“The Boys” actress Erin Moriarty is using her platform to spotlight an often-overlooked autoimmune condition— Graves' disease. In an intimate Instagram post, Moriarty, 30, explained how she thought her symptoms were just stress and exhaustion but was properly diagnosed with Graves' disease last month—an autoimmune disease that impacts 1 in 100 Americans.

Erin Moriarty, posted on Instagram to announce she has been diagnosed with Graves' disease. At first, she had written off her symptoms as just "stress and fatigue." But after treatment began last month, she felt an incredible change in her health. "Within 24 hours of starting treatment, I started feeling the light turn back on — and it's just gotten brighter ever since," she posted. Encouraging her fans to listen to their own health, she added, "If your light is fading, even a little bit, go get checked."

This revelation doesn't just underscore the need to heed our bodies—it also yanks Graves' disease out of medical invisibility and into mainstream health conversation. Here's what you need to know about the condition, its symptoms, who it most affects, and how early diagnosis can be a life-saver.

What Is Graves' Disease?

Graves' disease is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly targets the thyroid gland, leading it to release excessive hormones beyond what the body requires. It results in hyperthyroidism—overactive metabolism—and impacts almost every organ in the body.

As stated by the National Institutes of Health, this hormonal excess can interrupt the normal energy balance of the body and lead to a wide range of symptoms that may go unseen or be attributed to contemporary stressors.

Moriarty's story is typical of numerous instances in which early symptoms of autoimmune malfunction are written off. "Autoimmune disease presents differently in everybody/every body," she wrote. In her case, it was a strange degree of fatigue and emotional burnout. "If I hadn't attributed it all to stress and fatigue, I would've caught this sooner."

Within 24 hours of starting treatment, Moriarty reported feeling "the light coming back on"—evidence of how rapidly Graves' disease can recover with the proper treatment when caught early.

Signs of Graves' Disease to Watch Out For

Graves' disease has no one, obvious symptom. Rather, it's usually a disorienting mix of physical and emotional symptoms. Early signs are:

• Sensitivity to heat
• Unexplained weight loss even though appetite is normal or increased
• Fatigue, insomnia, or nervousness
• Anxiety, irritability, and tremors
• With worsening of the disease, people may have:
• Rapid heart rate or palpitations
• Increased bowel movements
• Shortness of breath
• Interrupted menstrual periods
• Erectile dysfunction or decreased libido

One of the more overt effects is Graves' ophthalmopathy—occasionally seen in a third of patients—which may result in:

• Bulging or irritated eyes
• Blurred or double vision
• Light sensitivity
• Eye pressure or pain

It is rare that patients will develop Graves' dermopathy, a thickened and colored skin eruption, particularly on the shins.

What Causes Graves' Disease?

Though precise causes are unknown, the Cleveland Clinic identifies a combination of environmental and genetic factors. A renegade immune system starts to make antibodies that hyperstimulate the thyroid gland. Heredity accounts for approximately 79% of the risk factor, but stress, infections, and hormonal changes may serve as the trigger.

Moriarty's experience is familiar to many young women who discount recurring symptoms until they have reached a crisis point. "Within 24 hours of starting treatment," she wrote, "I began to feel the light coming on."

Who's Most at Risk?

Graves' disease is a relatively uncommon condition, but it strikes disproportionately against women, five times more likely to be diagnosed than men. Risk factors are:

• Family history of autoimmune disorders
• Deficiency in vitamin D or selenium
• Smoking
• Underlying conditions such as Type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, or rheumatoid arthritis

Women in their 20s and 30s—such as Moriarty—are especially susceptible, making it even more important to be aware of it early on, says Yale Medicine.

Treating Graves' Disease

In the U.S., treatment usually begins with medicines known as antithyroid medications, such as methimazole or propylthiouracil, which suppress the production of thyroid hormones. Most individuals start feeling better within a short time, but complete remission takes anywhere from 12 to 18 months.

When medications do not bring long-term relief from Graves' disease, more intensive measures may be needed. Radioiodine therapy is a common technique that destroys the excess thyroid tissue. When the condition is more severe or does not respond to other measures, a thyroidectomy might be necessary. Because both procedures can result in hypothyroidism, hormone replacement therapy is usually lifelong to sustain hormonal equilibrium. As in the case of Erin Moriarty, identifying symptoms early and taking prompt action can greatly enhance the quality of life and avert complications.

What Are The Risks of Not Treating Graves' Disease?

