Latest news with #StanfordHealthCare
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
This Common Allergy and Sleep Aid May Be Quietly Raising Your Dementia Risk
If you've ever reached for a quick fix for allergies, a cold, or a sleepless night, chances are you've taken diphenhydramine. It's the active ingredient in well-known over-the-counter meds like Benadryl, Tylenol PM, and many generic nighttime formulas. But National Geographic reported that scientists say prolonged use could come with serious cognitive consequences. Diphenhydramine is one of the most widely used first-generation antihistamines. It's been FDA-approved since 1946 and remains a go-to remedy for everything from seasonal allergies to insomnia. But newer research warns that long-term, daily use may increase your risk for developing dementia or other neurodegenerative conditions. 'Taking diphenhydramine is not without risk, especially as the duration of use increases,' says Dr. Sayantani Sindher, a pediatrician and allergist at Stanford Health Care. Alongside cognitive decline, extended use of the drug has been linked to weight gain, memory problems, and poor sleep quality. Some users also experience anxiety, confusion, or slower reaction times—even when taking recommended doses. The problem isn't just the drug's pharmacology but also its pervasiveness. Diphenhydramine shows up in everything from allergy meds and sleep aids to cold and flu treatments, often without users realizing how much they're taking. 'It's one of the most commonly abused medications in the United States,' says Sindher. According to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, these medications 'are not intended for long-term use,' and responsible dosing is critical. But for millions of Americans dealing with chronic symptoms, dipping into the medicine cabinet becomes routine, and that's where the risk creeps in. Earlier this year, The World Allergy Organization Journal declared that diphenhydramine is at the end of its life cycle. It suggested that the drug no longer be available over the counter. With safer, non-sedating antihistamines now widely available, doctors suggest reconsidering what's in your daily rotation. Because when it comes to brain health, long-term convenience may not be worth the cost.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2025 Microsoft Build 開發者大會：智慧代理崛起，開啟開放式 Agentic Web 新時代
AI 智慧代理（AI agents）的時代正式登場。隨著推理與知識管理技術突飛猛進，AI 模型不只變得更強大，效率也更高，展現出能用嶄新方式協助解決問題的潛力。像是 GitHub Copilot，已吸引 1,500 萬名開發者使用，其內建的代理模式和程式碼審查功能，正逐步改變開發者撰寫、檢查、部署及除錯程式碼的流程。 在企業領域，數十萬名使用者已開始透過 Microsoft 365 Copilot 進行資料研究、激盪想法與開發解方。目前已有超過 23 萬家企業組織——包含九成財星 500 大企業——使用 Copilot Studio 打造 AI agents 和自動化工作流程。 例如，富士通與 NTT Data 運用 Azure AI Foundry 協助潛在客戶排序，加快提案進度，並提供市場洞察；Stanford Health Care 則透過 healthcare agent orchestrator 建構 AI agents，進一步簡化行政作業及醫療討論會議的準備流程。 微軟在今年的 Build 開發者大會中展示了一系列針對平台、產品與基礎架構的創新，目的是讓 AI 智慧代理不只存在於概念，更實際落地在開發、研究與產業應用中。這些變革圍繞著「Agentic Web」——一種讓 AI agents 成為日常任務與決策助手的網路架構，並且是一個開放式、生態系整合的未來網路藍圖。 這樣的願景背後，有一個清楚的方向：協助開發者與組織發揮創意，驅動未來的數位轉型與創新。 在技術方面，微軟透過 GitHub、Azure AI Foundry 與 Windows 等平台，帶來多項全新工具與功能。GitHub Copilot 升級為具備智慧代理能力的程式助手，加入非同步代理功能，還新增提示管理、評估工具與控管機制；此外，GitHub Copilot Chat 在 VS Code 中也正式開放原始碼，促進更多開放式協作。 Windows AI Foundry 則成為一個從模型訓練到推論都能涵蓋的完整開發平台，支援在裝置端或雲端部署大型語言模型。Azure AI Foundry 也進一步引入模型排行榜與智能模型路由器，可根據需求自動選擇合適的模型，強化使用彈性。 在 AI agents 的建置與部署方面，微軟也推出一系列安全又容易擴展的方案，包括預設代理、客製化模組與多代理協作等功能。新登場的 Azure AI Foundry Agent Service 整合 Semantic Kernel 與 AutoGen，提供開發者友善的 SDK，同時支援模型上下文協定（Model Context Protocol, MCP）與代理互動機制（A2A）。 企業在部署 AI agents 時的資料安全與身份管理，也是本次更新的重點。Microsoft Entra Agent ID 為每個代理自動產生唯一身分識別，結合 Microsoft Purview 的資料治理機制與報告工具，有助於防堵無序擴張與潛在風險。 在 Microsoft 365 的應用層面，Copilot Tuning 功能讓企業能簡易訓練模型、建構專屬代理；同時多代理協作功能也已正式支援，可以讓不同專長的代理協同完成複雜任務，例如律師事務所就可設計專門生成法律文件的代理。 為了推動整個 AI 生態更進一步走向開放，微軟也全面支援 Model Context Protocol，並與 GitHub 共同加入其指導委員會。此外，全新開放專案 NLWeb 正式發表，未來網站可以透過 NLWeb 建立互動式對話介面，同時成為 AI agents 可探索與應用的資料端點。 最後，在 AI 加速科研應用上，微軟發表 Microsoft Discovery 平台，讓研究人員能以智慧代理技術重新設計研發流程，從藥物研發到永續發展議題都能加快探索與解決的腳步。 更多3C資訊Motorola razr 60 Ultra 實測vivo X200 Ultra 比 X200 Pro 強很多？
National Geographic
19-05-2025
- Health
- National Geographic
The over-the-counter medicine scientists say may raise your dementia risk
