Gastroenterologist Dr Saurabh Sethi has warned of three toxic items that can be found in almost every homeCredit: Jam Press/@doctor.sethi
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Scented candles release phthalates into the air, which have been linked to reproductive issues, developmental problems, and increased risk of certain cancersCredit: Jam Press/@doctor.sethi
Gastroenterologist Dr Saurabh Sethi is known for sharing a wealth of health expertise on various social media platforms, including Instagram (@doctor.sethi).
He previously shared three foods he always avoids to protect his liver.
Now, the 42-year-old has revealed three toxic items commonly found in people’s homes, and advises people get rid of them immediately.
In a clip, which has racked up 11.8m views and over 141,000 likes, Dr Sethi’s first warning is over scented candles.
“These contain phthalates, which are known to disrupt hormone levels,” the doctor, from California, US, says.
“And cause respiratory issues.”
Phthalates are chemicals used in synthetic fragrances to help the scent bind to the wax and last longer.
When candles containing phthalates burn, they release them into the air.
Dr Sethi adds: “Opt for unscented or natural candles made from soy or beeswax.”
Phthalates have been linked to various health risks, including endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, developmental problems, and increased risk of certain cancers.
How to prevent toxic plastics ‘destroying’ your brain – as doctor warns of ‘damage and dementia risk’
The second household item Dr Sethi lists as being a danger is plastic cutting boards.
He says: “These can degrade over time, releasing microplastics into your food, which can accumulate in the body.”
Studies have linked microplastics to a range of potential health issues, including reproductive problems, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological effects.
They can also contribute to inflammation, cell damage, and disrupt the gut microbiome.
Instead, Dr Sethi advises: “Switch to a wooden one to minimise risk.”
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Scratched or chipped non-stick pans can release PFAS into foodCredit: Getty
Last on Dr Sethi’s list is scratched or chipped non-stick pans.
Dr Sethi explains: “These contain PFAS, which have been linked to high blood pressure, cholesterol and reproductive issues.
“Damaged pans can release these particles into your food.”
PFAS are a large, complex group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in consumer products around the world since about the 1950s.
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a range of health problems, including increased risk of certain cancers, altered immune function, liver damage, and reproductive and developmental issues.
Some studies also suggest links between PFAS and thyroid disease, changes in cholesterol levels, and behavioural problems in children.
Dr Sethi advises: “So make sure to either replace these pans as soon as they are scratched or chipped.
“Or replace those with safer alternatives, such as stainless steel or cast iron.”
What are microplastics and why are they a worry?
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than five millimetres in diameter.
They come from a variety of sources in our everyday life, from larger pieces of plastic debris, such as from the degradation of bottles, to the tiny beads in personal care products like toothpaste and exfoliants, and synthetic fibres from textiles like polyester and nylon.
We can either ingest them, for example in food and water contaminated with them, or inhale them from the air.
There is growing concern about the potential health impacts of microplastics on both the environment and human health.
When ingested or inhaled, microplastics can cause physical and chemical damage to living organisms.
Studies have shown that they may be involved in inflammation in the body by leading to the release of proteins called inflammatory cytokines.
While these studies are typically small and in animals or cells, inflammation is linked to a range of chronic diseases, including heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.
Cellular damage has been a key focus of studies on microplastics.
The tiny pieces of plastic have been shown to cause cell death, cause damage via oxidative stress, and interfere with hormone function.
There is also evidence to suggest that microplastics can cause genotoxic effects, meaning they can damage genetic material within cells – raising fears they can contribute to cancer.
The evidence is still evolving for these tiny particles that are barely visible to the naked eye.
STANDING in the queue at the supermarket, Hannah Davison feels a burning sensation in her neck.
While it might be alarming for some, the hairdresser is all too aware of what is causing her chronic pain.
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Hannah Davison’s 36H breasts left her in constant agony and with a hunchbackCredit: SWNS
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Unable to stand for long periods of time, Hannah says that her boobs also got in the way of eatingCredit: SWNS
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She flew to Poland for breast reduction surgery and is now thrilled with her new 34C boobsCredit: SWNS
Her 36H breasts are the culprit with Hannah claiming she was ‘on the way to having a hunchback’ like the famous bellringer Quasimodo.
But Hannah, 33, can now hold her head (and neck) up high after having surgery to reduce her boobs by five cup sizes to a 34C.
She flew to Wroclaw, Poland, on April 14 to have breast reduction surgery where over a kilogram of tissue was removed from her chest.
The two-hour long surgery cost £3,373 after Hannah received a discount for paying through her Monzo card.
Now five cup sizes smaller, Hannah feels the hunch at the top of her neck caused by her boobs is “already going” and her daily pain has “disappeared literally overnight”.
Hannah, who lives with her husband in Greater Manchester, says: “I felt like I was on my way to having a hunchback.
“It panicked me at first because it felt like there could be something really wrong.
“I’m a hairdresser so I’m on my feet all day and using my arms.
“I struggled to stand up for periods of time.
“I’d have a burning sensation in the top of my neck.
I got my DD implants removed & went back down to a B-cup – trolls say I went from a 7 to a 4 but I LOVE my new look
“I’d have to sit down for half an hour until it stopped.”
Hannah says that even simple tasks like eating proved a huge challenge.
“Even eating a meal before I was hunched because my boobs would mean my back was pushed down,” she explains.
“My posture was a huge problem.”
The hairdresser says that her life has totally transformed since her surgery, and she’s not the only one who has noticed the difference.
“Everyone has just been looking at them so shocked at how good they look and how it completely changed the frame of my body as well,” she says.
“I look smaller, they were so big and pronounced and changed the frame of body.
“Now they look a lot more natural as well and the pain has been severely reduced.
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Hannah suffered from years of burning neck pain to her size 36H breastsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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Hannah says she would give the pain of her surgery a 5/10Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
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Hannah stayed overnight at Europe Surgery’s clinic before staying a further five days at a hotelCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
BREAKDOWN OF HANNAH’S COSTS
Surgery – £3373
Flights – £210
Accommodation – £270
“It’s a better quality of life and I’m a lot more comfy in my own skin, which I can say I’ve never had because I’ve had big boobs since I was 14.”
Hannah’s back pain began when she was just 21 when she began hairdressing.
She said: “As the years have gone on – I’m 33 now – it’s just got progressively worse, and I had a hunch at the top of my back.
“Standing up and moving my arms in a certain way gave me a burning pain in the back of my neck.”
Hannah first heard about the procedure after a friend flew abroad for a breast augmentation in March 2025 at Europe Surgery, a clinic in Wroclaw, Poland.
She says: “My decision to go was very last minute.
“I’d wanted surgery done since I was 21 but it was always unreachable due to the price in the UK.
Standing up and moving my arms in a certain way gave me a burning pain in the back of my neck
Hannah Davison
“I went to Mya Cosmetic Surgery about six years ago and got a quote for £8,000 for the same procedure.
