In this day and age when digital success and stardom is touching the sky, success may feel like a swift, but there are always consequences. For Ranveer Allahbadia - widely known as BeerBiceps- the controversy surrounding the now-deleted show India's Got Latent proved to be more than just a professional set back. For him, it also turned into a mental health crisis. This played out in the harsh glare of public scrutiny.

The Toll Of Early Fame

At 31, Allahbadia built an empire through YouTube, podcasts, motivational speaking, and entrepreneurial ventures. However, early success, especially in a hyper-visible online space, can often mask internal battles.

As per the American Psychological Association, individuals in the public eye - especially younger creators - face higher levels of anxiety, depression, and burnout. The pressure to maintain relevance, avoid missteps, and continually create can push many over the edge.

In January, a clip from India's Got Latent went viral for all the wrong reasons. The segment showed Allahbadia asking a sexually explicit question that involved parents. It was meant as a joke, but widely seen as offensive. The backlash was immediate and brutal. FIRs were being filed across multiple states and social media too turned hostile. His YouTube channel lost over 72,000 subscribers. He was banned from airing new content. And perhaps most crushing of all—he watched his parents and team bear the weight of his actions.

Regaining The Mental Stability

Allahbadia's response to the controversy was uncharacteristically raw. “Lost: Health, money, opportunity, repute, mental health, peace, parents' contentment & much more,” he shared during an Instagram Q&A. He also admitted to breaking down “many days in private,” calling it “the farthest his heart has been pushed.”

This is not just about Allahbadia, but actually highlights a larger, often ignored, issue - how public backlash, especially in digital spaces, can lead to severe mental health consequences. A 2022 Harvard Business Review study found that online creators are at high risk for “digital trauma,” a condition where intense online harassment or criticism leads to anxiety, shame, and even PTSD.

Allahbadia’s story mirrors that of many young influencers who’ve had to reconcile the highs of fame with the lows of virality gone wrong. YouTube stars like Liza Koshy and Emma Chamberlain have spoken about stepping away from content creation due to burnout and anxiety. The fast-paced attention economy leaves little room for pause, making mental health a casualty.

The Ripple Affect

What sets Allahbadia’s case apart is his reflection on collective loss. “People don't understand how many jobs are at stake,” he wrote. “Quickly wrote off my career and hence the careers of 300+ people.” The ripple effect of such controversies isn’t limited to the individual—it stretches to teams, families, and communities built around them.

The mental toll extended beyond personal guilt. Allahbadia admitted that disappointing his parents and hurting his team's future hit hardest. Yet, he credits his recovery journey to their strength, as well as his own mental resilience built through yoga and spiritual practice.

Through the chaos, Allahbadia tried to find growth. His advice? "Start yoga early... A calm mind is earned."

Hepatitis, a disease that causes inflammation of the liver, is more prevalent than HIV in India and has a mortality rate exceeding nine times that of TB. The inflammation of the liver can be caused by a number of things, including viruses, chemicals, drugs, alcohol, genetic disorders, or an overactive immune system. It usually presents with symptoms like fever, jaundice and abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea, loss of appetite and acute liver failure.

Rising Hepatitis Cases In Children

As per Liver Specialists, the recent rise in hepatitis cases among children could be attributed to several factors, including inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices, contamination of food and water supplies, low level vaccination coverage and increased exposure to hepatitis virus. Moreover, the cases rise of Hepatitis A and E, significantly rise in monsoon, sewages overflow and contaminate water sources.

According to Dr BS Ahuja, M.B.B.S, M.D (medicine) at Kharay Hospital, Ludhiana, said "Street food is the largest cause of liver infection through contaminated food and water in India", he said. Adding further, Dr Ahuja opined, "While most liver infections are self-limiting, meaning they resolve on their own, about 2% can become life-threatening, especially if left undetected".

Is Diet Important In Preventing Hepatitis?

Diet plays a crucial role in both the prevention and management of liver infections, particularly Hepatitis. Even in extreme cases of infection, proper hydration is the key, besides eating nutrient-rich food. Avoiding certain foods, especially those prepared under unhygienic conditions, plays a crucial role when it comes to prevention.

Street foods like panipuri and chaat are particularly risky. Food items involving unboiled water, raw salads and juices also put you at risk. Dr Thiagarajan Srinivasan, Liver Transplant Specialist at MGM Healthcare, emphasises that even food cooked at home should be handled with care. "Avoid eating food that was cooked more than 12 hours ago. Additionally, food should only be reheated once, and fried foods should not be reheated at all."

He also talked about the concerning trend which involves the use of used cooking oil by smaller eateries as a cost-cutting measure. These oils, often sourced from high-end restaurants, pose serious health risks and should be avoided at all costs.

