The clothes you wear when you work out may do you more harm than helping you to stay healthy as you hit the gym. This is because research has revealed alarming levels of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound linked to significant health risks in several sports wear, including sports bra, leggings, and athletic wear. The Center for Environmental Health (CEH), which is a nonprofit consumer advocacy group has brought these concerns to light, and have raised awareness about the potential danger and damage these sports wear can cause because of the common chemicals used.

What is BPA? Is it concerning?

Bisphenol A, or BPA is a chemical that is used to make plastics and resins. It is also used in certain fabrics and is known for its endocrine-disrupting properties, which can also interfere with one's hormonal balance. There have been studies, including a 2019 study titled The adverse health effects of bisphenol A and related toxicity mechanisms that have linked BPA exposure to various health problems, including asthma, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, and even cancer.

Many of research which have been conducted focus on the ingestion, which can happen when you store food in BPA-lined containers. Among them, some of the more recent studies show that skin absorption is also a pathway. This means when you are handling receipts which are printed on thermal paper, or wear BPA-containing fabrics, the chemical can seep through your skin and enter your bloodstream.

Though it is also true that BPA is exposed from the body within days, however, continuous exposure from multiple sources can be concerning.

Sports Wear and the harm it may cause you

CEH also tested popular athletic wear in October 2023 and found BPA levels were exceeding California's safety standards by as much as 22 times.

Testing also showed that top brands contained up to 40 times the permissible limit of BPA.

What do the laws say?

As far as laws are concerned, under California's Proposition 65, the maximum allowable dose for BPA exposure via skin is 3 micrograms per day. While this law is among the strictest in the United States, it highlights a broader issue of chemical safety in consumer products nationwide.

Ana Soto, an immunologist with decades of research on BPA, even low doses of dermal and oral exposure can combine to create a significant health risk. She also warned that prolonged exposure through fabric, especially when you are exercising, as your pores are open and sweat is present, can in fact, amplify these effects.

How does BPA affect your health?

BPA can disrupt your body's endocrine system, which is a network of glands and organs that produce hormones that control many bodily functions. These include growth and development, metabolism, and reproduction, to name a few. BPA can mimic natural hormones like estrogen and interfere in those bodily functions.

Studies also link it with obesity and diabetes, respiratory issues, especially asthma risk in school-aged children, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer risks.

How can you be safe?

There are certain steps you can follow to protect yourself:

• Avoid wearing BPA-lined sports-wear
• Change immediately after your workout
• Do not wear sports-wear for an elongated period

From upscale salons to local aesthetic clinics, a quick IV infusion of glutathione is being offered for skin brightening and anti-ageing. But these increasingly popular cosmetic drips may neither be legal nor safe and may carry several health risks, doctors have warned.

Glutathione is an unapproved therapy that involves risks at many levels, including toxins. As per the US FDA, injectable/IV glutathione is not FDA-approved as a safe compounded sterile injectable, carrying high risks of contamination and severe adverse reactions.

Warning Against Glutathione IV Drips

In a social media post on X, noted hepatologist Dr Cyriac Abby Philips called out an advertisement for a clinic offering glutathione IV drips, promising skin whitening.

He warned people to “absolutely” avoid it, as the effects on skin may be temporary but carry long-term health risks from kidney to liver dysfunction, and potentially fatal skin reactions.

“Because the body continuously produces melanin, any potential lightening effect is temporary. Once the extreme systemic doses are stopped, the skin's natural pigmentation returns,” Dr Abby said.

Further, he also stated that the procedure is mostly offered by "cosmetologists" or commercialized dermatology clinic chains. As cosmetology is not a recognized medical degree or a protected medical title under the National Medical Commission in India, people claiming to be "cosmetologist" is not really a medical practitioner, but merely certified "coaches" or "wellness experts".

Poor Evidence Supporting IV Glutathione

The expert, better known as “LiverDoc” also noted that the clinical evidence supporting IV glutathione is exceptionally poor.

