Wildfire smoke is invading more than 20 states — doctors reveal who should worry most

Canadian wildfire smoke is drifting across parts of the U.S., prompting doctors to warn that even healthy people may face risks from prolonged exposure to polluted air.

More than 180 wildfires are burning in Ontario alone, while nearly 850 are active across Canada, sending smoke into the Midwest and Northeast, according to NASA.

More than 20 states have been affected, prompting widespread air quality alerts from the Upper Midwest to the East Coast.

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The greatest concern comes from fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is about 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), these microscopic particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.

"The main concern is fine particle pollution, known as PM2.5," Dr. Fernando Safdie, director of endoluminal and airway surgery and a lung cancer specialist in Miami Beach, Florida, told Fox News Digital. "These particles are small enough to get deep into the lungs, and the smallest can pass into the bloodstream."

"Smoke also carries irritant gases," he added. "That combination is what triggers symptoms."

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The EPA considers an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 100 unhealthy for sensitive groups, while levels above 150 are unhealthy for everyone.

The most common effect of wildfire smoke is irritation to the respiratory system.

"Most people notice burning or watery eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose or coughing," said Safdie.

"It can progress to chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, headaches, fatigue and a faster heartbeat."

For anyone with asthma, COPD or chronic bronchitis, smoke can set off a flare or make existing symptoms noticeably worse, the doctor cautioned.

Wildfire smoke can also strain the cardiovascular system, according to the American Heart Association. It has been linked to increased emergency room visits for ischemic heart disease, irregular heart rhythm, heart failure, pulmonary embolism and stroke.

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Short-term exposure to wildfire-related fine particulate matter can also worsen heart failure and contribute to premature death, the EPA notes.

Studies have linked long-term exposure to an increased risk of premature death, chronic heart and lung disease, lung cancer, cognitive decline and dementia, as well as pregnancy complications such as preterm birth and low birth weight, according to the EPA and recent research.

Children are at the highest risk because their lungs are still developing and they breathe more air for their body size, according to Safdie.

Older adults, pregnant women, and and anyone with a heart or lung condition, such as asthma, COPD or heart disease, are also especially vulnerable. Other high-risk groups include those with compromised immune systems and chronic kidney failure, the doctor said.

"Outdoor workers are exposed simply because of where they spend the day," Safdie added.

The doctor emphasized that outdoor air quality dangers may not always be visible.

"When you don't see the fires, you could still be exposed to the smoke and breathing that highly polluted air," he told Fox News Digital.

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The CDC and EPA shared the following protective measures to prevent smoke-related health risks.

Monitor air quality. Check air quality at AirNow.gov before spending time outdoors. Sensitive groups should limit outdoor activity when AQI exceeds 100, and everyone should reduce exposure at levels of 150 and higher.

Stay indoors when smoke levels are high. Keep windows and doors closed. If using air conditioning or central HVAC, set the system to recirculate to reduce the amount of smoky outdoor air entering the home.

Clean indoor air. Run a portable air purifier with a HEPA filter or use a highest-efficiency filter. Experts also recommend avoiding activities that worsen indoor air pollution, such as burning candles, smoking, frying food or vacuuming while smoke levels remain elevated.

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Wear an N95 respirator if necessary. If you must spend time outside when smoke levels are high, a well-fitting N95 respirator can filter out most harmful fine particles.

Reduce strenuous outdoor activity. Heavy exercise causes people to breathe faster and deeper, increasing the amount of fine particulate matter that reaches the lungs. Consider moving workouts indoors until air quality improves, experts advise.

"Don’t tough it out if breathing is genuinely hard," Safdie advised. "Get medical care if you have shortness of breath that doesn’t ease with rest, a cough that won’t settle, wheezing, chest tightness, dizziness or heart palpitations."

Those who have asthma or COPD should follow their doctor-provided action plan.

"Don’t wait if your rescue inhaler isn’t doing the job," Safdie said. "Call 911 for severe difficulty breathing, chest pain or confusion. When in doubt, get checked."

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Although short-term exposure is unlikely to cause long-term damage, "very intense" exposure can generate chronic issues, he said.

