Category: Diseases & Conditions

  • Breathe Easy Therapy Services Expands with New Space Designed for Mental, Physical, and Emotional Care

    Breathe Easy Therapy Services Expands with New Space Designed for Mental, Physical, and Emotional Care

    When Cynthia Piccini purchased a new building for both of her businesses, Breathe Easy Therapy Services and Breathe Easy Wellness, in January, it was not just a business decision; it was a declaration. A declaration that mental health deserves space. That healing is multifaceted with proactive care.

    “We needed a space where therapy and wellness could truly work hand-in-hand,” says Piccini, a marriage and family therapist. “So I designed one.”

    The newly opened building, which officially launched in June and houses both of her businesses, reflects this vision. Visitors step into a central waiting area, then enter a serene square layout that seamlessly connects wellness and therapy. There’s a yoga studio, meditation room, massage space, salt cave, and across the hall, a suite of therapy offices. “You don’t know why someone’s here,” Piccini notes. “It might be for breathwork. It might be for trauma therapy. But it’s all part of the same conversation.”

    This integrative approach responds to a significant need. According to Mental Health America, over 28 million adults in the U.S. with a mental illness do not receive treatment. And many of those who do only seek care when in crisis. “We want to change that,” Piccini emphasizes. “Therapy doesn’t have to be about fixing a problem. It can be about learning more about yourself, gaining tools, building relationships, or simply feeling good.”

    That’s why Breathe Easy Therapy Services offers far more than traditional therapy. Recent events include a “Relax, Reset, Recharge” day for educators, with group yoga, massage, skincare, and breathwork sessions. The main goal is to help teachers enter the school year grounded and emotionally equipped.

    Other offerings include a hybrid chronic illness support group, children’s yoga, a 55+ yoga class, and an upcoming premarital workshop led by Piccini herself. “We are teaching people how to have healthy conflict in a relationship,” she said. “No one teaches you that.”

    And it’s not just the offerings that make the business unique; it’s the philosophy. “We are not here to replace therapy,” Piccini says. “We are here to expand it.” Breathwork, yoga, mindfulness, and massage are not just add-ons. They are interventions, especially when therapy sessions happen just once a week. These wellness practices fill in the gaps, giving clients tools they can use daily.

    Breathe Easy also reduces the mental barrier to care. “Many people are still hesitant to ‘go to therapy,’” she explains. “But they will go to a yoga class. They will get a massage. And through that, they start to feel better. They start to open up to the idea that healing can take many forms.”

    The business has grown with intention. Every staff member, from the yoga instructors to the therapists, was handpicked for their dedication to healing. “I don’t hire for resumes alone,” Piccini says. “I hire for energy.”

    Looking ahead, Cynthia sees this building as just the beginning. “I would love to open more,” she says. “Each one can serve as a sanctuary, where people don’t come to fix themselves, but to understand themselves.”

    The expansion of Breathe Easy Therapy Services is more than a new address. It’s a new chapter in how we think about mental wellness. Therapy doesn’t start when something breaks. It starts the moment someone takes a breath and chooses to care.

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  • Hospital Under Fire After Doctors Blame Parents for Child’s Condition — Later Revealed as Cancer

    Hospital Under Fire After Doctors Blame Parents for Child’s Condition — Later Revealed as Cancer

    A toddler’s heartbreaking death exposes NHS failings as doctors wrongly accused parents of causing a facial lump, delaying cancer diagnosis by months in a case reigniting debates on child protection protocols and medical accountability.

    Delilah-Rai Reid-Floyd, just 19 months old, passed away on 9 August 2023 after a pea-sized mass discovered in January ballooned into aggressive soft tissue cancer, with her mother Kayleigh Reid alleging neglect through misdiagnosis and three-month waits.

    As investigations unfold into Russells Hall Hospital and Birmingham Children’s Hospital, families demand swifter scans and less hasty abuse assumptions to prevent such tragedies in the UK’s overburdened health system.

    Mum Spots Lump Sparking Urgent GP Referral

    Kayleigh Reid noticed a pea-sized lump on her daughter Delilah-Rai’s face while bathing her on 30 January 2023, prompting an immediate doctor’s visit the next day. The GP referred the one-year-old to Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, suspecting non-accidental injury without initial scans, a move that left the family reeling from unfounded blame.

