What to do if someone is having a stroke, after Jill Biden revealed debate-night fears

Former First Lady Jill Biden has expressed her concerns about former President Joe Biden’s health status, noting that she feared he was having a stroke during a 2024 debate.

The then-president struggled his way through the performance, with long periods of silence, confused facial expressions and stammered speech. In a recent interview with CBS, Jill Biden commented that she was "frightened."

"I don't know what happened," she said. "I mean, when I watched it, I thought, ‘Oh my God, he's having a stroke,’ and it scared me to death."

JILL BIDEN SAYS SHE THOUGHT JOE WAS HAVING A STROKE DURING HIS DISASTROUS 2024 DEBATE PERFORMANCE

A stroke occurs when there is bleeding in the brain or when blood flow to the brain is blocked, according to Mayo Clinic.

Identifying a stroke may be difficult, as symptoms can vary. The American Stroke Association (ASA) identifies the following key warning signs, using the acronym "B.E. F.A.S.T."

In a situation where someone could be having a stroke, "the only" thing to do in is to call 911, Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel told Fox News Digital.

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The doctor emphasized other symptoms to watch for, including weakness on one side, slurred speech, difficulty processing information and confusion. The ASA also warns that severe headaches can also be a sign of stroke.

Siegel advised against giving the person an aspirin, as it could worsen bleeding in the brain if that is the cause of stroke. With an ischemic stroke, that type of medication could be helpful.

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According to ASA, 1.9 million brain cells die every minute that a stroke goes untreated, which means earlier treatment leads to higher survival rates and lower risk of disability.

"In medicine, we use the term ‘time is brain,’" Siegel said. "This means that the faster you bring the patient to the emergency room, the faster they can receive emergency treatment if indicated to reopen the blocked artery in the brain, if there is one."

Brain imaging can also be done on arrival at the ER, which should occur within the first several hours, Siegel said.

Anyone who is experiencing a stroke should not drive themselves to the hospital, according to the CDC. Instead, they should get a ride or call 911, as treatment begins inside the ambulance.

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About 80% of strokes are preventable, the American Heart Association states. Prevention includes managing high blood pressure, diabetes, atrial fibrillation and other risk factors.

One in four survivors have another stroke within the next five years, per CDC data, so those at higher risk should prepare a prevention and treatment plan.

Fox News Digital's Alexander Hall contributed to this report.

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Controversial drug delivered rapid relief for severe depression in just hours

→ Single infusion of controversial drug changed severe depression symptoms within hours

→ What to know about thyroid cancer prognosis following Pam Bondi's diagnosis

→ Tick bite ER visits are spiking as doctors warn of disease surge

→ Popular fruit may help protect your skin from the sun, new study suggests

→ Diet change tied to ‘younger’ biological age in older adults

→ Filtered water at specific ages could add months to lifespan decades later

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→ Finding sleep 'sweet spot' could help you live longer, study suggests

→ ‘Wild West’ peptide craze surges beyond GLP-1s, FDA to consider easing access

→ One type of sitting may pose greater dementia risk

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Single infusion of controversial drug changed severe depression symptoms within hours, study finds

People experiencing severe depression with suicidal symptoms may not have to wait weeks for traditional antidepressants to take effect.

A recent review suggests that a single intravenous ketamine infusion can provide rapid relief for some patients.

Originally developed as an anesthetic, ketamine is a medicine that can reduce pain and, in some cases, help treat depression, but it can also be misused as a recreational drug, experts warn.

SINGLE DOSE OF POWERFUL PSYCHEDELIC CUTS DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS IN CLINICAL STUDY

Researchers from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine reviewed 26 clinical trials that included more than 1,100 patients. Approximately 626 received ketamine and 540 served as controls who did not take the drug.

Most of the trials included patients with major depressive disorder, but 11.5% included those with bipolar depression and 7.7% included people with both unipolar and bipolar depressive diagnoses.

Compared to a placebo, a single treatment significantly reduced depression in just four hours and dramatically lowered suicidal thoughts within 24 hours, the study found.

Patients reported fewer depressive symptoms after a week and reduced suicidal thoughts for up to a month after one ketamine infusion. Those who received repeated ketamine infusions showed a similar reduction of suicidal and depressive symptoms at the end of the treatment.

