We love experimenting with our hair, but that comes with its fair share of hair damage and brittleness. Does that mean we just let our hair be their normal self? Actually no, to enhance your looks and bring out your personality it is important to keep changing your hair but it is also important to take goo care of your hair.

And for those who think hair care can cost a bomb, then follow the below mentioned DIY recipes and you can thank us forever.

Rice Water and Fenugreek Hair Mask

• Soak two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in rice water overnight.
• Blend the soaked seeds with rice water to form a paste.
• Apply it to your scalp and hair, leaving it on for 45 minutes before washing.

Avocado & Olive Oil Hair Mask

• Scoop out the pulp from the avocado and mash it. Now add olive oil to the pulp and mix properly.
• Apply the mixture to your scalp and strands. Leave it on for about an hour before washing your hair.
• Use this mask once a week.

Banana and Olive Oil Hair Mask

• Use one ripe banana and one tablespoon of olive oil.
• Blend or mash the banana until it reaches a lump-free puree. Add the olive oil and continue blending.
• While in the shower, apply the mask throughout the hair and scalp with fingers. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing.

Lemon and Yogurt Hair Mask

• Take 1 bowl of yogurt and add 3-4 drops of lemon juice to it.
• Mix it thoroughly and apply it evenly onto your hair.
• Keep it on for 20 minutes and then rinse it off and remember to use a conditioner after.

Shea Butter Homemade Hair Mask

• Melt shea butter and add some coconut oil to it. You can also add argan oil instead of coconut oil.
• Apply it to your scalp and strands. Give it one to two hours to work its magic. After a few hours, wash and condition as usual.
• Use it twice a week.

Cancer trends in India are changing rapidly, driven by lifestyle patterns, environmental exposure, infections, and limited access to early healthcare in some regions. According to Dr Puneet Gupta, Chairman of Oncology Services at Asian Hospital, understanding early warning signs and adopting preventive habits can significantly improve survival outcomes.

“Cancer patterns in India are the results of multiple factors ranging from lifestyle, environmental exposure, infections and access to timely care,” Dr Gupta explained, adding that early symptoms can appear months or even years before the disease reaches advanced stages.

Breast Cancer: The Most Common Cancer In Women

Dr Gupta noted that breast cancer is frequently seen in women, especially after the age of 40. He highlighted that the disease often develops silently and without pain.

He explained that warning signs may include lumps in the breast or under the arm, changes in breast shape, skin dimpling, inward turning of the nipple, or unusual discharge. “Do not ignore these changes,” he cautioned. Regular self-examination, along with timely imaging tests such as mammography, ultrasound, or MRI, can help detect breast cancer early.

Cervical Cancer: Strongly Linked To HPV Infection

Cervical cancer mainly affects women between 30 and 60 years. Dr Gupta emphasised that HPV infection remains the leading risk factor. Early symptoms can include abnormal vaginal bleeding, bleeding after intercourse, or persistent pelvic pain, although early stages often remain symptom-free.

He stressed that routine Pap smear screening and HPV vaccination play a crucial role in prevention and early diagnosis.

Lung Cancer: Rising Risk Beyond Smoking

While lung cancer remains more common in men, Dr Gupta pointed out that cases among women are rising as well. Smoking is the primary cause, but exposure to fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) also contributes to the risk.

He warned that persistent cough, chest pain, breathing difficulty, unexplained weight loss, or coughing blood require immediate medical evaluation, particularly in people with a history of tobacco use.

Oral Cancer: A Major Concern In India

Oral cancer remains widespread due to tobacco, gutka, areca nut consumption, and HPV infection. Dr Gupta explained that long-lasting mouth ulcers, red or white patches inside the mouth, jaw stiffness, or swallowing difficulty are early red flags. Regular dental and oral examinations can help detect early cancerous changes.

Colorectal Cancer: Lifestyle-Linked Risks

According to Dr Gupta, colorectal cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in adults around 40 years of age. Sedentary lifestyles, low-fiber diets, and excessive red meat intake are major contributing factors.

He said symptoms such as blood in stool, persistent bowel habit changes, abdominal pain, or unexplained anaemia should not be overlooked. Early screening and genetic testing in high-risk individuals can significantly improve outcomes.

