Weight loss is usually considered a good thing, unexpected and extreme weight loss can be a sign of something in your body going very wrong. There could be some underlying issues that are causing your body to pull weight and nutrition from your muscles and body fat to keep you going. As you grow old, your limbs grow weaker, and same for your muscles, so you do lose some weight as you age, but losing a lot of it too quickly could be a sign of something much worse, Dementia. A recent study published in JAMA Network Open 2025 Cardiometabolic Trajectories Preceding Dementia in Community-Dwelling Older Individuals, has identified potential early indicators of dementia, including significant weight loss and specific digestive changes, appearing years before noticeable cognitive decline.

The study showed that people who later got dementia had their Body Mass Index, or BMI, go down faster than those who stayed healthy. BMI is a way to see if someone's weight is healthy for their height. This drop in BMI started happening many years before they were told they had dementia, sometimes as early as 11 years ago. Also, these people often started with a lower BMI to begin with. So, even though everyone's weight might change a little as they get older, the people who developed dementia had a much bigger and faster weight loss.

What Are Some Other Indicators Of Dementia?

Along with their BMI, the size of their waist also changed. People who ended up with dementia had smaller waist sizes, and this difference was noticeable about 10 years before they were diagnosed. This means that their bodies were changing in ways that showed up long before they or their doctors noticed any problems. So, not only was there weight loss, but also a loss of abdominal fat. This measurement is important because fat around the waist can be related to other health issues.

The study also found changes in their blood. Specifically, the "good" cholesterol, called HDL, went up in people who developed dementia. This increase happened about five years before they were diagnosed. It's tricky because HDL is usually seen as a good thing for your heart. But in this case, it seems like it might be a sign of changes happening in the brain. Scientists are still trying to understand why this happens.

Weight Loss Doesn’t Cause Dementia, Dementia Causes Weight Loss

When we see that people with dementia lose weight, it's easy to think that the weight loss is what caused dementia. But experts think it's the other way around. They call this "reverse causation." This means that the brain changes that cause dementia also cause people to lose weight. The brain changes can affect things like appetite, how the body uses food, and how people go about their daily lives. For example, people might forget to eat, have trouble making meals, or move around less.

While the study revealed a lot about different indicators of dementia and bodily changes, there are many limitations to the study. Everyone loses some weight as they get older. So, it's hard to know when weight loss is just a normal part of aging and when it's a sign of dementia. The study found that people with dementia lost weight faster, but it's still tricky to tell the difference in everyday life. Doctors need to look at other things, like memory tests, to figure out if someone's weight loss is a cause for concern.

If someone is losing weight without trying, and they're also having problems with their memory or thinking, it's important to talk to a doctor. It's not just about the weight loss; it's about the whole picture.

Amid rising cases of measles in neighboring countries, India is concerned, and steps are being taken to ward off any potential outbreaks in the nation, said Dr NK Arora, Chair of the National Verification Committee (NVC) for Measles-Rubella Elimination in India.

In an exclusive conversation with HealthandMe, the expert emphasized the growing concerns over the spread of measles, particularly following outbreaks in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

He noted that in the case of polio, India is free, and fortunately, neighbors like Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and even Myanmar are all polio-free.

“But measles is something which we are worried about,” Dr Arora said.

"We are aware of outbreaks in Myanmar, particularly among the Rohingya population, and the subsequent spread to Bangladesh, where there has been a large-scale outbreak with numerous fatalities," he added.

Measles: Strengthening India's Porous Border

As per official data, Bangladesh has recorded 227 child deaths since March in one of its worst outbreaks of measles in decades, with the number of suspected cases reaching nearly 35,000, AFP reported.

Dr Arora pointed out that the porous borders India shares with Bangladesh make the risk of cross-border transmission higher, particularly given the large movement of people between the two countries.

To counter this, the expert mentioned that India has strengthened surveillance in states bordering Bangladesh, like Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya, but also admitted that more efforts are needed.

