This digital era is all about catching up with trends, TikToks and reels, but at the cost of what? Many believe all of this happens at the cost of one's health and mental well-being. As a result, the grades of students, especially in high school, when they are exposed to social media the most, start to drop. However, a study based on the University of Birmingham's findings, peer-revied and published by the Lancet's journal for European health policy compared 1,277 students and the rules their 30 different secondary schools had for smartphone use at break and lunchtimes.` The study found something else, contrary to the popular belief.

What Did The Study Find?

The study found that banning phones in school is not linked to pupils getting higher grades or having a better mental wellbeing. The study found that a student's sleep, classroom behavior, exercise or how long they spend on their phones did not seem much different for schools with phone bans versus schools without it.

However, the study did find that spending longer time in social media or on smartphones in general may be linked to such measures. This was the first study in the world that looked at school phone rules along with the children's health and education.

In an interview to the BBC, Dr Victoria Goodyear, study's lead author said, that the findings are not against smartphone bans in school, but, a suggestion that bans in isolation are not enough to tackle the negative impacts.

The focus must be on reducing how much time the student spends on their phone, which cannot just be supervised in school.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The schools were chosen from a sample of 1,341 mainstream state schools in England. Among these the behavior of student form schools that banned the smartphones versus those who did not ban it were studied to find out that schools restricting smartphone use did not seem to see the intended improvements on health, wellbeing and focus of the student, as one would have wished to.

The study also used the internationally recognized Warwick-Edinburg Mental Well-Being Scale, a measure of mental well-being focusing entirely on positive aspects. It is a 14-item scale with 5 response categories. This method was used to determine the wellbeing of the children who participated in the research. It further looked at students' anxiety and depression levels.

It also asked from teachers about whether their students were on target, below target or above target in English and maths.

What Do The Students Feel?

When asked students, they said that the smartphone ban forces you to hang out and chat with your friends and some of them think in lower school, it has helped them spend less time scrolling social media and making lots of friends.

Experts point out that the important part is to help students learn to use their phone in a safe and controlled space. This way, phone-related issues, especially distraction, its impact on your mental health, will be much less. The answer is not ban, but the use of the smartphone in a controlled environment, so students learn to value the "freedom" they have been given to use them at break and lunch.

Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) remains one of the most misunderstood cardiac conditions, despite being the most common inherited cardiomyopathy. Misconceptions around the disease often lead to fear, delayed diagnosis, and hesitation in seeking appropriate medical care.

While oHCM has historically been associated with sudden cardiac death, particularly in young athletes, advances in diagnosis and treatment have significantly transformed its management. Today, with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, many patients can lead active and fulfilling lives.

Understanding the facts is essential, not only for patients living with the condition, but also for families, caregivers, and the wider community. Separating myths from medical evidence can help ensure timely diagnosis, informed treatment decisions, and better long-term outcomes.

Understanding oHCM

Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) is a form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)—an inherited heart muscle disorder caused by genetic mutations that affect heart muscle structure and function. These changes cause the heart muscle to become abnormally thick, most commonly affecting the wall (septum) between the two lower chambers of the heart.

In nearly two-thirds of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the thickened heart muscle can block the flow of blood leaving the heart—a condition known as obstructive HCM (oHCM). As a result, the heart must work harder to pump blood throughout the body, often leading to symptoms such as breathlessness, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, or fainting during physical activity.

Myth: A diagnosis of oHCM inevitably leads to sudden death.

Fact: While oHCM was once primarily recognised for its association with sudden cardiac death, advances in medical science have significantly improved patient outcomes.

With timely diagnosis, appropriate medical care, and ongoing monitoring, many people with oHCM can lead active lives with a good quality of life and a near-normal life expectancy. Regular follow-up helps assess disease progression and guides individualized care over time.

Myth: People with oHCM need to avoid physical activities

Fact: Complete avoidance of physical activity is no longer recommended for most patients.

Although high-intensity competitive sports may not be suitable for everyone with oHCM, mild-to-moderate exercise is generally encouraged and offers important cardiovascular benefits. Exercise recommendations should always be individualised after a comprehensive assessment by a cardiologist, taking into account symptoms, severity of obstruction, and overall risk profile.

Myth: Diet and lifestyle are the primary causes of oHCM.

Fact: oHCM is a genetic condition. It is not a lifestyle disease.

Unlike heart conditions caused by high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, oHCM develops because of inherited genetic mutations affecting heart muscle proteins. Healthy lifestyle choices remain important for overall cardiovascular health, but they do not cause or prevent the condition itself. Because the disease often runs in families, screening of close relatives may also be recommended.

Myth: Every patient with oHCM will require surgical treatment.

Fact: Surgery is only one of several available treatment options. Care is individualized, and the most appropriate approach depends on each patient's symptoms and clinical condition.

Myth: oHCM cannot go unnoticed.

Fact: The condition can remain silent for years. Some individuals carrying the genetic mutation never develop symptoms, while others experience mild or intermittent symptoms that may be attributed to more common conditions. Typical symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Palpitations
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Fainting, particularly during or after exercise

Given this variability, individuals with persistent symptoms or a family history of cardiomyopathy or sudden cardiac death should undergo appropriate cardiac evaluation.

