hearing are common. Age-related changes in the middle ear and complex changes along the nerve pathways from the ear to the brain can also affect hearing.' Humans can typically hear frequencies between 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz. But these upper limits start to dwindle with age, so the average adult is much more likely to be between 15,000–17,000 Hz. Most people will comfortable be able to hear 8,000 Hz. However, those who are aged over 50 may struggle with hearing above 12,000 Hz, while people over 40 will struggle with more than 15,000 Hz. When it gets to around 17,000 Hz - only teenagers can typically hear these frequencies. Eargym have devised a test to see what your 'hearing age' is - starting at low frequencies well into the 200s Hz and going up to 200,000 Hz. At 70, many will be able to hear around 9,000 Hz, with the limit going up to about 10,000 for those in their 60s. At 50, 12,000 Hz is the upper limit, while at 40, it becomes 14,000 Hz. At 30, people will hear into 15,000 Hz, while at 20 it's about 17,000 Hz. Once you get into the teens, people may hear well up until 20,000 Hz. At 50, 12,000 Hz is the upper limit, while at 40, it becomes 14,000 Hz. At 30, people will hear into 15,000 Hz, while at 20 it's about 17,000 Hz One of the most common types of hearing loss - presbycusis - happens as, while growing up, a person will gradually find it difficult to hear 'high-frequency' sounds, such as the voices of women and young children Speaking to MailOnline last year, Andy Shanks, hearing health expert and co-founder at eargym, said: 'The majority of us will experience some form of hearing loss in our lifetimes. 'But if we can spot the signs early and make some small changes, we can take steps to protect our hearing and prevent future avoidable hearing loss.' He suggests using games such as this 30 second test to check your hearing regularly and pick up on any abnormal changes. 'Safe listening practices, such as the use of ear defenders, gigplugs and noise-cancelling headphones, can also make a big difference when it comes to protecting our hearing health long in the future,' he added. 'Hearing loss is one of the biggest modifiable risk factors for dementia and is strongly associated with poor mental health and cognitive decline. 'So taking care of our hearing at all ages is essential to protect not only our ears but also our minds.' Around 12million people in the UK are affected by hearing loss. It is associated with social isolation and cognitive decline, and is one of the biggest modifiable risk factors when it comes to developing dementia. Speaking to MailOnline last year , Andy Shanks, hearing health expert and co-founder at eargym, said: 'The majority of us will experience some form of hearing loss in our lifetimes' WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF HEARING LOSS? Hearing loss is common, particularly when you get older. Hearing loss can affect a child's speech development and also their progress at school. It can be caused by something that can be easily treated or something more serious, so it is important to visit your GP. Common signs of hearing loss include: Difficulty hearing other people clearly and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places Asking people to repeat themselves Listening to music or watching TV with the volume higher than other people need Difficulty hearing on the phone Finding it hard to keep up with a conversation Feeling tired or stressed from having to concentrate while listening Source: NHS Yet adults wait an average 8.9 years before seeking help. Research suggests hearing loss costs the UK economy £25bn a year in lost productivity and unemployment. Common signs you're suffering from hearing loss include asking people to repeat themselves, difficulty hearing on the phone and listening to music or the TV at a higher volume than other people need, the NHS warns. There are lots of possible causes of hearing loss, such as an ear infection, ear wax or age. But it could also be caused by a perforated eardrum, which causes a sudden hearing loss or Ménière's disease which can affect your balance and hearing. If you notice signs of hearing loss it is important not to self diagnose and visit your GP for a more thorough hearing test. It comes as in December, an American pharmacist has revealed 11 of the common medications that can trigger the uncomfortable sensation known as tinnitus. The condition, which affects more than 50 million people in the US, is a symptom of several medical conditions like ear injuries, earwax blockage or age-related hearing loss. Sometimes the noise is present in one or both ears and it is most commonly described as a ringing, but it can also present itself as a range of sounds including buzzing, roaring, and whistling. While there is no cure, pharmacist Ayesha Gulzar says there are things you can do to reduce its impact, starting with checking what medications you are taking. She explained: 'Certain medications cause tinnitus, which can be temporary or rarely permanent and depends on different factors. 'Common ototoxic drugs (drugs that can have toxic effects on the ears) include antibiotics, analgesics (pain relievers), blood pressure medications, anticonvulsants (anti-seizure drugs), and others.'
