Migraines are more than headaches; they are a debilitating neurological condition that affects millions worldwide. Migraines are characterized by throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, which can last from 4 to 72 hours and may include nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. Some people experience an aura, or visual disturbances such as zigzag lines or flashing lights, either before or during a migraine attack. Although there is no cure for migraine, the amalgamation of home remedies, lifestyle changes, and some medical interventions could significantly alleviate its symptoms and help reduce its occurrences.

Migraine is a primary headache disorder, meaning it is not a secondary headache caused by another medical condition. It is the result of complex interactions between genetics, environment, and lifestyle. Studies have shown that up to 80% of patients with migraines have a first-degree relative who also suffers from them, suggesting a strong genetic component. Hormonal changes, especially in women, further contribute, making migraines three times more common in women than in men.

Some of the risk factors are:

A family history predisposes to an attack. A female is likely to suffer more within the ages 15 to 55 and often during the periods. Significant levels of stress tend to trigger. Other precipitating factors include some types of foods, irregular sleeping habits, environmental such as climatic changes, etc.

Natural Remedies and Supplements for Migraine Relief

Although there is no permanent cure for migraines, natural remedies may help manage the symptoms and perhaps prevent attacks.

1. Acupressure

Acupressure is a method of relieving pain by applying pressure on specific points on the body. For migraines, the LI-4 point is often used. It is situated between the base of the thumb and index finger. Pressing this point lightly for five minutes may ease headache discomfort.

2. Essential Oils

Lavender, peppermint, chamomile, and basil essential oils have been proven to minimize migraine symptoms. A 2020 study demonstrated that basil oil significantly reduced migraine severity and frequency. However, essential oils must be used carefully, especially among pregnant women, children, or those with asthma. Always consult a healthcare provider prior to using them.

3. Ginger

Ginger, a natural anti-inflammatory, has shown promise in treating migraines. Research reveals that ginger powder significantly reduces pain and alleviates nausea and vomiting associated with migraines. However, interactions with medications like blood thinners warrant caution.

4. Stress Management

Stress is a common migraine trigger, affecting 7 out of 10 sufferers. Techniques such as journaling, meditation, and exercise can help manage stress levels. Biofeedback therapy, which teaches individuals to consciously control physiological functions like muscle tension, has also proven effective in reducing migraine symptoms.

Nutritional supplements can play a crucial role in migraine management:

Magnesium: Aids in vasodilation within the brain's blood vessels while maintaining serotonin concentrations. Many with migraines also have magnesium deficiencies, so taking supplements can prove helpful.

Riboflavin (B2): Fosters cell energy and combats inflammation which can trigger and exacerbate migraine headaches.

Feverfew: Mimics natural aspirin which inhibits the aggregation of platelets and therefore reduces inflammation; 50 to 100 milligrams a day has been effective in preventing the onset of a migraine headache.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fish oil, they possess anti-inflammatory effects that help to reduce migraine attacks. In fact, one study published in 2021 verified their efficacy with a low-omega-6 diet.

Butterbur: This herbal product contains anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory compounds, helping reduce the occurrence of migraines among adults as well as children.

Techniques For Instant Relief

For quick relief during a migraine attack, the following techniques could be used:

- Minimize light and sound exposure and rest in a dark, quiet room to reduce sensory triggers.

- Apply hot or cold compresses and alternate between hot and cold packs on the neck or head to ease pain.

- Drink caffeine in moderation with small amounts of caffeine can enhance the effectiveness of migraine medications during the early stages of an attack.

Behavioural Therapies

Some FDA-approved devices include magnetic stimulation or electrical currents in treatment. Such innovative tools have been proven to be effective in clinical studies, reducing up to two migraine days per month and eliminating pain during an acute attack.

Long-term Strategies To Adopt for Migraine Management

While natural remedies and supplements can be helpful, adopting some of these strategies long-term can offer significant benefits:

- Maintain a migraine diary and monitor triggers, symptoms, and relief methods to develop a pattern and adjust preventive measures.

- Keep a balanced diet with magnesium-rich foods, omega-3 fatty acids, and feverfew.

- Ensure proper sleep hygiene and maintain a regular sleep cycles can help to prevent more frequent attacks.

