Latest news with #ClaireCameron
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
The dire warning my doctor gave me after I told her how much water I drink a day
Water is widely considered the healthiest liquid for the human body, but one gym-goer has revealed she was warned by her doctor to cut back on H2O in fear it was slowly killing her. Writer Claire Cameron was in good shape, either running or going to the gym every day as she was training for a marathon, and she had a healthy diet. Because of her rigorous training, and the general idea that staying hydrating is good for you, Cameron was drinking up to four liters of water a day. But during a doctor's visit two years ago, alarm bells started ringing after she had a routine blood test and her doctor asked if she had experienced loss of consciousness, dizziness, confusion, seizures or an altered mental state. While Cameron hadn't experienced any of these things - just mild headaches - her doctor said, based on her blood test results, it was only a matter of time. Her lab work showed she had alarmingly low levels of sodium in her body. Sodium helps regulate the body's fluid levels and control blood pressure. Severe low sodium, a condition called hyponatremia, can lead to serious complications like brain swelling, seizures, coma, and ultimately, death. Drinking too much water can cause hyponatremia to occur because the kidneys' ability to excrete water can be overwhelmed and this dilutes the sodium levels in your bloodstream. Water is widely considered the healthiest liquid for the human body. But one health gym-goer revealed she was drinking so much it nearly killed her (stock image) Your browser does not support iframes. In a piece for Slate, Cameron wrote on top of her water consumption she would consume more liquid through her 'morning coffees, a soda here and there, food (water filled!)', and any other drinks she happened to have. The writer explained: 'Altogether, I was getting too much water. Way, way too much. And now I was in danger.' According to the Mayo Clinic, women should drink about 11.5 cups of water per day (2.7 liters), while men should consume 15.5 cups (3.7 liters). However, if you're exercising in the heat, aim for four to eight ounces every 20 minutes, depending on the intensity of the workout. Cameron was drinking to keep hydrated but she wasn't replacing the sodium lost from her sweat through sodium-rich foods and drinks. Sports drinks packed with electrolytes are one of the most convenient options for athletes or those engaging in intense physical activity to keep their sodium levels in check. Healthy sodium levels in the blood typically range from 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L) and a level below this range is considered hyponatremia, or low sodium. Cameron did not reveal what her reading was, just that it was below the healthy level. Hyponatremia occurs when drinking too much water within a short time frame overwhelms the body's organs, namely the kidneys. Normally, the kidneys filter out extra water and waste, producing urine. Dr Thunder Jalili, a professor of nutrition and integrative physiology at the University of Utah, previously told the Wall Street Journal that a person's kidneys can typically filter out one liter of water every hour. 'When you drink more than a liter of water an hour, that's when you run into the risk of potentially diluting your electrolytes,' he said. John Putnam (pictured), then 74, suffered heart attack-like symptoms after drinking too much water These include sodium, which is vital for regulating the amount of fluid in the body, but having too little of it causes water to build up around the body's cells. The cells then swell, leading to nausea, vomiting, headaches, confusion, muscle weakness, dizziness, and restlessness. But in more severe cases, such as Putnam's, it can lead to heart attack-like symptoms such as chest pain. Cameron said her doctor's response was 'blunt' and she was told that if she didn't change her habits she would be 'risking far worse than a headache.' She was told to drink no more than a liter of fluid daily for several days in order to bring her sodium levels back to a healthy baseline. As a person used to drinking up to four liters a day, she found that cutting back was 'hard.' Two years on from her initial diagnosis, Cameron wrote that she is better at monitoring her water intake but she is still not perfect. She concluded: 'Have I learned my lesson? Sort of. 'I've been diagnosed with hyponatremia more than once since that first instance; my doctor thinks I'm one of those people that just run a little low on sodium. 'But I have made changes. I make a conscious effort to notice my thirst while exercising. When I know I'm going to be sweating a lot, I also take an electrolyte mix called LMNT, which I order online; it contains almost half of my daily recommended sodium. 'I also feel entirely at liberty with the table salt. It's working for me.' Cameron's story comes about a year after Texas resident John Putnam, then 74, suffered heart attack-like symptoms after drinking too much water. Putnam was working as a landscaper in June 2024 when the temperatures reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius). By the time he mowed his second lawn of the day, Putnam was so thirsty he had consumed almost three gallons of water within five hours. However, he was overcome with nausea and fatigue, which turned into chest pain and trouble breathing by evening. Putnam was rushed to the hospital for what he believed was a heart attack. Instead, doctors told him he had suffered water poisoning. Researchers have suspected that water toxicity is on the rise due to an increase in heat waves across the US. Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that the condition affects anywhere from 3million to 6million Americans every year, or at least one in 100 people. Hyponatremia can also be more common in older adults like Putnam. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is because older patients are more likely to take medications or suffer from conditions that lower their sodium levels. In severe cases of hyponatremia, brain cells swell and lead to pressure inside the skull. Blood flow to the brain then becomes reduced, resulting in seizures, coma, and even death. Treatment for hyponatremia depends on the severity of the condition. For mild cases, doctors may restrict fluids. However, more severe cases may require medications to manage low sodium levels or replacing sodium intravenously.