    This hasty assumption sidelined potential tumour checks, as Delilah-Rai awaited transfer to Birmingham Children’s Hospital amid growing parental distress.

    Doctors Misdiagnose Growth as Injury

    At Russells Hall on 9 May 2023, a CT scan revealed a paranasal cystic lesion, leading to an ENT specialist referral, but a three-month wait for Birmingham Children’s Hospital stalled progress until July.

    A biopsy on 16 July 2023 initially diagnosed desmoid fibromatosis as non-cancerous on 30 July, cancelling scheduled surgery on 5 August, only for tests to confirm aggressive soft tissue cancer days later.

    Kayleigh Reid later stated, ‘With so many delays and misdiagnoses throughout, I believe the NHS neglected her and didn’t give her the care she deserved.’

    Cancer Ravages Toddler as Condition Declines

    Delilah-Rai’s condition deteriorated swiftly post-diagnosis, with the tumour spreading aggressively, and she passed away peacefully at home on 9 August 2023, days after her 19-month milestone.

    The ‘sweetest’ and ‘cheekiest’ girl, known for her loving nature, endured unnecessary pain from postponed interventions, as her mother believes earlier action could have improved survival odds. X post from The Sun Health on 13 September 2025 captured public outrage: ‘Girl, 1, dies of cancer after docs ‘assumed facial lump was caused by parents’.



    Hospitals Launch Internal Reviews

    Both The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust initiated reviews on 12 September 2025, vowing to share findings with the family and implement learnings to avoid future errors.

    Diane Wale, chief executive at Dudley Group, expressed, ‘On behalf of the Trust, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Delilah’s family. We will look into the issues raised and speak with Delilah’s family to better understand the circumstances surrounding this sad loss.’ Kayleigh Reid is pursuing legal action against the trusts, supported by a GoFundMe raising funds for awareness.

    Mother’s Campaign Raises Alarm Delays, Missteps

    Kayleigh, reflecting on her ‘very very loving’ daughter, aims to spotlight desmoid fibromatosis and soft tissue cancers affecting young children, urging faster diagnostics amid 1,800 annual UK under-five cases. She affirmed, ‘Going forward I wish to raise more awareness for this cruel disease, but I also want the NHS held accountable for their part they played in my daughter’s passing.’

    Birmingham Trust spokesperson added, ‘The Trust would like to offer Delilah-Rai’s family our deepest sympathies… An internal review is now under way.’ This case, resurfacing on 12 September 2025, underscores urgent calls for reformed referral timelines, with experts noting abuse suspicions can eclipse medical urgency in 20% of paediatric assessments.

    Families like the Reids highlight how such oversights compound grief, pushing for mandatory rapid imaging in lump cases. As probes progress, Kayleigh’s resolve ensures Delilah-Rai’s story drives systemic change, preventing other parents from enduring similar heartbreak in Britain’s strained NHS landscape.

    Originally published on IBTimes UK

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  • Heat Risks Force World Marathons And Race Walks To Start Earlier

    Heat Risks Force World Marathons And Race Walks To Start Earlier

    The marathons and 35km race walks at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo will start half an hour earlier because of health risks posed by unseasonably hot weather, organisers said Thursday.

    The energy-sapping race walks are scheduled to open the championships on Saturday morning, with the women’s marathon on Sunday and the men’s on Monday.

    Temperatures have been as high as 33C this week and, with the heatwave set to continue into next week, organisers have been forced to move the road race starts to 7:30 am.

    “Due to expected elevated heat conditions that could pose a health and safety risk to competing athletes, all road events on the first three days … will start 30 minutes earlier than scheduled,” said a joint statement from the organisers and World Athletics.

    “The start time for the road events had originally been set at 08:00 am in consideration of climate conditions, operational aspects, and maximising spectator attendance.”

    World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe admitted in Tokyo on Tuesday that the high temperatures would be an issue for athletes.

    Marathon and race walk events at the pandemic-delayed 2021 Tokyo Olympics, which were held from July 23 to August 8, were moved to the cooler northern city of Sapporo because of heat concerns.

    However, this time round they have remained in Tokyo where the temperatures in mid-September “have remained at those of mid-summer”, the statement noted.

    “(The decision) has been communicated to the athletes as early as possible to allow them to prepare and adjust to the new start time.”

