6 days agoBlogsComments Off on I had a stroke two years ago and STILL can’t swallow – help!
Olivia WestSun columnist Dr Zoe[/caption]
OUR resident specialist and NHS GP, Dr Zoe Williams, shares her expert advice.
Today, Dr Zoe helps a reader who is suffering from total dysphagia and wants to know which treatments are available.
Olivia WestDr Zoe Williams helps Sun readers with their health concerns[/caption]
This week a reader still does not have the ability to swallow following a stroke two years ago
Q) FOLLOWING a stroke two years ago at the age of 69, I have total dysphagia and have been peg tube fed since.
Everything else is back to normal except the ability to swallow but despite doing all the exercises, given by the Speech and Language Therapy team, nothing has worked.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy is private and expensive. Is there any other treatment available?
A) Dysphagia is the inability to swallow, which is why you have been fed via a tube into the stomach.
I’m sorry to hear that you haven’t seen improvement despite support from SALT.
NMES aims to retrain the nerves and muscles, and SALT exercises increase effectiveness. But it lacks sufficient robust evidence at the moment to be rolled out.
However, it can be used as part of clinical trials or audits. A newer NHS-supported treatment, pharyngeal electrical stimulation, targets the throat’s pharynx region. It aims to “rewire” nerve pathways.
Clinical trials (eg, the PHADER study) show it improves swallowing safety and reduces aspiration risk in stroke patients. The NHS is also currently investigating transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) aimed to reactivate swallowing centres in the brain.
Other therapies include Botox if muscle stiffness is an issue and surgery to dilate the oesophagus. Do request a multidisciplinary reassessment (neurologist and SALT) to explore your options.
And do ask about NHS trials.
Send your questions for Dr Zoe to: health@thesun.co.uk
6 days agoBlogsComments Off on From mushrooms to guarana – three products to help you prevent dehydration
AS I’ve signed up to this summer’s Manchester Half marathon I’m going to be doing some (sweaty) training, so prioritising hydration is crucial.
When we sweat we don’t just lose water but vital minerals such as sodium, potassium and calcium too.
Maintaining their balance is vital to prevent dehydration and electrolytes are key. I’ve put three – which also have added extras – to the test.
PROTEIN
The HydroProtein Elixir has electrolytes for hydration
ELLE Macpherson’s company WelleCo has released The HydroProtein Elixir. In addition to 15g of pea protein per serving it has electrolytes (sodium, potassium and magnesium) for hydration, and a beauty blend (vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, niacin and biotin) for glowing skin. It’s also got vitamin B5 for energy.
The blackcurrant and pomegranate flavour had a refreshing sharpness.
I love that this is a great mixture of ingredients and just 63 calories per serving.
The Hydro Hydration Energy and Focus drink contains five key electrolytes
FOURFIVE is a new firm founded by professional rugby players George Kruis and Dom Day.
Their Hydro Hydration Energy and Focus drink contains five key electrolytes calcium, potassium, chloride, magnesium and sodium as well as lion’s mane mushrooms and ginseng which help with energy, focus and mental clarity.
This also has eight B vitamins and 76mg of caffeine which is about the same as a cup of instant coffee but also contains an amino acid called L-theanine which stops you feeling jittery after caffeine.
The Hydro Energy and Focus powder is Red Berry flavour – which is delightful, not too sharp or sweet – and comes as a single, 7-pack or 30-pack sachets (5.5g) from about £1.10 a sachet.
Phizz Daily Energy has a specialised hydration formula
MUCH more than just another energy drink, Phizz Daily Energy, features a specialised hydration formula and a high-strength, scientifically formulated B-vitamin complex.
B-vitamins are important in helping your body convert food into energy, supporting everything from brain function to helping to reduce tiredness and fatigue.
Plus, with a blend of caffeine and guarana extract, it provides 75mg of caffeine per tablet.
Guarana berries contain three times more caffeine than coffee but it’s released slowly, meaning Phizz Daily Energy provides sustained energy over time.
They cost £7.99 for a tube of x 20 tablets. For more information, see phizz.co.
