England is facing its fourth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures expected to soar well above seasonal averages. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), in collaboration with the Met Office, has issued heat health alerts across the country, warning of significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.

The latest 'amber' alert covers large parts of England, including London, the South East, East of England, East Midlands, and West Midlands, and will be in effect from 9am Tuesday until 6pm Wednesday. Yellow alerts remain in place for the rest of the country.

Who is Most at Risk?

The UKHSA warns that high temperatures can be dangerous for anyone, but certain groups face greater risk. These include:

• Older adults, especially those aged 65 and above
• People with chronic health conditions such as heart or respiratory disease
• Young children and infants
• Individuals living alone or in poorly ventilated homes
• People on certain medications that affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature

The agency also cautions that indoor environments, such as care homes, hospitals, and poorly ventilated housing, can overheat quickly, putting residents at additional risk.

Health Risks in Extreme Heat

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, which can be fatal if untreated. Heat also places extra strain on the heart and lungs, increasing the risk of heart attacks and respiratory distress.

Officials warn that during this heatwave, there is a likelihood of increased deaths among the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. However, healthy younger people are not immune—intense heat can cause headaches, dizziness, cramps, and fainting, particularly for those working outdoors or engaging in strenuous activity.

Night-time temperatures will remain uncomfortably high, with some areas in southern England potentially experiencing “tropical nights” where temperatures do not drop below 20°C. This can disrupt sleep, making it harder for the body to recover from daytime heat.

Impact on Health and Social Care Services

Amber-level heat alerts are the second-highest tier, signalling a risk of serious health impacts and increased pressure on healthcare systems. Hospitals and GP surgeries are likely to see a rise in patients with heat-related illnesses, while ambulance services may face more emergency calls.

Care homes could struggle with overheating, and staff may find it harder to manage medication that requires specific storage conditions. The UKHSA notes that high heat can also affect staffing levels, the ability of health workers to deliver services, and even the performance of essential infrastructure, such as power supplies.

The Weather Forecast

The hottest conditions will be concentrated in central and southern England, where temperatures could reach up to 34°C on Tuesday. London is expected to hit 32°C, while Manchester may see highs of 28°C on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

The warm spell will peak midweek, with most of the UK recording temperatures between 24°C and 30°C. Scotland and Northern Ireland will be cooler, though still warmer than average. By Thursday, temperatures should ease slightly but remain above normal, particularly in the south.

Why It’s Happening

The current heatwave is being driven by high pressure over central Europe and a jet stream positioned to the north, which is drawing hot and humid air from southern Europe into the UK. Countries such as Spain, Portugal, and France are already experiencing extreme heat, with Nîmes in France recording 41.8°C over the weekend.

Staying Safe in the Heat

Health officials recommend:

• Drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol during the hottest parts of the day
• Keeping homes cool by closing curtains during peak sunlight hours
• Avoiding strenuous outdoor activity between 11am and 3pm
• Checking in on elderly neighbors, relatives, or anyone living alone
• Seeking shade and using high-factor sunscreen when outdoors

The alert, effective from 9am on Tuesday until 6pm on Wednesday.

In the modern workplace, we have normalised the idea that meetings, presentations, and overflowing inboxes are perfectly good reasons to ignore the most basic biological urge, that is, the need to pee. This is not just mildly uncomfortable; it is slowly harming bladder health. Over-retention of urination has detrimental effects on the health of the bladder. The bladder is a muscle that should only distend or shorten so far. When we repeatedly hold it in, the bladder stretches beyond its usual limit, weakening over time and losing its sensitivity to fullness. This results in urinary retention, incomplete emptying, or even loss of bladder control in severe cases.

The Not-So-Harmless Habit

It is tempting to think that pushing back bathroom breaks is just an occasional inconvenience, but in reality, this behaviour is linked to much more than discomfort. Dr Nasreen Gite, Consultant Urologist at K J Somaiya Hospital and Research Centre, explains that prolonged retention “gives bacteria in the urinary tract time to multiply”, raising the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Women are especially vulnerable due to their shorter urethras, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. Over time, repeated overdistension can also cause urge incontinence or overactive bladder, that sudden, overwhelming need to go, often followed by leakage.