“It was way out of range for me.
“The last thing I heard was that the wait list [on the NHS] was six years and you had to go through extreme mental health screening.
“I didn’t want to wait any longer.
“I had the savings anyway but I didn’t want to dip into them, so I worked six days a week for six weeks to make the money I needed for my surgery.”
Hannah emailed the clinic in January 2025 and had her surgery just six weeks later.
Common Causes of Saggy Boobs
Gravity: Over time, the constant pull of gravity can cause the ligaments in the boobs to stretch and sag, especially in larger ones
Smoking: Smoking reduces blood supply to the skin, leading to a loss of elasticity and premature sagging
Lack of Support: Not wearing a properly fitting bra, especially during exercise, can lead to stretching of breast tissue and ligaments
Weight gain and loss: Changes in body weight can spark changes to the fatty tissue in the breasts, making them more prone to sagging
She says: “The clinic has a Facebook page with over 17,000 members so you get to see loads of different people’s point of view.
“I’m now four weeks post-op and I feel absolutely fine.
“I started back at the gym two weeks post-op.
“My best friend is a nurse and she can’t believe how neat the incisions look.”
Hannah stayed overnight at Europe Surgery’s clinic before staying a further five days at a hotel, while she waited to be fit to fly home to the UK.
She says: “A few times I was worried I could feel fluid inside my breast, so I just went straight in.
“All the nurses are so lovely.
“The whole experience pain wise was a five out of 10.
“The only annoyance of the whole process is the healing as you have to do nothing.
“Other than that, it was a great experience.”
She estimates that “just over a kilo and a half” of breast tissue was removed in the surgery.
She adds: “I’ve always been into the gym and training, and I feel like my body composition would never change.
“No matter how much I trained it would never make a difference.
“Now I can wear nice gym clothes.”
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She estimates she lost a kilo and a half of breast tissueCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
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She likened herself to The Hunchback of Notre Dame pre-surgery, as she said her ‘Quasimodo boobs’ meant she was constantly hunched overCredit: AF Archive
Luke and Beth Martin had been on a dream holiday to Turkey when tragedy struck on April 27Credit: GoFundMe
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Mum Beth from Portsmouth reportedly fell ill on her way to TurkeyCredit: GoFundMe
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Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul where Ms Martin died
She was rushed to a two-star-rated public hospital, where she is said to have taken her last breath and had her heart allegedly removed without any permission.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) warns that coroners in Turkey can take small tissue samples and organs for testing “without the family’s permission” under Turkish laws.
The advisory says that these orphans are usually returned before the person’s body is released.
However, Turkish authorities “might keep he body parts without permission in exceptional circumstances”, the foreign office warned.
The travel warning was placed before Ms Martin’s death and has nothing to do with her tragic case.
That’s because hospitals in Turkey have faced accusations of stealing organs and facilitating illegal transplants.
Meanwhile, the British government in its travel advisory warned tourists to be aware of medical treatments in the country.
The Foreign Office suggested that people visiting the country for medical tourism should exercise caution and discuss plans with a UK doctor beforehand.
The travel advisory reads: “We are aware of six British nationals having died in Turkey in 2024 following medical procedures.
“Some British nationals have also experienced complications and needed further treatment or surgery following their procedure.”
Brit mum, 28, mysteriously dies on Turkey holiday before horrified family find ‘her HEART had been removed by doctors’
Ms Martin was wheeled to Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital – a low-rated public hospital built on the outskirts of the Turkish capital.
After scrambling for an ambulance, she was finally admitted to the hospital, which offers Istanbul‘s International Patient Service serving foreign patients.
The doctors are understood to have checked her heart by performing an angiogram – a form of X-ray that shows blood vessels.
After doing the checks, the doctors told husband Luke they did not find anything suspicious.
Her family claims they were left completely in the dark by Turkish authorities throughout the whole ordeal.
And sickeningly, once they finally got back to the UK with her body, a UK autopsy revealed her heart had been removed – without any prior consent or authorisation.
Marmara Pendik Hospital is now facing a negligence investigation over Ms Martin’s sudden death, according to Ms Martin’s family.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) is also making its own enquiries with local authorities, the Daily Mail reports.
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The public hospital has a low rating on Google, averaging just two stars.
A website operated by the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Health states that the hospital’s principles are “transparency and accountability [with] people at the focal point of the fairness of the health service that is excellent”.
The Sun has reached out to the hospital for comment.
Meanwhile, Luke told how he was then shocked when Turkish police initially accused him of poisoning and killing his wife after her shocking death.
She was being treated in intensive care, he said, before adding he was banned from seeing her.
Beth and Luke’s parents flew out the following day and were again kept in the dark.
They were then shocked to discover Beth had been transferred to another hospital overnight, due to “concerns with her heart”, with none of the family members informed.
Close friend Ellie, who travelled to Turkey to try and help, detailed her experience of what happened after Beth’s death.
She revealed that Beth was supposed to be transferred to a private clinic.
But the public hospital was slow to act and “stopped her” from doing so.
She told how the doctors were acting strangely.
Ellie explained: “All they went on about is ‘are you going to sue the hospital? Sign this bit of paper’.
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The hospital has low ratings on Google
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Beth pictured with her husband LukeCredit: gofundme
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Luke was initially accused of poisoning BethCredit: GoFundMe
“I said: ‘Is there something we should be suing for? Do you know something we don’t? Because that’s really suspicious.'”
The family, who have not been told her cause of death, claim they were also forced to carry Beth in a body bag through the hospital.
She blasted the hospitals, saying: “The insurance company wanted to move her to a private hospital but the public hospital in Istanbul were not cooperating, they were being slow and delaying reports and not sending information over.
“They stopped her.”
She noted how suspicious it was that Beth’s hair was in “perfect” shape despite the mum undergoing “45 minutes of CPR”.
She speculated: “They said they did 45 minutes of CPR but anyone who has ever had CPR or has seen CPR knows how brutal it is.
“When I saw Beth in the morgue after she had her hair in two French plaits and they were perfect.
“There is no way they did CPR for 45 minutes, I know that,” she defiantly stated.”
She added that medical reports rule out food poisoning as a cause of death, but they still do not confirm how exactly the mum died.
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The family’s nightmare started hours after arriving on holiday in TurkeyCredit: Getty
ENGLAND will roll out the world’s first gonorrhoea vaccine campaign this summer.
The NHS said it will begin immunising against the sexually transmitted infection, also known as ‘the clap’, in August.
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A vaccine will be offered to gay and bisexual men, who are most at risk (stock image)Credit: Getty – Contributor
Health chiefs reckon they can prevent around 10,000 cases per year with an existing meningitis vaccine.
Cases have tripled since 2012 and hit a record 85,000 in 2023.
Local sexual health clinics will offer the jab to gay and bisexual men, who are most at risk.
