We are always told to never mix work and friendships in social settings. While it is normal to make friendships at work, you should always keep a professional distance to make sure things do not go sour and start affecting your work. This also means that you do not divulge private information or have private conversations with your colleagues as you may never know how this could be brought up and affect you. This is an unsaid rule in corporate culture that if you are sick or you are coming down with a serious issue, you should never bring it up and keep it to yourself. While this may seem unusual to new workers, it is a very common knowledge for people who have been in the industry for a long time. A new study showed that this is much more common than many people believe!

A new poll shows that a lot of U.S. workers with long-term health problems keep it a secret from their bosses. This affects their health and their jobs. It's a big problem that employers could help fix, which would be good for everyone. This isn't just about people having a sniffle. We're talking about serious conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and asthma that require ongoing management and can significantly impact a person's life, both inside and outside of work. The fact that so many people feel they need to hide these conditions shows a larger issue of stigma and lack of support in the workplace.

How Does Health Become A Hidden Burden?

Most U.S. workers which were over half of the people, have some kind of long-term health problem. But a lot of them, about 6 out of 10, don't tell their boss. They might be afraid their boss will treat them differently or think they can't do their job. Keeping secrets like this can make it hard to get the help you need at work. It can also make your health problems worse because you're stressed about hiding them. It's a tough situation, and it shows that many workplaces aren't as supportive as they could be.

The poll also found that more than a third of people with health problems have had to miss doctor's appointments because of work. This means they're putting their jobs ahead of their health, which isn't good. It's hard to balance work and health, especially when you have a long-term illness. People need understanding bosses who will let them take time off for important medical stuff. Missing appointments can make health problems worse, and it can also make people feel more stressed and anxious.

Does It Impact Their Career And Well-Being?

Almost half of the workers with health problems said they couldn't even take breaks during the day to take care of themselves. They also said they felt like they'd been passed over for promotions because of their health. And some people even got bad reviews at work because of their health problems. This can make people feel really bad about themselves and their jobs. It can also make their health problems worse because they're so stressed. It's not fair, and it's something that needs to change.

It's not just people with health problems who have a hard time. Lots of people are also taking care of someone at home who is sick. Almost half of these caregivers have to help their sick family member during work hours. And many of them have trouble taking time off to care for their loved ones. Some people even have to work fewer hours, which means less money. This shows how much pressure people are under, trying to juggle work and family and health.

Sonali Bendre, actor, who is known for talking about her cancer journey, inspiring other survivors to talk about it too, has found herself at the center of a heated debate after she spoke how naturopathy and autophagy helped her in her cancer recovery.

Bendre, who was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic endometrial cancer in 2018, wrote on X that she believes autophagy played a role in her healing journey. Her post quickly drew sharp criticism from several doctors.

Doctors Point Out That Cancer Remission Came Through Medical Treatment

Members of the medical community reminded her that her remission was the result of evidence-based cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Many emphasized that autophagy is not a recognized medical therapy and should not be presented as one.

One post from hepatologist Dr Cyriac Abby Philips on X said, “Your cancer went into remission after chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery at an advanced cancer treatment hospital. Not because of Naturopathy. Not because of autophagy. Because you have the option and privilege to opt for the best treatments from scientific practice to help you.”

Bendre Clarifies Her Stand

Following the criticism, Bendre clarified that she was sharing her personal experience as a survivor, not medical advice. She wrote that her journey included elements she explored with the help of her naturopath, and these practices were only part of her overall healing process. In her words, “I have never claimed to be a doctor, but I am certainly not a quack either. I am a cancer survivor, someone who has lived through the fear, pain, uncertainty, and rebuilding that the disease brings.”

What Autophagy Actually Is

Autophagy is a natural process in which the body breaks down and recycles old or damaged cell components. Cells contain various structures that help them function, and over time some of these structures wear out. Autophagy acts like a clean-up and recycling system. It allows cells to dismantle faulty parts and reuse the useful components to maintain healthy cell function. Anything that cannot be used is removed by the cell.

This process is an important quality control mechanism. If too much cellular waste builds up, it can interfere with normal cell activity. Autophagy helps keep cells efficient and healthy. The scientific understanding of autophagy grew significantly after Japanese biologist Yoshinori Ohsumi won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2016 for his work uncovering how it works. While autophagy is essential for survival, it is not considered a medical treatment for diseases.

Can Autophagy Treat Cancer?

Experts explain that autophagy plays a complicated role in cancer. In the early stages, it may help prevent tumor formation by clearing damaged components. However, in established cancers, the same process can allow tumor cells to survive stress and become more resistant to treatments like chemotherapy.

Disclaimer: Please consult a qualified doctor or oncologist before choosing any treatment for cancer. Health and Me does not endorse alternative therapies as substitutes for evidence-based medical care. This article is based on publicly available information. All medical conditions should be evaluated and managed under the guidance of a licensed healthcare professional.

What if you are told that the vape you are using contains bacteria found in poop. You read that right. According to a study conducted by HAYPP along with Microbiologist Reynold Mpofu at BioLabTests, bacteria like staphylococcus and bacillus were found on vape, as well as fecal bacterium, E. coli is found on vape, which is often found in public bathroom.

