health

31 Jul 2024

Gretta Ray Discusses ‘Severe Heart Infection’ That Led to Hospitalization

Australian indie-pop singer-songwriter Gretta Ray has provided an update on her health, announcing the cancelation of all her remaining 2024 shows to focus on her recovery from a serious heart infection.

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Earlier this month, Ray revealed she was hospitalized in London due to an unknown illness, with the news prompted an outpouring of support from fans worldwide. On July 16, she took to Instagram to thank her followers and shed light on her situation.

“I’m overwhelmed by the outpouring of love on my latest post, you are all so incredibly kind and it really means the world to me, thank you x,” Ray wrote.

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“I wanted to clarify that luckily I’m not having to deal with this experience on my own – due to the seriousness of my condition my family are here in London taking care of me I am in good hands here in a really good hospital. Just taking it day by day. Lots of love.”

On July 30, Ray updated her fans again, revealing her diagnosis of infective endocarditis, a severe heart infection.

“I wanted to let you know that the sickness I am recovering from is a rare disease called infective endocarditis – a severe infection in the heart that for me, caused a multitude of distressing repercussions,” she explained in her Instagram post.

“It happened very suddenly and frighteningly, and as a result, took a moment to be diagnosed. Nonetheless I am so, so lucky that I caught it early, and landed in such a great hospital here in London that took amazing care of me. I was then transferred to a second hospital – one that is famous for dealing with this particular disease.”

Ray confirmed that she will need surgery due to the impact on her heart, but for now, she is focusing on regaining strength after completing a long course of intravenous antibiotics and being discharged from the hospital.

“The toll this has taken on my heart means that at some stage I will need to undergo surgery,” she continued. “For now, it’s been a week since I finished a long course of intravenous antibiotics, and two weeks since I was discharged from hospital. Due to the fact that I am stable, the doctors have encouraged me to spend time regaining some strength and immunity outside of hospital.”

Although she is still dealing with some complications, Ray expressed relief at being able to enjoy the world outside the hospital.

“While I’m still dealing with some complications, it’s already been healing being back out in the world… I just take it one day at a time (my mum is also still in London with me x),” she wrote.

All dates are off for the foreseeable future, including her appearance at BIGSOUND 2024.

Ray concluded her update by expressing her gratitude for her fans’ unwavering support, saying, “I know I will be telling this story in more detail when the time is right, but for now I’m processing the trauma and taking things slowly.”

“I can’t tell you how much your kind and thoughtful messages and comments have meant to me in this challenging time, I’m so grateful… sending all my love to you from London, and we’ll speak soon.”

20 Jun 2024

Summer Roars Ahead With Massive Heat Wave Slamming Eastern U.S.

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Washington Hot Weather Sunrise

As the first day of summer appears, so does a massive heat wave that has overtaken much of the eastern half of the United States. Over the weekend, several temperature records are under threat of being shattered as health officials sternly warn of the many health risks associated with the high heat.

Accuweather reports that the current line of the heat wave stretches from far west as Tennesee upwards to the state of Maine. The website adds that around 135 million residents will be under the threat of records hovering well past 90 degrees with Washington, D.C. potentially reaching 101 this coming Sunday. If that happens, it will break a record set in the 1980s and will be the first time the city has reached the 100-degree mark since 2016.

“As high pressure continues to build in the East, the Ohio Valley and Northeast will see daily temperature records challenged on Thursday. High temperatures will be between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit and pose a risk for heat-related illnesses across the region,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus shared in a report.

One of the many inherent risks of high heat include poor air quality, risk of stroke, dehydration, and more. Health officials from several states are warning their residents to stay indoors during the height of the day if possible and to keep themselves hydrated and cool as possible. The heat wave will also put a strain on electrical grids across the affected regions as the high temperatures persist.

At particular risk are the elderly, those who suffer from respiratory issues, and young children. Several cities, including Washington, have opened cooling centers and pools to offer a reprieve.

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Photo: Getty

12 Jun 2024

Kevin Jonas Reveals He Had a Skin Cancer Spot Removed: ‘Get Those Moles Checked’

Kevin Jonas is currently in recovery after doctors removed a skin cancer spot from his forehead — and he wants to remind fans to stay vigilant, too.