Patients will receive the 4CMenB vaccine for meningitis B, which has been found to nearly halve the chances of catching gonorrhoea in adults.
Read more on sexual health
The jab is already routinely given to babies to protect them from MenB, but its protection wears off as they grow up.
Vaccination could also head off growing concerns about superbug versions of the infection, which are resistant to antibiotics.
Dr Amanda Doyle, of NHS England, said: “The launch of a world-first routine vaccination for gonorrhoea is a huge step forward for sexual health.
“It will be crucial in helping to reduce the rising rates of antibiotic resistant strains of the bacteria.”
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection spread by unprotected sex.
Many people do not have any symptoms but if it is left untreated it can spread and lead to infertility.
It is the second most common STI in Britain by new cases per year, after chlamydia.
The vaccine rollout was approved by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) after research by Imperial College London suggested it could prevent 100,000 cases and save the NHS £8million over the next 10 years.
Dr Sema Mandal, from the UK Health Security Agency, said: “In 2023 we saw gonorrhoea diagnoses reach their highest since records began in 1918.
“Not only will this rollout protect those that need it most, but it will make the UK the first country in the world to offer this.
“STIs aren’t just an inconvenience – they can have a major impact on your health and that of your sexual partners.”
Public health minister Ashley Dalton added: “Once again our NHS is leading the way.”
WHO WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE JAB?
NHS England said clinics will target the highest risk people for its gonorrhoea vaccine campaign.
From August vaccines will be offered to:
Gay or bisexual men who have recently had multiple sexual partners
Gay or bisexual men who have recently been diagnosed with an STI
Transgender women (male-to-female) or non-binary people who were born male
Clinics may use their discretion to offer to sex workers or anyone who has recently had a bacterial STI
Data from 2023 show that 40,586 out of England’s total 85,223 gonorrhoea cases were among men who had sex with men, making them the highest risk group. A further 15,000 were among heterosexual men and 22,000 were among women.
JOE Biden is facing fresh scrutiny over his health while in office amid his “aggressive” prostate cancer diagnosis.
The former president, 82, claimed to have had cancer in a speech he gave three years ago – which sparked fears for his health at the time.
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Joe Biden was speaking about oil-refineries in Delaware when he made a slip-upCredit: Reuters
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Biden at a news conference in 2023Credit: Getty
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Biden is facing fresh scrutiny over cancer comments in a 2022 speechCredit: Getty
Biden’s comments came during a speech about “cancer-causing” emissions from oil refineries near his childhood home in Delaware.
He said: “That’s why I and so damn many other people I grew up with have cancer and why for the longest time Delaware had the highest cancer rate in the nation.”
Biden’s use of the present tense led to speculations that the president was suffering from cancer.
But these were dismissed after it was suggested that the comments were a reference to “non-melanoma skin cancers”.
Before assuming the presidency, Biden had a number of “localized, non-melanoma skin cancers” removed by surgery.
In November 2021, Biden had a polyp removed from his colon that was a benign, but potentially pre-cancerous lesion.
And in February 2023, he had a skin lesion removed from his chest that was a basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer.
Non-melanoma skin cancer typically develops in the areas of the body most exposed to the sun such as the face, ears, hands, shoulders, upper chest, and back.
Trump ‘surprised public wasn’t told long ago’ about Biden’s prostate cancer as Don takes swipe at when ex-President knew
The US President cast doubt on the timeline of Biden’s diagnosis on Monday as he said it usually takes a “long time” to reach such an aggressive stage of cancer.
Dr Zeke Emanuel said: “He had it while he was President.
“He probably had it at the start of his presidency, in 2021.”
How could prostate cancer be missed?
By Sam Blanchard
It is likely that Joe Biden’s cancer started while he was still serving as president – as recently as January – but impossible to know how long he has had it.
Prostate cancer is widely regarded as the slowest growing form of cancer because it can take years for any sign of it to appear and many men never need treatment.
The former president’s office said his cancer is aggressive and has spread to his bones, further confusing the timeline.
PSA blood tests could indicate whether a patient is likely to have cancer but they become less accurate with age, and gold-standard tests involve taking biopsy tissue samples.
There is no guarantee that Mr Biden, 82, was tested during his presidency and, even if he was, the cancer is not certain to have been detected. It may have first formed a long time ago and only recently become aggressive, or started recently and grown very quickly.
Most cancers are found before they spread but a fast-growing one may be harder to catch in time.
Prostate cancers are well-known for not causing many symptoms in the early stages and the NHS says “there may be no signs for many years”.
The time it takes for a cancer to progress to stage four – known as metastatic, when it has spread to another body part – can vary from a number of months to many years.
Professor Suneil Jain, from Queen’s University Belfast, said: “Every prostate cancer is different and no-one from outside his direct team will have all the information to be specific about President Biden’s specific diagnosis or situation.
“In recent years there has been a lot of progress in the management of prostate cancer, with many new therapies becoming available.
“This has significantly extended the average life expectancy by a number of years.”
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in males and one in eight men develop it at some stage in their life.
Biden announced his cancer diagnosis in an official statement from his personal office on Sunday.
The statement said that he was seen by doctors last week after suffering urinary symptoms, with a prostate nodule then being found.
He was then diagnosed with prostate cancer on Friday, with the cancer cells having spread to the bone.
The statement read: “Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms.
“On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.
“While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management.
“The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians.”
A Gleason score of 9 means the cancerous cells “look very abnormal” and that the disease is “likely to grow quickly”, according to Cancer Research UK.
Biden served as US president from 2021 to 2025, with his term ending on January 20 when Donald Trump took office.
What are the symptoms every man needs to know?
In most cases, prostate cancer doesn’t have any symptoms until the growth is big enough to put pressure on the urethra – that tube you pee through.
Symptoms include:
Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
Needing to rush to the toilet
Difficulty in starting to pee
Weak flow
Straining and taking a long time while peeing
Feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied fully
Many men’s prostates get larger as they age because of the non-cancerous conditions, prostate enlargement, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
In fact, these two conditions are more common than prostate cancer – but that doesn’t mean the symptoms should be ignored.
The signs that cancer has SPREAD include bone, back, or testicular pain, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss.
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Joe Biden shared a touching image with his wife following the diagnosisCredit: Instagram
IT’S an invasive, extremely high-risk procedure that could leave patients with a lung puncture, nerve damage and chronic pain.
But despite the eye-watering risks, more women than ever are opting for ‘Barbie rib’ surgery – that’s having one or more ribs taken out – to achieve a tiny waist.
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Essex mum Kerry Miles said she planned to pay £15k for her rib removal surgeryCredit: Caters News Agency
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Kerry’s waist shrank to a shockingly small 21 inchesCredit: Caters News Agency
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Influencer Emily James shared a stomach-churning pic of the ribs she had removedCredit: Caters
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Kim Kardashian sparked rib removal rumours after the 2024 Met Gala – something she has deniedCredit: GETTY
In the 1950s, stars of the silver screen such as Marilyn Monroe wowed with their tiny hourglass figures.
