Couple gets hookworm infection after walking barefoot on Dominican Republic Beach.

A trip to the Dominican Republic took a wrong turn for an unfortunate Ontario couple. After spending a few romantic days walking barefoot on the beach, the couple returned home with a horde of hookworms who have taken refuge inside their feet.

Mammalian Species Vulnerable to Hookworm Infections

Cutaneous larva migrans is a medical condition triggered by larvae from the Ancylostomatidae (hookworm family). In mammalian species, these parasites can break the skin and infect the adjoining tissue causing painful, pruritic eruptions (itch). Secondary bacterial infection could be developed by the subject’s need to scratch the affected area.

A similar case was recently recorded in Canada after a couple returned from their Dominican Republic vacation. Katie Stevens and Eddie Zytner recall that throughout their stay at the IFA Villas Bavaro Resort, they had itchy feet, but decided to disregard this symptom, as the locals told them that their itchiness is caused by something called a sand flea.

On the 19^th of January, the very next day they’ve returned from their weekend-long exotic trip, Stevens’ boyfriend’s feet begun to swell. The woman also added that the itchiness didn’t subside, and they had to scratch their way back to the States.

Come the weekend, Zytner discovered that small blisters appeared on his feet. The man was taken to the hospital, where he was consulted by two doctors who sent him at home with his feet bandaged, not knowing his condition. Stevens’ symptoms soon followed, and both of them were rushed to the hospital.

The third physician managed to make the right call and told the couple that they’d contracted a hookworm infection. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was only part of the problem, as the cure had to be delivered from Detroit since it is not licensed in Canada

Ivermectin, the wonder-cure for hookworm infection, was bought from the States by Zytner’s mother. After a couple of doses, the Canadian couple began showing signs of improvement, but they’re still not out of the woods.

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Joanie Simpson is a rare case in the world that proved that people could get broken hearted. In medical terms, the experience is called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. The woman from Texas didn’t cope well with the news of the death of her dog, a Yorkshire terrier.

Joanie Simpson Felt Back and Chest Pain Which Indicated to Broken-Heart Syndrome

Simpson is a 62-year-old woman who simply loves pets. As of recently, she has been through some trying life experiences that culminated with her dog’s death. Meha was a loving Yorkshire terrier that suffered from a fatal congestive heart failure. Unfortunately, the small pet didn’t have a peaceful death.

Simpson claimed that all their offspring are living away from their hometown. This made their parents find Meha more than just a pet, and they treated her like a daughter. The passing of her dog meant a great deal of pain to Joanie Simpson. At some point, her sorrow started to develop into a back and chest pain.

The medical staff at Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute-Texas Medical Center discovered that she survived a Takotsubo cardiomyopathy or broken-heart syndrome. According to Harvard Medical School of Harvard University, only a major emotional or physical event could trigger such a condition. These agents can be the loss of a loved being or a car accident.

When a person is clinically heart-broken, the heart’s main pumping chamber is weakening. On the other hand, science didn’t prove any linking between an emotional stress and a weakened heart.

However, researchers believe that people’s strong reactions to a stressful event can make their body pump more stress hormones than usual, such as adrenaline. These substances can freeze the heart and impair the left ventricle from performing its usual contractions.

While scientists found similarities between the broken-heart syndrome and heart attack, the former is not fatal. In fact, it is a reversible condition.

The Death of Her Dog Won’t Dissuade Simpson from Adopting Another Furry Member of Her Family

“It is heartbreaking. It is traumatic. It is all of the above. But you know what? They give so much love and companionship that I’ll do it again.”

Nonetheless, Joanie Simpson is currently out of danger. She claimed that her dog meant a great deal to her, especially after her kids fled from home. On top of that, Simpson plans to adopt another pet since they always know how to give love to their new family.

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STATES CHRONICLE – Jamie Oliver is one of the most charismatic and skillful cooks of all times that have appeared on TV. However, he hasn’t focused on cooking shows only. He also recorded his efforts to make America healthier by teaching citizens how to cook simple recipes. His latest endeavor attempts to persuade governments to hold nothing back when it comes to tax increases for sugary drinks.

Jamie Oliver Recorded Long-Term Effects across Restaurants in UK by Changing Menus and Increasing Price Tags

As of lately, Jamie Oliver issued a 10% price increase across his 37 Italian restaurants across the UK. He made sure his clients were aware that the extra earnings are going to head towards charity. Due to this implementation, sales on unhealthy soft drink declined by 11% over a timeframe of 12 weeks.

On top of that, restaurants promoted redesign menus. Therefore, clients were able to easily find healthier alternatives to their drinks of choice with lower measures of sugar. Thanks to these little tweaks, the results gained long-term effects. Even after a six-month period, the chain of restaurants was still recording a 9.3% decline in sales for sugary drinks per customer.

However, Jamie didn’t act alone. The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine led the study together with the University of Cambridge. The final results were published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

The Study Adds More Reasons for Governments to Act Harsher Against Sugary Drinks

While most calorie excesses originate from food, drinks are not to be taken lightly. Consumption of beverages high in sugars is often linked to type 2 diabetes, overweight, tooth decay, and cardiovascular diseases. Letting go of such nutritional habits can restore normal body weight in children and teenagers.

Various reports show that UK children consume half of their caloric excess from beverages high in sugars. Adults on average consume 50 calories more per day coming from sugar-sweetened drinks.

The authors of the study admit to the limitations of their resources. The research was conducted only within one chain of restaurants. On top of that, they implemented a change that was already happening elsewhere as well. Nonetheless, researchers and Jamie are still encouraging policymakers to introduce harsher taxes for unhealthy beverages.

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