A large international study from the University of Cambridge suggests that autism diagnosed early in life is fundamentally different from autism diagnosed later on. The findings, published in Nature, analyzed data from more than 45,000 autistic individuals and showed that the timing of diagnosis often reflects distinct biology and development.

The research team suggests this means that the term "autism" likely describes multiple conditions, not just one.

There are many misconceptions about autism in the media, many believe it can be caused by bad parenting, that it can only affect boys as well as that it can be cured. While these may not be true, can it change overtime or develop into something else?

What is Autism?

According to Mayo Clinic Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects how the brain develops. It changes how people understand and interact with the world around them. This causes challenges in two main areas:

• Social Life and Communication: People with ASD often find it hard to talk with others and socialize.
• Behaviors: The condition also involves having interests or behaviors that are very specific and often repeated.

The word "spectrum" is key because it means ASD affects people in many different ways. Some people have mild symptoms, while others have more severe challenges.

Over time, it can make it hard for a person to manage in social situations, school, or at work. Many children show signs of autism within their first year of life. A few children seem to develop normally at first, but then lose some skills and start showing autism symptoms between 18 and 24 months old.

Early Diagnosis vs. Later Diagnosis: What's the Difference?

The study found two distinct groups based on when a person received their autism diagnosis:

Early Diagnosis (Typically Before Age Six)

These children were more likely to show social and behavioral difficulties from a very young age. Their traits are often easier to spot by parents and doctors, leading to a quicker diagnosis. Their underlying genetic profile is distinct and shares less in common with other mental health conditions.

Later Diagnosis (Late Childhood or Adolescence and Beyond)

These individuals often saw their social and behavioral challenges emerge or become noticeable during adolescence. They have a higher risk of developing mental health conditions like depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Their average genetic profile is surprisingly closer to that of ADHD and depression than it is to the genetic profile of early-diagnosed autism.

What Role Do Genetics Play In Autism?

The findings show that the difference in diagnosis timing is due to more than just how quickly families access care; it's also linked to genetics.

Genetic Overlap

The study found a strong genetic connection between later-diagnosed autism and psychiatric disorders. This suggests that certain genetic factors might make these individuals naturally more prone to mental health issues.

Lack of Early Support

Researchers also stress that not getting support in early childhood likely plays a role. Going undiagnosed makes people more vulnerable to difficulties like bullying, which significantly increases the risk of mental health struggles later on.

The authors hope these findings will change how autism is understood, studied, and supported, allowing for better help for autistic people of all ages.

Doctors traditionally look for four main things when checking for heart disease. One, which is the leading cause of death worldwide, high blood pressure also known as hypertension, other include high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking.

However, a new study suggests that many women are still at risk for heart attacks and strokes, even if they don't have any of these classic problems. The study highlights that doctors may be missing a key danger sign in these women: inflammation.

According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, about 44% of all women in the U.S. which is over 60 million, already have some kind of heart disease. It's the number one cause of death for women of all ages in the U.S.

In 2023 alone, it caused the deaths of nearly 305,000 women, which is about 1 out of every 5 female deaths. Worryingly, only about half of U.S. women actually know that heart disease is their biggest killer.

What Contribute To Heart Diseases?

The research, published in the European Heart Journal, found that inflammation in the body is strongly linked to heart issues in women who are otherwise considered low-risk.

Researchers used a simple blood test that checks for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). A high hsCRP number suggests the person has chronic, or long-term, inflammation.

The study looked at over 12,500 healthy American women who did not smoke and did not have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Over 30 years, women with high hsCRP levels were much more likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or need heart surgery.

One of the study authors stated that inflammation, measured by the hsCRP test, is at least as good (if not better) at predicting future heart attack and stroke risk as cholesterol is.

Experts explain that inflammation is a key force behind heart disease because it helps plaque form inside blood vessels and causes that plaque to become unstable and rupture.

Should You Get Tested for Inflammation?

This study raises a big question: Should doctors routinely check everyone's inflammation levels?

Some cardiologists feel the hsCRP test could catch a hidden risk, especially in women who don't have the typical warning signs. If doctors don't measure inflammation, they won't treat the risk.

Why You Shouldn’t Get Testes For Inflammation?

Other experts caution that not every woman needs to rush to get tested. Most heart disease is still explained by the old risk factors like smoking and high cholesterol. Also, a high hsCRP number can simply cause worry, and many people with a high score will never develop heart disease. They suggest that other tools, like a coronary calcium scan which directly looks for hidden plaque, might be more helpful for some patients.

Some warning signs of an heart attack happen to be early periods, early menopause, Polycystic ovary syndrome, gestational diabetes, preterm delivery, etc.

What Lifestyle Habits Help Reduce Inflammation?

