American Red Cross declares national blood crisis as type O supply drops to dangerous levels

The American Red Cross has declared a "blood crisis" across the nation.

The organization released a warning about the second-ever blood supply crisis this week after blood donations fell to a four-year summer low.

This decline worsens an emergency shortage that "threatens the availability of lifesaving blood for patients across the country," the organization wrote in a press release.

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The Red Cross is now limiting distributions of type O blood to hospitals, as the nation’s largest single provider of blood products now has less than a one-day national supply of type O positive blood.

Type O blood accounts for about 60% of Red Cross blood distributions and is essential for both everyday patient care and medical emergencies.

Type O positive is the most commonly transfused blood type, according to the Red Cross, and can be safely given to about 80% of patients. 

Type O negative remains the universal blood type "relied upon when every second counts."

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While thousands of Americans show up to donate blood, these donations are reportedly not keeping up with hospital demand during summer trauma season.

This summer’s conditions, amid extreme heat, poor air quality and foodborne illnesses, have contributed to lower donor turnout, the Red Cross reported. Other blood collectors have also reported critical shortages this summer.

The Red Cross advised that just three more donors at each blood drive can end the crisis and stabilize the blood supply.

It encourages Americans to book an appointment by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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Chris Hrouda, president of Red Cross Biomedical Services, shared information about the developing emergency in a statement.

"The Red Cross takes its responsibility as the nation’s largest single provider of blood products incredibly seriously and has worked tirelessly to strengthen the blood supply for our hospital partners," he said.

Following the organization’s first national blood crisis in January 2022, Hrouda said the Red Cross has put "additional safeguards" in place to help "prevent a crisis like that from happening again."

"But this summer, blood donations simply are not keeping pace with hospital demand, and inventories — especially type O blood — remain under significant strain," he said.

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"Every donation has the potential to help save lives, and we urgently need everyone who is eligible to make an appointment to give blood as soon as possible."

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Shark Week warnings as experts reveal 6 ways to reduce your risk of a shark bite

Shark sightings are common each summer from coast to coast — and though attacks are rare, they do happen.

In August, shark activity begins to ramp up as they migrate and feed along the way, often bringing different species close to shore, according to experts.

Dr. Chris Lowe, professor of marine biology and director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), confirmed there has been an increase in white shark activity so far this year.

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"We expect by August, September or October to see even more sharks off the Southern California coast," he told Fox News Digital.

Wyatt Wernath, national spokesperson for the American Lifeguard Association and a retired ocean rescue chief based in Cocoa Beach, Florida, said they've seen typical numbers for this time of year, although there have been "a couple little nibbles" where people were "bit on the heels or the toes."

For those swimming or surfing in the ocean, the experts shared the following six tips to avoid a dangerous shark encounter.

Before visiting a new beach, experts advise locating lifeguards and checking for shark sightings, rip currents, jellyfish and other hazards.

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It's important to recognize and understand the flag systems on the beach that can signal certain conditions, Wernath noted. Red flags typically indicate high hazard, yellow flags mean heed caution and green flags mean low hazard.

A purple or blue flag indicates the presence of marine life. Combination red and blue flags signal hazardous marine life, such as a shark or dangerous jellyfish.

"If you can prepare yourself by knowing before you go, you’re going to have a much safer and enjoyable vacation or trip to the open water where the sharks live," Wernath said.

Other suspicious animal activity in the water — such as fish, birds and even seals — could mean a shark is nearby.

"If you see the water percolating on the top, that's the fish running from the predators," Wernath said. "Don't go in the water, get out of the water."

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"If you see birds diving into the water and they're feeding kind of erratically, don't go into the water."

Lowe, who runs the California Shark Beach Safety Program, also recommends avoiding dead marine life that could attract sharks.

"If you're out on your surfboard and a seal climbs on your board, that seal isn't trying to bond with you. It's probably trying to get out of the water because it knows there's a big shark around," he said.

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Avoid bait balls, which are dense schools of fish targeted by predators, Lowe advised. If one forms beneath your surfboard, move away to avoid an approaching shark.

While some "toe nibblers" in Florida have been known to attack in the shoreline, deep-water predators pose a risk as well, the experts warned.

California has about three shark bites per year and a fatality about every third year, according to Lowe — but numbers change as the population increases and more people seek out offshore recreation.

"When people start going out into the open ocean ... they may be encountering shark species that haven't been around people before," he said. "And therefore, you're a novelty."

Ocean spear fishing and kayak fishing are examples of "risky" excursions that have gained popularity in the last few decades, Lowe noted.

"Not only do you have a bloody fish on the end of your spear, but you're out around sharks that might not have been around people before," he said. "So, we just don't know how those sharks will react."

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"If you're kayak fishing and you've got your legs in the water and you’ve got a bloody fish, your leg could get mistaken by an excited shark trying to steal your fish."

When diving or snorkeling, it’s important not to present yourself "as prey," Wernath warned.

Dawn and dusk are peak feeding times for many sharks, increasing the risk of encounters.

Because sharks can mistake people for prey, Lowe recommends avoiding murky water and shiny jewelry that can mimic fish scales.

The chances of being bitten are statistically lower when swimming in a group than alone, Lowe said — and if trouble arises, others are there to help.

During a close encounter, it's important to confirm that the animal is actually a shark, as dolphin and stingray fins can look similar in the water.

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Unlike dolphins and stingrays, which typically show a single fin before disappearing underwater, sharks often reveal both their dorsal and tail fins.

"Tail fins will be moving more in a sweeping motion," Wernath said. "It won't go under gradually like a submarine. It won't arc like a dolphin in a rolling fashion."

If a shark is identified, give it space and calmly exit the water.

"Don't splash, don't cause a commotion, which will attract the shark, but just get out," Lowe said. "If you're on a surfboard or a boogie board, try to pull yourself up onto it, and just don't present yourself as prey."

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"If you see the shark, always keep your eyes on it," he advised. "Follow it, track it, let the shark know you see it, turn your body toward it."

"If the shark comes closer, you can just slowly back up and keep watching it. If you lose track of it, the first place you should always look is behind you."

A shark approaching from behind is usually trying to investigate without being noticed. Once it realizes it has been spotted, however, "most of the time, the gig is up," Lowe said.

If it continues to approach, he recommends giving it "a good bop in the nose" to discourage it from coming closer.

"If the shark gets really close, I'm always an advocate of striking out at them. I think humans need to let sharks know that they're not supposed to get close to us," he added.

Experts say the key to safely coexisting with sharks is respecting their habitat and behavior while avoiding actions that could make people appear to be prey.

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"They're much more intelligent than we give them credit for," Wernath said, noting that they carefully assess potential prey before attacking. "They’re hunters. They're going to look around and make sure they can get to a prey without getting hurt."

The biggest misconception about sharks is that if they’re nearby, they’re going to bite you, Lowe said, adding that research proves this "simply isn't true."

