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

Organ transplantation can offer patients with end-stage organ failure a new opportunity for a longer, healthier, and more independent life. However, transplantation is not the end of treatment—it marks the beginning of a lifelong commitment to maintaining the health and function of the transplanted organ.

Successful long-term outcomes depend on close collaboration between the organ recipient, living donor, transplant team, and family. Regular medical follow-up, adherence to prescribed medications, a healthy lifestyle, and early recognition of warning signs are essential for both recipients and living donors.

Care After Organ Transplantation

1. Strict Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medications

For most solid-organ transplant recipients, lifelong immunosuppressive therapy is required to prevent the immune system from attacking the transplanted organ.

Medications such as tacrolimus, cyclosporine, mycophenolate, corticosteroids, and other immunosuppressive agents may be prescribed depending on the type of transplant and the individual patient's condition.

Recipients should:

• Take medications exactly as prescribed and at the recommended times.

• Never stop or reduce immunosuppressive medication without consulting the transplant team.

• Avoid missing doses.

• Inform their transplant physician before starting any new medication.

Even seemingly minor changes in medication can affect drug levels and may increase the risk of acute or chronic rejection.

Also read: World Organ Donation Day 2026: Too Old Or Too Sick To Donate Organs? Doctors Bust Key Myths

2. Regular Follow-Up and Laboratory Monitoring

Regular follow-up with the transplant team is an essential component of lifelong transplant care.

Depending on the transplanted organ and individual circumstances, monitoring may include:

• Kidney and liver function tests

• Complete blood counts

• Immunosuppressive drug levels

• Blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring

• Urine examination in kidney transplant recipients

• Imaging or other investigations when clinically indicated

These evaluations help detect rejection, infection, medication toxicity, or deterioration in graft function at an early stage, sometimes before symptoms become apparent.

Also read: US HHS Action Against Kentucky Organ Donation Group Raises Questions About Transplant Safety

3. Recognizing Warning Signs

Transplant recipients should promptly contact their transplant team if they develop symptoms such as:

• Unexplained or persistent fever

• Chills or significant weakness

• Reduced urine output, particularly after kidney transplantation

• Swelling or sudden weight gain

• Breathlessness or persistent cough

• Persistent pain over the transplant site

• Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea

• Unexplained changes in blood pressure or blood sugar

Because immunosuppressive medications reduce the body's immune response, infections may develop more easily and may sometimes present with subtle symptoms. Early medical assessment is therefore important.

4. Infection Prevention

Transplant recipients are more susceptible to infections, particularly during periods of intensive immunosuppression.

Important preventive measures include:

• Practising regular hand hygiene

• Avoiding close contact with individuals who have contagious infections

• Following appropriate food-safety precautions

• Drinking safe and hygienic water

• Maintaining good personal hygiene

• Keeping vaccinations up to date as advised by the transplant team

• Seeking medical advice promptly if symptoms of infection develop

Recipients should also follow the specific infection-prevention recommendations provided by their transplant centre.

5. Healthy Nutrition and Lifestyle

A balanced and nutritious diet is an important component of long-term transplant health.

Recipients should aim to:

• Maintain a healthy body weight

• Eat a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and appropriate sources of protein

• Maintain adequate hydration unless fluid restriction has been advised

• Limit excessive salt, sugar, and processed foods

• Exercise regularly according to their medical condition and physician's advice

• Avoid smoking and tobacco products

• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption

Certain foods, supplements, and herbal preparations may interact with immunosuppressive medications. No dietary supplement, herbal preparation, or over-the-counter medication should be started without discussing it with the transplant team.

Also read: AIIMS Performs Second Dual Kidney Transplant Using Organs From 70-Year-Old Donor: How It Can Expand Donor Pool?

Post-Donation Care for Living Organ Donors

Living organ donation is a remarkable act of generosity. However, protecting the donor's long-term health remains the highest priority.

After donation, the donor should remain under appropriate medical supervision and follow the recommendations of the transplant and surgical team.

1. Recovery After Donation

The recovery period varies depending on the type of donation and the individual's overall health.

Donors should:

• Follow wound-care instructions carefully.

• Take prescribed medications as directed.

• Get adequate rest during the initial recovery period.

• Gradually resume physical activity as advised.

• Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting until medically cleared.

• Return to work and normal activities progressively.

The recovery process should be individualized rather than based solely on a fixed timeline.

2. Long-Term Health After Kidney Donation

Most carefully selected kidney donors can lead healthy, active lives with a single functioning kidney.

Long-term health recommendations include:

• Maintaining a healthy body weight

• Exercising regularly

• Eating a balanced diet

• Staying adequately hydrated

• Avoiding tobacco

• Avoiding unnecessary use of potentially kidney-toxic medications, particularly certain painkillers such as NSAIDs

• Monitoring blood pressure

• Periodically checking kidney function and urine as recommended

Living donation should never mean that donors stop looking after their own health. The donor's well-being remains a lifelong priority.

Any new or persistent symptoms should be reported to a healthcare professional.

Also read: India Records 20,138 Organ Transplants In 2025; Deceased Donor Transplants Reach 3,526

3. Emotional and Psychological Well-Being

Transplantation and organ donation can have a significant emotional impact on both recipients and donors.

Recipients may experience anxiety related to rejection, medication, financial concerns, or the uncertainty associated with transplantation. Living donors may also experience emotional changes during the recovery period.

Maintaining open communication with family members and the transplant team can be extremely helpful. If persistent anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, or emotional distress develops, professional psychological or psychiatric support should be sought.

4. The Importance of Lifelong Follow-Up

The success of organ transplantation depends not only on the surgical procedure but also on long-term post-transplant care.

