Amid summer COVID surge warning from CDC, should you worry? Doctors weigh in

A summer COVID surge is underway in the U.S., warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — so should you be concerned?

As of June 25, 2024, the CDC estimated that COVID-19 infections are "growing or likely growing" in 44 states and territories, according to a news alert on its website.

Despite the rise in cases, hospitalizations and deaths remain low, the data shows.

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Given that the pandemic was declared officially over as of May 5, 2023, public health officials don’t collect the same amount of COVID data as they once did.

"But the data that we do have from the CDC, including from monitoring wastewater, indicates that COVID-19 infections are rising in many places in the U.S.," Dr. Jay Varma, chief medical officer at SIGA Technologies, a pharmaceutical company in New York City, told Fox News Digital.

Dr. Marc Siegel, physician, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, acknowledged that there's been an uptick in cases recently. 

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"There has been an upsurge in certain areas, including California — fueled by the so-called FLiRT variants, KP.3, KP.2 and KP.1," he told Fox News Digital.

"It could spread to more states."

CDC data shows that the KP.3 and KP.2 strains — both of which are subvariants of the highly contagious JN.1 variant — currently account for over half of all new cases.

Since COVID-19 emerged in 2020, scientists have learned that the virus has seasonal patterns, Varma said, with predictable peaks in spring/early summer and winter. 

"Winter peaks are easy to explain — more people spend time indoors, and there are changes in the climate, including relative humidity, that make it easier for infections to spread through the air," Varma, who served as the New York City mayor's senior adviser for public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, told Fox News Digital.

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It’s not quite as easy, however, to explain the peak during warmer weather. 

"It may be because the virus evolves at a frequency that aligns with the spring/summer — or there could be other environmental factors that we do not understand well," Varma said.

Siegel, however, does not believe that COVID is seasonal.

"It is a respiratory virus, and it spreads when people huddle close together," he told Fox News Digital.

"And like all respiratory viruses, it spreads further in low humidity." 

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"Having said that, it has not shown itself to be seasonal, meaning that it can spread in warm weather easily as well."

COVID’s subvariants (FLiRT) are "immunoevasive," according to Siegel, which means people can get them even if they had prior immunity.

To reduce the chances of catching COVID this summer, Siegel said the same advice applies year-round.

"If you are sharing indoor air, such as on an airplane or in a crowded space, wearing a high-quality mask can reduce your risk of getting infected," he advised. 

"If you have any cough or cold symptoms, including what you think are allergies, it’s a good idea to take a rapid test for COVID-19."

A rapid test is an effective way to determine whether you're likely to be infectious to other people, Siegel added.

Varma agreed, noting that "being aware and using rapid testing when exposed or sick helps."

For high-risk people who become infected, Varma also recommends the use of Paxlovid, an antiviral medication that can help prevent severe illness.

As of June 27, the CDC recommends that all people 6 months of age and older get updated 2024-2025 COVID vaccines when they become available in fall 2024.

"I think this is the right advice," Siegel said. 

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"While we know that the flu and COVID vaccines only provide partial protection, we know these vaccines are extremely safe and that they may lead to fewer days of work or school lost, fewer days of misery, a lower risk of long COVID, and a lower risk of spreading infection to other people who may have risk of hospitalization or death," he said.

Varma agreed, noting that the updated vaccine will target the new, prevalent subvariants. 

"It will be effective and should be taken or highly considered — especially for high-risk groups and those most at risk, including the elderly," he told Fox News Digital. 

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"If COVID continues to spread, I would recommend the vaccine as one of our effective tools for adults to decrease severity and long COVID symptoms."

He added, "For younger people, it is a matter of choice, but I continue to like the vaccine’s effectiveness at decreasing long COVID risk."

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Amid post-debate cognitive concerns, doctor recommends 3 natural supplements to boost brain power

As doctors continue to discuss President Joe Biden’s concerning speech patterns and behavior during Thursday night's presidential debate, Dr. Nicole Saphier is focusing on natural remedies for cognitive function.

"Cognitive decline is a hot topic right now," Saphier — who is an associate professor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering in Monmouth, New Jersey — said during a Sunday appearance on "Fox & Friends Weekend."

A proponent of natural remedies and herbs for certain aspects of health, Saphier recommended a trio of supplements to help improve mental focus and prevent dementia.

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"When it comes to improving memory and reducing the risk of cognitive decline, my three favorites are Bacopa monnieri, ginkgo biloba and ginseng," she told Rachel Campos-Duffy of Fox News Channel.

In studies with human participants, all three supplements have been shown to improve memory, improve visual recognition and potentially decrease the risk of cognitive decline, according to Saphier.

Some of the studies have even linked these supplements to a longer life span, she said.

"Now as we know, when it comes to dementia, oftentimes it only gets worse and doesn’t get better," Saphier said. 

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"So you want to be eating healthy and leading a healthy life before it happens, to try and decrease your risk."

Bacopa monnieri, ginkgo biloba and ginseng are all natural plants, Saphier emphasized.

"I like to take them in liquid nutraceutical forms, because that gets absorbed the best," she recommended.

The doctor also pointed out that all supplements are not created equal.

"A lot of herbal supplements don’t really have positive benefits — they’re more of a marketing scheme," she said.

"But there are some things that are backed by science, and that’s the only stuff I talk about."

Here's a deeper dive into the three she recommends. 

Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) — also referred to as Brahmi — is a plant that's been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, according to WebMD.

The plant could help to increase chemicals in the brain that assist with learning, memory and other cognitive functions, the website stated.

It also could potentially serve as a protective mechanism against Alzheimer’s disease, per WebMD.

Bacopa is generally safe for adults to consume by mouth in doses of 300-600 mg daily for 12 weeks, and can be added to hot water to make tea.

WebMD recommends speaking with a doctor first to determine optimal dosage, potential side effects and interactions with other medications.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is derived from an extract taken from the tree species’ fan-shaped leaves, according to Mayo Clinic’s website.

"While some evidence suggests that ginkgo extract might modestly improve memory in healthy adults, most studies indicate that ginkgo doesn't improve memory, attention or brain function," Mayo Clinic states.

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Gingko can be consumed in a pill, extract, capsule or tea.

"Don't eat raw or roasted ginkgo seeds, which can be poisonous," Mayo Clinic warns.

While gingko is generally safe for healthy adults to consume in "moderate amounts," experts say it is best to consult your doctor about potential side effects and drug interactions.

A popular herbal medicine, ginseng is a plant that has long been used in medical treatments in Asia and North America, according to WebMD.

Although more research is needed to confirm its benefits, some studies have linked ginseng to improved mental focus.

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"There's some early evidence that ginseng might give a small, short-term boost to concentration and learning," stated WebMD.

"Some studies of mental performance have combined ginseng with extract from leaves of the ginkgo tree, another traditional remedy said to help with dementia. While these studies are intriguing, many experts feel we need more evidence."

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Ginseng can be consumed in the form of dried herbs, tea, capsules or powder, per WebMD.

As with any supplement plans, it’s always best to talk early on with a doctor about dosage, side effects and drug interactions. 

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Health weekend roundup includes service dogs, medical misinformation, amazing surgery and more key stories

Fox News Digital publishes an array of health pieces all week long to keep you in the know on key wellness topics: disease prevention, nutrition, medical research, health care and more. We also share personal stories of people and families overcoming great health obstacles.

Check out some of the top stories of the week in Health that you may have missed or have been meaning to check out. 

