The skin is an outward reflection of our internal health. Dull skin, for instance, may indicate dehydration, a lack of essential nutrients, or an inconsistent skincare routine. As the most visible organ, the skin also provides insight into the health of the body tissues it protects. It's more than just an aesthetic aspect—it’s a window into overall well-being. Disorders of the gut, blood, hormones, and even the heart can manifest as skin issues, such as rashes.

Ayurveda has long emphasized the importance of skincare. In today's fast-paced world, a proper skincare routine is indispensable, not only for physical health but also for mental well-being. While modern skincare offers a plethora of products, many come with side effects. Ayurveda provides a holistic solution, addressing skincare concerns naturally and sustainably.

Ayurvedic Skin Types

Ayurveda classifies skin types based on the three doshas:

1. Vata (Wind) Vata

Vatadominant individuals tend to have dry, rough skin that wrinkles easily if not properly moisturized.

• Oil application: Pinda taila is ideal for moisturizing dry skin.
• Internal care: Mahatiktaka ghrita helps reduce dryness.
• Face pack: Use Eladi churna or Navara rice face packs to moisturize and reduce dryness.
• Hydration: Drink plenty of water to combat dehydration.

2. Pitta (Fire) Pitta

Pitta dominant individuals often have oily skin, prone to acne, rosacea, and discoloration.

• Oil application: Nalpamaradi tailam is best for pitta skin.
• Cleansing: Wash your face with Eladi or Manjishtadi water to reduce discoloration and tone the skin.
• Cooling elements: Use aloe vera, turmeric, and sandalwood to combat inflammation, pimples, and redness.

3. Kapha (Water and Earth)

Kapha skin tends to be cold, oily, and prone to pimples, whiteheads, and water retention.

• Avoid oil-based creams: Use face masks regularly to control sebum production.
• Therapy: Dhara with Triphala churna or Eladi water is beneficial.
• Oil application: Eladi coconut oil is ideal.

Panchakarma for Healthy, Radiant Skin

Panchakarma therapies help detoxify the body and enhance skin health. Key treatments include:

Abhyanga and Pizhichil: These therapies pacify doshas, enhance skin tone, and act as natural moisturizers.

Navara Kizhi: Improves skin softness and complexion.

Snehapana: Internal lubrication with ghee to maintain hydration and promote a natural glow.

Ubtan: A traditional herbal paste for exfoliation and nourishment.

Lepam: Herbal poultices to soothe inflammation and heal skin conditions.

Garshan/Udwarthanam: Dry brushing to stimulate circulation and exfoliate dead cells.

Shirodhara: Oil pouring therapy to relax, de-stress, and improve sleep quality.

Panchakarma Detox: A five-step detoxification process to cleanse the body and rejuvenate the skin.

Internal Routine for Healthy Skin

1. Stay hydrated and drink 2–3 liters of water daily. Incorporate water-rich fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumber, and oranges. Herbal teas with ginger, lemon, or chamomile aid digestion and promote glowing skin.

2. Follow a balanced diet based on your Ayurvedic prakriti and elevated doshas. Include whole grains, dairy, seasonal fruits, and antioxidant-rich foods like tomatoes, broccoli, and papaya. Avoid fried, refined, and processed foods, as well as excessive sugar, salt, and red meat.

3. Regular exercise promotes blood circulation, detoxification, and skin nourishment. Activities like yoga, walking, or dancing improve oxygen flow, flushing out toxins and revitalizing the skin.

4. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Restful sleep stimulates growth hormones, promoting collagen and elastin production, which keeps skin firm and youthful.

Small, gradual adjustments in daily routines can lead to healthier, more radiant skin. Embrace an Ayurvedic skincare regimen, complemented by panchakarma therapies, to achieve sustainable and natural skin health.

After a brain bleed, controlling blood pressure is crucial—but is it enough to prevent another stroke? Neurologists explain why consistent BP monitoring, regular medicines, lifestyle changes, and follow-ups matter after discharge. They also share warning signs families should never ignore and when sudden BP rises require urgent medical attention.

Is Blood Pressure Control Enough After A Brain Bleed?

Dr Shubha Subramanian - Senior Consultant - Neurology - Kauvery Hospital, Vadapalani, Chennai told Health and Me, "After a brain bleed, controlling BP is extremely important, but this is only for spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage, not in cases of an AV malformation, an aneurysm-related bleed, or a traumatic bleed, where the aetiology is different." He added, "In case of idiopathic spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage, probably because of BP fluctuations or high BP, in that case, for secondary prevention, there will be a reduced number of bleeds if the BP is well controlled. Consistent control is very, very important."

