Latest news with #UniversityHospitalsCoventry
BBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Paralympic gold aim after brain tumour and stroke
Paralympic hopeful Lissie Simpson was a sporting-mad teenager. She played regional hockey and football and was in the Great Britain Under-19 handball in 2015, while having surgery on a brain tumour, she suffered a stroke that left her paralysed down the left side. "I had to learn to walk again and to do things one handed with my non-dominant right hand," the para-cyclist said."But I am a very determined individual and returned to university to complete my degree in physiotherapy." The physiotherapist at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust is now setting her sights on gold at the Paralympics in Los Angeles in Simpson achieved a world record time in February, when she was crowned champion in the women's 1km time trial for C1-5 para-cyclists at the National Track Championships. 'So much freedom' When she went on a borrowed road bike at a British Cycling talent ID day in 2022, she "felt free". It was her first exposure to para-cycling and Ms Simpson was spotted as having the attributes required to develop as an elite athlete."For the first time I could do something that felt somewhat similar to before my stroke - I could pedal on two wheels."As a child I was often on my bike; cycling to school, to the park, to see friends gave me so much freedom."She self-funds her coaching equipment and travel costs."I am a driven individual working towards being the best women's C2 rider there is," added Ms Simpson, who rides with Royal Leamington Spa Cycling Club."As part of the Community Stroke Team, I'm also passionate about helping patients achieve their goals when they are recovering from a stroke."I had community rehab myself and having that empathy of knowing what they are going through helps me to build great relationships with patients."She also said representing Team GB and winning a gold medal had been her goal "from a young age"."I am determined to achieve this and prove anything is possible." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NanoVibronix Announces Results from UroShield™ Case Series
UroShield Demonstrates Significant Reductions in CAUTIs, Catheter Blockages and Hospital Visits TYLER, Texas, May 12, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NanoVibronix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NAOV) (the "Company"), a medical technology company specializing in therapeutic devices, today announced findings from a recent retrospective case series evaluating the clinical impact and patient experience of the UroShield™ system. The case series, conducted between September 2023 and January 2025 by researchers at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS, assessed a small group of patients who used the UroShield device for durations ranging from 12 weeks to 17 months. The series reviewed pre- and post-treatment data on catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), catheter blockages, unplanned hospital visits and patient satisfaction. Key Outcomes of the Case Series Included: a 94% average reduction in CAUTIs and catheter blockages; a 92% decrease in unplanned hospital visits; extended intervals between catheter changes, improving patient comfort and quality of life; high patient compliance and satisfaction; and only one patient discontinued due to worsening of pre-existing bladder symptoms. Importantly, these outcomes reinforce the results from previous studies, including those by Markowitz et al. (2018)1 and Da Silva, Ibbotson, and O'Neil (2021)2, which demonstrated the effectiveness of UroShield in reducing infection risk, improving catheter management, and enhancing overall patient outcomes. "We believe that this case series reinforces the growing body of clinical evidence supporting UroShield as an effective solution for minimizing catheter-associated risks, improving patient care and the quality of life for patients living with long-term catheterization while reducing healthcare burden," said Brian Murphy, CEO of NanoVibronix, Inc. "The results of this series are another strong affirmation of the device's value for both patient care and healthcare cost reduction." UroShield utilizes proprietary Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology to prevent bacterial colonization and biofilm formation on indwelling urinary catheters, a critical advancement in reducing complications such as CAUTIs. The case series will be presented on May 19, 2025, at the Association for Continence Professionals annual conference, ACP 2025. For additional information about the conference, please visit _______________ 1 Markowitz. S., Rosenblum. J., Goldstein. M., Gadagkar. H.P., and Litman. L. (2018) The effect of surface acoustic waves on bacterial load and preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) in long term indwelling catheters 2 Da Silva. K., Ibbotson. A., and O'Neil. M. (2021) The effectiveness of UroShield in reducing urinary tract infections and patients' pain complaints: Retrospective Data Analysis from Clinical Practice. About NanoVibronix, Inc. NanoVibronix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NAOV) is a medical device company headquartered in Tyler, Texas, with research and development in Nesher, Israel, focused on developing medical devices utilizing its patented low intensity surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology. The proprietary technology allows for the creation of low-frequency ultrasound waves that can be utilized for a variety of medical applications, including for disruption of biofilms and bacterial colonization, as well as for pain relief. The devices can be administered at home without the continuous assistance of medical professionals. The Company's primary products include PainShield® and UroShield®, which are portable devices suitable for administration at home or in any care setting. Additional information about NanoVibronix is available at: Forward-looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Such statements may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential" or similar words. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: future expectations and plans and prospects for the Company. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, and cannot be predicted or quantified; consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with: (i) market acceptance of the Company's existing and new products or lengthy product delays in key markets; (ii) negative or unreliable clinical trial results; (iii) inability to secure regulatory approvals for the sale of the Company's products; (iv) intense competition in the medical device industry from much larger, multinational companies; (v) product liability claims; (vi) product malfunctions; (vii) the Company's limited manufacturing capabilities and reliance on subcontractor assistance; (viii) insufficient or inadequate reimbursements by governmental and/or other third party payers for the Company's products; (ix) the Company's ability to successfully obtain and maintain intellectual property protection covering the Company's products; (x) legislative or regulatory reform impacting the healthcare system in the U.S. or in foreign jurisdictions; (xi) the Company's reliance on single suppliers for certain product components, (xii) the need to raise additional capital to meet the Company's future business requirements and obligations, given the fact that such capital may not be available, or may be costly, dilutive or difficult to obtain; (xiii) the Company's conducting business in foreign jurisdictions exposing us to additional challenges, such as foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, logistical and communications challenges, the burden and cost of compliance with foreign laws, and political and/or economic instabilities in specific jurisdictions; and (xiv) market and other conditions. More detailed information about the Company and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's web site at: The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. View source version on Contacts Brett Maas, Managing Principal, Hayden IR, LLCbrett@ (646) 536-7331
Telegraph
21-04-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
The best – and worst – medication for acid reflux
If you've ever reached for a Rennie after dinner you are not alone. Heartburn or acid reflux after a blow out meal is increasingly common. Anyone bothered by this unpleasant condition will be all too familiar with the sour taste and uncomfortable burn from their stomach contents being regurgitated back up their oesophagus and into their throat. According to the NHS, an astonishing 20 per cent of the adult UK population have problems with severe acid reflux, with rising rates of obesity thought to be behind some of these cases. In the past decade, Ben Disney, a consultant gastroenterologist at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, and Nuffield Health has noticed a growing number of patients presenting with symptoms of acid reflux. 'More and more people are becoming obese, and obesity increases abdominal pressure because of the excess weight, meaning that acid will come up more easily,' says Disney. But this isn't the only cause. While certain foods can exacerbate acid reflux, it can also be triggered by smoking, excess drinking and a condition called hiatus hernia where part of the stomach slides upwards into the chest, pushing it through a hole in the diaphragm. The combination of hormonal changes and a growing baby also mean that pregnant women are also more likely to develop the condition. Specialists like Cormac Magee, a gastroenterologist at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the Princess Grace Hospital say that it is vital to keep acid reflux under control, because repeated surges of stomach acid can damage the oesophagus over time. This can predispose people to a complication called Barrett's oesophagus where the cell lining begins to grow abnormally, impacting digestion, as well as oesophageal cancer. 'Acid reflux is very common and can be really uncomfortable for patients,' says Magee. 'Medications can be very good at controlling the symptoms and are generally well tolerated. But as with all medications, you want to be on the lowest dose and for the shortest period of time as possible.' This latter point is particularly key, because while acid reflux medications can play a vital role, they are far from benign. In the last year, various studies have linked long term use of certain proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) – the most widely used class of drugs for severe acid reflux – to worsening symptoms of osteoarthritis and waning cognition, although the evidence for the latter is very mixed. So let's take a closer look at the most common types of acid reflux drugs, how well they work and the possible risks. Skip to: Antacids H2 blockers PPIs FAQs Antacids Pretty much every pharmacy and supermarket comes stocked with Gaviscon, Rennie and Pepto-Bismol, some of the UK's most common brands of antacids. They work by coating the oesophagus with a protective barrier, preventing it from interacting with the stomach acid, and have the advantage of working with near immediate effect. Disney recalls various dinners with friends where someone has had to make a quick post-meal supermarket dash to pick up an emergency bottle of Gaviscon. 'The antacids tend to be very safe for pretty much everyone which is why they're so readily available over the counter,' says Magee. But at the same time, Dr Semiya Aziz, a north London-based NHS and private GP, points out that these drugs don't address the root cause of the excess acid production or why it's working its way into the oesophagus. Their ingredients, particularly the presence of various minerals or electrolytes, can also initiate side effects if the drugs are taken in excess or over prolonged periods of time. For example, the magnesium within Gaviscon can lead to diarrhoea, while too many Rennie can lead to constipation. 'Due to the ingredients within the antacids, potential electrolyte imbalances or mineral overload may occur, which can have various effects with long-term or excessive use,' says Aziz. 