Strengthening your bones is not something that can happen overnight, it takes years for your body to build strong bones and even then, it is natural for them to lose their dexterity. All you can do is keep your body healthy to make sure it is prepared for any unexpected situations. For years, many older adults have been told to take vitamin D and calcium supplements to keep their bones strong and prevent falls. However, a new report from U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is changing that advice. This report suggests that for most older people, these supplements don't actually prevent falls or broken bones. This might be surprising news, we must understand why falls happen more often as we age, what vitamin D and calcium do in the body, and most importantly, what you can do to stay safe and prevent fractures.

What the Report Says

According to the report, vitamin D supplements don't seem to help prevent falls or broken bones for most people over 60. They also found that these supplements, especially with calcium, might increase the risk of kidney stones. This report doesn't mean people with weak bones (osteoporosis), low vitamin D, or who take vitamin D for other health reasons shouldn't take it. It just means that for most healthy older people, these supplements don't prevent falls and fractures.

Why Older People Fall and Break Bones More Easily

There are many reasons why older people are more prone to breaking their bones. Our bones are strongest when we're in our 20s and 30s, and they get weaker as we age so naturally, they can break easily. It can also be harder to move around as we get older, sometimes because of problems like arthritis this can affect how we walk and make us less steady.

There are also different issues like neuropathy, which is a nerve problem that can also make it harder to feel your feet and keep your balance. Eyesight is also a culprit as it can cause you to feel dizzy and fall. Some medicines can also make people feel unsteady, and older people often take more medicines than younger people. Low vitamin D itself can also increase the risk of falls, so keeping vitamin D levels up is still important.

Better Ways To Protect Your Bone Health

USPSTF recommends a few better ways to protect your bone health and prevent broken bones and falls.

Walk Regularly

Regular walks strengthen your muscles and bones, which helps you stay steady on your feet. It is as simple as practice makes perfect so the more you walk, the better it is. Walking also improves your balance, making you less likely to fall.

Do Strength Training

Strength training, like lifting weights or using resistance bands, makes your bones stronger and helps prevent fractures if you do fall. It is like a safety cushion, but you must be careful while doing so because it can lead to injuries if done too much.

Practice Balance

Activities like tai chi, Pilates, and yoga can improve your balance and coordination, making you more stable and less prone to falls. These can also help you improve your muscle flexibility and strength that in turn helps your body be stronger.

Check Your Medicines

If you have osteoporosis, talk to your doctor about medications that can help strengthen your bones and lower your risk of fractures. Many medications can also have unsavory side effects like weakened joints, losing muscle strength, etc.

Eat Enough Protein

A proper diet goes a long way when it comes to your entire body health. So to keep up with your body’s nutrition and muscle health, eat more protein along with a balanced meal that includes loads of fiber, healthy fats and carbs.

Get Your Eyes Checked

Having poor eyesight can be difficult, not only does it make life difficult without glasses, but it also increases the possibilities of getting into minor accidents like bumping into people and missing objects placed in front of us.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is also important because when you are not sleeping, you get disoriented and can ignore even obvious things like the last stair in the staircase. Make sure you get enough sleep to keep you fresh and focused.

Make Your Home Safe

There are many things that can cause you to have accidents, even in your home. To avoid such falls, make sure there are no lose ends like crooked floor panels, rugs that are sticking out or protruding furniture that can hurt your knees

For years, people have joked about how women seem to enjoy showers that could probably cook noodles. If you are someone who loves cranking up the water temperature until the bathroom looks like a steam room, you may have wondered whether there is an actual reason behind it. According to UK surgeon and content creator Dr Karan Rajan, the answer lies in biology. Women are not simply choosing scalding showers for fun. Their bodies are wired differently, and that affects how they experience temperature.

Higher Core Body Temperature

Dr Rajan explains that, on average, women have a slightly higher core body temperature than men. It might sound like this would keep them warmer, but in reality, it does the opposite. When the core is warm but the surrounding environment is cool, that contrast makes cold air feel even colder. So a mildly chilly room may feel more uncomfortable for women, leading them to turn to hotter showers to compensate.

This idea has gone viral online. In a popular TikTok clip, creator couple Micah and Sarah joked about preparing for a shared shower. Micah pretended to train for the extreme heat by dipping his hand in boiling water. The internet quickly chimed in with comments like “My husband says I am training for hell” and “He calls it lobster time”. The jokes were relatable because many couples experience this temperature divide, but not many knew the science behind it until now.

