End-of-life doulas, also known as death doulas or transition guides, are non-medical professionals who provide emotional, spiritual, and logistical support to individuals during their final stages of life and to their families during the bereavement process. Unlike hospice staff, who focus primarily on clinical symptom management and pain relief, doulas prioritize the personal, social, and … Read more
Public health officials are increasingly warning that the marketing of smokeless tobacco and newer nicotine products often masks significant physiological risks, complicating global efforts to reduce tobacco-related mortality. While these products are sometimes presented as safer alternatives, medical researchers emphasize that they continue to expose users to addictive substances and carcinogens, contributing to a persistent … Read more
Researchers are investigating two primary methods to prevent weight regain following obesity treatments: the modulation of the gut microbiome, specifically through the bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila, and the management of metabolic adaptation. These approaches aim to mitigate the “yo-yo effect” often observed after patients cease using GLP-1 receptor agonists. The rapid rise in the use of … Read more
Illegal aesthetic injections, including unauthorized dermal fillers and Botox-like substances, are increasingly linked to severe health complications as international health authorities report a rise in unregulated cosmetic procedures. While social media platforms frequently feature influencers and celebrities promoting cosmetic enhancements, medical professionals warn that procedures performed by non-certified practitioners carry significant risks of infection, tissue … Read more
Research published in recent years has drawn a critical link between the long-term use of certain anticholinergic medications and an elevated risk of cognitive decline in older adults. While these drugs are frequently prescribed to manage symptoms of hay fever, allergies, and insomnia, medical experts now emphasize the importance of assessing cumulative exposure for patients … Read more
Long COVID—the persistent, multifaceted condition that continues to affect millions globally—has long challenged medical understanding. As a physician, I frequently encounter patients struggling to reconcile their former vitality with the debilitating fatigue and neurological symptoms that define this post-viral syndrome. Recent scientific efforts have begun to peel back the layers of how the SARS-CoV-2 virus … Read more
As summer approaches, health authorities across Europe are intensifying their focus on skin health, emphasizing the critical importance of early detection in the fight against melanoma and other skin cancers. As a physician, I have seen firsthand how timely intervention can change the trajectory of a diagnosis. With the arrival of June, often highlighted in … Read more
Emergency medical services in Dijon recently responded to an urgent call that resulted in a rare and life-affirming event: an unexpected birth inside an ambulance. For 39-year-old Kenza, what began as a routine situation quickly escalated when it became clear that her baby would not wait for the arrival at the hospital. The incident highlights … Read more
In the field of ophthalmology, clinical presentations often involve common issues such as chalazions, styes, or benign cysts. However, medical literature occasionally documents rare cases where a routine procedure reveals an unexpected, non-biological origin for a patient’s discomfort. Recently, a case study highlighted an unusual medical finding involving a patient who sought treatment for a … Read more
By Dr. Helena Fischer, Editor, Health | Berlin, Germany A single therapeutic dose of psilocybin—the psychoactive compound found in so-called “magic mushrooms”—could produce lasting reductions in depression symptoms for up to six months, according to a landmark study published in May 2026. The findings, published in JAMA Psychiatry, suggest that psilocybin therapy may offer a … Read more