A recent study has found that changes in a person's voice can predict an upcoming flare-up of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Researchers discovered that patients with COPD experience higher-pitched, breathy, or hoarse voices when an exacerbation is imminent. The study was presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria.

The findings offer a promising step toward early detection of COPD exacerbations through non-invasive methods. Researchers from Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands, led by investigator Loes van Bemmel, conducted the study, which focused on using smartphone voice recordings to track changes in a patient’s voice.

These changes were correlated with the onset of a flare-up. If validated further, this could lead to the development of a smartphone app that would help patients manage their symptoms before they worsen.

The research involved 28 COPD patients who were asked to record their voices daily for 12 weeks using a smartphone app. They were required to say “aah” in one breath for as long as possible and either read a short paragraph or answer a question. In addition to recording their voices, participants completed daily questionnaires about their COPD symptoms. The study tracked 16 instances of symptom exacerbations during this period.

By analyzing the voice recordings, the research team observed clear changes in the patients’ voices just before a flare-up. Notably, patients’ voices became higher-pitched and more breathy or hoarse.

“There were clear differences between patients’ recordings on a normal day and on the first day of an exacerbation,” van Bemmel explained. These voice changes may serve as early markers of an exacerbation, allowing for timely intervention.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Symptoms

COPD is a group of lung diseases that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, both of which hinder airflow to the lungs and make it difficult for sufferers to breathe. COPD is a serious, long-term condition, and the World Health Organization ranks it as the third leading cause of death worldwide.

Typical symptoms of COPD include:

- Difficulty breathing, especially during physical activities.

- A persistent cough that may produce mucus (sputum).

- A whistling sound when exhaling.

- A feeling of constriction or discomfort in the chest.

- Feeling tired or exhausted due to the body’s reduced ability to take in oxygen.

- Increased susceptibility to colds, flu, or other infections affecting the lungs.

COPD flare-ups, or exacerbations, can be life-threatening if not treated early. These flare-ups can lead to hospitalization and increase the risk of death. However, early treatment significantly reduces these risks, highlighting the importance of detecting exacerbations before they progress.

The researchers are already looking into ways to apply their findings in real-world settings. Plans are underway to develop a smartphone app that will use speech signals to detect COPD flare-ups. “This would enable patients to manage these events themselves at home,” van Bemmel said. The app, tentatively named SPEAK, will be co-developed with COPD patients to ensure it meets their needs.

Professor Frits Franssen, Secretary of the ERS assembly on respiratory clinical care and physiology, emphasized the potential impact of this technology. He noted that COPD exacerbations, if caught early, can prevent serious health complications.

Franssen added that the smartphone-based voice analysis could provide a quick and efficient way to alert patients and doctors that treatment is needed. “Because it works via a smartphone, voice analysis could be used by anyone, at any time and anywhere. This could ultimately save money, time, and patients’ lives.”

While these findings are promising, researchers caution that larger studies are needed to confirm the results. If successful, speech analysis could become a vital tool in managing COPD and potentially other respiratory diseases, helping improve patient outcomes through early detection and intervention.

Shingles, a painful viral infection due to the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), is primarily known for its blistering rash and nerve pain. New research indicates, however, that shingles vaccine can be significant in preventing dementia. This recent finding paves the way to new avenues to understand the association between viral illness and brain wellness, which might change preventive treatment against cognitive degeneration in aging individuals.

Once a person has had chickenpox, he or she carries the varicella-zoster virus for life. The virus lies dormant within nerve cells and may reappear years later as shingles, commonly because of compromised immunity with age, stress, or illness.

Shingles appears as a painful rash, typically on one side of the body, and may persist for weeks. Aside from the rash, the infection may cause severe complications like postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), a long-term nerve pain syndrome that lasts for months or even years. In rare instances, shingles may infect the eye, causing blindness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 1 in every 3 Americans will develop shingles at some time during their lifetime. Vaccines have been recommended to avoid the condition, but recent studies indicate they might also have an added bonus—prevention from dementia.

Shocking Link Between Shingles and Dementia

Dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, is a rapidly increasing worldwide health issue, with millions of older adults at risk. Although the causes of dementia are still unknown, researchers have long suspected that some viruses, specifically those in the herpes family (which includes VZV), may play a role in cognitive decline.

A study recently published in Nature determined that getting the shingles shot lowered the risk of developing dementia dramatically. Scientists followed more than 280,000 elderly people in Wales who got the original shingles vaccine, Zostavax, and identified a 20% decrease in dementia incidence over the next seven years.

Lead author Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer of Stanford University said the results were "very robust" and added that women appeared to gain more benefit from the vaccine than men. Since women are at greater risk for dementia, these results could have important implications for future prevention efforts.

Can Shingles Cause Cognitive Decline?

