From July 21 to 25, nearly half of the U.S. population—around 160 million people—are bracing for a brutal midsummer heatwave. What began in the Southeast is now pushing its way into the Mid-South, Midwest, and even the Northeast, bringing not just extreme heat, but an alarming rise in health risks. This isn’t just a stretch of warm weather—it’s a direct consequence of climate change, and it's making heat-related illnesses like exhaustion and stroke increasingly common, and more dangerous.

A Climate Central analysis confirms that human-induced climate change has made this extreme weather event at least three times more likely. For those in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, northern Louisiana, and Texas, triple-digit temperatures are expected across multiple days, with humidity pushing heat index values to 110°F in some areas.

Even nighttime will offer little relief. In states like Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, overnight temperatures are expected to hover 15°F above normal, making it harder for the body to cool down—a key factor in heat-related illness.

What Happens to Your Body in Extreme Heat?

When your body is exposed to prolonged high temperatures—especially when paired with humidity—it struggles to regulate its internal temperature. Sweating is the body’s natural cooling mechanism, but excessive heat can outpace this system, leading to heat exhaustion and, if unchecked, the more severe heat stroke.

Heat exhaustion typically shows up as fatigue, dizziness, nausea, headache, and excessive sweating. Dr. Madhumidha K., MBBS, MD, Internal Medicine at Apollo Spectra Hospital, explains,

“This could lead to loss of essential salts through sweat, and if not managed, progress to heat stroke. At that point, the body can no longer cool itself, leading to confusion, unconsciousness, and even organ failure.”

Heat stroke, unlike exhaustion, is a medical emergency. It can lead to permanent damage or death if not treated quickly. And it’s more common than many think—especially during heatwaves like this one.

Who’s Most at Risk?

While no one is immune, some groups are far more vulnerable:

• Young children whose bodies heat up faster
• Older adults who may have underlying conditions or reduced thirst response
• Outdoor workers, including construction crews, postal workers, and landscapers
• People with chronic illnesses, especially cardiovascular or neurological diseases
• Those without access to air conditioning, particularly in rural or under-resourced areas

Dr. Madhumidha adds, “We often assume these illnesses strike only outdoors. But they can happen anywhere—even in your own kitchen or garage if the space isn’t properly cooled.”

Why the Nighttime Heat Is Especially Concerning?

This year’s heatwave isn’t giving our bodies a break even after sunset. Unusually high overnight lows in the mid-70s to low 80s are predicted—dangerously warm for the body to recover. Sleeping in heat-stressed conditions can elevate heart rate, increase dehydration, and disrupt sleep, weakening the body’s natural defenses by morning.

Role of Climate Change

What used to be considered "unseasonably warm" is now becoming the norm. According to the Climate Shift Index, this kind of intense heat is now 3x more likely due to climate change. The “heat dome” anchoring this weather pattern traps hot air and drives up humidity, worsening heat retention both day and night.

This isn’t isolated. The frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves are increasing across the globe—something public health officials are now treating as a climate-linked health crisis.

How to Protect Yourself and Family From Heat-Related Illness?

Hydration is your frontline defense. Aim to drink water consistently, not just when you’re thirsty. Add water-rich foods like cucumbers, watermelon, or citrus fruits to your diet. Dr. Madhumidha advises, “Avoid drinks that dehydrate you—like caffeinated sodas or alcohol—especially during peak heat hours.”

Dress light and breathe easy, choose loose, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen. Dark colors trap more heat, so opt for light tones when stepping outside.

Time your outdoor activity, avoid physical exertion between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is at its peak. If unavoidable, take frequent breaks and stay in shaded or air-conditioned areas when possible.

Keep your home cool—even on a budget, if air conditioning isn’t an option, use fans strategically. Keep blinds closed during the day, use cold showers to lower your core temperature, and place wet towels on your forehead or neck to cool down quickly.

Be proactive for those at higher risk, check on elderly neighbors, keep children hydrated, and ensure pets have shade and cool water. Watch for early warning signs of heat stress—confusion, flushed skin, or excessive fatigue.

When to Seek Medical Help?

If someone shows signs of heat stroke—hot skin, rapid pulse, disorientation, or fainting—call emergency services immediately. Until help arrives, move them to a cool place, remove excess clothing, and apply ice packs or cool water to their body.

As extreme heat events become more common, this isn’t just about staying cool for one weekend. It’s about adapting our infrastructure, homes, work policies, and public health strategies to match the new climate reality.

Dr. Madhumidha stresses, “Sweating is good—it helps eliminate toxins. But when the heat overwhelms your system, you need to step in. Prevention isn’t just common sense now—it’s survival.”

With climate-linked heatwaves growing more intense and widespread, heat exhaustion and stroke are no longer rare events—they’re foreseeable, preventable threats. Staying informed, acting early, and looking out for others could save lives this week.

