NIH News in Health · Source article Health Capsule Some medications affect your brain and nervous system. Side effects can include an increased risk of confusion, falls, and hospitalization. This risk is higher for people with dementia—a brain disorder that causes memory loss and difficulty thinking clearly. A new study showed that many people with dementia are taking medicines that may not be safe for them. Researchers studied medical records of about 4,800 people aged 65 and older. They looked at how many people took at least one medicine that can affect the brain and nervous system for at least 28 days. The medicines included certain drugs that treat depression, anxiety or panic attacks, and sleeping problems. They also looked at some drugs that cause drowsiness. The researchers wanted to understand who was taking these drugs and why. In people with dementia, 25% took at least one of these medicines. Only 17% of people without dementia took one of these medications. The findings show that many older adults may be taking medications that might not be safe for them. Many did not have a medical reason to use them. Lowering the use of these medications could lead to better, safer care. But prescriptions that affect the brain and nervous system may sometimes be needed. “It is important for older patients and their caregivers to work closely with their physicians to ensure that these medications are appropriate to their cases,” says Dr. Annie Yang of Yale University. Source: NIH News in Health. Originally published April 2026. Republished by Graymedy on 11 October 2026. This is a sourced NIH article, not a Graymedy interview or original study. Read the original article and its research references. NIH News in Health permits republication of its articles and illustrations with acknowledgement. Research findings retain their original study context. Further reading and research references Dealing With Dementia: When Thinking and Behavior Decline What Is Dementia? Symptoms, Types, and Diagnosis Dementias Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias Forgetfulness: Knowing When to Ask for Help Understanding Alzheimer's Disease NIH's Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers Prescribing patterns of potentially inappropriate CNS-active medications in older adults Illustrative archival photograph: National Cancer Institute / Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License. The people or equipment shown are not identified as participants in the research or interviews described here.

NIH News in Health · Source article Health Capsule Babies need vitamin K for their body to make blood clots. Blood clots are how the body stops itself from bleeding. But babies aren’t born with vitamin K. And they don’t start making it until they begin eating solid foods. Most babies born in the U.S. get a vitamin K shot after birth. Without it, babies are at risk of bleeding in the brain and the body in the first six months of life. While rare, this is a serious condition that can lead to death. But a recent study found that the number of babies getting the shot is declining. Researchers looked at more than 5 million babies born in the U.S. from 2017 to 2024. In 2017, almost 3% of babies didn’t receive the shot. In 2024, about 5% of babies didn’t receive the shot. It’s not clear why the number of babies receiving the shot is going down. More studies are needed to see if the decrease in vitamin K shots is leading to an increase in bleeding problems for babies. “There may be a growing perception among parents that vitamin K is unnecessary,” says Dr. Kristan Scott of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “Unfortunately, opting out of vitamin K for a newborn is akin to gambling with a child’s health, forgoing a straightforward and safe measure that effectively prevents severe complications.” Source: NIH News in Health. Originally published March 2026. Republished by Graymedy on 11 October 2026. This is a sourced NIH article, not a Graymedy interview or original study. Read the original article and its research references. NIH News in Health permits republication of its articles and illustrations with acknowledgement. Research findings retain their original study context. Further reading and research references Delivering Safer Pregnancies: Lower Your Risk of Health Problems Pregnancy Check-Ups: Healthy Start for Mom and Baby Blood Clots Explained: Clearing Blockages in the System Bleeding Disorders: Causes and Risk Factors Vitamin K Fact Sheet Protect Your Baby From Bleeds (CDC) Trends in vitamin K administration among infants Illustrative archival photograph: National Cancer Institute / Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License. The people or equipment shown are not identified as participants in the research or interviews described here.

