As per the World Health Organization, all but 1% of the world's population is exposed to unhealthy air and also exceeds the WHO limits for pollutants. However, there are some parts of the world where aur quality has improved through policies that limits pollution, while in other parts, it has not reached the desired results.

For US, more than 25% of the population is exposed to "unhealthy" air as per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this is according to the report by the climate non-profit First Street Foundation. By 2050, the number of people exposed to "unhealthy" air will increase by more than half. The worst days of air pollution, reports BBC, "hazardous" or maroon under the EPA's system will rise by 27%.

Why are we talking about this today? It is because of the recent wildfire in California, which started on January 7. This is also one of the factors that is spiking the PM2.5 levels. It has increased by up to five micrograms per cubic metre in the western US in the past decade.

What is PM2.5?

It is a type of air pollution which is made of particulate matter and measures 2.5 micrometres across or less. It is roughly 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair. These particles are made with a mixture of solid and liquid substances, which varies in their chemical composition, including carbon, metals, and organic compounds.

These specks of airborne soot, dust and other substances can also trigger inflammation, which could also damage your brain.

As per a 2021 study titled The Changing risk and burden of wildfire in the United States, a quarter of US's PM2.5 pollution was caused by wildfire smoke. In 2023, US also witnessed a significant dip in air quality and visibility as smoke from wildfires north of the Canadian border entered across the continent. In May 2024, Canada also saw a start to its wildfire season, and one town was evacuated in British Colombia.

Wildfire smoke and its effects

Wildfires do not only affect those who live near forests, peatlands, and grasslands, but also to the cities and environment in general. It can send plumes up to 14 miles or 23km into the stratosphere, and from there, it can spread all over the globe. For instance, in 2023, the Siberian wildfires released smoke that travelled across the Pacific Oceans to reach Alaska and Seattle.

Other than PM2.5, wildfire smoke is also harmful to immune cells in lungs, and the toxicity could be four times greater than particulates from other types of pollution.

Another 2019 study titled Effects of Atmosphere Processing on the Oxidative Potential of Biomass Burning Organic Aerosols found the toxicity of smoke doubled in the hours after it was first emitted and reached four times greater toxicity at its peak.

Health Impact

There have been research that shows how pollution affects your brain. It can lead to impaired judgment, poorer performance in school and even higher levels of crime, as per the 2018 study by the London School of Economics.

Other health concerns include weight gain. There have been researches that links airborne pollution such as PM2.5 to obesity. The studies have found that children who live in most polluted areas are twice as more likely to have obesity. Some studies also find the link of air pollution harming our sense of smell. As per an Italian study from 2022, titled Association between environmental air pollution and olfactory functioning among Italian adolescents and young adults in Northern Italy, noses of teenagers and young adults became less sensitive to odors after being exposed to nitrogen dioxide, which is a component in traffic fumes.

As men step into their 50s and beyond, prostate health becomes an essential part of overall wellbeing. The gland naturally undergoes changes with age, many of which are not cancerous but can still cause discomfort, disrupt daily routines, and affect long-term health. Awareness, early screening, and preventive habits play a crucial role in staying ahead of potential problems.

Why the Prostate Changes With Age

One of the most common age-related concerns is benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. This happens due to hormonal shifts that cause the gland to grow slowly over time.

“Most men assume urinary symptoms are just a normal part of aging, but that mindset often delays treatment,” says Dr. Vineet Malhotra, Director and Founder, VNA Hospital. “BPH itself is not dangerous, but if ignored, it can seriously affect quality of life and even lead to complications.”

A larger prostate can press against the urethra, causing symptoms such as:

• Frequent urination
• Weak or interrupted urine flow
• Difficulty starting to urinate
• A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
• Waking up multiple times at night to urinate

These symptoms often creep up gradually, making them easy to dismiss until they start interfering with sleep, work, or general comfort.

The Importance of Screening for Prostate Cancer

While BPH is not cancer, men must remain vigilant about prostate cancer, especially because its risk rises with age.