    Fears over the heat in Doha at the 2019 world championships resulted in the marathons beginning at midnight with the walks half an hour earlier.

    Japan’s average temperature between June and August was 2.36C above “the standard value”, making it the hottest summer since records began in 1898, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.

    It was the third consecutive summer of record high temperatures, the agency noted.

    Coe said after Tuesday’s meeting of the World Athletics Council the future risks of global warming had been discussed.

    “These are not transient, they’re here to stay,” he said.

    “Governments have not stepped up to the plate and sport is going to have to take some unilateral judgments and decisions here.

    “And we have reflected in the past, if we are committed to athlete welfare, then we should probably be openly committed to that,” he added.

    In-stadium competition start times on each of the first three days remain unchanged.

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  • Trial Of Doctor Accused Of Poisoning 30 Patients Begins In France

    Trial Of Doctor Accused Of Poisoning 30 Patients Begins In France

    A French doctor accused of intentionally poisoning 30 child and adult patients, 12 of whom died, went on trial Monday, saying before the hearing he was not responsible for the “distress” of his alleged victims and their families.

    Frederic Pechier, 53, worked as an anaesthetist at two clinics in the eastern city of Besancon when patients went into cardiac arrest in suspicious circumstances between 2008 to 2017. Twelve could not be resuscitated.

    He is accused of triggering heart attacks in patients so he could show off his resuscitation skills and discredit co-workers.

    Pechier’s youngest alleged victim, a four-year-old identified as Teddy, survived two cardiac arrests during a routine tonsil operation in 2016. The doctor’s oldest alleged victim was 89.

    The trial caps an eight-year investigation that stunned the medical community. Pechier has denied the charges.

    Pechier was greeted on his arrival at the court by several relatives, including one who shouted: “Come on, Fredo.”

    “It’s necessary to lay all the cards on the table,” Pechier told broadcaster RTL earlier Monday, adding that he had “strong arguments” in his defence.

    Asked about the suffering of the families who will attend the trial, set to last until December, Pechier replied: “I understand it completely, but on the other hand, I am not responsible for their distress.”

    Pechier, a father of three, faces life imprisonment if convicted. He is not currently in custody but under judicial supervision, an alternative to pre-trial detention.

    Pechier has not practised medicine since 2017, even though in 2023, he was authorised to work provided he does not come into contact with patients.

    “I’ve been waiting for this for 17 years,” said Amandine Iehlen, whose 53-year-old father died of cardiac arrest during kidney surgery in 2008.

    An autopsy revealed an overdose of lidocaine, a local anaesthetic.

    Prosecutor Etienne Manteaux has said the case is “unprecedented in French legal history”.

    An investigation was opened in 2017 after suspicious cardiac arrests during operations on patients considered low-risk.

    Pechier is suspected of tampering with his colleagues’ paracetamol bags or anaesthesia pouches to create operating room emergencies where he could intervene to show off his resuscitating talents.

    “What he is accused of is poisoning healthy patients in order to harm colleagues with whom he was in conflict,” Manteaux said.

    “Frederic Pechier was the first responder when cardiac arrest occurred,” he added. “He always had a solution.”

    Pechier has blamed “medical errors” by his colleagues for most of the poisonings.

    Some colleagues described Pechier as a “star anaesthetist”, while others said he came across as arrogant and manipulative.

    One co-worker claimed Pechier was “certain he was the best” and liked to “think of himself as Zorro”.

    Over the course of the inquiry, investigators examined more than 70 reports of “serious adverse events”, medical jargon for unexpected complications or deaths among patients.

    The cases of 30 patients who suffered cardiac arrest during surgery at the Saint-Vincent Clinic and the Franche-Comte Polyclinic made it to trial.

    He has criticised the investigation. “What happened to the other cases? They were not retained because Pechier was not involved in them,” he said.

    His defence team will argue for acquittal.

    “It’s very easy to accuse people, it’s harder to prove things,” one of his lawyers, Randall Schwerdorffer, told reporters.

    More than 150 civil parties will be represented at the trial.

    For the first two weeks, the court will examine Pechier’s most recent cases, those that aroused the investigators’ suspicions and led to the anaesthetist being placed under investigation in 2017.

    Afterwards each of the poisonings attributed to the doctor will be examined.

    “It’s going to be a legal marathon, but we’re ready,” Stephane Giuranna, a lawyer for several civil parties, told AFP.

