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.

Globally renowned beauty and haircare brand L’Oréal is in the midst of a new legal battle in the US over allegations that it did not warn consumers possible potential cancer risks linked with its chemical hair-relaxer products.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes filed a consumer fraud lawsuit against L’Oréal USA, its parent company and SoftSheen, accusing the companies of selling chemical hair relaxers without disclosing alleged links to ovarian and uterine cancers. Arizona is the first US state to bring such a lawsuit against L’Oréal over the products.

The lawsuit alleges that the products were primarily marketed to African American women and, in some cases, children.

The state is seeking damages and penalties, including warnings if the brand wants to keep selling the products.

What Is The Concern With Hair Relaxers?

Chemical hair relaxers are highly alkaline products designed to permanently straighten textured hair. They work by breaking and reforming the disulfide bonds in keratin, which gives hair its natural shape.

According to the Arizona lawsuit, some chemical relaxer products contain substances including phthalates, parabens, and other chemicals classified as probable carcinogens.

The complaint states that repeated use can increase exposure as these products are applied directly onto the scalp.

However, the presence of a potentially hazardous chemical does not establish that using a particular product will cause cancer. Cancer risk depends on factors including the substance, dose, duration, and route of exposure.

Also read: Prostate Cancer: What's Fact, What's Fiction

Earlier Study Flags Same Concerns

The legal action follows years of scientific research that examined links between chemical hair relaxers and cancers related to hormones.

A 2022 study from the US National Institutes of Health found that women who reported frequent use of chemical hair-straightening products had more than twice the risk of developing uterine cancer compared with women who did not use them frequently.

The researchers, however, found an association, not proof that hair relaxers directly caused these cancers.

Other research has also investigated possible links with ovarian and breast cancers, adding to concerns about repeated exposure to chemicals may cause serious health conditions.

Also read: Beyond Vaccines And Nutrition: Why Childhood Cancer Needs A Wider Conversation

What Does L’Oréal Say?

According to Reuters, L’Oréal has rejected the allegations. A spokesperson for L’Oréal USA said that the company is confident in the safety of its products and considers that the claims lack legal and scientific merit.

The company said, “L’Oréal’s highest priority is the health and well-being of all our consumers. Our products are subject to a rigorous scientific evaluation of their safety by experts who also ensure that we strictly follow all regulations in every market in which we operate. We are confident in the safety of SoftSheen-Carson’s products and believe the allegations made in this lawsuit have neither legal nor scientific merit.”

L’Oréal also disputes the research underlying the litigation, saying the study cited by plaintiffs did not establish a causal connection between hair-relaxer use and the alleged health conditions and called for further research.

The Arizona lawsuit comes amid more than 12,000 similar lawsuits consolidated in a federal multidistrict litigation in Chicago involving L’Oréal, Revlon and other manufacturers. Trials in that litigation may start in 2027.

The current evidence does not mean that everyone who has used a chemical hair relaxer will develop cancer.

But repeated use is an area of ongoing scientific investigation. People who use these products can reduce unnecessary exposure by following product instructions carefully, avoiding application to irritated or damaged skin, and considering less frequent use or non-chemical alternatives.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) says its worst-ever Ebola outbreak has passed its peak and is now under control. But the assessment comes as the virus continues to spread geographically, with the outbreak crossing 7,000 cases and 3,398 deaths and reaching a seventh province.

The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, was declared in May in northeastern Ituri province. As of September 10, DRC authorities had recorded 7,022 cases and 3,398 deaths, giving the outbreak a case-fatality rate of about 48%. Around 837 people remained in isolation or treatment.

DRC Says Ebola Has Passed Its Peak

DRC government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya said the government believes transmission has already peaked. The DRC government says the decline in cases attributes to a number of developments.

They say that 10 health zones affected before the latest expansion of the outbreak reported no new cases for at least 21 days. According to Xinhua news agency, transmission has slowed in several regions in the eastern province of Ituri, the epicenter of the outbreak.

Despite the slowdown, authorities called for strict monitoring and contact tracing, saying close surveillance remains necessary in regions where recent flare-ups have been reported.

“The 17th Ebola outbreak is under control, and the peak was reached at the beginning of the third week of August 2026,” Muyaya said while presenting the findings of a cabinet meeting and citing Health Minister Roger Kamba.

The government’s assessment comes despite the detection of Ebola in South-Ubangi, a northwestern province that had not previously been affected during this outbreak. The first reported patient there was a 23-year-old man who later died.

He had traveled extensively before coming in Sud-Ubangi. He had travelled across several provinces neighboring Rwanda and Uganda, as well as both road and river routes.

Also read: Ebola Cases Cross 6,000, Death Toll Nears 3,000 In Congo; Mortality Rate Remains Close To 50%

WHO Warns The Outbreak Is Still Uncontrolled

The World Health Organization does not seem to agree with DRC’s claims. In its latest assessment, WHO said the outbreak “remains uncontrolled and increasingly heterogeneous,” with transmission declining in some areas while continuing to intensify or spread in others.