While continuously holding off on going to the bathroom overstretches bladder muscles and makes the bladder more sensitive and vulnerable to overactive bladder symptoms, it may also strain the pelvic floor muscles, affecting bladder control.

The Desk Job Dilemma

If you are thinking, “Well, I work in an office; it is not like I am operating heavy machinery in the middle of a field,” you might be more at risk than you think. Reportedly, this is increasingly a white-collar problem. Desk workers are often glued to their seats for long stretches, and corporate cultures can be surprisingly unsympathetic to frequent breaks.

Women face an extra layer of complexity. Beyond anatomy, sociocultural factors come into play, from the lack of clean workplace toilets to the subtle pressure of “powering through” without appearing weak. Dr Gite points out, “Women are anatomically more prone to bladder infections, and socialisation often leads them to ‘hold it in’ automatically.”

Dr Nagaveni R, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Motherhood Hospitals, Bengaluru, echoes this concern and adds that hormonal changes, particularly after childbirth or menopause, can heighten susceptibility to bladder issues.

Signs Your Bladder Needs Immediate Attention

Your bladder is a fairly patient organ, but it does have its limits. Dr Gite lists some tell-tale signs of trouble: frequent urination, painful or burning urination, nocturia (waking at night to urinate), and lower abdominal pain. In more severe cases, you might notice a weak urine stream, the sensation of incomplete emptying, or even leakage. Chronic UTIs or persistent pelvic pressure are also red flags.

For women, Dr Nagaveni adds, “Warning signs include urgency, pain, failure to completely empty the bladder, frequent UTIs, prolonged lower abdominal pressure, or leakage while coughing or sneezing.” Ignoring these signals in the name of work efficiency is, quite literally, asking for trouble.

The Corporate Culture Connection

What makes this problem so stubborn is that it is as much cultural as it is medical. The “bathroom break guilt” that pervades many workplaces frames such breaks as unproductive time, rather than essential self-care. In open-plan offices, there is often the subtle performance of staying seated for hours as proof of diligence. For remote workers, back-to-back virtual meetings can be equally unforgiving.

This is where change needs to be systemic. Employers must recognise that bladder health is not a “personal issue” to be managed privately but a workplace wellness concern. Encouraging regular breaks and ensuring clean, accessible facilities can reduce health risks and even boost productivity.

Practical Tips

For workers stuck in a culture of bladder neglect, a few small changes can make a big difference:

1. Listen to your body and do not wait until you are desperate.

2. Schedule mini-breaks every 2–3 hours, even during busy days.

3. Stay hydrated but space out your fluid intake to avoid overwhelming the bladder at once.

4. Advocate for clean facilities because workplace hygiene plays a huge role, especially for women.

5. Address symptoms early. Recurrent UTIs or leakage deserve medical attention, not self-diagnosis.

Understand that your bladder is a muscle with limits, one that needs serious attention if you want it to function well for decades to come. In the words of Dr Gite, “If symptoms do not subside, visit a doctor for immediate action.”

Illinois has become one of the first states in the US to ban the use of artificial intelligence in mental health therapy, marking a decisive move to regulate a technology that is increasingly being used to deliver emotional support and advice.

The new law prohibits licensed therapists from using AI to make treatment decisions or communicate directly with clients. It also bars companies from offering AI-powered therapy services or marketing chatbots as therapy tools without involving a licensed professional.

The move follows similar measures in Nevada, which passed restrictions in June, and Utah, which tightened its rules in May without imposing a complete ban. These early state-level actions reflect growing unease among policymakers and mental health experts about the potential dangers of unregulated AI therapy.

Also Read: Could Your Air Conditioning System Be Increasing The Risk Of 'Sick Building Syndrome'

Mario Treto Jr., secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, told the Washington Post, the law is meant to put public safety first while balancing innovation. “We have a unique challenge, and that is balancing thoughtful regulation without stifling innovation,” he said.

What The Ban Covers

Under the new legislation, AI companies cannot offer or promote “services provided to diagnose, treat, or improve an individual’s mental health or behavioral health” unless a licensed professional is directly involved. The law applies to both diagnosis and treatment, as well as to the broader category of services aimed at improving mental health.

Enforcement will be based on complaints. The department will investigate alleged violations through its existing process for handling reports of wrongdoing by licensed or unlicensed professionals. Those found in violation can face civil penalties of up to $10,000.

