We all enjoy a good slushie every now and then. While they do not add any great nutritional value to our meal, they are a delightful snack made with shredded ice and sugar. To make them more accessible to people who cannot or do not wish to have sugar, there are many sugar free options to pick from. However, a recent study has revealed that sugar-free slushies containing glycerol, which is a sugar alcohol used to maintain their icy texture, can cause severe health problems in young children. The study was published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, it explains that having these sugar free slushies can lead to children having a condition called "glycerol intoxication syndrome". In this condition there is a rapid drop in blood sugar, reduced consciousness, and a buildup of acid in the blood.

Rapid Onset of Symptoms

Kids who drank slushies with glycerol got sick very quickly. Within an hour, they started showing serious symptoms. Their blood sugar would plummet, sometimes dangerously low. Many became confused or lost consciousness, and some even had seizures. Doctors studied 21 children who got sick from these drinks between 2018 and 2024. Most of these kids were very young, seven years old or younger. By the time they got to the hospital, many were in bad shape, either unconscious or barely awake. This quick reaction time makes it especially scary, as parents might not realize the slushy is the cause right away. It's important to recognize these signs fast.

Why is Glycerol Harmful?

According to WebMD Glycerol is a type of naturally occurring alcohol, and it's used in lots of food products. You might find it in protein bars, diet foods, and even sugar-free candies. In slushies, it plays a key role in keeping the drink icy. Usually, slushies use tons of sugar to stop them from freezing completely. But because people are trying to cut back on sugar, companies are using glycerol instead. This is especially true in places with "sugar taxes," where sugary drinks cost more. So, to make sugar-free versions, they add glycerol. This switch means more kids are being exposed to this ingredient, which can be harmful to them.

What Does Glycerol Damage Children's Health?

The study explains that little kids are more at risk from glycerol because their bodies are still growing and developing. Their tiny bodies and young metabolisms might not be able to handle glycerol as well as adults' bodies can. This means that even a small amount can cause a big problem. Also, the amount of glycerol in a slushy can vary, and it's hard to know exactly how much is safe. Factors like how fast they drink it, if they've eaten recently, or if they've been exercising can also make a difference. Even the standard size of a slushy drink can be too much for a small child. This makes it hard to give a safe dose.

Health authorities in the UK and Ireland have already started warning about glycerol in slushies. They suggest that kids under four shouldn't have them at all, and older kids should only have one at most. But doctors are worried that these warnings might not be enough. They point out that it's hard to know how much glycerol is actually in each drink, making it difficult to give safe advice. Parents are being told to be very careful and consider avoiding these drinks altogether for young children. In the US, glycerol is approved for use in food, but parents should still be aware of the potential risks. More research is needed to understand the full impact.

The ongoing Ebola outbreak in Africa, with nearly 1,000 cases and over 200 deaths, has sparked concerns among people, bringing back memories of the COVID-19 pandemic. With every new outbreak, fears about viruses becoming airborne like SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19, tend to rise.

However, experts have clarified that Ebola is not airborne and does not spread like COVID-19.

Why Ebola Spread Is Not Like COVID

“Ebola is a serious viral hemorrhagic disease,” said Dr. Ishwar Gilada, Secretary General, People’s Health Organisation (India).

“Ebola does NOT spread through casual airborne exposure like influenza or COVID-19. Individuals become infectious only after symptoms begin, not during the incubation period. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days,” he added.

Former AIIMS Director Dr. Randeep Guleria told PTI that Ebola is “a zoonotic infection, mainly originating in bats.”

“Ebola does not spread through air like respiratory viruses. It spreads only through direct contact with infected body fluids,” he added.

Experts further explained that Ebola is far more difficult to spread than airborne respiratory viruses such as influenza, COVID-19, measles, and even the Andes strain of hantavirus, which recently caused an outbreak on a cruise ship.

“Ebola is not airborne. There's no evidence of that at all. To be infected, you've got to have body fluid contact with someone who is quite ill,” said Michael T. Osterholm, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota.

According to Peter Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, people with Ebola do not spread the virus before developing symptoms.

The experts reiterated that during Ebola’s incubation period, which ranges from 2–21 days, an infected person is generally not contagious, unlike COVID-19, where transmission can occur before symptoms appear.

Moreover, even early Ebola symptoms such as fever, sore throat, headache, and body aches are less likely to spread the virus compared to respiratory infections.

Ebola does not spread through coughing, sneezing, or casual contact like shaking hands.

“You cannot get Ebola from passing someone in an airport, sitting near someone freely, or through other casual contacts,” explained Captain Satish K. Pillai, Incident Manager for Ebola Response at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Also read: Ebola Cases Cross 900, Death Toll Tops 200; 10 Countries On High Alert

How Ebola Spreads

Ebola spreads through:

• Direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids
• Contact with contaminated surfaces or medical equipment
• Unsafe caregiving exposure
• Traditional burial practices involving direct contact
• Certain zoonotic animal exposures

Common Symptoms Of Ebola

Common symptoms include:

• Sudden fever
• Severe weakness and fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle and body pain
• Sore throat
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Rash

Severe illness may involve:

• Bleeding manifestations
• Shock
• Multi-organ dysfunction

Historical case fatality rates have ranged from 25% to 90%, depending on the virus strain, outbreak conditions, and access to timely medical care.

