Latest news with #Cureus
The Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Woman, 24, left battling fatal ‘muscle death' condition triggered by her first ever spin class
A WOMAN landed in intensive care with a fatal condition triggered by pushing herself too much during her first spin class. The 24-year-old had rhabdomyolysis, which is when overworked muscles die, break down and leak toxins into the blood. 1 These toxins can damage the kidneys and cause them to stop working, which can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. Spinning is a high-intensity indoor cycling workout that targets the large muscles in the thighs and glutes. It's hugely popular for its fast calorie burn and endurance boost, but the intense effort can sometimes push beginners too far, medics describing the case in Cureus warned. They said that young women, especially those with high BMIs have "adequate" energy and "muscle bulk" - like the woman in the case report - to do spinning. "This endurance and some over-enthusiasm can lead them to spin for prolonged durations at varying intensities," they wrote. "Combined with dehydration, lack of fitness and the muscle mass of the quadriceps make them more prone to rhabdomyolysis after their first spinning session," they added. Just two days after the class, the unnamed woman was unable to walk upstairs as her thighs throbbed. But her pain was unusually severe, and when her pee turned from clear to brown, she knew something was seriously wrong. She went to hospital where tests showed her creatine kinase levels, a marker of muscle damage, were more than 50 times the normal limit. Tests and scans revealed that muscle cells in her thighs had ruptured, releasing harmful substances like myoglobin into her bloodstream putting severe strain on her kidneys. Bizarre medical case reports Doctors immediately started her on IV fluids to flush the toxins from her system and closely monitored her kidney function to prevent failure. After five days of intensive treatment, her muscle enzyme levels finally dropped, and her kidney function began to improve. She was eventually discharged and made a full recovery - but doctors warn that pushing too hard in a first spin class can trigger this rare, life-threatening condition. "We recommend gradual, low-intensity training or periodic training with adequate hydration and replenishing the fluid loss for all young women engaging in indoor cycling for weight reduction in the early phases of their fitness program," they wrote. "Awareness regarding warm-ups and cool-downs should be given to all beginners involved in indoor spinning," they added. What is rhabdomyolysis? Rhabdomyolysis, called rhabdo for short, happens when muscles are pushed too hard and start to die and break down, releasing toxins into the bloodstream. These toxins can seriously damage your kidneys and even cause kidney failure if untreated. Common causes: Intense exercise (like spin classes or heavy lifting) Muscle injury or trauma Certain medications or infections Symptoms: Severe muscle pain and weakness Swelling and stiffness Dark or brown urine (a key warning sign) Fatigue and fever Why it's dangerous: The toxins released can overload the kidneys, which filter your blood, leading to kidney damage or failure. Treatment: Early hospital care with IV fluids helps flush toxins and protect kidney function. Most people recover fully with prompt treatment. If you experience severe muscle pain after exercise and notice dark urine, get medical help fast.
Scottish Sun
28-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Woman, 24, watched a third of her skin ‘peel and detach' from her body just four days after taking routine NHS drug
Survivors of the condition have described the experience as feeling like they were being 'burned from the inside out' or 'cooked alive,' due to the intense pain and widespread skin loss it triggers SKIN HORROR Woman, 24, watched a third of her skin 'peel and detach' from her body just four days after taking routine NHS drug A YOUNG woman saw nearly a third of her skin peel away in sheets just days after starting a new medication. The 24-year-old had been prescribed lamotrigine, a drug commonly used on the NHS to treat mood disorders and epilepsy. Advertisement 3 The unnamed woman developed Lyell's syndrome, also known as toxic epidermal necrolysis Credit: Cureus 3 It caused the 25-year-old's skin to peel off in sheets Credit: Cureus 3 The skin condition carries with it a mortality rate between 20 and 40 per cent Credit: Cureus But just days after starting the medication to treat her bipolar, she noticed a red rash spreading rapidly across her body. By day four she decided to head to the hospital after the marks started blistering and large areas of skin started falling off. Doctors treating her at Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital in Morocco quickly diagnosed her with Lyell's syndrome, also known as toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). This is a rare but life-threatening reaction to a medication - which in this case was lamotrigine. But it has also been associated with antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen. Advertisement It happens when the body overreacts to a drug causing the outer layer of skin, known as the epidermis, to detach and peel away in sheets, exposing the raw, sensitive tissue beneath. In previous reports survivors of the condition have described the experience as feeling like they were being 'burned from the inside out' or 'cooked alive, due to the intense pain and widespread skin loss it triggers. In worst-case scenarios, it can leave those affected vulnerable to life-threatening complications like sepsis and organ failure - it carries a mortality rate between 20 and 40 per cent. In this case, published as part of a report in the journal Cureus, almost 30 per cent of her body surface area had been affected including her chest, back, arms, and thighs. Advertisement Large sections of skin had already sloughed off by the time she arrived at hospital, leaving painful, exposed areas that had to be treated like serious burns. Doctors also noted that her mucous membranes were involved, meaning the reaction had affected not just her skin but also the inside of her mouth and genitals, a common but dangerous feature of TEN. Charlotte's agony: Surviving Stevens-Johnson Syndrome Once admitted, the unidentified woman was transferred to a specialist burns unit, as TEN causes skin damage similar to that seen in people with major burn injuries. "TEN is often described as a severe burn-like skin reaction because it causes widespread epidermal necrosis and detachment similar to that seen in patients with extensive burns," the authors of the report wrote. Advertisement After intensive treatment in the burns unit including wound care, pain relief, and fluid replacement she began to recover. Doctors immediately stopped the lamotrigine to prevent further skin damage and prescribed another medication to manage her bipolar disorder safely. The authors stressed that while TEN is a rare reaction, patients starting drugs like lamotrigine should be monitored closely for early symptoms such as fever, rash, and blistering. "The early recognition and discontinuation of the offending drug is crucial in improving patient outcomes," they concluded. Advertisement
Scottish Sun
23-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
‘Healthy' boy, 8, left with giant forehead and lethal swelling after blocked nose turned into ‘Pott's puffy tumour'
Find out everything you need to know about Pott's puffy tumour below LETHAL INFECTION 'Healthy' boy, 8, left with giant forehead and lethal swelling after blocked nose turned into 'Pott's puffy tumour' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A YOUNG boy with a seemingly innocent headache and blocked nose was rushed to hospital when his forehead began to swell. Experts are now raising awareness of the life-threatening condition he faced. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The boy's swelling measured 8 x 5cm and extended to the root of his nose The eight-year-old boy had complained of a headache, fever, and blocked nose prior to his hospital admission. All three symptoms are commonly associated with sinusitis - a sinus infection that usually clears up on its own within four weeks. But two weeks later the boy was rushed to the emergency department when his forehead began to swell. The swelling measured 8 x 5cm and extended to the root of his nose. It also rapidly increased in size down to his eyelids. Initially, his condition was believed to have resulted from direct trauma to the forehead. But following a CT scan, doctors discovered he'd developed a rare complication of sinusitis, known as Pott's puffy tumour. Pott's puffy tumour causes a fluid-filled lump on the forehead and can be fatal if left untreated. Luckily for the boy, he was swiftly treated with antibiotics, and after 48 hours, the swelling began to subside. He was then discharged home after three weeks of hospitalisation. I've only got half a skull left after what started as a simple cold His case was recently published in Cureus. Pott's puffy tumour, named after Sir Percivall Pott, an English surgeon who first described it in 1760, is an uncommon condition in the UK. The authors wrote: "Although this condition can affect people of any age or gender, previous studies revealed that PPT in those above the age of 18 years is more common in the five to 17 age range, and they are more common in adolescents, with a median age of 11 years, favouring male patients, who account for 70 per cent of cases. "In our case, the child was an eight-year-old boy. In the adolescent age, the flow rate of the diploic veins, which drain the frontal sinus, increases and favours the hematogenous spread of infections." If Pott's puffy tumour is left untreated, it may result in bone erosion from the infected material coming into direct contact with intracranial structures, they noted. They concluded: "A seemingly harmless and common infection, such as acute bacterial sinusitis, can occasionally lead to serious complications. "To prevent fatal complications, it is crucial to recognise and treat benign infections such as bacterial sinusitis. "Although surgical intervention is recommended in this condition, early detection can enable a less invasive approach and may even eliminate the need for surgery altogether."