In an Instagram video posted Tuesday (June 11), the Jonas Brothers rocker revealed that he was recently diagnosed with a basal cell carcinoma, which he had to get surgery to remove. “Yes, that is an actual little skin cancer guy that has started to grow,” he says in the clip shortly before his procedure, giving the camera a close-up of a reddish spot near his hairline.

Jonas also filmed a post-surgery shot of his bandages, as well as his drive home from the hospital. “I’m all done,” he says in the car. “Now it’s time to heal. Heading home. Make sure to get those moles checked, people.”

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In his caption, the Camp Rock star doubled down on his message. “Friendly reminder to get your moles checked,” he wrote.

According to Mayo Clinic, the type of cancer Jonas was treated for begins in the basal cells, which are responsible for producing new skin cells as old ones die off. Believed to be caused by long-term exposure to the sun’s UV rays, it often appears as a slightly transparent bump on the skin but can take other forms.

The “Sucker” musician’s procedure comes amid a break in the Jonas Brothers’ tour. Kevin and brothers Joe and Nick will resume the trek in August with a string of shows in Mexico before heading overseas for a European leg.

Watch Kevin’s video below.

28 May 2024

Mike Tyson Recovering After Health Incident During Flight

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Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson Boxing Match Arlington Press Conference

Mike Tyson suffered a health scare while in midair and is now recovering despite having a major boxing event coming in the next few weeks. The former heavyweight world champion suffered an ulcer flare-up and appears to be expected to go forward with his bout with social media star Jake Paul.

As seen on Deadline, Mike Tyson, 57, was on an American Airlines flight from Miami to Los Angeles when the flare-up occurred. As the outlet reports, flight attendants rushed to the boxing legend’s aid and requested the assistance of a doctor on board.

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“He became nauseous and dizzy due to an ulcer flare up 30 minutes before landing, a rep for Tyron said in a statement to media outlets. “He is appreciative to the medical staff that were there to help him” and is now feeling “great”, the rep added.

Flight attendants reached out to passengers to see if a doctor was on board when Tyson revealed he was in intense pain. Paramedics reportedly boarded the plane when it landed to assist Tyson.

Tyson is set to take on Paul, 27, in Arlington, Texas at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium on July 20. Paul has said in interviews that while he respects Tyson, he isn’t going to pull any punches. Tyson promises that the fight isn’t a money grab and that he intends to bring the fight to Paul.

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Photo: Getty

16 May 2024

4 New Deals That Get You Apple Fitness+ for Free Online

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Going to the gym is no longer the only option if you want to workout — there are a ton of great online workout subscription programs that’ll help you put your at-home fitness equipment to good use. Instead of waiting for Peloton sales or splurging on private trainers, virtual fitness apps like Apple Fitness+ are bringing the gym straight to you for a more affordable price, with a library full of classes taught by professional instructors, among other benefits.

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The price for Apple Fitness+ is normally $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year, but with current promos and offers going on, you can score up to four months of Apple Fitness+ for free. With a membership to the app you’ll get complete access to yoga, HIIT and meditation classes as well as curated workout programs and playlists. Share Apple Fitness+ with up to five family members too.

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Keep reading to learn more about the best Apple Fitness+ deals going on now.

How to Get Apple Fitness+ for Free

To help you score the fitness app for free, ShopBillboard rounded up the best Apple Fitness+ offers available that’ll help you get as much as four months of the service for free.

New Subscriber Offer

Already own an Apple device? If you haven’t used Apple Fitness+ before, then new users are eligible for one month of the service for free — no promo code needed. All you have to do is open up the app on your device and sign up, then you’ll automatically receive the free trial. Once your one month trial is over, you’ll be charged $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year.

Apple Device Offer

Purchasing a new Apple device including an iPhone, MacBook, Apple Watch or iPad will earn you three months of Apple Fitness+ for free. You’ll need to purchase a new device on the Apple store in order to score the deal, but once you checkout you’ll automatically be able to redeem the three-month free trial. After the three months are up, you’ll be charged the regular monthly or annual subscription price.