    “All roads lead to Pechier.”



    ‘I just want people to listen for once,’ Frederic Pechier said in an interview


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  • Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 16, CDC Warns of More Cases

    Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 16, CDC Warns of More Cases

    A salmonella outbreak tied to frozen meals from the meal delivery service Metabolic Meals has sickened at least 16 people in 10 states, according to a CDC alert issued on September 5.

    Seven people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported so far.

    According to USA Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging customers not to eat specific meals delivered during the week of July 28, which may be contaminated.

    The CDC believes the number of sick people may grow, as it often takes weeks for infections to be reported and confirmed.

    The affected products include:

    • Four Cheese Tortellini with Pesto Sauce and Grilled Chicken – Lot Code: 25199 (Best by: Aug. 7, 2025)
    • Low Carb Chicken Teriyaki and Vegetables – Lot Code: 25202 (Best by: Aug. 5, 2025)
    • Black Garlic & Ranch Chicken Tenders with Roasted Vegetables – Lot Code: 25205 (Best by: Aug. 8, 2025)
    • Sliced Top Sirloin with Roasted Peanut Sauce and Summer Vegetables – Lot Code: 25203 (Best by: Aug. 6, 2025)
    • Additional affected lot codes: 25199, 25202, 25203, 25204, and 25205


    Consumers Urged to Discard Specific Metabolic Meals Over Illness Risk

    If you have any of these meals in your freezer or fridge, do not eat them, the CDC says. Instead, throw them away or call Metabolic Meals at 855-355-6325.

    Be sure to wash your hands, kitchen surfaces, and any items the food may have touched with hot, soapy water.

    The illnesses have been reported in these states:

    • Arkansas (1), California (3), Connecticut (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (3), Texas (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (1).

    In a statement, the CDC said Metabolic Meals is working with investigators and has already contacted customers who received the possibly contaminated meals.

    Salmonella infections can cause diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Symptoms usually appear between 6 hours to 6 days after infection and often last about a week,. ABC News said

    While most people recover on their own, young children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems may need medical care.

    According to the CDC, 1.35 million salmonella infections happen every year in the U.S., mostly from contaminated food.

    The investigation is ongoing. Consumers are urged to stay alert for more updates and check their homes for the listed products.

    Originally published on vcpost.com

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  • Robin Avalos on Shaping a Public Health Response to Substance Risks

    Robin Avalos on Shaping a Public Health Response to Substance Risks

    The United States faces a pervasive crisis too often overlooked. Addiction, unintentional exposure, and gaps in education and access quietly undermine families and communities. Beneath everyday life lies a problem demanding clearer attention. In response, Robin Avalos, MMS, PA-C, brings clinical expertise and advocacy to advance practical, evidence-informed solutions.

    Avalos brings training and on-the-ground experience to conversations many find difficult. She began her career as an EMT, studied neuroscience and biology, and completed graduate work focused on correctional healthcare. Working in jails, emergency departments, and group homes exposed her to how fragmented responses and missed screenings can leave people unprotected. Personal tragedy, family members lost to overdose, sharpened her commitment to change and to compassionate, evidence-informed care.

    Her insights stem from years of clinical practice and a refusal to simplify a complex problem. Avalos has reconnected people to treatment through telehealth, coordinated medication access, and trauma-informed follow-up. She has stood in school offices and staff rooms asking practical questions about prevention and screening and pushed for policies that treat safety as routine rather than punitive. “We can approach this like public health: small steps that keep people alive and ready to get help,” she says, urging a steady, human-centered response.

    The broader landscape helps explain why that steadiness matters. National data show overdose counts have been tragically high and that illicit synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are central drivers of the crisis. Laboratory testing and law enforcement data also document how lethal contamination of counterfeit pills and other supplies has worsened risk.

    Within that reality, Avalos highlights an important mismatch. The tools to obtain dangerous substances are often easy to reach, while practical testing and reliable, nonjudgmental information aren’t always in place. Fentanyl test strips, low-cost, rapid screening tools that detect fentanyl in a variety of drug forms, are endorsed as a harm-reduction option by health agencies and can be paired with naloxone distribution and counseling to lower risk.

