Zoonotic diseases can spread from animals, including the ones we consume or keep as pets, including cats. Why are we talking about cats today? It is because of the increasing numbers of bird flu in the United States, cats of all shapes and sizes have come down with bird flu.

Bird flu was seen in poultry, where chickens have been affected, and even cows too. Why is it a concern for cats? This is because barn cats drink raw milk. In recent days, 20 wild cats at a Washington State animal sanctuary that ate infected birds and other reports of indoor cats dying from eating contaminated food have come out.

Why do cats get bird flu?

One of the leading causes is that unlike dogs, cats hunt for smaller prey, which includes birds and mice, carriers of bird flu. Dr Michael Bailey, the president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), in a guidance released for cat owners noted that by their very nature, cats have more "opportunity" to ger infected with bird flu.

“We don't know if the cats are more susceptible than anybody else,” he said. “It's just the fact they're exposed to higher viral burdens because of where they go.”

Reports say that domestic cats have been bird flu virus carrier since 2004. Kristen Coleman, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Health told a media outlet that before, about half of cats died, and now with the spreading of the bird flu even in cows, about 90% of them seem to be dying. Coleman has also been tracking the deaths. She has also shared 4 main tips to protect pets from bird flu which includes:

• Do not touch or allow pets to touch sick or dead animals or animal dropping
• Do not consume, or feed your pet, raw meat or milk
• Keep a close watch on free-roaming outdoor pets
• Immediately report rabies-like symptoms to a veterinarian

Are there symptoms of bird flu in cats one should look out for?

As per AVMA, pet owners must look out for signs like:

• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Fever

Bird flu infection can also progress with neurologic signs, which includes:

• Tremors
• Seizures
• Not being coordinated
• Blindness

Cats may also suffer from:

• Severe depression
• Discharge from their eyes or nose
• Respiratory symptoms which includes rapid breathing, shortness of breath, and sneezing or coughing

Are humans at threat?

Sick animals may also be able to transmit influenza virus to humans through their saliva, excretion and other bodily fluids. People can also get infected by breathing in the virus or by touching something that has virus on it and then touching their eyes, mouth, or nose.

If you think your cat might have bird flu—or any other infectious disease—try to limit their contact with other pets and people in your household, especially those with weakened immune systems, until you get advice from a veterinarian, as recommended by the AVMA. While the chances of cats transmitting H5N1 to humans are extremely low, they aren’t zero.

According to CDC guidance, keep an eye on yourself and your family for flu-like symptoms and reach out to a healthcare provider if needed. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your cat or cleaning their litter box and bedding.

Persistent back pain in young adults is often dismissed as poor posture, long hours at a desk, or muscle strain. But doctors are warning that in some cases, it could be a sign of ankylosing spondylitis — a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects the spine and can silently progress for years before diagnosis.

In India, 16.5 lakh people suffer from the condition, with an average diagnostic gap of nearly seven years from the time symptoms first appear. During that window, the disease continues to silently progress, and the burden is far from small.

“Ankylosing Spondylitis is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions we encounter in clinical practice, and the consequences of that delay are real,” Dr. Arvind Mehra, Senior Director and HOD - Orthopaedics at Paras Health Gurugram, told HealthandMe.

Moreover, “It takes several years of pain and stiffness before people seek treatment, and by then, the diagnosis comes too late, and there has already been damage to the spine,” added Dr. Ashish Tomar, Director - Orthopaedics & Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad.

What Is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis, also known as axial spondyloarthritis, is a type of arthritis that primarily targets the spine but can also affect other joints. The term “ankylosing” means stiff or rigid, “spondyl” refers to the spine, and “itis” indicates inflammation.

The inflammatory disease causes some of the bones in the spine to fuse over time. This fusing not only makes the spine less flexible but can also cause issues while breathing.

Ankylosing spondylitis leads to inflammation in the spine and large joints, causing stiffness and pain. It can also impact the joint between the spine and the hipbone, potentially resulting in additional symptoms such as digestive issues, rashes, and weight loss.

Not Your Typical Back Pain

What makes ankylosing spondylitis difficult to spot is that it often feels like ordinary back pain — but there are warning signs that set it apart.

According to experts, ankylosing spondylitis-related pain typically:

• Causes maximum stiffness early in the morning
• Gets worse after long periods of rest
• Improves with physical activity or exercise
• Persists for months rather than days or weeks
• Often begins in young adults, especially in their 20s and 30s

This pattern is very different from mechanical back pain, which usually worsens with movement and improves with rest.

Pain Beyond The Spine

Dr. Tomar told HealthandMe that ankylosing spondylitis is not simply a musculoskeletal problem — it is an autoimmune disease, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues, particularly around the spine and joints.

“Ankylosing spondylitis is not just another musculoskeletal disease. It requires the attention given to autoimmune disorders because it may affect the chest, hips, shoulders, and even the eyes, while also causing severe posture problems in advanced stages,” he said.

Beyond the spine, the disease may affect:

• Chest joints
• Hip joints
• Shoulders
• Eyes
• Posture, causing severe problems in the advanced stages

Who Is At Most Risk? How To Treat?