Meghalaya’s state health department have called for stepping up surveillance in East Khasi Hills District. Similarly, Health officials in Tripura are also assessing the prevailing measles and rubella situation, with a focus on vaccination coverage and containment measures. The health officials have stressed to strengthen surveillance, early detection, reporting, and response mechanisms.

Also read: Measles Again On The Rise Globally: Is India At Risk?

Notably, Nepal has also reported at least four outbreaks of the deadly viral disease —one in Sarlahi and three in Baglung—since the start of 2026.

"If even one case of measles comes in, it can spread quickly due to the virus's high reproductive or transmission dynamics. A single infected child can spread the virus to up to 12 to 18 others very quickly, which is extremely worrisome," he explained.

Dr. Arora stressed the importance of identifying suspected measles cases early, which he defined as any child with fever and rash.

"While these symptoms could indicate other diseases too, it's crucial to have a sensitive definition to quickly detect measles cases.

Once a suspect with fever and rash is identified, samples are promptly sent to the lab for confirmation, and immediate alerts are issued," he told HealthandMe.

Measles: Sporadic Outbreaks In India

Dr. Arora also addressed the ongoing efforts to eliminate measles and rubella in India, which have been bolstered by targeted interventions and public awareness campaigns.

Since the beginning of the year, India is seeing sporadic outbreaks of measles. Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior reported three outbreaks, and Morena six.

Over January and February 2026, 41 children were diagnosed with measles in Tikari village in Madhya Pradesh.

However, swift action by health authorities with proactive frontline engagement and data-driven rapid response prevented an escalation into large measles outbreaks.

"Our goal is to prevent any deaths from measles, which in today's time, should be entirely avoidable," said the Chair of the NVC.

Referring to increasing child deaths due to the highly infectious disease in Bangladesh, he said: "If a child dies from measles, it indicates a significant gap in the quality of care provided."

Further, Dr. Arora explained that measles complications such as severe pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis are of particular concern, as these can be exacerbated by weakened immunity following other illnesses, such as malaria. Therefore, he emphasized the need to improve the quality of care and ensure timely and effective treatment for affected children.

Read more: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Denies Link To Measles Outbreak At Senate Hearing

What is Measles?

Measles is one of the world's most contagious diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and is spread through coughs and sneezes.

The vaccine-preventable disease can affect people of any age but is most common among children, and can cause complications that include brain swelling and severe respiratory problems.

Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and may include:

• high fever,
• cough,
• runny nose,
• red eyes,
• rashes across the body.

Ever tried logging off social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram? For many, checking notifications, scrolling through feeds, and engaging with content has become second nature, often leading to an unnoticed addiction.

While digital dependence can significantly impact mental health, relationships, and overall well-being, most people don’t realize how much time they’re actually spending online.

To understand its effects, researchers at Stanford University in the US asked the 36,000 study participants to log off on weekends from their Facebook and Instagram accounts. The results showed that the people who stayed off felt measurably better.

Disconnecting from social media was seen as a powerful way to regain balance and focus in the increasingly connected world.

The study split participants into groups: about 275 were paid to deactivate their accounts for six weeks, while others logged off for just one week. Both groups showed improved emotional well-being compared to those who kept scrolling, but the effect was more pronounced for Facebook users who went longer without it.

Facebook users over 35 showed the biggest mood improvements, while among Instagram users, the 18-to-24 group benefited most.

Also read: Is India Set To Implement A Social Media Ban For Children?

Social Media And Mental Health

An increasing number of studies and the community at large are convinced that social media are detrimental to our mental health and general well-being.

According to a recent YouGov poll taken in the UK in January 2026, 37 percent of adults gave a general negative review of social media's impact on their mental health, more than twice the number of people who say otherwise.

Merely 14 percent of them admitted to receiving a positive effect from social media on their mental health.

The Pew Research Center survey, conducted in 2024, discloses that 45 percent of US teenagers think social media is damaging their sleep, and 40 percent believe it is hurting their productivity, which are both key factors of mental health.

In 2023, former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy named social media as a major threat to the mental health of teens. He also released a social media advisory about social media and mental health.

