Pope Francis injured his right arm after suffering a fall earlier this week. According to the Vatican, while the 88-year-old pontiff did not break his arm, a sling was put on as a precaution. This incident comes just weeks after another fall on December 7, where he hit his chin on a nightstand, resulting in another, visible bruise. The pope's health has been a topic of ongoing speculation due to his age and medical history, which includes long bouts of bronchitis and mobility challenges. Often seen using a wheelchair or a cane, Francis also uses a walker within the Vatican's Santa Marta hotel, where he resides. Notably, his frailty has brought renewed attention to the risks of falls among elderly individuals and the steps one must follow to mitigate such falls.

Preventive Measures For Bone Health

A study published in Frontiers in Aging Neurosciences people get older, the bone density in the lower back and thigh bone decreases significantly. This raises the risk of osteoporosis (OP). Therefore it becomes pivotal to pay early attention to nutrition, exercise ability, vitamin D levels, and uric acid levels in older individuals to prevent Ostreopsis and mitigate fall risks. The risk of falls and bone injuries among elderly individuals underscores the importance of preventive measures for maintaining bone health and minimizing fall risks.

Elderly, particularly menopausal women, require a daily calcium intake of 1,200 mg, divided into two or more doses. This can be achieved through dietary sources such as dairy and non-dairy products or through supplements like calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. However, total daily calcium intake should not exceed 2,500 mg to avoid potential health risks.

Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone mineralization. While sunlight exposure helps synthesize vitamin D, older individuals often require supplements due to reduced skin synthesis and the limited availability of foods. Fortified milk and supplements containing 200–600 IU of vitamin D daily are recommended, with higher doses required for those with deficiencies. Severe cases may necessitate high-dose treatments, such as 50,000 IU weekly for up to three months, along with regular monitoring of calcium and vitamin D levels.

Regular exercise is vital for preserving bone mass and reducing fall risk. Weight-bearing activities, strength training, and balance exercises like brisk walking or skipping can enhance bone density and improve coordination. Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week, supplemented by strength training twice weekly. For individuals unable to engage in standard exercise routines, alternatives like vibrating platforms may help maintain bone health.

Falls remain a leading cause of fractures among individuals over 60. Addressing contributing factors such as balance issues, vision problems, and environmental hazards can significantly reduce risks. Preventive measures include regular vision checks, minimizing medications causing dizziness, improving home safety (e.g., installing railings and removing loose rugs), and wearing rubber-soled footwear. Hip protectors may also help mitigate the impact of falls.

The entire month of October is observed as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and today, on October 13, the Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day is observed.

What Exactly Does Metastatic Breast Cancer Mean?

Metastatic breast cancer, also known as stage IV breast cancer, is a form of the disease where cancer cells have spread from the breast to distant parts of the body, most commonly the bones, liver, lungs, or brain. While there is no cure, treatments like chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted drugs, and immunotherapy can help manage symptoms, slow the disease's progression, and improve quality of life. Symptoms vary depending on the area affected but can include bone pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and headaches.

The day is specifically recognized in the US as a day to promote awareness around breast cancer. In fact, on this day 300 monuments across all 50 states lit up and a dozen other countries from around the world also light up in green, pink, and teal. These are the colors of breast cancer awareness ribbon.

Why Is It Important?

It is an international health campaign that aims to promote screening and reduce the risk of the disease. Breast cancer impacts around 2.3 million women worldwide.

Through this day and the entire month that is dedicated to awareness, people and organizations can:

• support people diagnosed with breast cancer, including those with metastatic breast cancer
• educate people about breast cancer risk factors
• encourage women to go for regular breast cancer screening starting at age 40 or earlier, depending on personal breast cancer risk
• raise money for breast cancer research

Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day Importance

About 168,000 women in the US are estimated to have metastatic breast cancer. There are research and studies that show this number will rise to over 246,000 by 2030. Despite the growing numbers of people living with metastatic disease, most money for breast cancer research doesn’t go toward studying it.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day thus seeks to educate the public about the challenges that people with metastatic breast cancer face and the need for more research, and more treatments — for this deadly disease.

Is There A Theme For Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day?

While there is no specific theme for Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day, the day focuses on early diagnosis and on the support group that many patients need once they are diagnosed.

Themes often emphasize the unique experiences of patients with metastatic disease and the urgent need for support and a greater understanding of this advanced stage of cancer.

In fact, this year's theme for the Breast Cancer Awareness Month is also 'Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters'. This emphasizes on personalized stories of the ones who battled or are battling cancer, as no two patients journey through cancer is the same.

Telangana, a southern state in India has launched a Polio Drive from October 12 to 15 with Hyderabad administering oral polio drops to 5,17,238 children. This is part of Telangana's Pulse Polio Immunisation Drive, 2025. Hyderabad is one of six districts participating in this nationwide effort to prevent polio resurgence.

What Is Happening In Hyderabad?

Hyderabad has set up 2,843 vaccination booths which will operate from 7am to 6pm at health centers, schools, transport hubs, and high footfall areas.

