MAIL ONLINE - HEALTH REPORTER
I am an NCTJ-trained journalist with 11 years' experience in the media industry.
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MAIL ONLINE - HEALTH REPORTER
Melissa Ohden, 40, from Missouri, was born despite her mother's 5-day saline infusion abortion in 1977 when she was eight months pregnant Weighing 2Ib 14oz, she suffered jaundice, respiratory distress and seizures Her 17-year search for answers about her past turned her world upside down She found out she owes
Exclusive: FDA in the US has issued statement warning about dangers of 'anti-roll' products There are reports of at least 12 babies' deaths linked to the devices in the US The products are currently sold by various retailers including Amazon MailOnline approached firm for comment but it has not yet
Trodusquemine shows promising results for treating breast cancer and diabetes Now researchers have found it reverses the effects of atherosclerosis This is where arteries become clogged with fat, causing heart disease The drug 'mimics' the effects of exercise and activates protective enzyme It also inhibits another that causes prolonged inflammation and hardens arteries Heart disease is number cause of death globally, killing 17.7 million people a year A new drug that 'melts away' the fat...
Just 12% of trusts offer 3 cycles as NICE recommends, down from 24% in 2013 New report also provides an 'league table' of CCGs' IVF services Individual CCGs are scrapping services or imposing strict criteria in face of cuts Critics say NHS 'postcode lottery' is a key driver in couples
Controversial low-carb eating plan is high in fat and advocates moderate protein Researchers studied people who have or are at risk of type 2 diabetes The keto group saw significantly better results even without physical activity They were compared to those on a standard diet - with and without exercise They had lower weight, body fat percentage and body mass index (BMI) Also had lower blood sugar levels and more ketones which break down fat The keto diet burns ten times more fat than a...
Immunotherapy teaches the body to attack cancer cells and destroy tumors A US team developed a new type of radioimmunotherapy, which combines traditional radiation therapy and immunotherapy Until now, this has had limited success eradicating tumors, say the researchers The new treatment works because it delivers the correct amount of radiation However, a limitation of the study was its size - it was carried out on just 10 mice As a result, Cancer Research UK urge for the study to be treated...
WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES Kelly Wilthew has released shocking pictures of her daughter Faith's scars She's accused a mental health unit of a catalogue of failures in keeping her safe Says she can access blades at 'sharp-free' West Lane Hospital Newberry Centre Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust insisted it takes the safety of patients very seriously A mother has released shocking pictures of the scars and injuries she claims her anorexic daughter has sustained because of a catalogue...
Jasmin Soriat, 19, showed neurological symptoms after having a second HPV jab The teen from Vienna suffered respiratory failure three weeks later Pathologist said the vaccine could have been the cause of her death British teenager Ruby Shallom is also included in the documentary, her family say she was left paralysed after having the jab The stories of both girls are included in a new documentary in which doctors claim the HPV virus does not even cause cancer A teenage girl died in her sleep...
EXCLUSIVE: Billy Wright dismissed the growth as a swollen lymph node The Londoner then discovered by chance he had two malignant tumours in May Lump could have been growing for years and cancer had spread to lymph nodes Billy had an operation, involving the removal of his thyroid and 101
The global market is set to reach $33 billion in the next seven years Breath of Life Pharma (BOL) has built a one-million-square-foot facility It will produce 80 tons of medical cannabis per year, said CEO Dr Tamir Gedo Comes after the Israeli government gave the go-ahead to exports of
The device delivers a natural substance extracted from brown algae It is a 'smart' patch which releases the active ingredients only when needed Effectiveness of microneedle treatment has been proven after tests on mice Insulin therapy not managed well in half of cases so weekly patch offers promise Millions of people with diabetes could benefit from a device which spells an end to painful insulin injections and finger prick tests.
Nail technician Jean Skinner, from Essex, shared image online of client's thumb Told woman to seek urgent medical help and she was diagnosed with melanoma She was told that it was aggressive and the cancer has spread to lymph nodes Dark stripes can be a form of skin cancer called subungual melanoma Here is a visual guide to other nail abnormalities and what the problem could be A nail technician has shared a photo online of her client's nail with a dark stripe down the middle to urge people...
WARNING: CONTAINS IMAGE SOME MAY FIND UPSETTING Mary Vince, 37, from Horwich, Lancashire, says friends didn't know how to react She had battled fertility problems yet fell pregnant naturally with Johnny But a week before her due day joy turned to tragedy when baby's heart stopped Had IVF and had
Was thought newer forms - such progesterone only - would be safer Now a study found combined pill and progestogen-only pill have same risk Non-oral products such as the hormone-intrauterine system (IUS) does also Experts say small risks of the pill needed to be weighed up against the benefits Includes reduced risk of ovarian, endometrial and colorectal cancers in later life All forms of hormonal contraception bring an increased risk of breast cancer, which lasts for about five years after...
