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Your skin tell a lot about your health. By just looking at someone's skin, one can tell if they are sick, unhappy, or completely healthy. This is because whatever happens inside, reflects on the outside, on your skin. But there are ways to take care of your skin otherwise and it always does not mean expensive products or complicated routine. A basic skincare regimen includes cleansing, moisturizing, and sunscreen. Beyond this, good food with enough nutrition, regular exercise, sufficient sleep and stress management too is the key.
Here's all you need to know about skincare:
Despite what social media tells you, children do not need fancy skincare products. The best approach for them is, once they start approaching the pre-puberty time, they keep their skin clean and use a non-comedogenic moisturizer if necessary. For children with eczema or other skin conditions, following a doctor-recommended routine is important.
Everyone experience acne at some point, especially during puberty. The best hack is to use oil-free products like benzoyl peroxide that can help control breakouts. If acne are causing scars, it is best to first take advise from your doctor and only then apply something else. A treatment usually takes up three-months to finally show results, therefore before considering alternatives a three-month window must be given.
Again, social media here tells you to use it as soon as possible. But did you know that using anti aging products early will not help prevent wrinkles? A simple routine with a good sunscreen is often the best approach. Those in their mid-to-late 20s may consider introducing a mild retinol product, but factors like sun exposure and individual skin needs play a role in determining the right time to start.
Certain ingredients have proven beneficial, these are:
There may be many trendy ingredients like hyaluronic acid, however, not necessarily does it penetrate the skin deeply, but instead it helps retain moisture on the surface. Expensive doesn’t always mean better—affordable products often work just as well.
Be Cautious: It is important that you be cautious when you use new products. Before introducing a new product, always take a patch test, especially for sensitive skin. For instance, retinol should be used only in small amounts a few times a week to prevent dryness. However, if it creates irritation, you can reduce usage, or switch to a milder formation.
Popping Pimples: This could lead to scarring and worsen inflammation, this is when spot treatments with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide could help. Also consider using face wash.
Use Sunscreen: Remember, sunscreen is a skincare essential! It also reduces the risk of skin cancer and prevent sun-induced aging. It is always best to apply a sunscreen with an SPF 50+. Remember to always go for a cream over spray and reapply every two hours.
Moles: Keep an eye on your moles. Though, mostly they are harmless, but if the size, shape, or color changes, then you must go see a doctors. While most moles are harmless, some could turn into cancer.
Lifestyle Changes: What really does well for your skin is when you start eating a healthy diet, rich in whole foods, healthy fats and variety of plants. Moreover if you are smoking, it accelerates aging and reduces blood flow to skin. Thus make these changes to make your skin radiant.
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Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic and progressive neurological condition affecting an estimated 1.5–2 lakh people in India, and remains one of the country's most overlooked invisible disabilities.
Many of its symptoms, including fatigue, cognitive impairment, chronic pain, visual disturbances, and bladder dysfunction, are often not outwardly visible, contributing to delayed diagnosis, barriers to disability recognition, insurance challenges, and difficulties in accessing long-term care and support.
In a significant step towards strengthening disability-inclusive healthcare and social protection in India, policymakers, neurologists, disability rights advocates, insurance stakeholders, and persons living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) today endorsed a landmark 10-point Declaration on Invisible Disabilities and Gender at the National Policy Dialogue organized on the occasion of World Multiple Sclerosis Day 2026.
The National Policy Dialogue was held under the theme, "Shaping Policy. Advancing Access. Improving Lives."
"India has made significant progress in recognizing the rights of persons with disabilities, and conversations such as these are essential to ensuring that our laws, policies, and institutions continue to evolve in ways that better reflect the lived experiences of people affected by conditions such as MS," said Menaka Guruswamy, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha.
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Experts from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of India (MSSI) stated that for people living with Multiple Sclerosis, the challenges often extend far beyond the disease itself.
Delayed access to insurance, high out-of-pocket costs, limited awareness of available entitlements, and the absence of comprehensive patient data continue to create barriers to timely care.
Thus, they expect the Declaration to catalyze stronger insurance inclusion, better access to support systems, and a more robust national understanding of the true burden of MS in India.
The Declaration on Invisible Disabilities and Gender outlines a roadmap to strengthen implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and improve the inclusion of invisible neurological conditions within India's healthcare, disability, and welfare systems.
Key recommendations include:
The declaration reflects a growing consensus among stakeholders that India's healthcare and social protection systems must evolve to better address invisible conditions that significantly affect an individual's functional ability, quality of life, and socioeconomic participation.
