Latest news with #UTI
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
"A UTI Can Be Completely Asymptomatic": Doctors Are Spilling Shocking Truths About Our Bodies That We Were Never Taught In School
We recently surprised a lot of you with these body facts that medical professionals say most people don't know, and it turns out a lot of our readers are healthcare experts who have more to add to the list! So, here are 15 more things you may not know about your own body but should: 1."In older women, a UTI can be completely asymptomatic. I'm a bladder cancer survivor and very tuned in to my bladder health. I was feeling very run down but had absolutely no UTI symptoms. I went to the emergency department for something unrelated, where I passed out and had to be resuscitated multiple times. I had become septic from an unknown bladder infection, and my husband had to watch me die and be revived in the emergency room at least three times. A super star emergency team saved my life, and I was put in the ICU without much hope of recovery. I spent six days hospitalized, and every day I thank God and those medical professionals for letting me go back to my family. PLEASE learn from my frightening experience!" —charmingcaptain114 Related: 2."Your optometrist asks what medications you take because your eyes are part of your body and can be affected by systemic diseases. You can lose vision from diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune disorders, etc. It amazes me when people leave off medications they are taking, and I say, 'So, you aren't taking any medications at all?' And then the person has an entire list, explaining that they didn't mention them because 'they don't affect my eyes.' This is wrong." —Anonymous, 52 Wisconsin 3."Never EVER boil breast milk. By doing this, you destroy all the nutrients, and it basically becomes as nutritious as water." —u/SuspiciousLemur 4."As a Navy corpsman and now Physician Assistant, I have always told my male patients that smoking can cause erectile dysfunction. That gets their attention more than strokes or heart attacks." —Anonymous Related: 5."Women continue to build bone mass until age 30. That is why it is important that you get enough calcium when you are young. It affects bone density and helps prevent osteoporosis." —Anonymous, 74 Ohio 6."I'm an ENT. Please bring earplugs to loud concerts and shows. Please don't listen to music on your earbuds/headphones too loudly. Your hearing doesn't regenerate, and you put yourself at a higher risk of developing tinnitus (ringing in your ears) and hyperacusis (sensitivity to sound)." —u/hapabeauty 7."Grapefruit juice can mess with a lot of meds, so you might want to avoid it while you're taking them." —Maya Related: 8."Type 2 diabetes is more serious than most people realize. I work as a doctor in hemodialysis, and most of the cases are due to diabetic nephropathy. It also affects your eyes, nerves, immune system, etc. Simple life changes can help prevent this." —u/kingofneverland 9."Moles don't have to look odd, have irregular borders, be different colors, grow fast, crack and bleed, etc., to be skin cancer. Moles that look absolutely normal and have been on your body for years can be cancerous. Flaky patches of skin that mimic eczema or psoriasis can actually be skin cancer. A dark freckle can actually be skin cancer. A dark purplish stretch mark can be skin cancer. This is why it's so important to not only get yearly skin checks, but also check yourself every time you are naked. Make notes of the locations on your body and a detailed description of what each area looks like so you can track it." "About 25 years ago, I had two little moles on my left ear and asked to have them removed so I could get my ears double pierced. The doctor did the usual shaving procedure and sent the tissue out for testing (this is standard protocol). Imagine my shock when the doctor called a week later and said I needed to come in to talk about the results. My perfectly normal moles were stage 1 squamous cell carcinoma. They also took off a normal-looking mole on my left elbow, which turned out to be full of atypical cells (which often leads to cancer). Thankfully, the cancer was completely localized, and I didn't need chemo or radiation. 'Normal' isn't always what it seems." —henrylovedog 10."Antibiotics only work against bacteria; they are not some kind of wonderpotion that cures anything, and they should not always be given. Please stick to the prescription the doctor gives you. Even if you already feel better, don't just stop unless the doctor says you can stop. A lot of medication needs to be taken according to the prescription in order for it to be effective because you build up the dosage to an effective level. Stopping or not sticking to it really decreases effectiveness." —u/jonneyboy112 11."Tell us what drugs and alcohol you're on. We aren't gonna tell the cops, and we aren't gonna lecture you, but it might change the anesthesia we give you. Some of the stuff we give could kill you. So, if you drink a 30-pack