Christmas just went by, leaving many gifts behind to unpack. While it is fun to open them, emergency doctors in the UK have issued a safety warning against one of the famous gifts to children on Christmas. These are water beads.

Water beads are brightly colored soft plastic beads, sometimes known as jelly balls or sensory beads or water crystals. These are marketed as crafting tools and homeware items, and also, toys.

They are very small in size, a few millimetres, but can expand several times the original size, if exposed to liquid for 36 hours.

So, what is the safety warning about?

Due to such a small size and its texture, it is easy for children to assume that this can be swallowed. If a child swallows one, these jelly balls can create bowel obstruction and consequences may be fatal too.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) advised that beads should be kept away from children under five. What is also problematic is to detect the bead once it is in someone's system. This is because they are not visible on X-rays. This can cause choking, and there too have been death in children due to the beads. The Office for Product Safety and Standards' statement mentioned that beads must only be used by older children, or vulnerable adults under close supervision.

What happens when someone chokes?

For a child, in this case, it would mean that the water bead is stuck in the trachea (the airway). When this happens, air cannot flow normally into or out of the lungs, resulting in problems with the child in breathing.

The trachea is typically safeguarded by a small tissue flap called the epiglottis. This flap plays a crucial role in managing the shared opening at the back of the throat between the trachea and the esophagus. Acting like a lid, the epiglottis snaps shut over the trachea each time we swallow, guiding food safely down the esophagus and keeping it out of the trachea.

Occasionally, the epiglottis doesn’t close quickly enough, allowing food or an object to slip into the trachea—commonly known as something "going down the wrong pipe."

In most cases, the blockage is only partial, and a strong cough clears it out, restoring normal breathing quickly. Children who experience this may appear to be choking and coughing but can usually still breathe and talk. Though it can be an uncomfortable and alarming moment, they typically recover on their own within a few seconds.

Other Concerns

The issue is also because water beads look like candy, enticing young ones to swallow it. There have been cases when kids have also put them in their ears and inhaled them.

These beads can absorb body fluid and may continue to grow once inside the body. It can cause blockages and life-threatening damage. Other than not being visible on X-rays and causing kids to choke, the water beads may contain harmful chemicals.

Although they are labeled "non toxic", federal safety officials have warned about chemicals like acrylamide used to make these beads. Amounts of acrylamide found in some products have exceeded current US safety standards.

How to know if your kid has swallowed water beads?

Watch out for these signs:

• Refusing to eat
• Lethargy
• Drooling
• Vomiting
• Wheezing
• Complaints that something is stuck in the throat or chest
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Abdominal swelling and soreness

Six weeks after undergoing breast cancer surgery, singer Jessie J revealed that she was unexpectedly hospitalized again, this time due to a suspected lung issue. The 37-year-old artist, known for her chart-topping hits like Price Tag and Domino, shared that she returned to the same hospital ward where she had recovered post-surgery.

In an emotional update on Instagram, she wrote: “Six weeks post-surgery and I was back in the same ward I was after my surgery. Not expected or planned.”

Doctors initially suspected a blood clot in her lung due to concerning symptoms, but further tests ruled that out. Instead, they discovered she had an infection and a small amount of fluid in her lungs. The exact source of the infection is still being investigated.

Despite ongoing symptoms and difficulty breathing, Jessie J said she chose to discharge herself from the hospital: “I hate being in hospital and will continue the investigation as an outpatient.”

What Happened To Her?

The singer said she was experiencing troubling symptoms that hinted at a pulmonary embolism. “I had and still have symptoms that pointed towards a blood clot on the lung. IT IS NOT A BLOOD CLOT THANK GOD,” she shared. “They ran a lot of tests, which ended up showing I have an infection (still trying to figure out what) and a little fluid on my lungs.”

In the post, she also included a photo showing a cannula inserted in her arm, highlighting the seriousness of her condition and the fatigue that comes with recovery.