For recipients, medication adherence, regular monitoring, infection prevention, and a healthy lifestyle are essential to preserving graft function.

For living donors, appropriate postoperative recovery, long-term health monitoring, and healthy lifestyle practices help ensure that they continue to live healthy and fulfilling lives after donation.

The transplant may be a single surgical event—but maintaining the gift of life is a lifelong journey.

With appropriate medical supervision, adherence to treatment, healthy lifestyle choices, and timely attention to warning signs, organ recipients can protect the health of their transplanted organ, while living donors can continue to enjoy a healthy and active life after their selfless contribution.

By Dr. Pragnesh Desai, Senior Director & HOD – Urology, Renal Transplant, Robotics & Uro-Oncology, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Noida Extension

Organ donation is one of the most generous gifts a person can give. Age, diabetes, hypertension or other medical conditions do not automatically rule out organ donation, doctors said on World Organ Donation Day.

Observed on August 13 every year, World Organ Donation Day aims to raise awareness about the need for organ and tissue donation and honour donors and their families.

Organ Donation After Brain Death

Dr. Umesh Gupta, Director and HOD, Nephrology and Kidney Transplant, Aakash Healthcare Multi-Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, told HealthandMe that organ donation can be considered when brain function is permanently lost and cannot be restored.

Brain death occurs when all functions of the brain and brainstem have permanently stopped.

“Brain death is different from a coma or a prolonged unconscious state. In brain death, the person cannot regain consciousness or breathe independently. Mechanical support may continue to keep the heart beating and preserve the condition of organs for a limited period, which is why organ donation can be considered,” he said.

Depending on the donor’s medical condition, organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs and pancreas may be suitable for transplantation.

Who Can Donate Organs?

Age alone does not rule out organ donation. Eligibility is assessed individually by the transplant team.

Doctors evaluate:

• Health and functioning of individual organs
• Existing illnesses
• Infections
• Medical history
• Other factors that could affect transplant safety

Can People With Diabetes or Hypertension Donate?

People with well-controlled diabetes or hypertension may still be eligible to donate certain organs or tissues, said Dr. Shailesh Chandra Sahay, Senior Director - Urology, Kidney Transplant, Robotic Surgery, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj.

Modern transplantation practices allow doctors to assess each organ individually rather than excluding a donor solely because of age or a particular diagnosis.

Every potential donor deserves a medical evaluation. An organ that may appear unsuitable to a person could ultimately give another patient a second chance at life.

Blood Group Is Important — But Not the Only Factor

Blood group compatibility is an important consideration in organ transplantation.

“A blood group O donor typically donates to O recipients, while AB recipients can receive organs from all ABO blood groups in many transplant settings,” Dr. Saurabh said.

However, compatibility involves more than blood type. Doctors also assess:

• Tissue compatibility
• Antibodies
• Organ size
• Recipient’s overall health

World Organ Donation Day 2026: Why Donation Matters

• One deceased donor can potentially save up to eight lives through vital organ donation.
• Tissue donation can improve the lives of many more people.
• A record 173,727 solid-organ transplants were performed worldwide in 2024, but demand continues to exceed supply.
• India performed 20,019 organ transplants in 2025, nearly four times the number in 2013.
• As of March 3, 2026, 89,839 patients were on India’s national waiting list for major organs.
• Only around 18% of transplants currently involve deceased-donor organs.
• More than 4.8 lakh Indians have pledged to donate organs and tissues after death since September 2023.

Lung cancer has long been associated with smoking, but this is no longer the complete picture. While tobacco remains the leading cause, an increasing number of people who have never smoked are also being diagnosed with the disease. This changing pattern highlights the need to look beyond smoking alone when considering lung cancer risk.

In non-smokers, lung cancer is often diagnosed later because neither patients nor families may initially suspect the disease. As a result, symptoms are sometimes mistaken for common respiratory illnesses, delaying evaluation and treatment.

Why Non-Smokers Are Also at Risk

While smoking continues to account for most lung cancer cases, several other factors can also contribute. Long-term exposure to second-hand smoke, air pollution, radon gas, asbestos, diesel exhaust, and certain workplace chemicals has been linked to an increased risk. A family history of lung cancer or specific genetic mutations may also make some individuals more susceptible, even if they have never used tobacco.

In urban areas, prolonged exposure to polluted air is becoming an important concern. Fine particulate matter can enter deep into the lungs, causing long-term inflammation and damage that may increase the risk of developing lung disease, including cancer.

Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored

Early lung cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they should not be ignored, particularly if they persist for more than a few weeks. Symptoms that should be evaluated by a doctor include:

• A persistent cough that does not improve

• Coughing up blood

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

• Unexplained weight loss

• Repeated chest infections

• Hoarseness of voice

• Persistent fatigue

These symptoms can occur due to several conditions and do not always indicate lung cancer. However, persistent or worsening symptoms should be assessed promptly to identify the underlying cause and begin appropriate treatment if needed.

Why Early Diagnosis Makes a Difference

Finding lung cancer at an early stage improves the chances of successful treatment. Individuals with prolonged exposure to environmental or occupational risk factors, or those with a strong family history of lung cancer, should discuss their risk with a doctor. Imaging tests such as chest CT scans and, when indicated, molecular testing help identify the type of lung cancer and support treatment planning.

Looking Beyond Smoking

Not every case of lung cancer can be prevented, but reducing exposure to tobacco smoke, avoiding harmful occupational exposures, improving indoor air quality where possible, and seeking medical advice for persistent respiratory symptoms can help protect lung health. Greater awareness that lung cancer can affect both smokers and non-smokers may lead to earlier diagnosis, timely treatment, and better outcomes.

(Dr Dipanjan Panda, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi)