A commonly used drug has been linked to a higher risk of death in a new study.

The antibiotic, cefepime, which is used to treat bacterial infections like pneumonia, UTIs and skin infections, is typically administered via injection by healthcare providers in a clinical setting.

Severe side effects may include confusion, decreased consciousness or seizures, especially in older patients and those with kidney problems, among many other common symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic.

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New research suggests the medication may be associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality.

The new global study, published in JAMA Network Open, reviewed 110 randomized clinical trials involving more than 22,000 patients who received cefepime or another beta-lactam antibiotic — a class of drugs that includes penicillins and cephalosporins.

The patients included adults and children treated for febrile neutropenia — a medical emergency involving fever and dangerously low infection-fighting white blood cells — as well as pneumonia, severe bacterial infections, UTIs and meningitis.

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Across all trials, 778 deaths occurred among 11,726 patients (6.6%) given cefepime, compared to 6.2% of patients given another antibiotic. Researchers evaluated deaths from any cause occurring within about 30 days of treatment.

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Using a Bayesian meta-analysis, the researchers found a 94.4% probability that cefepime was associated with higher all-cause mortality compared with other beta-lactam antibiotics.

When the analysis was limited to 73 peer-reviewed published trials, that probability increased to 98.6%.

The association appeared stronger in adults than in children, and was most pronounced among patients treated for febrile neutropenia.

Cefepime remains a commonly used broad-spectrum antibiotic for treating serious bacterial infections in hospitalized patients because it is effective against a wide range of bacteria.

The researchers did not recommend discontinuing cefepime, but called for additional guidance and research to better understand its safety.

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The researchers said several factors could potentially explain the observed association between cefepime and higher mortality, although they were unable to identify a single cause.

Possible explanations include drug levels that are too low to effectively treat the infection and neurotoxicity, which can occur when drug levels become too high.

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Researchers said finding the right dose of cefepime can be challenging, as higher doses may improve its ability to kill bacteria while also increasing the risk of toxic side effects.

The study had several limitations. It combined clinical trials that differed in design, patient populations, dosing strategies and comparison antibiotics, with some studies dating back decades. The analysis also found an association, not proof that cefepime itself caused the higher mortality.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, said the study demonstrates the importance of re-reviewing and analyzing older studies.

"In this case, it correctly pointed out that febrile neutropenia (low white blood cell count with a fever) is itself a big cause of death in this population, making it often difficult to determine if the treatment (cefepime) decreases or possibly increases this risk," Siegel, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital.

A closer review of the data suggests that both underdosing and overdosing — rather than the drug itself — may be more closely linked to poorer outcomes and a higher risk of death, indicating that appropriate dosing may be the key, according to the doctor.

"I also think there may be a role for AI here in determining the exact right dose, as well as assessing outcome," Siegel suggested.

A mysterious form of kidney disease that has devastated young to middle-aged agricultural workers in Central America and South Asia appears to have surfaced in Texas.

Known as chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) — or Mesoamerican nephropathy — the condition continues to baffle researchers, as some otherwise healthy adults develop kidney failure without having any of the traditional risk factors.

Chronic kidney disease can range from mild to severe, potentially causing fluid buildup and increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and premature death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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But unlike typical cases, CKDu develops without common risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension and glomerulonephritis, a disease that inflames and damages the kidneys' filtering units, according to Dr. Gokul Paidi, a family medicine physician at Community Healthcare Network in New York.

"It typically strikes young to middle-aged adults, more often men, who work in agriculture and manual labor in hot, low-resource regions," he told Fox News Digital.

Several regional kidney diseases have been described over the decades, although not all are considered CKDu.

"Balkan endemic nephropathy has been documented since the 1950s, Itai itai disease in Japan was tied to cadmium contaminated rice, and Sri Lanka nephropathy has been studied since the 1990s," said Paidi, who has published a review on the condition.

Mesoamerican nephropathy – which was first described among sugarcane workers in El Salvador and Nicaragua in the late 1990s – is the form now being reported in the U.S., he noted.

Other locations have reported similar types of local epidemics, including Sri Lanka, India, rural Thailand and the Tierra Blanca area in Mexico, according to previous research.

"What’s emerging is that these are likely related conditions, essentially clusters of the same underlying disease process showing up in different farming and industrial regions around the world," Paidi said.

Physicians at Houston safety-net hospitals, including Ben Taub, have treated otherwise healthy men in their 20s and 30s who presented with kidney failure — some with "Coca-Cola-colored urine," according to Texas Monthly.

They reportedly don’t have any of the typical risk factors that cause kidney disease, like high blood pressure or diabetes.

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"What’s striking about the Texas cases is how closely they mirror what we saw originally in Central America," Paidi noted.

The patients are largely undocumented laborers from Mexico and Central America working in construction, roofing and outdoor trades in extreme heat – jobs where water breaks are often limited, he added.

According to a review of Harris County hospital records cited by Texas Monthly, roughly one in six emergency dialysis cases in uninsured or undocumented patients had no identifiable cause, "which is consistent with CKDu," Paidi told Fox News Digital.

Some patients are reluctant to seek care or participate in research because of their immigration status, making it harder to track the disease in Texas and detect kidney damage before it becomes irreversible, experts say.

Experts refer to CKDu as a "silent disease" because most patients don’t initially complain of any symptoms.

Most patients – especially those who work in sugarcane fields – learn they have the condition during routine screening blood tests, according to Dr. Richard J. Johnson, a leading expert on kidney diseases and emeritus professor of medicine at the University of Colorado.

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"Later, it can cause typical signs of severe chronic kidney disease, including fatigue, sleep disturbances, nausea, weakness [and] shortness of breath from anemia," he told Fox News Digital.

By the time symptoms appear, and the disease is diagnosed, many patients are approaching end-stage kidney disease.

Many affected people are located in resource-poor regions where dialysis and transplants are often unaffordable or inaccessible, which can increase the odds of premature death, Paidi noted.

Heat stress is considered one of the leading suspected drivers of the disease, although its exact cause remains unknown, according to Johnson.

Experts believe a combination of occupational and environmental factors may gradually damage the kidneys. Strenuous outdoor labor can lead to repeated heat stress and dehydration, potentially compounded by exposure to crop pesticides and smoke from burning sugarcane.

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Workers may also contend with potentially unsafe drinking water and rely on over-the-counter NSAIDs for pain — factors that, combined with repeated dehydration and heat stress, could further strain the kidneys, according to Texas Monthly.

Some experts suggest that improving hydration and shade, reducing work hours and starting earlier in the day could reduce kidney damage.

There is no specific test for CKDu. Doctors diagnose it by ruling out other causes of chronic kidney disease, along with a patient's occupational and environmental exposures, Paidi said.

"Kidney biopsy is the closest thing to a gold standard, but isn’t practical for widespread screening," he added.

There is no disease-specific treatment for CKDu. Management focuses on controlling blood pressure, avoiding additional kidney injury — including from NSAIDs — and using dialysis or kidney transplantation in advanced disease, according to Paidi.

Some patients receive ACE inhibitors — medications commonly used to treat high blood pressure — but these drugs can sometimes worsen kidney function in people who are dehydrated, Johnson cautioned.

"Disease often progresses rapidly over a few years, and dialysis and transplantation are rarely available, so mortality is high," he added – which highlights the importance of screening for the condition.

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For people living or working in agricultural or outdoor labor jobs, especially in hot climates, Paidi recommends getting kidney function checked with a primary care doctor at least twice a year.

"A simple blood test for creatinine (a waste product normally filtered from the blood by the kidneys) and a urine test for protein can catch early changes long before symptoms appear," he advised.

A new study from Tulane University is raising fresh concerns about sleeping with a light on, linking nighttime light exposure to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Researchers found that exposure to more than 3 lux of light — roughly the brightness of moonlight — was associated with increased risks of heart failure, atrial fibrillation (irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm), heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death.

Experts spoke with Fox News Digital about the potential risks associated with sleeping with a nightlight.

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Sleep is partially controlled by the circadian rhythm, the brain’s internal 24-hour clock that regulates sleep and wakefulness, according to sleep expert and neuroscientist Chelsie Rohrscheib, Ph.D., a neuroscientist Neuroscientist and head sleep pesearcher at Wesper.

"The circadian rhythm is strongly influenced by light entering the eyes – light exposure signals the brain to suppress melatonin production, a hormone that helps regulate the timing of sleep, while low light levels signal the brain to produce more melatonin," the Michigan-based expert told Fox News Digital.

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"As melatonin levels rise in the evening, they help prepare the brain and body for sleep. Light pollution from various sources in our bedroom can trick the brain into producing less melatonin, which can negatively impact sleep quality."

Consistent light exposure will chronically reduce overall sleep quality, Rohrscheib warned.

"Sleep plays an essential role in many biological processes, including body and brain restoration, hormone release, immune system functioning, cognitive processes such as memory consolidation, brain waste clearance and metabolic regulation," she said.

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"When sleep is consistently poor, these processes do not function optimally, which in turn elevates the risk for many chronic health conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, certain cancers and mood disorders."

A 2022 Northwestern Medicine study found that just one night of sleeping with moderate light exposure (100 lux) disrupted glucose regulation while increasing heart rate and sympathetic nervous system activity, as reflected by reduced heart rate variability (HRV), Rohrscheib noted.

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Sleep impairment is also linked to increased risk of mortality, according to Ashley Curtis, PhD, sleep researcher and assistant professor at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.

"Emerging evidence even suggests that it affects the gut microbiome, everything from digestion to immunity," she told Fox News Digital. "While the immediate evidence is strongest for disrupted sleep health, the downstream risks to your long-term health are substantial."

Certain groups may be more sensitive to nighttime light than others, experts agree.

"Shift workers, children, older adults and individuals with insomnia or mood disorders are especially vulnerable to the effects of light on sleep depth," Alex Dimitriu, M.D., a double board-certified sleep medicine doctor and founder of Menlo Park Psychiatry & Sleep Medicine, told Fox News Digital.

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Curtis noted that older adults often become less sensitive to light, meaning bright or short-wavelength light has a weaker effect on suppressing melatonin than it does in younger adults.

"The caveat, however, is that older adults also experience a higher baseline prevalence of sleep disruption, which can bidirectionally impact the circadian system," she added.

There is also some evidence showing that bright light has a more pronounced impact on melatonin suppression in men, the expert noted.

For people with insomnia, who already experience chronic sleep disruption, bright light exposure before bedtime can make these underlying problems worse, as it further interferes with the biological circadian rhythm, Curtis warned.

Blue wavelength light from TVs and phones is the most disruptive because people’s retinas are most sensitive to it, and it maximally suppresses melatonin, according to Dimitriu.

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"Dim, warm, red-toned night lights cause far less circadian impact – these are natural sunset colors one would see in the evenings," he told Fox News Digital.

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Curtis agreed that warmer, dimmer light, which has a longer wavelength, doesn't have as much impact on melatonin production.

"Research shows that even if dim light impacts melatonin initially, it allows time for the body to recover," she said. "Therefore, it doesn't disrupt your sleep to the degree that brighter light does."

"While blackout curtains are recommended for optimal sleep, you don't need to have absolute darkness to maintain a healthy sleep environment," Curtis said.

The experts recommend implementing the following changes to cultivate a healthy sleep environment – even if it’s not pitch black.

Health officials ordered the immediate remediation of 10 rooftop cooling towers in the South Bronx after preliminary testing detected Legionella bacteria amid a growing Legionnaires’ disease cluster that has sickened nine people and left one dead.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued orders to clean and disinfect the sites. Among the affected structures are cooling towers at major hubs, including Yankee Stadium and Lincoln Hospital.

As public health workers work to clean the equipment, experts note that recurring outbreaks in these neighborhoods highlight deeper systemic vulnerabilities.

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"When we look at outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease, in New York City, we almost always see it in the Bronx or Harlem," Dr. Tyler Evans, CEO of the Wellness Equity Alliance and former first chief medical officer for New York City, told Fox News Digital.

"A lot of times, we see a risk of infections taking place in historically marginalized communities."

The department identified the cluster following a surge in cases dating back to late August. Tests confirmed traces of Legionella in 10 of 24 sampled towers, according to city health officials.

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests return results quickly, but cannot distinguish between live and dead bacteria. Culture tests to confirm live bacteria can take up to two weeks, prompting city health officials to order immediate cleaning out of caution.

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Late-summer weather has compounded the issue. High temperatures create ideal breeding grounds for bacteria inside industrial air-conditioning systems, which add water to the surrounding air, Evans noted.

"Record-breaking temperatures lead to accelerating the risk of the bacteria basically cooking, getting out to become vaporized, and then producing exposure to other people," he said.

Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia, cannot be spread between people, nor is it contracted by drinking tap water, the expert noted. Most healthy individuals are not sickened by exposure, but high-risk populations can face severe health consequences.

"In terms of people ... to be concerned about, it's really older adults — typically 65 and older — or people living with comorbid conditions," Evans said, pointing to underlying factors like diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or compromised immune systems.

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Health officials urge anyone who has lived in, worked in or visited ZIP codes 10451 and 10456 since late August to monitor their health.

Key symptoms to watch for include high fevers, severe shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing up bloody mucus.

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Evans noted that early medical care is crucial, as the illness responds well to standard antibiotic treatments when caught early.

"Infections fall into different buckets — bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites," he said. "Bacteria are alive. Antibiotics are effective against bacteria because you can kill them, which makes it very treatable."

While city officials have taken quick action to inspect and clean the structures, Evans emphasized that long-term prevention requires sustained public investment.

"Could we test all cooling towers across New York City on a regular basis during times of risk when it's hotter? Yes," Evans said.

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"City health officials do an amazing job, but it costs money. When federal funds are removed from public health, it's very hard to do more when you have less."

In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, a Yankee Stadium representative said that "new, state-of-the-art, high-efficiency chiller towers" have been installed, which have undergone water quality and bacteriological indicator testing on a weekly basis over the last three years.

"In accordance with New York City Department of Health regulations, Yankee Stadium provides these results to the NYC DOH on a monthly basis," the representative said. 

While Yankee Stadium did test positive for "trace amounts of Legionella bacteria" on Sept. 11, the representative said that "no current cases have been associated with Yankee Stadium."

"Additionally, the New York City Department of Health has not at any point this month asked us to postpone our games."

Fox News Digital reached out to Lincoln Hospital requesting comment.

A Minnesota woman whose best friend died from ovarian cancer was stunned when she was diagnosed with the same disease less than a year later.

Becky Drexler was there to support her best friend, Connie Dahl, when she was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in April 2015 at age 51. After a courageous battle, Dahl passed away in September 2017.

During her friend's cancer fight, Drexler began volunteering with the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MOCA).

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After retiring in 2017, Drexler was making plans to travel, garden, volunteer and spend more time with family and friends – but those plans were interrupted by her own diagnosis in July 2018.

"I was diagnosed with stage 3B high-grade serous ovarian cancer," Drexler, now 65, told Fox News Digital.

Like her best friend, Drexler dismissed her own symptoms – including frequent urination, constipation, bloating and hip pain – as common signs of aging. She put off seeing a doctor at first.

"By early summer, I felt I was getting signs from Connie to nudge me along," she wrote in an essay sent to Fox News Digital. "Dragonflies represent Connie to me since she passed, and I saw them everywhere. I recall one afternoon being on my patio thinking, ‘Should I go see the doctor?’ when a couple dragonflies in my flower garden just wouldn’t leave me alone. I said out loud, ‘OK, Connie, I’ll go in and talk to the doctor.’"

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On Drexler's 57th birthday, her doctor called to say a CT scan had detected masses on both ovaries. After meeting with an oncologist, she had surgery four days later.

Drexler underwent six chemotherapy treatments (carboplatin and taxol) from September 2018 to January 2019.

"Those months were difficult but also filled with the support, love and laughter of family, friends, care team and MOCA," she said. "I knew Connie was part of my team as well – just in a different way."

Throughout Drexler’s cancer fight, she drew inspiration from her friend’s vow to "be positive, and to live, laugh and love to the fullest every day."

"This helped me greatly, as did attending MOCA support group meetings and talking to women who had or were experiencing the same things I was," she said. "There were times I wished Connie was still here so I could talk to her about what I was feeling physically and emotionally."

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In August 2020, Drexler’s cancer returned. She had surgery to remove the new tumor from her pelvic area.

"We discussed treatment options with my oncologist – she provided the pros and cons of standard chemotherapy, radiation, and no treatment, only monitoring," she shared.

Ultimately, Drexler decided on targeted radiation, with chemotherapy as a backup option if radiation did not work or if there was another recurrence. After radiation was completed in January 2021, Drexler was again considered to have "no evidence of disease" (NED).

"I then began taking Lynparza, a PARP inhibitor maintenance treatment – something that was not even available for ovarian cancer patients when Connie was dealing with her cancer," she said.

From January 2021 until February 2026, while taking Lynparza, Drexler remained in NED status – "although there was always the concern in the back of my mind about when I would recur again."

