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.

Extremes of heatwaves and ozone pollution are intensifying, increasing heart- and lung disease-related deaths in India, according to a new study.

Heatwaves are associated with heat stress, dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and cardiovascular strain, while ground-level ozone is a harmful air pollutant linked to heart and lung diseases and increased mortality.

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, found that surface ozone levels reach 85–110 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) in northern India during heatwaves—far exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline of 70 μg/m³.

The study found that heatwaves significantly intensify exposure to toxic ground-level ozone, a harmful air pollutant linked to heart and lung diseases and increased mortality.

“In 2024 alone, ozone exposure during heatwaves was associated with 15,615 deaths from ischemic heart disease and another 10,898 deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),” said researchers Parambat Sangeetha of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies and Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath of IIT Kharagpur in the paper.

Overall, ozone exposure during heatwave conditions was associated with more than 26,500 deaths in 2024, according to the study published in npj Clean Air. Before heatwave conditions, ozone exposure was linked to 490 deaths from ischemic heart disease and 342 deaths from COPD.

Why Ozone Levels Rise During Heatwaves

Surface ozone is not released directly into the atmosphere. Instead, it forms when sunlight triggers chemical reactions among existing pollutants—a process that accelerates during periods of extreme heat.

“Ozone is very harmful, while NO₂ (nitrogen dioxide) and HCHO (formaldehyde) directly damage the respiratory system,” the authors said.

How the Study Was Conducted

For the study, researchers combined two decades of temperature records from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) with satellite observations and global weather datasets to track ozone levels and the gases responsible for its formation.

Heatwaves between 2004 and 2024 were identified using standard temperature thresholds. The team identified 188 heatwave events over the two-decade period, with the most severe years—2010, 2016, 2019, and 2024—occurring after strong El Niño episodes.

The Western Himalayas recorded the sharpest long-term increase in ozone levels, exceeding WHO guidelines by 115 percent in 2024.

The researchers concluded that “coupled heat–ozone extremes are intensifying, requiring urgent integrated climate–air quality policy action.”

Regions Most Affected

Severe heatwave conditions predominantly affect:

• Jammu
• Rajasthan
• Gujarat
• Madhya Pradesh
• Punjab
• Haryana
• Chandigarh
• Uttar Pradesh
• Delhi
• Himachal Pradesh
• Vidarbha
• Maharashtra

The heatwave belt often expands further into:

• Uttarakhand
• Odisha
• Chhattisgarh
• Bihar

Impact on Lung and Heart Health

The study noted that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is highly sensitive to changes in temperature, humidity, and air quality.

Dr. Amit Kumar Mandal, Senior Director of Pulmonology at Paras Health, explained that extreme heat combined with pollution places significant stress on multiple organs.

“People often think heatwaves only affect the skin or cause dehydration, but when extreme heat combines with high pollution levels, the body starts functioning as if it is constantly under attack,” he told HealthandMe.

“The lungs are forced to work harder to filter hot, polluted air, while the heart simultaneously struggles to regulate body temperature. This invisible overload can quietly trigger inflammation, breathing distress, sudden BP fluctuations, and cardiac strain, even in people who otherwise consider themselves healthy.”

Warning Signs to Watch For

The expert noted that early symptoms are often subtle and may go unnoticed. Common symptoms seen during heatwave and pollution episodes include:

• Persistent tiredness
• Irritability
• Disturbed sleep
• Headaches
• Chest heaviness
• Unusual breathlessness

How to Reduce Health Risks

Recommended precautions include:

• Staying hydrated
• Avoiding direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours
• Wearing light cotton clothing
• Using masks in polluted areas
• Maintaining proper indoor ventilation.

The ancient practice of yoga may help improve fertility and hormonal health in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), now renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), according to three studies led by researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.

PCOS is a multifactorial condition affecting millions of women and involves a complex interplay of reproductive, metabolic, and psychological factors that can significantly impact quality of life.

The condition can increase the risk of serious health complications, including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, infertility, and, in some cases, cancer.

The studies, led by Dr. Rima Dada, Professor at the Laboratory for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Anatomy, AIIMS Delhi, recommend lifestyle modifications, including yoga, as a primary approach to managing the condition.

“Yoga presents a comprehensive strategy for addressing PCOS, targeting hormonal imbalances, OS, mitochondrial function, metabolic syndrome, microRNA regulation, cellular longevity, and mental well‑being. It exemplifies the potential of mind‑body medicine in the treatment of complex disorders,” the researchers said, in the papers.

The papers were published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, The International Journal of Ayurveda Research and the International Journal of Yoga.

Yoga Led To Improvements In Hormonal Balance

The three studies involved more than 100 women and followed participants for up to 12 weeks. Participants practiced Asanas (physical postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques), and Dhyana (meditation) for 90 minutes a day, five days a week. The results showed significant improvements across multiple health parameters.

Women with PCOS who participated in the yoga intervention demonstrated significant reductions in:

• Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
• Testosterone levels

Also read: Yoga Shows Promise for Anxiety Relief And Seizure Control In Epilepsy, Claims AIIMS Study

“This hormonal balance has led to the restoration of menstrual cycles and improvements in hirsutism and acne, resulting in enhancements in physical appearance and psychological well-being,” the researchers stated.

Benefits Beyond Hormones

The studies also found that yoga helped regulate cellular oxidative stress, offering protection against DNA damage and epigenetic changes. Researchers also reported improvements in several metabolic markers, including reductions in:

• Glucose
• Fructose
• D-ribose
• Xanthine
• Cholesterol
• Triglycerides
• Body weight

These findings highlight yoga's potential to address key mechanisms underlying PCOS and support its use as a cost-effective, non-pharmacological, and sustainable therapy for managing the condition.

