Nipah virus headlines might be causing travel anxiety, but here's what you actually need to know: outbreaks remain rare and contained. This guide cuts through the noise with practical advice on staying safe in South and Southeast Asia—from food precautions to recognizing symptoms—without letting fear derail your plans. Knowledge, not panic, is your best travel companion.

Menopause is often described in terms of hot flushes and changing periods, but for many women the most unsettling symptoms are emotional and cognitive. A large new UK study led by researchers at the University of Cambridge and the University of Bristol suggests that anxiety, low mood, tiredness and sleep disruption are more common after menopause, and that women who go on to use HRT often already have more mental health symptoms before they start treatment. This does not mean HRT is “bad for the brain,” but it does underline how important it is that we talk openly about mood, memory and sleep as part of menopause care, and that any decision about HRT sits alongside support for emotional wellbeing, lifestyle and long‑term brain health.

The weight loss jab is becoming a pill. With the first oral GLP-1 tablet approved in the US, obesity care is entering a new phase. What does this mean for patients in 2026, and what should people in the UK understand before getting caught up in the headlines?

Recent headlines on childhood obesity are worrying many parents, but the reality is more complex than the numbers suggest. NHS data shows rising obesity rates in young children, yet this is not about blame or failure. As GP Dr Sara Kayat explains, early support, simple routines and small, sustainable changes around sleep, drinks, food and movement can make a meaningful difference to a child’s long-term health.

Protein has dominated nutrition headlines for years, often framed as the missing ingredient for better health. But more recently, attention has shifted towards something far less glamorous, and arguably far more neglected.

Is it time to raise the social media age to 16?
As both a UK GP and a mum, this is a question I find myself thinking about more and more.

Children’s brains are still developing, particularly the parts responsible for impulse control, emotional regulation and self esteem. At the same time, social media platforms are designed to capture attention and keep users scrolling. That imbalance matters.

In this piece, I look at the evidence from the UK and internationally, the risks around cyberbullying and mental health, and why clearer age limits could help families hold healthier boundaries together. This is not about banning technology, but about protecting children at a vulnerable stage of development.

Recent headlines have suggested that a commonly used diabetes drug could help slow the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysms. While this research is still at an early stage, it highlights an important area of medical interest: the role of inflammation and metabolic health in vascular disease. In this article, GP Dr Sara Kayat explains what abdominal aneurysms are, why scientists are exploring existing medicines, and what this research does and does not mean for patients right now.

Artificial intelligence is already changing how we work, and it is understandable that parents and teenagers are questioning which careers will still stand the test of time. Medicine often comes up in these conversations, not because it is easy or guaranteed, but because it relies on skills technology cannot easily replace.

In this piece, Dr Sara explores whether medicine is truly “future-proof” in the age of AI, which areas of healthcare are most likely to evolve rather than disappear, and what young people choosing GCSEs and A levels should really focus on as they plan for the future.

Weight loss injections often referred to as “fat jabs”, including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, are now appearing in headlines for a new reason. Early research is exploring whether changes in body fat and inflammation could influence how prostate cancer cells behave.

This has prompted understandable questions, but it is important to be clear about what the science actually shows. No GLP-1 medication is currently approved to prevent or treat prostate cancer, and this research is still at an early stage. Much of the work, including studies from Imperial College London, is focused on understanding how fat tissue interacts with cancer cells at a biological level rather than testing treatments in people.

What we do already know is that obesity is linked to higher levels of inflammation and poorer outcomes in several cancers, including prostate cancer. This research adds to a growing body of evidence highlighting the importance of metabolic health, while reminding us to be cautious about interpreting headlines as medical advice.

From today, the UK is limiting advertising of foods high in fat, sugar and salt online and before 9pm on TV.
From a GP’s perspective, this is not about blame or banning food. It is about reducing the background pressure that shapes children’s choices and giving families a little more breathing space.

