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Javid urges rapid review over 'excessive' cost of PCR tests

The health secretary has asked the competition watchdog to investigate the market for PCR tests amid concerns of "exploitative practices" and vastly different costs.

Sajid Javid wrote to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) requesting a "rapid high-level" review to protect travellers.

PCR tests, which use a swab to detect coronavirus on the tonsils and inside the nose, typically cost around £75.

However, travellers have complained of significant price differences and levels of service from the more than 400 firms which offer the tests.

"The cost of PCR testing can act as a barrier, especially for families who want to travel together," Mr Javid said in his letter to CMA chief executive Andrea Coscelli.

"It is not right if some families experience yet further disruption unnecessarily because of practices in the market for private travel tests."

The letter continued: "It is for these reasons that I am writing to you to ask you to conduct a rapid high-level review of the market for PCR travel tests to assess what action might be taken to ensure that consumers do not face unnecessarily high costs or other poor provision."

He asked the CMA for immediate advice on how to "stamp out any exploitative behaviour in this market" ahead of an investigation and urged the watchdog to "take action to prevent such exploitation where you can under your existing powers".

The health secretary also tweeted: "People should be able to go on holiday, whether it's to see family or just to relax, without fearing excessive fees for PCR tests."

A CMA spokesperson told Sky News: "We are aware of concerns about the evolving markets for COVID-19 tests for international travellers.

"We look forward to providing the Secretary of State with advice on how best to ensure that travellers have access to tests that are affordable and reliable."

A list of companies and clinics offering COVID testing is published by the government, but many have reportedly not got full accreditation.

Some MPs and travel firms are pressurising ministers to scrap the costly tests and instead use the cheaper lateral flow tests.

Conservative MP Huw Merriman told BBC Radio 4's PM programme that lateral flow tests were "much cheaper".

He added: "It's effective, and then if that tests positive for COVID - and very few do when they come from abroad back to this country - then have a PCR and then have that sequencing.

He added: "And the reason I say that is because lateral flow tests can be a third of the price." 

Reference: Sky News: Lucia Binding, news reporter 

Type 2 diabetes: High blood sugar can lead to sleep apnea - signs of the condition

Dr Jonathan Jun - a pulmonary and sleep medicine specialist at the Johns Hopkins Sleep Disorders Centre - explained that sleep apnea can stop you from breathing properly. "Sleep apnea happens when upper airwa

The likelihood of suffering from sleep apnea increases if you're overweight or obese.

Dr Jun makes a distinction between two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when air can't flow into or out of the nose or mouth.

Meanwhile, central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send the correct signals to the muscles in order for you to breathe properly.

y muscles relax during sleep and pinch off the airway, which prevents you from getting enough air," Dr Jun said. "Your breathing may pause for 10 seconds or more at a time, until your reflexes kick in and you start breathing again."

"Sleep apnea may be noticed more by the bed partner than by the sleeper," revealed Jun.

"Your bed partner might notice that your breathing pauses, or they may complain of your loud snoring."

People who suffer from apnea might complain of unexplained fatigue and mood swings.

This is because sleep apnea prevents the more restorative deep sleep one should experience every night.

The consequences of an interrupted sleep can be significant, as grogginess can affect all areas of life - from safe driving to relationships.

Some people who have sleep apnea might wake up with a dry mouth or a headache.

Headaches are usually result of low oxygen or high carbon dioxide levels during sleep, Dr Jun pointed out.

The doctor also confirmed that sleep apnea is linked to type 2 diabetes, strokes, heart attacks and, understandably, a shorter lifespan.

In a sort of catch-22 dilemma, sleep apnea can increase blood sugar levels too.

Having high blood sugar - on a consistent basis - is extremely dangerous to a person's health.

Too much sugar in the bloodstream can irritate blood vessels, damage internal processes, and cause life-long complications.

Diabetes UK - the UK's leading charity - listed possible side effects of high blood sugar over an extended period of time.

Health complications can include retinopathy (eye problems), foot ulcers, kidney issues, and nerve damage.

Other possible side effects can include gum disease, certain cancers, and a stroke or heart attack.

The best way to get your blood sugar levels under control is to incorporate daily exercise into your life.

It's also important to take any medication prescribed to you and to check your blood sugar levels regularly. 

Reference: Daily Express: Chanel Georgina  

Bubonic plague alert: Killer disease detected in the US - warning issued

A spokesperson for the El Dorado Vector Control, Carla Hass, said a chipmunk carcass was collected from a Lake Tahoe visitor centre on July 18. Laboratory samples have confirmed that a chipmunk in Lake Tahoe California have bubonic plague. The discovery forced the closure of the Taylor Creek Visitor Centre and Kiva Beach near Lake Tahoe.

