Vitamins and minerals are essential for the body to function properly and to stay healthy. They help our body to convert food into energy, support growth and development and even boost the immune system. Often, when we do not consume enough vitamins, it can result in slowed down functions of our body.

While some vitamins and minerals could be gained from fruits, vegetables and certain food, vitamin D has a natural source, which does not require us to get fruits or vegetables from the market. It is the sunlight.

Sunlight Is a Source of Vitamin D

Sunlight is a great source of vitamin D. This is why Vitamin D is also known as the Sunshine Vitamin. During exposure to sunlight 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin absorbs UV B radiation and is converted to previtamin D3, which in turn isomerises into vitamin D3.

However, as the winters are approaching, it can aggravate your Vitamin D deficiency. Your doctor will advise a 25-hydroxyvitamin D test to check the levels. As during the winter months, we mostly stay confined indoors, which can lead to shorter exposure to sunlight.

Studies have also investigated the link between vitamin D deficiency and uterine fibroids.

The Link Between Uterine Fibroids And Vitamin D

While studies neither confirm nor rule out the development of uterine fibroids when it comes to vitamin D deficiencies, here is how it could affect the condition.

Several studies have found a correlation between low levels of vitamin D and an increased risk of developing uterine fibroids. Published in the journal Epidemiology, a study noted that women with enough levels of vitamin D had 32% lower risk of developing fibroids compared to those with deficiency.

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

They are common, non-cancerous growths in the uterus that are made of muscles and connective tissues. Women who are between the ages of 35 to 55 usually report this, with symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, back pain, frequent urination and pain during sex.

In another study published in Frontiers, the researchers found that a one-SD decrease in serum vitamin D levels was linked with a higher risk of uterine fibroids. However, it is important to note that these studies do not provide any conclusive results. However, experts do agree that vitamin D has anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties, which can contribute to its protective role against fibroids. Therefore, when the body lacks it, it may reduce the ability to protect against any inflammation.

Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency

• Extreme pain in lower back and joints
• Feeling fatigued
• Sudden mood changes
• Hair thinning or hair loss
• Slow wound healing
• Irregular period
• Muscle weakness
• Fall ill frequently

Whether it is school, college or work, waking up at a certain hour every day makes your body clock aware that you should be conscious during these hours. However, as time progresses and your obligations change, so can your health. Many jobs these days require night shifts or early mornings, that can throw one’s body clock off.

This mix-up leads to trouble sleeping, feeling super tired during work hours, and general exhaustion. Even people with very early morning commutes can experience this. It's not just being tired; it’s a real problem with your body's sleep rhythm, making it hard to function normally. According to the Cleveland Clinic this is known as Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD) which is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder that causes unwanted sleepiness, being unable to stay awake and other issues.

How Do You Know Whether You Have SWSD?

Shift work disorder does more than just make you sleepy. It's like being constantly tired, even after "sleeping." You might struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep, and you might wake up feeling like you haven't rested at all. Headaches and body aches become frequent, and you might feel irritable or easily annoyed.

Focusing on work becomes difficult, and you might make more mistakes. Your relationships can suffer because you’re always tired and grumpy. You may also feel sad or hopeless, and your memory might get worse. Even your reaction time can slow down, which is dangerous, especially in jobs that require quick thinking. Basically, you never feel truly rested, which affects every part of your life.

How Can You Help SWSD?

If you can’t change your work hours, you can still improve your sleep and feel better. The main goal is to get better sleep quality and duration. If you think you have shift work disorder, you’ll need to talk to a doctor. It’s important to find out if your sleep problems are from your work schedule or something else, like another circadian rhythm disorder. To work towards better, here are some tips according to the Sleep Foundation.

Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment

Make your room super dark and quiet. Use thick curtains and earplugs. A good sleep space helps your body know it's time to rest, even in the daytime.

Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even when you're not working. This helps your body get used to a new sleep routine, making it easier to sleep.

Take Naps

Short naps during your breaks can help you stay awake and alert during your shift. Keep naps short, like 20-30 minutes, so you don’t feel groggy later.

Gradual Shift Adjustments

If your schedule changes, slowly move your bedtime and wake-up time by an hour or two each day. This gives your body time to adjust to the new schedule.

Use Dark Glasses

Wear sunglasses when you leave work in the morning. This blocks out sunlight, which tells your body it's still nighttime, helping you fall asleep faster when you get home.

Limit Caffeine

Don't drink coffee or energy drinks close to bedtime. Caffeine keeps you awake. Stop drinking it several hours before you plan to sleep.

Regular Exercise

Being active helps you sleep better. But, avoid working out right before bed. Exercise too close to sleep time can make it harder to fall asleep.

Autism has increased significantly since 2000, particularly in the US, triggering public concern about what might contribute ot its prevalence. In November, Robert F Kennedy Jr, who was selected to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), linked autism to childhood vaccinations. Soon, medical experts jumped on it to discredit his claim. But then many raised this question: if autism is not caused by vaccines, then what causes this neurological disorder?