“The administration of IV glutathione in dermatology and cosmetology clinics is a lucrative marketing trend that operates outside the bounds of evidence-based medicine”.

“Marketing claims rely heavily on anecdotal reports and a single, widely criticized trial that suffered from a tiny sample size, poor study design, and unreliable evaluations,” he added.

FDA Warning Over Glutathione IV Treatments

“Because IV glutathione is not approved for cosmetic use, the solutions utilized in wellness clinics and med-spas are typically sourced from "compounding pharmacies". This bypasses standard pharmaceutical manufacturing regulations, introducing severe risks”.

Dr. Abby explained that a "compounded drug" is a custom medication created by a pharmacist or physician who combines, mixes, or alters ingredients on their own.

He cited how in August 2026, the US FDA issued an urgent safety warning after dozens of patients experienced potentially fatal infection (sepsis)-like symptoms — including fever, chills, low blood pressure, and hospitalization — following glutathione IV treatments.

“Clinics were found to be compounding IV drips using dietary-supplement-grade powder, which contained dangerously high levels of bacterial endotoxins. Administering high doses has been linked to severe adverse effects, including anaphylaxis, acute kidney and liver dysfunction, and potentially fatal skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS and TEN),” Dr Abby said.

India Tightens Rules Around Injectable Cosmetics

In May 2026, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) tightened rules around cosmetic use.

In a new public notice issued, the CDSCO stated that cosmetic products that come in injectable form do not fall under the definition of cosmetics under the law. It said that such products are not permitted for use by consumers, professionals, or aesthetic clinics.

Other Potential Health Risks

According to the Philippines FDA, given that glutathione affects the production of melanin — the pigment that gives human skin, hair and eyes their colour — there are theoretical concerns about the long-term skin cancer risk.

Other potential risks include transmission of infectious agents, such as HIV, hepatitis C and B. This is of particular concern when a non-medical practitioner administers this treatment or it is done in a non-sterile facility.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hernia repair is one of the most important surgical procedures, with published estimates suggesting that around 20 million hernia repairs are performed each year globally. For most patients, recovery is smooth, steady, and uncomplicated. It is one of the most performed surgeries globally, and for most patients, recovery is steady. Mild pain, swelling, and discomfort during the first few weeks are usually part of the healing process and improve with time. However, when a wound refuses to heal, pain continues to worsen, or there is persistent discharge from the surgical site, these symptoms should never be ignored.

Although complications following hernia mesh repair are uncommon, delayed recognition can make treatment far more challenging. One of the more serious complications occurs when the surgical mesh erodes into surrounding organs, particularly the intestine, leading to infection, chronic wounds and, in rare cases, an entero-cutaneous fistula, an abnormal connection between the bowel and the skin.

A recent patient cases highlights why early medical attention is so important. An umbilical hernia surgery performed years ago led to complications for a 32-year-old lady from Bengaluru. What was supposed to be a simple procedure turned out to be a prolonged medical ordeal for the patient. The injury could not be healed completely, and as time went by, the patient developed persistent drainage from the injury site, which made her daily tasks increasingly difficult.

A further assessment revealed that the mesh had eroded into the bowel and caused an entero-cutaneous fistula. At this point, the surgery was going to be much more complicated than a regular hernia repair. This is a particularly challenging case for surgeons, requiring very detailed planning, since there is always a high probability of finding dense scar tissue and adhesions, which made it impossible to properly detach the bowels.

The surgery was done as a complicated laparoscopic revision operation, during which the adhesions were freed; both meshes were removed, and the part of the bowel that was affected by them was recovered, and the abdominal wall structure was restored. The postoperative period went quite well, and the man was relieved of all the discharge, and his intestinal function was restored within a few weeks.

Such cases may be quite rare, but they send a clear message – never neglect prolonged symptoms, thinking that they are just a part of the recovery process. Hernias are easily repaired, but if healing goes slowly, it is always better to do additional tests to avoid complications.

