stomach

Doctors initially said Lottie Perks was just dehydrated and should rest at home

A mum says she was ‘dismissed’ as being ‘overly anxious’ by doctors until her daughter’s holiday stomach bug turned out to be her appendix bursting – and potentially fatal sepsis. Lottie Perks, now 20, began experiencing ‘crippling’ stomach pain, coupled with vomiting just days into a holiday.

24 hours later she was back to normal and the family got back to enjoying their holiday in Brazil, but on arriving home in London it was clear Lottie was unwell.

“She began shaking uncontrollably and I noticed her lips, hands and feet were freezing cold,” said mum Laura. “Her feet were white and her lips were blue. And her temperature was weirdly very low. Her face and limbs were swollen and flushed.

“I had been trying to trust the doctors before this and convince myself they were right. But, at this point, it was clear something was very wrong. I was terrified.

“And then, she collapsed in my arms as her eyes rolled back in her head. Her blood pressure plummeted and her heart rate raced dangerously high. I thought this was the end.”

Laura had also experienced a bout of sickness after returning from the trip in April 2025, so the family assumed Lottie had contracted the same bug. But just hours after coming home, the stomach pain and vomiting started again, coupled with bleeding and diarrhoea.

They went to A&E but nothing was found to be wrong. Laura said: “She was very pale, weak and physically could not stop vomiting even though there was nothing left in her. Lottie was placed on an IV drip for three hours while being observed, but was ultimately discharged with a gastro bug, as her blood tests showed normal levels of inflammation.

“That night, and the next day, she didn’t improve and became much weaker. I called the hospital and asked if it could be appendicitis, but they said everything was fine.”

Laura rushed her daughter back to hospital and begged for her to be seen again. Doctors allegedly claimed she was simply dehydrated and that they needed to leave the hospital – until an unusual rash was spotted.

After further checks, Lottie’s legs had started to turn a mottled purple and her body was severely swollen. A CT scan was ordered and it was found that her appendix had burst, causing sepsis.

Laura said: “I knew something was clearly wrong and before they took me seriously, I felt powerless. She had emergency surgery, but it was too late, the sepsis had spread. When she collapsed in my arms, that was her going into septic shock.

“And the start of her organs ceasing to work. I thought she’d be OK after the operation But the look on the surgeon’s face afterwards told me otherwise.

“When they explained about the sepsis and septic shock, and said they’d done all they could do, I felt powerless.”

Doctors rushed to give Lottie antibiotics, as there was a one hour window before her organs would start to fail completely. As nothing else could be done, it was a waiting game for a week.

Luckily, the teen recovered and was slowly taken off medication, as well as machines, keeping her alive. And, despite her life being on the line, she managed to return to university and pass her first year with flying colours.

Now, she still suffers with bouts of sickness, stomach pain, dizziness, fatigue and difficulty keeping warm. The emotional toll is felt by not just Lottie, but her mum, too.

To help raise awareness, the pair are working with Sepsis Trust to warn others of the signs to look out for. And, to never dismiss whether worrying symptoms could be sepsis.

Laura added: “Sepsis doesn’t need a cut, injury or an appendix bursting. It can be from something as simple as a virus. The symptoms are so subtle and confusing; but can become fatal so quickly.

“Having that one question in your mind when advocating for a loved one could save their life. We both suffer from nightmares following the experience. It’s difficult to look at photos from that time.

“And it’s hard not to associate the trip with what happened. We’ve always enjoyed relatively adventurous holidays and discovering further away places.

“But this has definitely put on the radar the possibility of a medical emergency while we’re away. And so, as a family, we haven’t been away too far since. We’re trying not to let the worry and her vulnerability take over too much from enjoying life.

“It’s forever changed us, but we’re so incredibly lucky to have caught it just about in time. I was treated like an overly anxious mother – but that’s what saved my daughter’s life.”

Lottie added: “Initially, I was very scared. I tried to stay calm and thought it was probably a gastro bug or food poisoning. It quickly turned into frustration because I was in so much pain and it was clearly where my appendix was.

“There was a lot of fear; I was terrified. Genuinely feeling like you’re dying and can’t explain or get anyone to understand was [infuriating].