These are just a few of what's new. There are many more to see at Fox News Health.

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Without further ado, dive right into these eight stories. 

Channing Seideman, 30 — who has lived with daily seizures since childhood — revealed that her life has been changed by her dedicated service dog, Bishop. "In addition to bringing peace of mind, the dogs make epilepsy approachable to the public," she said. Click here to get the story.

Dr. Robert Lufkin, a California physician, said he "woke up" to flaws in the medical system when he himself was diagnosed with four chronic diseases. He shares what he believes are the 10 biggest lies told to patients. Click here to get the story.

In a Finland study, a new breathing device showed promising results in reducing symptoms of sleep apnea, according to researchers. The device, called WellO2, uses resistance training to strengthen throat muscles and steam breathing to humidify airways. Click here to get the story.

An experimental drug is showing promise in slowing the progression of Parkinson's disease in clinical trials. Researchers and Parkinson's experts discuss what this could mean for patients. Click here to get the story.

In this week's installment of Ask a Doctor, two pharmacists weigh in on whether it's ever safe to share medications. Click here to get the story.

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Most of the 38 million people living with diabetes in the U.S. use daily injections or insulin pumps to keep glucose at safe levels — but new research suggests that an inhaler could be just as effective. Researchers and doctors weigh the benefits and limitations. Click here to get the story.

John Nicholas, 28, called his organ transplant surgery "a pretty cool experience." Surgeries without general anesthesia can increase access to care for patients who are considered high-risk or have phobias surrounding anesthesia. Click here to get the story.

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health found that taking multivitamins did not reduce mortality risk, but a longevity doctor has questions. Click here to get the story.

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Doctors express concern about Biden’s apparent cognitive issues during debate: 'Troubling indicators'

The first presidential debate of 2024 left many Americans and even some traditional Democratic allies wondering about President Biden’s mental fitness for office based on what appeared to be his unclear train of thought at times and his raspy voice on Thursday night.

The White House responded to these concerns, claiming that the president, who is 81, was fighting a cold, but some doctors said they perceive the health issues go beyond the sniffles. 

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon who specializes in cognitive function, told Fox News Digital on Friday about his concerns. 

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"President Biden's performance in [Thursday] night’s debate reignited longstanding discussions about his cognitive abilities and his overall leadership capacity," Osborn told Fox News Digital. 

"Throughout the evening, Biden struggled to maintain a coherent narrative, often losing his train of thought mid-sentence, and providing vague, rambling and undecipherable answers to highly critical questions," said Osborn, expressing his professional opinion.

"His frequent pauses, stumbling over words and reliance on notes underscored concerns about his mental acuity," Osborn added. 

These seeming signs of cognitive decline highlight a "growing inability" to manage the complexities required by the job of the presidency, according to the neurosurgeon.

"His difficulty in articulating clear, concise responses and his apparent disorientation during the debate were seen by many – including his own constituents – as very troubling indicators of his overall health and an obvious decline in his cognitive function," Osborn said.

"President Biden lacks the mental sharpness required for the highest office in the land … especially amid [today's] current national and international crises."

The neurosurgeon, who has not treated Biden personally, also mentioned the 47th president has undergone multiple surgeries for brain aneurysms.

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There is a famous saying in neurosurgery, Osborn noted: "When the air hits your brain, you’re never the same." 

The surgeon surmised, "The odds have been stacked against him for years, long before his presidency."

Dr. Marc Siegel, physician, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, also spoke with Fox News Digital about concerns from his end.

"The debate is, in a way, a psychiatric or cognitive stress test," he told Fox News Digital. 

Although Biden was able to respond to questions and seemed to be spatially aware, according to Siegel, the president did display "frequent disorientation" and had "problems with spontaneity or redirecting," the doctor said. 

He has not personally examined Biden.

Siegel described Biden’s speech as "meandering," noting that he ended sentences in different places than intended, and "often mixed up ‘trillions’ and ‘billions’ and ‘millions.’"

Siegel confirmed that a physical illness, even with a cold, can bring out cognitive issues "even more."

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"Even so, it's hard to believe this is all from a cold," Siegel told Fox News Digital. "Either way, we need someone who is sharp despite a cold." 

The NYU Langone physician noted that cognitive issues "wax and wane," so they won’t always present the same way.

While the age of both candidates has been raised as a concern, Siegel countered that what’s important is a president's physical and mental fitness.

"It is an issue of fitness, not of age," he said. "It is an issue of mental acuity, which is especially important if there is a crisis." 

While Biden is 81 (he turns 82 in November), Trump is 78 years old. 

During an appearance on "Fox & Friends" on Friday morning, Siegel also spoke about the possibility of cold medications impacting Biden's performance.

"None of the medications that he would be taking for a cold, except something that might make him drowsy, would be relevant here," he said. 

"And I don't think they would give him something that would make him drowsy before a debate," he said.

He added, "We've been watching this a long time. This is something progressive."

Fox News Digital reached out to the Biden campaign and to the White House press office for comment.

Earlier this year, concerns emerged about Biden’s age and memory after the release of a special counsel’s report. The report described the Democrat’s memory as "hazy," "fuzzy," "faulty," "poor" and having "significant limitations," the Associated Press noted at the time.

The report indicated that Biden could not recall certain milestones in his own life, such as the date his own son Beau died of brain cancer, as Fox News Digital reported at the time. (Beau Biden passed away on May 30, 2015.)

"My memory is fine," Biden responded afterward from the White House. 

The New York Times editorial board and others have called on Biden to step out of the race after his debate performance. 

Vice President Kamala Harris acknowledged that Biden had a "slow start" to the debate, but she defended his performance overall and his record during his time in the White House.

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Said Dr. Siegel in a New York Post opinion piece that ran in the publication on Saturday morning, "This isn't a question of age. Cognition varies widely with age, and it isn't fair to say that executive function is automatically impaired at a certain point in life. But it's a sad medical fact that a person with growing problems of memory and judgment is frequently the last to acknowledge it."

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Childhood medical myths debunked as experts weigh in on 5 common warnings

Mothers might know best, but it's not always easy to separate fact from fiction when it comes to health advice.

A new report from University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Health has broken down several common wellness myths that children often hear while growing up.

Fox News Digital spoke with experts who revealed the truth behind common medical misconceptions.

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Here are five.

While actual ginger can help ease a stomach ache, most commercial ginger ales don’t actually contain the real thing, Michelle Jaelin, a registered dietitian practicing in Ontario, Canada, told Fox News Digital.

This childhood myth persists as parents give ginger ale to children because it's sweet and bubbly, she said.

"It makes parents feel better that they are doing something for their child when they aren't feeling well, and the myth persisted as a drink that helps a stomach ache," Jaelin said.

The carbonated beverages could actually make the stomach pain even worse by increasing gas in the digestive tract, according to Healthline’s website.

Drinks with real ginger also tend to contain excess added sugar, experts said – essentially the equivalent of soda that may worsen stomach pain. 

"Swallowed gum does not stay in your stomach for [seven] years, as the myths suggest," Su-Nui Escobar, a registered dietitian based in Miami, Florida, told Fox News Digital.

"While swallowing gum is not recommended, if you do so accidentally, you will likely pass it like any other indigestible food."

ASK A DOCTOR: 'IS IT DANGEROUS TO SWALLOW GUM?'

The gum will pass through the stomach within two hours and be excreted in the stool after approximately two to five days, just like other foods, according to the recent UCSF report.

