Diwali is the time of the year when our nation’s children are on holiday and festivities are rampant. Sadly this fun time for children is also when firecrackers and fireworks are available in plenty. The word “firecrackers” evokes quite a bit of emotion and is often associated with great joy but one must realize that the chemical smoke and gases released from firecrackers can be regarded as a serious concern for the capacity of eyes for children.

It is shocking to know that mothers and fathers have been using firecrackers for this long despite it being scientifically proven to be a pollutant and one that can heavily damage children’s eyesight.

But now, as a parent, most people see things differently—firecracker smoke, while dazzling, risks young eyes and health. From choosing eco-friendly lights and indoor activities, ensuring a festive, safe celebration for your children’s well-being is important and necessary. Dr. Neeraj Sanduja, MBBS, MS - Ophthalmology, Ophthalmologist, Eye Surgeon shares all about the toxic effects of smoke from the firecrackers kids so lovingly enjoy bursting and how harmful they can be for their eyes.

Hazardous Effects of Firecracker Smoke

The smoke from firecrackers is a blend of toxic chemicals and fine particles, each carrying potential harm for the delicate tissues of the eyes. Here are some key pollutants present in firecracker smoke that pose specific dangers:

Particulate matter: These are the fumes exhaled from burning that are extremely small but can infiltrate deep into the lungs and eyes creating lesions and scars.

Sulfur dioxide & nitrogen oxides: These gasses emit acid rain, it's easy to comprehend how detrimental it is to the human body.

Heavy metals: If consumed through the skin lead arsenic or any other toxic metals emitted through firecrackers will inflict great damage.

Common Eye Conditions Linked to Firecracker Pollution in Children

Exposure to firecracker smoke can cause a range of immediate symptoms in children, as well as chronic eye problems that may not become apparent until much later. Children are at high risk of developing some symptoms upon exposure to firecracker smoke, and these include:

Red eye syndrome: Clinical eye examinations show that the eyes can be red and watery, as well as itchy due to the smoke's chemicals.

Eye pain: Another common complaint in children is a burning and stinging sensation in the eye areas.

Intolerance to light: The burning of firecrackers leads to the emission of smoke that can irritate the eyes and increase their sensitivity.

Corneal damage: Severe inflammation of the outer layer of the eyeball caused by exposure to smoke may be a more damaging injury caused than previously mentioned damages of the inner layer.

Long-Term Effects of Firecracker Smoke on Eye Health

While some eye issues may appear right after exposure, others may develop subtly and manifest over time, resulting in chronic eye conditions. Dr Neeraj exclaims, "Of great concern is the fact that parents may not notice these initial signs and the signs that are causes are others since these are only some of the diseases that are dangerous but children who continuously come into contact with air polluted by firecrackers may consider the following risks:

Cataracts

Glaucoma

Dry eye syndrome

Tips for Protecting Children’s Eyes During Diwali

Parents can observe the following measures to shield their children's eyes from the harmful effects of firecracker smoke:

Avoid exposure: In the first place, the best way to avoid damaging children’s eyes is to prevent any contact with firecracker smoke. Encourage children to remain in the house or in well-ventilated areas during a firework display.

Wear protective eyewear: In the event that children have to go outside during a firework display, they should wear protective eyewear such as goggles or sunglasses.

Rinse eyes thoroughly: In case of exposure of firework smoke to the child’s eyes, the affected eyes should be washed with plenty of clean water.

Seek medical attention: If a child suffers from intense pain in the eyes, redness in the eyes or any changes in vision after exposure to cracker smoke, he/she should be taken to a medical facility as soon as possible.

Parental Guidance During Diwali

1.⁠ ⁠Educate Children on Firecracker Safety

2.⁠ ⁠Monitor Air Quality Index (AQI)

3.⁠ ⁠Plan Indoor Activities During Peak Pollution Hours

4.⁠ ⁠Encourage Healthy Eye Habits (Regular Exams, Hygiene)

Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Firecrackers

1.⁠ ⁠Eco-Friendly Firecrackers

2.⁠ ⁠Laser Light Shows

3.⁠ ⁠Community Events (Parades, Festivals)

4.⁠ ⁠Indoor Games and Activities

5.⁠ ⁠Environmentally Conscious Celebrations

Firecrackers undoubtedly liven up the festivities; however, the use of firecrackers and their impact on the health of children has caused a lot of concern, especially their vision. It has become crucial to protect young developing eyes from fire cracker pollution which is harmful to them, especially in the long run. In this manner, we are able to assist in the preservation of our children’s eyesight and create safe and happy festive occasions for everyone.

Symptoms such as constant exhaustion, mental fog, and occasional tingling in the hands or feet are often dismissed as stress or simply getting older. However, these signs can point to underlying nutrient deficiencies, including vitamin B12, iron, and folate (vitamin B9). These nutrients play a crucial role in brain health, nerve function, and carrying oxygen around the body.