Myth: Medication can cure the disease

Fact: Advances in treatment have significantly improved disease management, helping many patients lead healthier and more active lives. While current therapies focus on controlling symptoms and reducing complications, ongoing research continues to expand treatment possibilities.

Treatment aims to reduce symptoms, improve blood flow, minimize obstruction, and lower the risk of complications such as abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure. Long-term follow-up remains an important part of care, allowing treatment to be adjusted as the condition evolves.

Myth: There's no benefit to diagnosing oHCM early

Fact: Early diagnosis can make a significant difference. Because oHCM symptoms often resemble those of other conditions, timely testing is important—especially for those with a family history of the disease. Early detection can help patients access appropriate treatment, manage symptoms effectively, and reduce the risk of complications.

Why Awareness Matters

The understanding and management of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have evolved considerably over the past decade. Although it remains a lifelong condition, it is no longer viewed through the lens of fear alone. Advances in medical therapies, improved diagnostic tools, and personalized treatment strategies have changed the outlook for many patients.

By challenging common myths and promoting awareness, more individuals can be diagnosed earlier, receive appropriate treatment, and live healthier, more active lives with confidence.

(Dr. Daljeet Kaur, Cardiac Electrophysiologist at AIG Hospital, Hyderabad)

It is a common belief that metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)—formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)—is primarily associated with diet, sedentary lifestyles, and obesity. However, there are other factors as well that affect this aspect. Post-menopausal women experience a significantly higher incidence and faster progression of fatty liver disease, even when maintaining a stable body weight.

In Pre-menopausal women, estrogen plays a central role in metabolism by promoting healthy fat accumulation in subcutaneous tissue (below the skin) rather than around internal organs; it also increases insulin sensitivity and suppresses liver inflammation.

After menopause, when estrogen levels drop, this protective function is lost; there is redistribution of fat leading to more fat accumulation around internal organs, including the liver, thus leading to increased chances of NAFLD and also increasing insulin resistance. Needless to say, with age, our metabolic rate also goes down, which also plays a role in this.

The important part lies not only in understanding the above but in going further in early detection and prevention of menopause associated NAFLD. As we know, fatty liver is a silent disease and often does not cause any signs and symptoms till a very advanced stage.

First and foremost is to change lifestyle with advancing age, changing both the dietary habits and physical activity. Regular screening and monitoring are warranted with blood tests, routine metabolic panels, keeping a tab on weight, sugar, and cholesterol levels, and a basic ultrasound of the abdomen. For someone already diagnosed with second or third stage fatty liver, a simple non-invasive FibroScan can help monitor and assess the response to treatment.

Coming to the treatment part of NAFLD in post-menopausal women, being primarily a lifestyle disease, the core of management also lies in managing lifestyle. Medicines are available for treating and controlling NAFLD in conjunction with lifestyle management. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), when initiated early in post-menopausal women for symptomatic relief, may offer secondary benefits by maintaining metabolic health. However, HRT should always be initiated after proper evaluation and expert guidance.

NAFLD is a silent epidemic and primarily a lifestyle disease; knowing about it and knowing the triggering and precipitating factors helps with understanding and prevention better. Menopause, being a natural biological phenomenon in every female’s life, makes it essential for us to know how it affects our liver health and overall health as well.

Eating healthy is often associated with loading your plate with salads, fruits, whole grains, legumes, smoothies and sugar-free products. However, a diet that is considered healthy for one person may trigger digestive discomfort in another. Bloating, excessive gas, abdominal cramps, constipation or loose stools after eating “healthy” foods may indicate that your gut is struggling with the quantity or type of foods you are consuming.

One common reason is a sudden increase in dietary fibre. Fibre is essential for bowel health and can support regular bowel movements, but increasing it too quickly can cause fermentation in the large intestine, resulting in gas and bloating. Adults generally need around 22–34 grams of fibre daily, depending on age and sex, but it is better to increase intake gradually rather than making a sudden dietary shift.

Certain nutritious foods can also contain FODMAPs—short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine. Foods such as onions, garlic, beans, lentils, cauliflower, certain fruits and some dairy products can trigger bloating, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea or constipation in susceptible individuals, particularly those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A low-FODMAP diet may help selected IBS patients, but it should ideally be undertaken with medical or dietetic guidance and followed by gradual reintroduction of foods.

“Sugar-free” does not necessarily mean gut-friendly either. Sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol and maltitol can be incompletely absorbed and may cause gas, bloating or diarrhoea in some people. Similarly, large quantities of fruit, fruit juices or certain whole grains may aggravate symptoms in people with specific carbohydrate intolerances.

Another overlooked factor is how we eat. Eating very quickly, consuming large meals, drinking fizzy beverages, chewing gum or using straws can increase swallowed air and contribute to belching and bloating. Smaller meals, slower eating and adequate hydration can often make a meaningful difference.

The solution is not to abandon healthy foods, but to personalise your diet. Maintain a food-and-symptom diary, introduce fibre gradually, identify individual triggers and avoid unnecessarily restrictive diets. Persistent symptoms should not simply be attributed to “food intolerance.” Recurrent abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, anaemia, blood in the stool or black stools require medical evaluation because these may indicate an underlying gastrointestinal condition rather than simple dietary sensitivity.

A healthy diet should nourish your body without consistently making your gut uncomfortable. The goal is not to follow every trending diet, but to understand what works for your individual digestive system.