Singer Jesy Nelson recently shared an emotional update regarding the complications she is experiencing in her pregnancy with twin babies. Former Little Mix singer Jesy, who is having twins with partner Zion Foster, announced that she has been diagnosed with pre-twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (pre-TTTS). The condition, which is present in pregnancies involving twins with a shared placenta, has serious risks involved and needs intense medical supervision. As Nelson embarks on this difficult journey, her story enlightens us about a rare but dangerous condition many expectant parents may not know much about.

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome is a rare but dangerous condition that arises in monochorionic twin pregnancies, in which identical twins share a single placenta. The placenta supplies the developing babies with oxygen, nutrients, and blood flow, but in TTTS, there is an imbalance of blood vessels that interconnect the twins, and thus the vital resources are not evenly distributed. One twin, or the donor twin, shares excess blood with the other, referred to as the recipient twin. This leads to one baby becoming malnourished and possibly anemic, and the other in danger of heart problems due to too much blood.

Nelson described her diagnosis in a heartfelt Instagram video, explaining that she is currently in the pre-stage of TTTS and undergoing frequent monitoring. "I am being scanned twice a week, and each time, things have gotten a little worse," she shared, expressing her fears and hopes for the health of her babies.

Potential Risks of TTTS

If left untreated, TTTS can have devastating consequences. Medical research indicates that:

• 90% of the cases of untreated TTTS lead to loss of one or both twins.
• Despite treatment, only a 70% survival rate for both twins is assured.
• Severe forms can result in preterm labor, cardiac failure in the recipient twin, and organ failure in the donor twin.
• Complications in long-term survivors include neurological damage and developmental delay in surviving infants.

TTTS usually advances in stages, beginning with minimal changes in fluid levels and worsening as one twin continues to get an unequal share of blood. In extreme cases, fetal laser surgery, referred to as the Solomon technique, can be employed to divide the blood vessels and balance the twins.

Why Identical Twin Pregnancies Are More Complicated

Identical twins may develop differently, and their own unique form of placental sharing can have a dramatic effect on pregnancy risk. Jesy Nelson's twins are considered monochorionic diamniotic (mono/di), which means they share a placenta but have two amniotic sacs. This is the type of pregnancy in about 70% of identical twin pregnancies and carries an increased risk of complications like TTTS, umbilical cord entanglement, and growth restriction.

Conversely, dichorionic diamniotic (di/di) twins both have a separate placenta and amniotic sac, which greatly diminishes the threat of TTTS. Twin pregnancy type is normally identified by early ultrasound, with physicians being able to track future complications from inception.

Other Twin Pregnancy Health Risks

Twin pregnancies, even without the presence of TTTS, entail a variety of health risks to the mother as well as infants:

1. Premature Birth

Over 60% of twin pregnancies end in premature delivery, with birth usually taking place before 37 weeks. Premature infants can have immature organs and need neonatal intensive care (NICU) assistance to assist with breathing, feeding, and infection fighting.

2. Gestational Hypertension and Preeclampsia

Pregnant women with multiples are at increased risk of having high blood pressure during pregnancy. This, if left untreated, can result in preeclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy that can result in damage to organs, preterm labor, and in some cases, maternal or fetal death.

3. Anemia

Pregnant women carrying multiples are twice as likely to experience anemia, a condition where the body does not produce enough healthy red blood cells. This can lead to fatigue, dizziness, and complications during delivery.

4. Birth Defects

According to John Hopkins Medicine, multiple birth babies are twice as likely to have congenital abnormalities compared to single births. These can include heart defects, neural tube defects, and gastrointestinal issues.

5. Amniotic Fluid Imbalances

When twins have to share a placenta, they are more likely to have polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) or oligohydramnios (not enough amniotic fluid). Both result in distress to the babies during fetal development and can result in premature labor.

6. Postpartum Hemorrhage

Twins are at increased risk of excessive postpartum hemorrhage because their uterus is larger and there are greater blood supply needs.

Jesy Nelson's openness about her challenging experience is raising awareness for TTTS, a condition that few individuals—let alone expectant mothers and fathers—might be aware of. Through her tearful video, Nelson stressed the significance of knowing about twin pregnancies aside from the thrill of having multiples. "We had no idea that this type of thing occurs when you're having twins. We just desperately want to make people aware of this because there are so many people who aren't aware."

Her case reminds us of the intricacies involved in twin pregnancy and the significance of early identification and medical management. For mothers carrying twins, frequent ultrasounds and vigilance can become a life-and-death issue for early detection and better outcomes of both babies.

Through constant medical attention and care, she and her partner Zion Foster remain positive and get ready for their babies to be born. In other parents whose situations are no different, the story of Nelson highlights awareness, medical progress, and emotional encouragement in handling complicated pregnancies.

The expecting parents of twin siblings are advised to discuss TTTS screening and possible interventions with their physicians to give their babies the best chance.

