Health Journal Online

Category: Diseases & Conditions

  • Anti-Vaxx Mom Whose Daughter Died From Measles Says Disease ‘Wasn’t That Bad’

    Anti-Vaxx Mom Whose Daughter Died From Measles Says Disease ‘Wasn’t That Bad’

    The parents of an unvaccinated Texas child who died from measles appeared in a video formulated by an anti-vaccine advocacy group where they railed against vaccines, even saying the disease “wasn’t that bad.’

    A 6-year-old Texan died after contracting measles last month, marking the first death of a child in the U.S. caused by the highly contagious illness in nearly a decade.

    Following her death, the anti-vaccine advocacy group Children’s Health Defense met with the child’s parents, whose four other children also suffered from milder cases of the same illness, as reported by Mother Jones.

    During the interview, the young couple doubled down on their decision not to vaccinate their child even after her death. Hailing from the Mennonite community, they argued that if measles patients had access to untested treatments, the MMR vaccines would be entirely unnecessary.

    “We spent the morning at Dr. Ben Edwards’ clinic, and the parents are all still sitting there saying they would rather have this than the MMR vaccination because they’ve seen so much injury, which we have as well,” journalist Polly Tommey said while interviewing the couple. “Do you still feel the same way about the MMR vaccine versus measles and the proper treatment with Dr. Ben Edwards?”

    “Absolutely [do] not take the MMR [vaccine],” said the mother. “The measles wasn’t that bad. [The other children] got over it pretty quickly. And Dr. Edwards was there for us.”

    The parents described the symptoms of the illness their child exhibited, beginning with a fever, respiratory symptoms and the notorious rash that often accompanies it. However, days after contracting the illness, the child’s fever continued and respiratory symptoms worsened as she began struggling to breathe.

    The girl’s parents took her to a hospital emergency room where she was admitted and diagnosed with pneumonia. After being placed on a ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit, the child passed away.

    The measles outbreak in Texas has spurred many public and political figures to take to their platforms and encourage residents to get vaccinated and vaccinate their children. This includes Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who previously promoted anti-vaccine views.

    RFK Jr. published an op-ed in Fox Digital earlier this month acknowledging that the decision to vaccinate is a “personal one”, but encouraging people to vaccinate to mitigate the spread of the disease regardless.

    “Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons,” he wrote earlier this month.

    Originally published by Latin Times.

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  • 3 Medications You Can’t Stop Suddenly; One Is Taken By Millions

    3 Medications You Can’t Stop Suddenly; One Is Taken By Millions

    It’s not always easy to stop certain medications once you have started them. Abruptly discontinuing some common drugs can lead to worse conditions than before, or even trigger serious withdrawal symptoms, warns a doctor about three common drugs, one of which is taken by millions of people.

    Dr. Asif Ahmed, a GP in the U.K., took to Instagram to raise awareness about “disease rebounding,” a condition where relapse occurs when certain medications are stopped abruptly.

    In a recent video, he highlighted three common medications that are hardest to come off once you start them. He also explained why they need to be tapered off slowly to avoid serious side effects, dependencies, and complications.

    “Please don’t suddenly stop or change any of your medications if you’re on them. There may be a reason why you need them long-term. However, if you’re worried about any side effects or rebound withdrawal, please make sure you mention it to your doctor,” Dr. Ahmed said in the video.

    The first medication on Dr. Ahmed’s list is venlafaxine, an SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) commonly prescribed as an antidepressant. While it can be highly effective for many, Dr. Ahmed warns that it may cause serious side effects when discontinued abruptly.

    “From my experience, it is one of the hardest medications to come off, which is why, despite its effectiveness, it is rarely given as a first-line treatment,” he explained in the video.

    The next drug Dr. Ahmed warns of is benzodiazepines, a class of medications often prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions. While effective in the short term, these medications can lead to dependencies quickly and can have dangerous withdrawal effects when stopped suddenly.

    One of the most surprising medications Dr. Ahmed points out is PPIs (proton pump inhibitors), commonly used for acid reflux, such as omeprazole or lansoprazole. Taken by millions, these drugs are widely prescribed, but Dr. Ahmed warns that they are “given far too often,” with many people unaware of the rebound symptoms they can cause when stopped abruptly.

