BMI, or Body Mass Index, is widely used for measuring obesity around the world. However, recent research seems to suggest that the standard classification for people above the age of 40 may need to be readjusted due to inaccuracies.

BMI Doesn’t Account For Body Composition

Simply put, as people age, the composition within their body shifts too. They lose muscle and gain fat, which may result in someone being obese at a lower BMI. This shift in body composition could explain why using BMI to determine obesity may be inaccurate for older adults.

Conducted by researchers from the University of Rome, around 4800 Italian adults between 40 and 80 were divided into groups based on the BMI standards put forth by the WHO (World Health Organization).

The researchers used X-rays to find that many people over the age of 40 had obesity based on their high amounts of body fat, even if they didn’t reach the traditional BMI threshold for the disease.

What Is The Ideal BMI For People Above 40?

The researchers concluded that a BMI of 27 is a better indicator of obesity than the current WHO standard of 30 for people over 40 years of age. This new BMI cutoff recognizes physical differences between middle-aged and older adults. young people

The biggest takeaway from the study is that we need to reevaluate our use of BMI andit should not be the only tool used to determine a person's metabolic health. Obesity in particular is a chronic condition that’s entirely defined and diagnosed through BMI measures. By using a low BMI cutoff, it could mean that a greater proportion of the population actually has the disease.

However, the study has certain dimensions that it could not analyze. The research was limited to one area of Italy, and in order to generalize the results, it is necessary to extend the research to other people. Additionally, the authors did not mention diet, physical activity, and sleep health, which may increase obesity risk and interact with age-related changes.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a fresh alert for people taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, or Mounjaro. The agency posted a message on social media urging anyone who has experienced a severe reaction to GLP-1 medicines to report it.

According to the UK government’s health site, GLP-1 receptor agonists (glucagon-like peptide-1) are drugs designed to mimic a natural hormone that helps control appetite after eating. While these medicines are widely used for managing diabetes and aiding weight loss, they may also carry certain health risks.

MHRA Issues Warning for Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Mounjaro Users

The MHRA’s advisory highlights the importance of reporting side effects, particularly acute pancreatitis, to help researchers understand these reactions and improve drug safety in the future.

Their statement read: “Has someone you care for had a severe reaction to a GLP-1 medicine? Help identify people at risk. Has someone you care for had acute pancreatitis while taking a GLP-1 medicine (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Mounjaro)? You can report it to Yellow Card on their behalf and agree to be contacted. They may be invited to join the Yellow Card Biobank (MHRA and Genomics England) to help researchers study how genetics may influence side effects—leading to safer prescribing in the future.”

The findings from this initiative are expected to help doctors tailor prescriptions to individuals’ genetic profiles, reducing the chances of harmful side effects.

What Are GLP-1 Medicines?

GLP-1 medicines, which is short for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists mimic a hormone naturally released in the gut after eating. This hormone signals the pancreas to release insulin, which helps move sugar from the blood into the cells for energy.

These drugs also act on the brain to reduce hunger and slow down how quickly the stomach empties, keeping you full for longer. As a result, they can support weight loss and help regulate blood sugar levels, making them a common treatment for type 2 diabetes.

In recent years, the FDA has also approved some GLP-1 drugs for weight loss in people who are overweight or obese, even if they don’t have diabetes. However, for weight management, these medicines are usually prescribed at higher doses than those used to treat diabetes, according to Harvard Health.

Can Taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro Lead to Acute Pancreatitis?

There have been reports of pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas, among some people using GLP-1 drugs. However, current evidence does not show a direct cause-and-effect relationship between these medications and pancreatitis.

In clinical trials, a few participants developed pancreatitis while taking Mounjaro, but such cases were rare. This makes it difficult to determine whether the medication itself was responsible. Similar cases were also seen among people taking other diabetes drugs, suggesting that the link may not be specific to GLP-1 medicines.

It’s also important to note that pancreatitis can occur for several other reasons, including:

• Gallstones
• Alcohol consumption
• High levels of triglycerides (a type of fat found in the blood)

So, even if a person on weight loss drugs develops pancreatitis, the medication may not necessarily be the cause.

What Should You Do If You Experience Symptoms of Pancreatitis?

If you develop symptoms of pancreatitis while using any GLP-1 drug, seek immediate medical attention.

Common signs include:

• Pain in the upper abdomen that may move to the back
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever
• Inability to eat or drink
• Rapid heartbeat

Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

With a massive population already living with dementia worldwide, the condition has emerged as one of the leading causes of disability and dependence among older adults. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dementia is the seventh leading cause of death globally and the number of cases is expected to triple by 2050. Despite its rising prevalence, many people remain unaware of its early symptoms, often mistaking them for normal signs of ageing leading to delayed diagnosis and intervention.

What is dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of disorders that affect memory, thinking, language and daily functioning. It is not a single disease but a set of symptoms caused by various conditions that damage brain cells. While Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause, other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

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There are several risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing dementia, including age, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption and even depression. Though there is no known cure, timely diagnosis and appropriate medical support can significantly improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

Why early detection matters

Experts emphasise that timely intervention is crucial. With proper care, cognitive therapies and medications, doctors can help people living with dementia function more independently and slow down the progression of symptoms. Unfortunately, the early warning signs are often subtle and easy to dismiss as harmless forgetfulness or stress-related behaviour. Recognising them early can make a world of difference.

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5 worrying signs you shouldn’t ignore

1. Misplacing items frequently

Occasionally forgetting where you kept your keys or glasses is normal. But if someone repeatedly misplaces items in unusual places—like finding their glasses in the fridge or cleaning supplies in the kitchen cabinet—it may be an early sign of dementia. This behaviour reflects disorientation and short-term memory loss, both hallmark symptoms.

2. Communication difficulties

A person who was once fluent and articulate may begin to struggle with forming sentences, finding the right words, or following conversations. This can be particularly evident in frontotemporal dementia (FTD), which affects the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes—areas responsible for language and behaviour.

3. Memory lapses

Forgetting recent events, appointments, or names of familiar people can be a red flag. While mild forgetfulness can be age-related, persistent memory issues that interfere with daily life should prompt a visit to a doctor.

4. Sudden mood or personality changes

A calm, even-tempered person becoming irritable, anxious, or tearful without any clear reason could be experiencing early emotional changes associated with dementia. Caregivers often notice these subtle shifts before cognitive symptoms become obvious.

5. Confusion about time or place

Getting lost on familiar routes, forgetting where one is, or confusing family members are significant warning signs. Such disorientation can escalate quickly and pose safety risks if ignored.

A growing concern among younger adults

While dementia is most common in people over 65, doctors are observing younger-onset cases, especially with FTD, which can develop in individuals as young as 45. Because the symptoms like personality and behaviour changes, mimic psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia or aphasia, diagnosis is often delayed.

There’s currently no cure for dementia, but early diagnosis can help manage symptoms effectively, plan care better and support families emotionally and financially. If you notice repeated forgetfulness, communication issues or behavioural changes in a loved one, it’s best to consult a doctor or neurologist at the earliest. Awareness, empathy and timely medical attention can go a long way in helping those affected live with dignity and support.

People taking one of Britain’s most widely prescribed painkillers have been reminded by the NHS to watch for serious side effects that should be reported to a doctor right away.** Gabapentin, available only by prescription, is mainly used to treat nerve-related pain caused by conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, shingles, and restless legs syndrome.

What Is Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)?

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a common condition across the UK. It’s estimated that around 10% of adults experience it, and about 2% deal with uncomfortable symptoms nearly every night. This means roughly 2.2 million people in the UK are likely to live with RLS at some point.

Medicines used to treat RLS include alpha-2-delta ligands, such as pregabalin and gabapentin. The specific drug and dosage vary depending on how severe the symptoms are and whether other health conditions are present. In some cases, long-term treatment may be needed.

What to Know About Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is among the most frequently prescribed medications in Britain. It is available in tablet, capsule, and liquid forms, and can be taken by most adults and by children aged six and older. While the majority of users do not experience side effects, a small number of people report certain reactions.

According to the NHS, “Like all medicines, gabapentin can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. These common side effects of gabapentin may happen in more than one in 100 people. They’re usually mild and go away by themselves.”

Gabapentin: Common Side Effects

• Feeling sleepy, tired, or dizzy
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Mood changes
• Swelling in the arms or legs
• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty getting an erection
• Weight gain
• Memory problems
• Headaches
• Getting more infections than usual

Some people may experience more serious side effects, such as thoughts of self-harm, swollen glands that do not go away, or persistent stomach pain, which can signal inflammation of the pancreas. The NHS emphasizes that these reactions are rare.

Using gabapentin for an extended period may, in rare instances, lead to dependence, so regular medical supervision is advised while taking this medication.

Who Can and Cannot Take Gabapentin?

The prescribed dose of gabapentin depends on the condition being treated. For adults and older children (aged 12 and above), the usual dosage ranges from 900 mg to 3,600 mg per day, divided into three doses.

For younger children under 12, a doctor will determine the right amount based on the child’s body weight.

Doctors may recommend an alternative to gabapentin in some situations, such as:

• If the person has had an allergic reaction to gabapentin or similar medicines
• If they have a history of drug misuse or addiction
• If they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• If they are following a low-sodium or low-potassium diet, or have kidney problems, since the liquid form of gabapentin contains sodium and potassium

Speaking to a doctor before starting or adjusting gabapentin is essential to ensure the treatment is safe and effective for each individual.