Experiencing daytime sleepiness is something that is usually perceived as a minor inconvenience, but for older adults, it could be an early warning sign of Dementia. This neurodegenerative disease leads to the progressive decline of brain cells. This eventually

affects memory, cognition, and personality, making everyday tasks more difficult. As one of the fastest-growing neurological disorders across the world, dementia poses a significant health threat to ageing populations.

Is Dementia Linked To Poor Sleep?

For this study, researchers followed 445 older adults (average age 76) over three years, aiming to determine whether poor sleep could increase the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which often leads to dementia. At the start, none of the participants had MCI, but by the end of the study, 36 individuals had developed the condition.

The researchers discovered that participants with poor sleep were more likely to develop MCI compared to those who slept well. However, when depression symptoms were taken into account, the link between poor sleep and MCI became less pronounced, suggesting that while sleep issues are a concern, mental health also plays a key role in dementia risk.

To assess sleep quality, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used, evaluating factors such as sleep duration, disturbances, and daytime alertness. Among these, "daytime dysfunction"—defined as excessive sleepiness and low energy during the day—was most strongly associated with an increased risk of MCI. Those experiencing daytime dysfunction were more than three times as likely to develop MCI as those who didn’t report such symptoms.

There are many types of dementia:

Dementia is not a specific disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is an overall term that describes a decline in mental ability that interferes with daily life. People with dementia often have symptoms like trouble remembering, thinking, or making everyday decisions. These symptoms tend to get worse over time.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, and it mostly affects the elderly. Each form of dementia has a different cause. Though dementia mostly affects older adults, it is not a part of normal ageing. An estimated 6.7 million older adults have Alzheimer's disease in the United States. That number is expected to double by 2060, as per data from the CDC.

In 2022, 3.8% of men and 4.2% women in US were diagnosed with dementia. The percentage of people increase with age from 1.7% for those aged 65-74 to 13.1% for those aged 85 and older. Alzheimer's accounts for 60 to 80% of all dementia cases and it is most prevalent in California, Florida, and Texas, as these states have the highest number of people.

Bacteria from the Thar desert is being transported by wind to the Eastern Himalayas and causing respiratory and skin diseases in locals, according to a Science of the Total Environment study.

Researchers from Bose Institute found that powerful dust storms filled with disease-causing bacteria can travel hundreds of kilometers, crossing densely populated and polluted Indo-Gangetic Plain before finally settling over Himalayan hilltops, where they are affecting local populations and ecosystems.

The scientists noted: "In addition to respiratory and skin diseases due to the transported pathogens, vertical uplift injects locally sourced pathogens into high-altitude atmosphere, where they mix with long-range travellers arriving from afar. Together, they reshape the bacterial community floating above the Himalayas, contributing to gastrointestinal infections as well."

Why Is This A Concern?

These changes were driven by horizontal wind patterns that carry particles across vast distances, combined with rising air pollution from lower elevations.

Riddled with airborne bacteria, including pathogens that can affect overall physical health, this air can increase vulnerability in people living in colder regions, who are already at a high risk of developing conditions related to the weather such as hypoxia (a condition where tissues don't get enough oxygen, often causing confusion, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath and bluish skin)

“About 80 percent of the total Himalayan bacterial population is due to long-range transport via horizontal and vertical movement of atmosphere, causing about 60 percent perturbation in Himalayan bacterial diversity,” the researchers said.

Cold weather and excessive exposure to airborne bacteria also increases disease risks by weakening immune responses, causing blood vessels to constrict and promoting close indoor confinement, which accelerates the spread of bacteria and viruses.

Some common conditions include respiratory infections (pneumonia, bronchitis), cardiovascular strain (heart attacks, strokes) and bacterial infections like Strep throat.

READ MORE: AI Detects More Breast Cancer Cases in Landmark Swedish Study

Antibiotic Resistance: An Rising Threat

Dr HB Veena Kumari of the Department of Neuromicrobiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, claims: "The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly contributed to rising antimicrobial resistance. The World Health Organisation projects that 10 million deaths will occur annually by 2025."

According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria in the body learns to withstand and remain unaffected by the medicines (antibiotics) meant to kill them.

In such cases, doctors have to switch to different antibiotics, but these backup medicines might not work as well or might cause more side effects. Additionally, infections may also worsen over time as bacteria can become resistant to all available drugs.

Alarmingly is that these tough, drug-resistant bacteria can spread from one person to another, both in hospitals and at home.

According to Dr TS Balganesh, Gangagen Biotechnologies, nearly 36 percent of haemodialysis patients die from fatal infections, which is second only to cardiovascular diseases as a cause of death.

He tells Deccan Herald: "The risk for infective endocarditis in haemodialysis patients is approximately 18 times higher than in the general population and up to 58 percent of these episodes are caused by a bacteria named 'S aureus', with an in-hospital mortality of more than 50 percent."

During this year's Union Budget presentation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced major upgrades for WHO first and only Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar as part of the government's attempt to boost Ayurveda and traditional medicine in the country.

Sitharaman, in her February 1 speech, mentioned that the upgrade of the center at Jamnagar will be carried out "to bolster evidence-based research, training and global awareness in traditional medicine system."

The proposed upgrade is expected to improve clinical validation, research infrastructure, documentation, and knowledge sharing platforms aligned with international health standards.

Anup Thakkar, head of department of Panchkarma, Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar told TOI of the announcement: "The WHO center is for research and training and the budgetary announcement will give it a big push. With evidence-based research in ayurveda, that too backed by WHO it will give global acceptance to ayurveda.