"For example, firefighters who are in the eye of the problem should definitely be very well-protected with the appropriate equipment, because the concentration of the smoke and the PM25 particles will be extremely high and could cause chronic problems," Safdie said.

"But for the general population, it is unlikely that they will have such an exposure. I think that it would be more of an acute problem."

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Doctors warn your 'stomach bug' may actually be a parasite that's harder to detect

Health officials are warning that what many people dismiss as a routine summer stomach bug may actually be cyclosporiasis, as the U.S. experiences one of its largest foodborne parasite outbreaks on record.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed more than 1,600 domestic cases of cyclosporiasis since May, with over 5,100 additional cases currently under investigation.

The intestinal infection is caused by Cyclospora (Cyclospora cayetanensis), a microscopic parasite that spreads through contaminated food or water.

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The outbreak has sickened thousands of people, particularly in Midwestern states such as Michigan and Ohio, causing prolonged bouts of severe gastrointestinal illness.

Symptoms usually begin about one week after consuming contaminated food or water, although the incubation period can range from about two days to two weeks, according to the CDC.

Early symptoms can overlap with those of a common viral stomach bug, including abdominal pain, nausea and watery diarrhea. Some patients also experience loss of appetite, fatigue and weight loss.

The primary differences lie in how long the illness lasts and how severe the symptoms become, according to Dr. Kenneth Perry, an emergency physician based in South Carolina.

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Routine stomach bugs are typically short-lived, resolving within 24 to 48 hours, the doctor said. Even if mild symptoms linger, patients generally feel better after two days.

"Cyclospora is different in this regard," Perry told Fox News Digital. "It lasts longer, with far more profound watery, foul-smelling diarrhea and abdominal cramping."

It is possible to test for Cyclospora, but healthcare providers must specifically request it, as the parasite is not routinely included in standard stool testing and many gastrointestinal PCR panels do not detect it, according to the CDC.

Diagnosis is made by examining stool specimens, although patients may need to submit several samples collected on different days, as even symptomatic people may not shed enough of the parasite for it to be readily detected, per the above source.

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If symptoms strongly suggest Cyclospora despite an initial negative test, the screening may need to be repeated, Perry noted.

A primary care physician is often the best point of contact for patients seeking a diagnosis, as most routine stool tests performed in emergency departments do not screen for Cyclospora. A family doctor can order the specialized test if it's suspected.

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"The emergency department is the appropriate setting for treating downstream symptoms, such as nausea, diarrhea and dehydration," Perry told Fox News Digital.

People who suspect they have contracted the parasite can also check FDA and CDC food safety alerts to see whether they may have been exposed to a recalled or implicated product.

Patients should also focus on staying hydrated by monitoring their urine output. Perry recommends using over-the-counter pediatric formulas, which offer a more effective salt-to-sugar ratio than commercial sports drinks.

Anyone whose diarrhea lasts more than two to three days, worsens or is accompanied by signs of dehydration should contact a primary care physician.

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Unlike most viral stomach bugs, Cyclospora is treatable with prescription antibiotics. The CDC recommends trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) as the standard treatment, while people who cannot take sulfa drugs should discuss alternatives with their healthcare provider.

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Game-changing cholesterol pill wins FDA approval after cutting LDL nearly 60%

Millions of Americans with high cholesterol now have a new treatment option, as the FDA has approved the first once-daily oral PCSK9 inhibitor.

Merck, the New Jersey-based manufacturer of Lipfendra (enlicitide), announced the approval on Thursday.

Lipfendra blocks the action of PCSK9, a naturally occurring protein that affects how the liver removes LDL ("bad") cholesterol from the bloodstream.

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"PCSK-9 is a protein that works in the liver, preventing the recycling of LDL receptors, as a result increasing bad cholesterol in the blood," Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, told Fox News Digital.

"In the caveman days, this was useful when we were hunter-gatherers and didn't always have food, but now it mainly forms plaques that lead directly to heart disease."

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The pill is approved as an add-on to diet and other LDL-lowering therapies in adults with high cholesterol, including inherited forms of high cholesterol, Merck stated.

In phase 3 clinical trials, Lipfendra was shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by roughly 56% to 60% when combined with statin therapy.

