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.

Magnesium and melatonin are both popular supplements, especially among people looking to get more shuteye, but can combining them improve your sleep? Some research indicates that taking magnesium and melatonin together could improve sleep quality, though stronger, larger studies are needed to confirm the effect.

Can We Combine Magnesium and Melatonin To Support Sleep?

Studies on using magnesium and melatonin together are limited, but some evidence suggests it could benefit sleep in certain individuals.

As per Health, one study focusing on women with polycystic ovary syndrome found that taking both magnesium and melatonin improved sleep quality. Another study reported that people with sleep difficulties who used a combined magnesium-melatonin supplement for four weeks noticed modest improvements in how well they slept.

The exact reason why the two work together is not completely understood, but magnesium and melatonin may influence each other in a way that supports sleep.

“Magnesium does have an effect on melatonin levels,” said Marie van der Merwe, PhD, coordinator of the applied physiology and nutrition doctoral program at the University of Memphis, speaking to Health. “The amount of magnesium you have can influence how well your body produces melatonin.”

You don’t necessarily need to take the two supplements at the same time to benefit, van der Merwe noted. It’s fine to take magnesium in the morning and melatonin before bed.

The takeaway: There could be a link between magnesium and better sleep, but more research is needed to be sure.

Magnesium And Sleep

Magnesium is a vital mineral that supports nerve and muscle function, regulates blood pressure and blood sugar, and contributes to the formation of bone, protein, and DNA. As per Mayo Clinic, it is also commonly taken to help with sleep, but it is not without risks.

Benefits of Magnesium for Sleep

Some studies suggest magnesium may help sleep by:

Improving sleep quality: Ensuring adequate magnesium through diet or supplements may help people with deficiencies sleep better and ease anxiety.

Reducing muscle tension: Magnesium can help relax muscles and relieve tension, which can make it easier to fall asleep.

Risks of Magnesium for Sleep

Research on magnesium for sleep is limited. Supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA for safety or effectiveness and carry potential risks:

Delayed effect: It may take several weeks before magnesium supplements noticeably improve sleep.5

Side effects: High doses can cause diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps.7

Drug interactions: Magnesium can interfere with some medications, reducing their effect or increasing side effects. Talk to a doctor before starting any new supplement.7

Melatonin And Sleep

Melatonin is a well-known sleep aid, though it’s actually a hormone your body naturally produces to regulate sleep-wake cycles.⁸ “Melatonin is in charge of running the [internal] clock, and it really is important for regulating your circadian rhythms,” van der Merwe said.

Benefits of Melatonin for Sleep

Works quickly when needed: Unlike magnesium, melatonin can act soon after taking it, making it useful for occasional sleepless nights.

May help you fall asleep faster: Studies show that a 2-milligram dose of melatonin helped some people fall asleep about nine minutes sooner than placebo.

Supports sleep timing: Melatonin can help shift workers, travelers with jet lag, or those with irregular sleep schedules align their sleep patterns.

Risks Of Melatonin For Sleep

Melatonin can help with some sleep difficulties but won’t fix all sleep disorders, van der Merwe said. Like magnesium, melatonin isn’t FDA-regulated:

Long-term effects unclear: There’s limited data on the safety of long-term melatonin use.

Medication interactions: Melatonin may interact with antibiotics, antidepressants, and birth control.

Caution for certain groups: It’s generally not recommended for children or people with dementia, and should be used carefully by those with seizures or on blood thinners.

What to Consider Before Taking Magnesium and Melatonin Together?

It’s wise to speak with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplements, alone or in combination.

Van der Merwe emphasized that sleep problems can stem from issues that supplements alone won’t fix. Conditions like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and depression can affect sleep.

If you want to try one or both supplements, a doctor can help determine the best timing for magnesium, melatonin, or a combined product.

“Melatonin [should] increase at night,” van der Merwe explained, so it is crucial to take it at the right time. Taking it in the morning can disrupt your internal clock.

Even though sleep-support supplements like magnesium and melatonin have grown in popularity, it’s important to consult a professional to see if they will help in your situation.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has long been seen as a condition of older adults, typically tied to years of smoking. But across India, pulmonologists are increasingly diagnosing it in people in their 20s and 30s. This shift, experts say, reflects a deeper and more troubling change: young adults are growing up and living in environments where the lungs never truly get a chance to breathe clean air.

A Shift From “Smoker’s Disease” to “Exposure Disease”

The biggest change is the cause itself. As Dr. Raja Dhar, Director & HOD, Pulmonology, CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI Kolkata, explains, “COPD is increasingly becoming an ‘exposure disease’ rather than a ‘smoker’s disease.’ In India, non-smoking COPD is numerically a much larger problem.”

This exposure begins early—sometimes in childhood.

Dr. Dhar highlights how even limited exposure can have lifelong consequences: “Severe airway obstruction can be traced back to just six to seven years of biomass smoke exposure in a poorly ventilated kitchen during a child’s formative years.”

Dr. Harshil Alwani, Consultant – Pulmonology, CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, also points to the changing risk profile. According to him, “newer epidemiological data show that non-smoking drivers—especially air pollution and occupational exposures—are playing a disproportionately large role in younger people.” He adds that rapid urbanisation means more young adults are chronically breathing polluted air from childhood onwards.