Untreated, Graves' disease can severely impact overall health and result in several complications. One of the more alarming risks is atrial fibrillation, a form of irregular heart rhythm that can worsen to heart failure or stroke. In extreme cases, the patient can suffer a thyroid storm — a sudden and life-threatening injection of thyroid hormones. The disease also leads to osteoporosis over time, making the patient more prone to fractures through weakened bones. Furthermore, there's also a higher risk of developing thyroid cancer. For pregnant women, the stakes are even greater: if left untreated, Graves' disease can result in severe consequences including miscarriage, preeclampsia, preterm labor, and low birth weight. These complications make early diagnosis and continued management critically important.

Celebrity disclosures like Moriarty’s bring invaluable attention to conditions that are often misunderstood or stigmatized. By sharing her journey, Moriarty not only shed light on Graves’ disease but also issued a crucial call to action,“Go get checked.”

If you’ve been experiencing persistent fatigue, rapid heartbeat, or unexplained weight loss, don’t ignore the signs. In Moriarty’s words: “If yours is dimming, even slightly, go get checked.”

“This is a warning specifically for parents” — Influencer Michael Brown recently released a video warning parents as well as others, about a potentially addictive drink that is easily available at gas stations in the US. He detailed how, during a casual visit to the gas station store for a beverage, he was approached by a young boy who asked him to buy ‘Feel Free’ for him. Despite being refused, the kid persisted and even tried lunging for Michael’s wallet, leaving him shaken up.

While paying at the counter, Michael recalled asking the shop cashier what ‘Feel Free’ was, to which she pointed at little blue bottles on the counter. She said people are so addicted to it that sometimes they visit 5–6 times a day to buy it — “It’s addictive and people lose their minds.” A quick look at the comments section of the post, which now has more than 9 million views on Instagram, had many people shocked at the severity of the drink and its consequences. Different healthcare professionals also detailed their experience with patients. “It’s Kratom! Have had patients with seizures because of this and also babies experiencing withdrawal from maternal use during pregnancy. It’s no joke,” commented Dr. Shilpa, MD, Child Neurologist and Development Specialist.

To know how many people are affected or it continues to affect, you do not have to look too far — a subreddit known as QuittingFeelFree, which has 5k members, and QuittingKratom with 52k members, are prime spots to get first-person accounts of people who struggled for years or months with their addictions.

In one of the stories, Jasmine Adeoye from Austin posted on TikTok that just a few months before June 2024, she drank several bottles of Feel Free a day and found that quitting it was not easy.

Last year, the production company of Feel Free also faced lawsuits, however, many people are not aware of the same. CBS News had reported that Botanic Tonics had also faced a class-action lawsuit filed in 2023. The lawsuit alleged that the company's marketing was misleading and targeted individuals with a history of addiction. In a statement, the company said it had "fallen short of the high standards of transparency" and implemented changes like enhanced labeling and age restrictions.

Feel Free and List of Ingredients

One of the main ingredients listed in the ‘Feel Free’ drinks is ground kratom leaves. Now a regular person would think — how bad can leaves be? — and consume the drink, but it’s these same leaves that are risky and can lead to severe addiction.

Native to Southeast Asia, the US Food and Drug Administration explains that it also carries the risk of addiction, seizures, and, in rare cases, death. Since kratom is unregulated in the U.S., some products are sold in highly concentrated forms and may contain contaminants like heavy metals and harmful bacteria.

What Happens with Unregulated Use of Kratom?

The American Addiction Centers detailed how lower doses of kratom could help people increase energy and alertness, while higher doses could produce effects similar to that of opioid drug abuse. They detailed a 7-year study done from 2011–2017. The study pointed out how there were 1,800 calls to poison control centers about kratom, with most of those calls happening in the last two years of that period. Here are some things that can happen with unregulated use of kratom:

Addiction and Withdrawal

While it's not common, long-term and heavy kratom use can lead to addiction. People who stop using it suddenly might experience withdrawal symptoms that feel similar to the flu, such as nausea, vomiting, body aches, and chills.

Lack of Regulation

The FDA has not approved kratom for any use. This means that kratom products are not regulated and can sometimes be contaminated with dangerous substances like heavy metals and harmful bacteria. The FDA has warned consumers not to use kratom and has seized shipments of kratom-containing products.

Mixing with Other Substances

Taking kratom with other drugs or alcohol can be very dangerous. In rare but serious cases, this combination has led to severe side effects like liver damage and even death.