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"This is around double the impact of statins," Siegel noted.

The pill was generally well-tolerated in the trials, Merck reported. The most common side effects were diarrhea and dizziness, while serious side effects and treatment discontinuations occurred at rates similar to those in the placebo group.

Statins, which work by blocking an enzyme in the liver that the body uses to make cholesterol, are the most commonly prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications, according to the American Heart Association.

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For many people, statins are effective on their own. But for some patients who have very high cholesterol levels, inherited forms of high cholesterol or adverse side effects when taking statins, another medication — such as a PCSK9 inhibitor like Lipfendra — may be necessary, per the AHA.

Until now, PCSK9 inhibitors — such as Repatha and Praluent — have only been available as injections, a factor experts say may have contributed to their underuse.

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"Repatha, the injectable form, is very useful, with few side effects," Siegel noted. "The oral form, Lipfendra, is also well-tolerated and just as effective."

Additional research is needed to determine whether Lipfendra also reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular deaths. Results from a large clinical trial are expected to be available in 2029, Merck stated.

"Steve Nissen, longtime head of preventive cardiology at Cleveland Clinic, tells me that the lower the better when it comes to LDL cholesterol, especially in those at risk for heart disease," Siegel added.

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Doctors reveal hidden danger for some Ozempic, Wegovy users with brain disorders

Neurologists are warning that popular weight-loss medications could have severe negative effects on neurodegenerative conditions like ALS.

Jinsy Andrews, MD, a neurologist and director of NYU Langone’s ALS Center, says the very mechanism that makes these drugs popular — rapid weight loss — can go against the biological needs of patients with neuromuscular disorders.

GLP-1 agonists have shown to be highly effective at managing diabetes and obesity, which are major health concerns across the population. However, the doctor emphasized that the clinical rules shift when dealing with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

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In addition to mitigating some of the inflammation related to obesity and diabetes, GLP-1 medications have been linked to other protective effects.

The therapies have been helpful in reducing cardiovascular disease, stroke risk, liver disease and addiction, according to Andrews.

However, when it comes to an incurable neurodegenerative disease, losing weight and body fat can accelerate a patient's physical decline.

For an ALS patient, losing weight can cause the condition to progress faster, Andrews said, because the disease's unique traits make it dangerous to be in a caloric deficit.

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In fact, standard clinical care guidelines for ALS often recommend that patients actively maintain or even gain weight to help preserve their remaining nerve and muscle function.

"In certain conditions where hypermetabolism is something that negatively affects the disease […] losing weight actually makes the disease worse and move faster," Andrews told Fox News Digital..

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"So, in the setting of a person with ALS — whether they have diabetes or not — using GLP-1s may actually worsen the disease and make for a rapid progression."

In a 2025 case report published in the medical journal Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration, a 52-year-old ALS patient was prescribed semaglutide to treat her type 2 diabetes.

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Prior to starting the medication, her physical functions were declining at a predictable rate on the standard ALS rating scale.

According to the case report, the patient lost 25 pounds in three months. At the same time, she experienced a sudden, dramatic shift in her disease trajectory, with symptoms worsening significantly.

Once the semaglutide was discontinued at the advice of medical professionals, the patient's rapid physical decline stabilized.

Andrews pointed out that this published documentation, alongside retrospective cohort data of ALS patients with diabetes, provides growing evidence that clinicians must be careful and thoughtful about who they treat with GLP-1 receptor agonists.

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While weight-loss medications offer significant benefits for many patients, experts say maintaining body weight and muscle mass remains an important consideration for people with neurodegenerative diseases.

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Is lettuce still safe to eat amid Taco Bell illness probe? Doctors answer

A Cyclospora parasite outbreak has put lettuce in the spotlight as investigators examine a possible link to Taco Bell, raising concerns among consumers about whether it's still safe to eat fresh greens.

While investigators have not identified a specific product or supplier as the source of the outbreak, interviews with sick patients have repeatedly pointed to lettuce and other salad greens as common exposures, and many of those patients also reported eating at Taco Bell before becoming ill.

