The winter season compels us to sit at one place, under the blanket, at the ease of warmth. But aren't we all aware of the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle? And when it is winter, it makes it more so stagnant. Not just that, but now a new study from the University of Iowa says that being a couch potato could lead to 19 chronic conditions. Among the 19 chronic conditions, obesity, diabetes, depression and heart diseases also made it to the list.

Research shows that among many diseases, increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, unhealthy cholesterol levels that leads to metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and cancer are also there. This is why any extended sitting whether at desk, behind the wheel or the screen can be harmful.

How was the study conducted?

The team of researchers from various departments at the University of Iowa conducted a detailed study where they analyzed records from over 40,000 patients at a major Midwestern hospital system. In the records, they looked at the extensive physical inactivity of these patients and how it impacted their overall health.

The study and the detailed analysis is published in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease and studies.

As part of conducting the study, a 30-second exercise survey was conducted. Then, patients were also asked two questions: how many days per week they engaged in moderate to vigorous exercise and for how many minutes per session? On the basis of response, the patients were categorized into three groups:

• Inactive - 0 minutes per week
• Insufficiently active - 1-149 minutes per week
• Active - 150 minutes per week

As per Lucas Carr, associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Physiology and study's corresponding author, "This two-question survey typically takes fewer than 30 seconds for a patient to complete so it does not interfere with their visit. But it can tell us a whole lot about that patient's overall health."

What did the study find?

The study got 7,261 responses, and it found that around 60% of them met the recommended guidelines for exercising. These people met the 150 minutes or more minutes of moderate exercise per week. However, almost 36% exercised less than 150 minutes per week and 4% reported no physical activity.

The study also found that people experienced lower rates of depression. 15% of people who exercise for 150 minutes or more, or at least for some amount of time could experience depression, as compared to 26% of those who are inactive. Similarly, for obesity, the numbers are 12% versus 21% for obesity, 20% versus 35% for hypertension and the similar trend was seen in other diseases, and markers of good health, including lower resting pulse rates, and cholesterol profiles.

Patients with no physical activity carried a median of 2.16 chronic conditions, this number was 1.49 conditions in insufficiently active patients and dropped to 1.17 in active patients.

The 19 chronic conditions are:

• Obesity
• Live disease
• Psychoses
• Chronic Lung disease
• Neurological seizures
• Coagulopathy (blood clotting disorder)
• Depression
• Weight loss issues
• Uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Controlled hypertension
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Anemia deficiency
• Neurological disorder affecting movement
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Auto Immune Disease
• Drug Abuse
• Hypothyroidism
• Congestive heart failure
• Vulvar disease (heart valve problem)

A cough that lingers for weeks is often dismissed as a stubborn cold, allergy, or lung infection. However, ENT specialists warned that in some cases, the real cause may be acid reflux, a condition that can affect the throat even without the typical symptom of heartburn.

Doctors told HealthandMe that recognizing the signs early can help patients receive the right treatment and prevent long-term complications.

When Does Acid Reflux Trigger a Chronic Cough?

According to Dr. Nishit Shah, ENT/Otorhinolaryngologist at Bombay Hospital, acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), does not always present with chest burning.

"Sometimes people with reflux do not feel the usual symptom of heartburn in their chest. Instead, the acid from their stomach goes up into their throat, irritates it, which can cause a dry cough that will not go away, a hoarse voice, or a feeling that something is stuck in their throat," Dr. Shah told HealthandMe.

He advised that if a cough lasts for more than eight weeks and does not improve with usual medicines, acid reflux should be considered as a possible cause.

"It is very important to know what is causing your cough because if you just treat the cough, the acid reflux can still be hurting your throat," Dr. Shah said.

Not Every Throat Symptom Is Acidity

Also read: 'Let's Fix Our Food': India Launches New Policy To Fight Childhood Obesity, Boost Nutrition

However, not every throat symptom should be dismissed as acidity.

Dr. Alok Aggarwal, Chairperson, ENT, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said silent reflux often presents as intermittent throat irritation, a sensation of something stuck in the throat, or occasional voice changes.

"These symptoms are often judged as acidity by the common man, and people start self-medicating with antacids and even ayurvedic medicines. Less do they know that this can be a symptom of some underlying ENT disease," he said.

He explained that laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) occurs when food or semi-digested food enters the pharynx, irritating its lining.

"It causes symptoms such as throat irritation, burning sensation, pain in throat, nasal irritation, globus sensation and change in voice," Dr. Aggarwal told HealthandMe.

ENT Evaluation Is Essential

Read More: Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi Sleeps 3 Hours A Night: How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?

While LPRD is commonly diagnosed, Dr. Aggarwal cautioned that similar symptoms may also be caused by allergic rhino-pharyngitis, chronic rhino-sinusitis, vocal nodules or polyps, laryngeal leukoplakia, and candida infection.

"Though this comes as the most common diagnosis in clinical practice, it often overshadows some very serious conditions which mimic the symptoms, and only after a thorough ENT examination can the exact diagnosis be made," he said.

He added that these conditions can be effectively diagnosed through thorough history-taking, clinical examination, and endoscopic examination.

"As doctors, we need to educate our patients regarding the disease physiology and the differentials it carries before establishing any diagnosis. A timely and adequate intervention with planned treatment can effectively cure the patient in most cases," Dr. Aggarwal said.

Lifestyle Changes May Help Control Symptoms

Dr. Shah recommended avoiding heavy meals, especially at night, limiting fatty foods, maintaining a healthy weight, and sleeping with the head elevated to help manage acid reflux.

"If people know that acid reflux can cause a cough, they can get a diagnosis sooner, get the right treatment and finally feel better," he added.

Dr. Aggarwal stressed the importance of timely medical evaluation.

"Early diagnosis and treatment can avoid unnecessary medications and avoid missing out on serious complications. A stitch in time saves nine," he said.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has sparked debate after revealing that she gets very little sleep since taking office.

In a post on X, Takaichi wrote that she had managed to get "five full hours of sleep for the first time in ages"—an improvement from her usual "zero to three hours" a night since becoming prime minister.'

"On weekdays, by the time I get back to the residence, I'm maxed out on private time just handling bath cleaning, bathing, dinner, washing up afterward, laundry, and some light tidying," she wrote.

"So the late-night hours after that get consumed until dawn with reading materials brought back from the Prime Minister's Office or prepping for … question time."

Takaichi added that whatever free time remained was spent ironing handkerchiefs, catching up on laundry, and repairing clothes.

While the disclosure offered a rare glimpse into the pressures of Japan's highest office, it also sparked a nationwide debate about the health risks of chronic sleep deprivation.

"I think she should rest more," Democratic Party for the People leader Yuichiro Tamaki said at a news conference.

"Why doesn't her entourage provide more support to create an environment in which she can make important decisions with a fresh mind?"

However, some of Takaichi's colleagues defended her.

"Each person has their own various circumstances and behind-the-scenes stories, and on the premise of fulfilling responsibilities in public duties, I would be grateful if you could understand," Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ayano Kunimitsu wrote on X.

Also read: Could Poor Sleep Be One of the Earliest Signs of Alzheimer's Disease? Study Says Yes

How Much Sleep Do You Really Need?

Dr. Nitin Dange, Comprehensive Stroke and Endovascular Neurosurgeon at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, told HealthandMe that regularly missing sleep can increase the risk of neurological problems over time.

"Currently, due to hectic schedules, people are now sacrificing sleep to meet work deadlines, study longer, or spend more time on screens. Missing a few hours of sleep once in 2-3 months is harmless.

However, chronic sleep deprivation can not only cause irritation and weight gain but also neurological issues. During sleep, the brain processes memories, repairs nerve cells, regulates emotions, and clears waste products that accumulate throughout the day," Dr. Dange said.

A recent research, published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia, suggests that disruptions in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, during which we dream, consolidate memory, and process emotions, could be among the earliest biological signs of Alzheimer's disease.

Dr. Priyam Bordoloi, an Internal Medicine Resident from Assam, also highlighted the dangers of sleeping less than six hours a night.

"When you hit deep sleep, your brain's glymphatic system activates. Think of it as a plumbing system that actively flushes out metabolic waste and neurotoxic proteins (like beta-amyloid) accumulated during the day. When you consistently sleep less than 6 hours, you cut this vital cleaning cycle short. The toxins build up. If you do not fix this, you are actively fast-tracking your risk for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke etc. It's a bad habit we all need to fix," he wrote on X.

Tips To Sleep Better

Experts recommend getting 7-9 hours of sleep every night for optimal brain health.

• Maintain a consistent sleep and wake-up schedule.
• Avoid screens, caffeine, and heavy meals before bedtime.
• Exercise regularly, but avoid intense workouts late at night.
• Keep your bedroom quiet, cool, and dark.
• Consult a doctor if you snore loudly, stop breathing during sleep, or feel excessively sleepy during the day.

The ovaries are a pair of pelvic organs in biological females associated with reproduction. Cancer of the ovaries is unfortunately increasing in incidence and usually presents late in the course of the disease. Ovarian cancer is often called the ‘silent killer’ because of the symptoms, which can be vague and easily mistaken for minor digestive issues. To date, we do not have a reliable tool to screen and detect ovarian cancer early.

Certain risk factors for ovarian cancer increase your chance of getting it in the future. An important point to keep in mind is that having a risk factor alone does not mean one will develop ovarian cancer in the future.

Conversely, some people who get ovarian cancer may not have any known risk factors. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be changed.

Others, like genetic mutations or family history, can’t be changed. Scientists have discovered several risk factors that increase a person’s chance of developing epithelial ovarian cancer.

These include:

Older age: Most ovarian cancers begin after menopause. If one experiences pelvic bleeding after menopause, it is important to see a doctor.

Genetics: Ovarian cancer does run in families. The most common inherited gene mutations are BRCA1 and BRCA2. We now have very reliable tests to detect these genetic mutations and tailor-made specific treatments which are effective.

Hormones: Hormones play a complex role in the development of ovarian cancer. In general, the total number of times a woman ovulates during her lifetime is related to her risk of ovarian cancer. More ovulations can mean a higher risk. Thus, early menses (before 12 years of age) or late menopause (after 52 years of age), and use of hormone replacement after menopause do increase your risk. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are considered protective.

Lifestyle: Certain factors such as lifestyle choices are within our control. While we cannot change our DNA or our reproductive history, certain lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking, and lack of exercise may influence our biological environment.

Weight Management: Research suggests a link between obesity and an increased risk of several cancers, including ovarian cancer. Adipose (fat) tissue produces estrogens, which can fuel certain cellular changes. Maintain a healthy weight to reduce your risk.

Sedentary Habits: Many studies suggest that regular exercise such as walking, yoga, and weight training can reduce your risk of ovarian cancer.

Smoking: While primarily linked to lung cancer, smoking is strongly associated with mucinous ovarian cancer, a specific subtype of the disease.

Dietary Patterns: While there is no singular “superfood” that can help prevent cancer, consuming a diet rich in vegetables, lots of lean proteins like fish, chicken, eggs, tofu, etc, and whole grains can help support a healthy immune system.

Every year, World Ovarian Cancer Day is observed on May 8. This is an initiative to raise awareness globally for educating the public about symptoms, risk factors, and the need for early detection of ovarian cancer. This year’s theme was No Woman Left Behind, which aims to ensure that all women have access to means of early detection, quality care, support, and to spread awareness so that no symptoms are ignored.

We should all do our bit but not spread fear or stigma. Since there is no universal screening tool for ovarian cancer, awareness of symptoms and associated risk factors is key. By recognizing the interplay between our genes, our hormonal history, and our daily habits, we can hope to move toward a future where ovarian cancer is detected earlier and treated more effectively.