The Health Risks and Benefits of Weight-Loss Drugs

The newest weight-loss drugs, Wegovy and Zepbound, are incredibly popular. But doctors are still learning about all of the ways they affect the body—both helpful and harmful—beyond reducing weight. In report published in Nature Medicine, Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, chief of research and development at the VA St. Louis Health Care System and clinical epidemiologist at … Read more

FDA Authorizes Zyn Nicotine Pouches

WASHINGTON — Federal health officials on Thursday backed the public health benefits of nicotine pouches, authorizing Philip Morris International’s Zyn to help adult smokers cut back or quit cigarettes. The Food and Drug Administration OK’d 10 Zyn flavors, including coffee, mint and menthol. It’s the first time regulators have authorized sales of nicotine pouches, which … Read more

What to Expect at Cataract Surgery

It’s normal to have anxiety about cataract surgery—and even postpone scheduling the procedure out of fear. But it shouldn’t be that way. Dr. Jeff Dello Russo, an ophthalmologist at Dello Russo Laser Vision and New Jersey Eye Center, recalls working with one patient who was “hesitant and nervous for months” before scheduling her surgery. For … Read more

Why Do We Get ‘Period Poops’—And What to Do About Them

If you’ve ever experienced irregular bowel movements during your period, you’re not alone. Your menstrual cycle can lead to symptoms like bloating, cramping, and changes in your bowel movements. Many people experience diarrhea while on their period (commonly known as “period poops”). We spoke to doctors about what causes the phenomenon and how best to … Read more

The FDA Wants to Make Cigarettes Nonaddictive

WASHINGTON — Federal officials on Wednesday released a far-reaching proposal to make cigarettes less addictive by capping their nicotine content, a goal long sought by antismoking advocates that is unlikely to go into effect anytime soon. The proposed rule from the Food and Drug Administration comes in the final days of President Joe Biden’s term, … Read more