One of the biggest causes of health concern, currently, is processed foods. As more people are becoming aware of the chemicals and artificial components present in their food, especially in over-the-counter food and packaged food. When a food article is called ‘processed’ it is because it has been altered in some way to ensure things like getting spoiled early or avoiding bacteria that could get entrapped while packaging.

While these processed foods go through certain changes to avoid health problems, consuming a lot of it over time could increase the risk of other health issues like cardiovascular health that appear much later. Many people live under the impression that as long as they simply eat less junk food, it will not affect their health. While part of it is true, another aspect of it is that it will still affect your health, but a little slower.

Increasing Risk of Life-Threatening Diseases

A new study published in Nature Medicine, suggests that even small amounts of processed meats, sugary drinks, and foods with trans fats can increase your risk of serious health problems. The research found that consuming less than a slice of bacon or a can of soda per day was linked to a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, or heart disease. While previous studies have hinted at the link between these foods and chronic illnesses, this new analysis specifically looked at how much is actually safe to consume.

Even Tiny Amounts Raise Disease Risk

Researchers reviewed over 60 different studies that explored the connection between these three food categories and a person's risk of type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, and ischemic heart disease (a type of heart disease). They consistently found that even very small amounts of these foods and drinks significantly increased the risk of chronic diseases. The more a person consumed, the higher their risk.

For example, eating as little as 0.6 grams of processed meat daily was linked to an 11% higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Consuming about one hot dog (50 grams) per day was associated with a 30% greater risk of type 2 diabetes and a 26% higher chance of colon cancer.

When it came to sugary drinks, having just a small amount (around 1.5 grams) up to a standard 12-ounce soda was linked to an 8% higher risk of type 2 diabetes and a slightly increased risk of heart disease. Even small amounts of trans fats, making up just 0.25% of daily calories, were associated with a 3% greater risk of heart disease.

Why Are These Foods So Harmful?

Scientists are still fully understanding why processed foods harm our health, but they have some theories. These items often cause inflammation and stress inside the body, which contribute to serious issues like diabetes and heart disease. It's likely a mix of different reasons that make these foods so problematic for our long-term well-being.

Meats and Sugary Drinks

Processed meats, like hot dogs, are high in unhealthy fats and salt, which can raise cholesterol and blood pressure. The way they're made can also create harmful substances, increasing cancer risk. Sugary drinks contribute to weight gain and obesity, major heart disease factors. Liquid calories don't make you feel full, leading to overconsumption and potential gut issues.

Trans Fatty Acids

Trans fats, found in many baked goods and snacks, are especially harmful. They raise "bad" cholesterol while lowering "good" cholesterol. This unhealthy combination significantly increases your risk of heart disease. These hidden fats are designed to improve taste and texture, but their impact on your cardiovascular health can be quite severe.

Choose Healthier Options

To lower the risks from eating processed foods, try to eat a healthy diet most of the time. Pick fruits, vegetables, whole grains, chicken, fish, and nuts instead of processed meats and snacks. For drinks, choose water with lemon or sparkling water instead of sugary sodas or sweetened coffee. You'll find that if you cut back on sugar over time, you'll actually crave it less.

While many people do not consider cancer to be a big cause of concern for young adults However, how many times have we heard of stories of young kids suffering with cancer and young adults who had to put their lives on hold due to unexpected cancer diagnoses? The increase in young adults with cancer is not a mere coincidence; a new study shows that the past decade has seen an increase in the number of early-onset gastrointestinal (GI) cancer cases.

New research published in the British Journal of Surgery shows a really worrying trend, they stated cancers of the stomach, intestines, and other digestive organs are increasing incredibly fast in people 50 and younger in the U.S. This isn't just a small increase; it's happening quicker than any other type of cancer in younger people. It's a big health concern for younger Americans.

Scope of the Problem

The study points out that between 2010 and 2019, the number of GI cancer cases in young people jumped by almost 15%. While colon cancer is the most common of these early cancers, making up over half the cases worldwide, it's not the only one. Cancers of the pancreas, stomach, and esophagus are also becoming more common in younger individuals. This is extra concerning because when younger people get these cancers, they often act more aggressively, meaning they need more intense treatment, and sadly, their chances of survival can be similar to or even worse than older patients.

Who is Most Affected?

