Latest news with #DonalO'Shea
Extra.ie
5 days ago
- Health
- Extra.ie
Weight-loss injections linked to 'Ozempic baby' boom as fertility seems to increase
Women taking weight-loss jabs have been warned to use contraceptives or risk having unplanned 'Ozempic babies'. The UK's health watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), issued an alert this week telling women taking any slimming injection, including Ozempic and Wegovy, to use effective birth control. The injections have been linked to a 'baby boom', with women reporting online they have had surprise 'Ozempic babies' despite using contraception or having fertility issues in the past. Ozempic. Pic: Natalia GH/Shutterstock To date, the MHRA has received over 40 reports about pregnancy among women on the drugs. When approached Ireland's Health Products Regulatory Authority about figures here, the HPRA stated that it was made aware of six pregnancies following treatment with similar weight-loss drugs. The HSE has said it doesn't have any data on unplanned pregnancies linked to Ozempic or other GLP-1 receptor agonists used for weight loss, such as Mounjaro or Wegovy. However, it also said: 'Very common and common side effects include diarrhoea and vomiting, which could potentially impact on any medication taken orally', such as the Pill. Pic: Shutterstock Professor Donal O'Shea, HSE national clinical lead for obesity, said: 'If you respond to Ozempic and lose weight, you are more likely to populate. 'The mechanism by which weight loss makes you more fertile is that the weight loss leads to insulin sensitivity, and if you're more sensitive to your insulin, then your ovaries work better and you start ovulating again.' He continued: 'There's also an issue with how your stomach absorbs things like the oral contraceptive pill. For some women that may use it as their main contraceptive, it may well not be as effective. Ozempic. Pic: REX/Shutterstock 'We do routinely advise women that they stop Ozempic some months before attempting to conceive. The problem is many pregnancies are unplanned, so you can't always do that. If somebody gets pregnant on Ozempic, they should discontinue it immediately.' The HPRA operates the national adverse reaction reporting scheme, which tracks side effects from medicines. The authority said that, of the six pregnancies linked to weight-loss drugs, many were linked to drugs other than Ozempic. 'This product is a prescription-only medicine, and patients should discuss any queries or concerns regarding pregnancy with their doctor,' the HPRA stated. Meanwhile, those using the 'King Kong' of weight-loss jabs, Mounjaro, were told to 'double-up' their methods of contraception if using the Pill. 'Mounjaro may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives in those who are overweight,' the MHRA alert read, adding that safe sex is 'especially important for the four weeks after starting Mounjaro and after any dose increase'. Officials added that women who become pregnant while using the medications must cease them immediately. Those who are breastfeeding are also advised to stop the injections.
Daily Record
28-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Vaping warning over 'popcorn lung' risk as there is 'no cure'
Health experts have warned that vaping can cause irreversible damage to your lungs, following reports of 'popcorn lung'. Officially termed bronchiolitis obliterans, popcorn lung is a severe disease that damages the tiny airways in the lungs, leading to persistent coughing, wheezing, fatigue and breathlessness. The term "popcorn lung" originated in the early 2000s when several workers at a microwave popcorn factory developed lung problems after inhaling a chemical called diacetyl – the same ingredient used to give popcorn its rich, buttery taste. Diacetyl, or 2,3-butanedione, is a flavouring agent that becomes a toxic inhalant when aerosolised. It causes inflammation and scarring in the bronchioles (the smallest branches of the lungs), making it increasingly difficult for air to move through, reports Gloucestershire Live Donal O'Shea, Professor of Chemistry at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, said: " While diacetyl is the most infamous cause, popcorn lung can also be triggered by inhaling other toxic chemicals, including volatile carbonyls like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde – both of which have also been detected in e-cigarette vapours." He added: "There's no cure for popcorn lung. Once the lungs are damaged, treatment is limited to managing symptoms. This can include bronchodilators, steroids, and in extreme cases, lung transplantation. For this reason, prevention – not treatment – is the best and only defence." Professor O'Shea highlighted the potential dangers of e-cigarettes in an interview with The Conversation , saying: "E-liquids may contain nicotine, but they also include a chemical cocktail designed to appeal to users. Many of these flavouring agents are approved for use in food. That doesn't mean they're safe to inhale." When the chemicals are inhaled they go straight into the lungs then into the bloodstream. Over 180 different flavouring agents are believed to be used in e-cigarette products. O'Shea explained the risks further, saying that when heated, these chemicals can break down into new compounds, many of which have yet to be tested for inhalation safety. Professor O'Shea added: "Diacetyl, though removed from some vape products, is still found in others. And its substitutes – acetoin and 2,3-pentanedione – may be just as harmful. "Even if diacetyl isn't the sole culprit, cumulative exposure to multiple chemicals and their byproducts could increase the risk of popcorn lung and other respiratory conditions. "This was tragically echoed in the story of the American teen who developed the disease. Her case is reminiscent of the 2019 Evali crisis (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury), which saw 68 deaths and over 2,800 hospitalisations in the US. "That outbreak was eventually linked to vitamin E acetate – a thickening agent in some cannabis vape products. When heated, it produces a highly toxic gas called ketene. "More recent studies are raising alarm bells about vaping's impact on young people's respiratory health. A multi-national study found that adolescents who vape report significantly more respiratory symptoms, even when adjusting for smoking status. Certain flavour types, nicotine salts, and frequency of use were all linked to these symptoms. "It's clear that history is repeating itself. Just as workplace safety rules were overhauled to protect popcorn factory workers, we now need similar regulatory urgency for the vaping industry – especially when it comes to protecting the next generation." The professor added: "Popcorn and vaping might seem worlds apart, but they're connected by a common thread: exposure to inhaled chemicals that were never meant for the lungs. The danger lies not in what these chemicals are when eaten, but in what they become when heated and inhaled. "If we apply the lessons from industrial safety to today's vaping habits – particularly among young people – we could avoid repeating the same mistakes. Regulations, clear labelling, stricter ingredient testing, and educational campaigns can help minimise the risks. "Until then, stories like that of the American teen serve as powerful reminders that vaping, despite its fruity flavours and sleek designs, is not without consequence. Sometimes, what seems harmless can leave damage that lasts a lifetime."
