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When the sun is out after a long winter, every one loves it. But not the people of Canary Islands. Tourists there are being warned about the "unusually high risk" of UV rays this week. The Ministry of Health for this holiday destination has urged both, residents and visitors to take extra precautions and preventative measures to limit the impact of sun exposure over their body and skin.
The Ministry observed Aemet, Spain's national weather agency for the forecast which showed higher than normal UV or ultraviolet radiation levels in the region. It is in this backdrop that everyone in the region are requested to be extra careful when they are out in the sun. UV levels are set to reach 7, which is a 'high risk' in La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera and Gran Canaria. Other regions like Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are expected to reach a level 6, which is also classed as 'high risk'.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), a UV index is a measure of the level of UV radiation, which ranges from zero upward. The higher the UVI, the greater potential for damage to skin and eye and the less time it takes for harm to occur, notes WHO.
The range 1 to 2 represents a low risk, 2 to 5 is moderate, 6 to 7 is at high risk, 8 to 10 is at very high and anything over 11 is extremely risky for anyone to stay out.
UV radiation levels fluctuate throughout the day, with the highest values occurring during the four-hour period around solar noon. The reported UV Index (UVI) typically reflects this daily peak. Depending on geographic location and the use of daylight saving time, solar noon falls between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. In some countries, sun protection advisories are issued when UV levels are expected to reach 3 or higher, as exposure at these levels increases the risk of skin damage, making protective measures essential.
While sun bathing is good, being out in the sun when the UVI indicates a high or very high risk, may cause you health concerns. It can lead to sunburn, premature skin aging, incresed risk of skin cancer, eye damage and in severe cases, heat related disease.
It is one of the most common skin injury which happens when there is excess exposure to UV radiation from the sun. This happens when the UV radiation directly damages the DNA skin cells. These damaged cells die and shed, this is why people experience peeling after getting a sunburn.
This is also a common occurrence when your body loses too many fluids or electrolytes. It can also interfere with your normal body functions. You may feel dehydrated, especially when you are out in the sun, but not well hydrated. The most common symptoms are dizziness, fatigue and headache on hot days.
This is an electrolyte disorder in which your body experiences low sodium in blood. The symptoms could lead to nausea, confusion and even weakness. There are extreme cases when one may have seizures, slip into coma or die.
This is one of the most common consequence of being out under the hot sun. Dehydration with prolonged heat exposure can lead to heat exhaustion.
When you are out under the sun and your body's core temperature cross 104°, heatstroke may occur. This is also known as sunstroke. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it causes more than 600 deaths each year in the United States.
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) — a progressive condition in which the kidneys become permanently damaged and lose their ability to filter blood effectively — affects an estimated 788 million to 844 million adults worldwide, according to new research published by The Lancet journal today.
The three-part research series, led by global teams from India, the UK, China, Austria, and other countries, projects CKD to become the fifth leading cause of death globally by 2040.
Experts identified limited access to testing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, the absence of symptoms in the early stages of the disease, and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases as key factors driving the rise in CKD cases worldwide. They also called for sustained investment in diagnosis, treatment, and healthcare infrastructure to address the growing challenge.
The researchers stressed that significant underdiagnosis of chronic kidney disease is a key factor endangering millions of patients worldwide.
Another concern is that mild and moderate stages of the disease often go undetected. Symptoms may develop only in the most severe stages, close to the time when dialysis or a kidney transplant may be required. Without successful treatment, the condition can be fatal.
The lack of symptoms likely contributes to low rates of diagnosis and awareness, said the experts in the research.
"Chronic kidney disease remains one of the most concerning conditions currently impacting global health. The overriding message from our series of research papers is that there remains a pressing need for attention and resources to be focused on this condition," said lead author Dr. Jennifer Lees, Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow, UK.
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"There is huge potential to improve early diagnosis, treatment, and healthy lifespan by testing urine for protein routinely across a range of healthcare settings. This may be particularly important in those most at risk of underdiagnosis, including non-white populations and women," she added.
The three research papers, presented at the ongoing European Renal Association Congress in Glasgow, Scotland, highlight that diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and cardiovascular disease are among the major drivers of CKD, with the risk of developing the disease increasing with age.
While CKD can affect anyone, it is more common in people who are Black or of South Asian origin. Compared with those without the condition, people with chronic kidney disease are more likely to be hospitalized, develop complications while in hospital, and be readmitted.
The studies also highlighted differences in diagnosis and treatment between men and women, alongside the need for integrated approaches to CKD prevention and treatment across a range of healthcare settings.
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The experts called for a renewed focus on CKD diagnosis and treatment.
"Chronic kidney disease affects 844 million people worldwide, yet access to even basic kidney testing remains deeply uneven," said Professor Luxia Zhang from Peking University, China.
