Credits: Health and me
By now most people are familiar with the popular weight loss injection Ozempic—the so-called miracle shot for weight loss that's got everyone talking, from celebs to your next-door neighbor. But while the number on the scale might be dropping, something else is happening too… and it’s a little bizarre.
Ever scrolled through TikTok and stumbled on people talking about “Ozempic hands”? Or read wild claims about sudden growth in places you didn’t expect? Yep, that’s all part of it. And just when you thought it couldn’t get weirder—there are whispers about vision loss, creepy-looking fingers, and even “walking dead” hands. Sure, Ozempic helps you shed pounds fast. But at what cost?
If you’ve been curious, concerned, or just downright confused about what this drug is really doing behind the scenes, buckle up—we’re diving into the strangest, scariest, and most surprising side effects people are reporting. Let’s talk about what no one told you before you got the jab.
Once hailed as a miracle for weight loss and diabetes management, Ozempic (semaglutide) is now under scrutiny for a growing list of bizarre and disturbing side effects. While the drug continues to dominate the market for its ability to help people shed up to 20% of their body weight in a year, disturbing new reports have surfaced. From surprising anatomical changes to eye strokes and skeletal hands, the downsides of this blockbuster injection are no longer whispered rumors—they're headlining forums, social media, and even regulatory reports.
Also Read: Ozempic Vulva To Ozempic Smell – Unexpected Ways Of Weight Loss Jabs Change Your Body
One of the most viral and eyebrow-raising claims is the supposed enlargement of the penis in men taking Ozempic. Reddit threads have buzzed with firsthand accounts of users noticing visible growth. One user wrote, "I recently measured myself down there and noticed I gained about one inch."
While there is no solid scientific study directly linking semaglutide to penile growth, experts suspect the phenomenon may be tied more to fat loss than actual tissue increase. As men lose significant weight—especially in the pubic region—the buried portion of the penis becomes more visible, creating the illusion of increased size. Still, the global trend is puzzling: the UK saw average sizes increase from 5.17 to 5.63 inches between 2022 and 2024, with Venezuelan men reporting an even more staggering jump from 1.42 to 6.67 inches.
While these figures are alarming, the truth may be buried in overlapping factors like obesity reduction, changes in prostate health, and increased sexual function—rather than Ozempic alone.
What may be even more serious than Reddit threads is what regulators are now confirming: Ozempic may cause a rare yet dangerous eye condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recently asked Novo Nordisk, Ozempic’s manufacturer, to list NAION as a rare side effect in their drug information.
The condition is the second most common cause of vision loss due to optic nerve damage, trailing only glaucoma. It is believed to affect as many as 1 in 10,000 users of semaglutide after a year of use. Alarmingly, a 2023 study involving nearly 350,000 diabetic patients found that those using semaglutide had more than double the risk of developing NAION.
While Novo Nordisk maintains that its drug's benefit-risk profile remains favorable, doctors and analysts warn that continued monitoring and patient awareness are critical.
Beyond internal risks, Ozempic is transforming bodies in eerie, visible ways. Welcome to the world of "Ozempic hands," "Ozempic feet," and "Ozempic face."
Ozempic hands refer to the skeletal, aged appearance some users develop due to rapid subcutaneous fat loss in the fingers and palms. This phenomenon gained traction after several viral TikTok videos and celebrity photos pointed out the dramatically thinned hands of public figures rumored to be on weight-loss jabs.
People report needing to resize wedding rings, and in some cases, cosmetic procedures like hand fillers are being considered to combat the bony transformation. The same process is evident in the feet, with sagging skin and even discomfort in walking being reported.
Experts explain that these injections don’t just target fat in one part of your body. When you lose weight this quickly, your face, your hands, your feet—everything shows it.
The "melting candle" look is another post-weight loss dilemma facing Ozempic users. With such dramatic fat loss, many people are left with drooping excess skin that doesn’t snap back. Surgeons report a boom in body contouring surgeries such as tummy tucks, thigh lifts, and arm lifts.
"It’s not just vanity," says one bariatric surgeon. "Excess skin can lead to hygiene issues, infections, and mobility challenges."
In many cases, the only solution is surgery—an expensive, invasive, and sometimes risky route. Procedures can cost thousands of dollars and carry their own set of complications, including blood clots and infection.
Ozempic and its sister drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro are rapidly becoming household names. In the UK alone, over 350,000 people are now prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists, with another half a million believed to be using them privately. In the US, about 13% of the population—around 33 million people—have tried the injections.
With newer policies allowing GPs in the UK to prescribe these drugs without requiring specialist consultations, usage is expected to soar. But so too are concerns about long-term side effects.
