Feminine hygiene products' safety is a big thing. Even while manufacturing, these products must be handled with care because unsafe practices can lead to serious health issues. These products are used for the hygiene of intimate areas, and it is very easy to get infections and other health issues from using improper period products and so one must be careful. Now, there are many more period products, many of which are reusable. Reusable period products aim to make period hygiene more accessible as well as reduce wastage. However, could these reusable products be the cause of declining health?

A new study, published on July 22 in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, found that reusable feminine hygiene products, like period underwear and reusable pads, often contain harmful chemicals called PFAS. These are known as "forever chemicals" because they don't break down easily in the environment or our bodies. This is a big deal because more and more people are choosing these products for their eco-friendly benefits.

Are Hygiene Products for Women Safe?

Researchers from the University of Notre Dame, checked 59 reusable feminine hygiene products from different countries. They tested products from five categories to see how much total fluorine, a sign of PFAS, they contained. For products with many layers, they tested each layer separately, making for a total of 323 samples.

PFAS in Many Products

The study found that a lot of period underwear (33%) and reusable pads (25%) had high levels of PFAS on purpose. While most other products had lower levels of PFAS, likely not added on purpose, 19 products were tested more closely for specific PFAS chemicals. Every single one of these 19 products had PFAS, with two common types being 6:2 and 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohols.

Products from North America, South America, and Europe all had at least one item with these intentionally added PFAS. However, the good news is that at least one product in each category did not have any intentionally added PFAS. This suggests that these chemicals aren't actually needed to make these products.

Risks to Health and the Environment

Researchers stressed how important it is for these reusable products to be safe, especially for young women who might be more sensitive to these chemicals. Finding PFAS in reusable period products is worrying for a few reasons:

Health Problems

PFAS have been linked to many health issues, including problems with the immune system, hormones, development in children, low birth weight, early puberty, high blood pressure in pregnant women, and even some cancers. These chemicals are so widespread that they're found in the blood of most Americans.

Skin Contact

Since these reusable products touch the skin directly, there's a concern that PFAS could be absorbed into the body.

Environmental Harm

When these products are thrown away, the PFAS in them can stay in landfills for a long time, polluting our water sources.

How Do We Ensure Safety?

According to the University of Notre Dame news release, the researchers purposely didn't name specific brands. Instead, they hope their study will push companies to be more open about the ingredients in their products. Dr. Graham Peaslee, another author, pointed out that while reusable period products are seen as eco-friendly, the presence of PFAS goes against that idea, harming both users and the environment.

A key finding is that only some brands are intentionally using PFAS. Researchers explained, this means PFAS aren't essential for making these products. This is positive news, as it suggests manufacturers can create these environmentally friendly items without using concerning chemicals.

The study aims to help people ask manufacturers the right question: "Does this product contain any intentionally added PFAS?" Since there are currently no rules for labeling these products, and only a few U.S. states have laws about PFAS in consumer goods, studies like this are vital. They help regulators and manufacturers find where PFAS are being used and encourage the development of safer alternatives.

Grieving is different for everyone; some people grieve in private, while others grieve by sharing their love and stories with others. It is a natural process one goes through after a loss. While you are eventually expected to move on and find peace with the absence, it isn’t easy for many. Some people grieve for years and others spend their lifetimes looking for peace after the loss.

A new study reveals that people experiencing very strong grief after losing a loved one are almost twice as likely to die within ten years of that loss. This means their chances of dying early increase by 88%.

Long-Term Impact of Grief

The study, published in Frontiers in Public Health, looked at how grief affects people over a decade. It found that those with consistently high levels of grief in the first few years after a loss were not only more likely to die sooner but also:

• Nearly three times more likely to get mental health care, like talk therapy.
• Over five times more likely to be prescribed antidepressants.
• More than twice as likely to be given sedatives or anti-anxiety medications.

Researchers followed over 1,700 grieving men and women in Denmark. Their average age was 62. Most of them (66%) had lost their partner, 27% had lost a parent, and 7% had lost another close person.

Participants answered questions about their grief levels over the first three years after their loss. The study found that about 6% of people had very high grief that didn't lessen over time. In contrast, 38% had consistently low grief, and 47% experienced strong or moderate grief at first, which then slowly decreased.

How Does Grief Imapct Our Body?

According to the US National Institute of Aging, grief can affect you both physically and emotionally. As time goes by, you'll still miss your loved one, but for most people, the intense pain will slowly fade. You'll have good days and bad days. It's important to remember that feeling surprised or even guilty for laughing or enjoying time with friends is a common part of the grieving process. It's common to cry easily and experience things like:

• Trouble sleeping
• Lack of interest in food
• Difficulty concentrating
• Problems making decisions

Why Does Intense Grief Affect Mortality?

While the study clearly shows a link between strong, ongoing grief and an increased risk of early death, researchers aren't entirely sure why. Researchers mentioned that past research found connections between high grief and higher rates of heart disease, mental health problems, and even suicide, but more investigation is needed into the link with early death.

However, the study did offer a clue: people in the "high grief" group were more likely to have prescriptions for mental health conditions even before their loved one passed away. This suggests they might have been more emotionally vulnerable, making the loss even harder to cope with. They explained that these individuals also generally had less education.

What Does Intense Grief Mean?

It's normal to feel sad, numb, or lost for a while after a death. However, for some, grief can become so long-lasting or distressing that it turns into something unhealthy, known as complicated grief. People with this condition might struggle to understand or accept the loss, experience intense and ongoing sadness, and find it hard to get back to their daily life or plan for the future. Other signs include being overwhelmed by negative emotions, constantly thinking about the person who died or how they died, and feeling a lack of meaning or purpose in life.

Identifying Those at Risk

Complicated grief is a serious condition that may require extra help. If your sadness is making it difficult to live your daily life, please know that help is available. You can reach out to a support group, a mental health professional, or trusted loved ones. If cost is a concern, ask your doctor or healthcare provider about local programs or professionals who offer affordable or free help.

Doctors might be able to identify people at risk for severe and prolonged grief by looking for previous signs of depression or other serious mental health conditions. If a doctor spots these signs, they can offer specific support, such as tailored follow-up appointments, referrals to therapists, or dedicated grief counseling. This proactive approach could help those most vulnerable navigate their grief and potentially improve their long-term health outcomes.

Being in the military means you may witness things or be involved in combat or missions that are life-threatening and horrible to deal with. There are accidents, training injuries, or difficult situations that place them under immense stress. All of these things lead to PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the US National Center for PTSD, at some point in their lives, 7 out of 100 veterans will have PTSD. This number increases to 13 for the female veterans. Dealing with this can take a lifetime, with them experiencing symptoms for years.

Combat veterans also often struggle with anxiety, and depression after experiencing traumatic brain injuries (TBI). These struggles can leave them feeling hopeless and even suicidal. However, a surprising new treatment might offer hope: a psychedelic drug called ibogaine.

How Ibogaine Might Help

Ibogaine comes from the roots of an African shrub. A recent study, published in Nature Mental Health, suggests that this drug can safely and effectively treat the long-term effects of TBI in veterans. Thirty veterans took part in the study, traveling to Mexico for the treatment because ibogaine is not legal in the U.S.

Researchers discovered that ibogaine changes brain activity in ways that can reduce stress and help veterans better deal with their past trauma. A lead researcher from Stanford Medicine noted that no other drug has been able to ease the brain and mental health symptoms of TBI in this way. He called the results "dramatic" and plans to study the compound further.

What Ibogaine Is?

People who take ibogaine often say the experience is like a "waking dream," where they think about memories and see strong images. This compound is used in African religious ceremonies and has also been looked at as a possible treatment for depression and to help people overcome drug addiction.

Journey to Mexico and Positive Outcomes

For this study, researchers worked with a small group of 30 special operations veterans. These veterans had lasting symptoms from TBIs and had been exposed to many explosions. The veterans chose to receive ibogaine treatment at a clinic in Mexico on their own. The clinic gave them ibogaine by mouth, with medical supervision. They also received a dose of magnesium, which helps prevent heart problems sometimes linked to the drug.

Before the treatment, doctors from Stanford checked the veterans. Many had PTSD, anxiety, or issues with alcohol. About half had thought about suicide at some point, and some had even attempted it. Within just one month of ibogaine treatment, the improvements were significant:

• PTSD symptoms dropped by 88%
• Depression symptoms dropped by 87%
• Anxiety symptoms dropped by 81%

The veterans also reported less disability and better focus, thinking skills, memory, and impulse control. Another veteran in the study, who served in the U.S. Navy for 27 years, shared that his thinking abilities were "fully restored" after ibogaine, which helped him at work and improved his family life.

