The COVID-19 pandemic may be over, but our immune systems are still feeling the impact. After years of battling constant viral threats, from COVID-19 to seasonal flu and other infections, our body’s defense system is exhausted. Many people continue to experience lingering inflammation, frequent illnesses, and slower recovery times. This extended state of immune stress has compromised us further to chronic illness, including autoimmune diseases and even neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. So why is our immune system still in trouble? And how do we give it its power back? Understanding immune exhaustion is the beginning of rebuilding our body's natural immunity.

A weakened immune system makes people more susceptible to disease, mental illnesses, and even sleep disorders. Now, new research indicates that immune system depletion may play an important role in the onset of Parkinson's disease, a degenerative neurologic disorder that compromises movement and cognition.

Role of Inflammation in Parkinson's Disease

Dysfunctional immune response is a leading cause of long-standing inflammation within the body, that has been found to contribute towards a multitude of conditions, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

As people age, their immune system naturally becomes less effective. This deterioration, referred to as immune exhaustion, may be a key contributor to the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease. Rebecca Wallings, a Parkinson’s Foundation Launch Award grant recipient and senior postdoctoral fellow at the University of Florida, believes that an accumulation of exhausted immune cells could be driving neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s patients.

How a Tired Immune System Might Affect Parkinson's?

Parkinson's disease is most commonly linked with the degeneration and loss of dopaminergic neurons—motor nerve cells that produce dopamine, an essential neurotransmitter for movement. While researchers have long suspected inflammation is involved in this neurodegeneration, the mechanisms are not yet well understood.

Wallings' study is on immune cell exhaustion, a process by which aging immune cells fail to control immune responses effectively. Her research indicates that instead of dampening inflammation in Parkinson's patients, attempts should be made to rejuvenate the immune system to regain its functionality.

Energy Deficiency in Immune Cells

One of the major findings of Wallings' work is the function of mitochondrial impairment in immune cell exhaustion. Mitochondria are commonly called the powerhouses of cells, as they are vital for generating energy. As mitochondria age and become inefficient, immune cells fail to function well, potentially accelerating neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease.

Wallings has found that mutations in the LRRK2 gene, a recognized genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease, are linked with defective mitochondrial function and immune cell exhaustion. Her current work includes testing various therapeutic approaches to restore mitochondrial function in immune cells with the potential to enhance the immune system and potentially prevent or treat Parkinson's disease.

Will Rejuvenating the Immune System Help in Treatment?

For decades, the standard practice in treating Parkinson's has been to suppress brain inflammation. Yet Wallings' work indicates that instead of slowing down immune responses, restoring the immune system could be a more successful strategy. By addressing mitochondrial impairment and immune resilience, researchers can potentially reverse or slow down Parkinson's disease.

Wallings is now looking into how to rejuvenate immune cells by fixing mitochondria. She studies immune cells from patients with Parkinson's as well as from healthy subjects and performs experiments on animal models to determine if rejuvenation of the immune system could result in improved disease outcomes.

Lifestyle Factors That May Affect Parkinson's Risk

While there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, some lifestyle adjustments may decrease the chances of developing the illness. Since neurodegenerative diseases are associated with chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction, developing habits that enhance immune function might prove helpful.

Diet: There is evidence to suggest that eating in accordance with the Mediterranean or MIND diets, both high in antioxidants, healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory foods, can encourage brain wellness and reduce Parkinson's risk.

Avoiding Dangerous Substances: Restricting alcohol and nicotine use can maintain a robust immune system and suppress inflammation.

Reducing Stress: Chronic stress weakens immune function, so methods such as meditation, exercise, and sufficient sleep can lead to improved overall well-being.

Lymphoma is a form of blood cancer that starts in the lymphatic system, an essential part of the body’s immune defense. It develops when lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, begin to grow and multiply in an abnormal way. The condition is broadly classified into two types, Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, each with its own features and treatment methods, as per the American Oncology Institute. With cases becoming increasingly common, here are some of the early warning signs of lymphoma you should be aware of.

What Is World Lymphoma Awareness Day?

According to Netmeds, the theme for World Lymphoma Awareness Day 2025 is ‘Honest Talk.’ This year’s message highlights the need for open and transparent conversations between patients, caregivers, families, and healthcare professionals.

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5 Early Warning Signs of Lymphoma

1. Swollen Lymph Nodes

2. Unexplained Weight Loss

3. Persistent Fatigue

4. Itching or Skin Changes

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5. Night Sweats

Spotting these signs early gives you the chance to seek medical help before lymphoma advances, when treatment is most effective. If you notice any of these symptoms lasting longer than two weeks, make an appointment with your doctor. An early check-up will ensure you get the right evaluation and tests without any delay.

Although as kids many of us enjoyed the perfect vision, it isn’t uncommon to find that you may need glasses as things start looking blurry. Weak eyesight can be caused due to a lot of reasons, whether it is strained usage of our eyesight like using improperly lit spaces to read, using electronics at night, or simply aging.

The simple science behind wear eyesight is when the muscles that aid our vision get weak. So, if there was just a way to rejuvenate those muscles, we would be able to see properly, right? But it is not that simple. Doing so would require surgical options, many of which are not available easily. However, a new study may have made headway into creating an eyedrop that will do the job.