6 days agoBlogsComments Off on The £1 hack that’ll leave your clothes crease-free and smelling amazing – with no iron in sight
IT is a pretty simple task but ironing is detested by millions when it comes to household chores.
In fact, a whopping 60% of Brits have confessed they will do anything to avoid it despite most of them owning an iron and board.
tiktok/@cerverafitmomAccording to one thrifty TikToker, the answer to crease-free clothing is simple – and you can find it for just a quid[/caption]
tiktok/@cerverafitmomCleaning fans will need just two ingredients for the DIY concoction[/caption]
While there are plenty of crease releasers on the high-street, turns out, you can easily make your very own for a fraction of the price.
What’s more, not only will it save you heaps of cash in the long run but the £1 concoction will also leave your laundry smelling fabulous.
The cash-savvy solution was recently shared on TikTok by one money-smart cleaning fan only known as @dagger95.
According to the thrifty TikToker, the answer to crease-free clothing is simple – and you can find it for just a quid.
She told fellow social media users: ”I do this with just water or ever water and a little bit of fabric softener in a Febreze bottle or any bottle.
”You do not need a special solution. hope this helps all my broke besties, like me.”
If your favourite fabric softener is running low, you can find a mega 1l bottle for £1 at Savers – or £1.70 at Aldi, £2.50 at Sainsbury’s and other supermarkets.
Before using this spray, it’s best to test it on a small, hidden part of your shirt or garment to make sure it won’t cause any discolouration.
To use this DIY wrinkle releaser, hang your garment on a clothes hanger or lay it out flat on your bed.
Pull the garment taught as you generously spray the DIY mix over it and run your hand over the wrinkles to help smooth them out.
You want to make the fabric damp, but not soak it – as the more you spray, the longer your clothes will take to dry.
If you choose to de-wrinkle your outfits before bed, you can be even more generous with the affordable spray.
Laundry tips
Catherine Green, sustainable cleaning expert at smol shared her laundry tips.
How often should you be remaking your bed?
When it comes to your bed, maintaining a hygienic sleep setup can actually improve your sleep quality, helping you start every day better.
Most people shed 500 million skin cells per day and a lot of that ends up in bed for dust mites to feed on. And those with asthma or allergies might see symptoms worsen by sleeping on dirty sheets!
You want to be washing your sheets once a week – or every 10 days if you don’t suffer from allergies and wear nightclothes. Bedding builds up with sweat, skin cells and oils quickly, even if it doesn’t look dirty.
Using an effective detergent like smol’s will still give you a great clean on a 20°C cycle – that’s better for the planet and your energy bills!
What temperature do smol recommend then?
For your regular weekly washes I recommend washing most loads at 20°C for 30 minutes. It’s gentler on fabrics, slashes energy use, and still delivers excellent stain removal with the right detergent. A colder wash can actually be more effective if you opt for a bio detergent as its enzymes need cooler water; too hot and they lose their ability to digest stains. A wash at 60°c (unless you have silk sheets) every now and again can help kill off dust mites and other nasties.
What’s the difference between bio and non-bio detergent?
Bio detergents contain enzymes, which are especially good at breaking down tough stains like food, grass, or sweat. It’s best used in mid to low temperature washes (ideally between 20-40°C) as anything hotter can cause them not to work effectively.
Non-bio skips the enzymes, which in turn makes it more suitable for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Although non-bio doesn’t contain enzymes, it’s still great at removing stains and keeping your clothes clean, you just may need to use a slightly higher temperature setting to aid with the cleaning process.
More de-creasing hacks
If you don’t own an iron or simply can’t be bothered, digital department store Freemans has partnered with domestic cleaner Mariya Gurkova at home services business Fantastic Services to provide some top alternative hacks.
Mariya revealed that a damp towel and tumble dryer are all you need to mimic an iron.
She said: “Put the wrinkled item in the dryer with a damp towel or a few ice cubes and run it on medium heat for about 15 minutes.
“Steam will be generated inside the dryer by the moisture from the towel or ice cubes, which will help loosen the wrinkles and smooth out the fabric. When dried, fold immediately to avoid ironing.”
