Latest news with #Asthma+LungUK
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
The 7 best ways to combat hay fever as peak season hits – from ‘diaphragm dumbbells' to supplements
THE sun is shining, the sky is blue – yet for millions of us, this time of year can be pure hell. Instead of making the most of the warmer weather, we're inside, battling itchy eyes and runny noses and we just . . . can't . . . stop . . . sneezing. Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, affects one in four of us. Advertisement It's a reaction to pollen, which triggers inflammation and increased mucus production – hence the watery eyes, coughing, nasal issues and scratchy throat, mouth and ears. It can also aggravate lung conditions such as asthma, which affects 7.2million people in the UK, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which affects 1.2million. Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead for charity Asthma + Lung UK, tells Sun Health: 'If you are allergic to pollen and come into contact with it in the air, the muscles around the airways tighten and the airways' linings become swollen and inflamed with a build-up of mucus, making it difficult to breathe.' So, what can you do if you want to enjoy the summer without feeling like your face or lungs are under attack? Advertisement Here are some simple tactics to consider . . . PROTECT EYES 5 Try the wraparound sunglasses from Credit: supplied SENSITIVE, irritated eyes need extra protection during hay fever season, says dermatologist Dr Eva Melegh. She suggests: Ditch mascara: The sticky consistency makes it a trap for pollen. Advertisement Wear sunglasses : The larger they are, and the more they wrap around the eyes, the better. Wipe the lenses and frames regularly with a clean cloth to remove any build-up of pollen. Most read in Health Try the wraparound sunglasses from Use a calming gel or mask on the skin around the eyes : Try Hydrosil Dry Eye Gel (£10.95, Or Optase Cooling Eye Mask (£10.99, is perfect for ten minutes of quick relief. Advertisement Using eye drops to soothe red and itchy eyes : Try A. Vogel Pollinosan Hay Fever Eye Drops (£13.99, MUSCLE TRAINING HAY fever can inflame your airways and make it harder to breathe. One option, backed by physios and medics, is inspiratory muscle training (IMT) using a resistance-based device such as the POWERbreathe Plus (£59.99, It's been described as 'dumbbells for your diaphragm', as it improves the strength of your respiratory muscles. Advertisement Studies show that when asthma patients breathe into the device for five minutes a day for at least three weeks, their symptoms improve by 75 per cent and their medication use drops by 79 per cent. Dr Simon Taggart, consultant chest and general physician at Spire Manchester Hospital, says: 'In addition to your usual use of antihistamines and your preventer device, the POWERbreathe helps to strengthen your breathing during pollen season.' Speak to your GP, as some devices are available on the NHS with a prescription. hayfever recommendations from a boots pharmacist THE AIR THAT YOU BREATHE 5 Air purifiers can create a cleaner and fresher home environment Credit: supplied Advertisement TRY to keep your windows closed on days with high levels of pollen and pollution, ventilate your home when cooking or cleaning, and consider getting an air purifier if you live in a badly affected area, says Dr Gareth Patterson, an NHS GP. Try 4 Speed White Air Purifier (£32, which creates a cleaner and fresher home environment. Or, Coway Airmega Mighty (£164.99, is a portable, quiet air purifier that removes pollen, dust and other allergens. And MedicAir Pro Mini (£599, Advertisement EASE YOUR WHEEZING 5 The Shaker Medic Plus is said to help clear sticky mucus from your chest Credit: supplied WHEEZING when pollen hits? This clever gadget could help. The Shaker Medic Plus (£44.99, It uses gentle vibrations as you breathe out, shaking loose gunk from your lungs so you can cough it up more easily. Advertisement The result? Easier breathing, fewer flare-ups, and less risk of infection. It's pocket-sized, easy to use and a smart extra tool when the pollen count soars. BE PREPARED MANY of us check the weather forecast before heading out — so try doing the same for pollen levels. Dr Gareth Patterson says: 'If you suffer from hay fever or seasonal asthma, this is triggered by exposure to tree and plant pollen, so always check the daily pollen count and avoid spending time walking, exercising