Being young is almost seen as a ‘get-away free’ card for many people. You feel energized and on top of the world, pulling all-nighters, then keeping up with all the course work and somehow have the time to party, without resting properly. This kind of mindset, while ok every now and then, encourages them to indulge in other activities like drinking, doing substances or smoking. Many of them start to believe that doing this at a young age will not affect their body, or have long-term side effects, but a new study shows that this may not be the case anymore. You may be under the assumption that strokes, diabetes and other issues like hypertension are all problems that people above 50 have, but the risk of stroke has now doubled even in youngsters.

A study published in Neurology Journals revealed a strong link between smoking and unexplained strokes, particularly in younger adults. The American Stroke Association says these strokes, known as cryptogenic strokes, happen when blood flow to the brain is blocked, but doctors can't easily find the cause. The research shows that if you smoke, your risk of having one of these strokes more than doubles. What's even more alarming is that heavy smoking makes the danger much higher. People who have smoked more than a pack of cigarettes every day for 20 years have over four times the risk of a stroke compared to people who have never smoked. This highlights how seriously smoking can damage your health, even at a younger age.

What Does This Mean For The Public?

The people who did this study think we need to work harder to stop young people from smoking, especially smoking a lot. They believe this will help stop young people from having strokes. They looked at a special kind of stroke that's hard to figure out, and not much is known about how smoking causes it in young people. They wanted to find out more. It's important to know the risks so young people can make good choices and stay healthy. According to the American Lung Association, 87% of adults who are daily smokers tried their first cigarrete by the age of 18 and 95% had by the age of 21.

To understand the connection between smoking and strokes in young adults, the researchers analyzed medical records. They compared two groups, young people who had experienced strokes and young people who hadn't. By examining these records, they could see how smoking habits correlated with stroke occurrences. The findings revealed that a significantly higher percentage of stroke victims were smokers compared to those who hadn't had strokes. Specifically, about one-third of the individuals who had strokes were smokers, while only 15% of those without strokes were smokers. This clear difference strongly indicates that smoking significantly increases the likelihood of young adults experiencing strokes.

Why Does This Kind Of Stroke In Younger People Pose A Problem?

More young people are having these hard-to-explain strokes. That's why this study is so important. The researchers found that smoking is a big reason why these strokes happen. Knowing this can help us stop people from having them. It's important to find the causes so we can prevent them.

The study also highlighted several factors that influence stroke risk in young adults. These include age, gender, and the intensity of smoking. Men who smoke are at a considerably higher risk of strokes compared to women who smoke or to men who don't smoke at all. Also, older young adults, even within the young age range, face a greater risk. Naturally, the more you smoke, the higher your risk becomes. Smoking heavily, especially over extended periods, is exceptionally dangerous. Even smoking a small amount regularly increases the risk compared to not smoking at all. These factors show that stroke risk is influenced by multiple elements related to smoking habits.

How Does Smoking Affect Your Body?

Cigarette smoke contains numerous harmful substances that damage the body, particularly the blood and blood vessels. These substances interfere with the blood's ability to carry oxygen, leading to oxygen deprivation in various parts of the body. Additionally, they elevate blood pressure, putting extra strain on the heart and blood vessels. Smoking also disrupts cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of arteries hardening, which further restricts blood flow. All these factors contribute to an increased risk of strokes. The cumulative effect of these harmful substances makes smoking extremely detrimental to cardiovascular health. It's a direct pathway to serious health problems.

Sources

https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WN9.0000000000000003

https://www.health.gov.au/topics/smoking-vaping-and-tobacco/about-smoking/effects

https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/types-of-stroke/cryptogenic-stroke

https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/smoking-facts/impact-of-tobacco-use/tobacco-use-among-children#:~:text=Cigarette%20smoking%20during%20childhood%20and,on%20lung%20growth%20and%20function.

Colorectal cancer is a major health concern, ranking as the second deadliest cancer worldwide. The good news is that if doctors find it early, it's very treatable. The problem is, the main way to diagnose it is with a colonoscopy, which can be uncomfortable and expensive.