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Are YOU in the diabetes danger zone? The string test that reveals key sign – plus how to REVERSE silent killer
IT'S dubbed a silent killer, triggering 568 heart attacks, 812 strokes and 184 amputations each week in England alone. Millions of people are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, yet have no clue of the potential deadly timebomb waiting to explode. But how do you know if you're among those on the precipice of a diagnosis? 5 Over 10,000 Brits are living with end-stage kidney failure due to the condition, and it causes thousands more to go blind. Type 2 diabetes also raises the risk of eight different types of cancer. Every two minutes a new case is diagnosed, and a staggering 4.6million Brits have been diagnosed with it - but experts warn 6.3million of us are living in the diabetes 'danger zone'. If this non-diabetic hyperglycaemia, or prediabetes, is left untreated, we could go on to develop type 2 diabetes. Dr David Unwin, a GP in Southport, Merseyside and the Royal College of General Practitioners' clinical expert on diabetes, tells Sun on Sunday Health: 'When I trained at university, type 2 diabetes only affected people over 60. 'Sadly that has changed a huge amount in the last 40 years. Now it's not unusual to see patients in their early 20s with diabetes or prediabetes. Tragically, we're even starting to see young children diagnosed. 'That's really worrying, as diabetes damages your arteries over time. 'If you're diagnosed at 70, there's less time for the damage to occur. But if you're diagnosed in your 20s, it will begin earlier. 'Diabetes is shortening lives - through cardiovascular disease, stroke and an increased risk of cancer.' Prediabetes is the period in which blood sugar levels are elevated but full-blown diabetes hasn't yet begun. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes are all dubbed 'silent killers' - should we really be that worried? Esther Walden, senior clinical advisor at Diabetes UK, says if you have this you are at 'high risk' of developing type 2. But Dr Unwin believes knowing this could be 'good news'. 'This is an early warning sign of something that doesn't have to happen,' he says. 'It's a golden opportunity to cut back on foods that raise blood sugar, exercise more and generally be a bit healthier. 'Loud and clear, I want to send a message that warding off this illness isn't necessarily complicated. You can turn your life around.' Many people with prediabetes may not be aware as it's symptomless. But here, Dr Unwin shares some warning signs that may indicate you're one of them. 1. STRING TEST IT'S not just being overweight but the distribution of fat that matters. If you're big around the middle, you're at an increased risk. We call this 'central obesity '. Cut a piece of string to the same length as your height then fold it in half and wrap it around your waist. If the string meets or overlaps, you're off the hook. But if you can't make the ends touch, you're more likely to develop diabetes. 2. ARE YOU TATT? MANY patients think they're tired all the time simply due to getting older. But I would always check for prediabetes as your blood sugar might be too high or low. 3. WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER? 5 BEING diagnosed with high blood pressure - when the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels is too high - is another risk factor. The NHS defines this as 140/90mmHg when measured by a healthcare professional. You can get yours checked for free at your GP surgery or local pharmacy. HOW TO REVERSE PREDIABETES WHILE Diabetes UK believes around half of prediabetes patients can reduce their risk of developing the disease, Dr Unwin says they have reversed all cases at his surgery. 'We offered 100 patients with prediabetes a low-carb diet at my practice. Two years later, not one had developed diabetes and 93 per cent ended up with normal blood sugar, reversing this prediabetes just by making a few lifestyle changes,' he says. 'Many also lost weight, their blood pressure improved - all without medication.' Remember: it's not just cakes and biscuits that raise your blood sugar levels. Dr Unwin says: 'Sugar itself is obvious, but the thing that most people miss - and I missed it myself for years - is that starchy carbohydrates like bread, breakfast cereals, potatoes and rice digest down into surprising amounts of sugar. 'A 150g portion of boiled rice and a medium-sized baked potato are each roughly equivalent to 10 teaspoons of sugar. 'You should focus on eating more green vegetables and protein.' Esther believes weight loss is key to reversing the condition. 'If you are overweight or obese and at high risk of type 2 diabetes, even small amounts of weight loss can be beneficial,' she says. 'Losing five per cent of your body weight can significantly reduce your risk.' If you are worried you might have prediabetes, speak to your GP. Support is also available from Diabetes UK ( 0345 123 2399). 