outdoors or gardening when levels are high.' Advertisement The Met Office issues nationwide pollen forecasts for the coming five days. WHAT SUPP? 5 Some people swear by anti-hay fever supplements Credit: supplied EVER tried any anti-hay fever supplements? The evidence on how effective these are is mixed, but some people swear by them. Advertisement Try probiotics. Research suggests that imbalances in gut bacteria can cause inflammation, which may trigger allergies and hay-fever. A report published in Frontiers In Nutrition found that probiotics may help by modulating the immune system. Try Wellbio Live Cultures (£16.95, which contains ten billion gut-friendly cultures. Vitamin C has antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Advertisement In a study in the International Journal Of Otorhinolaryngology And Head And Neck Surgery, 1g daily alleviated hay fever symptoms. Try Vitamin C 1,000mg, right, (£3.50, from Quercetin is a plant flavonoid found in foods. 'It has anti-allergic and antihistamine properties,' says registered sports nutritionist Rob Hobson. 'Research shows that quercetin may help to reduce allergies'. Try eating apples, berries, cherries, grapes, onions, capers, green tea and leafy green veg. Advertisement PUT IT TO BED 5 The AllerGuard Home Starter Pack creates a barrier against allergens Credit: supplied FROM pollen to dust mites, allergens will also lurk in your bedroom. The average mattress, for example, can harbour up to ten million dust mites, which can wreak havoc on hay-fever sufferers. Vacuum your home daily, and consider buying anti-allergy bedding. Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun Try Silentnight Anti-Allergy Duvet, Pillow and Mattress Protector (£11.99, Or the AllerGuard Home Starter Pack (from £229.50 at includes pillow, duvet and mattress protectors made from light, breathable fabric that has been woven tightly enough to create a barrier against allergens.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
The 7 best ways to combat hay fever as peak season hits – from ‘diaphragm dumbbells' to supplements
Scroll down to find out which clever gadget could help your breathing BREATHE EASY The 7 best ways to combat hay fever as peak season hits – from 'diaphragm dumbbells' to supplements Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE sun is shining, the sky is blue – yet for millions of us, this time of year can be pure hell. Instead of making the most of the warmer weather, we're inside, battling itchy eyes and runny noses and we just . . . can't . . . stop . . . sneezing. Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, affects one in four of us. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up It's a reaction to pollen, which triggers inflammation and increased mucus production – hence the watery eyes, coughing, nasal issues and scratchy throat, mouth and ears. It can also aggravate lung conditions such as asthma, which affects 7.2million people in the UK, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which affects 1.2million. Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead for charity Asthma + Lung UK, tells Sun Health: 'If you are allergic to pollen and come into contact with it in the air, the muscles around the airways tighten and the airways' linings become swollen and inflamed with a build-up of mucus, making it difficult to breathe.' So, what can you do if you want to enjoy the summer without feeling like your face or lungs are under attack? Here are some simple tactics to consider . . . PROTECT EYES 5 Try the wraparound sunglasses from Credit: supplied SENSITIVE, irritated eyes need extra protection during hay fever season, says dermatologist Dr Eva Melegh. She suggests: Ditch mascara: The sticky consistency makes it a trap for pollen. Wear sunglasses: The larger they are, and the more they wrap around the eyes, the better. Wipe the lenses and frames regularly with a clean cloth to remove any build-up of pollen. Try the wraparound sunglasses from price £22.95. Use a calming gel or mask on the skin around the eyes: Try Hydrosil Dry Eye Gel (£10.95, which contains soothing plant sterols to calm irritation and can be worn overnight and under make-up. Or Optase Cooling Eye Mask (£10.99, is perfect for ten minutes of quick relief. Using eye drops to soothe red and itchy eyes: Try A. Vogel Pollinosan Hay Fever Eye Drops (£13.99, They contain chamomile, hyaluronic acid and sterile water. MUSCLE TRAINING HAY fever can inflame your airways