Because of this, many people put off getting tested, which leads to late diagnosis. This is especially worrying now, as more young people are getting this type of cancer for reasons doctors don't fully understand yet. But a team from the University of Geneva has found a new, simple way to check for it using a stool sample.

Can Stool Samples Reveal Colon Cancer?

For a long time, we've known that the bacteria living in our gut play a role in whether we get colorectal cancer. However, turning that knowledge into a useful test has been tricky. The main reason is that even bacteria from the same family can act completely differently. Some might encourage cancer, while others do nothing at all.

To get around this, the researchers decided to look at a new level of detail: bacterial subspecies. This lets them see how specific groups of bacteria function without getting confused by tiny, individual differences, making the test much more reliable across different people.

How Is A Colonoscopy Done?

A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that allows a doctor to look at the inside of your entire large intestine, also called the colon.

To perform the procedure, a long, flexible tube with a small camera and a light on the end is gently inserted into your rectum and guided through your colon. This tube, called a colonoscope, sends images to a monitor so the doctor can see everything inside. Beyond just looking, the colonoscope is a versatile tool. It allows the doctor to:

• Use a jet of water to rinse the colon lining.
• Use a small suction device to clear any liquid stool.
• Inject air to make it easier to get a clear view of the lining.
• Use special tools that fit through the tube to work inside your colon.

During the procedure, your doctor can also remove small pieces of tissue or abnormal growths called polyps for further testing. They can also treat certain problems they find on the spot.

How Accurate Is The Stool Test For Cancer?

To make this new test a reality, the researchers had to process a massive amount of information. Using a powerful computer program called machine learning, they created the first-ever detailed catalog of human gut bacteria subspecies.

They then fed this information into a model, which learned how to spot the signs of colorectal cancer just by analyzing the bacteria in a stool sample. The results were amazing: the test was able to detect 90% of cancer cases. This is very close to the accuracy of a colonoscopy (94%) and is a huge improvement over all other non-invasive tests currently available.

The potential for this discovery is huge. The researchers are already starting a new study to make the test even better, so it can detect different stages of cancer. In the future, this simple stool test could become a regular part of cancer screening. If the test came back positive, a person would then get a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. This would save many people from having to go through a colonoscopy when they don't need one. But the possibilities don't stop there. The same method could eventually be used to create simple tests for a wide range of diseases, all from just one gut bacteria sample.

West Nile Cases in the US: The United States seems to be facing a fresh health challenge this season. After a rise in COVID-19 cases, Los Angeles County has now confirmed its first human infections of West Nile virus for 2025.

According to LA County Department of Public Health officials, four residents have been hospitalised with the mosquito-borne illness between late July and late August. The patients are from the Antelope Valley, San Fernando Valley, and central Los Angeles, and all are currently recovering.

With West Nile virus once again making its presence felt, it is important to understand the disease and the precautionary steps that can help lower the risk of infection.

West Nile Virus: How the Virus Is Spreading In The US

West Nile virus continues to be the most widespread mosquito-borne illness in the continental United States. The World Health Organization warns that while most infections are mild or even unnoticed, the virus can, in rare cases, lead to fatal neurological disease.

Roughly 80% of people who contract West Nile show no symptoms at all. Transmission occurs primarily through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The first confirmed cases of the 2025 season were reported this week by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

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“The first human cases of West Nile virus are an important reminder that we all need to take steps to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding,” said Dr Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County Health Officer. He added that mosquitoes flourish in hot weather, which raises the risk of both bites and mosquito-borne illness.

West Nile virus is usually detected in LA County during the summer months, when warm overnight temperatures help mosquito populations thrive. On average, the county records about 56 human cases each year. Officials believe the real number is much higher, since most infections either cause no illness or only mild symptoms. Of those reported, however, three-quarters are considered severe, and about 10% of those cases result in death from complications.

What Are the First Signs of West Nile Virus?

Most people infected with West Nile virus never develop symptoms, about 80% remain asymptomatic. For the remaining 20%, the illness typically appears as West Nile fever, which includes flu-like signs such as fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes a rash on the trunk or swollen lymph nodes, according to the World Health Organization.