Best Buy Apple Fitness+ Offers

Best Buy has a couple of Apple Fitness+ deals that you can take advantage of if you’re an Apple Watch user. For those who already own an Apple Watch, you can score two months of Apple Fitness+ free when you add the offer to your cart. After the two free months are up, you’ll be charged based on the membership you choose.

Don’t have an Apple Watch? Best Buy is giving four months of Apple Fitness+ for free when you purchase any Apple Watch online. When you buy one of the devices you’ll be emailed a promo code that you can use to score the deal. After your free trial is up, you’ll be charged for a monthly or annual membership.

What Is Apple Fitness+?

Apple Fitness+ is Apple’s version of a virtual gym providing you with professional led classes including pilates, cycling, kickboxing depending on your health goals. A custom fitness plan can be curated for you just by inputting what days of the week, duration and music type you want. Besides offering workout classes, the app goes in-depth with a collection of videos filled with trainer tips to help motivate you with advice and how-to demos.

The vast library also comes with pre-built programs that are curated based on your health and wellness goals including “Workouts for Beginners,” “Yoga for Every Runner,” “Meditations for When You Feel Stress or Anxiety” and more. You can check out the app’s “Collections” section for more curated workouts, including one that’ll help prep you to run your first 5K, along with 90s-themed dance classes.

And, if you don’t want to listen to silence during your morning walks or daily runs, then there are playlists filled with audio stories, music playlists and more. Have an artist you love? Make sure to check out the dedicated playlists to legends like Madonna, Bad Bunny and even Elton John.

The app can be used with any Apple device including an iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Apple TV and Apple Watch. It also works with AirPlay compatible smart TVs, so you can mirror the workouts from your iOS device right onto your TV screen.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Apple Music deals, Spotify deals and AirPod deals.

15 May 2024

Whoopi Goldberg Tells Haters to ‘Leave Kelly Clarkson Alone’ After Weight Loss Backlash

During Whoopi Goldberg‘s recent appearance on Kelly Clarkson‘s talk show, the two women shared a bonding moment when they discovered that they had both used prescription medications for weight loss. Their comments, however, garnered backlash from viewers who are either opposed to the practice or feel entitled to more transparency on the three-time Grammy winner’s part — and Goldberg is having none of it.

In a clip from the latest episode of The View posted Wednesday (May 15), the actress came to Clarkson’s defense while revisiting the topic of health with her co-hosts Sara Haines, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin. “Apparently our conversation about weight has a lot of people talking,” she began before showing a snippet of Monday’s (May 13) Kelly Clarkson Show episode.

In the snippet, Goldberg revealed that she’s been losing weight with the help of “the wonderful shot that works for folks who need some help.” Clarkson responded that she had also been prescribed an injectable weight loss remedy to help with her weight retention and thyroid issues. In February, the “Stronger” singer revealed that she’d been diagnosed pre-diabetic.

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“Everybody thinks it’s Ozempic,” Clarkson told Goldberg. “It’s not, it’s something else.”

On The View, the Sister Act alum reminded viewers that “a lot of people are taking the shot because they need it,” before admonishing people for criticizing Clarkson’s use of a weight loss prescription. “They kick her behind when she’s bigger, they kick her behind when she’s lost the weight, and now they’re kicking her behind because she said it out loud,” she said.

“It seems like this generation shares everything,” Goldberg continued. “What they ate for dinner, who they ate for dinner, all kinds of stuff. You have people like myself who, it’s like, ‘When I’m ready to tell you, I’ll tell you. When I’m comfortable, I’ll let you know.’”

“We have to let people do what they need to do to get where they need to get to,” she added. “Stop being mad that they’re not doing it your way. It’s not like we really know what you’re doing.” She then joined Griffin in cheering, “Leave Kelly Clarkson alone!”

The topic of Ozempic and similar drugs has been a sensitive one in recent months, with the medication’s proven weight-loss properties causing a new surge in off-label prescribing. Ozempic itself is an FDA-approved injectable originally formulated to help adults with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar.

Clarkson previously discussed her weight loss in a conversation with Kevin James on her show, which is also when she revealed that her doctors had told her she was pre-diabetic. Around the same time, she said that moving to New York with her two young children — whom she shares with ex-husband Brandon Blackstock — had jumpstarted her weight loss by forcing her to walk around the city constantly.

