A report by Swachh Bharat Mission says that 74.5 per cent of public places are equipped with toilets. Another report by the Ministry of Jal Shakti states that there are 2.23 lakh Community Sanitary Complexes built across all States and UTs under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) since October 2014. Over 92 lakh toilets have been constructed since the launch of SBM Gramin (SBM (G)) in April 2020.

While toilets are there, are they accessible? This is the question one should ask. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) focuses on 131 health indicators, but not until the NFHS 5 survey did they include the question of accessibility of toilets in the survey. This happened after the inputs from the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare questioned the accessibility.

One might ask, why is the question of accessibility so important? The answer is quite simple. Access to water, sanitation and hygiene is the most basic human need and is also included under the Sustainable Development Goals by the UN.

Are These Numbers Real?

This thought crossed my mind because back in 2021, I went on a solo trip, on a bus to Udaipur from Delhi. There, the bus made two stoppages. This was done so people could get a quick dinner and freshen up, relieve themselves and be prepared for the rest of the journey. This was a nightmare. The bus only stopped for 10 minutes. While some men used the washroom, others went to the bushes.

For the women, there were three cubicles. One of them was broken, and the other one did not have a light bulb, which meant only one was usable. There was a long queue for that cubicle, and time was short. There was no point in trying to find an isolated corner, because it was past midnight, in an unknown area.

I waited anxiously. When finally, my turn came, I saw an overused, dirty washroom. The toilet seat is in a horrible condition. I wanted to touch nothing there. But I had to pee. So, I used my mask to cover my nose from the odour, folded my pants so they did not touch the floor and squatted. It was quite a task to balance.

On my way back to Delhi, I made sure to not drink any water for over a 13-hour bus journey. I dehydrated myself so I did not have to use the washroom. When I did reach, I was severely dehydrated and was sick for three days.

I shared my experience with my friends only to realise that many women have faced the same. There are no washrooms for women.

A friend of mine told me that it is because these roads and dhabas are mainly designed to serve men. They are the ones who travel at night or are on the roads most of the time. As a result, the few women who do travel or are on the road suffer.

Health Risks Women Are Prone To

Well, it is true, but partially. While holding your pee for too long can lead to health risks, peeing on a dirty toilet seat cannot lead to infections unless your urethra is in contact with the bacteria present on that toilet seat. However, nobody wants to sit on a dirty toilet seat, even if you do not get an infection. A safe and hygienic toilet is a basic need.

One of the regular saleswomen, Usha, who visits my house shared her experience with me. “Being on the road constantly means I must use the dirty public washrooms. But I do not want to use them. So, sometimes I ask my regular customers to let me use their washrooms. Some say yes, and some say no. I understand they are also concerned about their safety and privacy,” she says. As a result, Usha spends most of her day not drinking enough water and holding her pee when she is at work. Due to this, she also suffered from a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).

Her friend, Halima too faced similar problems and due to increased levels of uric acid in her body, she suffered from Hyperuricemia.

Other health risks are kidney stones and other kidney problems, headaches, dull skin, xerostomia or dry mouth, fatigue, and urinary incontinence, which means losing control over your pelvic floor muscles leading to uncontrolled leakage of urine, seizures and weakness.

What Can You Do?

Wear comfortable clothes and capris. Capri pants are comfortable and are short in length, which means this won’t touch the toilet floor when you squat or sit.

Carry Essentials

Even though you cannot get a UTI alone from sitting on a toilet seat, it is always safe to carry a toilet seat sanitiser. If nothing, it can help you get rid of the bad odour so you can use your stand and pee device inside the toilet. You can also use disposable toilet seat covers if your knees are weak, and you cannot squat. Always flush with your seat down.

Always keep disposable gloves, a portable bidet (fill it with water before use), a pocket liquid handwash, wet wipes, tissues and sanitiser handy. Do not forget to keep extra sanitary pads. It might sound a lot, but I promise that it all fits in one pouch. Use this travel-friendly pouch every time you are on the road, or using a public washroom.