In rare cases, the infection can progress to a severe neuroinvasive disease such as encephalitis, meningitis, or poliomyelitis. Symptoms of this form include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, confusion, stupor, tremors, seizures, muscle weakness, paralysis, and in extreme cases, coma. Around 1 in 150 infected individuals develop such severe illness.

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Although serious disease can occur at any age, people over 50 and those with weakened immune systems such as transplant recipients face the highest risk of complications. The incubation period for West Nile virus usually ranges from 3 to 14 days after a mosquito bite.

West Nile Virus Treatment: Do We Have a Vaccine Yet?

There is currently no specific treatment or vaccine for West Nile virus in humans. Care is supportive, especially for patients with neuroinvasive disease. Severe cases may require hospitalization, intravenous fluids, respiratory support, and measures to prevent secondary infections.

West Nile Virus Precaution Tips

Since no licensed vaccine or medication exists to prevent West Nile virus, the most effective protection is avoiding mosquito bites. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following steps:

• Use insect repellent that is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Wear long, loose-fitting clothing to reduce exposed skin.
• Limit outdoor activity between dusk and dawn, when the mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus are most active.
• Keep mosquitoes out by using window and door screens or air conditioning where possible.

Prevention is always better than cure, and the simplest way to stay protected from West Nile virus is by keeping mosquitoes at bay.

Global pop star Selena Gomez has opened up about developing arthritis as a consequence of lupus. The singer, who has long been candid about her health challenges, was first diagnosed with lupus in 2013 and later underwent a kidney transplant.

In a recent conversation with Amy Poehler on her podcast ‘Good Hang with Amy Poehler,’ Gomez discussed her Rare Beauty brand, including its easy-to-use packaging, and shared how her personal health experiences influenced these choices. “I have arthritis in my fingers because of my lupus,” she said. “Before I started the right treatment, even simple things like opening a water bottle were really painful.”

What Is Lupus?

Lupus is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation throughout the body. In this disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues instead of protecting them. Depending on which tissues are affected, lupus can impact the skin, blood, joints, kidneys, brain, heart, or lungs.

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Medically known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), lupus can affect anyone, though it is far more common in women, particularly those between 15 and 45 years of age. Symptoms vary widely and may include joint pain, fatigue, rashes, and even complications involving internal organs. The disease is unpredictable—it can remain quiet for months and then flare up suddenly, often without warning.

For Selena Gomez, lupus has been more than a medical diagnosis; it has profoundly influenced her life. She first publicly shared her lupus diagnosis in 2015, explaining how she had to pause her career to focus on treatment.

How Does Lupus Trigger Arthritis?

On a recent episode of Good Hang with Amy Poehler, Selena Gomez revealed that lupus caused arthritis in her fingers. Unlike osteoarthritis, which results from joint wear and tear, lupus-related arthritis stems from immune system dysfunction. When the immune system attacks its own tissues, it can lead to:

• Inflammation and swelling in the joints, particularly in the hands, wrists, and knees
• Painful stiffness, often worse in the morning
• Flare-ups that make even simple tasks, like opening a water bottle, difficult

• Painless mouth sores
• Skin rashes, including the classic butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose
• Fatigue and unexplained fevers
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Headaches, dizziness, brain fog, or confusion
• Sensitivity to light and hair loss

Early Signs of Lupus in Females

Lupus predominantly affects women, with about nine out of ten cases occurring in females. Early recognition is key to timely diagnosis and effective management. Common early signs include:

• Persistent fatigue
• Joint pain or swelling, especially in hands, wrists, and knees
• Skin rashes, particularly the butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks and nose
• Hair thinning or hair loss
• Mouth sores
• Sensitivity to sunlight
• Raynaud’s phenomenon, where fingers and toes turn white or blue in response to cold or stress

Managing LupusCurrently, there is no cure for lupus. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and reducing flare-ups, with the goal of putting the disease into remission, which means long periods without symptoms.