Ebola: How You Can Stay Safe

• Washing your hands often
• Avoiding contact with bodily fluids
• Avoiding contact with individuals who appear ill or who have a fever
• Avoiding objects that have come in contact with an infected individual, such as bedding, clothing or medical equipment
• Not handling someone who has died from Ebola
• Avoiding contact with bats and nonhuman primates, and raw meat from these animals
• Avoiding seeking medical care at hospitals where patients are being treated for Ebola
• Paying attention to your health for 21 days after returning from a country where Ebola has been found
• Seeking medical attention immediately if you experience any Ebola symptoms

How To Prepare Healthcare Systems

Dr Gilada stressed the importance of:

• Immediate isolation protocols for suspected cases
• PPE readiness across designated hospitals
• Emergency infection control drills and refresher training for healthcare workers
• Laboratory diagnostic preparedness with safe specimen handling
• Contact tracing systems
• Central and state public health coordination

The expert also urged authorities to strengthen “science, surveillance, preparedness, and infection control” to curb the spread of the disease.

Dr Guleria called for stricter infection control, timely isolation, and avoiding direct contact with infected persons remain key preventive measures. They also noted that Ebola outbreaks have largely remained confined to Africa due to effective containment efforts.

COVID-19 is not only a name but a terrible memory for the world, which made people stuck in their homes for months and caused thousands of deaths. Although after the advent of vaccines, normal life regained its pace, the impact of that turbulent time persists in everyday life. One example of a negative after-effect is the rising number of hip replacement surgeries among young Indians, which is, without a doubt, a worrying post-pandemic orthopaedic trend.

This very trend of rising cases of hip replacement surgeries is so serious that it was a major issue of discussion in the 2nd DELHI HIP 360 Conference, held at Crowne Plaza New Delhi. Where doctors reported a significant rise in cases of hip arthritis and avascular necrosis (AVN), a painful condition caused by disruption of blood supply to the hip bone, particularly among younger and middle-aged adults. The conference was organised by the Delhi Orthopaedic Association in association with the Indian Arthroplasty Association.

In the second edition of this conference, Dr. L Tomar, Organising Chairman of DELHI HIP 360 and Director, Department of Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement at Max Hospital, New Delhi, said, “We are observing 40% rise in hip replacement surgeries in younger people. Steroids played a life-saving role during the COVID pandemic, but indiscriminate or prolonged use in some patients has been associated with a rise in osteonecrosis and early degenerative changes in the hip joint." He also added that they are now seeing relatively younger patients coming with severe hip damage, collapse of the femoral head, and advanced arthritis requiring early hip replacement surgeries.

Dr. L Tomar further added, “India is witnessing a silent rise in hip disability due to a combination of post-COVID complications, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, trauma, alcohol consumption, and increasing life expectancy. Early diagnosis is critical because if AVN is detected in the initial stages, joint-preserving procedures may still be possible before destruction of the hip occurs.”

Dr. Karun Jain, Organising Secretary of the conference, said, “One of the biggest challenges with AVN is that patients often ignore early symptoms such as groin pain or stiffness, assuming it to be muscular pain. By the time they seek medical advice, the hip joint may already have undergone irreversible collapse. Awareness, timely MRI evaluation, and early intervention can help reduce disability.”

The conference has brought together leading orthopaedic surgeons, arthroplasty specialists, fellows, and residents from across India to deliberate on the latest advances in Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA), complex hip reconstruction, robotic-assisted surgery, rehabilitation, and management of post-COVID hip complications.

The experts at the conference emphasize that the AVN, which was thought of as a disease of the elderly, is no longer limited to a certain age bracket. It can affect young people as well due to the modern sedentary lifestyle. Thus, doctors at the conference are also expecting even greater demand for hip replacement surgeries.

World Thyroid Day is observed on 25 May every year. This day aims to spread awareness about thyroid disorders, their symptoms, and management options that can help women. However, one concern that continues to linger with respect to thyroid disorders is why they occur more often in women. Hormonal changes, lifestyle factors, and a higher risk of autoimmune conditions can increase the risk of thyroid problems in women. Yes, that’s right! Hence, women should ensure they go for timely health check-ups. Here, an expert highlights vital tips for women. Read on to know more about this and seek timely help. Remember, thyroid problems should not be left untreated at all.

In an interview with Health and Me, Dr Shruti Kotangale, Consultant Gynaecologist, Obstetrician, and Infertility Expert at AIMS Hospital, Dombivli, explained why thyroid problems are more common among women. Read here to know how gender makes a difference.

Why do thyroid disorders occur more often in women?

Thyroid disorders are rising among many women. The thyroid is a small gland in the neck, but it plays a critical role in controlling metabolism, energy levels, and maintaining hormonal balance. Women can suffer from thyroid problems because of frequent hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. These changes can impact thyroid health. Lifestyle factors such as stress, poor diet, and lack of sleep can also worsen thyroid imbalance. Hence, women are at a higher risk of suffering from autoimmune conditions, where the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland.

Hypothyroidism vs hyperthyroidism

Conditions such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) are commonly seen in women. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is underactive. Symptoms can include tiredness, weight gain, dry skin, hair fall, constipation, feeling cold, a slow heartbeat, and low mood or depression. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland becomes overactive, and women may experience weight loss, a fast heartbeat, sweating, anxiety, tremors, irritability, frequent bowel movements, and even difficulty sleeping. Women are advised to seek immediate medical attention and manage these symptoms without any further delay.

How to manage thyroid disorders?

Thyroid disorders may be concerning, but they are manageable with appropriate care and management tips as recommended by experts. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can be managed with timely diagnosis, regular screening, and taking medications as suggested by the doctor. It is also important to eat a balanced diet, exercise daily for at least 30 minutes, get sound sleep at night, and de-stress through yoga and meditation. This World Thyroid Day, the focus should be on awareness, regular check-ups, and taking small steps to stay healthy and manage thyroid problems. Moreover, follow the doctor’s advice and do not self-medicate, as doing so can be risky.

So ladies, this World Thyroid Day, make an effort to know more about this group of disorders that affects your gender more often than men. Be it fatigue, mood swings, or weight fluctuations, it is imperative to know the early warning signs of this condition in order to work towards a more preventive approach.