While most GI cancer cases are still in people aged 40 to 49, the increase is even steeper in younger age groups. For example, if you were born in 1990, you're twice as likely to get colon cancer and four times as likely to get rectal cancer compared to someone born in 1950. Data from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) confirms this, showing that colon cancer rates have more than tripled in teenagers (15-19) and almost doubled in young adults (20-24). Also, recent studies from 2018 to 2022 found that women saw bigger increases in several early-onset GI cancers:

Colon cancers: Went up by 5% each year for women, compared to 3.5% for men.

Esophageal cancers: Increased almost 6% yearly for women, versus 1% for men.

Stomach cancers: Rose about 4% each year for women, and less than 3% for men.

Small intestine cancers: Grew by 3.5% for women, and under 3% for men.

On top of that, the studies highlighted that Black, Hispanic, and Native American people are being affected much more by this rise in GI cancers.

Critical Need for Screening and Prevention

Despite these alarming numbers, new guidelines that recommend colon cancer screening for healthy people starting at age 45 haven't been widely adopted. In fact, in 2021, only about 1 in 5 Americans aged 45 to 49 actually got screened.

Getting screened is super important! It's been proven to save lives by not only reducing the number of people who get colorectal cancer but also by lowering the number of deaths from it. Every time someone skips a screening, it's a lost chance to find cancer early when it's easier to treat, or even to prevent cancer entirely by finding and removing precancerous growths called polyps.

Risk Factors and Future Directions

Several things can increase your risk of getting GI cancer, including being overweight, eating a lot of high-fat Western-style foods, having fatty liver disease, smoking, and drinking alcohol.

Researchers are now urging more studies to figure out why GI cancer rates are going up in younger adults. They're also pushing for better ways to prevent these cancers and find them early. More information is especially needed for pancreatic, stomach, and esophageal cancers. Raising awareness and educating people about these issues is vital because, as a group, digestive system cancers cause a significant number of cancer-related deaths in young adults both in the U.S. and around the world.

Every year, World Brain Day is marked to raise awareness around brain health and neurological conditions that often go undiagnosed or misunderstood. This year’s theme focuses on brain health and early detection, emphasizing how subtle signs—often brushed off as routine stress—may actually be the brain’s way of raising an alarm.

While stress-related fatigue, burnout, and tension headaches are all-too-common in today’s never-resting, always hustling world, experts warn that dismissing persistent or unusual neurological symptoms as “just stress” could delay diagnosis of something more serious, such as a brain tumor.

We spoke with Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Director and Head (Parkinson's Disease Unit), Neurosciences, Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, to understand the difference between stress symptoms and potential red flags.

Not All Headaches Are Just “Stress Headaches”

Headaches are the most common symptom people link with stress, but not all headaches are created equal.

Dr. Kumar explains, “A worst headache in the morning may be a feature of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), which is a medical emergency. Stress headaches are usually mild to moderate and without vomiting. SAH is usually very severe and comes with nausea or vomiting.”

He adds that if your headache feels significantly different from your usual ones, especially if it’s persistent, worsening over time, or most intense after waking up, it’s worth seeking a neurological opinion.

Brain Fog vs. Brain Tumor-Linked Cognitive Symptoms

Feeling mentally scattered, struggling to focus, or forgetting things easily? It could be burnout, but not always.

“Brain fog due to burnout is usually transient, affecting multiple domains and without any functional disability,” says Dr. Kumar. It’s often tied to sleep issues like delayed sleep initiation or fragmented rest.

On the other hand, “Cognitive disability related to a brain tumor may affect one or more specific cognitive domains, tends to persist, and comes with functional disability,” he adds. You may also notice seizures, limb weakness, or trouble with routine tasks.

Clumsiness and Loss of Balance: When It’s Not Just Fatigue

Occasional clumsiness may seem harmless, especially during hectic workweeks. However, if it progresses to frequent falls, a noticeable decline in coordination, or needing support for routine tasks, don’t ignore it.

Dr. Kumar advises, “See a neurologist if there’s physical disability, frequent falls, need for support in walking, or significant reduction in your day-to-day functional efficiency.”

These may point to disturbances in the brain’s motor control centers, possibly caused by a tumor affecting balance and coordination.

Sudden Mood Swings or Personality Changes? Take Note

Stress does affect mood, but a rapid and unexplained shift in personality could be neurological. “Sudden personality changes, if persistent for a few days to weeks, suggest early features of a brain tumor,” says Dr. Kumar.

