Fox News Digital publishes a wide range of pieces all week long to keep you in the know about the latest health and wellness topics — from medical research to health care innovations to stories of personal medical triumph.

As you settle into your Sunday, check out some top stories of the week in Health that you may have missed, or have been meaning to check out. 

These are just a few of what’s new, of course: There are many more to see at http://www.foxnews/health.

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Dive into this selection here.

And let us know your thoughts or recommendations for our next roundup in the comments section below!

Women advocate for their heart health

For American Heart Month, doctors and patients are speaking out to help ensure that women’s symptoms get life-saving attention and treatment. 

Carol Pollard, 79, who lives in San Jose, California, and Tina Marie Marsden, 49, from Georgia, share how their symptoms were overlooked — and how they fought for their own diagnoses. “Women’s health is a very important issue and requires self-advocacy to find the right medical provider who recognizes the bias,” Dr. Philip Adamson told Fox News Digital. Click here to get the story.

Carol Pollard (left) and Tina Marsden (right) experienced misdiagnoses that put their lives at risk. Fox News Digital spoke to them about their experiences and why they’re encouraging others to advocate for their own health. (Carol Pollard; Tina Marston)

Some states tap Medicaid for housing 

In some states, the line between housing and health care is becoming increasingly blurred as Medicaid funds are being allocated to provide housing for the homeless. 

Some believe the move could help alleviate the health conditions that can arise from poor living conditions, while others say the funding will not solve the underlying problems. Click here to get the story.

A homeless woman begs for money along a city sidewalk. Her sign reads, “Homeless & Hungry – Please Help.” (Photo by © Viviane Moos/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

Cancer runs in the royal family

In the wake of King Charles III’s announcement of his cancer diagnosis, Fox News Digital looked back at other members of the British royal family who have battled the disease — from Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, to King Edward VII. 

“When it comes to demographics, cancer is the great equalizer,” one doctor said. Click here to get the story.

Left to right, Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III, King George VI and Sarah Ferguson are among the British royals who have been diagnosed with cancer. (Getty Images)

Doctor shares ‘back to basic’ health tips

When it comes to wellness, Dr. Barbara Bawer, a primary care physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, says it’s best to go back to basics. 

She shares the six surprisingly simple ways to keep yourself healthy, touching on sleep, immunity and more. Click here to get the story.

Barbara Bawer, M.D., a family medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, said checking in with your doctor on any changes to the “BASICS” is important to maintaining overall health. (Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center)

What’s in a name?

Ever wonder how your prescription drug got its name? The former AI drug development lead at Johnson & Johnson revealed to Fox News Digital how medications get their monikers — and the process may surprise you. Click here to get the story.

Naming drugs can be viewed as a “staged process,” based on drug advancement, which begins with the chemical name, a doctor said. (Getty Images)

Effects on health of an all-nighter

Pulling an all-nighter can have several impacts on the body, both physically and mentally. 

Two doctors reveal the short- and long-term effects of staying up all night – from weakened immunity to mood changed and impaired judgment. Click here to get the story.

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‘Gender-affirming’ care doesn’t benefit youth, study finds

A national organization of pediatricians and other health care professionals claims that “gender-affirming” therapies, including puberty blockers, surgeries and hormone treatments, have not been shown to benefit adolescents with gender dysphoria. Click here to get the story.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health. 

An Oregon resident has been infected with the state’s first case of bubonic plague since 2015, health officials said last week.

The resident was likely infected with plague by their symptomatic pet cat, Deschutes County Health Services said in a news release on Wednesday.

“All close contacts of the resident and their pet have been contacted and provided medication to prevent illness,” Dr. Richard Fawcett, the Deschutes County health officer, said in the release without identifying the infected resident.

Officials said there was little risk to the community since the case was identified and treated in the earlier stages of the disease. No additional cases of plague have emerged during the communicable disease investigation. 

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The bubonic plague can progress into the more severe and difficult to treat septicemic plague (bloodstream infection) and/or pneumonic plague (lung infection) if not diagnosed early.

The last case of human plague in Oregon was reported in 2015, according to Oregon Health Authority.

