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.

Ramzan, the holiest month in Islam, marked by dawn-to-dusk fasting, poses health risks for people with diabetes. Health experts urge patients to consult their doctors before observing the fast.

Ramzan is a period of intense spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and devotion for Muslims worldwide. During the month-long fasting period, the believers refrain from eating and even drinking (including water), from dawn to sunset.

The faithful eat a modest meal (sehri) before the first light of dawn to provide energy for the day. The fast is broken at sunset, traditionally starting with dates and water, followed by a larger meal (iftar).

According to health experts, for individuals whose diabetes is well controlled, fasting may be possible with proper adjustments.

"Diabetes requires regular monitoring, balanced meals, and timely medication. When eating patterns change during Ramzan, blood glucose levels can fluctuate. That is why I strongly recommend consulting your doctor before you plan to fast,” Dr. Saptarshi Bhattacharya, Senior Consultant, Endocrinology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, told HealthandMe.

The expert advised people not to skip sehri, and to include complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, along with protein like eggs, dal, or curd, and plenty of fluids to help maintain stable glucose levels throughout the day.

At iftar, avoid overeating. Start with light, balanced food and limit fried items, sweets, and sugary drinks, as these can cause a sudden spike in blood glucose, Dr. Bhattacharya said.

Type 2 Diabetes patients with good glycemic control, lifestyle management, or stable oral medications can fast safely.

However, those on multiple insulin doses, with complications, or with poor control are considered moderate to high risk, Dr. Kartik Thakkar, Consultant Medicine, Ruby Hall Clinic, told HealthandMe.

The health expert also noted that most Type 1 diabetes patients are considered high risk, especially those with brittle diabetes, frequent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), or a history of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Many are medically advised not to fast, particularly if glucose control is unstable.

Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes are considered high risk and are usually advised against fasting due to the unpredictable nature of insulin requirements.

Who Should Avoid Fasting Altogether?

• People with a history of severe hypoglycemia in the last 3 months;
• Recurrent hypoglycemia;
• Advanced kidney disease;
• Elderly patients with frailty; and
• Pregnant women with diabetes

Dr. Thakkar said that such individuals fall into the very high-risk category and are medically exempt from fasting.

The expert also suggested clinical tests to determine whether a diabetic patient is fit to fast. These include:

• Glycemic control (HbA1c levels)
• Duration of diabetes (long-standing diabetes can increase complication risk)
• Presence of complications (neuropathy, nephropathy, cardiovascular disease)
• Kidney function and hydration status

What Warning Signs Should Prompt Breaking The Fast Immediately?

A diabetic patient must break the fast if:

• Blood glucose <70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L)
• Blood glucose >300 mg/dL (16.7 mmol/L)
• Severe dizziness or fainting
• Confusion or blurred vision
• Persistent vomiting
• Symptoms of dehydration (extreme thirst, very low urine output)
• Chest pain or breathlessness

A new study has shown that people who survived COVID-19 infections are more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for years after the infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

OSA is a common and serious sleep disorder that causes the throat muscles to relax and block the airway, resulting in fragmented, nonrestorative sleep, low blood oxygen, and loud snoring.

The February 2026 study, published on the preprint server medRxiv, found that people with both severe and non-severe COVID infections are at higher risk of developing sleep apnea and other sleep issues for 4.5 years.

"SARS-CoV-2 infection is independently associated with increased risk of new-onset OSA. These findings support targeted screening in post-COVID populations,” said Sagar Changela, Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in the paper.

What The Study Found

Although an infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been associated with long-term respiratory and neurological conditions, its role in new-onset OSA remains unclear.

The retrospective study, which has not been peer-reviewed, involved 910,393 patients. The results showed that patients hospitalized due to COVID were 41 percent at risk of new onset of OSA.

One-third of people with mild COVID infection, who weren't hospitalized, also suffered from sleep issues.

The researchers also linked OSA to cardiovascular, metabolic, and cognitive morbidity. The team found that OSA increased the risk of heart failure and pulmonary hypertension among hospitalized COVID patients, compared to those with mild infections.

