As we grow old, it is said that our balance and stability decreases, and the chances of us falling and injuring ourselves is much more prevalent. It was just another day in the emergency room when a 71-year-old was admitted after cranial and thoracic trauma from a fall. He was a bit confused and struggling to catch his breath, but the team was optimistic. They began the standard workup, expecting to stabilize him for further evaluation.

However, the treatment was derailed when he suddenly experienced a cardiorespiratory arrest. The emergency room staff-initiated CPR, following the strict protocols of Advanced Life Support. They checked for cardiac tamponade, a potential cause, but the bedside ultrasound showed nothing. Despite receiving CPR for 20 minutes, his heart didn't respond. He was declared dead. About one minute later, however, his heart began beating on its own, and he ‘rose from the dead’. He still couldn't breathe on his own and was moved to the ICU.

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Although he was stabilized, the man eventually died. His injuries included bleeding in the brain, fractures to his skull, neck, and ribs. This report was published in the International Journal of Innovative Research in Medical Science, detailing a case of Lazarus phenomenon that happened in February of 2025.

Rising From the Dead – Not A Miracle But Medical Phenomenon

When an emergency situation arises and we must rush to the doctors, they try their level best to ensure that the person receiving the care survives and has the best possible quality of life. However, it is not always possible. So, it is nothing short of a miracle when a person comes back to life, after some period of being declared dead. This is called the Lazarus Syndrome. It is a rare event where a person's heart spontaneously starts beating again after they've been pronounced dead following a failed CPR attempt, it was named after the biblical figure Lazarus.

The International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health 2024 review explains that even though it has been documented in medical literature, doctors don't fully understand why the Lazarus syndrome happens. Several theories have been proposed. Sometimes, the drugs given during CPR might not work right away. The heart could restart when the medication finally takes effect. Some possible theories suggested by the:

Delayed Medication Effect

Sometimes, drugs given during CPR might not work right away. The heart could restart when the medication finally takes effect.

Hyperkalemia

An excess of potassium in the bloodstream may play a role.

Myocardial Stunning

This refers to a temporary loss of heart function that can improve on its own.

Reperfusion Injury

When blood flow returns to the heart after a period of being stopped, it can sometimes cause further damage.

Is It Medical Negligence Or An Unavoidable Phenomenon?

To understand this, a 2012 survey published in the Critical Care Medicine, asked doctors what methods they used to declare a patient dead. Out of 501 intensive care doctors in Canada, 49% responded to a survey about how they determine death after a patient's heart stops. The doctors had an average of 10 years of experience and typically worked in large, university-affiliated hospitals.

The survey revealed a lot of variation in how doctors declare a patient dead. The most common methods were listening for heart and breath sounds and checking for a pulse, but no single method was used by everyone. Despite the variations, many doctors agreed on a few key points:

Lazarus Phenomenon

65% of the doctors believe that autoresuscitation, or the Lazarus phenomenon, is real, with 37% saying they have personally seen a possible case during their career.

Need for Guidelines

A large majority of doctors (69%) believe there needs to be a standardized process for declaring death after a cardiac arrest. This number was even higher (91%) when it came to cases involving organ donation.

How Does The Lazarus Phenomenon Change Medical Care?

The 2024 review of Lazarus syndrome details how the syndrome forces us to rethink what it means to be alive or dead. It raises difficult questions, such as:

• When is someone really dead? It makes doctors re-examine the rules for declaring death.
• What about organ donation? If a patient could potentially come back to life, it complicates the process of organ donation.
• What if they survive with brain damage? Doctors and families must consider the patient's potential quality of life if they recover but have suffered brain injury.

How Do the Doctors Deal With Lazarus Syndrome?

To understand the effects of Lazarus syndrome, the medical team’s main goal is to figure out what caused it and to give the appropriate treatment. They might use advanced cardiac life support, which means giving the highest level of care possible.

Doctors might also use a special machine called extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) to help the heart and lungs work.

Another treatment option is therapeutic hypothermia, where the patient's body is cooled down to help protect their brain from damage.

Ultimately, we still have a lot to learn about this rare event, and more research is needed to better understand how to manage it.

Delhi, on Wednesday morning, woke up to 'very poor' air. The visibility was low and, in fact, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for dense fog between 8.30am and 10am. Visibility remained low, and as per the 24-hour average Air Quality Index, Delhi stood at 384, as confirmed by the data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In certain areas, including Anand Vihar, AQI remained under 'severe' level, at 452.

