What to know about insurance for preventive screenings
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The Sun
17 minutes ago
- The Sun
Why does my pee smell so foul? It's the worst smell ever!
A YEAR ago I had a health scare that landed me in hospital – and I spoke about it last week on Loose Doctors, a one-off Loose Women special on ITV. On a weekend trip with friends, after a swim in the sea, I noticed my heart rate was really fast. 4 It eased a little for a few hours before another attack in the evening, and I was taken to A&E. For the first time in my life, I thought I could die. My heart rate reached 300 beats per minute (compared to a normal of 60 to 100) due to something called atrial flutter, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack. I was just unlucky because my heart is healthy. But it gave me a new perspective on what matters and I'm even kinder to my body. We think of heart issues as a male problem, but it's a leading killer of women. It's important to be vigilant about your health. Make sure you take the free NHS health check offered every five years from the age of 40, which can spot risky conditions. Meanwhile, here's a selection of what readers asked me this week . . . WHY DOES MY PEE STINK? Life-saving NHS health checks to spot killer diseases will be carried out at work Q: I'M a 73-year-old man and my urine must be the worst smell ever. It's so foul. I have a dodgy kidney that works at only half the rate it's meant to and I've suffered with numerous urine infections. They clear up with antibiotics but, after a few weeks, come back along with the foul smell. I've also been clear of prostate cancer for five years. A: It sounds like you've really been through a lot, health-wise. I'm glad to hear that your prostate cancer is now in remission, but I do understand how frustrating and worrying these ongoing urinary issues must be. A very foul-smelling urine can be an indicator of an underlying health issue. It can be caused by infection, kidney problems or issues with waste product build-up in the body. Your history of a dodgy kidney that functions at half its capacity is a key piece of information. Some types of kidney problems can increase the risk of UTIs, especially those that interrupt the normal flow of urine from the kidney to the bladder, such as kidney stones which can lead to stagnant urine in the system, where bacteria is more able to grow. Have you had a recent scan to assess your kidneys, and have you been assessed by either a urologist or nephrologist (kidney specialist)? This is important, as it is crucial to find out if there are any potential blockages. An enlarged prostate gland can also stagnate the flow of urine as it leaves the bladder, and some of the treatments for prostate cancer can also cause issues. It's important to keep treating each infection, and to stay well hydrated and not delay passing urine when you get the urge (as much as possible). But if these measures alone are not working, then there are also treatments to prevent further infections that you should explore with your specialist team. Prophylactic antibiotics are a daily low dose of medication that can reduce UTIs. Methenamine hippurate is an alternative to daily antibiotic prophylaxis for recurrent UTI in men, which has quite recently been added to the NICE guidelines. I hope this helps to guide your conversations with your healthcare team – and please do let me know how you get on. IS PREDIABETES CAUSE OF FOOT PAIN? Q: CAN you tell me what is causing the pain in the soles of my feet after walking for about two hours? Could it be because I was diagnosed with prediabetes? 4 A: This could be caused by several factors and, while prediabetes can be related, it's not the most likely cause in this scenario – when pain comes on after a significant amount of walking. Higher up the list would be footwear issues, plantar fasciitis or muscle fatigue. Worn-out or unsupportive shoes can lead to poor shock absorption and pressure on foot muscles and ligaments, so opt for shoes or trainers that are well-cushioned and supportive. Flat feet or high arches can exacerbate the issue. So if you have either of these you may benefit from being assessed by a podiatrist, for orthopaedic insoles for long walks. Plantar fasciitis typically causes sharp heel or arch pain that is made worse by prolonged standing or walking. It's caused by overuse or strain of the plantar fascia (a ligament on the sole of the foot). Walking for more than two hours, especially on hard surfaces, can cause muscular fatigue in the feet, particularly if you're not used to that level of activity. So if the walking is a new activity for you, you may need to scale back initially. But I hate advising people to do less activity, so try to increase the pace of the walking you do. Essentially, a shorter but faster walk, and then build distance gradually as the muscles in your feet get stronger. Do some stretching and strengthening exercises for your feet – there are good NHS videos on YouTube for this. It is possible