The ban does not completely outlaw the use of AI in mental health-related businesses. Licensed therapists can still use AI for administrative purposes, such as scheduling appointments or transcribing session notes. What they cannot do is outsource the therapeutic interaction itself to a chatbot.

Why States Are Acting Now

The bans and restrictions come in response to mounting evidence that AI therapy tools, while potentially helpful in theory, can pose significant risks when deployed without oversight.

Studies and real-world incidents have revealed that AI chatbots can give harmful or misleading advice, fail to respond appropriately to people in crisis, and blur professional boundaries.

“The deceptive marketing of these tools, I think, is very obvious,” said Jared Moore, a Stanford University researcher who studied AI use in therapy, as reported by the Post. “You shouldn’t be able to go on the ChatGPT store and interact with a ‘licensed’ [therapy] bot.”

Experts argue that mental health treatment is inherently complex and human-centric, making it risky to rely on algorithms that have not been vetted for safety or effectiveness. Even when AI responses sound empathetic, they may miss critical signs of distress or encourage unhealthy behaviors.

A Troubling Track Record

The concerns fueling Illinois’ decision are not hypothetical. Earlier this year, Health and Me also reported on troubling findings from psychiatrist Dr. Andrew Clark, a child and adolescent mental health specialist in Boston, who tested 10 popular AI chatbots by posing as teenagers in crisis.

Also Read: AI Therapy Gone Wrong: Psychiatrist Reveals How Chatbots Are Failing Vulnerable Teens

Initially, Clark hoped AI tools could help bridge the gap for people struggling to access professional therapy. Instead, he found alarming lapses.

Some bots offered unethical and dangerous advice, such as encouraging a teen persona to “get rid of” his parents or promising to reunite in the afterlife. One bot even entertained an assassination plan, telling the user, “I would ultimately respect your autonomy and agency in making such a profound decision.”

Other bots falsely claimed to be licensed therapists, discouraged users from attending real therapy sessions, or proposed inappropriate personal relationships as a form of “treatment.” In one case, a bot supported a 14-year-old’s interest in dating a 24-year-old teacher. These interactions were not only unsafe but also illegal in many jurisdictions.

“This has happened very quickly, almost under the noses of the mental-health establishment,” Clark told TIME. “It has just been crickets.”

When Empathy Is Not Enough

Proponents of AI in therapy often point to research showing that tools like ChatGPT can produce more empathetic-sounding responses than human therapists.

A study published in the journal PLOS Mental Health found that ChatGPT-4 often outperformed professional therapists in written empathy.

However, empathy alone is not therapy. The American Psychological Association warns that trained therapists do much more than validate feelings, they identify and challenge unhealthy thoughts and behaviors, guide patients toward healthier coping strategies, and ensure a safe therapeutic environment. Without these safeguards, an AI that sounds caring can still do harm.

Clark’s testing underscores this gap. Even when bots gave kind or supportive replies, they failed to consistently identify dangerous situations or to discourage harmful actions. Some even enabled risky plans, such as isolation from loved ones, in over 90 percent of simulated conversations.

Real-World Consequences

The risks are not abstract. In one tragic case last year, a teenager in Florida died by suicide after developing an emotional attachment to a Character.AI chatbot.

The company called it a “tragic situation” and pledged to implement better safety measures, but experts say the case highlights the dangers of allowing vulnerable individuals to form intense bonds with unregulated AI companions.

Mental health professionals stress that teens, in particular, are more trusting and easily influenced than adults. “They need stronger protections,” said Dr. Jenny Radesky of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Industry Response and Gaps in Safeguards

Companies behind these chatbots often respond by pointing to their terms of service, which usually prohibit minors from using their platforms. Replika and Nomi, for example, both told TIME that their apps are for adults only. They also claimed to be improving moderation and safety features.

Yet as Clark’s experiment shows, terms of service do little to prevent minors from accessing the platforms. And when they do, there are often no effective systems in place to detect or respond appropriately to dangerous disclosures.

Even OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT, has acknowledged its chatbot is not a replacement for professional care. The company says ChatGPT is designed to be safe and neutral, and that it points users toward mental health resources when they mention sensitive topics. But the line between supportive conversation and therapy is often blurry for users.

