symptoms

As he manages his own amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, actor Eric Dane is also advocating for the continuation of the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act, which is set to expire in 2026.

The actor, along with the nonprofit organization I AM ALS, spoke with U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) on Tuesday about the importance of the legislation, which provides funding for research and gives patients early access to treatments.

“So often, it takes all this time for these people to be diagnosed. Well, then it precludes them from being a part of these clinical trials,” Dane told Swalwell. “That’s why ACT for ALS is so, so great, and it’s because it broadens the access for everybody.”

It took Dane nine months before he was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He announced his diagnosis in April.

Since then, the “Euphoria” actor has changed his approach to fighting his condition.

During an interview with “Good Morning America” in June, Dane expressed anger at the thought of being taken from his two young daughters. He said he was mad that history might repeat itself, as his father died when the “Grey’s Anatomy” alumnus was 7.

Months later, his frustration has turned into a fight to see his daughters’ lives play out.

“I want to see [my daughters], you know, graduate college, and get married and maybe have grandkids,” Dane told Swalwell. “You know, I want to be there for all that. So I’m going to fight to the last breath on this one.”

In the video posted on TikTok by the representative, Dane speaks with a slight slur but his words echo his fight to live on.

About 5,000 people are newly diagnosed with ALS each year in the U.S., according to the National ALS Registry. It affects the nerve cells in the brain that control movement, which eventually leads to the loss of the ability to speak, move, swallow and breathe.

Times staff writers Christie D’Zurilla and Kaitlyn Huamani contributed to this report.

ALL medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and even herbal remedies, have the potential to cause side effects.

But experts have warned weight loss jab users to pay real attention to any side effects they experience, as they could actually be signalling deadly cancer, as Dawn Clegg tragically found out.

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The 51-year-old, from Morecambe, Lancashire, had been using Mounjaro to treat her diabetes, but in March this year, she began suffering from chest pain, which she initially put down to a side effect of the jabs.

When the pain persisted, she headed to A&E before doctors made a shocking discovery.

After undergoing several X-rays, doctors spotted shadows on her lungs, kidneys and breast, and she was diagnosed with soft-tissue cancer, known as sarcoma.

Dawn was then given the life-shattering news that she had less than a year to live.

Her heartbroken husband, Arron Clegg, 51, is planning to hold a “living wake” in November to celebrate the life of his wife.

He said: “We were devastated on hearing news of cancer in these areas – there is no cure and she is now terminal.”

Weight loss expert at The Lagom Clinic, Dr Jack Ogden, said he has also been made aware of a fat jab user mistaking symptoms of cancer for side effects, though they weren’t linked to the clinic.

He tells Sun Health: “As a clinician, hearing about cases like this is always sobering. It reinforces how easy it is for both patients and healthcare professionals to attribute symptoms to the most obvious cause.

“In this case, weight loss injections, when something more serious may be underlying.”

The fat jab user, a 52-year-old who remains anonymous, began experiencing persistent fatigue, feeling full quickly, and mild nausea while on a GLP-1 weight loss injection.

They initially assumed these symptoms were routine side effects, but they persisted beyond the expected two to three-week adjustment period.

Further investigation by their GP revealed a diagnosis of stage two stomach cancer – which isn’t very common in the UK but can be deadly.

When detected early, stomach cancer has a high chance of being cured.

But it’s often diagnosed at a more advanced stage, which makes it harder to treat and means survival rates can be low.

Dr Ogden said: “It’s important to monitor persistent symptoms, keep a log of side effects, and seek prompt medical advice if anything unusual arises.”

So what cancer symptoms could people mistake for the side effects of fat jabs?

Here, a team of experts offer their life-saving advice…

THE SYMPTOMS YOU MUST NOT IGNORE

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THERE are more than 200 different types of cancer, and they all have different signs and symptoms.

While some affect specific areas of the body, symptoms can be more general and similar to those caused by less serious conditions or medication side effects.

Superintendent pharmacist at pharmica.co.uk, Ana Carolina Goncalves, said symptoms such as persistent indigestion, heartburn and abdominal pain are potential side effects of weight loss injections, but could also be signs of liver, bladder, pancreatic or stomach cancer.

She says: “Thyroid swelling or a lump in the neck might be dismissed as an injection side effect, but it could also indicate thyroid cancer.

