Colin Farrell raises awareness for son born with Angelman syndrome — and more health headlines Canadians should know this week
This week's trending health headlines, in one convenient location.
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If you're pressed for time but looking to stay up-to-date on the latest news, we've got you covered. We've compiled a weekly one-stop shop so you can read all about headline-making health stories and better your own health in the process. First, check out some of this week's health stories from Yahoo Canada you might have missed:
“Twin Peaks” director David Lynch shares emphysema diagnosis from “many years” of smoking. Learn more about the illness —and why it might not always present with symptoms.
Actress Daisy Ridley says she was diagnosed with Graves' disease after experiencing hot flashes. Here's what to know about the autoimmune disorder.
Do magic mushrooms help with depression? One man with stage 4 colon cancer says taking psychedelics helped with his end-of-life distress.
How do you grief the loss of a child? One family pays tribute to their 8-month-old daughter by spreading joy in her honour.
Here are more trending news stories you should know about:
???????? Colin Farrell brings awareness to Angelman syndrome
Colin Farrell made headlines this week by sharing details of his new foundation designed to support adult children living with intellectual disabilities and their families. The Colin Farrell Foundation was inspired by the actor's 20-year-old son, James, who has Angelman Syndrome, a neuro-genetic disorder that causes severe physical and learning disabilities.
"This is the first time I’ve spoken about it, and obviously the only reason I’m speaking is I can’t ask James if he wants to do this," Farrell told People magazine.
Farrell said his foundation will help provide "greater opportunities" to those coming of age so that they feel "greater degree of individuality and autonomy on life, and a greater degree of community."
"I want the world to be kind to James,” Farrell told People magazine. “I want the world to treat him with kindness and respect.”
Angelman syndrome affects the nervous system causing severe physical and intellectual abilities. Children with Angelman syndrome often have delayed development from six months of age and will grow to have issues with movement (inability to walk) and may not be able to speak.
Genetic testing can confirm Angelman syndrome but there is no prenatal screening available. While there is no cure, there are therapies that can help develop non-verbal language skills as well as physiotherapy to help with posture and movement.
?? Spike in Mpox virus causes concern for becoming 'another pandemic'
Growing concern for the rise of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) cases in Africa has prompted concern from Dr. Kaseya, the head of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, that the disease could become “another pandemic.”
“We are committed to mobilizing resources and providing technical assistance to affected countries to control the outbreak,” said Kaseya, according to The Independent.
The disease has been reported in 16 African Union member states, with 90 per cent of cases occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Cases of mpox have increased 160% compared to last year — with 15,132 cases reported in 2024.
According to the World Health Organization, Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus that causes skin rash, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, and muscle aches. The virus can be transmitted from person to person or through contact with infected animals. The WHO states that the goal in treating mpox is to “take care of the rash, manage pain and prevent complications.”
??Artificial sweetener could increase risk of blood clots, heart attacks
A new study from the Cleveland Clinic reports a link between the artificial sweetener erythritol and an increased risk of cardiovascular issues.
According to the latest findings, ingesting erythritol made platelets hyper-responsive, which can lead to blood clots and potentially heart attacks and strokes. The same effect was not reported in subjects who ingested sugar (glucose). Previous research revealed similar findings for xylitol, another artificial sweetener.
“If your loved one has heart disease especially, I strongly recommend you advise them to avoid erythritol, xylitol and other sugar alcohols,” Dr. Stanley Hazen, chair of cardiovascular and metabolic sciences in Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, told Yahoo Life.
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