"It will help in standardization of ayurveda drugs. Farmers who grow the herbs will also be benefited."

The exclusive traditional medicine institute was established in 2022 in collaboration with the Government of India and Ministry of AYUSH. According to WHO, India has committed $250 million for the project.

What Is Traditional Medicine?

Traditional medicine encompasses ancient and culture-specific healthcare practices such as Ayurveda, Chinese medicine and herbal remedies used to treat illnesses and promote well-being, often relying on natural, plant-based, or holistic methods.

This type of medicine mainly utilizes the benefits of natural products like the plant, animal, and mineral substances. The mode of treatment is supported by indigenous beliefs, practical skills, and experiences handed down from generation to generation.

READ MORE: Union Budget 2026: FM Nirmala Sitharaman Announces Biopharma Shakti, Medical Tourism. Here Is What Experts Say

It also treats the human body as a whole and not a particular body part and relies on the concept that every organ of the human body is interconnected with others. The emphasis of traditional medicine is on maximizing the body’s innate ability to heal itself.

Budget 2026: Focus on Yoga And Ayurveda

Under Budget 2026-27, 1.5 lakh caregivers will be trained to provide yoga and Ayurveda-based services to improve access to wellness care while also creating large-scale employment opportunities. The proposal reflects the growing demand for traditional and preventive healthcare in India and abroad.

She also proposed setting up new All India Institutes of Ayurveda as part of the government’s push to expand traditional and modern healthcare infrastructure as well as to improve the quality of Ayurveda education and help standardise treatment practices across the country.

"I propose to set up three new All India Institutes of Ayurveda; Upgrade AYUSH pharmacies and drug testing labs and make available more skilled persons; Upgrade the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar," said Sitharaman.

Additionally, she noted that ancient Indian yoga received worldwide recognition after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the initiative to introduce it at the United Nations.

“Ancient Indian yoga, already respected in several parts of the world, was given mass global recognition when PM took it to the UN. Post COVID, Ayurveda gained a similar global acceptance and recognition. Exporting quality Ayurvedic products helps farmers who grow the herbs and the youth who process the products. To meet growing global demand, a few more steps are being taken,” the FM said.

Focusing on the connection between traditional Indian medicine and medical tourism, Sonam Garg Sharma, Founder, Medical Linkers told Healthandme: "As a country, we are increasingly recognised for combining clinical excellence with value-driven care, and healthcare hubs that integrate advanced diagnostics, post-treatment rehabilitation, and AYUSH-led wellness therapies such as yoga and Ayurveda can take that advantage further by offering a truly end-to-end patient journey.

"This also adds meaningful momentum to India’s medical value tourism story, where outcomes, experience, and continuity of care matter as much as affordability."

Bird flu outbreak has been confirmed in Bihar's Bhagalpur district in Naugacha subdivision. More than 150 crows were found dead, which prompted an emergency response from the district administration.

This has led to panic among the residents, when during a morning walk on January 11, they spotted a large number of dead crows under a tree. Several birds also looked in distressed conditions. This has raised possibility of influenza outbreak among locals.

Bird Flu Outbreak In Bihar: What Is Happening Now?

Following the incident, Forest Department teams reached the spot and safely disposed of the dead birds. A joint team from the Forest and Animal Husbandry departments collected samples, which were sent to high-security laboratories in Patna and Bhopal for testing.

District Animal Husbandry Officer Anjali Kumari confirmed that reports from both laboratories detected the bird flu virus. After confirmation from Bhopal, the district administration went on high alert and launched a sanitization drive within a 10-kilometre radius of the affected area.

Authorities are also collecting samples from nearby poultry farms to rule out any spread to domestic birds. Surveillance has been stepped up across the subdivision. Officials have said the situation is under control, but strict precautionary measures are in place.

The Health Department and Animals Husbandry Department are also closely monitoring the situation. Dr. Anjali Kumari Sinha, District Animal Husbandry Officer, Bhagalpur, said, “The crows died on January 11, and at that time it was very cold, so it seemed that they died due to the cold. However, we sent samples for testing, and the Government of India has confirmed that the crows died due to bird flu.”

“So, currently, we are sanitising the affected areas. We had also sanitised the area on the 11th. In addition, zero surveillance will be conducted on all the poultry farms in this area, and samples will be sent again for testing,” she added.

Read: Bird Flu Detected in Dutch Cow, Marking Europe’s First Case

Bird Flu In Bihar: What Is It And What Are The Symptoms?

Bird flu is primarily a disease that affects birds, but it can occasionally infect humans, particularly those who come into direct contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. The symptoms of bird flu in humans can vary but often resemble those of common flu, including:

• High fever (often above 38°C)
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Headaches

In severe cases, the infection can lead to more serious respiratory diseases, such as pneumonia, and can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Bird Flu In Bihar: How to Protect and Prevent Bird Flu

Given the potential for transmission to humans, it is crucial to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection. Here are some key steps that can be taken:

Avoid Contact with Infected Birds: Refrain from touching or handling birds that are sick or dead, especially in areas where bird flu has been reported.

Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after handling birds or being in environments where birds are kept.

Cook Poultry Thoroughly: Ensure that all poultry and eggs are cooked thoroughly before consumption. The virus is sensitive to heat and can be killed by proper cooking.

Use Protective Gear: If you are working in an environment where you are likely to come into contact with poultry, wear protective clothing, including gloves and masks, to minimize the risk of infection.

Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with information from health authorities about any outbreaks in your area and follow their guidelines on how to stay safe.