What Did The Study Find?

More than 100 million people worldwide use e-cigarettes or vapes, and at least 1 in 6 people vape in toilet. Furthermore, vapes are rarely cleaned, and thus become germ hotspots.

The study found that vape mouthpieces are highly contaminated with bacteria. More than 1.5 million colony-forming unites or CFUs were identified on the vape mouthpiece, the maximum amount measurable by the lab, carrying as many as 2,300 times more bacteria than a public toilet, which has 50 CFUs per square inch.

“Laboratory analysis revealed that the mouthpiece is the dirtiest component of the vape. This isn’t surprising given that the human mouth, largely considered to be one of the ‘dirtiest’ parts of the body, harbors approximately 700 species of bacteria, that amounts to billions of individual bacteria,” said Mpofu.

The study was able to identify a range of bacteria, including skin microbes to gut bacteria like E.coli.

Also Read: UK Investigates Impact Of Vaping On Its Young Users

The Species Identified

The study identified these following bacteria on the vape:

• Bacillus: commonly found in dust and the air
• E.coli: indicates possible fecal contamination
• Yeast and mold: can cause respiratory irritation
• Staphylococcus: usually harmless, but could cause infection
• Enterococcus: intestinal bacteria that can persist on surfaces

The study was also able to identify bacteria on the vape body. The lab also observed a rapid microbial growth between just 2 to 3 days of use. These colonies could be seen multiplying thousand of times over.

While many of these are found on human skin or surrounding, some are intestinal bacteria, like aforementioned, E.coli, and Enterococcus, which points towards unwashed hands, explaining the transfer on the surface.

“Much like phones, vapes are frequently handled and placed on a variety of surfaces, allowing germs, oils, and dirt from hands, pockets and various environments to latch on the device. The findings confirmed the presence of bacteria, including E. coli and Enterococcus, on the vape body, likely arising from inadequate hand hygiene or the transfer of microorganisms from bathroom environments or other contaminated surfaces,” said Mpofu.

Read: Why Is My Idea Of Break Is To Have A Smoke?

The Timeline Of Bacteria Development

The first signs of microbes start to appear within the first day of buying a brand new vape, especially around the mouthpiece.

By day three, the vape accumulates more than 2,300 times the microbial load typically found on a toilet seat.

By the seventh day, bacteria like E.coli. and Enterococcus and other fecal indicators are detected on the mouthpiece and vape’s body. Mould and bacteria are also found on levels.

By day 14, despite no new use or cleaning, the vape remains heavily contamination. The contamination does not fade overtime.

Read: These US States Vape The Most

The UK recorded its coldest autumn so far when the temperatures fell as low as -12.6C in Scotland. This was the lowest recorded in November from the last 15 years. The mercury also fell to -7.6C in Wales, -6C in Northern Ireland and -6.7C in England. Cold health alters have been issued in England. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued amber cold-health alerts for North West, North East, and Yorkshire and Humber, while other areas are under yellow alerts.

With this new developments, a Yorkshire dentists has pointed out that cold weather could, in fact, impact one's dental health.

Dr Abdul Dalghous, a dentist at Yorkshite Dental Suite said that chilly weather can trigger changes inside your mouth. Even if you have not notices them before, the change in weather and the temperature drop could negatively impact your dental health.

What Does The Doctor Say?

Sensitivity

The doctor says that there could be sudden sensitivity that one can feel when the weather is cold outside. "If you feel a sharp, almost electric twinge in your teeth when you breathe in icy air, it may be a sign that your enamel is under strain," explains the doctor.

Dr Dalghous explains that sudden cold exposure could make teeth contract quickly, irritating the nerves inside the tooth.

Teeth Ache

The cold weather can slightly weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to illnesses such as colds. The doctor explains, "It’s very common for sinus pressure to feel like a toothache. This is due to your sinuses swelling and pressing on the roots of your upper teeth, often creating a dull, aching sensation. Many people mistake this for dental pain when the real culprit is winter congestion."

Dry Mouth

Another common experience during winters is having a dry mouth. This happens because cold air tends to be less humid and thus breathing it in through your mouth could lead to a drier mouth than usual. "Saliva acts as your mouth's natural defense system, so, when levels drop, your teeth become more vulnerable to sensitivity, plaque build-up and decay," the doctor notes.

Pain While Drinking Cold Beverages Or Eating Cold Food

Winter weather could further amplify the discomfort that is caused by cold food or drinks. "If a sip or bite of a chilled snack causes pain that lingers, it could point to underlying issues such as enamel erosion, cavities or exposed dentine that are becoming more noticeable in colder weather.”

Small Cracks Could Be More Noticeable

Teeth naturally expand and contract when exposed to temperature shifts, and winter tends to make these changes more intense. Over time, this added stress can lead to tiny hairline cracks in the enamel. You may not spot them, but you might feel rough spots, sudden sensitivity in one area, or small chips you never noticed before.

Dr Abdul adds: “To help ease these changes, we recommend breathing through your nose where possible and avoid biting into cold foods. When it comes to your oral hygiene ensure you’re brushing twice a day using toothpaste designed for sensitivity and flossing. Following these will help your teeth during this cold weather!”