What Can We Learn From Others?

However, in case we do not get these technologically advanced toilets here, you can always pack a travel-friendly toilet kit!

New Delhi's weather is fluctuating sharply, with Western Disturbances driving bouts of intense heat and sudden pre-monsoon showers. The city is currently hovering in the mid-30s°C but is also bracing for a return to scorching heat, with maximum temperatures forecast to climb into the low to mid-40s°C this week.

Such weather fluctuations can play a significant role in triggering migraine attacks, said Dr. Vivek Kumar, Principal Director - Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj.

Weather Factors That Can Trigger Migraines

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Vivek noted that many components of weather are reported to affect migraine. These include:

• Barometric pressure
• Humidity
• Temperature
• Seasons

Dr. Kumar explained that a drop in atmospheric pressure, often seen before storms, can create a pressure imbalance between the environment and the sinuses or inner ear, stimulating nerves and leading to headaches.

"Rapid temperature changes, as well as exposure to extreme heat or cold, can also trigger migraine episodes," he said.

Similarly, both high humidity and very dry air have been associated with the onset of migraine symptoms. Bright sunlight and intense sun exposure, particularly when reflected off surfaces such as snow or water, are also recognized migraine triggers.

Also read: Global Temperatures Likely To Stay Near Record Levels For Next Five Years: WMO

How Does The Weather Trigger Migraines?

According to Dr. Kumar, weather changes can affect brain chemistry by influencing serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter involved in migraine development. They may also contribute to inflammation or pressure differences within the sinuses.

Further, the expert noted that seasonal transitions can be particularly challenging.

"Spring and summer may trigger migraines because of heat and allergens, while winter's cold and dry air can also contribute to headaches and sinus discomfort," he said.

Notably, weather is often only one factor among several. Allergies during spring or viral illnesses during autumn may also combine with environmental changes to trigger headaches, Dr. Kumar stressed.

Migraine Vs Sinus Headache

Read More: What Can You Learn About Your Health From Ice Cream Headaches?

Migraine is also frequently mistaken for a sinus headache because the symptoms often overlap.

Dr. Kumar noted that migraine attacks can cause forehead and facial pressure, as well as nasal congestion or a runny nose. Unlike migraine, however, sinus infections may be accompanied by fever.

He explained that migraine can activate nerves in the face, a phenomenon known as cranial autonomic activation, which can create sensations of nasal blockage and congestion.

While weather changes are difficult to avoid, monitoring weather forecasts may help people prepare for potential triggers. Preventive treatment may also reduce sensitivity to environmental changes and allow greater freedom in daily activities.

Tips To Prevent Migraine

Dr. Kumar advised:

• Keeping a migraine diary for at least 90 days to help identify specific weather-related patterns associated with attacks.
• Treating migraine attacks early when weather-related triggers are suspected. Early treatment can shorten the duration of an attack and prevent symptoms from becoming severe.
• Maintaining adequate hydration, particularly during hot weather or physical activity. Carrying water when outdoors can help compensate for fluid loss through sweating.
• For those sensitive to bright sunlight, staying indoors during peak daylight hours may be beneficial. When outdoor exposure is unavoidable, protective sunglasses or hats can help reduce glare and light sensitivity.

For many individuals, the most frustrating part of weight loss is not the effort; it is the lack of results. Strict diets are followed, workouts are consistent, and routines are maintained with discipline, yet the scale refuses to move in a meaningful way. What appears, on the surface, to be a failure of method is often a reflection of how the body is designed to respond.

Weight loss process explained

Dr V G Mohan Prasad, M.D., D.M. (Gastro), FASGE, FRCP(E), FICP, FSGEI, Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist & Therapeutic Endoscopist, VGM Hospital, Tamil Nadu, in an interaction with Health and Me, said, "Weight loss is not a straightforward process of cutting calories. When food intake is reduced, the body does not simply comply; it adapts. Metabolism slows down, energy is conserved, and hunger signals become stronger. Over time, particularly in those who have gone through repeated cycles of dieting, the body becomes more efficient at holding on to energy. This adaptive response can create a situation where effort continues, but progress stalls."

