Researchers led by Imperial College London’s National Heart and Lung Institute compared people starting semaglutide and other GLP-1 receptor agonists with patients beginning sulfonylurea diabetes medicines. The semaglutide analysis included 22,537 new users.

Semaglutide use was associated with a 24% lower hazard of airway exacerbations compared with sulfonylureas overall. Among patients with asthma, the association was substantially stronger, with a weighted hazard ratio of 0.20, corresponding to an approximately 80% lower hazard in that analysis.

The researchers also reported an association with about a 20% reduction in COPD flare-ups.

The findings do not establish that semaglutide itself prevented the attacks. The study was observational, meaning researchers examined patterns in existing medical records rather than randomly assigning patients to receive semaglutide or another treatment.

Semaglutide showed the strongest signal

The research examined several GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of medicines widely used to treat type 2 diabetes and, increasingly, obesity.

Semaglutide stood out from the other drugs studied. Researchers did not find statistically significant reductions in airway exacerbations associated with liraglutide, dulaglutide or exenatide. The semaglutide results also showed a stronger association at higher doses, although the confidence interval for the medium- and high-dose analysis was wide.

Researchers said the findings add to earlier evidence suggesting that GLP-1 medicines could influence respiratory outcomes. Possible explanations include effects related to inflammation, metabolic health and obesity, which can worsen asthma severity.

The study was designed to examine whether respiratory outcomes differed among people already receiving treatment for conditions such as diabetes or obesity. It was not designed to determine whether semaglutide should be prescribed specifically as an asthma treatment.

Experts caution against interpreting the findings as proof

The distinction between association and causation is important.

Marie Spreckley, a researcher at the University of Cambridge who commented on the study through the Science Media Centre, said the observational design could not establish that semaglutide caused the lower rate of asthma attacks. She described the research as potentially important real-world evidence but said the headline claim that semaglutide “can reduce” asthma attacks was not supported by the study design.

Patients taking semaglutide can differ from comparison groups in ways that are difficult to completely account for, even when statistical methods are used to balance characteristics such as body mass index, smoking, disease severity and other medical conditions.

The researchers used doubly robust inverse probability weighting to address potential differences between treatment groups. Even so, residual confounding cannot be ruled out in an observational study.

The findings do not change asthma treatment guidance

Semaglutide is already approved for specific uses involving type 2 diabetes and weight management, but the new findings do not establish it as an asthma treatment.

The researchers said people with asthma or COPD who are already eligible for GLP-1 therapy because of obesity or diabetes could potentially gain additional respiratory benefits, but they called for future clinical trials to test that possibility directly.

The broader safety evidence is also still developing. A 2026 systematic review of respiratory outcomes associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists found mixed evidence across different study designs and emphasized that pharmacovigilance signals do not establish causality.

The latest study therefore adds to an emerging research area rather than providing a basis for changing asthma care.

If randomized trials confirm that semaglutide or related medicines directly reduce exacerbations, the finding could expand understanding of how metabolic treatments interact with respiratory disease. For now, the evidence shows an association that warrants further investigation.

Reporting Credit: European Respiratory Society — conference presentation and study findings; Imperial College London National Heart & Lung Institute — research leadership and analysis; Science Media Centre — independent expert assessment of the observational evidence.

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International researchers warn that the growing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is contributing to chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions. A global review urges governments to implement policies, including taxes and warnings, to promote healthier diets, while acknowledging further research is needed to establish direct causal links.

Rising Global Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods

Ultra-processed foods are industrially manufactured products that contain multiple ingredients not typically found in home kitchens, including preservatives, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and colorings. Common examples include sausages, crisps, pastries, biscuits, instant soups, fizzy drinks, ice cream, and some supermarket breads.

Surveys indicate these foods are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, replacing fresh and minimally processed foods. Experts warn that this dietary shift contributes to poor nutrition, characterized by excessive sugar, unhealthy fats, and insufficient fiber and protein.

Evidence Linking UPFs to Health Risks

A global review published in The Lancet examined 104 long-term studies and involved 43 researchers from multiple countries. The analysis suggests a correlation between high consumption of ultra-processed foods and increased risk of 12 health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, depression, and premature mortality.

Professor Carlos Monteiro of the University of Sao Paulo, who developed the Nova food classification system, stated that UPFs are “reshaping diets worldwide, displacing fresh and minimally processed foods and meals.” He highlighted the influence of multinational corporations, which profit from UPFs and often lobby against public health measures aimed at promoting nutritious diets.

Calls for Stronger Public Health Measures

Co-author Dr Phillip Baker from the University of Sydney emphasized the need for coordinated global action, comparing the approach to successful strategies in combating tobacco-related health harms. Researchers recommend interventions such as public warnings, taxes on UPFs, and investments in healthier food options to mitigate potential health risks.

While the review stops short of establishing definitive causation, it argues that existing evidence is sufficient to justify policy measures to protect public health.

Scientific Debate and Need for Further Research

Some experts caution that the evidence does not prove direct harm from UPFs, noting that dietary patterns are influenced by multiple factors including lifestyle, socioeconomic status, and overall caloric intake. Professor Kevin McConway of the Open University emphasized that correlations observed in studies do not confirm cause-and-effect relationships.

Critics of the Nova classification system also argue that categorizing foods solely by processing level can overlook nutritional benefits. For example, wholegrain bread, certain cereals, low-fat yoghurts, baby formula, and fish fingers are classified as ultra-processed but contain valuable nutrients.