Although chewing gum can stick to many surfaces — including walls or desks — it travels mostly intact through the gastrointestinal tract without sticking to the intestinal walls, the report notes.

But experts still caution against children swallowing gum, because substantial amounts might cause an intestinal blockage, Escobar warned.

This is a particular concern among children who have underlying constipation, according to Mayo Clinic’s website.

"If you suspect a blockage, seek immediate medical attention," Escobar advised.

As summer kicks into high gear, there is good news for any swimmer itching to get in the water after lunch. Yes, it is usually OK to swim right after you eat.

The myth that you shouldn’t swim immediately after eating stems from a theoretical concern that blood flow will be diverted away from the arms and legs to help digest food, potentially leading to an increased risk of drowning.

But a comprehensive American Red Cross scientific review on the effects of eating before swimming showed no effect on performance in the water after a meal.

"A recent literature review did not provide any information related to an increased risk of drowning due to consuming food before swimming," Jodi Jensen, PhD, member of the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council in Virginia, told Fox News Digital.

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"There is no supporting evidence from a major medical or safety organization that recommends refraining from eating before engaging in aquatic activities such as swimming," added Jensen, who is also an assistant professor and aquatics director at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia.

"Based on current research, eating before swimming is not affiliated with a risk of drowning, and can be dismissed as a myth."

Although study participants experienced "minimal" side effects at different time intervals after eating, some outside experts do recommend waiting a bit after a meal if you plan to swim laps or compete to avoid any stomach cramping or digestive issues.

Chicken soup has been viewed as a popular cold remedy since at least the 12th century, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

ASK A DOCTOR: 'DOES CHICKEN SOUP REALLY HELP CURE A COLD?'

"Chicken soup is warm and comforting when you're sick, but it's not a cure," Jaelin told Fox News Digital.

"Drinking any hot broth when your sinuses are stuffed can help to clear them out."

The steam from the chicken broth may relieve a sore throat and congested sinuses, the NIH noted.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health. 

When battling a cold, get plenty of clear fluids to help regulate body temperature and promote improved immune system function, said Jaelin.

"Chicken soup counts toward overall fluid intake," she added.

It also helps prevent dehydration and clear out mucus, the NIH noted.

Sitting too close to the TV will not damage your eyes, though it may cause eye strain, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

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To prevent eye strain while watching television, experts recommend keeping the room well-lit and taking occasional breaks from the screen.

"Children can focus at very close distances better than adults, and may not develop the same eye strain symptoms," Nishika Reddy, M.D., assistant professor of ophthalmology at Moran Eye Center’s Midvalley Health Center at University of Utah in Murray, Utah, told Fox News Digital. 

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It may be a red flag, though, if children are watching television too closely, experts warned.

The behavior may indicate an underlying vision issue that should be addressed, the UCSF report noted.

"See an eye care provider to perform an eye exam for your child," Reddy recommended.

A more concerning issue is the indirect effect of too much screen time, according to the report.

Although experts say there is no one-size-fits-all guideline when it comes to children and screen time, the American Academy of Pediatrics says high-quality digital media can be introduced to children between 18 and 24 months of age (only when supervised by parents or caregivers). 

The academy also recommends limiting screen time to one hour a day for children ages 2 to 5.

Fox News Digital reached out to UCSF for additional comment about its new study.

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Daily multivitamins might not help you live longer, study finds: 'No differences in mortality'

Approximately one-third of U.S. adults report taking multivitamins, data shows — but a new study suggests that the daily practice won’t extend longevity.

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) analyzed more than 20 years’ worth of data from 400,000 healthy U.S. adults, concluding that taking multivitamins did not reduce mortality risk.

"The analysis showed that people who took daily multivitamins did not have a lower risk of death from any cause than people who took no multivitamins," the researchers wrote in a press release from NIH. 

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"There were also no differences in mortality from cancer, heart disease or cerebrovascular diseases."

Those who took daily multivitamins were actually found to have a 4% higher mortality risk, according to the study, which was published in JAMA Network Open on Wednesday.

The average age of participants was 61-½, and 164, 762 deaths occurred during the follow-up period.

Results were adjusted for factors including race, ethnicity, education and nutrition.

The study followed a 2022 analysis from the US Preventive Services Task Force, which concluded that there was "insufficient evidence" to determine whether multivitamin use improved mortality.

By including larger numbers of participants and extending the follow-up for longer periods of time, the researchers aimed to account for potential biases that could have influenced the findings.

"For example, people who use multivitamins may have healthier lifestyles in general, and sicker patients may be more likely to increase their use of multivitamins," they wrote in a press release from NIH.

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Pieter Cohen, associate professor of medicine at the Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts, was not involved in the study but offered his feedback.

"This study provides further evidence that taking multivitamins, even for 20 years or more, won't extend your life," he told Fox News Digital. 

"For healthy adults, there's no reason to add on a multivitamin unless your doctor specifically recommends it."

Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurologist and longevity expert, was also not involved in the study but weighed in on the findings.

"Key aspects of the study include its observational nature, the absence of a control group, and the variability in multivitamin formulations used by participants," he said in an email to Fox News Digital.

(The researchers also acknowledged these limitations in their discussion of the study results.)

"Observational studies like this one can suggest associations or correlations, but cannot prove causation due to the potential for confounding variables influencing both multivitamin use and mortality outcomes," Osborn said. 

While the researchers noted that they had adjusted for factors such as demographics, lifestyle behaviors and health status, Osborn said, "residual confounding remains a concern."

The doctor also noted that lack of a control group makes it difficult to compare outcomes.

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"Without a control group, it's challenging to separate the effects of multivitamins from those of other health behaviors or baseline health conditions that could influence mortality," Osborn said.

The study also does not include controls for the specific formulation or dosage of multivitamins taken by participants, the doctor noted. 

"Most multivitamins contain a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals, but the concentrations can vary widely across brands and formulations," he said. 

"Many commercially available multivitamins may not provide optimal levels of nutrients required for health benefits, potentially diluting any potential effects on longevity."

In his practice, Osborn said, he recommends a multi-capsule daily multivitamin to his patients. 

Vitamin usage is just one aspect of longevity, the doctor pointed out, along with genetics, lifestyle, socioeconomic status and access to health care, among other factors.

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"The multifactorial nature of longevity means that isolating the impact of multivitamins alone is complex and challenging, if not impossible," Osborn said. 

"There are just too many potentially confounding variables."

The study highlights the importance of "rigorous scientific inquiry" into the health benefits of multivitamins, according to the doctor.

"In my opinion, multivitamins should be taken, as most Americans are malnourished — certainly not calorically, but in the context of vitamins and minerals."

Looking ahead, the researchers emphasized the importance of measuring multivitamins’ impact on mortality in more diverse populations with different medical conditions and dietary habits.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health. 

"It is important to evaluate multivitamin use and risk of death among different kinds of populations, such as those with documented nutritional deficiencies, as well as the potential impact of regular multivitamin use on other health conditions associated with aging," they wrote.

Fox News Digital reached out to the study researchers for comment, as well as the vitamin manufacturers PharmaVite (NatureMade), Nestlé Health Science (Garden of Life and Nature’s Bounty), and Life Extension.

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Some sleep apnea patients see improvement with new breathing tool

A new solution may be on the horizon for the 30 million people in the U.S. who suffer from sleep apnea.

In a Finland study, a new breathing device showed promising results in reducing symptoms of the disorder, according to researchers.

The device, called WellO2, uses resistance training to strengthen throat muscles and steam breathing to humidify airways.

