Many of us may have taken ibuprofen, sometimes two pills at once, especially when we are struggling with menstrual cramps. Well, as good these pills may be in treating the pain, they are not recommended for your health, especially if you are someone who consumes it on a daily basis or frequently. Gastroenterologist Trisha Pasricha, MD, writes in The Washington Post about why should you avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin.

What happens when you consume pain killers?

She writes that NSAIDs are great in treating short term pain. They comprise of a group of drugs that inhibit the production of prostaglandins, which serve as a variety of purposes in the body. Some of which also includes contracting the uterus during menses and regulating blood flow in our vessels.

While one to two doses every now and then is okay, following a regular dosage routine, which could range from several times a month, or twice in an hour or so could lead to health risk. NSAIDs are well known to increase intestinal permeability. This means, these painkillers could damage the lining of your gut.

A 2018 review by Ingvar Bjarnason et. al., also writes about how NSAIDs can reduce the blood flow in the tiny vessels that feeds our guts. It can also disrupt the intestinal cells forming a barrier between the outside world and your insides.

What can be done?

While people with conditions like migraines, chronic back pain or bad period cramps can find NSAIDs to be helpful. It is always advisable to have a chat with your physicians to explore NSAID alternatives.

Pasricha suggests acetaminophen.

However, if someone is in dire need of NSAID, her tip is to take the pill right at the start of your symptoms. She says that the drug can do a far better job at stopping things at the source than chasing after all prostaglandins.

Why is it a concern?

NSAIDs are available as over the counter drug, which means people do not need a prescription for it and can make medical decision about them without the guidance of a physician.

A 2018 study published in the Official Journal of the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology by David W Kaufman, et.al., found that 15% of adult ibuprofen users in the US have exceeded the maximum recommended daily dose. The study also mentions that more than a third of ibuprofen users were taking other NSAIDs, like aspirin and naproxen, while consuming ibuprofen at the same time. Out of these, 61% did not realise that they were using NSAIDs.

Pasricha talks about how it ruptures the gut wall, as she herself has rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night "far more times than" she can count "to perform an emergency endoscopy on someone who was bleeding profusely from an ulcer caused by NSAID".

Another 2009 study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology states that as many as 1 in 4 chronic NSAID users will get an ulcer and about 4% will bleed or rupture through the gut wall.

An older study from 2005 titled A quantitative analysis of NSAID-induced small bowel pathology by capsule enteroscopy, found that as 75 percent of people regularly using NSAIDs develop low-grade inflammation in their small bowels. NSAIDs can also lead to development of fatty liver disease. This happens because your gut lining becomes more permeable, more toxins and bacteria from the outside world enters your liver and leads to inflammation.

A 2011 study titled Haemoglobin decreases in NSAID users over time: an analysis of two large outcome trials, states that as many as 6% of people taking NSAIDs regularly have found their blood count dropping within a few months of starting the medicines, this suggests that this is due to the small, slow amount of bleeding in the gut overtime.

What if you are told that the vape you are using contains bacteria found in poop. You read that right. According to a study conducted by HAYPP along with Microbiologist Reynold Mpofu at BioLabTests, bacteria like staphylococcus and bacillus were found on vape, as well as fecal bacterium, E. coli is found on vape, which is often found in public bathroom.

What Did The Study Find?

More than 100 million people worldwide use e-cigarettes or vapes, and at least 1 in 6 people vape in toilet. Furthermore, vapes are rarely cleaned, and thus become germ hotspots.

The study found that vape mouthpieces are highly contaminated with bacteria. More than 1.5 million colony-forming unites or CFUs were identified on the vape mouthpiece, the maximum amount measurable by the lab, carrying as many as 2,300 times more bacteria than a public toilet, which has 50 CFUs per square inch.

“Laboratory analysis revealed that the mouthpiece is the dirtiest component of the vape. This isn’t surprising given that the human mouth, largely considered to be one of the ‘dirtiest’ parts of the body, harbors approximately 700 species of bacteria, that amounts to billions of individual bacteria,” said Mpofu.

The study was able to identify a range of bacteria, including skin microbes to gut bacteria like E.coli.

Also Read: UK Investigates Impact Of Vaping On Its Young Users

The Species Identified

The study identified these following bacteria on the vape:

• Bacillus: commonly found in dust and the air
• E.coli: indicates possible fecal contamination
• Yeast and mold: can cause respiratory irritation
• Staphylococcus: usually harmless, but could cause infection
• Enterococcus: intestinal bacteria that can persist on surfaces

The study was also able to identify bacteria on the vape body. The lab also observed a rapid microbial growth between just 2 to 3 days of use. These colonies could be seen multiplying thousand of times over.

While many of these are found on human skin or surrounding, some are intestinal bacteria, like aforementioned, E.coli, and Enterococcus, which points towards unwashed hands, explaining the transfer on the surface.

“Much like phones, vapes are frequently handled and placed on a variety of surfaces, allowing germs, oils, and dirt from hands, pockets and various environments to latch on the device. The findings confirmed the presence of bacteria, including E. coli and Enterococcus, on the vape body, likely arising from inadequate hand hygiene or the transfer of microorganisms from bathroom environments or other contaminated surfaces,” said Mpofu.

Read: Why Is My Idea Of Break Is To Have A Smoke?

The Timeline Of Bacteria Development

The first signs of microbes start to appear within the first day of buying a brand new vape, especially around the mouthpiece.

By day three, the vape accumulates more than 2,300 times the microbial load typically found on a toilet seat.

By the seventh day, bacteria like E.coli. and Enterococcus and other fecal indicators are detected on the mouthpiece and vape’s body. Mould and bacteria are also found on levels.