Adjusting to a Slower Recovery

The singer underwent a mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery after being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer earlier this year. In July, she had celebrated the news that there was no sign of cancer spread.

However, her latest update highlights the emotional and physical toll of recovery. “The recovery physically is far from quick or easy,” she said. “And mentally, it’s been the most challenging time for me, especially as a mum with a toddler and being unable to be the mother I usually am.”

Jessie J welcomed her son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, in 2023 after previously experiencing a miscarriage in 2021. She has been open about the complexities of motherhood alongside serious health challenges.

Impact on Career and Mental Health

The star also spoke about the career setbacks caused by her ongoing health issues. “Having to change the plans for my career for this year has been frustrating after working so hard to get to this point and excited to do it all. But it’s life. I know that,” she admitted.

She said that while getting the all-clear from cancer was “incredible,” it didn’t make the physical healing from surgery any easier. The reality, she added, is that recovery takes time and patience.

A Reminder to Slow Down

Known for her high-energy performances and fierce work ethic, Jessie J described the shift in pace as a tough adjustment. “As an ADHD Aries, fire-breathing dragon T-Rex, I can do it myself, I’m always ok woman. That slow pace has been a hard reality to accept to be honest,” she wrote.

Despite the frustrations, she acknowledged that this health scare served as a wake-up call. “This isn’t a speedy recovery, and it isn’t meant to be,” she said. “It’s a reminder to myself to slow down, even though I felt I already was.”

Jessie J's History of Health Battles

This isn’t Jessie J’s first experience with serious health issues. Diagnosed with a heart condition at the age of eight, she suffered a minor stroke at 18 and temporarily lost hearing in 2020. Yet despite her setbacks, the Brit Award-winning artist has remained candid about her health journey and determined to keep going.

Jharkhand Education Minister Ramdas Soren remains in critical condition after suffering a severe brain injury following a fall in the bathroom at his residence early Saturday morning.

According to officials, the minister was initially admitted to a hospital in Jamshedpur, where doctors detected a blood clot in his brain. He was later airlifted to a private hospital in Delhi for more advanced treatment.

Health Minister Irfan Ansari confirmed the incident and said that Soren’s condition deteriorated rapidly after the fall. “Ramdas Soren’s health suddenly declined. He suffered a serious brain injury and internal bleeding in the brain. I have been in constant touch with his family and am monitoring the situation closely,” Ansari said.

Airlifted to Delhi for Advanced Care

After initial treatment in Jamshedpur, the decision was made to transfer the minister to Delhi for more specialized care. Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Arjun Munda, who was present at Sonari Airport during the airlift, said, “I have spoken to the director of Delhi Apollo Hospital, and he has assured that treatment will begin as soon as the minister reaches. The doctors have diagnosed a brain hemorrhage due to a sudden increase in pressure. His condition is critical, but we are hopeful.”

On Saturday evening, the Delhi hospital issued a statement confirming that the minister was on life support and under the care of a multidisciplinary team of senior specialists. “A close watch is being kept on all vital parameters,” a spokesperson for the hospital said.

Understanding Brain Hemorrhage: What Happened to Ramdas Soren?

A brain hemorrhage, commonly known as a brain bleed, occurs when there is bleeding either inside the brain tissue or in the space between the brain and the skull. It is a medical emergency that can cause damage by increasing pressure on the brain, reducing oxygen supply, and killing brain cells.

Doctors categorize brain hemorrhages based on where the bleeding occurs:

Bleeding Outside Brain Tissue (Within Skull)

Epidural Hemorrhage: Occurs between the skull and the outer membrane (dura mater)

Subdural Hemorrhage: Bleeding between the dura mater and the arachnoid membrane

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Bleeding between the arachnoid and the innermost membrane (pia mater)

Bleeding Inside Brain Tissue

Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Bleeding within the brain’s tissues

Intraventricular Hemorrhage: Bleeding into the brain’s internal cavities that hold cerebrospinal fluid

In Soren’s case, doctors suspect a form of intracerebral or subdural hemorrhage, given the mention of clotting and pressure build-up.