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In the small study conducted by University of Turku's Sleep Research Center, 25 participants with mild to moderate sleep apnea used the device at home twice a day for three months, breathing in and out 30 times per session.

At the end of the study period, the participants reported increased respiratory muscle strength, reduced nighttime breathing interruptions, improved sleep quality and decreased insomnia, according to a press release.

Snoring occurrences were also reduced.

The findings were presented on June 5 at the Nordic Lung Congress 2024 in Helsinki, Finland.

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The study will now be peer-reviewed by the scientific congress, then will be published later this year, according to the researchers.

"Currently, there are no available technologies or medications to treat sleep apnea," lead author Dr. Usame Al-Rammahi, a doctoral researcher of pulmonary diseases and clinical allergology at the University of Turku, told Fox News Digital.

"Our first data suggest that respiratory muscle training may be the answer that not only alleviates symptoms, but also addresses the underlying cause of OSA by strengthening muscles."

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CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is currently the most common treatment for sleep apnea — but about a third of patients struggle to adapt to it, Al-Rammahi noted. 

WellO2 is designed to be used as an add-on therapy with CPAP.

"Even though CPAP should be used as needed, WellO2 training can be used as an additional therapy, since it addresses underlying reasons and may lessen CPAP adverse effects by moistening the airways," Al-Rammahi told Fox News Digital. 

This is a preliminary report and research is currently ongoing, Al-Rammahi said. 

The study also did not include a control group.

"Nonetheless, given that the study compared their results to each participant's personal findings, those persons were the controls," Al-Rammahi said.

"Despite the lack of a control group, the findings remain important. Qualified questionnaires were used, and polysomnography (PSG) was a thorough and trustworthy procedure that provided substantial results."

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Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, a neuroscientist and sleep specialist at Wesper in New York, was not involved in the study but commented on the device’s potential. 

"Sleep apnea is primarily caused by obstructions in the upper airway that block the flow of oxygen into the lungs," she said.                                                                                  

"This device is designed to strengthen the muscles of the upper airway and reduce these obstructions from occurring," she also told Fox News Digital.

While the device was shown to offer "some improvement" when tested in a small population of patients, Rohrscheib noted that use of the device was only correlated with "moderate improvement" in the number of respiratory events.

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"That means it's not guaranteed to work for every patient or to completely eliminate your sleep apnea symptoms," she said. 

"Further, the device was not tested in patients with severe sleep apnea — thus, patients should not rely on this device alone for treatment for their sleep apnea without the guidance of a sleep physician."

Katri Lindberg, a respiratory specialist nurse in Finland who works with WellO2 as a breathing expert, said she recommends WellO2 training regularly for individuals who want to stop snoring or for whom CPAP devices are not suitable for treating sleep apnea. 

"The research results are only preliminary findings from a small study, but they provide strong indications that we have found a rehabilitation tool that can now rehabilitate the symptoms of a large group of people worldwide, rather than merely alleviating them," Lindberg told Fox News Digital.

"The study also indicates that there is no quick fix for respiratory rehabilitation. To remove symptoms and keep them at bay, regular, although relatively small, amounts of respiratory training are needed."

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Service dog helps woman with epilepsy, plus a new liver drug and bedtime warnings

FAITHFUL COMPANION – Channing Seideman's service dog, Bishop, brings her peace of mind and safety amid the uncertainty of daily epileptic seizures. The Ohio woman shares the heartwarming partnership with Fox News Digital. Continue reading…

‘BIG STEP FORWARD’ – A new drug has shown promise in slowing or preventing the progression of disease in patients with Parkinson's. Continue reading…

SORRY, NIGHT OWLS – Going to bed after a certain time could lead to poorer mental health, a Stanford study found. Sleep experts share their reactions. Continue reading…

EYES WIDE OPEN – A Chicago man received a kidney transplant while he was completely awake. Doctors weigh in on how surgeries without general anesthesia could transform the future of transplant care. Continue reading…

WAITING TO INHALE – For diabetes patients, a third type of insulin delivery has been shown to work just as well as injections or pumps, a new study found. Continue reading…

‘GIANT STEP FORWARD’ – The FDA has approved a new drug — Ipsen’s medication Iqirvo (elafibranor) — to treat autoimmune liver disease. Continue reading…

ASK A DOCTOR – "Is it ever OK to take someone else’s prescription medication?" Continue reading…

SLOWING ALZHEIMER'S – In a breakthrough study, researchers identified a "protective gene" in one extended family that delays Alzheimer's disease by several years. Continue reading…

MEDICAL MISINFORMATION? – A California physician believes the medical community is telling patients 10 key "lies." He details two of the myths in an excerpt from his new book. Continue reading…

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Chicago man receives kidney transplant while fully awake, goes home very next day

Kidney transplants are not uncommon — the kidney is actually the most frequently transplanted organ in the U.S. — but a Chicago man recently received his in a highly unusual way.

John Nicholas, 28, was awake during the entire procedure, which was performed on May 24 at Northwestern Medicine Hospital. He was discharged the very next day.

Doctors administered a spinal anesthesia shot — similar to what is used for a Cesarean section — instead of general anesthesia, according to a press release from the hospital.

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"This is the first case at Northwestern Medicine where a patient was awake during an entire kidney transplant procedure and went home the next day, basically making this an outpatient procedure," said Satish Nadig, M.D., PhD, transplant surgeon and director of the Northwestern Medicine Comprehensive Transplant Center, in the release. 

"Inside the operating room, it was an incredible experience being able to show a patient what their new kidney looked like before placing it inside the body," he added. 

"It was incredibly simple and uneventful."

This type of "awake transplant" could reduce surgical risks and shorten the length of the patient’s hospitalization, doctors say.

It could also increase access to care for patients who are considered high-risk or have phobias surrounding general anesthesia.

Nicholas’ surgery took about two hours, according to the hospital.

He was considered an ideal patient for awake surgery due to his young age, his otherwise good health and his "eagerness to participate," per the release.

"It was a pretty cool experience to know what was happening in real time and be aware of the magnitude of what they were doing," said Nicholas in a statement to Northwestern. 

"At one point during surgery, I recall asking, ‘Should I be expecting the spinal anesthesia to kick in?’ They had already been doing a lot of work and I had been completely oblivious to that fact. Truly, no sensation whatsoever."

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Although Nicholas did receive sedation for comfort, he said he was still aware of what was going on. 

"Especially when they called out my name and told me about certain milestones they had reached," he noted.

Nicholas walked out of the hospital on May 25, the day after surgery.

With typical kidney transplants, the recipient remains in the hospital for two to three days.

Nicholas’ kidney issues began at age 16 when he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, the release stated.

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After a few years of managing the condition with medication, his kidney function worsened and he required a transplant.

Nicholas’ mother originally planned to donate her kidney, but a breast cancer diagnosis prevented her from doing so, the hospital relayed.

It was Nicholas’ best friend from elementary school, 29-year-old Pat Wise in Alexandria, Virginia, who ultimately donated the life-saving kidney.

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, was not involved in the surgery but shared his input.

"My opinion is that in most cases, spinal anesthesia presents a reasonable alternative for those at high risk of general anesthesia complications," Siegel told Fox News Digital. 

"Having said that, general anesthesia would be preferred whenever possible for major surgery like this," said Dr. Siegel, "because control of the airway and breathing is essential, and is much easier if the patient is asleep and on the ventilator."

The doctors at Northwestern credit the patient for helping to advance the field of transplant medicine.