But in 2025, women are going one step further by opting for the latest surgery trend.
While getting ready for the event, she told Vogue: “I’ll feel so snatched I won’t even be able to communicate to you how snatched I feel.”
She fiercely denied rumours of rib removal, later saying: “I don’t even know if that’s possible.”
Well, the shocking surgery IS possible, with many women now going under the knife to achieve the same look as their favourite red carpet celebs.
The surgery, performed under general anaesthesia, involves the surgeon detaching the rib bone and removing it or partially removing to give the appearance of a slimmer waistline.
The ribs can also be repositioned, and a rib brace is then worn to compress the midsection.
It’s an incredibly dangerous procedure that could cause the lungs to collapse or damage other internal organs, with few experienced surgeons willing to carry out the op.
Hazim Sadideen, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the Cadogan Clinic, told The Sun: “There’s been a lot of noise around the ‘Barbie rib’ procedure, and I think it’s important to separate fact from fiction.
“First off, rib modification and rib removal are very different things.
“True rib removal, where one or more of the floating ribs are completely taken out, is an invasive and high-risk procedure. I would never recommend it purely for cosmetic reasons.
“The risks include lung puncture, nerve damage and chronic pain. There are long-term asymmetry risks too.”
I had my ribs removed to get a Barbie waist
Other celebs have also been rumoured to have had the surgery, including Cher and singer Prince, while other A-listers have donned corsets and tight dresses on the red carpet to achieve a cinched look – a body ideal that has seeped onto social media.
Belgian performer Jada Sparks spent over £14,000 having ribs removed. The former nurse said: “I’ve done it for the cosmetic reason, but also the thrill of it to be honest.
“I went down about 2.5 inches from the start until now.
“I think I have reached my ultimate result now. In the beginning, it felt weird, but your body is an odd thing, it can adapt really quick.
“So, I like the feeling right now of having something ‘missing’.”
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Kim K stunned fans with her corseted, minuscule waistCredit: GETTY
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Emily James spent £13k having six ribs removed in a bid to achieve a Barbie-like waistCredit: Caters
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Emily’s ribs were removed from her back, and she’s left with two small scarsCredit: INSTAGRAM
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Emily shows off the results of her surgery on InstagramCredit: Instagram
Emily James, an influencer from Kansas City, Missouri, spent £13,000 having six of her ribs removed last year – and claims it is no different to a Brazilian Butt Lift.
Emily told The Sun she’d researched her procedure thoroughly and defended her decision.
She says: “I absolutely think that it’s important to make informed, well-thought-out decisions before you get plastic surgery.
“People should not just be going into random like garages, getting oil pumped into their bodies for like a BBL or getting veneered by some girl that you found on Instagram.
“It’s important to make well-informed decisions, and if you’re going into it with the mindset knowing the risks and the benefits, then you absolutely should do what you want to do.
“But just keep in mind that it is plastic surgery, and there are dangers involved, and there are risks and complications that can arise from getting these kinds of surgeries.”
‘Barbie waist’
The iconic Barbie doll has impossible proportions – which in real life would be 39″ bust, 18″ waist and 33″ hips.
Her terrifyingly tiny waist measurement would in reality be smaller than that of the average three-year-old.
A Google search of “Barbie rib procedure” yields over 135,000 results.
But while Mr Sadideen believes filtered images don’t reveal the truth about invasive procedures, Emily, who had post-surgery complications with a catheter, was able to get the surgery without any psychological evaluation or counselling.
“There was nothing like that,” she says. “But it was a really hard process to find someone that I felt comfortable going to.
“There were lots that were certified to do the surgery, but I didn’t feel they were qualified. I wanted someone who really understood me.”
Emily flew almost 800 miles for the surgery in Cleveland, Ohio.
But with the trend taking off on social media and celebrities in the US, Germany and UK reportedly having it done, increasing numbers of women are attending clinics asking for their ribs to be removed.
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Megan Fox dons a corset dress that enhances her slim figure – she has admitted to having some plastic surgery but not a rib opCredit: Getty
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Cardi B attending the 2025 Met Gala, showcasing her slender waist – the star has always denied plastic surgery rumoursCredit: Getty
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Towie star Abi Clarke is rumoured to have had rib surgeryCredit: Eroteme
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Cher has always denied having her ribs removedCredit: GETTY
While Towie’s Abigail Clarke is also rumoured to have had the procedure, Emily says the invasive and risky surgery, which she’s still recovering from, was more painful than she imagined.
“I got there about 6.30 in the morning and honestly, I was really scared,” she says. “I knew my rib removal was going to be painful because I’d done a lot of research.
“I had my boobs done at the same time, but coming out of surgery, I was super swollen, and I couldn’t sit up or lay down by myself.
“I had to have someone help me stand up, lay down, pretty much do everything.
“It was a really intense surgery, and I had a lot of numbness and pain for a long time.”
‘Emotional toll’
While Emily has documented her journey online, Mr Sadideen says social media could be to blame for the increase in requests for these types of invasive procedures.
“What really worries me is how social media glamorises extreme body transformations without showing the full story – the recovery, the risks, or the emotional toll,” he says.
“The rise of these trends is often driven by filtered images and unattainable ideals, which can feed into body dysmorphia and lead people to believe something drastic is the only solution.”
While Emily had no psychological evaluation at all prior to the procedure which altered her skeleton, he believes the mental capacity of a patient should factor into every surgical evaluation.
Just because something is technically possible doesn’t mean it’s the right choice
Mr Hazim Sadideen
“Any patient considering a procedure like this should undergo a thorough psychological assessment to ensure they’re making this choice for the right reasons, not due to pressure or distorted self-image,” he says.
“As surgeons, we have a duty to protect our patients.
“Just because something is technically possible doesn’t mean it’s the right choice.”
Despite having the support of her loved ones, Emily is aware that she entered into the procedure without any long-term idea of how her rib removal might affect her body in the future.
“I knew going into surgery, the ribs I was having removed do serve some protection of my kidneys and my liver,” she says.
“I don’t think that I regret any of my surgeries, but who knows when I’m 60 if I’ll have complications from my rib removal.
“I’ve noticed already there has been one weird complication that whenever I get sick or cough, my muscles separate. So yeah, there might be complications later down the road.”
Mr Sadideen says there is a less invasive option that can be considered without needing to go to the dangerous extremes Emily has.
“There is a more conservative alternative sometimes referred to as rib reshaping or rib modification,” he says.
“In very carefully selected cases, surgeons may use a controlled mini-fracture technique to slightly bend a rib inward.
“It’s a method already used in nose reshaping – known as rhinoplasty – and orthopaedic surgery.
“But it must be done with the utmost precision, using detailed scans, ultrasound guidance during surgery, and specific tools to reduce risk and avoid complications.