Signs that might arouse concern about the patient’s condition after the hernia surgery:

1. The wound is not healing properly while waiting for the healing process.

2. The wound is continuously oozing secretions.

3. An unexpected increase in pain in contradiction to the healing phase.

4. Body temperature is above normal or other symptoms of infection are present.

5. An unexpected formation or swelling has appeared in the surgical area.

It should also be mentioned that not everyone suffering from pain after the operation faces a serious complication. However, those with ongoing or worsening health conditions should not perform self-treatment and wait for the issues to resolve.

Advances in minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery have made it possible to successfully manage many complex hernia mesh complications while reducing pain, hospital stay, and recovery time. At the same time, successful treatment depends not only on surgical expertise but also on timely diagnosis and appropriate follow-up.

The goal is not to create anxiety around hernia surgery. Mesh repair remains a safe and effective treatment for most patients. The key message is simple: listen to your body. If your recovery process takes much longer than expected, or there is something that appears abnormal, you should consult with a doctor right away. There are instances where timely action prevents complications and allows for a full recovery.

By Dr. Kiran K. J., Senior Consultant, Department of General, Laparoscopy, GI, Bariatric & Robotic Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru.

A globally introduced, newer-generation cataract lens was used in India for the first time, enhancing patient’s recovery journey and treatment outcome

Since her diabetes diagnosis 5 months ago, Mrs Vani Vaish had done what doctors tell every diabetic to do - turn up regularly for an eye exam because diabetes can quietly damage the blood vessels and nerves in your eyes. The eye damage often gives no major noticeable warning until real damage has been done, which is exactly why the screening isn't optional, symptoms or not.

How A Routine Eye Check-Up Revealed A Cataract

During one of these routine visits, Mrs Ahuja complained of blurring in her vision and increasing glare around headlights and streetlamps at night. Her ophthalmologist identified a cataract. For people living with diabetes, regular eye examinations can be important for more than monitoring diabetic retinopathy, as diabetes can also increase the risk of developing cataracts and may lead to their occurrence at a younger age.

The treatment options were discussed with her in detail, including the potential benefits and limitations of the technology, individual variations in outcomes and the considerations involved in selecting a presbyopia-correcting lens. Following a detailed evaluation, Mrs Ahuja underwent cataract surgery with implantation of the Clareon PanOptix Pro, a newer-generation trifocal intraocular lens that had recently become available in India.

Also read: What Is Lutein? The Eye-Friendly Antioxidant You Crave—Yet Don’t Know About

What The Newer-Generation Lens Is Designed To Do

The significance of the technology lies in what it is designed to change in cataract vision correction. Trifocal lenses split incoming light to provide vision across near, intermediate and distance ranges. The newer-generation optical design used in PanOptix Pro is intended to use available light more efficiently and reduce light scatter — an advancement that aims to support better quality of vision across different distances while addressing some of the visual compromises associated with multifocal lens technology.

Because no two patients have the same visual demands, expanding access to newer technologies plays a critical role in modern care. Our role is to evaluate each patient’s unique needs and ensure that the most suitable and advanced treatments available actually reach the patient, giving them every opportunity for a better quality of life.

The procedure marked the first use in India of the globally introduced Clareon PanOptix Pro lens. For MRs Vaish, the outcome of the treatment has matched what she hoped for. She reports clear vision and no floaters or other visual disturbances. Her recovery has also been smooth, and she has not even needed the temporary protective glasses in the days following the procedure.

Why Regular Eye Exams Matter For People With Diabetes

Her case highlights two important aspects of modern eye care. Regular eye examinations are important especially for people living with diabetes. A routine screening intended to monitor retinal health can also help identify other conditions affecting vision, including cataracts.

It also demonstrates that access to advanced medical technologies can significantly expand treatment possibilities and enhance the patient's recovery journey. When newer innovations are combined with careful clinical evaluation and personalised decision-making, they can help doctors move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment and offer patients options better suited to their individual visual needs and lifestyles.

By Dr Sudipto Pakrasi, Chairman, Ophthalmology, Medanta Mediclinic Defence Colony