"When John agreed to be the first known patient at Northwestern Medicine to undergo an awake kidney transplant and be discharged home the next day, he knew the benefits outweighed the risks, and … he’s now helping to move the field of transplantation forward," said Vinayak Rohan, M.D., transplant surgeon at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, in the release. 

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"He is an extremely compliant patient who was in tune with his body and willing to push the envelope," stressing that the patient had faith in the doctors and they, in turn, had faith in him.  

The hospital now plans to establish the AWAKE Program (Accelerated Surgery Without General Anesthesia in Kidney Transplantation) for patients who want or need to pursue surgery without general anesthesia.

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"It really opens up a whole new door and is another tool in our toolbelt for the field of transplantation," Nadig added.

Fox News Digital reached out to Northwestern Medical for additional input.

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CDC warns of mosquito-driven virus as cases spike

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a fresh warning about an increased risk of dengue virus infections as a "record-breaking number" of cases are being reported in the Americas. 

From January 1 to June 24 of this year, more than 9.7 million dengue cases were recorded among countries in the Americas, which is more than double the 4.6 million infections recorded throughout 2023, according to the CDC. 

"Global incidence of dengue in 2024 has been the highest on record for this calendar year; many countries are reporting higher-than-usual dengue case numbers," it also said. "In 2024, countries in the Americas have reported a record-breaking number of dengue cases, exceeding the highest number ever recorded in a single year." 

The CDC describes the dengue virus as the "most common" mosquito-borne disease in the world. In the U.S., Florida has reported the most cases so far this year with 197, followed by New York with 134, Massachusetts with 50 and California with 40. 

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"Six U.S. territories and freely associated states are classified as areas with frequent or continuous dengue transmission: Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau," the CDC adds. 

The health agency says one in every four dengue infections are symptomatic, with effects including fever and "nausea, vomiting, rash, muscle aches, joint pain, bone pain, pain behind the eyes, headache, or low white blood cell counts." 

"Severe disease, with associated severe bleeding, shock or respiratory distress caused by plasma leakage, or end-organ impairment, develops in 1 in 20 people with symptomatic dengue," according to the CDC. 

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It said infants under the age of one, pregnant women and adults over the age of 65 carry an "increased risk of severe dengue" and that "transmission peaks during the warmer and wetter months in many tropical and subtropical regions." 

There is not currently a medication to treat dengue, the CDC says. 

Infected people are advised to rest, take acetaminophen for pain and fever, stay hydrated and see a doctor. 

Fox News’ Melissa Rudy contributed to this report. 

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California doctor reveals the 10 big ‘lies’ the medical community is telling patients

A California doctor wants people to know that, in his view and experience, the medical community doesn’t always tell patients the truth.

Dr. Robert Lufkin, a physician and father of two young children, has been diagnosed with four chronic diseases — the same ones that claimed his father's life.

Inspired by his own medical struggles, Lufkin decided to write a book exposing what he calls "medical lies" that contribute to the risk of chronic disease in the U.S. – some of which he says he himself once taught as a professor at UCLA and USC.

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While Lufkin is critical of the medical establishment, he pointed out that he is also still part of it himself.

"I've written hundreds of peer-reviewed articles and 10 textbooks, and also have the honor and privilege of teaching doctors and other health care professionals, as well as seeing patients," Lufkin told Fox News Digital during an interview.  

His own diagnoses, Lufkin said, "woke him up" to the flaws in the medical system.

First, he developed a type of arthritis called gout. 

"Next, I developed hypertension, which practically half of adults have," he said.

Then came pre-diabetes, followed by dyslipidemia — "which is sort of abnormal blood lipids."

The doctor noted that he’s actually a "big fan" of Western medicine in general — "I think it's transformed our lives and made the world a better place," he said — but that in the 21st century, a "new class of diseases" has posed a challenge.

"The diseases were present before, but now they're exploding," he said.

These include obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and even mental illness, Lufkin said. 

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"Up to 80% of our resources are now spent on these chronic diseases."

The problem, according to the doctor, is that the tools that were so effective in the 20th century — "the pills and surgeries" — might save lives in the moment.

But they only address the symptoms of these chronic diseases — not their root causes.

"There's a common metabolic cause that underlies most of these diseases," Lufkin said.

"And unless we address the metabolic cause, the pills and surgeries will not. The diseases will only continue to get worse and worse."

In his book, "Lies I Taught in Medical School," Lufkin claims that medical professionals tend to propagate 10 falsehoods.

He listed these situations and includes separate chapters on them in his book, labeled this way: 

1. The Metabolic Lie: "Metabolism Is Just the Body’s Way of Digesting Food"

2. The Obesity Lie: "To Lose Weight, Just Exercise More and Eat Less"

3. The Diabetes Lie: "Sugar is Harmless, Other Than Causing Weight Gain and Tooth Decay"

4. The Fatty Liver Lie: "There Is No Treatment for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease"

5. The Hypertension Lie: "High Blood Pressure Is Best Treated with Drugs"

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6. The Cardiovascular Disease Lie: "Statins Are a Good Choice to Prevent Heart Disease"

7. The Cancer Lie: "Most Cancer Is Caused by Accumulated DNA Damage"

8. The Alzheimer’s Lie: "Alzheimer’s Disease Is a Progressive, Untreatable Disease Caused by Beta-Amyloid Accumulation"

9. The Mental Health Lie: "Metabolism Has Little Effect on Mental Health"

10. The Longevity Lie: "Aging Is the Inevitable Result of Accumulated Wear and Tear"

"In each chapter," said Lufkin, "we go through each of those chronic diseases that determine our life span — and we talk about what the lies are and what the truth is." 

The doctor then presents a plan for making healthier lifestyle choices.

"We talk about the nutrition, sleep, exercise, stress and how we can craft our own lifestyles to reverse those diseases," he said.

In the excerpt below, Lufkin explains the first two of these "lies."

Dr. Robert Lufkin: We are now experiencing the worst global epidemic of obesity in history. Statistics show that 42.5% of adults age 20 and over are obese, and 73.6% are at least overweight. 

Almost half of Americans are now obese, and most are overweight. Obesity is unhealthy and a marker for metabolic dysfunction, which manifests as hypertension, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s, cancer and other chronic diseases.

Our understanding of the causes of this epidemic and the approaches to treating it is based on a simple lie: that "a calorie is a calorie," implying that obesity is caused by eating too many calories.

As a physician, I know from personal experience that I can make anyone gain weight or fat just by giving them extra insulin. This is seen in both type 1 and type 2 diabetics as soon as they begin taking extra insulin as a medication.

To put it another way, calories are necessary, but not sufficient to drive obesity. Insulin is required. Obesity is not just a calorie problem; it’s an insulin problem. 

If all foods stimulated insulin equally, then a calorie would just be a calorie. That’s not a lie. But all foods don’t trigger insulin the same way.

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The truth here is that in order to lose (or gain) weight, the most important thing is not the number of calories consumed, but rather the types of calories that affect insulin levels and direct our bodies to store energy as fat. 

As every rancher knows, to fatten livestock, simply feed them large amounts of refined carbohydrates that will turn on insulin and drive energy storage into fat. 

Feeding livestock fatty foods will not have the same effect.

We are currently at the beginning of the worst diabetes epidemic the world has ever known. Ten percent of American adults have type 2 diabetes, and about 38% have prediabetes. This means that for the first time in history, 48% — or nearly half the population — have the same metabolic disease!

The diabetes lie declares that the best way to treat type 2 diabetes is with insulin. 

Giving insulin will help control the immediate effects of too much glucose in the blood by telling our cells to remove that blood glucose and store it as fat. 

However, it will also raise the body’s overall insulin levels, worsening insulin resistance, the underlying cause of type 2 diabetes. Additionally, elevated insulin levels drive other chronic diseases.

Our health care system is sadly much more optimized to deliver prescriptions for insulin and other drugs for managing type 2 diabetes than giving instructions on how to reverse it by changing our nutrition to avoid the causes. 

To be fair, many people would rather take a pill or a shot instead of changing their lifestyles. But most people don’t know how powerful and effective lifestyle choices can be.

Plus, there is some evidence to show that merely improving glucose control with drugs, such as insulin or pills, might not prevent some of the long-term complications these patients all face.

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There are also financial incentives. In 2013, sales of insulin and other diabetes drugs reached $23 billion, according to data from IMS Health, a drug market research firm. 

That was more than the combined revenue of the National Football League, Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association.

Excerpted with permission from the new book, "Lies I Told in Medical School" (BenBella Books, Inc.), by Dr. Robert Lufkin, copyright © 2024 by Dr. Robert Lufkin. All rights reserved. 

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Life after death: Take a glimpse into the world of cryonics

Since the age of 13, Joseph Kowalsky has harbored a fascination with life after death, pondering ways to extend his existence indefinitely. 

Today, Kowalsky, now 59, is among some 2,000 individuals who have signed up with the Cryonics Institute in Clinton Township, Michigan, betting on a future where death is not the end.

Cryonics, the process at the heart of Kowalsky's hopes, involves preserving human bodies at ultra-low temperatures in the anticipation that future science will one day revive them. 

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Shortly after a person dies, organizations like the Cryonics Institute use a heart-lung resuscitator, circulate a medical-grade antifreeze in the blood and suspend the body in aluminum pods filled with liquid nitrogen. 

Dennis Kowalski, current president of the Cryonics Institute (and no relation to Joseph Kowalsky), told Fox News that over 250 individuals are currently in "suspension" at the Michigan facility.

The Cryonics Institute is just one player in a burgeoning industry. 

Alcor, the world's oldest cryonics company, which is based in Scottsdale, Arizona, boasts a state-of-the-art facility where more than 200 individuals are preserved. 

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For those opting for whole-body preservation, the price tag is $200,000, while brain-only preservation costs $80,000. 

Alcor CEO James Arrowood dispels the notion that cryonics is solely for the wealthy, highlighting that many clients use life insurance policies to cover costs. 

"About 80% of people who sign up are middle-class," Arrowood told Fox News.

He pointed out that the clientele includes notable figures such as baseball legend Ted Williams, whose head and body were cryopreserved separately.

Critics dismiss cryonics as speculative and unproven, labeling it an "iceberg scheme" lacking scientific backing. 

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"It’s a sad case of people being beguiled by a very understandable dream of resurrection," Clive Coen of King’s College London told Fox News.

The neuroscience professor raised concerns over the damage inflicted during the preservation and revival process, warning that "there will be billions of mini-strokes in every millimeter of brain tissue" due to the inability of antifreeze to traverse the brain's complex landscape.

There is currently no scientific evidence or successful case of a human being revived from a cryonically preserved state. 

Despite the skepticism, Joseph Kowalsky, who formerly worked with the Cryonics Institute, remains undeterred. 

"Worst-case scenario, I'm still dead … And the upside? It could be a potentially life-saving medical technique," he said.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health

As science and ethics continue to grapple with the implications of cryonics, individuals like Kowalsky illustrate a deep-seated hope for defying mortality, one frozen body at a time.

Andres del Aguila and Griff Jenkins contributed to this report.

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New Parkinson's drug could slow or reverse progression of disease, researchers say: 'Big step forward'

A new drug is being tested to relieve Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms – and it’s reportedly showing promise.

The drug is designed to slow or halt the progression of the disease in patients by targeting toxic proteins that build up in the brain, according to the study published in the journal Nature Medicine on June 20.

Researchers conducted a phase 1 placebo-controlled trial of an investigational immunotherapy drug called UB-312, testing for safety, tolerability and immunogenicity (strength of immune response).

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The trial results showed that the drug was generally safe and well-tolerated by patients as a disease-modifying treatment for Parkinson's.

The researchers stated that to their knowledge, this is the first report showing a positive effect of an investigational therapy of this kind.

There is currently no cure for Parkinson's, only drugs that treat the symptoms.

"UB-312 is designed to modify the course of Parkinson’s disease by targeting the underlying cause," Lou Reese, co-founder of Vaxxinity, the Texas-based pharmaceutical company that worked on the study, told Fox News Digital.

Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, also helped conduct the study.

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"In our phase 1 trial, we showed that UB-312 may be able to stop or even reverse the course of disease by successfully targeting aggregated alpha-synuclein." 

(Alpha-synuclein is an acidic protein that builds up in the brains of Parkinson's patients.)

UB-312 is given as an injection, typically via multiple doses over several months, Reese noted.

During the trial, PD patients reported improved daily movement after receiving the new drug.

The medication was found to be safe and well-tolerated in healthy people and Parkinson's patients alike, with only minimal side effects that included headaches and fatigue, according to Reese.

UB-312 works by targeting the "harmful Parkinson’s protein" alpha-synuclein and producing antibodies against it, the researcher said.

In the trial, 12 out of 13 patients developed antibodies, which Reese described as a "big step forward in PD treatment."

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"These antibodies reached the brain and interacted with the target protein," he said.

Based on the "promising" results of Phase 1, UB-312 will now progress into phase 2 trials, focusing on a larger patient population while optimizing the dose, according to Reese.

"The ultimate goal is to develop effective, disease-modifying treatments that can improve outcomes and provide hope for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease," he added.

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"This is exciting because we are targeting the root cause of Parkinson’s and not the symptoms. It’s the first drug ever to take a patient from positive to negative."

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Some doctors, however, cautioned that Parkinson's patients shouldn't get their hopes up just yet.

"People with Parkinson’s should be aware that although the findings were interesting, this was only a safety, tolerability and immunogenicity study, and thus there is a long way to go for development of this treatment," Michael S. Okun, M.D., Parkinson’s Foundation medical adviser and director at the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at the University of Florida Health, told Fox News Digital.

Okun was not involved in the study.

The injections did seem to "rev up the immune system," Okun acknowledged, as the researchers observed the appearance of antibodies in the blood samples of most study participants.      

"The worry that many scientists have about this approach is that it may neither improve clinical outcomes nor slow disease progression," he added.

"Two similar antibody trials of prasinezumab and cinpanemab were published in 2022 in The New England Journal of Medicine, but both of those trials failed to meet their primary outcomes."

Okun concluded that "time and science will help us to determine if this newer approach will fare better."

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Surgeon general declares firearm violence in America a public health crisis

The United States surgeon general is declaring gun violence a national public health crisis. 

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory on Tuesday stating that firearm-related violence and its immediate psychological ramifications on victims and bystanders has severely compromised public health.

"Today, for the first time in the history of our office, I am issuing a Surgeon General's Advisory on firearm violence," Murthy said in a video announcement. "It outlines the urgent threat firearm violence poses to the health and well-being of our country."

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"As a doctor, I've seen the consequences of firearm violence up close and the lives of the patients that cared for over the years," the surgeon general continued. "These are moms and dads, sons and daughters, all of whom were robbed of their physical and mental health by senseless acts of violence."