Lack Of This Vitamin Deficiency Can Lead To Exhaustion

When ignored, these symptoms can quietly worsen. They are often your body’s way of signalling problems with nerve health, oxygen supply, and overall energy levels, which can make even simple daily activities feel harder than they should. According to the Daily Mail, around 15 per cent of people aged 15 to 29, and about 20 per cent of those over 60, have vitamin levels that are not low enough to be classed as a deficiency but are still insufficient to cause noticeable symptoms.

What Is Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 allows the brain to transmit signals properly and helps protect the nerves. When levels drop, people may notice memory lapses, poor concentration, or balance problems. In older adults, this can raise the risk of falls. Some individuals sit in a borderline range, where levels are not low enough to be diagnosed as deficient but are still enough to cause symptoms.

Certain people face a higher risk. Vegans are vulnerable because B12 is found mainly in animal products such as milk, meat, eggs, and fish. As people age, their ability to absorb B12 often declines due to lower stomach acid. Long-term use of acid-suppressing drugs, including proton pump inhibitors, can further reduce absorption, meaning supplements or injections may be needed.

Iron Is Important

Iron is essential for making haemoglobin, the substance in red blood cells that carries oxygen through the body. When iron levels are low, oxygen transport is reduced, and tissues with high energy needs, such as the brain and nerves, are affected first. This can lead to dizziness, weakness, and cold hands and feet.

Iron works closely with folate and vitamin B12 to support red blood cell production. A shortage of any one of these nutrients can limit how well oxygen is delivered, making tasks like climbing stairs or keeping warm feel far more draining. In the UK, iron deficiency affects around 3 per cent of men and 8 per cent of women.

Folate

Folate is important for cell development and the production of red blood cells. Levels have been falling in recent years, with teenagers showing particularly high rates of deficiency. Women of reproductive age are especially at risk, as low folate levels early in pregnancy can raise the chance of neural tube defects.

To address this, the UK government plans to add folic acid to white flour by the end of 2026, covering common foods such as bread and baked goods. Folate can also be found naturally in leafy green vegetables, beans, and citrus fruits.

Blood tests are the most reliable way to confirm whether a deficiency is present. Iron levels can be difficult to correct through diet alone because the body tightly controls absorption, so supplements are often needed, particularly for people with heavy periods or digestive problems. Folate deficiency is usually easier to correct with dietary changes or supplements.

Boosting vitamin B12 depends on the cause. Vegans often need supplements, while older adults or people taking acid-reducing medication long term may need higher doses or injections.

Leaving deficiencies untreated can allow symptoms to linger and, in some cases, lead to lasting nerve damage. The positive news is that once a deficiency is identified and treated, many people begin to feel better within weeks. Energy, focus, and overall well-being often return quickly, bringing noticeable improvements to everyday life.

President Donald Trump has said he takes a daily aspirin dose that is higher than what his doctors advise and has done so for the past 25 years. He made the remarks during a wide-ranging interview with The Wall Street Journal, published on Thursday.

“They tell me aspirin helps thin the blood, and I don’t want thick blood moving through my heart,” Trump, 79, told the newspaper. “I want thin blood flowing through my heart. That sounds right, doesn’t it?”

The president takes 325 milligrams of aspirin every day, which equals one standard adult over-the-counter tablet. This amount is four times higher than the commonly recommended 81 milligram low-dose aspirin often used to help prevent heart disease.

Can Taking Too Much Aspirin Really Cause Hand Bruises?

As per NPR News, since 2022, the US Preventive Services Task Force, the country’s leading panel on disease prevention, has advised that adults over 60 should not begin taking daily aspirin to prevent heart disease if they do not already have an underlying condition. The panel also said it is reasonable for people who are already on preventive aspirin to consider stopping around the age of 75.

What Is Aspirin, And What Is It Used For?

Aspirin belongs to the same group of drugs as ibuprofen and naproxen. At low doses, it reduces the production of a substance that helps blood clots form. The medication is widely used to treat headaches and other pain in adults. It is also taken preventively, as Trump does, by roughly one in seven older Americans.

Ideal Dose For Aspirin

Specialists generally recommend 81 milligrams of aspirin per day for people who need it to lower their risk of heart disease. This dose was once referred to as “baby aspirin,” though aspirin is no longer advised for regular use in children. Doctors favor the lower dose rather than Trump’s 325 milligrams because studies show there is no added benefit from taking more. A large study published in 2021 supported this conclusion.

“There is some evidence that if someone has already tolerated 325 milligrams for years, the extra risk compared to 81 milligrams is probably quite small,” says Dr Eleanor Levin, a preventive cardiologist at Stanford Medicine. “But the higher dose really isn’t necessary.”

Some people are advised to stay on low-dose aspirin for life, regardless of age. This includes patients who have had bypass surgery or a heart attack. Levin also recommends aspirin for certain people with silent coronary artery disease, where arteries are narrowed without obvious symptoms.

Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency in July. A memo released by the White House in December stated that his cardiovascular system remains in “excellent health.”

Common Side Effects Of Aspirin

Although aspirin is considered safer than many other blood thinners, it still raises the risk of bleeding in the stomach and brain, even at low doses. These complications are uncommon and rarely fatal.