A mass of Yersinia pestis bacteria, the cause of bubonic plague, as seen in the foregut of a flea vector. (IMAGE POINT FR/NIH/NIAID/BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Humans typically begin to show symptoms of the plague within two to eight days of exposure. Symptoms can include a sudden onset of fever, nausea, weakness, chills, muscle aches and visibly swollen lymph nodes called buboes.  

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Humans can be infected through bites or contact with infected fleas or animals.

A bubonic plague smear demonstrating the presence of Yersinia pestis bacteria. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

In Central Oregon, officials warned that the most common animals to carry bubonic plague are squirrels and chipmunks, though they noted that mice and other rodents can also carry the disease. 

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To prevent the spread of the plague, officials recommend that residents and pets avoid all contact with rodents and fleas, including sick, injured or dead rodents. 

The CDC is not taking any more butts when it comes to smoking.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched the 2024 version of its federally funded national tobacco education campaign to help more people quit smoking — with a special aim at menthol cigarettes.

“The CDC’s Tips campaign is designed to increase smoking cessation awareness and intervention in populations with high smoking rates and poorer health outcomes, including those living with mental illness,” Dr. Lama Bazzi, a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City, told Fox News Digital.  

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“[The program] relies on testimonials given by people from the target communities, making the content relatable and increasing the utilization of the free resources the campaign makes available,” added Bazzi, who is not associated with the CDC.

The CDC’s campaign, which first launched in 2012, features stories and tips from former smokers who kicked a really bad habit.  

The dangers of smoking

Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the U.S., the CDC noted in a recent press release.

“Addictive drugs alter mood and are often compulsively taken despite the illness they cause,” Lori Karan, M.D., professor of internal medicine and preventive medicine at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California, told Fox News Digital.

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“Nicotine is psychoactive in that it can be stimulating, relaxing, pleasurable and helpful [in reducing] stress and anxiety — especially when it counteracts its own withdrawal,” added Karan, who is a national expert in addiction medicine.

It is not nicotine but rather the chemicals in tobacco that cause cancer, heart disease and lung disease, she said.

The CDC’s campaign, which originated in 2012, features stories and tips from former smokers who kicked the habit.   (iStock)

Menthol cigarettes carry a higher health risk than regular cigarettes, according to the CDC.

Menthol is a chemical found naturally in plants, like peppermint — but it can also be produced in a lab.

Almost all cigarettes sold in the U.S. contain some degree of menthol, but cigarettes specifically marketed as “menthol” usually have more of the chemical in them.

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“Menthol is an anesthetic,” Karan said. “The cooling sensation makes it easier to inhale more deeply.”

Due to the way menthol interacts with and enhances nicotine, people who use menthol cigarettes are more likely to accumulate toxins in the furthest part of their lungs, the doctor warned.

Menthol smokers are also more likely to continue smoking, she said, which puts them at a greater risk of developing tobacco-related diseases. 

Menthol smokers are more likely to continue smoking, an expert said, which puts them at a greater risk of developing tobacco-related diseases.  (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

It can be more difficult for people who smoke menthol cigarettes to quit successfully compared to people who smoke non-menthol cigarettes, the CDC noted in the press release.

In 2021, sales of menthol-flavored cigarettes reached 37% of all cigarette sales in the U.S. — the highest share recorded since 1963, according to the CDC website.

Real stories of former smokers

In the new batch of stories, the CDC is highlighting Ethan B., 59, who started smoking cigarettes at age 10 and later started smoking menthol cigarettes when he joined the Army at age 18.

“I wanted to look cool and be cool,” he told the CDC. “All the billboards said it was cool.”

Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the U.S. 

Since quitting in 2020, Ethan B. said he has come to realize that the tobacco ads that appealed to him while he was growing up were misleading. (The CDC did not share the participants’ last names.)

The CDC also featured Elizabeth B., 62, who started smoking menthol cigarettes at age 18. 

She was later diagnosed with smoking-related peripheral artery disease (PAD).

It often takes several attempts and the right combination of medication, nicotine replacement therapy and counseling to permanently succeed at quitting, an expert said. (iStock)

(PAD is when the arteries that supply blood flow to the legs get blocked, so people have difficulty walking without pain or cramping.)

