Daytime Sleepiness (Credit: Canva)
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.
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.
Credit: Canva
Prime Minister Narendra Modi once addressed the nation through his monthly radio broadcast, Maan Ki Baat. It was the 134th installment of the broadcast, and the Prime Minister urged the people of India to take extra precautions in summer's scorching heat.
The Prime Minister said, "It is very hot in most parts of the country right now. Strong sun, hot winds, it is very important to take care of yourself in such weather. Keep drinking water. If at all you have to go out in the sun, do so with caution." He added, "Don't forget the guidelines issued by various government departments in this regard."
Then the Prime Minister also addressed traditional food and drinking practices in different parts of the country to stay fit even during the hot summer. He urged the citizens to drink regional traditional drinks to stay hydrated and named popular options like Aam Panna, Sattu sherbet, Kokum sherbet, Sol Kadhi, Panakam, Neer Mor, Sambaram, Bael Pana, and Buttermilk. "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat," he added.
The Prime Minister also mentions mangoes, which are a household summer treat in India. He said, "Every region… its own mango, its own flavor, its own aroma." Then he described these different mangoes and their specialties as well.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mentions the journey of the Indian mangoes from domestic production to the global market.
Easy Tips To Stay Fit During a Heatwave
Drink water consistently at regular intervals instead of gulping large quantities at once. Electrolyte-rich fluids like coconut water, lemon water with a pinch of salt, or buttermilk are healthy, affordable options to soothe parched throats.
Add items like curd, rice, cucumber, and bottle gourd to your diet and avoid red meat and fried foods during peak summer days.
Extreme temperatures put additional stress on the cardiovascular system, especially in people with hypertension, diabetes, or heart conditions. Make sure to take all prescribed medications exactly as advised—don’t skip doses even if you experience heat-induced nausea. If you feel dizzy or experience palpitations or severe fatigue, consult your doctor as soon as possible.
Air conditioning is helpful, but overexposure can lead to dry skin, headaches, and respiratory discomfort. Once every two or three hours, step away from your desk for a few minutes. Walk or stand, and sip some water.
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The whole world is in terror of Ebola spreading, and countries are on alert. Recently, there has been a possible Ebola-infected person under investigation by the health authorities of Brazil. As per the media reports, the suspected 37-year-old man is admitted to the hospital in São Paulo.
The person with possible Ebola infection is from the Democratic Republic of Congo and started to show Ebola-like symptoms after returning from the African country.
The local health authorities have ensured that he is in isolation, and the hospital specializes in the care of suspected or confirmed cases of the disease.
Ebola is a severe and, in most cases, deadly disease caused by viruses predominantly found in Africa. The spread of the disease happens through contact with infected body fluids.
Some symptoms can indicate a possible infection. This includes fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, and unexplained bleeding. This eventually leads to severe complications like bleeding, organ failure, and death. The hosts of the virus are animals like bats, primates, and antelopes.
The virus is raising serious global health concerns, with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General, stating that the ongoing Ebola outbreak "is spreading rapidly" and "outpacing us". Yet experts say that it is not COVID and cannot spread like it.
“Ebola does NOT spread through casual airborne exposure like influenza or COVID-19. Individuals become infectious only after symptoms begin, not during the incubation period. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days,” said Dr. Ishwar Gilada, Secretary General, People’s Health Organisation (India).
Experts further explained that Ebola is far more difficult to spread than airborne respiratory viruses such as influenza, COVID-19, measles, and even the Andes strain of hantavirus, which recently caused an outbreak on a cruise ship.
It is because Ebola is not airborne. Ebola does not spread through coughing, sneezing, or casual contact like shaking hands. It spreads only via body fluid contact.
In addition, people with Ebola also do not spread the virus before developing symptoms. This means that during Ebola’s incubation period, which ranges from 2–21 days, an infected person is generally not contagious, unlike COVID-19, where transmission can occur before symptoms appear.
Credit: AP
Putting an end to speculation over US President Donald Trump’s health, the White House has announced that the 79-year-old is in “excellent health”.
Trump underwent his annual medical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on May 26.
"President Trump remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function," Dr. Sean Barbabella, physician to the president, wrote in the memo, released late Friday evening.
He added that Trump is "fully fit to carry out all duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State."
Trump’s health became a major subject of discussion after photographs at times showed swollen ankles, bruised hands, and a blotchy neck. He has been spotted several times with slurred speech and naps during official meetings.
Shortly after the examination, Trump said that "everything checked out perfectly."
Trump, who turns 80 in June, is the oldest person to assume the presidency. He frequently portrays himself as more energetic and fitter than Joe Biden, his Democratic predecessor, who left office last year at age 82 after facing questions about his fitness for the job.
Barbabella described the assessment as a “comprehensive preventive evaluation,” which included a thorough review of all diagnostic studies and laboratory testing conducted over the past year.
It also included “consultations with twenty-two specialty providers from multiple academic institutions. All aspects of the assessment were performed in accordance with US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations,” he said in the memo.
Also read: ‘Sea Or See?’ Donald Trump's Remark Sparks Fresh Cognitive Health Speculation
The President’s diagnostic summary showed:
Barbabella further said that the medical test also evaluated his hands and “revealed ecchymosis (bruising), consistent with minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking in the setting of aspirin use for cardiovascular prevention". He added that it is “a common and benign effect of aspirin therapy.”
The examination also found no “suspicious lesions or concerning growths.”
Read More: Was Trump Sleeping During Oval Office Event? White House Reacts
The President's neurological condition was significantly targeted, with many doctors pointing out that he's suffering from dementia. But the test results, authorized by the President for public release, revealed him to be in “normal mental status".
Further, it showed that his "cranial nerves are intact", and he also has "normal motor strength, sensation, reflexes, gait, and balance.”
Trump also completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) screenings for depression and anxiety, both of which were "normal".
Cognitive function, assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), was also within normal limits, with a score of 30 out of 30.
Comprehensive laboratory evaluation, including a complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, coagulation profile, D-dimer, B-type natriuretic peptide, and cardiac biomarkers, remained within normal limits, Barbabella said.
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