Blue light emitted by devices like smartphones, computers, and televisions is becoming a major factor disrupting our sleep cycles. Research reveals that a significant number of Americans use electronic devices close to bedtime, contributing to poor sleep quality. Reducing exposure to blue light, particularly in the evening, is a simple yet effective way to help your body prepare for restful sleep.

What Is Blue Light?

How Does Blue Light Impact Circadian Rhythms?

Circadian rhythms are 24-hour cycles that control essential bodily functions, including sleep. Light is the primary factor that aligns these rhythms with day and night. Historically, exposure to sunlight during the day helped set our body clocks, signaling when to be awake and when to sleep. However, the widespread use of artificial lighting and electronic devices has introduced more light exposure after dark, disrupting these natural cycles.

Blue light, in particular, has the strongest impact on circadian rhythms. During daylight hours, blue light helps us feel alert by stimulating the brain, raising body temperature, and increasing heart rate. But in the evening, exposure to blue light can confuse the body’s internal clock, suppressing melatonin—the hormone responsible for making us feel sleepy. As a result, our brains may remain in “daytime mode,” preventing us from winding down for the night.

Health Consequences Of Disrupted Sleep

Persistent disruption of circadian rhythms can lead to a range of health issues, including metabolic disorders, poor mental health, and increased risk for conditions like depression and anxiety. Furthermore, the inability to sleep well at night affects cognitive performance, mood, and overall well-being. Chronic exposure to blue light in the evening may significantly contribute to these negative health outcomes.

Devices That Emit Blue Light

Many common devices in our daily lives emit blue light, including:

- Smartphones and tablets

- Computer monitors and laptops

- Televisions and e-readers

- LED and fluorescent lighting

- Video game consoles

How To Minimize Blue Light Exposure

To reduce the effects of blue light on your sleep, here are some practical strategies:

1. Turn off screens before bed: Try to avoid using electronic devices at least two to three hours before bedtime. Reducing screen time helps prevent blue light from interfering with melatonin production.

2. Adjust your lighting: Dim your home’s lights or switch to warmer-toned lighting in the evening. You can also use lamps with red or orange light, which are less likely to impact your circadian rhythms.

3. Night mode settings: Many smartphones and computers have a "night mode" feature that reduces blue light emission. Make use of these features to limit exposure in the hours leading up to bedtime.

4. Blue light-blocking glasses: Special glasses designed to filter out blue light may be helpful for some individuals. These glasses can block or reduce the melatonin-suppressing effects of blue light.

5. Apps for blue light reduction: There are several smartphone and computer apps available that reduce blue light emission, allowing you to use your devices before bed without disturbing your sleep.

6. Create a sleep-friendly environment: If you can’t control light sources in your bedroom, consider using an eye mask to block out ambient light and promote better sleep.

New Delhi's weather is fluctuating sharply, with Western Disturbances driving bouts of intense heat and sudden pre-monsoon showers. The city is currently hovering in the mid-30s°C but is also bracing for a return to scorching heat, with maximum temperatures forecast to climb into the low to mid-40s°C this week.

Such weather fluctuations can play a significant role in triggering migraine attacks, said Dr. Vivek Kumar, Principal Director - Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj.

Weather Factors That Can Trigger Migraines

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Vivek noted that many components of weather are reported to affect migraine. These include:

• Barometric pressure
• Humidity
• Temperature
• Seasons

Dr. Kumar explained that a drop in atmospheric pressure, often seen before storms, can create a pressure imbalance between the environment and the sinuses or inner ear, stimulating nerves and leading to headaches.

"Rapid temperature changes, as well as exposure to extreme heat or cold, can also trigger migraine episodes," he said.

Similarly, both high humidity and very dry air have been associated with the onset of migraine symptoms. Bright sunlight and intense sun exposure, particularly when reflected off surfaces such as snow or water, are also recognized migraine triggers.

Also read: Global Temperatures Likely To Stay Near Record Levels For Next Five Years: WMO

How Does The Weather Trigger Migraines?

According to Dr. Kumar, weather changes can affect brain chemistry by influencing serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter involved in migraine development. They may also contribute to inflammation or pressure differences within the sinuses.

Further, the expert noted that seasonal transitions can be particularly challenging.

"Spring and summer may trigger migraines because of heat and allergens, while winter's cold and dry air can also contribute to headaches and sinus discomfort," he said.

Notably, weather is often only one factor among several. Allergies during spring or viral illnesses during autumn may also combine with environmental changes to trigger headaches, Dr. Kumar stressed.

Migraine Vs Sinus Headache

Read More: What Can You Learn About Your Health From Ice Cream Headaches?

Migraine is also frequently mistaken for a sinus headache because the symptoms often overlap.

Dr. Kumar noted that migraine attacks can cause forehead and facial pressure, as well as nasal congestion or a runny nose. Unlike migraine, however, sinus infections may be accompanied by fever.

He explained that migraine can activate nerves in the face, a phenomenon known as cranial autonomic activation, which can create sensations of nasal blockage and congestion.

While weather changes are difficult to avoid, monitoring weather forecasts may help people prepare for potential triggers. Preventive treatment may also reduce sensitivity to environmental changes and allow greater freedom in daily activities.