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In winter 2025, after experiencing gastric symptoms, Drexler underwent a PET scan. The scan revealed a tumor around her small intestine that had grown large enough to require surgery.

"Once the tumor was removed, it was confirmed to be a recurrence of my ovarian cancer," she said. "After recovering from surgery, I had another PET scan, which indicated a couple of spots were still present."

In May 2026, Drexler began an 18-week treatment cycle including carboplatin, taxol and avastin, which is expected to be completed at the end of September.

"I had a PET scan halfway through (late July), which indicated the treatment is working," she shared. "We were happy to learn that the spots were no longer visible and no new spots had appeared."

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Depending on the results of her next PET scan, Drexler said her next treatment will likely be an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) maintenance plan, a recently-approved targeted cancer therapy that has shown "exceptional results."

Throughout her cancer journey, Drexler has continued volunteering with MOCA, serving on its board of directors, participating on committees and reviewing grants for ovarian cancer research.

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"It does make me think back to when Connie was dealing with her cancer and the treatments that were not available to her but are now available for me and other women," Drexler said.

"I believe I am still here because of the advancements in treatments. Developing a reliable early detection test for ovarian cancer remains one of the most critical research goals."

Ovarian cancer was once known as the "silent killer," meaning that women would get it and not know anything until the disease was in advanced, more aggressive stages, according to Brian M. Slomovitz, M.D., director of gynecologic oncology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida.

About 75% of women are diagnosed with stage 3 or stage 4 disease, according to the doctor.

In recent years, researchers have identified that ovarian cancer actually does have symptoms, noted Slomovitz, who is also deputy director of the Braman Comprehensive Cancer Center.

"The problem is they are sort of non-specific symptoms, things that could occur in everyday life – stomach pains, abdominal bloating, things like that."

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"There may be an increase in abdominal girth, meaning patients complain that their pants are too tight or they're noticing something different in the way their body's shaped," the doctor said.

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Those symptoms can also come with weight loss and decreased appetite, he noted: "They could oftentimes mimic gastroenteritis or eating a bad meal."

Any symptoms that persist or worsen over a period of one or two weeks should be checked out, the doctor advised.

To other women who may be experiencing worrisome symptoms, Drexler urges them to listen to their bodies.

"The early symptoms both Connie and I had were vague, like they are for most women," she said. "They seem like normal things that we can excuse away – we are aging, we are just stressed, we just need to eat better or lose weight."

"If something isn’t feeling right or a seemingly minor issue persists, and you think you might be concerned, see your doctor. Advocate for yourself."

For those who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Drexler emphasized that it’s important to see a gynecologic oncologist, as they have additional training in diagnosing and treating cancers.

Researchers have spent decades studying early detection and screening for ovarian cancer, Slomovitz said – "but unfortunately, no reliable method has been identified to diagnose women at an earlier stage."

There is currently no recommended routine screening test for ovarian cancer in women at average risk, because available tests have not been shown to reliably detect the disease early enough to improve outcomes.

When ovarian cancer is detected at stage 1, the cure rate approaches 90%, Slomovitz said, underscoring the need for continued research into earlier detection.

Researchers are warning about a rare but potentially life-threatening brain condition that may be linked to popular GLP-1 weight-loss medications.

A new study, published in Clinical Nutrition, identified 15 reported cases of Wernicke encephalopathy, a neurological disorder caused by severe vitamin B1 deficiency, in people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Most of the reported cases involved semaglutide, sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, or tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro and Zepbound.

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Researchers found 15 cases through the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), published medical literature and their own medical center.

Most patients reported gastrointestinal symptoms or nutritional issues, including weight loss, vomiting, loss of appetite or malnutrition, the study noted.

Reports of the disorder appeared more often among people taking GLP-1 medications than among those taking other drugs, the researchers found. They emphasized, however, that the study cannot prove the medications caused the condition.

Vitamin B1 plays an important role in brain function, the researchers said. Severe deficiencies can cause confusion, trouble walking, balance problems and vision changes. If left untreated, the condition can lead to permanent neurological damage or death.

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Karthik Achari, a Chicago-based clinician and founder of PepMD who was not involved in the study, said the findings should be viewed in perspective.

"Researchers went through adverse event reports and the medical literature and found a small number of cases, 15, of Wernicke encephalopathy in people taking GLP-1 drugs," Achari told Fox News Digital. "That's out of millions of people on these medications. So this is rare."

"But it's real, it's serious, and the mechanism makes sense," he added.

GLP-1 medications can reduce appetite while also causing nausea and vomiting, making it easier for some people to become deficient in vitamin B1, Achari said.

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"The drug shrinks your appetite. It doesn't shrink your body's requirements," he said. "You can now eat very little without feeling it, which is the point of the medication, but your need for protein, vitamins, and fluids didn't go anywhere."

People with persistent nausea and vomiting, those losing weight very quickly while eating little, people with a history of bariatric surgery and those who use alcohol heavily may face a higher risk, Achari said.

Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based nutritionist and author of "The Sleepdemic Solution," said proper nutrition and hydration should be considered part of treatment while taking GLP-1 medications.

"GLP-1 medications can dramatically reduce appetite, but that also means people may unintentionally under-eat the very things their bodies need most, especially protein, fiber and fluids," she told Fox News Digital.

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Palinski-Wade said ongoing vomiting or diarrhea can increase the risk of dehydration and kidney problems. She urged patients to seek medical guidance if those symptoms continue for roughly 24 hours.

"Don't assume every side effect is just part of being on a GLP-1," Palinski-Wade said. "Severe or persistent symptoms deserve attention."

The researchers acknowledged that the study relied largely on reports submitted to the FDA and cannot prove GLP-1 medications caused the condition. They called for additional research, and experts said patients should not stop taking prescribed GLP-1 medications based on these findings alone.

Fox News Digital reached out to Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and the researchers for comment.

Between differing diet plans, food intolerances and conflicting work schedules, some couples are choosing "food divorce," a term circulating on social media for partners who intentionally cook, order and eat their meals separately.

While taking separate paths at mealtime might solve logistical headaches, experts warn that splitting up at the dinner table can come at a cost to the relationship.

Shared family meals can help people reconnect, build stronger emotional bonds and reduce stress, according to health institutions like Mayo Clinic. 

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For couples, experts say regularly eating apart could become a concern if it reflects broader emotional distance or reduces opportunities to spend meaningful time together.

Nutrition experts emphasize the issue is often less about the food itself and more about the lost opportunity for a built-in daily checkpoint.

"I think it reflects many people's very busy schedules," Tanya Freirich, a North Carolina-based registered dietitian nutritionist, told Fox News Digital.

"Mealtime can be a time to unite, to communicate, to build social relationships and foster a connection," she said. "If we're eating completely alone or at different times than important people in our lives, it may foster a little bit of disconnection."

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Eating separately can contribute to a "roommate dynamic," experts note. Without regular time to reconnect and discuss the day, couples may have fewer opportunities for communication.

The practice can also contribute to isolation, according to Freirich.

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"Communities all around the world for thousands of years have come together around mealtimes," she said. 

"If so many Americans are eating every meal alone for many days or most of their days, that certainly can't be great for mental health or well-being."

There can also be practical drawbacks because preparing separate meals or ordering from different restaurants may increase grocery costs, preparation time and kitchen cleanup.

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Additionally, eating solo can affect individual dietary habits. Studies show people dining alone are more likely to eat quickly, mindlessly scroll on their phones or settle for heavily processed convenience foods compared to when they share meals with others.

Couples can accommodate different dietary needs without preparing entirely separate meals. 

For those navigating specific calorie targets, plant-based diets or medical restrictions, Freirich recommended building "modular" or "choose your own adventure" meals as a more efficient method.

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"Something like a deconstructed taco night, grain bowls, a pasta or noodle night or even a sheet pan meal where you're creating each food on its own," the expert said. 

"So the protein, the carb, the veggies are being cooked separately. And then you get to decide your portions and make your own meal from those ingredients that can meet everyone's needs."

When conflicting schedules or caregiving duties make daily dinners impossible, experts recommend prioritizing quality over frequency. 

Even sharing a quick weekend breakfast or setting aside one designated night a week can help maintain connection.

"Be very intentional to connect when you can," Freirich suggested.

"Make that a really special meal. Be intentional with your connection. Put the phone away, and actually enjoy the other person's company."

Getting out of bed once during the night to use the bathroom is common, but repeated trips could signal underlying issues, health experts warn.