Over 800 women in permanent pain are suing the NHS or mesh manufacturers Doctors say there are more victims and compare it to the thalidomide scandal They say complication rates are 'unacceptably high' - 19% for some types Oxford professor calls for a public inquiry while campaigners want a ban Senior doctors have called for a public inquiry into the use of vaginal mesh surgery in Britain, saying it could be akin to the thalidomide scandal.
The ex-Loose Women star has concerns about a mole that has changed shape The 44-year-old has twice been diagnosed with malignant melanoma Doctors believes her cancer was caused by using sunbeds in her teens She is backing a campaign to ban use of tanning beds in the UK Using a tanning bed before age 35 increase risk of melanoma by 75 per cent Skin cancer survivor Terri Dwyer has shared a shocking image of the damage UV rays have done to her face as she reveals she is going through another...
EXCLUSIVE: Doctors will warn women that the drug could be less effective for those who weigh over 11 stone or have a body mass index (BMI) over 26 The drug may be diluted in bigger women, preventing it from working properly New UK guidelines finally provide clarification after years of conflicting studies Overweight women will be advised to double the dosage or have the emergency coil instead Many women rely on the morning-after pill as a method of emergency contraception but new guidelines...
Hanna Sillitoe found relief with anti-inflammatory diet after researching into it The 38-year-old, from Manchester, published a blog and book to help others She has shared their astounding before and after pictures with MailOnline US mother of a psoriasis-covered toddler used Hanna's diet plan and revealed her daughter 'has her life back' A woman whose 20-year battle with psoriasis and eczema was so severe she was told her only treatment option was chemotherapy has found a 'cure' through diet.
EXCLUSIVE: Generic version of Cialis launched in UK after brand's patent ran out Price of drug, which contains tadalafil, has fallen from £7.22 per tablet to £2-£4 Most major pharmacies - including Superdrug, LloydsPharmacy and Boots - are set to stock the generic tablets this month Cialis, Viagra and all
EXCLUSIVE: The former model suffered years of heavy, painful periods Condition left her with extreme fatigue and depression and sex was agony The 38-year-old had an operation to cut away patches of endometriosis tissue But when symptoms returned she was told hysterectomy was her only option She is now pain-free
As children, the Russian sisters suffered unimaginable cruelty in the name of medical 'experiments' They were burnt, starved, electrocuted and injected with radioactive substances Despite sharing same genetics and childhood, personalities were very different Masha was 'emotionally abusive' to her sister and forced her to get drunk She also denied
Sunny Bird, who ran a fitness bootcamp, piled on the weight in just 8 months She begged doctors, over two years, for answers to tackle her insomnia, aches and exhaustion But disbelieving GP told her 'no fat people came out of the concentration camps' Sunny suffered a miscarriage - likely
Singer carries the BRCA2 gene and had a double mastectomy and hysterectomy 37-year-old revealed she gets 'down and emotional' after early menopause at 35 Her daughter Faith, 5, has a 50% chance of having the faulty mutation, she says Michelle supports pioneering trial of personalised breast screening programme Aims to give a more comprehensive picture of a woman's risk and options Singer Michelle Heaton has revealed she faces an on-going battle with depression brought on by early menopause...
The family of four have embarked on health drive together to support each other Father Jonathan lost seven pounds after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes Daughter Amy has shed two stone after adopting a a low-carb, protein-rich diet Mother Nikki cooks from scratch avoiding processed food after cancer battle The Tappers recently had a health MOT at LloydsPharmacy to keep them on track The Tappers have been on award-winning reality TV show Gogglebox since the very beginning, watching the...
The TV presenter revealed subtle changes in dad Andrew's behaviour were clues He was repeating stories, forgetting events and making odd comments The 49-year-old revealed her positive father is coping well with his symptoms Concerned about mother Gaby urged others to ask for help when they need it The family are uniting to take part in this year's Memory Walk in Brighton Davina McCall has spoken emotionally about the tell-tale signs she picked up on that made her suspect her father Andrew had...
Modius device sends a signal to the brain to suppress the appetite It also boosts fat burning and activates metabolic hormones, claim inventors Works by targeting the hypothalamus region of the brain that regulates hunger Wearers can burn up to 16% of their body fat - though 8-10% is average Inventor Dr Jason McKeown claims it reduced his body fat by 44% A new headset that signals the brain to suppress the appetite could be the answer to the obesity epidemic, according to its manufacturers.
EXCLUSIVE: Four times as many men have had breast reductions privately over the past five years, according to a leading cosmetic surgeon Dr Navid Jallali says 'countless' men are denied treatment on the NHS Patients are told by GPs to diet when a hormone imbalance is a common cause He said men are being 'fobbed-off, ridiculed and treated unfairly' The number of British men going under the knife to reduce their breasts has risen four fold over the last five years.