How Ibogaine Changes the Brain

Brain scans helped researchers understand why the drug might be effective. Veterans whose planning and organizing skills improved after treatment showed an increase in certain brain waves called theta rhythms. Stronger theta rhythms might help the brain adapt and be more flexible. Similarly, those with fewer PTSD symptoms showed less complicated brain activity, suggesting the drug helps calm the intense stress response associated with PTSD. These brain scans might also help doctors find out which patients would benefit most from ibogaine.

The study reported no serious side effects, and no heart problems occurred. Veterans did mention typical symptoms like headaches and nausea during treatment.

Partly because of these positive findings, Texas recently approved a $50 million plan to fund more studies of ibogaine. This program will help match private money for ibogaine trials, which could lead to the drug being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Researchers believe ibogaine could become a broader drug for brain recovery. They think it works on unique brain pathways and could help us better understand how to treat other forms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression that aren't necessarily connected to TBI.

The liver is one of the largest and hardest-working organs in the human body. It plays a crucial role in keeping you healthy by filtering toxins from the blood, aiding digestion, storing energy, and performing hundreds of other vital tasks. When this powerhouse organ becomes damaged or starts to underperform, your body often gives off warning signs, and some of the earliest clues can show up on your skin.

Liver disease is a progressive condition that, if left untreated, can lead to serious complications such as cirrhosis or liver failure. The good news is that catching it early makes a big difference. According to experts, there are visible skin changes you can notice yourself that might hint at underlying liver trouble.

Here are four skin-related signs that could point to liver disease and why they happen, as per Dr Saurabh Sethi, MD, MPH, board-certified gastroenterologist, hepatologist, and interventional endoscopist trained at AIIMS, Harvard and Stanford.

Yellowing of the Skin and Eyes (Jaundice)

This is perhaps the most well-known sign of liver issues. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin, a yellowish pigment produced during the breakdown of red blood cells, builds up in the body. Normally, the liver processes bilirubin and flushes it out. But when the liver is damaged or inflamed, this process is disrupted, leading to yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. If you or someone you know notices this change, it’s a strong signal to get checked.

Spider Angiomas (Spider-like Blood Vessels)

These are small, web-like clusters of dilated blood vessels that often appear on the face, neck, upper chest, or arms. They get their name because they resemble tiny red spiders just under the surface of the skin. In liver disease, they tend to appear due to increased estrogen levels in the body, which the liver normally helps regulate. Their presence could be more than just a cosmetic concern—it may be a sign of liver dysfunction.

Palmar Erythema (Red Palms)

Palmar erythema refers to redness and sometimes swelling of the palms, particularly around the base of the thumb and little finger. This condition is also linked to elevated estrogen levels in the bloodstream and increased blood flow, both of which may result from impaired liver function. It can be a subtle symptom that’s easy to miss, but it’s worth noting if it persists without another explanation.

Unexplained Itching, Especially at Night

If you're experiencing persistent itching that doesn’t seem to have a clear cause, and particularly if it gets worse at night, it could be linked to liver disease. This type of itching often stems from the buildup of bile salts under the skin, which happens when the liver struggles to eliminate waste properly. Unlike typical skin conditions, liver-related itching usually doesn't come with a rash, which makes it even trickier to identify.

Understanding Liver Disease and Its Stages

Chronic liver disease doesn’t develop overnight. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it typically progresses through four key stages: hepatitis (inflammation), fibrosis (mild scarring), cirrhosis (advanced scarring), and eventually liver failure if left untreated.

Globally, liver disease is responsible for around 2 million deaths each year, roughly 4 percent of all deaths. In the U.S., it affects about 4.5 million adults, with men being diagnosed almost twice as often as women.

Why Early Detection Matters

Many symptoms of liver disease can be subtle or easily mistaken for other conditions. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to changes in your body, especially your skin. If you notice any of these signs, consider speaking to a healthcare provider. Early detection and proper management can help prevent the disease from progressing and protect your long-term health.