Health

Using toothpaste, bicarbonate of soda and polishing products on glasses lenses can cause further scratches or damage delicate coatings instead of repairing the damage. The most appropriate response depends on the scratch’s location, depth and effect on vision, while replacing the lens is advised when it causes blurring or eye strain.

Fat can build up in the livers of people with a normal weight because of visceral fat, insulin resistance and metabolic disorders, while scientific estimates indicate that lean people account for a significant proportion of those affected. Doctors recommend assessing risk factors and the likelihood of fibrosis, while focusing on improving body composition, physical activity and a healthy diet rather than targeting weight loss alone.

Women’s iron stores may decline while haemoglobin remains within the normal range, making ferritin testing important when fatigue, poor concentration and hair loss occur. Depletion is particularly associated with heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy, childbirth and impaired absorption, while treatment requires iron replacement, addressing the cause of the loss and monitoring the response with appropriate tests.

Nutrition experts advise against excluding fruit because of its carbohydrate content, stressing that whole fruit provides fibre, water and vitamins alongside energy. Naturally carbohydrate-rich options include dates, bananas, pears, grapes, mangoes, apples, cherries, blueberries and figs, but portion sizes should be considered, particularly for dried fruit and juices.

Small human trials and laboratory and animal studies have indicated that caviar extracts and oils may help improve skin hydration, elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles. However, the short study durations, small sample sizes, use of multi-ingredient formulations and commercial links to some research prevent it from being considered a proven treatment for skin ageing.

Footage posted by neurosurgery consultant Ali Salah showed a Saudi patient's hand tremor stop immediately after a neural focus in the brain was targeted with thermal ablation. The procedure was performed under local anaesthesia, with the patient kept awake to monitor motor and speech functions throughout the operation.

Egyptian physicist Ahmed El-Gendy, at the University of Texas, has developed an experimental nanotechnology that uses a low magnetic field to generate mechanical force targeting cancer cells without heating. Animal trials showed solid tumours shrinking and some disappearing, but the technology still requires broader studies and regulatory approval before clinical trials can begin.

A recent review found that drugs in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, particularly tirzepatide, may reduce the severity of obstructive sleep apnea in patients whose condition is associated with obesity. However, continuous positive airway pressure remains the most common and effective treatment, while the choice between medication, devices and surgery depends on the cause and severity of the disorder.

Iraqis are turning to herbalist shops for lower-cost alternatives to some medicines and products, while herbs remain part of inherited practices for treatment, prevention and personal care. Workers in the sector say demand includes mixtures for chest and digestive problems, as well as hair and skin care, but their preparations are not a substitute for medical consultation.

Libya’s 2024–2025 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey detected Escherichia coli in drinking water used by 46.4% of people in surveyed households, with wide variations between regions. The findings indicate the scale of potential exposure but do not identify the source of contamination or the stage at which the bacteria entered the water.

After 50, early detection of some cancers and monitoring blood pressure, diabetes and osteoporosis become increasingly important, along with shingles and pneumococcal vaccines. Recommendations vary by sex, family history, smoking, and health status, however, and do not support a single package of tests for everyone.

Government data showed that the number of people aged 100 or older in Japan rose to 107,677, marking 56 consecutive years of annual increases. Women accounted for the majority, with 94,298, while the health minister attributed the growth in the number of people living longer to advances in medical technology.

Nutrition scientists at the University of Texas found that ultra-processed foods account for more than 80% of products for children on grocery shelves, and that half exceed recommended levels of sugar, sodium, fat or calories. Researchers link the formulations of these products to increased appeal and the potential development of addictive behavior toward them.

Reviews and clinical trials indicate that eating okra is associated with improvements in some blood sugar measures among people with type 2 diabetes, but inconsistent findings and limited research prevent its use as a primary treatment or the establishment of a standard dose. Most studies tested okra alongside prescribed medicines, not as a replacement for them.

Studies and reports indicate that families’ ability to limit children’s screen use depends on time, income and available alternatives, not health awareness alone. A Finnish study, meanwhile, finds that the impact is shaped not only by duration but also by content and the balance with sleep and physical activity.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry has referred a file on 6 cancer medicines in circulation to the Public Prosecution at the Court of Cassation to investigate their quality, effectiveness and manufacturing sources. While specialists confirmed the safety of medicines officially registered and imported, they warned of drugs entering the market through unlicensed sources and of the risks of transporting and storing them outside regulatory oversight.

A comparative study found a statistical association between laser hair removal and the presence of human papillomavirus, without conclusively proving that the devices transmit the infection. A dermatologist says the possibility is rare but may involve contact between inadequately sterilized parts and the skin, urging people to choose a licensed center and take precautions before treatment.

Running the engine and air conditioning inside a parked, enclosed car can cause carbon monoxide to build up or refrigerant gas to leak, putting passengers at risk of suffocation and loss of consciousness. The deaths of a family of three inside a car in Cairo in late August have renewed attention on the dangers of sleeping in vehicles while the engine is running.

A blocked or pressured feeling in the ear and tinnitus may indicate sudden sensorineural hearing loss, a medical emergency that usually affects one ear. Ear, nose and throat specialist Afat Abdel Fattah says that prompt hearing tests and treatment give patients the best possible chance of improvement, without guaranteeing hearing recovery in every case.

Deaths and deteriorating health attributed to medical errors or negligence in Syria have revived debate over protecting patients and holding those responsible to account. The Damascus Medical Association recorded 182 complaints in 2025 and 53 complaints in the first months of 2026, while medical liability is currently governed by general rules and criminal, civil and professional proceedings.

Bangladesh is facing the worst measles wave in its history, with 999 confirmed and suspected deaths linked to the disease recorded since March, as vaccination rates decline and pressure on hospitals grows.

Obesity treatments have become a major growth engine in the pharmaceutical industry over the past three years, as sales of drugs such as Mounjaro and Zepbound have climbed. Eli Lilly reported a 48% increase in quarterly revenue to about $23 billion, becoming the first pharmaceutical company to surpass $1 trillion in market value.

A single reading is not enough to diagnose high blood pressure, as it can be affected by stress, exertion, caffeine and measurement technique. Guidelines recommend repeating measurements at home using specific steps, consulting a doctor if elevated readings persist, and seeking urgent help if the reading is 180/120 or higher and is accompanied by concerning symptoms.