Tips To Prevent Migraine

Dr. Kumar advised:

• Keeping a migraine diary for at least 90 days to help identify specific weather-related patterns associated with attacks.
• Treating migraine attacks early when weather-related triggers are suspected. Early treatment can shorten the duration of an attack and prevent symptoms from becoming severe.
• Maintaining adequate hydration, particularly during hot weather or physical activity. Carrying water when outdoors can help compensate for fluid loss through sweating.
• For those sensitive to bright sunlight, staying indoors during peak daylight hours may be beneficial. When outdoor exposure is unavoidable, protective sunglasses or hats can help reduce glare and light sensitivity.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most feared diseases, and it causes thousands of lives to be wasted away due to this fatal disease. According to the Population-Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs) managed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the IARC Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), about 22,982 Indians have pancreatic cancer every year.

On the other hand, the American Cancer Society's US SEER Pancreatic Cancer Stat Facts shows the annual number of cases is 67,530. Thus, any lead to resisting cancer is good news for the world. Recently, a research team from Stony Brook Medicine and Luisa Escobar-Hoyos of Yale School of Medicine, led by Kenneth Shroyer and Natalia Marchenko, found an important fact to fight the fatal disease.

The study investigated the role of Keratin 17 (K17) and found that the protein can be a driver of chemoresistance to gemcitabine. It is often used to treat various types of cancer. The study shows that the K17 can act as a target for the development of novel treatments.

They discovered that the protein is a key driver of chemoresistance to gemcitabine, an agent used to treat a wide range of cancers, including advanced tumors of the pancreas, lungs, and breast.

How New Pancreatic Cancer Drug Daxorrasib Can Help You?

Daxaronrasib is a daily oral pill that has demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with standard intravenous chemotherapy.

Described as a multi-selective inhibitor of RAS(ON) proteins, it is the first investigational drug in a new class of RAS inhibitors designed to target a broad spectrum of cancer-causing RAS mutations.

The drug works by blocking KRAS signalling proteins that drive tumor growth.

Read More: New Pancreatic Cancer Drug Daxaronrasib May Benefit Patients With Lung And Ovarian Tumors Too

Daraxonrasib is the first drug. It works by pairing up with a protein called cyclophilin A inside cells, acting like a molecular glue, glomming onto the mutated protein.

Pancreatic cancer is considered one of the most RAS-dependent cancers, with more than 90 per cent of patients carrying tumours driven by RAS protein mutations. Similar RAS-targeting drugs are also being developed for pancreatic, lung, and colon cancers.

The findings were presented at a plenary session of the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s meeting in Chicago on May 31 and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

For many individuals, the most frustrating part of weight loss is not the effort; it is the lack of results. Strict diets are followed, workouts are consistent, and routines are maintained with discipline, yet the scale refuses to move in a meaningful way. What appears, on the surface, to be a failure of method is often a reflection of how the body is designed to respond.

Weight loss process explained

Dr V G Mohan Prasad, M.D., D.M. (Gastro), FASGE, FRCP(E), FICP, FSGEI, Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist & Therapeutic Endoscopist, VGM Hospital, Tamil Nadu, in an interaction with Health and Me, said, "Weight loss is not a straightforward process of cutting calories. When food intake is reduced, the body does not simply comply; it adapts. Metabolism slows down, energy is conserved, and hunger signals become stronger. Over time, particularly in those who have gone through repeated cycles of dieting, the body becomes more efficient at holding on to energy. This adaptive response can create a situation where effort continues, but progress stalls."

At the same time, fat loss does not occur uniformly. Certain areas of the body, especially abdominal fat, are more resistant due to hormonal influences. This often leads to a mismatch between internal metabolic improvements and visible physical changes, making it seem as though nothing is working, even when the body is undergoing shifts beneath the surface.

The role of metabolic health

Metabolic health also plays a defining role. Two individuals following identical routines can have very different outcomes depending on factors such as insulin sensitivity, muscle composition, and inflammation levels. In some cases, underlying medical conditions or long-term medication use can further complicate the process, making conventional approaches less effective.

The ideal weight loss strategy

What this highlights is a need to move beyond standardised weight-loss strategies. When the body resists, simply intensifying effort is rarely the solution. Instead, it calls for a more targeted and individualised approach that takes these biological responses into account.

This is where advancements in medical science are beginning to bridge the gap. Alongside lifestyle changes, minimally invasive procedures using endoscopic techniques through the mouth, thereby obviating the need for surgery, are increasingly being used to support individuals who struggle despite sustained efforts. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), for instance, works by reducing stomach volume and delaying the emptying of the stomach, helping individuals feel full sooner and sustain dietary changes over time. Another endoscopic technique is the placement of an intragastric balloon in the stomach, which promotes portion control and supports behavioural modification.

For those who have previously undergone bariatric surgery and are experiencing weight regain, endoscopic transoral outlet reduction (TORe) helps restore satiety by reducing the size of the gastric outlet.

These interventions are not designed to replace healthy habits but to work alongside them, particularly in cases where biological resistance makes progress difficult. They reflect a broader shift in how weight management is being understood—not as a one-size-fits-all process, but as something that requires alignment between effort and how the body responds.

Failure to lose weight is a reminder that the body is not a simple system and that effective solutions must take its complexity into account.