and make it harder to breathe. One option, backed by physios and medics, is inspiratory muscle training (IMT) using a resistance-based device such as the POWERbreathe Plus (£59.99, It's been described as 'dumbbells for your diaphragm', as it improves the strength of your respiratory muscles. Studies show that when asthma patients breathe into the device for five minutes a day for at least three weeks, their symptoms improve by 75 per cent and their medication use drops by 79 per cent. Dr Simon Taggart, consultant chest and general physician at Spire Manchester Hospital, says: 'In addition to your usual use of antihistamines and your preventer device, the POWERbreathe helps to strengthen your breathing during pollen season.' Speak to your GP, as some devices are available on the NHS with a prescription. hayfever recommendations from a boots pharmacist THE AIR THAT YOU BREATHE 5 Air purifiers can create a cleaner and fresher home environment Credit: supplied TRY to keep your windows closed on days with high levels of pollen and pollution, ventilate your home when cooking or cleaning, and consider getting an air purifier if you live in a badly affected area, says Dr Gareth Patterson, an NHS GP. Try 4 Speed White Air Purifier (£32, which creates a cleaner and fresher home environment. Or, Coway Airmega Mighty (£164.99, is a portable, quiet air purifier that removes pollen, dust and other allergens. And MedicAir Pro Mini (£599, is a medical-grade purifier that employs the highest-rated HEPA filter to keep the air free of pollutants, including pollen, pet fur, smoke and mould. EASE YOUR WHEEZING 5 The Shaker Medic Plus is said to help clear sticky mucus from your chest Credit: supplied WHEEZING when pollen hits? This clever gadget could help. The Shaker Medic Plus (£44.99, is a drug-free device said to help clear sticky mucus from your chest — ideal when either hay fever or asthma flares up. It uses gentle vibrations as you breathe out, shaking loose gunk from your lungs so you can cough it up more easily. The result? Easier breathing, fewer flare-ups, and less risk of infection. It's pocket-sized, easy to use and a smart extra tool when the pollen count soars. BE PREPARED MANY of us check the weather forecast before heading out — so try doing the same for pollen levels. Dr Gareth Patterson says: 'If you suffer from hay fever or seasonal asthma, this is triggered by exposure to tree and plant pollen, so always check the daily pollen count and avoid spending time walking, exercising outdoors or gardening when levels are high.' The Met Office issues nationwide pollen forecasts for the coming five days. WHAT SUPP? 5 Some people swear by anti-hay fever supplements Credit: supplied EVER tried any anti-hay fever supplements? The evidence on how effective these are is mixed, but some people swear by them. Try probiotics. Research suggests that imbalances in gut bacteria can cause inflammation, which may trigger allergies and hay-fever. A report published in Frontiers In Nutrition found that probiotics may help by modulating the immune system. Try Wellbio Live Cultures (£16.95, which contains ten billion gut-friendly cultures. Vitamin C has antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In a study in the International Journal Of Otorhinolaryngology And Head And Neck Surgery, 1g daily alleviated hay fever symptoms. Try Vitamin C 1,000mg, right, (£3.50, from Quercetin is a plant flavonoid found in foods. 'It has anti-allergic and antihistamine properties,' says registered sports nutritionist Rob Hobson. 'Research shows that quercetin may help to reduce allergies'. Try eating apples, berries, cherries, grapes, onions, capers, green tea and leafy green veg. PUT IT TO BED 5 The AllerGuard Home Starter Pack creates a barrier against allergens Credit: supplied FROM pollen to dust mites, allergens will also lurk in your bedroom. The average mattress, for example, can harbour up to ten million dust mites, which can wreak havoc on hay-fever sufferers. Vacuum your home daily, and consider buying anti-allergy bedding. Try Silentnight Anti-Allergy Duvet, Pillow and Mattress Protector (£11.99, which is approved by the British Allergy Foundation and filled with specially treated hollowfibre that protects you from pollen, bacteria and dust mites. Or the AllerGuard Home Starter Pack (from £229.50 at includes pillow, duvet and mattress protectors made from light, breathable fabric that has been woven tightly enough to create a barrier against allergens.