Improved diagnosis and greater awareness also mean younger patients with persistent symptoms are now being evaluated more often, he notes.

Beyond Smoking: The Real Culprits Behind Early COPD

Air Pollution

Both experts agree that polluted air is the biggest trigger today. Dr. Alwani explains that long-term exposure to PM₂.₅ is directly linked to lung decline and COPD. “Recent research shows that temperature and humidity modulate the harmful effect of PM₂.₅, making COPD risk worse under certain climatic conditions,” he says.

Dr. Dhar adds that India’s air quality is deteriorating nationwide: “Ambient outdoor air pollution is a severe risk, as air quality across 98% of India is worse than WHO standards.”

Indoor Pollution

Household pollution remains a massive issue. Biomass fuel used for cooking is, as Dr. Dhar puts it, “the largest non-smoking contributor, resulting in numbers approximately three times that of smoking-related COPD.”

Occupational Hazards

Young adults working in construction, mining, welding, or factory settings face daily exposure to dust, fumes, and chemicals. Dr. Alwani notes that such environments “carry a significantly increased risk.”

Childhood Lung Infections

Recurrent infections can impair lung development and reduce lung reserve, making early-onset disease more likely.

Genetic Factors

Conditions like alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, though rare, still contribute when combined with environmental triggers.

Delhi’s Winter Pollution: A Direct Route to Lung Damage

Every winter, Delhi’s smog becomes a health emergency. According to Dr. Dhar, “High winter pollution, particularly hazardous levels of PM2.5, acts as a chronic, low-grade chemical burn on the young respiratory system.”

Dr. Alwani adds that winter inversion traps pollutants closer to the ground, amplifying PM₂.₅’s damage.

The Vaping Problem

Vaping and e-cigarettes, widely perceived as harmless, have added a new layer of risk. Dr. Alwani warns, “Vaping is not benign. Its aerosols contain volatile compounds, heavy metals, and ultrafine particles that trigger inflammation and oxidative stress—central pathways to COPD.”

Dr. Dhar echoes this concern: “Any inhalation of heated chemical aerosols is a significant lung irritant and pro-inflammatory agent.”

Symptoms Young Adults Should Never Ignore

Doctors urge young adults not to dismiss symptoms like:

• Persistent cough
• Breathlessness during routine activity
• Wheezing or chest tightness
• Frequent colds or bronchitis
• Fatigue or reduced stamina

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Early spirometry can dramatically change outcomes. As Dr. Dhar puts it, “Early intervention allows us to remove the source of exposure and start therapy, which can effectively preserve the patient’s remaining lung function.”

Dr. Alwani adds that catching the disease early can “significantly slow further lung damage” and prevent long-term complications.

We all know the feeling of FOMO, the fear of missing out, but there exist another fear, this is FOFO: the fear of finding out. This apprehension is what keeps people from boking their health screenings. The horrors of what will happen after a mammogram, a Pap smear, an STD test, blood panel, or even something as simple as a blood pressure check can scare those with FOFO.

While the term itself is not a medical diagnosis, it is a widely recognized behavioral pattern that both patients and doctors get to see frequently. Over the years, it has gained more attention among experts who deal with health anxiety. As one clinical psychologist explains, there isn’t much published research on FOFO, but practitioners who work with health-related anxiety are very familiar with its impact.

What is even worrying is how common this avoidance has become. As per a 2025 survey of 2,000 employed US adults, 3 out 5 avoid medical screenings altogether, due to fear of bad news or embarrassment. Another 2025 reveal that of 7,000 adults, only 51% attended a routine medical appointment of cancer screening, with a 10% drop from 2024.

The attitude is: "If I don't know it, I can't have it".

Where Does FOFO Come From?

According to psychologists, FOFO often roots itself in anxiety and the desire for control. When something feels uncertain—like a health test result—many people instinctively avoid it. Avoidance becomes a way to quiet the anxiety, at least temporarily.

Experts say FOFO is especially common in people with generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, or illness anxiety disorder. But anyone can experience it. For some, it’s a one-off situation—like hesitating over a prostate exam. For others, it’s part of a broader coping style that involves avoiding anything that feels threatening. Ironically, this sometimes goes hand in hand with endlessly checking symptoms online.

Previous negative experiences in healthcare settings can also feed FOFO. Some people feel anxious around doctors or medical procedures, while others fear being judged, especially when a screening could uncover conditions that carry social stigma—such as STDs. There’s also the fear of receiving results that might force lifestyle changes or treatments they’re not ready for.

A common unspoken belief behind FOFO is:

“If I don’t take the test, then the problem doesn’t exist.”

Waiting for test results adds to the anxiety too. When results take days or weeks, the uncertainty can feel more stressful than the test itself.

How Can You Break The FOFO Cycle?

The first step is by acknowledging what is at stake. Many experts recommend weighing the pros and cons of taking the test versus avoiding it. If FOFO is holding you back, ask yourself what exactly you’re afraid of. Many people underestimate their ability to handle bad news. Understanding this can help reduce the emotional weight of screening.

It’s also helpful to reflect on a few important questions:

• Do I want fear to dictate my health choices?
• What could happen if I keep putting this off?
• A year from now, will I regret not acting today?

These questions often shift the focus from fear to long-term wellbeing. As psychologists note, facing the fear usually leads to decisions that better align with your values.