You might assume weak bones are a concern only for older adults, but bone strength starts to decline much earlier than most people realise. Often, the first sign that something is wrong comes after a simple fall results in a fracture. Every year, around 50,000 such incidents occur in the UK, and for many, the real shock comes later, when they are told they have osteoporosis, the bone-thinning condition that weakens the skeleton.

An estimated 3.5 million people live with it, while another million have osteopenia, a mild form of bone loss that increases the likelihood of painful and sometimes life-changing fractures.

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle. It reduces bone density, making them thinner and more fragile. People with this condition are much more prone to fractures, even from minor falls or bumps.

Healthy bones are normally dense and strong enough to bear weight and cushion impact. But as we age, they naturally lose some of their strength and ability to rebuild themselves. When osteoporosis sets in, this process speeds up, leaving bones weaker and far more likely to break. Most people are unaware they have it until a fracture reveals the damage already done.

Daily Habits That Might Be Weakening Your Bones

Hormone specialist Dr Nicky Keay, Honorary Clinical Lecturer at University College London and author of “Myths of Menopause,” explains, “Your skeleton gives your body structure and stability, protects vital organs, and works with muscles to enable movement.” Bones also store essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, and the marrow inside certain long bones produces red and white blood cells.

Below are some everyday habits that could be slowly draining your bone strength, and how to counter them.

Dieting: Repeated cycles of losing and regaining weight can harm your bone density,” says dietitian Lorna Cooke from the Sports Institute of Northern Ireland. “Restrictive eating can disturb hormone balance and deprive your body of calcium and other nutrients vital for bone health. When dietary calcium is lacking, the body draws it from bones, which weakens them over time.”

What to do: “Losing weight gradually is safer for bones,” says Lorna. She further suggests sticking to regular, balanced meals so that your body stays nourished. This approach helps you keep the weight off in the long run without harming bone health.

Lack of Vitamin D: “One of the main causes of osteoporosis is vitamin D deficiency,” says Dr Eamon Laird, vitamin D researcher at Trinity College Dublin. “This ‘sunshine vitamin’ is produced when sunlight hits the skin, but during winter, we can’t make enough of it in northern climates.” Because diet alone doesn’t supply sufficient vitamin D, supplementation is often necessary.

What to do: Nutritionist Rob Hobson from Healthspan advises, “Adults should take at least 10 µg of vitamin D daily during winter, and year-round if they’re over 65, spend little time outdoors, or have other risk factors.”

Menopause Matters: Falling oestrogen levels after menopause accelerate bone loss, particularly the hormone oestradiol, which normally helps slow the breakdown of bone tissue. Women can lose around 0.5% of bone density each year after menopause, and by their mid-40s, many already have significant bone reduction.

What to do: Consultant Gynaecologist Tania Adib from The Medical Chambers Kensington recommends, “Women around 45 should have a DXA scan to assess bone density. Building bone strength early and maintaining it through menopause is crucial. Focus on weight-bearing exercise, proper sleep, and a balanced diet.” In some cases, HRT can help prevent bone loss, especially in women experiencing early menopause or severe symptoms.

Ultra-Processed Foods: Strong bones depend on diets rich in calcium and vitamin D, said Rob Hobson. “A diet full of ultra-processed foods lacks the essential nutrients needed for bone strength. These foods often provide excess calories but very few vitamins and minerals.”

What to do: Cut back on ultra-processed foods and cook more from fresh ingredients. A balanced diet that includes wholegrains, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats ensures your bones get the nourishment they need at every stage of life.

Long-Term Medicines or Illness: Certain conditions, like an overactive thyroid, can increase the rate at which bones lose density. A guide by Viridian Nutrition and GP Dr Siobhan Brennan, notes that some weight-loss drugs, steroids, cancer treatments, antidepressants, and proton-pump inhibitors can also affect bone strength.

What to do: Speak with your doctor or pharmacist about reviewing your medication.

Ditching Dairy Products: Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese are excellent sources of calcium, said Lorna. She further told us, “Cutting them out, whether due to veganism or dietary restrictions, can reduce calcium and vitamin D levels, raising the risk of osteoporosis.”

What to do: Adults need about 1,000 mg of calcium daily. “If you don’t consume dairy, replace it with fortified foods such as plant-based milks or breads, calcium-rich greens, tofu, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and pulses,” says Lorna.

