When someone that you know makes a suicide attempt, it’s normal to feel a surge in tough emotions like grief, guilt, anger or even a sense of numbness. However, it’s vitally important to talk through these feelings, both for you to be able to hold yourself afloat and to support your friend through their moment of need. Listen without judgement, keep the conversation open and try to ask questions that allows you to see their perspective. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Talk Through It
The first thing to remember when engaging in this kind of conversation is that the tough reality it’s not always about finding solutions. Sometimes our role, as a friend, is simply to offer a safe space for them to be able to express their feelings. One of the most damaging sentiments in the modern day is that we don’t have the right to our emotions or to feel the way that we do, which can lead to negative spirals or ruminations.
Why Support Systems Are Crucial
The second thing to bear in mind are support systems: for you and your friend. If you're close to the person, ensure you also have a support system to help you navigate this challenging time. The person in recovery may still be experiencing suicidal distress, so having a network of people who can provide emotional support, practical help, and actual professional resources is crucial. This network might include friends, family, mental health professionals, and community support groups.
What To Do Immediately After An Attempt
In the immediate aftermath of a suicide attempt, it's important to ensure the person's safety. Either escort them to the emergency department of your nearest hospital or call a mental health crisis helpline that is equipped to handle these kinds of crises. In that time, remove any triggers or means of suicide that might exacerbate the situation and try to keep them talking. Staying calm and simply letting them know you care can be crucially important.
Reach Out To Local Mental Health NGOs And Foundations
These organizations tend to have a pool of resources to help suicide attempt survivors and those caring for them. hey also provide resources such as personal safety plans, advice for supporting someone online, and helplines for immediate support. Remember, it's not about fixing the person but about showing them empathy, care, and understanding as they navigate their path to recovery
Lastly, just remember that supporting a suicide attempt survivor is a journey, one that requires patience, empathy, and resilience. However, do remember that with the right support, recovery is possible.
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Magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. From regulating muscle and nerve function, to supporting a healthy immune system, to building protein, maintaining blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and aiding in energy production, magnesium plays an important role in our health.
Importantly, it helps in getting a good night’s sleep by promoting relaxation, calming the nervous system, and helping your body produce melatonin, the so-called sleep hormone. Magnesium supplements are among the most popular dietary supplements in America, the Washington Post reported.
“There’s a lot of interest in magnesium right now — all of my patients are asking me about it,” Bethany Marie Doerfler, a clinical research dietitian at the Northwestern Digestive Health Center, was quoted as saying.
“There’s a lot of insomnia in the United States, and many of my patients are saying, ‘Can I use magnesium, can it be helpful?’”
Studies have proven that high levels of magnesium in the diet can lower the risk of heart disease and strokes. It also increases bone mineral density, protecting against fractures and osteoporosis.
Yet despite its well-documented benefits, researchers have found that a majority of people consume less magnesium than the recommended amounts.
According to the American health officials, women aged between 19 and 30 should consume 310 milligrams of magnesium daily (350 milligrams if they’re pregnant), and 320 milligrams if they are 31 or older.
For men, the recommendation is that they consume 400 milligrams if they’re 19 to 30 years old, and 420 milligrams if they’re 31 or older.
Doerfler noted that one can get plenty of magnesium simply by eating a few daily servings of the right plant foods.
According to the National Institutes of Health some top dietary sources of magnesium, include
Most people get enough magnesium from food, but certain groups are more vulnerable to deficiency. These include people with gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn’s disease or coeliac disease, those with type 2 diabetes, people who consume excessive alcohol, and older adults.
If you’re low on magnesium, you might notice symptoms such as muscle twitches, spasms, fatigue, low appetite, nausea, or an irregular heartbeat. However, the only way to confirm a deficiency is through a blood test prescribed by your doctor.
While magnesium deficiency can lead to cramps, most cases of muscle cramps are not due to low magnesium. Research shows limited evidence that supplements prevent cramps, especially in older adults.
The link between magnesium and better sleep is also unclear. Some studies found it helped people fall asleep faster, while others found no significant difference.
When it comes to migraines, evidence is stronger. Studies suggest that taking 122–600 mg of magnesium daily for 4–24 weeks may reduce the frequency and severity of migraines in some people.
In general, magnesium supplements are safe when taken in the recommended amounts. However, too much can lead to nausea, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea, because magnesium draws water into the intestines.
Taking extremely large doses (around 5,000 mg daily) can cause magnesium toxicity, which is dangerous. Always check with your doctor before starting supplements, especially if you take other medications.
Credit: Daily Mail
A 31-year-old Brazilian beauty queen, Maiara Cristina de Lima Fiel, has reportedly died after suffering a sudden heart attack.
de Lima Fiel, a young mother, was due to compete in a beauty pageant next week. She reportedly had no major health issues. Paramedics spent more than an hour trying to save her life but she tragically did not recover, The Daily Mail reported.
Her untimely death has sparked grief and shock among her community and followers, and has also reignited concerns over unexpected cardiac events in seemingly healthy individuals.
de Lima Fiel was crowned Miss Londrina last year in a prestigious regional beauty pageant and also came runner-up in the 2025/26 edition of Miss Sarandi, The Daily Mail reported.
"She was such a committed, dedicated young woman," the report quoted Vitor Tavares, organizer of the contest Maiara, as saying. She was due to compete on April 29.
"I had the pleasure of meeting her in person at the end of last year when she confirmed her participation as Miss Londrina. From that moment, it was clear how seriously she took this dream," he added.
While detailed medical circumstances have not been publicly disclosed, such sudden cardiac events in young adults are often linked to underlying, sometimes undiagnosed, heart conditions or acute cardiovascular episodes.
Also read: US Cardiologist Explains Why 2026 AHA Cholesterol Guidelines Recommend Starting Young
Acute coronary syndromes, or heart attacks, are on the rise among young adults.
While there are some genetic predispositions for premature heart attacks, the majority of the risk is attributed to the increased incidence of conventional risk factors in young people, such as
Also read: Ideal Blood Pressure Reading for Older Adults: Harvard Health Experts Have an Answer
Doctors are now seeing them in people as young as their late 30s and early 40s, especially those with high-stress jobs.
“They mistake early signs for lifestyle issues: acidity after a heavy dinner, shoulder pain from sitting at a laptop, or tiredness from long hours," Pankaj Vinod Jariwala, Interventional Cardiologist at Yashoda Hospitals, told HealthandMe.
Dr Krunal Tamakuwala, cardiologist at KD Hospital, Ahmedabad, pointed out that the real danger is not that these heart attacks are completely "symptomless," but that their symptoms are so common that they are easily ignored.
By the time a person finally sees a doctor, their heart may already be seriously damaged.
“Sometimes, it arrives silently, hidden behind complaints we consider minor. That is why doctors urge patients not to ignore symptoms that linger or feel unusual, even if they seem harmless at first,” Dr Tamakuwala told HealthandMe.
The experts shared that to boost heart health, the key is to
Amid the ongoing heatwave, an expert spoke about what body odour indicates about health. (Photo credit: iStock)
Body odour is natural, but sometimes it may signify a health issue. When body odour is persistent, unusual, and/or changes suddenly, it could indicate a possible health problem. Sweat itself is odourless, but when it interacts with bacteria on the skin, it creates the odour that we associate with body odour. Some of the factors that may alter the way the body smells are medications, hormones, and lifestyle choices. Dr Pooja Kanumuru, a dermatologist at Apollo Clinic, Indiranagar, addressed this for Health and Me.
There are medical conditions that can cause body odour to be unusual or excessive: bromhidrosis; bacterial and/or fungal skin infections; and systemic diseases such as diabetes, liver disease, and kidney disease. For example, a diabetic with poor management may have a fruity-smelling body odour, whereas an infected person may have a foul body odour due to bacterial activity.
Body odour becomes an issue when there is no improvement despite proper hygiene. If body odour is associated with other symptoms such as fatigue, unexplained weight loss, fever, and/or abnormal skin changes, these should be addressed to determine the cause and seek appropriate assistance. Medically associated body odour does not decrease with normal methods such as bathing and/or the use of deodorants but tends to persist.
Body odour can also be affected by the following:
Hormonal and metabolic changes during certain periods of life (for example, puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause) can change the amount of sweat produced, which can also alter the intensity of its smell.
Thyroid disorders, especially hyperthyroidism, can sometimes result in increased sweating.
Rare metabolic disorders, such as trimethylaminuria, can result in a strong, fishy-smelling body odour due to the inability to break down certain substances in the body.
It is interesting how certain unusual odours can offer important clinical insights. For example, if a person has a fruity odour, this could indicate difficulties with diabetes control. A fishy smell could be a sign of a metabolic disorder, while an ammonia-like smell may indicate problems with kidney function. Meanwhile, musty or foul odours may suggest an infection or liver dysfunction. While these odours cannot be used as stand-alone diagnoses, they can help guide further medical evaluation.
Diet and lifestyle choices significantly affect body odour. For example, foods such as garlic, onions, spicy foods, red meat, and alcohol can exacerbate body odour, while poor hydration, high stress levels, smoking, and obesity can worsen it further. Additionally, wearing very tight or non-breathable clothing may cause perspiration and bacteria to become trapped, thereby worsening body odour.
Keeping your body clean, applying the right type of antiperspirant, wearing breathable materials, and maintaining a healthy diet can all help in managing body odour. However, if body odour persists or worsens, you should consult a doctor. A prompt medical assessment can identify the cause and allow your physician to discuss possible treatments, including topical medications and procedures that reduce excessive sweating.
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