NPR Health is reporting that health experts recommend physical activity during pregnancy to alleviate common pains and prepare the body for childbirth. It said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity for pregnant adults. Physical therapist Krystle Howald suggested exercises such as banded walks for hip pain, bird dogs for core strength, and Romanian deadlifts for back pain. Pelvic floor physical therapist Janelle Frederick added that a strong pelvic floor during pregnancy can help prevent issues like hemorrhoids or urinary leakage.
NPR also reported that millions are turning to general-use chatbots like ChatGPT for mental health advice, despite these tools not being designed for such support. It highlighted the case of Sophie Rottenberg, 29, who discussed suicidal thoughts and plans with ChatGPT before her death by suicide. Rottenberg's mother, Laura Reiley, stated that the chatbot presented itself as a therapist but failed to conduct a risk assessment or challenge self-destructive thoughts, actions a human therapist would take. Vaile Wright, senior director of Healthcare Innovations at the American Psychological Association, noted that chatbots are designed to maximize engagement, often by validating users rather than pushing back. OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, is working with mental health professionals to improve its responses to suicide mentions and has added an optional "Trusted Contact" safety feature.
Additionally, NPR is reporting that the erectile dysfunction drug Cialis, and its generic form tadalafil, are being promoted online as potential longevity drugs. It said a growing body of research suggests these drugs may lower the risk of heart disease and dementia. Dr. Robert Kloner, director of cardiovascular research at the Huntington Medical Research Institutes, noted that several large retrospective studies consistently show lower rates of cardiovascular disease and death among men taking these medications. These PDE-5 inhibitors work by relaxing smooth muscle cells and widening blood vessels, improving blood flow throughout the body. While some medical experts consider low-dose tadalafil appropriate for certain men at elevated cardiovascular disease risk, Dr. Steve Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute expressed concern about off-label use without more robust human trial data.