WHO's latest data, covering September 7, recorded 6,757 confirmed cases and 3,267 deaths in DRC.

The agency said transmission remained variable, with continued geographic expansion and sustained increases in some health zones.

It is important to understand that a fall in cases in some hotspots does not necessarily mean the outbreak is over if new transmission chains are appearing elsewhere.

Also read: Ebola Outbreak In DR Congo Surpasses 3,000 Deaths: WHO & UN Say Outbreak Is Outpacing Response

DRC’s Deadliest Ebola Outbreak

The current epidemic is DRC's 17th Ebola outbreak and it has spread through remote and conflict-affected areas where healthcare infrastructure is limited. The WHO has also warned about shortages of trained healthcare workers, response partners, and funding.

Nearly 1,400 isolation and treatment beds have been established across affected areas, but the response still needs thousands more healthcare workers and additional resources.

Other challenges include unregulated and unsafe burials, population displacement, and delayed diagnosis. WHO has warned that late detection increases the risk of transmission within households, communities, and healthcare facilities.

Unlike the Zaire species responsible for previous major Ebola outbreaks, the Bundibugyo strain currently driving the DRC epidemic has no approved vaccine or specific treatment. Experimental vaccines and treatments are being evaluated. Vaccine for Zaire virus is also being tested to examine its efficacy on Bundibugyo Ebolavirus.

Ebola spreads primarily through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person or someone who has died from the disease. Symptoms can include fever, severe weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some cases, bleeding.

As part of the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the 18th BRICS Summit in Delhi, world leaders are calling for a stronger focus on obesity and non-communicable diseases. The dialogue mainly focused on healthy lifestyles, combatting sedentary lifestyles, and early intervention to prevent obesity.

The New Delhi Declaration endorsed the BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyle, which included a 2026–2029 roadmap for promoting healthier living across member countries. The initiative is set to focus on technical cooperation, ensuring best practices and coordinated awareness efforts around obesity and other NCDs.

For India, as the challenge extends beyond telling people to “eat better and exercise more”, the declaration stressed that there is dire need of government and society-level active approach to tackle the burden of chronic lifestyle disorders.

With long working hours, prolonged sitting, irregular meals and increasingly sedentary routines, preventing NCDs may need major changes in how people work and live.

BRICS Focuses On Obesity And NCDs

NCDs include disorders like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. They are driven by a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.

The World Health Organization identifies four major modifiable behavioural risk factors: unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful alcohol consumption.

These can contribute to metabolic problems including obesity, high blood pressure, raised blood glucose and abnormal cholesterol.

WHO estimates that 31% of adults globally were insufficiently physically active in 2022. Physical inactivity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, stroke and several cancers.

Also read: As India Faces Flu Vaccine Shortage Amid H1N1 Surge, ICMR Recommends Alternative: Expert Explains If You Should Take It

How Could The BRICS Mission Translate Into Action?

The new push for lifestyle changes signals a shift from treating NCDs after they develop towards preventive and promotive healthcare involving governments, workplaces, healthcare systems and communities.

Dr Paras Agarwal, Director - Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolic Clinic, CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon, spoke to HealthandMe about the global push for obesity prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyle.

Dr Agarwal says, "BRICS recognising obesity as a major global public health challenge is a significant step, because obesity is not a cosmetic issue but a metabolic one, closely tied to insulin resistance, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. Globally, this signals that prevention deserves the same urgency as treatment."

The diabetes specialist said that it is the need of the hour for Indians as it is currently carrying the burden of invisible metabolic risk.

He added, "For India, it carries an added layer: many people with a normal BMI still carry hidden abdominal fat and real metabolic risk."

The expert did not fail to point out the difference between policy building and implementing meaningful systems in place to achieve desired outcomes.

He said, "The real measure of this recognition's success will be whether it translates into accessible screening, sustainable lifestyle support and earlier intervention, rather than remaining a policy statement alone."

Also read: Can India Prevent Rabies Deaths By Vaccinating Dogs? Lancet Study Says Kerala May Reach Near-Zero Deaths In 3 Years

Sedentary Lifestyle Is The Silent Killer

India's growing desk workforce is facing a major health risk. Prolonged sitting could directly contribute to obesity and a number of metabolic and cardiovascular health challenges.

Sedentary behaviour teamed with uncontrolled calorie intake can contribute to weight gain and reduced insulin sensitivity, making it harder for the body to regulate blood glucose. Over time, people at higher risk can progress from normal glucose levels to prediabetes and eventually type 2 diabetes.

These chronic lifestyle disorders can be curbed only when timely preventive action is taken.

It is important to break up long periods of sitting with brief movements like walking during breaks, taking stairs or stretching between meetings, can make physical activity more achievable.

Regular aerobic exercise and strength training remain extremely important, depending on an individual's health and physical ability.

Prevention also includes right food choices, sleep, stress management and timely screening. WHO also recommends adults aged 18–64 get 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, along with strength training.

Besides obesity and NCDs, the BRICS declaration also focused on mental well-being, including a BRICS Training Hub Network and Centres of Excellence, with NIMHANS as the coordinating centre.