“The risk of thyroid swelling has been confirmed as a potential side effect by the manufacturers of both Mounjaro and Wegovy.

“And nausea is another common side effect of weight loss jabs that can also indicate liver, bladder or pancreatic cancer.

“There’s a lot of overlap between the symptoms of different organ cancers (like liver and pancreatic cancer) because they affect similar areas of the body.

“This can make identification of cancer symptoms difficult, especially when side effects of weight loss injections are also present.”

It’s also important to note that while use of the jabs results in weight loss, sudden, unexplained, unintentional, and significant (more than 5 per cent of your body weight in six to 12 months) weight loss could be a red flag for cancer.

HOW TO SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

THERE’S not always an easy way to tell the difference between cancer symptoms and weight loss side effects.

It depends on the symptoms you experience, says Ms Goncalves.

She explains: “High levels of acid reflux or heartburn that persist even after you’ve stopped weight loss injections should definitely be looked into by a doctor or GP.

“Also, a lump in the neck, hoarseness, or difficulty swallowing could indicate thyroid cancer.

“It’s not possible to fully tell on your own, so you should consult your doctor or GP if you experience these symptoms.”

WHAT’S THE RISK?

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KEVIN Joshua, clinical lead at Juniper, an online healthcare provider, says while it’s not very common, confusing symptoms and side effects are a real risk.

He warns: “The danger is that someone may put persistent or worsening symptoms down to the medication, rather than seeing their GP.

“That missed time can make all the difference in cancer treatment and survival.”

Ms Gonclaves adds: “Cancer caught early is far easier to treat. If people assume ongoing pain, nausea or weight loss is just a side effect, they may only get checked once the cancer is more advanced – and that can be life-threatening.

“Given the increasing use of weight loss injections in the UK, the potential for confusion is likely growing, especially for cancer symptoms that overlap with common injection side effects.

“However, there’s currently no large-scale study that estimates how frequently cancer symptoms are misattributed to jabs.

“But it’s important to note the safety of Wegovy and Mounjaro has been proven in clinical trials, and they are licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for weight management in the UK.”

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

IF you experience any symptoms after starting weight loss jabs, Dr Ogden recommends you do the following:

1. Track your symptoms – keep a daily log noting timing, intensity, and duration.
2. Monitor persistence – common side effects usually settle within two to three weeks.
3. Note severity changes – sudden worsening or new symptoms are red flags.
4. Consult a healthcare professional promptly – don’t wait to see if symptoms pass if they are unusual or severe.
5. Communicate openly – share your symptom log with your GP or specialist for accurate assessment.

Weight loss injections can be safe and effective, but awareness and careful monitoring are essential, added Dr Ogden.

“Early detection of serious issues can save lives and prevent complications.”

The majority of common side effects, such as nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, skin redness or fatigue, can be managed with adequate hydration, dietary choices, and over‑the‑counter medication.

Ms Goncalves advises: “You can try eating smaller meals, and using herbal teas or oral rehydration salts to alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms.

“You should drink fluids regularly to ensure you are hydrated.”

But you should seek medical help if symptoms are severe, continue for more than a few weeks, or are linked with alarm signs like vomiting blood, blood in stools, jaundice, unexplained weight loss or a lump.

“These should never be written off as ‘just the jab’,” said Mr Joshua.

A British grandad has died after falling ill from eating ‘half cooked’ chicken at a luxury hotel in Fuerteventura. His wife is urging others to be aware of the signs as she shares her heartbreak

A British dad suffered two major symptoms before he died from eating “half cooked” chicken at a luxury hotel resort, an inquest has heard.

Leslie Green, 70, passed away after contracting salmonella during his holiday at the Occidental Jandia Playa resort in Fuerteventura. The grandfather-of-one was celebrating his milestone birthday with his family when he fell ill during the second week of the £2,300 stay.

He was admitted to a Spanish hospital where he developed complications, including kidney failure and sepsis. Leslie, of Little Lever, Bolton, Greater Manchester, sadly died in hospital around four weeks later from multi-organ failure.

READ MORE: British dad dies after eating ‘half-cooked’ chicken in plush 4-star holiday hotelREAD MORE: Throat cancer warning signs as man develops disease from bedroom activity

An inquest has now determined that the man passed away from food poisoning he contracted as a result of eating partially cooked chicken on holiday. Leslie, a retired newspaper delivery driver for the Manchester Evening News, fell ill on October 9 last year with symptoms including diarrhoea, which led to dehydration.