a day, tell us." —u/CopyX Related: 12."Having wet hair in a cold room will not make you sick." —u/jbx_93 13."Just because you're skinny doesn't mean you're healthy. Sometimes I ask teens whom I treat what healthy foods they eat, and rarely do I get a right answer. I feel like the internet has so many fad diets, and some families rarely cook, so there are so many people who don't know basic nutrition facts." —u/Thornloki256 14."Alcohol is really, really bad for you. By binge drinking, you run the risk of developing stomach bleeds, intestinal bleeds, pancreatitis, liver disease, and/or liver failure, alcoholism, heart failure, seizures, stroke, osteoporosis, lung failure, the list goes on... Having 4 drinks spread out over a few hours can be JUST as fun as having 10 drinks in the same time span, AND you're not putting yourself at risk for massive organ failure and making yourself look like an idiot." —u/Mosessbro lastly: "Fevers are not always dangerous. In fact, they are your body's natural response to an illness. Always call your doctor first, but you might not need to rush to the emergency department at the first sight of one." —u/sms575 Did any of these surprise you? Let us know in the comments! Also in Internet Finds: Also in Internet Finds: Also in Internet Finds: Solve the daily Crossword
Malaysian Reserve
23-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Universal Technical Institute Launches Electrical Training Programs
Four new programs are part of the company's corporate North Star strategy to add eight programs at existing campuses in fiscal 2025. PHOENIX, July 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Universal Technical Institute (UTI), the transportation, skilled trades, electrical, and energy education division of Universal Technical Institute, Inc., today announced four new electrical programs. Several UTI campuses will begin offering Electrical, Electronics & Industrial Technology (EEIT); Electrical & Industrial Maintenance Technology (EIMT); Electrical, Robotics, and Automation Technology (ERAT); and Electrical & Wind Turbine Technology (EWTT), pending all regulatory approvals. UTI-Exton and UTI-Mooresville are the first campuses to begin teaching the programs, with EEIT and EIMT available at UTI-Exton and EEIT, EIMT, and ERAT offered at UTI-Mooresville. The four new programs share the first eight core electrical courses, resulting in a more efficient instructional model. Then, students have the option to complete additional coursework in low-voltage electronics, mechatronics, robotics programming, or wind energy education depending on the diploma selected and their career goals. 'Our expansion into the broader electrical industry reflects the demand for skilled professionals across high-growth sectors like renewable energy, industrial automation, and security systems,' said UTI Division President Tracy Lorenz. 'These new electrical programs build on the strong foundation established with last year's program launches and are designed to meet the career interests of students and employers.' These four new electrical-centric programs support Universal Technical Institute, Inc.'s North Star strategy, which includes launching eight programs annually at existing campuses and opening new campuses, including Atlanta and San Antonio. Universal Technical Institute, Inc.'s most recent investor presentation can be found here. About Universal Technical Institute, Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) (the 'Company') was founded in 1965 and is a leading workforce solutions provider of transportation, skilled trades, electrical, energy, and healthcare education programs. The Company's mission is to serve students, partners, and communities by providing quality education and support services for in-demand careers across a number of highly skilled fields. The Company is comprised of two divisions: Universal Technical Institute (UTI) and Concorde Career Colleges. UTI operates 15 campuses located in 9 states and offers a wide range of transportation and skilled trades technical training programs under brands such as UTI, MIAT College of Technology, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Marine Mechanics Institute and NASCAR Technical Institute. Concorde operates across 17 campuses in 8 states and online, offering programs in the allied health, dental, nursing, patient care and diagnostic fields. For more information, visit or or visit us on LinkedIn at @UniversalTechnicalInstitute and @Concorde Career Colleges or on X (formerly Twitter) @news_UTI or @ConcordeCareer. Media Contact:Alanna Vitucciavitucci@
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Woman who almost DIED shares stark warning after being left permanently disabled following UTI