"Multiple Sclerosis is a complex, unpredictable, and lifelong neurological condition that requires early diagnosis, timely intervention, and sustained access to advanced therapies. While often simplified for patient understanding, the clinical reality is far more challenging and demands a nuanced approach to treatment and long-term care," said Dr. R.K. Dhamija, Distinguished Neurologist, Director, IHBAS, and Chair, National Task Force, NITI Aayog Brain Health Initiative.
"Investing in neurological care is not merely a healthcare expenditure; it is an economic imperative that helps prevent irreversible disability, reduces long-term care costs, and enables people to remain active and productive," Dr. Dhamija added.
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For many people, tobacco does not begin as an addiction; it starts as a habit woven into ordinary moments of daily life. A cigarette shared with friends, a smoke break during a stressful day, or chewing tobacco after meals can soon become a routine that feels difficult to avoid.
While these habits may seem harmless in the beginning, tobacco slowly affects nearly every organ in the body, often giving subtle warning signs long before a serious disease is diagnosed.
These effects rarely manifest suddenly and usually come after years of prolonged use. It is this slow progress that leads most tobacco users to believe that "I am fine." But there are unmistakable signs of some diseases brought about by the use of tobacco that ought not to be dismissed:
Oral cancer caused by tobacco often appears initially in the form of persistent mouth ulcers, white or red patches inside the mouth, and jaw stiffness. These painful and irritating conditions can be so subtle that a person is not concerned by them.
Persistent changes like the change in your voice pitch or constant throat irritation are not to be taken lightly, either; they could be signs of deeper problems arising. Seeking medical help when it is still in the superficial stages will not only decrease your chances of being treated with aggressive measures but may actually result in an easier way to fight the condition.
Tobacco affects much more than just the lungs, and many symptoms associated with chronic conditions often go unnoticed.
The most important remedy at our disposal is not a complicated surgery but an accurate identification of such conditions at their superficial stage, allowing for minimal and non-invasive treatments.
The human body is an incredibly powerful machine at healing, and the instant the consumption of tobacco ceases, a chain of events kicks off that increases circulation and improves lung function.
If you ever find yourself dealing with a persistent cough, mouth ulcer, or undue fatigue, it is advisable to visit a specialist at the earliest to prevent future complications.
(By Dr Yash Mathur, Senior Head, Neck, Oral, and Robotic Onco-Surgeon at HCG Cancer Hospital, Borivali, Mumbai)
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A growing body of global research is beginning to point in one direction: our eyes are under strain like never before. As per the report published on PubMed, myopia is projected to rise significantly worldwide, increasing from about 27% of the global population in 2010 to nearly 52% by 2050, highlighting its emergence as a major public health concern.
Although genetics has long contributed, there appears to be a significant environmental factor associated with how fast this shift has occurred.
Screens have become an integrated part of everyday lives, from the time of waking up to work on digital screens or scroll through phones late into the night. Digital devices are no longer optional but a constant priority.
Work, education, and entertainment are all now done on screens with little or no interruption. The growing generation of gadgets has its own advantages, but its impact has significantly contributed to the alarming rise in cases of myopia.
There are three major significant ways prolonged screen time could affect vision:
Mild discomfort, such as dryness, headaches, and blurred vision, can lead to more chronic issues. Digital eye strain is common among adults and children alike. However, the long-term outcome is the main concern.
Progressive myopia increases the chances of developing serious eye diseases like glaucoma, retinal detachment, and macular degeneration, and having to wear stronger prescription glasses. These aren't just short-term inconveniences; they can create lifelong risks that severely affect the quality of life.
The days when children spent their time flying kites, playing marbles, feeling the wind on their faces, and returning home with dust-covered hands have gradually faded into memory. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated an already existing trend.
The screen time increased as many schools transitioned to online education and remote workers increased due to the pandemic. Above all, children experienced a sudden reduction in outdoor activity with increased exposure to digital devices.
The phase indicated a noticeable drop in the vision of the people. This period has often been referred to as a phase of “quarantine myopia,” where many young individuals reported a noticeable decline in vision.
As individuals return to normalcy, the habits that were established are continuing, and concern is being raised about a generation having poorer visual health.
Consistent habits are needed to address this issue:
The increase in use of screens is not an isolated event; it is part of the larger trend affecting how we live and work. To address this issue, we need to develop awareness among individuals, families, schools, and workplaces about proper screen use. A balanced daily routine, guided by parents, plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy vision in children.
Collective responsibility among teachers, parents, and government authorities is essential to prevent visual complications, as children represent our future generations. Greater public awareness around digital eye strain and eye health is also necessary, as it often serves as a precursor to multiple health complications.
Eye health must be seen as an essential part of overall well-being. The current trend may still be a developing issue, but it requires urgent attention. Acting early, with informed choices and preventive care, can ensure that technological progress does not come at the cost of long-term vision health.
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