A stroke is a serious condition that affects many people every year.
According to the U.S. health authorities at the CDC, nearly one in four strokes occurs in people who have already experienced the condition once before.
Research published in the journal Stroke also shows that a recurrent stroke often carries a greater risk of severe complications or death than the first.
As a result, researchers are working to find better treatments for patients who have already been affected.
New method being tested
Today, many patients receive blood-thinning medication or cholesterol-lowering treatment after a stroke. The challenge is that these medications can increase the risk of bleeding.
According to Parade, researchers have now examined a blood protein called factor XI. People with low levels of this protein appear to have a lower risk of developing blood clots.
Researchers have therefore developed a drug called asundexian, which targets this protein in a new way.
Results offer hope
A large international study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, involving more than 12,000 participants, showed that asundexian reduced the risk of new strokes by 26 percent compared with a placebo.
The drug is now being evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If approved, it could reach the market in early 2027.
Experts stress, however, that a healthy diet, exercise, good sleep, and reduced tobacco use remain important in preventing strokes.
Sources: Parade, CDC, Stroke, and The New England Journal of Medicine.
Many people try to eat healthier before summer, but staying full throughout the day can be difficult. Cravings and unnecessary snacking often become the biggest obstacle, especially during busy afternoons and evenings.
According to nutrition experts and reports highlighted by the Hungarian outlet Kiskegyed, one tropical fruit is now gaining attention for its potential health benefits and ability to support healthy eating habits.
More than exotic
While citrus fruits like lemons and grapefruit are often linked to weight loss, experts say other fruits may offer similar advantages.
Passion fruit is now being highlighted for its combination of low calories and high fibre content. Nutrition specialists explain that fibre helps slow digestion, which can increase feelings of fullness and reduce the urge to snack between meals, reports Newsner.
Because of this, the fruit is becoming increasingly popular among people trying to improve their diet before summer.
Why experts are interested
Health experts also point to the antioxidants and plant compounds naturally found in passion fruit. Some studies suggest these nutrients may help support metabolism and contribute to more stable blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Researchers stress that no single food can remove belly fat on its own. However, they say passion fruit can be a useful addition to a balanced lifestyle that includes regular exercise and healthy eating habits.
The fruit can easily be added to yoghurt, smoothies or eaten fresh as a simple snack.
A new study from McGill University in Canada, published in Anesthesiology, raises questions about whether ice always helps the body in the best possible way.
Researchers examined injuries in mice and found that cold treatment could quickly reduce pain.
At the same time, the results showed that the healing process in some cases took longer.
Previous research has also suggested that treatments designed to reduce inflammation may affect the body’s natural response to injuries, according to SciTechDaily.
Not tested on humans
The researchers emphasize that the findings cannot yet be directly applied to humans.
New trials have therefore been launched to investigate whether the same effect occurs in patients recovering from minor surgeries.
The researchers believe that more knowledge is needed about when anti-inflammatory treatments are beneficial and when they may delay the body’s healing process.
The study therefore suggests that using ice for injuries may not always be as beneficial as many people believe.
The researchers behind the study believe that exercise recommendations should be tailored to each individual.
Some people may need significantly more physical activity than others to achieve the same health benefits.
The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, is based on data from more than 17,000 participants from the UK Biobank in the United Kingdom. Participants wore activity trackers and completed a fitness test.
The researchers examined the relationship between exercise, physical fitness, and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Limited effect
Over a period of nearly eight years, researchers recorded more than 1,200 cases of conditions including blood clots, stroke, and heart failure.
People who followed the current recommendation of at least 150 minutes of exercise per week showed only a slightly lower risk of disease. The reduction was between 8 and 9 percent.
The study also found that people with lower fitness levels needed to exercise more than fitter individuals to achieve the same health benefits.
Much more exercise
Researchers only observed a clear improvement when participants engaged in between 560 and 610 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per week. That is roughly four times the current recommendations.
Only 12 percent of participants reached that level of activity.
However, the researchers emphasized that the study cannot prove that exercise alone was responsible for the lower risk.
Sources: SciTechDaily and British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Belly fat is not just about appearance. When fat accumulates around the body’s internal organs, it may be linked to a higher risk of several serious health conditions, according to VivaBem.
Belly fat is more than a cosmetic concern
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Fat around the abdomen is not only an aesthetic issue. It can also affect your health when it builds up around the body’s internal organs.