On the other hand, the non-hospitalized COVID patients were significantly more likely than controls to develop obesity.

Further analyses showed that the risk of new-onset OSA was higher in hospitalized COVID patients with asthma and those who were younger than 60 years. Notably, women were also found at greater risk than men, while vaccination status did not vary by risk.

According to the team of researchers, the major factors for OSA among COVID patients are low-grade systemic inflammation after a SARS-CoV-2 infection that reduces upper-airway neuromuscular control.

In addition, the higher levels of inflammatory cytokines often seen in long-COVID patients can also affect respiratory drive and upper-airway stability -- key factors for OSA.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder where a person's airway can collapse completely or partially. It causes breathing lapses during sleep, and the body stops breathing many times while an individual is asleep. It also weakens throat muscles, leading to airway collapse during sleep. The decrease in oxygen saturation can also lead to death.

While OSA is the most common type of the sleep disorder, other types include central sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea.

Obesity is the major cause of this disorder, and loud snoring is the most common symptom. The person suffering from the condition feels tired, even after getting adequate sleep.

Treating sleep apnea is key to preventing long-term health complications such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and increased mortality.

CPAP machines, oral appliances, and lifestyle modifications are common and effective treatment measures.

Are you still sitting down to put your sock on? A new study says that it may be an indicator that you are getting old. A research commissioned by American Pistachio Growers, partnered with British actor and comedian John Thomson, teamed up with nutritionist Rob Hobson to embrace aging positively. The research looked at common day-to-day signs of aging and found that 39 per cent of those surveyed (out of total 5,000 people over 40s) wanted a quiet drink over a night and they cared less about fashion. The research revealed that this could be an indicator that "you are creeping into the old category".

What Did The Study Find?

About one in three respondents (33 per cent) said they first felt they were no longer young when they caught themselves groaning while bending down.

Other telltale signs included discussing aches and pains with friends (30 per cent), preferring a quiet pub over a noisy bar (27 per cent) and naturally waking up at 6 am (12 per cent).

The survey also found people typically start feeling “not young” around 50, although 38 per cent believe old age now begins in the 80s rather than the 50s or 60s.

At the same time, 36 per cent said they have adopted habits to stay youthful, such as taking vitamins or supplements, choosing healthier snacks (19 per cent) and increasing protein intake (17 per cent).

"Getting older is inevitable, but you can still live life to the full. It is about embracing experience, having a laugh about the realities of aging and making small changes that actually make a difference. You don't need to overhaul your life, just make some healthy tweaks to your daily routine," said John.

Do You Feel Old?

Interestingly, only 36 per cent of people in the survey actually said they feel old. In fact, 27 per cent reported feeling more comfortable in their own skin now than when they were younger, and 18 per cent of those over 30 said they are more satisfied with life than they were in their thirties.

Lifestyle choices also seem to shift with age. Around 39 per cent now prioritize comfort over fashion, 34 per cent enjoy going for walks and 19 per cent have taken up gardening or DIY projects. Healthy eating becomes more intentional too, with 60 per cent of men and 61 per cent of women saying they are more health conscious than before.

Their motivations are practical: avoiding illness (59 per cent), staying active (58 per cent) and maintaining independence as they age (47 per cent).

TV nutritionist Rob Hobson, who partnered with American Pistachio Growers to promote the nut as an easy addition to a healthy routine, said ageing is less about decline and more about awareness. “Getting older isn’t about slowing down, it’s about making smarter choices,” he said. “Simple habits like eating nutrient-rich snacks, staying active and prioritizing sleep can help you feel youthful for longer. Age is just a number, but how you fuel your body makes all the difference.”

Suzanne Devereaux-McKinstrie, spokesperson for the non-profit organization, echoed the sentiment, saying later years can be empowering. “Getting older isn’t just about limitations, it’s about opportunities. It’s the perfect time to explore new hobbies, prioritise wellbeing and celebrate the confidence that comes with experience,” she said, adding that diet plays a key role in staying strong and active.

Top 25 Signs That Reveals You Are Getting Older