“Even so, the data is still emerging, and we don’t yet have a full picture of long-term safety or outcomes.”
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While Emily – who plans to make a crown out of the ribs she’s had removed – has received a barrage of online hate for her surgery choices, she says it doesn’t bother her.
“I’ve had a lot of people say that I worship the devil, or that I’m like, controlled by Satan because I am making a crown out of my rib bones, which is really silly,” she says.
While there are plenty of celebrities who are rumoured to have had the procedure done – from Cher to Prince to Kim Kardashian and Demi Moore, Mr Sadideen says society’s obsession with filters could be resulting in the dangerous trend growing in popularity.
“Extreme procedures like rib removal should be a last resort, not a trend,” he says.
“And we should all be asking: are we doing this to feel better, or just to look better on a screen?”
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Barbie’s proportions in real life would be 39″ bust, 18″ waist and 33″ hipsCredit: Collects
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Hazim Sadideen, Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the Cadogan Clinic says the surgery is dangerousCredit: drhazlondon.com
A MUM who was “proud” to quit smoking after 20 years has been “left on her deathbed” and will die if she lies down – after taking up vaping for a year.
Loyda Cordero Faliero, 39, says she made the switch from smoking cigarettes to vaping around 18 months ago because she “thought it would be the healthier option”.
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Loyda Cordero Faliero made the switch from cigarettes to vaping 18 months agoCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
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But in March this year, she was rushed to hospital after her oesophagus “closed up” and she choked on a sip of her drinkCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
But at the start of March 2025 – after vaping “24/7” for “little over a year” – she was rushed to the emergency department after her oesophagus “closed-up” and she choked on a sip of her drink.
Loyda was diagnosed with pulmonary bullae [large air spaces] in her lungs and a collapsed lung, which doctors told her was a result of a build-up of fluid from vaping.
The 39-year-old says doctors told her it could “kill her at any moment” if the sacs were to rupture and has to sleep sat up as she could choke to death if she lies down.
Loyda was advised to avoid any physical activity and claims she was told that even lifting a gallon of milk (eight pints) would be too strenuous as it could increase the risk of one of the air-filled sacs rupturing.
The mum-of-two was forced quit vaping in order to be eligible for surgery to remove the sacs from her lungs – and was warned that if she continued the habit then she might not be alive in five years’ time.
Loyda, who is now recovering from the potentially life-saving surgery in hospital, says she wants to warn others of the dangers of vaping.
Speaking before the surgery, Loyda, from Franklinville, New York, US, said: “My doctor said that my lung collapsed because they were building up with the liquid from my vape and one of the pulmonary bullae ended up rupturing.
“My oesophagus is out of place to where the pulmonary bullae sac is putting pressure onto that and if that ruptures, it could cause a bleed on the brain or internal bleeding which could kill me instantly.
“It’s causing a lot of problems. If I lay down when sleeping instead of sitting up I can choke to death on my own spit or I can suffocate and die.
“I literally have to sit up in bed or on a recliner when I sleep because I’m no longer allowed to sleep lying down until after the surgery – it’s pretty much a life or death situation.
What happens to your body when you stop smoking
“It’s made me very emotional. I quit something thinking that it was going to be healthier but unfortunately it destroyed me more than it benefited me.
“I was so proud of myself for quitting cigarettes and going to something which I thought was healthier.
“I have two grown kids and even if they’re grown, I’m still a mum. I still have responsibilities and I still want to be here for my grandkids.
“Basically I’m on my deathbed and it’s a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.”
Loyda says she experienced breathlessness, nausea, dizziness and pain in the weeks before her hospital admission – but had put it down to her poor overall health.
After receiving the diagnosis, she says she was ordered by doctors to stop all physical activity in order to reduce the risk of one of the pulmonary sacs rupturing and killing her.
Vaping is 100 per cent more dangerous than cigarettes
Loyda Cordero Faliero
Loyda continued: “I’m not allowed to be active at all as in cleaning, washing dishes or going up and down the stairs.
“They say that even lifting a gallon of my milk is overdoing it for my body because the way that my lung has collapsed, it flares me up really bad.
“I can’t even cook dinner or stand up to do dishes because by the time I’m done with dishes I’m literally crying in pain and gasping for air.
“It really has taken over my life more than I ever thought it would.
“I was told my doctors that I had to quit vaping in order to be accepted for surgery.
“And I can’t go back to smoking after the surgery because this is just going to happen to me again.
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Loyda was diagnosed with pulmonary bullae and a collapsed lung, which doctors say was caused from vapingCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
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She’s now warning others of the potential health problems of vaping, claiming it’s “100 per cent more dangerous than cigarettes”Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
“I’m going to be stuck with this health issue for the rest of my life.
“The doctors said that if I carried on vaping then within the next five years I would end up on life support and I wouldn’t make it because of how badly this damaged my lungs and how badly the liquid has built up in my lungs.”
After giving up vaping completely, Loyda underwent surgery to have the pulmonary sacs removed from her lungs on April 30.
She is now recovering in hospital and wants to help raise awareness and warn others of the potential health problems vaping can cause – and says she believes that it is both more dangerous and harder to quit than smoking cigarettes.
Loyda said: “With a cigarette, you can put it out and do what you’ve got to do but with a vape it’s like a cell phone – it’s literally stuck in your hand 24/7 and you’re hitting it even when you don’t want to hit it just because it’s there.
“It’s horrible. Vaping is 100 per cent more dangerous than cigarettes.”
Smoking vs. vaping
VAPING has been touted as an effective tool to help people quit smoking.
Though vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, the habit isn’t completely harmless and comes with its own set of risks.
The NHS only recommends it for adult smokers, to support quitting smoking.
GP and author Dr Philippa Kaye explained to The Sun that the differences between vaping and smoking – and whether one is better than the other – is “complicated”.
“In a nutshell, vaping is better than smoking, but breathing air is better than vaping at all.”
Vaping exposes users to far fewer toxins – and at lower levels – than smoking cigarettes.
Switching to vaping significantly reduces your exposure to toxins that can cause cancer, lung disease, and diseases of the heart and circulation like heart attack and stroke.
These diseases are not caused by nicotine, which is relatively harmless to health. But research has still linked vaping to a higher risk of failure and lung disease.
Health risks of cigarettes
Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to develop heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer
Smokers are at greater risk for diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels
Smoking can cause lung disease by damaging your airways and the small air sacs
Smoking can cause cancer almost anywhere in your body
It affects overall health too, such as your mouth, eyes, immune system and fertility
Health risks of vaping
They can cause side effects such as throat and mouth irritation, headache, cough and feeling sick
They could lead to tooth decay
They could damage heart health
They could cause lung disease
They could slow brain development
Read more on how vaping can affect your health here.
A POPULAR Amazon gadget has been urgently recalled over fears it could give users a deadly electric shock.
A universal power supply, sold under the Wefomey brand, has been banned from entering the UK.