While it may be impossible to permanently cure migraines, effective management can be achieved by combining natural remedies, dietary adjustments, stress management, and medical interventions. If your migraines are impacting your quality of life, consider consulting a healthcare provider for a tailored treatment plan. With the right approach, it's possible to reclaim

What Is Migraine? JAMA Network. 2022

Biofeedback and Relaxation Training for Headaches. American Migraine Foundation. 2016

The efficacy of ginger for the treatment of migraine... Am J Emerg Med. 2021

Accupressure for Pain and Headaches. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Relieving Migraine Headaches: A Randomized Triple-Blind Study. Karger. 2020

Top 10 Migraine Triggers and How to Deal with Them. American Migraine Foundation. 2017

Heart failure has quietly emerged as one of India’s most serious and underestimated health challenges, driven by a rise in hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and delayed diagnosis of heart disease.

Due to a shortage of donor organs and a long waiting period before receiving the right treatment, end-stage heart failure patients in India faced a lot of difficulties a few years ago.

Today, advancements in heart transplant techniques are changing the situation from what was once an untreatable condition to a second chance at life.

Data from the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) shows a significant year-on-year rise in heart transplants, with 253 transplants done in 2024, showcasing improved organ donation awareness, better coordination between hospitals, and stronger transplant networks.

What was once considered the only option is now emerging as a life-saving solution, offering patients not just a second chance but a return to a more meaningful and active life.

Why Are Heart Transplants Needed?

A heart transplant offers hope and gives a second life to patients whose hearts no longer support the body even after the best available medical aid.

Although it is never performed instantly, it becomes necessary whenever conditions of the heart result in end-stage heart failure, where the pumping function of the heart is compromised.

Also read: Harish Rana’s Family Donated His Heart Valves And Corneas After His Death From Passive Euthanasia

When medications and modern technologies cannot supply an adequate amount of blood and oxygen to the organs, patients experience extreme breathlessness, fluid buildup, fatigue, and repeated hospitalizations, making even simple activities like walking, eating, or lying flat exhausting.

As the flow of blood continues to deteriorate, failure is also expected in other vital organs such as the kidneys and liver. It is at this point that the transplantation of the donor heart is considered the only treatment option to ensure that the blood flow is normalized.

How Heart Transplantation Transforms Life?

Heart transplant is not just a surgical replacement of a failing organ, but a complete life restoration for patients with end-stage heart failure.

Its benefits include:

• Normalizes Heart Functioning: A healthy donor heart can immediately restore normal and effective blood flow. This will reduce weakness and fatigue that makes carrying out everyday tasks rather difficult.
• Enhances Survival Rates: Patients diagnosed with end-stage heart failure can only experience the best post-transplant survival outcomes when they undergo the transplant procedure as compared to other medical treatments.
• Enhances Quality of Life: The patients are able to attain independence once again as they are able to walk, sleep, travel, and socialize with their families and friends.
• Prevents Frequent Hospitalization: The successful transplant procedure prevents constant hospitalization, especially in cases with deteriorating heart failure, infections, and organ dysfunction.
• Protects Other Vital Organs: By restoring adequate blood flow, heart transplantation helps reverse damage to the kidneys, liver, and lungs caused by prolonged heart failure
• Permits Return to Normal Roles and Responsibilities: Patients regain their ability to work, take care of others, and carry out their daily responsibilities, which helps their emotional well-being.

Scottish Olympic legend Liz McColgan has warned athletes to wear sun protection during their training hours to protect their skin from “lasting consequences”.

Liz McColgan shared the health warning to athletes after undergoing surgery to remove lesions on her face.

The Olympic silver medalist from Dundee shared post-surgery photographs on the social media platform Instagram and lamented that, as a young runner, she never focused on wearing sun protection.

Avoiding sun cream because she felt it made her "sweat more" was her “ignorance”, said the 61-year-old former athlete.

“As a young athlete, I trained and raced in all weathers. Sun protection was never something I gave much thought to. In fact, I avoided it. I didn’t like the feeling of creams on my skin - I thought they made me sweat more, so I convinced myself I was better off without them. Looking back, that was ignorance,” Liz McColgan said.

“Recently, I had to undergo surgery to remove two lesions on my face. It was a stark reminder that the choices we make early on - especially the ones we dismiss as unimportant - can have lasting consequences,” she added.

