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)

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy may not only aid weight loss and improve diabetes control but could also help men with obesity improve their fertility, according to new research.

Obesity is a well-established risk factor for infertility in both men and women. The findings, presented at ENDO 2026, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Chicago, suggest that GLP-1 medications do not harm male hormones or fertility, even with long-term use.

Researchers from the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire and Warwick Medical School in the UK found that GLP-1 drugs may improve testosterone levels and sperm quality in men with obesity-related low testosterone while addressing the underlying metabolic effects of obesity.

"This work supports a shift away from prescribing testosterone replacement in men with obesity and low testosterone and toward treating the underlying cause—excess weight and poor metabolic health—which can naturally restore hormone levels and preserve fertility," said lead researcher and endocrinologist Pratibha Natesh of Warwick Medical School.

What Did The Study Find?

Also read: Ozempic-Like Weight-Loss Drugs May Cut Breast Cancer Risk By A Third, Finds Research

The researchers analyzed published randomized controlled trials comparing GLP-1 medications with either placebo or other treatments in men aged 18 to 65 years.

The review focused primarily on changes in testosterone and other hormones involved in testicular function. Researchers also evaluated sperm quality, body weight, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and overall metabolic health.

To minimize bias, two independent reviewers assessed the studies, with five clinical trials meeting the eligibility criteria.

Overall, the findings showed that GLP-1 drugs had no negative impact on reproductive hormones, sexual function, or sperm quality.

For instance, a 24-week study of semaglutide found improvements in sperm morphology and cholesterol levels while maintaining stable testosterone and hormone levels.

Another 16-week study of liraglutide in men with obesity-related low testosterone showed increases in testosterone and associated reproductive hormones. Participants also experienced better overall health outcomes compared with those receiving testosterone replacement therapy alone.

More Research Needed

Read More: Mayim Bialik Says Just One GLP-1 Shot Triggered ‘Nightmare’ Side Effects

Despite the encouraging findings, Natesh cautioned that the number of available studies remains small and results vary across trials. Larger, well-designed studies are needed to better understand the effects of GLP-1 drugs on male fertility.

She also emphasized that most of the reproductive benefits observed are likely indirect and that GLP-1 medications have not been evaluated as treatments for male infertility or hypogonadism.

Nevertheless, the researchers hope the findings will help patients and physicians make more informed decisions about GLP-1 medications used for weight management and diabetes treatment.

"Improving metabolic health can have positive effects far beyond weight alone," Natesh said.

What Are GLP-1 Drugs

GLP-1 receptor agonists are medications to control high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

These therapies help by:

• Increasing insulin release when blood sugar rises
• Delaying stomach emptying
• Reducing appetite
• Decreasing glucagon production
• Improving weight loss

Dr. Uthra, a diabetologist and Sr. consultant at Dr.Mohan’s Diabetes Speciality Centre, in Chennai, told HealthandMe that while GLP-1 therapies help control blood sugar, beyond this, these treatment regimens provide many more benefits.

Research shows that these medications can reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.

In addition, GLP-1 therapies help in weight reduction. Obesity is also linked to diabetes and heart disease. Hence, GLP-1 therapies help to reduce weight and the risk of developing heart diseases, the expert said.

Déjà Vu is a feeling of sensation when one person feels that they have felt or witnessed the same situation before, just like a single incident is happening once again. The word itself is from French and means "already seen." Though there is a common misconception among people that Déjà Vu is a very rare occurrence, in reality, this apparently mysterious experience happens to almost 97 percent of people's lives. Thus, it is a very common thing that will be felt by most people at least once in their lifetime.

What Is Déjà Vu?

As mentioned before, the word itself shows the very aspect of Déjà Vu that it's already seen. Suppose you are having a deep conversation with your friend, family, or a stranger, but you feel like this is not the first time you are having this conversation; you already know the topics and outcomes, as if you are living the same moment that you have lived before.

On the other hand, you might be visiting a new place, maybe a new city that you have never visited, but the places, houses, and overall atmosphere feel very recognizable. You suddenly feel that you have visited that place before and have felt good or bad in the past, as if you are living a past in your present.

All in all, this kind of strange phenomenon that happens to people regularly, this kind of uncomfortable feeling which is felt by 97 percent of people in the world, is called Déjà Vu.

What Causes Déjà Vu?

The root cause of this strange phenomenon is believed to be a result that one place or any conversation or any situation is resembling the same kind of pattern or feelings that you have experienced and felt before, and in most cases, you yourself have forgotten that, but your brain has not, and it recreates this sense of familiarity, and you feel you are living in a paradox.

In other words, déjà vu occurs when two parts of your brain fail to communicate properly: the temporal lobe, which handles memories, and the hippocampus, which processes new experiences.