    Avalos frames these steps as practical prevention rather than punishment. “A simple test can change a decision in a moment, and that moment can be life-saving,” she says. For instance, a study shows that people who use fentanyl test strips are more likely to engage in risk-reduction behaviors. “When testing is paired with clear information and access to rescue medication, those benefits can increase,” Avalos adds.

    Yet distribution and adoption remain uneven due to different policies and varying views about harm reduction across communities. Avalos sees two linked priorities. First, improve screening and immediate safeguards in places where young people and families spend time, such as schools, community centers, and primary care clinics, without turning every conversation into a punitive exam.

    Second, invest in education so parents, teachers, and clinicians can recognize subtle signs of exposure and respond with curiosity and care rather than blame. Avalos urges school leaders and health officials to make sensible, age-appropriate changes so safety becomes part of routine care rather than an emergency-only reaction. It’s worth noting that some jurisdictions have begun to pilot such approaches and policy changes in schools.

    Her approach is intentionally practical. Streamline access to lifesaving interventions, ensure continuity of care after acute events, and remove barriers that make follow-up treatment difficult. Screening should complement, not replace, clinical judgment and therapeutic support. After all, it’s an entry point to care rather than an end. “We’re not trying to shame anyone,” Avalos says. “We want a simple way for people to look after one another and then walk together toward recovery.”

    Addressing this crisis will not be quick, but Avalos’s advocacy models a steady pathway. It asks for more listening, better training for adults who care for young people, and small structural adjustments that reduce harm and create clear pathways back to treatment. For policymakers, clinicians, educators, and parents, her work points to pragmatic actions. Normalize harm reduction where appropriate, expand screening and naloxone access, and commit to honest, nonpunitive education that keeps communities safer. She remarks, “Start with safety, keep doors open to care, and treat one another with the decency we all deserve.”

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  • Ketamine Is Saving Lives In Critical Moments

    Ketamine Is Saving Lives In Critical Moments

    Every 40 seconds, someone in the world dies by suicide.

    Sons, daughters, parents, friends, neighbors. All people who believed there was no way out. Each one leaves behind grieving family, friends, and communities asking what more could have been done to save them.

    For decades, the best available treatments for depression and suicidal thoughts have been too slow. Ketamine infusions can work within hours.

    For a person in a suicidal state, that speed can mean the difference between life and death.

    “Suicidal thoughts are urgent and life-threatening,” says Dr. Benjamin Shapiro, psychiatrist at Serenity Mental Health Centers. “For too long, we’ve asked people in crisis to wait for traditional treatments to work. Ketamine changes that and it gives us the ability to act immediately and save lives.”

    Behind Ketamine’s Fast Action

    Ketamine, originally developed as an anesthetic, has emerged as a rapid-acting treatment for depression and suicidal ideation.

    Unlike traditional antidepressants, which target serotonin pathways and can take weeks, ketamine works on the glutamate system to rapidly “reset” brain circuits linked to mood, motivation, and suicidal thinking.

    Key facts about ketamine in suicide prevention:

    • Many patients report relief within hours of treatment, sometimes the same day.
    • With repeated treatment, relief can last weeks to months, providing critical time for longer-term therapy.
    • Ketamine encourages the brain to form new connections, helping patients recover patterns of thinking and feeling that support hope and stability.

    “We’ve seen patients arrive feeling hopeless and ready to end their lives. Within hours of ketamine, their symptoms subside,” said Dr. Shapiro. “It’s a critical treatment that buys time for necessary recovery.”

    At Serenity Mental Health Centers, ketamine is administered in a safe and supervised environment, with close monitoring and individualized treatment plans.

    Real Relief: Charles’ Story

    “I had difficulty motivating myself to get out of bed most days, and everywhere I went, I encountered conflict with those around me,” said Charles, a Serenity Mental Health Centers patient.

    Charles had battled severe Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, depression, anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for most of his life.

    Over the years, he tried countless medications and worked with multiple providers, but nothing seemed to bring real relief. Instead, the side effects piled up while his symptoms stayed the same or got worse. He then attempted to take his own life.

    Everything changed when Charles came to Serenity Mental Health Centers and began ketamine infusion therapy. After his second treatment, he noticed a dramatic difference.

    It wasn’t just a lift in his mood. For the first time in a long time, Charles could function daily, find motivation, and connect with his loved ones again.

    Charles now looks to the future with hope. Ketamine therapy gave him back the ability to live, not just survive.

