A Psychiatric Signal of Severe Epilepsy? 

A cohort study of 376 adult participants found that those with focal epilepsy are twice as likely to develop drug resistance if they have a past or current history of suicidality at time of epilepsy diagnosis. Psychiatric screening at time of diagnosis might help to facilitate individuals with more severe neuropathology who may be at risk for treatment-refractory epilepsy syndromes.  

COBRRA Trial: A Head-to-Head DOAC Showdown

The international RCT COBRRA finally cleared up the difference in bleeding risk between apixaban and rivaroxaban - the two main drugs used to treat acute venous thromboembolism. In 2760 patients, a major bleeding event occurred in 3.3% of apixaban patients versus 7.1% of rivaroxaban patients. These findings champion apixaban as the lower-risk agent for treating VTE. 

GLP-1 drugs have given millions a new lease on life, but does that come at the cost of their sight?

What happened: A new study revealed that patients taking Wegovy are 5 times more likely to suffer from sudden vision loss than those on Ozempic.

Why it matters: Over 3 million Canadians are now estimated to be taking GLP-1 receptor agonists. While they are highly effective for glycemic control and weight loss, a study in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that Wegovy users faced a significantly higher risk of developing non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), with men being particularly vulnerable.

Often described as an “eye stroke,” NAION causes sudden and usually permanent vision loss due to reduced blood flow to the optic nerve. While the condition remains rare — affecting roughly 1 in 10,000 people on semaglutide — the disparity between brands is raising eyebrows.

The study looked at side effects reported by the FDA through its adverse reporting system from December 2017 to December 2024. Along with that, Canadian researchers compared any reports of NAION associated with 2mg of weekly Ozempic to 2.4mg of weekly Wegovy. They found that Wegovy had the strongest association with sudden vision loss. 

But why?: Because patients are taking a higher dose of Wegovy and because the injections are fast-acting, it could explain why the association was higher, the researchers said. Although the risk of NAION is low, a chief safety officer said patients and physicians who prescribe the drug should be aware of the symptoms and possible side effects. 

A side note: Since the study relied on self-reported adverse events, it identifies an association rather than direct causation. Further research is needed to establish the true prevalence and verify these findings.

Bottom line: GLP-1s are transformative, but vision loss is a heavy side effect. Ensuring patients are aware of the symptoms of NAION before starting Wegovy is a small but vital step in informed consent.

1: 🏃‍♂️ A warming planet may be creating a new kind of health crisis: a global sedentary transition. A recent landmark study in The Lancet Global Health warns that rising temperatures are making it physically unsafe for millions to stay active. Researchers found that for every additional month where average temperatures exceed 27.8 C, global inactivity rises by 1.5 percentage points. By 2050, this "heat-driven" shift toward a sedentary lifestyle could result in up to 700,000 additional premature deaths annually and over $3.6 billion in lost productivity. Experts are now calling for climate-sensitive exercise guidelines and shaded urban infrastructure, framing physical activity not just as a lifestyle choice, but as a necessity for climate resilience.pillar of climate resilience.

2: 🌎 The escalating conflict in the Middle East is creating ripples far beyond the Gulf. As the Trump administration ramps up its maximum pressure campaign against Iran, the departure of top US counterterrorism official Matthew Kent — who resigned claiming Iran posed no "imminent threat" — has sparked a firestorm of debate over the justification for escalation. With the Strait of Hormuz at risk, the cost of fertilizer and shipping is expected to surge, potentially ending the brief period of cooling food inflation Canadians were just starting to enjoy. Whether it's the gas pump or the grocery aisle, the cost of this confrontation is hitting home.

3: 🏒 The World Cup of Hockey is coming to Alberta. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed this week that Edmonton and Calgary will co-host the 2028 tournament alongside Prague. While Calgary’s new Scotia Place will handle round-robin play, Edmonton’s Rogers Place is set to host the semifinals and the championship final — an event officials say could inject $375 million into the provincial economy. It’s a massive win for the "heartland of hockey," though the pressure is now on for Alberta and Ottawa to finalize the infrastructure funding needed to welcome the world.

4: 💊 A dangerous social media trend has resurfaced in Ontario, prompting an Ottawa Valley parent to warn others after their teenager was hospitalized. The "Benadryl challenge" on TikTok encourages the ingestion of massive amounts of diphenhydramine to induce hallucinations, a stunt health officials warn can lead to seizures, cardiac arrest, or death. With the challenge gaining fresh momentum, doctors are urging parents to secure over-the-counter medications and discuss the lethal risks of viral dares. It’s a sobering reminder that significant health threats to teens can often be found right in the home medicine cabinet.

30: the number of consecutive years the Labrador retriever has held the title of Canada’s most popular dog breed. According to the Canadian Kennel Club’s 2025 rankings, the lab's versatility and friendly nature kept it in the top spot, followed by the golden retriever and the German shepherd.

2/3: the reduction in sneezing observed in mice treated with matcha in a new study. Researchers found the green tea powder specifically calms the brain's "sneezing centre," offering a potential food-based alternative to traditional allergy meds.

1.8%: Canada’s annual inflation rate as of February, a surprising dip from January’s 2.3%. While the cooling numbers are a win for the Bank of Canada, economists warn this is likely the calm before the storm.

The Canadian Cancer Society recently called on provinces and territories to lower the colorectal cancer screening age to 45. It said people under 50 are 2-to-2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer than they were in previous generations, and lowering the age could catch more of these cases while they are still highly treatable.

Given the rising incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer, do you support lowering the provincial screening age to 45 despite the current strain on colonoscopy waitlists?

✈️ Save: on a dream escape to the Azores. This RedFlagDeals find features a 6-night package to São Miguel, Portugal, for just $899. The price includes round-trip flights from Toronto, your hotel, daily breakfast, and even a rental car to explore the volcanic landscapes and hot springs.

📍 Visit: the Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick. Recently named one of the "best beaches in the world," this Bay of Fundy icon features the highest tides on the planet. You can walk the ocean floor at low tide, then kayak around their peaks just hours later once the water rises 50 feet.

🎧 Listen: to this episode of the Real Estate Investing Morning Show to get your finances in order before the April deadline. Tax expert Steve Tsonev breaks down the specific deductions Canadian real estate investors often miss—from "cash-for-keys" payments to home office expenses.

📖 Read: about the sensory benefits of "dark showering." Experts suggest bathing in low light can help reset a frazzled nervous system and signal the brain to enter a parasympathetic state. It’s a simple, low-tech hack to reduce sensory overload and improve your recovery after a chaotic 24-hour shift.

📺 Watch: a doctor review the brutal medical realism of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. From assigning ICD-10 codes to mace strikes to debunking boiling wine as a wound treatment, it’s a funny look at how medieval injuries would stack up in a modern ER.

First clue: Container named for its inventor, bacteriologist Julius Richard Petri

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