Health News

Struggling to fall asleep? You’re not alone. Experts say that consistent sleep schedules, a cool, dark bedroom, and a calming bedtime routine are key to resetting your body’s internal clock. Getting daytime activity and natural light exposure also improves sleep quality. Meanwhile, avoiding stimulants, heavy meals, and late naps helps prevent disrupted rest. Lack of sleep doesn’t just make you feel tired—it can impact your health in surprising ways. Studies from King’s College London found that poor sleep can make you eat 385 extra calories per day, affect your gut health, and increase pain sensitivity. Even one bad night can alter your blood chemistry. Here are five science-backed strategies to help you sleep better tonight. 1. Stick to a Consistent Sleep-Wake Schedule Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends, helps regulate your circadian rhythm — your body’s internal clock. According to the CDC, maintaining a routine reinforces healthy sleep patterns. A study in Oxford Academic found that older adults (85–105 years) with regular sleep schedules had better cardiovascular health, showing that sleep consistency benefits body and mind alike. 2. Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment and Pre-Bed Routine Your surroundings and bedtime habits tell your brain when it’s time to rest. Keep your room cool, dark, and quiet, avoid screens, and skip heavy meals or stimulants close to bedtime. A short relaxation routine — like reading, stretching, or deep breathing — can cue your body to unwind naturally. 3. Get Regular Daytime Activity and Bright-Light Exposure Daytime movement and sunlight help synchronize your body’s sleep-wake cycle. Harvard researchers note that physical activity boosts melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. Aim for outdoor time or exercise earlier in the day, as late-night workouts can delay sleep. 4. Avoid Stimulants and Late Naps Caffeine and alcohol both interfere with sleep. Caffeine can reduce total sleep time, while alcohol may help you doze off initially but causes restless, poor-quality sleep later. Avoid long or late naps, which can confuse your internal clock and make it harder to fall asleep at night. 5. Reduce Blue Light Exposure in the Evening Blue light from phones, tablets, and laptops signals your brain that it’s still daytime. A Journal of Applied Physiology (2011) study found that even brief blue light exposure suppresses melatonin, delaying sleep onset. Limit screen time at least one hour before bed, or use blue-light filters to protect your sleep cycle. Note: This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professssional medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your lifestyle, medication, or sleep routine.   

What Is Ageism?Ageism refers to the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel), and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age. It affects attitudes, relationships, and behaviors across all stages of life. Who Does Ageism Affect?Ageism affects everyone. Children as young as four begin to recognize and internalize cultural age stereotypes. These stereotypes shape how they perceive others and themselves, leading to self-directed ageism at any age. Ageism often intersects with other forms of discrimination, such as those related to sex, race, or disability, worsening inequality and exclusion. Where Is Ageism Seen?Ageism is everywhere — in our institutions, workplaces, relationships, and even self-perceptions.Examples include:– Policies that ration healthcare based on age.– Practices that limit young people’s decision-making opportunities.– Patronizing behavior toward older or younger individuals.– Self-limiting beliefs that arise from internalized stereotypes about what people can or cannot do at a certain age. Is Ageism Really a Problem?Yes. Half of the world’s population is ageist toward older people, and in Europe, younger people report experiencing more age discrimination than any other age group. Ageism can:– Damage self-esteem and erode solidarity between generations.– Limit contributions from both young and older people.– Harm health and longevity, causing poorer physical and mental health, slower recovery from illness, and earlier death (by an average of 7.5 years).– Increase risky behaviors like poor diet, smoking, and excessive drinking. In the United States, ageism costs approximately US$ 63 billion annually — one in every seven healthcare dollars for the eight most expensive medical conditions. How Can We Combat Ageism?Three proven strategies can reduce or eliminate ageism:1. Policy and Law – Implement regulations that address age-based discrimination and protect human rights.2. Educational Activities – Promote awareness, empathy, and accurate information about all age groups to challenge stereotypes.3. Intergenerational Interventions – Create opportunities for interaction between generations, reducing prejudice and fostering understanding. Final ThoughtsAgeism is a global issue that harms individuals, communities, and economies. By promoting equality, inclusion, and respect across all ages, we can build societies that value people of every generation.