Hormones Add to the Chill

Hormones play a major role too. Estrogen affects blood flow to the extremities, which includes hands, feet and even earlobes. Research shows that women’s extremities can be up to three degrees colder than men’s. Dr Rajan points out that this becomes more noticeable during ovulation when estrogen levels peak. Women on hormonal birth control may also experience increased sensitivity because estrogen stays higher for longer periods.

So even when the core stays warm, the toes and fingers may feel unusually cold. A very warm shower becomes a quick and comforting fix for this temperature imbalance.

Lower Metabolic Rates

Another biological factor is metabolic rate. Women generally have a lower resting metabolic rate than men, meaning they produce less body heat throughout the day. This naturally makes them feel colder and more drawn to hotter water while bathing. Women also tend to have more body fat and less muscle mass, which influences how the body responds to temperature changes.

What Doctors Say

Australian GP Dr Jasmina Dedic Hagan supports these findings, as reported in Body and Soul. She explains that women typically have warmer cores, cooler skin, and a higher layer of insulating fat around the body. On top of that, they have reduced circulation in the extremities because the body prioritises keeping reproductive organs warm. With less muscle mass, the body’s heat-producing brown fat does not function in quite the same way as it does in men.

So Is It Just Preference?

Not entirely. While some women truly enjoy the sensation of a very hot shower, much of it is tied to biology. From hormones to metabolism to circulation, several factors work together to make warmer showers feel soothing and sometimes even necessary. So the next time someone teases you about loving lava-level water, you can tell them it is simply science at work.

When you are burning up, even a simple shower can feel confusing. Should you cool your body quickly with cold water or soothe your aches with something warm? Fever is a natural defense mechanism, but the symptoms it brings can make you feel miserable. The right water temperature can help ease discomfort and support your recovery.

Below is a simple breakdown of how fever affects your body, followed by practical shower tips and additional ways to safely bring your temperature down.

How Fever Resets Your Body’s Thermostat

During an infection, your immune system releases chemicals called pyrogens. These signals tell the hypothalamus, which is your internal thermostat, to raise your core temperature. The added heat slows the growth of certain viruses and bacteria and helps immune cells work more efficiently.

This temperature rise is why you feel:

• Chills as your body works to reach the new set point
• Sweating when the fever begins to settle
• Faster heart rate and quicker breathing, which increase fluid loss

Knowing this matters because water that is too cold can trigger intense shivering, which drives your temperature higher. Water that is too hot can widen your blood vessels and increase sweating, which may worsen dehydration.

Cold, Lukewarm, or Hot: Which Shower Helps Most?

Each water temperature works differently with a fever. Understanding these differences helps you choose what your body needs at that moment.

Cold showers cool your skin quickly. They may feel refreshing if you are overheated, but they often trigger shivering. That shivering can raise your core temperature and is especially risky in children.

Lukewarm or tepid showers are the safest choice for most people with fever. This temperature allows gentle heat loss through the skin without causing shivering. It helps you cool down gradually while keeping your body comfortable.

Warm or hot showers can help relieve muscle aches or sinus congestion, especially for adults. However, they can increase sweating and may slightly raise your temperature. Avoid them if you are already overheated or dehydrated.

Simple Shower Tips When You Have a Fever

• Start with lukewarm water to safely reduce temperature and ease discomfort.
• If you feel flushed and sweaty, splash cold water only on pulse points such as the wrists and neck.
• Use warm showers only for congestion relief and follow up with hydration and light clothing.
• If you feel dizzy, sit on a chair outside the shower and let steam fill the bathroom while you take a gentle sponge bath.

Other Safe Ways to Bring Down a Fever

Rest

Your body is already working hard to fight the infection. Light activity can raise your temperature further, so give yourself time to rest and recover.

Stay Hydrated

Fever increases the risk of dehydration, especially if you have vomiting or a poor appetite. Sip water, oral rehydration solutions, or electrolyte drinks. Chilled fluids can also help lower your temperature.

Stay Cool

Keep your room slightly cool and wear loose, breathable clothing. If you have chills, use a light blanket but avoid overheating. You can place a cool cloth on your forehead or under the arms for short intervals.

Medication

Over the counter fever reducers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can safely lower fever. Always follow dosage guidelines. Avoid aspirin in children because it can lead to Reye's syndrome.

What Not to Do

• Do not take cold showers or ice baths because they trigger shivering and can raise your temperature.
• Avoid alcohol rubs since the alcohol can be absorbed through the skin.
• Do not take extra doses of fever medicine thinking it will work faster.
• Always read medication labels carefully to avoid accidental overdosing.

Turns out, kidney disease is not just a ‘kidney’ problem anymore, it can, in fact, affect other organs, and could even be linked to other chronic conditions, revealed a recent study.

In the US, more than 1 in 7 adults are affected by chronic kidney disease or (CKD). This means that 35.5 million Americans are affected by it, and what makes it worse is that 9 out of 10 people do not even know they have CKD, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Amid all these numbers thrown on to, something more concerning lies. A recent Lancet study shows a link between the rise in CKD and other chronic diseases. We are talking about chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

So, What Does The Study Say?

The researcher saw that 14 percent of adults who are over the age 20 or older, which makes 788 million Americans who had CKD in 2022. The biggest problem is not the disease itself, but the unawareness. Doctors, experts, and researchers from time and again have pointed out how kidney disease is often asymptomatic, this is why it is ignored until it becomes advanced. However, at that point the patients could already need dialysis or even an organ transplant. This gap in early diagnosis and treatment is what has made CKD the ninth leading reason of death, worldwide.

When you kidney functions naturally, it works as the powerhouse of filtration. A pair of healthy kidneys are able to filter and process more than 150 liters of fluid from the blood. These organs are also responsible for filtering out the waste and toxins through your urine. Not just that, but your kidneys also help in red blood cells production that keeps you healthy. When all of that does not happen, it can eventually impact every other organ in your body.

Like they say, everything is connected, and it surely is. For instance, somewhere around 20% of the blood that your heart pumps goes to your kidneys. If someone has diabetes and high blood pressure, it could damage the blood vessels and lead to protein in the urine and a slower filtration rate. It can then lead to other chronic infections, autoimmune disorders, and even genetic variants.

Kidney-Body Relation

If you leave your kidney disease untreated, it could lead to kidney failure. This is when you would be more in need of dialysis or a transplant. Doctors have pointed out that most people do not die of chronic kidney disease, rather it impacts their quality of life, worsening their cardiovascular conditions. It can lead to complications like a heart attack, a stroke, or a heart failure.

How Does This Happen?

People who have kidney diseases are at an increased risk for high blood pressure. Due to hurdles in the process of filtration, plaque build ups and hardens the arteries. This in return increases stress on the heart. In fact, the American Heart Association also defined the link between kidney and heart as 'cardiovascular-kidney metabolic syndrome'. This defines a health disorder that is a condition of the overlap of obesity, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular diseases.

The bleed out of CKD is not just limited to your heart. The National Institute of Health, US points out that along with heart complications and high blood pressure, CKD could also lead to anemia, mineral and bone disorder, metabolic acidosis, malnutrition, and electrolyte imbalances in the blood.

So, What Is The Best Way To Keep Yourself Safe?

The first way is to note any symptoms and get yourself diagnosed. Look for signs like loss of appetite, unexplained nausea or vomiting. Do you feel tired often? Are you having trouble concentrating? Is there any change in how often you go pee?

Other symptoms like a change in your urine color or texture, or feeling itchy or dry, muscle cramps, unexplained weight loss or skin conditions could also signal towards kidney diseases.

However, not always does CKD show symptoms, experts suggest that to be one step ahead, it is important to undergo regular health checkups, including blood culture. General guidelines usually point towards getting a blood test done every 3 to 6 months. For someone with high blood pressure, diabetes or any other disease, the current guidelines say that those people should get regular blood and urine tests to screen for kidney disease. But what really happens is that though these tests exist, they are still used far too little. Doctors point out that many patients skip them because collecting a urine sample feels inconvenient, and overall awareness about kidney disease remains low. As a result, research shows that only about 35 percent of people with diabetes, and just 4 percent of those with high blood pressure, actually end up getting the recommended urine screening.

A ray of hope is that there are now several effective tools to slow the progression of kidney disease. Along with traditional options like ACE inhibitors, newer classes of medications including certain heart failure drugs and GLP-1 drugs. These medicines have shown to help protect kidney function. Although these newer treatments are not widely used yet, their adoption is steadily increasing.

What is important to remember is to also always consult your GP to ensure all preventative measures are followed carefully.