WHAT IS KETAMINE THERAPY? MORMON REALITY STARS TOUT CONTROVERSIAL TREATMENT

The most common adverse events of ketamine – including headaches, numbness, dissociation ("out of body" experiences), nausea, dizziness and visual disturbances – were temporary and resolved within hours of the infusion.

Rarer, more serious side events included hospitalization, suicide attempts and suicide, but most were unrelated to ketamine, the review stated.

The analysis was published in May in JAMA Psychiatry.

Major depressive disorder is a formal psychiatric diagnosis affecting approximately 280 million people globally, according to recent research.

Effective treatment involves a combination of therapy and medication, frequently antidepressants. However, for a small number of patients, symptoms do not respond to multiple therapies, a condition known as treatment-resistant depression, doctors say.

These patients are at a higher risk of very serious, sometimes tragic consequences, including suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts and death.

"When all existing treatment options fail, patients with severe depression could consider ketamine infusions," lead author Taeho Greg Rhee, PhD, of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, told Fox News Digital. "This is still a safer option when compared to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)."

Traditional antidepressants stabilize mood by slowly elevating serotonin levels in the brain, but it can take weeks for the full effect to be achieved.

Ketamine, in contrast, works rapidly by blocking glutamate, a neurotransmitter that can impact emotions negatively when levels are too high in the brain, according to Cleveland Clinic.

The authors say their findings have two important potential clinical applications.

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First, ketamine’s rapid effects can be a life-saving treatment in the emergency room for patients presenting with suicidal ideation.

Second, the effects of a single ketamine infusion are relatively short-lived – as almost all patients relapsed with depressive symptoms after a single infusion – so those with treatment-resistant depression will need repeated sessions.

"While intravenous ketamine is not yet FDA-approved for treating depression, it may still be used with off-label indications for those with severe depression and/or with a high risk of suicidal behaviors," said Rhee.

Dr. Lama Bazzi, a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City, has had several patients receive ketamine infusions.

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"For a small subset of patients in a major depressive episode or struggling with suicidal thoughts, intravenous ketamine can be genuinely lifesaving," Bazzi, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. "The relief they experience is almost immediate, offering them distance from the intensity of their emotions."

However, she cautions that the medication should only be administered in closely monitored settings, such as clinics, to ensure safe treatment.

Ketamine is not a panacea, Rhee agreed, warning of the potential risk of abuse and addiction.

"It should only be used medically," he advised.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, noted in previous comments to Fox News Digital that ketamine is increasingly being used to treat severe depression, but emphasized that it should be administered under careful medical supervision because of its potential risks.

Although the studies compared ketamine with a placebo, some patients may have realized they were receiving the drug. This could have influenced how they reported their symptoms and how effective they perceived the treatment to be, according to the researchers.

Another limitation is the small sample size of the studies, which could make the effects seem disproportionately magnified.

Also, as this was a review of many different studies, it is challenging to apply the findings to the general population, the researchers noted.

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"While long-term outcomes have not been studied, I believe that when patients are severely depressed or suicidal, ketamine is sometimes the only choice that almost always works," Bazzi added.

Anyone interested in exploring alternative depression treatments should first consult a doctor.

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What to know about thyroid cancer prognosis following Pam Bondi's diagnosis

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi was diagnosed with thyroid cancer shortly after leaving the Department of Justice last month, according to a report.

Bondi, 60, who left her role at the Justice Department in early April, underwent treatment and is recovering, a source stated.

The thyroid is a gland located in the neck. It makes hormones that are then secreted into the blood, which help the body "use energy, stay warm and keep the brain, heart, muscles and other organs working as they should," according to the American Thyroid Association.

PAM BONDI DIAGNOSED WITH THYROID CANCER WEEKS AFTER DEPARTING AS TRUMP'S ATTORNEY GENERAL: REPORT

Thyroid cancer is relatively uncommon compared to other cancers. Even so, as of 2023, more than one million people in the U.S. are living with the disease.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) predicts that there will be an estimated 45,260 new cases in 2026.

