Health

A representational image of a hospital ward. — AFP/File KARACHI: Chronic illnesses affect nearly half of all households in the country, The News reported citing an opinion poll conducted by Gallup Pakistan. Published on June 2, the survey drew responses from a nationally representative sample of adult men and women across Pakistan. Respondents were asked whether anyone in their household …

Family photo Matthew’s father, pictured as a baby in the late 1940s Matthew’s dad had brown eyes and black hair. His grandparents had piercing blue eyes. There was a running joke in his family that “dad looked nothing like his parents”, the teacher from southern England says. It turned out there was a very good reason for this. Matthew’s father …

When Amanda and Nick learnt their son had a life-limiting condition, they had no-one in the same situation to turn to. Jack is only 11 months old but is one of only 16 children in the world with a genetic condition that is so rare it doesn’t have a name. “We are going to outlive our child, and knowing that …

Dominic Hughes Health Correspondent Getty Images Health experts warn that measles spreads very easily and can lead to some children suffering life-long consequences Families travelling abroad this summer on holiday or to visit relatives are being warned about the rise in measles cases in Europe and other regions. Measles infections in Europe are at a 25-year high, while cases are …

Opposition to a bill which would legalise assisted dying in England and Wales is growing among MPs, the BBC has found. The Assisted Dying Bill was supported by 330 MPs last year, passing its first major vote in the House of Commons with a majority of 55 MPs from a wide range of political parties. But at least a dozen …

MaryLou Costa Technology Reporter Kerry Clayton Working around food allergies is time consuming for Kerry Clayton For gluten-free, citrus-free and tomato-free Kerry Clayton, shopping and cooking is a challenge. As well as her own food requirements, her 10-year-old son is dairy and wheat-free. The family shops at multiple stores each week to get the best free-from options, cooks adaptable meals …

Getty Images Prime Minister Winston Churchill expressed frustration over slow progress securing antibiotic penicillin Winston Churchill’s push to obtain penicillin in time to treat casualties expected from D-Day has come to light in documents seen by BBC News. Official papers unearthed by the National Archives reveal the prime minister’s frustration and concern over slow progress securing supplies of what was …

A lab technician inspects filled vials of drug. — Reuters/File MADRID: Massive shipments of previously unknown recreational designer drugs and potent new opioids are threatening Europe, while traffic of cocaine and cannabis is worsening, according to the European Union Drugs Agency’s annual report published on Thursday. Seizures of synthetic cathinones – stimulants chemically akin to the active ingredient in khat, …

A woman who purchased weight-loss jab Mounjaro online says she is now considering coming off the drug, as she believe it is causing her to lose hair. Rebecca Quarmby lost two stone (12.7kg) on a Slimming World programme, but decided to opt for the jab to lose further weight. She told the BBC’s Natalie Bell that she doesn’t believe her …

Ken Banks and Ben Philip BBC Scotland, Aberdeen Chronic pain breakthrough makes me feel like I’m not crazy Marlene Lowe has lived with chronic pain for more than a decade but believes a “ground-breaking discovery” by researchers may offer her and millions of fellow sufferers new hope. Marlene, 35, is among the estimated one-in-five people in Scotland living with chronic …