So, if someone who’s usually calm becomes irritable, withdrawn, or impulsive with no clear reason—and these changes don’t go away, it’s time for a deeper evaluation.

Vision and Speech Fluctuations

Blurred vision, slurred speech, or trouble finding the right words after a long day might seem like signs of tiredness. But if these symptoms come and go—or worsen—don’t brush them off.

According to Dr. Kumar, watch out for “faster reaction or impulsive behaviour, neck and back pain, early morning back stiffness, fluctuating vision or speech issues, and disturbed sleep patterns.” These are neurological red flags that demand attention.

Listen to Your Brain

The key message this World Brain Day is simple: Don’t ignore what your brain is trying to tell you. While stress is real and widespread, persistent or unusual symptoms—especially if they’re affecting your daily life—deserve a professional checkup.

As Dr. Kumar sums it up, “Early detection can significantly improve outcomes in brain tumors. When in doubt, get it checked out.”

An j8-year-old Myrtle Beach boy has Lyme disease and his parents are doing everything they can to treat him, so he could have a "normal childhood", reports News13.

As per the National Library of Medicine, USA, Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is an infectious condition, which is transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. This is primarily caused by the spirochete bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi in the United States and various Borrelia species in Europe and Asia.

How Was The Child Diagnosed With Lyme Disease?

The parents, LeeAnn and Brian Kuhl, said that their son, Ben, one day came home with a tick bite on his belly button after a hike he went on four years go. He was four at that time.

The doctors had told the Kuhls that since Ben's tick bite did not have a bullseye on it, there was nothing to be concerned about. Therefore, Lyme disease was not even something in their mind. However, things changed soon, and Ben was diagnosed.

By the time he was diagnosed, the disease had spread to all Ben's organs, including his brain. He was only able to talk on some days, his motor functions also worsened. He now has a very painful inflammation, and spends most of his time indoors.

“You mourn the life that he was supposed to have, so you mourn the parent that you were supposed to be,” LeeAnn said.

The parents also share that his symptoms have affected his friendships with other children. “I see the frustration when he can’t play with them because they’re at a faster pace now than he is,” LeeAnn said. “It’s sad because, when they’re all goofing around, he wants to be in there, too, but he can’t talk to them.”

The Progression Of Lyme Disease

The National Library of Medicine notes that this disease typically develops in three stages: early localized, early disseminated, and late stage. Early signs often include a telltale “bull’s-eye” rash (erythema migrans), along with fever and fatigue.

Without treatment, the infection can spread, affecting the nervous system, heart, and joints. In its late stage, it may cause chronic arthritis and brain-related issues, highlighting the critical need for early detection and timely treatment.

However, the treatment is not cheap. The Kuhls told News13 that they spend hundreds of dollars per month and that not all his medicines are covered by insurance. In fact, Brian has started working two jobs, and is sill looking for more work.

The Kuhls told News13 that they have found a community in Myrtle Beach who are helping them with Ben's treatment.

“We had all these people coming to us and offering to pay for a month of supplements or offering services to him,” LeeAnn said. “Without them, we could not be where we are right now.”

While Ben will always be affected by this disease, there is a hope that he will eventually be in full remission. Till then, they are not giving up on their hopes to see their child healthy.

“He is going to be such a testimony on not giving up,” LeeAnn said. “We tell him every day, ‘you’re going to stand there one day, and you’re going to speak to a bunch of people who are going through something, and you’re going to tell them what God did for you.’”

Early Signs Of Lyme Disease

The early signs shows somewhere between 3 to 30 days after tick bite, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA (CDC).

The signs and symptoms include:

Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes may occur in the absence of rash

Erythema migrans (EM) rash:

• Occurs in approximately 70 to 80 percent of infected people
• Begins at the site of a tick bite after a delay of 3 to 30 days (average is about 7 days)
• Expands gradually over several days reaching up to 12 inches (30 cm) or more across
• May feel warm to the touch but is rarely itchy or painful
• Sometimes clears as it enlarges, resulting in a target or "bull's-eye" appearance
• May appear on any area of the body
• Does not always appear as a "classic bull's-eye" rash

Later signs, which may come after a month of being bitten, notes CDC are:

• Severe headaches and neck stiffness
• Additional EM rashes on other areas of the body
• Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone or droop on one or both sides of the face)
• Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly the knees and other large joints.
• Intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints, and bones
• Heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat (Lyme carditis)
• Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath
• Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
• Nerve pain
• Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet