Posted: 22:00, July 9, 2022 | Updated: 23:24, July 9, 2022
Doctors may be able to spot the early signs of bowel disease in a patient’s eyes. People with a specific set of eye complaints are twice as likely to be diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s, say experts at the University of Birmingham. Previous research has shown that sufferers of these conditions are likely to have blurred vision, burning or itchy eyes, and even blindness, due to inflammation of the eye. In the study, researchers looked at the records of nearly 200,000 patients to see if eye problems could be an early predictor of bowel disease. The reason for the link is not known, but genetics are thought to play a role. People with a specific set of eye complaints are twice as likely to be diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s, say experts at the University of Birmingham. An underactive thyroid can increase the risk of dementia. The small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck releases hormones that are responsible for functions including metabolism and temperature regulation. For around 1.4 million Brits, the thyroid is underactive – it doesn’t produce enough hormone and results in a range of health problems including weight gain and, at worst, heart disease. Now, American scientists have discovered that people over 65 with an underactive thyroid are 80 percent more likely to develop dementia than people of the same age without thyroid problems. The study, published in the journal Neurology, also found that people who take medication for the condition are three times more likely to develop dementia than those who don’t. Most people with appendicitis can be treated safely at home with antibiotics, avoiding the need for surgery, according to a study. The condition is a painful swelling of the appendix, a pouch connected to the intestine. To stop it from bursting, it is usually surgically removed urgently. Previous trials had shown that treating patients with intravenous antibiotics in hospital was just as effective. Now researchers have discovered that antibiotics can be taken at home, with little need for hospital care. Most people with appendicitis can be treated safely at home with antibiotics, avoiding the need for surgery, study finds In a study of 726 patients with appendicitis, 46 percent were discharged within 24 hours to be treated with antibiotics at home. A month later they had no more health problems than those who remained in hospital and were less likely to need surgery. One in 100 Britons took part in a Covid drug trial in 2021, new figures reveal. More than 772,000 people in the UK took part in a total of 308 Covid studies last year, the National Institute for Health and Care Research said. The trials included those monitoring the continued effectiveness of coronavirus vaccines and new treatments for seriously ill Covid patients. One of the biggest was the Panorama study into the use of so-called antiviral treatments, given to 25,000 vulnerable Britons who did not respond well to vaccines.
