“I remember waking up and feeling a strange numbness in one side of my face, I thought I slept wrong, but nothing could’ve prepared me for what I saw in the mirror that day.” Bobby followed a similar pattern of daily habits, wake up, finish the household duties, prepare the kids for their day, exercise and sleep as early as she can. However, worrying symptoms of facial paralysis were evident.

Being a homemaker, Bobby did not have out of the ordinary issues that could cause a disease contraction or sudden illness. “Upon visiting the doctor, we found out that this was a condition called ‘Bell’s Palsy’ a sudden and unexplained condition. As quickly as the symptoms showed up, we hoped the condition would also disappear, however that was a short-lived dream as it took months of physical therapy and medication to finally be rid of it.”

Bell palsy occurs when the muscles in one side of your face suddenly become weak or can't move at all. It usually starts quickly and can get worse within two days. This happens because the nerve in your face (called the facial nerve) gets damaged and you might feel pain or feel uncomfortable on that side of your face or head.

Bell palsy can affect anyone, no matter their age but it occurs more often among pregnant women and in people who have diabetes, flu, cold, or any other kind of sickness in their nose or throat. Men and women get it equally and it's not very common in kids younger than 15 or adults older than 60.

While you may not have heard of this disease, it is quite common. Dr. Siddharth Gautam, Neurosurgeon and a Member of Doctube, explains how approximately Bell’s palsy impacts approximately 15-30 people per 100,000 annually worldwide, in India. “In my neurosurgery practice, I see a significant number of cases each year, underscoring that this condition, while often overlooked in public awareness, is not uncommon.”

How Well Versed Are People With This Condition?

“In my experience, most patients are taken by surprise when diagnosed. Bell’s palsy typically presents abruptly, with rapid-onset, one-sided facial weakness or paralysis, often within hours” explained Dr. Gautam, he further explained how the change in their face can be deeply unsettling and causes people to take immediate steps. Other subtle signs include ear pain, altered taste, or facial tingling which could be early signs. However, people often mistake them as dental issues or ear problems, leading to delay in diagnosis.

Early Intervention Is Crucial For Bell Palsy Treatment

Dr. Gautum emphasized the need of early intervention, “Treating Bell’s palsy is the critical time window for intervention. Early initiation of corticosteroids, ideally within the first 72 hours, significantly improves outcomes.” He explained that people don't realize they have it quickly or wait too long to see a doctor, it can take longer to get better, and their face might not fully go back to normal. Also, it's important to help patients feel less worried and deal with how their face looks different, but this often doesn't get enough attentio

Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy

According to John Hopkins Medicine, bell palsy isn't usually something that stays forever but sometimes, in rare cases, it doesn't go away completely. Right now, doctors don't know how to cure Bell palsy. Most people start to get better within two weeks to six months after it starts, most people get all the strength and movement back in their face.

• Trouble moving face muscles for things like smiling, squinting, blinking, or closing your eye
• Headache
• Watery eye (tearing)
• Drooling
• Losing your sense of taste on the front part of your tongue
• Being extra sensitive to sounds in one ear
• Not being able to close one of your eyes

Can It Cause Long-Term Damage?

Bell palsy usually goes away over time without causing lasting issues. But it's important to take any medicine your doctor gives you. Protecting your eye from drying out is also key. Using eye drops during the day and ointment at night can help prevent scratches.

Bell palsy usually starts to get better in about two weeks. But it can take three to six months to go back to normal. Call your doctor if you don't get better, you have new symptoms, or your symptoms get worse.

What are the Risk Factors related to Bell Palsy?

Dr Gautum explains that there are some risks associated with bell’s palsy which include viral infections, diabetes, and hypertension. Another factor could be “pregnancy (especially in the third trimester), and recent upper respiratory infections. In my clinical practice, I also observe that stress and certain autoimmune conditions may predispose individuals to this condition, potentially affecting nerve function.”

A new survey by the RAND research group gives us a fresh look at who's using GLP-1 drugs for weight loss and what they're experiencing. As the popularity of weight loss drugs rises, this survey shows what the US adults actually think about its usage, from how many people wish to use it as well as what kind of side effects are they seeing.

The study surveyed 8,793 adults in April and May 2025. It's one of the largest surveys to date on this topic, and it helps us see how popular these drugs have become in the last couple of years.

The most popular drug in this group is semaglutide. It's sold under brand names like Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss. The number of prescriptions for these drugs has more than tripled since 2020.

How Many US Adults Have Used Weight Loss Drugs?

GLP-1 agonists are a type of medicine used for managing blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes and for treating obesity. They work by copying a natural hormone that helps your body release insulin, lowers blood sugar, slows down digestion, and helps you feel full.

This is the reason this GLP-1 antagonists rose into popularity. The fact that the GLP-1 antagonists could assist in weight loss is what made it popular with celebrities, and triggered craze among people. However, that is what we saw on social media. The actual number of people who are using the GLP-1 antagonists may be surprising.

The results show that about 12% of Americans have tried a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Zepbound. That number is similar to what was found in a 2023 study, suggesting that the rate of use has stayed steady. Interestingly, the survey also found that an additional 14% of people are interested in trying these drugs in the future.

Who is Taking The Weight Loss Drugs?

The survey results show that GLP-1 drugs are most popular among people aged 50 to 64. In this group, almost 19% of people have tried one. When you break it down further by gender, the numbers are even more striking. The highest usage rate was found in women aged 50 to 64, with one in five having used a GLP-1 drug.

While women generally use these drugs more than men, this isn't true for all age groups. For example, among those aged 30 to 49, women are more than twice as likely as men to have used a GLP-1 drug. However, in people 65 and older, men actually have a slightly higher usage rate than women.

Common Ozempic Side Effects

The survey also asked people who have used GLP-1 drugs about the side effects they experienced. The most common ones were related to digestion. Over half of the users (52%) reported nausea, and about a third of users (34%) reported diarrhea.

Another common side effect was vomiting, which was reported by about 20% of users. A smaller number of people, about 9%, reported having a hollowed-out look on their face, sometimes called "Ozempic face." The good news is that most people who had side effects said they were mild and not serious.

Who Is More Likely To Use Ozempic For Weight Loss?

While the data shows that women generally use GLP-1 agonists more than men, there are notable variations by age. Among those aged 65 and older, men have a slightly higher usage rate. However, women between the ages of 30 and 49 are more than twice as likely to have used a GLP-1 agonist as their male peers.

Use is highest among adults aged 50 to 64. In this group, one in five women (20%) reported having ever used a GLP-1 agonist, the highest rate among all demographic groups.

Tennis great Björn Borg says he is taking life “day by day, year by year” after being diagnosed with an “extremely aggressive” form of prostate cancer, a revelation he saved for the final chapter of his new autobiography, reported AP. The 69-year-old, who underwent surgery in 2024 and is now in remission, told BBC Breakfast and later spoke to news outlets about the emotional toll of the diagnosis and the way he approaches follow-up testing.

Diagnosis, treatment and life in remission

In Heartbeats: A Memoir, co-written with his wife Patricia, Borg writes candidly about being told his cancer was “at its most advanced stage.” He said his doctor warned of “sleeping cancer cells” and told him it would be a fight in the years ahead, a battle Borg vowed to meet with familiar resolve. “I will fight every day like it’s a Wimbledon final,” he said. After an operation in 2024, Borg reports the cancer is in remission, but he stressed that regular six-monthly tests are now part of his life.

A champion’s mindset

Borg has long been associated with an ice-calm competitive temperament and a refusal to surrender on court. Now, he applies that same mentality to his health. Asked about the psychological impact, Borg conceded the diagnosis was “difficult psychologically,” but he countered that determination with pragmatism: tests, check-ups and an acceptance that his future will involve vigilant monitoring. The comparison to a Grand Slam final is more than rhetoric, it’s a metaphor he’s leaned on to frame the daily grind of recovery and watchful living.

Also Read: Björn Borg Shares His Experience Of Living With Prostate Cancer

Remembering the peak: Wimbledon, McEnroe and early retirement

Borg remains one of tennis’s defining figures: 11 Grand Slam singles titles, including five consecutive Wimbledon crowns and six French Open triumphs, a run that cemented his status as a dominant force in the 1970s and early 1980s. His 1980 Wimbledon final against John McEnroe, the near four-hour epic in which McEnroe saved seven championship points, is frequently cited among the sport’s greatest matches; Borg called it “the most satisfying match I ever played.” People reported the rivalry with McEnroe, branded “Fire and Ice,” later warmed into friendship: the two now see one another socially and speak about modern tennis rather than merely their past encounters.

