Emotional control is something everyone learns over time. Everyone deals with things differently, some people have a difficult time controlling their emotions, while others find it easier to compartmentalize and figure out a solution. However, having an emotional breakdown/meltdown is completely different then feeling stressed or panicked. An emotional meltdown is when you feel so overwhelmed that you can't control your feelings. It's like hitting a breaking point.

You might cry a lot, get really angry, or feel panicky. WebMD explains that it's not a medical problem, but it's a sign you're under a lot of stress. Everyone has meltdowns sometimes, especially when life gets tough. It doesn't mean you're weak or broken. It just means you're human. Meltdowns happen when your needs aren't being met, like needing more rest or help. It's your body's way of saying something's wrong. You can learn to handle stress better and have fewer meltdowns.

What Prompts An Emotional Breakdown?

Many things can cause a meltdown. Not sleeping enough makes you grumpy and stressed. Skipping meals makes you feel shaky and unable to focus. Doing too much at once makes you feel overwhelmed. Big changes in your life, like a new job or a breakup, can make you feel wobbly. Not talking about problems with people you care about can also make things worse. If you have meltdowns often, think about what makes them happen. Maybe you need to eat more regularly or learn to talk about your feelings. Some things are easy to fix, and some take more time.

Can You Stop A Meltdown When It’s Happening?

When you feel a meltdown coming, stop and take a breath. Your face might get hot, your hands cold, and your breathing fast. Pay attention to how you feel. Don't try to fix the problem right away. First, calm down. Your brain can't think clearly when you're upset. Try grounding techniques, like feeling your feet on the floor or touching your fingertips together. Deep breathing helps too. Breathe in for four seconds, hold for four, breathe out for four, and pause for four. Do this until you feel calmer. You can't change the problem right away, but you can change how you react to it.

After a meltdown, you might feel embarrassed, ashamed, or relieved. Don't just ignore it. Think about why it happened. Did you try to do too much? Learn from it. If you're embarrassed, ask yourself why. It's okay to have feelings. If you felt relieved, it means you needed to let your feelings out. But try to express them in a healthy way before you have a meltdown. You don't have to apologize for how you feel, but you might need to apologize for how you acted. If you yelled or threw things, say sorry and make a plan to do better next time. If you have meltdowns often, talk to a therapist. Be kind to yourself; everyone gets overwhelmed sometimes.

Can You Prevent It?

You can learn to stop meltdowns before they start. Make time to relax every day. Do things you enjoy, like exercising or reading. Listen to your body. If you feel tense, tired, or have headaches, you're probably stressed. Do something to relax. Don't ignore bad feelings. Talk about them. Naming your feelings helps you control them. Ask for help from friends and family. They can help you with tasks or just listen. Spend time in nature; it's calming. Do things that make you laugh and have fun. If you're still feeling overwhelmed, talk to a therapist. They can teach you ways to cope with stress.

Air pollution is now recognised as a major trigger for skin problems. Dust, smoke residues, PM2.5 particles, and heavy metals settle on the skin through the day. They weaken the barrier, disturb the skin’s balance, and speed up signs of ageing. People living in crowded, high-traffic areas often notice dullness, pigmentation, breakouts, and sensitivity more than those in cleaner environments.

Two skin specialists helped us understand the early warning signs you should never overlook.

8 Signs Your Skin Is Reacting to Pollution

1. Sudden Dullness and Loss of Glow

Pollutants oxidise the skin’s natural lipids and damage its protective layer. This makes the face look tired and lifeless even when sleep and nutrition are well balanced. Many people notice a loss of glow on days spent outdoors, especially during peak pollution periods., as per Dr Geeta Grewal, Cosmetologist and Founder of 9Muses Wellness Clinic

2. More Blackheads and Clogged Pores

Dr Grewal notes that PM2.5 particles slip into pores and mix with sweat and sebum. This leads to blackheads, whiteheads, and congested skin. A rough, bumpy texture is one of the most common pollution-related concerns.

3. Frequent Breakouts

Rising pollution levels increase inflammation and oxidative stress, which disrupts the skin’s microbiome. These changes can bring tiny breakouts, fungal acne-like clusters, or painful pimples. Environmental irritants often act as hidden triggers, especially in urban areas.

4. Uneven Skin Tone and Pigmentation

Constant oxidative stress encourages the skin to produce more melanin. According to Dr Grewal, this results in dark spots, sun spots appearing sooner, and patchy pigmentation along the cheeks, nose, and forehead. Many people mistake this for sun damage alone, but pollution plays a major role.

5. Increased Sensitivity

If skincare products that once felt comfortable now sting or cause redness, pollution may be weakening your skin barrier. Warning signs include burning, itching, a warm sensation on the skin, or sudden irritation without a clear cause, as per Dr Ameesha Mahajan, Cosmetic Dermatologist and Founder, Eden Skin Clinic.

6. Early Fine Lines and Premature Ageing

Dr Mahajan explains that pollutants trigger free radical damage. This breaks down collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin firm and smooth. Over time, it leads to wrinkles, crow’s feet, and mild sagging around the eyes and mouth.

7. Dry, Rough, or Dehydrated Skin

Pollutants strip moisture and damage the barrier, causing tightness and flakiness even in people with oily skin. When the barrier is compromised, moisturisers stop working as well, which worsens dehydration.

8. Frequent Rashes or Dermatitis Flares

People with sensitive skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea may notice more flare-ups when pollution rises. Dr Mahajan says that constant exposure can lead to rashes, bumps, and patchy irritation that keeps returning.

Avoiding pollution entirely is difficult, but protecting your skin is possible. Strengthen the barrier with antioxidants, sunscreen, gentle cleansers, and weekly detox habits. Watch for the early warning signs mentioned by the experts and act early. A strong skin barrier remains the most reliable way to maintain clear, healthy, and youthful skin despite rising pollution levels.

Male infertility remains a topic rarely discussed, often overshadowed by social pressures and hesitation. Yet, it contributes to nearly half of all cases where couples struggle to conceive. Among the many causes, varicocele stands out as one of the most silent and underrecognised conditions, affecting a significant number of men in India.

With male reproductive health still a taboo, countless men remain unaware of their condition for years. Fertility tests often reveal the issue only after prolonged delays, adding emotional stress for couples. We got in touch with Dr. Suparna Bhattacharya, Fertility Specialist, Nova IVF Fertility, Kolkata, who told us more about the same.

What Is a Varicocele?

A varicocele occurs when the veins in the scrotum become enlarged, similar to varicose veins in the legs. These weakened, dilated veins disrupt blood flow to the testicles, causing a gradual rise in temperature that negatively affects sperm production and quality. Most men experience no pain, which is why the condition is often undetected, earning it the label of a “silent” problem. In many cases, it is discovered only during routine infertility evaluations.

Why It’s a Common Yet Ignored Cause of Male Infertility

Varicocele is particularly concerning because it often goes untreated, leading to more serious reproductive consequences. Dr. Suparna Bhattacharya said, “The condition may not produce noticeable symptoms—no pain, no swelling—yet internally, impaired blood flow and heat buildup gradually reduce sperm count, motility, and quality. Research shows varicocele accounts for a large proportion of male infertility cases, and the condition is largely reversible if identified early.”

A lack of awareness, coupled with the common misconception that infertility is primarily a female issue, often delays evaluation of the male partner. Many men only undergo semen analysis or scrotal ultrasound after significant time has passed.

Can Surgery Restore Fertility?

The encouraging news is that varicocele is one of the few male infertility issues that can be effectively treated with surgery. Varicocelectomy, the most common procedure, involves tying off the affected veins while preserving normal blood flow. This helps cool the scrotum and allows sperm production to return to healthier levels.

Dr. Suparna Bhattacharya told us that post-surgery, many men experience notable improvements in sperm count and motility within six months. For couples, this can mean natural conception without advanced fertility treatments. Correcting varicocele can also improve sperm DNA integrity, enhancing the success rates of procedures like IVF or ICSI.

Potential Consequences of Untreated Varicocele

Not all varicoceles require surgery, especially if mild or asymptomatic. However, undetected or significant varicoceles can progressively impair sperm quality and, in some cases, lead to testicular atrophy. Delayed diagnosis can reduce the likelihood of natural conception as men age.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Men who have been trying to conceive for over a year should undergo a comprehensive fertility check-up. A simple semen analysis and physical examination are often sufficient to detect most varicoceles. “Early intervention is crucial, particularly for those hoping for natural conception or planning to start a family,” said Dr. Suparna Bhattacharya

Promoting awareness about male reproductive health is just as important as educating women on fertility. Varicocele is a silent, yet easily treatable, condition. Timely diagnosis and treatment can restore fertility and reduce the emotional and financial strain on couples. The first step toward healthier, happier families is acknowledging the issue, seeking treatment, and discussing it openly.