Regardless of whether you get the test or not, the good news is that the best ways to lower inflammation are the same things doctors already recommend for a healthy heart:

• Exercise
• Healthy eating
• Getting enough sleep
• Avoiding smoking

Flu Shot: With flu season fast approaching, many people wonder when the best time is to get vaccinated. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for most people who only need one dose, September and October are the ideal months to get the flu shot. The agency recommends that everyone be vaccinated by the end of October. Still, a percentage of the population believes flu shots aren’t essential and can be skipped.

Who Should Get a Flu Shot Every Year?

The CDC and major medical organizations advise everyone aged six months and older to get a yearly flu vaccination. Despite misinformation circulating online, these recommendations have not changed.

Certain groups are at higher risk of severe illness, people over 65, pregnant women, young children, and those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or weakened immune systems. While about 71% of seniors get their flu shot each year, less than half of other adults do. In children, vaccination rates have declined in recent years, with fewer than 50% receiving the vaccine last year.

Flu Shot: Why Flu Vaccines Matter

Flu vaccines may not prevent every infection, but they are highly effective at reducing severe illness and hospitalizations, says Dr. Sean O’Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Tens of thousands of Americans die from the flu annually. During last year’s severe season, 280 children died from flu-related complications, nearly half of whom had no prior health issues, and most had not been vaccinated.

A rare but serious complication from last season was brain inflammation, which can cause seizures, hallucinations, or even death. Most affected children were unvaccinated.

Flu Shots During Pregnancy Offer Dual Protection

Pregnant women need to be especially cautious. A severe flu infection can lead to hospitalization or even preterm birth. Vaccination protects both mother and baby, since infants too young for their own vaccines benefit from the mother’s antibodies. Research shows flu shots are safe and effective during pregnancy.

Flu Shot: Choosing the Right Vaccine

For adults 65 and older, high-dose flu shots or vaccines with immune boosters are recommended, though a standard flu shot is also effective if those options are not available.

Flu Shot: Cost and Insurance Coverage

Flu shots are generally free under Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans if administered through in-network providers. Local health departments may also offer low-cost or free vaccines. The at-home FluMist option may require a delivery fee, though insurance should cover the vaccine itself.

Getting a Flu Shot Alongside COVID-19 Vaccine

It is safe to get both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. Dr. Philip Huang, director of Dallas Health and Human Services, says this is a convenient way to stay protected. However, availability of COVID-19 vaccines for children may be limited, as federal recommendations have shifted and parents are encouraged to make personal decisions.

Bowel cancer, also called colon or rectal cancer, is one of the most common cancers. It is the fourth most common cancer in the United States, and around 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

The time it's found makes a huge difference in how well a person does. Catching the disease early makes a huge difference in survival.

If the cancer is caught in the very first stage (Stage One), people have a 90% chance of living for five years or more. That's excellent odds. But if it's found much later (Stage Four), the chance of living five years or more drops to only 10%. The lesson is clear: early checking and spotting symptoms can save lives.

Key Early Warning Signs of Colon Cancer

A doctor known as "Dr. Ben", also known as Medicina y Mente online has highlighted four main signs that could point to early bowel cancer. He stressed that if you see these, you should go to your doctor as soon as possible, especially since some of these symptoms only show up when you use the toilet. Here are the four key things to look out for:

Blood in your stool: This is one of the most common early alarms.

Changes in how you go to the toilet: This doesn't mean just one bad day. It means a big difference in your normal habits, such as going from being constipated (having hard, difficult-to-pass stool) to suddenly having diarrhea.

Losing a lot of weight for no reason: If you lose a significant amount of weight without changing how you eat or how much you exercise, it is a concern.

Feeling extremely tired (fatigue): This is tiredness that doesn't go away, even after rest. This is only a worry if there's no other clear reason for the tiredness.

What Are Some Other Symptoms Of Colon Cancer?

It's natural to feel shy, but the NHS strongly advises people to see a doctor if they have been experiencing any symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or longer. Doctors and nurses talk about these things all the time, so please don't be embarrassed. Other symptoms of colon cancer that the NHS mentions include:

• Bleeding from your bottom.
• The constant feeling like you need to go to the toilet, even if you just went.
• Pain in your tummy (abdomen).
• Feeling a lump in your tummy.
• Feeling bloated
• Feeling short of breath.

If your stool is very black or dark red, or you have bloody diarrhea, you need to call 111 or get an urgent appointment with your GP. While these symptoms don't always mean cancer, it is very important to get checked to find out what the problem is.

How To Prevent Colon Cancer?

The best defense against bowel cancer is screening. The NHS offers home testing kits for everyone between the ages of 50 and 74.

These home tests can be analyzed to look for tiny signs of cancer even before you feel sick or notice any symptoms. This is the most effective way to catch cancer at the earliest, most treatable stage.