EXCLUSIVE: The only legal seller of Fortacin in the UK has now reduced price tag Professor Mike Wyllie, inventor of Viagra, made the premature ejaculation spray Fortacin contains low doses anaesthetics, these reduce the sensitivity Medication said to help up to nine in ten of those suffering from the condition Tests show men lasted on average five times longer following 3 months of use The cost of a spray that aims to help men who suffer from premature ejaculation has been slashed to a fifth...
EXCLUSIVE: Insiders told MailOnline that Prince Harry has omega-3 supplements made with caviar oil sent to Kensington Palace The pills are commonly used by men to fight hair loss Harry, 32, shows signs of hair thinning on a recent photos Pictures show Prince has a growing spot just like his brother and father Hair loss is prominent on both sides of his family, as Earl Spencer was also bald Harry may be feeling the pressure to impress girlfriend Meghan Markle Prince Harry has often joked about...
Dr Jen Gunter says men complaining about your natural smell is a 'form of abuse' The Canadian gynecologist revealed she once dumped a boyfriend for this Has warned intimate hygiene products upset natural pH balance of intimate bits This leaves you at a greater risk of infections and actually increase bad smells Mayo Clinic experts explain when you should see a doctor over vaginal odor She's had a strong opinion on the recent trends for women cleaning their vaginas with cucumbers and Vicks'...
Experts at UMass Medical School in Boston have prevented mice getting Lyme Shot uses anti-body that stops the tick-spread disease from being transmitted 300,000 cases a year are diagnosed in the US; 65,000 a year in Europe Bella Hadid, Martine McCutcheon and Avril Lavigne have had the illness However, it could take 2-3 years to be available due to trials required by the FDA Scientists say they have developed a vaccine that offers '100 percent protection' against contracting Lyme disease.
Eleven areas of the UK have been identified as at a 'high risk' of a shortage In seven of these areas, more than 20 per cent of doctors are aged over 55 Experts warn the NHS is 'fighting a losing battle' unless more young GPs join Others say an 'avalanche of work' is putting hopeful doctors off the profession Past research suggests flexible hours may keep older GPs in the job longer We have heard the stark warnings about the impact the ageing population is placing on health services.
JCVI has advised the Government extending jab for boys is 'not cost-effective' The HPV virus can lead to oral, penile and anal cancers in men Adolescent girls receive the vaccination to protect against cervical cancer As uptake is over 85% with girls this offers 'herd protection' for boys says JCVI
CANDIS - DEPUTY EDITOR
Freelance Work
OMG! MAGAZINE - ASSISTANT EDITOR
Jade begged Cassie, an incest survivor and psychiatrist, for help to escape the evil clutches of her rapist stepdad... but was all as it seemed...?
Jobless dad-of-40 Mike Hoplin says contraception is ‘definitely the woman’s problem’...
Mr Spock lookalike Roy was shocked when Leonard Nimoy, who played the pointy-eared Star Trek character, came back from the dead to give him an amazing life-saving message...
Grief-stricken Katie is in torment not knowing whether her seven-year-old son Samuel Parkin could have been saved.
After a tormenting two-week hunt for her missing fiancé, Kira Billiau was told the news she’d been dreading. Here Kira, 28, writes an open letter to Michael to tell him how much she and their two-year-old son Reuben miss him...
Dana Baker, you were abused and let down by the people who should have helped you. I’m racked with guilt for letting you go out that fateful night when it finally all became too much for you to bear. By Sally King, 49.
Full-time carer Charlene longed to see her little boy take his first steps, but after a diagnosis confirmed something was wrong she thought she could put all her faith in the NHS to help him get well...
Jennifer couldn’t give up her new and unusual job and the lavish lifestyle it afforded her. So when her boyfriend gave her an ultimatum, was it food for thought?
Daneille was devastated when a scan showed her baby had been dead for three weeks. Then, just moments before surgery to remove the foetus, her boyfriend Ronnie saw a tiny movement on the ultrasound screen...
When Sue was forced give up her job as a nurse due to a debilitating condition, assistance dog Quizzy gave her a lifeline and the determination to enjoy life again...
Fern McClusky and boyfriend David were over the moon when they found out they were having their first child. Then tragedy struck and David was killed in a car crash. Here Fern, 25, writes an open letter to David and it will melt your heart...
Doctors said there was no hope for Vicky Maple’s premature baby Samuel but the tiny warrior was preparing to fight the mother of all battles for his life...
Sport Media (Heritage) – Writer and page designer
During the Great War, 628 Victoria Crosses were awarded to brave servicemen. Only one man received the highest award for gallantry twice. Altogether, medic Noel Chavasse saved the lives of some 20 badly-wounded men.