There’s no denying that Ozempic and related medications have transformed lives by aiding weight loss and managing type 2 diabetes. Many users experience improved cardiovascular outcomes, better blood sugar control, and renewed energy but as the side effects multiply—ranging from the bizarre (penis changes) to the debilitating (eye strokes and excess skin)—patients and healthcare providers must weigh these drugs' promises against their perils.
Credits: Canva
Walmart pasta meals listeria recall: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a public health alert for a ready-to-eat pasta meal sold at Walmart due to possible listeria contamination, a potentially deadly bacteria. The alert, announced Thursday, affects customers nationwide. Officials are urging consumers to immediately check their freezers for the affected product.
This alert is linked to a previous listeria outbreak involving recalled chicken fettuccine Alfredo meals in June. According to Fox Business, testing was expanded to include other products, and one sample of the Marketside linguine meal tested positive for listeria. The USDA issued the alert to prevent further illness, as the contamination could potentially be more widespread.
Listeria: Who Is Most At Risk?
While anyone can contract listeriosis, certain groups are more vulnerable. Pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of severe illness. For pregnant women, infection can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or serious infection in newborns.
Consumers should check their freezers and pantries for affected products, like the Marketside linguine with beef meatballs, and discard or return them. Proper cooking and avoiding unpasteurized dairy or prepackaged ready-to-eat meals can reduce risk. Always follow food safety guidelines, including cleaning, separating, cooking, and chilling foods.
Walmart Recall Listeria: Recent Trends in Food Recalls
Food recalls over listeria have become increasingly common in recent years. Just this summer, Kraft Heinz pulled back more than 367,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon due to contamination concerns. Now, Walmart’s ready-to-eat pasta joins the list.
Although listeria outbreaks are rare, the USDA emphasizes that even a single positive test can be serious and potentially deadly. For consumers, the safest action is clear: check the product dates, and if the affected pasta is in your freezer, do not risk consuming it.
Credits: Canva
It has been over two years since Bruce Willis was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and his wife, Emma Heming Willis, revealed that the first symptom he showed, which eventually led to his diagnosis, left her stunned. Speaking on Katie Couric’s Next Question, Emma shared more about Bruce’s condition, explaining that in addition to FTD, he has primary progressive aphasia (PPA). “FTD can affect people in three different ways: language, movement, or behavior. These are like the subtypes of FTD. Bruce has primary progressive aphasia, which is known as PPA, so FTD and PPA,” she said. She also revealed the first symptom that made her suspect FTD.
Reflecting on the first symptom that shocked her, Emma Heming Willis explained that it was Bruce’s speech that first signaled something was wrong. “For him, I started noticing his stutter returning. He had a severe stutter as a child, and it began to come back,” she said. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think this was a symptom of young-onset dementia.”
She added, “A doctor at UCFF, Bruce Miller, an incredible neurologist, explained that in your 40s, 50s, or 60s—when you’re established in your career and raising a family—any drastic personality changes can signal something happening in the brain that needs to be addressed.”
Sharing more about Bruce’s experience, Emma said, “For Bruce, the stutter returned and words didn’t come as naturally to him, which was wild because he’s all about words. It was confusing. I felt something was just off, it wasn’t the person I married.”
Emma has been caring for Bruce since his diagnosis in early 2023. During last month’s ABC special, Emma and Bruce Willis: The Unexpected Journey with Diane Sawyer, she revealed that she had moved Bruce into a separate single-story home with a full-time care team. “It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make so far,” the mother of two explained.
Credits: Canva
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that targets the nervous system. Once symptoms set in, survival is extremely rare. The reassuring fact, however, is that rabies is entirely preventable when prompt and proper care is taken after exposure. To spread awareness about prevention and control, World Rabies Day was established in 2007 as a global initiative. Since then, it has been observed every year to educate people about the risks of rabies and the importance of timely action. Let us take a closer look at the significance of this day.
ALSO READ: Doctors Answer The Most Googled Rabies-Related Questions For You
The idea behind the theme is simple. You can play your part by vaccinating pets, learning about prevention methods, and understanding available treatments such as Pre- and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis. Me reflects the role of leadership—setting an example, training others, or supporting efforts to eliminate rabies. Community highlights the strength of collective action, from organizing vaccination drives to educating children and their families, and pushing for stronger health programs.
The appeal to “Act Now” carries life-or-death urgency. Rabies is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) that disproportionately affects poorer regions, especially in Africa and Asia. Every nine minutes, someone dies from the virus—yet every one of these deaths can be prevented. Ending rabies is possible, but only if individuals, leaders, and communities act together.
Awareness about preventing dog bites and knowing how to respond if one occurs is essential. Rabies does not have to be fatal if all recommended post-exposure measures are followed promptly. To support community understanding, the World Health Organization has created a series of educational films that guide people on bite prevention, immediate care, and the importance of timely vaccination.
© 2024 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited