Latest news with #Pepto-Bismol
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Want to be the smartest one in the room? 3 common things that even neurologists avoid for 'healthy brain and sharp memory'
The human brain is a marvel, mysterious, powerful, and at the same time, delicate. Every single thought, memory, and idea springs from this 1.3kg organ. But keeping it sharp doesn't always mean doing more. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sometimes, the smartest move is knowing what not to do. Dr Baibing Chen, a professor of neurology at the University of Michigan, has seen it all, from memory lapses to full-blown cognitive decline. But when it comes to his own brain health, he shared a few secrets with 'CNBC Make It' that people need to know about. Even small shifts in daily life can have lasting effects on memory, focus, and brain resilience. Here's all we need to know about what this top neurologist avoids, and what can actually be done instead to boost brain power naturally. Overdependence on GPS Dr Chen avoids using GPS too often. Why? A landmark study on London taxi drivers showed that their brains, especially the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory—were larger and more active than usual. Constant navigation without help was building their brain like a muscle. A similar pattern was noticed in professions like ambulance driving, where spatial awareness is constantly used. These individuals had significantly lower Alzheimer's risk. When the brain doesn't need to remember routes or use visual memory, those neural pathways begin to weaken. It's like skipping leg day at the gym—eventually, those muscles fade. Try mentally mapping out short routes, recalling landmarks, or even drawing directions from memory. It's a small habit that can keep the brain agile and alert. Energy drinks Dr Chen warns against these sugar-packed, caffeine-laden drinks. While the instant jolt may feel like productivity, research reveals that excessive consumption may trigger sleep disorders, anxiety, and even seizures in extreme cases. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Some energy drinks contain taurine and B vitamins in amounts that aren't always regulated. These chemicals may interfere with natural brain function, disrupting sleep cycles and causing mental fog in the long run. A quick walk in the sun, a tall glass of lemon water, or even breathing exercises can refresh the brain more sustainably. Natural energy lasts longer—and doesn't come with a neurological price tag. Too many over-the-counter medications Dr Chen has seen cases where frequent use of certain common medicines—like Pepto-Bismol—led to bismuth toxicity, mimicking symptoms of dementia. Zinc overdoses from misguided wellness trends even caused irreversible damage to the spinal cord in some patients. The issue isn't the medicine itself—it's the misuse. Even something as basic as cold remedies, when overused, can interfere with cognitive performance, especially in older individuals. When symptoms are mild, consider rest, hydration, or doctor-approved home remedies first. And always stick to prescribed dosages—not influencer advice. Reclaiming brain health Boosting brain power doesn't always need biohacks or expensive supplements. Neurologists often suggest simple, grounding habits like: Reading something new daily, even for 15 minutes—especially non-fiction or puzzles. Learning unfamiliar routes or languages, which activate underused brain areas. Taking mindful pauses in the day to reflect, breathe, and observe surroundings. These practices help stimulate neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to form new connections. And that's where real cognitive strength lies.
The Irish Sun
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Did privacy-loving Meghan Markle release excruciating labour video to battle bizarre fake bump & surrogate rumours?
IT'S rare that I drop into the foetal position and reach for the Pepto-Bismol BEFORE my night out. But that's what I found myself doing as Meghan Markle dropped her 7 Meghan Harry, pictured doing their 'vomit-inducing' YouTwerk video Credit: Instagram 7 Meghan shares a shot with Lilibet to mark her fourth birthday Credit: Instagram/Meghan 7 Let's not forget that Time Magazine cover, above, where Harry sat on a wall and peered over Meghan's shoulder, behind her power stance. Credit: Reuters Her and husband Prince Harry's cringey performance of the Baby Momma Dance, in a private hospital room shortly before she gave birth to the couple's second child We've now had to endure years of the bizarre, 'Don't look at me . . . Why aren't you looking at me?!' demands of M&H. Their hypocrisy is dizzying and leaves many of us searching for a reason to explain their constant desire for on-their-terms attention. Not least the Long has there been a notion that M&H were lying about their second pregnancy — and the throwback clip throws fuel on the fire. Twitter critics are shouting that Meghan is wearing a fake 'moon-bump' and there is no woman at full-term pregnancy who could grind with such vigour. They claim she must be 'superhuman' and that the video isn't even in a hospital room. Ultrasound image Several claim, without credible evidence, her bump is too high or the wrong shape to be real. Some spin groundless claims the video was