Prince Harry's striking claim that his mental health struggles were passed on through 'bad parenting'
But Prince Harry has done even more work on the issue since stepping down as a working royal and relocating to California.
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BreakingNews.ie
an hour ago
- BreakingNews.ie
How to make friends in later life and how it impacts health and wellbeing
As International Friendship Day approaches, it serves as a reminder of the importance of friendships at all ages and stages of life. Naturally however, as time goes on it can be harder to make and maintain friendships due to being at different stages of life, lack of confidence or other factors. For the older generation, it can be an isolating time if friendships aren't maintained. However, we spoke with experts who explain the importance of friendships at all ages, the impact it can have on health and how to create long-lasting connections. Advertisement What impacts can friendship have on the older generation? Jenny Lippiatt, strategic programme manager in the health team at Age UK, says that friendship for all generations is of high importance. 'There's a lot of evidence to suggest that having social connections is really good for your mental and physical health.' Psychotherapist Kirsten Antoncich says the impacts of friendship are huge for the older generation. 'I think one of the first things is that friendships are incredibly protective against isolation and low mood,' she says. 'Being connected in a friendship and being listened to brings a wave of really positive chemicals to the brain. 'Friendship and connections can also bring a sense of purpose, which we know is essential for warding off low mood and depression in later life. We also know it improves cognitive health so the more friendships somebody has, it's linked to things like better cognitive performance and a slow cognitive decline.' Friendships can help with cognitive benefits Anton adds that friendships also reduce stress and enhance moods. 'They are also linked to increased physical activity and better memory,' she says. Advertisement Lippiatt says: 'For older people in particular, getting out of the house and moving around if you can is really beneficial for things like balance and mobility too. If you are unable to move around less, even having connections online or inside your own home have significant mental health benefits too.' What impacts can lack of friendships have? Lippiatt says that lack of friendships can lead to loneliness, and this is where you don't have good social connections, which can be a problem for mental and physical health. 'Lonely older people are 25 per cent more likely to develop dementia,' Lippiatt says. 'It can also contribute to psychological distress, loss of wellbeing, confidence and this can subsequently lead to depression, anxiety and increased stress. Physical health can also be affected because if we don't have the social connections or reasons to leave the house, it can impact our motivation to take care of ourselves and potentially lead to unhealthy behaviours.' Anton adds: 'We also know that a sense of social isolation can be linked to a loss of purpose which can then be linked to low mood which is incredibly prevalent in that group and population already.' Advertisement How can the older generation build and maintain friendships? 'There are significant moments at certain ages that mean it's quite easy to lose friendships,' Lippiatt says. 'For example, you might retire and often work is the space to meet people and socially interact, or bereavement occurs, which is part and parcel of the older age group. Therefore it is important to maintain friendships that you already have, whether that's online or in person. 'Finding hobbies that either you previously liked or are new to you is another really good way to meet new people. Perhaps you want to go with a friend to a physical activity class such as arts and craft, music or simply going for a walk. All of these hobbies can generate friendships and are a good way to maintain them too. 'There are also often spaces within different communities for older people, where there are lots of social activities around different hobbies or just spaces to go where you can have a chat and a coffee with someone. There are also chat and tea groups within the community, so it's really a good idea to have a look in your local community at what is going on,' says Lippiatt. 'If you're religious, there often is a really good way to meet people through the church. It can be hard when you're older and you may have lost some confidence to go out and try new things, but the people that run them are very kind, open and welcoming. If you are keen to do something, you might want to take a friend along or a family member to make you feel more confident or secure.' Advertisement Anton adds: 'Look around you and look at your neighbourhood too. Connect back with your neighbours as we have really lost a bit of a sense of that due to the pandemic. You are absolutely not alone and you're likely to meet somebody who's had a similar experience to you that's also looking for a friendship.' 'I also want to remind people to normalise loneliness. It's one of the most common conditions in the younger generation too. We're not so set up as a society anymore for friendships, and I want people who are maybe feeling lonely to not feel shame at that and to not feel frightened to reach out.'
