Health News in English
Latest health headlines from Dutch news, translated into English.
Deducting healthcare costs on tax returns: ‘Could easily save hundreds of euros’
Dutch taxpayers have until May 1st to file their tax returns and potentially deduct various healthcare expenses, such as dental visits and travel vaccinations. Experts suggest that while specific cond...
IKEA recalls candles due to risk of large flames
IKEA is recalling its SMÖJTRÄD candles due to a manufacturing defect that may result in multiple wicks, leading to dangerously large flames. The company warns that this defect poses a risk of fire a...
Majority of large online stores inaccessible to customers with disabilities
A study by the Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) reveals that 61 percent of the largest webshops in the Netherlands are not digitally accessible. This lack of accessibility prevents customers wi...
Doctors at Velsen-Noord pain clinic risk fines or prison for treating long COVID patients with lidocaine, independent committee says
An independent investigative committee found that doctors at the Excellent Care Clinics violated medical-scientific research laws while using lidocaine to treat long-COVID patients. The practitioners ...
Surprising discovery: Viagra works as medicine for children with fatal disease
Researchers have discovered that Viagra can be used as a treatment for children suffering from a rare and fatal metabolic disease. While widely known for treating erectile dysfunction, the drug's appl...
Hoofddorp speeder needed toilet due to bowel condition; prosecutor says squatting in the roadside is safer than racing home
A motorist from Hoofddorp was caught speeding while rushing home to use the toilet due to a medical bowel condition. During the legal proceedings, the prosecutor argued that the driver should have pul...
Harteheem in Heemkerk to be redeveloped. New construction to start in 2028: ‘Major step toward a more sustainable and greener Harteheem’
The Hartekamp Groep has announced plans to redevelop the Harteheem care facility in Heemskerk to improve safety, sustainability, and overall modernization. The project aims to replace outdated buildin...
Name brands regain ground: sugar-free drinks and protein products especially popular
Major consumer brands like Coca-Cola and Milka are regaining market share from private labels by focusing on sugar-free and protein-rich products. Energy drink brands Monster and Red Bull were among t...
Sneezing fit or not: Check today's pollen count in Haarlem here
Residents of Haarlem suffering from hay fever can use a specialized pollen radar to monitor local air quality and manage their allergy symptoms. The tool provides real-time updates on pollen counts, h...
Foster care organization Enver no longer under enhanced supervision
The Dutch foster care organization Enver is no longer under enhanced supervision by the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ). The organization, which faced scrutiny following a serious abuse case ...
XR occupies provincial hall: "Close polluting Tata Steel plant"
Extinction Rebellion activists are currently occupying the Noord-Holland provincial government building in Haarlem to demand the immediate closure of Tata Steel's most polluting facilities. The protes...
Indorock legend Eddy Chatelin takes Indo seniors back to the sixties with his red guitar
Indorock legend Eddy Chatelin will perform during a musical lunch for seniors from the former Dutch East Indies at the Tempo Doeloe daycare center in Schalkwijk, Haarlem. Organized by Zorgbalans, the ...
Neil Diamond releases new album years after retiring from performing
Singer Neil Diamond has announced a new album titled "Wild At Heart," which is set to be released on May 8. The 85-year-old artist retired from performing in 2018 following his diagnosis with Parkinso...
Acidic mouth from vaping: E-cigarettes cause dental damage in addition to nicotine addiction and lung problems
Vaping is linked to dental damage and oral health issues caused by acidic vapor, in addition to known risks like nicotine addiction and lung problems. During a recent event in Alkmaar, vapes were test...
Mrs. Van Grunsven reluctantly pulls her pants down further: Doctor Rutger soon understands why
Mrs. Van Grunsven showed hesitation when her physician, Doctor Rutger, requested that she adjust her clothing for a medical examination. Upon doing so, she revealed a large tattoo featuring a blunt me...
Concerns for heart patients: Rehabilitation no longer covered due to doubts over effectiveness
The Dutch National Health Care Institute plans to remove cardiac rehabilitation for patients with angina or atrial fibrillation from basic insurance coverage due to concerns about its effectiveness. W...
People like Fatima are looking for a kidney, but a shortage of non-Western donors makes it difficult
A shortage of organ and blood donors with non-Western backgrounds in the Netherlands is creating longer waiting lists and fewer successful matches for patients from those communities. The initiative D...
Inspectorate intervenes at Bloemendaal cosmetic clinic over ‘serious shortcomings’; plastic surgeon calls action ‘disproportionate’
The Dutch Health Care Inspectorate has intervened at a cosmetic clinic in Bloemendaal due to serious shortcomings and patient safety concerns. Plastic surgeon Joost van Tetering has criticized the int...
Chaos over asbestos toys: warnings everywhere, no clear overview
A rise in product warnings for toys containing asbestos has created confusion across Europe due to inconsistent reporting standards between different countries. The central European system designed to...
With every bomb falling in the Middle East, an environmental disaster unfolds
The ongoing conflict involving Israel and the United States against Iran has caused a significant environmental crisis within its first three weeks. Over four hundred environmental incidents have been...
Jeroen (54) has chronic liver disease and received a new liver: 'The worst part of all is the loss of control'
Haarlem-based historian and journalist Jeroen van der Kris has authored a book titled 'Het aanbod' about his experiences living with a chronic liver condition and undergoing a transplant. The book exa...
Injury to Ajax defender Tomiyasu not as bad as feared
Ajax defender Takehiro Tomiyasu's injury sustained during the match against Feyenoord is less severe than initially feared. Manager Óscar García expects Tomiyasu to be available for the Japanese nat...
No hot flashes, yet in menopause: these symptoms can also be caused by (peri)menopause
Doctors Evelien Trip and Diederik Smit provide insights into perimenopause, explaining how fluctuating hormone levels cause various physical and mental symptoms beyond standard hot flashes. The articl...
Large meningococcal outbreak in England no reason for panic in the Netherlands
A meningococcal outbreak in the United Kingdom has caused concern after the deaths of two young people, leading to long queues for vaccinations. Experts state there is currently no reason for panic in...
Mega MRI scanner to become world's most powerful and detect diseases like dementia much earlier
The world's strongest MRI scanner, featuring a 14 Tesla magnet, is being built in Nijmegen as a joint project between Dutch academic hospitals and universities. This advanced technology aims to detect...
Feather touches, velvet hairbrushes, and gliding nails: ASMR massage is a trend you can experience in Hoofddorp
The ASMR massage trend has reached the Netherlands, offering relaxation through soft touches with feathers and brushes to help combat stress and overstimulation. A specialized salon in Hoofddorp provi...
Bread, as loved as it is loathed: how healthy is it really?
Experts address the common myths and health concerns surrounding bread, evaluating its nutritional value in both artisanal and supermarket varieties. They conclude that while whole-grain bread is gene...
Gen Zer lives like it’s 20 years ago: Without a high-tech smartphone, with a classic Nokia. 'I now realize how nice touchscreens and WhatsApp are'
A Gen-Z reporter spent a week using a classic Nokia phone instead of a smartphone to see if it would reduce internet addiction and improve focus. The experiment highlighted the difficulties of navigat...
Driver freed after almost two hours following single-vehicle crash in Southeast
A driver was hospitalized after being trapped for nearly two hours following a single-vehicle accident on the Abcouderstraatweg in Amsterdam-Zuidoost early Wednesday morning. Firefighters performed a ...
Tess (21) from Castricum recovering from sepsis: 'I have hope again'
Tess, a 21-year-old from Castricum, is recovering from Post-Sepsis Syndrome following an intensive treatment program in Australia funded by crowdfunding. After returning to the Netherlands, her recove...