Watch Goldberg defend Clarkson on The View below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=mJ8sHsG4b10&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

29 Apr 2024

Here’s How An Anti-Anxiety Journal Could Help Stop You From Stressing Out

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Stress is one of those feelings that’s unavoidable and at times it can stir up feelings of anxiety. Before you let anxious energy overrun you, one of the best stress relieving tools you can take advantage of is an anti-anxiety journal — and there’s a ton of medical research to back the benefits of an anti-anxiety journal.

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The University of Rochester Medical Center claims that journaling can “help you gain control of your emotions and improve your mental health.” And that includes managing anxiety, reducing stress and coping with depression. Journaling, experts say, helps give you a sense of control in times when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Using an anti-anxiety notebook can allow you to pinpoint stress and anxiety triggers, further allowing you to create a plan to help manage the feelings.

While yoga and meditation are common methods for reducing anxiety, you can’t always breakout the yoga mat — especially if you’re traveling. An anti-anxiety journal is not only compact, but can be used wherever and whenever you’re feeling anxious, making it the ultimate at-home or commuter gadget to have in your arsenal.

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To help you on your wellness journey, ShopBillboard put together some of best anti-anxiety journals below you can shop now.

blue notebook next to pen on table

editor’s pick

The UO Exclusive Anti-Anxiety Notebook

Urban Outfitters’ anti-anxiety notebook brings all the calming energy with its soft blue cover and minimalist design. Inside you’ll discover pages filled with guided prompts and tips from real-life therapists to help you navigate your feelings.

wavy graphic cover anti anxiety notebook

prompt pick

The Anti-Anxiety Journal: Writing Prompts to Keep You Calm and Stress-Free (Volume 33)

$8.99

$12.99

31% off

Beginners will appreciate this prompt-led anti-anxiety journal, which is currently 31% off. By using the notebook each day, you’ll go from chapter to chapter starting with tracking your mood, energy level and habits. From there, you’ll delve into coping strategies and utilize additional prompts that’ll guide you towards better coping of your anxiety.

black anti anxiety journal

discreet pick

“Worry for Nothing: Guided Anxiety Journal”

Go incognito with this plain black guided journal that’ll let your write your thoughts down without anyone knowing the notebook’s true purpose. The style uses repetitive prompts that aim to “enhance your mental resilience against anxious thoughts,” according to the official product description. By turning your journaling into a habit, you’ll be able to pinpoint triggers easier and track your progress.

floral anti anxiety notebook

under $10 pick

“Anti-Anxiety Notebook: Anti Anxiety Notebook to Calm Anxiety and Build Positive Thinking”

If you’ve never done this before and don’t want to drop more than $10 on a notebook, this Amazon pick is just $7 and comes with weekly and monthly activities to track your mood. Some of the most notable features include a self care calendar, thought tracker, affirmations, a resources page, self care goals section, and sections for “my action plan” and “my triggers”.

How to Use an Anti-Anxiety Notebook

You can use an anti-anxiety notebook daily to track you mood and personal goals or you can use the tool only when you’re feeling anxious. All you have to do is follow the prompts within the book and write down what happened in the moment to cause you stress and anxiety, and why you think you’re feeling that way. It’s common for there to be mood trackers and goal setting sections in prompted notebooks too.

For journals that don’t come with guided prompts, it’s helpful to jot down the situation and your feelings that way you can notice any patterns over time.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best planners, scented candles and tarot cards.

22 Apr 2024

Celine Dion Is ‘Feeling Strong & Positive’ Amid Health Struggles

Celine Dion is powering through.

The “My Heart Will Go On” superstar looks gorgeous on the latest cover of Vogue France, rocking a white miniskirt with a matching oversized button-down shirt, left open with her chest covered by her hand. See the photo here.

In the caption, Dion shared her positive outlook amid her ongoing battle with Stiff Person Syndrome. “I’m honored to be doing a photo shoot for Vogue France. I’m very proud that, at 55, I’ve been asked to reveal my beauty,” Dion wrote. “But what is beauty? Beauty is you, it’s me, it’s what’s inside, it’s our dreams, it’s today. Today, I’m a woman who is feeling strong and positive about the future. One day at a time.”

