Stroke is among the preventable causes of death and disability worldwide, striking millions each year. Though people have a general awareness of some risk factors, according to a new study published in the journal Neurology, three significant risk factors do not only increase the chances of having a stroke but also increase the possibility of it leaving a person debilitated or fatal. The three major risk factors are smoking, high blood pressure, and atrial fibrillation-symptoms, all of which, when poorly managed, can lead to a severe stroke, thereafter requiring lifelong care.

It followed nearly 27,000 participants from 32 countries at a mean age of 62. Half of them had experienced a stroke with 4,800 being severe and the 8,600 others mild to moderate strokes. After adjusting other aspects of the study, they find a tight association between high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, and smoking with the severity of the stroke.

This is a priority area according to Reddin; its management is a priority, more so for low- and middle-income countries that are witnessing an alarming surge in hypertension and stroke rates. For such countries, where access to health care may not be readily available, public health approaches with a focus on lifestyle changes and adherence to antihypertensive medication can significantly lower the chances of stroke, especially among the younger population.

3 Main Risk Factors for Stroke

1. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

For quite some time, high blood pressure has been recognized as one of the major risks associated with stroke. According to the new study, the patients suffering from high blood pressure were 3.2 times more likely to suffer from a severe stroke and 2.9 times more likely to suffer from minor to moderate stroke than normal-blood-pressure patients. The opening and weakening of blood vessels due to hypertension can pave way for clots to form and begin their journey towards the brain.

2. Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

It is also now known that AFib, an abnormal heart rhythm results in poor blood circulation, while increasing severe stroke risk. Such a patient, however, stands to have a 4.7 times chance of experiencing severe stroke and a 3.6 time chance of a mild or moderate stroke. AFib therefore increases the propensity for the formation of blood clots within the heart, which may be circulated to the brain, resulting in a stroke. This is a vicious combination - AFib coupled with high blood pressure is more lethal. It is well known that smoking the risk for patients with AFib to suffer a stroke.

3. Smoking

It is a potentially avoidable risk factor. In general, an enormous risk for stroke is associated with smoking. A smoker has a 1.9-fold greater risk to have an ischemic severe stroke and a 1.7-fold higher risk for an ischemic mild to moderate stroke than a nonsmoker. Smoking may cause an ischemic stroke by damaging vessels, lowering the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood, and increasing the risk of thrombosis.

Have Strokes Become more Rampant?

While any stroke is serious, the study indicates that severe strokes are the most shattering type of strokes because it usually leads to long-term disabilities like inability to walk or self-care. Those who suffer from a severe stroke usually need nursing care round the clock for the rest of their lives. According to lead author of this study, Catriona Reddin, a geriatrics researcher at the University of Galway in Ireland, managing these risk factors can prevent not only strokes, but disabling strokes that drastically cut down on quality of life.

Practical Strategies to Help Lower the Risk of a Stroke

Armed with the result of this particular research, here are a few practical steps that you can take to lower your stroke risk:

1. Keep Your Blood Pressure in Check

High blood pressure is the most critical modifiable stroke risk factor. Regular checkups and maintaining healthy blood pressure with medication, diet, and exercise are required to lower risks from a stroke.

2. Control Atrial Fibrillation

When you have atrial fibrillation, managing this condition is very important, but your health care provider is to be of great support. Controlling your heart rate and preventing clots with medication, combined with lifestyle changes, will dramatically reduce the risk of stroke.

3. Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking is the best hope for recovery after a stroke and the best reduction of your risk to have a stroke in the future. It is one of the biggest risks for having a stroke, and quitting will greatly reduce your opportunities of having a stroke. Seek help whether through counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, or other quit programs to give your body the best opportunity to recover and decrease your chance of having another stroke.

4. Eat a Healthy Heart Diet

A diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins helps control your blood pressure, prevents heart disease, and therefore reduces your risk for stroke. Consume less sodium, saturated fats, and added sugars to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.

5. Be Physically Active

Be physically active to ensure heart health, including the maintenance of healthy blood pressure, as well as overall general well-being. Try doing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.

India is no stranger to the monsoon, but in recent times, untimely rainfall, during the summers has become a recurring and worrying pattern. Sudden downpours and extended wet spells, often hitting before or after the traditional monsoon season, have created favorable conditions for a surge in seasonal diseases. Public health experts are increasingly concerned that this erratic weather is putting millions of Indians at risk, particularly in urban areas where poor drainage and sanitation aggravate the problem.