"Advances in biomarkers, biopsy, and genetic testing now allow us to understand why an individual has kidney disease, not just that they have it. Realizing this benefit for patients everywhere will require sustained investment in diagnostics, laboratory capacity, and workforce," Zhang added.
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In a major relief amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the number of suspected cases has dropped to 116 after hundreds were ruled out following investigation.
Earlier, the number of suspected cases had neared 1,000 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The global health agency said on Tuesday that there had been 48 deaths and six recoveries in Congo, Reuters reported.
In Uganda, there have been nine confirmed cases and one associated death, WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier told reporters in Geneva.
Later, Uganda's Ministry of Health confirmed six additional Ebola cases, bringing the country's total number of confirmed infections to 15.
The ministry said in a statement on X that all six newly confirmed cases were among contacts of previously confirmed patients.
Lindmeier explained that the latest figures were significantly lower because hundreds of suspected cases had been discounted after further investigation.
"They have been cleared out and have either other diseases or have just had a fever and nothing else," he said.
Lindmeier added that the numbers would continue to fluctuate as more people are tested.
A suspected case includes anyone identified through surveillance systems or presenting with symptoms at a health facility. Confirmed cases include only those who test positive for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
Last week, the WHO reported 906 suspected Bundibugyo Ebola cases in Congo, including 223 suspected deaths under investigation.
Subsequently, Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, told the Financial Times that more than 1,100 suspected cases were being investigated.
Testing has posed a major challenge during the outbreak because the commonly used Ebola diagnostic tests initially failed to detect the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is currently no approved vaccine.
Meanwhile, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website also listed 116 suspected cases and noted: "On May 29, the DRC Ministry of Health updated their total suspect case count to remove suspected cases that have been ruled out after investigation and suspected deaths that are pending the results of ongoing investigation."
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The United States' plan to establish an Ebola treatment facility in Kenya has sparked public concern about cross-border infection risks and triggered protests.
The proposed 50-bed isolation centre would be staffed by US medical personnel and is intended to treat US citizens affected by the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Asked about the proposal during a White House briefing, Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said keeping affected Americans closer to the outbreak zone would help speed up treatment.
"You have a golden hour in many of these instances around trauma, but for illnesses, it’s also relatively short, so we are confident, and the State Department’s working on this diligently, that they are going to be able to work out something with Kenya. There has already been a fair amount of communication around this issue," Oz said.
Although Kenya has not recorded any Ebola cases, the proposed quarantine facility has raised fears among residents who believe it could increase the risk of exposure to the virus.
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Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK. The country records around 55,000 new prostate cancer cases and nearly 12,000 deaths every year.
Although the UK recently ruled out universal prostate cancer screening, opting instead for targeted screening of high-risk men, new cases continue to emerge every day. The latest high-profile figures diagnosed with the disease are former Liverpool winger John Barnes and comedian Bobby Davro.
Barnes revealed that he had his prostate removed following a cancer diagnosis and described the condition as a "taboo subject" for men.
"Not many people know and it’s a bit of a taboo subject because we support women with breast cancer and it’s not even an issue," he told Times Radio.
Barnes stressed that "a lot of men don’t want to admit it or want to have it done because it makes them feel less than a man."
He added: "Men have to bite the bullet and swallow their pride and admit if they have problems."
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Meanwhile, 67-year-old Bobby Davro spoke on This Morning about his diagnosis, revealing that he had experienced erectile dysfunction beforehand.
Speaking on the ITV show, Davro said: "I think one in eight men get it. I think a lot of men of color, they get more prostate cancer, so it’s got to be checked.
"So go along and have your PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) checked, have the old prostate examined."
Davro continued: "He [the doctor] said: 'It’s a bit swollen, I think you should go and have a PSA test.' And it was 24, which wasn’t good at all."
"Not really. The only thing I had was erectile dysfunction. It wasn’t nice. I tried taking the blue pills. I realised something wasn’t quite right," he said about symptom before diagnosis.
Many other high-profile figures have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, including former UK Prime Minister David Cameron, BBC radio host Bob Harris, and six-time Olympic gold medalist Chris Hoy.
Despite the high burden of disease, the UK currently has no national prostate cancer screening program because of concerns over the accuracy of PSA tests. However, there has been growing pressure in recent years to introduce routine screening.
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After reviewing the latest evidence, the National Screening Committee (NSC) recommended against broad population-wide screening for prostate cancer.
The committee said the harms of screening outweigh the benefits for most groups. The final guidance states that routine screening should not be offered to:
Instead, the NSC recommends:
Symptoms To Watch For
The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland in men that produces seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells begin growing in the gland.
Common symptoms include:
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