Julie, Leslie’s wife of 38 years, said the couple had concerns a carbonara sauce they ate one day was lukewarm while she found her chicken undercooked during another meal. She also claimed she didn’t see any staff washing their hands and newly cooked food would be mixed with food that had been stood.

She was also left seriously ill after she too got salmonella on the day of her 60th birthday and spent a week in hospital. Julie said she and Leslie had only eaten from the buffet in the hotel during their holiday. The hearing at Rochdale Coroner’s Court concluded Leslie died of multi-organ failure as a result of sepsis, caused by salmonella.

After the hearing, Julie said: “It’s almost impossible to find the words to describe the last few months and trying to come to terms with Leslie’s death.

“Leslie was such a loving and caring husband and dad. He was my best friend and life without him will never be the same. I still struggle to comprehend how we went on holiday, but Leslie didn’t come home. Leslie was the head of our family and someone everyone looked to for help and guidance.”

“There’s now a gaping hole in our family that can never be filled. I’d do anything not to be in this position and for Leslie to be in our lives, but I know that’s not possible.

“Listening to the evidence has been difficult but it was something I was determined to do to honour Leslie’s memory. I just hope that by speaking out I can prevent anyone else suffering like Leslie did. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

Leslie, who had turned 70 in July 2024 and was placed in an induced coma after falling ill, died hours after his life-support machine was switched off on November 4. His body was repatriated a week later. The Occidental Jandia Playa was approached for comment.

Salmonellosis develops after ingesting salmonella bacteria, and symptoms usually take between 12 and 72 hours to develop.

Seven main signs of food poisoning:

• Diarrhoea
• Stomach cramps
• Vomiting
• Fever
• High temperature
• Aches and pains
• Generally feeling unwell

Pharmacologist Dan Baumgardt, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology at the University of Bristol, warned travellers they risk importing dangerous conditions from abroad

A health expert has delivered a chilling alert that tourists returning from abroad must never overlook three key warning signs that could signal serious disease. Pharmacologist Dan Baumgardt emphasised that jet-setters face the danger of bringing back hazardous illnesses – and should never simply brush off the red flags.

The senior academic from the School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience at the University of Bristol highlighted three critical symptoms demanding immediate medical care – fever, stomach upset and yellowing of the skin. Penning his advice on the Conversation website, he declared: “International travel poses a risk of catching something more than a run-of-the-mill bug, so it’s important to be vigilant for the tell-tale symptoms.

READ MORE: DNA site that helped woman find long-lost Japanese brother is now under £30

“Here are the main ones to look out for while away and when you return.”

Fever

Mr Baumgardt explained: “Fever is a common symptom to note after international travel – especially to tropical or subtropical regions. While a feature of many different illnesses, it can be the first sign of an infection – sometimes a serious one.”

He warned it might indicate Malaria which is a deadly condition triggered by parasites transmitted to people via bites from contaminated female Anopheles mosquitoes.

The disease poses a major worldwide health threat, affecting over 200 million individuals and causing hundreds of thousands of fatalities each year, reports the Daily Record.

Malaria remains especially widespread across tropical and subtropical areas globally. Early symptoms of the disease can mimic those of the flu, including headaches and muscle aches, but these can escalate to severe fever, sweating and shaking chills.

Other signs to look out for include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), swollen lymph nodes, rashes and abdominal pain – although these symptoms can vary greatly and can resemble many other conditions.

Mr Baumgardt warned: “Prompt medical attention is essential. Malaria is serious and can become life-threatening. It’s also worth noting that symptoms may not appear until weeks or even months after returning home. In the UK, there are around 2,000 imported malaria cases each year.

“Travellers to at-risk areas are strongly advised to take preventative measures. This includes mosquito-bite avoidance as well as prescribed antimalarial medications, such as Malarone and doxycycline. Although these drugs aren’t 100% effective, they significantly reduce the risk of infection.”

There has also been an increase in Dengue fever, another disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Symptoms include high temperatures, severe headaches, body aches and rashes, which overlap with both malaria and other common viral infections.

Mr Baumgardt warned: “Most people recover with rest, fluids and paracetamol, but in some instances, dengue can become severe and requires emergency hospital treatment. A vaccine is also available – but is only recommended for people who have had dengue before, as it provides good protection in this group.