After a brain bleed, patients should regularly monitor blood pressure and pulse, with diabetics also checking blood sugar at home. Periodic blood tests and ECGs may be advised. Families should watch for confusion, seizures, weakness, changes in speech, or facial drooping. Recognising these warning signs early and maintaining consistent BP control can help prevent another bleed.

The Common Mistakes That Can Raise The Risk

"Common mistakes include missing medications, not monitoring blood pressure regularly, stopping follow-up visits when they are feeling better, smoking and consuming too much alcohol, and returning too soon to strenuous activity," said Dr. Soniya Tambe, Consultant, Neurology, Fortis Hospital, Bannarghetta Road, Bengaluru. She added, "Patients also may ignore symptoms such as severe headache, weakness, speech difficulty, or vision changes. These signs should never be dismissed."

What To Eat And Avoid During Recovery

Recovery after a brain bleed doesn’t stop when a patient leaves the hospital. The steps taken at home are equally important in reducing the risk of another stroke. Along with taking medicines as prescribed and keeping blood pressure under control, patients should focus on making healthy, long-term lifestyle changes rather than following temporary restrictions.

A balanced, low-salt diet can support recovery, while smoking and alcohol should be avoided. Patients should ease back into physical activity gradually and only with their doctor’s advice, especially in the early recovery period. Getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress are also important. Regular follow-ups help monitor blood pressure and other heart-related risk factors.

Warning Signs Families Should Never Ignore

Dr. Praveen Chander, Senior Consultant Neurology, Gleneagles Chennai, told Health and Me, "Families should also recognise sudden weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking, confusion, loss of balance, severe headache, or sudden vision changes as possible warning signs. These symptoms require immediate medical attention rather than waiting for them to settle."

Alcohol use among US adults has declined for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, driven largely by Gen Z and millennials, a new study found.

However, alcohol use remains above pre-pandemic levels, according to the findings published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

"It’s encouraging to see alcohol use decline for the first time since the start of the pandemic,” said Brian P. Lee, a hepatologist and liver transplant specialist with Keck Medicine at the University of Southern California and principal investigator of the study.

“However, use remains above pre-pandemic levels and certain groups continue to have concerning trends," he added.

What Did The Study Find?

Researchers analyzed National Health Interview Survey data from 114,352 US adults between 2018 and 2024.

Heavy drinking was defined as five or more drinks per day or 15 or more drinks per week for men, and four or more drinks per day or eight or more per week for women, in the 12 months before the survey.

From 2022 to 2024, any alcohol use fell by nearly 2%, while heavy drinking declined by more than 8%.

Researchers said this was the first confirmed reduction in alcohol consumption since the pandemic began, following increases in drinking reported in previous studies.

Gen Z, Millennials Cut Back As Older Adults Drink More

The biggest decline in any alcohol use was among Gen Z adults, whose consumption fell by more than 5%.

Millennials recorded the largest drop in heavy drinking, at 17% between 2022 and 2024.

The study did not examine why younger adults reduced their drinking, though researchers noted that changing social attitudes toward alcohol may be one explanation.

In contrast, alcohol use increased among adults aged 50-64. From 2018 to 2024, any alcohol use in this group rose by nearly 4%, while heavy drinking increased by more than 36%.

According to Lee, the increase is particularly concerning because older adults face higher risks of alcohol-related conditions, including liver disease, certain cancers and cardiovascular disease.

"Heavy drinking among ages 50-64 is up by more than a third since 2018, a concerning trend because this age group faces some of the greatest risks of harm from alcohol, including cirrhosis and alcohol-related cancers,” Lee said.

Men saw a larger decline in any alcohol use than women, 2.4% versus 1.1%. However, heavy alcohol use fell more among women than men, 9% versus 7.7%.

Lee noted that understanding differences in drinking patterns could help develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Does Drinking Less Reverse Alcohol-Related Harm?

Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the leading preventable causes of illness and death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Alcohol accounts for approximately half of all liver-related deaths, while alcohol-associated cirrhosis has become the leading cause of liver transplants, according to Lee.

The World Health Organization says health risks begin with the first drop of alcohol, meaning no level of consumption is completely safe or risk-free.

Although the decline in alcohol use is a positive development, "we cannot assume alcohol-related harms will decline automatically,” said Lee. “Continued attention to screening, prevention and treatment will be critical, particularly among groups where alcohol use remains elevated.”

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are often viewed as diseases of old age, with memory loss considered one of their most recognizable symptoms. However, emerging research increasingly points to factors such as diabetes, blood pressure, hormonal changes and lifestyle during midlife, particularly from the 40s onward, that may influence the risk of cognitive decline later in life.

