For years, the Alcohol vs. Cannabis debate seemed settled for many people. Alcohol was viewed as the obvious villain, linked to violence, addiction, liver disease, and fatal crashes. Cannabis, by contrast, gained a reputation as the safer option, especially as legalization spread and medical use expanded. Yet psychiatrist Dr Daniel Amen says that assumption deserves...

For most people, dialysis is something they barely think about. For millions of patients around the world, it controls almost every part of daily life. That reality is what makes the idea of a portable dialysis machine so powerful in the first place. When a Canadian teenager suggested a version that could be built for...

Unfortunately, many people are sick for the holidays this year. It’s common for colds and viruses to spread during chilly weather because the cold can dampen immune defenses and increase germs’ viability. Respiratory symptoms tend to include coughing, runny noses, and fevers. But this season, a recurring complaint is a severely sore throat alongside negative...

Seasonal influenza has shifted early this year, and public health agencies are now tracking a rapidly growing H3N2 lineage called the K-variant flu. The scientific label is influenza A(H3N2) subclade K, but the CDC also uses the genetic name J.2.4.1 for this branch. According to the WHO, they have observed a “recent and rapid rise”...

In recent decades, we have come to realize the powerful effect that consuming excess sugar can have on our health. For this reason, non-nutritive sweeteners have blasted onto the scene. From “zero-calorie” soft drinks to diet snack bars and keto-friendly baked goods, alternatives like sucralose, aspartame, stevia, and erythritol have flooded the market. They promise...

“Christmas food comas” are almost a festive tradition. Someone leans back, rubs their stomach, and declares defeat. The phrase sounds dramatic, but for most people, it describes a short-lived crash after overeating. Dr Fuad Jafarov, a gastroenterologist with the ACIBADEM group, says most post-meal bloating and sluggishness come from overindulgence. People eat more, drink more,...

Processed meat is designed for convenience. It is salty, shelf-stable, and engineered to taste strong even after weeks in a fridge. That same processing also changes what ends up in the body. Over time, frequent intake can raise the risk for colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. The goal is not panic or...

The American Medical Association has been sounding alarms about cannabis health risks, and one of the physicians leading that effort is Dr. Michael Suk. As co-chair of the AMA Cannabis Task Force, Dr. Suk has spent the past year educating doctors about the ways cannabis affects the body. One condition the task force wants physicians...

Blood clots help the body stop bleeding after an injury, which is a normal and protective response. However, a clot becomes dangerous when it forms inside a vein or artery without a cut or wound. In these cases, the clot can narrow a blood vessel and slow circulation. It can also block blood flow entirely,...

For decades, the narrative around breast cancer has been clearly defined: it is primarily a disease of older age, something to be vigilant about after age 50. While crucial, this narrative is rapidly being rewritten by unsettling scientific data. A dangerous trend is emerging from clinics and research labs across the world, forcing oncologists and...

Collagen powders, drinks, and gummies promise firm skin and fewer wrinkles, so it is no surprise they fill bathroom shelves and social feeds. People stir the powder into coffee, smoothies, yoghurt bowls, and even water bottles at their desks. Marketing often frames collagen as an effortless shortcut to youthful skin, which sounds tempting during busy...

Morning routines can either ease pressure on your heart or push it harder from the moment you wake up. Blood pressure rises naturally in the early hours, while hormones like cortisol increase. If you already live with hypertension or high cholesterol, the choices you make during this window can raise risk even further. Small shifts...