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Since December 2022, the “My Heart Will Go On” singer has remained largely out of the public eye due to her diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder known for causing uncontrolled muscle spasms that make it hard to move. Dion was forced to postpone all of her 2023 tour dates, before ultimately canceling the rest of her tour entirely. Last December, her sister Claudette revealed that Celine had “no control” of her muscles.

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Dion made a surprise appearance at the 2024 Grammy Awards in February, presenting the coveted album of the year tropy to Taylor Swift for Midnights. “Thank you all,” she said to the applauding crowd, showing no signs of weakness. “I love you right back. When I say that I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart.”

In March, the songstress spoke out on social media for International Stiff Person Syndrome Awareness Day. “Today the world recognizes International SPS Awareness Day,” Dion wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of her smiling with her three sons. “As many of you know, in the fall of 2022, I was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS). Trying to overcome this autoimmune disorder has been one of the hardest experiences of my life, but I remain determined to one day get back onto the stage and to live as normal of a life as possible. I am deeply grateful for the love and support from my kids, family, team and all of you!”

04 Mar 2024

Jamie Foxx to Return to ‘Beat Shazam’ After Life-Threatening Health Scare

Jamie Foxx is getting back to business after his mystery health scare in 2023. After he skipped last season to recover from his life-threatening medical condition and hospitalization last year, the actor is now set to return as co-host of Fox’s Beat Shazam alongside his daughter Corinne.

The network announced Monday (March 4) that the father-daughter duo would again be taking the game show stage for its upcoming seventh installment, which premieres May 28. The series finds the Foxxes leading contestants as they compete against each other to guess the titles of hit songs, after which the first-place team goes head-to-head against Apple’s music-discovery software Shazam.

In Jamie and Corinne’s absence last season, The Masked Singer emcee Nick Cannon stepped in to guest-host with Kelly Osbourne as his DJ.

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The update comes almost a year after news broke of Foxx’s undisclosed illness, which led to his urgent hospitalization in April 2023 while he was in the middle of filming Back in Action in Atlanta. Corinne was the first to update fans about her father’s condition at the time, taking to Instagram to write that he’d suffered a “medical complication” but was “already on his way to recovery.”

Since then, the Academy Award winner still hasn’t divulged details about what happened to him, although he has revealed how close he came to possibly dying as a result. “I cherish every single minute now, it’s different,” he told the crowd at the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Cinema and Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements in December, noting that he wouldn’t have been able to walk himself to the stage even six months prior.

“I wouldn’t wish what I went though on my worst enemy because it’s tough when it’s almost over, when you see the tunnel,” he continued. “I saw the tunnel, I didn’t see the light. It was hot in that tunnel too, I don’t know where I was going. ‘S–t, am I going to the right place?’”

31 Jan 2024

Amazon’s Best-Selling Stair Stepper Gets 20% Discount: Shop It Now

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Creating an at-home workout space can take away the stress of paying for a gym membership — but for those with smaller spaces, it may seem next to impossible to fit your fitness equipment. If you’re looking for compact gear to create a manageable home gym, Amazon’s no. 1 best-selling portable stair stepper just got discounted for 20% off.

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The Niceday Stair Stepper is not only the top step fitness machine on Amazon, but comes in a portable and compact design that you can easily store when not being used. The machine comes with a pair of resistance bands to help you create a more challenging workout and target other muscles. You might consider it as an essential work from home items, since its small size allows you to step at your leisure while typing away — especially if you don’t have space for an under-the-desk treadmill.

Reviewers are labeling it as “an easy way to workout” thanks to how simple it is to use and its ability to move from place to place without a lot of effort.

“I am very pleased with my stepper,” one verified reviewer wrote. “I like that it is semi lightweight and small enough that I can easily store it away when it is not in use. Though I’ve only used it a handful of times so far, I definitely feel like it does the job, and I am looking forward to seeing the results as I continue to work on building up leg muscle.”

Keep reading to shop the deal.

black mini stair stepper with black resistance bands

Amazon

Niceday Stair Stepper

$69.99

$99.99

30% off

Customize your workout with each use of Niceday’s Stair Stepper as you can choose to add resistance bands or not. From there, just hop on and step to starting burning calories and working up muscle.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best travel necessities, running shorts and winter running gear.