The studies also found that yoga helped alleviate symptoms of depression among women with PCOS, suggesting it may serve as an effective complementary therapy in managing the condition.

Researchers concluded that regular yoga practice could help prevent, delay, and manage PCOS symptoms.

Read More: India Launches New Yoga Protocols To Fight Diabetes, High BP, Asthma

What Is PCOS?

PCOS is a complex lifestyle disorder that appears to primarily affect the ovaries but is increasingly recognized as a systemic condition affecting multiple organs and body systems.

If not diagnosed and managed early, it can contribute to serious health complications, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and Alzheimer's disease.

While treatments such as anti-androgen medications, insulin-sensitizing agents, and fertility therapies remain important, experts note that PCOS also has a strong psychosomatic component that can benefit from lifestyle and mind-body interventions.

From PCOS to PMOS

PCOS affects more than 170 million women worldwide. In May, it was officially renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS).

The new name reflects a major shift in understanding the condition—from a predominantly gynecological disorder to a complex multisystem condition affecting several aspects of health. The term PMOS acknowledges that the condition affects:

• Endocrine health
• Metabolic health
• Reproductive health
• Dermatological health
• Psychological health

Back pain is one of the most common health complaints worldwide, affecting a large proportion of adults at some point in their lives. In most cases, it is caused by benign musculoskeletal issues such as muscle strain, poor posture, or disc-related problems, and it tends to improve with rest, physiotherapy, or simple medication. However, not all back pain originates from the spine. In some situations, pain felt in the lower back or flank region may be linked to underlying kidney conditions, including kidney cancer. As renal cell carcinoma often progresses silently in its early stages, symptoms may be delayed, making it important to recognise when back pain is unusual.

Why Kidney Cancer Can Cause Back Pain

Dr Raj Nagarkar, Chief Surgical Oncologist at HCG Manavata Cancer Centre, Nashik, said, "The kidneys are located deep in the upper abdomen, on either side of the spine, just below the rib cage. When a tumour develops in this region, it can cause pain through several mechanisms. As the tumour grows, it may stretch the kidney’s outer fibrous capsule, leading to a persistent, dull ache in the flank area between the ribs and hip. In some cases, fragile tumour blood vessels may bleed internally or form clots that obstruct urine flow, resulting in sudden, sharp pain that can resemble renal colic. Larger tumours may also press on surrounding nerves or structures, producing discomfort that may be mistaken for back or abdominal pain."

Unlike musculoskeletal pain, which typically improves with movement or rest, kidney-related pain is often constant, may worsen at night, and does not respond well to routine pain relief or physiotherapy.

Red Flags When Back Pain Needs Further Diagnosis

While back pain alone is rarely a sign of kidney cancer, certain accompanying symptoms should raise concern. One of the most important warning signs is blood in the urine, which may appear pink, red, or dark brown and can sometimes be intermittent. Persistent flank pain associated with a palpable mass under the ribs may indicate more advanced disease. Unexplained weight loss, ongoing fatigue, or a general sense of weakness can reflect systemic illness. Some patients may experience intermittent fever without infection, new-onset high blood pressure, or swelling in the legs and ankles due to impaired venous drainage. Anaemia-related symptoms such as dizziness, breathlessness, or pallor may also be present. When back pain persists beyond a few weeks and is accompanied by any of these features, further medical evaluation is strongly recommended.

Differentiating Musculoskeletal Back Pain from Kidney Cancer Pain

It is also important to distinguish kidney-related pain from common musculoskeletal back pain. Mechanical back pain is usually localised to the lower back, may radiate to the legs, and often begins after physical strain or injury. It tends to improve with rest, heat application, or physiotherapy. In contrast, kidney cancer pain is typically one-sided, located higher in the flank below the ribs, and develops gradually without a clear trigger. It is often persistent, may disturb sleep, and is not relieved by standard pain management approaches. Unlike spinal pain, it is more likely to be associated with systemic symptoms such as haematuria, weight loss, or fatigue.

Who Is at Higher Risk?

Certain individuals are at higher risk of developing kidney cancer and should be particularly attentive to persistent flank pain. Risk factors include smoking, which significantly increases exposure to kidney-damaging toxins, obesity, long-standing hypertension, chronic kidney disease or dialysis, and a family history of kidney cancer or genetic conditions such as von Hippel-Lindau disease. Occupational exposure to industrial chemicals like trichloroethylene or cadmium may also contribute to risk. When multiple risk factors are present, even mild or persistent symptoms should not be ignored.

Diagnosing Kidney Cancer

If warning signs are suspected, doctors typically begin evaluation with simple and non-invasive tests. A urine analysis can detect microscopic or visible blood, while blood tests help assess kidney function, anaemia, and calcium levels. Imaging plays a crucial role, with ultrasound often used as the first-line investigation, followed by a contrast-enhanced CT scan for detailed evaluation of tumour size and spread. In selected cases, a biopsy may be performed, although it is not always required before treatment.

Treatment and Outcomes

Treatment outcomes for kidney cancer have improved significantly in recent years. In early-stage disease, partial nephrectomy allows removal of the tumour while preserving healthy kidney tissue, often using minimally invasive or robotic techniques that support faster recovery. In more advanced cases, targeted therapies and immunotherapy help control disease progression and improve quality of life, with many patients able to maintain daily activities during treatment. For small, slow-growing tumours in selected individuals, active surveillance may be an appropriate option.

Listening to the Warning Signs

While most back pain is benign and related to musculoskeletal causes, persistent or unusual pain, especially when accompanied by symptoms such as blood in the urine, unexplained weight loss, or systemic changes, should not be ignored. Kidney cancer often develops silently, and early signs can be subtle. Unlike muscular pain, which is typically movement-related and self-limiting, kidney-related pain is deeper, more persistent, and often associated with other warning features.