How often do you hear people calling each other "psychopath"? Or how often do you witness people labelling themselves as "bipolar" or "depressed"? Quite frequently. Right? These are names of some serious, often life-threatening mental disorders which have been included in common vocabulary. Ayushi Jolly, a PhD scholar opined that "mental health disorders are not adjective to be thrown around."

Real Disorders With Real Affect On Life

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Today, many people who are organized and prioritize santitation and hygeine, label themselves as suffering from OCD. However, in psychology, OCD is a long-lasting disorder in which a person experiences uncontrollable and recurring thoughts (obsessions), engages in repetitive behaviours (compulsions), or both. This condition can significantly impair daily functioning, leading to severe anxiety and distress. Without proper treatment, it can escalate, affecting relationships, work, and overall quality of life.

Depression

"I am so depressed, I act like it's my birthday everyday," these are lyrics from a chart-topping Taylor Swift song. However, the singer-songwriter has never been diagnosed for the same. Similarly, people throw away the term even at the slightest discomfort. But, this mental health disorder is life-thretening, serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. Note, to be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least 2 weeks.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

Any person who is high on energy and gets distracted easily could be heard saying "I'm suffering from ADD." In reality, ADD is a type of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that's characterized by problems with concentration and focus. ADHD is a developmental disorder that can affect a person's daily life, including their ability to perform at school or work and their social relationships.

Bipolar Personality Disorder

Broke up with your partner? Chances are you'll end up calling them bipolar. The terms has also been used in various films and songs, sans the knowledge of it's seriousness. Formerly known as manic-depressive illness or manic depression, this condition is a lifelong mood disorder that causes intense shifts in mood, energy levels, thinking patterns and behavior. A person suffering from this disorder witnesses intense shifts in mood, energy levels, thinking patterns and behavior, for long periods of time.

Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD)

Being "paranoid" has become more like a negative adjective among teens and young adults. However, a person who suffers from this condition is incapable of maintaining succesful relationahips. Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD) is a group of personality disorders categorised under "Cluster A". A person with PPD thinks in odd or eccentric ways, and suffers from unrelenting mistrust or suspicion of others, even when there is no reason to be suspicious. This disorder usually begins in early adulthood and appears more common in men than women. People with PPD are always on guard, believing that others are constantly trying to demean, harm, or threaten them. People with this disorder also doubt the commitment, loyalty, or trustworthiness of others. PPD patients also might have difficulty relaxing.

Plastic containers have been discouraged for a long time now, especially for heating food or storing hot food. Studies have associated this habit with a heightened risk of cancer, but now an expert has specifically spoken about black plastic containers and what makes them worse for you. According to Dr Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist at M | O | C Cancer Care & Research Centre, Gurugram, cooking or heating food in black containers could be very harmful to your body. Read on to find out how.

Dr Sharma, in an interview with Health and Me, said that cooking food in black plastic receptacles could lead to greater amounts of certain chemicals making their way into your body; however, there currently exists no scientific evidence confirming that this daily activity increases your risk of cancer.

Why is black plastic worse than others?

Dr Sharma explained that black takeaway containers usually consist of recycled plastics, such as e-waste, and can contain flame retardants, BPA, phthalates, etc. When heated in contact with food, especially if the food is hot, fatty, or acidic, more chemicals could potentially make their way into the food from the container. In this way, it may, over time, heighten your risk of developing a malignant tumour.

Black containers are coloured using carbon black, which is included in Group 2B of possible human carcinogens according to IARC, as shown in both animal and limited human research. Moreover, recycled black plastics could contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and decaBDE, which have shown carcinogenic effects in experiments. This makes black plastic containers worse than other coloured counterparts. Yet, heating food in a plastic container of any colour is not deemed safe.

Do studies verify the side effects of heating food in plastic containers?

Experimental studies conducted in laboratories on microwaveable plastic receptacles reveal the migration of tens of chemicals and millions of microplastics per litre of the food simulant. However, a recent study in 2024 reported that containers labelled as microwave-safe in Korea adhered to contemporary safety standards for these levels, and total exposure fell within safe limits.

Leading cancer associations have confirmed that the usage of plastic packaging, even in microwave applications, has not been linked with increased cancer risks in humans, although there is ongoing research in areas such as black plastics. However, precautionary measures are suggested by experts as a better strategy due to the difficulties of directly studying long-term, low-level exposure to chemical compounds.

How to reduce cancer risk?

When it comes to reducing cancer risk, most doctors recommend quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake. However, Dr Sharma listed some basic kitchen and eating habits that may come to your rescue:

1. Avoid cooking food in black plastic packaging, particularly if the food is oily or acidic.
2. Move hot food into glass, ceramic, or stainless steel containers for reheating.
3. Only use microwave-safe containers and discard any broken plastic containers.

Most young men assume that if there is no pain, there is no serious problem. Unfortunately, many important testicular conditions, especially testicular cancer, often begin as a painless lump, swelling, or enlargement of one testicle. Because there is no pain, men tend to ignore it, thinking it is due to exercise, minor trauma, tight clothing, cycling, or temporary swelling. Embarrassment and reluctance to discuss genital symptoms also contribute to delay.

Dr. Chandan M. N, Consultant Urologist, Andrologist, Uro-Oncologist & Renal Transplant Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Sheshadripuram, Bangalore, spoke about the pain conundrum. The expert said that when it comes to testicular health, absence of pain must not be a reassuring factor.

Pain is usually seen as a warning signal, but in testicular disease, absence of pain should not reassure patients. Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers in young men, particularly between 15 and 35 years of age, and it can progress quickly if diagnosis is delayed. However, when detected early, it is also one of the most curable cancers.

What are the common signs men may overlook in day-to-day life?

The most commonly overlooked sign is a painless lump or swelling in one testicle.

Sometimes the change is subtle; a testicle may simply feel slightly harder, heavier, larger, or firmer than before. Many men also ignore a dragging sensation, heaviness in the scrotum, or a dull ache in the groin or lower abdomen because these symptoms are mild and not severe enough to disrupt daily life.

Other signs that should not be ignored include sudden fluid collection in the scrotum, change in the shape or size of one testicle, unevenness between the two testicles, persistent discomfort, or a feeling that something is different. Some men may also notice back pain, breast tenderness, or unexplained swelling if the disease has spread. Importantly, not every testicular lump is cancer. Conditions such as hydrocele, varicocele, spermatocele, orchitis, or hernia can also present with swelling or heaviness. But the only safe approach is to get examined rather than assume it is harmless.

How to do a simple self-examination at home?

Young men should know what is normal for their own body. A simple self-examination once a month, ideally after a warm shower when the scrotal skin is relaxed, can help detect early changes.

Men should gently feel each testicle for lumps, swelling, hardness, change in size, or heaviness. Familiarity with one’s normal anatomy makes it easier to notice when something changes. Any new lump, swelling, change in shape, or persistent discomfort should be evaluated promptly by a doctor. Usually, a physical examination and scrotal ultrasound are enough to identify the cause. Early medical advice can differentiate a harmless condition from something serious and, in the case of testicular cancer, can make the difference between simple treatment and advanced disease.

Malaria is widely known as a mosquito-borne disease that causes fever, chills, and body aches. But what many people don’t realize is that in severe cases, it can also affect the heart.

Malaria is caused by parasites belonging to the Plasmodium genus. It may cause complications beyond the bloodstream. In some cases, this may happen in severe malaria, where either the diagnosis or treatment is late.

How Malaria Infection Affects The Heart

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Ravi Prakash, Senior Consultant Cardiology, PSRI Hospital, Delhi, noted that malaria affects different parts of the body, depending on the severity and the patient's immunity.

"In severe malaria cases, the parasite that causes malaria infects the red blood cells, making them sticky. When these stick together, the cells block the flow of blood in smaller blood vessels, limiting oxygenation of important organs, including the heart," Dr Prakash explained.

The condition may then result in myocarditis, arrhythmias, or heart failure. Although these complications rarely affect the heart, they require prompt medical intervention.

Further, Dr. Rakesh Pandit, Senior Consultant & HOD, Internal Medicine, Aakash Healthcare, highlighted that malaria can put stress on the heart either directly or indirectly.

It can lead to inflammation of the heart and result in chest pains, fatigue, or arrhythmia.

"Patients suffering from severe malaria may develop tachycardia or, in worst-case scenarios, experience heart blockage," Dr. Pandit told HealthandMe.

The Role of Anemia

Furthermore, malaria infection may limit the blood flow to the heart by increasing the stickiness of the blood, thus blocking small blood vessels.

"Anemia associated with malaria can increase the load on the patient's heart," Dr Pandit said.

Fever, dehydration, and hypoxia further increase cardiac stress in malaria patients, who may end up having their pre-existing heart conditions unmasked.

Malaria: Early Signs Of Heart Damage?

Early detection is important. Besides classic malaria symptoms such as fever, sweats, shivers, headaches, and tiredness, any unusual symptoms such as chest pains, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeats, or excessive weakness must be considered carefully.

"These could be signs of organ damage caused by the disease, which means early diagnosis and treatment are vital. Blood tests will be conducted to identify malaria parasites in your body," Dr. Prakash said.

Malaria And Heart: Who Is At More Risk

Some individuals are more susceptible to contracting malaria, which increases their chances of developing complications from the disease.

These include

• children,
• pregnant women,
• the elderly,
• immunocompromised patients.

"People who have underlying diseases may develop heart-related problems due to the malaria infection," Dr Prakash said.

Moreover, travelers to malaria-endemic areas without adequate protection from the disease are also likely to be affected.

How To Prevent?

The best method to avoid contracting malaria is to take preventive measures.

• Individuals must protect themselves from mosquito bites.
• Applying insect repellents, sleeping under mosquito nets, and covering your arms and legs when you go out are effective ways to shield yourself from being bitten.
• Proper hygiene and sanitation practices are necessary to prevent mosquitoes from reproducing.
• Having a good general health status is another preventive measure. Your immune system must be able to combat invading agents.