Brits taking statins should be warned about a rare but serious side effect, health chiefs have said.

Seven types of the cholesterol-busting pills, including all five dished out in the UK, have been linked to myasthenia gravis — a long-term muscle-weakening condition that can be life-threatening in severe cases. 

Patients taking the once-a-day pill should watch out for symptoms including droopy eyelids, double vision and difficulty swallowing, the medicines watchdog warned.

Atorvastatin, sold under the brand name Lipitor, pravastatin (Lipostat) and lovastatin (Mevacor) — taken by millions and proven to cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes— are among the varieties affected. 

Cases of myasthenia gravis were also detected among patients taking fluvastatin (Lescol), simvastatin (Zocor), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and pitavastatin (Livalo).

The fresh advice from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) states that a ‘very small number’ of myasthenia gravis cases have been linked to statin use.

Around 9.5million Brits take statins, which usually must be taken for life to keep cholesterol low. 

It is thought the complication is ‘very infrequent’, the MHRA said.

Just 10 cases have been reported to the MHRA in the last three decades. Sufferers were in their 60s, on average. 

Symptoms began between a few day and three months of taking statins. No cases were fatal.

Most patients who suffered the side effect recovered after they stopped taking the medication but a minority continued to suffer from symptoms.

Some of those who restarted their medication or tried a different type of statin reported that their symptoms came back.

The MHRA told medics to refer patients suffering new-onset myasthenia gravis after starting statins to a neurology specialist. 

And patients who already have the condition should monitor whether their symptoms worsen while taking the drugs, it said.

Patients may need to stop taking statins depending on their individual benefits and risks, the watchdog said.

The warning comes after the European Medicines Agency in January ordered drug makers behind the seven types of statins to amend their in-pack leaflet to include a warning about myasthenia gravis.

The MHRA said this review was considered by one of its sub-committees, which agreed with the recommendations.

It said statin drug makers will have to explain that there is a risk of myasthenia gravis but that it is ‘not known’ how common it is.

Statins work by lowering the levels of ‘bad’ low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol produced by the liver. 

Too much LDL cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis — when the arteries harden and narrow — heart attacks, strokes and heart disease.

Brits diagnosed with a form of cardiovascular disease or those who have a family history of the condition may be recommended the medication.

Headaches, nausea and diarrhoea are well-known mild side effects from taking statins. But the MHRA warning adds myasthenia gravis to the list.

The condition weakens muscles, most commonly those that control the eyes, eyelids, facial expressions, chewing, swallowing and speaking. 

Difficulties making facial expressions, slurred speech weak shortness of breath are among the common symptoms.

Triggers, such as stress, tiredness and excess exercise, can worsen symptoms, as well as medicines, including antibiotics and beta-blockers. 

Medicine to boost muscle strength and surgery to remove a small gland in the chest that has been linked to myasthenia gravis may be offered to ease symptoms. 

While the condition doesn’t affect life expectancy for most people, it can be life-threatening if weakens the muscles needed for breathing.

The national bowel cancer screening programme has led to a ‘critical’ reduction in cases, a major study reveals.

Experts described the checks as ‘life-saving’ and urged people to participate when invited to do so by the NHS.

The tests identify abnormalities and help doctors find pre-cancerous polyps, which can often be removed before they develop into tumours.

The incidence of bowel cancer in the lowermost portion of the large bowel has decreased by 15 per cent following the introduction of the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) in 2006.

The biggest reductions have been observed in men and in patients living in areas of greatest socioeconomic deprivation, according to the findings published in the journal Colorectal Disease.

Screening was expanded in 2010 to cover all adults aged 60 to 74 registered with a GP in England and will be expanded again to cover adults aged over 50 by 2025.

Adults in this age group are automatically sent an NHS bowel cancer screening kit, known as a faecal immunohistochemical test (FIT), every two years.

Screening involves taking a small stool sample at home and posting it back to a laboratory, where it is checked for traces of blood, which may be a sign of cancer.

Those with abnormal results will be invited for further checks, such as a colonoscopy, during which pre-cancerous growths or cancer may be found.

Researchers from the University of Bristol and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust analysed data from the National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service database.

They identified 541,515 adults diagnosed with bowel cancer of screening age (60-74 years) between 2001 and 2017.

Of these, 44 per cent of patients had tumours of the uppermost portion of the large bowel and 56 per cent had tumours of the lowermost portion.

While the incidence rate of bowel cancer initially peaked in the years following the introduction of the BCSP, it subsequently decreased with the greatest reduction in incidence being observed in tumours of the lowermost portion of the large bowel.

In 2001, the incidence of tumours of the lowermost portion of bowel was 11 per cent higher in patients from the most deprived compared to the least deprived areas, reducing to 4 per cent by 2017.

Furthermore, men were also noted to have experienced a greater reduction than women over time-period of the study for tumours of both the uppermost and lowermost portions of the large bowel.

Adam Chambers, one of the study’s lead authors, said: ‘Our results show that one of the benefits of screening people for bowel cancer is that there is a significant lowering of colorectal cancer incidence rates that is primarily driven by detecting and removing pre-cancerous polyps at colonoscopy.

‘Future work should be focused on reducing the incidence of tumours of the uppermost portion of the large bowel by increasing screening uptake through use of the new faecal immunohistochemical test (FIT) and improving the quality of colonoscopy.