    “Say you get started on this for your heartburn or your reflux, when you start coming off it your stomach actually reacts by producing more acid which makes the reflux even worse and heartburn worse. This means it’s very hard for you to actually come off the medication,” Dr. Ahmed said.

    “The crazy thing is the rebound is often worse than your initial symptom before you started the PPI. Everyone needs to be told about this before they start the medication,” he added.



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  • Insomnia In Elderly? Here’s Best Exercise For Better Sleep

    Insomnia In Elderly? Here’s Best Exercise For Better Sleep

    Regular physical activity is widely known for its benefits to overall health, but what about its impact on sleep? While exercise plays a crucial role in promoting better rest, not all types of exercise are equal when it comes to combating insomnia. New research has revealed that specific exercises can significantly reduce the risk of insomnia in older adults.

    The latest study, published in the journal Family Medicine and Community Health, evaluated five different types of physical activity and found that while combination and aerobic exercises are effective in improving sleep quality, resistance training works best for combating insomnia in older adults.

    The researchers pooled data from 25 trials involving more than 2,000 older adults, with an average age of 70. The researchers assessed how five different types of exercises impacted participants’ sleep quality, measured by the Global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (GPSQI).

    The exercises examined included aerobic activities like brisk walking and swimming, which elevate the heart rate; combination exercises such as yoga, which blend flexibility and relaxation; balance exercises like standing on one leg, which improves stability; flexibility workouts like gymnastics, which enhance mobility; and strength training, including weightlifting, which builds muscle.

    Researchers noted that while aerobic exercise improved sleep by 3.76 points on the GPSQI scale, combination exercises contributed to a 2.54-point improvement. However, the most notable results came from strength and resistance training, which showed the greatest improvement in sleep, enhancing the GPSQI by 5.75 points.

    Further analysis revealed that strength training had a Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Curve (SUCRA) value of 94.6%, indicating it was the most effective exercise for improving sleep quality among all the options tested.

    “This study shows that exercise, particularly strengthening exercise and aerobic exercise, is beneficial for enhancing subjective sleep quality at a clinically significant level compared with normal activities, which is consistent with previous studies,” the researchers wrote.

    “Nevertheless, caution should be applied when interpreting this study because of the diverse exercise characteristics, the small number of studies, and the high risk of bias among studies,” they added.

    The researchers also noted that the intensity of some exercises might pose challenges for older adults with limited physical abilities. This means that while certain exercises are highly beneficial, modifications or lower-intensity options may be necessary to ensure safety and effectiveness for all individuals.

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  • ‘Don’t Push Too Hard,’ Warns Coach After Neck Artery Tear From Squats Trigger Strokes

    ‘Don’t Push Too Hard,’ Warns Coach After Neck Artery Tear From Squats Trigger Strokes

    Gym enthusiasts who pride themselves on pushing their limits for the perfect lift should take a moment to listen to the cautionary note of a gym instructor who suffered strokes after tearing her neck artery during squats.

    The 33-year-old fitness coach Bridgette Salatin from Ohio is still dealing with memory issues two years after the catastrophic stroke. Now easing back into her gym routine with lighter weights, she warns others: “Don’t push yourself too hard.”

    Salatin remembers the moment it happened; she was midway through a 70kg barbell squat when she suddenly felt dizzy, followed by a “really bad” headache. She had not eaten or slept enough the night before and had pushed her limits, holding her breath before lifting the weight.

    “When I woke up that day, I had a pain in my neck but I thought I’d probably just slept on it funny. I was squatting and I had a barbell on my back. I started to get a really bad headache,” Salatin said.

    The sharp pain shot from her shoulders to her right temple before she collapsed to the ground. Later, she learned the intense strain had torn an artery in her neck, triggering three mini-strokes.

    Doctors also diagnosed Salatin with occipital neuralgia, a painful neurological condition caused by injury or inflammation of the occipital nerves, which run through the scalp. The condition can result from pinched nerves, muscle tightness in the neck, or a head or neck injury.

    “They did a few scans on me and they said ‘you’ve had a stroke’ but how in the world does that happen at the age of 31? I felt an instant grief. I thought ‘I’ve failed myself’ and ‘am I ever going to be right again?’. I felt like I lost a sense of myself,” she recollected.