4. DRUG ALERT 5 PEOPLE taking steroids for conditions such as asthma or arthritis are at higher risk as they can increase your blood sugar levels. Look out for signs like going to the toilet more frequently, feeling really thirsty and being more tired than usual. 5. SKIN DEEP ANOTHER possible sign of prediabetes is darkened patches of skin on certain parts of the body, like the neck, armpits or groin. Known as acanthosis nigricans, this can indicate the body is struggling to manage blood sugar. 6. TESTING TIMES IF you've had a blood test and your triglycerides (fat in your blood) were high, you are in the diabetes danger zone. Having raised liver enzymes or an abnormal liver function test is another risk factor. More than two thirds of the UK population now has fatty liver, which reduces your ability to deal with sugar and refined carbs like bread. 7. MUM'S THE WORD GESTATIONAL diabetes - high blood sugar during pregnancy - usually disappears after giving birth. But women who have had it at any age are still at increased risk of prediabetes - particularly those aged 40-plus, with a BMI above 30. You should have a blood test to check for diabetes six to 13 weeks after giving birth, and annually after that if the result is normal. 8. FAMILY HISTORY CERTAIN ethnic groups are more susceptible to insulin resistance from the age of 25. This includes those of South Asian, Afro-Caribbean and Black African descent. 9. THE CHANGE WHILE men are more likely to develop diabetes, a woman's risk increases around menopause. Once you hit 'the change', you're in the danger zone.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Top tips on how stay safe at festivals this summer
People heading to Glastonbury and other festivals are being reminded to remain aware of health risks so they can enjoy events kicks off the festival season in two weeks - but ongoing risks around measles, sexually transmitted diseases and illegal drugs remain."Most risks can be avoided by taking simple steps to help protect yourself, remembering to keep yourself cool and avoid excess alcohol can help keep you safe during periods of hot weather," said Alison Bell, acting director of public health for Somerset authority have worked with the UK Health Security Agency to put together five tips on staying safe at festivals this year: Get your MMR Measles is currently circulating across the country and has high numbers in the South West and include a high fever, sore red watery eyes and a blotchy red-brown rash. It is particularly easy to catch when in close contact with others, such as in with symptoms is advised to stay at home and contact their GP or NHS remains the best way to protect yourself and others around you. Prepare for the weather While the weather cannot be predicted - everyone is hoping for sun when they head to a the UKHSA say it is important to pack for all to take wellies, waterproofs and warm layers in case the weather takes a turn or gets cold at - remember to pack a refillable water bottle, sun hat and sun cream and avoid excessive alcohol consumption in hot a look-out for signs of heat-related harm in yourself, your friends, and other people around the festival and seek help if you are struggling. Practice safe sex Certain sexually transmitted diseases are currently on the rise and the UKHSA is reminding everyone to practice safe sex and get regularly is free and confidential, and you should get tested even if you are not showing any symptoms."Condoms are the best defence, but if you didn't use one the last time you had sex with a new or casual partner, get tested to detect any potential infections early and prevent passing them on to others," said Dr Alasdair Wood, consultant in health protection at UKHSA South West. Be aware of ticks Regularly check clothing and skin for ticks and brush them off outdoors if they have not a tick has burrowed into your skin - it must be removed as soon as possible using a tick tool or remove a tick, grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull upwards slowly and use of insect repellents such as DEET can repel ticks and prevent them from climbing onto clothing or attaching to can cause illnesses such as Lyme disease if not removed properly. Avoid illegal substances The message from most festivals is not to bring or use illegal substances to the enforcement laws are as applicable on the festival site as anywhere else in the country and you risk being arrested and evicted from the site if found with are reminded if they do ignore that advice and become ill or experience unusual effects from any substances taken, to seek immediate help from the medical or welfare services on site who can provide help and use – using more than one drug at a time – intensifies the effects of the drugs and makes them more dangerous. Mixing alcohol alongside other drugs is one of the most common forms of polydrug use and can seriously increase the strength and impact of those substances, increasing the chances of a potentially fatal chemical reaction.