“If I had never smoked that first cigarette, I may not have lit the fuse for PAD,” she told the CDC. “My goal is to help other young people to never start smoking.”

Tips to kick the habit 

The CDC recommends developing a personal plan to quit. The first step is to choose a quit date.

By the time the date arrives, make sure all cigarettes — including lighters, matches and ashtrays — are removed from the home, car and work areas, the agency says.

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It’s also important to be aware of common triggers that will tempt people to light up a cigarette. 

“During the first few weeks of quitting, try to avoid situations where you will be tempted to smoke and where cigarettes are available,” the CDC advises on its website.

This may require that people avoid friends or co-workers when they smoke.

People should also find ways to distract themselves when they get the urge to light up.

It’s important to be aware of common triggers that will tempt you to light up a cigarette, the CDC said. (iStock)

The agency recommends making a list of activities that might work for you — in lieu of smoking — before quitting.

Some examples might be listening to your favorite music, going for a walk, playing a video game or simply watching a video on your phone that makes you laugh.

When you do get the urge to light a cigarette, one idea is to find a substitute, like toothpicks, straws or cinnamon sticks, that will keep your mouth and hands busy.

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Quitting is not easy and there will be times when people will have a craving for a cigarette, the agency noted.

The urge will disappear within minutes for most individuals and will grow weaker over time, the CDC says. 

Medications to help people quit

For some, medications can be helpful in reducing the compulsion to smoke.

“Individuals trying to quit should speak to their health care provider about medications that can help them quit,” Bazzi said. “Do not give up.”

It often takes several attempts and the right combination of medication, nicotine replacement therapy and counseling to succeed permanently at quitting, she said.

The CDC recommends making a list of activities that might work for you, in lieu of smoking, such as going for a refreshing walk outside. (iStock)

One example is John B., 61, one of the CDC’s featured quitters. He smoked his first cigarette at age 8.

He tried different ways of quitting, including acupuncture, hypnosis and going “cold turkey” — but could never go one full day without smoking.

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Then he found a doctor who could relate to his struggles. The physician had quit smoking himself.

The doctor prescribed two smoking cessation medicines, including a nicotine inhaler, and recommended counseling. 

At age 38, John B. was finally able to quit for good.

“Individuals trying to quit should speak to their health care provider about medications that can help them quit,” a doctor said. (iStock)

A combination of medicines is often most effective, according to the CDC.

The most common combination is wearing a nicotine patch, which delivers a steady level of nicotine to the body, along with either the nicotine lozenge or gum for fast-acting relief during cravings.

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People can also call the free hotline 1-800-QUIT-NOW to speak confidentially with a quit coach without any judgment.

Fox News Digital reached out to the CDC for additional comment on the Tips campaign. 

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Colostrum might not be just for babies anymore. It’s also available in pill or powder form as a nutrient-boosting supplement that’s generating buzz on social media.

New mothers produce colostrum in liquid form after giving birth. 

The fluid is packed with protein, nutrients and antioxidants to help boost babies’ immunity.

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The supplement version — called bovine colostrum — is derived from the milk produced by cows in the initial days after giving birth.

Fox News Digital spoke with nutrition experts to find out whether colostrum supplements live up to the hype — and whether they pose any risks. 

Potential benefits and limitations

Some studies have shown potential benefits of using bovine colostrum supplements, according to Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian.

Those include preventing and shortening the duration of diarrhea, helping to prevent upper airway infections, and supporting a healthy immune system. 

Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian, said colostrum supplements could have some benefits, but the evidence is “not definitive.” (Erin Palinski-Wade)

“These studies are small, however, and the evidence is not definitive,” Palinski-Wade told Fox News Digital. 

“More research is needed to fully understand the health effects of bovine colostrum supplements.”

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Sherry Coleman Collins, a food allergy dietician and expert in the Atlanta metropolitan area, agreed that the evidence for human supplementation with bovine colostrum is “extremely limited.”

Collins told Fox News Digital, “There is not enough evidence for me to recommend it for anyone for any reason.” 