“Prostate cancer in early stages is usually silent,” explains Dr. Malhotra. “That is exactly why screening becomes so important once men cross 50.”

Two common screening tools include:

• PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test
• Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)

These tests help detect abnormalities long before symptoms appear. Early detection not only improves treatment outcomes but also prevents unnecessary anxiety or uncertainty.

Men should also stay alert for red-flag symptoms, including persistent pelvic pain, unexplained weight loss, blood in urine or semen, and sudden urinary changes.

Lifestyle Choices That Support Prostate Health

Beyond medical screening, everyday habits have a strong influence on prostate wellbeing.

Dr. Malhotra emphasizes the role of lifestyle:

“A balanced diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can significantly reduce inflammation and support better prostate function.”

Healthy habits that help include:

• A diet rich in antioxidants (tomatoes, berries, leafy greens)
• Omega-3 sources like fatty fish and walnuts
• Limiting alcohol and caffeine
• Staying well-hydrated
• Avoiding smoking
• Regular physical activity

These choices not only support the prostate but also improve urinary health and hormonal balance.

Since stress can worsen urinary symptoms, incorporating yoga, meditation, or deep-breathing practices also makes a noticeable difference.

Breaking the Silence Around Prostate Health

One of the biggest challenges is the reluctance many men feel when discussing urinary or sexual symptoms.

“Men often suffer quietly because these issues feel too personal,” says Dr. Malhotra. “But silence delays diagnosis and treatment. Open conversations can literally save lives.”

Families, caregivers, and partners can play a supportive role by encouraging early checkups and normalizing discussions around prostate health.

The Bottom Line: Proactive Care Matters

With rising life expectancy and a more active older population, prioritizing prostate health is no longer optional—it’s essential.

Early diagnosis, informed decision-making, and evidence-backed treatments give men the chance to maintain independence, comfort, and quality of life well into their later years.

As Dr. Malhotra puts it, “Prostate health is not just a medical concern—it’s a foundation for staying energetic, confident, and healthy as you age.”

Crossing 40 often brings subtle but noticeable changes in how your body feels and functions. Many people brush off early signs like morning stiffness, reduced flexibility, or frequent bathroom visits, not realizing these are part of natural age-related changes. These shifts primarily affect the bones, joints, and urinary system, areas that quietly define everyday comfort.

According to Dr. Aashish Chaudhry, Managing Director & Head, Orthopedics & Joint Replacement, Aakash Healthcare, these changes are expected but shouldn’t be ignored. “After 40, the body’s regenerative capacity slows down, particularly in bones and joints. Being aware of these changes helps in early prevention and better long-term outcomes,” he says.

Bone Health: Slower Regeneration and Higher Risk of Fractures

Bone density gradually declines with age due to hormonal changes. Women experience a drop in estrogen, and men see reduced testosterone levels—both crucial for supporting bone formation.

“Lower hormone levels weaken the natural bone-building cycle,” explains Dr. Chaudhry. “This increases the risk of fractures and even slows down healing when injuries occur.”

Key concerns include:

• Reduced bone density
• Higher risk of osteoporosis
• Slower fracture recovery

To counter this, weight-bearing exercises and strength training are crucial. A diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and protein supports bone metabolism and maintains strength.

Joint Health: Wear, Tear, and Early Stiffness

Years of repetitive movements, combined with declining collagen production, make joints more vulnerable. Cartilage becomes less elastic, leading to stiffness, reduced mobility, and the early onset of osteoarthritis.

“Many people notice joint pain but assume it's just fatigue,” says Dr. Chaudhry. “In reality, early joint wear can be detected and managed much earlier with the right interventions.”

What contributes to joint discomfort after 40?

• Natural wear and tear
• Reduced cartilage elasticity
• Slower lubrication of joint spaces
• Early degenerative changes

Flexibility-focused exercises like yoga or stretching, along with anti-inflammatory foods such as leafy greens, berries, nuts, and omega-3 sources, can ease stiffness and protect long-term mobility.