faked, made on a film set or AI-generated — and say that if she had been about to give birth in hospital, she would have been in a gown and had jewellery removed. Meanwhile a recent mood board of pictures on her Instagram showed a bare-bellied Meghan heavily preg-nant with first child Archie. Meghan couldn't get Beyonce so settled for her mum… but even a global star couldn't save As Ever, expert slams She even posted an ultrasound image of her unborn son — but many claimed it was all just a way to prove she was pregnant. The daftest claims are that she has hired the kids to help her sell items from her various companies. This is not the first time the Duchess of Sussex has faced false claims of faked pregnancy — with keyboard warriors claiming she hired a surrogate, wore dodgy, mis-fitting bumps and refused to announce the birth when it happened. Like baddies in a Disney film, they seem regenerated when being talked about. Unless we say things that they don't like, of course. None of which has any clout, of course. But it does strike many as strange that the couple who constantly bang on about privacy and safety would release a video of one of the most intimate days of their life together for no reason other than attention. I, like the many self-respecting residents of this fine nation, can't fathom why the married couple would a) make the video and b) having watched how excruciating it is, put it out to the world four years later. But then, we're not Meghan and Harry. Like baddies in a Disney film, they seem regenerated when being talked about. Unless we say things that they don't like, of course. We've now had to endure years of the bizarre 'Don't look at me . . . Why aren't you looking at me?!' demands of M&H. Their hypocrisy is dizzying and leaves many of us trying to find a more complicated reason for their constant desire for on-their-terms attention. Meghan has a tree-falling-in-woods attitude to life: if no one is watching her, did it even happen? 7 Harry was seen, through a window, juggling like a chained-up garden jester while Meg and actress Melissa McCarthy celebrated her 40th birthday Credit: Archewell 7 The Duchess showing off her moves She is an actress, after all. For decades she's dreamed of red carpets, standing ovations and gold statuettes in her hand. She needs eyes on her, Watching Harry dancing in the video, it's impossible to decipher the exact moment his last drop of dignity left his body for ever. After hitting 'play' on the camera, he frantically zig-zags across the screen — pointing, stomping and crab-shuffling across the room. Surely, if we could see his eyes, they must have shown his suffering? Those windows to the souls must have been crying for help. Harry ... has long been allowed only the odd walk-on part in The Meghan Show. Perhaps I'm giving the pampered prince far too much credit — he's my fellow fortysomething and no one of us should be capable of such toe-curling antics unless under duress. I'm speaking as someone who suddenly finds the night bus timetable fascinating if the word karaoke is even uttered on a night out. He gyrates as only the true British upper class learns how, at their first rugby club ball. All he needs is some champagne poured from the bottle into his mouth by a bloke called Hugo and it would be like he's back his old London nightclub haunt Boujis, in South Kensington. Harry, who has spent thousands suing the Home Office and claiming his family aren't safe on British soil, has long been allowed only the odd walk-on part in The Meghan Show. Remember how he pointed out chickens to Or when he was seen, through a window, juggling like a chained-up garden jester while Meg and actress Melissa McCarthy celebrated her 40th birthday. And let's not forget that Time Magazine cover where he sat on a wall and peered over her shoulder, behind her power stance. His bit-part in this sad excuse for delivery-room bantz shines through — as does the lack of laughter or chemistry between the pair. He may also soon have competition in his understudy status, as on Wednesday Meghan expressed her dream of launching a future with Lilibet. Chatting to Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles on her podcast, she shared: 'I wonder if one day I'll be in business with Lili and we'll be building something.' Better keeeeep dancing, Harry. 7 Prince Harry joined in and dropped it down low 7 The Duchess showed off her moves
CNBC
27-05-2025
- Health
- CNBC
I'm a neurologist—to keep my 'brain healthy and memory sharp,' I avoid these 4 things that people do all the time