Loud sounds are part of daily life, but frequent exposure can cause irreversible hearing damage. Practicing safe listening protects your ears and prevents noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). How Loud Sounds Affect Ears Tiny sensory cells in the inner ear detect sound. Prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause temporary hearing loss or tinnitus. Repeated exposure can lead to permanent damage and difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds. Safe Listening Guidelines – Keep volume below 60% of device maximum.– Use noise-cancelling headphones to reduce volume needs.– Wear earplugs or earmuffs in loud environments.– Limit listening time and take regular breaks.– Monitor sound levels with apps or built-in phone features.– Seek professional help if experiencing persistent ringing or hearing difficulties. Sound Levels and Safe Listening Time Sound Level (dB) Safe Time/Week Example 80 dB 40 hours Doorbell 90 dB 4 hours Shouted conversation 100 dB 20 mins Hair dryer 110 dB 2.5 mins Shouting in ear 120 dB+ Dangerous Sirens, firecrackers Tips for Gamers and Music Lovers – Keep game or music volume below 60%.– Take 10-minute breaks every hour.– Prefer external speakers over headphones.– Use devices or apps that limit volume and track exposure. Final Thoughts Noise-induced hearing loss is preventable. Practicing safe listening ensures you can enjoy music, games, and everyday sounds without damaging your ears. Listen safely to hear tomorrow.

What Is Workplace Heat Stress? Workplace heat stress occurs when the body overheats due to a combination of metabolic heat, environmental conditions, and clothing worn. When the body cannot cool itself effectively, it leads to physiological heat strain, which can cause exhaustion, serious illness, or even death. Who Is Affected? Globally, over 2.4 billion workers are exposed to extreme heat at work, resulting in around 22.85 million occupational injuries every year. More than one-third of workers who frequently work in hot conditions experience significant heat-related strain. Health Effects of Heat Stress Prolonged exposure to heat can cause: – Hyperthermia (dangerously high body temperature)– Fainting or dizziness (syncope)– Dehydration and kidney problems– Neurological dysfunction– Heat exhaustion and heat stroke A major study found that 35% of people who work regularly in hot conditions experience heat-related illnesses. Worker productivity can drop by 2–3% for every 1°C rise above 20°C in Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), a measure that factors in temperature, humidity, sunlight, and wind. Are Indoor Workers at Risk Too? Yes. Heat stress doesn’t only affect outdoor workers. Those working near furnaces, in greenhouses, coal mines, or poorly ventilated factories face similar risks. Workers wearing protective suits or heavy gear are especially vulnerable due to restricted heat loss. Safe Temperature for Work For an eight-hour shift, a worker’s core body temperature should stay below 38°C. Exceeding this limit increases the risk of heat-related injuries, especially for older adults, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions, and outdoor laborers. Warning Signs to Watch For Mild symptoms include: – Heat fatigue– Rashes– Cramps– Dizziness Severe symptoms needing immediate medical attention include: – Heat exhaustion– Heat stroke (a life-threatening emergency with confusion, loss of consciousness, and extremely high body temperature) Who Is Most at Risk? – Older and middle-aged workers– People with chronic health coconditions– Those performing heavy manual labor– Migrant workers, who may not be acclimatized to the climate and often lack access to protective measures How to Prevent Heat Stress – Key Safety Tips 1. Stay Hydrated – Drink water frequently, even before feeling thirsty.2. Take Regular Breaks – Rest in shaded or cool areas.3. Wear Light Clothing – Choose breathable, loose-fitting garments.4. Monitor Temperature – Keep track of WBGT or local heat advisories.5. Plan Work Wisely – Schedule heavy tasks during cooler parts of the day.6. Educate Workers – Train teams to recognize early heat stress symptoms.7. Implement Heat Action Plans – Follow WHO’s Occupational Heat Action Programme with policies tailored to local conditions and worker needs. In Summary Heat stress is a growing occupational hazard affecting millions worldwide. By recognizing the warning signs early, promoting awareness, and following preventive measures, both employers and workers can ensure a safer, healthier, and more productive workplace – even under extreme heat.   

How Ulcers Develop When we eat food that’s tasty but unhealthy, the stomach is often the first to suffer. Among stomach issues, ulcers are one of the most common. Many people rely on quick painkillers to relieve the discomfort, but these only offer temporary relief and can actually worsen ulcers over time. Stress, anxiety, and irregular eating habits can cause the stomach to produce excess acid, leading to ulcers. The primary culprit behind most ulcers is a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) — which spreads through food, water, or even air. Ulcers usually form in the stomach lining or the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). These are known as peptic ulcers. Normally, the stomach’s inner walls protect against acids, but when too much acid is produced, these protective layers break down – resulting in painful sores or ulcers. Doctors use endoscopy to diagnose ulcers, detect H. pylori, and determine the severity. In serious cases, ulcers may cause blockage, bleeding, or perforation, requiring medical or even surgical treatment. With proper dietary control and healthy habits, ulcers can heal completely within two weeks. Avoiding spicy, sour, oily, and acidic foods can prevent recurrence and promote healing. Healing Recipes for Ulcer Relief 1. Mustard-Coconut Curd Chutney Ingredients: Mustard seeds – 1 tbsp (10 g)Grated coconut – ½ cup (100 g)Curd (yogurt) – 1 cup (100 ml)Dry ginger powder – a pinchSmall onions – 2Salt – a pinch Method: Chop the onions finely and sauté lightly. Add grated coconut, mustard seeds, and ginger powder, then grind into a smooth paste. Mix the paste with whisked curd and salt. You can eat this chutney plain or with idli or chapati. 2. Vegetable Aviyal Ingredients: Finely chopped carrots, chayote (chow-chow), bottle gourd, potatoes, onions – 1 cup totalCurd – ½ cup (50 ml)Sugar – 1 tsp (5 g)Grated coconut – ¼ cup (25 g)Green gram dal – 2 tbsp (boiled)Salt – to tasteCoconut oil – 1 tsp (5 ml) Method: Boil all the vegetables (except onions) with a little sugar and water until soft. Grind the coconut into a paste. Heat coconut oil in a pan, add onions, and sauté. Then add the cooked vegetables and bring to a boil. Add the coconut paste, salt, and dal. Finally, mix in curd and stir well. Serve with rice or as a side dish for tiffin items. Why These Recipes Work Both dishes include curd and coconut, which promote healthy gut bacteria and aid digestion. Coconut oil acts as a natural healer for ulcers and reduces acidity. Mustard provides protein, calcium, and phosphorus, supporting overall stomach health. Together, these foods help soothe irritation, reduce acid levels, and speed up ulcer healing naturally.

Tried various skin creams suggested by your skin doctor but no improvement in your psoriasis condition and feeling frustrated? Please try essential oils also!! In some persons, their skin cells would grow and accumulate quickly resulting in thick scaly patches on their skin. This is psoriasis and it is a chronic auto-immune skin condition. These persons would have symptoms like redness, itching, burning etc on their skin. The skin doctors would normally recommend corticosteroid creams, vitamin D analogues, coal tar and UV light therapy etc. Psoriasis patients can get superb relief by means of certain essential oils also. The inflammatory, soothing and moisturising properties of these essential oils would reduce irritation, calm down itching and promote healing of dry cracked skin etc. How essential oils can calm down psoriasis? The essential oils would support the overall skin health and would help us to manage the symptoms. It is believed that the regular application of essential oils like tea tree, lavender, chamomile, eucalyptus etc would help in the healing of dry cracked skin. Various essential oils that are effective for psoriasis are Tea tree oil application: It is worthy to note that tea tree oil is known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Point is that terpinen- 4-ol is a major component of tea tree oil and has antipsoriatic properties in it. The importance of tea tree oil for treating psoriasis has been published in the journal named Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. As this oil can create skin allergy in sensitive skinned persons, these persons must be careful. Black seed oil application: Thymoquinne is present in black seed oil and this oil exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has been brought to light by a research study that black seed oil when applied to psoriasis conditions improved skin inflammation. This oil would moisturise and would help in healing. Bergamot oil application: It is worth mentioning that this oil has both anti-inflammatory as well as antibacterial properties in it. Applying this oil would lower redness present on the skin. It was revealed by a study published in the journal Food Science and Nutrition that bergamot oil would reduce psoriatic plaques and improve skin collagen levels. Chamomile oil application: It is true that chamomile oil has calming and anti-inflammatory properties in it. It was brought out by a study published in Phytomedicine that chamomile oil reduced psoriatic inflammations on the skin. Peppermint oil application: Itching and irritation due to psoriasis condition could be relieved by application of peppermint oil with cooling effect. Not only that joint pain due to psoriatic arthritis would also get eased by this superb oil. It is good to use peppermint oil in diluted form to prevent skin irritation etc. Frankincense oil application: Pale golden in colour with superb aroma, frankincense essential oil when applied could reduce the swelling and redness associated with psoriasis. Lavender oil application: Pale yellowish coloured with sweet floral smell lavender oil would reduce skin irritation and pain etc and this could bring relief for psoriatic patients. The anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties etc of this oil would be superb.