Anyone who relies on ibuprofen, naproxen or ordinary-strength aspirin for pain or arthritis has been advised to be cautious, after an NHS doctor raised concerns about the risks of long-term use. Dr Mark Porter, a GP known for his appearances on The One Show, said many people do not realise these medicines can lead to stomach ulcers and internal bleeding.

He noted that bleeding in the stomach or upper gut is a serious medical emergency. An audit led by researchers at the University of Oxford shows that this type of bleeding leads to at least 60,000 hospital admissions each year, and about one in ten patients does not survive to return home.

NHS Doctors Issue Warning for Anyone Using Ibuprofen, Naproxen or Aspirin

Dr Porter referenced a report published in the journal Gut, which compared outcomes from 2007 and 2022. The data revealed how many people who suffered gut bleeds were taking medicines, both prescribed and over the counter, that could trigger or worsen the problem.

As per Times,, he said that nearly half of the 5,141 patients analysed in the audit had been taking some type of drug that increases the chance of bleeding. These included low-dose aspirin, clopidogrel and anticoagulants such as warfarin and apixaban. In addition, one in fourteen patients had been using a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen, naproxen or normal-dose aspirin, which are commonly used to relieve pain and treat arthritis.

Why NSAIDs Can Be More Dangerous Than People Realise

Dr Porter said many people who take low-dose aspirin or blood thinners to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack or blood clots know that these medicines carry a bleeding risk. The concern is that far fewer people understand that NSAIDs can be just as harmful for some individuals. According to him, NSAIDs are responsible for about a third of all NHS hospital admissions linked to adverse drug reactions. These admissions take up roughly one in five hospital beds. Beyond gut bleeding, NSAIDs can also raise the chance of heart attacks, strokes and kidney problems.

Stomach Symptoms Can Worsen With Long-Term Use

People who already struggle with heartburn or indigestion often notice that occasional ibuprofen or aspirin makes their symptoms worse. Dr Porter explained that, when taken frequently or over long periods, these medicines can do much more damage. Their effect on prostaglandins, which helps ease pain, also weakens the stomach’s natural defences against its own acids. This can lead to irritation, ulcers, bleeding and in some cases, a perforation.

He added that although the overall risk for most people is small, doctors have become more aware of these dangers. As a result, NSAID use has fallen in many countries over the past 25 years. Even so, these drugs are still widely prescribed, especially for older adults. Some estimates suggest that nearly one in five people over 65 has taken at least one course in the past year.

Why Protective Medicines Do Not Remove All Risks

Doctors often prescribe antacid medicines such as omeprazole alongside stronger NSAIDs like naproxen to help protect the stomach. Dr Porter clarified that these medicines lower the risk of bleeding, but they do not remove it fully. He said certain groups should be particularly careful.

These include people on low-dose aspirin or similar drugs like clopidogrel, anyone taking anticoagulants such as warfarin or apixaban, those who often have indigestion or heartburn, anyone with a history of stomach or duodenal ulcers, people living with heart failure or chronic kidney disease, and adults over 65 who are not taking stomach-protective medication.

Aspirin Should Not Be Taken Casually

Dr Porter added that one painkiller should never be taken without a doctor’s instruction. He said he would avoid using aspirin for day-to-day discomfort unless advised by a medical professional. For issues such as a hangover, a headache or a sore knee, paracetamol is usually safer than ibuprofen, although it may not offer the same level of relief. An occasional NSAID is unlikely to cause harm for most people, as long as they are not in a high-risk group. However, anyone who needs pain relief often, whether daily or several times a week, should speak to their GP to decide on a safer plan.

Dr Porter offered one final piece of advice. While vomiting blood is an obvious emergency, an earlier sign of slow bleeding in the upper gut can be easy to miss. Black, tar-like stools, known as melena, should never be ignored. Anyone who notices this should seek medical help without delay.