    Although months of bed rest and blood thinners helped her recover, Salatin said her life has never been the same, even two years later.

    “My short-term memory is gone and doing everyday things is hard for me. I used to teach a yoga class that was strictly on learning headstands but I can’t do that anymore,” she said.

    She now urges others to start with lighter weights and find a balance between pushing limits and avoiding injury.

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  • Coroner Warns Of Deadly Interaction

    Coroner Warns Of Deadly Interaction

    A 34-year-old nurse in the U.K. took a common combination of medications for years, never suspecting the silent danger lurking in her daily routine. However, a recent coroner’s report revealed that a little-known, deadly drug interaction was responsible for her sudden cardiac arrest and death.

    Chloé Burgess from Southampton, England, had been taking the antidepressants amitriptyline (a tricyclic antidepressant) and paroxetine (selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) before doctors prescribed her ivabradine. She was given ivabradine, a heart medication after being diagnosed with sinus tachycardia, which causes a rapid heartbeat, and left bundle branch block, a condition that disrupts the heart’s electrical signals.

    A recent inquest into her unexplained death in 2023 revealed that her heart medication likely interacted with her antidepressant, causing elevated levels of amitriptyline in her blood. Burgess had been taking this combination for four years without issues. However, an episode of sleep apnea might have triggered severe cardiac arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death, the coroner’s report revealed.

    “The potential dangers of the combination of amitriptyline, paroxetine and ivabradine is not widely appreciated and does not trigger an alert on the prescribing software used in primary care or by pharmacists,” Coroner Nicholas Walker said in the report.

    Based on the inquest findings, the coroner has issued a stark warning to doctors and healthcare professionals, stressing the importance of having a “full understanding” of the potential risks when prescribing ivabradine alongside antidepressants.

    “The potential dangers of the combination of drugs in Chloe’s case was not well-known or appreciated by those treating her…I am also concerned that those prescribing ivabradine should have a full understanding of the potential interaction with amitriptyline and paroxetine,” Walker said.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), SSRIs are not suitable for everyone as they can cause problems if patients have other underlying conditions or when they are taken alongside other medicines.

    SSRIs can pose risks for individuals with bleeding disorders, diabetes, epilepsy, narrow-angle glaucoma, or serious kidney, liver, or heart conditions. They may increase bleeding risk, affect blood sugar levels, and worsen seizures in epileptics.

    Some medicines that can interact with SSRIs include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and antiplatelets such as low-dose aspirin. Other interacting medications are theophylline, clozapine, lithium, triptans, and other antidepressants, including TCAs, MAOIs, and SNRIs.

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  • Woman Collapses, Vomits Blood After Weight Loss Jabs: ‘I Could’ve Died’

    Woman Collapses, Vomits Blood After Weight Loss Jabs: ‘I Could’ve Died’

    A UK mother of four who turned to weight loss jabs to shed her baby weight now warns others it’s not worth the risk after collapsing and vomiting blood.

    The 43-year-old, already following weight loss diets, weighed 171 lbs when she decided to try the injections to look slimmer. Now, she realizes the dangerous gamble could have left her children without a mother, Manchester Evening News reported.

    Gill Riley from Cheshire, England, was determined to get back to her pre-pregnancy weight and was constantly on several weight loss diets. But when she felt the diet plans were no longer working, she decided to take GLP-1-class weight loss injections which she obtained from a friend who had purchased them from an online pharmacy.

    Within just three months of starting the injections, Riley experienced a dramatic weight loss of 18 lbs. By the end of December last year, she began feeling unwell, but she thought it was just the flu. However, everything took a terrifying turn on December 26th when Riley collapsed, vomiting blood. She was immediately rushed to the emergency room, facing a life-threatening situation. The doctors found her body resembled someone with anorexia, and blood results showed that she had very low levels of potassium and sodium.

    Riley was diagnosed with pneumonia and put on antibiotics, which she believes was a result of her weakened immunity caused by the weight loss jabs. During her hospital stay, she was treated with IV drips and supplements to help restore her health before getting discharged.

    Although Riley has now recovered from the emergency, she needs further tests to evaluate if she has developed any permanent kidney damage.

    After her terrifying ordeal, Riley is now urging other women to seriously consider the health risks before using weight loss injections. “Just because I wanted to be skinny, I could have died and left my kids with no mum because I felt like I had to look a certain way and I don’t,” she said.