Waking up more than once a night to urinate can meet the clinical definition of nocturia, which affects about half of adults over 50 and becomes more common with age, according to a recent StudyFinds report. The International Continence Society’s formal definition of nocturia includes even one nighttime trip, but frequency, disruption and a change from a person’s usual pattern all matter.

"Everyone has a baseline of what’s normal urinary frequency for them," Dr. Ali Dabaja, a urologist at Henry Ford Health in Michigan, told the outlet. "But if you wake at least twice to go to the bathroom during eight hours of sleep, that’s considered nocturia."

DIETITIAN REVEALS SIMPLE EATING STRATEGY FOR BETTER SLEEP — AND ONE HABIT TO AVOID

Nocturia isn't simply a bladder issue, according to Dr. Jeffrey Chester, a licensed physician and medical director of The Ohana Luxury Addiction Treatment Center in Hawaii.

"A change in nighttime urinary patterns is definitely worth mentioning to a physician or healthcare provider, especially when it begins suddenly, becomes more frequent, or disrupts a person's sleep," Chester told Fox News Digital.

Alcohol and caffeine intake, the amount and timing of fluid consumption, and certain medications can all contribute, he added.

Waking up once isn't a cause for concern, agreed Catherine Darley, a naturopathic doctor and founder of Skilled Sleeper in Seattle.

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But more than once can be "concerning," she told Fox News Digital.

Experts note that it can raise the risk of falls, especially for those with mobility or balance challenges. Research shows two or more nightly trips to the bathroom are linked to a higher risk of fall-related injuries, StudyFinds reported.

Sleep disorders can also be a factor, Darley said, including obstructive sleep apnea, which can affect hormones involved in suppressing urine production overnight. 

Restless legs syndrome could also contribute to nighttime urination and is more common with age, Darley added.

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She advised starting with your primary care provider to look for an underlying cause, and checking in with doctors and pharmacists to see if medications could be involved in frequent bathroom trips. 

In some cases, they could adjust the timing to prevent late-night wake-ups.

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Other issues could be the cause, too, according to StudyFinds, including diabetes, an overactive bladder, an enlarged prostate and fluid buildup.

For some people, simple habits can help, including not drinking for roughly two hours before bedtime and stopping alcohol about three hours before bed, Darley said.

She also suggested keeping floors clear of rugs and clutter, using gentle amber lighting, sitting on the edge of the bed before standing to avoid getting dizzy — and installing grab bars for extra support.

More than one-third of Americans report having ended a relationship over political differences, according to recent research – and experts say those divisions may also be straining some marriages.

Some high-profile couples, including Democratic strategist James Carville and his wife, Republican political consultant Mary Matalin, have remained together despite their differing views – but experts say navigating those differences isn't always easy.

Anna Elton, Ph.D., a licensed marriage and family therapist and clinical sexologist in Massachusetts, said she has counseled couples on different sides of the political aisle.

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"A lot of couples come in and they want to work on communication, and politics can come up in our sessions," Elton, author of "The Formula of Desire," told Fox News Digital.

"I work with a number of couples who are in this place where they have a family, they have kids, but they can't talk about politics."

For many singles, Elton said, political compatibility is now something they consider early in the dating process.

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She referenced a recent study that found younger adults tend to make assumptions about religion, gender roles, empathy and other characteristics based on political affiliation.

"So, before you get to know the person, you’ve already created this assumption of who this person is."

"I've definitely been hearing from my younger clients who are saying, ‘I want to know which political party this person belongs to, and then I'll see if I want to even be going on a date and wasting my time with this person.’"

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For couples who have been married for decades, today's political divisions may present challenges that didn't exist when their relationships began, Elton noted.

The expert offered the following three tips for navigating politically charged conversations with a partner in a healthy way.

Come up with rules for the conversation and set the tone before it starts, Elton suggested, noting that the first three minutes of a discussion typically predict the outcome.

Conversations that begin with a harsh tone or accusatory language are unlikely to be productive, she said. "So, before you talk, say, ‘OK, these are our boundaries for this conversation.’"

Those boundaries can also extend to media habits, Elton said, including limiting how much political content couples consume, especially on social media.

"You read certain things and then all of a sudden, you keep scrolling on your social media and you see similar content coming up over and over and over again," Elton said. "And at this point, it creates an illusionary effect."

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Hearing the same information repeatedly may lead people to gradually accept it as true, according to Elton. "Now think about two people who are in their echo chambers, and they're exposed to certain information that is contradicting each other."

As a general rule, Elton said couples should be mindful not to spend more time on their phones than they do engaging with each other. Excessive screen time can reduce face-to-face connection, leaving less room for eye contact, conversation and other shared experiences.

Also, when someone is constantly consuming political content, it can become the primary topic they want to discuss, creating tension when partners hold different views, she cautioned.

To help reduce conflict, Elton recommended limiting when political news or posts are consumed. She also suggested setting aside one phone-free date night each week to encourage face-to-face connection.

While couples with differing political views are unlikely to agree on every issue, "agreeing to disagree" can help prevent hostility.

"We can still love each other," Elton said. "It's not going to affect our relationship."

"As soon as it gets to the point of seeing your partner through the lens of ‘if you believe this, this is who you are, and I can’t believe that I'm still in a relationship with you,’ that becomes a problem."

Elton urged couples not to take political disagreements personally and instead approach them with curiosity. She also recommended looking at the same information together, allowing each partner to ask questions and draw their own conclusions rather than jumping into a heated debate.

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The therapist also encouraged couples to focus on areas of common ground rather than viewing disagreements in black-and-white terms.

After a disagreement or failure to compromise, it’s important to always reconnect with your partner, she emphasized.

Sharing reassuring words like "I love you" and "You matter to me more than anything else" can be helpful, she said.

"I feel like you always need to say, ‘Hey, I hear what you're saying, but I'm not agreeing, and that's OK.’"

When politics come into play in a relationship, it can have an impact on more than just the couple.

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Elton encouraged partners to consider how sharing certain opinions can impact other loved ones, especially if one person confides in a family member or friend about the other's views.

"You can create this triangulation where you're connecting with someone against your partner, and you don't want that," she warned.

"Talk to your therapist, vent to your therapist… because if you start venting to your family and friends, then they start forming certain opinions about your partner, and it can affect how they talk to them, how they interact with them."

Before making any drastic decisions, such as ending a relationship over political discord, Elton suggested slowing down and returning to a more grounded state.

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"We hear certain things and we fill in the gaps," she said. "When we hear someone's political affiliation, we often make assumptions about who they are without really hearing them out."

Rather than making assumptions based on the media or podcasts a partner consumes, for example, Elton encouraged couples to ask questions, stay curious and remain open-minded.

Regularly drinking very hot tea or coffee may raise the risk of a type of esophageal cancer, according to a large study at the University of Oxford.

People who reported drinking beverages "very hot" had about three times the risk of developing oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a type of cancer that begins in the cells lining the esophagus, compared to those who drank warm beverages.

Drinking six or more hot drinks per day was associated with a 71% higher risk of the disease. The same link was not seen for esophageal adenocarcinoma (AC), a type of cancer that develops in the lower part of the esophagus.

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The study included nearly 1 million U.K. adults, making it the largest investigation of its kind to date, according to lead study author Keren Papier, a nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Oxford.

Roughly half of the participants were from the Million Women Study (MWS), who were followed for an average of 14 years, and the other half were from the UK Biobank (UKB), who were followed for 11 years.

"Compared with people who reported drinking their beverages ‘warm,’ those who drank them ‘hot’ had around a 1.7 times higher risk of SCC, while those who drank them ‘very hot’ had around a three times higher risk," Papier told Fox News Digital.

The study was published in the International Journal of Cancer.

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The researchers estimated that, if the observed association reflects a true cause-and-effect relationship, about 14% of SCC cases could potentially be prevented if people drank beverages "hot" rather than "very hot."

The biggest limitation, according to the researchers, is that beverage temperatures were self-reported rather than directly measured. Because people's tolerance for heat differs, participants may have classified similar temperatures differently.

"A limitation of our study was that, although we examined associations by self-reported preferred drink temperature, we did not have data on directly measured drink temperatures, and, therefore, cannot determine how self-reported drink temperature is likely to relate to absolute drink temperature," Papier noted.

"These findings don't mean people need to stop drinking tea or coffee. Just let your drinks cool down a little before drinking them."

An outside cancer specialist agreed the findings are biologically plausible but said they should be interpreted in context.

Dr. Aaron Sasson, chief of surgical oncology and co-director of the gastrointestinal oncology team at Stony Brook Cancer Center in New York, said it’s been known that drinking hot beverages or liquids can be irritating to the esophagus and that it could contribute to the development of esophageal cancer.