Ms Hass said: "On the county's recommendation, the Forest Service enacted the closures, effective through Friday."

The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the US Forest Service gave a warning that said: "We all need to be cautious around animals that can carry it."

The bubonic plague was a highly infectious pathogen that was responsible for killing millions of people in Europe and Asia during the Middle Ages, during a pandemic know as the Black Death.

Authorities have said that it us not unusual to find bubonic plague bacteria in rodents of California.

They said the disease is not uncommon amongst rodents in the higher-elevation mountainous areas of El Dorado County, California.

It is the fleas that live on the rodents fur that are infected with the disease.

US authorities have advised the use of insecticide sprays to kill the fleas.

A spokesperson for the Forest Service at Lake Tahoe, Lisa Herron, said that people who visit areas where active plague has been found should stay on trails and keep their pets away from rodents. 

She added, "If you must bring your pet, keep them on short leash.

"Also, do not let them investigate rodent burrows."

Early symptoms of infection with bubonic plague include high fever, chills, nausea, weakness and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin.

These swollen lymph nodes can break open to present as black sores on the skin, known as "buboes".

Without treatment the bubonic plague results in the death of 30 percent to 90 percent of those infected.

However, with treatment, the risk of death is around 10 percent.

Reference: Daily Express: Brian McGleenon  

Vitamin B12 deficiency: Complications can lead to 'severe disabling neurological deficits'

Vitamin B12 - also known as cobalamin - is derived from animal products, such as red meat, dairy and eggs. However, a glycoprotein - called intrinsic factor - is needed within the stomach for successful absorption. The parietal cells in the stomach create intrinsic factor, which then binds to vitamin B12, enabling the nutrient to be absorbed in the terminal ileum. Once absorbed, B12 is utilised as a co-factor for enzymes that are involved in the synthesis of DNA, fatty acids, and myelin - an insulating layer around the nerve cells.

Excess B12 is stored in the liver, so it can take a while before an underlying health condition can be identified.

For instance, pernicious anaemia is an acquired autoimmune condition whereby the immune system attacks the parietal cells in the stomach. 

This prevents the cells from creating intrinsic factor, which is one of the main culprits behind a vitamin B12 deficiency.

"B12 deficiency due to pernicious anaemia is more common in people of Northern European ancestry," the BCM added.

"Vitamin B12 is a co-factor for the enzyme methionine synthase, which is used in the conversion of homocysteine to methionine," the BCM continued.

"As a byproduct of this reaction, methyl-THF is converted to THF, which is converted to intermediates used in the synthesis of pyrimidine bases of DNA.

"In B12 deficiency, homocysteine cannot be converted to methionine, and thus, methyl-THF cannot be converted to THF.

"As a result, homocysteine levels accumulate, and pyrimidine bases cannot be formed, slowing down DNA synthesis and causing megaloblastic anaemia."

Preceding severe, disabling neurological deficits, the signs of megaloblastic anaemia are likely to emerge.

Caught in the earlier stages, a vitamin B12 deficiency can easily be remedied.

If you observe any of the following symptoms, do arrange a blood test with your doctor.

Symptoms of megaloblastic anaemia, according to the NHS:

• Extreme Tiredness (fatigue) - Lack of energy (lethargy) - Breathlessness - Feeling faint - Headaches
• Pale skin [ Noticeable heartbeats (palExtreme tirednpitations) - Hearing sounds coming from inside the body, rather than from an outside source (tinnitus)
• Loss of appetite and weight loss - A pale yellow tinge to your skin - A sore and red tongue (glossitis) - Mouth ulcers
• Pins and needles (paraesthesia) - Changes in the way that you walk and move around
• Disturbed vision - Irritability - Depression - Changes in the way you think, feel and behave
• A decline in your mental abilities, such as memory, understanding and judgement (dementia).

BCM pointed out that impaired DNA synthesis "causes problems for other rapidly proliferating cell".

Moreover, vitamin B12 is needed as a co-factor for the enzyme "methylmalonyl-CoA mutase".

Vitamin B12 is needed to convert methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA, otherwise levels of methylmalonyl-CoA accumulate.

It's hypothesised that elevated levels of methylmalonyl-CoA contribute to myelin damage, leading to "neuroligic deficits".

Examples include neuropathy (weakness, numbness and pain in the hands and feet) and ataxia, negatively affecting co-ordination, balance, and speech.

Myelin damage can progress to a condition called subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord (SCDSC).

SCDSC affects the spinal cord, including the dorsal columns, and can cause an unsteady gait.

Furthermore, the condition increases the likelihood of developing dementia.

Reference: Daily Express: Chanel Georgina