While more common in women, thyroid cancer can affect both sexes. Those with a family history may be more likely to develop it, as well as those between the ages of 25 and 65. Exposure to radiation is also a risk factor, according to the National Cancer Institute.

NOT ALL CANCERS SHOULD BE TREATED RIGHT AWAY, MEDICAL EXPERTS SAY — HERE'S WHY

Signs of thyroid cancer may include lumps or swelling in the neck, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, hoarseness and pain when swallowing, per the above source. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention.

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If thyroid cancer is suspected, a doctor can diagnose it in several ways. A laryngoscopy is a procedure where the doctor checks the voice box with a mirror or laryngoscope — a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and lens, per NCI.

Blood hormone studies – where a blood sample is checked to measure hormone levels – can also reveal indicators of thyroid cancer. Ultrasounds and CAT scans are then used to check for tumors in the body.

Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy are the main ways doctors treat thyroid cancer. A new type of therapy, immunotherapy, is being tested in clinical trials.

"Surgery is the primary therapy, followed by regular surveillance and thyroid hormone replacement," Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital.

If the thyroid must be completely removed, patients will take hormones to replace the gland's natural function.

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"Radioactive iodine is added in extensive or more aggressive cases," Siegel said, but noted that it is "usually not needed."

The prognosis for thyroid cancer is generally positive and depends heavily on how the cancer responds to treatment, according to NCI.

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Some types are much milder and slower-growing than others. Doctors will also consider the stage of the cancer's progression.

The best-case scenario is when a surgeon can completely remove the tumor during surgery. Doctors will also factor in whether this is a brand-new diagnosis or if the cancer has returned after previous treatment.

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Tick bite ER visits hit highest seasonal level in years as doctors warn of disease surge

Tick bite-related ER visits are at their highest seasonal levels since 2017 across most U.S. regions, raising concerns about increased Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

That’s according to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Tick Bite Tracker, which monitors weekly emergency department visits associated with tick bites across the country.

For every 100,000 ER visits, approximately 71 were related to tick bites in April 2026, compared to a historical seasonal average of roughly 30 per 100,000.

DOCTORS REVEAL KEY SIGNS OF LYME DISEASE AS TICK SEASON INTENSIFIES ACROSS US

Some of the highest rates of tick-based ER visits were among children younger than 10 years and adults between 70 and 79 years.

"Over the past three decades, the geographic range of the blacklegged tick has expanded significantly, and with it, the risk of Lyme disease and other Ixodes-transmitted infections," Dr. Steven Goldberg, MD, a family medicine physician who practices urgent care and family medicine at UofLHealth in Louisville, Kentucky, told Fox News Digital.

‘RABBIT FEVER’ CASES RISING IN US AS CDC WARNS OF ZOONOTIC BACTERIAL DISEASE

"The Ohio River Valley region is one of the most striking examples — Lyme disease cases in Ohio have increased roughly 10-fold over the past decade, likely driven by the convergence of Northeastern and Upper Midwestern tick populations meeting in that corridor."

States like Virginia and West Virginia, as well as areas south of the traditional endemic zone, are reporting increasing tick abundance and disease cases, the doctor noted.

"The lone star tick is also expanding its range northward beyond its traditional stronghold in the Southeast, which means diseases like ehrlichiosis and alpha-gal syndrome are appearing in regions where clinicians may not yet be thinking about them," he warned.

Some climate studies predict that the blacklegged tick's suitable habitat could expand by over 200% by the end of the century, Goldberg noted, including into Canada and across the central and southern U.S.

"Warmer, wetter conditions allow ticks to survive in habitats that previously would have been too cold," Saggar said. "Milder winters also extend the lifespan of both ticks and the animals they feed on, accelerating tick reproduction and shortening their life cycles."

Areas that historically experienced longer, colder winters or significant snow cover are now more hospitable to ticks, the doctor noted.

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"As temperatures rise and precipitation patterns change, ticks are able to spread northward and thrive in new ecosystems," he said. 

Another contributing factor is increased land development and human expansion into wooded and grassy areas, as well as reforestation of formerly agricultural land.

"The recovery and expansion of white-tailed deer populations — critical hosts for adult blacklegged ticks — has been a major driver," Goldberg added. "Deer density is positively associated with Lyme disease incidence. Small mammal communities, particularly white-footed mice that serve as key reservoir hosts for Borrelia burgdorferi, also play a central role."

Tick bites are known to transmit numerous illnesses, the most widespread of which is Lyme disease, a bacterial infection.

"Lyme disease cases alone have increased roughly two- to threefold over the past 20 years," Saggar said. Approximately 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year, per CDC surveillance data.

MOSQUITO-BORN DENGUE FEVER CASES SURGE AT POPULAR US VACATION DESTINATION

Also common are anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis, two different types of bacterial infections, according to the doctor. Tick bites can also cause babesiosis, a malaria-like parasitic disease that infects and destroys red blood cells.

"Another growing concern is alpha-gal syndrome, a condition in which a (lone star) tick bite triggers a serious allergic reaction to red meat," Saggar said. "In rare cases, people have died from anaphylactic reactions linked to alpha-gal syndrome following a tick bite."

Ticks can also transmit viruses, including the Powassan virus, which can cause severe neurologic injury.

"Powassan virus disease is arguably the most concerning emerging tick-borne infection," said Goldberg, who is also chief medical officer at HealthTrack. "It's transmitted by the same blacklegged tick that carries Lyme disease, but unlike Lyme, it can be transmitted within minutes of tick attachment."

Powassan can cause severe encephalitis with a roughly 10% to 15% fatality rate, and more than half of survivors have lasting neurological deficits, Goldberg noted.

In the Rocky Mountain states, the Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni) transmits Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Colorado tick fever.

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"In the Southeast and South-Central U.S., the lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) drives a different set of concerns: ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and two emerging viral threats — Heartland virus and Bourbon virus," said Goldberg.

Some common symptoms of tick-borne illness include fever, chills, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches and joint pain, according to Dr. Suraj Saggar, chief of infectious disease at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Another sign is the classic "bullseye" rash associated with Lyme disease, known medically as "erythema migrans." 

"Because testing can sometimes be falsely negative early in the disease process, doctors may treat patients based on symptoms and exposure history rather than waiting for laboratory confirmation," Saggar noted. 

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"If you think you have been bitten by a tick, you should seek medical attention if you develop symptoms after a known tick bite or after spending time in tick-prone areas, especially during the spring, summer and fall."

As there are no vaccines currently available for any tick-borne disease in the U.S., prevention is the most effective strategy.

Goldberg shared the following recommended prevention strategies.

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"The longer a tick is attached, the higher the risk of disease transmission — for Lyme disease, transmission generally requires at least 36 hours of attachment," Goldberg said. "The Powassan virus can be transmitted much more quickly."

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Doctors push new blood tests for colon cancer as cases surge in younger adults

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has updated its guidelines for colorectal cancer screening.

The organization released the update in its flagship journal on Wednesday, noting that the new recommendations "re-affirm" that adults at average risk should be screened for colorectal cancer at age 45 and continue through 75, for those with a life expectancy greater than 10 years.

In addition to the standard colonoscopy, the ACS also recommends that patients receive a blood-based screening test in a doctor’s office, which is designed to detect tumor DNA in the blood.

COMMON CANCER TYPE COULD BE DETECTED WITH NEW BLOOD TEST

The ACS also suggested an at-home screening option that looks for hidden blood and molecular markers in stool samples.

These new guidelines reflect recent advancements in disease detection, as well as a "critical shift in public health strategy to expand screening options and lower barriers to access," the ACS stated in a press release.

Dr. Robert Smith, senior vice president of early cancer detection science at the American Cancer Society and senior author of the report, wrote in a statement that colorectal cancer should be emphasized as a "highly preventable disease as much as a treatable one."

"By offering more screening tools in our guideline update, more eligible adults will be able to participate in lifesaving colorectal cancer testing, helping to close the screening gap and catch more cancers at an earlier, treatable stage," he added.

JAMES VAN DER BEEK MISTOOK CANCER SYMPTOMS FOR PROBLEMS WITH HIS DIET

According to the ACS, colorectal screening "dramatically improves survival," as studies show early-stage detection yields a five-year survival rate of more than 90% in the U.S.

About one in three American adults are eligible for colorectal cancer screening but have not been tested, although ACS research marks colorectal cancer as the top cancer killer of adults under 50.

