Nearly 3 in 4 Americans are battling the same exhausting health problem, CDC reveals

Exhaustion has become the default state for a vast majority of Americans.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics shows that more than seven in 10 U.S. adults experience fatigue over any given three-month period — a drain that public health officials say is taking a heavy toll on work and daily life.

The report, based on the 2024 National Health Interview Survey of roughly 27,000 adults, revealed that exhaustion is one of the most common health complaints nationwide.

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The CDC defines fatigue as a state of physical or mental exhaustion that does not improve with rest, distinguishing it from simple sleepiness.

Overall, 71.5% of respondents reported feeling fatigued on at least some days, with 16.6% reporting "frequent fatigue" — defined as feeling exhausted most days or every day.

"Fatigue can be caused by numerous issues," Dr. Earnest Lee Murray, a board-certified neurologist at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee, told Fox News Digital.

While underlying hormonal, cardiac or neurological conditions can play a role, "a vast majority of fatigue people experience is probably related to poor sleep quality as well as psychosocial stress, which a lot of times go hand-in-hand."

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Frequent fatigue is significantly more common among women (20%) than men (13%).

The data also shows that younger adults ages 18 to 34 reported the highest rates of frequent exhaustion at 19.5%, while adults 65 and older reported the lowest rate at 12.9%.

Fatigue also increases among lower-income households, residents in rural areas and those living in the South and Midwest.

About 50.9% of adults with frequent fatigue reported having difficulties in three or more functional areas, including mood, mobility and memory. More than one-third of frequently fatigued adults said exhaustion limits their ability to work, while 29% reported cutting back on social activities.

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"Quality of sleep is very important for restoration of both the mental and physical body," Murray said. "The fatigue that results from poor quality of sleep contributes to slower thought processing, decreased concentration, and a less productive and happy workforce."

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Although the report doesn't identify specific causes, experts say workplace culture and constant digital connectivity may contribute to fatigue.

"The advancements of instant communication technologies certainly have benefits; however, we are not able to disconnect from our work life any longer," Murray said.

"There are now expectation issues from work that can be dealt with quickly over our phone, even late at night. Also, social media and constant scrolling have certainly contributed to a reduced quality of sleep."

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Experts say constant interruptions and digital multitasking can leave people feeling mentally drained. Research has found that frequently switching between emails, chat messages and other work tasks forces the brain to repeatedly refocus, contributing to mental fatigue.

To combat the growing exhaustion, Murray stressed the need for setting boundaries and seeking medical evaluation as needed.

"It is important to disconnect from work and our electronic devices in the hours leading up to sleep," he advised. "Also, if fatigue is becoming a problem, it is important to seek medical attention to ensure there's no underlying medical reason contributing to the fatigue."

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Champion athlete soils herself mid-race and keeps going, prompting fitness competition to change rules

A popular global fitness competition is changing its rules after an explosive incident at a Sept. 12 competition.

Australian professional athlete Joanna Wietrzyk won the race at HYROX Beijing — but the victory did not come without struggle.

During the race, Wietrzyk experienced fecal incontinence but continued competing. Despite the incident, judges and officials did not instruct her to stop, prompting concerns about potential health and safety risks for other competitors.

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The incident has sparked online debate — some people have supported Wietrzyk for her perseverance, while others suggested that her accident posed a potential biohazard.

Wietrzyk reportedly addressed the incident in a social media post, which has since been deleted.

"Go hard or go home … a win is a win. In all seriousness, thank you for all the support. I’ll be back soon x," she wrote, according to multiple news outlets.

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The athlete has since faced criticism from those who argue that her decision posed a health risk to other competitors.

Wietrzyk’s coach, Chris Bayens, posted a statement on social media in her defense. "What happened was an extraordinary set of circumstances that were unforeseen, rapidly evolving and almost impossible to fully comprehend in real time," he wrote on Instagram.

"Decisions were made under competition conditions by an athlete, judges and officials, all responding to a situation none of them could reasonably have prepared for."

Bayens continued that these decisions can be reviewed and lessons can be learned, but "judging someone’s intent, character or morality through the clarity of hindsight is neither fair nor honest."

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"Sport occasionally produces moments that are imperfect and deeply human," he said. "Discussion is legitimate. The hatred and personal attacks that have followed are not."

Moritz Furste, co-founder of HYROX, also released a statement following the incident.

"I apologize to all that were directly or indirectly affected, as well as to everyone who felt like we did not handle the situation like we should have," he wrote. "HYROX made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race. In the end, it is my job to foresee these potential incidents – and I did not."

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The statement continued, "Of course, we started improving event processes, plus making rulebook changes immediately. As of this moment, there are new rules and procedures in place to prevent situations like this from happening again. We learn and try to get better every day."

According to HYROX, the race combines cardio with weight training, involving a total of eight kilometers (about five miles) of running and eight functional workout stations.

The structure of the competitions layers a one-kilometer run with one functional workout station, including SkiErg (a machine that simulates cross-country skiing), sled push, sled pull, burpee broad jumps, rowing, farmers carry, sandbag lunges and wall balls.

