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.

Highlighting the importance of getting screened, surgeon Christine Lai reveals a key stage of breast cancer that most people do not know about.

Breast cancer is one of the leading cancer diagnoses for women throughout the world. But it is also a highly treatable type of cancer if found early. While most of us know that breast cancer symptoms like lumps in the breast or discharge from the nipples, these symptoms come when the cancer is already progressing to an advanced stage.

The University of Kansas Cancer Center explains that there could be a palpable lump or tenderness, but generally breast cancer has no symptoms in the early stage. But is this stage 1, or stage 2? Which early stage cannot be accurately diagnosed with self-examination.

In a recent post, Dr Christine Lai, Specialist Surgeon based in Australia, details the key stage people do not know about and its not 1 or 2, its stage 0.

What is Stage 0 Of Breast Cancer?

Dr Lai explains that stage 0 is the very first and most treatable stage of breast cancer. At this point, no actual lump has formed, and the person usually has no symptoms.

The cancer cells are only sitting inside the milk ducts, where they are growing but have not yet developed the ability to break out and spread into the surrounding breast tissue.

This specific type of cancer is often called Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS). If we find cancer at this stage, it is almost certainly curable. This is why getting a routine screening mammogram is so crucial—it can catch this hidden stage and save a life.

What Are The Other Stages Of Breast Cancer And Their Treatability?

In the video, Dr Lai details how big the tumor is during each stage, and how is it different from the previous stage, along with their treatability.

Stage 1: A Small, Localized Tumor

Stage 1 cancer means the tumor is quite small and is mostly confined to the breast. The tumor is usually 2 cm or less in size, which is smaller than a cherry. At this point, the cancer either hasn't spread to the lymph nodes at all, or the spread is extremely minimal and only visible under a microscope. Because the cancer is so small and localized, Stage 1 is highly treatable.

Stage 2: Moderately Sized or Starting to Spread

Stage 2 means the cancer is either moderately sized or has started to involve a few nearby lymph nodes. This stage applies if the tumor is smaller than 5 cm but has spread to up to three lymph nodes. It also applies if the tumor is larger than 5 cm but hasn't yet spread to any lymph nodes at all. Think of this as the cancer becoming more established, either by growing larger in one spot or starting to spread slightly to the closest glands.

Stage 3: Advanced Local and Regional Cancer

Stage 3 indicates that the cancer has become more aggressive locally, involving more lymph nodes or invading nearby tissues. This applies if there are more than three involved lymph nodes, or if the tumor is invading the chest wall or the skin of the breast. A special type of cancer called inflammatory breast cancer is also classified as Stage 3 because of how it spreads across the breast tissue. This stage requires more intensive treatment because the disease has spread more extensively in the chest area.

Stage 4: Spread to Other Body Parts (Metastatic)

Stage 4 is when the breast cancer has spread from the breast and armpit to distant parts of the body, such as the bones, lungs, liver, or brain. This is also known as metastatic breast cancer. While this stage is generally not curable, it is still highly treatable. Treatment focuses on controlling the cancer, relieving symptoms, and allowing the patient to maintain the best possible quality of life.

As air quality in Delhi continues to worsen, the visibility has also been impacted. In fact, the national capital's major landmarks, including the India Gate has been shrouded in thick smog. As a result, many are now reporting with breathing issues, however, the air quality's condition worsening impacts more than just lungs and respiratory system.

"Air pollution is eating into our bodies just like termites eat into wood," says Dr Arvind Kumar, Thoracic Surgeon and Lung Health Specialist at Medanta Hospital to ANI.

He highlights that the air pollution does not only impact the lungs, but also the IQ of the kids, non-smokers and their risk of cancer, and life expectancy.

How Does Air Pollution Impact IQ of Kids?

Dr Kumar notes that air pollution can now also reach fetus through mother's placenta. The way nutrients reach the womb to the baby, the pollutants, thanks to its minute size could travel through blood and reach to the babies. "IQ in kids are low," says Dr Kumar. As per a UNICEF report, toxic air lowers children's IQ and memory and affects their test scores and also triggers neurological deficit hyperactivity disorder. It further leads to development delays.

The report has estimated 17 million babies worldwide, with around 12 million living in South Asia, live in areas that record pollution levels six times higher than the international safe limits of 20 micrograms per cubic meter for PM 10 and 10 microgram per cubic meter for PM 2.5.

This brings us to Dr Kumar's next point, on how these particulate matters are now leading to lowering life expectancy.

Life Expectancy Lowered By 3 to 4 Years

Dr Kumar says that the overall life expectancy of an average adult is also going down by 3 to 4 years.

"We breathe on an average for 25,000 times a day, and end up inhaling 10,000 liters of air. While 20% of which is oxygen, we also inhale unwanted particles, which are some seriously disease causing chemicals including PM2.5," he says.