A woman has revealed that she was left fighting for her life and is now permanently disabled after developing a UTI. Talia Smith, 45, from Norwood, Massachusetts, described herself as 'a very healthy person' up until April 2021, when a urinary tract infection completely derailed her life. Talia was prescribed what she believed was a common and perfectly safe antibiotic often used to treat the infection. But she later learned that the FDA had released a severe warning about the medicine in 2016 due to a rare adverse reaction that could cause debilitation symptoms - something she claimed her doctor failed to tell her about. She said the medicine left her in excruciating pain for months, describing it as feeling like 'electrical shocks' were running through her body and 'bugs were crawling' all over her. It also affected her vision and hearing, resulted in her having severe stomach issues, and ultimately left her unable to walk. Within five months, her condition had become so bad she could hardly eat, and she lost over 50 percent of her body weight, weighing a mere 60 pounds before she was put on hospice care. It got so bad that she believed she was going to die after doctors warned that her organs would start failing soon. Talia was prescribed what she believed was a perfectly safe antibiotic often used to treat the infection, but she later learned that the FDA had released a severe warning about the medicine While she has thankfully improved since then, she still requires 24/7 care and is bed-bound - and she doesn't think she'll ever get her old life back. She shared her harrowing story exclusively with the Daily Mail. Talia, who worked in IT for a large healthcare corporation, explained, 'I was a very healthy person [before my UTI]. 'I ate well, worked out often. I was a stepmom of two and the primary caretaker of my husband, who is a disabled Veteran of the Marine Corps. He became paralyzed after an injury in 2011.' In April 2021, she went to the doctor after she developed common UTI symptoms. Tests confirmed she had a UTI and her doctor prescribed her an antibiotic called Ciprofloxacin. 'Before I took the antibiotic, I asked if there was anything I needed to know or be aware of since I didn't take medications and antibiotics often,' Talia explained. 'The response was that there was nothing I needed to be aware of, it was "safe and effective" and that the medication was frequently prescribed at the practice to treat UTIs. 'I trusted my doctor of 10 years so I started my course of treatment.' Talia explained that after her third dose she began to develop 'pain in her entire body, especially her legs.' 'It felt like I had the flu, when you're whole body hurts, except I wasn't actually sick,' she added. 'As the day went on, it continued to worsen and I started having tingling and numbness in my extremities. I had zapping pains in my head and face. It was like electrical shocks.' It got so bad that she couldn't walk - 'It was like a bomb went off in my body' - so she decided to go to the emergency room. After describing her symptoms, the first thing the ER doctor asked her was, 'Are you taking Ciprofloxacin?' The ER doctor then explained that the drug she was on had something known as a black box warning from the FDA - the strongest warning the FDA could give, usually for a 'serious or potentially fatal' side effect. Back in 2016, according to the FDA website, the organization 'advised that the serious side effects associated with fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs [like Ciprofloxacin] generally outweigh the benefits for patients.' 'An FDA safety review has shown that fluoroquinolones when used systemically are associated with disabling and potentially permanent serious side effects that can occur together,' its website reads. 'These side effects can involve the tendons, muscles, joints, nerves, and central nervous system.' The reaction to the medicine has become known as fluoroquinolone toxicity - according to GoodRx, symptoms include 'muscle or joint pain and tendonitis/tendon rupture, nerve damage and twitching, anxiety, depression, hallucinations and memory problems, eye pain, vision loss, ringing in your ears, hearing loss, and loss of smell, and chest pain or skipping heartbeats, known as palpitations.' In response to the fluoroquinolone toxicity, Talia then developed something called mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), which is 'an inappropriate activation of the immune system where the body rejects everything, as a form of protection.' And in the months that followed, she said her condition only 'worsened.' 'I was having electrical shocks 24/7, it felt like I had bugs crawling all over my body, horrendous bone and joint pain, debilitating neuropathy, vision and hearing changes, stomach problems, my body was stiffening up, and I was unable to bend in order to sit down,' she shared. 'It felt like my body was in shut down mode.' The biggest problem she faced was difficulty swallowing, which made it extremely hard for her to eat. At one point, she was told by doctors that she would go into organ failure soon because of lack of food. 'Within five months, I lost over 50 percent of my body weight and went on Hospice, weighing 60 pounds in September 2021,' she recalled. Flash forward to now, four years after the ordeal first started, and Talia is still living with the effects of the condition Before and after: 'I still require 24/7 care for my survival, as I am bed-bound and mainly get up only to go to doctor's appointments in a wheelchair,' she said She started to believe she was going to die, and even had a priest come to her house and read her her last rites. 'I truly believed that was the end for me and made peace with it after five months of horrendous suffering,' she said, as she broke down in tears. 'This was so traumatic for me, listening to my family and friends crying and thinking that would be the last time I ever saw them.' But Talia's husband wasn't ready to give up, and he 'made it his mission' to get her medication for her MCAS. The hospitals had previously denied her request but he kept pushing, and eventually, they gave her mast cell stabilizers, which changed everything for her. It gave her the ability to eat again, and by May 2022, she was able to leave Hospice and switch to palliative care. Flash forward to now, four years after the ordeal first started, and Talia is still living with the effects of the condition. 'I am still on palliative care to this day and require 24/7 care for my survival, as I am bed-bound and mainly get up only to go to doctor's appointments in a wheelchair,' she said. 'I can't do anything by myself. I don't have the strength.' She said she's still in 'constant pain' and she doesn't think she will ever get back to the way she was before. 'This has destroyed [me]. I lost my career, my independence, my quality of life,' she confessed. 'I can only eat five foods because of MCAS, I can't go out and live a "normal" life like everyone else. 'I miss working, I miss being able to eat whatever I want, I miss being able to workout, I miss driving, I miss my social life and the life I had with my husband. And there is nothing I can do to get my old life back.' Talia said she later confronted her doctor about prescribing her the dangerous medication, but claimed was brushed off - and looking back, she feels like the medical system failed her. 'When I confronted [my doctor] about the black box warning, the permanent and disabling side effects and how fluoroquinolones should be used as last resort, she told me she was going to continue to prescribe Cipro because she always had and no one else had had a reaction like me,' she shared. She has launched a petition for the FDA 'to issue informed consent for all fluoroquinolone antibiotic prescriptions,' which has over 3,000 signatures 'Not only did she have a duty to warn me about this dangerous class of antibiotics, but when I asked if there was anything I needed to know, I was told no. 'Additionally, the way she reacted afterwards, by telling me she was going to prescribe Cipro for a UTIs, despite the FDA warnings that I printed and brought to her office, was extremely unprofessional and shows her lack of caring about what happened. I felt very betrayed and abandoned by the medical system.' Talia is currently raising money on her GoFundMe page to help cover her medical costs. She is now on a mission to share her story in the hopes that it can stop others from making the same mistake. She has also launched a petition for the FDA 'to issue informed consent for all fluoroquinolone antibiotic prescriptions,' which has over 3,000 signatures. She concluded, 'If you are prescribed a fluoroquinolone antibiotic as first line, ask for an alternative, if there is one. Don't end up like me! 'Most people see the word "rare" and then disregard the warning, as they don't think that it would ever apply to them. I would never think something like this could ever happen to me, but here I am. 'Living life with fluoroquinolone toxicity is a dark and lonely place. None of us asked for this or deserve this or caused it in anyway.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Llusern Scientific Announces Key Appointments to Strengthen its Executive Team
CTO, CMO and CFO appointments to advance the commercial launch of its precision point-of-care diagnostic Lodestar DX for UTIs worldwide CARDIFF, United Kingdom, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Llusern Scientific, a point-of-care diagnostics company, today announces the appointments of Bob Yang as Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Maddy Kennedy as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Mark Preston as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). These strategic appointments strengthen Llusern's leadership team as the company builds on its recent ISO 13485 certification and progresses towards IVDR certification, positioning Lodestar DX for upcoming commercial launches across Europe for treatment-directing diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Bob Yang joins Llusern Scientific as Chief Medical Officer. A highly accomplished urology consultant, Mr. Yang brings extensive expertise in complex and recurrent UTIs and male and female incontinence. He has made significant contributions to antibiotic-free treatment options for recurrent UTIs and has been pioneering research in sub-lingual UTI vaccines and male incontinence devices. His expertise will directly complement Llusern's mission to revolutionize UTI diagnostics and support antimicrobial stewardship through the Lodestar DX system, a rapid diagnostic platform designed to enhance clinical decision-making. He is Lead Editor for Springer Nature academic textbooks on Urinary Tract Infections and Male Incontinence, solidifying his standing as one of the global leaders in urological research and practice. Mr. Yang continues to pioneer in his field as a urology consultant at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Hospital and an Associate Lecturer at Oxford University. 