Overdose

Overdosing on kratom alone is very rare. However, when it is combined with other substances, the risk increases. For example, a CDC report linked kratom to 152 deaths in 2016 and 2017, but other substances were involved in 87% of those cases.

Over the past few years, doctors and researchers have noticed a clear pattern: more young adults are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer—those under 50. On the surface, some of this surge can be credited to increased screening, especially following guideline updates that lowered the recommended starting age from 50 to 45. But deeper beneath those screening numbers lies a troubling reality: diagnoses among truly younger adults aren’t solely due to being screened earlier. That means we’re facing a bigger shift, one that demands fresh solutions.

In 2018, the American Cancer Society recommended colorectal cancer screening begin at age 45—five years earlier than before. In 2021, the US Preventive Services Task Force followed suit. Unsurprisingly, this led to a jump in early-stage diagnoses among 45-to-49-year-olds.

ACS data published in JAMA shows a steady increase in screening rates: from 20.8% in 2019 and 19.7% in 2021, rising to 33.7% in 2023 among that age group. A second ACS-led study tracked early-stage diagnosis rates—from 9.4 cases per 100,000 in 2019, to 11.7 in 2021, then 17.5 in 2022. That’s a 50% relative increase between 2021 and 2022. Experts note this trend largely reflects held-back cases being detected earlier thanks to broader testing.

But that doesn’t chalk up the entire story. Colon and rectal cancers have been increasing steadily in younger adults—those under 45—for decades. This early-onset rise began in the mid-1990s and includes late-stage diagnoses—not just early detection.

Who Is Getting Diagnosed?

Doctors stress that while the decline in age recommendations helped some, it doesn’t explain the persistent rise in younger adults. In fact, research suggests annual case increases of 2–2.6% have occurred since 2012 among those under 50. In the 20–39 age group, incidence has been rising by around 1.6% per year since 2004.

More than 20% of colorectal cancer cases now occur in adults under 55—double the rate from the mid-1990s. Alarmingly, this early-onset trend is contributing to colorectal cancer becoming the leading cause of cancer death among younger men and the second-leading cause among younger women.

These are not always lifestyle-driven cases. Many patients are young, active, and with no known family history. As clinicians, many have expressed how unsettling it is to see so many seemingly healthy people presenting with aggressive tumors—and often at advanced stages.

What Might Be Driving This Worrisome Surge?

Researchers are testing multiple theories—but none yet fully explain the rise:

Gut microbe toxins such as colibactin, produced by certain E. coli, are drawing attention. These toxins leave a specific DNA mutation fingerprint in early-onset tumors—over three times more common compared to cancers in older patients. Some studies suggest 15% of early-onset cases involve colibactin-driven mutations.

Diet- and lifestyle-related risks remain central: obesity, processed meats, low-fiber diets, sedentary behavior, refined sugar, insufficient sleep, and environmental pollutants. One prominent study links higher birth and adolescent BMI with increased colon cancer risk later in life. Even every additional kilogram at birth above normal is tied to 9% higher colorectal cancer risk.

Other suspected contributors include microplastics, antibiotic use, and artificial light exposure, although more conclusive evidence is pending.

Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

Crucial to stopping this trend early is awareness. Here’s what to watch for—and not dismiss, even if you’re under 45:

• Rectal bleeding
• Persistent abdominal pain or cramping
• Changes in bowel habits or stool shape
• Unexplained weight loss or appetite changes

Jessica Star of ACS—lead author on both new JAMA papers—warns, more than half of cases in younger adults occurred in those not yet eligible for screening. So symptoms matter, regardless of age. If you're dismissed with a benign diagnosis like hemorrhoids, consider a second opinion.

How to Lower Your Risk?

Screening matters. Most colorectal cancers begin as precancerous polyps, and removing these early saves lives. Current recommended options include:

• Annual or triennial stool-based fecal tests
• Colonoscopy every 10 years
• Virtual colonoscopy every five years
• Sigmoidoscopy every five years

Promising new research shows that mailing stool test kits directly to eligible adults dramatically increases completed screenings—even more than simply offering choice. Yet, screening is still underused: more than 1 in 3 adults aged 45 and older report not getting screened as recommended. To reduce personal risk:

• Maintain healthy body weight and regular physical activity
• Cut back on red and processed meats, refined sugars, and ultraprocessed foods
• Boost fiber intake through plant-based nutrition
• Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol
• Stay alert to symptoms and seek screening or evaluation promptly when indicated

If you’re under 50—or even nearing that threshold—understand this: colorectal cancer is no longer just a disease of older adults. While earlier screening through age-lowering guidelines has helped catch many early-stage cancers in 45–49-year-olds, it doesn’t address the underlying, persistent rise in true early-onset cancer.