The risk of bleeding increases with age, and alcohol can raise it further. Aspirin can also cause milder bleeding issues, such as easy bruising or small cuts. Trump has experienced both, and his doctor linked these symptoms to aspirin use, according to a White House memo released in July. Levin says this is not unusual or alarming.

“This actually shows the drug is doing what it’s supposed to do,” Levin says. “As people reach their late 70s and 80s, the skin becomes thinner and more fragile. Patients often come in with bruises on their arms and don’t recall bumping into anything.”

During the Journal interview, Trump also addressed questions about his hearing and sleep, which he largely brushed off. While hearing loss becomes more common with age, aspirin can sometimes cause ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus. Its effect on sleep is less clear.

Is Taking Aspirin Dangerous?

Levin says Trump’s long-term use of a higher aspirin dose is unlikely to be life-threatening, though she does not advise most patients to take more than recommended. She explains that doses above 2,400 milligrams, once used to treat arthritis, are considered high-dose aspirin and carry much greater risks.

“I’m sure his doctors have told him that,” Levin says. “There’s no need to panic.” She says her own approach is different. “We talk through the risks and benefits. We look at the evidence and the research, and my patients follow that guidance.”

Gabapentin was first approved decades ago for epilepsy and nerve pain linked to shingles. Over time, it has turned into one of the most frequently prescribed medicines in the United States. In 2024 alone, around 15.5 million people were given prescriptions for it, placing it seventh among the country’s most prescribed drugs. Its popularity grew around a reassuring belief that it could ease pain without carrying the addiction risks long associated with opioids.

For a growing number of patients, that expectation has fallen short, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal

What Is Gabapentin?

Gabapentin is a prescription drug that belongs to a group of medicines known as anticonvulsants, also called anti-epileptic drugs. It is mainly prescribed to manage specific seizure disorders and to treat nerve-related pain. The medication is sold under brand names such as Neurontin, Gralise, and Horizant and comes in several forms, including capsules, tablets, extended-release tablets, and a liquid taken by mouth.

Gabapentin: When Stopping Becomes The Crisis

John Avery, a former high school physical education teacher from Illinois, was given gabapentin after a slipped disc triggered nerve pain. He recalls being told the drug was not addictive, as per Wall Street Journal. After a little over three weeks on it, he stopped taking it and says he was hit with severe and long-lasting withdrawal symptoms. These now include tremors, intense burning sensations across his body, muscle spasms, sleeplessness, and drastic weight loss. Several doctors later told him gabapentin was the likely cause. Avery says if he had known the drug required a slow taper, he would have refused it altogether.

Today, most gabapentin prescriptions are written for conditions it was never formally approved to treat by the US Food and Drug Administration. Doctors commonly prescribe it for long-term pain, anxiety, migraines, sleep problems, menopausal hot flashes, and more. While prescribing drugs off-label is legal and widespread, it also means the FDA has not formally evaluated the drug’s safety or benefits for many of these uses. Among people on Medicare, more than 90 percent of gabapentin prescriptions linked to doctor visits were for off-label reasons.

Gabapentin Linked To Dementia And Other Serious Problems

An expanding body of research suggests gabapentin may not be as harmless or as helpful as once believed. Studies have associated it with a higher risk of dementia, suicidal thoughts or behaviour, dangerous breathing problems in people with lung disease, swelling, and problems with thinking and memory. One recent study found that giving gabapentin to patients after surgery did not lower complications or shorten hospital stays. Instead, more patients reported ongoing pain months later.

Although medical guidance has long described gabapentin as non-habit-forming, many patients report serious symptoms when they try to reduce or stop the drug. These experiences point to physical dependence, even when gabapentin is taken exactly as prescribed.

Gabapentin: A Dangerous Combination

Gabapentin is frequently taken alongside opioids, either by design or because prescriptions overlap. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that this combination can be fatal. Federal and state records show that at least 5,000 deaths each year over the past five years have involved gabapentin overdoses.

One of those deaths was Nancy Hammer, a 77-year-old woman from South Carolina. She was prescribed gabapentin along with an opioid and other drugs that slow the nervous system. A later toxicology report found that the mix suppressed her breathing until it stopped. Her family says they were never clearly told how risky the combination could be.

Gabapentin: Why Doctors Keep Prescribing It

Gabapentin prescriptions have more than doubled in the past 15 years. This rise coincided with doctors pulling back from opioids and benzodiazepines as regulations tightened and scrutiny increased. For many clinicians, gabapentin became what one pain specialist described as a moral and regulatory “safe harbour” when they needed to treat pain quickly but had limited options.

Many doctors maintain that the drug does help certain patients and is often well tolerated. Others now argue that it has been prescribed too casually, used for too many complaints, and renewed too easily without enough follow-up.

As prescribing continues to rise, more researchers and doctors are questioning whether gabapentin represents another chapter in America’s long history of overprescribing. For some patients, a drug once promoted as a safer answer to pain has instead brought lasting harm.