If you work by keeping your laptop on your lap directly, then you could be in for huge trouble!! The way we work, study and stay connected with others has been totally transformed by the laptops. Truth is that laptops would provide us with flexibility whereas a desktop won`t.  We can do more harm than good by keeping laptops directly on our laps. Not many would know that continuous contact with a laptop would expose our body to heat and EMF radiation etc. We can get these issues by keeping laptops directly on our laps. Our reproductive organ can get harmed: Our reproductive systems would get exposed to both heat as well as EMF radiation. It has been brought to light that wireless- connected laptops would emit low level microwave radiation and this would affect both DNA structure and sperm health in men.  It is learnt that Wi-Fi radiations would lower sperm mobility and increase DNA damage. In women, prolonged exposure to laptops by keeping on the lap would influence hormonal regulation and egg health. By this, getting pregnant or conceiving would be difficult. Burn or damage skin: Have you heard about toasted skin syndrome before? The truth is that it is a heat related condition that occurs by keeping the laptop directly over the lap. It would be seen as red mottled patches on the thighs. This condition is also known as erythema ab igne. It was revealed by a research study published in the journal AAD that continuous exposure to low level heat from laptops could result in localised skin discolouration and inflammation. Though this is temporary and would disappear once exposure stops but frequent contacts can cause discolouration permanently. More risk of getting certain cancers: We can get heat accumulation by keeping laptops on the laps for longer duration. By this, our skin cells would get damaged also. The shocking truth is that by keeping the laptops close to the lower abdomen or reproductive organ etc we can get certain cancers affecting testes and ovaries etc. To avoid getting cancer, it is a must to maintain a certain distance between our body and laptop. Neck pain and back pain etc; There are more chances of poor posture by using laptops. More strain would be put on our neck, spine and shoulders etc if we hunch over while typing etc. It must be noted that over time this can result in stiffness, back pain etc. It must be taken into note that our neck would bend at a sharper angle if we keep laptops on our laps. This would increase the tension and muscle fatigue. . By keeping the laptop on the desk and elevating the screen to eye level we could avoid discomfort. Disrupts sleep: Without knowing how laptops would affect our sleep, many of us use laptops in the bed. Bitter fact is that the blue light emitted from the laptop screen would interfere with the melatonin production. It is known that melatonin hormone plays a huge role in the sleep cycle. When the melatonin levels are reduced, then our sleep quality would get affected. We could feel tired and would have poor concentration etc. Please take care. Complications in pregnancy: Pregnant women would be at huge risk if they keep laptops on their abdomen or stomach. It is worthy to note that laptops could produce heat and electromagnetic radiation etc and this would go into the body tissues and finally reach the baby also. There might be some issues to the foetal development by prolonged usage of laptop. So, please be careful.

High levels of uric acid not only affect our joints and cause kidney stones etc but it can lead to eye issues also.  Shocking right!! Purines are present in foods like certain legumes, red meat and seafood etc and uric acid is produced when our body breaks down purines. We can get hyperuricemia if uric acid doesn`t get excreted through urine that is when production exceeds excretion. It is noteworthy that excess uric acid could form MSU or monosodium urate crystals and this MSU can accumulate in our joints, kidneys and ocular tissues etc. It was published in the journal National Centre for Biotechnology Information that excess uric acid could lead to ocular based complications. Therefore, it is necessary that we must keep an eye on uric acid levels for our eye health. High uric acid levels can affect our eyes in these ways. Causes Dry eye disease: We can get dry eye disease if we have high uric acid levels in us. Persons with dry eyes would have insufficient tear production in their eyes. They might have symptoms like irritation, redness, burning and blurred vision etc. There are chances of getting corneal damage also if dry eyes issue persists for a long time. Causes tophi formation: If a person has high uric acid levels, then he or she could have deposits of monosodium urate crystals or topi on their eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea etc. In the beginning, topji might be painless but can lead to swelling, redness and issues in the vision etc. Truth is that the presence of ocular trophy indicates that the person has long term uncontrolled hyperuricemia. Causes uveitis: Iris, ciliary body and choroid form the uveal tract and uveitis is inflammation of this tract. Those persons with uveitis would show symptoms like eye pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision and floaters etc. It is true that if left untreated then uveitis can lead to permanent vision damage. By systemic inflammation and by oxidative stress, hyperuricemia can lead to uveitis in us. Causes glaucoma: Increased intraocular pressure can lead to damage of the optic nerve and this is glaucoma. It was brought out by research that high uric acid levels in us can lead to glaucoma by promoting oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction in the eye. Causes retinal complications: There are chahances of getting decreased capillary density and retinopathy due to persistent high uric acid levels in us. The retinal vessels in the eyes would get damaged due to oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. By this, our vision would get damaged. We could avoid retinal based complications by means of regular eye checkups and by managing our uric acid levels.  How to protect our eye health by managing uric acid levels? Uric acid levels can be managed by medications, limiting the intake of purine rich foods and intake of low purine foods like vegetables, whole grains etc. Uric acid could get flushed out from our body by drinking adequate water throughout the day. By this, crystal formation in the joints and ocular tissues would be avoided.

