doctors

A new study finds that people who stop taking GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, may face an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The findings suggest the cardiovascular benefits of these medications depend on continued use, raising questions about how patients should manage long-term treatment.

Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, the wife of former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, has died at the age of 100. A doctor by training and a prominent public figure in her own right, she was known for her decades alongside Mahathir, who served as Malaysia's leader for over 20 years. Details on the circumstances of her death have not yet been released, and tributes are expected from across Malaysian political life.

Doctors are warning that people taking GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes drugs such as Ozempic may face heightened health risks during the current heat wave. Concerns center on dehydration, as the medications can suppress thirst and appetite, potentially leaving users vulnerable to heat exhaustion and related complications. Patients are being advised to drink water regularly and take precautions in high temperatures as extreme heat persists across many regions.

A health expert is warning that artificial intelligence chatbots cannot replace doctors, as more people turn to tools like ChatGPT for medical advice. The caution comes amid growing use of AI for health questions, with experts stressing that chatbots can mislead, miss serious conditions and should complement rather than substitute professional medical care.

A debate is growing over legal responsibility when artificial intelligence systems used in healthcare make harmful errors. The question of liability — whether it falls on doctors who follow AI recommendations, hospitals that deploy the tools, or the companies that build them — remains largely unsettled, prompting calls for clearer rules as AI adoption in medicine accelerates.

People are taking smaller-than-prescribed doses of Ozempic, known as microdosing, hoping to lose weight while avoiding side effects. An obesity medicine doctor says the practice carries risks, is not well studied, and that low doses only make sense in specific cases under medical supervision, warning against self-adjusting doses of the drug.

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists have published new clinical standards for managing high-risk pregnancies in states with abortion bans. The guidelines aim to clarify when interventions are legally permissible and medically necessary, addressing confusion among physicians treating endangered patients. The move responds to reports of delayed or denied care, and is likely to fuel ongoing debate over how restrictive abortion laws affect pregnancy treatment.

A new study reports that about one in six children taking GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, developed nutritional deficiencies while on the drugs. The findings raise concerns that appetite suppression and reduced intake may leave some children short on key nutrients, prompting calls for closer monitoring of children prescribed these increasingly used weight-loss medications.

New research suggests that people who lose the same amount of weight can experience very different health outcomes, with identical weight loss not producing the same metabolic or cardiovascular benefits in everyone. The findings point to individual differences in how the body responds to weight loss and could affect how doctors evaluate diet success beyond the scale.

The South China Morning Post reports on the hidden risks of combining traditional Chinese medicine with Western prescription drugs. The piece highlights concerns that herbal remedies can interact with pharmaceuticals, altering their effectiveness or causing harmful side effects, particularly when patients do not tell their doctors about everything they are taking. It calls for greater awareness among patients and practitioners about these potential interactions.

Feverish babies admitted to hospital are often assumed to have a serious bacterial infection and are treated with antibiotics as a precaution. A new test that gauges whether an infection is bacterial or viral could reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in infants, helping doctors avoid overprescription and supporting efforts against antimicrobial resistance.

A recall of a thyroid medication has been designated at the FDA's most serious risk level, known as Class I, reserved for situations where exposure could cause serious health problems or death. People with thyroid conditions are being advised to check their medication lots and contact their pharmacist or doctor if affected.

A forum letter in Singapore argues that patients who combine Western medicine with traditional Chinese medicine should receive clinical judgment rather than blanket bans. The writer says doctors should focus on managing potentially harmful interactions and guiding patients honestly instead of dismissing or prohibiting complementary therapies outright, a stance that touches an ongoing debate over integrating traditional and modern care.

Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson is dealing with an ankle injury sustained in Week 3, and sports doctors have publicly offered their assessments of the setback. Commentators drew a comparison to De'Zhaun Stribling's injury situation, suggesting a similar diagnosis or recovery path. Fans are awaiting official word on how long Minnesota's top offensive weapon might be sidelined.

A new article reviews what scientific research actually says about whether blood pressure medication works better when taken in the morning or at night. The timing question matters for millions of patients managing hypertension, and findings have been debated, with some studies suggesting nighttime dosing benefits and others finding no meaningful difference. The piece aims to settle common confusion among patients and doctors.

A fluorescence-based PCR test has been developed that can identify macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae, the bacterium behind common respiratory infections, within hours rather than days. Rapid detection of resistance matters because macrolides are a first-line treatment, and resistant strains force clinicians to switch therapies. The test could help doctors choose effective antibiotics sooner and support surveillance of resistant mycoplasma strains.

The union representing about 150 doctors at Allina Health's Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids and its Unity campus in Fridley, Minnesota, announced Wednesday that it has reached a tentative agreement on a first contract with the health system. The deal follows a four-day strike by the physicians earlier this month, and union members are expected to vote on ratifying the agreement.