By day 14, despite no new use or cleaning, the vape remains heavily contamination. The contamination does not fade overtime.

Read: These US States Vape The Most

The UK recorded its coldest autumn so far when the temperatures fell as low as -12.6C in Scotland. This was the lowest recorded in November from the last 15 years. The mercury also fell to -7.6C in Wales, -6C in Northern Ireland and -6.7C in England. Cold health alters have been issued in England. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber cold-health alerts for North West, North East, and Yorkshire and Humber, while other areas are under yellow alerts.

With this new developments, a Yorkshire dentists has pointed out that cold weather could, in fact, impact one's dental health.

Dr Abdul Dalghous, a dentist at Yorkshite Dental Suite said that chilly weather can trigger changes inside your mouth. Even if you have not notices them before, the change in weather and the temperature drop could negatively impact your dental health.

What Does The Doctor Say?

Sensitivity

The doctor says that there could be sudden sensitivity that one can feel when the weather is cold outside. "If you feel a sharp, almost electric twinge in your teeth when you breathe in icy air, it may be a sign that your enamel is under strain," explains the doctor.

Dr Dalghous explains that sudden cold exposure could make teeth contract quickly, irritating the nerves inside the tooth.

Teeth Ache

The cold weather can slightly weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to illnesses such as colds. The doctor explains, "It’s very common for sinus pressure to feel like a toothache. This is due to your sinuses swelling and pressing on the roots of your upper teeth, often creating a dull, aching sensation. Many people mistake this for dental pain when the real culprit is winter congestion."

Dry Mouth

Another common experience during winters is having a dry mouth. This happens because cold air tends to be less humid and thus breathing it in through your mouth could lead to a drier mouth than usual. "Saliva acts as your mouth's natural defense system, so, when levels drop, your teeth become more vulnerable to sensitivity, plaque build-up and decay," the doctor notes.

Pain While Drinking Cold Beverages Or Eating Cold Food

Winter weather could further amplify the discomfort that is caused by cold food or drinks. "If a sip or bite of a chilled snack causes pain that lingers, it could point to underlying issues such as enamel erosion, cavities or exposed dentine that are becoming more noticeable in colder weather.”

Small Cracks Could Be More Noticeable

Teeth naturally expand and contract when exposed to temperature shifts, and winter tends to make these changes more intense. Over time, this added stress can lead to tiny hairline cracks in the enamel. You may not spot them, but you might feel rough spots, sudden sensitivity in one area, or small chips you never noticed before.

Dr Abdul adds: “To help ease these changes, we recommend breathing through your nose where possible and avoid biting into cold foods. When it comes to your oral hygiene ensure you’re brushing twice a day using toothpaste designed for sensitivity and flossing. Following these will help your teeth during this cold weather!”

Your adolescence lasts well up to your 30s. A new, "cool" study as Prof Tara Spires Jones, tells BBC, noted that the human brain does not follow a simple, steady path from birth to old age. Instead, it moves through five clear phases, each marked by a shift in how its networks connect and communicate. The study is conducted by the researchers from the University of Cambridge, who analyzed thousands of brain scans to track how neural connections strengthen, weaken, and reorganize over time.

This large study involved nearly 4,000 people between infancy and age 90 and has now mapped these transitions, offering new insights into why periods of life differ so much in terms of learning, behaviors, and vulnerability to mental health conditions.

Their work shows that the brain remains in an adolescent state far longer than earlier believed and reaches a peak of efficiency only in the early thirties. The findings, published in Nature Communications, highlight striking turning points at the ages of nine, 32, 66 and 83.

The Five Phases Of Brain

Childhood: Birth to Age Nine

The study showed that during childhood, the brain grown rapidly, however, it also begins trimming the vast numbers of synapses formed in early life. This is what helps the brain decide which pathways truly matter. However, this period is not very efficient. It resembles a child wandering without a fixed route, exploring freely rather than moving directly from one point to another. The purpose is exploration, not precision.

Adolescence: Age Nine to 32

A dramatic shift begins around age nine. The brain enters a long stretch of heightened efficiency as it reorganizes its neural networks with remarkable speed and intensity.

This is the phase where mental health vulnerabilities often emerge, since the brain is restructuring at an unusually rapid pace.

This part of the study also breaks the conventional idea that associated adolescence typically with the teenage years. Modern neuroscience suggests it extends into the twenties. This study pushes that boundary even further, indicating that the adolescent phase may last all the way to 32.

During this time, the brain reaches its most efficient point, and many cognitive abilities are thought to peak.

Adulthood: Age 32 to 66

After the long adolescent stretch, adulthood brings stability. The study shows that adulthood actually comes from the age 32, again a shift from what conventionally was believed adulthood to be. This is the brain’s most settled era, lasting more than three decades. Change continues, but at a gentler pace and in a more predictable pattern. The efficiency gained earlier begins to level out. Many people recognize this phase as a period when their cognitive strengths, personality and sense of self feel most consistent. The fireworks of earlier development give way to a steady rhythm.

Early Aging: Age 66 to 83

The period after 66 marks the beginning of early ageing. It does not arrive as a sudden decline. Instead, there are subtle shifts in how different parts of the brain coordinate.

Rather than functioning as one unified network, the brain begins to break into clusters of regions that work more closely within their own groups. It is similar to a band whose members start pursuing individual projects while still occasionally performing together.

Although the study focused on healthy brains, this is also the age when conditions linked to ageing, such as high blood pressure and dementia, begin to appear more frequently.

Late Aging: 83 And Beyond

The final phase begins at around 83. Data for this group was more limited, since it is harder to find older adults with no underlying health issues. Even so, the scans show that the patterns seen in early ageing become more pronounced. The brain’s networks continue to drift apart, and communication between regions becomes less synchronized.