The advisory indicates that frequent social media use could be associated with changes in parts of the brain related to emotions and learning. Additionally, it can affect impulse control, social behavior, emotional regulation, and sensitivity to social punishments and rewards.

Read More: The Cost Of Social Media Addiction: Study Says It Can Give Kids Eating Disorders

In serious cases, social media can also contribute to self-harm or suicidal thoughts, especially among teens and children facing cyberbullying or trolling. Young people are particularly vulnerable to online pressures, negative comparisons, and feelings of rejection.

“Excessive social media exposure has been linked to anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and, most importantly, difficulty with regulating attention and emotions. Algorithms intensify comparison, validation-seeking, and exposure to harmful content, which children lack the maturity to process,” Dr. Sachin Pradeep Baliga, Associate Consultant Mental Health & Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare, told HealthandMe.

Is Quitting The Only Option?

According to mental health experts, moderation and mindfully controlled usage could be the key.

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It is far more effective to come up with a plan that helps your interaction with social media platforms be healthier, such as limiting your time on social media platforms, avoiding harmful content, and pursuing real-world connections, rather than completely demonizing social media.

A team of researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Patna has made a significant breakthrough in understanding the link between heatstroke and fatalities.

The study published in the Medico-Legal Journal identified a specific brain center and vascular injury patterns that play a crucial role in heatstroke-related deaths.

The research team discovered that the anterior hypothalamus, which serves as the brain's primary temperature-regulating center, undergoes severe structural damage during heatstroke. This damage is found to be a key factor in the fatal outcomes associated with heatstroke.

“The study establishes that the anterior hypothalamus undergoes critical structural damage during heat stroke, making it a central driver of fatal outcomes. The injury in the hypothalamus can be used as definitive evidence in the forensic diagnosis of heat-stroke deaths,” said lead author Dr Ashok Kumar Rastogi, forensic expert, in a statement.

The finding can be a major step forward in the scientific basis for diagnosing heat stroke deaths through post-mortem examination, an area that has often posed challenges for autopsy surgeons in establishing a definitive cause of death, the researchers said.

It will also help address a long-standing medico-legal issue, particularly in the context of compensation, insurance claims, and death benefits for the families of victims.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study was conducted by the Department of Forensic Medicine at AIIMS Patna in collaboration with the Department of Anatomy and Pathology.

The study was based on detailed post-mortem investigations of individuals exposed to extreme environmental conditions in the Patna region during 2024, including temperatures reaching 48 degrees Celsius, humidity levels up to 95 per cent, and prolonged heat exposure lasting five to eight hours, the Institute said.

The results also outlined a vascular injury pattern associated with fatal heat stroke, helping build a clearer pathological profile of the condition under extreme heat exposure.

The researchers noted that the findings could strengthen forensic investigations and support more scientifically grounded death certification in suspected cases.

Heatstroke is a medical emergency with a high case fatality rate. The body’s inability to regulate internal temperature and eliminate heat gain in such conditions increases the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Naval Vikram, Professor, Department of Medicine, at the AII India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), explained how heat stroke affects people.

“The general features of a patient with heat stroke are: first, his or her body temperature will be very high. It will not be around normal levels like 104, 105, or 106—it will be significantly elevated. Second, the person may be delirious, confused, or even in a state of unconsciousness or coma. The breathing will also be labored. These are the features of heat stroke,” Dr Vikram said.

The most vulnerable category for heat-related problems is the extremes of age—the younger children and older adults. The expert noted that younger children may not be able to express their symptoms completely. They may not be able to tell you exactly what they are feeling.

At the other end, older adults often have multiple health issues—neurological conditions, diabetes, hypertension, and kidney problems.

How Can One Prevent?

Try to avoid exposure to extreme heat as much as possible.

Adequate hydration is key.

One must cover the head and upper body, use an umbrella, stay hydrated, and take breaks in between.

If you have to work in a hot environment for a couple of hours, take a break in a cooler or temperature-controlled environment for at least half an hour before resuming, rather than continuously working in the heat.