North Wales Live
28-04-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
Professor warns vaping can cause irreversible scarring to the lungs
Health experts have warned that vapin can scar your lungs for life, after a number of reports of people suffering with 'popcorn lung'. Officially known as bronchiolitis obliterans, popcorn lung is a serious and irreversible disease that damages the tiny airways in the lungs, leading to persistent coughing, wheezing, fatigue and breathlessness. The term 'popcorn lung' dates back to the early 2000s when several workers at a microwave popcorn factory developed lung problems after inhaling a chemical called diacetyl – the same ingredient used to give popcorn its rich, buttery taste. Diacetyl, or 2,3-butanedione, is a flavouring agent that becomes a toxic inhalant when aerosolised. It causes inflammation and scarring in the bronchioles (the smallest branches of the lungs), making it increasingly difficult for air to move through. Donal O'Shea, Professor of Chemistry at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, said: " While diacetyl is the most infamous cause, popcorn lung can also be triggered by inhaling other toxic chemicals, including volatile carbonyls like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde – both of which have also been detected in e-cigarette vapours." He added: "There's no cure for popcorn lung. Once the lungs are damaged, treatment is limited to managing symptoms. "This can include bronchodilators, steroids, and in extreme cases, lung transplantation. For this reason, prevention – not treatment – is the best and only defence. Professor O'Shea told The Conversation: "E-liquids may contain nicotine, but they also include a chemical cocktail designed to appeal to users. Many of these flavouring agents are approved for use in food. That doesn't mean they're safe to inhale." When chemicals are inhaled, they go straight into the lungs – and from there, directly into the bloodstream, reaching vital organs like the heart and brain within seconds. Experts estimate there are over 180 different flavouring agents used in e-cigarette products. When heated, many of these chemicals break down into new compounds – some of which have never been tested for inhalation safety. Professor O'Shea said: " Diacetyl, though removed from some vape products, is still found in others. And its substitutes – acetoin and 2,3-pentanedione – may be just as harmful. "Even if diacetyl isn't the sole culprit, cumulative exposure to multiple chemicals and their byproducts could increase the risk of popcorn lung and other respiratory conditions. "This was tragically echoed in the story of the American teen who developed the disease. Her case is reminiscent of the 2019 Evali crisis (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury), which saw 68 deaths and over 2,800 hospitalisations in the US. "That outbreak was eventually linked to vitamin E acetate – a thickening agent in some cannabis vape products. When heated, it produces a highly toxic gas called ketene. "More recent studies are raising alarm bells about vaping's impact on young people's respiratory health. A multi-national study found that adolescents who vape report significantly more respiratory symptoms, even when adjusting for smoking status. "Certain flavour types, nicotine salts, and frequency of use were all linked to these symptoms. "It's clear that history is repeating itself. Just as workplace safety rules were overhauled to protect popcorn factory workers, we now need similar regulatory urgency for the vaping industry – especially when it comes to protecting the next generation. "Popcorn and vaping might seem worlds apart, but they're connected by a common thread: exposure to inhaled chemicals that were never meant for the lungs. The danger lies not in what these chemicals are when eaten, but in what they become when heated and inhaled. "If we apply the lessons from industrial safety to today's vaping habits – particularly among young people – we could avoid repeating the same mistakes. Regulations, clear labelling, stricter ingredient testing, and educational campaigns can help minimise the risks. "Until then, stories like that of the American teen serve as powerful reminders that vaping, despite its fruity flavours and sleek designs, is not without consequence. Sometimes, what seems harmless can leave damage that lasts a lifetime."