“I still don’t think I really understood what was happening while I was in the ICU. I remember being frustrated that I couldn’t go up to the normal ward. But this was obviously because my organs weren’t fully functioning on their own still.

“Another part of the recovery that was quite frustrating was the loss of all my muscle. I remember just doing one lap of the ICU when I was well enough and being completely exhausted and my legs feeling so tired.

”Going from being someone quite active, and having to come to terms with this new situation, was quite a shock. Looking back on it now, I just feel incredibly lucky and almost proud of my body for managing to push me through it.

“But that gratitude and appreciation also comes with a huge frustration that it could’ve been avoided or acted upon sooner. And I wouldn’t have had to have been in that position in the first place.

“But it taught me a lot and I’m obviously very grateful for all the doctors and nurses that helped me. I have learned to advocate for myself better and to speak out when something isn’t right.

“I also felt frustrated as just being young and female meant that so many things masked it – from doctors thinking I could be pregnant, toxic shock syndrome, period cramps. I wanted to explain that as women, we know what’s normal for us, and this clearly wasn’t normal.

“I understand that various possibilities needed to be ruled out; but I wish someone had considered rapidly progressing sepsis as one of those a little sooner. That said, I am well aware that I am one of the very lucky ones. I’ve been shocked to read all of the ways it could have ended differently.”

People are frantically trying to get in shape for their summer holidays – but it could be a lot more effective

It’s the time of year when people are looking at their waistbands and thinking they’d like to make one last push to get it all a bit flatter. Many will be crashing out sit-ups like mad – however one expert has suggested that this exercise might not be the best way.

Dr Lee Brown, senior lecturer in strength and conditioning at the University of East London, has said that people might be making a mistake. He told the Guardian “It’s embedded in the archaic practices of boxing coaches and therefore everyone seems to follow it. But they’re far from the best exercise for training your core.”

Sit-ups are a classic bodyweight core exercise designed to strengthen the abdominal muscles, hip flexors, and chest. They involve lifting the upper body from a flat, lying position up toward the knees.

However Dr Brown said that the abdominal muscles are used a lot less than people imagine. Also if you’re doing too many sit-ups, it can cause problem.

“If you’re doing too many sit-ups, it can cause problems with the lower back. Overworking the hip flexors can make them hypertonic [stiff and tight]. Your torso leans forward because you have overly toned and tight hip flexors, creating an imbalance and a dumping ground for shearing forces in your lower back.”

Brown recommends moves such as planks, side planks, farmer’s carries (walking while holding a heavy weight in each hand), suitcase carries (walking with a weight in one hand to challenge stability) and bird dogs (lifting the opposite arm and leg from all fours). Pilates and yoga can also help build core strength.

“I worked with a sprinter who’d had a back injury and had been doing sit-ups forever,” Brown says. “I asked him how long he could hold a plank for. He said less than 30 seconds. Six weeks later, he could hold one for seven minutes and his back pain had gone.”

A study published last year in the Journal of Clinical Medicine looked at 117 people with and without back pain to find out whether core strength was implicated. Participants were asked to perform the plank, one of the most popular trunk muscle stabilisation exercises prescribed to enhance neuromuscular control and spinal support. Researchers from Daemen University in New York were surprised to find that back pain sufferers were able to hold a plank for “significantly longer” than those without, suggesting they had better levels of abdominal strength.

MOLLY-MAE Hague showcased her flat stomach while she sported a bikini — just six weeks after giving birth.

The reality TV stunner and her boyfriend Tommy Fury welcomed son Midas, their second child, last month.

Taking to Instagram, the Love Island alum, 27, posed for mirror selfies wearing a green bikini top alongside an open white shirt and trousers.

Above one of the snaps, Molly-Mae additionally added the caption: “Mommy.”

It comes as fans branded the reality star “irresponsible” as she headed on a holiday to Greece.

She revealed her family — including Midas — were travelling to their trip away via a private plane.

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One wrote: “Babies so young are vulnerable when taken on planes due to their tiny ears and the change in climate can be too much also.

“At least wait until he’s 6 months. Sorry Molly this is irresponsible.”

