Author: Adam Taylor, Professor of Anatomy, Lancaster University

Every year, people around the world take an astonishing 3.8 trillion doses of medicine. Most of these medicines are swallowed rather than injected or inhaled, because the oral route is the easiest, safest and most familiar way to take a drug at home. But even something as routine as swallowing a pill can sometimes cause […]

Around 2,000 people visit A&E every year due to injuries caused by fireworks. Although fireworks are an essential part of Bonfire Night celebrations for many revellers, these colourful pyrotechnics can be as dangerous as they are spectacular. And the injuries you might sustain from them can range from minor to downright gruesome if you aren’t […]

While Halloween offers a chance to embrace all things spooky and supernatural, the real terrors this season aren’t confined to ghost stories. From pumpkin-carved fingers to contact lens infections that can lead to life-threatening heart conditions, the festivities come with genuine medical hazards – some surprisingly severe. In the US, 44% of Halloween-related injuries stem […]

In the run up to the launch of the latest series of The Kardashians, her new legal drama All’s Fair and the celebrations for her 45th birthday, Kim Kardashian made a very different kind of headline. She revealed that she had been diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. Kardashian revealed her diagnosis in a teaser for […]

They’ve become as ubiquitous on British high streets as coffee shops – bubble tea outlets offering their Instagram-worthy drinks in countless flavour combinations. The Taiwanese beverage, a blend of black tea, milk, sugar and chewy tapioca pearls, has gained global popularity since its origins in the 1980s. But recent findings suggest this trendy drink may […]

Exercise is good for the body and the mind. A good workout can leave you feeling energised, recharged and ready to take on the rest of the day. But for some, the aftereffects of a good workout can be slightly more bizarre. From bloody noses to “coregasms”, here are some of the strangest things that […]

Imagine a world where dangerous conditions in unborn babies can be treated with diamonds smaller than a virus, where gold can find and destroy cancer cells with laser-like precision, and where platinum can change the genetic code of tumours. This isn’t science fiction – it’s happening in modern medicine. For example, scientists are developing a […]

It might seem like a harmless habit to linger on the loo with your phone while “taking care of business”, but research shows that prolonged toilet time can increase the risk of several health problems. Here are the main ones. 1. Haemorrhoids A recent study found that smartphone use while doing a number two is […]

Former tennis star Monica Seles has revealed she has been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a rare autoimmune condition that affects how the muscles work. The multiple Grand Slam champion says she was actually diagnosed three years ago after experiencing trouble with her vision and weakness in her arms and legs. It is estimated that myasthenia […]

Botox is the most common non-surgical procedure performed globally – with nearly 9 million procedures estimated to take place each year. In the UK alone, around 900,000 Botox injections are carried out each year. But with a the growing popularity of this procedure comes an increase in risks and unwanted outcomes. The UK Health Security […]