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The hotter the liquid, the higher the risk of a "thermal injury," the doctor told Fox News Digital.

"Similar to burning your hand, if you were to get a burn on your hand, you have an increased risk of getting squamous cell carcinoma of the hand, of the skin developing in the burned area," Sasson said. "So, think of that as constantly repeating a burn to the esophagus."

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The doctor reiterated that this study specifically looked at the risk of squamous carcinomas, not adenocarcinomas.

"In the United States, about 85% of all of our cancers are adenocarcinomas. So, the incidence of squamous carcinomas in the esophagus is quite low, just to put it into perspective," he noted.

The lifetime risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus in the U.S. is less than 1%, the doctor said.

Sasson agreed that there was no "objective measurement" of the drinks’ temperature, which poses an unknown variable.

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"If you are a heavy consumer of hot tea or coffee, maybe you'd want to cool it down a little bit," he advised. "But I think, for practical purposes, for most people, [it’s] not the predominant risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus."

Smoking, heavy alcohol use, acid reflux and obesity are among the better-established risk factors for esophageal cancer, Sasson said.

"If you were to limit alcohol consumption and eliminate cigarette smoking, you will have done wonders for your esophagus."

As the nation marks 25 years since Sept. 11, 2001, the weight of the loss of loved ones still looms.

Podcaster David Ferrugio, author of the new book "You're Not Dead Yet," joined Fox News Digital to discuss how his own grief persists 25 years after 9/11.

The host of the "DEAD Talks" podcast lost his father, David Frances Ferrugio, who worked at the World Trade Center, in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

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Ferrugio, who was 12 years old and living in New Jersey at the time, recalls watching television footage of the towers collapsing and "breaking down."

"It was like a dividing moment in my memory and my life, because I was one person on September 11th, and then on September 12th, it was a whole new reality I walked into, which inspired what I'm doing."

After years of internalizing his emotions, Ferrugio discovered the power of sharing stories of grief. 

On his podcast, he invites guests to discuss their own experiences with death and loss.

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"Eventually, I got comfortable expressing myself and learning the importance of just sharing [my] story and telling people how I feel and opening up," he said.

Drawing from his own experiences, Ferrugio shares several lessons that have helped him navigate grief.

Although discussions of grief can be difficult, even decades after a traumatic event like 9/11, Ferrugio said "embracing the uncomfortable" and talking it out is "an important piece of this complex puzzle."

Sharing stories of loss can provide emotional release while also helping others feel less alone, he noted, adding that he's seen firsthand how those conversations can make a difference.

"Even when I have my days of just not feeling it, I'm reminded by the people who reach out and the way they share their story ... how much it is impacting so many people."

Finding a sense of community can be especially meaningful at a time when so many people are experiencing loneliness, whether they're grieving or not, Ferrugio added.

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"I've learned so much through the eyes of others, and I think the storytelling is just so vital."

Fear of judgment often keeps people from sharing their stories, even though doing so can bring a sense of "liberation," according to Ferrugio.

More than two decades after the attacks, Ferrugio shared that his mental health has improved after putting in "a lot of effort," including shifting his perspective on life and death.

"Life and death are the same coin, just two different sides – and there's a thin veil between them," he said.

"It’s completely shifted the way I live my life through seeing what other people are going through ... understanding the pain people are experiencing, how they manage it ... how they reframe it, and understanding that as alone as this life can feel, we're not as alone as we think."

Grief can reshape how people approach life, Ferrugio said, encouraging them to be more present, embrace the full range of emotions and give themselves grace, even during life's most difficult times.

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"Ultimately, all these conversations I've had are conversations about grief, but they're really conversations about how we can live this life."

When painful emotions or a wave of grief start to roll in, Ferrugio's go-to technique is to allow himself to feel it and "breathe it out."

"A lot of breath work works wonders for me," he said. "A deep breath is going to do more for you than you think."

Along with breath work, Ferrugio said exercising and spending time in nature have helped calm his nervous system, noting that what works best varies from person to person.

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"We forget to look inward, and we all have that intuition and that guttural feeling – we have to trust what we're saying to ourselves," he said. "What feels good? Does this feel like it's working?"

It’s important to allow for moments of joy, even during times of grief, said Ferrugio.

"Give yourself permission to feel moments of levity, to feel moments of joy, even if it is for five seconds. … Just take those moments and cherish them, because the contrast of the joy and pain exists for a reason."

"It's not easy to feel however you feel, but it takes a lot of effort and discomfort to try to step out of that. … Whatever we go through in life, it's an ebb and flow, and sometimes both are happening at the same time."

On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Ferrugio acknowledged that the pain of losing his father remains.

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"For anyone else who's been part of that day, I just hope they look back at the days they've gone through and see that they're still here," he said. 

"You're still with us, and you’re still grinding. You're showing up for the people in your life."

"It's important to zoom out and realize, ‘I've done this for 25 years, and I'm still here.’"

Annual U.S. cancer deaths tied to alcohol consumption more than doubled over a three-decade period, according to a recent study led by researchers at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

The findings, published in The Lancet Regional Health — Americas and presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in Chicago, revealed that alcohol-attributable cancer deaths jumped from 11,361 in 1990 to 23,126 in 2023.

Researchers analyzed more than 30 years of data from the Global Burden of Disease study to track the trends.

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While alcohol has long been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, surveys show that awareness of its link to cancer remains limited.

"The most surprising finding was the breadth of alcohol’s potential impact across cancer types," Chinmay Jani, M.D., corresponding author of the study and chief fellow in hematology and oncology at Sylvester, told Fox News Digital.

"Although its relationship with liver cancer is widely recognized, its contribution to cancers such as colorectal, esophageal, breast, pancreatic and prostate cancer is less understood by the public."

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The research showed that older adults and men bore the highest overall burden of alcohol-related cancer deaths. Among older men, liver cancer was the primary cause of alcohol-attributable mortality, followed closely by esophageal and colorectal cancers.

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Breast cancer was the leading cause of alcohol-related cancer deaths among women overall, the study found.

Among younger adults between the ages of 20 and 54, colorectal cancer emerged as the leading cause of alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in men and the second leading cause in women, surpassing liver cancer in both groups.

The authors noted that the findings carry significant weight for public health messaging, particularly because general awareness surrounding alcohol's connection to various cancers remains low compared to known risks like tobacco use.

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Because no minimum "safe" level of alcohol has been established, researchers said drinking less may help lower long-term cancer risk.

Because the study used existing national data rather than following individuals over time, researchers couldn’t determine each person’s exact drinking habits or account for every lifestyle factor.

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As a result, the findings show a strong association between alcohol use and cancer deaths, but they cannot prove that alcohol directly caused those deaths or establish a specific "safe" drinking limit.

"What this study makes clear is that alcohol-related cancer risk is not limited to one disease or one group of people," Gilberto Lopes, M.D., senior author and chief of the Division of Medical Oncology at the Miller School, told Fox News Digital.

"As physicians and cancer researchers, we have an opportunity to help patients understand that alcohol is a modifiable risk factor and that even small, informed changes can be part of a broader strategy to reduce cancer risk in our community."

Those who were present at Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2001, continue to experience the physical effects of their exposure.

As Lower Manhattan was engulfed in dust and debris from the remnants of both towers, first responders and survivors were forced to breathe in toxic air.

More than 400,000 people were exposed to toxic contaminants, physical-injury risks and stressful conditions in the days, weeks and months following the attacks, according to the World Trade Center Health Program.

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As of March 2025, 8,215 people who had enrolled in the WTC Health Program had died, including 5,844 responders, as reported by the CDC. The figures include deaths from all causes; the program does not track whether a member’s death was related to 9/11 exposure.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Mordechai Shedrowitzky, a volunteer EMT who responded on 9/11, shared how his exposure led to multiple hospitalizations and, ultimately, major surgery.

Queens-born Shedrowitzky, 51, was living in Brooklyn at the time of the attacks. After helping cover his local area for much of the day, he headed into Lower Manhattan that evening to assist with the response.

"My most vivid memory was actually entering Manhattan from Brooklyn," he said. "As we approached the tunnel, the first thing we noticed was there were no lights, there was no electricity in the area, it [was] pitch black."

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"When we entered the tunnel, there was a tremendous amount of swirling debris, at speeds that I just can't even imagine."

Once Shedrowitzky and his team arrived at South Street Seaport, where his ambulance was staged with others, he described the debris as "overwhelming."

"I remember the engine actually sputtering at times," he said. "I would imagine that it was taking in a tremendous amount of dust."