Although no one knows the exact mechanisms, several theories discuss how the shingles virus might enhance the risk of dementia:

Inflammation and Brain Damage: The varicella-zoster virus has the ability to cause inflammation in the body, including the brain. Chronic inflammation is recognized to speed up cognitive decline and may play a role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Vascular Effects: The virus has the ability to infect blood vessels in the brain, leading to clots or constricting blood flow. Decreased cerebral circulation is a well-documented risk factor for dementia and stroke.

Amyloid Protein Formation: A study by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus indicates that shingles can encourage the formation of amyloid plaques, a characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. These adhesive proteins clump together in the brain, interfering with normal function and speeding up cognitive decline.

Can Shingles Vaccination Protect Against Dementia?

The research suggests that shingles vaccination can lower the risk of dementia by inhibiting reactivation of the virus and triggering inflammation in the brain. It is unclear, however, whether the same protective mechanism works for the newer, more effective Shingrix vaccine, which supplanted Zostavax in 2020.

In contrast to Zostavax, which had a live but attenuated form of the virus, Shingrix is a genetically modified vaccine that consists of certain viral proteins to stimulate an immune response. Shingrix has been 97% effective in preventing shingles in clinical trials, versus 51% for Zostavax. Whether it can help prevent dementia, however, is an open question scientists are eager to investigate.

Who Should Receive the Shingles Vaccine?

The CDC advises Shingrix for people aged 50 and above, as well as younger adults with compromised immune systems. The vaccine is given in two doses, spaced a few months apart, and is very effective in preventing shingles and its complications.

With these advantages, however, vaccine acceptance continues to be low, with less than 40% of eligible Americans having gotten their shots. The most frequent side effects are mild flu-like symptoms and pain at the site of injection, but experts point out that the advantages far outweigh the risks.

Tips for Reducing Dementia Risk

Although shingles vaccination holds great potential for dementia prevention, it is not the only answer. Experts suggest an integrated approach to brain health that involves:

Living an Active Lifestyle: Physical exercise on a regular basis enhances circulation to the brain and averts cognitive loss.

Healthy Nutrition: A diet modelled on Mediterranean cuisine, featuring high intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, is supportive of brain function.

Social and Mental Stimulation: Mental activity with reading, puzzles, or social engagement may build cognitive reserve.

Control of Chronic Illnesses: Control of high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol lowers the risk of dementia.

The association of shingles with dementia risk demonstrates the complex ways infectious illnesses affect overall well-being. Finding that shingles vaccination can decrease risk of dementia adds yet another persuasive argument to convince older people to be vaccinated. Although more study is necessary to validate the results, the study holds out hope that a straightforward vaccine has a key part to play in maintaining cognitive capacity and enhancing the quality of life among aging groups.

As scientists continue to investigate the link between viral infections and brain health, one thing is certain: guarding yourself against shingles might have advantages that reach far beyond the skin. With the increasing global burden of dementia, interventions such as vaccination could become a key part of the arsenal in the battle against cognitive decline.

Dr. Jayanta "Jay" Bhattacharya, has officially assumed office as the 18th Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), bringing a new era of leadership to the country's leading medical research agency. His confirmation, approved by the U.S. Senate on March 25, 2025, represents a major change in NIH's direction, in line with President Trump's Make America Healthy Again Commission.

Dr. Bhattacharya comes on board amid widespread federal health system reorganization. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. just announced a comprehensive overhaul that involves firing about 1,200 NIH staff. In an all-staff letter, Dr. Bhattacharya accepted the challenges to come, promising staff that he will make changes with compassion and openness.

"I am aware that I am coming into NIH during a period of unprecedented change. Every corner of the federal government is being scrutinized — and NIH is no exception," he wrote. Grateful for the efforts of the affected employees, he went on to say, "Many of our good colleagues are losing their jobs, and that in no way reflects the quality of their effort.". I wish to thank most sincerely those who will be impacted for all that you have done for the mission of the NIH."

Promises to Restoring Trust in Science and Research Integrity

A leading Stanford health economist and physician, Dr. Bhattacharya has been a long-time advocate for scientific integrity and academic freedom. His mission is to reaffirm public faith in biomedical studies, with priority placed on maintaining integrity, being reproducible, and being innovative in NIH-sponsored research.

Most importantly, our findings will only be impactful if the public is confident in our results and believes that we are working on their behalf," said Dr. Bhattacharya. NIH will, under his leadership, focus research on solving directly the nation's most critical health priorities, especially chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Funding Reforms and Research Priorities

NIH has experienced deep budgetary shifts over the last few months, with grant support suspended and restored, and indirect university research costs capped prior to the intervention of a federal judge. Dr. Bhattacharya is anticipated to negotiate these budget intricacies in order to secure ongoing support for innovative scientific discoveries.

Secretary Kennedy voiced his confidence in the new director, stating, “Under Dr. Bhattacharya’s leadership, NIH will restore its commitment to gold-standard science. I’m excited to work with him to ensure NIH research aligns with our Administration’s priorities — especially tackling the chronic disease epidemic and helping to Make America Healthy Again.”