Gut Diseases: Conditions like Crohn’s disease or colitis can damage the intestine, impairing the absorption of key nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D,” Lorna explains. If untreated, this can eventually lead to osteoporosis.

What to do: Early diagnosis and, if necessary, a specialist diet guided by a dietitian can help the gut heal and absorb nutrients again. Calcium and vitamin D supplements may be prescribed, and a bone scan at diagnosis is a good preventive step.

Too Much or Too Little Exercise: Exercise plays a crucial role in maintaining bone health, but both inactivity and overtraining can cause harm. “Most people do too little, which increases their risk of brittle bones—even in their 30s or 40s,” says Dr Laird.

What to do: Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily, advises Dr Laird. Include weight-bearing exercises, like walking or jogging, which help keep bones strong and resilient.

In a shocking incident, a woman contracted the herpes virus after using shared lipstick samples at a cosmetic store, raising concerns about makeup hygiene.

The incident highlights the risks involved in trying products that come into direct contact with the skin and are shared with a lot of people.

Also Read: World Autism Awareness Day 2026: Can Cell Therapy Be The Future Of Autism Treatment?

What Is Herpes?

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is very common, and the infection is lifelong. But the symptoms can come and go over different periods of life. Many people never get any symptoms linked to their infection.

The common virus, carried by up to 50 to 80 percent of adults, can cause painful blisters or ulcers. It primarily spreads by skin-to-skin contact. It is treatable but not curable.

There are two types of herpes simplex virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2.

HSV- 1 is the most common and usually spreads by oral contact. It causes infections in or around the mouth (such as oral herpes or cold sores), as well as genital herpes.

Common oral herpes symptoms include

• blisters (cold sores)
• open sores (ulcers) in or around the mouth or lips.

HSV-2 generally spreads by sexual contact and causes genital herpes.

Its symptoms include painful

• bumps,
• blisters,
• open sores (ulcers) around the genitals or anus.

How Makeup Testers Can Spread Infection

Experts warned that makeup testers can become a breeding ground for germs. The repeated use of the open samples can spur their growth and can then spread by “double-dipping” — reusing an applicator after touching the skin. This can transfer viruses and bacteria between users.

“You can absolutely get a herpes infection from a makeup tester," Dr. Whitney Bowe, a dermatologist in New York City, told TODAY. "The more ‘double dipping’ that occurs, the higher the chance of spreading viruses or bacteria at a makeup counter.”

A 2010 study by researchers from Rowan University in New Jersey found that cosmetic samples harbored strep, E.coli, and staph.

For two years, the team examined makeup testers at makeup counters, specialty stores, and drug stores. They found that Saturday is the busiest day of the week, and 100 percent of the samples carried some sort of germ.

How To Stay Safe?

To reduce the risk of infection, experts recommend:

• Much like the toothbrush, personal cosmetics and cosmetic brushes must not be shared.
• Wash and dry your brushes regularly to avoid bacterial growth.
• Avoid applying testers directly to your lips or skin
• Use disposable applicators
• Test products on your hand rather than your face
• Avoid using testers if you have cuts, chapped lips, or active infections.

April 2 is celebrated worldwide as “Autism Awareness Day” and April as Autism month to create awareness and promote inclusivity and acceptance in society for individuals with autism.

So what exactly is Autism, and why do we need to create a culture of awareness and acceptance?

As per DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria, in simple terms, there is poor eye contact, impaired social communication skills, repetitive patterns (certain movements or fixation on certain toys, objects), difficulties with sensory processing - extreme sensitivity to sensory inputs (dislike loud noises, sensitive to touch), etc.

As a child, these individuals may not respond to name-calling, have poor eye contact/lack gestures like pointing, etc., lack imagination in play, and may not be able to relate and respond to the emotions of others. They have set routines and dislike changes to their routines. All this can cause significant disruption to their day-to-day functioning.

This year’s theme of -Autism and Humanity- Every Life has Value” reiterates the need for inclusion of autism, ensuring equitable representation of these individuals. Ensuring that society not only recognizes them but also treats them with equal respect and dignity.

Educational Support and Inclusive Workplace

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) was one of the Government's flagship programs, along with Action for Autism, to disseminate information in schools regarding inclusive education for autism. Education is a key foundation to ensure children with autism get suitable opportunities as adults. Special educators, with additional support in schools, can go a long way in ensuring their potential is maximized.