Stomach Cancer: Often Shows Subtle Symptoms

Dr Gupta explained that stomach cancer may initially present as indigestion, early fullness, nausea, or unexplained weight loss. It is often associated with long-term Helicobacter pylori infection, smoking, and salt-heavy diets. Persistent digestive discomfort warrants medical attention.

Prostate Cancer: Common But Often Slow Growing

Prostate cancer typically affects men above 50 and usually progresses gradually. Dr Gupta noted that difficulty urinating and frequent nighttime urination are common early symptoms. Regular check-ups help detect the disease before complications arise.

Esophageal Cancer: Linked To Lifestyle And Nutrition

Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, and iron deficiency increase the risk of esophageal cancer. Dr Gupta advised that swallowing difficulty, chest discomfort, or unexplained weight loss should prompt evaluation through tests like endoscopy or barium swallow.

Ovarian Cancer: Often Missed Due To Vague Symptoms

Dr Gupta explained that ovarian cancer frequently goes undetected due to non-specific symptoms such as bloating, abdominal discomfort, or early satiety. Women with persistent symptoms, particularly those with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, should seek medical evaluation.

Liver Cancer: Screening Is Crucial For High-Risk Groups

Liver cancer often develops in individuals with chronic liver disease. Symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal swelling, or persistent pain usually appear late. Dr Gupta stressed that hepatitis vaccination and screening among high-risk groups are vital for prevention.

Lifestyle Changes And Screening Can Reduce Risk

Dr Gupta emphasized that although cancer cannot be completely prevented, a significant proportion of cases are linked to modifiable risk factors. Avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight, consuming balanced nutrition, managing stress, and staying physically active can lower risk.

He added that vaccinations against HPV and hepatitis further reduce cancer risk, while regular screening helps detect cancers at pre-cancer or early stages. “Education, prevention and early detection make the difference between late-stage disease and long-term survival,” Dr Gupta concluded.

While you may have seen multiple women, who are not pregnant, taking prenatal vitamins to improve their skin, hair and nail quality, experts say you should steer clear and only stick to multivitamins to ensure your body stays healthy all-year round.

Prenatal vitamins are daily supplements for women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. These supplements contain the vitamins and minerals you need to support healthy fetal development, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Dr Rohan Palshetkar, Consultant IVF Specialist, Bloom IVF tells Healthandme: ""Prenatal vitamin should be taken three months at least prior to the pregnancy or basically whenever you begin to start planning the pregnancy, ensure that all your micro nutrients as well as your folic acid levels are up to the normal mark so as to ensure that your baby has a healthy growth"

But when your body doesn't need it, taking supplements could put you at risk over time.

Which Vitamins And Minerals Are Prenatal Vitamins Rich In?

As per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), here are the most important nutrients prenatal vitamins are packed with:

Folic Acid: One of the most important prenatal nutrients, this B vitamin is important as it creates your baby's neural tube. This is the structure that eventually forms brain. As per the US Preventive Services Task Force, folic acid supplements significantly increase the growth of healthy neural tube. The American Academy of Pediatrics also notes that it helps the neural tube to protect from defects by 50 percent.

Iron: It supplies blood and oxygen to the fetus and also helps build the placenta. It also gives the mother extra blood volume that you need throughout pregnancy. Pregnant people are prone to anemia, this is why iron supplementation is a must.

Calcium: The most time spend in uterus for a baby is invested in building their bones and teeth, this is a Herculean task, and requires the mother to have plenty of calcium. If you don't have enough calcium, then your baby will utilise the calcium from your body, which could lead to temporary bone loss.

Certain prenatal supplements also contain other additives such as omega-3 fatty acids.

Why Is It Dangerous To Take Prenatal Vitamins

The main difference between a prenatal vitamin and a multivitamin is the concentration of folic acid and iron.

Ingesting enough folate from food or folic acid from supplements at the start of a pregnancy lowers the risk of certain birth defects. Along with this, iron supplements help the body make the extra blood cells needed during pregnancy.

The amount of folic acid suggested for people who are planning a pregnancy is 400 to 800 micrograms (mcg) a day. The amount of iron needed in pregnancy is 27 milligrams (mg) a day.

The typical amount of folic acid for an non-pregnant adult is 400 mcg a day. For iron, the typical daily amount is 8 mg for males and 18 mg for females.

Taking iron and folic acid at levels higher than the suggested amounts may bump people closer to the upper limit for these nutrients which can raise the risk of health problems.