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State and federal health officials – including the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), CDC and FDA – are investigating a possible link between fresh ingredients served at certain Taco Bell locations and the Cyclospora outbreak.

The chain has voluntarily removed select fresh ingredients at certain locations while public health officials continue their investigation.

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In a statement to Fox News Digital, California-based Taco Bell Corp. said, "The health and safety of our guests is our top priority. Public health officials have not confirmed a link to Taco Bell or any specific ingredient, supplier, restaurant or retailer. While authorities continue their broader review, Taco Bell has voluntarily and temporarily removed limited ingredients at select restaurants as a precautionary measure. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and follow the guidance of public health authorities."

Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite (Cyclospora cayetanensis) that infects the small intestine after people consume contaminated food or water, according to the CDC.

The agency confirmed that 1,645 domestic Cyclospora cases have been reported since May 1, most often linked to fresh produce, including leafy greens, cilantro and berries.

The CDC is also investigating more than 5,100 additional suspected cases, with a total of 145 people having been hospitalized with the infection.

"Cyclosporiasis is not generally a life-threatening illness for most people," Tammy Lundstrom, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer of Trinity Health in Michigan, told Fox News Digital.

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"The biggest concern is that it can cause severe, prolonged diarrhea that may last for weeks or even longer if it's not diagnosed and treated."

People should seek medical attention if they have lasting, severe diarrhea. The symptoms can be very prolonged in people with compromised immune systems, Lundstrom noted.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, said the parasite has been primarily identified in packaged lettuce and salad bags, but no particular brand has been pinpointed.

"In the meantime, the best strategy is to wash lettuce and all salad greens thoroughly and to wash your hands with soap and water before and after preparing food," he told Fox News Digital, adding that "the chances of acquiring it still remains extremely low."

Registered dietitian nutritionist Caroline Margolis, the on-staff registered dietitian at Lifeway Foods, an Illinois-based company best known for its kefir and other cultured dairy products, also weighed in on the risk.

"While health officials have identified lettuce as the likely culprit, the exact source remains unknown," she told Fox News Digital.

For now, she recommends skipping prewashed, bagged lettuce and salad mixes.

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"Instead, choose whole heads of lettuce, discarding the outer two to three leaves, and wash and rinse thoroughly," Margolis advised. "If you do develop cyclosporiasis, stay hydrated and seek medical care if needed."

"Be sure to support your recovery with nutrient-rich, easy-to-digest foods and probiotic options like kefir, yogurt, bananas, apples and oatmeal."

Lundstrom reiterated that it ’s unclear whether any specific fresh produce is responsible, even though past outbreaks have sometimes been linked to fruits and vegetables.

"Federal public health authorities have not issued any warnings to avoid lettuce or other fresh produce at this time," she told Fox News Digital. "It is recommended to thoroughly wash lettuce and other leafy greens, which can significantly reduce the amount of any pathogen present."

Until further information is known, Lundstrom said iceberg is currently a better option for lettuce. She recommends first washing the entire head, then discarding the outermost leaves.

"Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly when handling and preparing fresh produce," she added.

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For those who wish to take further precautions, frozen and canned produce may be safer options, according to the dietitian.

"It’s important to follow CDC recommendations for safe food and vegetable handling and preparation to help reduce the risk of illness," she said.

Those recommendations include the following.

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Lundstrom added, "It's important to remember that fruits and vegetables in all forms are an essential part of our daily healthy diet, and by exercising these practical preventive steps, people can still enjoy these nutritious foods."

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Think your cortisol is too high? Expert reveals the truth behind viral wellness craze

Social media feeds have recently been flooded with wellness influencers warning about the dangers of high cortisol.

But is this complex hormone truly something people should try to eliminate, or is it a victim of online hyperbole?

In a recent Fox & Friends segment, Ainsley Earhardt sat down with New York City-based certified dietitian and nutritionist Amy Shapiro to separate fact from fiction.

Despite its reputation, cortisol is a biological necessity. Produced by the adrenal glands, it is the body's primary stress hormone.

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"It does help us in many ways," Shapiro said during the segment.

"It helps us get out of bed in the morning. You have a cortisol spike. Gives you that energy to get up and go. It helps to protect you when you have to run ... It helps support your immune system."

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Under normal conditions, cortisol levels follow a natural 24-hour cycle, peaking in the morning to help the body wake up and gradually dropping to their lowest point at night. 

Problems arise when the body remains in a prolonged state of stress, causing cortisol levels to stay elevated.

According to Mayo Clinic, chronic exposure to high cortisol can disrupt almost all of the body's processes, contributing to anxiety, sleep issues and weight gain.

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Shapiro highlighted these as markers of cortisol imbalance, along with additional warning signs like frequent illness and feelings of burnout.

While influencers often attribute a puffy face ("moon face") entirely to cortisol, Shapiro said this is often misleading.

"It could be your diet, it could be high salt, it could be [inadequate] hydration. Maybe we're not all walking around with these taxed cortisol levels."

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Those who suspect their levels are off-balance shouldn't rely on self-diagnosis, the expert advised. A doctor can order saliva or blood tests to accurately measure hormone levels.

Managing spikes starts with identifying and avoiding common daily triggers. Shapiro pointed out that caffeine can increase cortisol levels, especially when consumed on an empty stomach.

She added that exercising and doing high-intensity interval training late at night can also cause a spike in cortisol. "It's better to do it in the morning when your cortisol levels are naturally high," she recommended.

Shapiro also cautioned against "eating ultraprocessed foods, eating high-sugar foods, drinking soda and not eating a balanced diet," as well as "high stress, not getting adequate sleep, not moving your body."

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"Recognizing that we do live in a high-stress society right now, taking time to manage our stress is a good idea," she added.

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Popular diet trend could boost mental health among older adults, study finds

Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and olive oil may help keep the mind strong even into old age, according to new research.

Older adults in England who followed a Mediterranean diet — which is primarily composed of the above foods — during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic reported higher psychological well-being than peers who did not.

The researchers tracked more than 3,000 adults between the ages of 50 and 90 to determine how their daily food choices related to their long-term outlook on life, according to a press release.

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The participants filled out specialized surveys that measured positive psychological traits, including their sense of autonomy, life satisfaction, purpose and control over daily routines.

Each participant also received a score based on how closely their eating habits matched a traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern.

Adults who stuck closely to the Mediterranean diet reported a significantly stronger sense of overall well-being.

This finding held even after researchers accounted for factors like income, education, physical activity, smoking habits and general physical health.

The boost in well-being did not appear to be driven by differences in caloric intake, which suggests the specific types of food played an important role.

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As the researchers tracked the participants over several years, they were able to measure how their well-being shifted during the early months of the pandemic.

While emotional well-being and happiness dropped across the entire group during the lockdowns, the study – which was published in BMJ Open – showed the decline was less intense for people who stuck to the Mediterranean diet.

Previous research points to a few explanations for this.

"This study shows what we’ve been seeing in other research," Kim Kulp, registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of the Gut Health Connection in the San Francisco Bay Area, told Fox News Digital.

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The Mediterranean diet is naturally rich in anti-inflammatory nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids from fish and antioxidants called polyphenols found in extra-virgin olive oil.

These nutrients help to lower inflammation in the brain and support a healthy gut microbiome, which is directly linked to the chemical production of mood-regulating hormones, experts say.

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"Since the Mediterranean diet is loaded with a variety of plant foods, it provides an increase in nutrients for the body and brain, special compounds that reduce inflammation, and prebiotics to feed the good gut microbes," said Kulp, who was not involved in the study.

Researchers noted some limitations to the data, including the fact that the study relied on self-reported dietary surveys, which can sometimes be inaccurate.

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Additionally, the participants who completed the tracking tended to be healthier and wealthier than the general public, meaning the results might not fully apply to more diverse or vulnerable populations.

"There were only two days of dietary data, and the psychological well-being test was only administered on two occasions, both early on during COVID," Kulp noted. "Two days of data may not be enough to form conclusions."

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Because the study was observational, it could not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the diet and improved mental health, the researchers acknowledged.

"Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes provides the ultimate combination of nutrients to improve overall health as we age," said Kulp.

"Together, this diet can help reduce stress and depression and improve a sense of well-being, even during the toughest times."

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