Daytime Sleepiness (Credit: Canva)
Experiencing daytime sleepiness is something that is usually perceived as a minor inconvenience, but for older adults, it could be an early warning sign of Dementia. This neurodegenerative disease leads to the progressive decline of brain cells. This eventually
affects memory, cognition, and personality, making everyday tasks more difficult. As one of the fastest-growing neurological disorders across the world, dementia poses a significant health threat to ageing populations.
For this study, researchers followed 445 older adults (average age 76) over three years, aiming to determine whether poor sleep could increase the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which often leads to dementia. At the start, none of the participants had MCI, but by the end of the study, 36 individuals had developed the condition.
The researchers discovered that participants with poor sleep were more likely to develop MCI compared to those who slept well. However, when depression symptoms were taken into account, the link between poor sleep and MCI became less pronounced, suggesting that while sleep issues are a concern, mental health also plays a key role in dementia risk.
To assess sleep quality, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used, evaluating factors such as sleep duration, disturbances, and daytime alertness. Among these, "daytime dysfunction"—defined as excessive sleepiness and low energy during the day—was most strongly associated with an increased risk of MCI. Those experiencing daytime dysfunction were more than three times as likely to develop MCI as those who didn’t report such symptoms.
There are many types of dementia:
Dementia is not a specific disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is an overall term that describes a decline in mental ability that interferes with daily life. People with dementia often have symptoms like trouble remembering, thinking, or making everyday decisions. These symptoms tend to get worse over time.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, and it mostly affects the elderly. Each form of dementia has a different cause. Though dementia mostly affects older adults, it is not a part of normal ageing. An estimated 6.7 million older adults have Alzheimer's disease in the United States. That number is expected to double by 2060, as per data from the CDC.
In 2022, 3.8% of men and 4.2% women in US were diagnosed with dementia. The percentage of people increase with age from 1.7% for those aged 65-74 to 13.1% for those aged 85 and older. Alzheimer's accounts for 60 to 80% of all dementia cases and it is most prevalent in California, Florida, and Texas, as these states have the highest number of people.
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Union Health Minister JP Nadda was admitted to AIIMS Delhi after experiencing uneasiness and underwent tests, including a coronary angiography. The hospital, in a statement, said he is stable and under observation in the cardiology department.
The 65-year-old minister was admitted on August 13 after experiencing uneasiness. He underwent tests, including coronary angiography.
“JP Nadda, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, was evaluated for uneasiness with tests including a coronary angiography on the evening of 13th August 2026. He is currently stable and admitted for observation in the Dept of Cardiology,” AIIMS said in a statement.
Heart problems do not always cause obvious symptoms. While common symptoms include chest pain or pressure, palpitations, and breathing difficulties, reduced blood flow to the heart can sometimes present with subtle signs or no symptoms.
Possible warning signs include:
Coronary angiography is a test used to check the blood vessels supplying the heart for narrowing or blockages.
A thin catheter is usually inserted through an artery in the wrist or groin. Contrast dye is injected, and X-rays are used to visualize the coronary arteries.
Doctors may recommend coronary angiography for:
Regular checkups can help detect heart disease early and monitor risk factors such as:
Regular monitoring can help detect changes early and support timely action to reduce long-term cardiovascular risk.
Regular heart checkups are particularly important for people who:
Depending on individual risk factors, a heart checkup may include:
Additional tests, such as CT coronary angiography or specialized cardiac biomarkers, may be recommended in some cases.
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Sixty-two deaths in Australia have been reported to the medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), with suspected associations with GLP-1 medicines, including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.
The TGA has also received reports of nearly 3,000 serious adverse events involving these medicines, which are used by hundreds of thousands of Australians, The Herald Sun reported.
Reported adverse reactions include nausea, pancreatitis, suicidal thoughts and a rare eye condition that can cause blindness.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, used for type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy, approved for weight management, had the highest number of reported deaths with suspected associations.
Other medicines with reported suspected associations include Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Saxenda (liraglutide) and Trulicity (dulaglutide). These drugs are approved to treat type 2 diabetes, obesity, or both.
The reported deaths included:
The TGA states that adverse-event reports alone cannot determine how common a reaction is or be used to directly compare the safety of different medicines. The regulator also said the benefit-risk profile of these medicines remains positive when they are appropriately used for approved indications and in intended patients.
The TGA recently updated warnings for some GLP-1 medicines concerning non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare but serious eye condition.
Product warnings across the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) class have been updated because of the potential association with the disorder.
NAION can cause permanent visual impairment, including blindness. The TGA notes that no treatment has been shown to improve visual acuity outcomes in people who develop the condition.
GLP-1 RA medicines are prescription drugs used primarily to manage type 2 diabetes and obesity. Thus, the TGA urged patients not to stop treatment on their own.
“These are prescription medicines, so people taking them should discuss benefits, risks and side effects with their healthcare professional rather than stopping or changing treatment based on headlines alone,” the TGA said.
The Australian reports come amid safety monitoring of GLP-1 medicines in other countries. At the same time, clinical evidence has shown important health benefits from some GLP-1 medicines, including reductions in cardiovascular risk and, in certain populations, overall mortality.
Data submitted to the UK's Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) showed 82 reported deaths associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists up to January 31, 2025. Of these, 22 were associated with use for weight loss and 60 with use for type 2 diabetes.
In the US, reports in the FDA's FAERS (FDA Adverse Event Reporting System) database have listed 162 deaths associated with Ozempic and Wegovy since 2018.
However, these figures should not be interpreted as confirmed deaths caused by the medicines. Adverse-event reporting systems record suspected associations and cannot by themselves establish a direct causal relationship. Millions of people use GLP-1 medicines, and reported cases can involve other health conditions or factors, including severe complications, dosing errors, and counterfeit or compounded products.
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English singer-songwriter Robbie Williams has opened up about being diagnosed with “a little bit of autism” and shared his struggles with intrusive thoughts.
The 52-year-old singer revealed that he had earlier been diagnosed with ADHD, as well as Tourette’s syndrome, the Daily Mail reported.
Speaking at the launch of his clothing brand Hopeium at Flannels, Williams said his autism diagnosis has helped explain some of his behaviors.
“I have ADHD and I just found out I have a bit of autism as well, which I actually f*****g love because it explains so much,” he said.
The British pop icon said he now sees the diagnosis as an explanation for “all the weird” things he does. He also described how ADHD affects his ability to concentrate.
“With the ADHD you can completely and utterly concentrate on something 1000 per cent, but with absolutely everything else, you just cannot do it. Ask my kids,” he said.
The singer said he is “completely and utterly obsessed with creating images and making funny things”.
Williams, who has won a record 18 BRIT Awards, said creativity helps him redirect his thoughts and avoid focusing on things that make him panic or feel scared.
“My brain is incredibly creative, and it can be creative about everything in the world that you panic or are scared about,” he said.
He gave the example of sitting on a plane and having an intrusive thought about possessing telekinetic powers and causing the plane to crash.
He said he has learned to “train my brain to do something better” rather than focusing on worrying thoughts.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that can affect communication, social interaction and behavior. It is a spectrum, meaning symptoms and their severity can vary widely between individuals.
Common characteristics can include repetitive behaviors or interests, difficulty with changes in routine and challenges in social situations.
Williams has also previously spoken about being diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome. In a recent podcast, he said he had realized that some of the intrusive thoughts he experiences may be connected to Tourette’s, although he does not experience the typical outward tics.
“I've just realized that I have Tourette's, but they don't come out. They are intrusive thoughts that happen,” Williams said.
He also spoke about struggling to fully take in the reaction of audiences, despite performing in front of large crowds.
Williams has said he was diagnosed with ADHD three times because he “forgot” that he had previously been told he had the condition. He first recalled being diagnosed around 2006 after recognizing ADHD symptoms while reading about the condition online.
After his diagnosis, he said he began taking a large number of tablets in the hope that they would “fix” him. He later said his substance misuse escalated, including crushing and snorting the pills.
Williams has faced several addictions and has had multiple stays in rehabilitation since rising to fame in the early 1990s.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that can involve persistent difficulties with attention, organization and impulse control.
Symptoms can include being easily distracted, forgetfulness, losing things and difficulty maintaining concentration. Some people may also experience restlessness and impulsive behavior.
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