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Irish Examiner
23-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Shop-bought health tests not always fit for purpose, researchers warn
Off-the-shelf health tests for issues such as high cholesterol, vitamin deficiency, fertility and prostate problems are not always fit for purpose, experts have warned. A team from the University of Birmingham examined tests that people can buy in supermarkets and shops and which they then use at home. They found the tests risked giving people the wrong result, could delay diagnosis, and most of them recommended follow-up with a doctor anyway, regardless of the result. The researchers called for much tighter regulation of the sector. "In the absence of guidance from healthcare professionals, individuals might use tests inappropriately or without a clear understanding of the implications of the results. "False positive test results can lead to unnecessary anxiety, increased healthcare usage, and additional costs, whereas false negative test results may delay appropriate treatment or engagement with... screening programmes. "Test errors can stem from inherent limitations in the accuracy of the test, as well as user-related issues such as sampling errors, incorrect processing, and difficulties in interpreting the results." However, the team said that in the future, home tests could have great potential for patient care. Professor Jon Deeks, from the University of Birmingham, said: "A plethora of new health self-tests have emerged in recent years and are available to buy from many high street supermarkets and pharmacies in the UK. "While these kits have been approved for sale, they are not subject to the same stringent regulations as pharmaceutical products. "Our recent research raises concerns about the suitability, accuracy and usability of many of the self-testing products available that require users to sample, test and interpret results themselves. "In some cases, it is unclear how accuracy claims are supported, and there is no requirement of manufacturers to share the evidence behind these claims." Prof Deeks said much of the literature contained with tests was "not easy to understand", while some of the results could lead to a "wrong diagnosis". In one example, he said the self-tests for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, a marker of prostate health, were fixed at a certain concentration level. However, "if you're age 70 you need to have your PSA done at a very different level to when you're 20", he said. Overall, 30 self-tests were included in the study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). The tests covered 19 different conditions, including vitamin deficiency, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, thyroid function, prostate health, HIV, menopause and bowel cancer. Researchers said only eight of the 30 tests provided information about who should or should not use the test, while four specified the presence of symptoms. Less than half of the test boxes (14) included any statement about test accuracy.
Daily Record
23-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Mum who blames mesh implant for crippling pain blasts Government for continued use
Mum who blames mesh implant for crippling pain blasts Government for continued use Roseanna Clarkin is one of a number of women who blame mesh products for life-changing complications. Roseanna Clarkin; Surgical Mesh campaigner from Clydebank. A mum who blames a controversial plastic implant for her crippling pain has blasted the Scottish Government for continuing to use the products. Roseanna Clarkin is one of a number of women who blame mesh products for life-changing complications. In her case, it was used to treat an umbilical hernia in 2015. Roseanna Clarkin said: 'Vaginal mesh is banned but mesh is still used for other procedures. Ultimately it's the same mesh. There has to be an alternative.' Three years later, while the Scottish Government banned the use of trans vaginal mesh products, surgical mesh is still used for other procedures. Studies suggest five to 20 per cent of hernia operations result in mesh failure. A study in the British Medical Journal, said the rate could be 12 to 30 per cent. Campaigners have been calling for an independent review and patients including Roseanna want a ban on all surgical mesh and fixation devices. Roseanna, 41, of Clydebank, said: 'Vaginal mesh is banned but mesh is still used for other procedures. Ultimately, it's the same mesh that can cause the same problems.' Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has refused campaigners' call for an independent review into the use of mesh in all surgical procedures In 2023, then First Minister Humza Yousaf said to suspend the use of hernia mesh would leave some people with limited or no treatment options. Last year, Roseanna was diagnosed with a rectocele – a prolapse of the wall between the rectum and vagina – but was shocked doctors wanted to use mesh. She said: 'I was outraged. Mesh has caused devastating effects to my life and body. There was no way I was having any more.' From the late 90s to 2018, women in Scotland were treated with polypropylene mesh implants for stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. For some, it caused pain and life-changing side-effects. Affected patients can travel to England and the US for mesh removal surgery, funded by NHS Scotland and Scottish Government. Campaign group Sling the Mesh accused governments of 'dragging their feet' five years after the review. The group's Kath Sansom said: 'Traditional surgical repairs without mesh, and high-quality pelvic floor physiotherapy, should always be the first line of treatment for bladder leaks, prolapse and some bowel conditions.' The Scottish Government said it takes the concerns raised seriously and commissioned two reviews of hernia mesh use. Article continues below It added the reviews 'recommended the continued availability of surgical mesh as an option for repair of hernias, while stressing the importance of informed consent and the availability of alternative treatments where appropriate'. Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
Mint
19-07-2025
- Health
- Mint
7 common medicines that may secretly harm your heart health, reveals heart surgeon
Your heart works tirelessly, beating over 100,000 times a day to keep you alive, yet it is often taken for granted. With rising stress, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy eating habits, and poor sleep, heart problems are becoming more common than ever, even among younger people. While many are aware that smoking, high cholesterol, and lack of exercise can hurt heart health, few realize that certain everyday medicines might be quietly adding to the risk. From pills we pop for a headache or cold to drugs for chronic conditions, some of them could strain the heart in unexpected ways. Yes, there are a few common medications that, when misused or taken long-term, may actually do your heart more harm than good. Here are some common medicines that may take a toll on your heart, leading to serious complications like high blood pressure, heart attack, heart failure, and even stroke: Over-the-counter pain relievers like Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, and Nimesulide are widely used medicines for treating pain, fever, and inflammation. But what many people do not realize is that these drugs can quietly affect your heart health. "Long-term or high-dose use of NSAIDs can lead to high blood pressure, fluid retention, and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, especially in those with existing heart issues," warns