Bovine colostrum supplements are derived from the milk produced by cows in the initial days after they give birth. (iStock)

“We know that human colostrum is very beneficial for babies, providing specific nutritional value and immunological benefit through transferring some of mother’s immunity to baby,” she told Fox News Digital.

“However, we do not have enough evidence about bovine colostrum in humans to make any real statements about its impact on human health,” said Collins.

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The dietitian also noted that the processing of milk impacts its nutrition and would likely reduce some immunity benefits. 

Michelle Routhenstein, a New York City-based registered dietitian nutritionist who specializes in heart disease, said she does not recommend bovine colostrum supplements, “due to limited scientific evidence on their efficacy and potential variability in product quality.”

Risks involved with bovine colostrum

“These supplements are generally considered safe for healthy adults using them for a short duration, but there are still risks to consider,” said Palinski-Wade.

Individuals with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance should avoid bovine colostrum supplements, the dietitian said. 

“Bovine colostrum contains estrogen, which may negatively impact individuals at risk for certain cancers, such as breast, ovarian or prostate cancer,” she said. 

Colostrum supplements are available in pill or powder form. (iStock)

People with a history or risk of these cancers should speak to a doctor before taking these supplements, Palinski-Wade advised.

“These supplements also have not been tested on women who are pregnant or lactating and should be avoided in this population unless cleared by their physician,” she said.

Other potential risks include contamination by harmful bacteria, interactions with medications and unknown long-term effects, according to Routhenstein.

Safety tips

For those who decide to try the supplements, experts emphasized the importance of choosing a reputable seller.

“When purchasing bovine colostrum supplements, it’s important to choose reputable brands and sources to ensure quality and safety,” said Routhenstein.

“Bovine colostrum contains estrogen, which may negatively impact individuals at risk for certain cancers.”

“Look for supplements that are manufactured by reputable companies, adhere to good manufacturing practices (GMP), and undergo third-party testing for purity and potency.”

For optimal temperature regulation and storage of bovine colostrum supplements, Routhenstein said it’s best to consider purchasing from reputable third-party dispensaries specializing in health and wellness products.

Bovine colostrum supplements may not be suitable for individuals with dairy allergies, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those taking immunosuppressant medications, a dietitian said. (iStock)

“All supplements have limited oversight and don’t need to be proven safe or effective before being sold in the U.S.,” Collins said. “For this reason, there’s no guarantee on purity or potency in many cases.”

“Because bovine colostrum is likely to be sold as a dietary supplement, I would say buyer beware.”

For all supplements, Collins recommends looking for the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) symbol, which indicates that the product “does not contain harmful levels of specified contaminants” and that it is “made using safe, sanitary and well-controlled manufacturing practices according to FDA and USP guidelines.”

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Certain groups of people should be careful to avoid colostrum supplements, the dietitian said.

“I always caution people with compromised liver, kidney or immune systems about taking dietary supplements,” she said.

For anyone else interested in trying colostrum supplements, experts advised consulting with a doctor before trying them. (iStock)

Bovine colostrum supplements may not be suitable for individuals with dairy allergies, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and those taking immunosuppressant medications, according to Routhenstein.

For anyone else interested in trying colostrum supplements, both dietitians advised consulting with a doctor before trying them.

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“I think this is just a case of too much speculation with too little actual research at this time,” Collins said. 

“Could bovine colostrum benefit some people? Maybe. But there are a lot of other proven ways to improve health that don’t involve supplements or speculation — like eating enough fruits and vegetables — and I would encourage people to spend their hard-earned dollars there first.”

The FDA does not test or approve dietary supplements before they are sold, according to the agency’s website. (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo)

The FDA does not test or approve dietary supplements before they are sold, according to the agency’s website.

“Consumers may contact the dietary supplement manufacturer or a commercial laboratory for an analysis of a product’s content,” the agency stated.

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The FDA recommends that consumers talk to their doctor, pharmacist or another health care professional before choosing to take any supplement, and warned that some supplements may interact with other medications.

Fox News Digital contacted the FDA requesting additional comment.

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