When the sun is out after a long winter, every one loves it. But not the people of Canary Islands. Tourists there are being warned about the "unusually high risk" of UV rays this week. The Ministry of Health for this holiday destination has urged both, residents and visitors to take extra precautions and preventative measures to limit the impact of sun exposure over their body and skin.

The Ministry observed Aemet, Spain's national weather agency for the forecast which showed higher than normal UV or ultraviolet radiation levels in the region. It is in this backdrop that everyone in the region are requested to be extra careful when they are out in the sun. UV levels are set to reach 7, which is a 'high risk' in La Palma, El Hierro, La Gomera and Gran Canaria. Other regions like Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote are expected to reach a level 6, which is also classed as 'high risk'.

UV Index Explained

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), a UV index is a measure of the level of UV radiation, which ranges from zero upward. The higher the UVI, the greater potential for damage to skin and eye and the less time it takes for harm to occur, notes WHO.

The range 1 to 2 represents a low risk, 2 to 5 is moderate, 6 to 7 is at high risk, 8 to 10 is at very high and anything over 11 is extremely risky for anyone to stay out.

UV radiation levels fluctuate throughout the day, with the highest values occurring during the four-hour period around solar noon. The reported UV Index (UVI) typically reflects this daily peak. Depending on geographic location and the use of daylight saving time, solar noon falls between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. In some countries, sun protection advisories are issued when UV levels are expected to reach 3 or higher, as exposure at these levels increases the risk of skin damage, making protective measures essential.

What happens to you when you are out in sun for too long?

While sun bathing is good, being out in the sun when the UVI indicates a high or very high risk, may cause you health concerns. It can lead to sunburn, premature skin aging, incresed risk of skin cancer, eye damage and in severe cases, heat related disease.

Sunburn

It is one of the most common skin injury which happens when there is excess exposure to UV radiation from the sun. This happens when the UV radiation directly damages the DNA skin cells. These damaged cells die and shed, this is why people experience peeling after getting a sunburn.

Dehydration

This is also a common occurrence when your body loses too many fluids or electrolytes. It can also interfere with your normal body functions. You may feel dehydrated, especially when you are out in the sun, but not well hydrated. The most common symptoms are dizziness, fatigue and headache on hot days.

Hyponatremia

This is an electrolyte disorder in which your body experiences low sodium in blood. The symptoms could lead to nausea, confusion and even weakness. There are extreme cases when one may have seizures, slip into coma or die.

Heat Exhaustion

This is one of the most common consequence of being out under the hot sun. Dehydration with prolonged heat exposure can lead to heat exhaustion.

Heatstroke

When you are out under the sun and your body's core temperature cross 104°, heatstroke may occur. This is also known as sunstroke. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it causes more than 600 deaths each year in the United States.

The Centre has tightened restrictions on certain cough and cold medicines for children below four years, citing potential health risks associated with a specific drug combination in children.

The Union Health Ministry has restricted the manufacture, sale and distribution of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) containing chlorpheniramine maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride for children under four.

Manufacturers have also been instructed to carry a clear warning stating that the medicine “shall not be used in children below four years of age.”

The decision follows recommendations from an expert committee and the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), which reviewed the safety of the combination in young children.

Why These Medicines Have Been Restricted?

Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine, while phenylephrine is a decongestant. The combination is used to relieve symptoms like blocked or runny nose, sneezing and watery eyes caused by colds, flu and allergies.

However, young children can respond differently to medicines than adults, and dosing errors or adverse effects can result in more serious effects in this age group.

The Health Ministry’s expert committee concluded that the combination could pose potential health risks in children below four, particularly when safer alternatives are available.

The latest directive therefore requires manufacturers to clearly communicate the age restriction rather than putting the onus on parents.

Also read: FSSAI Orders Halt Of Ghee Sales Amid Adulteration Crackdown: How To Spot Fake Ghee & Its Effects On Your Health

Cough And Cold Medicines Are Not Always Needed In Young Children

A common cold is usually caused by a virus, meaning antibiotics do not treat it. In many children, symptoms improve with supportive care such as adequate fluids, rest and measures recommended by a paediatrician.

Combination cough and cold products can contain several active ingredients, increasing the possibility of incorrect dosing and side effects if parents give more than one medicine containing the same ingredient.

This is particularly important for young children because their medication doses are generally calculated according to age and/or body weight.

Also read: Shigellosis Cases In Kerala Raise AMR Concern: All About Complications Due To Drug-Resistant Shigella

Restriction Comes Amid Wider Scrutiny Of Cough Medicines

The government has been tightening oversight of paediatric medicines following serious concerns surrounding cough syrups in India.

In June, the Centre removed cough syrups from an exemption that had allowed certain products to be sold through retail outlets in smaller villages without the same pharmacy restrictions.

What Parents Should Do?

Parents should avoid giving children under four any medicine containing this combination unless specifically advised by a qualified healthcare professional.

• Before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child, parents should:
• Check the active ingredients, not just the brand name.
• Follow the dose prescribed by a paediatrician.
• Avoid combining multiple cold medicines without medical advice.
• Use the measuring device supplied with liquid medicines rather than household spoons.
• Never give a medicine prescribed for another child.
• Seek medical attention if a child’s symptoms are severe, persistent or worsening.

The government has emphasised that safer alternatives are available, while the latest restriction is intended to reduce avoidable medication-related risks in young children.

‘Scromiting’ is back in the news as emergency department visits in the US involving cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) were 3.7 times as high, according to a CDC report.

CHS is associated with frequent cannabis use and is characterized by episodes of severe nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. The term “scromiting” refers to a combination of screaming and vomiting that can occur during severe episodes.

The CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), which analyzed data from January 2023 through May 2026, found that the rate of emergency department visits involving CHS remained largely steady from January 2023 through September 2025.

CHS is likely under-recognized in both adolescents and adults. Clinicians may not routinely assess or document cannabis use, while CHS can also be misdiagnosed as other gastrointestinal conditions, including cyclic vomiting syndrome.

To improve clinical identification, a specific International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) discharge diagnosis code for CHS was introduced on October 1, 2025. The CDC report examined CHS-related emergency department visits before and after the code was introduced.

The change was immediate. From September 2025 to October 2025, CHS-involved emergency department visits jumped from 3.35 per 10,000 to 11.26 per 10,000. The rate rose further to 13.10 per 10,000 by May 2026.

From October 2025 through May 2026, CHS-involved emergency department visits were 3.7 times as high as the monthly average recorded before the new diagnostic code was introduced.

The CDC noted that the new code made the condition easier to identify and track, meaning the sharp increase may partly reflect greater recognition and documentation of CHS.

Also read: Sugar Rationing In First 1,000 Days Linked To Lower Depression, Cancer Risk In Adulthood

What Is Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome?

CHS is a syndrome associated with prolonged, frequent cannabis use. It is characterized by sudden episodes of severe nausea, repeated vomiting and abdominal pain.

Reports of suspected CHS increased sharply between 2016 and 2022, with the largest increase occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC noted that the rise also coincided with widespread state-level cannabis legalization in the US, although cannabis remains illegal under federal law.

People with CHS often seek medical care because symptoms can be severe and debilitating. Outcomes can range from resolution of symptoms after stopping cannabis use to, in rare cases, death.

When Was CHS First Identified?

CHS was first identified in Australia in 2004, yet nearly two decades later, the condition remains poorly understood. It typically affects people who use marijuana daily or near daily for more than a year. Symptoms can include severe nausea, repeated vomiting and abdominal pain, along with a compulsive desire to take extremely hot showers or baths.

Many patients report that heat temporarily eases their symptoms, although the relief is often short-lived.

Symptoms Can Last For Days

Read More: Scottish Toddler With Rare UV Disorder Gets UV-Safe Home: All About Inherited XP

CHS episodes can last for days, while recovery may take weeks or even months, depending on overall health, eating habits and whether the person stops using marijuana. Continuing to use cannabis can quickly trigger symptoms again.

A study from George Washington University found that nearly half of surveyed patients had been hospitalized at least once because of CHS. Many reported using marijuana more than five times a day before symptoms began. Starting cannabis at an early age was also linked to a higher likelihood of developing the condition.

Why Is CHS Still Poorly Understood?

Researchers emphasize that CHS is real, although many questions remain unanswered, including why hot showers provide temporary relief and how much cannabis use puts someone at risk.

Health experts say greater clinical awareness is needed. Better screening for cannabis use and recognition of symptom patterns could help reduce misdiagnosis and guide patients towards the only proven treatment: stopping marijuana use.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has to stop the sale of all variants of ghee manufactured by Daman-based SDP Industries, after laboratory tests found signs of adulteration and violation of food safety standards.

The move came after an inspection conducted on May 19. FSSAI said multiple samples were found adulterated, with laboratory analysis detecting β-sitosterol, a plant sterol that should not be present in genuine ghee. The samples also contained abnormalities in fatty-acid composition. 

The food regulator has prohibited the manufacture, storage and sale of the company’s ghee products from its authorised premises until further orders. The products include brands like SHRADDHA, SHREE SARAS and GOKUL. 

Adulterants In Ghee Samples

As pure ghee is made from milk fat, the presence of β-sitosterol is a red flag as it is a plant sterol. FSSAI said its detection, together with the abnormal fatty-acid profile, indicated the presence of vegetable fats in ghee touted to be "pure". 

The latest action is not based on a single sample. FSSAI said that surveillance samples collected in 2024 and January 2026 had also shown non-compliance with critical parameters, including β-sitosterol, fatty-acid profile, B.R. reading and R.M. value. 

Also read: ₹5 Crore Fake Medicine Racket Busted Near Bengaluru: Why Counterfeit Drugs In ICUs Are A Major Health Risk

Adulterated Ghee Is A Huge Health Concern

The health impact of adulteration depends on what has been added to or substituted for the ghee. Vegetable oils and other fats used in adulterated products may negatively alter the nutritional composition of the food. Some counterfeit products may also contain poor-quality, repeatedly heated or improperly processed oils and other non-food-grade substances.

Regular consumption of unhealthy fats can contribute to an overall diet high in saturated or trans fats, which may adversely affect cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health.

However, it is important not to assume that every adulterated ghee product will cause immediate poisoning or disease. The exact health risk depends on the adulterant, its concentration in the product and the amount consumed.

At the recent action in Hyderabad, authorities there seized around 36 tonnes of adulterated ghee, raw materials and chemical additives after inspecting 130 establishments. Officials said the suspected adulterated ghee involved ingredients including palm oil, vanaspati, skimmed milk powder and starch. 

Also read: FSSAI Warns Influencers, Celebrities Of Legal Action Over Unverified Food Claims

How To Spot Fake Ghee At Home?

There is no reliable kitchen test that can establish whether packaged ghee is genuine. Colour, smell, texture and whether ghee melts quickly are not enough to confirm purity because manufacturers can easily manipulate these characteristics. Instead, consumers should look for:

• A valid FSSAI license number on packaged products

• Proper labelling, including manufacturer details and batch information

• An intact seal and packaging

• A realistic price rather than unusually cheap “pure ghee”

• Products purchased from established retailers or authorised sellers

• The FSSAI licence and product details being consistent with the manufacturer

For suspected adulteration, laboratory testing is always the reliable method.