As ageing populations worldwide face a growing dementia burden, doctors are emphasizing the importance of identifying and addressing these risks in midlife. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking and the ability to manage everyday life.

HealthandMe spoke to doctors about the disproportionate burden of Alzheimer’s among women, the link between diabetes and accelerated brain ageing, and how disease-modifying treatments such as lecanemab are changing the treatment landscape. They also highlighted the importance of early assessment to identify cognitive problems that families may otherwise dismiss as normal ageing.

Diabetes And The Ageing Brain: The Quiet Connection

Also read: Alzheimer's Day: Why Can A Patient Remember An Event From Decades Ago But Forget What Happened This Morning?

Type 2 diabetes is an important modifiable factor associated with accelerated brain ageing, making cognitive health an important part of diabetes care.

Dr V Mohan, Chairman of Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) told HealthandMe that every diabetes appointment follows a familiar rhythm: check blood sugar, examine the feet, check the eyes, review the heart and kidneys, and renew the prescription. But the brain, more often than not, receives little attention.

Research suggests that type 2 diabetes is associated with accelerated brain ageing, while vascular damage linked to high blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol can affect the brain as well as the heart, kidneys and eyes.

The 2024 Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care identified diabetes as one of 14 modifiable risk factors associated with nearly half of dementia cases worldwide.

“The message is simple: just as people routinely check their blood pressure, blood sugar, eyes, feet and kidneys, cognitive health deserves attention too,” he said, while suggesting ABCD for Protecting Brain Health in Diabetes:

A – Aim for HbA1c Control

B – Blood Pressure Control

C – Control Cholesterol

D – Diet Management

Why Menopause Matters For Women’s Brain Health

Read More: Hormone Replacement Therapy May Lower Dementia Risk In Women, Shows Study

Women carry a disproportionate burden of Alzheimer’s disease. According to Stanford, roughly three women are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s for every two men, while data from the Framingham Heart Study cited by the

Alzheimer’s Association estimated that at age 45, the lifetime risk of developing clinical Alzheimer’s dementia was about 20% for women compared with 10% for men.

Dr. Anmol Singh Rai, Consultant Neurology, Fortis Hospital Jalandhar, pointed out several factors that may contribute to this difference. He noted:

• APOE4 is one important factor. In women, the gene variant has been associated with a greater increase in dementia risk than in men.
• Age is another major factor, with dementia risk rising sharply in older age groups. Since women generally live longer, more women reach the ages when dementia becomes increasingly common.
• Hormonal changes may also play a role. Declining estrogen during menopause can affect brain metabolism and neuronal health, making the menopausal transition an important period for paying attention to cognitive and overall health.

“Managing blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, addressing hearing loss, identifying sleep apnea, staying physically active and addressing depression and social isolation can all form part of a broader approach to brain health,” he told HealthandMe.

Alzheimer’s: Why Early Detection Matters As Treatment Advances

More than 55 million people worldwide live with dementia today, with a new case developing every three seconds. This number is projected to rise to 139 million by 2050.

With the arrival of disease-modifying treatments such as Leqembi (lecanemab), the importance of identifying cognitive decline early has become even greater.

"For three decades, Alzheimer's treatment has leaned on drugs that modestly improve cognition, function and behavior, buying patients and caregivers meaningful time. But none of them alter the underlying biology of the disease," Dr. Praveen Gupta, Chairman, Marengo Asia International Institute for Neuro and Spine (MAIINS), Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, told HealthandMe.

The disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer’s, Leqembi, was cleared in the US in 2023, followed by Japan the same year, China in June 2024, the European Union in 2025, and India in August 2026.

"Unlike everything that came before it, lecanemab is designed to act on the pathological process itself, not merely its downstream consequences," Dr. Praveen Gupta said.

However, the treatment is not meant for everyone with Alzheimer’s. It is approved for early Alzheimer’s disease, including mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia, rather than moderate or advanced disease.

That makes timely diagnosis particularly important.

"Patient selection now hinges on confirming amyloid pathology, through cerebrospinal fluid analysis or blood-based biomarkers, before treatment even begins," Dr. Praveen Gupta explained.

Brain Health Should Begin Before Memory Loss

The experts noted that brain health is not something that needs attention only after memory loss begins.

Midlife is an important window to control blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, remain physically active, address hearing and sleep problems, and pay attention to changes in memory or thinking.

For people already showing cognitive symptoms, early medical assessment can help distinguish normal ageing from mild cognitive impairment, dementia or potentially treatable conditions.