Dr. Bhattacharya has been vocal about the importance of free speech in scientific discourse. In October 2024, he tweeted on X (formerly Twitter), "If you support government regulation of disinformation, you are an enemy of free speech." Now, as NIH Director, he has directed agency personnel to prepare a list of grants and contracts focused on fighting misinformation and disinformation, a step that could be evidence of a change in how government agencies handle scientific controversy and public messaging.

Prior to coming to NIH, Dr. Bhattacharya was a tenured professor at Stanford University, where he worked on population aging and chronic diseases, especially among vulnerable populations. He co-authored the Great Barrington Declaration in the COVID-19 pandemic, calling for a focused protection strategy instead of broad lockdowns.

As he enters this critical position, Dr. Bhattacharya is charged with guiding NIH through trying times, keeping research priorities in synch with public health needs, and reaffirming the agency's commitment to scientific integrity. His tenure will begin a new era for NIH, one that holds the promise of reforms to promote innovation, accountability, and reinvigorated faith in medical research.

Val Kilmer, the legendary actor, passed away at 65 after enduring years of health struggles. Diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, he underwent a tracheotomy that cost him his voice. Though he initially kept his illness private, Kilmer later chose to share his journey, raising awareness about the disease.

Hollywood mourns the loss of Val Kilmer, the beloved actor known for his popular roles in Top Gun, Batman Forever, and The Doors. The 65-year-old star passed away in Los Angeles on Tuesday, as confirmed by his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer. The cause of death was pneumonia, a deadly lung infection which remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide.

Kilmer died after having spent a decade struggling with complications related to health. Diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, he endured multiple treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and a tracheotomy. Though he successfully fought cancer, the medical procedures left him with lasting health challenges, including the inability to speak naturally. His battle with illness was documented in the 2021 film Val and in his 2020 memoir 'I’m Your Huckleberry', where he opened up about his struggles for the first time.

Although his fans thought he had recovered, his previous health conditions might have predisposed him to the infections that came as a result of respiratory problems, including pneumonia, which ultimately caused his death.

Can Pneumonia Be A Silent but Lethal Threat?

Pneumonia is a type of infection that will cause inflammation to the air spaces in one, or both lungs, filling it with pus, or fluid and causing breathing issues. Pneumonia can result from bacteria, viruses, and fungi and most especially poses great danger to someone with a low immune system, or an individual with preconditions.

For elderly people and those with pre-existing health issues, pneumonia can become life-threatening very rapidly, as happened to Val Kilmer. Pneumonia is still a leading cause of hospitalization and death, despite advances in medicine, particularly among people with a history of cancer, respiratory conditions, or weakened immune systems.

Link Between Throat Cancer and Pneumonia

Throat cancer and its therapies may have a lasting effect on breathing health. Kilmer's struggle with throat cancer resulted in large-scale medical interventions, such as a tracheotomy, that changed his voice and breathing to be less normal. This medical procedure, in which an incision is made in the neck to assist the air in entering the lungs, may predispose people to getting respiratory infections, such as pneumonia.

Additionally, chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which are often used to treat cancer, can impair the immune system. This makes patients more susceptible to infection, including infections that attack the lungs. The long-term use of feeding tubes, swallowing problems due to cancer of the throat, and aspiration of food or liquids into the lungs can also contribute to the risk of pneumonia.

Kilmer's situation highlights the long-term dangers that confront cancer survivors even after they have been declared cancer-free. Although his cancer was remission, the long-term consequences of his treatment were most likely responsible for his vulnerability to pneumonia, underscoring the need for ongoing monitoring and respiratory therapy in cancer survivors.

How Pneumonia Can Lead to Death?

Pneumonia is usually underappreciated but can quickly develop into a deadly disease, particularly for those with compromised immune systems. This is how pneumonia becomes lethal:

1. Respiratory Failure

Severe pneumonia may result in respiratory failure, with the lungs failing to supply the body with sufficient oxygen or clear carbon dioxide. It can result in hypoxia (oxygen deficiency), damaging essential organs such as the brain and heart.

2. Sepsis and Organ Failure

Pneumonia has the potential to cause sepsis, a potentially fatal response to infection in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. Sepsis can result in organ failure, such as kidney failure, heart failure, and permanent lung damage, which leads to death if left untreated.

3. Increased Risk in Cancer Survivors

Cancer survivors and patients, such as Kilmer, are at increased risk of suffering from serious complications of pneumonia. Their immune systems have been weakened by previous treatments, which makes it more difficult for their bodies to combat infections. Moreover, structural damage to the lungs from previous radiation or surgery can also hinder their recovery.

4. Fluid Build-Up in the Lungs

On occasion, pneumonia results in fluid buildup around the lungs (pleural effusion), further complicating breathing. If the infection becomes systemic, it can cause respiratory failure and multi-organ failure.

Val Kilmer's death reminds us of the quiet risks of pneumonia, especially for those with a background of serious disease. His journey—from battling throat cancer to overcoming the odds and returning to the screen—was an inspiration to many.