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'A funny joke could kill me but no one takes my common condition seriously'
Asthma affects millions of people in the UK, yet many underestimate the devastating impact it can have on people like Tiffanni Fennell, who has shared the harsh reality Most of us would never imagine that something as innocent as a joke or the whiff of perfume could put our lives at risk. But for 27-year-old Tiffanni Fennell, those are the things she has to consider every single day. From the outside, she looks like any other young woman - healthy, full of life. But living with severe asthma has made her feel invisible, as strangers don't appreciate just how dangerous her condition truly is. Asthma affects 7.2 million people in the UK - but only 4% have the severe form that Tiffanni lives with, according to Asthma + Lung UK. Just last week, she had an asthma attack in the middle of her local Co-Op store because her bags were heavy, and her chest suddenly felt tight. "I had to sit down in the middle of an aisle as I was struggling to breathe," she told the Mirror. "Nobody stopped, and people just walked around me." An incident that still haunts her is the time she was in a car with her boyfriend Adam, 27, and he cracked a joke. 'I was laughing so much that I started to struggle for breath, and Adam instantly turned the car round and sped towards the hospital,' she recalled. 'I never really know what will trigger the next asthma attack, or whether I'll survive.' Since childhood, Tiffanni's life has consisted of constant hospital visits and terrifying asthma attacks. Tiffanni, a salon assistant from Jersey, started with breathing issues at the age of five, when a bout of pneumonia left her hospitalised with fluid on her lungs. 'I remember Mum camping out in the hospital next to me and squeezing my hand as I struggled to suck air into my chest," she said. "It must have been terrifying for my family, and I honestly don't think they've relaxed since.' But her trauma didn't stop there - she contracted pneumonia again at 19 and wasn't expected to survive. Living in Jersey also means she has to travel all the way to Southampton just to receive specialist care, though it's not only the travelling which contributes to the stress of her condition. But her symptoms are often dismissed by people, even the doctors she goes to for help. 'A hospital clinician told me I was anxious in the middle of a nasty asthma attack,' she claimed. 'I collapsed shortly after.' Tiffanni is sharing what life is really like with the condition this World Asthma Day, shining a light on 'what it's really like to permanently have your life on mute. As asthma is so common, people have no idea how dangerous and limiting it can be.' She is grateful for a loving partner, whom she met at a friend's party in 2018. Adam supports her through the unpredictable changes asthma brings, but the condition has stolen many of her dreams. Tiffanni had hoped to become a hairdresser, but worries she'd constantly be letting clients down due to her frequent absences. 'I dream about buying a house, having babies, and going on sun-kissed holidays on Greek islands,' she says. 'My life goals feel hollow because travel and childbirth could put too much pressure on my lungs, and a physically demanding career is a definite no-no.' For the past five years, she's been taking Biologics - a targeted therapy for severe asthma that reduces inflammation in the lungs. While many see it as a game changer, the results have been different for her, despite fewer hospital visits. 'I've been told that I probably won't live a long life, and I'd like to say that I'm OK with that, but the truth is I'm really not,' she says. 'But I do know that I am doing everything I can to stay well. I manage my condition with an asthma action plan and regular reviews and inhaler checks.' Asthma + Lung UK reports that only a third of people with asthma are managing their asthma properly. This means having a yearly review, regular inhaler checks and a clear action plan. Like so many other people living with breathing difficulties, Tiffanni wants to see lung health taken seriously - with more money invested into life-saving respiratory treatments, and better care. 'Being able to breathe shouldn't be a privilege,' she says. 'It should be an absolute right.'