    “When someone like Charles has battled their mental health for years with no relief, it can feel like there’s no way forward,” says Dr. Benjamin Shapiro. “Ketamine gave him a breakthrough, and more people deserve access to this treatment.”

    Taking Action

    Charles’ story is a powerful reminder that help is possible. Ketamine is a lifeline for those in crisis, offering rapid relief when every second matters.

    If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts or severe depression, don’t wait. Immediate help can save a life.

    Reach out to a provider trained in ketamine therapy, like those at Serenity Mental Health Centers.

    Your life and your future matter. Call 844-310-1667 to take the first step toward recovery today.

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  • New Study Links COVID-19 to Accelerated Blood Vessel Aging, Particularly in Women

    New Study Links COVID-19 to Accelerated Blood Vessel Aging, Particularly in Women

    The latest research showed that coronavirus infection may accelerate the aging of blood vessels, potentially increasing cardiovascular risk by roughly the equivalent of five years. A study in the European Heart Journal reported that the effect was strongest in women and in people with Long Covid, and that the changes tended to stabilize or lessen over time.

    Researchers analyzed data from 2,390 participants recruited between September 2020 and February 2022 at 34 centers in 16 countries, including Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Norway, Turkey, the UK, and the US. Participants were grouped by COVID-19 severity (never infected, mild illness, hospitalized on a ward, or admitted to intensive care), and underwent measurements at six and twelve months after infection. Vascular age was assessed by carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), where higher values indicate stiffer, older vessels. Analyses accounted for factors such as age and sex.

    On average, people who had COVID-19 had higher PWV than those never infected, including those with mild illness. The differences were pronounced in women, while men showed little or no statistically robust change. The effect was greater in those with Long Covid. In the intensive care group, vessel stiffness regressed toward normal by 12 months. Vaccinated individuals showed milder changes than those unvaccinated. Researchers noted that an increase of about 0.5 m/s in PWV is clinically relevant and roughly comparable to five years of vascular aging, corresponding to an estimated 3% increase in cardiovascular risk in a 60-year-old woman.

    “We know that Covid can directly affect blood vessels. We believe that this may result in what we call early vascular ageing, meaning that your blood vessels are older than your chronological age and you are more susceptible to heart disease. If that is happening, we need to identify who is at risk at an early stage to prevent heart attacks and strokes,” said Professor Rosa Maria Bruno of Université Paris Cité, according to EurekAlert. “Women have a faster and stronger immune response, which can protect them from infections. However, the same response may also increase vascular damage after the original infection,” said Bruno, according to EurekAlert. “There are several possible explanations for the vascular effects of Covid. The Covid-19 virus acts on specific receptors in the body, called the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptors, that are present on the lining of the blood vessels. The virus uses these receptors to enter and infect cells. This may result in vascular dysfunction and accelerated vascular ageing. Our body’s inflammation and immune responses, which defend against infections, may be also involved,” said Bruno, according to EurekAlert.

    “This large, multicentre, prospective cohort study enrolled 2390 participants from 34 centres to investigate whether arterial stiffness, as measured by PWV, persisted in individuals with recent COVID-19 infection,” said Dr. Behnood Bikdeli and colleagues, according to EurekAlert. “Sex-stratified analyses revealed striking differences: females across all COVID-19-positive groups had significantly elevated PWV, with the highest increase (+1.09 m/s) observed in those requiring ICU admission,” said Bikdeli and colleagues, according to EurekAlert. “The CARTESIAN study makes the case that COVID-19 has aged our arteries, especially for female adults. The question is whether we can find modifiable targets to prevent this in future surges of infection, and mitigate adverse outcomes in those afflicted with COVID-19-induced vascular ageing,” said Bikdeli and colleagues, according to EurekAlert. Bruno added that vascular aging is measurable and can be addressed with lifestyle changes and blood pressure- and cholesterol-lowering therapies, and that the team planned to follow participants to determine whether accelerated vascular aging translated into more heart attacks and strokes.

    “One must look very closely whether these groups were really equal to say whether the cause of this acceleration of aging lay in COVID,” said Dominik Rath, a cardiologist at University Hospital Tübingen, according to Stern. “After the 12-month visit, the aging processes had relatively strongly regressed—what could mean that hospitalization per se or the stay in the intensive care unit also plays a relevant part,” said Rath, according to Stern.

