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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are certain steps you can follow to protect yourself:
Credit: Michael Patrick/Instagram
Irish Actor Michael Patrick, known for his significant role in Game of Thrones, has sadly passed away at the young age of 35.
Sharing the news in a post on social media platform Instagram, his wife Naomi Sheehan shared that Michael Patrick (whom she fondly calls Mick) died after a years-long battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
"Last night, Mick sadly passed away in the Northern Ireland Hospice. He was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease on 1st February 2023. He was admitted 10 days ago and was cared for by the incredible team there. He passed peacefully, surrounded by family and friends," Naomi said.
Calling Michael a "titan of a ginger-haired man", she said that “Words can’t describe how broken-hearted we are".
Naomi called Michael an "inspiration to everyone."
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What Is Motor Neurone Disease (MND)
MND is a rare and progressive neurodegenerative disease. According to NHS UK, it causes muscle weakness that gets worse over a few months or years. It's usually life-shortening, and there's currently no cure, but treatment can help manage the symptoms.
Symptoms of MND include:
It makes everyday tasks such as climbing stairs or gripping objects difficult.
Also read: Grey’s Anatomy Star Eric Dane Dies After ALS Battle
As the disease advances, patients may develop difficulties with breathing, swallowing, and speech, along with changes in mood or personality. In later stages, walking and movement can become extremely limited.
Treatment of MND
About 1,500 people are diagnosed with MND each year, yet treatment choices remain scarce. Only a small proportion of patients currently qualify for therapies that target the disease process itself.
MND can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages. But as the symptoms get worse, it can usually be confirmed.
Tests used to help diagnose MND include:
1. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Early symptoms include muscle weakness in the arms and legs can cause you to trip and drop things.
2. Progressive bulbar palsy (PBP): It mainly affects muscles in the face, throat, and tongue, causing slurred speech and problems swallowing.
3. Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA): It causes weakness in the hands.
4. Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS): Leads to weak legs, sometimes with other symptoms, including speech problems.
Common treatment options for MND include:
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 virus had a significant impact on the eyes, causing conjunctivitis (pink eye), with red, itchy, watery, or painful eyes.
A new study now shows that eye symptoms may also be key in understanding the severity of long COVID, a collection of symptoms that last three months or longer after your first COVID symptoms.
The new study, published in the journal Clinical Ophthalmology, showed that the new onset of eye symptoms in people with long COVID may be an indicator of more severe disease.
Also read: Long Covid Causes Lasting Brain Inflammation And Lung Injury, Reveals Study
Researchers from the Yale School of Medicine analyzed survey data from 595 adults who self-reported having long COVID in surveys conducted from May 2022 to October 2023. They found that nearly 60 percent of people reported new-onset of ocular symptoms.
The findings suggest that ocular symptoms in long COVID may be interpreted as vision-related manifestations that cluster with systemic post-COVID conditions. The symptoms include a new onset of :
Notably, individuals with ocular symptoms reported:
Also read: Long COVID: The Story Of Those Who Are Still Dealing With Symptoms And Illnesses
Long COVID includes a wide range of symptoms or conditions that may improve, worsen, or be ongoing. While anyone who gets COVID-19 can develop Long COVID, studies have shown that some groups of people are more likely to develop Long COVID than others, including:
While many of the Long COVID conditions remain to be fully recognized, some people have more than one symptom that can be moderate to severe, and also impact the quality of life. According to the US CDC, they include:
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A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare has raised serious concerns about growing doctor burnout, especially among junior and senior resident doctors, and warned that it is now affecting both doctor well-being and patient safety. Noting that overworked doctors are a risk for patient safety, the panel said that fatigue-driven errors and burnout could compromise care.
To tackle this, the committee recommended that the government introduce and strictly enforce a formal “Clinical Duty Hours Regulation” policy. This should mandate fixed rest periods and monitored duty rosters, with oversight mechanisms to prevent violations, stated the panel in its 172nd report presented before the Parliament.
The recommendation comes amid growing concern over long, unregulated shifts in teaching hospitals, where residents often work extended hours with limited rest.
The panel warned that such conditions not only increase the likelihood of clinical mistakes but also contribute to burnout and mental health stress among young doctors.
The Panel noted that due to persistent human resource shortages, the working hours of junior and senior residents doctors often stretch from 24 to 36 hours. This increases risk of clinical errors and burnout, thereby compromising patient safety. Thus it recommended a mandatory working-hour regulatory framework:
However, it noted the contractual engagement must not substitute regular appointments, as excessive reliance on contractual staff may dilute institutional accountability and continuity.
Instead, the panel has recommended adopting a "Total Support model for medical professionals" to attract and retain qualified doctors and specialists in the public health system.
Also read:India Must Integrate Technology To Build Preventive, Holistic Healthcare: Experts
The policy calls to:
Also read: Doctors Share Preventable Risk Factors That Can Land You in the Emergency Ward
Burnout is distinct from depression, which influences every aspect of life and often involves persistent thoughts of hopelessness or worthlessness. Burnout typically involves limited manifestations to the work environment, although its impact can resonate into other areas.
Symptoms of Burnout
1. Exhaustion: Prolonged mental and physical depletion of your energy levels.
2. Depersonalization: Cynicism and lack of concern creep into relationships and communication.
3 Reduced Personal Achievement: Your work loses worth, and you may feel you are not up to standards, giving in to frustration and reduced originality.
These signs frequently coincide with physical signs (headaches, muscle pain, sleeplessness), emotional signs (self-doubt, loneliness, unhappiness), and behavioral signs (social withdrawal, outbursts of anger, abandonment of obligations).
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