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
GSK's Zejula reduces risk of progression and death in mesothelioma study
GSK's Zejula (niraparib) has reduced the risk of death or progression by 27% in patients with mesothelioma in an investigator-led Phase II trial. The NERO study (NCT05455424) investigated the efficacy of Zejula in 88 mesothelioma patients who relapsed after previously receiving platinum-based systemic therapy. The study is sponsored by the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and funded by Asthma + Lung UK, with support from Mesothelioma UK and the Mavis Nye Foundation. Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive cancer that forms in the protective lining surrounding certain internal organs, most commonly the lungs, and is usually linked to asbestos exposure. Treatments are limited, and the standard of care (SOC) includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. Those treated with Zejula benefited from an average of 1.5 months progression-free survival (PFS) compared to SOC – marking a 27% reduction in the risk of the cancer progressing or death. Professor Gareth Griffiths, director of the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit and co-lead of the trial, said: 'Although this increase may seem small, for this group of patients who have very few treatment options and a generally poor prognosis, this is a significant step forward. "We have shown for the first time that this kind of drug can improve progression-free survival for mesothelioma patients compared with their usual treatment in the NHS. This gives enormous hope to those patients and their families and means we can now carry out further research to find out more about how these treatments could be tailored and enhanced to stimulate an even better response in more people.' The data was presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025 in Chicago, US, on 29 April. The University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is now keen to initiate a new study, SELECTmeso, which will be a Phase II platform trial in patients with confirmed histological diagnosis of mesothelioma with evidence of MTAP loss on immunohistochemistry, and evidence of disease progression following prior standard systemic therapy on CT scan. Griffiths added: 'This trial will see patients tested for certain biomarkers, or genetic signals, in their tumours and then given the drug that is most likely to work for them. We really hope this step into more personalised medicine could further help these patients who desperately need better treatment options.' Zejula is an oral poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor that was approved on 27 March 2017 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer. Other PARP inhibitors being investigated in patients with mesothelioma include AstraZeneca's Lynparza (olaparib), which is currently in a Phase II trial (NCT04515836); and Pfizer's Talzenna (talazoparib), which is also in a Phase II study (NCT04462809). AstraZeneca is also studying volrustomig, a bispecific antibody immunotherapy that targets and blocks PD-1 and CTLA-4. The drug is currently being evaluated in a Phase III trial for malignant pleural mesothelioma (NCT06097728). In September 2024, the FDA approved MSD's Keytruda in combination with chemotherapy as a treatment for unresectable advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma, based on data from the KEYNOTE-483 (NCT02784171) study. "GSK's Zejula reduces risk of progression and death in mesothelioma study" was originally created and published by Clinical Trials Arena, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Metro
28-04-2025
- Health
- Metro
Prescription charges frozen to keep them under a tenner
Prescription charges on the NHS are being frozen for the first time in three years – keeping them below a tenner. The government has announced the move to keep the cost at its current level of £9.90 for patients in England, which will prevent it breaching the £10 mark. Three-month and annual prescriptions prepayment certificates are also being frozen for the coming year. Those who already do not have to pay for their prescription – including children, over-60s, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions – will continue to avoid the costs. Around 89% of prescriptions in England are currently handed out for free under this scheme. Speaking to Metro, Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said: 'Hardworking Metro readers will not pay a penny more for their prescriptions this year because we've taken the decision to freeze prescription charges for the first time in three years to keep them below a tenner, saving patients around £18 million in total. Craig Munro breaks down Westminster chaos into easy to follow insight, walking you through what the latest policies mean to you. Sign up here. 'This is on top of our recent £617 million boost for community pharmacies, as we shift care out of hospitals and into the community through our Plan for Change. 'Thanks to the record investment in health and social care of £26 billion at the Budget, we're making our NHS fit for the future while putting money back in people's pockets.' Prescription charges in England have increased by £1.85 in the past ten years, though they were frozen under Health Secretary Sajid Javid in 2022. No other part of the UK charges fees for prescriptions – with the Labour-run government in Wales scrapping them 18 years ago. More Trending Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: 'Fixing our NHS will be a long road – but by working closer with our pharmacies we're saving money and shifting care to the community where it's closer to your home. 'We made the difficult but necessary choices at the Budget to fund moves like this and change our NHS so it can once again be there for you when you need it.' Jonathan Blades, the head of policy at Asthma + Lung UK, described the move as a 'welcome first step' which will 'provide some short-term relief for people with young conditions' during the cost-of-living crisis. He said: 'Living with a long-term lung condition like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is expensive and rising prescription costs only make it harder for people to manage their condition and stay well.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: What ultra-processed food does to your body after days, weeks and months MORE: Thousands of UK deaths could be linked to ultra-processed foods MORE: Eddie Howe opens up on pneumonia battle as Newcastle boss returns to dugout
