Health
Alberta woman who was born despite IUD suffering from rare diseases
From birth to adulthood, Sherri Jones’ life has been both unusual and rare.
The 54-year-old resident of Red Deer, Alb., was born despite her mom using an intrauterine device — a one-in-100 occurrence.
“The IUD apparently had gotten stuck on her bladder, and it penetrated her bladder, which is why she was able to conceive,” Jones told Global News in an interview.
The IUD, which hadn’t caused any major problems for her mom’s pregnancy, was later surgically removed several months after Jones’ birth, she said.
From the age of three or four, Jones says she has been struggling with a series of health problems, such as leg pain, a speech impediment, vision issues and slow bladder development.
As she got older, she started feeling pain in other joints of her body.
“I was constantly back and forth to the hospital, I was in an ambulance, you name it, doctors’ appointments. It was all the time.”
Sherri Jones was born with an intrauterine device in her mother’s bladder at the time of birth.
Photo provided
In 2010, a then-39-year-old Jones was in a car accident, and her body pains got worse. An MRI scan showed a large Tarlov Cyst, a very rare neurological condition, in her cervical spine. Seven years later, she developed three new Tarlov Cysts at the surgical site of the first one.
“The pain has just been excruciating,” Jones said. “I haven’t been able to walk or sit or stand for long periods of time ever since this all started.”
She has suffered from blurred vision, dizziness, “crazy” headaches and short-term memory loss.
Jones said she has also been diagnosed with enlarged ventricles and a couple of small congenital deformities in her brain, as well as a connective tissue disorder.
“I’ve just had so many unique things going on with me, and they’re all rare.”
These health problems that have followed her throughout her life have raised a lot of questions, Jones said, as doctors have been unable to pinpoint the root cause.
“The majority of them are all rare diseases, so how does that get to happen? Something had to have played a role for that to happen.”
From doing her own research, Jones suspects the IUD might have caused her rare conditions.
“You find out about the different things that an IUD can do. It’s not to say it’s definitely done it, but I think it’s raised a lot of questions,” she said.
IUD and pregnancy risks
IUD is one of most effective forms of contraception, with less than one per cent chance of getting pregnant, said Amanda Black, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Ottawa.
“It’s also a long-acting method of reversible contraception, meaning that although it can be in for many years, once it’s removed return to fertility is pretty much immediate,” she said in an interview with Global News.
Hormonal IUDS are considered more effective, with a 0.1 to 0.5 per cent rate of failure, compared with copper IUDs that have a higher pregnancy rate failure of 0.8 per cent, said Darine El-Chaar, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at the Ottawa Hospital.
Some studies suggest that women who conceive while using an IUD have a greater risk of preterm delivery, vaginal bleeding, low birth weight babies, bacterial infections and miscarriage.
That is why it’s generally recommended to take the IUD out when someone gets pregnant and they wish to continue with the pregnancy, El-Chaar said.
Otherwise, if the pregnancy has advanced or the strings have pulled up and are difficult to remove, the IUD is left in but closely monitored with ultrasounds, she said.
There is limited evidence to suggest a risk of congenital malformations or birth defects related to IUDs, El-Chaar said. And looking at the physiology, she said it would be “very unusual” for an IUD to cause a neurological disease — like the ones Jones is living with — adding that it’s difficult to make that association.
Black said she is not aware of any evidence that shows that IUD can increase the risk of neurological development for the baby.
A U.S. study from the 1980s reported two cases of women who gave birth to infants with anencephaly, which is a fatal neural tube defect. The authors said that the possible effect of copper on fetal development should be discussed with women who conceive with a copper device in place and elect to continue the pregnancy.
If the IUD did perforate into the fetus and caused any abnormalities, then doctors would be able to see that early on, El-Chaar said. “If there was an incident where it caused a fetal defect, I think it would be clear at birth.”
Jones, who is still trying to locate her birth records, is hoping to get more clarity about her rare health problems.
Since IUD births are uncommon, experts say it’s difficult to find a link between them and rare diseases.
“I think the scariest part about all this [is] when you have something going on with your body and the doctors can’t figure it out,” Jones said.
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Health
What Is Sloth Fever, and Can You Catch It in Canada?
Health
Sloth Virus Spreads to Europe: Oropouche Fever Emerges as Global Health Threat
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An insect-transmitted virus that can infect sloths, primates, and birds is spreading at an “unprecedented” rate, according to global health officials. Oropouche fever, a potentially fatal zoonotic disease, is now emerging in parts of the world where it has never been detected before, including Europe. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that the virus, transmitted by tiny flies called midges and mosquitoes, is spreading beyond its traditional stronghold in Central and South America.
Oropouche fever, which is part of the same family of diseases as Zika and dengue fever, has traditionally circulated in Central and South America. However, recent research published on August 8 in The Lancet indicates that the virus has also been detected in new locations, including Cuba, Italy, and Spain.
The research paper noted that “Arboviral infections have hit South America heavily in the past decade…. In addition, the region is now facing the re-emergence of another little-known arbovirus, Oropouche virus, on an unprecedented scale.” As of August 1, 2024, there have been 8,078 confirmed cases in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru, compared to just 832 cases reported in 2023. The first deaths linked to Oropouche fever were reported in late July, involving two young women in Brazil with no underlying medical conditions.
In response to the virus’s spread, both the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have issued warnings. In June and July, Europe reported its first 19 cases of Oropouche virus disease, with Spain (12 cases), Italy (five cases), and Germany (two cases) being affected. The majority of these cases were linked to travel to Cuba, with one case connected to Brazil.
Dr. Isaac Bogoch, a Toronto-based infectious diseases specialist, expressed concern over the virus’s potential spread to Canada, especially given the rise in cases in popular travel destinations like Cuba. “There’s a giant knowledge gap,” Bogoch said, highlighting that many healthcare professionals and the general public may be unaware of the virus, which could lead to underreporting.
Oropouche fever is a zoonotic disease first identified among forest workers in Trinidad in 1955, and later in a sloth in Brazil in 1960. Since then, more than 500,000 cases have been reported in the Americas, though the true extent of the virus’s spread may be underestimated. The virus is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected midge or mosquito, with no direct human-to-human transmission documented so far.
Symptoms of Oropouche fever can resemble those of dengue fever and Zika virus, including fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, headache, joint pain, muscle pain, sensitivity to light, and pain behind the eyes. In rare cases, the virus can lead to severe complications such as aseptic meningitis, which involves inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain.
The spread of Oropouche fever has been linked to climate change, urbanization, and deforestation. A study from 2017 examined an outbreak in Peru and found a significant connection to deforestation, which may displace the virus’s animal hosts and increase the likelihood of midges feeding on humans. Extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall and flooding, which create ideal breeding conditions for midges, have also been identified as contributing factors.
Currently, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for Oropouche fever. Prevention is the best defense, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending the use of insect repellent, window and door screens, and fans to keep midges and mosquitoes at bay. Since midges are smaller than mosquitoes, traditional mosquito nets may not be effective.
“Good insect repellent works extraordinarily well,” Bogoch advised, recommending repellents containing 30% DEET or 20% picaridin for the best protection.
The Canadian government has also issued travel precautions, advising those traveling to regions with Oropouche fever outbreaks to take extra care, particularly pregnant women, due to the potential risk of transmission from mother to fetus.
As the virus continues to spread, health officials urge travelers and healthcare providers to remain vigilant and report any symptoms that could be related to Oropouche fever. The situation highlights the growing threat of infectious diseases in a rapidly changing global climate.
Health
Achieving Your Fitness Goals: A Comprehensive Guide to Nutritional Support
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Starting a fitness regimen calls for proper nutrition. Fitness calls for a healthy, well-planned diet tailored to your needs, not only exercise. The major nutrition elements that can improve your fitness potential will be covered in this all-inclusive book.
Understand your nutritional needs.
Maximizing results depends on knowing your body’s dietary requirements. Age, gender, weight, degree of exercise, and fitness goals all affect one’s needs. A balanced diet should also call for carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. While dietitians and nutritionists can offer advice, basic concepts can get you going.
Do you need supplements?
Although they can be a great addition to a good diet, supplements shouldn’t be taken as replacements. Nutritional deficits can be filled in part with multivitamins, protein powders, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D pills. Before adding any premium vitamins to your regimen, though, you should see a medical practitioner. This stage guarantees that you are making wise judgments catered to your requirements and health condition, giving you confidence in your choices.
Some exercise supplements are supposed to improve performance and recovery. Products for muscular development and endurance exist from numerous reputable sources, like flexpharma.is. Researching and choosing supplements that meet your goals and degree of fitness is essential to make sure they will offer the expected results.
Macronutrients’ role
Macronutrients and diet components help in many ways in supporting fitness goals. Your regular workouts and activities depend on carbohydrates for energy. For nutrients and energy, choose complex carbohydrates including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Proteins are needed for muscle development and repair Among the lean proteins that help muscle development and recovery are chicken, fish, tofu, and lentils. Moreover, proteins satisfy you, reducing the need for continuous unhealthy dietary intake.
Though perspectives vary, fats are vital for controlling hormones and general health. Moderately ingested good fats can have benefits. Avocado, almonds, seeds, and olive oil give long-lasting energy and support cellular activity vital for fitness.
Hydration and micronutrients
Although macronutrients are vital, vitamins and minerals are just as critical. These components support immune response, bone health, and energy generation. To satisfy your micronutrient requirements, load many vibrantly coloured fruits and vegetables.
Nutritional support calls for hydration as well. Every cellular function—body warmth, joint lubrication, nutrient transfer—depends on water. Eight glasses of water a day—more if you exercise vigorously. Liquids high in electrolytes can help with mineral replacement following demanding workouts.
Sustainable eating plan
One diet you can stick to without feeling hungry or anxious is sustainable. Set realistic diet goals and gradually change. Reduce sugary processed foods and increase nutrient-dense foods. Food preparation and planning will help you eat well all week.
Listen to your body, too. Consider how diet affects energy and performance. Everyone reacts differently, so what works for one may not work for another. A diet should reflect your growth and experiences.
Conclusion
Fitness requires nutrition. Know your nutritional needs, balance macronutrients, get appropriate micronutrients, and keep hydrated to perform well. A good diet and the utilization of supplements will determine your success. Consistency and diet are key to fitness. Start now and let diet affect your workouts.
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