The surge among younger adults signals something deeper—and possibly preventable—but only if we tackle it strategically. That means screening more women and men at the right age, investing in research, and making early testing easier and more equitable.

As expert researchers remind us, we’re not merely diagnosing more cancers—we’re getting better at catching them earlier. But to save more lives, identify root causes, and reverse these trends, we must remain proactive. Not just for our generation—but for all who follow.

One of the most common cancers in the world, it is the leading cause of cancer related deaths in the world. It accounts for the highest mortality rates among men and women. However, this has become a rising issue among women. A 2014 study published in the Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery journal explained that historically lung cancer was mainly studied in men because it was very rare in women. However, as social habits changed and more women started smoking, the number of lung cancer cases in women increased. They mentioned that lung cancer often behaves differently in women than it does in men, especially in non-smokers. This review looks at these differences, including risk factors, how the disease develops, and treatment options.

Lung Cancer in Women

In the United States, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in women and the top cause of cancer-related death. Here are some important statistics from 2012:

• There were an estimated 109,690 new diagnoses in women.
• Lung cancer caused an estimated 72,590 deaths in women, which was more than the number of deaths from breast and colon cancer combined.
• The 5-year survival rate for women is about 18%, which is slightly better than the 14% rate for men, but it is still very low.
• Globally, lung cancer cases and deaths in women are still on the rise, especially in countries where more women are starting to smoke.

What Are Some Risk Factors Other Than Smoking?

Smoking is still the biggest cause of lung cancer in women, responsible for 80-90% of cases. However, a significant number of women who get lung cancer have never smoked.

• Women married to men who smoke have a 25-29% higher risk of getting lung cancer.
• Burning cooking oil or other fuels indoors in areas with poor airflow, especially in developing countries, is a major risk factor.
• A family history of lung cancer increases a woman's risk more than a man's.
• Hormones like estrogen may play a role in the development of lung cancer.
• Studies in some women, particularly in East Asia, have linked the human papillomavirus (HPV) to lung cancer.

What Are Some Challenges Women Face With Lung Cancer Diagnosis?

According to Lungevity, women often face delays and hurdles in getting a lung cancer diagnosis, which can worsen their chances of survival.

Diagnosis Delays

Women are less likely to seek help for early symptoms and can experience longer waiting times between initial doctor visits and a final diagnosis. This can allow the disease to progress before treatment even begins.

Lack of Screening

Many women are not offered lung cancer screening. A study found that women of color who are eligible for screening are six times less likely to be offered it than their male counterparts.

Outdated Rules

Even with recent updates to screening guidelines in the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, which now include people aged 50 and older and with a smoking history of at least 20 pack-years, many women still don't qualify. This is a major issue because a large number of women with lung cancer have a limited smoking history, which means they are often overlooked.

What Other Ways Does Lung Cancer Affect Women

The impact of lung cancer on a woman's well-being is often ignored, yet research shows it's a significant burden.

Psychological Distress

Women with lung cancer have higher rates of depression and anxiety than men. This stress is often made worse by the stigma of the disease, with many women reporting judgmental comments about smoking, regardless of whether they have a smoking history.

Sexual Health

Sexual health is often an overlooked part of cancer care for women. A study of 249 women with lung cancer found that 77% experienced moderate to severe sexual dysfunction. The women reported issues like fatigue and shortness of breath during intimacy, as well as vaginal dryness and pain.

Lack of Women in Clinical Trials

A long-standing problem in healthcare is the low number of women in clinical trials. This makes it difficult to know how effective a treatment is for women specifically.

Low Participation

Women make up only 40% of participants in clinical trials for diseases that affect them, like cancer. For non-small cell lung cancer, this number has not changed much over the past two decades.

Unique Barriers

Women face extra challenges in participating in trials, such as being primary caregivers, which limits their time. There are also gender biases from doctors who may assume women are less interested in research.

Safety Concerns

The lack of female representation is a safety issue. One study found that women were 25% more likely to have severe side effects from cancer treatments, but another study found that they were less likely to report these issues.