Coffee has always been a crowd favorite drink among all age groups. But we all know that caffeine has a different effect on everyone. Doctors often express how young kids and teens should be careful about caffeine but new guidelines regarding this set a firm boundary when it comes to teen health and caffeine. Health experts, working with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, have new advice on healthy drinks for kids and teens in the age group of 5-18. The guidelines say that water and milk are the best drinks for them. They want kids to get into good drinking habits early so they can stay healthy. They're also worried about kids drinking too many sugary and caffeinated drinks. This new guide helps parents know what's good for their kids to drink.

How Did Caffeine Become So Popular Among Teens?

The new guidelines are especially relevant because caffeinated drinks have become increasingly popular among teenagers. Coffee shops, like Starbucks, are popular hangouts for teens, and energy drinks, often packed with caffeine and promoted by social media influencers, are widely available. And a very popular theme on social media is coffee, people enjoy having different varieties of it, making to a very affordable and trendy thing to enjoy! There are accounts dedicated to coffee consumption and often kids and teens partake in these trends.

A recent poll by the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital found that nearly a quarter of parents say their teens consume caffeine almost every day. The most common sources are sodas, followed by coffee and tea, and then energy drinks. Even chocolate contributes to caffeine intake. The amount of kids who consume coffee raises concerns about the potential health effects of caffeine on young people, whose bodies and brains are still developing. The easy access to these beverages and the marketing strategies targeting young audiences contribute to the problem.

Could The Lack Of Guidelines Be A Reason?

Right now, there aren't any official rules about how much caffeine kids can have. This makes it hard for parents and doctors to know what to tell kids about caffeine. The new report tries to fix this by giving some advice based on research. Experts are worried about how caffeine affects kids' sleep, mood, and health. Kids are more sensitive to caffeine than adults. Caffeine can keep them awake, make them anxious, and might even affect their hearts. Because there aren't any rules, it's important to have experts telling us what's safe.

How Caffeine Affects Kids

Caffeine is something that makes your body speed up. Adults can usually handle some caffeine, but it's different for kids and teens. Their bodies are smaller, and their brains are still growing, so caffeine can affect them more. It can make it hard for them to sleep, make them nervous, and even give them headaches or stomachaches. It can also raise their blood pressure and heart rate. Caffeine can also change their mood, making them cranky or unable to focus. We don't know all the ways caffeine affects kids in the long run, and that's another reason to be careful.

The report says that plain water and plain milk are the healthiest drinks for kids and teens. They say it's okay to have a little bit of 100% juice, plant-based milk, or flavored milk, but not too much. They also say kids should stay away from sugary drinks like soda, sports drinks, and lemonade. And, very importantly, they shouldn't drink caffeinated drinks or other things that give you a jolt. This advice is based on what we know about how these drinks affect kids' health. Sugary drinks can cause weight gain and other problems, and caffeine can mess with sleep and other things.

Childhood allergies rarely present as isolated issues. While one child may experience itchy skin and rashes, another may complain of a perennial runny nose and some wheeze a lot with infections, and yet others present with food-related symptoms. Although these are distinctly different manifestations, they could have a single root cause.

What Causes Allergies In Children?

Childhood allergies are basically an inappropriate immune response towards a substance that usually presents no harm, be it a food item or an allergen in the environment. However, it is not always easy to pick out what is causing the allergic response. The child's medical history as well as the nature and accompanying circumstances of the reaction, play a pertinent role in picking out what is precipitating the problem.

Two children may present with similar complaints but have different underlying allergic conditions. Understanding the pattern of the disease helps decide what investigations are needed and how best the condition can be managed.

Also read: In-Toeing In Children: When It Needs Assessment

How Allergies Can Affect Multiple Body Systems

Allergic diseases can affect multiple body systems. The most common are the skin, upper respiratory tract and the lower respiratory tract. Skin allergy manifests as atopic dermatitis or urticaria, upper respiratory tract can cause allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis and lower respiratory tract can manifest as asthma.

There are also food allergies which could present with gastrointestinal symptoms or even more serious reactions. A child may also face multisystem involvement and this can sometimes be life-threatening like in a case of anaphylaxis.

Understanding The Role Of Type 2 Inflammation

Allergic disorders may present with multisystem involvement due to the fact that type 2 inflammation is a key driver in the pathology. Cytokines such as IL-31, IL-13 and IL-5 are integral to the formation of IgE antibodies and the activation of eosinophils. Genetic predisposition, skin barrier dysfunction, environmental exposure and the gut microbiota also contribute towards the development of allergies.

There is usually an evolution of allergic diseases as a child grows older. This is commonly referred to as the atopic march. It is common for a child to present with atopic dermatitis and then develop food allergies, allergic rhinitis or asthma later on in life. However, this is not always the case, and an allergic disorder cannot be extrapolated to the presence of any other based on this association alone.

Awareness to these associations can help parents and doctors to watch out for developing conditions and ensure early and appropriate intervention. For example, in a child presenting with persistent eczema, investigation for associated allergic disorders is vital if the history supports it. Early diagnosis and management can also help the parents identify red flags and seek help sooner.