Dr Swarup Swaraj Pal, Senior Consultant Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon at Gleneagles Hospitals. A study published in the British Medical Journal found that taking NSAIDs, even for just a week, can significantly raise your risk of a heart attack. To deal with seasonal cold and flu, decongestants like phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are commonly used. However, they may do more than good. "Decongestants can constrict blood vessels, leading to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure," explains Dr Swarup. For individuals with hypertension or pre-existing cardiac conditions, this can be dangerous. The Annals of Emergency Medicine reports that these drugs can overstimulate the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of heart attack or other complications. While antidepressants can help improve mental health, some types, especially tricyclic antidepressants like Amitriptyline or SSRIs like Fluoxetine, can potentially affect your heart rhythm. "These drugs may increase heart rate and, in people with structural heart disease or arrhythmias, lead to palpitations or irregular heartbeats," says Dr Swarup. If you have any known heart issues, it is important to discuss potential side effects with your psychiatrist or cardiologist before starting or changing antidepressant medication. Some medications used to manage type 2 diabetes, such as Pioglitazone, are known to cause fluid retention. In some cases, this can lead to heart failure. It is particularly risky in people who already have any heart health problems. If you are on anti-diabetic medication, make sure your doctor keeps a close watch on your heart health. Antibiotics like Azithromycin and Clarithromycin are often prescribed for respiratory or bacterial infections. However, they can interfere with your heart's electrical activity. "These drugs can lead to arrhythmias, especially when taken alongside other heart-sensitive medicines," notes Dr Swarup. They are not dangerous for everyone, but in people with heart conditions or those taking multiple medications, the combination could be risky. Corticosteroids, often referred to simply as steroids, are commonly prescribed for asthma, arthritis, and allergic conditions because of their anti-inflammatory properties. But they can come with serious cardiovascular side effects. According to a study in the Canadian Respiratory Journal, oral corticosteroids were linked to a higher risk of high blood pressure and acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Why? These drugs can cause the body to retain sodium and fluid, leading to increased pressure in blood vessels and added strain on the heart.
Irish Post
16-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Post
Ireland delays cancer warning label for alcohol
IRELAND'S plan to become the first country in Europe to introduce cancer warning labels on alcohol has been delayed. This delay is widely attributed to intense lobbying by the drinks industry and fears of trade retaliation from the United States. The labelling rules, set to take effect in May 2026 under the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018, would have required alcohol products sold in Ireland to carry clear warnings about their links to cancer and liver disease. Now, government officials have confirmed the measure will be pushed back by at least three years. The delay marks a stark reversal from the policy's original champions, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Harris, who spearheaded the legislation during his time as health minister, recently announced the postponement. Alcohol Action Ireland, a leading campaign group, described the move as a 'political surrender' that prioritises corporate interests over public health. Research published in the British Medical Journal has found Ireland to have the highest level of alcohol industry influence in government across five key areas, including policy development and political ties. Industry arguments against the labelling have ranged from claims that the science is too complex to explain on a label to assertions that such warnings are misleading or bad for business. Despite this, the scientific consensus is clear. Alcohol has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organisation since 1988, which is the same category shared by tobacco and asbestos. It is strongly linked to multiple cancers, including breast, liver and colorectal cancer, even at low levels of consumption. In recent weeks, Irish officials have also voiced concerns that the cancer warnings could trigger US trade tariffs, especially if Donald Trump returns to power and revives threats of duties on EU goods. The United States is the largest export market for many Irish drink producers, particularly for brands like Jameson. Irish ministers have warned that acting unilaterally could put the industry at risk. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke and others have argued that Ireland should instead wait for an EU-wide approach. However, no such proposal currently exists. The European Commission has already ruled that Ireland's alcohol labelling plans are legal and compatible with the single market. The labels were to include simple messages: that alcohol causes cancer and liver disease, a pregnancy warning graphic and a link to the HSE's website. According to the HSE, only 38 percent of Irish adults are aware that alcohol can cause cancer. Every day, three people in Ireland are diagnosed with alcohol-related cancer, and up to 15 babies are born with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Yet most people do not associate these harms with alcohol. Taoiseach Micheál Martin, once lauded for leading Ireland's historic indoor smoking ban in 2004, is now facing calls to show similar resolve in the face of alcohol industry opposition. More than 85 organisations, coordinated by Alcohol Action Ireland, are urging the government to stick to the original timeline and resist pressure to water down or delay the law. Critics warn that postponing labelling may be politically convenient, but it comes at a cost—one paid in public health. They argue that consumers have a basic right to know the risks associated with what they consume and that laws passed through the democratic process should not be quietly undone by industry influence. While warning labels won't solve Ireland's alcohol problem overnight, public health experts say they are a critical first step.
Perth Now
15-07-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Man finds worm squirming in penis following trip to the beach
A man found a worm squirming inside his penis following a trip to the beach. The 22-year-old male from Colombo, Sri Lanka, went to a sexual health clinic with an itchy rash on his manhood that had been irritating him for a week. He explained to doctors that he had been lying on the beach with his bare skin touching the sand in the days before. Experts at St Mary's Community Health Campus in Portsmouth reported the case in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Sexually Transmitted Infections and diagnosed him with cutaneous larva migrans (CLM), a skin infection that is caused by tiny worm larvae burrowing beneath the skin. CLM is known as a creeping infection and causes itchy red lines that snake across the skin as the larvae move. It is common in tropical areas like Sri Lanka where skin is exposed to contaminated soil or sand. The authors wrote: "Travellers to tropical areas need to take precautions to avoid these unfavourable incidents." The infected man was treated with a three-day course of oral Albendazole and his rash soon cleared up.