    “People need to be aware that it’s not as simple as taking a skinny jab and everything goes smoothly, you need to think of the risks that are involved with it,” she added.

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  • Weight Gain Risky For Obese, But Losing Over 10kg Raises Death Risk By 50%

    Weight Gain Risky For Obese, But Losing Over 10kg Raises Death Risk By 50%

    Can weight loss be always the answer to obesity? While it’s well-known that gaining weight increases the risk of heart disease and death, scientists have now found that losing a significant amount of weight can also carry its own set of dangers.

    In a recent study, researchers from the Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in the U.K. found that for individuals with obesity, “maintaining a stable weight, even within the obese range,” can help reduce the risk of death, particularly for those with heart disease risk factors.

    “It was perhaps unsurprising that significant weight gain was associated with higher mortality, but interesting that a similar association was found among those who lost a lot of weight,” said researcher Dr. Jufen Zhang in a news release.

    The study analyzed data from over 8,000 obese participants from the UK Biobank study, all of whom had been diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases. These individuals were tracked over nearly 14 years, with researchers closely monitoring changes in their weight throughout the period.

    The findings revealed that participants who gained more than 10 kg during the study had a threefold increase in the risk of cardiovascular death and nearly double the risk of dying from any cause, compared to those who maintained a stable weight.

    However, the study uncovered an even more striking finding: those who lost more than 10 kg faced a 54% higher risk of all-cause mortality. This suggests that, while weight loss is often encouraged for obese individuals, significant weight loss may have adverse effects, particularly in those already at risk for cardiovascular issues.

    “This study is the first of its kind to examine the link between weight change and all-cause mortality in obese individuals with cardiovascular disease,” Dr. Zhang.

    While more research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms behind the link between both weight loss and weight gain and increased death risk, Dr. Zhang advises that “clinicians should be cautious, especially with new drugs on the market that are promoted for rapid weight loss.”

    “While weight loss is generally recommended for obese adults, those in at-risk groups, like these individuals, should only pursue weight loss under the close guidance of their doctor,” Dr. Zhang added.

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  • Dwyane Wade Says He Felt ‘Pretty Healthy’, Didn’t Recognize Kidney Cancer Signs

    Dwyane Wade Says He Felt ‘Pretty Healthy’, Didn’t Recognize Kidney Cancer Signs

    Dwyane Wade, the retired NBA star, recently opened up about his Stage 1 kidney cancer diagnosis, revealing that he felt “pretty healthy” when he went for a checkup, only to realize that the subtle signs his body showed were early warning signals of kidney cancer.

    In a recent interview, the 41-year-old retired basketball legend revealed that he went for a check-up due to his father’s history of prostate cancer. Although Wade never suspected anything serious, he shared with his doctor the subtle signs he had been experiencing, including stomach pain and changes in his urination.

    “I didn’t think nothing of it. And so once I finally went in, I was like, OK, I just want to know everything,” Wade said in an exclusive interview with Today.

    “I talked about just having a slow stream. Sometimes when I would go to the bathroom, my urine would come out little slow. I had some cramps, some pain, a little bit at times in my stomach that I did not understand,” he added.

    Doctors performed an MRI to investigate the areas where Wade had been experiencing pain. To his surprise, the scan revealed an unexpected lesion in his kidneys. “I didn’t go in for my kidneys. I went in to check on my stomach and my prostate,” he explained.

    A lingering dull ache or pain in the side, abdomen, or lower back is a common sign of kidney cancer. Other symptoms include blood in the urine (hematuria), which may cause it to appear red or rusty, though it can also result from conditions like kidney stones. Additional signs include a lump in the side or lower back, unexplained fever, fatigue, leg swelling, and unintended weight loss.

    Wade underwent surgery and doctors then confirmed that the lesion was cancerous. “Thank God that we caught it early. This wasn’t something that was able to grow. It was about 3 centimeters on my kidney,” he said.

    After making a quick recovery, Wade is now sharing his story to encourage others, especially men, to take a proactive approach to their health. He urges people to seek medical advice if they notice changes in their bodies.

    “When people hear cancer, obviously they think it’s over,” Wade said, but he explained that his experience has been transformative. “A lot of us are not going to check ourselves out if we don’t feel nothing,” he noted, urging men to move past this mindset. “I want us to get over that. I want us to grow from that.”

