Sleep changes as we age. When we were kids, we needed 10 to 12 hours of sleep, for teens it is eight to 10 and it decreases to seven to nine as we reach adulthood. But there is always a lack of urgency when it comes to sleep and young adults, many of whom prefer staying up and doing different activities. According to the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention, many national surveys show that about 37% of men, and 39% of people from the age of 45 to 64 reported not getting enough sleep.

Many people in America don't sleep the right amount. This means they either sleep too long or not long enough. But what happens to your body when you do not sleep enough? You just feel tired right? No, when you don't get this much sleep, your body can get stressed. This can make you more likely to get sick. A study published by the JAMA Network Open Sleep Trajectories and All-Cause Mortality Among Low-Income Adults showed that people who don't sleep the right amount have a higher chance of dying early. It's like your body needs that time to rest and fix itself. Without enough good sleep, things can start to go wrong. So, getting the right amount of sleep is super important for staying healthy.

How Was The Study Done?

Scientists wanted to see how sleep habits affect people's health over many years. They looked at almost 47,000 people who were between 40 and 79 years old. They asked them about their sleep habits when the study started, and then again, a few years later. The scientists wanted to see if people's sleep habits changed. They divided people into groups based on if they started with too much or too little sleep, and if their sleep changed over time. For example, some people started sleeping a lot but then started sleeping very little. This helped the scientists see how different sleep patterns affected people's health. They wanted to see the long-term effects of sleep.

The study found that people who had sleep habits that changed a lot had a higher risk of dying early. This means if you started sleeping too much and then switched to sleeping too little, or the other way around, you were more likely to die sooner. They also found that these people had a higher risk of heart problems. The risks were even higher for some groups of people, like white adults and people with higher incomes.

Sleep Deprivation And Its Effect On The Body

If you often doze off when you are sitting and reading, watching a movie, talking to someone, sitting quietly after lunch or even during a few minutes of traffic, you may be sleep deprived according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. They explain how sleep deprivation can cause issues with learning, focusing and reacting to certain things. The symptoms of sleep deprivation in kids differ a little as they might be overly active and have trouble paying attention to certain things. If you are experiencing sleep issues, make sure to speak to a healthcare professional who will help you identify the issues and direct you towards the treatment or changes you must make. Here are some ways sleep helps your body.

Repairs Your Heart

Good sleep allows your heart and blood vessels to heal. This keeps them strong and healthy, reducing the risk of heart problems.

Controls Hunger

Sleep helps balance your hunger hormones, so you don't feel too hungry. This helps prevent eating too much and keeps your weight healthy.

Manages Blood Sugar

Proper sleep helps your body use insulin correctly. This lowers the chance of high blood sugar, which can lead to diabetes.

Supports Growth

Deep sleep releases growth hormones, helping kids and teens grow. It also repairs body tissues, which is important for everyone.

Boosts Immunity

When you sleep well, your body's defense system gets stronger. This helps you fight off germs and stay healthy.

Period hygiene is something that girls today are more aware of. This is because they have access to a lot of information from schools, doctors, social media and public health campaigns.

People are now more open to talking about periods than they were a years ago. Knowing about period hygiene does not always mean that girls are doing things the right way.

A lot of girls are still not sure how often they should change their sanitary pads or how to keep themselves clean. They also do not know which menstrual product is best for them.

Educating Young Girls About Menstruation

This is where parents can help. They should start teaching girls about menstruation before they get their period. This way girls will know that getting their period is not something to be scared of.

Parents should tell girls to change their sanitary pads every hour even if they are not completely soaked. They should also teach girls to wash themselves with clean water. Using soaps or fragrances is not necessary and can be bad for the skin.

When it is raining and the air is damp girls should keep themselves dry by patting themselves after washing. Wearing cotton underwear that can absorb moisture is also a good idea. This can help prevent infections.

Parents should also talk to girls about how to use menstrual products safely. Whether a girl uses sanitary pads, tampons, menstrual cups or period underwear she should know how to use them clean them and replace them correctly. If girls do not use these products the way they can get infections or feel uncomfortable.

Also read: Bryan Johnson's New 2.6M Women's Health Project Centers on Girlfriend's Menstrual Blood

Menstrual Products

There are different menstrual products available today. This is a thing because girls can choose the products that are best for them. Having so many options can also be confusing especially for teenagers.

Instead of saying that one product is better than another we should focus on making sure girls have all the information they need to make good choices.