Another said: “Love you Molly but please stop using private jets. They’re so incredibly polluting, the next generations are inheriting this burning planet.”

A third added: “Why does it have to be in a private jet!!!!

“This is directly affecting the planet your baby will grow up to live in!”

Other comments were more positive, as one said: “Ahhh!!! So unbelievably beautiful, have the best time making special memories.”

July 10 (UPI) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported that well over 800 cases of a food-borne parasite have been confirmed by 31 states.

CDC officials were working with state and local health agencies to investigate clusters of cyclosporiasis cases in multiple states, some of which the Food and Drug Administration is working to trace and others that have not yet been linked to a common source, the agency said in an update.

Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal disease caused by the parasite cyclospora, which can cause watery diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss, and in some cases require hospitalization, according to the CDC.

The parasite can be acquired when people eat or drink contaminated food or water and, although it can be spread year-round, it is considered to be a larger problem during the spring and summer months.

The current series of outbreaks has been tracked since at least mid-June, although the FDA lists its first investigation of cyclospora as staring June 3. With no product linked to the parasite or any other outbreak, the FDA is attempting to trace back to a source.

“Multiple jurisdictions have reported an increase of cases in the last two weeks compared to the same period in 2025,” the CDC said in the update.

“We assume a 6-week reporting lag between illness onset and case reporting to CDC,” the agency said. “Therefore, we anticipate that case counts will continue to rise as data are received.”

The CDC reported that as of July 9, it has confirmed 843 cases of the nationally notifiable disease in 31 states, with 86 hospitalizations, but officials said the agency is aware of at least 1,500 more cases that have not yet been confirmed as domestically acquired in the United States.

Among the states reporting cases and investigations, Michigan on July 4 reported that its confirmed cases increased to 572, a large increase from 170 on June 30.

Cyclospora infects the small intestine after contaminated food or drink is consumed, and symptoms of infection can be seen anywhere from two days to two weeks after exposure.

Overall, the infection is generally not life-threatening, but because of dehydration linked to frequent and sometimes explosive diarrhea — especially in younger or older people, and those with weakened immune systems — it may require hospitalization.

Outbreaks in the United States have previously been linked to bagged salad mixes and kits, fresh cilantro and basil, raspberries, snow peas, and green onions, health officials said.

GEMMA Collins looked great in a bikini as she makes a bit of extra cash by selling her old clothes for just a tenner.

The former Towie star, 45, took to her Instagram story to tell her 2.3 million followers that she’s uploaded some bits from her wardrobe on app Vinted.

The GC wowed in a blue paisley bikini and matching sarong.

She completed the look with long beach waves.

“Make me crazy prices on Vinted today, it’s all got to go,” she captioned the post.

In the next post she shared a screen shot of her Vinted profile, named “gcwardrobe1”, to display the clothes that she has on the platform for sale

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Gemma has some white shorts, a top and some trousers all on her account for £10.00 each.

She also has an oversized t-shirt dress on there for £15.00.

The self-confessed diva also told fans: “All orders by 3pm before we close the account for summer holidays.”

The reality star has 279 reviews on her profile and has an average of 4.9 rating.

“The wardrobe of the GC items worn once for filming or for a shoot. Enjoy,” the profile bio states.

And now the profile has been closed.

It’s not the first time that Gemma has taken to Vinted to sell her unwanted clothes.

Back in February, there was plenty to pick – from brightly coloured tops to swimsuits and dresses. 

Items ranged from sizes 20 to 30 and prices range from just £3 up to £40.

Just last month Gemma oozed beauty and body confidence rocking a skin-tight swimsuit by the water.

The TV personality posted the stunning snap to her Instagram grid today, alongside an inspirational message for her followers.

In the photo Gemma is sitting on a sun lounger wearing the off-the-shoulder swimwear.

The pink outfit perfectly hugged her curves and featured a sweet bow detail at the bust.

She captioned the post: “Loving the sun. Wishing you all a lovely bank holiday.

“Get your body in the sun, let your soul exhale

“Own your glow, take up space, wear the swimsuit, dive in the pool, laugh louder, live softer.

“The sun was never asking for perfection… only presence.”