    “Nevertheless, this study is a certain wake-up call,” said Heribert Schunkert, vice president of the German Heart Foundation, according to DW. “It is necessary to check carefully whether these groups were really the same to determine whether the coronavirus was the cause of the accelerated aging,” said Schunkert, according to DW. “Many people were affected by a COVID infection. We wanted to avoid everything to prevent aging. That makes you sit up and take notice,” said Schunkert, according to Bild.

    “The findings strongly suggest that after having COVID, the elasticity of the arteries is clearly worse than usual. It was somewhat surprising that the effect was observed only in women. However, it is difficult to say what the practical risk of arterial stiffness to arterial diseases is,” said Juhani Airaksinen, emeritus professor of cardiology, according to Iltalehti Rakkaus. “Blood pressure should therefore be managed with lifestyle changes and, if necessary, with medications,” said Airaksinen, according to Iltalehti Rakkaus. He noted that infected participants were older and generally sicker than controls and that baseline stiffness was unknown, which could influence results. “A positive aspect is that some changes partially improved within less than a year,” said Airaksinen, according to Iltalehti Rakkaus. He added that pulse wave velocity has been used for decades but is not part of routine outpatient care.

    Researchers cautioned that it was unclear whether the observed effect reflected large changes in a few individuals or small changes across many. They suggested that higher mortality in men during the pandemic could have introduced survivor bias, potentially masking effects in male participants. They also noted that many people experienced prolonged symptoms after COVID-19, including post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, which affected up to 40% of initial survivors, and called for further studies to clarify mechanisms and long-term risks.

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  • ‘Flesh-Eating Maggots’ Back in the US After 60 Years – But Can the Deadly Screwworm Spread Between People?

    ‘Flesh-Eating Maggots’ Back in the US After 60 Years – But Can the Deadly Screwworm Spread Between People?

    ‘Flesh-eating maggots’ may sound like something from a horror movie, but they have just made a shocking comeback in the United States for the first time in nearly 60 years.

    Health officials in Maryland, alongside the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), confirmed that a traveller had been infected with the New World screwworm after returning from Central America.

    Confusion remains over whether the individual had travelled to El Salvador or Guatemala, but one thing is clear: the parasite is back on American soil.

    Panic has spread almost as fast as the news itself, leaving many to ask the same chilling question: is this gruesome maggot infestation contagious?

    Is the Flesh-Eating Screwworm Contagious?

    The short answer is no.

    Unlike flu or COVID-19, screwworm infestations cannot pass directly from person to person or even from animal to animal.

    Experts from the Center for Food Security and Public Health explain that the parasite spreads only when female flies lay eggs on open wounds or natural body openings.

    In other words, it is always the fly that carries the danger. A sore or cut attracts the insect, which deposits hundreds of eggs.

    These hatch into larvae that feed on living tissue, creating the illusion of contagion when multiple hosts in the same area are affected.

    How the Flesh-Eating Parasite Invades the Body

    According to the CDC, a single female screwworm fly can lay up to 3,000 eggs during her short life. Even the smallest scratch, insect bite, or a newborn’s umbilical wound can be enough to attract the parasite.

    Within hours, the larvae burrow into the flesh and begin consuming living tissue—unlike ordinary maggots, which feed only on dead matter.

    Left untreated, the wound enlarges as more flies are drawn in. In livestock, infestations can cause extreme suffering and even death. In humans, they are rare but potentially life-threatening if not treated quickly.



    Symptoms of Flesh-Eating Maggots to Watch Out For

    The CDC warns of several tell-tale signs of screwworm infestation:

    • Painful or enlarging wounds that fail to heal
    • Bleeding or foul-smelling sores
    • Visible maggots in open wounds
    • A sensation of movement under the skin or inside nasal, oral, or eye cavities

    While terrifying, most infestations can be treated successfully if caught early.

    Treatment: The Gruelling Process of Removal

    Treatment is unpleasant but effective. Every larva must be removed manually, the wound disinfected, and the patient closely monitored for reinfestation. No single medication can eliminate screwworm once it takes hold.

    On a wider scale, the US Department of Agriculture relies on the sterile fly programme. By releasing sterilised male flies, they disrupt the breeding cycle and suppress outbreaks.

    Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently announced plans for a new sterile fly facility in Texas—a move that now seems alarmingly well-timed.