Over 11,200 health workers, including ASHA and Anganwadi staff, will also conduct door-to-door visits from October 13 to 15, targeting 164 high-risk localities to ensure full coverage. Around 9.36 lakh households are expected to be reached during the campaign.

The drive is part of India’s ongoing national effort to maintain its polio-free status, especially amid reports of poliovirus cases in neighboring countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan. Officials have urged parents to ensure that children receive both required doses, stressing that even a single missed child can pose a risk to the wider community.

Parents can visit nearby booths or contact local health workers for information. Assistance is also available via helplines 1070 (State Control Room) and 1098 (Child Line) for guidance on immunisation schedules.

What Is Polio?

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that it is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus that invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in matter of hours. The virus is transmitted by person to person spread mainly through the fecal-oral route, or less frequently, by a common vehicle, which could be either from contaminated food or water. The virus also multiplies in the intestine.

The National Institute of Health (NIH), US, notes that the virus responsible for causing Polio belongs to the Picornaviridae family.

Read: Polio Cases Reported In Pakistan And Nigeria, More Details Inside

Common Symptoms of Polio

The NIH notes that the maximum excretion of the virus is seen in 2 to 3 days prior and 1 week after appearance of symptoms. The spread is especially rapid in areas with poor sanitation, and among the nonimmune population. The rise in cases could be seen in summer months and temperate regions.

As per the WHO, the common Polio symptoms are:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Stiffness of the neck a
• Pain in the limbs

The WHO also notes that 1 in 200 infections leads to intervisible paralysis, usually in legs, and among 5 to 10% of those paralyzed do not survive.

Who Are Most At The Risk Of Polio?

As per the WHO, Polio mainly affects children under 5 years of age, however, it can happen to anyone of any age who is unvaccinated and may have come in contract with the disease.

Is There Any Cure For Polio?

While there is no cure for Polio, it can very well be prevented. Polio vaccines, which can be administered multiple times, can protect a child for life. There are two vaccines available:

• Oral Polio Vaccine
• Inactivated Polio Vaccines

Tiger Woods, American professional golfer has announced that he underwent a back surgery on Friday. This was to addressed his collapsed disc in his spine.

The 15-time major winner shared on his social media that he had a lumbar disk replacement surgery after he experienced in his back. The operation went successful, he said. The 49-year-old is undergoing a back surgery for the second time in over a year. Earlier, he had a surgery done on his lumbar spine in September 2024 to relieve nerve impingement of his lower back.

A statement by Wood's X account read: “After experiencing pain and lack of mobility in my back, I consulted with Doctors and Surgeons to have tests taken. The scans determined that I had a collapsed disc in L4/5, disc fragments and a compromised spinal canal. I opted to have my disc replaced yesterday, and I already know I made a good decision for my health and my back. On Friday, Tiger underwent lumbar disc replacement surgery in his L4/5 Lumbar spine for lower back symptoms. The surgery was deemed successful and performed by Dr Sheeraz Qureshi and his team at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.”

Woods had earlier ruptured his left Achilles while training at home this year in March.

What Does It Mean To Have A Collapsed Disc?

Spinal discs sit between the 33 vertebrae that provide cushioning to vertebrae and absorb shock and pressure. They also help with flexibility, mobility and are made of tough outer layer of cartilage, surrounded with a soft jelly-like inner layer.

However as we age, our spinal disc also age with us. They become drier, stiffer, and less flexible over time, which makes it prone to injury and damage. This natural wear and tear can cause discs to tear or to slip out of place. A collapsed disc destabilizes the spine and hinders the discs’ ability to protect vertebrae.

Collapsed discs occur more frequently in cervical and lumbar spine. This is where vertebrae bear more body weight and have a wide range of motion, which makes them more prone to injury or damage.

What Are The Common Symptoms?

In a Lumbar Spine, the common symptoms of collapsed disc are:

• low back pain
• pain that radiates down the buttocks, thighs, legs and feet
• weakness and numbness or tingling in the back, legs, and feet
• reduced movement in the back

In Cervical Spine, this is what the symptom of collapsed disk feels like:

• neck pain
• pain that radiates down the shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers
• weakness and numbness or even tingling in arms, hands, and fingers
• reduced range of motion in the neck

What Could Be Causing Disc To Collapse?

Spinal Osteoarthritis: This happens when the cartilage that cushions the spine’s joints wears down, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced movement. Over time, it can weaken nearby structures and cause the discs between the vertebrae to collapse.

Herniated Disc: A herniated disc occurs when the outer layer of a spinal disc tears, allowing the inner gel-like material to leak out. This can cause pain, pressure on nerves, or even break the disc into smaller pieces.

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD): DDD refers to age-related wear and tear of spinal discs. It can lead to back pain, disc collapse, nerve compression, and spinal instability.

Other causes include traumatic injuries (from falls, accidents, or sports), repetitive strain (from heavy work or high-impact activities like running), and obesity, which adds pressure to the spine.