Although human and shark populations have grown thanks to conservation efforts, shark bites haven't increased as expected.

"They might occasionally bite a person, but we don't really know why," Lowe went on. "We don't know if they're biting because they mistake us as food ... [or] because they feel we're a threat."

"Based on our last six years of data using drones, we see white sharks around people pretty much every day, and they seem to largely ignore people," he added. "What that clearly tells me is that humans are not on any shark's menu."

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Hiker's unexplained death exposes deadly alcohol withdrawal risk many don't recognize

When hiker Joanna Ruth Shields, 37, was found dead near Sykes Hot Springs in California’s Ventana Wilderness, initial speculation pointed to foul play, according to a press release from the Monterey County Sheriff's Office.

However, official coroner's reports revealed her cause of death to be probable alcohol withdrawal seizures brought on by chronic alcohol use disorder.

Friends who were hiking with Shields said she had gone to the river that morning. A short time later, one of them found her unresponsive in the water, according to reports.

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"This is a probable seizure that occurred as a result of chronic alcohol use disorder, but there was nothing that stood out that indicated any type of criminal activity," Andres Rosas, commander and the primary public information officer for the Monterey County Sheriff's Office, told KSBW 8.

Given the results of the investigation and forensic examination, no further investigation is taking place.

The incident highlights a little-known danger of severe alcohol dependence, as suddenly stopping alcohol can trigger life-threatening neurological events.

Alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system. When someone drinks heavily over a prolonged period, the brain adapts by ramping up chemical signals to keep bodily systems functioning, according to experts.

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When alcohol is abruptly stopped, that blocker on the central nervous system is removed. The brain then enters a state of dangerous overexcitation, leading to severe hyperarousal.

Withdrawal symptoms typically begin within six to 24 hours after the last drink, with the risk of seizures peaking between 24 and 48 hours.

In wilderness settings or isolated locations, a sudden seizure can result in immediate loss of consciousness, trauma, respiratory arrest or an inability to seek emergency care, experts note.

Clinical guidelines from the National Institutes of Health categorize alcohol withdrawal by the following key progression stages.

This may include minor withdrawal symptoms, including insomnia, tremors, anxiety, gastrointestinal upset, headache, diaphoresis (excessive sweating), heart palpitations, anorexia, nausea, tachycardia (abnormally fast resting heart rate) and hypertension.

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This stage is marked by visual, auditory or tactile hallucinations.

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People in this stage may experience sudden loss of consciousness accompanied by severe muscle contractions (seizures). Another potential symptom is delirium tremens, a medical emergency involving extreme agitation, fever, racing heart, hyperthermia and cardiac instability.

Health agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, strongly advise that individuals with a history of heavy drinking or prior withdrawal episodes never attempt to detox alone or in remote settings.

Medical detox programs use tailored medication protocols to safely taper brain activity and prevent seizures.

Help is available for people struggling with alcohol use disorder. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline provides free, confidential treatment referrals 24 hours a day at 1-800-662-4357.

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Older adults taking 5 or more prescription drugs face higher risk of death, study finds

Older adults who take five or more prescription medications face a significantly higher risk of death compared to those taking fewer drugs, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

The research highlights the growing concern over polypharmacy, the medical term for taking five or more daily prescriptions, and its long-term effects on aging populations.

Led by Dr. Alexander Chaitoff of the University of Michigan School of Medicine, researchers analyzed national survey data collected from 7,828 adults aged 65 and older between 1999 and 2016.

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Trained staff directly inspected participants' pill bottles to verify medication use over the previous 30 days, then followed them for an average of 8.5 years, according to a press release.

More than half of participants (54.3%) fell into at least one high-risk medication category. The largest group consisted of older adults taking five or more prescription drugs (polypharmacy).

Another group, 37.6% of those studied, used medications deemed risky for older individuals, such as drugs that can increase the risk of confusion or falls, the study revealed.

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Additionally, 11.4% took combinations of medications that are known to cause major drug-to-drug interactions.

After accounting for overall health and underlying conditions, taking five or more prescriptions was associated with a 38% increase in overall mortality risk. Each additional prescription medication added to a patient’s routine was linked to a 7% increase in death risk.

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Taking multiple medications has been shown to increase the likelihood of side effects, adverse drug reactions and accidental overdose, particularly as the liver and kidneys age and process drugs less efficiently, according to medical experts at Cleveland Clinic.

The total number of medications participants took was the strongest independent predictor of mortality, even after accounting for drug-to-drug interactions and potentially inappropriate prescriptions.

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These findings could help doctors determine which patients are the best candidates for "deprescribing," or carefully reducing or stopping unnecessary medications, the researchers stated.

The authors noted several limitations, including that the study focused strictly on community-dwelling older adults, excluding those living in nursing homes or assisted care facilities.

Additionally, medication use was documented during a single 30-day snapshot at the start of the study, meaning researchers could not track subsequent changes in prescriptions or evolving health conditions over time.

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Experts emphasized that observational studies show association rather than direct causation. Older adults taking higher numbers of prescriptions often suffer from multiple severe or complex health conditions, which independently carry a higher mortality risk.

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Daily eating habit linked to better brain health in older adults, new research suggests

Eating within a shorter daily window could help support brain health as people age, according to new research.

Preliminary findings presented at NUTRITION 2026 — the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting in Maryland — suggests that older women who ate within eight to nine hours per day saw slight cognitive improvement compared to those who spread their meals over about 12 hours each day.

The small six-month trial included 47 postmenopausal obese or overweight women aged 50 to 79. They were each advised to reduce their daily food intake by about 500 calories.

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The participants were divided into two groups. One ate in a time-restricted window within an average of 8.2 hours, usually from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The other group ate across a 12.3-hour window, according to a news release.

Both groups lost about 15 pounds over six months, but those in the shorter eating-window group performed better on cognitive tests measuring spatial planning and problem-solving.

The shorter-window group also showed fewer errors on memory and learning tests, but no meaningful differences in reaction time or multi-tasking ability.

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"These outcomes suggest a better ability to remember information during everyday tasks and reduce mistakes related to memory, attention and problem-solving," lead researcher Sue Shapses, Ph.D., a professor at Rutgers University and Rutgers-RWJ Medical Center, said in a press release. "Reductions in the eating window predicted greater improvements."

Although the pilot study included only a small number of participants, the researchers believe that time-restricted eating may support brain health by regulating circadian rhythm, reducing inflammation and improving metabolic health.

Losing weight alone can help "ward off some of the aging-related cognitive decline," according to Shapses.

"And these data suggest there may be additional benefits if you stop eating four hours prior to going to sleep and reduce food intake to eight to nine hours per day, compared to the usual eating window of 12 hours per day."

Women, as well as adults who are overweight or obese, tend to face a higher likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia as they age, according to the researchers.

