Credit: Canva
Yoga is frequently studied for its potential to relieve chronic low back pain, a condition that in 2020 affected 619 million people globally. Moreover, severe back pain can trigger conditions like arthritis, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and infections. However, an Italian research team specializing in rehabilitative medicine has made an interesting discovery on yoga's positive impact on lower back pain.
Yoga poses included in the study, such as Downward-Facing Dog, Pigeon Pose, Child’s Pose, and Cobra Pose, were held for five breaths each. Dr. Alessandro de Sire, one of the study authors, highlighted that these poses can relax muscles and improve mobility. Jivana Heyman, a yoga therapist, added that hip flexion poses help increase the range of motion without overly engaging the lower back.
This study adds to growing evidence supporting yoga as a viable treatment for low back pain. For those interested in starting yoga, experts recommend seeking classes like "Gentle Yoga" or "Accessible Yoga," where instructors can adapt poses to individual needs.
While more research is needed, this study highlights yoga as a valuable addition to managing low back pain, combining physical relief with stress reduction and nervous system regulation.
Yoga is the oldest form of exercise and traces its roots back to ancient India. The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit word "yuj," which means "to yoke" or "to bind." Interestingly, yoga incorporates physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation together. While spirituality lists various benefits of yoga, scientific research into it is still at a preliminary stage. However, numerous studies have indicated that it has a significant positive impact on a person's physical and mental health.
Yoga offers diverse benefits, enhancing physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It improves flexibility and joint health, particularly in older adults, while strength-building styles target both upper and lower limbs. Yoga reduces stress through physical practice, meditation, and breathwork, and research supports its effectiveness in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety. Practices like Yoga Nidra are particularly beneficial for anxiety relief.
For individuals with chronic pain, yoga improves quality of life and promotes long-term health benefits. Pranayama (yogic breathing) enhances cardiovascular function and strengthens the immune system by reducing inflammation. Yoga supports better sleep, fosters positive body image, and boosts self-esteem, especially in adolescents and young adults. Regular practice improves brain function, posture, and body awareness, counteracting the effects of poor posture and burnout. By promoting mental calm and resilience, yoga provides a holistic approach to maintaining health and well-being.
Credits: Canva
Anyone who takes aspirin daily is being warned that the medication can cause serious side effects, and for many people, the risks may outweigh the benefits. First developed in the 1890s and commonly sold as an over-the-counter painkiller, aspirin was prescribed for years as a preventive treatment for heart disease.
According to MailOnline, more than two million people in the UK take aspirin every day to protect their heart. The drug works as a blood thinner, helping to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, newer research suggests that aspirin offers little benefit for people who do not already have heart or circulation-related conditions.
More serious side effects that require immediate medical attention include coughing up blood, blood in the stool or urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes which may signal liver problems, painful joints linked to high uric acid levels, and swelling of the hands or feet caused by fluid retention.
Aspirin can also lead to stomach ulcers, and some people may develop allergic reactions. The Mail reports that during the early 2000s, when aspirin use was at its peak, the drug may have contributed to around 7,000 deaths a year in the UK. There are also concerns that it could increase the risk of bleeding in the brain.
In 2021, official guidelines were updated to say that people should only take daily aspirin if advised by a doctor. In 2023, GPs were instructed not to routinely prescribe aspirin to patients who have never had a heart attack.
The NHS still recommends daily aspirin for people who have previously had a heart attack or stroke. Anyone who has been advised by a doctor to take aspirin should not stop without seeking medical guidance.
A 2019 study by the UK’s National Heart and Lung Institute found that daily aspirin provides only limited benefit for people without underlying heart disease, while significantly increasing the risk of serious internal bleeding.
Professor Malcolm Finlay, a consultant cardiologist at Barts Heart Centre in central London, told the Mail: “For patients who have suffered a heart attack or stroke, there is still a strong case for taking daily aspirin. But for everyone else, the benefit is very small.”
He added that aspirin’s side effects should not be underestimated. “You could have a bleed in the stomach, which can cause several days of severe pain. If bleeding occurs in the brain, it can be life-threatening,” he said.
Professor Finlay also revealed that he personally experienced a major stomach bleed while taking aspirin for a back injury.
Doctors who prescribe aspirin often also prescribe medications such as omeprazole or lansoprazole to help protect the stomach. However, Prof Finlay warned that these drugs should not be used long term either. He said this is why the NHS no longer recommends routine aspirin use, adding that there are now better cardiovascular treatments available that do not carry the same risks.
These affect more than one in 100 people. The NHS advises taking aspirin with food to help reduce stomach-related issues.
Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you experience:
Under 16s: The NHS strongly advises against giving aspirin to children under 16 unless prescribed by a doctor, due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but life-threatening condition that causes severe liver and brain damage.
Credits: Canva
Indian health authorities are moving quickly to control a Nipah virus outbreak after five confirmed cases and the quarantine of nearly 100 people in West Bengal. Officials said three fresh infections were detected earlier this week, adding to two earlier cases involving a male and a female nurse. Both nurses were employed at a private hospital in Barasat, close to Kolkata. According to Press Trust of India, the newly confirmed patients include a doctor, a nurse, and another healthcare worker.
Nipah virus (NiV) is a zoonotic infection, meaning it can spread from animals to humans. Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are the primary carriers, but the virus can also be transmitted through pigs and other animals such as goats, horses, dogs, or cats. According to the Cleveland Clinic, infection can occur when:
The most effective way to reduce the risk of Nipah virus is to avoid contact with sick animals, particularly bats and pigs, in regions where outbreaks have been reported. It is also advised to stay away from foods that animals could contaminate, such as raw date palm sap or partially eaten fruit. Since Nipah can spread between people through bodily fluids, caution is essential when interacting with infected individuals.
Nipah virus can lead to symptoms ranging from mild illness to severe disease, including encephalitis, which can be fatal. At present, there is no specific drug or vaccine available, and treatment focuses on managing symptoms and providing supportive care.
Preventing Nipah virus relies on strict infection control practices, including the use of protective gear, proper surface disinfection, and avoiding areas or animals linked to known outbreaks.
People traveling to countries prone to Nipah outbreaks, such as Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, or India, are advised to take extra precautions. Other regions, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Madagascar, the Philippines, and Thailand, may also be at risk because the bat species responsible for spreading the virus are present there.
Early signs of Nipah virus infection may include:
Symptoms usually appear within four to 14 days after exposure. Many people first experience fever or headache, followed by breathing problems such as cough or shortness of breath.
In more serious cases, the infection can progress to encephalitis, a dangerous brain inflammation. Severe symptoms may include:
Experts do not fully understand why some people develop serious illness while others experience mild or no symptoms at all.
Nipah virus is infectious and can spread from animals like bats and pigs to humans through bodily fluids or contaminated food. It can also pass between people through close contact, especially in caregiving settings. While it can spread via respiratory droplets in enclosed spaces, it is not considered highly airborne and usually requires close, prolonged contact for transmission. Common routes include direct exposure to infected animals or their fluids, consuming contaminated fruits or date palm sap, and contact with bodily fluids such as saliva, urine, or blood from an infected person.
People most at risk of Nipah virus are those who are more likely to come into close contact with infected animals or patients. This includes:
Credits: AI Generated
High ammonia levels in the Yamuna, along with reduced water supply from Haryana via the Munak Canal, have triggered a water shortage across several parts of Delhi. Seven out of the city’s nine water treatment plants have been impacted. Delhi’s largest facility at Wazirabad, which normally supplies around 140 MGD (million gallons per day), has been shut down entirely. Meanwhile, the Chandrawal plant is operating at only half its capacity and is supplying close to 100 MGD to the capital.
Localities facing disruptions include IGI Airport, Dwarka, Shalimar Bagh, Sultanpuri, Raja Garden, Rajouri Garden, Karala, Bawana, Prashant Vihar, Madhu Vihar, Mangolpuri, Paschim Vihar, Mayapuri, Janakpuri, and nearby areas. In a statement, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) said, “To make up for the diversion, Haryana is supplying water to DJB. Residents are advised to use water carefully during this period.” Officials have indicated that the water crisis could persist until February 4, 2026.
Elevated ammonia levels in drinking water can pose serious health concerns, especially when concentrations cross safe limits such as 0.5 ppm (parts per million). Here’s how excess ammonia can affect the body.
Ammonia can irritate the airways, leading to symptoms like coughing, a runny nose, chest discomfort, and difficulty breathing if consumed or inhaled from contaminated water. People with asthma or existing lung conditions may experience aggravated bronchitis or face a higher risk of pneumonia.
Ammonia acts as a neurotoxin and can enter the bloodstream, interfering with normal brain function. This may result in headaches, dizziness, confusion, or trouble concentrating. In cases of heavy exposure, it can cause nausea, vomiting, or poisoning accompanied by breathing distress.
Long-term exposure to ammonia can strain the kidneys by increasing their workload, which may eventually impair function. It can also raise nitrite and nitrate levels in the body, increasing the risk of vascular problems, and has been linked to reproductive concerns such as infertility or low birth weight.
Direct contact with water containing high ammonia can irritate the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, sometimes causing rashes or conjunctivitis. Children, pregnant women, and older adults are especially vulnerable and should be extra cautious.
There are a few simple ways to identify possible ammonia contamination at home without laboratory testing.
Ammonia gives off a sharp, pungent smell often compared to fish or household cleaning agents, which can be noticeable even at low levels of 0.5–1 mg/L. The water may also taste bitter, earthy, or moldy. If you notice these signs, avoid using the water. Checking the pH can also help, as ammonia can push pH below 7, making the water more acidic. pH test strips are an easy option for this.
When ammonia reacts with chlorine, it forms chloramines, which lowers free chlorine levels to below 0.4 mg/L. You can test tap water using pool test strips or chlorine kits. Low readings may point to the presence of ammonia and serve as a useful indirect indicator in treated water supplies.
If you live in an area at risk of ammonia contamination, taking precautions is essential to reduce health issues such as irritation, nausea, or neurological symptoms. Here are some practical steps to follow.
Install reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters that are certified to remove ammonia and chemical contaminants, such as those meeting NSF/ANSI 58 standards. These systems are effective at trapping ammonia ions, unlike basic filters, and make drinking water safer for daily use.
While boiling kills bacteria, it can cause ammonia to vaporise, concentrating it in the remaining water and steam. Avoid inhaling the vapours or relying on boiling alone. If boiling is unavoidable, combine it with proper filtration or allow the water to cool uncovered in a well-ventilated space so gases can dissipate before storage.
Always test water if contamination is suspected. In case of exposure, rinse skin or eyes with lukewarm water for 15–30 minutes and seek medical attention if there are burns or if the water has been ingested. Keep ammonia-based cleaning products away from food preparation areas and out of children’s reach to prevent accidental mixing or exposure.
© 2024 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited