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health

Are YOU the eldest child? Then you’re more likely to be autistic… while younger siblings are more are risk of addiction, study finds

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Firstborn children showed the strongest links to brain development and allergy-related conditions, while second-born children had higher rates of digestive, musculoskeletal, and infectious diseases, according to the study's chart

Scientists have long debated whether birth order shapes personality. Now, a study of more than 10 million Americans suggests your place in the family could also influence your lifelong health. Researchers found links between family position and the risk of 150 health conditions, including autism, ADHD, allergies and digestive disorders. Firstborn children were more likely … Read more

Revealed: Area of England where you’re most likely to suffer mental health crisis – amid record high calls to NHS hotline

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Figures published by NHS England today show that crisis calls have reached a record high of 6,062 daily calls, on average, for the month of June 2026

People living in the Midlands are almost five times more likely to seek urgent mental health support than those living in London, new NHS data suggests. Those living in cities like Birmingham and Nottingham have made more crisis calls to NHS helplines this year than any other region – a total of 274,175 – until … Read more

Science has proven a daily multivitamin can slow biological ageing: Our supplement expert reveals how to find the product that works best for you, the £79 ‘super powder’ not worth your money and the ideal 16p-a-day pill for the over-50s

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Aidan Goggins, a pharmacist and nutritionist, is an independent expert for the supplement industry. He gives his expert view on some of the latest multivitamin products

Research shows that multivitamins may not help you live longer, but there’s growing evidence they do improve our ‘healthspan’ – that is the years we get in good health. A recent study made headlines after finding a daily multivitamin could slow ageing, reducing biological age over two years by about four months compared to a … Read more

What to do about night sweats that ruin your sleep: DR SCURR reveals how a medication taken by millions can be the culprit – and the blood tests to ask your GP for

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Night sweats are a common side effect of fluoxetine and other SSRIs (selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors), a group of medicines used to treat depression and anxiety (picture posed by model)

My 22-year-old daughter has regular night sweats that disrupt her sleep. She has taken fluoxetine for a long time and also has low iron levels, but other blood tests seem OK. What can she do to stop them? Name and address supplied. Dr Martin Scurr replies: Night sweats are a common side effect of fluoxetine, … Read more

I shed nine stone in six months without diets or jabs – all I had to do was leave America

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When Russel Valentin, 32, lost over nine stone after moving to the UK from America, he was baffled

When Russel Valentin, 32, lost over nine stone after moving to the UK from America, he was baffled.  The US content creator didn’t massively overhaul his diet or change his exercise regime.  Yet the figure on the scale – which read 21st 6lb at his heaviest – dropped steadily over the course of six months, … Read more

GPs could shut down surgeries if weather gets too hot – as patients still struggle to get appointments

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GP practices should consider closing or relocating if indoor temperatures reach 30C, health leaders have advised

GP practices could close if temperatures continue to climb to sweltering highs, fresh guidance suggests. The Royal College of GPs has made the extreme recommendation to keep doctors and patients safe in the ongoing heatwave. The UK is currently battling its fourth spell of scorching weather, with temperatures reaching 34C on Wednesday. The heat is … Read more

Major study pinpoints the ultra-processed foods that are GOOD for you – from cereals to supermarket bread

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Researchers have found that foods such as wholegrain breakfast cereals, plant-based milk, plant-based yoghurt, wholegrain bread and canned fruit can all be part of a healthy diet

They have been linked to a range of deadly illnesses like heart disease, cancer and dementia – but experts say not all ultra-processed foods are bad. Researchers say wholegrain breakfast cereals like Bran Flakes, plant-based milk and yoghurt and even supermarket bread can all be part of a healthy diet. Ultra-processed foods, also known as … Read more