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  • How To Curb Nicotine Cravings

    How To Curb Nicotine Cravings

    Quitting smoking may feel like an impossible battle, especially when the urge for nicotine becomes all-consuming. The good news is that although intense, nicotine cravings are temporary, often lasting just a few minutes before fading. With the right strategies, you can regain control and break free from smoking for good.

    When a person stops smoking, they may experience side effects such as nicotine cravings, irritability, frustration, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, depression, and increased appetite.

    Overcoming smoking addiction is not just about willpower, it is about understanding and managing cravings effectively. This No Smoking Day, you can kick-start your journey to a smoke-free life by recognizing the common withdrawal symptoms and learning strategies to cope with cravings.

    Here are some practical tips to manage cravings:

    Reaffirm reasons for quitting

    When cravings hit, remind yourself why you chose to quit in the first place. Cravings are temporary, but the benefits of quitting last a lifetime. By listing your reasons, you create a powerful affirmation that helps you stay focused. Whenever doubt creeps in, revisit your list.

    Avoid triggers

    Triggers are specific situations or activities that smokers associate with the habit, and they vary from person to person. They can range from stress and boredom to social events or simply seeing others smoke. Understanding your triggers is key to avoiding them. For example, if your trigger is seeing someone smoke during your break, try spending recess in a smoke-free zone to reduce temptation.

    Distract yourself

    When a nicotine craving strikes, shifting your focus can make all the difference. Simple distractions like sipping water, taking a short walk, grabbing a healthy snack, or chewing gum can help overcome the urge. For some, engaging in conversation with a friend provides a helpful diversion, as sitting idle often intensifies cravings.

    To ease irritability, find a physical activity you enjoy. This helps to ease tension and boost your mood. Relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or even treating yourself to a massage or a warm bath can further calm your mind and body.

    Use Substitutes:

    For some people, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can be a useful tool for managing cravings by providing small, controlled doses of nicotine without the harmful toxins found in cigarettes. It is available in various forms, including gum, patches, lozenges, and mouth sprays. However, NRT is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Consulting a doctor can help determine whether it is the right choice for you.

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  • ‘Measles Parties’ A Deadly Gamble, Officials Warn—Get Vaccinated

    ‘Measles Parties’ A Deadly Gamble, Officials Warn—Get Vaccinated

    As measles cases surge in Texas, health officials are raising alarms over a troubling trend: parents intentionally exposing their children to the virus in so-called “measles parties” hoping to build natural immunity. While some believe this approach mimics the immunity gained from past infections, experts warn it’s a dangerous gamble that could have fatal consequences.

    Measles parties are inspired by the chickenpox gatherings of the 1970s, where unvaccinated children were deliberately exposed to the virus in hopes of developing immunity at a young age when the illness was considered milder. However, experts warn that this approach is far more dangerous when it comes to the measles virus.

    Dr. Ron Cook, chief health officer at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, calls measles parties “a foolish thing,” as the virus is highly unpredictable, and there is no way to determine how severe an infection will be.

    “We can’t predict who is going to do poorly with measles, be hospitalized, and potentially get pneumonia or encephalitis and or pass away from this. It is just too risky … we don’t get to pick and choose who is going to do well and not do well when you become severely ill. Please don’t do that, it’s just foolishness, it’s playing roulette,” Dr Cook said in a press conference.

    Around 30% of children who contract measles may develop complications, and the infection can lead to long-term health consequences, he warned.

    “There are severe outcomes like pneumonia or death. There is encephalitis or inflammation of the brain. Even more rare, but it can happen … years down the road after you develop measles, you can get what is called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, which is fatal. It is a known side effect of having measles,” Dr. Cook added.

    Texas health officials also warn that intentionally exposing children to the measles virus does not just put them at risk, it endangers other unvaccinated individuals and those with weakened immune systems, increasing the potential for severe complications and outbreaks.

    The safest way to protect against measles is to get vaccinated. Receiving two doses of the MMR vaccine provides 97% protection against measles, significantly reducing the risk of infection and severe complications. Without immunity, nearly everyone exposed to measles will contract it, and once infected, there is no specific treatment to cure the disease.

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