Good morning. In today’s edition:

• People Who Don't Drink Coffee and Sit for Six or More Hours a Day Have 60 Percent Higher Risk of Dying: Study

• Popular Weight Loss and Diabetes Drugs Linked to Increased Risk of Rare Form of Blindness

• A New Study Tracked a Cohort of Testicular Cancer Survivors Who Received Cisplatin-based Chemotherapy for an Average of 14 Years, Revealing That 78% Experience Significant Difficulties in Everyday Listening Situations, Negatively Impacting Their Quality of Life

• Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals Who Died by Suicide Often Faced Intimate Partner Issues, Depression, Substance Abuse, and Health Problems. Suicide, a Leading Cause of Death During and After Pregnancy in the US, May Be Preventable, Say University of Michigan Researchers

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

People Who Don't Drink Coffee and Sit for Six or More Hours a Day Have 60 Percent Higher Risk of Dying: Study

A new study shows that people who don’t drink coffee. They also sit for more than six hours a day. They have a much higher chance of dying early. Researchers from Soochow University in China looked at the health of over 10,000 adults in the U.S. for up to 13 years. They found that people who don't drink coffee and sit a lot every day are 60% more likely to die sooner than those who drink coffee and sit less.

Even for people who sit a lot but drink coffee, the risk of dying is 24% lower than for those who don’t drink coffee at all. This suggests that coffee might help protect against some of the dangers of sitting too much.

Coffee seems to lower the chance of getting health problems. These problems cause inflammation, which can lead to death if you sit too much. The study also found that people who drink a lot of coffee have a 33% lower risk of dying from any cause compared to those who don’t drink coffee.

The study also noted that sitting for over eight hours a day could increase the risk of dying by more than 40%, and almost 80% from heart disease.

Overall, the research suggests that drinking coffee might help people live longer, especially those who sit a lot. So, if you sit for many hours, having some coffee might be a good idea!

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

WEIGHT LOSS

Popular Weight Loss and Diabetes Drugs Linked to Increased Risk of Rare Form of Blindness

Recent studies show that drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are used for weight loss and diabetes. They might raise the risk of a rare eye condition. This condition causes sudden blindness in one eye. This condition is called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). It is very rare.

Doctors noticed more cases of NAION among users of these drugs. Research looking back over six years found that people with diabetes were more than four times likely to get this eye condition if they used drugs with semaglutide, a common ingredient in these medications. People who are overweight are at even higher risk.

The study, published in JAMA Ophthalmology, does not prove these drugs cause the eye problem. The data came from a small number of patients at one medical center, so it might not represent everyone.

The company making these drugs, Novo Nordisk, says the study does not show a definite connection between their drugs and NAION. They are still looking into it.

As the use of these drugs goes up, so does the number of people who might be at risk. However, the risk of getting this eye problem remains low. Doctors suggest that the benefits of these drugs are greater than the risks. They recommend that anyone noticing changes in their vision while taking these drugs should see an eye doctor right away.

Source: edition.cnn.com

HEALTH

A New Study Tracked a Cohort of Testicular Cancer Survivors Who Received Cisplatin-based Chemotherapy for an Average of 14 Years, Revealing That 78% Experience Significant Difficulties in Everyday Listening Situations, Negatively Impacting Their Quality of Life

A new study from the University of South Florida and Indiana University shows that a common chemo drug, cisplatin, harms the hearing of many cancer survivors. The research found that 78% of testicular cancer survivors who took this drug now have trouble hearing. It really affects their happiness.

The study is the first to look at how hearing issues develop over time in cancer survivors. "It's important to know how treatments like cisplatin affect survivors long-term. This helps us make better treatments to improve their lives," says Robert Frisina from USF.

Cisplatin is given through the veins and is hard on the ears. It gets stuck in the ears, causes swelling, and destroys important hearing cells. This damage can get worse even after the treatment ends.

Victoria Sanchez from USF points out a big problem: "Many patients never get their hearing checked before, during, or after chemo." The study shows why regular hearing tests are needed to help manage and lessen hearing loss.

Higher doses of cisplatin made hearing loss worse, especially in people with high blood pressure. They found it harder to hear in noisy places like restaurants.

The researchers hope their work leads to safer treatment plans that avoid these side effects. "Hearing helps us connect with our world," Sanchez adds. "Keeping our hearing helps us enjoy life and stay safe."

Source: usf.edu

Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals Who Died by Suicide Often Faced Intimate Partner Issues, Depression, Substance Abuse, and Health Problems. Suicide, a Leading Cause of Death During and After Pregnancy in the US, May Be Preventable, Say University of Michigan Researchers

Suicide is a top cause of death for women during and after pregnancy in the U.S. Researchers from the University of Michigan have highlighted this big issue. They present new findings that suggest many of these tragic deaths could be stopped.

The study was recently published in JAMA Network Open. It looked into the complex situations leading to perinatal suicides. The researchers analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They used the National Violent Death Reporting System. They observed over 1,100 women who died during pregnancy or within a year after childbirth. They died due to suicide or unknown causes. They compared these cases with data from over 17,600 women who were not pregnant in the last year.

The key findings reveal that mental health issues, drug abuse, and partner troubles are major contributors to these deaths. Kara Zivin is a leading professor at U-M. She emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues: “We must do all we can to stop these suicides." We owe it to these women and their families.”

The research advocates for targeted interventions. These should focus on mental health, substance use, and intimate partner problems. This strategy aims to greatly reduce the risk of suicide. It focuses on the sensitive perinatal period.

It recognizes many factors. These include social, psychological, and biological changes during pregnancy. The study shows the need for broad policies and practices. These measures could save lives. They provide crucial support during this vulnerable time for many.

Source: news.umich.edu

✢ A Note From Hem Hero

The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.