Lauri Wright, Ph.D., director of nutrition programs and associate professor at the USF College of Public Health, who was not involved in this research, reflected on these findings in an interview with Fox News Digital.

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"This is an interesting study because it suggests that when we eat may matter in addition to what and how much we eat," she said. "That suggests meal timing itself may have played a role, not just weight loss."

"The results are promising, but we need larger, longer studies before recommending time-restricted eating specifically to improve brain health."

Experts are still learning about how intermittent fasting affects the brain, although "several biological mechanisms are being considered," Wright noted.

"Giving the body a longer overnight break from eating may improve insulin sensitivity, reduce chronic inflammation, support healthy circadian rhythms and allow cells more time for repair and maintenance," she said. "Those processes are all linked to healthy brain aging."

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From a practical standpoint, eating within a shorter daily window often leads people to consume fewer calories, which can promote weight loss, according to New York-based certified holistic nutritionist Robin DeCicco.

"We know that maintaining a healthy weight helps with virtually everything," she told Fox News Digital. "Eating within a restricted window helps people cut calories."

"When you fast or... have periods of time where you're not just eating throughout the whole day, it does help to lower markers of inflammation and certain sources of oxidative stress."

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Many people have reported "feeling better" when fasting, DeCicco noted — especially those who have inflammatory conditions, which can include neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

"When you're fasting, you're giving your organs a chance to rest, you're giving the digestive system a chance to ‘rest and digest,’" she added.

Intermittent fasting isn’t the only way to support cognitive health, Wright countered.

"Regular physical activity, adequate sleep, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, avoiding smoking, maintaining social connections and following an overall healthy dietary pattern, such as the Mediterranean diet, have much stronger evidence for protecting cognitive function over time," she said. "Think of meal timing as one potential piece of the puzzle rather than a magic bullet."

Intermittent fasting "isn’t appropriate for everyone," Wright warned, adding that she would advise against it for children and teens, pregnant or breastfeeding women, anyone with a history of an eating disorder, and people with diabetes who are taking insulin.

DeCicco agreed that fasting should be recommended and monitored by a medical professional, especially for those who take certain medications or have certain conditions.

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Weight-loss joke turns serious as 'cyclospora skinny' trend fuels health warnings

A social media trend dubbed "cyclospora skinny" is prompting warnings from medical professionals as Arizona health officials investigate 36 locally acquired cases of the intestinal illness.

Videos and jokes referencing the outbreak have spread across social platforms, with some users suggesting the parasite could be used as a rapid weight-loss method.

Medical experts emphasize that infection from Cyclospora cayetanensis, a foodborne intestinal parasite, is a painful illness.

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"Getting any kind of illness to purposely cause something like that is just a bad idea," Dr. Andrew Carroll, president of IntraCare and a physician in Chandler, Arizona, told Fox 10. "Plus, cyclosporiasis can be deadly. There are folks ending up in the hospital for long periods of time."

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic foodborne parasite that causes the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis, according to Mayo Clinic.

The parasite spreads through food or water contaminated with fecal matter, often linked to fresh produce such as berries, basil, cilantro and bagged salad mixes.

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The parasite infects the small intestine, causing prolonged, watery and sometimes explosive diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal cramping and severe fatigue.

Infectious disease specialists emphasize that while weight loss can occur with cyclosporiasis, it results from fluid loss, muscle wasting and nutrient malabsorption — not healthy fat reduction.

Intentionally exposing yourself to Cyclospora — or ignoring symptoms of infection — can carry serious health risks, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Left untreated, a Cyclospora infection can persist for weeks or even months, cycling through periods of apparent improvement followed by relapses.

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Cyclospora cannot be detected through standard bacterial stool cultures and requires a specific laboratory test ordered by a physician.

Unlike many common stomach bugs that resolve on their own, severe or persistent Cyclospora infections typically require a prescription antibiotic, most often trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, to fully eliminate the parasite.

Severe diarrhea and vomiting can also lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and complications that are especially dangerous for children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, experts warn.

"With diarrhea, if you’re not able to control that part of it, you’re going to lose a lot of electrolytes, so you’re going to have problems with muscle cramps and headaches and all those sorts of things," Carroll said.

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"We’re really aware of dehydration in this state; you don’t want to get to the state where your heart just can’t pump enough blood because there is no water in there."

Medical professionals urge the public not to view parasitic infections as a weight-loss shortcut. Instead, experts from Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic recommend practicing safe food handling and seeking medical attention for persistent gastrointestinal symptoms.

"People who are influencers on social media, a lot of people listen to them," Carroll said. "There’s millions of followers for these people and even the most off-colored comment, or meant to be funny, could be considered something serious."

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"Especially to someone who might be dealing and struggling with their weight; they might think, ‘Hey, it might be a good idea,’ and it’s never a good idea."

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Shark Week puts shark bite survival in focus with ER doc's expert tips

While shark encounters are exceedingly rare, an unexpected bite can pose an immediate, life-threatening emergency.

In the critical first five minutes following an attack, swift action is the single biggest factor in survival.

Dr. Kenneth J. Perry, an emergency medicine physician based in South Carolina, broke down the vital steps bystanders and victims should take to manage the situation before professional medical care arrives.

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The first step is to get the victim onto land or a boat to prevent further bites and avoid drowning. Once out of the water, the focus can shift to bleeding control.

"Shark bites vary in intensity and severity, but the main issue that all of them share is the need to stop the bleeding," Perry told Fox News Digital.

Because shark teeth can easily tear through major arteries, veins and tendons, uncontrolled blood loss is the biggest immediate threat.

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For severe limb injuries, it's essential to apply a tourniquet, but many people fail to apply sufficient pressure. The tourniquet must be placed above the wound and tightened to the point where a pulse can no longer be felt, according to Perry.

For example, if a victim is bitten near the elbow, the tourniquet must be placed around the upper bicep and tightened until the pulse at the wrist disappears completely.

"It may be painful, but it is necessary," Perry noted.

This aligns with national trauma protocols from the American College of Surgeons' Stop the Bleed initiative, which emphasizes that effective tourniquet placement requires firm, tight compression to fully stop arterial blood flow.

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Tourniquets are temporary tools and should be used for as short a duration as possible, Perry cautioned. There is a maximum window of about two hours before tissue damage occurs from lack of oxygenated blood flow.

If someone is stranded in a remote area and immediate emergency transport is unavailable, Perry recommends using a pressure dressing.

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This involves folding gauze multiple times, placing it directly over the specific point of bleeding, and wrapping it tightly. While a pressure dressing does not eliminate blood loss as completely as a tourniquet, it carries a much lower risk of tissue necrosis (death) during prolonged waits.

Bystanders play a crucial role beyond physical first aid by helping the victim stay motionless and quiet. Panic increases heart rate and blood pressure, which accelerates blood loss, the doctor noted.