NIH News in Health · Source article Cancer cells multiply in an uncontrolled way, making them difficult for your body to stop. Chemotherapy, or chemo for short, uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. These drugs usually target cells that are growing quickly. Normal body cells can also get caught in the crossfire of many chemotherapy drugs, causing unwanted side effects. Scientists are finding ways to lessen chemo’s impact on your body. Most of the cells in your body divide and multiply into new cells. Your body needs new cells to replace old or damaged ones. Some of the body’s healthy cells multiply frequently, like those that line the intestines and those involved in hair growth. Chemotherapy drugs can kill these cells, too. Chemo can have a range of unwanted side effects. Common ones include nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, fatigue, and hair loss. Which side effects a person with cancer has depends on many things. These include the type of cancer being treated and which chemotherapy drug is used. Chemo can reduce your white blood cell count. These cells help your body fight off infections and disease. Fewer white blood cells can lead to a higher risk of infections. Some chemotherapy drugs can cause nerve damage called chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). This leads to pain, tingling, numbness, and loss of balance. “Chemotherapy does work,” explains Dr. Ting Bao, a cancer specialist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. “There are side effects, but they are becoming more and more manageable.” Antinausea drugs can help with nausea and vomiting. Changes to your diet can help to manage nausea, fatigue, and mouth sores. Physical activity and healthy sleep habits can help combat fatigue. Medications may also be available for some kinds of pain caused by chemo. For CIPN pain, however, there are very few options. Your doctor can recommend what may work for you based on your symptoms. Researchers are looking for new ways to reduce the side effects of chemo. Studies suggest that acupuncture may help relieve nausea and vomiting. This ancient practice uses thin needles to stimulate specific points on the body. Scientists are also testing herbal remedies, like ginger, to see if they help with nausea. Bao is testing acupuncture and yoga for treating CIPN. Yoga combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation. “These ancient modalities intrigue me because they don’t have much side effects,” Bao says. “For acupuncture, the most common side effects are a little bruising and bleeding. And for yoga, joint and muscle pain.” Her recent studies suggest that these techniques could help ease some of the symptoms of CIPN. She now has larger trials ongoing. Other research teams are trying to understand the molecular underpinnings of CIPN and testing drugs that target them. If you’re preparing for chemo, ask about possible side effects. Your doctor can help you make a management plan. Most cancer centers offer treatment education sessions. These sessions provide information about expected side effects. Patient support groups are also available to help you navigate cancer treatment. Source: NIH News in Health. Originally published February 2026. Republished by Graymedy on 11 October 2026. This is a sourced NIH article, not a Graymedy interview or original study. Read the original article and its research references. NIH News in Health permits republication of its articles and illustrations with acknowledgement. Research findings retain their original study context. Further reading and research references Chemotherapy to Treat Cancer Chemotherapy and You Side Effects of Cancer Treatment Support for People with Cancer Acupuncture Health-related quality of life in cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: A randomized clinical trial. Yoga for cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: Health-related quality of life outcomes. Illustrative archival photograph: National Cancer Institute / Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License. The people or equipment shown are not identified as participants in the research or interviews described here.

NIH News in Health · Source article You’ve probably taken aspirin for pain or a fever. But some people take a low dose of aspirin every day. It can reduce the risk of Related to the heart and the vessels that circulate blood through the body. cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. Now, scientists are learning that aspirin’s effects differ based on a person’s age and overall health. Aspirin helps prevent heart attacks and strokes by keeping platelets from clumping. Platelets are tiny pieces of cells that help slow or stop bleeding by forming blood clots. But preventing blood clots from forming can make bleeding more likely. That means the health benefits of daily aspirin don’t always outweigh the risks. Studies have shown that a daily low-dose aspirin doesn’t benefit everyone. For example, one study looked at older adults who took aspirin regularly for five years. It found that older adults taking aspirin did not live any longer without a disability than those who did not take it. And, taking a daily aspirin led to more bleeding episodes. Recently, experts stopped recommending low-dose aspirin for preventing cardiovascular problems in adults over 60. For adults aged 40 to 59, they recommend low-dose aspirin be based on a person’s heart disease risk. “If you don’t have a condition that puts