She added: “You can also use a hair dryer to remove last-minute wrinkles.
“Simply dampen the wrinkled area of the garment with water or a wrinkle-removing spray. Use the lowest setting and pull the fabric taut when drying.
“Hair flat irons can help remove creases from small sections of clothing.”
Mariya also suggested that a hot cooking pot can be used to give your clothes a quick iron.
All you need to do is fill the pan with boiling water, let it heat up the pot and then pour it out. You can then use the base of the pot to smooth out your garments.
6 days agoBlogsComments Off on Tyson Fury’s beloved Morecambe on brink of extinction after relegation into non-league as furious ownership row erupts
MORECAMBE FC have claimed that a deal to sell the club is on the brink of collapse, plunging the National League outfit’s future into uncertainty.
Morecambe, who were relegated from League Two this season after finishing bottom of the table, have been in financial turmoil for some time, with the club listed for sale since 2022.
The future of Morecambe FC has been plunged into uncertaintyRex
Fans had assumed the issues were finally coming to an end after prospective new owners, Panjab Warriors, were cleared by the EFL to purchase the club after passing the fit and proper persons test earlier this month.
However, Panjab Warriors have now claimed that the current ownership, Bond Group – led by majority shareholder Jason Whittingham – have “adopted an uncooperative stance” that is “obstructing the completion of a sale”.
In a statement, Panjab Warriors wrote: “We now see no option but to publicly disclose the current situation, as the continued delays have become untenable.
“To be clear: the delay lies solely with Bond Group (Jason Whittingham) and Colin Goldring.
“It now appears they are deliberately jeopardising the very existence of the club in a last-ditch effort to alter terms that were already agreed upon and formally ratified by the EFL.
“This is a blatant attempt to extract additional funds from the Panjab Warriors team by using Morecambe FC’s future as leverage.”
The statement went on to reveal that Bond Group have claimed they are unable to pay staff and players for the month of June.
It continued: “Disturbingly, further proof of this emerged today when the Bond Group informed Morecambe FC’s Board of Directors that they are unable to facilitate the club’s payroll, due today, for players and staff.
AlamyMorecambe were relegated to the National League this season[/caption]
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“Displaying a shocking disregard for the livelihoods of those who serve the club day in, day out.
“We firmly and publicly criticise the actions and approach of Mr Whittingham and his associates and implore Bond Group to honour the agreed terms and finalise the sale without further delay.”
Meanwhile Morecambe’s website also displayed a statement from the club’s board of directors, condemning the actions of the Bond Group and pleading with those in charge to sell the club to Panjab Warriors.
The statement read: “Bond Group Investments Limited are playing with people’s livelihoods, threatening the very existence of this proud club, and risking serious damage to the community it serves.
“They have consistently proved to be deceitful, and the Board of Directors call upon them to, for once, do the right thing and sell the club immediately to Panjab Warriors.”
SunSport have approached the Bond Group for comment.
Since the club was put up for sale in 2022, the team has suffered consecutive relegations and fallen from League One to the National League.
While wages have gone unpaid for players and staff on multiple occasions in the past.
Fan groups have voiced their concern over the latest developments, asking for communication from Bond Group over the position of the sale.
The club’s official supporters group, Shrimps Trust, said: “If there is an issue with the sale, this needs to be open and transparent, after 14 days of being told ‘this will complete imminently’ the message has worn thin.
RexMorecambe fan groups have voiced their concerns with the updates[/caption]
“EFL clearance has been given, we have been told that terms had been agreed, no more time should be wasted.
“Complete the sale of our club, and let Morecambe FC start a new chapter in our history.”
While fan protest group, The 1920 Union, said in a statement: “If wages are late again, then serious questions must be asked.
‘’Where is the money? We are reminded that season ticket sales are up compared to last season.
“Prize money and gate receipts from our FA Cup run, as well as solidarity payments from the EFL, have been received. Yet the staff and players who keep this club going are once again left in limbo.”
Adding: “Enough is enough. We need a sale. We need answers. And we need a future we can believe in.
‘’Our club cannot continue to drift aimlessly. It must be secured, stable, and supported.’’
