epocrates

What your patients are reading: Week of May 12, 2025

May 16, 2025

Keeping you a step ahead is our priority. That's why we've gathered some of the top stories your patients might be reading. Here are this week's highlights:

Gen Z’s anxiety rises with surge in doomscrolling habits

(Newsweek)—Gen Z is grappling with a growing doomscrolling habit—spending hours consuming negative news and distressing content online—which is fueling a surge in anxiety and mental health issues. Many young adults report using social media as a coping mechanism for stress, loneliness, and uncertainty, but this constant exposure to bad news can overwhelm their attention and emotional well-being. Experts warn that this digital behavior, intensified by the pandemic and economic instability, is creating a feedback loop of stress and compulsive scrolling.

Plastic kitchen tools may be feeding us microplastics

(NPR)—Growing concern over microplastics in the human body has prompted scrutiny of everyday kitchen tools. According to NPR, scientists suspect that plastic utensils, cutting boards, and food containers may be shedding microplastics into food—especially when scratched or heated. While definitive human health effects remain under investigation, microplastics have been found in organs including the lungs, heart, and placenta. Experts like UCSF’s Tracey Woodruff recommend reducing exposure now rather than waiting for conclusive evidence. Practical steps include replacing worn plastic items with wood, glass, or metal alternatives, avoiding microwaving plastic, and using cloth instead of plastic wrap. For physicians, this evolving evidence may support advising patients—especially those with chronic conditions or environmental sensitivities—to minimize plastic use in food preparation.

Signs it’s time to get treated for perimenopause

(NPR)—Perimenopause, often beginning in the 40s, involves fluctuating estrogen levels that can cause vasomotor symptoms, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and irregular menstruation. Many patients don’t recognize these as hormone-related and may not seek care. Current guidelines support hormone therapy for symptomatic women under 60 or within 10 years of menopause, highlighting its safety and efficacy. Non-hormonal treatments and lifestyle changes are also effective. Clinicians should screen proactively and tailor treatment to improve quality of life and long-term outcomes.

Any views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in these articles are solely that of the publication and/or author and do not reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of epocrates and athenahealth.

Sources:

Laws, J. (2025, May 13). Newsweek. Gen Z Has a Doomscrolling Problem. https://www.newsweek.com/gen-z-doomscrolling-problem-2065999

Hernandez, J. (2025, May 12). NPR. Should you toss your plastic kitchen tools for health reasons? Here's the scoop. https://www.npr.org/2025/05/12/nx-s1-5382300/should-you-toss-your-plastic-kitchen-tools-health-reasons

Riddle, K. (2025, May 15). NPR. Perimenopause symptoms can be a drag. Here's when to seek treatment. https://www.npr.org/2025/05/15/nx-s1-5398547/perimenopause-menopause-symptoms-hrt-hormone-therapy