Launched in Germany in 2017, HYROX has grown rapidly worldwide, with recent reports putting participation at more than 1.4 million competitors globally. The organization describes the race as the world's fastest-growing fitness sport.

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More than 98% of HYROX competitors complete the race, with no time limit to finish and no qualification required to enter.

"The structure of HYROX eliminates the generic fear of ‘coming last,’" the brand wrote on its website.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, California-based certified fitness trainer Ryan Read shared why the HYROX format can be so physically demanding.

"Your body doesn't get much time to fully recover between efforts," he said. "You may go from running directly to sled pushes, lunges or rowing. That forces your heart, lungs and muscles to work hard for a long period."

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As the race progresses, maintaining proper form can become more difficult, according to Read, as the combination of intensity, duration and repetitive exercises can put a "significant amount of stress on the body."

"Muscles become fatigued and the body uses up stored energy and fluids," he said. "During hard exercise, more blood is directed toward working muscles and away from the digestive system. That can make digestion more difficult."

Running in particular creates a repetitive movement that can upset the stomach. Combining this with dehydration, heat and eating too close to competition can worsen symptoms, Read cautioned.

"This is why some athletes experience nausea, cramping, diarrhea or even vomiting during endurance events."

There is a "big difference" between working through normal discomfort and ignoring a medical warning sign, according to the trainer.

Elite athletes are often conditioned to push through pain, a mindset that can intensify during competition. Adrenaline can also make it harder to recognize when the body is in distress, Read said.

Symptoms like vomiting, fainting, severe chest pain or extreme weakness "should not be treated as proof that someone is working hard enough."

"Pushing through certain symptoms can turn a manageable problem into a medical emergency," he emphasized. "Real toughness also means knowing when your body is telling you to stop."

Read suggested that fitness organizations should have "clear rules" for when an athlete needs to be evaluated or removed from a competition, and medical staff should be easily accessible throughout the event.

"Equipment that becomes contaminated with vomit, blood or other bodily fluids should be taken out of use immediately," he said. "Simply wiping it quickly and sending the next competitor through may not be enough."

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Bodily fluids can contain germs that may spread through contaminated surfaces or direct contact, Read said.

"The exact risk depends on the fluid, organism and type of exposure. Competitor safety should come before keeping the event moving on schedule."

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Popular drugs for bone health linked to significantly lower Alzheimer's risk

Commonly used osteoporosis drugs were linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia in a large study of older adults.

Among a group of 121,492 adults age 60 or older, the use of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (NBP) was associated with a 16% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias compared to those who did not take osteoporosis medications.

The risk was 24% less compared to people taking other types of osteoporosis medications.

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A nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate is a type of medication used to slow bone loss and reduce fracture risk, mainly in people with osteoporosis. Some common types include alendronate, ibandronate, risedronate and zoledronate.

Osteoporosis occurs when the bones become weaker and more likely to break due to a loss of bone mass, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). The condition is especially common among older adults.

All adults in the Hong Kong study had recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis or suffered a serious fracture in the spine, humerus, wrist or hip. None had previously taken medication for osteoporosis.

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"Emerging evidence points to a bone-brain axis, suggesting a close link between bone and brain health," study author Ching-Lung Cheung, associate professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at the University of Hong Kong’s Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, told Fox News Digital.

"Our previous studies and those of others have found that people with low bone mass or osteoporosis are more likely to develop dementia later in life. This highlights the importance of maintaining good bone health, which may also help reduce the risk of dementia."

The study, which was published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, was observational in design.

"Our findings therefore do not prove that bisphosphonate use reduces dementia risk; this needs confirmation in a clinical trial," Cheung said.

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"Generalizability is another consideration, as our study involved only a Chinese population, and it remains uncertain whether the findings apply to other populations."

Another limitation is that baseline cognitive testing was unavailable, which means patients who already developed cognitive impairment may have been less likely to receive osteoporosis treatment.

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The researchers also lacked information about the severity of participants’ osteoporosis and bone fractures, as well as their use of over-the-counter calcium and vitamin D.

Other external factors, such as education level, social isolation, air pollution and vision loss, could also have affected dementia risk, they acknowledged.

Although the study findings suggest that older patients receiving NBPs for osteoporosis or fragility fractures had lower rates of Alzheimer’s and related dementias, they do not yet justify prescribing bisphosphonates specifically to prevent or treat the disease.

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The authors called for more research that will include wider populations, with a focus on whether gender may play a role in the reduced risk.

"The next step is to confirm our observational findings in a clinical trial," Cheung said. "If the benefit is demonstrated, it could have important implications for dementia management."

"We hope these findings encourage patients and healthcare professionals to weigh the overall benefits and risks and use appropriate treatment when indicated."

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Rare cancer cases strike in California community as families demand answers

A cluster of rare cancer diagnoses has sparked concern and prompted environmental testing in Ladera Ranch, California, although state health officials say no specific cause has been identified.