The aftermath of early fame

Borg’s decision to retire unexpectedly in his mid-20s surprised the tennis world. In his memoir he explains that burnout, loss of motivation and a lack of a life plan contributed to a turbulent post-tennis period that included substance use and near-fatal incidents in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He writes openly about those years as part of a broader effort to explain who he is away from the court and how he rebuilt his life. Today, he says he’s “very happy with myself” after years of recovery and self-repair.

Looking forward: small steps, familiar grit

Borg’s account is both a personal reckoning and an implicit reminder about the importance of medical vigilance. He told interviewers that after the operation he has regular blood tests and scans, and that living with the possibility of recurrence is something he faces with the same focus he once reserved for match day. While he acknowledges the psychological weight of the diagnosis, his message is quiet but unambiguous: tackle each test, each day, with determination, and keep moving forward.

A new wellness trend is sweeping TikTok and Instagram, magnesium lotion, hailed by influencers as a natural fix for sleep troubles and a wide range of health issues.

The mineral magnesium plays an important role in the body, regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and energy production. Some studies have suggested that oral magnesium supplements may improve sleep, though evidence remains limited.

Now, influencers are going a step further by promoting magnesium in lotion or cream form, claiming it can do everything from balancing cortisol and insulin levels to relieving muscle soreness, arthritis, and fibromyalgia.

“Did you know rubbing magnesium cream on your child’s feet can help with sleep?” one TikTok user asks, promising it can also ease growing pains. Another swears by it for stopping leg cramps, while others call it “magic in a bottle.”

The claims may sound convincing, but are they backed by science?

The claim

Fans of magnesium lotion argue that applying it directly to the skin, especially the feet, can improve sleep. Others recommend using it across the body to tackle a range of issues, including mood swings and pain.

And people are buying into the hype. Market analysts estimate that the topical magnesium industry generated more than $400 million in 2024 alone.

The evidence

Despite the buzz, scientists say there is little proof that magnesium can be effectively absorbed through the skin.

“The problem with this is that the skin is a barrier, not a sponge,” explains dermatologist and Harvard researcher Nicholas Theodosakis. He notes that while some medicines are delivered transdermally via patches, magnesium has not been proven to work this way.

Most of the perceived benefits may come from the act of massaging lotion into the skin or from the moisturizing base itself. Creams often improve skin health regardless of added ingredients.

“You apply a lotion or ointment and your skin looks and feels better,” says Theodosakis. “That’s simply because creams promote hydration, not because magnesium is being absorbed.”

The nuance

Still, experts stop short of dismissing the trend entirely. Dr. John Winkelman, a Harvard sleep specialist, says he has had patients report success with products like “magnesium butter” for better sleep, as reported by NPR.

While he remains skeptical about the science, Winkelman acknowledges that placebo can be powerful, particularly when it comes to sleep. “If something is safe and helps my patients sleep, I’m not against it,” he says.

However, he emphasizes that he would not recommend magnesium lotion as a first-line treatment. Unlike drugs, supplements and related products are not evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety and efficacy. That means there is no guarantee these lotions actually deliver what they promise.

For conditions like restless legs syndrome, which influencers often claim magnesium lotion can ease, proven medical therapies already exist. “It’s not fair to recommend things that haven’t been shown to be effective,” says Winkelman.

So, does magnesium lotion help you sleep better? Current evidence says no. But the good news is that experts agree it’s unlikely to do harm, aside from the cost.

Dermatologist Theodosakis adds that the popularity of such products reflects how closely skincare and wellness are tied to psychology and culture. “Skin is such a visible and personal part of us,” he notes. “It’s natural that trends latch onto it.”

For now, magnesium lotion remains more of a viral fad than a scientifically proven sleep aid. If it feels relaxing and helps you unwind at night, the benefit may simply come from the ritual itself — not the mineral inside the bottle.