'Lifestyle measures such as dietary changes, avoiding smoking and alcohol must be discussed in any GP consultation [around acid reflux]. This may potentially reduce the necessity for long-term antacids in the first place.' H2 blockers First introduced in the late 1970s, H2 blockers like Pepcid and Tagamet were initially considered miracle drugs for their ability to actually decrease the amount of stomach acid produced, and research suggests that they work in around 70 per cent of acid reflux cases. Nowadays, they are less widely prescribed by specialists because they aren't quite as effective as PPIs, particularly when it comes to tackling severe cases. 'H2 blockers are this older class of medications,' says Disney. 'Before PPIs came around, you'd have patients developing gastric and duodenal ulcers through excess acid, because H2 blockers weren't as effective.' At the same time, Aziz points out that H2 blockers may actually be a safer option than PPIs for long-term use. However, they aren't completely safe either, especially for people who are taking multiple medications, meaning it's important for anyone considering starting on a H2 blocker to discuss any current and ongoing prescriptions with their GP or specialist. 'Because H2 blockers affect stomach acid levels, they can influence and impair the absorption of other drugs that require an acidic environment,' says Aziz. 'Some H2 blockers affect the activation of blood thinners for example, while others reduce the clearance rates of certain drugs, allowing them to remain in the body for longer periods of time.' PPIs Effective in tackling acid reflux in around 90 per cent of cases, PPIs stem from the discovery of enzymes in the stomach lining which are responsible for producing acid. As a result, drugs like omeprazole (known under the brand names Losec, Losec MUPS and Pyrocalm) and esomeprazole (better known as Nexium), target this enzyme activity, diminishing acid production. This reduces the extent to which reflux aggravates the oesophagus and helps it heal. However in some cases, patients with particularly severe or chronic acid reflux can find themselves taking PPIs for many years or even decades. While specialists are keen to emphasise that PPIs are overall very safe drugs, epidemiological studies have linked their use over this longer timeframe to a range of chronic health conditions. 'Patients on them for a very long time have a slightly increased risk of osteoporosis,' says Magee. 'This is probably because by changing the acidity in the stomach, you have an effect on calcium absorption.' Aziz also points out that because stomach acid plays a role in absorbing vitamin B12 and the mineral magnesium from food, long-term use of PPIs can lead to deficiencies, while the drugs have also been associated with kidney problems and disruptions to the gut microbiome, including a heightened risk of being infected with the hospital superbug Clostridium difficile. 'Any reduction of acid due to medications may trigger an overgrowth of certain bacteria which may not only be harmful to the gut, but increase the likelihood of various infections in the body,' says Aziz. Because of these risks, Aziz feels that anyone placed on PPIs for conditions such as mild reflux or ulcers should have a review every two months, reassessing whether or not the medication can be stopped. 'These individuals would ideally be offered a trial period tapering off the PPI, then swapping to a H2 blocker, and finally an antacid,' she says 'Gradual weaning can help individuals come off these medications completely, and avoid long-term use and future complications.' However, Disney says that some people with particularly severe symptoms, such as Barrett's oesophagus or inflammation of the oesophagus, who likely need to be on PPIs on a lifelong basis. He also feels that some of the risks associated with these drugs have been overstated because the people taking them for a long time have other health conditions. 'A lot of the patients on [long-term] PPIs often have other health problems, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes,' he says. 'So they're a sicker group of patients, and so they're already more likely to develop things like kidney problems.' Can you become dependent on acid reflux medications? One particular condition which has been observed with all acid reflux medications, from antacids to PPIs, is a form of drug dependence known as rebound acid hypersecretion, where patients experience more acid production and stronger reflux symptoms after attempting to cease the drugs. Disney says that this can be avoided through gradually tapering off the drugs, slowly reducing the frequency of the doses. 'A small proportion of people will get that rebound of excess acid and perhaps have to go back on them,' he says. 'But I'd try and gradually wean off. So if the patient is taking the drugs twice a day, drop down to once a day and then gradually come off them that way.' Are newer medications coming? Gastroenterology specialists are also optimistic about a new range of acid reflux treatment options which are starting to emerge. Disney points to an emerging class of medications called potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs) which aren't yet available in the UK, but are already used in the US and Asia. Some research suggests that P-CABs may be even more effective at treating severe forms of acid reflux and may offer an improved long-term safety profile. 'They're even more effective than PPIs,' says Disney. 'They just haven't come into our market yet.' Minimally invasive therapies such as endoscopic procedures, some of which use radiofrequency energy to strengthen the muscle that prevents stomach acid from flowing back up into the oesophagus, are also emerging as a different option to long-term medication. 'It needs careful discussion with a clinician and other tests including pH monitoring of the oesophagus,' says Magee. 'But you could potentially reduce or stop medication use with these treatments.'
