Zoonotic diseases can spread from animals, including the ones we consume or keep as pets, including cats. Why are we talking about cats today? It is because of the increasing numbers of bird flu in the United States, cats of all shapes and sizes have come down with bird flu.

Bird flu was seen in poultry, where chickens have been affected, and even cows too. Why is it a concern for cats? This is because barn cats drink raw milk. In recent days, 20 wild cats at a Washington State animal sanctuary that ate infected birds and other reports of indoor cats dying from eating contaminated food have come out.

Why do cats get bird flu?

One of the leading causes is that unlike dogs, cats hunt for smaller prey, which includes birds and mice, carriers of bird flu. Dr Michael Bailey, the president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), in a guidance released for cat owners noted that by their very nature, cats have more "opportunity" to ger infected with bird flu.

“We don't know if the cats are more susceptible than anybody else,” he said. “It's just the fact they're exposed to higher viral burdens because of where they go.”

Reports say that domestic cats have been bird flu virus carrier since 2004. Kristen Coleman, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Health told a media outlet that before, about half of cats died, and now with the spreading of the bird flu even in cows, about 90% of them seem to be dying. Coleman has also been tracking the deaths. She has also shared 4 main tips to protect pets from bird flu which includes:

• Do not touch or allow pets to touch sick or dead animals or animal dropping
• Do not consume, or feed your pet, raw meat or milk
• Keep a close watch on free-roaming outdoor pets
• Immediately report rabies-like symptoms to a veterinarian

Are there symptoms of bird flu in cats one should look out for?

As per AVMA, pet owners must look out for signs like:

• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Fever

Bird flu infection can also progress with neurologic signs, which includes:

• Tremors
• Seizures
• Not being coordinated
• Blindness

Cats may also suffer from:

• Severe depression
• Discharge from their eyes or nose
• Respiratory symptoms which includes rapid breathing, shortness of breath, and sneezing or coughing

Are humans at threat?

Sick animals may also be able to transmit influenza virus to humans through their saliva, excretion and other bodily fluids. People can also get infected by breathing in the virus or by touching something that has virus on it and then touching their eyes, mouth, or nose.

If you think your cat might have bird flu—or any other infectious disease—try to limit their contact with other pets and people in your household, especially those with weakened immune systems, until you get advice from a veterinarian, as recommended by the AVMA. While the chances of cats transmitting H5N1 to humans are extremely low, they aren’t zero.

According to CDC guidance, keep an eye on yourself and your family for flu-like symptoms and reach out to a healthcare provider if needed. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your cat or cleaning their litter box and bedding.

Men planning to conceive should practise caution while consuming antioxidant supplements, as excessive intake may affect sperm and early craniofacial development in babies, a Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology study shows.

Antioxidants are often promoted as powerful supplements that can help protect the body from chronic conditions, including cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and dementia.

However, researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) found that consuming high levels of the antioxidant compounds N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and selenium (Se) can alter skull and facial shape in female children, even though the treated fathers did not exhibit obvious health problems.

Dr Michael Golding, a professor in the VMBS’ Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, whose research team made the discovery said: "We know alcohol causes oxidative stress and we were looking to push back on it by adding a supplement known to lower oxidative stress.

"When we realized that offspring born to males that had only been given NAC were displaying skull and facial differences, it was a surprise because this molecule is universally thought to be good.

“When we sat down to think it through, we realized that it makes sense — you take a multivitamin to ensure that you’re in balance, but if the thing that you’re taking to ensure you’re in balance is unbalanced (the dose of antioxidants is too high), then you’re not doing a good thing.

“Sperm health is another performance metric; it’s just not one that we think about in everyday life. If you’re taking a high-dose antioxidant, you could be diminishing your reproductive fitness, and part of the journey toward the bad outcome is going to be the effects on the offspring.”

What Are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are important because they protect the fundamental structure of the human body, cells. They safeguard an individual's DNA and proteins from the damage caused by free radicals.

Research has shown that a diet high in antioxidants may help individuals prevent chronic diseases and mental health issues. But on the contrary, having too many antioxidants in your body could confuse your cells' responses, leading to more damage than intented.

How Do Antioxidants Protect Your Body?

Antioxidants basically neutralize free radicals in the body. These free radicals are extra atoms that are produced during the body's internal processes and also by some external factors.

Overproduction of these free radicals, during the process of oxidation in the human body, damages cell membranes and other structures, including cellular proteins, lipids and DNA. Oxidation can be exacerbated by stress, smoking, alcohol, sunlight and pollution.

In the long run, they can lead to diseases such as cancer and heart diseases. It is pertinent to note that the brain is prone to oxidative stress due to its high metabolic activity. Here, the role of antioxidants becomes particularly important as they fight oxidative stress which could otherwise lead to stroke, traumatic brain injury or neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

If you take large amounts of antioxidants, then it could hamper the cell's defence mechanisms and normal signalling. Different types of antioxidants also have different properties, so they may not be interchangeable. Therefore, health experts advise people to be mindful of the amount of antioxidant-rich food they are including in your diet. Notably, studies have found that antioxidant supplements have a lower impact such as natural food items.

Here Are Top 10 Antioxidant Rich Food:

• Blueberries: Packed with anthocyanins, which help fight oxidative stress and inflammation.
• Dark Chocolate (70 percent cacao or higher): Rich in flavonoids, known for their heart health and antioxidant properties.
• Spinach: Contains vitamins C and E, flavonoids, and carotenoids, all potent antioxidants.
• Nuts (especially almonds and walnuts): High in vitamin E and other antioxidant compounds that protect cells from damage.
• Green Tea: Loaded with polyphenols, particularly catechins, which are powerful antioxidants.
• Kale: Full of vitamins A, C, and K, along with flavonoids, which support immune function.
• Tomatoes: Rich in lycopene, a carotenoid antioxidant that supports skin health and may reduce the risk of certain cancers.
• Carrots: High in beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A and offers strong antioxidant benefits.
• Avocados: Packed with healthy fats, vitamin E, and carotenoids, helping to reduce oxidative stress.
• Pomegranates: Contain punicalagins and anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that may help lower inflammation and improve heart health.

A simple biomarker blood test can now detect dementia in women 25 years before symptoms appear, a JAMA study suggests.

Researchers from the University of California San Diego have found a protein in the blood called plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217), a protein linked to the brain changes seen in Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers found a strong association between higher levels of p-tau217 in the blood and a higher chance of developing both mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, a key contributer in the developemnt of Alzheimer’s.

Neuroscientist Linda McEvoy, from the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute: "Blood-based biomarkers like p-tau217 are especially promising because they are far less invasive and potentially more accessible than brain imaging or spinal fluid tests.

"This is important for accelerating research into the factors that affect risk of dementia and for evaluating strategies that may reduce risk."

The connection between higher p-tau217 and dementia was stronger in women over 70, the researchers also found, and in those carrying the APOE ε4 gene that has been linked to Alzheimer's disease in the past.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a significant decline in mental function that is serious enough to affect everyday life. It commonly impacts memory, thinking, and reasoning skills.

Dementia itself is not a single disease but a collection of symptoms caused by underlying conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia.

Common signs include memory problems, confusion, difficulty finding words, changes in mood or behaviour and trouble completing familiar tasks.

These symptoms usually worsen over time and are not considered a normal part of ageing. Although there is no cure, treatment options can help manage symptoms, and early diagnosis plays an important role in care planning.

Alzheimer’s Disease: The Leading Cause of Dementia

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common forms of dementia and mostly affects adults over the age of 65.

About 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease. Over seven million people in the US 65 and older live with the condition and over 100,00 die from it annually.

Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate in the brain and damage cells responsible for memory.

Amyloid protein molecules stick together in brain cells, forming clumps called plaques. At the same time, tau proteins twist together in fiber-like strands called tangles. The plaques and tangles block the brain's neurons from sending electrical and chemical signals back and forth.

Over time, this disruption causes permanent damage in the brain that leads to Alzheimer's disease and dementia, causing patients to lose their ability to speak, care for themselves or even respond to the world around them.

While there is no clear cause of Alzheimer's disease, experts believe it can develop due to genetic mutations and lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and social isolation.

Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks.

There is no cure for this progressive brain disorder and in advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition or infection. These complications can result in death.

Once seen only among the elderly, glaucoma, also known as irreversible blindness, is increasing among younger adults in their 20s and 30s, said experts.

Glaucoma is a chronic disease that affects an estimated 80 million individuals globally, according to the World Glaucoma Association.

Beyond the role of genetics, unhealthy lifestyles with increased screen time and stress are the major reasons for the rise in glaucoma cases in young adults.

"We have seen an increasing incidence of glaucoma among younger adults in their 20s and 30s because of lifestyle habits such as increased screen time and lack of sleep, an increase in diabetes and high blood pressure, and a genetic predisposition," Dr. Mahipal Singh Sachdev, Chairman & Medical Director, Centre For Sight Group of Eye Hospitals, told HealthandMe.

Why Is Treatment Difficult

A major challenge with glaucoma is its lack of symptoms in the initial stages. As a result, the condition is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, where treatment yields the least results.

More than 75 percent of glaucoma cases globally remain undiagnosed.

Although the condition does not directly lead to mortality, glaucoma-led blindness is categorized as a severe form of disability (category VI) out of seven World Health Organization (WHO) classifications on the global burden of diseases.

"Often referred to as a silent thief of sight, glaucoma usually has no warning signs until the damage to the optic nerve has already caused permanent vision loss," Sachdev said.

"Because there are no noticeable symptoms in the early stages of glaucoma, many people have been unaware that they are developing it until it has progressed to a point where there is already significant damage and vision loss; this often translates to blindness," he added.

However, increased awareness of glaucoma and increased frequency of eye examinations have helped reduce the time between the onset of the disease and the diagnosis, the expert said.

Glaucoma: Are Children At Risk?

Although rare, children can be born with congenital or paediatric glaucoma as a result of ocular drainage abnormalities.

Dr Devindra Sood, Senior Consultant — Ophthalmology, Max Multi Speciality Centre, Panchsheel Park, told HealthandMe that glaucoma in children is uncommon.

"Its presentation for diagnosis and treatment is also different from that in adults," Sood said.

The symptoms of pediatric glaucoma include:

• enlargement of the globe,
• excessive lacrimation,
• photophobia,
• corneal cloudiness.

Sood stated that traditionally, large eyes are considered to harbor glaucoma.

These children usually do not respond to medical treatment, and surgical intervention is required.

However, early detection and treatment of congenital glaucoma are vital to reducing the risk of permanent visual impairment, Sachdeva said.

Glaucoma: A Global Health Burden

It is a progressive, degenerative disorder of the optic nerve that produces characteristic visual field damage.

The chronic disease affects an estimated 80 million individuals globally. By the year 2040, it is estimated that there will be 22 million individuals worldwide who are blind from glaucoma.

In India, around 12 million people suffer from glaucoma, and 1.5 million are blind due to it.

When to see a doctor for glaucoma:

• Vision suddenly gets blurry

• Severe eye pain

• Headache

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Rainbow-colored rings or halos around lights.