Loss of consciousness after a shark attack can have more than one cause, Perry said.

A sudden drop in blood pressure and the body's stress response may trigger fainting. If the victim was deep underwater and surfaced too quickly during the attack, unconsciousness could signal a pressure-related diving injury, such as arterial gas embolism or barotrauma, which requires emergency treatment.

While controlling blood loss is crucial in the first five minutes, long-term recovery involves fighting off severe marine bacteria.

Aquatic bites are notorious sources of aggressive skin and soft-tissue infections like cellulitis, Perry warned.

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Once a patient is resuscitated with fluids and blood products at a medical facility, aggressive antibiotic treatment usually follows.

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Carly Simon reveals the common condition that masked her Parkinson's diagnosis

Singer Carly Simon has revealed that her Parkinson's disease was initially mistaken for arthritis, highlighting how the two conditions can share similar symptoms, particularly in the early stages.

"My health issues began with arthritis in both knees and one hip. I had all three joints replaced, and at first, I thought the difficulty I was having walking was simply part of the long recovery process," Simon said in a statement shared with multiple media outlets on July 27.

"Eventually, there were periods when I could not walk without considerable help. My family and I knew that something more was going on. After an extensive evaluation at Mayo Clinic, I was diagnosed with Parkinson's."

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Arthritis is far more common than Parkinson's disease, affecting nearly 60 million U.S. adults compared with about 1.1 million Americans living with Parkinson's, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Even so, about 90,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year, making it a relatively common neurological disorder despite being far less prevalent than arthritis.

Arthritis primarily affects the joints and connective tissues, causing pain, inflammation, stiffness and structural damage, per the CDC. The most common types are osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear of cartilage) and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease).

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that mainly affects the brain and nervous system, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA). Dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain gradually die or become impaired, affecting movement.

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Although the conditions can share mobility problems, arthritis is typically driven by painful joint inflammation, while Parkinson's primarily affects movement through changes in the brain, according to Dr. Guy Schwartz, a neurologist with Stony Brook Medicine in New York.

"Parkinson's disease can sometimes be misdiagnosed as arthritis, and vice versa," Schwartz, who specializes in Parkinson's disease, told Fox News Digital. "The one main symptom that they share is difficulty with walking — some kind of impediment, limitation or disability."

While arthritis and Parkinson's are fundamentally different diseases, health experts say they can share the following symptoms that can make diagnosis difficult.

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The two conditions can also occur in the same person, Schwartz noted, since both become more common with age. "I've definitely been challenged by individuals who come to me with these symptoms," he said. "Sometimes the examination is confounded by significant arthritis."

While many people may connect Parkinson’s with tremors, early signs of the disease usually include stiffness, slowness and changes in gait. 

In older adults who have been diagnosed with arthritis or have had joint replacements, those same symptoms can easily be attributed to joint disease or surgical recovery.

Some Parkinson’s symptoms are not typically seen in arthritis cases. People who experience the following signs should consult a neurologist, according to the Parkinson's Foundation.

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While tremor is often considered a hallmark symptom, Schwartz cautioned that it isn't always present. "About a third of individuals with Parkinson's disease do not have a tremor," he said. "That's when the diagnosis becomes more challenging."

"In Parkinson's disease, dexterity becomes compromised because of slowness and stiffness," the expert added. "In arthritis, it's more of a mechanical issue, where the joints don't allow full range of motion."

The two conditions can be especially difficult to distinguish because both are largely diagnosed based on a patient's symptoms and physical examination rather than one definitive test, according to Schwartz.

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There is no single blood test or imaging scan that can definitively confirm Parkinson’s, as "very few things in medicine are 100%," he said.

However, newer diagnostic tools have emerged, including specialized imaging and skin biopsy testing. "We're still learning," the neurologist said, adding that a blood test may be on the horizon.

For now, diagnoses are made based on the following factors, per the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Schwartz emphasized that early diagnostic uncertainty is not uncommon. "It's not unusual for there to be misdiagnoses," he said. "Sometimes seeing a patient over time helps — eventually the disease declares itself, and then it's easier to make the diagnosis."

Anyone experiencing persistent walking difficulties, stiffness or other symptoms that don't seem fully explained by arthritis should discuss them with a healthcare provider, who can determine whether a neurological evaluation is appropriate.

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Drink-spiking defense: New bracelet aims to expose drugs with a drop of your cocktail

A University of South Florida (USF) graduate student is developing a high-tech new way to stay safe in style.

Addison Bounds, a 22-year-old former USF beach volleyball player, co-founded Elora Armor, a brand that creates jewelry with a sensor designed to warn its wearer when dangerous substances have been slipped into their drinks.

The company plans to offer bracelets, pendants, keychains and potentially phone cases that can alert if a drink has been drugged, Bounds told Fox 13 Tampa Bay.

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Bounds co-founded the brand with Kira Robichaud, a friend with a science background who is helping lead a small team of women developing the technology.

The jewelry is designed to detect benzodiazepines, a common drug linked to drink spiking. After some of the liquid is dropped onto the electromagnetic sensor, an alert is sent through an app, revealing whether the drink has been tampered with.

"You just drop – whatever's on your finger is plenty – onto the surface of the product," Bounds said.

"You’ll receive a notification to your phone telling you if that drink is safe to consume or not, and if your drink has been spiked, your live location is immediately sent to your safety network that you've connected to the app."

Bounds shared that a friend of hers was drugged in high school and later found unconscious in a closet, where she had been assaulted.

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"It's like a really rude awakening ... there are people who really intend to do harm, and there isn't really anyone looking out for us except for ourselves," she said.

Bounds said she hopes to launch the bracelets in January 2028, ahead of the L.A. Olympics, with the goal to "stop drink spiking from happening in the first place."

Statistics on drink spiking in America remain limited, as it's difficult to measure and a national tracking system does not exist.

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However, a 2017 study of more than 6,000 college students at three universities found that 7.8% reported having been drugged without their knowledge or consent. The group included about 10% of the female students and 4% of the males.

Common drink-spiking drugs are often hard to detect and their effect can worsen when mixed with alcohol, according to the Center for Violence Prevention and Self Defense Training. Drink spiking happens most commonly in busy social settings, making it more difficult to detect.

CVPSD warned to watch out for cues and symptoms that a drink may have been spiked and consumed. Those include rapid or unexpected intoxication, sudden behavioral changes, memory lapses, hallucinations, paranoia, and an unusual appearance or taste of a drink.

Physical symptoms can also include loss of balance, blurred vision, slurred speech, nausea, vomiting and trouble breathing.

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Some basic strategies for preventing drink spiking include never leaving your drink unattended, only accepting drinks from trusted people, using drink covers, avoiding communal containers, sticking with friends and being aware of your surroundings, experts say.

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More than 12,000 pounds of bacon recalled after USDA issues highest-risk alert

More than 12,000 pounds of imported smoked bacon have been recalled, according to an alert from the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The not-ready-to-eat bacon, which is sold in three states, is produced by Maple Leaf Foods, Inc., located in Lisle, Illinois. It was distributed to grocery distributors and retailers in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

Fox News Digital reached out to Maple Leaf Foods requesting comment.

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The bacon was recalled because it was imported from Canada without undergoing a required U.S. import inspection, the USDA stated in its July 24 alert. 

The issue was discovered during routine inspection activities.

The USDA classified this as a Class I recall, its most serious category of recalls. 

The FSIS defines a Class I recall as a "health hazard situation where there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious, adverse health consequences or death."

The Class I designation reflects the potential risk posed by the inspection failure, but does not indicate any confirmed illnesses linked to consumption of the bacon.

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The recalled products — produced on June 9, June 10, June 12, June 13 and June 15, 2026 — include the following, per the USDA alert. 

The recalled product has the Canadian establishment number "EST. 1" printed on the side of the package, and the health certificate "2026-S732971612" on the master case boxes, the USDA's alert states. 

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Anyone who has any of these products in their fridge or freezer should throw them away or return them to the place where they were purchased, health officials advised.

Consumers with food safety questions can send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov.

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Millions could gain easier access to popular peptides after FDA panel vote

An FDA advisory committee has voted by a majority to recommend broader access to certain peptides.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that help regulate functions such as metabolism, growth and tissue repair, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Some peptides are used in FDA-approved medications, including insulin and GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, while others are experimental compounds marketed for wellness or performance that remain under federal review.

FDA TO REVIEW 7 POPULAR PEPTIDES TOUTED FOR WEIGHT LOSS, HEALING AND LONGEVITY

Seven peptides were reviewed during a two-day hearing held by the FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee in Maryland last week. The panel considered whether each peptide should be added to the Section 503A Bulks List.

If ultimately approved by the FDA, licensed compounding pharmacies could prepare them for valid prescriptions instead of leaving patients to rely on unregulated online vendors.

The committee voted in favor of loosening restrictions on the following six peptides, according to Reuters.

While some peptide experts celebrate this as one step closer to access to life-improving drugs, others claim there isn’t enough data on safety and efficacy. The FDA will now consider the committee's recommendation before making a final decision.

Jim LaValle, a Texas-based clinical pharmacist and chair of the International Peptide Society, who testified at the hearings, noted that restrictions still exist.

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"This was not FDA approval, nor was it a blanket endorsement of every peptide, every use or unrestricted access," LaValle, who is also a board-certified nutritionist, told Fox News Digital. "I have said throughout this process that you do not solve a quality problem by forcing the market underground."

"I was encouraged by the committee’s recommendation because it creates an opportunity to move patients away from unverified research use only (RUO), otherwise known as grey market products, and toward a more accountable medical pathway."

LaValle said his work with the International Peptide Society focuses on training clinicians about the potential benefits and risks of peptide therapies as interest in the compounds grows.

The "right model" is access with guardrails, qualified clinicians, licensed pharmacies, validated quality testing and "meaningful" patient follow-up, according to the expert.

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"My hope is that the FDA follows the recommendation with a transparent, science-driven process; establishes clear, peptide-specific standards; and follows the guidance for approving a substance that meets the FDA’s current regulations," LaValle said.

This process includes checking that both the active ingredient and the final product meet quality standards, and setting up a system for tracking and reporting any side effects.

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"The peptide revolution is here," LaValle said. "However, don’t expect miracles. Better choices related to diet, exercise, gut health, sleep, stress and managing metabolic health, guided by regular lab assessments, should be the goal."

"In some cases, peptides can play an important part on the journey of performance aging and repair," he went on. "The American public should understand that nothing changed overnight."

LaValle emphasized that the advisory committee's vote was only a recommendation, not a final FDA decision, and noted that compounded medications are regulated differently than FDA-approved drugs.

"The evidence is also not equally mature across all peptides that are approved by the FDA," he noted. "People should avoid products sold online as ‘research use only’ and should not self-experiment."

"Any consideration of peptide therapy should involve a qualified licensed clinician and a legitimate licensed pharmacy."

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Is drinking every day alcoholism? Experts explain where culture and addiction collide

A clip from Ed Sheeran's appearance on "The Louis Theroux Podcast" has recently resurfaced on social media, sparking renewed debate over differences between British and American attitudes toward alcohol.

"Americans call something ‘alcoholism’ that Brits simply call ‘culture.’ Maybe one or two pints at the end of a workday," the singer said during the 2025 podcast.

"On a Friday you’ll have 6 pints and a bottle of wine. It’s not alcoholism to drink every day here … It’s just the culture."

NIGHTLY GLASS OF WINE MAY NOT BE AS HARMLESS AS MANY PEOPLE THINK, STUDY SUGGESTS

Americans and Britons consume similar amounts of alcohol overall, with the average adult drinking about 9.7 liters of pure alcohol per year, according to the World Health Organization.

Drinking patterns — such as how often people drink, how much they consume in a single sitting and social attitudes toward alcohol — can differ even when overall consumption is similar, according to public health experts.

In the U.K., pubs are commonly regarded as community gathering places, with alcohol representing a routine part of social life for many people. In the U.S., attitudes toward drinking tend to vary more widely by region, religion and social norms, experts say.

Jessica Steinman, chief clinical officer at No Matter What Recovery in Los Angeles, noted that British and American cultures have always been very different, and that includes alcohol consumption.

DRINKING ALCOHOL MAY INFLUENCE CRAVINGS FOR CERTAIN FOODS IN A SURPRISING WAY, STUDY SUGGESTS

"Americans can’t legally drink until 21, and it is frowned upon to do so before that age," she told Fox News Digital. "In England, there is less stigma and restrictions around alcohol, which changes how people view it and drink it."

"Regardless of where anyone lives and regardless of their culture, when alcohol or substances start negatively affecting someone’s life or when someone cannot control the levels of alcohol they drink, then it is a problem," Steinman said.

"When drinking gets in the way of a job, school or relationships — or when people start numbing out from difficult feelings or escaping their problems through alcohol — it isn’t just cultural drinking, it’s an addiction."

Steinman said she's concerned that people with alcohol use disorder may dismiss or justify their drinking as a normal part of their local culture, making them less likely to recognize it as a problem and seek help.

Chris Tuell, Ed.D., clinical director of addiction services at Lindner Center of HOPE and associate professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, reiterated that Sheeran’s comments highlight how culture influences people’s perceptions of alcohol.

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"What is considered ‘normal’ in one country may seem excessive in another," he told Fox News Digital. "In parts of the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Australia or even parts of the U.S., drinking is woven into sporting events, celebrations, work gatherings and family traditions."

Tuell noted, however, that culture does not determine whether someone has alcohol use disorder (AUD).

"The fact that something is common does not automatically make it healthy — the same principle applies to alcohol," he told Fox News Digital. "A person may live in a culture where drinking every evening is expected. Another person may rarely drink because their culture discourages alcohol altogether. Neither person's cultural background alone tells us whether alcohol is helping or hurting them."

Two people can drink exactly the same amount each week while having completely different outcomes, according to Tuell.

"One person may drink socially, maintain healthy relationships, perform well at work and easily choose not to drink when needed," he said. "Another person drinking the exact same amount may experience worsening anxiety, strained relationships, poor sleep, financial problems, declining health and an inability to stop."

Whether someone drinks every day, only on weekends or only at celebrations is only part of the picture, the expert noted.

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Tuell recommends paying close attention to the following important patterns that can potentially indicate alcohol use disorder.

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"Ultimately, AUD is measured less by how much a person drinks and more by how much alcohol has begun to take from their life," Tuell said.

"That perspective moves us beyond stereotypes and cultural expectations. It replaces judgment with curiosity, stigma with understanding, and shame with the opportunity for honest self-reflection and meaningful change."

One of the greatest barriers to recognizing a drinking problem is comparison, according to the expert — as people might say things like "everyone I know drinks this much" or "my family drinks every day."

"Those comparisons can be misleading," Tuell said. "Imagine someone saying, ‘everyone in my family has high blood pressure.’ That doesn't make untreated hypertension healthy. Likewise, widespread drinking doesn't eliminate the possibility that alcohol is causing harm."

Anyone experiencing symptoms of alcohol use disorder should consult a healthcare provider for evaluation and guidance.

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Financial hardship may age the brain faster, researchers say in new study

Adults who faced persistent financial hardship showed poorer cognitive performance and signs of accelerated brain aging later in life, according to a new study.

Researchers at University College London looked at 2,759 U.K. participants from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development born in 1946, as stated in a press release.

Adults who reported experiencing persistent financial hardship or low income performed worse on cognitive tests that assessed verbal memory and processing speed.

LONGER LIVES, WORSE HEALTH? SCIENTISTS UNCOVER TROUBLING TREND ACROSS GENERATIONS

Those who had persistent low income also showed poorer brain health based on MRI scans, which measured markers of aging like brain shrinkage and enlarged ventricles.

"[While] we know well that cognitive decline is associated with both genetic risks and adverse childhood experience, we knew very little about what happens during the life course … particularly, the experience of persistent financial stress over the lifetime," study author Dr Jacques Wels from the Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing at UCL told Fox News Digital.

ALZHEIMER'S BLOOD TESTS MAY PREDICT SYMPTOMS YEARS IN ADVANCE, BUT EXPERTS URGE CAUTION

"The study clearly demonstrates … that the accumulation of poverty is linked to cognitive decline. We used different measures of lifecourse financial adversity and different measures of cognitive decline and they all show the same results, which makes the results solid."

The associations were strongest among men, people who had disadvantaged childhoods and carriers of the APOE-ε4 genetic variant that is linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer's disease.

"The study shows that [while] cognitive decline is both a matter of genetic risks and individual behaviors, it is also affected by the experiences we live over our lives that we don’t always have control on," Wels added.

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Based on the findings, the researchers suggested that chronic financial adversity over decades, rather than short-term periods of hardship, is linked to faster cognitive aging.

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This could be the result of chronic stress leading to inflammation or increased cognitive load from persistent financial worry, the authors proposed.

There were some limitations of the study, including that its observational design could not prove that the financial stress caused the cognitive effects.

"We are looking at a cohort of people born in 1946 – so their life course experience is really dependent on the context they lived in," Wels noted. "For instance, we found stronger effects among males, which reflects the ‘breadwinner’ role of men in older cohorts, something we might not observe in more recent generations."

Even after accounting for many other factors that could influence brain health, it's still possible that unmeasured variables may have affected the results, the study authors acknowledged.

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While reducing long-term poverty could help protect brain health, the UCL team said further studies are needed to determine whether improving financial circumstances directly reduces the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

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Dad suffers heart attack days before daughter's wedding — then doctors make sure he walks her down the aisle

A father who suffered a heart attack just days before his daughter's wedding refused to let open-heart surgery keep him from walking her down the aisle.

Days before the planned ceremony, Rick Nelson began having chest pains while at a friend’s home. His wife, Gail, rushed him to Cleveland Clinic’s Marymount Emergency Department, according to a hospital statement sent to Fox News Digital.

When it was confirmed that Nelson was having a heart attack, he was brought by helicopter to Cleveland Clinic's main campus. Doctors found multiple severe coronary blockages that would require open-heart surgery.

BRIDE IS WALKED DOWN WEDDING AISLE BY MAN WHO RECEIVED HER LATE FATHER'S HEART

As Nelson was prepped for surgery, he told his doctors, "My daughter, Rachel, is getting married Saturday. I have to be there."

Following a successful quadruple bypass performed by cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Faisal Bakaeen, Nelson began recovering in the ICU.

The initial plan was for his daughter to come visit him the hospital so he could have a first look at her in her wedding dress — but that evolved into something much bigger.

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Care teams from across the hospital worked together to make sure Nelson could take part in the June 6 wedding, coordinating every detail to safely move the ceremony to the hospital's rooftop.

Just days after undergoing life-saving heart surgery, Nelson traded his hospital bed for a front-row seat at his daughter's wedding. His care team prepared the venue, helped Nelson get dressed for the occasion and made sure he was able to walk his daughter down the aisle.

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Nearly 80 family members and friends gathered on the hospital rooftop, where caregivers lined the aisle as Nelson — still recovering from the surgery he’d undergone just days earlier — accompanied his daughter to meet her groom, Dana Schultz.

"Moments like these remind us the work we do is about more than medicine. It’s about people, families and milestones that can’t be repeated — and the shared commitment of a team to make something so meaningful possible," said Dr. Bakaeen, according to Cleveland Clinic’s statement.

"It’s hard to put into words what this meant to us," Nelson’s wife said. "Everyone went above and beyond."

The celebration continued later that day at the couple’s reception, where the bride’s mother started her toast with a lighthearted quip: "He didn’t have to make this dramatic of a move to get out of giving a speech."

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Nelson has since been discharged and is recovering at home with his family while beginning cardiac rehabilitation — grateful he was able to keep the promise he made to his daughter.

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Skipping sleep may pack on pounds faster than you think, new study finds

Regularly cutting back on sleep could cause the number on the scale to creep up, according to new research.

A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that adults who got about 90 minutes less sleep each night for six weeks gained roughly one pound on average compared with periods when they got enough rest.

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center studied 95 adults who were already at risk for heart or metabolic disease, comparing six weeks of adequate sleep with six weeks of cutting about 90 minutes of sleep each night.