Professor Jules Griffin of the University of Aberdeen stressed the need for further research to understand both the beneficial and adverse effects of food processing on health.

Industry Perspective

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), representing the UK food industry, maintains that ultra-processed foods can be part of a balanced diet. Kate Halliwell, chief scientific officer at the FDF, cited improvements in product formulation, including reductions in sugar and salt by around one-third since 2015. She noted that frozen vegetables and wholemeal bread, while processed, provide important dietary nutrients.

Policy Implications and Global Recommendations

UK authorities, including the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, have expressed concern over high UPF consumption but noted that it remains unclear whether adverse health outcomes are due to processing itself or high levels of sugar, salt, saturated fat, and calories in these foods. Current UK dietary guidance continues to encourage increased intake of fruit, vegetables, and fiber, alongside reductions in sugar, fat, and salt.

Researchers and public health experts argue that governments worldwide must take proactive steps to reduce UPF consumption, including educational campaigns, economic incentives, and regulatory measures, to promote long-term health and prevent chronic disease.

Source: BBC – Ultra-processed food is global health threat, experts warn

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Do you find yourself yawning constantly? Or maybe that third or fourth cup of coffee is becoming a must-have just to get through the afternoon? While these may seem like typical signs of sleepiness, experts are now sounding the alarm about how a persistent lack of sleep can be much more than just a minor inconvenience—it can seriously affect your health and safety.

According to a recent position paper from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), feeling constantly tired could be a sign of a dangerous sleep deficit that can have wide-ranging consequences. From impaired performance at work to deadly drowsy driving, the risks are real.

“Sleepiness is a serious health concern with far-reaching consequences,” said Dr. Eric Olson, president of the AASM and a sleep medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. “From car crashes caused by drowsy driving to workplace errors and long-term health problems, the effects of sleep deprivation touch everyone.”

Dr. Olson emphasized the critical need for proper sleep, noting that sleep deprivation is linked to a host of chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and even stroke. A good night’s sleep—ideally seven to eight hours—is essential for your health.

In the U.S., about one-third of adults report excessive daytime sleepiness. Experts stress that identifying and treating sleep problems is crucial, not just for your well-being but for the safety of those around you.

It’s easy to dismiss signs of sleepiness—like dozing off during a meeting or feeling sluggish in the afternoon—as no big deal. But sleep specialists say this could be your body signaling that something more serious is at play.

Dr. Kristen Knutson, a sleep expert at Northwestern University in Chicago, points out that if you’re constantly nodding off during meetings, it’s a red flag. “Someone who’s well-rested won’t fall asleep in a meeting, no matter how dull it is,” she says.

If you’re regularly feeling excessively sleepy, Dr. Knutson advises you talk to your doctor. Excessive daytime sleepiness can impact your performance and may be a sign of underlying sleep disorders or other health issues.

The body’s response to ongoing sleep deprivation is not always obvious. You may think you’re functioning normally, but in reality, your brain is struggling.

Dr. Indira Gurubhagavatula, a board member of the AASM and sleep medicine professor, explains that with chronic sleep deprivation, we lose the ability to assess our own impairment accurately. “You may feel fine, but your brain is actually making mistakes. It’s a scary situation,” she says.

A dangerous phenomenon known as microsleep occurs when your brain takes brief, unconscious naps lasting just a few seconds. You may not even notice these tiny breaks in consciousness, but if you’re driving or operating machinery, the consequences could be catastrophic.

Drowsy driving is a serious problem—100,000 car accidents every year are linked to sleepiness behind the wheel. If you find yourself struggling to stay awake while driving, that’s a clear sign you’re not safe on the road.

You can measure your level of sleepiness using tools like the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. This test asks you to rate how likely you are to fall asleep during everyday activities, like sitting quietly after lunch or riding as a passenger in a car.

A score above 10 is considered clinically significant, signaling that your sleepiness may require intervention. The higher the score, the greater the risk of severe impairment.

As sleep deprivation continues, physical symptoms become more pronounced. You may notice droopy eyelids, difficulty staying upright, or even vertigo—feeling like the room is spinning.

In more severe cases, people can experience impulsive or reckless behavior, feeling detached from their usual cautious self.

Many factors contribute to sleepiness, from medical conditions like sleep apnea and insomnia to lifestyle choices. Dr. Gurubhagavatula suggests that chronic pain, certain medications, and even poor sleep hygiene (like sleeping in a noisy or uncomfortable room) can all play a part.

Be mindful of what’s affecting your sleep. Excessive caffeine or alcohol before bed can disrupt your rest, as can using substances like marijuana. Though some believe alcohol helps them sleep, it often disrupts sleep cycles, leaving you more tired the next day.

Dr. Gurubhagavatula says eliminating a nightly drink or using marijuana less often can improve your sleep quality, leading to better rest and higher energy levels throughout the day.

Yawning might seem like a harmless, routine act, but it could be signaling something more serious. Chronic sleep deprivation not only puts your health at risk but also jeopardizes the safety of everyone around you. If you’re constantly feeling sleepy or struggling to stay awake, it’s time to take action and seek help from a sleep specialist.

As Dr. Olson reminds us, sleepiness is not something to ignore—it’s a warning sign that shouldn’t be dismissed. So, next time you find yourself yawning more than usual, consider it a sign to prioritize rest and take your health seriously.

Source: CNN – Yawning may be more dangerous than you think, experts say

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