"We were definitely not cognizant of what effect ... the air might have on us. And therefore, we did spend a significant amount of time outside of the ambulances, just commiserating with the people around us."

Shedrowitzky said he "thought it was over" once he left the scene. But years later, he noticed small symptoms that were turning into a big problem.

His pre-existing asthma — which typically flared during seasonal changes and caused coughing that required an inhaler — was worsening each year.

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"I started to require oral steroids," he said. "I would have wheezing; I would have coughing. It would last longer; it would be more serious ... I wouldn't be able to go to work, wouldn’t be able to take care of my kids. So, the effects were definitely increasing over time."

Shedrowitzky added that his condition was "getting to the point where it was leading to frequent respiratory infections and hospitalizations."

"It took a number of years, many years, for us to realize that what was going on with my health was probably related to 9/11."

In 2019, Shedrowitzky described that his condition got "significantly worse," after experiencing a cough that wouldn’t resolve itself, even after the "highest doses" of steroids and antibiotics.

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Shedrowitzky ultimately was put in touch with the World Trade Center Health Program – a federal program administered by the CDC – where his condition was classified as 9/11-related and was monitored.

It was eventually confirmed that Shedrowitzky had tracheobronchomalacia, a condition in which the walls of the windpipe and major airways weaken and collapse during breathing.

"[It] was probably secondary to both the asthma getting worse as well as steroid use over the years to try to treat those symptoms," he said.

In 2024, Shedrowitzky underwent a procedure called a tracheobronchoplasty to structurally reinforce his trachea and main bronchi.

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Two years after the procedure, he said he is feeling "much better," although he still experiences occasional infections. He hopes to return to work as a physical therapist soon.

"Even a couple of months ago, I wouldn't have been able to speak for more than a very short time," Shedrowitzky said.

As a father of six, Shedrowitzky – who is now also a grandfather of two – said his condition made it difficult for him to spend time with his children as they were growing up.

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"Things as simple as lifting my children, even speaking to them," he said. "The amount of time that I spent in the hospital and its effect on them was quite significant."

"Now, they're older, but my ability to spend time, interact with them ... has been greatly improved."

Dr. Denise Harrison, medical director of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine WTC Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence, has been involved in post-9/11 healthcare since 2002.

The program has since grown to provide screening, monitoring and treatment for people experiencing health effects related to their 9/11 exposure.

The doctor noted that the dust on 9/11 was "highly alkaline," which can be "very irritating" to the airways.

"Usually, the larger size dust gets deposited in the upper airways and the smaller size dust gets deposited in the lower airways," she told Fox News Digital. "Because of the overwhelming nature of the disaster, a significant number of large particles got deposited into the lower airways as well. So, this is not just the airways, but also the digestive tract, in the esophagus."

Harrison said patients often report sinus problems, asthma and COPD. These conditions can occur alongside other "aerodigestive" issues, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, which may complicate diagnosis and treatment.

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Other 9/11-related conditions may also be interlinked.

"We have patients with asthma and PTSD who might perceive their asthma symptoms differently than the patients without PTSD, so that requires a combination of providers," the doctor said.

Shedrowitzky urged other first responders who are experiencing health issues to not wait to get help and to confirm that what they’re experiencing may be linked to 9/11.

"Continue to be monitored so that potential issues can be picked up early," he advised.

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"If we can look back and see the quality of life that it's robbing you of, it might push you to contact the World Trade Center Health Program, get the help that you need."

As of March 31, 2025, the WTC Health Program had more than 130,000 currently enrolled members.

The program, which is authorized through 2090, operates branches across multiple health systems, including NYU Langone Health, Mount Sinai, Northwell, Stony Brook and Rutgers.

Harrison reiterated that the health effects of 9/11 exposure remain "persistent," and can be exacerbated by the environment and other illnesses. Experts predict that the fallout will continue for decades to come.

"Symptoms are still ongoing and research is still ongoing," she said, urging the public and responders to "have patience."

"While it might not directly benefit them or may provide some benefits now, it could be more beneficial in the future and help the overall response to disasters."

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Adults who reported using prescription weight-loss medication in the last year had higher rates of depression, mental-health counseling, suicidal thoughts and suicide-related behaviors compared to people who did not take the drugs, according to an observational study.

The research, conducted at Asan Medical Center in South Korea, analyzed data from 27,741 adults (10,908 men and 16,833 women).

Of these participants, 846 had been taking prescription medications for weight control during the previous year, while 26,895 did not take them.

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The weight-loss drug users were 1.9 times more likely to experience depression and twice as likely to seek mental health counseling.

They were also 2.7 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts and 1.7 times more likely to make a suicide attempt.

The associations were stronger among those using the medications who gained or regained weight.

"The tendency for depression and suicide-related indicators to increase as weight rebounds after using weight-loss drugs may reflect not only the neuropsychiatric effects of the drugs themselves, but also a complex interplay of psychological and social factors associated with failed weight control," the research team wrote in the study.

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The findings were published in the Korean Journal of Family Practice on Aug. 23.

Bonnie Mitchell, doctor of behavioral health and licensed professional clinical counselor in California, noted that this was an observational, cross-sectional study.

"It shows a correlation between weight-loss drug use and self-reported mental health symptoms, but it cannot prove causation," she told Fox News Digital. "It does not demonstrate that weight-loss medications directly induce depression or suicidal thoughts."

The data was collected between 2013 and 2022.

"During most of this period, modern GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists used for weight loss (such as high-dose semaglutide/Wegovy or tirzepatide/Zepbound/Mounjaro) were either not yet on the market or had very limited real world uptake in South Korea," Mitchell said.

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"The study sample captures older anti-obesity agents historically prescribed in South Korea during that decade, including phentermine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine, topiramate and orlistat."

Central nervous system stimulants – including phentermine-based drugs – have been shown to carry risks of anxiety, mood changes and insomnia, the counselor noted.

"The study highlighted a striking sub finding that found users who gained weight despite taking the medication had 4.2 times higher odds of suicidal ideation compared to non-users," Mitchell noted.

Weight regain or perceived "failure" in weight management can trigger profound guilt, shame, helplessness and psychological distress, according to the expert.

"Individuals with severe obesity have higher baseline rates of depression, anxiety and body dysmorphia," Mitchell said. "A cross-sectional survey cannot separate pre-existing mental health struggles from new symptoms that arose after starting a medication."

More research is needed to determine whether weight-loss medications themselves affect mental health, or whether depression and other symptoms are related to factors such as obesity or difficulties losing weight.

The researchers also need to determine whether mental health risks differ between specific weight-loss drugs.

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"Even though GLP-1 clinical trials show low absolute risk, the FDA’s product labels for chronic weight management drugs (like Wegovy and Zepbound) include warnings to monitor for mood changes," Mitchell noted.

She recommends that a physician conducts a baseline mental health history before prescribing new weight-loss medications, evaluating past or current depression, bipolar disorder, or history of suicidal ideation or behavior.

"Doctors can inform patients and caregivers about potential mood changes so they know what to watch for," Mitchell said. "The next important step for ongoing monitoring would be to schedule check-ins at 4- to 8-week intervals during dose escalation, to evaluate both physiological progress and psychological well-being."

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Patients should contact their healthcare provider immediately if they notice new or worsening depressive symptoms, including the following.

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"Any active suicidal thoughts require immediate emergency medical care," Mitchell advised.

"If a patient develops emergent depression or suicidal ideation during treatment, clinicians should discontinue the weight-loss medication and connect the patient with psychiatric support."

Eli Lilly, manufacturer of the tirzepatide weight-loss medication Zepbound, explicitly mentions "depression or thoughts of suicide" in its safety information.

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"You should pay attention to changes in your mood, behaviors, feelings or thoughts," the website reads.

It further advises patients to contact a healthcare provider if mental health changes are "new, worse or worry you."

On Lilly's medical-information site, the company says that after reviewing clinical trials and medical reports, "no increased risk" of suicidal ideation or psychiatric adverse effects was identified.

Novo Nordisk, manufacturer of the semaglutide weight-loss medication Wegovy, states in its trials that less than 1% of participants experienced suicidal ideation or behavior during treatment. It also says there was "no difference between semaglutide 2.4 mg and placebo."

Fox News Digital reached out to Lilly and Novo Nordisk for comment.

Former President Joe Biden shared an update on his battle with prostate cancer Tuesday, revealing that radiation treatment he underwent last fall "worked as intended" while urging American men not to delay conversations with their doctors about cancer screening.

Biden, 83, issued the update in a lengthy social media post marking Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, saying the occasion was more personal for him following his diagnosis last year.

"The radiation treatment from last fall worked as intended, and I continue to do the things I care about, like finishing my memoir," Biden wrote.

