Health

[SteveH]

Asthma: Scientists find new cause of lung damage

UK scientists say they have found a new cause behind much of the damage asthma causes.

Cells lining the airways are squeezed to destruction during an attack, their research shows.

And drugs to prevent this, rather than manage its aftermath, might break the cycle of harm, the Kings College London researchers told the Science journal.

The airways of people with asthma are sensitive to triggers such as pollen, pets and exercise....

They become inflamed or swollen, causing symptoms including coughing, wheezing and breathlessness.

Existing drugs or inhalers can reduce this inflammation and help keep the airways open.

But repeated attacks can cause permanent scarring and narrowing of the airways.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-68731197

[SteveH]

Do you have type 2 diabetes? Here's how you should be eating

Cookbook author and restaurateur Katie Caldesi's husband Giancarlo was diagnosed over 10 years ago, she shares her secret to eating well

A cookbook author and restaurateur has shared the secret to eating well with type 2 diabetes, and a low-carb diet seems to be the way forward. When Katie Caldesi's husband, Giancarlo, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes more than a decade ago, they 'didn't take it seriously' at first.

cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/do-you-have-type-2-diabetes-heres-how-you-should-be-eating/

[Hugo]

When I was first diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes I immediately gave up eating chocolates and cakes which I loved and found it easier than expected.    We sent off for a few books on eating with Diabetes and one, an American one was rubbish and it went in the bin.  The other was helpful and I'm sure that Katie Caldesi's book would be a good help to anyone who has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes,

[SteveH]

Professor Tim Spector explains simple change that could aid weight loss
He said it could also improve blood sugar levels and help with heart health

An expert in nutrition has explained a simple change to your eating habits that could aid weight loss and improve heart health. Professor Tim Spector, professor of genetic epidemiology at King's College London and founder of the Zoe health app, espoused the benefits of intermittent fasting during an episode of his podcast.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKrG7gMzAQY

While speaking with fasting guru Gin Stephens on his show, which can be found here, he claimed that this specific manner of consuming food can profoundly impact weight reduction. It comes after contentious preliminary studies recently presented at the American Heart Association (AHA)'s Epidemiology and Prevention, Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions, suggested those who ate their entire day's worth of calories within an eight-hour window - a form of intermittent fasting - faced a 91% increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/professor-tim-spector-explains-simple-28983167?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Wales sees massive spike in dangerous 100-day cough that leaves people 'feeling awful'
Cases of whooping cough are at their highest levels for nearly a decade

Whooping cough is on the rise again after March saw the highest rate of the potentially ?dangerous? disease for ten years, Public Health Wales warned. Statistics revealed there were more cases in Wales in one week of March 2024 than the whole of 2021 and 2022 combined.

Now pregnant women and those with young children are being urged to get a vaccine as the disease, also known as the 100-day cough, continues to spread in the community. Public Health Wales figures show there were 55 reported cases of whooping cough in 2021, 55 in 2022, and 199 in 2023.

But in the four weeks from March 4 there were 315 cases. This included 122 cases in a single week, starting March 11, - more than 2021 and 2022 combined. The actual numbers are likely far higher as many cases go unreported.

Regional figures aren?t available for 2024, but North Wales, the area covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, had the joint highest number of whooping cough cases in Wales in 2021, the highest number in 2022, and the second highest number in 2023.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wales-sees-massive-spike-dangerous-29059914