Spending time with pets has been shown to reduce stress, lower heart rate and support emotional wellbeing. Cats offer something unique through their low frequency purr, which is linked with feelings of relaxation. In this article, Dr Sara Kayat explains the science behind pet therapy, how different animals can support mental health and why a few minutes with a calm, purring cat can be a powerful winter stress remedy.

Think healthy eating means cutting out all your favourite snacks? Think again. Dr Sara Kayat reveals five delicious treats that are surprisingly good for you — from heart-healthy dark chocolate and creamy nut butter to homemade popcorn and guilt-free chips and dips. Because wellness shouldn’t mean giving up flavour.

From longevity obsessions to wild swimming clubs, 2026's wellness trends are a mixed bag of the brilliant and the bewildering. But behind the hype lies a sobering reality: 64.5% of UK adults are now overweight, mental health crises are worsening, and we're eating more ultra-processed foods than ever. Dr Sara Kayat separates the wellness worth trying from the trends you can skip, and reveals why the best health hack for 2026 might just be the boring basics we've been ignoring all along.

If finding time for exercise feels impossible, you are not alone. Many people assume movement has to mean long workouts, yet your body benefits just as much from short bursts of activity scattered through the day. Even thirty seconds of simple movement can improve circulation, support strength and lift your energy. These tiny habits fit naturally into daily routines and make movement easier, more achievable and far less intimidating.

If you have ever intended to have one biscuit and then found yourself halfway through the packet, the bliss point is usually the reason. This is the scientifically tested mix of sugar, salt and fat that gives your brain a fast burst of pleasure and encourages you to keep eating, long after your stomach has had enough.

In the UK, many everyday products are tuned to this effect, from chocolate covered biscuits and crisps to breakfast cereals and certain ready meals. These foods are engineered to stay interesting bite after bite, which can override natural fullness signals and make portion control feel strangely difficult.

The good news is that once you understand how the bliss point works, you can shape your kitchen and your habits in ways that support better hunger control, more stable energy and long term metabolic health.

Most of us shop on autopilot, picking up the same yoghurts, breads and cereals because the front of the pack tells us they are healthy or light. The real story often sits on the back of the label. Many everyday foods contain ingredients like emulsifiers, stabilisers, glucose syrups and sweeteners that can quietly chip away at our energy, hunger signals and metabolic health.

You do not need to avoid these foods entirely. A simple habit of turning the packet over and noticing what is inside can make a big difference. Shorter ingredient lists, fewer additives and more whole foods usually mean better balance for your blood sugar and your appetite. Small shifts in your kitchen add up quickly, and most people feel the benefits within days.

Everything we eat affects how we feel. Here are five powerful and delicious foods that can lift your mood, support your brain, and give your body the fuel it needs to rebuild balance from within.

Almost 1 in 10 UK women suffer from anaemia and heart disease kills 190,000 Brits yearly, yet one of our most powerful dietary weapons is hiding in plain sight. Beans offer serious protection: they help you lose weight without trying, provide the iron many women desperately lack, and slash heart disease risk. Dr Sara Kayat reveals why this affordable cupboard staple deserves far more respect (and explains how to avoid the wind).

From the White House to your GP surgery, GLP-1 drugs are transforming how we approach weight and metabolic health. With 1 in 20 UK adults now using these medications, and uptake growing faster than any drug in pharmaceutical history, are we witnessing a genuine healthcare revolution? Dr Sara Kayat explores what GLP-1s really do, who benefits most, and why this is about so much more than just losing weight.

One in 100 women will experience menopause before age 40, and one in 20 before 45. Yet many women in their 30s dismiss irregular periods or hot flushes as stress, not realising their ovaries may have stopped functioning normally. Dr Sara Kayat explains the signs you shouldn't ignore, why early menopause affects fertility (but doesn't always mean you can't conceive), and the crucial treatments that protect against osteoporosis and heart disease when your body loses oestrogen decades too soon.