Write features and laid out pages across main UK and Scottish editions and five regional supplements as part of a four-part series
Liverpool Unites (ECHO) – FUNDRAISING MANAGER (AND WROTE RELATED NEWS STORIES)
As part of the Open Culture Project, we mark the dawn of our year as European Capital of Culture by publishing the list in full, 366 influencers - one for each day of this very special Leap Year. Also here: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/capital-of-culture/capital-of-culture-liverpool-news/2008/01/01/the-scouserati-the-366-most-influential-scousers-on-the-planet-100252-20305671/
Video – Trained in shooting and editing
Design – Some spare-time projects
Newsquest – COMMERCIAL FEATURES WRITER/SUB-EDITOR & CONTENT EDITOR OF WIRRAL LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
Guided the launch of a new title under the role of content editor, playing a large role in setting the editorial style and tone of the magazine
Wrote and designed all of this supplement, including front cover, mastheads and page layout
Hull Daily Mail: Court/Crime
The grandson of 87-year-old Lena Cobb, who died after being hit by a friend's car, has said he does not blame her for the tragedy
The parents of one of paedophile Karl Foxhall's victims speak about how the abuse led to their son being given an Asbo
A mother has spoken of her shock after her nine-year-old disabled son was stalked as he cycled home by a strange man
Police are appealing for witnesses after the body of Kevin Palmer was found outside flats in west Hul
Exclusive story following a tip off about a parish councillor who was arrested after police seized more than 130 cannabis plants with a street value of up to £70,000
A lift home and a broken finger nail were some of the reasons given for hoax and nuisance 999 calls to the emergency services in East Yorkshire over the festive period
A teenager skilled his ex-girlfriend's kitten by slamming it against the wall after she broke up with him
A pensioner has protested his innocence after he was arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife
Police suspect dealers may be pushing drugs at the campus gates
Speeding motorists are to be targeted in a covert operation, The Mail can exclusively reveal
Budget cuts are forcing a road safety body to cut high-profile campaigns in East Yorkshire – but speed cameras will stay
Hull Daily Mail: Human Interest
East Yorkshire sapper Gareth Addy survived a roadside blast in Afghanistan thanks to the Mastiff armoured vehicle
A year after Matt Graham took his own life aged just 17, Claudia Tanner talks to his father Den
Former soldier Aron Shelton talks about his ongoing fight to have his disability benefit restored
Proud parents vow to fulfil travel loving youngster's dream by scattering his remains in Rome
Mum raises awareness of condition that led her doctor daughter to suicide
As a campaign to improve Hull's Paragon Interchange for blind people is underway, Claudia Tanner tries to navigate the station without sight
Sister Winifred Rippon and Marjorie Woodcock share a birthday with the Titanic
A popular butcher has put posters in his shop window to declare to gossipers that he is not gay and has not left his wife and children
Bridlington GP Dr David Hickson has admitted having a sexual relationship with a married patient
Great-grandmother Jo Manhertz, 70, who suffers from a rare sleep disorder, has created a 'bucket list' after going on a motorcycle ride
Yorkshire Ambulance Service has been told to improve after figures show a third of patients are being made late for hospital appointments
Elderly people across the East Riding are to be treated in their own homes to relieve the strain on hospitals
Hull Daily Mail: Health
Hull Daily Mail: Freedom of Information
Exclusive story revealing NHS East Riding plans to save money by prescribing cheaper drugs to patients
Family man Mark Bonehill died from a blood clot after hospital staff failed to recall him for a crucial scan
Outraged mum Christine Ireland claims a parking warden gave her a ticket when she stopped to give her nine-month-old daughter an inhaler
From crumpets to computers, items totalling £34,157 were swiped from the police
A total of 26 UFOs were reported to the police in the past three years
The £350,000 cost of the soon-to-be-launched Beverley Town Trail has divided opinio
More than 200 Humberside Police officers have second jobs or incomes in addition to their law enforcement roles
After an agonising relegation battle, Tigers fans can breathe a sigh of relief as season finale ensures City's survival
Hull Daily Mail: Sport
Hull Daily Mail: Miscellaneous
Buildings appear to vanish then reappear on Google's controversial Street View
Claudia Tanner talks to local historian Mike Covell and relatives of Mary Jane Langley who was mysteriously murdered 120 years ago
Police were called after a row broke out in a quiet village over a lane which was dug up
A community play may not go ahead after controversy has erupted over a scene involving a gay character
As a record 12,000 people flocked to Ladies' Day at Beverley, frugal race-goers were determined to look stunning without spending a fortune
Beverley-born artist Paul Hoggard has created a 14-tonne elephant out of sand
Hull Daily Mail: Animals
Amazing images show farm animal's night out on the town
A bleeding seal was rescued after volunteers tackled a 200ft cliff to haul him to safety
Hull Daily Mail: Travel
Claudia Tanner visits Dublin for St Patrick's Festival