“Any fever after international travel should be taken seriously. Don’t brush it off as something you’ve just picked up on the plane – please see a doctor. A simple test could lead to early diagnosis and might save your life.”

Upset stomachs

Speaking about dodgy tummies, Mr Baumgardt revealed: “Few travel-related issues are as common – or as unwelcome – as diarrhoea. It’s estimated that up to six in ten travellers will experience at least one episode during or shortly after their trip. For some, it’s an unpleasant disruption mid-holiday; for others, symptoms emerge once they’re back home.

“Traveller’s diarrhoea is typically caused by eating food or drinking water containing certain microbes (bacteria, viruses, parasites) or their toxins. Identifying the more serious culprits early is essential – especially when symptoms go beyond mild discomfort.”

He went on to stress that people should watch out for particular red flags – including large volumes of watery diarrhoea, blood present in stools or urgent toilet trips. He continued: “These may suggest a more serious infection, such as giardia, cholera or amoebic dysentery. These conditions are more common in regions with poor sanitation and are especially prevalent in parts of the tropics.”

In certain instances, antibiotics and antiparasitic treatment may be required.

Jaundice

This ailment, which causes your skin or the whites of your eyes to turn yellow, can signal something severe like liver disease, so urgent medical attention is needed, according to NHS guidelines.

Whilst many people come back from holidays with a tan, it could also be an indication of jaundice.

Mr Baumgardt explained: “Several travel-related illnesses can cause jaundice. Malaria is one culprit as is the mosquito-borne yellow fever. But another common cause is hepatitis – inflammation of the liver.

“Viral hepatitis comes in several forms. Hepatitis A and E are spread via contaminated food or water – common in areas with poor sanitation. In contrast, hepatitis B and C are blood-borne, transmitted through intravenous drug use, contaminated medical equipment or unprotected sex.”

For the full article on the Conversation, click here.

Spain has seen the most recent cases of the disease as experts say one activity ‘drastically increases’ the risk of catching it

New cases of a killer virus have been detected in holiday hotspots loved by British tourists – and experts have warned it could reach the UK. It’s been described as the current biggest threat to public health, after breaking out in Iraq and Namibia.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), has also caused two reported deaths in Pakistan – with several cases reported in Spain. Last week, insiders speaking to Parliament’s Science, Innovation and Technology Committee revealed it was “highly likely” there could soon be cases in the UK.

In its most recent report the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said a case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever was recetnyl reported in Spain with the illness ‘known to be circulating among animals in this region and human CCHF cases have been previously reported in the area.”

In the eight years to 2024 a total of 16 autochthonous CCHF cases have been reported in Spain with dates of disease onset between April and August. The province of Salamanca is a hotspot for CCHF, with 50% of the cases being exposed to ticks.

It adds that in certain conditions in Spain people are much more likely to catch Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever: “This risk drastically increases for people performing activities that expose them to tick bites (e.g. hunting, forestry work, hiking, animal surveillance).

The UK Heath Security Agency has said it is estimated that globally between 10,000 and 15,000 human infections, including approximately 500 fatalities, occur annually, although this is likely to be an underestimate as many cases.

Confirmed CCHF cases have been imported into the UK, including one fatal case in 2012 and one in 2014. In March 2022, a CCHF case was reported in the UK following an initial positive test result.

To prevent CCHF:

• Use DEET-containing insect repellent to prevent tick bites.
• Wear gloves, long sleeves, and pants when handling animals where CCHF is found.
• Avoid contact with body fluids of potentially infected animals or people.

“As a general precaution against CCHF, but also against other tick-borne diseases, people who may potentially be exposed to ticks should apply personal protective measures against tick bites. In 2023 experts speaking to Parliament’s Science, Innovation and Technology Committee revealed it was “highly likely” there could soon be cases in the UK.

During the hearing, James Wood, head of veterinary medicine at Cambridge University, said CCHF could find its way to the UK “through our ticks, at some point”. The disease is caused by Nairovirus, a condition that is spread by ticks and according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and has a fatality rate of between 10 and 40 percent. Typically, the condition is found at small stages in Africa, the Balkans, the Middle East and in Asia, reports the Express. However, the disease could be expanding out of its usual territories and moving towards the likes of Britain and France due to climate change.