The Sun
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
‘Healthy' boy, 8, left with giant forehead and lethal swelling after blocked nose turned into ‘Pott's puffy tumour'
A YOUNG boy with a seemingly innocent headache and blocked nose was rushed to hospital when his forehead began to swell. Experts are now raising awareness of the life-threatening condition he faced. 1 The eight-year-old boy had complained of a headache, fever, and blocked nose prior to his hospital admission. All three symptoms are commonly associated with sinusitis - a sinus infection that usually clears up on its own within four weeks. But two weeks later the boy was rushed to the emergency department when his forehead began to swell. The swelling measured 8 x 5cm and extended to the root of his nose. It also rapidly increased in size down to his eyelids. Initially, his condition was believed to have resulted from direct trauma to the forehead. But following a CT scan, doctors discovered he'd developed a rare complication of sinusitis, known as Pott's puffy tumour. Pott's puffy tumour causes a fluid-filled lump on the forehead and can be fatal if left untreated. Luckily for the boy, he was swiftly treated with antibiotics, and after 48 hours, the swelling began to subside. He was then discharged home after three weeks of hospitalisation. I've only got half a skull left after what started as a simple cold His case was recently published in Cureus. Pott's puffy tumour, named after Sir Percivall Pott, an English surgeon who first described it in 1760, is an uncommon condition in the UK. The authors wrote: "Although this condition can affect people of any age or gender, previous studies revealed that PPT in those above the age of 18 years is more common in the five to 17 age range, and they are more common in adolescents, with a median age of 11 years, favouring male patients, who account for 70 per cent of cases. "In our case, the child was an eight-year-old boy. In the adolescent age, the flow rate of the diploic veins, which drain the frontal sinus, increases and favours the hematogenous spread of infections." If Pott's puffy tumour is left untreated, it may result in bone erosion from the infected material coming into direct contact with intracranial structures, they noted. They concluded: "A seemingly harmless and common infection, such as acute bacterial sinusitis, can occasionally lead to serious complications. "To prevent fatal complications, it is crucial to recognise and treat benign infections such as bacterial sinusitis. "Although surgical intervention is recommended in this condition, early detection can enable a less invasive approach and may even eliminate the need for surgery altogether." What is Pott's puffy tumour? Pott's puffy tumour is a rare complication of sinusitis (sinus infection). It's essentially a swelling of the forehead due to an infection spreading from the sinuses. The condition can be life-threatening if not treated promptly due to the potential for infection to spread to the brain. The primary symptom is swelling, particularly on the forehead, along with fever, headache, and nasal discharge. Other symptoms include light sensitivity, pain when pressing on the affected area, and potentially bulging eyes (proptosis). Pott's puffy tumour is an uncommon condition in the UK, considered rare in the post-antibiotic era. While it can affect individuals of any age, it's most commonly observed in teenagers and young adults, possibly due to the increased vascularity and development of the diploic veins during adolescence. If you suspect a Pott's puffy tumor, seek immediate medical attention.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Can an unborn baby survive if the mother is brain dead? The science behind such critical cases explained
A recent case from Georgia has drawn attention to a complex medical and ethical issue: a brain-dead pregnant woman being maintained on life support so her unborn child can reach viability. Adriana Smith, 30, was nine weeks pregnant when she was admitted to the hospital with severe headaches. Unfortunately, no tests were conducted initially, and by the following morning, she became unresponsive. A subsequent CT scan revealed multiple blood clots in her brain, leading doctors to declare her brain dead, reported 11 Alive. Due to Georgia's Heartbeat Bill, which prohibits abortion after cardiac activity is detected in an embryo—usually around six weeks—Adriana is being kept on life support until the baby can be delivered. Adriana's mother, April Newkirk, expressed profound heartbreak over the situation. She described her daughter as "breathing, but unresponsive" and voiced her concerns about the unborn child's health, fearing he "may be blind, may not be able to walk, may not survive once he's born." This case has reignited debate on what science can achieve, legal constraints, and the outcomes for babies born under such extraordinary circumstances. Medical History and Precedents Cases involving brain-dead pregnant women maintained on life support are rare but not unheard of. A study published in the International Journal of Critical Illness & Injury Science reviewed 30 such cases between 1982 and 2010. Out of these, only 12 infants survived the neonatal period, indicating the complexity and risks involved. Previously, medical decisions largely depended on the fetus's gestational age when brain death was declared. However, advances in critical care now allow for sustaining maternal bodily functions regardless of pregnancy stage, making gestational age less of a limiting factor in decision-making. One notable success was documented in the journal Cureus, describing a 31-year-old woman declared brain dead at 22 weeks pregnant. After 11 weeks of life support, a cesarean section at 33 weeks resulted in the birth of a healthy infant. Similarly, the American Journal of Case Reports described a brain-dead woman at 16 weeks gestation kept on life support for 117 days, with the child showing good health outcomes one year after birth. A systematic review in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology further highlighted that with proper medical care, most infants born under such conditions had favorable outcomes. Challenges in Maintaining Pregnancy and Fetal Health The key factor influencing infant survival is the gestational age at the time of the mother's brain death. Survival rates improve significantly with later gestational ages—approximately 20–30% at 24 weeks, 80% at 28 weeks, and nearly 98% at 32 weeks. Sustaining a brain-dead mother on life support comes with major challenges. Complications like infections, hormonal imbalances, and cardiovascular instability can threaten both maternal somatic functions and fetal development. The mother's body may struggle to maintain sufficient blood pressure and oxygen supply, which can cause fetal hypoxia and ischemia, potentially leading to long-term neurological damage. Nutritional support for the fetus is another concern, as a brain-dead mother might not properly digest or absorb nutrients, complicating efforts to sustain the pregnancy. Additionally, the inability to sustain the pregnancy full-term often results in premature birth, raising the risk of complications for the infant. While medical advances have made it possible to maintain brain-dead pregnant women on life support to allow fetal development, the situation remains fraught with medical, ethical, and legal challenges.