Diphenhydramine is the active ingredient in countless over-the-counter medications. But experts say there are serious risks to taking too much of the drug—or taking it too long. Diphenhydramine, a common antihistamine found in over-the-counter allergy and sleeping medications, may increase users' risk for dementia when taken daily over a prolonged period. Experts say the drug can also be harmful if taken in large doses beyond its recommended use. Photograph by EHStock, Getty Images If you're among the one in three adults who struggles with seasonal allergies, the one in 10 dealing with some form of insomnia, or are among the millions dealing with the occasional cold or cough, chances are you've got drugs containing diphenhydramine in your medicine cabinet. But what you may not realize is that for years doctors have been steadily warning against taking too much of the stuff. Diphenhydramine is the active ingredient in countless over-the-counter medications. Originally approved to prevent and treat allergy symptoms, the drug has since become popular for its ability to also treat a range of other issues that include motion sickness, anxiety, cold symptoms, nausea, insomnia, and even Parkinson's disease. Though diphenhydramine certainly has proven benefits, a preponderance of data shows there are reasons to exercise caution when taking it—especially with newer and safer alternatives available. (Scientists knew this drug was useless—but you've been using it for decades.) "Taking diphenhydramine is not without risk, especially as the duration of use increases," says Sayantani Sindher, a pediatrician, allergist, and immunologist at Stanford Health Care. Some of these risks include weight gain, diminished cognitive function, memory impairment, and poor sleep quality. Mounting research also suggests it is linked to higher odds of developing neurodegenerative diseases like dementia. Despite such adverse effects, Sindher calls diphenhydramine "one of the most commonly abused medications in the United States.' She says this is, in part, because it's so prevalent in many over-the-counter formulations that treat countless everyday ailments that "consumers can unknowingly take larger doses than needed." A spokesperson for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association—an organization that represents the over-the-counter medicine industry—told National Geographic that 'it's important to underscore that these products are not intended for long-term use.' Like all medicines, the spokesperson added, 'responsible use is essential.' What is diphenhydramine and how does it work? Developed mid-century by American chemist George Rieveschl and first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1946, diphenhydramine is what's considered a first-generation antihistamine. Histamine is a chemical the body's immune system produces as a way of neutralizing allergens and fighting off pathogens. While some histamine is useful, too much can cause unwanted symptoms such as watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, or itchy skin. Antihistamines help prevent this by blocking the effects of histamine—though some antihistamines do so more thoroughly than others. (Here's how different cold and flu drugs work.) For example, newer antihistamines—known as second-generation antihistamines—usually block histamine receptors everywhere in the body except the brain and central nervous system. But first-generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine do the same while also blocking histamine receptors in the brain and central nervous system. When diphenhydramine crosses the blood-brain barrier this way, research shows it affects the body's natural sleep-wake cycle and can trigger feelings of sleepiness. This makes the drug a popular go-to for treating insomnia. Crossing the blood-brain barrier also allows the drug to suppress the medullary region of the brain that's responsible for coordinating the cough reflex—making diphenhydramine also helpful for treating cold symptoms. But this crossing of the blood-brain barrier also blocks another neurotransmitter, called acetylcholine. "Acetylcholine is key to memory, attention, and muscle movements," says Harita Shah, a pediatrician and clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago Medicine. This is why diphenhydramine is also considered an anticholinergic—a class of drugs used to treat movement disorders. Such upsides comes with downsides though as taking even recommended doses of diphenhydramine can cause "side effects like drowsiness, confusion, dry mouth, constipation, and trouble urinating," says Shah. Blurred vision and delirium can also occur, though not as frequently. (The spokesperson for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association acknowledged that the common side effects of taking diphenhydramine 'such as drowsiness or dry mouth' are 'well-established.') Other less common side effects include "increased appetite, weight gain, dizziness, postural hypotension, and possible cardiac arrhythmia," says Gordon Sussman, a professor of medicine at the University of Toronto. But what really worries scientists more are some of the more serious emerging risks associated with the drug. For one, studies show that "learning is impacted in young adults taking diphenhydramine,' says Anna Wolfson, an allergist and immunologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and co-author of a 2022 research paper that urges the medical community to 'move on' from the drug. One noted clinical trial demonstrated cognitive impairment when participants who took just a 50-milligram dose of diphenhydramine experienced lower memory retention and difficulty focusing compared to individuals not taking the drug. (The problem with natural sleep aids.) These diminished cognitive abilities can also worsen with age, says Sindher. She explains that the drug remains in older bodies longer than it does in children and adolescents—eventually for as long as 18 hours. "This relatively long half-life risks results in daytime sedation the following day and explains poor concentration and attention," she explains. This is one reason, 'people who take diphenhydramine are more likely to get in car accidents or have more balance-related fractures and other injuries," says Sussman. Increased dementia risk Longer-term use is even more worrisome as multiple studies show that diphenhydramine may also be linked to an increased risk neurodegenerative disease development. This includes a prominent 2015 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine that found that people who took diphenhydramine daily for at least three years had a 54 percent higher risk of developing dementia than people who took the same dose for three months or less. Subsequent Europe-based research and a study from the University of British Columbia demonstrate similar findings. (The reason dementia rates are rising is surprisingly simple.) Although the exact mechanism behind these increased neurodegenerative risks is "still not known," says Shah, the long-term use of anticholinergic medicines like diphenhydramine 'has been shown to permanently alter the brain's structure, neurotransmission capabilities, and chemical pathways." Even if you're only taking the drug for a short time, doctors say you should still be mindful of the risks of overconsumption. "Taking excessive amounts of diphenhydramine within 24 to 48 result in toxicity," says Corey Hannah Basch, a professor of public health at William Paterson University in New Jersey. "A toxic dose can lead to serious symptoms including seizures, confusion, rapid heart rate, hallucinations, urinary retention, and ataxia." Indeed, in the past five years, the FDA has twice had to warn against the "serious heart problems, seizures, coma, or even death" that can accompany taking high doses of diphenhydramine and similar drugs. It did so once in 2020 and again in 2022 in response to social media trends that encouraged people to misuse the drug. Compounding concerns is the fact that no one knows for sure how much diphenhydramine will be toxic. "An 'overdose' would be different for each person," says Wolfson. Basch agrees, noting that "there is broad medical consensus that diphenhydramine toxicity is dose dependent," and that "the severity of symptoms depends on the amount ingested." One commonly cited study shows that worrisome but moderate symptoms of toxicity can occur when taking as little as 0.3 grams of diphenhydramine, but that its most severe symptoms, "including coma and death," Basch says, "were observed at doses of 1 gram or higher." But this higher amount may be much smaller in children, elderly adults, and people with certain medical conditions, Sussman warns. Such concerns are why "several organizations, including the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network, support diphenhydramine being available only as a prescription" and not in its current over-the-counter form, says Jennifer Namazy, a clinical professor of medicine in the division of allergy and immunology at the Scripps Clinic healthcare system in California. Diphenhydramine continues to be FDA approved for certain uses—including treating short-term problems such as "acute treatment of severe allergic reaction" among older populations who are at greater risk of harmful side effects, according to safety criteria from the American Geriatrics Society. But for these people and most of the rest of us, 'the use of diphenhydramine as a first-line treatment for allergic conditions and most other situations is no longer recommended — especially with the wide availability of second-generation antihistamines as an alternative," says Aikaterini Anagnostou, a professor of pediatrics and director of the food allergy program at Texas Children's Hospital & Baylor College of Medicine. Sindher agrees and says that second-generation antihistamines like loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and fexofenadine (Allegra) "have limited, if any, ability to cross the blood brain barrier, which results in fewer anticholinergic side effects." "While diphenhydramine has been trusted for decades, its impairment effects and toxicity potential make it less ideal for routine use," echoes Basch. "It's always wise to re-evaluate longstanding medications like diphenhydramine—especially when newer options offer similar relief with fewer risks."
