US health department reinstates task force on safer childhood vaccines
The panel was created by Congress to improve the safety, quality and oversight of vaccines administered to American children.
The original task force was disbanded in 1998, said the health agency, adding that National Institutes of Health director Jay Bhattacharya will serve as chairman of the task force.
The task force will work closely with the Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines, the HHS said.
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WWE legend's daughter left with life-changing injuries after rollercoaster ride
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The Guardian
32 minutes ago
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Milk, carbohydrates or a late-night pudding: what's the secret to eating for a good night's sleep?
Have a glass of warm milk. No, a cup of herbal tea. Eat carbs, but only the right carbs. Have fats, but not too much. Have a filling meal. No, not that filling. Eat early, but not too early or you'll get hungry again later. Ask the internet for advice on how to eat for a good night's sleep and you could lose a whole night trying to find a clear answer. But amid a global shortage of good sleep (48% of Australian adults report having at least two sleep-related problems), dietary habits are emerging as a key factor that can make the difference between refreshing rest and a night spent regretting every food choice you made in the previous 24 hours. Some of the most useful insights into the effect of timing, size and quality of meals on sleep come from studies of those who work through the night to keep our world running. At CQUniversity in Adelaide, research psychologist Dr Charlotte Gupta has been studying how different eating patterns affect shift workers' performance. 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The Sun
32 minutes ago
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Bad breath, food cravings and and nine other subtle signs you are dehydrated as UK enjoys warm weather
HEADACHES, dizziness or simply feeling thirsty – we probably all think we know when we need to drink a bit more water. But there are more subtle signs of dehydration, and ignoring them could prove fatal. 6 Our bodies are about 60 per cent water, and we need six to eight glasses of fluid a day to stay healthy, says the NHS. But more than three-quarters of us don't drink even half of that. 'By the time we feel thirsty, we're already dehydrated,' says Dr Helen Wall, an NHS GP from The Oaks Family Practice in Bolton. 'We lose around one to two per cent of our body weight before we start to feel thirsty, which is around a litre of fluid. 'So, it's always better to pre-empt thirst.' While the effects are usually mild and short-lived, dehydration can kill. Dr Thuva Amuthan, an NHS GP and founder of Dr. Derme Skin Clinics, says: 'Severe dehydration increases the risk of urinary tract infections, kidney failure and stones. 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You might need some water. Dr Amuthan says: 'Poor coordination can be a key sign of dehydration. The brain usually contains a lot of water. When we're dehydrated, its function is affected. You might find yourself being clumsier than normal or knocking things over. If that's you, it could be time to grab a drink.' Bad mood Most of us get a bit cranky when we're too hot — and that's backed by science. 'Studies have found that even mild dehydration can affect brain chemistry,' says Dr Wall. 'When you're dehydrated, blood volume drops, so less oxygen and glucose reach the brain. That can affect the part that's involved in emotional regulation. Irritability, anxiety-like feelings, brain fog and tiredness can all, in part, be down to being mildly dehydrated.' Dry skin 6 While it could be caused by eczema, harsh soaps or hormones, dehydration might be to blame for dry skin. Dr Wall says: 'This is something we look for in children particularly. If you pinch the skin and it stays up, doesn't bounce back straight away, takes time to return to its normal appearance or is really dry, that can be a sign of dehydration.' Leg cramps 6 'If you lose lots of fluid from your body and it can't cool down like it needs to', says Dr Wall, 'you can get heat exhaustion. It's to do with changes in electrolytes, including sodium and potassium, which can become unbalanced when you are lacking water.' Dr Amuthan adds: 'This can cause nerve signals to misfire, making muscles contract involuntarily into cramps or spasms, which can be painful.' To replace lost salts and combat cramps in hot weather, try electrolyte drinks. Food cravings 6 What do you crave on hot days? An ice lolly or ice cream? Or a big bag of crisps? 'This can be a sign of thirst,' says Dr Wall. 'Your liver uses a lot of water to release stored glucose so, when you're dehydrated, it might be struggling to do so. You might crave more sweet things, but sometimes people want salt because they're losing it in their sweat. This is a sign you're becoming dehydrated. Don't ignore it.' Memory loss Dehydration can even affect our concentration and short-term memory. Says Dr Wall: 'When we lose fluids, our hearts have to work harder to pump blood around our bodies to supply our cells with oxygen. 'That extra effort can cause palpitations and affect the pumping of oxygen to our brains so we get dizzy and more confused.' Constipation 6 If you struggle to go to the toilet when on holiday, you might blame it on the food. But constipation is actually another sign of dehydration. 'Our bowels need a good amount of fluid to move stools along,' says Dr Wall. 'Bowels can become quite sluggish, so it's important to drink plenty of fluids during warm weather to ensure you go as regularly as usual.' Dark urine When you go to the loo, your pee should be pale yellow. Any darker and you need more fluids. 'Dehydration is one of the most common causes of dark urine,' says Dr Amuthan. 'When you're well-hydrated, your kidneys produce dilute urine, which is usually pale yellow due to low concentrations of urochrome — a natural pigment that comes from breaking down haemoglobin. 'If you're dehydrated, your kidneys conserve water, which means less urine is produced and it's a darker colour. 'Ideally, it should be clear to pale yellow or straw-coloured.' Sunken eyes Don't blame tired-looking eyes just on late nights. 'There are lots of internal signs of dehydration, but sunken eyes is an external one,' says Dr Wall. 'If the space under your eyes is hollowed out or darker, it could be dehydration. 'Dry lips are also a sign you need more fluids, so check the mirror in hot weather to see if you're dehydrated.' Take fluids but don't overdo it STAY hydrated to ward off complications. Here, Dr Helen Wall describes some of the more serious conditions you can experience if your body lacks fluids . . . SEIZURES: In extreme cases, a lack of electrolytes, including magnesium and potassium, can lead to seizures when you're dehydrated. HYPOVOLEMIC SHOCK: When the body becomes severely dehydrated, blood volume decreases – known as hypovolemia. This prevents the heart from pumping enough blood to meet the body's demands, which can result in organ damage or failure if untreated. UTIs: We need well-hydrated urine as it helps to flush bacteria out of the urinary tract. If mild dehydration goes on for long enough, it can cause inflammation and infection. BRAIN DAMAGE: Severe dehydration can cause irreversible changes in the brain. Brain tissue shrinks, even when we're mildly dehydrated, which is what causes headaches, and it can cause delirium and even brain damage when severe. KIDNEY DAMAGE: The kidneys need a lot of fluid to be able to do their job. Chronic dehydration causes them to work harder, which can lead to kidney stones and chronic kidney disease. IT'S important not to be scared into drinking too many fluids. The NHS suggests around two litres a day, and that's plenty. Overhydration can cause sickness, vomiting, headaches and, in serious cases, the brain can swell, which can lead to delirium, coma and death.