There are certain things that can cause Déjà Vu more than others, such as fatigue or sleep deprivation, stress, and anxiety, which can trigger the feeling of Déjà Vu, as this pressure on your mental and physical health might pressure your brain and distort the recognition process. Other than that, migraine, dementia, and seizure can also cause Déjà Vu in a person.

Occasional déjà vu is generally harmless and not a cause for concern. However, if it happens frequently, lasts more than a few seconds, or is accompanied by other symptoms, it may be a good idea to seek medical advice.

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 is underway, players are navigating demanding training schedules, frequent travel, challenging weather conditions, and the pressure to perform at their peak. Amid these challenges, many elite footballers quietly face an often-overlooked problem off the field: sleep disturbances.

In an exclusive interview with HealthandMe, Dr. P.S.M. Chandran, former Director of Sports Medicine at the Sports Authority of India (SAI), said that the stress, anxiety, and disrupted routines associated with elite sport can make it difficult for players to get adequate rest. In some cases, these challenges may drive athletes toward sleeping medications, potentially affecting both their health and on-field performance.

Dr. Chandran, currently President of the Indian Federation of Sports Medicine (IFSM), said that while players may turn to sleeping pills as a quick solution, regular use can become a habit that leads to dependence if left unchecked.

Recently, striker Omar Bogle, who plays for Crewe Alexandra in League Two, shared his story with The New York Times' The Athletic about the moment last year when he became addicted to sleeping pills and painkillers.

What began as a way to help him sleep after suffering a back fracture during pre-season in the summer of 2024 became an addiction.

From January 2025, his usage accelerated to an alarming level. He said that many of the pills he was taking were benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and lorazepam. He was also using the stronger zopiclone pills, which the NHS says can be prescribed for the short-term treatment of severe insomnia.

"No one knew the extent of what I was doing," he said. "I never told anyone I was popping 18 or 19 of the things in the night."

Bogle's is not alone.

Also read: FIFA World Cup 2026: What Keeps Messi and Ronaldo Biologically Younger Than Their Age? Experts Explain

In January 2026, former England midfielder Jonjo Shelvey revealed on a podcast how he had become addicted to sleeping pills because of the loneliness he experienced while playing in Turkey. Shelvey said his dependence affected his relationship with his children.

Former Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson also developed a sleeping pill addiction and, at his worst point, was taking 12 to 14 tablets a night, according to The New York Times.

In 2023, former Tottenham Hotspur and England midfielder Dele Alli told the BBC that he had become addicted to sleeping pills to block out past traumas.

According to Dr. Chandran, the issue is not unique to football but affects athletes across multiple sports, driven by stress, performance pressures, injuries, and demanding schedules.

"Football is not an exception," Dr. Chandran said. "Because of its popularity, we hear more about football players, but athletes in other sports face similar problems."

Why Elite Footballers Face Sleep Issues?

Elite footballers operate in a high-pressure environment where careers can be influenced by contracts, team selection, injuries, and performance expectations. Frequent travel, changing time zones, training camps, and irregular eating patterns can further disrupt normal sleep cycles.

According to Dr. Chandran, these factors create significant psychological stress, making it difficult for athletes to unwind and get adequate rest.

"Athletes are always stressed because of their contracts with clubs, their interaction with coaches, and concerns about injuries that can affect their income," he explained. "All these tensions bring stress, and stress leads to sleep disturbance."

Read More: Heading to FIFA World Cup 2026? Here's How to Stay Safe From Measles, Heatstroke

Why Athletes Turn to Sleeping Pills

Sleep plays a crucial role in athletic recovery. Without adequate rest, muscle repair, mental focus, and physical performance can suffer.

"If athletes do not get good sleep, the next day's training will suffer," Dr. Chandran said. "To get better sleep, they try sleeping pills. That becomes an escape route for them."

However, he warned that regular use of sleeping medications can quickly develop into dependence.

"Once they start taking sleeping pills, it becomes a habit. It is difficult to get out of it," he told HealthandMe.

The expert noted that while occasional use under medical supervision may be appropriate in certain situations, unsupervised and prolonged use can worsen sleep problems and lead to dependence.

Also read: 22 Treated For Heat Illness At FIFA Fan Festival: How Are World Cup Players Protected?

The Role of Stress Hormones

Stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline are naturally involved in exercise and performance. However, elevated stress levels can interfere with healthy sleep patterns.

These hormones increase alertness, heart rate, and metabolic activity—responses that may be useful during competition but can make it difficult to fall asleep afterward.

Dr. Chandran emphasized that athletes should seek professional guidance when dealing with sleep issues rather than relying on self-medication.

Recovery Is Key to Performance

Modern sports science places a strong emphasis on recovery, recognizing it as an essential component of performance. Elite football clubs now employ teams of physiotherapists, psychologists, nutritionists, doctors, and recovery specialists to help athletes maintain optimal health.

"Training leads to tiredness, and tiredness has to be overcome by recovery methods," Dr. Chandran said. "The better you recover, the better you can perform the next day."