you at risk from clotting, then there’s really no rationale for inhibiting platelets with low-dose aspirin,” says Dr. Sean Patrick Heffron, a preventive cardiologist at NYU Langone Health. “There are some people for whom a reduction in clotting can really be a problem. For example, older people who are prone to falls.” But some people are at higher risk for getting a clot. These include those who have a heart stent or have had a heart attack in the past. Excess weight raises the risk for heart problems. But it turns out low-dose aspirin doesn’t work well for prevention as your weight goes up. “The use of low-dose/baby aspirin in someone who hasn’t had a heart attack may be beneficial, but only in those with a relatively low body weight,” Heffron says. “Those who are of heavier body weight don’t show that benefit.” Heffron’s team has been trying to understand why that is. Experts thought that people who carry extra weight might need more aspirin to prevent clots. But Heffron’s team showed that’s not the case. Aspirin’s effects on platelets were about the same regardless of a person’s weight. The team is now testing another use for aspirin: lowering inflammation. Inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury or infection. But chronic inflammation can lead to health problems. “Obesity leads to long-term inflammation that doesn’t resolve,” Heffron says. “That may keep a person with a heavier weight at elevated risk for a heart attack or stroke.” The team is looking at whether aspirin’s ability to lower inflammation varies with a person’s weight. Meanwhile, other research teams are exploring aspirin’s potential to reduce the risk of certain cancers, preterm birth, and more. “Aspirin deserves a lot more study,” Heffron says. “While aspirin’s use for cardiovascular disease may have fallen off in recent years, the potential for its use in other areas may be increasing. There’s still a lot to learn for sure.” Be sure to talk with your doctor before taking aspirin regularly. Source: NIH News in Health. Originally published September 2025. Republished by Graymedy on 11 October 2026. This is a sourced NIH article, not a Graymedy interview or original study. Read the original article and its research references. NIH News in Health permits republication of its articles and illustrations with acknowledgement. Research findings retain their original study context. Further reading and research references Halting Heart Attack and Stroke: Get Medical Help Fast Blood Clots Explained: Clearing Blockages in the System Healthy Body, Happy Heart: Improve Your Heart Health Daily Aspirin May Not Benefit Healthy Older Adults Millions Taking Aspirin Without Clear Benefit Understand Your Risk for Heart Disease Let’s Work Together to Prevent Heart Disease Effect of aspirin on disability-free survival in the healthy elderly. Platelet inhibition by low-dose aspirin is not influenced by body mass or weight. Illustrative archival photograph: National Cancer Institute / Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License. The people or equipment shown are not identified as participants in the research or interviews described here.

NIH News in Health · Source article Health Capsule Scientists have found ways to fix faulty genes for some common genetic disorders. These include sickle cell disease, various blood disorders, and a severe skin condition. But treating rarer genetic conditions has been more challenging. A new NIH-funded study used a personalized gene-editing approach in a baby born with a rare, often deadly disorder. The baby had a disease called CPS1 deficiency. People with this disease don’t have the enzyme that removes harmful ammonia from the body. About half of babies with CPS1 deficiency die as infants. The research team had spent years creating personalized therapies for people with similar disorders. So they were ready when the newborn showed symptoms of CPS1 deficiency. The team quickly crafted an experimental gene therapy. The baby received two treatments around the time he was six months old. A few weeks later, he needed less medication to keep ammonia levels in check. And his diet could include more protein. Protein intake can lead to ammonia buildup in kids with untreated CPS1 deficiency. No serious side effects were seen. But follow-up will be needed to be sure the therapy remains safe and effective. With further study, this type of personalized gene therapy could help to treat a variety of disorders. “Years and years of progress in gene editing and collaboration between researchers and clinicians made this moment possible,” says Dr. Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who helped lead this study. Source: NIH News in Health. Originally published July 2025. Republished by Graymedy on 11 October 2026. This is a sourced NIH article, not a Graymedy interview or original study. Read the original article and its research references. NIH News in Health permits republication of its articles and illustrations with acknowledgement. Research findings retain their original study context. Further reading and research references Carbamoyl Phosphate Synthetase 1 Deficiency Disease About Inborn Errors of Metabolism What Is Genome Editing? Patient-specific in vivo gene editing to treat a rare genetic disease. Illustrative archival photograph: National Cancer Institute / Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License. The people or equipment shown are not identified as participants in the research or interviews described here.