People at a high risk of colorectal cancer may need to begin screening before age 45 or be screened more often, the ACS added. Those over 85 years old should no longer be screened for colorectal cancer, per the guidelines.

Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the ACS, commented that "no matter which test you choose, what’s most important is to get screened, and that includes underserved, rural and minority populations."

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These guideline changes follow a surge in colorectal cancer diagnoses in younger individuals. Recent ACS research revealed a 50% relative increase in diagnoses in adults aged 45 to 49 from 2021 to 2022.

Dr. Aparna Parikh, medical director of the Center for Young Adult Colorectal Cancer at the Mass General Cancer Center, who is not affiliated with the ACS, shared that experts don’t "entirely understand why" cases are on the rise.

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"But it seems to be an interplay of a person’s risk factors, overall makeup and early exposures," she previously told Fox News Digital. "[Those] include dietary exposures, environmental exposures and possible antibiotic exposures, as well as lifestyle factors in the right host."

Another recent ACS study found that drinking heavily and consistently over an adult’s lifetime could lead to a higher risk of colorectal cancer.

Other known risk factors include family history, obesity, smoking, a diet high in red and processed meats, inflammatory bowel disease, and a personal history or family history of polyps.

While there may be no symptoms of colorectal cancer before diagnosis, especially in the early stages, certain symptoms should not be overlooked, experts say.

Dr. Eitan Friedman, PhD, an oncologist and founder of The Suzanne Levy-Gertner Oncogenetics Unit at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel, confirmed to Fox News Digital that changes in bowel habits are the primary red flag that should raise the suspicion of colorectal cancer.

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Other symptoms include fatigue as a result of anemia, stomach pain or abdominal discomfort, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, weakness and unexplained weight loss.

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ER doctor reveals how pneumonia can suddenly turn deadly after Kyle Busch’s death

The sudden death of Kyle Busch has drawn attention to a rare but devastating medical progression: when pneumonia escalates into fatal sepsis.

An ER doctor spoke with Fox News Digital about how sepsis can trigger a rapid health decline.

"Sepsis is actually not a specific disease or diagnosis, but rather the syndrome that occurs when the body has certain abnormal findings and a presumed infection," said Dr. Kenneth J. Perry, a South Carolina-based emergency medicine physician.

HOW PNEUMONIA PROGRESSES TO SEPSIS: DOCTORS EXPLAIN AFTER KYLE BUSCH'S DEATH

The markers of sepsis include elevated white blood cell counts, a high or low temperature, and elevated heart and respiratory rates, according to Perry. Because of this, a patient with pneumonia is often already technically septic by definition.

While many people assume a worsening infection means bacteria are multiplying uncontrollably, it often has more to do with the body’s internal environment.

"It is often not the bacteria itself that is causing the specific decline," Perry said. "In most cases, it is a cascade of inflammatory processes that are set in motion by the infection."

When this inflammation spirals out of control, the body moves from having a manageable infection into severe sepsis. This is when otherwise healthy people can rapidly deteriorate.

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"The concerning thing that can happen with any individual ... is that sepsis can then lead to low blood pressure, worsening vital signs and organ damage," Perry said.

"As multiple organs fail, it becomes very difficult for the medical team to treat and can sometimes lead ultimately to death."

It is very unlikely to have pneumonia and not have any symptoms, according to Perry. Early signs can mimic a severe flu, including fevers, chills, a productive cough, and chest or back pain in cases where the lung is infected.

When sepsis begins to take hold, time becomes the most critical factor. "We have known for a number of years that early antibiotic therapy is beneficial in the treatment of sepsis," Perry said.

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If you or a loved one are managing an infection at home, the doctor says the following red flags mean you should bypass the clinic and head straight to the emergency room.

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While cases like Busch's are tragic, Perry stressed that this shouldn't cause widespread panic. Most patients with pneumonia do very well with standard oral antibiotics.

The NASCAR star's rapid decline underscores the importance of medical vigilance and "having a primary care physician with whom you have a good relationship," according to the ER doctor.

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"Monitoring symptoms while having easy access to primary care is a very beneficial and appropriate plan for most patients," he added.

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