    A Billion-Dollar Threat to America’s Cattle Industry

    The screwworm is not only a medical menace—it is also an agricultural disaster. The USDA estimates that an outbreak in Texas alone could cost $1.8 billion in cattle losses, veterinary expenses, and labour.

    With America’s beef industry already under pressure, confirmation of a human case has rattled ranchers and consumers alike.

    Should Americans Be Worried About Screwworm?

    ‘The risk to public health in the United States from this introduction is very low,’ Maryland health spokesperson Andrew Nixon told Reuters.

    Experts stress that the parasite does not spread casually between people. Prevention relies on proper wound care, sanitation, and avoiding fly exposure in endemic regions.

    Still, its reappearance after nearly 60 years is a sobering reminder: globalisation and climate shifts are making it harder than ever to keep old enemies at bay.

    Originally published on IBTimes UK

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  • Were They In Fatal Danger?

    Were They In Fatal Danger?

    A viral image showing tourists perched on a claw once used in the Chernobyl clean-up has caused alarm online, with many questioning whether the group exposed themselves to lethal levels of radiation. The photo, widely shared on social media this week, has reignited debate over the safety of visiting the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, nearly four decades after the 1986 nuclear disaster.

    The key concern is whether brief contact with the machinery could cause serious harm. Radiation experts say that while the claw remains highly contaminated, fleeting exposure is unlikely to be fatal.

    The Claw and Its Radioactive Legacy

    The object in question is a digger bucket left behind after the disaster. It was used to remove radioactive debris from the reactor site and is considered one of the most contaminated relics in the zone, UNILAD reported. Its surface is coated with radioactive dust, which continues to emit elevated levels of radiation.

    Specialists acknowledge that the claw remains hazardous, but note that sitting on it briefly results in only a small dose of radiation, measured in microsieverts, according to LADBible. This is comparable to the exposure from a chest X-ray and far below the thresholds associated with immediate health effects.

    For perspective, lethal exposure begins at around three to five sieverts per hour. By contrast, tourists on guided visits to the zone typically receive between 130 and 2,600 microsieverts across an entire day. The difference is several orders of magnitude.

    Low-Dose Radiation and Risks

    Although short-term contact is regarded as low-risk, scientists caution against dismissing the dangers of unnecessary exposure. Repeated visits or extended time in contaminated areas can raise the chance of long-term conditions such as chronic radiation syndrome, though these require far higher doses than those experienced by visitors.

    Studies show that radiation continues to affect the Chernobyl ecosystem. Research on barn swallows and other species has documented mutations and biological impacts, illustrating the persistence of contamination, WIRED reported.

    Some experts suggest that public anxiety about radiation reflects psychological stress as much as physical threat. This phenomenon, known as radiophobia, has been recorded after nuclear incidents, with people experiencing heightened worry even when exposure levels are medically insignificant.

    Safety Rules for Visitors

    Chernobyl tourism is tightly regulated, with licensed operators required to follow strict safety protocols. Visitors must join guided tours, obtain permits and carry dosimeters to monitor radiation levels, according to The Independent. They are instructed to avoid direct contact with artefacts or entry into hotspots, regardless of how striking the sites may appear.

    Protective clothing is also mandatory. Long sleeves, trousers and closed footwear are required, with items either cleaned or discarded after tours to prevent contamination, The Washington Post reported. Tourists must remain on cleared pathways and are warned not to touch vegetation, disturbed soil or unstable buildings.

    For UK travellers, the Foreign Office continues to advise against all but essential travel to Ukraine due to the ongoing war. While organised Chernobyl tours have long drawn international visitors, the current security situation makes access severely limited.







    The Verdict

    The tourists in the viral photo were not in fatal danger. While the claw is highly radioactive, the brief exposure involved in sitting on it is negligible compared with harmful doses. The act nonetheless breaches safety rules and raises questions about the balance between thrill-seeking and caution.

    Chernobyl remains a place where tragedy is written into the landscape. Under guided conditions it can be visited safely, but respect for the risks and for the history of the site is essential. The claw is not a souvenir or a photo prop. It is a reminder of the disaster’s enduring legacy. Treating it carelessly risks more than radiation exposure; it risks trivialising one of history’s gravest nuclear catastrophes.

    Originally published on IBTimes UK

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