Reducing sugar intake during pregnancy and the first two years of a child’s life could have life-changing benefits for brain health, particularly in lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

According to a new study, limiting sugar intake could reduce the risk Alzheimer’s by more than 45% in the future.

The research, published in npj Aging, found that people exposed to lower sugar intake during the first 1,000 days of life, from conception until age two, had a 46% lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, a 27% lower risk of dementia, an 11% lower risk of depression, and a 20% lower risk of anxiety in later life.

Researchers analysed health and brain imaging data from more than 60,000 participants in the UK Biobank.

They used Britain’s World War II sugar rationing period as a natural experiment, comparing people born when sugar availability was restricted with those born after rationing ended.

Why The First 1,000 Days Matter?

Scientists say that early life is a critical phase for the brain, metabolism, and immune system. Nutrition during this period can shape long-term health, influencing disease risk of neurodegenerative disease decades later.

“Our findings suggest that limiting sugar intake during the first 1,000 days of life may have long-lasting benefits for brain health,” the researchers noted, adding that the effects appear to persist well into older adulthood.

Dr. Bing Zhang, a geriatric medicine researcher involved in the study, said the results support the idea that nutrition in early life can shape lifelong brain health through metabolic programming during critical stages of development.

The study also found key structural differences in the brain. MRI scans showed that participants who had lower sugar exposure early in life had brains that appeared approximately 0.4 years younger biologically.

Their brains showed greater grey matter volume and fewer signs of white matter damage that is often linked to healthier cognitive ageing.

Also read: Can Your Child’s Diet Shape Future Diabetes Risk? Study Links Ultra-Processed Foods To Early Insulin Responses

Does Sugar Cause Dementia?

The researchers found an association, not proof that sugar directly causes Alzheimer’s or dementia. Since the study is observational, other factors like overall diet, access to healthcare facilities and services, and lifestyle may also have contributed to the findings.

Dr. Sara Rodrigues of Alzheimer’s Research UK, who was not involved in the research, cautioned that while the results are compelling, they do not establish cause and effect. However, they add to the growing evidence that healthy eating throughout life plays an important role in maintaining brain health.

Ultra-Processed Foods Linked To Early Insulin Response

This comes after a recent study suggested that children who who consume higher amounts of ultra-processed foods may already be showing subtle changes in the way their bodies regulate insulin, potentially increasing the risk for type 2 diabetes in the future.

According to a new study published in the journal Nutrients, children who have higher amounts of in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) had reduced insulin sensitivity and higher insulin secretion, even though they did not have diabetes.

Researchers from Texas A&M University–San Antonio, University of Texas Health San Antonio, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and Wake Forest University School of Medicine discovered that the metabolic changes linked to diabetes may begin much earlier in life than previously thought.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) Ebola outbreak has become the second-largest Ebola epidemic ever recorded, overtaking the country’s devastating 2018-2020 outbreak.

The current epidemic has also underscored the growing global concern over the rapid spread of the deadly disease.

Second-Largest Ebola Outbreak In DR Congo

According to the latest official figures released by the DRC health authorities and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the country has reported 3,442 confirmed Ebola cases and 1,521 deaths as of July 29, 2026.

However, more recent updates indicate the outbreak has continued to worsen rapidly, with 3,532 confirmed cases and 1,556 deaths reported by July 31, 2026.

The only Ebola outbreak larger than the current epidemic remains the 2014-2016 West Africa outbreak, which infected more than 28,000 people and resulted in the deaths of over 11,300 lives.

Also read: Milestone In Kala-Azar Treatment: WHO Updates Treatment Guidelines, Recommends Shorter & Safer Regimens

Ebola Outbreak Caused By Rare Bundibugyo Virus

Unlike many previous Ebola outbreaks caused by the Zaire ebolavirus, the ongoing epidemic is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rarer species of Ebola virus for which there is currently no approved vaccine or licensed treatment.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said the outbreak remains active with heightened community transmission, particularly in eastern DRC, where insecurity, mistrust, population displacement and limited healthcare access continue to hamper outbreak containment efforts.

WHO Warns

In its latest Disease Outbreak News update, WHO said, “The outbreak remains active, with sustained transmission.”

The UN health agency noted that inside conflict, population displacement, community mistrust and restricted access to affected areas continue to affect contact tracing, surveillance, and containment and treatment activities.

WHO has also stressed that although the global risk remains low, the regional risk is high because of frequent cross-border movement between the DRC and neighbouring countries.

A major challenge in controlling the epidemic is the absence of a licensed vaccine or targeted therapy against the Bundibugyo virus.

According to WHO, while the Ebola vaccine used against the Zaire strain has shown limited experimental cross-protection in animal studies, there is currently inadequate evidence to recommend its use against Bundibugyo virus disease.

Also read: Uganda Declared Ebola-Free As Congo Outbreak Grows To 3,262 Cases, 1,437 Deaths

First Volunteer Receives Experimental Bundibugyo Vaccine

Amid the worsening outbreak, researchers have reached an important milestone in Ebola vaccine development.

The first volunteer has received an experimental vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, marking the world's first Phase I clinical trial for this virus, according to the University of Oxford.

The vaccine, ChAdOx1 BDBV, developed in collaboration with Serum Institute of India (SII), is designed specifically to protect against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.

It uses the same viral vector platform that powered the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

The vaccine uses a genetically modified chimpanzee adenovirus (ChAdOx1)—a harmless virus that normally causes the common cold in chimpanzees—as a delivery vehicle.

"We welcome the start of the phase 1 clinical trial of an investigational vaccine against Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease—an important step to assess the safety and immune responses generated by the vaccine," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on X.

Health authorities, supported by WHO, Africa CDC and international partners, continue to strengthen surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention, community engagement and patient care.

The growing popularity of GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro has brought another side effect into focus.

After the widely discussed 'Ozempic Face,' dermatologists are now warning about 'Ozempic Hair,' a term used to describe excessive hair shedding that can occur after rapid and weight loss.

Experts say the condition is not caused by the medication directly damaging hair follicles. Instead, it is largely linked to rapid weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, and the body's metabolic response to sudden calorie restriction.

Why Are GLP-1 Users Facing Excessive Hair Loss?

According to Dr. Gaurav Garg, Senior Dermatologist, Hair Transplant Surgeon, Dermato-Surgeon and Medical Director at Dermalife Skin and Hair Clinic, New Delhi, cases have become increasingly common in dermatology clinics.

"We are seeing a significant rise in patients complaining of excessive hair shedding after taking GLP-1 weight loss medications. Around 40% of the weight loss drug users visiting our clinics are experiencing mild to significant hair loss, with many noticing hair falling out in large clumps while washing or combing. In most cases, the medication itself is not directly damaging the hair. The problem is rapid weight loss, nutritional deficiencies and the metabolic shock experienced by the body," Dr. Garg said.

He added that the increasing use of these medications without proper medical supervision is further contributing to the problem.

"Ozempic isn't the enemy of your hair; malnutrition and metabolic shock are. By ensuring gradual weight loss and proper nutritional support under expert guidance, many of these problems can be prevented," he said.

Also read: UK Woman Spends £4,000 On Wegovy, Mounjaro, But Loses Less Than 14 Pounds In 15 Months

What Is 'Ozempic Hair'?

'Ozempic Hair' is not a medical diagnosis but a popular term for telogen effluvium, a temporary phase of hair loss due to stress. Rapid weight loss acts as a physical stressor, causing a larger number of hair follicles to enter the resting phase prematurely.

Hair shedding usually becomes noticeable three to four months after a user starts taking GLP-1 drugs. Reduced appetite during treatment may also result in deficiencies of all the nutrients that are important for hair growth. For example, protein, iron, zinc and biotin.

Also read: GLP-1 Microdosing: People Are Experimenting With Weight Loss Drugs & What Do Experts Have To Say About It?

Experts Warn Against Self-Medication

Dr. Garg cautioned that weight loss injections are increasingly being used for cosmetic purposes rather than for legitimate medical conditions.

"One of the biggest concerns today is that these weight loss injections are increasingly being viewed as quick-fix cosmetic solutions rather than prescription medicines meant for specific medical conditions. Many people begin taking them after watching social media content or on the advice of friends, without understanding the nutritional consequences. Hair shedding in most cases is temporary, but prevention is always better than treatment. These medications should never be used casually or without expert supervision," he said.

He stressed that people undergoing medical weight loss should receive appropriate dietary counselling, consume adequate protein, and undergo regular monitoring to reduce nutritional complications.

Echoing these concerns, Dr. Ramanjeet Singh, Director, Department of Dermatology, Medanta Hospital, said the trend reflects the risks of unsupervised use of GLP-1 medications.

"The emerging trend of 'Ozempic Hair' highlights the risks associated not only with rapid weight loss but also with the indiscriminate use of these medications without proper medical evaluation. We are increasingly seeing individuals obtaining weight loss drugs without specialist consultation or using them beyond recommended doses in pursuit of faster results. Hair shedding in such cases usually represents telogen effluvium triggered by rapid metabolic changes and nutritional deficiencies rather than permanent damage to the hair follicles," Dr. Singh said.

He added that the condition is generally reversible with timely intervention, balanced nutrition and medically supervised weight management.

Dermatologists advise people considering prescription weight loss medications to undergo a medical evaluation before starting treatment.

Maintaining adequate protein intake, avoiding crash diets, correcting iron and vitamin deficiencies where necessary, and seeking early dermatological care if excessive hair shedding develops may help reduce the severity and duration of hair loss.