Hamilton Spectator
15-05-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Philips Future Health Index 2025: AI poised to transform global healthcare, urging leaders to act now
May 15, 2025 AI has the power to cut care delays and manage data overload, but trust gaps among clinicians and patients threaten to slow adoption and impact Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, has released its 10th annual Future Health Index (FHI) report , highlighting the growing strain on global healthcare systems. The FHI 2025 Report, the largest global survey of its kind analyzing key concerns of healthcare professionals and patients, indicates AI holds promise for transforming care delivery. However, gaps in trust threaten to stall progress at a time when innovation is most needed. 'The need to transform healthcare delivery has never been more urgent,' said Carla Goulart Peron , M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Philips. 'In more than half of the 16 countries surveyed, patients are waiting nearly two months or more for specialist appointments, with waits in Canada and Spain extending to four months or longer. As healthcare systems face mounting pressures, AI is rapidly emerging as a powerful ally, offering unprecedented opportunities to transform care and overcome today's toughest challenges.' Long waits, worsening outcomes The FHI 2025 report reveals 33% of patients have experienced worsening health due to delays in seeing a doctor, and more than 1 in 4 end up in the hospital due to long wait times. 'Cardiac patients face especially dangerous delays, with 31% being hospitalized before even seeing a specialist. Without urgent action, a projected shortfall of 11 million health workers by 2030 could leave millions without timely care,' Dr. Peron added. Clinician burnout and data burdens call for digital relief More than 75% of healthcare professionals report losing clinical time due to incomplete or inaccessible patient data, with one-third losing over 45 minutes per shift, adding up to 23 full days a year lost by each professional. 'These inefficiencies amplify stress on already understaffed teams and contribute to burnout,' said Gretchen Brown, RN, VP and Chief Nursing Information Officer at Stanford Health Care. 'Recognizing this, as clinicians, we see AI as a solution and understand that delayed adoption can also carry major risks.' Of the nearly 2,000 healthcare professionals surveyed, if AI is not implemented: Trust gaps remain the biggest barrier to widespread AI adoption While clinicians are generally optimistic, the FHI 2025 report highlights a significant trust gap with patients – 34% more clinicians see AI's benefits than patients do, with optimism especially lower among patients aged 45 and older. Even among clinicians, skepticism remains: 69% are involved in AI and digital technology development, but only 38% believe these tools meet real-world needs. Concerns around accountability persist, with over 75% unclear about liability for AI-driven errors. Data bias is another major worry, as it risks deepening healthcare disparities if left unaddressed. 'To build trust with clinicians, we need education, transparency in decision-making, rigorous validation of models, and the involvement of healthcare professionals in every step of the process,' Brown added. The path forward: human-centric AI integration Patients want AI to work safely and effectively, reducing errors, improving outcomes, and enabling more personalized, compassionate care. Clinicians say trust hinges on clear legal and ethical standards, strong scientific validation, and continuous oversight. As AI reshapes healthcare, building trust is essential to delivering life-saving innovation faster and at scale. 'To realize the full potential of AI, regulatory frameworks must evolve to balance rapid innovation with robust safeguards to ensure patient safety and foster trust among clinicians,' said Shez Partovi , Chief Innovation Officer at Philips. 'By 2030, AI could transform healthcare by automating administrative tasks, potentially doubling patient capacity as AI agents assist, learn, and adapt alongside clinicians. To that end, we must design AI with people at the center—built in collaboration with clinicians, focused on safety, fairness, and representation—to earn trust and deliver real impact in patient care.' About the Future Health Index 2025 The Future Health Index is the largest global survey of its kind, analyzing the priorities and perspectives of healthcare professionals and patients across multiple countries. The Future Health Index 2025 investigates how innovative technologies, particularly AI, can empower healthcare professionals to deliver better care to more people. For more information, or to download the full FHI 2025 Global Report, visit . For further information, please contact: Kathy O'Reilly Philips Global External Relations Tel.: +1 978-807-1449 E-mail: About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips' patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the home. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring and enterprise informatics, as well as in personal health. Philips generated 2024 sales of EUR 18 billion and employs approximately 67,200 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at . Attachments
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Philips Future Health Index 2025: AI poised to transform global healthcare, urging leaders to act now