Liz McColgan noted that athletes keep all their focus on "performance - mileage, sessions, recovery, nutrition”, but simple things like protecting their skin are often ignored.

“Yet it’s just as much a part of our overall health and wellbeing as any training session,” she said.

Sharing the health message to both young and old athletes, McColgan said, “Take sun protection seriously. Whether you’re training, racing, or even just spending time outdoors, protecting your skin matters.”

McColgan won a silver medal in the same event at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. In 1991, she went on to win the 10,000m World Championships title in Tokyo.

Also read:5 Simple Do's And Don'ts For Healthy Skin

Why Sunscreen Is Essential

Using sunscreen protects the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which causes

• skin cancer,
• premature aging,
• painful sunburns.

Should Sunscreen Be Used Indoors Too?

Sunscreen is meant to be part of a daily skincare routine. But most people reach for sunscreen when heading to the beach or stepping out for a long day in the sun.

According to dermatologists, sunlight can still reach you indoors.

Dr Khushboo Jha, Chief Dermatologist Consultant at Metro Hospital, explains that sunlight entering through windows can still affect the skin.

“While standard window glass blocks most UVB rays, which cause sunburn, UVA rays can still pass through. These rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are linked to long-term concerns such as premature aging, uneven pigmentation, and loss of skin elasticity,” she said.

These UVA rays are often overlooked because they do not cause immediate redness or burning like UVB rays. However, over time, they can lead to visible signs of skin aging and pigmentation.

Also read: Why Should You Must Apply Sunscreen Inside A Plane?

A Practical Approach To Daily Skincare

Dermatologists suggest viewing sunscreen as a preventive skincare habit rather than a rigid rule.

Dr Jha recommends incorporating sunscreen into your morning routine, particularly if your day includes stepping outdoors or spending time in naturally lit environments.

In simple terms, if daylight reaches your workspace or you plan to go outside later in the day, applying sunscreen in the morning is a small step that can help protect your skin over time.

Many men believe that as long as they feel healthy, active, and free from major illness, their fertility remains intact. While men do not have a sudden fertility cut-off like women, age still plays an important role when it comes to male fertility. Currently, a large number of men wish to start families later in life, often thinking their good health guarantees easy conception and fatherhood. They often neglect the age factor, even though it is linked to hormonal imbalance, stress, and genetic issues. A large number of men are unaware of their fertility health and continue to suffer. However, even in the absence of visible health problems, older men may face unexpected fertility challenges. Dr Madhukar J Shinde, Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, PCMC, Pune, answered this for Health and Me.

Read more: The Overlooked Role of Men in IVF: Why Their Silent Strength Is Key to Fertility Success

Why do older men struggle with infertility?

Decline in sperm quality: Various studies have confirmed that as men age, sperm count, movement, and shape can slowly decline. Even if the numbers appear normal, DNA damage in sperm increases with age, which can reduce the chances of successful fertilisation.

1. Hormonal imbalance: It is important to note that testosterone levels naturally decrease over time. Lower testosterone can affect sperm production, sexual function, and overall reproductive performance, even when a man feels physically fit.
2. Some medical conditions tend to take a toll on fertility: Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid disorders become more common with age. These may be well-managed and symptom-free, but can still affect sperm health and fertility.
3. Stress and other lifestyle factors can impact fertility: Chronic stress, lack of sleep, smoking, alcohol consumption, or exposure to pollution can take a toll on sperm quality and lead to fertility issues that can be worrisome for men. Preservatives in a lot of frozen and junk food not only contribute to poor fertility health, but research suggests they may also affect DNA function. Therefore, men should stay vigilant.
4. Genetic issues: Advanced paternal age is associated with a higher risk of genetic mutations in sperm. This can further affect embryo development and increase the risk of miscarriage or certain developmental conditions.

Men must stay in touch with a fertility consultant who can design an appropriate treatment plan. The expert will evaluate them thoroughly and suggest lifestyle modifications such as a well-balanced diet, exercise, stress management through meditation, and medication for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol. Awareness helps men take informed steps towards parenthood, even later in life. Certain pre-medications, including antioxidants advised by a fertility consultant, may significantly help in reducing DNA fragmentation, which contributes to poor sperm function. Therefore, men should prioritise their reproductive health, stay informed, and not suffer in silence.