Fat can accumulate around the organs
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When fat is stored close to organs such as the liver, stomach, and intestines, it is considered a more harmful type of body fat.
The risk of disease may increase
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This type of fat accumulation has been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Eat more soluble fiber
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A higher intake of soluble fiber has been associated with lower levels of visceral fat and may also help increase feelings of fullness.
Soluble fiber is found in many everyday foods
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Good sources of soluble fiber include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
Soluble fiber may affect the absorption of fat and sugar
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Soluble fiber absorbs water and forms a gel-like substance in the stomach, which may help reduce the absorption of both fat and sugar.
Limit alcohol consumption
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High alcohol intake has been associated with a larger waist circumference and increased belly fat.
Choose a protein-rich diet
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Lean meat, eggs, and dairy products may help increase satiety and have been linked in studies cited by VivaBem to lower levels of belly fat.
Cut back on sugar
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A high intake of fructose and added sugar has been associated with increased visceral fat.
Replace refined carbohydrates with whole grains
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Whole-grain products have been linked to better blood sugar regulation and lower levels of belly fat.
Get probiotics through your diet
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Yogurt and other fermented foods may support a healthy gut microbiome and have been associated with lower body fat.
Eat fatty fish every week
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Salmon, sardines, mackerel, and herring provide both high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Fatty fish have been linked to lower fat levels
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According to studies cited by VivaBem, eating fatty fish has been associated with lower fat accumulation around both the liver and the abdomen.
A new study published in the journal Pharmaceutics and cited by Prevention examined 103 types of tablets with a special coating designed to ensure that the medication is released later in the digestive system.
In the laboratory, researchers tested the tablets with beverages including soft drinks, apple juice, milk, tea, tap water, and mineral water.
They found that some drinks affected the tablets’ protective coating more than others.
Limited guidance
The researchers also reviewed the information provided with the various medications.
They found that the instructions rarely mention which beverages the medication should be taken with.
At the same time, the researchers emphasize that the study was conducted only in a laboratory.
More studies involving humans are therefore needed before the full significance of the findings can be be determined.
The safest choice
According to experts interviewed by Prevention, ordinary tap water or bottled water is the best choice when taking medication, unless the patient information leaflet states otherwise.
The study found that alkaline mineral water, in particular, could cause some tablets to release their medication earlier than intended.
This could mean that the body does not absorb the medication as intended.
Based on the findings, the experts therefore recommend that medication should generally be taken with plain water.
The recommendation applies especially to delayed-release tablets while researchers await further studies.
Many people find that they pay more attention to their mistakes than to the things they do well.
According to trauma therapist Rey Junco of Concord Counseling Associates, this is because the brain is wired to detect potential threats first.
In the past, this was essential for human survival, and that mechanism continues to influence us today, Real Simple reports.
Junco also explains that criticism experienced during childhood, for example, can leave lasting effects.
Later in life, similar situations may trigger those same emotions.
Dr. Sarah Oreck of Mavida Health told Real Simple that the inner critic does not define who you are.
Give your brain new habits
The experts recommend paying attention to self-critical thoughts and asking yourself whether they are based on facts.
Krista Walker, Clinical Director at The Ohana Luxury Addiction Treatment Center, told Real Simple that writing these thoughts down can be helpful.
Oreck also recommends keeping a record of small everyday successes. Doing so can help the brain develop a more balanced view of your own abilities.
Separate the voice
According to Junco, calm breathing can reduce the body’s stress response and make it easier to think clearly.
Afterward, you can try to identify the emotion behind the critical thought.
Oreck says it can also help to view the critical voice as something separate from yourself and to treat yourself with the same understanding and compassion that you would show a good friend.
Roblox is a platform featuring thousands of games created by both individual users and professional developers.
The games vary widely, ranging from lighthearted animal-themed games to titles featuring violence and horror.
According to Children’s Welfare (Børns Vilkår) from Denmark, games are recommended based on popularity rather than a child’s age.
At the same time, Roblox functions in many ways like a social media platform, where children can play together, communicate, and become part of online communities.
Both social and financial risks
Although Roblox has age controls, children can still come into contact with other users.
Children’s Welfare points out that, in some cases, adults have bypassed the platform’s age-verification system.
For this reason, the organization recommends that parents keep track of who their child is playing with.