He further notes that while there has been discrepancies in the PM2.5 levels and overall pollution levels in the national capital, it could be agreed that on an average the AQI remains over 300.

However, in 100 AQI, there are around 22 microgram of PM2.5, which is equivalent to 1 cigarette. So, if a person breathes in 300 or above AQI, then the person is inhaling smoke equivalent to 15 to 20 cigarettes.

Which brings to the third most important point the doctor noted, which is the ending difference between the lungs of smokers and non smokers.

The Distinction Between Smokers And Non-smokers Is Ending

"Earlier we had 90% of lung cancer patients who smoked, and 10% were non smokers. Now, it is 50-50," says the doctor.

The doctor noted that due to the toxic air that everyone is inhaling, now there is no difference between the cancer risk between a smoker and a non smoker. In fact, as per the data, nearly 1 in 4 adults who smoke, among them, more than one-third are men, while women are only 8%. However, the doctor notes that there is no difference between a woman's and a man's risk for lung cancer, even though the data shows that less women smoke, all thanks to the toxic air pollution.

What Can Be Done?

The safety precautions that time and again many doctors have said include:

• Avoid going out during peak pollution hours
• Wear N-95 Mask
• Hydrate yourself
• If one can afford, bring an air purifier in your home

A recent paper in The Journal of Nutrition reports that there is promising, although still developing, scientific evidence linking regular yogurt intake with a lower chance of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). These findings supported the Food and Drug Administration’s 2024 decision to permit a qualified health claim for yogurt.

The agency stated that steady yogurt consumption appears to be tied to reduced T2D risk and that the new claim can help guide public messaging to encourage people to eat more yogurt, which also raises intake of nutrients many people lack, such as calcium. To understand this connection more clearly, we spoke with Prof. (Dr.) Supriya Awasthi, Dean and Professor at the School of Allied Health Sciences, Noida International University.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition in which the body does not make enough insulin or does not respond to it properly. This leads to high blood sugar levels that gradually damage nerves, blood vessels, and several organs. It is the most widespread form of diabetes. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can often be delayed or prevented by staying active and maintaining a healthy weight.

Yogurt, a simple and widely consumed dairy food, has attracted attention for its possible protective effect. Fermented foods like yogurt contain helpful bacteria known as probiotics. These bacteria support gut health. Research on the gut is still progressing, but scientists now believe the balance of gut bacteria may affect many health concerns, including obesity and diabetes.

Since type 2 diabetes is one of the most common lifestyle-related disorders worldwide, experts continue to study how daily food choices shape its risk. But can a weekly serving of yogurt truly matter? Dr Supriya said that it can, especially when yogurt is part of an overall balanced eating pattern.

Yogurt And Diabetes Type 2

Yogurt offers probiotics that help keep the gut microbiome in good condition. A healthy gut environment supports better metabolism, lowers inflammation, and improves how the body handles glucose. Ongoing inflammation and poor gut balance are well-known contributors to insulin resistance, which is the driving factor behind type 2 diabetes. According to Dr Supriya, regular yogurt intake may ease these problems and help the body manage blood sugar more effectively.

She also explained that yogurt’s protein content and naturally low glycemic index offer added advantages. She said, “Protein keeps you satisfied longer and helps curb sudden cravings. Foods with a low glycemic index do not raise blood sugar quickly. This can help prevent spikes in insulin and reduce the chances of developing insulin resistance over time.”

Several studies show that people who include plain or low-fat yogurt in their weekly meals tend to manage their weight better, which is an important part of lowering diabetes risk.

Is Yogurt Bad For Diabetic Patients?

Yogurt is not harmful for people with diabetes, but choosing the right kind is essential. Many flavored or sweetened yogurts contain large amounts of added sugar, which can raise the risk of diabetes complications. The best choices are plain, unsweetened, low-fat, or Greek yogurt. These provide strong nutritional value without unnecessary sugar. Adding fruits, nuts, or seeds can improve taste in a healthy way.

Dr Supriya said, “While yogurt can support better metabolic health, it should not be viewed as a cure on its own. Its benefits are strongest when combined with a healthy routine that includes regular physical activity, weight control, fiber-rich meals, and limited sweets.” Even so, having yogurt two to four times a week may help maintain steadier blood sugar and lower long-term risk for type 2 diabetes.

Eating yogurt each week can be a simple and useful step in a diabetes-prevention plan. Its probiotics, protein, and gentle effect on blood sugar make it a valuable food for metabolic wellbeing. By choosing plain, low-sugar varieties and pairing them with healthy lifestyle habits, people can take a small but meaningful step toward lowering their chances of developing type 2 diabetes.