A study presented on Sunday at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) suggests that eye drops could be a safe and effective treatment for presbyopia, a common age-related condition that causes long-sightedness and makes it difficult to focus on close-up objects. The study, conducted by experts in Argentina, explored a new type of eye drop that could offer a convenient alternative to wearing reading glasses.

Can Eyedrops Fix Weak Eyesight?

The eye drops contain two main ingredients that work together to improve near vision. The first is pilocarpine, a drug that makes the pupil smaller and tightens the muscle that controls the shape of the eye's lens. This action helps the eye focus on nearby objects more easily.

The second ingredient is diclofenac, which is a type of anti-inflammatory drug. It helps reduce any inflammation in the eye.

In the study, 766 people used these drops twice a day, typically once in the morning and again about six hours later. They were split into three groups, each receiving a different strength of the pilocarpine component (1%, 2%, or 3%) while the amount of diclofenac stayed the same for everyone.

How Effective Are Eyedrops For Weak Eyesight?

The study's findings were very encouraging, showing significant improvements in near vision for all participants, with the effects lasting for up to two years.

For the group using the lowest concentration of pilocarpine (1%), almost all 148 people were able to read at least two additional lines on a standard eye chart. In the group with the 2% concentration, 69% of the 248 people could read three or more extra lines. The best results were seen in the 3% group, where a remarkable 84% of the 370 people could read three or more extra lines.

On average, patients saw an improvement of more than three lines on the eye chart just one hour after using the drops. According to Dr. Giovanna Benozzi, a leading researcher, these drops offer a promising solution that is more convenient and has fewer risks than traditional options like reading glasses or surgery.

Are There Side-Effects of Eyedrops For Weak Eyesight?

While the results are positive, some experts have expressed caution about potential side effects. The most common ones reported were temporary blurred vision, eye irritation, and headaches.

However, experts warned that long-term use of pilocarpine could sometimes lead to side effects like reduced night vision. He also noted that using anti-inflammatory drops for a long time could pose risks to the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. He emphasized that more extensive and longer-term studies are needed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of the drops for widespread use.

Japan has once again broken its own record for longevity. The country now boasts nearly 100,000 people aged 100 or older, according to figures released by the health ministry a milestone that reflects both the nation’s extraordinary life expectancy and its rapidly ageing society.

A 55-Year Streak of Record-Breaking Longevity

As of September, Japan counted 99,763 centenarians, the health ministry said on Friday. This marks the 55th consecutive year that the number has risen. Of these, an overwhelming 88% are women, highlighting a continuing trend of female longevity in Japan.

The country has long been known for producing some of the world’s oldest people, though researchers note that centenarian data can sometimes be difficult to verify globally. Nevertheless, Japan consistently ranks among the nations with the highest life expectancy.

Meet Japan’s Oldest Citizens

Leading this group is Shigeko Kagawa, a 114-year-old woman from Yamatokoriyama in Nara Prefecture, officially recognised as Japan’s oldest person. The oldest man, Kiyotaka Mizuno, is 111 and lives in Iwata, a coastal city.

Japan’s health minister, Takamaro Fukoka, offered congratulations to the country’s 87,784 female and 11,979 male centenarians, expressing “gratitude for their many years of contributions to the development of society.”

Elderly Day: A Celebration of Longevity

The announcement comes just before Elderly Day, observed every 15 September as a national holiday. Each year, new centenarians receive a congratulatory letter and a silver cup from the prime minister. In 2025, 52,310 individuals were eligible for this honor, a number that underscores how quickly Japan’s oldest demographic is growing.

From Just 153 to Nearly 100,000

Japan’s centenarian story is one of remarkable change. When the government first began tracking centenarians in 1963, there were just 153 people aged 100 or older in the country. By 1981, the figure crossed 1,000, and by 1998 it had surged to 10,000.

This dramatic increase is attributed to several public health successes, including better medical care and improved awareness about healthy living.

Why the Japanese Live So Long

Experts say Japan’s longevity is largely due to low rates of heart disease and certain cancers, particularly breast and prostate cancer. The country’s famously healthy diet plays a central role — it is low in red meat and high in fish, rice, vegetables, and fermented foods, all of which contribute to lower obesity rates.

Public health campaigns have also been effective. When sugar and salt consumption increased in much of the world, Japan took the opposite approach, with government initiatives urging citizens to cut down on salt, successfully reducing related health issues.

But diet is only part of the equation. Japanese people tend to stay physically active well into old age, walking more, using public transport, and taking part in simple exercise routines. Radio Taiso, a three-minute group exercise broadcast since 1928, remains a daily ritual for many, keeping communities connected and bodies moving.

Controversies and Challenges in Counting Centenarians

Despite these positive numbers, there have been past controversies about centenarian data. A 2010 government audit uncovered more than 230,000 people listed as 100 or older who were actually unaccounted for — many had died decades earlier.

This miscount was blamed on outdated record-keeping and, in some cases, suspicions that families failed to report deaths to continue receiving pension benefits. The scandal came to light after authorities discovered that Sogen Koto, believed to be Tokyo’s oldest man at 111, had in fact died 32 years prior, with his remains found in his family home.

An Ageing Nation’s Future

While Japan celebrates its centenarians, the figures also underscore a looming demographic challenge: a rapidly ageing population and declining birth rate. This combination is reshaping everything from the workforce to social security systems.

Still, the rise in centenarians is seen as a testament to Japan’s focus on public health, nutrition, and active living, and serves as inspiration for nations worldwide looking to boost life expectancy in healthy ways.