Why Untimely Rainfall Is a Health Hazard

Unseasonal rains lead to prolonged humidity and stagnant water, two ideal conditions for the breeding of disease-carrying mosquitoes and the spread of bacteria and viruses. Overflowing drains, waterlogged streets, and contaminated water supplies become hotspots for infection. With climate change making such weather more frequent, India’s already burdened healthcare system faces further pressure during the monsoon and beyond.

Here Is a List of 10 Most Common Monsoon Diseases:

Dengue

Spread by the Aedes mosquito (often called the tiger mosquito), dengue is the most widespread monsoon disease. To prevent bites, apply mosquito repellent gel or lotion regularly.

Symptoms:

• High fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Skin rashes
• Headache
• Low platelet count
• Hypersensitivity

Chikungunya

Caused by mosquitoes that breed in stagnant water, often in overhead tanks, coolers, or unused containers.

Symptoms:

• Intense joint pain
• High fever
• Fatigue
• Chills

Malaria

Another mosquito-borne illness that spikes during monsoon due to waterlogging.

Symptoms:

• Recurring high fever
• Chills and sweating
• Body ache
• Severe anemia

Cholera

Caused by consuming contaminated food or water, particularly where sanitation is poor.

Symptoms:

• Dehydration
• Muscle cramps
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heartbeat
• Loss of skin elasticity

Typhoid

A highly contagious bacterial disease, often resulting from unhygienic food and water.

Symptoms:

• Prolonged high fever
• Weakness
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting

Viral Fever

Common during monsoon, this illness spreads easily due to temperature fluctuations and humidity.

Symptoms:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Chills
• Muscle and joint pain
• Inflammation of the throat

Diarrhea

Typically caused by unhygienic food or water, diarrhea can become dangerous if left untreated.

Symptoms:

• Watery stools
• Abdominal cramps
• Fever
• Nausea

Influenza

Fluctuating weather often leads to cold and flu symptoms, which can spread quickly.

Symptoms:

• Fever
• Muscle ache
• Headache
• Nasal congestion
• Persistent cough

Leptospirosis

Transmitted from animals to humans, this bacterial infection becomes common in waterlogged areas.

Symptoms:

• High fever
• Headache
• Red eyes
• Abdominal pain
• Rashes

Stomach Infections

Caused by the consumption of unhygienic food, leading to infections like gastroenteritis.

Symptoms:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea
• Low-grade fever

Staying Safe During the Monsoon

As India grapples with climate change-induced weather patterns, it is essential to stay prepared. Avoid street food, drink only boiled or filtered water, and use mosquito repellents. Basic hygiene practices like washing hands regularly and ensuring proper sanitation can go a long way in protecting yourself and your family during this unpredictable season.

On April 21, Hailey Bieber shared a selfie of herself lounging on a couch, and opened up about a recurring health challenge that she has been facing. She wrote on the post "Currently have 3 ovarian cysts", as she uploaded it on her Instagram story.

In her photo, she rolled up her black tank top to show her stomach, which seemed to be bloated. In the photo, she further wrote: "If you deal with ovarian cysts I'm right there with ya!"

She also clarified that she does not have endometriosis or PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome), however, she has had cysts for a few times, and it has been recurring. She said that she had been dealing with it since 2022, and had a cyst "the size of an apple".

She also clarified for any pregnancy rumor, and said that she was "bloated", and the stomach was "not a baby". She wrote: "It is painful and achey and makes me feel nauseous and bloated and crampy and emotional."

What Are Ovarian Cysts?

As per National Health Service, UK, an ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops on an ovary. They are very common and do not usually cause any symptoms. Most ovarian cysts occur naturally and go away in a few months without the need of any treatment.

The ovaries are 2 almond-shaped organs, which are essential part of the female reproductive system. There is one on each side of the womb or the uterus and have two main functions:

To release an egg approximately every 28 days as part of the menstrual cycle

To release the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which also play a key role in reproduction

Ovarian cysts could affect both ovaries at the same tie or one at a time.

What Are The Symptoms?