WHO noted CCHF was among its nine “priority diseases”, a system that lays bare the biggest public health risks. CCHF was first described in the Crimea in 1944, among soldiers and agricultural workers, and in 1969 it was recognised that the virus causing the disease was identical to a virus isolated from a child in the Congo in 1956. Humans (and possibly non-human primates) are the only animal species known to manifest severe clinical CCHF disease.

Symptoms of CCHF

Among the virus’ symptoms include headaches, high fever, back and joint pain, stomach ache, and vomiting. Red eyes, a flushed face, a red throat, and petechiae (red spots) on the palate are also common.

In severe cases, WHO warns, jaundice, mood swings and sensory perception are encountered. As the illness progresses, large areas of severe bruising, severe nosebleeds, and uncontrolled bleeding at injection sites can be seen, beginning on about the fourth day of illness and lasting for about two weeks.

In documented outbreaks of CCHF, fatality rates in hospitalised patients ranged from nine percent to as high as 50 percent. The long-term effects of CCHF infection have not been studied well enough in survivors to determine whether or not specific complications exist. However, recovery is slow.

Globally, there have been case reports, virological or serological evidence of human infection in at least 55 countries. In the European Region and its neighbouring countries, locally acquired human cases and/or outbreaks have been reported from Albania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Russia, Spain, Turkey and Ukraine. Spain officially reported its first autochthonous case in August 2016, the first in Western Europe, following their first detection of CCHFV infected ticks in 2010. At the end of October 2023, French officials reported the detection of CCHFV in H. marginatum ticks collected from cattle in the eastern Pyrénées, which was the first time the presence of the virus in tick populations had been confirmed in the country.

A TOWIE star was rushed to hospital during filming after she ignored her worrying symptoms.

Reality TV star Chloe Meadows, 33, was so “scared” of the doctors and the prospect of “having any procedure done” that she ignored symptoms of a chronic inflammatory bowel condition for around 10 years.

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Chloe said she had some health checks aged 26, 10 years after her symptoms appeared, after she went on a diet at a time where she was also losing a lot of blood.

She told the podcast Bedside Manners with Dr Oscar Duke, that her mother intervened and said she should go to the doctors and get a blood test as she looked grey.

While she was out filming, after she had the blood tests, Chloe received a number of missed calls from her father who then texted her to say a doctor had advised her she should got straight to A&E because her “blood was so low”.

“I went to the hospital. I had to have all of these checks and these iron infusions and that was where it started,” she said.

Chloe also revealed that she had probably her longest flare-up after filming a nerve wracking scene on Towie.

The star first discovered blood in her stool, a symptom of ulcerative colitis, when she was 16.

“I went to a college where I boarded when I was 16.

“I was staying away from home and I was living in a student house and there was blood down the toilet”, she told Dr Oscar Duke’s Bedside Manners podcast.

“I remember I told my mum and I was like, there’s quite a lot of blood down the toilet.

“I’m not really sure what’s going on. She was of course like, go to the doctors.

“I went to the doctors, and they said that I would have to have a colonoscopy, which is a camera into the bowel.”

Chloe added: “At this point in my life, I had never really ever been to the hospital. I’d never been sick.

“I’d never had any procedure or operation. I’d never been sedated.

“I’d never had anything and the doctor referred me and I got this letter, and this is awful, but I got this letter and I just never went to the appointment because I was terrified.

“Then I ignored it and what would happen, which is what I realise now, is that I can go into remission, I can go into a flare-up in remission.

“It would stop for periods of time so that the blood would go away. I’d be like, ‘Oh, cool, it’s gone away, I’m better. There’s nothing wrong with me’.

“I’d go through years where it wouldn’t happen and then it would happen again, and then it would stop again.

“I would probably lie to my mum about how much it would happen because she always pestered me about it and I was like, ‘No, it’s fine’.

Chloe admitted she was scared of having any procedure done.

“I was also scared of what they were going to tell me. I was just terrified, which is not really a reason not to go to the doctor, but I think that’s just what I thought.

“I was young as well, so I would forget when there wasn’t blood down the toilet, I would completely forget.”

Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed, according to the NHS website.

Symptoms include recurring diarrhoea, which may contain blood, extreme tiredness, loss of appetite and weight loss.

Some people with ulcerative colitis may go for weeks or months with very mild symptoms, or none at all (remission), followed by flare-ups and relapses.

Treatment options include corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and surgery.

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