This has resulted in cancellation of t least 148 flights and over 150 flights were delayed at the Delhi airport.

However, there may be a silver lining, in an interview with TOI, Tarun Kumar Pithode, who took charge as the new full-time member secretary of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said that Delhi can expect "more blue-sky days over next 3-4 years".

How Does The Commission for Air Quality Management Plan To Bring Delhi's Pollution Down?

Delhi’s fight against air pollution is set to intensify over the next few years, with the CAQM outlining a multi-pronged plan aimed at delivering “more blue-sky days” for the capital. Rather than relying on emergency measures alone, the strategy focuses on long-term, structural fixes across transport, industry, energy and regional coordination.

Cutting Emissions at the Source

One of CAQM’s core priorities is reducing pollution from vehicles, which remain a major contributor to Delhi’s poor air quality. The plan pushes for faster adoption of electric vehicles, tighter checks on polluting commercial vehicles, and a stronger public transport network. Scrapping old, high-emission vehicles and discouraging diesel use through stricter enforcement are seen as key steps to curb everyday emissions, not just during winter spikes.

Cleaning Up Industry and Power Generation

Industrial pollution is another major target. CAQM has stressed a shift away from coal and other dirty fuels toward cleaner energy sources. Industries operating in and around Delhi are being pushed to adopt cleaner fuels such as natural gas, along with better emission-control technologies. Power plants in the region are also under scrutiny, with stricter norms to ensure they do not become pollution hotspots during peak winter months.

Tackling Dust and Construction Pollution

Construction dust and road dust significantly worsen Delhi’s air quality, especially during dry months. CAQM’s plan includes stricter enforcement of dust-control norms at construction sites, better mechanised road sweeping, and regular water sprinkling on major roads. Authorities are also being asked to improve urban planning to reduce exposed soil and unpaved areas that contribute to dust pollution.

Managing Seasonal Pollution and Stubble Burning

A major part of Delhi’s pollution problem comes from outside the city, particularly crop residue burning in neighboring states. CAQM has emphasized regional coordination, working with states like Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to reduce stubble burning. This includes promoting alternative methods for crop residue management, providing financial incentives, and ensuring accountability when violations occur.

Data-Driven and Year-Round Action

Unlike earlier approaches that focused largely on winter emergencies, CAQM’s plan relies on year-round monitoring and data-driven action. Expanded air-quality monitoring, better forecasting, and early interventions are expected to prevent pollution levels from spiralling out of control. The aim is to move from reactive crisis management to consistent prevention.

A Long Road Ahead

CAQM officials acknowledge that Delhi’s pollution problem will not disappear overnight. However, with coordinated action across sectors and states, they believe the capital can see steady improvement over the next three to four years. The promise of more blue-sky days hinges not just on policy, but on strict enforcement and sustained public cooperation.

"There is a big mistake you are making when you fly and no one talks about how to prevent it," writes Dr Rema Malik, a board-certified vascular surgeon, based in Houston, Texas. On her Instagram post she talks about how our body deals with much of a serious challenge once we enter the plane and the cabin doors shut. She points out that while most of us are busy settling into our seats, our veins enter a risky environment that could raise the chance of developing a blood clot. These risks include deep vein thrombosis or DVT. She points out that this risk is not just limited to older adults, but to people with known health issues too.

What Really Happens to Your Body Mid-Flight

Dr. Malik explains that air travel creates what she calls a “three-hit combo” that puts your circulation under stress.

First is prolonged sitting. When you stay seated for hours, your calf muscles, often called your second heart, stop doing their job. These muscles help push blood back up toward the heart. Without movement, blood begins to pool in the legs instead of flowing upward.

Second comes dehydration. Cabin air is extremely dry, far drier than most natural environments. This causes your body to lose moisture faster than you realize. As dehydration sets in, your blood becomes thicker and more sluggish, which makes clot formation easier.

The third factor is cabin pressure. Lower pressure at cruising altitude causes veins to dilate or expand. This stretching weakens the tiny valves inside your veins that normally prevent blood from flowing backward. Gravity then does the rest, encouraging blood to settle in the lower limbs.

This combination is not about discomfort. It is about safety.