NIH News in Health · Source article Health Capsule Nearly 1 in 4 youth between ages 18 and 25 regularly vape nicotine using e-cigarettes. Vaping puts youth at risk for nicotine addiction. It can also expose them to harmful chemicals. A new study showed that a smoking cessation drug may help youth quit vaping. A drug called varenicline is FDA-approved for smoking cessation in adults. It works by blocking some effects of nicotine in the brain. This makes nicotine less enjoyable and reduces cravings. The new study included 261 participants, ages 16 to 25, who vaped nicotine almost daily. They were divided into three groups. All the groups received a referral to a free text messaging-based program called “This is Quitting.” It encourages people to quit vaping. One group was only given this referral. The other two groups received weekly counseling with a person trained to help youth stop vaping. One of these groups also took the drug varenicline twice a day. The other took an inactive placebo pill. After 12 weeks, 51% of those taking varenicline had stopped vaping. Only 14% of those taking the placebo had quit. Just 6% of those who received only a referral stopped. By six months, 28% of those who took varenicline still weren’t vaping, compared to 7% of those who took the placebo. Only 4% of those in the text-only group were still vape free. “Vaping is extremely popular among kids,” says Dr. A. Eden Evins at Massachusetts General Hospital. “We know that … early nicotine exposure can make drugs like cocaine more addictive down the line.” More research is needed to learn how best to use the drug to reduce vaping among teens and young adults. Source: NIH News in Health. Originally published June 2025. Republished by Graymedy on 11 October 2026. This is a sourced NIH article, not a Graymedy interview or original study. Read the original article and its research references. NIH News in Health permits republication of its articles and illustrations with acknowledgement. Research findings retain their original study context. Further reading and research references The Risks of Vaping: A Look at Safety Vaping Rises Among Teens What Are Electronic Cigarettes? Tobacco/Nicotine and Vaping Vaping Devices (Electronic Cigarettes) DrugFacts Varenicline for youth nicotine vaping cessation: A randomized clinical trial Illustrative archival photograph: National Cancer Institute / Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License. The people or equipment shown are not identified as participants in the research or interviews described here.

NIH News in Health · Source article Pain can affect people in different ways. It can feel sharp or dull or like a prick, tingle, sting, burn, or ache. You may feel it in one area of your body or all over. Pain can be short-lived or go on for months or years. Pain that lasts longer than three months is called chronic pain. Chronic pain can affect all aspects of daily life, including your mood, sleep, work, and relationships. And millions of Americans experience it. Finding what works best to ease your chronic pain is a process. Treatments may include pain medications, medical procedures, devices, and physical therapy. Some people use complementary health options alongside conventional care. These may include acupuncture, yoga, chiropractic care, massage therapy, or tai chi. But what’s available doesn’t always work for everyone. Sometimes, treatments may not get rid of pain, but they can still reduce pain and help people function better. Some pain medications have unwanted side effects. Others may lead to addiction. Researchers are continuing to explore new ways to treat chronic pain. They’re looking for safer medications and more targeted therapies. Developing Safer Medications One class of drugs often used to treat pain is called opioids. Opioid drugs can lessen the feeling of pain in one part of the body or throughout the body. However, they can also cause serious side effects, including overdose and death. The risk is greater when opioids are misused or taken in ways other than prescribed. They can also lead to addiction for some people. Because these risks are widely recognized, opioid prescriptions have been declining in recent years. “Doctors are less inclined to prescribe opioids for good reasons, but that means that some patients’ pain isn’t effectively treated,” says Dr. Steven Olson, a medicinal chemist at Sanford Burnham Presbys. Olson and other researchers are trying to develop non-opioid drugs to relieve pain. “Our goal is to find an effective non-opioid drug that people can rely on and not be a danger to them,” Olson says. Opioid pain relievers work by attaching to proteins called opioid receptors. Opioid receptors belong to a protein family called G protein-coupled receptors. When activated, they trigger signals inside cells that cause different effects in the body. These effects include pain relief. Researchers have found that other types of G protein-coupled receptors can also bring pain relief. One example is neurotensin receptor 1. It’s activated by a molecule called neurotensin. But drugs that mimic neurotensin can also cause unwanted side effects. These include severe drops in body temperature and high blood pressure. Olson and his team have discovered two molecules that can fine-tune the receptor’s response. These molecules stimulate the pain-relieving effects while reducing unwanted side effects. The team is now designing and