At the same time, fat loss does not occur uniformly. Certain areas of the body, especially abdominal fat, are more resistant due to hormonal influences. This often leads to a mismatch between internal metabolic improvements and visible physical changes, making it seem as though nothing is working, even when the body is undergoing shifts beneath the surface.

The role of metabolic health

Metabolic health also plays a defining role. Two individuals following identical routines can have very different outcomes depending on factors such as insulin sensitivity, muscle composition, and inflammation levels. In some cases, underlying medical conditions or long-term medication use can further complicate the process, making conventional approaches less effective.

The ideal weight loss strategy

What this highlights is a need to move beyond standardised weight-loss strategies. When the body resists, simply intensifying effort is rarely the solution. Instead, it calls for a more targeted and individualised approach that takes these biological responses into account.

This is where advancements in medical science are beginning to bridge the gap. Alongside lifestyle changes, minimally invasive procedures using endoscopic techniques through the mouth, thereby obviating the need for surgery, are increasingly being used to support individuals who struggle despite sustained efforts. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), for instance, works by reducing stomach volume and delaying the emptying of the stomach, helping individuals feel full sooner and sustain dietary changes over time. Another endoscopic technique is the placement of an intragastric balloon in the stomach, which promotes portion control and supports behavioural modification.

For those who have previously undergone bariatric surgery and are experiencing weight regain, endoscopic transoral outlet reduction (TORe) helps restore satiety by reducing the size of the gastric outlet.

These interventions are not designed to replace healthy habits but to work alongside them, particularly in cases where biological resistance makes progress difficult. They reflect a broader shift in how weight management is being understood—not as a one-size-fits-all process, but as something that requires alignment between effort and how the body responds.

Failure to lose weight is a reminder that the body is not a simple system and that effective solutions must take its complexity into account.

The brain is a crucial component of the human body. It is an integral part of the whole system, but when the body ages, the brain does too. The brain is the organ that plays a big role in the aging process. The brain protein is an important component of the body, and can positively impact inflammation, memory decline, and other age-related changes.

A recent study conducted by PLOS Biology claims that the brain protein Menin loss can be crucial to inflammation, memory decline, and other age-related changes. The researchers in the study used mice as test subjects and tried to restore the very protein in them, which worked marvelously; aging conditions were completely reversed.

The study found that aging can be highly influenced by the hypothalamus, a strong brain region that regulates metabolism, hormones, body temperature, sleep, and stress responses. According to the researchers, the hypothalamus is a central command centre for aging.

The research was done by Lige Leng and colleagues at Xiamen University in China and mainly focused on the Menin. They intended to see what the impact would be if someone lost this very important protective protein. The study on mice shows that when Menin levels drop in the hypothalamus, it causes faster aging.

The study specifically used young mice and reduced menin levels; as a result, they faced brain inflammation, thinning skin, lower bone mass, impaired balance, memory problems, and a shorter lifespan. Thus, the conclusion of the research was that menin is likely to act as an anti-aging component in the body.

How Much Protein Do You Really Need?

Your protein needs aren’t one-size-fits-all. They depend on several factors: your weight, age, physical activity, body composition goals, and overall health status.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for the average adult is 0.36 grams per pound (0.8 grams per kilogram) of body weight. This amount is to meet basic nutritional needs in most sedentary adults.

However, experts suggest that physically active people often need more, anywhere from 0.54 to 0.9 grams per pound (1.2–2 grams per kilogram) per day. Athletes may even require higher amounts to support muscle repair and performance.

Certain groups, such as pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, older adults, and people recovering from illness or injury, also have increased protein needs. For example, during pregnancy, the recommendation rises to about 0.5 grams per pound (1.1 grams per kilogram).