The platform is free to use, but many games encourage players to purchase the virtual currency, Robux.
According to Children’s Welfare, it can be difficult for children to understand how much real money they are spending, and some have also reported being scammed in trading transactions.
Children’s welfare’s recommendation
Children’s Welfare recommends that children under the age of 9 should not use Roblox.
The organization also recommends that children under the age of 13 should not have unrestricted access to the platform, but should only use it with the support of a parent.
Parents are therefore encouraged to talk with their child about which games they play, who they interact with on the platform, and whether they have encountered disturbing content or unwanted contact from strangers.
According to Children’s Welfare, Roblox should be approached with the same level of caution and attention as other social media platforms.
According to Healthline, different cooking methods can affect both the fat content and the formation of compounds that may be harmful to the body.
Sausages are also classified as processed meat. A study published in Foods found an association between high consumption of processed meat and conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer.
However, Healthline emphasizes that the research shows an association rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
High temperatures may be a drawback
Pan-frying can be a good option if olive oil or avocado oil is used and the sausages are not cooked over excessively high heat, according to Healthline.
Grilling, using the oven’s grill setting, and deep-frying at high temperatures can produce compounds that research published in Molecules has linked to an increased risk of several diseases.
For this reason, Healthline recommends avoiding charring or burning sausages.
The best choice
Sausages should always be cooked thoroughly to reduce the risk of harmful bacteria.
According to Healthline, they should reach an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).
Overall, boiling and baking are considered the healthiest ways to cook sausages.
These methods require little or no added fat and produce fewer compounds that may be harmful.
Deep-frying, on the other hand, is considered the least healthy method because it adds more fat and calories, according to Healthline.
Staying hydrated is important, but drinking too much water can also become a health risk, according to Vinmec.
What is water intoxication?
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Water intoxication occurs when the body absorbs more water than it can eliminate.
This dilutes the sodium concentration in the blood and can disrupt the body’s balance of fluids and electrolytes.
The kidneys can become overloaded
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Consuming an excessive amount of fluids can put strain on the kidneys.
If the strain becomes severe, it may lead to kidney failure and affect several of the body’s functions.
The liver is not directly affected
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Vinmec points out that the liver is not involved in regulating the body’s water and electrolyte balance.
As a result, water intoxication primarily affects the kidneys.
Young children face a higher risk
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Infants are particularly vulnerable because their kidneys are not yet fully developed.
For this reason, breast milk or infant formula provides all the fluids they need during the first months of life.
Prolonged exercise can increase the risk
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People who engage in intense exercise for more than four hours a day may develop water intoxication.
In these cases, drinking excessive amounts of water can cause blood sodium levels to fall too low.
Dieting can lead to excessive fluid intake
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Some people drink large amounts of water to suppress their appetite and feel full for longer.
Vinmec notes that this is not a safe or effective method of losing weight.
Mental health conditions may play a role
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Excessive water consumption may also be linked to mental health conditions, including compulsive eating or drinking behaviors.
Headaches can be an early warning sign
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When the body takes in too much water, the brain can begin to swell, increasing pressure inside the skull.
As a result, headaches are often one of the earliest symptoms of water intoxication.
Additional symptoms may develop
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Drinking too much water can also cause muscle cramps, fatigue, nausea, and swelling in the lower legs.
This is partly because sodium and potassium become diluted in the bloodstream.
Severe cases can be life-threatening
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In severe cases of water intoxication, symptoms may include hallucinations, seizures, paralysis, coma, and, in the worst cases, death.
Treatment depends on the severity
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Mild cases can often be treated by reducing fluid intake under a doctor’s guidance.
More severe cases may require treatment with diuretic medication.
Prompt treatment may be necessary
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If water intoxication causes severe neurological symptoms, the imbalance between fluids and electrolytes must be treated immediately with a hypertonic saline solution.
Drink according to your body’s needs
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Vinmec recommends drinking when you are thirsty rather than forcing yourself to consume large amounts of water.
The right amount of fluid depends on factors such as age, overall health, activity level, climate, and body weight.
Extra fluids may be needed in hot weather
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When spending time outdoors or in hot conditions, drinking around 500 milliliters of additional water may be appropriate.
If you sweat heavily during exercise, electrolyte drinks or electrolyte tablets can help replenish sodium levels.