to get nerve damage with prediabetes – this is called 'impaired glucose tolerance neuropathy', which is damage that can begin even before full-blown diabetes. But this would typically be described as tingling, burning, numbness or pins-and-needles. Also, it is often worse at night-time, rather than after activity. BOOK A MIDWIFE ONLINE PREGNANT women can now see a midwife 'at the touch of a button', it was announced today. They can book their first midwifery appointment via bypassing the GP. Traditionally, expectant mothers would see their GP to tell them they are pregnant before a referral to midwifery services. But only 62 per cent of the first 'vital' appointments happen within the first ten weeks of pregnancy, health officials say. NHS England said it is estimated the new service could lead to 180,000 fewer calls to GPs and up to 30,000 fewer GP appointments each year. Officials stressed that women can still go in to see a doctor if they would like, for example, to discuss management of a long-term health condition. Kate Brintworth, NHS chief midwife, said: 'Making this process simpler at the touch of a button is a vital step in empowering women to take control of their pregnancy journey right from the very start and improving access to timely, personalised care.' Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'Early pregnancy should be about joy and excitement – not wrestling with NHS bureaucracy to book a midwife appointment. 'That's why we've overhauled the online referral system. "No more endless phone calls or form-filling. "Just a simple online service that lets you book those crucial first appointments with a few clicks.' SOUNDS LIKE CANCER… THE early signs of cancer could be detected from your voice, scientists say. Using AI, subtle changes in vocal acoustics helped pick up lesions in people diagnosed with voice box cancer. Researchers believe AI could be trained to hear these changes within a 'couple of years'. There are around 2,000 new cases of voice box (laryngeal) cancer in the UK each year. A hoarse voice for more than three weeks can be a key symptom, and should be investigated by a GP. Using AI for diagnosis could spell the end of uncomfortable tests, such as a biopsy or nasendoscopy, in which a thin tube with a camera is passed through the nose down the back of the throat. The US team, part of the Bridge2AI-Voice project, gathered voice recordings of 300 patients, some of whom had voice box cancer. They study, published in the journal Frontiers In Digital Health, found 'marked' differences between men with and without cancer or a voice box disorder, such as nodules or polyps, specifically with the harmonic-to-noise ratio. It's possible the same will be found for women, with a larger data set. Dr Philip Jenkins, of Oregon Health & Science University, co-authored the study. He said: 'Voice-based health tools are already being piloted. 'I estimate that with larger data sets and clinical validation, similar tools to detect vocal fold lesions might enter pilot testing in the next couple of years.' Q: HAD a total knee replacement nearly seven years ago and have been in constant pain since. At my last consultant appointment, it was suggested that I have steroid injections in my knee. 4 But as I had a complete knee replacement, what would they inject into? I feel like I'm just being messed around. A: I'm really sorry to hear you're still in pain. It's understandable to feel frustrated and even suspicious when treatments don't make sense. When you have a total knee replacement, the joint surfaces are replaced with metal and plastic components, so there's technically no longer any cartilage or traditional joint space like in a natural knee. There are still soft tissues which can be inflamed, but you are right to question the approach of steroid injections as they are not standard practice when a knee joint has been replaced with an implant. This is partly due to a higher rate of complications, such as infection. If you haven't had recent imaging (such as X-rays, a bone scan or MRI with metal artifact reduction), that should come first, looking for any evidence the pain is due to the implant failing or being loose, infected or malpositioned. Some of the other common causes of pain following a total knee replacement include scar tissue, soft-tissue inflammation, nerve entrapment or complex reg-ional pain syndrome. I'd advise you to ask some specific questions before having a steroid injection, such as, 'What is the specific diagnosis for my pain?' or, 'Is this pain mechanical, inflammatory, neuropathic or possibly related to implant failure?' and, 'What exactly are you injecting, and into what structure?'. Don't accept vague answers, such as talk of generalised inflammation. I'd advise asking to be referred back to the team who did your operation, or consider getting a second opinion from a revision knee specialist (an orthopaedic surgeon who focuses on failed joint replacements). There may well be long wait times, but this does not mean you shouldn't get referred.