Don't smoke. Don't drink alcohol. Don't do drugs. Exercise frequently. Eat a healthy diet. Get good sleep. You've probably heard all of this before. It's the standard advice given by doctors and health advocates. And for good reason: This guidance is solid and forms the foundation for long-term health and quality of life. But there are a few other things many people do all the time that, as a neurologist, I try to avoid to keep my brain healthy and memory sharp. GPS has made our lives much more convenient. Before its invention, people had to rely on foldout paper maps, spatial reasoning, and environmental cues to navigate. These days, that's become a lost art. Over time, relying too much on GPS can weaken your spatial memory. One study showed that the hippocampi — the memory centers of the brain — are larger in taxi drivers because they need to memorize complex street layouts. Another recent study found that taxi and ambulance drivers were less likely to die from Alzheimer's disease than people in other professions. One possible explanation is that these jobs require frequent, real-time use of spatial and navigational skills, which may help maintain or even improve hippocampal health. This isn't to say people shouldn't use GPS for traffic updates, but there are ways to actively engage your spatial memory without it. For example, try planning a route to a new café or exploring a different way home from work. Many of us work long days and feel like we never have enough energy to get through them. But relying on energy drinks isn't the solution. These beverages often contain high levels of caffeine, taurine, and B vitamins. Consuming large amounts can lead to cardiovascular issues like high blood pressure, palpitations, and even arrhythmias. Neurologically, excessive energy drink consumption can cause insomnia, anxiety, restlessness, and, in more severe cases, seizures. A lesser-known risk is long-term buildup of B vitamins in the body. Normally, excess B vitamins are flushed out naturally since they're water-soluble. However, a notable exception is vitamin B6, often consumed in sports and energy drinks. Excess B6 can accumulate over time, leading to toxicity and potentially causing peripheral neuropathy. Just because something is available over the counter (OTC) doesn't mean it's harmless. Always follow your doctor's instructions and the medication label, and don't exceed the recommended dosage. For instance, common side effects of overusing aspirin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs (or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) include peptic ulcers, GI bleeding, acute kidney injury, and even chronic kidney disease. Tylenol (acetaminophen) is often seen as safer for the stomach and kidneys, but acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S. Some lesser-known OTC products can cause surprising side effects. I've seen bismuth toxicity from excessive Pepto-Bismol use lead to dementia-like symptoms. I've also seen patients who, after following advice from online wellness influencers, consumed too much zinc, resulting in spinal cord injuries. I love hiking and spending time outdoors. But when I venture into nature, I always: Each year, especially during the summer, I see previously healthy people come into the hospital with fever, confusion, and sometimes seizures or coma, due to mosquito-borne or tick-borne illnesses. Some of these infections, like Lyme disease, are treatable if caught early. Others can leave lasting damage to the brain and nervous system. Taking small preventive steps to avoid bug bites can potentially save you from life-altering infections.,
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Stephen A. Smith breaks out Pepto-Bismol for epic Knicks rant: ‘I was nauseous'
The Knicks' Game 1 loss on Wednesday was so devastating that it made Stephen A. Smith sick. During ESPN's pregame coverage ahead of Thursday's Western Conference finals matchup between the Thunder and Timberwolves, Smith said that watching the Knicks' loss made him so 'nauseous' that he broke out a bottle of Pepto-Bismol during his rant. 'Well, I was nauseous,' Smith said on the broadcast. 'It was a disgusting performance, and we are going to give this [Pepto-Bismol] an advertisement here because every Knick fan needed this. If I could down this like some Sprite, I would do it right now.' Advertisement Despite being up by 14 with less than three minutes left in regulation, the Knicks managed to let the lead evaporate, with Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton hitting a game-tying buzzer-beater, sending the game to overtime. The Knicks ultimately lost in the extra frame after scoring just six points in the game's final three minutes, a performance that Smith called a 'choke job.' Advertisement Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. 'Complete collapse, it was a choke job,' Smith added to his rant. 'That's right, that's what I'm calling it. We are going to see what they will do to respond. Because let me tell you something right now, they look like a team that don't practice. That's how they look.' The magnitude of the Knicks' collapse has rarely been seen throughout NBA history, as they were the first team since 1998 to blow a nine-point lead in the final minute of a playoff game, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Karl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks reacts on the bench during the fourth quarter. Jason Szenes / New York Post Advertisement Knicks players have taken responsibility for the loss and appear ready to come back for Game 2 on Friday. 'We didn't close the game out,' Josh Hart said. 'I feel like our intensity dropped. We started playing slower, playing more into their hands. 'We let that one slip. … I feel like defensively, we let off the gas. Intensity and physicality weren't there, offensively we were playing slower, a little stagnant, and looked like we were playing not to lose. We gotta make sure we don't make that mistake again.'
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Is the assisted dying Bill about to be killed off?