The advisory states that 54% of adults in America have experienced a firearm-related incident. These experiences with firearm violence include individuals who have been threatened with a gun (21%), lost a family member in a gun-related death (19%), witnessed a shooting (17%), and been wounded by a firearm (4%).

The 54% figure also includes adults who have fired a gun in self-defense (4%). The gun-related death statistic includes those who committed suicide via firearm.

The report noted different demographics are affected in different ways by gun violence. 

Black individuals suffer the highest rate of gun deaths. American Indians, Alaskan Natives, elderly white people, and military veterans are at the highest risk suicide by firearm.

"Beyond these precious lives that are lost to firearm violence, there are wider ripples of harm to those who are injured, who witnessed the incidents, who live in urban and rural communities where such violence takes place, and who constantly read and hear about firearm violence," Murthy stated.

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He added, "The collective trauma and fear that Americans are experiencing is contributing to the mental health challenges that we are facing today. Nearly 6 in 10 U.S. adults say they worry about a loved one being a victim of firearm violence."

The public advisory on firearm-related violence is the first document of its kind released by the Surgeon General's Office.

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For diabetes patients, inhaled insulin is shown just as effective as injections and pumps

Most of the 38 million people living with diabetes in the U.S. use daily injections or insulin pumps to keep glucose at safe levels — but new research suggests that a third option could be just as effective.

In a study led by Dr. Irl B. Hirsch, M.D., medical director of the Diabetes Care Center of the University of Washington Medical Center, an inhaled form of insulin — similar to an asthma inhaler — worked just as well as injections or pumps to control type 1 diabetes.

The research was presented last week at the American Diabetes Association (ADA)’s 84th Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Florida.

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The clinical trial tested a product called Afrezza, an inhaled basal insulin made by MannKind Corporation in California. 

Afrezza, the only inhaled insulin on the market, has been available since getting FDA approval in June 2014.

"In those with type 1 diabetes, insulin is required for survival," Hirsch told Fox News Digital in an interview. 

"With continuous glucose sensing, glucose control has been dramatically improved — but not everyone reaches the target with multiple injections or pumps, and there are many pros and cons with each therapy," he said.

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With pumps, people must wear the device, which can lead to skin problems. 

They also have to purchase extra accessories.

Blood glucose levels can also drop with exercise, Hirsch warned, which can be problematic. 

"Injections overall can be more convenient for some, but they don’t do as well as pump patients," he said.

With Afrezza, the product is inhaled into the lungs before meals, and the fast-acting insulin minimizes the glucose spike often seen after eating, Hirsch noted.

During the 17-week study, researchers evaluated the results of 141 adults who were assigned to either use the Afrezza inhaler or continue with traditional methods of injection or pump delivery.

At the 17-week mark, all participants switched to the inhaler for another 13 weeks.

All groups were assessed with continuous glucose monitoring at the start of the study, at 17 weeks and again at 30 weeks.

Among the inhaled insulin group, 30% of participants reached their target glucose levels (less than 7% blood sugar) compared to 17% of the people using injections and pumps.

There was no difference in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) between the groups.

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"In general, there was no difference in our primary endpoint, HbA1c, a reflection of average blood sugar," Hirsch said. 

"But that alone is misleading — many patients did better with their glucose control, while others did worse."

"The point is, inhaling insulin isn't for everyone, but some did better than they did on their pumps."

The people who saw the best results inhaled insulin between meals and at bedtime, Hirsch added.

At the end of the study, more than half of the participants said they would opt to stay on the inhaled insulin therapy.

"The biggest takeaway is that patients with type 1 diabetes should consider this as another option for their mealtime insulin, and talk to their doctor about this choice," he recommended.

The American Diabetes Association acknowledged the promise of the study findings in an email to Fox News Digital.

"We look forward to our Scientific Sessions every year to see data like the INHALE-3 study’s findings, which have the potential to expand diabetes care," Raveendhara Bannuru, M.D., PhD, the ADA’s vice president of medical affairs and quality improvement outcomes in Boston, Massachusetts, told Fox News Digital via email.

"We are hopeful for the continuous development of alternative insulin delivery methods that could offer options for people living with diabetes," the group also said in the statement.

"The INHALE-3 trial demonstrated that inhaled insulin, combined with insulin degludec, effectively reduces A1c levels without increasing hypoglycemia or weight gain in people with type 1 diabetes. This adds value to the options in insulin therapy."

While more people met their glycemic targets with Afrezza, some subjects saw worse readings when switching from usual methods to inhaled insulin — "potentially due to missing doses of inhaled insulin during the day and/or underdosing going into bedtime," the researchers wrote.

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"We didn't see any concerns," Hirsch said when asked about side effects. 

"As expected, a few people coughed immediately when dosing their insulin, but no major concerns were seen and everyone continued on their inhaled insulin."

The most common side effects noted in the study were hypoglycemia, cough and throat pain or irritation. 

Afrezza has been linked to a risk of acute bronchospasm in patients with chronic lung disease, such as asthma or COPD, according to the manufacturer.

Before starting Afrezza, patients should see a doctor for a physical examination and testing to measure lung function.

Patients who smoke or who recently quit smoking should not take the inhaled medication.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health 

Fox News Digital reached out to MannKind requesting additional comment.

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Ask a doctor: ‘Is it ever OK to take someone else’s prescription medication?’

Most of us have, at some time or another, asked a friend or family member for some over-the-counter medicine to treat a headache or an upset stomach, as the dosage and directions are fairly universal. 

But is the same protocol appropriate when it comes to taking someone else’s prescription medication?

The resounding answer from medical doctors is an emphatic "no." 

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There are specific reasons why. 

"Taking someone else’s prescribed medication can be very harmful," LaTasha Perkins, M.D., a family physician at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital.

"You need to take only your own medicine and not someone else’s, because so much goes into figuring it out."

Numerous considerations are involved in prescribing medication to a patient, Perkins said — including health status, medical history and blood work — which can be completely different from one person to the next. 

Even if you take the same medication as someone else, the other person may be on a different dose of it, the doctor noted.

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"A lot of medications also look and sound the same, so you have to take what was specifically prescribed to you," she cautioned.

Drug interactions present another concern. 

"If you’re taking vitamins or any other medication that may interact with a prescription medicine, that should be taken into account when tailoring your prescription," Perkins said.

Allergies are yet another key consideration, the doctor warned, as some people are allergic to the additives in medications.

"There’s a reason the medication is prescribed — because it’s personalized to each individual based on a variety of health factors," Perkins said.

Chad Weston, M.D., a physician with Novant Health Oceanside Family Medicine & Convenient Care – Brunswick in Shallotte, North Carolina, agreed that taking a medication prescribed to a different individual, even for seemingly similar symptoms, can be harmful and have unintended consequences. 

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"These consequences range from severe allergic reactions to medication interactions and overdosing, causing damage to organs such as the liver and kidneys," he said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

Instead of seeking symptom relief by taking someone else’s medication, you should see a doctor to get an accurate medical diagnosis and prescription, Weston advised.

In the event that you’re traveling and don’t have your medicine with you, Perkins said the best thing to do is call your doctor. 

"If you don’t have your medicine, we can call it into a pharmacy wherever you are," she said.

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"This is why it’s so important to have a family physician," she said. 

"Having a relationship with your doctor can help you navigate situations like this."