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Why Age Is Not the Only Risk Factor

There is a common belief that blood clots only affect the elderly or people with chronic illnesses. Dr. Malik strongly disagrees. Whether you are 25 or 65, long flights place similar stress on your circulation. Sitting still, dehydration, and pressure changes affect everyone, regardless of how fit or young they feel.

That is why she recommends preparing your body for travel just as seriously as you prepare your suitcase.

Wear the Right Protection Before You Fly

Compression socks are not just for people with medical conditions. Dr. Malik calls them non-negotiable for air travel. A compression level of 15 to 20 mmHg helps mechanically push blood upward, prevents swelling, and supports healthy circulation.

The key is timing. Put them on before you leave home, not after you board the plane, so your veins are supported from the very start.

Hydration Is a Flight Essential

Her rule is simple. Drink eight ounces of water for every hour you are in the air. This helps keep your blood from becoming too thick.

Coffee, alcohol, and wine do not count. In fact, they make dehydration worse. If you are serious about flying safely, water needs to be your main beverage.

Keep Your Calf Muscles Active

Every 30 minutes, Dr. Malik recommends doing 30 ankle pumps. Lift your toes up and down as if you are pressing a gas pedal. This simple movement activates your calf muscles and helps clear stagnant blood from your legs, even if you cannot get up and walk.

While December arrives with celebrations, food and social gatherings, it is also the time when seasonal illnesses quietly begin to surface. Colds, lingering coughs and flu tend to spread more easily in colder weather, often catching people off guard just as the new year begins. For those hoping to avoid starting January feeling unwell, there are simple steps that can be taken ahead of time.

A pharmacist has urged people to prepare early by stocking up on essential remedies, saying that being organised can help manage symptoms quickly and reduce unnecessary visits to the doctor. According to him, early action makes winter illnesses far easier to handle.

Why Pharmacists Say Preparation Matters Before January

Pharmacists say the key to getting through winter comfortably is preparation before cold and flu season reaches its peak. Keeping a well-stocked medicine cupboard means symptoms can be treated as soon as they appear, without the stress of searching for supplies while already feeling ill.

“Preparation really is half the battle,” said pharmacist Frederick Apenteng from Roseway Labs. “Once you’re unwell, the last thing you want is to be running around looking for paracetamol or trying to buy a thermometer. That’s often when people feel worse than they need to.”

Medicines To Get Ready For Winter Flu

Frederick stresses that starting with the basics is essential. Painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen help manage fever, aches and general discomfort. Throat lozenges or sprays can ease soreness, while keeping two types of cough medicine at home is helpful. One should be an expectorant for chesty coughs, and the other a suppressant for dry, irritating coughs.

The Basics Every Household Should Have

Blocked noses are another common winter complaint, and decongestants can provide quick relief. However, Frederick warns they should not be used for more than five days. For longer-term congestion, saline nasal sprays are a safer option.

Other useful items include rehydration sachets, tissues, hand sanitiser, and honey and lemon for comfort. A digital thermometer allows you to keep track of fever, while vapour rubs or a humidifier can help ease breathing when congestion strikes.

Why Nutrition and Rest Matter for Immunity

Beyond medicines, Frederick highlights the role of nutrition in keeping the immune system strong. “People often feel run down because they’re missing key nutrients,” he explained. “Iron, B vitamins and vitamin C all play important roles in supporting immune defences.”

Eating foods rich in these nutrients, such as leafy greens, citrus fruits and whole grains, can make a noticeable difference. “The biggest immunity boosters are actually sleep, proper nutrition and staying hydrated,” he added.

A Little Planning Now Can Prevent Bigger Problems Later

Preparing in advance can ease both physical discomfort and mental stress. “Having your winter kit ready means you can act quickly at the first sneeze,” Frederick said. “That can stop symptoms from getting worse and helps keep you out of the GP waiting room.”

In short, early rest, basic treatment and preparation can help people move through winter with fewer disruptions.

Be Cautious With Cold and Flu Medicines

While home remedies can be helpful, it is important not to overuse certain products. In some cases, taking too many cold and flu medicines can cause serious problems, including accidental overdose, liver or kidney damage, and rebound congestion.

Always follow dosage instructions carefully and speak to a healthcare professional if you are unsure. Frederick also cautions against prolonged use of nasal decongestant sprays. Using them for more than a few days can trigger a rebound effect, where nasal passages become more blocked than before. This condition is known as rhinitis medicamentosa.

Staying informed, prepared and cautious can make all the difference during the winter months.