Morecambe are former boxing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s local club.
The Gypsy King has sponsored the club’s shorts in the past, and even claimed in 2022 that he was considering buying them.
He told talkSPORT at the time: “I’m thinking about buying Morecambe Football Club, they’re in League One at the moment.
“So I was thinking I invest X amount of millions in them. Basically throw it at them and keep them going up.
“I’ve been offered to buy Morecambe Football Club. I own all the training facilities anyway and the training gym. So who knows?
“You might be looking at a football club owner.”
Morecambe FCTyson Fury has worked with his local club before[/caption]
Dan Sheehan scored the first try in the win over the Western Force on Saturday morningSheehan reflected on his Lions debut as he called it a career landmark moment
And Ireland star Sheehan opened the Lions account as the skipper grounded for the first try of the series against the Western Force.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the Game, the Ireland hooker was overjoyed with his debut for the touring side.
He said: “A really special day. For me and a lot of the lads making their first appearance in this jersey – it’s something special.
“It’s something you watch all the way when you’re growing up, you want to be in this jersey.
“It’s sinking in now, a really special day. We’re happy with that result but there’s things to work on as well.”
In the match itself, Connacht winger Mack Hansen was one of eight Ireland players to start for Farrell, with Joe McCarthy, Garry Ringrose, and Dan Sheehan getting among the tries.
However, the Lions head coach singled out the Aussie-born star for contributing the “play of the day” late on.
“But the play of the day, if you want to look what a Lion should do for his teammates was when Mack Hansen went up and down the field, end-to-end, never gave up, and fought for his teammate.
“That’s the type of spirit that we want throughout the team. So a nice example there.”
Hansen’s stellar showing from the start on Saturday came after he was brought on off the bench in the defeat to Argentina in Dublin.
The Lions now place The Reds on Wednesday morning at 11pm.
Chantel BellewThe Britain’s Got Talent star who made Ant and Dec giggle died aged 34[/caption]
ITVThe TV dancer made it to the quarter finals in 2019[/caption]
Chantel BellewChantel Bellew passed away in hospital from an overdose just weeks after her birthday[/caption]
She was rushed to hospital on March 17 this year after overdosing, and sadly died five days later, MEN reported.
Her mother Jill Dawson described her as a “beautiful daughter” and “model student”.
An inquest into her death at Bolton Coroners’ Court found that the dancer intentionally took her own life when she knew her wife would not be home to stop her.
The inquest was told she suffered with mental health problems for “quite some time”.
The talented performer made Ant and Dec crack up when her costume was ripped off by two male dancers to reveal a Union Jack bodysuit.
Chantel also won over the nation’s heart when she taught Strictly star Anton Du Beke how to tap dance.
She posted a clip at the time and wrote: “Great day teaching Anton some tap.”
Chantel was a talented dancer and performed in musicals including the Paris production of 42nd Street.
She had also featured in the UK tour of The Greatest Showman and worked as an entertainer on cruise ships.
The 34-year-old lived in Widnes, Cheshire, and taught dance and singing in recent years.
Shortly before her tragic death, Chantel started working in a supermarket and was a teaching assistant.
Her family said: “Chantel was more than a daughter, wife, sister, niece, cousin and friend. She was a kind, loving, and passionate spirit who brought joy and laughter to so many.
“Chantel was a talent second to none who was the life and soul of every party.”
Close pal Katy Glover previously paid tribute to her and said: “She was such a whirlwind, the life and soul of the party and such a bundle of life.
“She lived and breathed glamour and showbiz and she was a fantastic tap dancer, she did a number of Britain’s Got Talent which she loved, and she kept telling everyone.
“Chantel said she’d had a brilliant time and treated it as another audition because she was so professional, and she was so determined.
“She also taught Anton Du Beke tap as well because tap was her life, she was the best tapper out there.
“She was incredible, one of a kind, sparkly and loving and loyal.
“She sang and danced but tap was her niche, and she loved all the glitz and glam.
“42nd Street was her favourite musical, and she was delighted to be part of it, and it was one of the highlights of her career. She just lived to perform.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