At least six children in the area have been diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, according to federal officials and local reporting.

This exceptionally rare cancer, which forms in the bone or nearby soft tissue, primarily occurs in adolescents and young adults, per the National Cancer Institute.

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"Knowing that this is a very rare cancer diagnosis amplifies the concerns," Dr. Janet Yoon, a pediatric oncologist and sarcoma specialist at City of Hope in Los Angeles, told Fox News Digital. "Anytime you hear of cases in a geographic location, it does raise some concerns ... I can completely understand why further investigation is being done."

Following the March 2026 death of 17-year-old Brody Matteson from complications of treatment for Ewing sarcoma, more families began speaking publicly about rare cancer diagnoses in the community, according to local reports.

Some residents – including Matteson's father, Dustin Matteson – have suggested the illnesses could be linked to the community's use of herbicides and pesticides, which prompted calls for a broader environmental investigation.

"We don't have a clear line of evidence for pesticides, but it is one of the things that concerns us," Matteson said to NBC Los Angeles in July.

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In 2024, prompted by residents’ concerns, the California Department of Public Health conducted a county-level review in an attempt to determine whether pesticide use in the community could have played a role in the development of certain cancer types.

"That analysis did not find an unusual pattern at the county level, but the data available at the time was​ limited," the CDPH stated on its website.

The agency is now conducting a second review of cancer incidence data for the Ladera Ranch area.

"CDPH currently estimates the assessment will be completed in fall 2026, although the timeline may change based on the scope and complexity of the review and any additional information that may need to be evaluated," the agency stated.

"At this time, our colleagues at CalEPA (California Environmental Protection Agency) and its boards, departments and offices have not identified any immediate environmental hazards."

The CDPH stated that it is not yet known whether diagnoses of Ewing sarcoma and other cancer types are higher than expected in the Ladera Ranch community – or whether environmental factors can increase the risk.

In July 2026, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli asked the Environmental Protection Agency to investigate possible environmental factors that could have contributed to multiple pediatric cancer cases.

Over the summer, hundreds of residents gathered at community meetings. At the same time, Ladera Ranch Maintenance Corporation (LARMAC) – the master homeowners association (HOA) for the planned community of Ladera Ranch in Orange County – temporarily paused its use of certain landscape chemicals and formed an advisory committee to review its landscaping practices.

As the investigation has continued, some residents have also publicly reported diagnoses of other cancers, including glioblastoma, although the current state review has not established whether those cases are related.

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On Sept. 14, California State Fullerton researchers began collecting soil and water samples from local parks as part of the environmental investigation.

Jennifer Piazza, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Public Health at Cal State Fullerton, assembled the team of researchers to help address the environmental concerns stemming from the pediatric cancer cases.

"Environmental sampling is the first step of our larger, ongoing scientific investigation," she told Fox News Digital. "We are collecting soil and water samples across Ladera Ranch. They are being analyzed for heavy metals, such as arsenic and lead, as well as pesticides."

The team expects to have results by the end of the year, Piazza said.

"I also want to emphasize that whatever we find does not imply causality in terms of the pediatric cancer cases in Ladera Ranch," she added.

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LARMAC released a statement to People Magazine, extending its "heartfelt compassion to the families who have been affected by these devastating illnesses."

"LARMAC takes these concerns seriously. We are aware that public health agencies are reviewing available information, and we will continue to cooperate with those efforts and follow guidance provided by the appropriate health and regulatory authorities."

"At this time, we are not aware of any determination by those agencies identifying a specific environmental cause or linking the Association’s landscape management practices to these illnesses," the statement read.

The organization also noted that it has reduced the use of synthetic pesticides and switched to organic pesticides.

"With Ewing sarcoma, there is no confirmed genetic or environmental cause that we know of," Yoon told Fox News Digital.

"We have not found any confirmed genetic or environmental factor that increases the likelihood of developing Ewing sarcoma."

Some studies have linked occupational or high-level exposure to certain pesticides with an increased risk of several cancers, although the evidence varies by chemical and cancer type, according to the American Cancer Society.

No known lifestyle-related or environmental cause of Ewing sarcoma has been identified, the ACS states.

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The disease most often presents as persistent pain rather than a typical sports injury or growing pain, according to Yoon.

"It's pain that persists. It's pain that wakes them up from their sleep. It's pain that limits their daily activities."

The doctor called cancer the "great masquerader" in children due to its rarity. "Growing pains are much more common than cancer," she added.

Yoon encouraged families to seek medical evaluation if pain is persistent, worsening or interfering with normal activities. Specialized cancer centers with sarcoma expertise can help ensure an accurate diagnosis, she advised.

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Common antibiotic linked to higher risk of death in adults, major study finds

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.

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Mysterious disease sending young, healthy Texas workers into kidney failure

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.

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Common bedroom mistake could be quietly taking a toll on your health, experts say

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 sleep expert and neuroscientist based in Michigan.

"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," she 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.

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