Hair loss is a problem we have all faced in our lives at least once, if not a recurring one. Or we may also know someone who has faced it and continues to face it. While millions of people suffer from this common problem of hair loss, there could be more than one reason for the same. It is true that this could be a frustrating issue to deal with on a day to day basis, furthermore, without the right care, it can even worsen, and affect a person's not just appearance, but health, including mental health.

The causes could be many: stress, hormonal imbalance, or other factors like environmental pollutants, etc.

To get a better understanding, the Health and Me Team spoke to Dr Prashanth Shetty, who is the principal at the SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences.

"As seen by our lifestyle, stress is often seen as a contributing factor to hair loss. Our bodies release stress hormones like cortisol in response to emotional or physical stress, and they impact the hair growth cycle," says the doctor.

Telogen Effluvium

It is a temporary condition that happens due to stress, where hair follicles in large volumes enter the resting or the telogen phase, prematurely. This results in shedding. "This can be seen even a month later of a stressful event. Luckily, hair regrows after the stress diminishes and the cycle of hair growth returns to normalcy," explains Dr Shetty.

Another condition is Trichotillomania. This is a mental illness, where people feel pressured to rip their hair out when they are stressed or anxious. This also manifests as noticeable patches of hair loss, and requires psychological intervention.

So, does gender play a role?

The doctor explains that the cycle of hair growth is in fact, significantly regulated by hormones. This means that any changes in hormonal levels could lead to hair loss or hair thinning.

But, how does gender come to play? Androgenic Alopecia also known to as male or female pattern baldness, where the increase in male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) leads to thinning of hair and ending up in the person being bald, starting at the crown or temples. A similar pattern is seen in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that can cause excessive production of androgens.

For Women

Women undergo major hormonal changes during pregnancy and post-partum period. The lengthening of the hair growth phase, making the hair fuller and thicker, is seen in pregnancy due to high estrogen levels. But, usually after the delivery, shedding of hair speeds up due to a drop in estrogen levels; commonly known as postpartum hair loss, explains Dr Shetty.

Thyroid Imbalances, such as both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, can cause hair thinning or loss. The thyroid hormones regulate metabolism and influence the hair growth cycle, so when these hormones are out of balance, hair loss can occur.

There can be other factors too, like nutritional deficiencies of iron, vitamin D, zinc, and biotin can weaken hair follicles and lead to hair loss, for which a balanced diet is a must. Certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, anticoagulants, and antidepressants, can trigger hair loss as a side effect. Underlying health conditions like alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease) or scalp infections can also cause significant hair loss.

Spring is blossoming in the US. While it looks pretty, it is also called the allergy season for a reason and could be miserable for millions of Americans. It is during this time when trees, grass, and other plants release their pollen the air. Many people, therefore experience symptoms such as runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, and coughing. While allergies are common, the severity of the symptoms could vary based on where you live, what exactly are you allergic to, and your lifestyle.

Experts have also increasingly pointed out to climate change as a key factor in worsening the allergy season.

Allergy Season And Where It Hits The Hardest?

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) regularly ranks US cities based on pollen counts, medicine use, and the availability of allergy specialists. This year, the cities with worst allergy conditions are:

• Wichita, Kansas
• New Orleans
• Oklahoma City
• Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Memphis

If you live in these cities, you may be more prone to catching allergies, as pollen levels could be more in your area,

What Types Of Pollen Causes Allergies?

Tree Pollen: Early spring is dominated by tree pollen. Common culprits are birch, cedar, maple, oak, and walnut.

Grass Pollen: As spring transitions to summer, grasses like Bermuda, rye, and Kentucky bluegrass release their pollen.

Weed Pollen: Late summer and early fall bring weed pollen, which continues to cause problems until the first frost.

How Can You Track Pollen Levels?

To manage your allergies effectively, it's important to stay updated on pollen levels. Pollen trackers, such as those offered by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, provide real-time data on pollen counts. These trackers can help you decide when it's safe to go outside and when to stay indoors to minimize exposure.

Is There A Way To Limit Pollen Exposure?

Close Your Windows: Keeping windows closed in both your home and car can prevent pollen from entering.

Wear Protective Clothing: Long sleeves can help prevent pollen from sticking to your skin. If you're outside, consider wearing a hat or scarf to protect your hair.

Shower After Outdoor Activities: Changing your clothes and washing off any pollen that may have collected on your skin and hair is essential. Avoid lying in bed with outdoor clothes, as pollen can linger.

Saline Rinse: Rinsing your eyes and nose with saline solutions can help remove pollen from these sensitive areas.

Additionally, face masks that were used during the pandemic can offer some protection from airborne pollen, though they do not alleviate eye-related symptoms.

How Does Climate Change Impact The Allergy Season?

Experts have agreed that climate change has worsened the allergy season. But, how exactly? There are now warmer winters and longer growing seasons, which are leading to more extended periods of pollen production. As a result, pollen counts have in fact, reached new levels in many areas. For instance, in late March, the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Center reported a pollen count of over 14,000 grains per cubic meter. This is considered extremely high.