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By the end of the sleep-restricted phase, participants weighed about one pound more on average and had slightly larger waistlines. They also spent more time sitting, although their levels of moderate and vigorous exercise remained about the same.

While participants gained weight, researchers did not detect significant changes in body fat or muscle mass. They also did not track how much participants ate, so it's unclear what drove the increase.

Dr. Somi Javaid, an Ohio-based OB-GYN and founder of HerMD who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital that sleep plays an important role in regulating the body's metabolism.

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Javaid said chronic sleep deprivation can make it harder for the body to regulate weight, but noted that women going through menopause may be especially vulnerable because sleep problems become more common during that stage of life.

"We are destroying women's sleep at the exact life stage when their metabolism is [the] least able to absorb the hit, then telling them to eat less and exercise more," Javaid said.

She added that the American Heart Association now recognizes sleep as one of its "Life's Essential 8" for heart health and recommends adults get seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

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"Chronic short sleep is not a lifestyle quirk," Javaid said. "We need to treat sleep as a vital sign of health."

While the findings suggest regularly getting less sleep may contribute to weight gain, the researchers noted several limitations of the study.

They said the six-week study may not have been long enough to detect meaningful changes in body fat, which can take longer to develop than changes in body weight.

The researchers also noted that the study's relatively small sample size limited their ability to compare results among different groups of participants. In addition, some hormone measurements were collected only in the morning and may not have reflected fluctuations that occur throughout the day.

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Popular pastime sending more Americans to ER with devastating injuries

The Detroit, Michigan, metro area is reporting an uptick in serious incidents related to electric bikes (e-bikes).

Fox 2 Detroit reported that police are seeing a rise in e-bike crashes, while doctors say they're treating a growing number of related injuries.

These incidents have reportedly led some communities to seek restrictions on e-bikes or to ban them altogether.

SHARON STONE'S TERRIFYING WEED WITHDRAWAL SPARKS WARNING ABOUT TODAY'S POTENT MARIJUANA

Some e-bikes can reach speeds of up to 28 miles per hour, increasing the potential severity of crashes on sidewalks and streets.

Fox 2 Detroit spoke with emergency room doctor Robert Sherwin of the Detroit Medical Center, who reported seeing everything from minor injuries to major trauma related to e-bike incidents.

"These Class 3 bikes are probably more like motor vehicles," he said. "They travel up to 28 miles an hour, and a lot of riders aren't expecting that, might not be experienced in that."

"These e-bikes are heavier than regular bikes, and they travel much faster, but the human body doesn't change just because a bike has a motor."

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Fox 2 Detroit also spoke with local bike shop owner John Hughes, who suggested the "real issue" has always been sharing the road with cars.

"Cars aren't looking out for bikes... people don't respect bikes as a form of transportation, and that's where it gets dangerous."

Hughes continued, "There's a ton of traffic out there. Everyone is on their cellphones. They're texting and driving constantly."

E-bike rider Cam Cason told Fox 2 Detroit that he takes his e-bike to work and school, crediting it as a "very efficient way" to get around.

"Way better than a car, in my opinion," he said. "When you don't have to spend $30 or $40 just to get some gas, use the electric bike to get where you need to go."

TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME MAY TRIGGER LASTING BRAIN DELAYS, TOP HEALTH OFFICIAL WARNS

As concerns over e-bike safety grow nationwide, states are beginning to tighten regulations. In New Jersey, a new law enacted this year requires e-bikes to be registered, and riders must be at least 15 years old and possess either a valid driver's license or an e-bike license to operate one.

The law was enacted amid growing concerns about e-bike crashes, including the death of a New Jersey teenager. Supporters argued that licensing, helmet and registration requirements would promote responsible riding and reduce bodily harm.

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NYU Langone Health released an advisory in April on the surge in brain and spine injuries related to e-bikes and scooters among riders and pedestrians in New York City.

According to a study published in the journal Neurosurgery, medical emergencies involving pedal-powered and electric bikes and scooters accounted for nearly 7% of trauma patients admitted to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue.

One-third of the 914 patients treated for injuries involving pedal-powered and electric bikes and scooters suffered a traumatic brain injury. More than two-thirds required hospital admission and about 30% needed intensive care.

Physical harm linked to electric bikes and scooters increased from less than 10% of cases in 2018 to more than half by 2023, according to the study. The most common cause of injury, accounting for about half of all cases, was a collision with a car or truck.

Fewer than one-third of riders wore helmets, which was linked to a "significantly higher rate" of brain and facial injuries. The study found that 20% of patients tested positive for alcohol, which was associated with more severe head trauma and lower rates of helmet use.

Pedestrians struck by electric vehicles suffered brain injuries at nearly twice the rate of riders, according to an analysis of 69 pedestrian cases.

Corresponding author Hannah Weiss, MD, a resident in the Department of Neurosurgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, commented in a statement that these findings suggest "micromobility injuries are producing serious brain and spinal trauma that demands neurosurgical care at a scale we haven’t seen before."

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"In a busy urban setting, we are seeing more and more of these injuries firsthand," she went on. "The data point to actionable solutions – helmet use, safer bike lane design and enforcement – that could prevent many of these injuries and better protect both riders and pedestrians."

Paul P. Huang, MD, associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and chief of neurosurgery at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, added that the study highlights that "urban infrastructure must continue to improve to keep pace with the rapid rise of electric bikes and scooters."

"Future studies should track these injuries across multiple cities and measure whether protected bike lanes, helmet programs and speed enforcement actually reduce the number of brain and spine surgeries we perform," Huang said.

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Too much screen time may trigger lasting brain delays, top health official warns

As screens compete for families' attention, children's development is paying the price, top federal health officials warn.

Early and excessive screen time can trigger severe neurocognitive delays in young children, impacting attention spans, memory and language skills, according to Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, interim surgeon general and principal deputy assistant secretary of health.

"Parents are now fighting for attention from the screens," Haridopolos told Fox News Digital.

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To help parents combat screen addiction, the U.S. Surgeon General's Office has released a targeted framework known as "the 5 Ds."

Don't wait for a conflict to establish boundaries, experts recommend. Sit down as a family to outline clear, age-appropriate rules regarding when, where and how long screens can be used throughout the day.

Setting explicit expectations ahead of time cuts down on daily arguments, experts say.

Parents should model healthy screen habits themselves, Haridopolos said. 

"If we're constantly on our screens, then perhaps our children will be, too," she said, encouraging adults to "be good role models and lead by example."

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Rather than defaulting to giving children a tablet when they're bored, Haridopolos recommended steering them toward hands-on activities, such as doing arts and crafts or preparing a healthy meal together.

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Breaks like summer and the holidays are critical windows for families to reset digital boundaries, the interim surgeon general suggested.

Haridopolos encouraged families to build regular screen-free periods into their daily routines, including during meals, car rides and before bedtime.