Globe and Mail
26-07-2025
- General
- Globe and Mail
To be good with today: A found poem about life in prison
Claire Cameron is a novelist, essayist and author of the memoir How to Survive a Bear Attack. This poem was assembled using responses to questions asked during a book club meeting at the Grand Valley Institution for Women, a prison in Kitchener, Ont. 'Seek markets elsewhere' What is Canada? I Don't Have a Family Doctor To Sleep on the Street Charles
Daily Mirror
19-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Young people becoming less likely to get anti-cancer vaccine
Less and less young people are getting a vaccine that could put a stop to one of the most preventable cancers A recent report has highlighted the concerning decline in uptake of a vaccine that could significantly increase chances of avoiding one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Government statistics revealed a continuing drop in HPV vaccinations among young people. The vaccine is typically offered to school pupils aged between 12 and 13 to combat the spread of Human papillomaviruses. These viruses are the primary cause of cervical cancers, with Cancer Research UK stating that 99.8% of these cancer cases are preventable. Only 71.5% of S1 pupils in the 2023/2024 academic year received the vaccine. This represents a decrease from 72.9% the previous year and 73.5% in 2021/2022, indicating a long-term downward trend. A study conducted in 2021 found that rates of cervical cancer fell by nearly 90% among women in their 20s in England who were offered the vaccine when they were aged between 12 and 13. Public Health Scotland 's report on these figures also revealed a worrying disparity between vaccination rates in deprived and affluent communities, despite the vaccine being freely available to eligible people. The most deprived areas saw only 59.9% of S1 pupils vaccinated. In contrast, the least deprived areas reported a vaccination rate of 82.1%. Overall, more girls were receiving the vaccine than boys, and while males aren't at risk of cervical cancers, the vaccine does offer other health benefits like protection against HPV. HPV, a collection of viruses transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person, isn't always harmless; some strains can lead to severe health issues, including an increased risk of cervical cancer. The NHS offers a HPV vaccine that guards against nine types of the virus. Most people under 25 will require just one dose, and it's often referred to as the cervical cancer vaccine by Cancer Research UK. Dr Claire Cameron, from Public Health Scotland (PHS), expressed alarm over the widening disparities in vaccination rates post-pandemic, stating to the BBC: "That's really concerning because this virus can affect everybody and we want everybody to be vaccinated so they can be protected." She believes a fall in vaccine confidence and altered engagement with education and healthcare are behind the decline in vaccinations. Cancer Research UK outlines several groups eligible for the complimentary vaccine: Children aged between 11 and 13 Anyone under 25 who hasn't had their HPV vaccine Men up to age 45 who have sex with men Transgender people under 45 Receiving the vaccine in childhood generally obviates the need for later doses. However, adults are likely to have already come into contact with HPV, diminishing the vaccine's effectiveness. Those not covered by the NHS programme can opt for private vaccination.
Scotsman
18-06-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Throat Cancer Foundation urges immediate action on HPV vaccine inequality
The Throat Cancer Foundation has expressed deep concern following the BBC's reporting on significant disparities in HPV vaccination rates among young people in Scotland, particularly in the country's most deprived communities. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... According to data published by Public Health Scotland, vaccine uptake among 12–13 year-olds in the least affluent areas has dropped to just 59.9%, compared to 82.1% in the most affluent. This gap leaves thousands of young people—especially boys—vulnerable to HPV-related throat cancers, which are rising sharply in men across the UK. 'This is a public health failure in slow motion,' said Gordon Dow, Trustee of the Throat Cancer Foundation. 'HPV doesn't care where you live. The children most at risk are the least protected, and the consequences will be devastating unless this trend is reversed. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Foundation echoes the concerns of Dr Claire Cameron, Consultant in Health Protection at PHS, who warned the BBC that 'inequalities are increasing' in the wake of the Covid pandemic. TCF supports Dr Cameron's call for universal vaccine confidence and equity in access, particularly in communities where trust in healthcare and education has been fractured. TCF_logo HPV—Human papillomavirus—is the cause of nearly all cervical cancers and a growing number of head, neck, and throat cancers, especially in men. Since the HPV vaccination programme's rollout in 2008, the UK has seen zero cases of cervical cancer among fully vaccinated women—a medical triumph. But awareness of HPV's link to throat cancer remains dangerously low. 'We must urgently reframe this issue, said Gordon Dow. This isn't just about cervical cancer. HPV is the fastest-growing cause of throat cancer, and most cases occur in men. Boys are not an afterthought—they are central to this conversation.' The Throat Cancer Foundation is calling for: A renewed public health campaign on the full spectrum of HPV-related cancers, including throat cancer Targeted outreach in schools in deprived areas, building on programmes like the one at Castlebrae High School, led by Dom Cairns-Gibson and Edinburgh University's BioQuarter team Collaboration with Public Health Scotland to support local vaccine confidence and education initiatives Immediate inclusion of throat cancer prevention in all HPV public messaging HPV_virus 'As one young pupil said in the BBC report, 'getting more information helps you not get scared.' We agree. We will not allow a generation of young people—especially boys—to miss out on life-saving protection because of postcode inequality or lack of awareness.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
CBC
02-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Carney's plan to build big things; the case for moral ambition; and what a bear attack story taught an author about life
Mark Carney promised to 'build, baby, build' on the campaign trail. Today, he's meeting with provincial and territorial premiers to discuss his plans to build big projects in this country, including by fast-tracking the processes to get them approved. We'll talk about balancing the rights of Indigenous nations with the new government's proposed plans — and why red tape isn't the only hurdle holding up development. From climate change to poverty or infant mortality, the world is facing a lot of big problems. And the historian Rutger Bregman says you — yes, you — are the exact right person to solve them. Bregman makes the case to Matt Galloway that today's workforce should focus on 'moral ambition' — channeling their entrepreneurial spirits toward social problems, rather than toiling in meaningless jobs. Claire Cameron has been obsessed with bears since hearing about a bear attack while she was working in Ontario's Algonquin Park as a teenager. But when she was diagnosed with cancer, Cameron revisited the details of that attack and the wilderness environment that's shaped much of her life. In a conversation from March, she told Galloway about her new memoir How to Survive a Bear Attack, and what facing death taught her about how to live.