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
World's most premature baby celebrates first birthday
An Iowa toddler who was born when his mother was less than five months pregnant isn't only the most premature baby recognized by Guinness World Records after recently turning one. As his mother, Mollie Keen, put it, Nash Keen is also 'very determined, curious … and he's just all smiles all the time' after surviving against what Guinness described as 'phenomenal odds'. 'Nash is going to be able to … say, 'You know what? I came into this world fighting,'' the boy's father, Randall Keen, said in an interview that Guinness published Wednesday. ''And I'm going to leave fighting.'' The organization's database of about 40,000 records has long inspired fascination from the public. And Nash's path to that database began on 5 July 2024, when he was born at the gestational age of exactly 21 weeks in the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's hospital in Iowa City. Nash's birth came 133 days ahead of Mollie's expected due date, based on a typical full-term pregnancy of 280 days, an article on said. His birth was the second time in less than two years that Mollie had given birth prematurely. She recounted how she and Randall lost their daughter, McKinley, after she was born at a gestational age of nearly 18 weeks. After the couple became pregnant with Nash, 'we were so excited, but also very nervous,' Mollie said. 'We didn't get our hopes up.' Nash weighed only 10 ounces (283 grams), which is about the size of a soap bar, when he was born. He had to spend the next six months in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before he was allowed to go home in January to Ankeny, Iowa. Mollie recalled to Guinness that she and Randall 'weren't sure if he'd even survive those first critical hours. But we wanted to give him the best chance.' The baby underwent 'highly specialized care, constant surveillance and frequent monitoring' while he faced a series of substantial 'challenges early on', Dr Amy Stanford – a neonatologist who helped care for Nash – told Guinness. Yet 'he showed remarkable resilience,' Stanford added. 'After those first few extremely delicate weeks, he began to make steady progress, which was truly extraordinary to witness.' As the Associated Press noted, Nash's story illustrates the growing number of extremely premature infants who are receiving life-saving treatment and surviving. Nash emerged from his NICU stay with as good an outcome as could be hoped for by medical science, as his doctors see it. At just over a year old, Nash still required oxygen to help him breathe, and he was nourished exclusively through a feeding tube. His parents had been preparing for him to try pureed foods. Nash's doctors were optimistic that a minor heart defect would resolve itself as he grew up. And he was not quite yet crawling, though he had started rolling over. None of those developmental realities had barred him from demonstrating his budding personality, Randall told Guinness. 'Whenever you call him 'Nash potato', or you cheer him on when he's trying to pull himself up … he just hams it up,' Randall said. 'It makes him want to succeed and do more.' A small gathering of family close friends joined Nash and his family to celebrate his first birthday. He was feted with new outfits, educational toys, diapers and the certificate from Guinness – now that he had beaten out by a single day the organization's previous most premature baby record holder, who was born in 2020 in Alabama. Mollie told Guinness she and Randall are as happy as Nash has been. 'I love waking up to him,' she remarked. 'He's truly … the best thing that could have happened to us.' AP contributed reporting
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
What the smell of your BREATH says about you, according to science
From the ridges on your fingernails to the colour of your tongue, there are plenty of signs that something might be wrong with your health. Now, an expert has revealed the smell of your breath is something to keep an eye on, too. Many might assume that bad breath – also known as halitosis – is the result of poor teeth cleaning or drinking too much coffee. However, research suggests breath odour may be an early warning sign of systemic health issues. Certain scents could indicate diabetes, while others could point to liver dysfunction. 'Your breath can offer a surprising window into your health,' dental technologist Allen Zhang said. He said there are five commonly overlooked types of breath that could signal a health issue. So, do you recognise any of them? FRUITY OR ACETONE-LIKE This odour could indicate poorly-controlled diabetes, Mr Zhang explained. Research suggests that fruity-smelling breath can be a sign of high ketone levels in the blood, which can occur in individuals with the condition. Those affected might have breath that smells like pear drop sweets or nail polish remover. METALLIC This smell could suggest someone is suffering from kidney dysfunction or heavy metal exposure. This symptom arises when the kidneys are unable to effectively remove waste from the body – including urea, which forms ammonia when mixed with saliva. The presence of ammonia in breath can sometimes be perceived as having a metallic tinge. FISHY A fishy-smelling breath could indicate a condition called trimethylaminuria, Mr Zhang said. This is a metabolic disorder where the body cannot break down trimethylamine, a compound that smells like rotten fish. Fishy breath can also be a symptom of liver problems, specifically related to a condition called fetor hepaticus. Fetor hepaticus, often described as 'breath of the dead', arises when the liver is unable to properly filter certain toxins from the blood. These toxins, like dimethyl sulphide, can build up in the blood and be exhaled, causing the characteristic odour. Breath that smells sulphurous or like rotten eggs, can be an indicator of gastrointestinal issues. The smell is called by hydrogen sulphide gas, which can be produced during digestion. MUSTY Finally, musty breath could mean there is something wrong with your kidneys or be a sign of liver failure. 'These are diagnostic clues and not just hygiene red flags,' Mr Zhang said. 'New tech is emerging to help clinicians detect disease risk via oral biosignatures, including volatile sulphur compounds and ketones in the breath.' Mr Zhang is the founder of ProDENT, a company developing intraoral imaging solutions for early detection. CAUSES OF BAD BREATH (HALITOSIS) There are a number of possible causes of halitosis: Poor oral hygiene This is the most common cause. Bacteria that build up on your teeth – particularly between them – as well as your tongue and gums, can produce unpleasant-smelling gases. These bacteria are also responsible for gum disease and tooth decay. Food and drink Eating strongly flavoured foods, such as garlic, onions and spices, is likely to make your breath smell. Strong-smelling drinks, such as coffee and alcohol, can also cause bad breath. Bad breath caused by food and drink is usually temporary. Good dental hygiene will also help. Smoking As well as making your breath smell, smoking stains your teeth, irritates your gums, and reduces your sense of taste. It can also significantly affect the development of gum disease, another major cause of bad breath. Crash dieting Crash dieting, fasting, and low-carbohydrate diets are another possible cause of bad breath. They cause the body to break down fat, which produces chemicals called ketones that can be smelled on your breath. Medication These include: nitrates – these are sometimes used to treat angina; some chemotherapy medication; and tranquillisers (phenothiazines). If the medication you're taking is causing bad breath, your GP may be able to recommend an alternative. Medical conditions In rare cases, bad breath can be caused by certain medical conditions. In dry mouth (xerostomia), the flow and composition of saliva may be affected. Dry mouth can sometimes be caused by a problem in the salivary glands or by breathing through your mouth instead of your nose. In some cases, gastrointestinal conditions can also cause bad breath. For example, a bacterial infection of the stomach lining and small intestine (H. pylori infection) and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) have been linked to bad breath. Other medical conditions that can cause bad breath include diabetes and lung, throat, or nose infections – for example, bronchiectasis, bronchitis, tonsillitis, and sinusitis.