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He also thanked the doctors, nurses and other medical professionals who have treated him, saying their "skill, dedication, and compassion mean so much."

Biden used much of the message to urge men to discuss prostate cancer screening with their doctors, pointing to the dramatically higher survival rate when the disease is detected early.

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"Talk to your doctors. Ask the hard questions. Do it for yourself, and do it for the people who love you," Biden wrote.

Biden said men at average risk should begin discussing prostate cancer screening with their doctors around age 50, while Black men and those with a family history should begin those conversations earlier.

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The American Cancer Society recommends discussing screening at age 50 for average-risk men, age 45 for Black men and certain men with a family history, and age 40 for some men at even higher risk.

Biden’s office announced in May 2025 that the former president had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones.

JOE BIDEN'S CANCER HAS SPREAD FURTHER, LEAVING HIM IN 'VERY PAINFUL' CONDITION, HUNTER REVEALS

The diagnosis came after Biden experienced increasing urinary symptoms and doctors discovered a prostate nodule. His office said at the time that the cancer had a Gleason score of 9, Grade Group 5, but was hormone-sensitive, allowing for effective management.

Biden later underwent radiation therapy and completed that course of treatment last fall.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Biden’s office for additional comment on his current health, treatment and prognosis.

Biden closed Tuesday's message by thanking those who have continued to pray for him and his family.

"It’s my hope and prayer that by sharing our experience and being part of this important conversation, we can help save lives," he wrote. "And no matter what, keep the faith. God bless you."

Fox News Digital's Stepheny Price and Robert McGreevy contributed to this reporting.

A drug being developed to treat a serious lung disease may also help to slow the aging process, researchers say.

In a small clinical study, patients who took rentosertib – developed by Insilico Medicine in Massachusetts – showed changes in blood proteins that made them appear biologically younger.

Several tests estimated that after treatment, the patients were biologically about three to four years younger.

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"There is a promising trend in age reversal in addition to treating the disease, and it came as a bonus for disease treatment," first author Alex Zhavoronkov, PhD, founder and co-CEO of Insilico Medicine, told Fox News Digital.

"It basically means that you are predicted to be younger using a validated set of aging clocks. We don’t know what that means yet."

The results were published in Nature Biotechnology and presented Monday at the Nature conference at Sorbonne University in Paris.

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The researchers caution, however, that this does not yet prove the drug can actually reverse aging or help people live longer.

"It’s early days," Zhavoronkov noted. "The drug is still investigational."

Rentosertib is an experimental drug, discovered with the help of artificial intelligence, that is being developed to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a serious disease that causes scarring in the lungs.

In an unexpected outcome, the drug was found to change patterns of proteins in the blood in ways that made patients appear an average of three to four years younger, in one case up to six years.

Six different aging tests showed the same general pattern, with patients who took rentosertib "scoring" biologically younger than those who received a placebo.

The strongest effect was seen after four weeks in patients taking 30 mg of the drug twice a day.

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When researchers compared the results with data from more than 55,000 people in the UK Biobank, they found that the drug changed several blood proteins in the opposite direction from what is normally seen with aging.

The researchers also found signs that the drug may affect aging at the cellular level, as it changed processes involved in how cells function and respond to damage.

Zhavoronkov said the company's approach uses AI to search for what he calls "molecular criminals" — biological targets that may contribute to both aging and disease.

The study – which was published in Nature Biotechnology – involved researchers from Insilico Medicine as well as Harvard Medical School, Stanford University, the Broad Institute, RWTH Aachen University, Peking University and Westlake University.

Zhavoronkov stressed that the findings are preliminary. "This is a pilot," he said. "It is early [and] exploratory."

The study had some limitations, including the small sample size – just 42 patients were analyzed over a 12-week period.

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The participants all had IPF, which can change many of the same proteins researchers use to measure biological aging. This means it’s possible that the improvements in the participants’ lung disease was related to the changes in blood proteins.

The findings don’t prove that the drug actually slows aging, keeps people healthier longer or extends their lives, the researchers acknowledged.

The results were based only on changes in proteins in their blood, and do not yet support the use of rentosertib as an anti-aging treatment.

The risks and side effects associated with rentosertib were found to be "manageable," according to Dr. Carol Ann Satler, senior vice president of clinical development for Insilico Medicine.

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The most common potential side effects included mild diarrhea, slightly lower potassium levels in the blood and temporary increases in liver enzymes.

"Once you stop the drug, essentially, they return to normal," Satler told Fox News Digital.

In the next trial, the doctor said, "We'll be looking to adjust the doses of the drug based on the side effect profile so that people can stay on it longer."

Rentosertib has now progressed into a year-long phase 3 study of more than 300 patients in China, according to Insilico.

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Larger and longer trials – including healthy older adults and populations without IPF – are needed to determine whether the drug truly has anti-aging effects and whether they could lead to better health.

While more research lies ahead, Zhavoronkov said the findings have given him more confidence to continue pursuing drugs that could target both age-related diseases and aging itself.

"Everybody agrees that living longer should be a fundamental human right for everyone," he said.

A Texas woman who just turned 105 attributes her long life to "the good Lord." 

While Blynda Vidock's faith may have played an important role in her longevity, the Baytown resident has also followed many of the habits that experts say can contribute to a longer, healthier life.

"The good Lord put me here for so many years, and it’s His life through me," she told FOX 26 Houston at her recent birthday celebration. "But I’ve always been very athletic, played tennis, swam all my life and ate good food."

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Vidock joked that she preaches to her children, grandchildren and "great-grands" to eat healthier, but said, "They still eat junk food!"

"We live faster nowadays," she said. "We used to have time to sit down and have a meal together."

Vidock was born in 1921 and grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida. While working for $15 a week at a bank in West Palm Beach, she crossed paths with big-name movie stars Clark Gable and Fred Astaire, and also recalled encountering a young John F. Kennedy.

She met Coast Guardsman Charles "Chuck" Vidock while volunteering with the USO during World War II. The two married and moved to Texas in 1946 and spent decades traveling the world together.

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Vidock is "completely sharp, independent and full of stories from a century of living," according to the report.

A video from her birthday party shows the centenarian walking around and chatting animatedly with the many friends and family members who gathered to honor her.

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"It’s wonderful to have you people here, and I don’t know if I’m supposed to dance or sing or get up on the table," she said. "I think I've been made queen for a day, and I've got my 15 minutes of fame, so you better enjoy it because it won't come again."

Every morning when she wakes up, Vidock said she wonders, "‘This is another day, Lord, why am I here?’" adding, "Every day is a blessing!"

She said "the saddest part about getting old" is watching people lose their mental sharpness and credits "the good Lord" with allowing her to keep hers.

Vidock said a few simple habits have helped her live so long.

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"Living like you know you’re supposed to live, being kind to people, and everything in moderation helped, and I got blessed with good genes, but then I took care of my body," she said.

Dr. Annu Navani, chief medical officer at Le Reve Wellness in San Jose, California, recently told Fox News Digital that longevity medicine is more about adding life to years than adding years to life.

Rather than splurging on costly biohacks, procedures or supplements, Navani recommends focusing on simple daily practices that can enhance quality of life.

Getting high-quality sleep — about seven hours a night for the average person — is necessary for people to perform optimally and has been linked to a healthier lifespan, the expert said.

Managing stress is another key factor in healthy aging, according to Navani. Regular physical activity and social interaction — two other factors linked to longevity — can also help people keep stress in check, as can regular meditation.

Eating a nutritious diet that includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein and dairy, while limiting added sugars and ultraprocessed foods, is another important component of healthy aging.

Longevity experts David Cravit and Larry Wolf, authors of "The SuperAging Workbook," previously told Fox News Digital that maintaining a positive attitude is the No. 1 factor linked to living a longer life.

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"People with a positive attitude outlive people with a negative attitude because it reduces stress, which, in turn, reduces inflammation, and inflammation is the cause of most age-related diseases," Cravit said.

The authors also recommended setting and working toward new goals, building strong relationships and maintaining a sense of independence as people age.

Melissa Rudy and Angelica Stabile of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

Florida mosquito-control agencies are stepping up surveillance, inspections and spraying, as officials expect the number of locally acquired dengue fever cases in Tampa Bay and across the state to rise in the coming weeks.

As of Sept. 1, the number of dengue fever cases originating in Florida this year had climbed to 33 in Tampa Bay and 41 statewide. Cases are predicted to increase, Fox 13 Tampa Bay reported.

Locally acquired cases mean people contracted the illness where they live rather than while traveling abroad.

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The Florida Mosquito Control Association (FMCA) reported 30 confirmed cases in Hillsborough County, seven in Miami-Dade County, three in Pinellas County and one in Palm Beach County.

Hillsborough and Pinellas counties are under mosquito-borne illness alerts issued by the Florida Department of Health.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral illness that can cause fever, severe aches, nausea, rash and, in rare cases, life-threatening complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The virus is most prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions, including Southeast Asia, the Western Pacific islands, Latin America and Africa. Though less common in the continental U.S., locally acquired cases have been recorded in Florida, California and Texas.

Hawaii has recorded past outbreaks, and the virus is common in the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

The CDC reported in May that 2024 was a record year for dengue in the U.S.

A total of 3,798 cases were reported from U.S. states and the District of Columbia, a 359% increase over the annual average for 2010 through 2023. About 97% of those cases were travel-associated, and roughly 3% were locally acquired.

Florida reported the most dengue cases among U.S. states and Washington, D.C., in 2024, with 1,044 cases, or more than a quarter of the total. Florida recorded 85 locally acquired cases across 10 counties that year, compared with 18 in California and two in Texas.

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"Dengue does not stop at county lines," Pinellas County Mosquito Control Director Alissa Berro told Fox 13.

"The mosquitoes that transmit the virus generally stay within a relatively small area, but people travel throughout the Tampa Bay area every day. When someone infected with dengue enters a new area, a local mosquito can bite that person and later spread the virus to others. As cases rise across the region, so does the potential for additional local transmission."

Mosquito-control crews in Florida are increasing aerial and ground treatments in areas showing dengue virus activity, while also inspecting private properties for potential mosquito breeding sites, according to local reports.

FMCA is urging residents to empty or cover standing water around their homes. The mosquito that spreads dengue is a container breeder, meaning it lays eggs in buckets, planters, plant saucers, tires, discarded toys and other objects that collect small amounts of water, experts say.

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The FMCA also advises people to follow what it calls the "three Ds."

Many people infected with dengue have no symptoms, and most people who do become sick recover within a week or two, according to Mayo Clinic.

In some cases, however, the illness can progress to severe dengue, a potentially life-threatening condition.

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Warning signs can develop quickly, often within a day or two after the fever subsides. Those may include severe stomach pain, repeated vomiting, unusual bleeding or bruising, difficulty breathing, extreme tiredness and irritability, or restlessness. 

People experiencing warning signs of severe dengue should seek immediate medical care.

As "biohacks" like peptides, cold plunges and high-tech wearables grow in popularity, some advocates promote the idea of dramatically extending human life — but others say it’s better to focus on more healthy years rather than living forever.

Dr. Annu Navani — chief medical officer at Reve Health Institute in San Jose, California, where she leads advanced regenerative and longevity medicine programs — said the biggest myth is that people will be able to live for a "very, very long period of time."

"I do feel we have extended the human lifespan to some extent," Navani, who is also founder of the World Institute of Regenerative Medicine, told Fox News Digital. "So yes, we are making progress, but I think it would be a false promise if we said people would live beyond 120 or 130 years of life."

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Instead, Navani said the goal should be to improve the quality of the years people have.

"Longevity medicine is all about adding life to those years, not so much years to life," she said.

Longevity medicine does not necessarily have to mean costly procedures, supplements or biohacks, according to Navani.

For those who have limited time or money, the doctor recommends "starting from within the daily routines of smart practices."

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Navani shared the following four pillars of health that form the foundation of longevity, all of which "don't cost much money at all."

"I think sleep is really understated in terms of its importance for overall health and longevity," she said.

"Studies have shown that at least seven hours of sleep is [generally recommended] for a human being to be able to perform optimally, and has been linked to a good life and a decent health lifespan."

The CDC's guidance recommends seven or more hours for adults, but individual sleep needs vary.

Navani recommends eating at least three or four hours before bed, avoiding stimulating activities such as laptop use, and practicing calming routines like meditation, gratitude or journaling.

Health agencies recommend managing stress through a combination of physical activity, optimal sleep, relaxation techniques, proper nutrition and social connections.

Navani said she begins her day with 20 minutes of meditation and gratitude, which helps calm her mind and relieve stress.

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She also recommends meditating in the evening as a way to unwind before bed.

General dietary guidance recommends building meals around a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat or fat-free dairy, while limiting added sugars, saturated fat and sodium.

A balanced eating pattern should also be tailored to a person’s age, health needs and preferences, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s guidance.

The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity — or 75 minutes of vigorous activity — plus muscle-strengthening activity on at least two days per week.

Navani identified high-intensity resistance training as her pick for the most important habit for people in their 50s and beyond. 

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"Studies have shown how it builds bone health and helps musculoskeletal blood flow," she said. "Muscle strength and muscle resilience are linked to health span and longevity, as they impact cardiovascular and neurovascular health."

Navani also identified VO₂ max — which is the maximum amount of oxygen the body can use during intense exercise — as an important marker of overall health and longevity.

"I think VO₂ max is a really important key biomarker that has been shown in quite a few studies to be linked positively to good health and longer lifespan," she said.

The metric is widely used as a measure of cardiorespiratory fitness, reflecting how efficiently the heart, lungs and muscles work together.

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For some older adults or people with health conditions, lower-intensity or supervised strength training may be more appropriate, experts say.

Navani emphasized that it’s never too late to meaningfully improve health span. 

"I often say if you didn't start in your 20s, the best time to start is today," she said. "I have a lot of patients who come to me when they are 55 and 60 and we start the journey then."

The longevity doctor shared her own simple morning routine that she follows to kick-start each day, which includes breaking the first hour of the day into three 20-minute segments.

The first segment focuses on meditation and gratitude.

"The first 20 minutes is just meditating and waking up and kind of just being grateful and thankful," she shared. "That helps calm me down and relieves stress."

The second 20-minute segment is devoted to movement, which includes stretching, exercising and resistance training.

The final 20 minutes are reserved for reading, she said: "I read something that I really want to capture in my brain, something I want to remember."

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Navani advised against immediately reaching for the phone or opening email first thing in the morning, instead recommending using that time to read something intellectually engaging.

Multiple Taser deployments failed to stop Pamela Cisneros, 49, during a roughly four-minute standoff in Times Square last Monday, after she allegedly stabbed two people. The attack left a 32-year-old woman dead and a 68-year-old man wounded.

"As multiple officers discharged Tasers, which proved to be ineffective, the subject continued to advance toward our officers with the knives," Jessica Tisch, New York City police commissioner, said in a news conference that evening. 

When the Tasers failed to subdue Cisneros — who stated, "I’m not dropping anything. I would rather kill both of you" — two officers opened fire, striking her. Cisneros was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

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The incident sparked broader questions about why Tasers sometimes fail and whether obesity or body composition can impede their effectiveness.

A standard Taser is designed to fire two small, barbed probes connected to the device by insulated, conductive wires, according to Axon, the manufacturer.

"Electrical pulses travel along those wires and into the body, triggering involuntary muscle contractions," Axon’s website states. "For NMI to occur, it is best that two probes make contact 12 inches (30 cm) or more apart."

Steve Keller, a retired police sergeant in Blue Ash, Ohio, said the most common causes of Taser failure include clothing, probe placement, substance abuse by the perpetrator and connectivity between probes.

However, obesity can affect the Taser, he said, as a large layer of body fat could interfere with the connectivity.

"The purpose of the Taser is neuromuscular in capacity," Keller told Fox News Digital.

"Your large muscle masses are your back and thighs. Officers are trained to aim for those areas," he said, just as they are also trained to adjust their aiming for clothing and the distance between them and the subject.

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If one of the probes hits the abdomen and the person is obese, it can affect the connectivity of the two probes, according to Keller.

"If one probe hits the person and the other probe misses, the Taser will not work," he said.

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For example, if one probe hits a subject in the thigh and the other probe hits a thick bubble jacket, there’s a good chance the officer won’t have good connectivity, Keller said.

"The same could be considered if there is a large layer of body fat — they could still feel it, but it might not be as effective."

Referring to Cisneros’ case, Keller emphasized that mental health may also play a significant role in how a person responds to a Taser.

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Tisch confirmed at the press conference that the suspect had a documented mental health history with the NYPD, with one incident in 2018 and another in 2019.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, agreed that body composition can affect the Taser’s effectiveness.

"Tasers are much more effective for muscle than fat because muscle conducts electricity much better, and the Taser delivers a high voltage," he said. "In an obese person, it is more difficult to find an area that conducts electricity."

Fox News Digital reached out to Axon, the NYPD and obesity organizations requesting comment.