Family members A healthcare professional and their patient in discussion May 15, 2025AI has the power to cut care delays and manage data overload, but trust gaps among clinicians and patients threaten to slow adoption and impactAmsterdam, the Netherlands – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, has released its 10th annual Future Health Index (FHI) report, highlighting the growing strain on global healthcare systems. The FHI 2025 Report, the largest global survey of its kind analyzing key concerns of healthcare professionals and patients, indicates AI holds promise for transforming care delivery. However, gaps in trust threaten to stall progress at a time when innovation is most needed.'The need to transform healthcare delivery has never been more urgent,' said Carla Goulart Peron, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Philips. 'In more than half of the 16 countries surveyed, patients are waiting nearly two months or more for specialist appointments, with waits in Canada and Spain extending to four months or longer. As healthcare systems face mounting pressures, AI is rapidly emerging as a powerful ally, offering unprecedented opportunities to transform care and overcome today's toughest challenges.'Long waits, worsening outcomesThe FHI 2025 report reveals 33% of patients have experienced worsening health due to delays in seeing a doctor, and more than 1 in 4 end up in the hospital due to long wait times. 'Cardiac patients face especially dangerous delays, with 31% being hospitalized before even seeing a specialist. Without urgent action, a projected shortfall of 11 million health workers by 2030 could leave millions without timely care,' Dr. Peron burnout and data burdens call for digital reliefMore than 75% of healthcare professionals report losing clinical time due to incomplete or inaccessible patient data, with one-third losing over 45 minutes per shift, adding up to 23 full days a year lost by each professional. 'These inefficiencies amplify stress on already understaffed teams and contribute to burnout,' said Gretchen Brown, RN, VP and Chief Nursing Information Officer at Stanford Health Care. 'Recognizing this, as clinicians, we see AI as a solution and understand that delayed adoption can also carry major risks.' Of the nearly 2,000 healthcare professionals surveyed, if AI is not implemented: 46% fear missed opportunities for early diagnosis and intervention 46% cite growing burnout from non-clinical tasks 42% worry about an expanding patient backlog Trust gaps remain the biggest barrier to widespread AI adoptionWhile clinicians are generally optimistic, the FHI 2025 report highlights a significant trust gap with patients – 34% more clinicians see AI's benefits than patients do, with optimism especially lower among patients aged 45 and older. Even among clinicians, skepticism remains: 69% are involved in AI and digital technology development, but only 38% believe these tools meet real-world needs. Concerns around accountability persist, with over 75% unclear about liability for AI-driven errors. Data bias is another major worry, as it risks deepening healthcare disparities if left unaddressed. 'To build trust with clinicians, we need education, transparency in decision-making, rigorous validation of models, and the involvement of healthcare professionals in every step of the process,' Brown added. The path forward: human-centric AI integrationPatients want AI to work safely and effectively, reducing errors, improving outcomes, and enabling more personalized, compassionate care. Clinicians say trust hinges on clear legal and ethical standards, strong scientific validation, and continuous oversight. As AI reshapes healthcare, building trust is essential to delivering life-saving innovation faster and at scale.'To realize the full potential of AI, regulatory frameworks must evolve to balance rapid innovation with robust safeguards to ensure patient safety and foster trust among clinicians,' said Shez Partovi, Chief Innovation Officer at Philips. 'By 2030, AI could transform healthcare by automating administrative tasks, potentially doubling patient capacity as AI agents assist, learn, and adapt alongside clinicians. To that end, we must design AI with people at the center—built in collaboration with clinicians, focused on safety, fairness, and representation—to earn trust and deliver real impact in patient care.'About the Future Health Index 2025The Future Health Index is the largest global survey of its kind, analyzing the priorities and perspectives of healthcare professionals and patients across multiple countries. The Future Health Index 2025 investigates how innovative technologies, particularly AI, can empower healthcare professionals to deliver better care to more people. For more information, or to download the full FHI 2025 Global Report, visit For further information, please contact:Kathy O'ReillyPhilips Global External RelationsTel.: +1 978-807-1449E-mail: About Royal Philips Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Philips' patient- and people-centric innovation leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver personal health solutions for consumers and professional health solutions for healthcare providers and their patients in the hospital and the in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, image-guided therapy, monitoring and enterprise informatics, as well as in personal health. Philips generated 2024 sales of EUR 18 billion and employs approximately 67,200 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at Attachments FHI 2025 Global Report Infographic Family members A healthcare professional and their patient in discussionError in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