It was always going to be divisive. For the past nine weeks, MPs have been debating a piece of legislation so significant that it is, quite literally, a matter of life and death. If it becomes law, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which reaches the next stage in Parliament this week, will allow adults diagnosed with a terminal illness and a six-month prognosis to be provided with assistance to end their own life. There are persuasive – and emotionally charged – opinions on both sides of the debate, but at one point it seemed as though the assisted dying bill had unstoppable momentum. Introduced as a Private Member's Bill by Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP for Spen Valley, last autumn, it was approved in a historic vote on November 29. The last time Parliament voted on assisted dying was a decade ago, in 2015, when a proposed change to the law was overwhelmingly rejected. This time, it was voted through, albeit by a reasonably narrow margin of 330 MPs in favour to 275 against. On that wintery afternoon, a crowd of dozens of Dignity in Dying campaigners in Pepto-Bismol pink, the charity's signature colour, cheered, cried and embraced in Parliament Square, hailing a historic victory. Crucially, Leadbeater's Bill seemed to be building on a solid foundation of public and political support. YouGov polling has suggested that three quarters of Britons support handing the terminally ill the right to end their own lives. While the Government itself has remained neutral on the issue, the Bill has the tacit backing of the prime minister and a series of senior Cabinet ministers, all of whom voted in favour. However, as the Bill winds its way back to the Commons on May 16 – when all MPs will have the opportunity to propose and vote on further changes – there is a sense that it is on increasingly shaky ground. Critics have raised concerns that key safeguards have been removed from the legislation since the last time it was debated. A recent poll conducted by Whitestone Insight on behalf of the campaign group Care Not Killing suggested that more parliamentarians now oppose the Bill than support it. Of 100 backbenchers polled in March and April, 42 per cent said they intended to vote against the legislation at the third reading, while 36 per cent said they would back it. Another 13 per cent were undecided, 5 per cent said they intended to abstain, and 8 per cent preferred not to say. In November, the Bill was passed with a majority of 55, meaning only 28 MPs need to change their minds or abstain from voting for it to fail. A number are said to have decided to do so. Two Labour MPs and critics of the legislation told The Telegraph they know of several colleagues who have changed course and will vote against the legislation, but none has yet said so publicly. Reports on Wednesday suggested at least five unnamed MPs who had previously abstained will now oppose it. Three others were said to be considering changing their position. To date, only Reform MP Lee Anderson and Independent Rupert Lowe, who supported the Bill last year, have publicly declared they will reverse course and vote against the Bill. Adding to the sense of uncertainty over its prospects, research published on Wednesday showed that GPs are deeply divided on the issue. The BBC surveyed 5,000 practitioners, 500 of whom said they were against the law change, calling it 'highly dangerous' and 'cruel'. 'We are doctors, not murderers,' one said. (Four hundred GPs told the BBC they supported the legislation.) The Bill's second reading, which MPs voted on last November, was in fact only the first major hurdle it had to pass to become law. The next challenge was the committee stage, where the highly emotive debate around this issue would be translated, clause by clause, into the letter of the law. For a little over two months, the Bill has been painstakingly scrutinised by a representative committee of MPs selected by Leadbeater. It has been a gruelling process, with sittings lasting until 9pm and, on one occasion, past midnight. Leadbeater and her supporters say the Bill's safeguards have been strengthened. But after 90 hours of debate and 150 amendments, opponents argue that what has emerged from the committee meeting is far more dangerous than the Bill that went in. Unsurprisingly, the atmosphere has been charged. One member describes the mood in the committee meeting room as 'superficially courteous, but in reality quite fractious'. A Labour source close to the proceedings says: 'The 'pro' side have been running this like a campaign, so the legislation is a mess. There's a real sense it hasn't lived up to the promise.' One of the key critics is Tory MP Danny Kruger, who sat on the committee. He says the process has only solidified his strong opposition to the legislation. 'One Bill was sold at the second reading; another has emerged from the committee,' he tells The Telegraph, citing the removal of the High Court judge's role in overseeing each case, a key safeguard. Kruger claims a number of his colleagues supported the Bill in November only to see whether it could be strengthened at the committee stage, many of whom could now change their minds. 'I hope there will be a fair few who recognise that hasn't happened,' he says. Kruger has been strongly opposed to the legalisation of assisted dying from the start. But others, such as Sean Woodcock, the Labour MP for Banbury and a fellow committee member, were 'on the fence' before determining that the current Bill was unworkable. 'It took me a long time to make up my mind on how I would vote,' Woodcock says (he ultimately voted against). 