Young adults, typically in their twenties, are more likely to experience this condition because people often overlook its existence or mistakenly identify it as something else.

The combination of early diagnosis, structured physiotherapy, and suitable medications allows for effective disease progression control.

“When a young adult presents with inflammatory back pain, especially in the gluteal area, that persists beyond three months, the reflex should not be to prescribe a painkiller and wait. It should be investigated further. That shift in approach can make an extraordinary difference to someone’s long-term quality of life,” Dr. Tomar said.

Common treatments for ankylosing spondylitis include:

• Regular physical activity can reduce stiffness and prevent worsening of ankylosing spondylitis
• Over-the-counter painkillers for pain and inflammation
• Biologic DMARDs to reduce inflammation and pain, potentially halting disease progression.
• Corticosteroids are prescription anti-inflammatory medications
• Surgery is rarely suggested for severe symptoms unresponsive to other treatments.

When women are in their 40s, their bodies start to change a lot because of the hormones. This is mainly because the estrogen and progesterone levels in the body start to go down. This time is called Perimenopause.

It is when women start to move towards menopause. It can bring a lot of emotional changes. Some of these changes are normal.

Why Do Hormonal Changes Happen After 40?

After 40, women's bodies start to produce estrogen. This means they can have an imbalance.

Women's bodies need hormones like estrogen and progesterone to have periods, strong bones, a good mood, and to stay at a healthy weight. When these hormone levels change, it affects parts of the body. This change can take a year before it stops at menopause.

Common hormonal changes women experience

• Irregular periods

• Hot flashes and night sweats

• Mood swings and anxiety

• Weight gain and slower metabolism

• Sleep disturbances

• Skin and hair changes

Symptoms That Should NOT Be Ignored

While some changes are normal, some symptoms need a doctor's help:

• Heavy or prolonged bleeding

• Persistent fatigue

• Severe mood changes

• Sudden weight gain

• Bone pain or weakness

When women are over 40 and their hormones change, they are more likely to have:

• Heart disease
• Osteoporosis
• Thyroid disorders
• Metabolic issues

Estrogen helps keep the heart and bones healthy, so when its levels go down, women are more likely to have these health problems."

How Can Women Manage These Changes?

• Eat a balanced diet

• Exercise regularly

• Manage stress

• Have regular health check-ups

• Sleep well

Women should talk about these changes openly. If they know what is happening and see a doctor early, they can make this time easier.

Hormonal changes after 40 are a part of getting older, but women should not ignore them. Especially if the symptoms are very bad or happen all the time.

If women understand what is happening in their bodies and see a doctor when they need to, they can be healthier and more confident. If women take care of themselves now, they can have a life in the years to come.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved tradipitant to be sold under the brand name Nereus, for the prevention of vomiting induced by motion in adults — a first in the last four decades.

Motion sickness affects an estimated 65 to 78 million Americans—roughly 25 to 30 percent of adults—during everyday travel by car, plane, or boat. For decades, patients have had no meaningful new treatment options.

Tradipitant is an oral neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor antagonist that prevents motion-induced vomiting in adults.

It is an oral capsule, often taken 60 minutes before travel to block signals causing nausea.

The drug by Vanda Pharmaceuticals is now commercially available across the US.

"Today marks an important milestone for the tens of millions of Americans who experience motion sickness symptoms during common travel," said Mihael H. Polymeropoulos, M.D, President, CEO, and Chairman of Vanda, in a statement.

How Tradipitant Prevents Motion Sickness?

Motion sickness occurs when the brain receives conflicting signals from the eyes, inner ear, and body while in motion. This sensory mismatch is believed to trigger the release of substance P, which activates NK-1 receptors in the central nervous system and ultimately leads to nausea and vomiting.

Tradipitant works by blocking these receptors, interrupting the vomiting pathway.

"NEREUS is a selective, high-affinity antagonist of human substance P/neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptors that can block the vomiting center of the brain,” Polymeropoulos said.

Tradipitant was approved by the FDA, following two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials—Motion Syros and Motion Serifos—conducted under real-world conditions on the open sea.

Also read: India Installs US FDA-approved Portable MRI For Bedside Brain Scans At AIIMS Delhi

Both studies demonstrated that tradipitant significantly prevents vomiting compared to placebo, confirming the drug's effectiveness in actual sea travel conditions. It is the first new prescription option for people with a history of motion sickness in over 40 years.

It employs a novel mechanism as a selective, high-affinity antagonist of human substance P/NK-1 receptors. It offers simple dosing with just one or two capsules a day taken approximately an hour before travel.

Is Tradipitant Safe? Are There Any Side-Effects?

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According to Vanda Pharmaceuticals, tradipitant may impair abilities required for driving a motor vehicle or operating heavy machinery.

Combining tradipitant with sedatives or medications that increase the drug's levels may increase this effect. If use together cannot be avoided, your doctor may warn against driving or operating heavy machinery.

The most common side effects associated with tradipitant include drowsiness, headache, and fatigue.

Moreover, strong CYP3A4 inhibitors may increase NEREUS™ levels and the risk of side effects, the company said.

There are limited data on tradipitant's use in pregnant women and children.

Tradipitant is also not recommended in patients with liver problems or severe kidney problems.