making hundreds of new molecules to find more that can do both. “We’re trying to develop the next generation of neurotensin receptor 1 drug molecules,” he says. Olson hopes to find molecules that they can develop into a new pain-relieving drug. Targeted Pain Relief Scientists are also testing a different approach to pain relief: gene therapy. Gene therapy delivers healthy genes into cells or fixes damaged genes in cells. Dr. William Renthal is a neurology expert at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. His team is developing new strategies to deliver gene therapies to specific nerve cells involved in pain. Renthal’s team first created a cellular map of all the nerve cells in structures along the spine called the dorsal root ganglia. These contain nerve cells that carry sensory information from the body to the spinal cord. Some carry information about temperature or touch. Others carry pain signals from an injury or tissue damage. Those that carry pain signals are called nociceptors. “We’ve used these maps to identify unique features about nociceptors,” Renthal explains. Those features help researchers design gene therapies that focus on the nerve cells that send pain signals. The goal is to avoid affecting nerves that control other sensations, such as touch. “We want to be able to turn off the pain-transmitting signals without affecting the other cells in your body,” Renthal adds. Sending treatment only to pain-sensing nerve cells may help avoid unwanted side effects. Complementary Health Options Scientists are also looking beyond medicines for managing pain. Research has shown that certain complementary health approaches reduce pain for some people. These include acupuncture, massage therapy, tai chi, and others. A recent study showed that nearly 1 out of every 2 people use complementary approaches for pain. Researchers are studying several complementary approaches for different types of pain. Acupuncture is one example. It uses thin needles that are inserted through the skin into specific points on the body. The practice has been part of traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. One condition that acupuncture is being studied for as a form of pain relief is angina. Angina is a type of chest pain brought on by physical exertion or mental or emotional stress. Researchers are looking at other complementary approaches to reduce pain caused by cancer treatment. Chemotherapy can damage nerves in the hands and feet. This leads to pain, numbness, tingling, loss of balance, and falls. Studies have shown that tai chi can improve balance and help lower the risk of falls. Tai chi involves slow, gentle movements and controlled breathing. Yoga also combines physical poses, breathing techniques, and meditation. Both approaches are being tested to help ease nerve pain from chemotherapy. Pain often needs to be treated with a range of strategies because it affects the body in so many ways. At NIH’s chronic pain clinic, patients are evaluated and treated by a team of specialists. “When patients come to the clinic, they’re seen by the entire team, including neurologists, nutritionists, psychologists, social workers, physical therapists, and rehabilitation medicine specialists,” says NIH’s Dr. Miroslav Bačkonja, an expert on pain treatment. “Our approach to assessing and treating chronic pain is to take a whole-person perspective.” Complementary health options are part of this whole-person approach. For example, Bačkonja explains, “A patient might see a recreational therapist and get recommendations to learn tai chi, yoga, boxing, or dancing to improve their symptoms and function.” People with chronic pain may see a nutritionist to discuss changes to their diet or herbal options, in addition to other specialists on the team. “We know there’s more to chronic pain than a single disease, joint, or incident,” he adds. Researchers are continuing to look for new options to help manage pain. If you’re dealing with chronic pain, talk with your doctor about treatment options. The options will differ depending on what’s causing the pain. Often, there are non-opioid treatment options that can improve your pain relief and quality of life now. Source: NIH News in Health. Originally published September 2026. Republished by Graymedy on 11 October 2026. This is a sourced NIH article, not a Graymedy interview or original study. Read the original article and its research references. NIH News in Health permits republication of its articles and illustrations with acknowledgement. Research findings retain their original study context. Further reading and research references The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Managing Pain: Moving Beyond Opioids Chronic Pain: In Depth Pain: You Can Get Help Pain Pain Research Center Pain: Considering Complementary Approaches Drugs of Abuse: Opioids Arrestin-biased allosteric modulator of neurotensin receptor 1 alleviates acute and chronic pain Designing allosteric modulators to change GPCR G protein subtype selectivity Harmonized cross-species cell atlases of trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia. Use of complementary health approaches overall and for pain management by US adults. Illustrative archival photograph: National Cancer Institute / Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License. The people or equipment shown are not identified as participants in the research or interviews described here.