'Joining Llusern Scientific is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth of innovative diagnostic solutions that will improve patient outcomes globally,' said Bob Yang, Chief Medical Officer of Llusern Scientific. 'The Lodestar DX system offers clinicians a powerful tool to make precise treatment decisions in a single visit, thereby enabling them to combat antimicrobial resistance through improved antibiotic stewardship.' As Chief Financial Officer, Maddy Kennedy brings over 25 years of experience in financial strategy, investor relations, and corporate governance to Llusern Scientific. She will play a crucial role in supporting Llusern's fundraising activities and steering its expansion into global markets. Known for her ability to translate complex development programs into clear financial plans, Maddy has successfully guided life sciences and technology businesses through strategic growth, M&A, IPOs, and exit planning. Her leadership roles at companies such as Maxwellia, Kesmalea Therapeutics, and Psioxus Therapeutics have equipped her with expertise in scaling operations and securing funding. She brings strong governance expertise from Non-Executive Director roles at Nuformix plc, Heartbeat CIC, and Tetris Pharma. She is currently also CFO at PBD Biotech and Fermtech. 'I am excited to join Llusern Scientific at this crucial stage of its development,' said Maddy Kennedy, Chief Financial Officer of Llusern Scientific. 'With its innovative Lodestar DX system poised for expansion into new markets, I look forward to supporting Llusern's growth and overseeing the financial operations needed to achieve its global ambitions.' Mark Preston joins Llusern Scientific as Chief Technology Officer, bringing extensive expertise in biotech, data analytics, and cloud technologies. As CTO, Mark will lead the development of Lodestar DX overseeing technological innovation, scalability, and compliance. Mark's early career includes experience in embedded systems and devices at Sony and Panasonic, working on networking hardware, mobile phones, and microscopes. His later work in app development, AI-driven insights, and workflow optimization enabled him to deliver scalable, secure, and compliant solutions for start-ups and global organizations, including vaccine manufacturers. As a Founder and Managing Director of consultancy firm Prismea, Mark helps biotech companies innovate with data analytics, cloud systems, and regulatory compliance as well as navigating medical regulatory frameworks with organizations such as the MHRA. 'I've been impressed by the Lodestar DX system and its ability to deliver treatment directing diagnosis of UTIs at the point of care,' said Mark Preston, Chief Technology Officer. 'I look forward to supporting the company's efforts to bring precision diagnostics to healthcare settings worldwide.' Emma Hayhurst, Co-founder and CEO of Llusern Scientific, commented:'We are thrilled to welcome Bob, Maddy, and Mark to our executive leadership team. Their deep expertise in urology, finance, and technology will be instrumental in ensuring Llusern remains at the forefront of providing precise, accessible diagnostic solutions that deliver improved outcomes for patients suffering from UTIs.' Notes to Editors About Llusern ScientificLlusern Scientific is a treatment-directing molecular diagnostics company, developing fast, accurate, and accessible tools to guide real-time clinical decision-making at the point-of-care. Our flagship solution, Lodestar DX, is a portable diagnostic device that delivers lab-accurate results for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in around half an hour. It is based on isothermal LAMP technology (not PCR) without the need for DNA extraction or centralized lab infrastructure. With industry-leading sensitivity and specificity, Lodestar DX empowers clinicians to diagnose and treat specific microbial infections with precision in a single visit, thereby improving patient outcomes. As well as providing guidance on the best treatment option based on the specific microbial infection, Lodestar DX also provides a clear 'rule-out' decision where antibiotics are not necessary, helping to reduce antimicrobial resistance through antibiotic stewardship. Building on success in the UK, Llusern is preparing for commercial launches across India and the MENA region in 2025 and the US in 2026. Llusern is