Symptoms and Risks

Brain bleeds can come on suddenly and include symptoms like severe headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, weakness or numbness (especially on one side of the body), vision problems, dizziness, seizures, slurred speech, and even coma. A particular warning sign is the so-called “thunderclap headache”, a sudden, intense pain that can signal a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

When not treated immediately, such bleeds can be fatal or lead to long-term neurological complications. In some cases, surgery is required to relieve pressure and remove clots.

What’s Next?

As of Saturday night, Ramdas Soren continues to remain on life support. No additional medical bulletins have been released since his transfer to Delhi, but officials have indicated that his condition is still being evaluated. “We are hoping for positive progress, but his condition remains critical,” said Arjun Munda.

Family members and close colleagues are at the hospital, and the Jharkhand government has said it will provide all necessary support for his treatment.

The political and public community has expressed concern and extended wishes for the minister’s speedy recovery. Further updates are awaited from the hospital and health authorities.

FDA Recalls Butter: In a growing food safety alert, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has escalated a butter recall to a Class II risk level following concerns over undeclared allergens. The product in question, European Style Butter Blend manufactured by Bunge North America Inc., was found to contain milk that was not listed on the packaging label.

Class II Recall Indicates Moderate Health Risk

The risk reclassification, issued on Wednesday, July 30, places the product under the FDA’s second-highest warning level. According to the FDA, a Class II recall involves “a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

While no illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported so far, the undeclared presence of milk poses a potential health hazard to people with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance.

Initial Voluntary Recall Announced in Mid-July

The recall began as a voluntary measure by Bunge on July 14, when the company announced it was pulling approximately 64,800 pounds, or 1,800 cases, of its one-pound butter blocks from shelves. The recalled butter was packed in white paperboard cases, each containing 36 one-pound blocks.

The affected products carry the lot code 5064036503 and were shipped to 12 distribution centers across the United States and one in the Dominican Republic.

Why the Undeclared Milk Is a Serious Concern

Milk is one of the nine major food allergens identified by the FDA, alongside eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans, and sesame. The FDA mandates clear labeling of such allergens because exposure, even in small amounts, can cause a range of reactions, from mild discomfort to life-threatening symptoms.

Food-related allergic reactions may include hives, facial swelling, vomiting, coughing, and skin irritation. More severe responses can result in anaphylaxis, a rapid-onset, whole-body allergic reaction that may lead to shock and, in extreme cases, death.

According to the Mayo Clinic, anaphylaxis occurs when the immune system floods the body with chemicals in response to an allergen. This can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, narrowing of the airways, and potential organ failure if not treated immediately.

FDA Reiterates Importance of Allergen Labeling

In light of the recall, the FDA has emphasized the importance of allergen labeling and said it continues to enforce regulations requiring companies to clearly list all ingredients and potential allergens on packaging.

“More specific labeling requirements exist for foods that can cause allergies or other hypersensitivity reactions,” the agency stated. “These rules are designed to prevent accidental consumption of allergens and to protect consumers with dietary restrictions.”

The FDA also advised that anyone who experiences symptoms of an allergic reaction after consuming the recalled butter should “stop eating the food immediately, evaluate the need to use emergency medication (such as epinephrine), and seek medical attention.”

Company Yet to Comment

As of August 2, Bunge North America has not issued an updated public statement in response to the FDA’s reclassification and did not respond to a request for comment.

Food Safety Under Scrutiny Amid Other Recent Recalls

This butter recall follows a string of other high-profile food safety incidents this year. In recent weeks, more than 110,000 cases of popular chocolate ice cream bars were recalled across 23 states. Target-branded baby food was also pulled from shelves for containing “elevated levels of lead.”