Also read: Toddler’s Swollen Knee Turned Out To Be Juvenile Arthritis Diagnosis: Signs Parents Should Not Ignore

How Are Childhood Allergies Diagnosed?

A thorough clinical history is an extremely valuable tool when it comes to diagnosing allergies. It is important for the doctor to know what the likely allergen was, how soon after exposure the symptoms cropped up, whether similar symptoms have occurred before, and what body systems are involved.

The timing of the reaction and whether it is a one-off or recurrent episode is important. A reaction occurring minutes after ingesting a certain food is very different from a food that causes symptoms after days of consumption.

Treatment And Management Of Allergies In Children

Skin prick tests and specific IgE blood tests are commonly used to screen for sensitisation to common allergens, but these are just pointers. A positive test does not necessarily signify a clinically relevant allergy. The symptoms and exposure history must always be taken into consideration.

Testing for specific IgE to a panel of foods without a clear indication is not only misleading but can also be harmful. Parents may unnecessarily eliminate food groups from the child's diet based on a positive test, thereby affecting nutrition. Similarly, total IgE levels are not helpful in diagnosing a specific allergy.

The treatment varies from managing acute symptoms (with antihistamines or steroids) to controlling chronic conditions (with regular inhaled steroids for asthma). Avoiding the allergen where possible, and treating flare-ups appropriately are the cornerstones of management. Immunotherapy with allergen extracts may be indicated in selected patients with respiratory allergies. Biologics may be considered in certain conditions under specialist supervision.

Why Childhood Allergies Need A Holistic Approach

Children at risk of anaphylaxis should have a personalised action plan and an epinephrine auto-injector available at all times.

Childhood allergies should not be managed in isolation. The focus should be on the child as a whole rather than a single presenting complaint. Awareness and management of any associated conditions can help prevent potentially serious complications.

By Dr Gargi Mathur, Senior Paediatrician, Shalby International Hospitals, Gurugram

Parents may notice that a child’s feet point inward while walking or running. This is called in-toeing. It is common in young children and, in most cases, reflects normal development of the foot or leg bones. Many children improve naturally as they grow, without treatment.

However, it is not always helpful to dismiss a persistent or troublesome walking pattern as “just a growing phase.” The child’s age, the cause, whether the pattern is worsening, and its effect on movement all matter.

What can cause in-toeing?

In-toeing usually comes from one or more of three areas:

1)Foot: The front of the foot curves inward, a condition called metatarsus adductus. Flexible cases often improve naturally.

2)Shin: The shin bone turns inward, called internal tibial torsion. This is common in toddlers and usually improves with growth.

3)Thigh: The thigh bone turns inward, called femoral anteversion. It may become more noticeable when a child begins running or walking with the feet turned in.

The appearance of the feet alone does not always reveal the cause. A clinician can assess the child’s walking pattern and examine the hips, knees, shins and feet.

Also read: Hailey Bieber Opens Up About PMDD After Childbirth: What Is It And How Is It Different From PMS?

When should parents seek advice?

An occasional inward-pointing step, without pain or difficulty, usually needs observation rather than treatment. Arrange an assessment if the child:

• Trips or falls often, or has difficulty running, jumping or keeping up with peers.
• Avoids play or sports because of the way they walk.
• Has pain, swelling, a limp or difficulty bearing weight.
• Has a marked difference between the two legs.
• Develops a new or rapidly worsening walking pattern.
• Has a foot that is rigid or cannot be gently moved toward a straight position.
• Pain, limping, sudden onset, or marked asymmetry are reasons to look beyond a routine developmental variation.

What does assessment involve?

The clinician will ask when the in-toeing began, whether it is changing, and whether it affects daily activities. They will observe the child standing and walking, and assess foot flexibility, hip and leg rotation, balance and function.

X-rays are not routinely needed when the history and examination fit a typical developmental pattern. They may be considered if there is pain, trauma, unusual examination findings or concern for another condition.

Also read: Excessive Screen Time & Mental Health: Expert Urges Parents To Limit Children's Screen Time At Times Health Summit 2026

Does every child need physiotherapy, special shoes or braces?

No. For typical, painless developmental in-toeing, reassurance and observation are usually appropriate. Special shoes, braces and orthotics do not correct the usual rotational causes. Physiotherapy may help when there is a separate issue—such as weakness, balance difficulty or impaired coordination—but it does not generally change the underlying bone rotation.

If in-toeing is severe, persistent and causing substantial functional difficulty, a paediatric orthopaedic specialist can advise whether further evaluation or treatment is appropriate. Surgery is rarely needed and is generally considered only for older children with severe deformity and significant functional problems.

A practical message for parents: Most children with in-toeing walk and play normally, and their alignment improves as they grow. The aim is not to make every child’s walking look identical; it is to ensure the child moves comfortably and safely. Seek an assessment for pain, limping, sudden change, pronounced asymmetry or meaningful difficulty with everyday activities.