Taking too much folic acid, especially over 1,000 mcg daily without a doctor's advice, can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency, potentially causing irreversible nerve damage and may lead to side effects such as bitter taste, nausea or sleep problems, with potential links to increased risks in pregnancy like autism or insulin resistance.

Eating too much iron, especially from supplements, can cause acute iron poisoning, leading to severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and bloody stools. Long-term excessive intake causes iron to deposit in tissues, causing iron overload (hemochromatosis) that damages the liver (cirrhosis), heart (failure), and pancreas (diabetes) and may cause a bronze skin color.

The Olympic Games are often seen as the ultimate celebration of human endurance, discipline and perfection. But behind the glittering medals, roaring crowds and emotional national anthems lies a quieter, more personal struggle many athletes carry with them, their mental health.

As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina draw closer, officials from the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) are acknowledging a reality that has long remained in the shadows. According to the organization’s chief medical officer, Jonathan Finnoff, nearly half of U.S. Olympic athletes and 60 percent of Paralympic athletes are expected to experience symptoms linked to mental health concerns while preparing for or competing in the Games. These numbers highlight how elite sports, despite its glamour, can place enormous emotional and psychological pressure on athletes.

The Growing Recognition Of Mental Health In Elite Sports

Over the years, conversations around athlete well-being have shifted significantly. Earlier, the focus remained heavily on physical fitness and performance, while emotional struggles were often dismissed as signs of weakness. Today, sports bodies are beginning to understand that mental fitness is just as important as physical conditioning.

In response, the USOPC has introduced a wide range of support systems. These include hiring specialized professionals trained in both mental health care and performance psychology, creating virtual consultation services, and introducing structured screening programmes to identify athletes who may require additional support. Officials claim that the programme has grown into a comprehensive support network designed to assist athletes before, during and after competitions.

However, these initiatives have not emerged without criticism. Reports and athlete testimonies over the years have pointed towards gaps in earlier mental health care systems within competitive sports. The issue gained global attention when several high-profile athletes openly spoke about their struggles.

Simone Biles And The Turning Point

One of the most defining moments in this conversation occurred during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, when American gymnast Simone Biles withdrew from the individual all-around final after experiencing what gymnasts refer to as “the twisties”, a dangerous mental block that disrupts spatial awareness mid-performance.

Her decision sparked global debate and encouraged many athletes to speak openly about psychological challenges. Prominent sportspersons from different disciplines followed suit, helping dismantle long-standing stigma around mental health in professional sports.

Following these developments, the USOPC significantly expanded its psychological services, increasing the number of licensed professionals and strengthening its support infrastructure. Additional funding from private foundations further helped expand mental health resources available to athletes.

Life After The Spotlight: The Emotional Void Athletes Face

For many athletes, the psychological strain does not end with the competition. Olympic freestyle skier Nick Goepper has spoken openly about his personal struggles with depression, substance abuse and feelings of purposelessness after major sporting events.

Athletes often dedicate their entire lives to reaching the Olympic stage. Once the event concludes, many find themselves grappling with identity crises and emotional emptiness. The sudden transition from global recognition to everyday routine can be deeply unsettling, especially when athletes begin questioning their purpose beyond sport.

Mental health professionals working with Olympic teams now recognize that athletes are not only dealing with performance pressure but also navigating personal life challenges, grief, injuries and major life transitions during their careers.

Balancing Performance And Well-being

While global sponsors and sporting organizations continue to prioritize medal tallies, there is growing acknowledgement that long-term athletic success cannot be separated from mental well-being. Psychological services within Olympic teams now focus not only on improving performance but also on helping athletes manage stress, trauma and life challenges.

Experts working with Olympic teams note that mental health support often extends beyond competition preparation. Athletes may seek counselling for personal losses, relationship struggles or major life changes, all of which can affect performance and overall well-being.

A Cultural Shift In Sports

The evolving approach toward athlete mental health reflects a broader cultural change in competitive sports. Open conversations, improved medical support and athlete-led advocacy are slowly transforming how mental health is perceived in elite sporting environments.

As the Milano Cortina Games approach, the spotlight will undoubtedly remain on record-breaking performances and medal counts. Yet, an equally important story will unfold behind the scenes — one where athletes, coaches and sports organizations work together to ensure that champions are supported not just physically, but emotionally as well.