Have you ever been so tired that the moment you hit the bed, you feel like you are sinking in your mattress? Or did you ever feel your leg twitch in middle of your sleep? Did you feel like you moved your leg to prevent yourself from falling down? If yes, then you are in for a great read!

Why does this happen?

You are not alone, this happens to around 70% of the total population in some way or another. Although these are signs of sleep disorders, it can also happen to people who are otherwise healthy. Sleep disorder specialists believe that there are certain common triggers that leads to such a sensation.

Our brain is exceptional and sometimes when we dream, it makes us believe that we our part of the dream. And if you are falling from somewhere in your dream, chances are, you would feel like you are falling in real life. This experience is known as hypnic jerk, the movement of your muscle that helps you be safe from that fall, or the imaginary one.

What causes it? When we sleep, our bodies become paralyzed, but that does not mean that our muscle control is not totally off. Rather, a slow, dimmer switch. When the dim switch randomly is turned on, we get jerky movements in our sleep.

This involuntary muscle movement is also called myoclonus or hypnic myoclonus, that transitions as you shift from one sleep phase into another.

ALSO SEE: What is sleep paralysis?

What Could Cause It?

There are many theories on what might be causing it. One of them is that when you are at this stage of sleep, you are still not in deep sleep and your brain misinterprets it as wakefulness, however, at the same time your brain does not recognize your muscles to be moving. This is what leads your brain to send a message to your muscles to check-in. It is a way your brain tries to protect you.

Another theory is of course that of stress. When you are stressed, your mind might be racing, while your body is in stationary. This can also affect your sleep cycle and your sleep can be disrupted.

If you are on stimulant drugs or alcohol, it too can prevent you from achieving a good night sleep. If you have consumed too much caffeine then too your muscles can twitch to make you stay awake.

Furthermore, lack of sleep could also be the reason why your mind is used to staying awake even if your body really needs the rest.

Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

While the falling sensation in sleep is quite common, and happens to healthy people, a severe form is the Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD). PLMD is a repetitive cramping or jerking of legs during sleep. It is a movement disorder that happens only during sleep. It is called "periodic" because the movements are repetitive and rhythmic, which means it occurs in every 20 to 40 seconds. It is also often linked with restless legs syndrome, however, the two are not the same thing.

Restless leg syndrome on the other hand is a condition that involves strange sensations in the legs and arms while awake and an irresistible urge to move the limbs to relive the sensations.

What causes PLMD may be more severe things, including diabetes, iron deficiency, spinal cord tumor, spinal cord injury, sleep apnea, uremia, anemia, narcolepsy, or certain medications.

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.

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.

The brain is a crucial component of the human body. It is an integral part of the whole system, but when the body ages, the brain does too. The brain is the organ that plays a big role in the aging process. The brain protein is an important component of the body, and can positively impact inflammation, memory decline, and other age-related changes.

A recent study conducted by PLOS Biology claims that the brain protein Menin loss can be crucial to inflammation, memory decline, and other age-related changes. The researchers in the study used mice as test subjects and tried to restore the very protein in them, which worked marvelously; aging conditions were completely reversed.

The study found that aging can be highly influenced by the hypothalamus, a strong brain region that regulates metabolism, hormones, body temperature, sleep, and stress responses. According to the researchers, the hypothalamus is a central command centre for aging.

The research was done by Lige Leng and colleagues at Xiamen University in China and mainly focused on the Menin. They intended to see what the impact would be if someone lost this very important protective protein. The study on mice shows that when Menin levels drop in the hypothalamus, it causes faster aging.

The study specifically used young mice and reduced menin levels; as a result, they faced brain inflammation, thinning skin, lower bone mass, impaired balance, memory problems, and a shorter lifespan. Thus, the conclusion of the research was that menin is likely to act as an anti-aging component in the body.

How Much Protein Do You Really Need?

Your protein needs aren’t one-size-fits-all. They depend on several factors: your weight, age, physical activity, body composition goals, and overall health status.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for the average adult is 0.36 grams per pound (0.8 grams per kilogram) of body weight. This amount is to meet basic nutritional needs in most sedentary adults.

However, experts suggest that physically active people often need more, anywhere from 0.54 to 0.9 grams per pound (1.2–2 grams per kilogram) per day. Athletes may even require higher amounts to support muscle repair and performance.

Certain groups, such as pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, older adults, and people recovering from illness or injury, also have increased protein needs. For example, during pregnancy, the recommendation rises to about 0.5 grams per pound (1.1 grams per kilogram).