The beloved Die Hard star, Bruce Willis, now 70, is spending his retirement surrounded by close family while navigating the challenges of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a progressive brain disorder. Willis publicly stepped away from acting in 2022 after being diagnosed with aphasia, a condition that affects the ability to communicate. A year later, his family revealed the underlying cause: FTD, a condition that gradually affects speech, behavior, and cognition.

Today, Willis remains alive and cared for at home, surrounded by his blended family, including wife Emma Heming Willis, ex-wife Demi Moore, and his five daughters. While his public presence has faded, his family's updates keep fans connected to his journey.

From Aphasia to Frontotemporal Dementia

In March 2022, fans were shocked by a family statement revealing Willis had been diagnosed with aphasia. The announcement was brief but clear: the condition was affecting his cognitive abilities and making it impossible for him to continue his acting career. However, aphasia was just one piece of the puzzle.

By February 2023, a more specific diagnosis emerged. The Willis family confirmed Bruce was dealing with frontotemporal dementia, a degenerative condition that often begins with language difficulties and eventually affects decision-making, emotional regulation, and behavior.

"Challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces," the family shared at the time, emphasizing that the condition affects far more than speech.

Unlike Alzheimer’s disease, FTD tends to strike earlier, often in one’s 50s or 60s—and can progress quickly. It affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, areas associated with language, behavior, and executive function. Currently, there is no cure.

The Emotional Weight of Caregiving

Emma Heming Willis has taken on a leading role in Bruce's care and advocacy. Over the past two years, she’s become a vocal supporter for caregivers and families dealing with dementia.

In a People magazine interview published in May 2025, Emma opened up about the early days of Bruce’s diagnosis. “We received a diagnosis and were sent away with no hope, no guidance, no nothing. I really had to figure out how to put resources into place,” she shared, reflecting the emotional and logistical maze caregivers often face.

Her journey inspired her to create resources and support networks for others in similar situations. She continues to document parts of this experience on social media—not to focus on Bruce’s decline, but to highlight the love, humor, and resilience that continue to exist in their home.

A Strong Network of Caregivers

Demi Moore and Bruce’s daughters, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn—have all rallied around him. Their Instagram tributes are filled with gentle moments: shared hugs, quiet celebrations, and messages of gratitude for their father.

For Bruce’s 70th birthday earlier this year, Demi posted a photo with the caption, “Quality time with our BW,” offering a glimpse into their enduring bond. Similar updates on Father’s Day and family anniversaries have become testaments to togetherness in the face of change.

Rather than leaning into clinical details, the family’s posts focus on presence and love—showing the world how meaningful care can look even during decline.

His final films, including Assassin and Detective Knight: Independence (both released in 2023), were completed amid his health challenges. Retrospectively, fans and critics noted that the simpler roles and shorter production schedules may have been early accommodations to his changing condition.

When his retirement was officially announced on March 30, 2022, daughter Rumer posted:

“To Bruce’s amazing supporters… Bruce has been experiencing some health issues and has recently been diagnosed with aphasia… With much consideration, Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.”

From Celebrity Story to Public Health Conversation

Bruce Willis’ diagnosis has helped bring attention to aphasia and FTD, two conditions that are often misunderstood and under-discussed. His family's openness has inspired conversations around the emotional and practical realities of caregiving, early diagnosis, and the importance of support.

Every year on July 22, World Brain Day is observed across the globe to raise awareness about the importance of brain health. This day also aims at encouraging better knowledge on neurological care, early invention, and in educating people about the same.

History of World Brain Day

It was on 2014, when the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) started the event of World Brain Day, in order to safeguard neurological health from earliest phases of development, right from childhood, adulthood, and older age.

Neurological disorders are one of the leading causes of disability-adjusted life years and the second leading cause of mortality, globally.

World Brain Day 2025 Theme

This year's theme for World Brain Day is, 'Brain Health For All Ages'. This theme aims to prioritise brain health and also echoes the concept that neurological health must be safeguarded at all ages. Whether you are a child, caring for one, a parent, or an elderly.

Significance of World Brain Day

World Brain Day shines a spotlight on the growing global challenge posed by neurological disorders. From stroke and dementia to epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease, these conditions not only affect the daily lives of millions but also place a heavy burden on healthcare systems around the world.

This annual health campaign plays a vital role by:

• Raising public awareness about brain health and neurological conditions, with a focus on early detection and timely treatment.
• Highlighting the need for ongoing research to improve treatment options, discover potential cures, and enhance prevention strategies.
• Creating a sense of solidarity among patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, fostering support and shared purpose.
• Urging policymakers to make brain health a priority in public health planning through better policies and increased funding.

Importance of World Brain Day

Early life matters: Brain health starts in the womb. Maternal health and early childhood experiences have a lasting impact on brain development and future neurological outcomes.

Adulthood is crucial: The lifestyle choices we make—such as exercise, diet, sleep, and stress management—play a major role in determining our risk of neurological disorders later in life.