The common symptoms of an ovarian cyst are:

• pelvic pain – this can range from a dull, heavy sensation to a sudden, severe and sharp pain
• pain during sex
• difficulty emptying your bowels
• a frequent need to urinate
• heavy periods, irregular periods or lighter periods than normal
• bloating and a swollen tummy
• feeling very full after only eating a little
• difficulty getting pregnant – although fertility is usually unaffected by ovarian cysts

Types of Ovarian Cysts

There are two main types of ovarian cysts:

Functional cysts: These develop during the menstrual cycle. They’re the most common type, usually harmless, and tend to go away on their own.

Pathological cysts: These form due to abnormal cell growth and are much less common.

Sometimes, ovarian cysts can be linked to underlying conditions like endometriosis.

Most ovarian cysts are non-cancerous (benign). However, a small number can be cancerous (malignant), especially in women who have gone through menopause.

Diagnosing Ovarian Cysts

If your doctor suspects a cyst, they may refer you for a vaginal ultrasound scan. If a cyst is found, it might be monitored with another scan after a few weeks, or you may be referred to a gynaecologist.

If there's a chance the cyst could be cancerous, your doctor may also recommend blood tests to check for certain chemical markers. Keep in mind, high levels of these markers can also result from non-cancerous issues like:

• Endometriosis
• Pelvic infections
• Fibroids
• Your period

Treating Ovarian Cysts

Treatment depends on:

• The cyst’s size and appearance
• Whether you have symptoms
• Whether you’ve gone through menopause

Often, the cyst goes away in a few months. A follow-up scan may be done to confirm this.

If you're postmenopausal, regular scans and blood tests might be done over a year to monitor the cyst, as the risk of cancer is slightly higher.

Surgery may be needed if the cyst is large, causes symptoms, or might be cancerous.

Ovarian Cysts and Fertility

Most ovarian cysts don’t affect your ability to get pregnant. But in some cases, they can make conception harder.

If surgery is needed, doctors try to preserve your fertility. This could mean:

• Removing only the cyst
• Removing one ovary and leaving the other
• In rare cases, both ovaries may need to be removed, which would stop egg production

It’s important to discuss fertility concerns with your surgeon before any operation.

Stress is your body’s natural response to challenges or demands. It’s a physical and mental reaction triggered by anything from daily responsibilities—like work, school, or family—to major life changes, such as illness, loss of a loved one, or a traumatic event. In small doses, stress can be beneficial. It helps you stay alert and focused and can even improve performance in some situations. This is because your body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which increase your heart rate, speed up your breathing, and prepare your muscles to respond quickly.

But when the stress response continues for too long or happens too often, it can become harmful. Chronic stress—when your body stays in a prolonged state of alert—can lead to long-term health problems.

How Stress Affects the Body

Central Nervous and Endocrine Systems

Your brain’s hypothalamus triggers the “fight or flight” response, telling your adrenal glands to release stress hormones. These hormones prepare your body to deal with threats. Ideally, once the threat is gone, hormone levels drop, and your body returns to normal. But if stress persists, this system stays activated. Over time, this can lead to anxiety, depression, irritability, headaches, and sleep disturbances. Chronic stress can also push people toward unhealthy habits like overeating, skipping meals, smoking, or using alcohol or drugs.

Respiratory and Cardiovascular Systems

Stress causes your breathing to speed up in order to quickly move oxygen throughout your body. If you have a breathing condition like asthma, this can worsen symptoms. Your heart also pumps faster, and your blood pressure rises. Over time, this extra workload increases your risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.

Digestive System

Under stress, your liver produces extra glucose for energy. But if your body can’t regulate this surge, it can raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Stress may also lead to stomach discomfort, nausea, acid reflux, or bowel issues such as diarrhea or constipation. While stress doesn’t directly cause ulcers, it can aggravate them.

Muscular System

Muscles tense up during stress to protect you from injury. Normally, they relax when the stress passes. But with ongoing stress, they stay tight. This can lead to headaches, back pain, and general body aches. Chronic muscle tension can also make you less likely to stay active, which can contribute to more discomfort and reliance on painkillers.

Sexual and Reproductive Systems

Stress can reduce sex drive in both men and women. In men, long-term stress can lower testosterone, affect sperm production, and cause erectile dysfunction. In women, it may lead to irregular, painful, or heavier periods and intensify menopause symptoms.

Immune System

Initially, stress boosts your immune system. But over time, it weakens your body’s defenses, making you more susceptible to colds, flu, and other infections. It can also slow down your recovery from illness or injury.