Latest news with #CelineGounder
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Study finds Ozempic may reverse signs of disease that contributes to 2,000,000 deaths per year
A study has found that Ozempic may reverse signs of a disease that contributes to 2,000,000 deaths per year. New research has discovered that there could be more effects associated with the drug than just weight loss. The study, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that medications that are now being widely used for things such as diabetes and obesity have the potential to offer other health benefits. This includes treatment for people with liver disease who have seen positive effects from taking semaglutide, which is popularly sold as Wegovy and Ozempic. The weight loss drugs have been found to effectively treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). MASH is a type of chronic liver disease diagnosed when there is excessive fat build-up in the liver, and at least one metabolic risk factor. The condition can cause liver scarring, cirrhosis, liver failure and cancer. Talking about these health benefits, Dr. Celine Gounder, who is a CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, said: 'Almost two-thirds of people had a reduction in liver inflammation related to this fatty liver condition, and over a third had a reduction in liver scarring.' Speaking about the severity of the condition, Gounder added: 'The life-threatening consequences can be very real.' However, things could all turn around Throughout the study, 800 patients were monitored for up to 72 weeks where they documented significant improvements to their liver health while receiving the semaglutide drug. MASH is a major driver of liver cancer, which contributes to two million deaths per year. If the drug proves to be a viable treatment for patients with MASH, this could be life changing. However, despite the fact that study looks promising, Gounder has warned that more research will be needed, specifically longer studies. She added: 'Seventy-two weeks, that's not very long.' Examining the results, the study read: 'In part 1 of our trial, patients who received a weekly dose of 2.4 mg of semaglutide had better results regarding steatohepatitis and fibrosis than those who received placebo. Patients in the semaglutide group also had more weight loss. 'Although formal hypothesis tests were not planned or conducted, semaglutide appeared to be associated with improvements in glucometabolic factors and noninvasive markers of liver health. Changes in bodily pain did not differ significantly between the groups. 'The findings were similar regardless of the presence or absence of type 2 diabetes or obesity and regardless of age, sex, or fibrosis stage.'
CBS News
01-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Ozempic isn't just for weight loss. A new study says it may reverse signs of fatty liver disease, too.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that medications widely used for diabetes and obesity may offer significant benefits for patients with liver disease, adding to the growing list of potential applications for these popular drugs. The research focused on semaglutide, known by brand names such as Wegovy and Ozempic, showing it can effectively treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis — known as MASH — which is a fatty liver condition related to obesity or diabetes. The study followed approximately 800 patients for up to 72 weeks, documenting significant improvements in liver health among those receiving semaglutide treatment. "Almost two-thirds of people had a reduction in liver inflammation related to this fatty liver condition, and over a third had a reduction in liver scarring," said Dr. Celine Gounder, CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News. MASH can cause liver scarring, cirrhosis, liver failure or cancer, Gounder said. "The life-threatening consequences can be very real," Gounder said. According to Gounder, this development is particularly significant, because up until now, there has not been a specific FDA-approved treatment for this condition. She said that an estimated 17 million Americans have MASH — representing about one in five adults who have fat infiltration of the liver, Dr. Zobair M. Younossi of the Center for Outcomes Research in Liver Diseases, told CBS News. "This is something we can be giving that will prevent these longer-term consequences," she said. The side effects remain consistent with those already known for semaglutide treatments: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and weight loss. While the results appear promising, Gounder cautioned that longer-term studies are needed. "Seventy-two weeks, that's not very long," she said.
CBS News
27-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Childhood vaccinations in the United States haven't recovered from pandemic slump, study shows
Childhood vaccinations have not recovered from the slump that happened after the pandemic, according to new research. This comes as the United States deals with one of the largest measles outbreaks in the past decade , and much of it is blamed on parents not getting their children vaccinated As measles cases continue to increase in Texas and New Mexico , there's growing concern about vaccine hesitancy. "Unfortunately, post-pandemic rates of childhood vaccination have not bounced back," said Dr. Celine Gounder, who is a medical contributor at CBS News. Measles is among the highly contagious diseases that can be prevented with a vaccine. Overall, vaccinations among children declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, new research in "Pediatrics" shows immunization rates for some illnesses remain lower than pre-pandemic levels. "What we saw in this study, about 400,000 or so babies, looking at their vaccination rates at by age 5 months, those have declined over the course of the pandemic from about 88% coverage down to 81% coverage by 2023," Gounder said. "And by 12 months of age, these kids had still not caught up." The study focused on the rotavirus vaccine, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, or whooping cough vaccine, and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. "We're concerned in particular about certain groups that are lagging behind, including babies of color, people who are low-income and on Medicaid and families that may not speak English as a first language," Gounder said. "This is an issue because even tiny dips in vaccination rates can leave communities susceptible to outbreaks." There have been a couple of recent cases of measles in Philadelphia at Children's Hospital . Two infections were in babies under the age of 1 – too young to be vaccinated — who traveled internationally. Locally, there's also been an increase in whooping cough infections. Doctors say that's because the vaccine protection for those can wear off, and boosters are recommended for many. The U.S. confirmed at least a dozen deaths from whooping cough last year, according to CDC data. That's the highest number of deaths from the bacterial infection since 2017.
CBS News
14-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
How taking care of your teeth could protect your heart and brain health
In recent years, research has suggested a connection between oral bacteria and Alzheimer's disease, raising concerns for those with poor dental health. With nearly 700 species of bacteria inhabiting the human mouth, experts say maintaining good oral hygiene could benefit both heart and brain health. There is growing evidence suggesting good oral health could help prevent Alzheimer's disease. One study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease found that people who flossed regularly had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's than those who did not. However, researchers caution there is still limited research. The observational studies do not prove that flossing directly prevents Alzheimer's disease. "When you think about it, what is poor gum health, poor dental health? It's really a bacterial infection," explained Dr. Celine Gounder, CBS News medical contributor. "When you have chronic infection, chronic inflammation, we know that chronic inflammation increases your risk for heart disease, for cerebrovascular disease, brain disease. It's really important to control these things." According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 4 in 10 U.S. adults 30 years or older have some form of periodontal disease. In addition to causing inflammation, the bacteria associated with gum disease produce enzymes that can be directly toxic to nerves, Gounder said. They also weaken the blood-brain barrier, allowing toxins and other bacteria to enter the brain. Research shows that these oral bacteria can increase amyloid in the brain — a protein plaque connected with Alzheimer's disease. The mouth-to-brain pathway occurs when bacteria from dental problems enter the bloodstream. "When you have gum disease and dental problems, the bacteria in your mouth are getting into the blood, and from the blood, they can travel anywhere, including the heart and the brain," Gounder said. This bacterial spread isn't a new concern. Before antibiotics became available in the 1800s, dental infections commonly led to heart valve infections and heart failure as bacteria spread through the bloodstream. While water picks and mouthwash offer some benefits, Gounder emphasized they aren't sufficient replacements for flossing. "Water picks are better than nothing, but mouthwash is not a substitute ... There is really no replacement for something like flossing," she said. The National Institutes of Health identifies several signs of gum disease, including red, swollen, or bleeding gums; pain while chewing; persistent bad breath; and loose or sensitive teeth. For prevention, the NIH recommends brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste, flossing regularly, visiting the dentist twice per year, and avoiding smoking. The recommendation is to floss once daily, preferably before bed. However, people with gingivitis, receding gums, diabetes or heart disease may benefit from flossing at least twice daily.