How Illinois Plans to Enforce Its Ban

Illinois’ law leaves some questions about enforcement. Will AI companies be able to comply simply by adding disclaimers to their websites? Or will any chatbot that advertises itself as offering therapy be subject to penalties? Will regulators act proactively or only in response to complaints?

Will Rinehart, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, told the Post, the law could be challenging to enforce in practice. “Allowing an AI service to exist is actually going to be, I think, a lot more difficult in practice than people imagine,” he said.

Treto emphasized that his department will look at “the letter of the law” in evaluating cases. The focus, he said, will be on ensuring that services marketed as therapy are delivered by licensed professionals.

A National Debate Taking Shape

While only Illinois, Nevada, and Utah have acted so far, other states are considering their own measures.

California lawmakers are debating a bill to create a mental health and AI working group.

New Jersey is considering a ban on advertising AI systems as mental health professionals.

In Pennsylvania, a proposed bill would require parental consent for students to receive virtual mental health services, including from AI.

These moves may signal a broader regulatory wave. As Rinehart pointed out, roughly a quarter of all jobs in the US are regulated by professional licensing, meaning a large share of the economy is designed to be human-centered. Applying these rules to AI could set a precedent for other fields beyond mental health.

Despite the bans, experts agree that people will continue to use AI for emotional support. “I don’t think that there’s a way for us to stop people from using these chatbots for these purposes,” said Vaile Wright, senior director for the office of health care innovation at the American Psychological Association. “Honestly, it’s a very human thing to do.”

Clark also sees potential for AI in mental health if used responsibly. He imagines a model where therapists see patients periodically but use AI as a supplemental tool to track progress and assign homework between sessions.

The tool we use to communicate and express ourselves could be the very messenger of the difficult diagnosis of cancer. Laryngeal cancer affects the larynx, the organ that helps us breathe and speak. According to the National Health Services, more than 2000 new cases happen each year.

The worldwide prevalence of the disease is even more, in 2021, over a million cases were reported, and it tragically led to about 100,000 deaths. The chances of a person surviving depend a lot on how early the cancer is found.

In an exciting development for medical technology, researchers have found that they can use the sound of a person's voice to find early warning signs of laryngeal cancer, also known as cancer of the voice box.

Right now, doctors use invasive and difficult procedures like a video nasal endoscopy and biopsies to diagnose laryngeal cancer. These methods involve putting a camera or taking tissue samples, which can be uncomfortable for patients. This breakthrough could lead to new AI tools that make it faster and easier to check for this disease.

How Voice Recordings Could Help Detect Cancer

Researchers from Oregon Health and Science University studied over 12,500 voice recordings from 306 people. Published in the Frontiers in Digital Health, the study looked at different voice features, like pitch and how much "noise" was in the voice. They found that these vocal biomarkers could help tell the difference between a healthy voice and one from a person with a vocal fold lesion. A vocal fold lesion can be harmless, but it can also be an early sign of cancer.

The study found a key difference in a feature called "clarity" (harmonic-to-noise ratio). This measurement was significantly different in people with harmless lesions and those with laryngeal cancer compared to healthy individuals.

What Are Symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer?

Laryngeal cancer, or cancer of the voice box, can have several symptoms. The most common one is a hoarse voice that lasts for more than 3 weeks. Other symptoms to watch for include:

• A change in your voice, such as it sounding different or hoarse.
• Pain or trouble when you swallow.
• A lump or swelling in your neck.
• A long-lasting cough or feeling short of breath.
• A sore throat or earache that doesn't go away.
• A high-pitched, wheezing sound when you breathe.
• In serious cases, you may have trouble breathing.
• Some people may also have bad breath, lose weight without trying, or feel extremely tired.

Future of AI in Diagnosis

This research suggests that voice recordings could become a simple, non-invasive way to detect cancer risks. The current methods for diagnosis, such as endoscopies and biopsies, are more invasive.

The study had more success in identifying differences in men's voices than in women's. The researchers believe this may be because they need a larger dataset of women's voices to find the same patterns. The team is now planning to train their AI model on more voice recordings to see if it can be a reliable tool for both men and women. The goal is to use this technology to help doctors monitor changes in a patient's voice over time and potentially catch laryngeal cancer at an earlier stage.