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A power supply sold on Amazon under the Wefomey brand has urgently been recalledCredit: Getty
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The Wefomey Universal Power Supply fails to meet UK legal safety standardsCredit: Amazon
The dodgy device, model LGY-363000, was flagged by border officials and stopped from reaching British customers.
The plug-in gadget is advertised on Amazon as a “universal power adapter” that “fits almost all DC input sockets”.
The product is made in China and was being shipped to UK buyers.
However, it was found to be “inadequately earthed”, according to an advisory issued by the UK government.
The advisory reads: “The product presents a serious risk of electric shock due to a lack of protection from access to its live parts.”
It adds: “The insulation may break down during normal use, meaning the metal parts accessible to the consumer may be live.
“If a consumer were to touch the product during use, they may receive an electric shock.”
Officials confirmed that the product breaches the UK’s Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016.
As a corrective measure, the import was rejected at the border to prevent it from entering the UK.
Owners have been urged to stop using the product immediately.
Supermarkets urgently recall iconic Scottish snack over health risk
It comes as Amazon has issued an urgent product recall over fears an item of clothing could catch fire.
Customers have been urged to return the iHEAT Heated Jacket for Women.
According to an advisory issued by the UK government, the product presents a serious risk of fire as the lithium-ion battery pack is poorly constructed and does not provide sufficient protection to prevent thermal runaway.
The advisory reads: “Additionally, the power supply is fitted with a non-compliant plug, with the plug pins too close to the edge of the plug face, exposing the user to live parts.
“The product does not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 or the Plugs & Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994.”
Owners have been urged to stop using the product immediately and contact the distributor you purchased from to request redress.
Meanwhile, a bedroom lamp sold on Amazon has been urgently recalled over fears it could spark a house fire.
The Murcher Bedside Table Lamp, sold under models WDF-YW-02 and WDF-FX01, poses a high fire risk due to a critical design fault, according to a new safety alert.
The issue lies in the lack of proper cord anchorage inside the lamp.
Over time, the power cord can shift and place dangerous strain on the lamp’s internal connections.
This can cause wires to detach, short-circuit and overheat – which could trigger a fire.
Your product recall rights
Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know.
Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods.
As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action.
But it’s often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk.
If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer’s website to see if a safety notice has been issued.
When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you – the customer – to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don’t there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault.
If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer.
They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice.
In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected.
You should not be charged for any recall work – such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item
THE number of people who have fallen ill with a parasitic infection after visiting a petting farm in Wales has risen to 78, health officials have confirmed.
Sixteen of those affected have been taken to hospital following visits to Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm, in the Vale of Glamorgan.
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Alba fell ill after visiting the farm shopCredit: WNS
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She tested postive for Cryptosporidium an infection from parasites that live in the faeces of infected animals and can cause illness in humansCredit: WNS
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Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm is now being investigated by health authorities.Credit: WNS
All tested positive for cryptosporidium – a highly contagious parasite that causes cryptosporidiosis, an infection that can affect both humans and farm animals.
One of those who fell sick with little Alba Dobbinson.
The eight-year-old suffered nausea and diarrhoea after feeding lambs at the farm with her mother, Vici, on April 17.
Mum Vici said: “We were stunned because we had only been around other families and couldn’t pinpoint where Alba had caught it.
Read more on Cryptosporidium
“It’s not like a 48-hour bug, it can potentially go on for up to a month.”
She added: “She can’t even go to school, spend time with her friends or enjoy the weather.”
Gareth Carpenter, a dad whose son, Michael is suspected to have contracted the parasite at the farm said he had never seen his son as ill as he got after the infection.
“He’s had chicken pox, he’s had flu, he has had viruses, he had many, many, many things as you can imagine as kids do when they mix in with other children, but I’ve never, ever seen him that ill before,” he told WalesOnline.
“We had to put him back in nappies, just literally leaking. He was just leaking from them. It was horrendous, stomach pains and cramps,” he added.
The farm has since closed its doors to the public voluntarily, while health authorities investigate the outbreak.
“Due to the incubation period of the infection, it is expected that this number may continue to increase in the coming week,” a Public Health Wales (PHW) spokesperson warned.
The update on confirmed cases comes after a multi-agency outbreak control team held its third meeting on Thursday, 8 May.
Su Mably, consultant in health protection for PHW, said: “Although cryptosporidium infection is usually mild and clears up on its own, it can cause more serious illness in young children and people with weakened immune systems.”
The main symptoms of cryptosporidium infection according to the NHS include:
Symptoms usually start two to 10 days after infection and can last for around two weeks once they appear
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Alba (centre) with her mother and fatherCredit: WNS
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Sometimes the illness may seem to improve as symptoms ease, but they can return before full recovery.
Su added: “If you visited the farm and feel unwell, please contact your GP or call NHS 111.
“It is possible for this infection to be passed on from one person to another.”
Due to the bug’s highly infectious nature people with symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting are told to stay off work or school until they have been free from these symptoms for at least 48 hours.
Touching infected poo and then putting your unwashed hands near your mouth is a common way of catching cryptosporidios.
This is because the bug lives in the intestines of infected humans and animals and is passed out in their poo.
“It is important to protect yourself by washing your hands well, particularly before preparing food,” Su added.
How can I protect myself against cryptosporidiosis?
The cryptosporidium parasite can be found in the intestines and faeces of infected humans and animals, according to UK Health Security Agency.
It may contaminate lakes, streams and rivers, swimming pools, untreated or poorly treated water and food – like raw milk and fresh produce – as well as objects such as farm gates and outdoor boots and clothing.
“Outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have been linked to drinking or swimming in contaminated water and contact with infected lambs and calves during visits to open farms,” UKHSA said.
You can get cryptosporidiosis from another person or animal by touching faeces, for example when changing a nappy or petting a lamb and putting your hands near or in your mouth without washing them thoroughly.
You can also get the bug from swimming in or drinking contaminated water.
Occasionally, you can be infected by eating contaminated food, including unwashed or unpeeled vegetables or salads or drinking contaminated raw milk.
Children aged one to five are those most commonly infected with the bug and people with weak immune systems are likely to be more seriously affected.
Sufferers will usually be struck down with mild to severe watery diarrhoea.
Just last month health chiefs issued a warning to families planning to visit farms this spring, as a rise in temperatures could also see an increase in “harmful” pathogens.
Petting zoos in particular can expose visitors to gastrointestinal infections, they said.
Last year the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued a warning about the risk of cryptosporidium infection from farm visits.
The outbreak was believed to be linked to water contaminated with infected faeces making its way into the drinking supply.
Whole streets in the town were infected, with victims forced to endure days of diarrhoea and agonising stomach cramps, with one sufferer even comparing them to ‘childbirth’.
AN ALLERGY threat for a popular beef lasagne has led to customers being urged to bin the product.
Health chiefs issued an urgent recall last night after the La Famiglia Rana Slow-Cooked Braised Beef Lasagne was discovered to contain lobster.
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Shoppers with crustacean allergies have been told to bin the above productCredit: Rana
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nullCredit: Getty
They cited a ‘packaging error’ as the cause of the issue which could impact shoppers with an allergy to crustaceans.
The Food Standards Agency warned that “some packs may contain Prawn & Lobster Lasagne, that contains crustaceans, (prawn and lobster) which are not mentioned on the label.”
Shoppers should look out for the batch code L0B510816 and a use by date of 17 June 2025 for the 700g pack of the product.
The alert said that Giovanna Rana Ltd is “recalling the above product from customers.”
They added: “If you have bought the above product and have an allergy to crustaceans, do not eat it.
“Instead return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund, even without a receipt.”
IT may feel too early to talk about hay fever, but it is actually the perfect time.
To avoid getting floored by symptoms as soon as the pollen count ticks up, prepare now.
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Dr Zoe Williams helps Sun readers with their health concernsCredit: Olivia West
Around 49 per cent of people suffer symptoms, according to Allergy UK, and the majority of those are allergic to grass pollen.
The grass pollen season starts from mid-May, with a first peak in early June, the Met Office says.
Some people may have already had hay fever due to tree pollen, which is typically around from late March to mid-May.
It’s recommended to start taking antihistamines early, because they can take up to a month to reach full effectiveness.
There are two main types, and a pharmacist can help you choose the best for you: Drowsy, which may be suitable for night-time sufferers, and non-drowsy, better for daytime use.
Check for own-brand antihistamines too, as these are cheaper than branded versions but work out just the same.
Meanwhile, here’s some of what readers asked me this week . . .
I HAVE A WEE PROBLEM
Q: I AM a 48-year-old male and I am seeking advice regarding ongoing bladder issues.
Since my twenties, I have struggled with continence problems.
In my clubbing days, I would often find myself spending more time in the toilets than on the dancefloor, needing to urinate frequently after just a few drinks.
Although it was embarrassing back then, it has become more concerning as I’ve grown older.
Over the last few years, I have noticed that I am waking up two–four times a night to urinate.
On some occasions, I have even woken up to find I have wet myself, which is quite distressing.
I don’t drink a large amount of fluids overall – I rarely feel thirsty – although I do tend to drink cola during the day.
I also often feel very tired, which may be related to the frequent night-time awakenings.
I would like to increase my water intake to improve my overall health, but I am worried that it would make the frequent urination even worse.
Additionally, when attending events like the theatre, I have to be careful to use the toilet beforehand, as I often feel a sudden need to urinate once I stand up.
I am not currently taking any medications.
I would appreciate any advice, investigations or treatments that might help improve my symptoms.
A: Have you ever been to a doctor to have this investigated and treated?
Firstly it would be important to assess the reasons why you have this issue, including blood tests and likely an ultrasound scan to check the health of the kidneys and look for any obstructions in the urinary tract.
An overactive bladder, weak pelvic floor and an enlarged prostate gland are just some of the other potential causes of your symptoms.
Once some answers have been found, then it is likely that there would be some way of improving your symptoms.
In the meantime drinking cola could be exacerbating the problem for you, as both caffeinated and fizzy drinks can irritate the bladder, so switching out cola for water would be a great first step.
Starting to do pelvic floor exercises three times a day can improve bladder weakness in a matter of weeks.
Check out the Squeezy app for men, which can guide you with this.
I’M HAVING PROBLEMS RELATED TO GRAVES’ DISEASE
Q: I WAS diagnosed with Graves’ disease about 17 years ago. I’m female and I’ve had quite a few problems related to this.
I’ve had anaemia since I was a child. I’m now 65, and currently get vitamin B injections every three months.
Six years ago I had a right parathyroid removed, and recently I had a review and I’ve been told all’s well and the results of my blood test were fine.
But over the last two years I have put on a lot of weight. I’m just under 15st at 5ft 5.
I am experiencing brain fog too. I avoid people because I can’t stay focused. My thinking is all over the place.
I am thinking about weight-loss injections but I don’t know if they would be suitable for me with this condition.
I take 100mg of levothyroxine daily. I would appreciate any advice you can give me.
A: It sounds like you’ve been through a lot over the past couple of years. These symptoms can understandably feel overwhelming, particularly when they begin to affect your confidence and daily life.
Both brain fog and weight gain can be a symptom of insufficient thyroid hormone, and sometimes people can benefit from taking a slightly higher dose, even if blood tests do show normal levels.
So this may be something to explore with your GP or ask your GP to consult your endocrinologist for guidance. It is important to rule out other potential contributors to your symptoms, which may include your Graves’ disease, anaemia, or other autoimmune conditions, menopause or stress.
Weight loss injections, such as Mounjaro, have no known interactions with thyroid medications like levothyroxine.
However, hypothyroidism can affect your metabolism and make weight loss more challenging and the injections may alter absorption of the levothyroxine. So it would be important for your thyroid levels to be closely monitored and for your GP to be aware you’re taking the injections.
Even with these jabs, sustainable results are best achieved when combined with a healthy, balanced diet and regular physical activity. So please explore lifestyle changes to support both your physical and mental health even if you do consider the weight loss injection route.
PULSE TINGLING IS A REAL WORRY
Q: I AM a male currently experiencing weird symptoms which have been worrying me. I get pulse-like sensations running through my body, from my legs right up through my head.
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Dr Zoe helps a reader who is getting pulse-like sensations running through their bodyCredit: Getty
To visualise it, it would look like a sonic pulse through water. I’m baffled, as I feel a bit uneasy on my feet when it happens.
I’m currently prescribed Sertraline (100mg) for depression and anxiety.
I’m 52 and in decent physical shape, 12st 7lb and 5ft 10in. Thank you.
A: While your symptom does sound quite unusual I have heard this description before.
These strange sensations of surges, which sometimes people also describe as “like electricity”, can be a symptom of anxiety, certain neurological conditions or medication side effects – especially as a withdrawal symptom when SSRI antidepressants (such as Sertraline) are stopped or doses are missed.
Anxiety and chronic stress can also cause these types of symptoms.
Stress chemicals like adrenalin and cortisol can affect the nervous system and create unusual sensory experiences.
Most people find that these symptoms resolve when walking.
Hormonal changes can also affect the nervous system.
For any female readers with the same problem, I have heard patients describe these symptoms when going through the menopause transition.
If none of this rings true for you – and especially if the symptoms seem to be progressing – it is worth considering whether an underlying neurological condition could be the cause, and seeing your GP.
If you think that this may be the cause in your case it is worth exploring some techniques to calm the nervous system, such as box-breathing, meditation, gentle yoga or simply going for a walk.
Feeling unsteady on your feet may also indicate an inner ear problem or something affecting your balance system.
SHINGLES VACCINE ‘CAN LOWER THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE’
THE shingles vaccine lowers the risk of a heart attack or stroke for up to eight years, new research shows.
People given a jab to protect against the painful rash illness have a 23 per cent lower risk of potentially deadly cardiovascular events.
The findings, involving more than 1.2 million people, were published in the European Heart Journal.
The protective effect was particularly pronounced for men, people under the age of 60 and those with unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol and lack of exercise.
Study leader Professor Dong Keon Yon, of Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, South Korea, said: “Shingles causes a painful rash and can lead to serious complications, especially in older adults and those with weak immune systems.
“Previous research shows that, without vaccination, about 30 per cent of people may develop shingles in their lifetime. In addition to the rash, shingles has been linked to a higher risk of heart problems.”
The data from adults aged 50 or older living in South Korea showed that those who got the jab had a 26 per cent lower risk of “major” cardiovascular events – a stroke, heart attack or death from heart disease – a 26 per cent lower risk of heart failure and a 22 per cent lower risk of coronary heart disease.
The protective effect was strongest two to three years after the vaccine was given, but researchers found that protection lasted for up to eight years.
Professor Yon said: “There are several reasons why the shingles vaccine may help reduce heart disease.
“A shingles infection can cause blood vessel damage, inflammation and clot formation that can lead to heart disease. By preventing shingles, vaccination may lower these risks. However, as this study is based on an Asian cohort, the results may not apply to all populations.
“This is one of the largest and most comprehensive studies following a healthy general population over a period of up to 12 years.”
The vaccine was a live zoster vaccine, meaning it contained a weakened form of the varicella zoster virus that causes shingles.
The research team plans to study the non-live type of vaccine that is offered in many countries, including the UK.
The Shingrix vaccine is offered free on the NHS to everyone in their 70s, as well as some over-65s following an expansion in 2023. But uptake is low, with fewer than half of eligible people in the UK taking up the offer.
A MUM fears her “fit and healthy” will never make a full recovery after she found him unconscious at home.
Philip Masey, a 31-year-old mortgage adviser, was living in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, with his girlfriend of three years when he collapsed without warning while home alone in February.
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Philip Masey, 31, collapsed suddenly when he was home alone in FebruaryCredit: PA
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Scans revealed he’s suffered a massive brain bleed out of the blueCredit: PA
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Philip spent six days in a coma after a large portion of his skull was removedCredit: PA
Unable to get hold of him for several hours and becoming concerned, his mum, Charlotte Mannouris, 57, drove to his home where she found him unconscious on the floor.
She immediately phoned an ambulance and he was blue-lighted to hospital.
When he came around six days later, Philip was “confused”, unable to eat solid food, string a sentence together or move his right side.
In recent weeks he has made some progress with speaking and walking, but Charlotte said there is only a “slim chance” he will make a full recovery.
She said: “Philip would say live life to the full because you just don’t know how your life is going to change overnight.
“He wasn’t someone who abused his body, he was a very healthy, fit man and he’s too young to lose the best years of his life.
“This could have happened to anybody, it was so sudden, so random and completely spontaneous – there was no preparation for it and no warning signs to look out for.”
On February 7 this year, Philip – an avid golfer – was alone at home after his girlfriend went away.
NHS launches major new stroke campaign as thousands delay calling 999 by nearly 90 minutes
Charlotte said she received a call from one of Philip’s friends to say he was struggling to get hold of him.
“With his job, he’s often on the phone for a long time at once, so if I ring him and he doesn’t answer, he’ll usually call me back an hour or two later,” she said.
“I called him but this time, he wasn’t ringing back.”
After leaving numerous calls and messages, Charlotte drove the one-hour and 30-minute distance to his house, where she found him unconscious on the floor.
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Philip was ‘fit and healthy’ and an avid golferCredit: PA
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He woke up from his coma unable to move his right side or speak properlyCredit: PA
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Chances that he’ll make a full recovery are ‘slim’Credit: PA
She immediately phoned for an ambulance and Philip was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where scans revealed a “big bleed” on his brain.
“They had to operate quickly, otherwise he wouldn’t survive the night,” the mum said.
Philip was rushed for emergency surgery, where a large portion of the left side of his skull was removed to reduce the swelling on his brain.
“I don’t think I blinked for 24 hours,” Charlotte said.
“I couldn’t believe what was happening, it was surreal.
“It was just a spontaneous thing that could have been just that one weakness in a vein in his head.”
Philip then spent six days in a medically induced coma and on a ventilator, which was a “worrying” time for his loved ones.
“Because we didn’t know how long he’d spent lying on the floor, we didn’t know what the prognosis would be,” Charlotte said.
“I was prepared for him to lose the use of his right arm and right leg, because the injury was on the left side of his brain.
“They warned me he may never speak and he would never work again.”
Small wins
Thankfully, Philip has made positive steps in his recovery.
After waking up from the coma on February 14, Charlotte said he was “confused” and “in and out of sleep” but after a while, he started to recognise one or two people coming to visit him.
He was first fed through a tube before being weened onto soft food and now, he can eat as normal.
For his speech, movement and cognition, however, there is still a long way to go.
“He can say quite a lot of standard phrases like ‘yes please’ and ‘no, thank you’, but anything else comes out mixed up and indecipherable and I have to try and guess what he means,” Charlotte said.
“He wouldn’t be able to remember enough to do his job but he knows what he wants to do, like going back to bed and putting the TV on.
“He’s taking a couple of steps now, he’s in a wheelchair but he can stand up with help.”
At present, Charlotte said there is a “slim chance” he will make a full recovery.
“They’ve said he’ll walk, but whether he is fit and running like he used to, I don’t know,” she said.
“There’s a slight chance, a slim chance he could make a full recovery.”
What is a brain bleed?
A brain bleed is a type of stroke.
It causes blood to pool between your brain and skull, causing pressure to build up and preventing oxygen from reaching your brain.
It’s life-threatening and requires quick treatment for the best outcome.
Brain bleeds are common after falls or traumatic injuries. They’re also common in people with unmanaged high blood pressure.
Symptoms of a brain bleed vary based on the type, but could include:
Sudden tingling, weakness, numbness or paralysis of your face, arm or leg, particularly on one side of your body
On March 21, Philip was relocated to Evesham Community Hospital to rehabilitate, where he spent four weeks undergoing physiotherapy and speech therapy.
Since April 18, he has been able to return home to continue his recovery under the full-time care of his mum and family.
Charlotte has launched a GoFundMe page to help her make adaptions to the house, such as putting in a wet room, and to pay for additional physiotherapy and speech therapy sessions, raising more than £13,000.
“The NHS care has been very good but we need to top it up with private help,” she said.
“It needs to be quite intense to give him the best chance to recover and he will probably need it for a couple of years.”
To find out more, visit the fundraiser for Philip here.
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Philip’s family have launched a GoFundMe to help pay for his careCredit: PA
