Health & Wellness

Great Neck, N.Y. – September 18, 2026 -- The viral term "cortisol face," used online to describe stress-related facial puffiness, is not a medical diagnosis, according to a new guide from Laser by Aleya, a laser hair removal and electrolysis studio in Great Neck, New York.

The trend borrows its imagery from "moon face," a real clinical sign linked to Cushing syndrome, a rare endocrine disorder. Per StatPearls, a hallmark of true moon face is that the earlobes are not visible when viewed straight-on, a feature ordinary stress puffiness does not produce. StatPearls also notes that only two to three cases per million are caused by a tumor, with prolonged corticosteroid medication use the most common overall cause, not stress. The Merck Manual states that moderately elevated cortisol is common and non-specific, often tied to obesity, depression, or polycystic ovary syndrome.

Poway, California – September 18, 2026 -- Burn Boot Camp announced a new partnership with rugby star Ilona Maher, who joined a live workout at the brand's Poway, California location on September 9 to train alongside local members.

Maher took part in the brand's signature 45-minute structured Camp session, a format Burn Boot Camp uses across all of its locations to build strength training routines for women.

Maher says lifting heavy builds confidence beyond the gym

"I love being strong. I love lifting heavy things, I love seeing what my body can do, and I want more women to feel that way about themselves," Maher said. She added that Burn Boot Camp creates a space where women can show up as they are and leave feeling stronger and more confident.

Sterling, Va. – September 18, 2026 -- Cardinal Plumbing Heating & Air is urging Northern Virginia homeowners to complete a short list of fall maintenance tasks before freezing temperatures arrive, warning that delays can lead to costly winter emergencies like burst pipes and heating failures.

"Fall is the ideal window because homeowners still have time to act before freezing weather puts stress on pipes, outdoor faucets and heating equipment," said Daniel Fuentes, co-founder of Cardinal Plumbing Heating & Air. He noted that a single cold snap in the region can quickly expose weak spots in home systems.

Disconnecting hoses and draining spigots prevents burst indoor pipes

Fuentes recommends homeowners disconnect garden hoses and drain exterior spigots immediately, since leaving a hose attached traps water inside the faucet and can lead to a burst pipe indoors.

Boston – September 17, 2026 -- Menu-Order AI has launched Daily GLP-1 Habits, a feature that lets users log meals, macros, steps and behavior changes tied to GLP-1 weight-loss medications, expanding the app beyond its original restaurant-menu tool.

The feature was built with Founding Medical Advisor Dr. Leigh-Anne Dale and arrives as federal GLP-1 coverage expands. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services opened its Medicare GLP-1 Bridge on July 1, 2026, giving eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries access to certain GLP-1 drugs, alongside its BALANCE model pairing medication access with lifestyle support for Medicaid recipients. In December 2025, the World Health Organization issued its first global guideline on GLP-1 therapies, recommending the drugs be paired with diet, physical activity and structured behavioral support.

Washington – September 17, 2026 -- U.S. News & World Report has released its 2026-2027 Best Children's Hospitals rankings, recognizing 90 pediatric hospitals across 34 states and Washington, D.C. The list marks the 20th edition of the annual study, which helps parents and physicians identify top-tier care for children with serious illnesses or rare conditions.

Palo Alto – September 17, 2026 -- Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford tied for the No. 1 spot among children's hospitals in Northern California and ranked No. 2 (tie) statewide, according to the U.S. News & World Report 2026–2027 Best Children's Hospitals survey.

The hospital placed in the national top 5 for two specialties

Neonatology and Nephrology both ranked No. 4 nationally. Four specialties overall landed in the national top 10: Neonatology, Nephrology, Neurology and Neurosurgery (No. 7), and Pulmonology and Lung Surgery (No. 8).

Seattle – September 17, 2026 -- Seattle Children's has secured a spot on U.S. News & World Report's Best Children's Hospitals Honor Roll for the third consecutive year, a recognition given to only 10 hospitals nationwide.

The hospital ranked No. 1 in Washington state and tied for No. 1 in the Pacific region, which covers Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.

Four specialties crack the national top 10

Seattle Children's ranked in every specialty category evaluated by U.S. News. Four of those specialties -- Cancer, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Nephrology, and Pulmonology & Lung Surgery -- placed among the top 10 in the country.

Washington – September 17, 2026 -- The SuperH 5K Run, Walk & Wheel returns for its 23rd year on Sunday, Sept. 20, kicking off at 8 a.m. at OneLife Fitness in Tysons, Virginia, with proceeds funding adaptive sports programs at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital.

Participants can choose between a full 5K course or a one-mile fun run, all in support of no-cost adaptive sports and fitness services for MedStar NRH patients.

Harry and Renie Freedman launched the event after a workplace accident recovery

The Freedmans started SuperH as a way to give back to the hospital following Harry's recovery from a workplace injury. Over the past 23 years, the event has raised more than $1 million for adaptive sports and fitness programs.

Mount Airy, GA – September 17, 2026 -- The Lutzie 43 Foundation will hold a Safe Driving Summit at Habersham Central High School on Tuesday, September 22, running from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 2059 St. Hwy 197 S. in Mount Airy, GA. Sponsored by Bulldog Kia, the event targets distracted, impaired and unsafe driving among high school students.

Mike Lutzenkirchen opens with his son's story

Executive Director Mike Lutzenkirchen will deliver the keynote, recounting the death of his son Philip Lutzenkirchen, a former Auburn University football standout killed in a single-vehicle crash in 2014. Lutzenkirchen said the goal is to have students adopt the foundation's '43 Key Seconds' safe driving routine, calling the combination of Philip's story and firsthand accounts from law enforcement, trucking and healthcare partners 'an eye-opening experience.'

Fredericksburg, Va. – September 17, 2026 -- Retirement planning usually centers on savings and investments, but a lesser-discussed factor -- muscle mass -- can significantly shape how those retirement years actually play out, according to the co-founders of the Fitness & Finance Radio podcast.

"We spend decades building a financial portfolio for retirement, but we should be building our physical portfolio at the same time," said Jennifer Scherer, co-founder of Fitness & Finance Radio and founder of Fredericksburg Fitness Studio. She notes that muscle protects the ability to move, stay independent, and enjoy the life people worked to build.