Many IT giants like Microsoft, Google, and SAP encourage tapping the potential of individuals with autism and their exceptional skills. In our country, organizations and NGOs, including Action for Autism, offer training for future employment opportunities.

There is a spectrum of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) known as Asperger’s syndrome, and these individuals have normal to above average intelligence and can have some exceptional skills, and the world includes some living examples of these with a higher IQ, some of whom are the most successful and famous personalities. Even on the other end of the spectrum, autistic individuals have exceptional skills, some of which include great attention to detail, creativity, problem-solving, and lateral out-of-the-box thinking.

Options for flexible working hours (part-time), understanding their need for routines, and explaining them beforehand regarding important changes to schedules can help them adapt better to an otherwise challenging workplace.

The Need For Sensitization

Understanding individuals with autism may need little extra support, being a little flexible with time deadlines, giving simple instructions, especially written/visual ones, and allowing them time to overcome their communication barriers can go a long way in ensuring they feel heard and valued like anyone else in the workplace.

Sensitization of all major organization employees to foster a culture of acceptance and awareness, and an accessible work environment, is the need of the hour. Autistic individuals do well in a variety of job profiles, including IT, technology, finance, art and creativity, and administration.

Environmental modifications like background noise cancellation with headphones help those with sensory processing issues. At the end of the day, none of us is perfect, it's recognizing our special skills and strengthening them.

Possibilities are endless if we wish to encourage and make these individuals heard. So, let’s carry the Autism Awareness Day beyond a mere day of awareness and light it up blue. Let’s value and acknowledge them being different, but also empower them to act on their special skills to earn them a dignified place in society and the workplace.

World Autism Awareness Day is observed every year on April 2. The day is important to raise awareness about autism — a neurodevelopmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior — affecting millions of people globally.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in 127 people worldwide is diagnosed with the lifelong brain health condition. It is also among the top 10 conditions contributing to health loss globally.

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The first child diagnosed with autistic symptoms was Donald Grey Triplett. Labelled as Case 1, he went on to become an American banker, demonstrating that, if provided with the right and inclusive support and opportunities individuals with autism be as productive as others.

“Like anyone else, autistic people should be able to shape their own lives — and help to shape our shared future,” said

António Guterres, UN Secretary-General.

World Autism Awareness Day: Date and History

April 2 was designated as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007.

The 2007 General Assembly resolution highlighted the need to raise public awareness of autism.

It stated that "children with disabilities should enjoy a full and decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance and facilitate the child’s active participation in the community, as well as the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms on an equal basis with other children".

World Autism Awareness Day: Theme

This year, World Autism Awareness Day is held under the theme "Autism and Humanity - Every Life Has Value".

The 2026 theme highlights and affirms the dignity and worth of all autistic people. While there are international human rights conventions safeguarding the rights of people with autism, they continue to face stigma, discrimination, and barriers to participation.

“Access to timely, quality health care and support services remains limited, driving inequalities across the life course," the WHO said. The global health body urged "sustained action and greater investment" to address these challenges. It also called for developing inclusive policies and services that uphold the rights of autistic people.

This year's theme, thus, is a call to action to recognize the inherent dignity and equal rights of all people with autism.

Guterres highlighted the need for "equal education, fair employment, and accessible health systems" for all persons with autism and to provide inclusive opportunities to participate and thrive, along with others.

Also read: Expert Reveals Why Childhood Autism Is Going Undetected In India

What is Autism?

The National Health Service (NHS) UK defines autism as not an illness or a medical condition with treatments or a "cure", but a developmental condition that affects how people communicate, learn, behave, and interact with others.

It is a spectrum, which means "everybody with autism is different".

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have difficulty with social interaction, exhibit atypical behavior and activities, or find it hard to communicate.

Early Signs Of Autism

Studies show that symptoms of autism are usually diagnosed within the first 3 years of birth. These include:

• Limited to zero eye contact
• Delayed responses
• Repeating words or actions such as hand-flapping
• Being strong-headed about following the same routine
• Easily annoyed, throws tantrums
• Difficulty understanding and expressing emotions
• Sensitive to certain sounds, textures, lights, or smells.