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As part of the "Delay" step, Haridopolos recommended putting off children's access to screens whenever possible. One way to do that, she said, is by requiring phones and other mobile devices to be charged overnight in a shared household space — like the kitchen or living room — rather than in children's bedrooms.

"Those are some simple activities that you can do that will make huge changes in the future," the interim surgeon general added.

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Man who beat rare cancer celebrates by canoeing 2,000 miles with his dog

A 67-year-old cancer survivor from Orange County, Florida, completed a more than 2,000-mile journey down the Missouri River alongside his dog, Amos, after undergoing a groundbreaking immunotherapy treatment.

Frank Carter spent 64 days navigating the longest U.S. river in a cedar-strip canoe he built by hand, according to reports from the Moffitt Cancer Center and FOX 13 News.

The expedition began in Montana and concluded near St. Louis, Missouri, requiring the pair to camp along the riverbank while enduring severe storms, high winds and hail, FOX 13 News reported.

'FIT MOM' DID 'EVERYTHING RIGHT' — THEN A COLON CANCER DIAGNOSIS CHANGED HER LIFE

Before his diagnosis, Carter was a long-distance adventurer. According to the Moffitt Cancer Center, he spent five months hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2019 and completed an eight-week cross-country bicycle ride from San Diego to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, in 2020.

However, his physical limits were tested in a new way in 2021 following a routine 5K race.

"I was wiped out. I just wasn't recovering," Carter told FOX 13 News. "I went to my doctor, had blood tests. Long story short, in two weeks I was getting chemo."

Doctors diagnosed Carter with mantle cell lymphoma, a rare form of blood cancer that originates in white blood cells known as lymphocytes. He underwent 15 rounds of chemotherapy in Orlando, according to Moffitt Cancer Center.

Although the treatment significantly reduced the cancer, follow-up exams showed lingering traces of the disease.

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Carter then sought care at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa to undergo chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, which involves extracting the patient's own immune cells, genetically altering them in a laboratory to identify cancer cells, and adding them back into the body.

"We take those T-cells and genetically engineer them by putting something called a CAR into them," Dr. Michael Jain, an oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center, told FOX 13 News. "Now these T-cells can see the tumor and get rid of it, where before the tumor was able to hide from it."

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Carter has remained cancer-free for four years following the single infusion. Throughout his recovery, he has found constant support in his dog, Amos, whom he brought home right before beginning chemotherapy.

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"After my cancer diagnosis, I told myself I was going to beat this, and I really wanted a dog during the process," Carter told Moffitt's Endeavor publication. "I got Amos right before my first treatment."

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Longer lives, worse health? Scientists uncover troubling trend across generations

People across the world are living longer, but they’re also spending more years coping with ill health, a recent study observed.

The "morbidity gap" — the number of years people spend in poor health, typically struggling with chronic challenges such as low back pain, hearing loss and depression — widened across 203 of 204 countries analyzed, and was the most pronounced in America, the researchers found.

"Globally in 2023, an average of 14·5% of life was spent in poor health, compared to 13·6% in 1990," the researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington reported.

JANE SEYMOUR, 75, SHARES HOW SHE APPROACHES AGING WITH VITALITY: 'BEST I CAN BE'

In the United States, the morbidity gap is about 14 years, or 17.8% of the expected lifespan.

"Between 1990 and 2023, global life expectancy at birth increased from 64.6 years to 73.8 years, while healthy life expectancy rose from 55.9 years to 63.1 years," the researchers reported in a news release.

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"Because gains in survival consistently outpaced gains in healthy years of life, people are spending more years living with chronic disease and disability," they wrote.

The gap widened the most in the wealthiest countries where populations have access to life-extending resources, the researchers reported. Women are also living longer than men, but also spending more years in poor health, they found.

"To me, the most important message of this study is not that people are living longer — it is that we have become far better at delaying death than delaying functional decline," Dr. Antony Chu, clinical assistant professor at Brown University’s Warren Alpert School of Medicine, told Fox News Digital.

"Modern medicine has achieved remarkable success in reducing mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer, trauma and infectious illness," he said. "Yet many of those additional years are now lived with chronic pain, disability, sensory loss, depression or reduced independence."

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Researchers analyzed Global Burden of Disease data covering 204 countries and territories from 1990 through 2023. In their report, published by The Lancet Public Health, scientists observed that a small number of chronic, largely non-fatal causes were the primary contributors to the morbidity gap.

Musculoskeletal disorders, especially low back pain, mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, hearing loss, falls and other non-communicable accounted for about 57% of all years lived in poor health worldwide. High fasting plasma glucose, obesity and aging populations were also important contributors.

The researchers noted that the study points to broad health trends but doesn’t prove exactly what's causing people to spend more years in poor health.

"Our findings suggest that future gains in population health will come not only from helping people live longer, but from helping them live healthier," said Dr. Christopher Murray, director of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington School of Medicine and senior author of the study.

"Progress in healthy aging should be measured not only by lifespan, but by healthspan [the number of years spent in good health], with greater investment in prevention, long-term disease management and chronic care to reduce years lived in poor health," Murray added.

The goal should no longer be simply extending lifespan, but compressing morbidity and maximizing the number of years people remain physically, cognitively and socially well, Chu told Fox News Digital.

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"Ultimately, I believe the next frontier of medicine is not simply adding years to life, but adding life to years," he said. "First, we need to focus on preserving function rather than simply reacting to disease."

The approach involves routinely assessing mobility, muscle strength, balance, hearing, cognition and overall physical resilience. Chu said this may prove just as important as monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose.

"Functional decline often begins years before disability becomes obvious, providing an opportunity for earlier intervention," he said.

Musculoskeletal health also deserves much greater emphasis, Chu said.

"Progressive resistance training, fall prevention, maintenance of muscle mass and early treatment of chronic back pain should become core components of preventive medicine rather than afterthoughts," he said. "Preserving mobility may ultimately have as much impact on healthy aging as preventing heart disease."

Mental health and social connection are another vital component to healthspan, Chu said.

"Hearing loss, depression, anxiety and loneliness frequently reinforce one another, accelerating physical decline while diminishing quality of life," he said. "Addressing these conditions early may improve both longevity and independence."

Chu, who is the child of immigrants, said it’s his belief that Americans often overlook an important cultural dimension of healthy aging.

"In many societies outside the United States, older adults continue to play an active and respected role within multigenerational families," he said. "They remain mentors, caregivers, historians and sources of wisdom. This continued sense of purpose and belonging may provide meaningful protection against loneliness, depression and loss of identity."

"By contrast, many older Americans experience increasing social isolation precisely when maintaining meaningful relationships may be most important," Chu added. "Healthy aging is not determined solely by biology; it is also shaped by community, purpose and human connection."

from Health News Today on Fox News https://ift.tt/yvniRLS

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