'In principle, I am not opposed to assisted dying, but having worked on the committee, I have come to the conclusion that the Bill that is emerging is deeply flawed. All I've seen is that vital safeguards have been removed, and significant new risks have also emerged.' The most controversial change to the legislation is the scrapping of its requirement for a High Court judge to approve each assisted dying application, a provision which Leadbeater argued would make her Bill 'the most robust in the world'. The change was made after senior judges warned that courts would not be able to handle the increased workload. Instead, it is envisaged that a three-personnel panel of experts composed of a legal figure, a psychiatrist and a social worker will review each case. Meanwhile, plans for a two-year rollout have been extended to four years – reportedly a request from the Department of Health, headed up by one of the Bill's key opponents, Wes Streeting – amid fears that it would put further strain on an already overburdened NHS. Streeting, who voted to legalise assisted dying in 2015, has said that if the Bill becomes law, he is concerned that people may choose to end their lives prematurely because of the current state of the NHS. He has argued that Britain's palliative care system is unfit to support the change. Leadbeater has also faced criticism for rejecting amendments designed to put stronger protections in place for people with anorexia, among other vulnerable groups. There is still no process in place for family members to be involved in decision making, and significant questions remain over capacity and coercion. Equally crucial is the question of how, practically, assisted dying would actually work. It is still unclear whether private firms would be contracted, or all services would be provided by the NHS. The long-awaited impact assessment – published at 4pm on the Friday before the early May bank holiday weekend – states that legalising assisted dying would save the NHS up to £10 million in the first year of its legalisation, rising to up to roughly £60 million in its 10th year. It also predicts how many people would choose to die this way: between 164 and 787 in the first six months, rising to between 1,042 and 4,559 in the 10th year of its legalisation. Prof Louis Appleby, the Government's adviser on suicide prevention and mental health, described the report as 'stripped of moral values'. Seeing a cost-saving figure put on the plans will do nothing to reassure those who fear that people will be pushed into an assisted death as they feel they are burdening their loved ones or the state. Kit Malthouse, the Tory MP for North West Hampshire, sat on the committee selected by Leadbeater and is a key supporter of the Bill. 'It's a sensitive, complex issue of humanity and morality, and for some people, spirituality, and so it was never going to be easy,' he says. As the legislation progresses to the report stage and subsequent third reading, when MPs will have their say on it for the final time, Malthouse hopes those who disagree are able to do so respectfully. 'We just hope that it stays civilised,' he says. But it seems the gloves may already be off. Online, the debate swiftly spiralled out of control, with MPs on both sides being subjected to vitriolic abuse on social media. Leadbeater, who is the sister of Jo Cox, the MP who was murdered by a terrorist in 2016, told the BBC that sponsoring this Bill had exposed her to a new level of online hate. 'There are people on the extremes of the debate, people who do not want to see any version of a change in the law, and there are people on the other extreme of the debate who would want a much broader law,' she told the BBC. 'Sadly, that has led to more abuse than I've probably had on anything.' Meanwhile, some critics have called the integrity of the scrutiny process into question, arguing that their concerns have been dismissed and that the committee's evidence was weighted towards those who are backers of the Bill. (The Royal College of Psychiatrists, which opposes the legislation, was initially excluded from giving evidence because of an alleged shortage of time, before the decision was reversed.) Allan House, a liaison psychiatrist and emeritus professor at the University of Leeds, was invited to give oral evidence to the committee on January 29. 'You were asked to share whether you were 'for' or 'against' [assisted dying], which I remember thinking was very odd, as I thought people were called because of their expertise, not their opinion,' he says. House claims he was one of only a small number called who were outright opposed to the legislation. Moreover, he says, the Bill, as it stands, 'does not resemble best practice in any other area of health care.' As events have progressed, the issue has formed unlikely alliances in some corners of Westminster, where MPs who may agree on very little else have stumbled on common ground. Diane Abbott and Edward Leigh, the current mother and father of the House, have united from their opposite benches to write a joint op-ed for The Guardian, warning of the legislation's 'dangerous' unintended consequences. Within the committee itself, Kruger and Naz Shah, the Labour MP for Bradford West, have found themselves on the same side of the debate despite having very different politics. 'I'm very clear that I've spoken to colleagues who voted for it [in November] who are not going to vote for it now,' says Shah, who voted against. 'I am one of those who could have been convinced to vote for it had the Bill's safeguards genuinely been strengthened… I'm not convinced it has the mandate it had. The process has been haphazard at best, it has been rushed.' Supporters maintain this is not the case. Malthouse, for example, argues that the Bill has been 'very significantly strengthened'. 'MPs are looking again at [it], as they should, and thinking about its implications for a second time, but we haven't seen any significant shift in opinion about the principle,' he says. 'If anything, there are more people who are reassured.' One of them is Marie Tidball, a Labour MP born with a congenital disability, who had tentatively voted in favour but said she would push for considerable amendments to the legislation. Now, she says, her concerns have been allayed. Leadbeater does not believe that those who backed the Bill in November will rescind their support, despite the growing sense that her Bill is on borrowed time. 'If they look at it in detail, which I really hope they do and believe colleagues will do, they will see the things that have been added that really enhance the safeguards,' she says. Perhaps Leadbeater is also quietly hoping they don't change their minds. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