Ageing doesn’t mean decline: While certain changes in brain function are natural with age, proactive steps—like staying mentally and socially engaged—can preserve cognitive health and improve quality of life.

By adopting a lifespan perspective, this year’s campaign encourages everyone to take brain health seriously, no matter their age. Because a healthy brain means a better life—for individuals, families, and society as a whole.

Early Signs That Must Not Be Ignored To Promote A Healthy Brain

Spotting the early signs of a brain tumor can make a crucial difference in diagnosis and treatment. While symptoms can vary depending on the tumor’s type and location—like Pituitary Adenoma, Meningioma, or Metastatic Brain Tumors—there are several common warning signs that deserve attention.

Persistent Headaches That Get Worse Over Time

Not all headaches are a red flag, but if yours are becoming more frequent, especially worse in the mornings or during physical activity, it could indicate increased pressure in the brain. Any noticeable change in headache pattern, intensity, or timing should be discussed with a doctor.

Vision Changes or Double Vision

Blurred vision, loss of side (peripheral) vision, or sudden issues with sight could signal pressure on the optic nerves. Tumors located near the visual pathways, such as Pituitary Adenomas, often show up through these kinds of symptoms.

New-Onset Seizures

If you’ve never had a seizure before and suddenly experience one, it’s a serious sign that should never be ignored. Seizures can occur when a tumor disrupts the brain’s normal electrical activity.

Balance Problems or Coordination Issues

Feeling unusually unsteady, dizzy, or having difficulty walking could point to a tumor in the cerebellum or brainstem—areas responsible for balance and coordination. If you're suddenly clumsy or off-balance, it’s time to get checked.

Changes in Memory, Mood, or Personality

A brain tumor in the frontal or temporal lobes may affect how a person thinks, feels, or behaves. Sudden mood swings, memory lapses, confusion, or personality changes—especially if noticeable to others—are warning signs not to be brushed off as stress.

Numbness or Weakness in Limbs

Unexplained weakness, tingling, or numbness—especially on one side of the body—might signal a tumor pressing on parts of the brain that control movement and sensation.

Ongoing Nausea or Vomiting Without a Clear Cause

If you're frequently nauseous or vomiting and it’s not related to food poisoning, pregnancy, or a stomach bug, it could be due to increased pressure inside the skull caused by a tumor.

A popular chocolate spread from Dubai is at the center of a nationwide health scare in the U.S. after being recalled over salmonella contamination. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now issued a Class 1 recall—its most serious level of health alert—warning that consumption of the product could result in severe illness or even death.

The recall is of Emek Gıda's pistachio-cocoa paste, which was available at World Market retail stores in 32 states. It began a voluntary recall on July 14 after regular sampling tests indicated the presence of salmonella bacteria. The FDA, by July 17, had raised the problem to Class 1 alert level, which indicates a "reasonable probability" of severe adverse health effects following consumption.

There are four confirmed cases of salmonella infection involving one hospitalization attributed to this product.

The product involved is Emek Gıda pistachio-cocoa spread with a batch code 250401 and best-before date of April 1, 2027. The code appears on the top of the lid. The affected batch was released between June 11 and July 9 in World Market stores mainly.

If you’ve recently purchased a chocolate spread from World Market, especially a pistachio-cocoa variety, check the label immediately.

How To Spot Salmonella?

Salmonella is not just another stomach bug. While many healthy adults recover within a few days, for young children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems, it can be deadly.

Symptoms usually appear within 6 hours to 6 days of exposure and include:

• Fever
• Diarrhea (often bloody)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps

In more critical cases, salmonella can spread into the bloodstream, causing life-threatening illnesses such as infected aneurysms, endocarditis (heart valve infection), or reactive arthritis. That is why the FDA's Class 1 warning cannot be taken lightly.

What Should Consumers Do?

If you have this spread in your home:

• Don't eat it
• Take it back to the store and get a full refund
• Or discard it safely

Also, clean and disinfect any surfaces, utensils, or containers that came into contact with the product. Bacteria such as salmonella can remain and transfer to other food or surfaces.

If you've eaten the spread and develop symptoms, call your healthcare provider at once.

Is the Risk Contained?

To date, the outbreak seems to be confined to the one batch of Emek Gıda's pistachio-cocoa spread. Nevertheless, the reality that it entered U.S. stores and onto shelves speaks to weaknesses in global food supply chains and import inspection procedures.

FDA and CDC officials are ongoing in tracing the product's distribution, and additional developments could come if additional batches are discovered to be tainted.

Food recalls happen, but a Class 1 alert involving a well-known imported food item that makes several individuals sick is an eye-opener for regulators, retailers, and consumers.

If you have this item at home, don't gamble. Get rid of it or return it, and keep an eye on your health. This is not just about a chocolate spread—it's about food safety, public health, and being watchful of what we consume.