Daily Mail
17 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Experts warn of the cancer-causing chemicals that are a 'threat to humanity'
The human body contains more than 3,600 synthetic toxins, a new report has warned, with chemical exposure now posing a 'threat to humans.' An eight-month investigation by London-based Deep Science Ventures looked at 'how pervasive toxicity threatens human and planetary health,' with some concerning outcomes. Researchers found that the industrial economy has created over 100 million chemicals not found in nature, with somewhere between 40,000 and 350,000 currently in commercial use, and production has increased fifty-fold since the 1950s. Over 3,600 synthetic chemicals from food contact materials alone are found in human bodies, 80 of which have hazard properties of 'high concern'. The report outlines links between toxic chemicals and a range of health conditions including cancer, obesity, Alzheimer's, pregnancy issues, ADHD, fertility problems, heart conditions, and respiratory ailments. The researchers found cancer rates have exploded in the past few decades and early onset cancer in people under the age of 50 increased 79 percent from 1990 to 2019. Pointing to a possible cause, they discovered that PFAS, or 'forever chemicals,' are found in almost all humans tested with 14 percent of European teenagers having blood levels 'high enough to risk adverse health effects'. And men with high levels of certain PFAS have been found to have less than half the normal sperm count of those with low levels. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are microscopic substances that take thousands of years to break down in the environment and human body, earning them the name 'forever chemicals.' Their main purpose is to repel water and oil, which is what makes non-stick cookware easier to clean and why certain jackets and tents can withstand rain. The chemicals can seep into the water supply from washing dishes and can enter food if packaging is made to be grease-resistant or if the non-stick coating on pots and pans begins to deteriorate. PFAS are also common in pesticides used on crops, which produces chemical-rich runoff that can enter the drinking water supply. From an analysis of peer-reviewed scientific papers as well as interviews with researchers, non-profit leaders, entrepreneurs and investors, the researchers found the food and agricultural industries to be the worst offenders. They explain: 'Pesticides and fertilizers can pollute water and affect local ecosystems as well as the food we eat, and one of the most dangerous fertilizers is the sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants which is spread on fields even though it often contains many toxic chemicals.' The researchers warn that PFAS have now 'contaminated the whole world', with levels in rainwater often exceeding safe limits for drinking water. Last year, the EPA set the maximum contaminant levels for PFAS at 4.0 parts per trillion. They note that despite the current level of evidence, there are still 'noticeable gaps' in how industry and regulatory bodies address chemical toxicity. In the US, they highlight how loopholes in regulation have allowed more than 200 new food additives into the food system without undergoing pre-market approval. One report by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reveals that the number is closer to 900 and these additives get through the system through what is referred to as the 'generally recognized as safe,' or GRAS, loophole. 'The loophole lets those companies – not the FDA – decide when a substance is safe,' the expose notes. It adds: 'For the other 863 new food chemicals added to the food supply since 2000, food chemical companies exploited the GRAS loophole so they could make their own safety determinations.' The Deep Science Ventures report reveals that in the FDA's own database, almost 80 percent of chemical additives directly added to food 'lack the relevant information needed to estimate the amount that consumers can safely eat, and 93 percent lack reproductive or developmental toxicity data.' And of the FDA-regulated additives - both directly and indirectly allowed in food - almost two-thirds don't have publicly available data. In the EU, even with a 'precautionary ethos, typically based on the 'no hazard data, no market' principle', they say there are still too many exceptions. 'The majority of commonly used chemicals lack adequate public data for their long-term health and environmental impacts,' they add. While humans can't see chemicals and microplastics with the naked eye, research is increasingly showing they have a big impact on our health. These toxins are estimated to cost the US healthcare system about $290 million per year, as they have been linked to everything from birth defects to cancer, dementia to asthma, and infertility to children's behavioral and learning difficulties. Microplastics smaller than one micrometer, known as nanoplastics, are of most concern, as research has shown they can infiltrate cells. Studies have revealed that microplastics can cause DNA damage and changes in gene activity, known for triggering cancer. Off the backs of the findings, the researchers called for policy makers and industry leaders to take immediate action. Underscoring the need for immediate action, the researchers concluded: 'Based on our findings, failure to act decisively will likely lead to irreversible consequences for both human health and the delicate balance of our planet's ecosystems. 'Policymakers should consider the impact of toxicity on fertility especially as many countries are struggling to boost it using expensive other incentives. This is important because human and planetary health is at stake. 'For us to ensure our continued development and ability to thrive as a human species, we have to accelerate the growth of innovative, technological solutions and ensure these are funded and scaled at pace.'
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
10 million Americans will go uninsured due to Trump tax and spend law, CBO estimates
WASHINGTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Ten million more Americans will be uninsured in the next decade due to changes in President Donald Trump's tax and spend law, according to an estimate by the Congressional Budget Office. The nonpartisan CBO analysis comes after the legislation became law in July and is an update from a previous analysis that estimated almost 11 million Americans would be uninsured from previous versions of the legislation. The tax and spending law was passed with only Republican votes, as Democrats said the bill was a giveaway to the rich at the expense of low-income Americans. To pay for extending tax cuts passed under Trump's first term and some new temporary tax cuts and other spending, the law has enacted some restrictions and requirements to access the low-income health insurance program, Medicaid. The CBO also estimated that income will decrease for the poorest Americans by $1,200 per year due to the law's tax and benefit changes, but increase for middle-income households from $800 to $1,200, as well as by more than $13,000 for the wealthiest Americans. "The changes in resources will not be evenly distributed among households. The agency estimates that, in general, resources will decrease for households toward the bottom of the income distribution, whereas resources will increase for households in the middle and toward the top of the income distribution," the report said.