Urinary Changes: More Common Than You Think

While both men and women experience changes in urinary patterns, men often notice symptoms more prominently due to prostate enlargement. A bigger prostate narrows the urinary passage, causing:

• Frequent urination
• Weak urinary stream
• Urgency or incomplete emptying
• Night-time urination

Women, on the other hand, may struggle with pelvic floor weakness, leading to leakage or urgency.

Dr. Chaudhry notes, “These symptoms are common after 40, but they shouldn’t be normalized. Early evaluation can prevent chronic discomfort.”

Hydration remains essential. Cutting back on caffeine, alcohol, and salty foods can also lighten urinary symptoms and prevent kidney irritation.

Lifestyle Adaptations That Make a Real Difference

Shifting from reactive to preventive care is key after 40. The goal isn’t to stop ageing—it's to age comfortably and confidently.

What helps:

• Strength and mobility exercises
• Pelvic floor training
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Regular health screenings (bone density, kidney tests, prostate evaluation)
• Stress management through yoga, meditation, or deep breathing
• Consistent sleep routines to support tissue repair

“Think of this stage as preparing your body for the next decades,” says Dr. Chaudhry. “With the right lifestyle adjustments, most people can maintain excellent mobility and function well into older age.”

After the Thanksgiving, on Friday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s top vaccine regulator, Vinay Prasad made a clam that shocked the public-health established. "For the first time, the US FDA will acknowledge that COVID-19 vaccines have killed American children," he wrote in a leaked email to his staff, as reported by The Atlantic and The Washington Post.

The agency has identified that at least 10 children died after getting COVID shots.

The email has been perceived by physicians as a "threat". A response from 12 former FDA commissioners, published in The New England Journal of Medicine on Wednesday, called Prasad's memo "a threat to evidence-based vaccine policy and public health security". All of the potential vaccine related deaths reported to government were already reviewed by the agency's staff, and had reached "different conclusions", wrote the former commissioners.

Elsewhere, doctors and scientists have declared that there are no evidence that links COVID-19 vaccines to deaths in children. The commissioners have claimed that in an attempt to deliberately bring evidence, Prasad and his colleagues had engaged in an "evidence-manufacturing mission", a "dumpster dive" for shoddy data, or worse, a campaign of lying.

Prasad is one of several public health officials who, under Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership, have been steadily chipping away at public trust in vaccines. So far, he has not provided evidence to back his claims, and his estimate of vaccine-related deaths may be exaggerated. The memo’s intense language and focus on political complaints also cast doubt on his assertions.

However, something that cannot be ignored is that fact that his memo may have provoked people to deny even the possibility of COVID-vaccine-related deaths. The Atlantic notes that "the idea that mRNA-based shots have, tragically, killed a very small number of children is not far-fetched." The article written by Benjamin Mazer, a physician who specializes in pathology and laboratory, notes that the this does not imply a "catastrophic threat to public health" as tens of millions of doses of the same vaccines have saved young people.

Understanding the Debate Of Vaccine-Linked Deaths

Public-health experts agree that COVID vaccines, like all medical treatments, can cause side effects. Myocarditis, a rare heart inflammation seen mostly in adolescent boys and young men after mRNA shots, remains the most discussed risk. Although usually mild and far less severe than virus-induced myocarditis, a few deaths have been documented worldwide, including isolated cases in the U.S., South Korea, and two American teenagers described in a peer-reviewed report.

These findings fuel ongoing debate about whether extremely rare vaccine-related deaths are being overlooked. Some scientists, including Paul Offit and Michael Osterholm, say the evidence does not prove the vaccines caused these deaths, noting that population-level studies show no rise in mortality after vaccination. Others argue that well-investigated autopsy-confirmed cases should be taken seriously rather than dismissed outright.

Experts such as Krutika Kuppalli, as cited by Mazer, emphasize that even if deaths occur, they are so uncommon they do not appear statistically, while the benefits, significantly reduced COVID mortality, are unmistakable. However, individual cases still raise questions on health authorities and the stricter standards of proofs they have applied when vaccines were involved to create a room for skepticism.

The concern is that rare side effects of vaccines could go undiscovered and not that vaccinations are inherently harmful.