All menstrual products are safe if used correctly. Girls should feel like they can try products ask for help when they need it and choose the products that make them feel good, about themselves.

By Dr Nishita Shah, Gynaecologist, Saifee Hospital

Medical tourism is no longer just a trend—it's becoming a practical choice for millions of people worldwide. Whether it's traveling abroad for an affordable heart surgery, a dental implant, cosmetic procedures, or fertility treatment, more patients are exploring healthcare beyond their home countries.

But is medical tourism always a good idea? While it can offer significant savings and quicker access to treatment, it also comes with important risks that patients should understand before booking a flight.

What Is Medical Tourism?

Medical tourism refers to traveling to another country to receive medical treatment. People often choose this option because healthcare services may be less expensive, waiting times may be shorter, or certain treatments may not be easily available in their own country.

Popular destinations include countries such as India, Thailand, Turkey, Singapore, Mexico, and South Korea, each offering specialized medical services ranging from orthopedic surgeries to cosmetic procedures.

Benefits Of Medical Tourism

One of the biggest reasons people seek treatment abroad is cost. In many cases, medical procedures can cost significantly less than they would in countries with expensive healthcare systems, without necessarily compromising on quality.

Another major advantage is faster treatment. Patients who face months-long waiting lists for surgeries at home may be able to receive care within days or weeks overseas.

Understanding The Risks

Despite its advantages, medical tourism isn't without challenges.

Healthcare standards, regulations, and infection-control practices vary from country to country. Patients may also face language barriers, making communication with healthcare providers more difficult.

Follow-up care is another important concern. If complications develop after returning home, local doctors may have limited information about the treatment performed abroad, making recovery more complicated.

Long-distance travel soon after surgery can also increase the risk of complications such as blood clots, particularly after major operations.

Additionally, legal protections differ between countries. If something goes wrong during treatment, seeking compensation or resolving medical disputes may be more difficult than in your home country.

Also Read: US Issues Measles Alert After Infected Visitor Spent 11 Hours at Universal Studios Hollywood

How To Stay Safe

Experts recommend researching hospitals carefully before making any decisions. Look for internationally accredited healthcare facilities, experienced specialists, and verified patient reviews.

Patients should also request detailed information about the procedure, possible complications, recovery timelines, and total costs—including unexpected expenses.

Before traveling, discuss your plans with your primary healthcare provider. They can help determine whether traveling for treatment is appropriate and advise you on vaccinations, medications, and post-treatment follow-up.

Finally, purchase travel insurance that specifically covers medical procedures abroad if available, as standard travel insurance policies may exclude elective treatments.

Our role as cardiologists involves observing young athletes train hard to become the next footballer or cricket player. Maintaining a strong and healthy heart requires more than just lung capacity for endurance in tasks like completing '90-minute pitch sprints' or preparing to go through gruelling five-day test matches.

Although uncommon, young athletes often face serious cardiac events that can be prevented. Why? Start your day with habits that can protect your heart.

Vital Heart Habits For Aspiring Athletes

Before competing in a competitive sport, it is important to conduct introductory cardiac evaluations. Set priorities accordingly. If a family history includes sudden cardiac death, cardiomyopathy, unexplained fainting, or inherited heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathies can be detected early on by examining the body through symptom-specific ECG and personal/family history testing.

The process of dehydration causes your heart to pump faster and requires a much greater amount of blood. Consuming water on a daily basis and using electrolyte solutions during intense sweat sessions can prevent arrhythmias.

Don't overlook symptoms like chest tightness, sudden shortness of breath, or faintness when exercising; these are not just fatigue but signs of fatigue. Go and see a medical professional without delay.

Prosperity for recovery and sleep: Deep sleep is characterized by a decrease in heart rate, a settling of blood pressure, and relaxation of cardiac muscle tissue. By sacrificing 8-9 hours of sleep, your heart will become affected, and stress hormones such as cortisol are elevated.

Also Read: TikTok Star Sydney Towle Dies At 26 After Three-Year Battle With Rare Bile Duct Cancer

Avoid consumption of energy drinks that contain harmful stimulants and high levels of caffeine, as it can lead to heart palpitations. Consume whole foods high in lean protein and complex carbohydrates.

“Dreaming big requires training smart. If you listen carefully and respect your heart today, it will be enough for years to make sure you can continue playing sports.”

Dr. Anshu Kumar Jha, Consultant – Cardiology, Manipal Hospitals, Dhakuria, Kolkata.