How will you react if you come to know that the food you eat has herbicide in it? For the sake of extending the shelf life or for improving the appearance etc, certain toxic chemicals, additives or substances are used in the processed foods. How many are aware of this? The numbers of additives that are added to the processed foods have increased over the years.  It is worthy to note that these substances could cause harm for our health. Various toxic substances that are present in the processed foods that could harm us are Glyphosate: The fact is that glyphosate is linked to genetically modified food items like soybeans, corn etc. Even certain amounts of this chemical is present in non-organic grains etc. The shocking piece of information is that glyphosate are herbicides used to eliminate weeds. It is revealed that chronic use of this additive could result in cancer or hormonal disruption etc. Artificial sweeteners: In many processed foods, artificial sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin etc are present. These are added to the processed foods like soft drinks etc to provide sweetness without adding calories. It has been brought to light by some research study that high intake of artificial sweeteners could cause changes in gut microbiome and would affect the insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism etc. It must be noted that intake of artificial sweeteners for a prolonged time could cause heart issues and depression etc in adults. Sodium nitrate and nitrite etc: Non-vegetarian processed food items like hot dogs, sausages, bacon`s etc have sodium nitrate and nitrites. These substances are added to maintain the colour and inhibit bacterial growth etc. Point is that when these chemicals meet high temperatures in the stomach, they start to form acid in the stomach and get converted to nitrosamines. It is learnt that nitrosamines could cause certain cancers in us. Excess intake of processed meats can lead to stomach and colorectal cancers in us. Mono sodium glutamate or MSG: Monosodium glutamate of MSG is being used as flavour enhancer in processed foods like soup dishes, frozen meals etc. In some persons, intake of MSG can lead to headaches, nausea etc. Sensitive persons could get mild neurological issues also by consuming MSG excessively. Point is that MSG is linked with cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity etc. Artificial food colours: Visual appearance of snacks, drinks etc are enhanced by adding artificial food colours like Red 40, Yellow 5 and other artificial dyes etc. These food colours can also lead to behavioural disorders especially in those kids with attention issues. It has been brought out by research that synthetic dyes used in the processed foods could cause hyperactivity, behavioural problems, allergies and certain serious health issues etc. Truth is that those children with issues like ADHD, or autism etc might experience worsened symptoms. Not only that, even healthy kids could get affected. So, please be careful. 

The sweetness, tangy flavour and nutritional benefits make guava a celebrated fruit and many of us eat guava. Guava fruit has important ingredients like vitamin C, dietary fibres plus others like potassium, antioxidants etc and hence eating guava is healthy for us. Consuming guava would provide us with superb health benefits like improved immunity, good digestion, improved skin health, boosts heart health etc. It is really shocking that guava fruit would not suit everybody and some people after eating guava might experience an allergy, spike in the blood sugar levels, digestive issues etc. These people must avoid eating guava fruit. Those prone to bloating: The presence of fructose and vitamin C in guava would lead to bloating in certain individuals. Therefore, those who are prone to bloating must avoid eating guava. It is worthy to note here that when our body consumes more vitamin C than it can absorb excess, it could ferment in the intestines. By this, gas and discomfort would be produced. In some persons, their small intestines would struggle to absorb fructose efficiently. Therefore, consuming guava can result in abdominal swelling plus feeling of fullness etc. Those who are diabetic: The low glycemic index or GI of guava is taken into account by the doctors when they recommend this fruit for people with diabetes. The sugar would be released slowly into their bloodstream. Truth is that portion control is very much needed as eating too much guava can lead to a spike in the blood sugar levels of diabetics. It is good to combine guava with protein to slow down glucose absorption. Those with IBS: Those persons with IBS or irritable bowel syndrome must not consume guava as it can lead to digestive distress in them. Truth is that guava rich in both soluble and insoluble fibres would reduce constipation and help in digestion. Those with eczema or sensitive skin etc: Those persons having sensitive skin must think twice before consuming guava fruit. The reason for this is the presence of bioactive compounds in guava could irritate the skin. It must be noted that certain extracts that would be good for general health would increase eczema or chronic skin problems. This could lead to inflammation, redness and itchiness etc. It is learnt that those with eczema must avoid guava leaves totally or consult a skin doctor for using guava in topical or dietary form etc.