Research tells us that autism tends to run in families, and a meta-analysis of 7 twin studies claims that 60 to 90% of the risk of autism comes from your genome. If you have a child with autism, you are more likely to have another autistic child. Your other family members are also more likely to have a child with ASD.

Changes in certain genes or your genome increase the risk that a child will develop autism. If a parent carries one or more of these gene changes, they may get passed to a child (even if the parent does not have autism). For some people, a high risk for ASD can be associated with a genetic disorder, such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome. For the majority of autism cases, multiple changes in other regions of your DNA increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder. The majority of these DNA changes do not cause autism by themselves but work in conjunction with many other genes and environmental factors to cause autism.

If you or your child has ASD, we recommend that you explore genetic testing. Genetic testing could show you the genetic cause of you or your child’s autism and reveal any genetic mutations that might be linked to serious co-occurring conditions like epilepsy. Genetic testing can give doctors useful information so they can provide better, more personalized interventions. Read two families' stories on how genomics helped their understanding of autism and receiving personalized healthcare.

What environmental factors are associated with autism?

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, certain environmental influences may increase autism risk:

• Advanced parental age
• Prenatal exposure to air pollution or certain pesticides
• Maternal obesity, diabetes or immune system disorders
• Extreme prematurity or very low birth weight
• Birth complications leading to periods of oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain

After growing concerns about the effects of short-form videos on mental health, doctors are now warning of a new and escalating crisis—‘reel-induced eye damage.’ Excessive screen time, particularly binge-watching reels on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, is leading to a surge in eye disorders across all age groups, with children and young adults being the most affected.

This issue was highlighted by leading ophthalmologists during the ongoing Joint Meeting of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and All India Ophthalmological Society at the Yashobhoomi-India International Convention and Expo Centre on Tuesday.

Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) 2025 Congress president Dr Lalit Verma raised serious concerns about the ‘silent epidemic of digital eye strain’ triggered by excessive screen exposure. “We are witnessing a sharp rise in cases of dry eye syndrome, myopia progression, eye strain, and even early-onset squinting, especially in children who spend hours watching reels,” he stated.

“A student recently visited us with complaints of persistent eye irritation and blurry vision. Upon examination, we found that his eyes were not producing enough tears due to prolonged screen time at home watching reels. He was immediately prescribed eye drops and advised to follow the 20-20-20 rule—taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away,” Dr Verma added.

Reels Capture Your Attention For A Lot Of Time

Dr Harbansh Lal, chairman of the Organising Committee and president of the All India Ophthalmological Society, elaborated on the severity of the issue. He explained that short, engaging reels are designed to capture and retain attention for extended periods.

“However, constant screen fixation reduces blink rates by 50%, leading to dry eye syndrome and accommodation spasms, which make it difficult to shift focus between near and distant objects. Experts warn that if this habit remains unchecked, it could lead to long-term vision problems and even permanent eye strain,” he cautioned.

Dr Lal further emphasized that children who spend hours daily glued to reels are at an increased risk of developing early-onset myopia, which is progressing faster than ever before. Adults, too, are experiencing frequent headaches, migraines, and sleep disorders caused by blue light.

Recent studies indicate that by 2050, over 50% of the world’s population will be myopic, making it the leading cause of irreversible blindness. The increasing screen time has also led to fluctuating lens prescriptions until the age of 30, a shift from the previous norm of 21, Dr. Lal noted.

Research shows a growing number of people, particularly students and working professionals, are struggling with digital eye strain, squinting, and worsening eyesight due to prolonged exposure to high-speed, visually stimulating content. Doctors are also observing a concerning trend of social isolation, mental fatigue, and cognitive overload linked to constant reel consumption.

Dr Samar Basak, president of AIOS and a senior ophthalmologist, highlighted the social and psychological toll of excessive screen time. “We are noticing a pattern where people become so engrossed in reels that they neglect real-world interactions, leading to strained family relationships and a decline in focus on education and work.”

Dr Partha Biswas, senior ophthalmologist and incoming president of AIOS, warned, “The combination of artificial lighting, rapid visual changes, and prolonged near-focus activity overstimulates the eyes, leading to a condition we call ‘Reel Vision Syndrome.’ It’s crucial to address this before it escalates into a full-scale public health crisis.”

To mitigate the harmful effects of excessive reel-watching, ophthalmologists recommend adopting the 20-20-20 rule, increasing blink rates, consciously making an effort to blink more frequently while using screens, reducing screen time, and taking digital detoxes through regular breaks.

With eye disorders on the rise due to unregulated reel consumption, health experts urge parents, educators, and social media users to take immediate preventive measures. “Reels may be short, but their impact on eye health can last a lifetime,” warned Dr. Lal.