Author: Press Room

Women who follow a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy may lower their risk of developing dangerously high blood pressure and other bad outcomes, a new study suggests.An analysis of food consumption and outcomes data from nearly 8,000 pregnant women revealed that those who stuck most closely to the Mediterranean diet were less likely to develop preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), eclampsia (a complication of preeclampsia that causes seizures and coma) and gestational diabetes (diabetes in pregnancy when it didn’t exist before). Children born to the women who followed the diet were also less likely to be stillborn, born preterm and…

Greek MEP Eva Kaili is to be held in detention for another month, after a ruling by a court in Belgium. The former European Parliament vice president is suspected of being at the centre of one of the European Union’s biggest corruption scandals, and her lawyers had requested her release from prison with a police tracking device.However, after the hearing, the court said it was “extending the pre-trial detention” by another month. Kaili’s lawyers have now got 24 hours to appeal this decision and if they decide to do so, Kaili will appear at the Brussels Court of Appeal within 15 days. Belgian prosecutors…

One of the main sources of halitosis, otherwise known as bad breath, is the buildup of volatile sulphuric compounds in the mouth produced by anaerobic bacteria that feed on food left behind.A new meta-analysis found that the ingestion of four probiotics can reduce the compounds that cause bad breath, at least in the short term.The four beneficial probiotics are Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus reuteri, Streptococcus salivarius, and Weissella cibaria, all of which may benefit gut health. They are found in fermented foods.There are many possible causes of persistent bad breath, or halitosis, with poor dental hygiene as a main contributing factor.…

Joanna Gaines recently had back surgery to remedy an injury she sustained 20 years ago.In a Dec. 22 Instagram, she posted a picture of herself wearing sunglasses in a hospital bed and throwing up the peace sign. She explained that she was in the hospital because of her time as a high school cheerleader.”I hurt my back in high school from cheerleading — basically a basket toss turned back injury and I’ve been dealing with it ever since,” the co-founder of Magnolia said. “I had my first microdisectomy in 2001 and had to cancel my second date with Chip Carter…

Psychosocial stress describes experiencing social threats that outweigh a person’s ability to cope with them in the home, at work, and elsewhere.A recent study shows an association between experiencing psychosocial stress and an increased risk of stroke of all types.The risk is highest for people experiencing stress in situations in which they feel they have little control.When confronted with stressful life events, there are various tools and resources you can rely on to cope.Psychosocial stress is different from other forms of stress, such as physiological stress, because it arises from our interactions with others. This form of stress results from…

Ronnie Hillman, a running back who won the Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos, has died at the age of 31 from a rare form of cancer, his family said Dec. 21.“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother & father, Ronnie K Hillman Jr.,” the family said in a statement shared on Instagram.“Ronnie quietly and peacefully transitioned today in the company of his family and close friends. We as the family, appreciate the prayers and kind words that have already been expressed. We ask that you would give us time to process our feelings as we prepare to…

India will start randomly testing 2 per cent of international passengers arriving at its airports for COVID-19, according to the country’s health minister, Mansukh Mandaviya.”The global pandemic is not yet over… The virus is changing its face from time to time,” Mandaviya told parliament on Thursday.The move comes as India steps up surveillance for new COVID variants. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to hold a meeting with top officials on Thursday to review the COVID-19 situation in the country.”Considering the upcoming festival season and New Year, states have been advised to keep up awareness of hand hygiene and the importance of masking,”…

The UK government has issued a Turkey travel warning regarding medical tourism.”We are aware of 22 British nationals who have died in Turkey since January 2019 following medical tourism visits,” reads its travel advice page for the country.Tourists are advised to stick to medical providers who are approved by Turkey’s Ministry of Health. What is medical tourism?The term ‘medical tourism’, sometimes called ‘health tourism’, refers to tourists heading abroad for medical treatment. Cosmetic surgery, dental procedures and cardiac surgery are among the most common procedures.Low costs and availability of treatments that are approved in their home country are two possible lures…

A Danish restriction requiring a language test for a Turkish worker in order to for his wife to get a residence permit is unlawful, the EU’s top court ruled on Thursday.The wife of a Turkish worker residing in Denmark submitted a request for a residence permit in 2015 and was rejected by Danish authorities. Her husband is a permanent resident of Denmark and has been employed there since 1980.But the wife’s application was denied in 2016 because her husband had not successfully taken a Danish language test. The worker had however completed a course in Danish on subjects such as engineering…

European Union countries that fail to keep air pollution below agreed levels do not have to provide financial compensation to citizens, the European Court of Justice ruled on Thursday.The case was brought forward by JP — a resident of the Paris region — who claimed compensation from the French State for €21 million. He alleged that his health has deteriorated since 2003 because of declining air quality in the French capital.He accused the country’s authorities of failing to fulfil their obligations under EU law to ensure air pollution is kept below a certain level.Under a 2008 EU directive, the daily mean of…