Model and entrepreneur Hailey Bieber recently opened up about her postpartum journey, shifting focus on one of the least-discussed aspects of women’s health: premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Hailey said that she experienced PMDD after the birth of her son, Jack Blues Bieber. It is a menstrual health condition that can cause intense emotional and physical symptoms.

In an interview with Women's Wear Daily, Bieber spoke about how motherhood drew her towards women's health, especially considering the challenges she faced after childbirth.

"After I had my son, I struggled with [PMDD] a bit, and there's just not a lot of conversation or research around it," she said.

Bieber, who welcomed her son with husband Justin Bieber in August 2024, had previously discussed her diagnosis during an appearance on the SHE MD podcast in March 2026. She said she was diagnosed approximately six months after giving birth.

Although she had experienced premenstrual syndrome (PMS) before pregnancy, she noticed that the emotional symptoms leading up to her period had become much more intense.

"I was like, 'This just feels way more intense than before,' like, the lead-up to getting your period," she said.

She said she experienced overwhelming emotions, adding, “Why does it feel like my whole entire life is gonna end? Like, I don't understand.”

Bieber said her symptoms gradually improved over time. She also highlighted how speaking about her experience helped her feel less isolated. "Conversation, for me personally, makes me feel less alone," she said.

What Is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)?

Also read: 8 Signs Of 'Pregnancy' That Are Likely PMS

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that causes intense emotional, mental and physical symptoms during the days leading up to menstruation.

By Dr Sushma K, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Apollo Hospitals, Seshadripuram, Bangalore told HealthandMe, "It is a chronic medical condition related to the menstrual cycle. It affects approximately around 3 to 8 percent of the women who are menstruating. So it not only causes physical symptoms, like premenstrual syndrome, it also causes emotional and psychological symptoms. It typically occurs one or two weeks before menstruation starts."

Unlike premenstrual syndrome, PMDD can significantly interfere with a person's ability to work, relationships, social life and other daily activities. When it comes to symptoms, patients can have sudden onset of sadness, increased sensitivity, or tearfulness, sudden spells of crying, severe irritability, anger, depressed mood and anxiety.

Dr Sushma said, "These emotional symptoms can also have physical manifestations. For example, decreased interest in going to school, office, and difficulty concentrating. Some may resort to overeating. Some may have excessive sleepiness or some may face insomnia. Some also experience restlessness, discomfort, joint swelling, muscle pain, and abdominal bloating.”

PMDD Vs PMS

Also read: The Menstrual Cycle and Nutrition: Does Your Body Really Need Different Foods at Different Times?

PMS and PMDD are both caused due to hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle. However, the intensity of symptoms and their effects on daily life distinguish the two conditions.

Dr Sushma said, "PMS is a mild to moderate condition and it can be easily managed. It comes with physical symptoms like bloating, breast pain, tiredness, and mood changes. It also does not interfere with people’s daily routine and relationships. It occurs in almost around 75% of the people who are menstruating."

PMDD symptoms can be more severe, especially depression, anxiety, irritability and emotional distress. These symptoms can disrupt work, relationships and everyday functioning.

She added, "But PMDD is more severe. It will impair daily life. It also causes more intense psychological and emotional symptoms than physical symptoms."

So PMDD is not just an extreme version of a bad premenstrual week. It is a recognised health condition that may require medical treatment.

Why Does PMDD Happen?

Experts say that the exact cause of PMDD is not fully understood yet. But they believe it may be due to an increased sensitivity to normal hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle.

After ovulation, levels of hormones like oestrogen and progesterone fluctuate. In some individuals, the brain may respond differently to these hormonal changes, affecting mood regulation and other bodily functions. Serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, sleep and appetite, may also play a role.

Dr Sushma explained, "PMDD is a very severe depressive disorder. Patients may have panic attacks, depression, and thoughts of self-harming. So these are the key main important differences. PMDD may happen because of disrupted dysfunctions in the central nervous system during the menstrual cycle. That is because of how the central nervous system reacts to the normal estrogen and progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle.”

PMDD In New Mothers

Hailey Bieber's experience has sparked conversation about PMDD risk after childbirth. Pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period involve significant hormonal and physical changes.

However, PMDD is linked to the menstrual cycle and its recurring hormonal fluctuations. The return of menstrual cycles after childbirth may make premenstrual symptoms intense. However, there is limited evidence establishing that childbirth directly causes PMDD.

Dr Sushma said, "New mothers may not face premenstrual dysphoric disorder because there is no ovulation. The lady is not menstruating because she is lactating. But once the ovulation starts, the symptoms of PMDD will return. These symptoms can worsen because the mother is sleep deprived or she faces a lot of hormonal changes. There is also a newborn. So the baby’s care-giving also adds to the stress. So PMDD may get aggravated in new mothers."

PMDD should also not be confused with postpartum depression. Postpartum depression can occur after childbirth and is not restricted to the days before menstruation.

The doctor explained, "Postpartum depression is not cyclical. Whereas PMDD will come in a cyclical manner, mostly 10-12 days before periods, which is usually in the luteal phase. Also, it may resolve after the bleeding starts.

Whereas postpartum depression is not related to the menstrual cycle."