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Ohio woman with epilepsy finds safety with her service dog: ‘Our bond is set in stone’

For the more than three million people in the U.S. who are living with epilepsy, the uncertainty of the next seizure's appearance can create dangerous situations.

Now, for many people with the neurological disorder, specially trained service dogs have helped provide safety and peace of mind. 

In a recent study published in Neurology, service dogs were found to reduce seizure frequency by 31% while also dramatically improving mental health and quality of life.

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Channing Seideman, 30, is one of those patients whose life has been changed by a dedicated service dog.

Born and raised in Aspen, Colorado, Seideman — who now lives in Milford, Ohio — was just 10 years old when she received her epilepsy diagnosis after having two major seizures.

"Like any kid, I had big dreams of what I wanted to be when I grew up," she said in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"I wanted to be a doctor, and I wanted to go to the Olympics and ride horses — and then I got diagnosed and life took a turn."

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Dealing with epilepsy during middle school was a struggle, Seideman said.

Having always been a straight-A student, Seideman said she saw her grades plummet to straight Fs.

"Middle school is kind of a blur, to be honest — we were just starting the medication combinations, and my seizures were becoming more and more frequent," she recalled.

High school was also a challenge, she said.

"Finding my place was difficult. So I really leaned hard on sports, horseback riding in particular, and animals."

Given Seideman’s love of animals, her parents thought she might be interested in a service dog — but at age 15, she was hesitant at first.

"At the time, I wanted nothing to do with epilepsy, so the idea of having a service dog next to my side wearing a vest that said ‘epilepsy’ — making this disease visible — was kind of scary for me."

Her parents convinced her to put her name on the list, since there was a long wait time.

In Nov. 2010, Seideman was selected for a service dog. 

The family traveled to Canine Assistants in Alpharetta, Georgia, to take part in a training "boot camp" with Seideman’s first service dog, Georgie.

Canine Assistants places service dogs with people who have a variety of conditions, primarily epilepsy.

Thanks to a long-running partnership with UCB — a Belgian biopharmaceutical company committed to helping those living with epilepsy and rare seizure disorders — Canine Assistants is able to place dogs at no cost to the patients. 

"Two weeks later, Georgie was on the flight home with us, and a couple of days later, she was at school with me," Seideman said.

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"I was wondering, ‘Is this going to make this disease more visible, or is it going to be a life-saver?' And it turned out to be a life-saver."

Seideman’s fears of the disease being magnified were unfounded.

"It became, ‘Channing who?’" she joked. "Now it was all about this cute and amazing dog."

Jennifer Arnold, the founder of Canine Assistants in Georgia, said there is often a hesitation among young people to get a service dog, as "nobody really wants to stand out."

Said Arnold, "You just want to fit in, and it feels like the dog's going to make you not fit in."

She has been working with service dogs for over 30 years, she told Fox News Digital.

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"But as Channing said, ‘Nobody cares about the epilepsy. They just really like my dog.’ The attention that she was getting was completely positive."

When it comes to introducing service dogs to their owners, Arnold said, earlier is better.

"There's really no reason to wait," she said.

The dog's mere presence changes the dynamics in a family for the better, according to Arnold.

Even so, the sensing of oncoming seizures and alerting an owner is the most important part of the service dog’s job.

"Some dogs wake up at night and check on their people while they sleep," Arnold said.

"They get nervous — they just want to be sure their owner is OK."

Having a service dog also lowers the owner's stress level, Arnold noted.

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"This results in a significant reduction in the number of seizures that patients have, because stress is a trigger," she said.

"So just having the dog with you reduces the number of seizures you have, which is pretty magical in itself."

The dog can also help by protecting its owner during a seizure if it occurs in public, and going to find help if needed.

The team at Canine Assistants is skilled at determining which dog will likely do well with which person, Arnold said.

"But the bottom line is, people think they're going to get to pick their dog, but it's the exact opposite," she said. 

"The dogs pick the people."

In a typical scenario, Arnold said, Canine Assistants may have four dogs in a camp that have the skills needed for a particular individual.

"The first three might greet the person politely, but the fourth dog might run in, like, ‘Where have you been? I've been waiting for you for so long,’" Arnold said.

"That’s what we call ‘a tab A in a slot B,’" she said. "You see it and it's just done."

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After Seideman’s first dog passed away, there was a nine-month period before she was matched with another dog.

During that time, she said, she and her parents realized how much they’d come to rely on Georgie.

"My parents were back to feeling panicked, listening for the ‘thud alert,’" she said. "If they heard a thud upstairs, they would worry it was me falling."

Seideman, added, "They didn't realize how much that extra set of ears, extra set of paws, had been doing."

It was a big relief when Seideman was placed with her current dog, Bishop. 

"It was pretty much smooth sailing," she said. "Now, Bishop goes absolutely everywhere with me. Our bond is set in stone."

To anyone considering getting a service dog, Seideman said she highly recommends it.

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"In addition to bringing peace of mind, the dogs make epilepsy approachable to the public," she said.

Epilepsy tends to carry a stigma, Seideman said — which is rooted in fear and misunderstandings.

"For example, one of the myths is that there's only one type of seizure — the big, scary kind where you go unconscious, turn blue, convulse and foam at the mouth," she said.

Another myth, Arnold added, is that people should put something between the teeth of the person having a seizure to prevent them from swallowing their tongue.

"It is a very bad thing to do," she warned — and it "could have significantly damaging consequences."

Having the dog with the person helps to provide a sense of comfort, Seideman said — "something that people can ask questions about, something they can approach. It makes the public comfortable."

These days, Seideman said she continues to have seizures daily.

Although she has had about 60-70 of the more major episodes — known as tonic-clonic seizures — since her diagnosis, most of them are smaller.

"I have seizures where I may kind of space out and daydream, which is an absence seizure," she said. 

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"I also have seizures where I may have a jerk in the face, a mild clonic jerk, which can be scary if I'm crossing a street."

That’s where Bishop comes into play, she said, as he senses what’s happening and stops her from crossing into the street.

"Some people get warnings before a seizure, like an aura," Seideman said. "I don't get that warning. I get Bishop. He lets me know."

On the family’s 100-acre farm, while Seideman is caring for her horses, Bishop may suddenly come running to check on her, seeming to sense that something is amiss.

"He has this instinct, and will stop whatever he is doing to check on me."

Bishop alerts Seideman by jumping up and placing his paws on her — "It’s almost like he’s standing, so we’re face to face."

"It’s as if he’s saying, ‘Something's going on. Pay attention to me.’"

She said, "I may not be having any seizures that I know about, but I could be having subclinical seizures that are only detected by a machine. So I always take Bishop's word, because Bishop knows — he doesn’t make mistakes."

Although the wait list for service dogs is long, Arnold of Canine Assistants encourages people to apply.

"It’s not just first come, first serve," she said. "Every applicant is evaluated based on how much the dog can do physically, socially, emotionally and medically, and how appropriate the placement is for the dog."

She added, "Those factors are equally weighted with how much the dog can do to help."

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Canine Assistants has also started testing a new in-home education program, called Handle With Care, that helps people raise and train their own service dogs.

"We've cracked the code and we know how to do this, so it's crazy for people not to have the help they need."

"The need is just tremendous," Arnold emphasized. "And I can't imagine being a mother whose child needs a dog but isn’t able to get one."

The best part of Arnold’s job, she said, is when she gets to call a family and tell them they’ve been selected.

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"As soon as the people answer, I start crying because I'm so excited for them," she said.

"Those are wonderful calls to make, and I wish we could make a lot more of them."

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