committed to transforming diagnostic pathways and making precision medicine equitable, portable, and fast. Due to its small size and ease of portability Lodestar DX is particularly suitable for resource limited and decentralised healthcare settings including care homes, mobile diagnostics, and community diagnostic centres. Additionally Lodestar DX has uses within paediatrics, urology, and other secondary care settings. The Lodestar DX UTI testing system has been independently evaluated in studies by University of Oxford, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Southampton University, and Public Health Wales. The company was established in 2020 as a spin-out from the University of South Wales, UK. For more information, visit and follow us on LinkedIn. Media Contacts Llusern ScientificMartyn Lewis +44 (0) 7825 708936martyn@ Scius CommunicationsKatja Stout +44 (0) 7789435990katja@ Daniel Gooch +44 (0) 7747875479daniel@ in to access your portfolio
Daily Mail
19-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
My limbs were amputated because of a common infection that affects 15 million women each year
A British woman nearly died after contracting an infection that strikes at least 15 million American women annually, leaving her a quadruple amputee. Kim Smith is now a quadruple amputee, having lost both her hands at the wrists and her legs above the knee after a urinary tract infection went untreated for too long, morphing into life-threatening sepsis. UTIs are exceedingly common. Around 15 million American women get one every year and more than half of women and about 12 percent of men will experience at least one episode in their lifetime. Smith has had bladder issues for years, she said, and UTIs were not uncommon for her. They are the result of bacteria entering the urinary tract through the urethra and beginning to spread in the bladder. Poor hygiene, sexual activity, or even just the anatomy of the urinary tract can give bacteria an easy entry point. Once inside, these microbes attach to the bladder lining, triggering inflammation and the familiar symptoms, including a relentless urge to urinate, burning discomfort, and sometimes cloudy or bloody urine. Left unchecked, the infection can climb toward the kidneys, turning a mild to moderate pain into a serious health threat. Smith noticed pain in her lower back while on vacation with her husband. She suspected a UTI was coming, but tried to enjoy her vacation until she woke up one night in agonizing pain. At the hospital, Smith was placed in a medically-induced coma as a runaway immune response to a standard UTI spiraled into catastrophic damage. Smith and her husband had sought medical care in early 2018 before her body devolved into septic shock. According to Smith, they were turned away by the doctors but given a prescription for antibiotics that the local pharmacy was not able to fill. The following night, she awoke in pain and struggled to breathe. Her speech was slurred, and she was out of sorts. As inflammatory chemicals flood the bloodstream, they damage the delicate blood vessels in the lungs, causing fluid to leak into the air sacs, which causes a condition called acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This drowns the lungs from within, stiffening them like waterlogged sponges. At the same time, plummeting blood pressure (septic shock) starves tissues of oxygen, while muscle weakness from acidosis and organ failure makes the physical act of breathing more difficult. Sepsis also plunges the brain into a state of chaos, causing confusion and speech difficulties. A storm of inflammatory chemicals can disrupt signaling between brain cells, while liver or kidney failure allows toxins like ammonia to build up, further clouding cognition. Even when oxygen reaches cells, toxins and mitochondrial dysfunction prevent them from using it. As tissues suffocate, organs fail in a domino effect, starting with the kidneys, then the lungs, which fill with fluid, and then the limbs, which can turn black from gangrene. Without immediate medical attention, widespread oxygen deprivation leads to irreversible damage. Nearly half of septic shock patients progress to multi-organ failure, where survival odds plummet. When Smith was airlifted back to the UK, her limbs had turned black from the lack of oxygenated blood, forcing doctors to amputate. 'How I survived, I do not know. It's a miracle, but I think it's so that I can warn you and save your life,' she said. More than one million patients are hospitalized for sepsis each year, surpassing even heart attack and stroke combined in hospitalization rates. Those with chronic illnesses, including cancer, kidney disease, or neurological disorders, face especially high risks. Between one in eight and one in four patients with sepsis will die during hospitalization. 'I'm here to warn you that if you've got any infection at all, don't think it won't happen to you because I was fit and healthy and it happened to me. And it could be you. Watch out for symptoms of sepsis,' Smith said.