‘We welcome the reduction in the screening age threshold, as our research group have previously demonstrated that bowel cancer incidence is rapidly increasing in young adults.’

There are almost 43,000 bowel cancer diagnoses and 16,800 deaths each year in the UK.

More than nine out of ten new cases (94 per cent) are diagnosed in people over the age of 50 but bowel cancer cancer affect anyone of any age.

Dr Lisa Wilde, director of research and external affairs at Bowel Cancer UK, says: ‘Screening is one of the best ways to detect bowel cancer early, and in some cases prevent it from developing in the first place.

‘This research reinforces the importance of screening for bowel cancer and shows the potential impact of future improvements to the screening programme to make it more effective.

‘Sadly only one in ten patients are diagnosed with bowel cancer through the national bowel cancer screening programmes in England and Wales.

‘Screening can detect bowel cancer or pre-cancer before symptoms appear, so if you’re invited for screening, please do take part, as it could save your life.

‘And if you’ve lost your kit or thrown it away you can request a new one by visiting the NHS bowel cancer screening website.’

Holly Willoughby has found solace in crystals and PDAs with her husband after jetting off to Portugal for a summer break following a tumultuous year.

The TV presenter, 42, often takes a summer holiday from This Morning with her husband Dan Baldwin and children Harry, 14, Belle, 12, and Chester, eight.

But this year, the ITV stalwart is clearly focused on healing after a tough 12 months that saw her co-host Phillip Schofield embroiled in scandal that forced him to step down from his role.

The presenter headed to the Iberian peninsula to enjoy a two-month break at a £2million mansion in the sunshine, with Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond stepping in to cover her on This Morning.

Since the star has  put on a brave face making appearances in the very sunny Algarve shopping in a gorgeous yellow dress, having a dip in the sea and heading out with her family.

While the star usually keeps her family life very private she’s shared snaps online  of a PDA with her producer husband, while also penning insights into their marriage on her lifestyle blog Wylde Moon.

Holly has also shared how she’s used aura cleansing and meditation crystals to feel better during the tough time. 

The TV presenter set up her lifestyle brand Wylde Moon has in September 2021 and she often promotes crystal energies and meditation in blog posts and social media videos.

In May, Wylde Moon has shared a video of healer Emma Lucy Knowles speaking about ‘tuning’ your aura’ and ‘cleansing meditation’ after Holly’s co-star Phillip quit ITV.

In the video, shared to Holly’s brand’s Instagram page, Emma spoke about the importance of meditation and ‘cleansing’ energies. 

She said: ‘If you’re ready to work with us to go into that lovely meditative space where you can feel your aura or work out how best to tune into your aura, then join us over on the website.’

While a caption added: ‘Ever wondered how you can see your aura? Join Emma Lucy in a guided aura viewing and cleansing meditation. 

‘Tune in to the colour, texture and vibe of your own unique energy.’

Last week Holly also gave a rare insight into her marriage to TV producer Dan, 48, ahead of their 16th anniversary – hinting that he’s helped her heal from the difficultly of the last year.

‘It will be 16 years this year, which feels crazy in so many ways. I often think about us and the glue that binds us together. Every relationship is so unique and different; what works for one couple may not for another.

‘It’s a bit like developing your own personal recipe that you adapt together and personalise along the way.

‘I love nothing better than finding out what my friends/parents believe the secret to their relationship success is – and would love to hear your wisdom too!

‘Mine would have to be remembering to carve out real time for each other within the madness of everyday life; everything from making time to talk over dinner at home to date nights. Whatever you do to keep the spark alive, keep it up!’

Alongside the sweet message, Holly shared a photograph of herself and Dan kissing on the beach, as well as a shot of her walking down the aisle on her wedding day.

While the star clearly finds solace in Portugal, it will be a stark contrast to usual years as she is there without her former co-host Phillip. 

Holly often spends time at her Portuguese holiday home with her family and for many years, she has done so with former co-host Phillip at his adjacent villa. 

However, after he admitted he had an affair with a much younger colleague – the pair have fallen out.

Holly, who works Monday to Thursday, typically works a five day working week on her last week before her summer break.

While Phillip was still in good graces, the pair used the final show to sign off and give a goodbye message to fans before their six-week summer break.

In 2021 they knocked back eight wines during the show before heading abroad on a joint holiday to Portugal.

However in a break from tradition, the star signed off with her usual farewell message to viewers ‘see you, bye’, without mentioning her upcoming holiday last month. 

Things could be set to get even more awkward after Phillip has revealed will not sell his Portuguese home and will continue to enjoy sunshine breaks there.

Sources have claimed Phillip is planning a trip at his villa, which is situated on the exclusive resort despite his and Holly’s bust up – which began when he didn’t tell her about his paedophile brother’s court case, which saw him being found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage boy over a three-year period.

When Holly returns from her long holiday in September, This Morning will be centred around the presenter, after ITV bosses decided not to make a big money hiring to replace Phillip Schofield. 

The locked down effect… literally! Covid shutdowns had same effect on people’s memories as serving jail time, study finds

By Victoria Allen Science Editor For The Daily Mail and Luke Andrews Health Reporter For Dailymail.Com

Updated: 14:04 EDT, 31 May 2023