According to India’s National Mental Health Survey, nearly 3.5% of the country’s population experiences anxiety disorders each year, often triggered by work stress, relationship problems, or distressing events. While mild anxiety is a normal part of life, persistent or unmanaged anxiety can keep older adults in a constant state of tension.

This long-term stress may increase heart rate, affect mood, and, as experts now warn, even raise blood pressure (BP). The American Psychological Association (APA) defines anxiety as ongoing feelings of worry or unease that can cause physical reactions such as a faster heartbeat or sweating.

The APA also notes that anxiety can temporarily elevate blood pressure. In turn, people with chronic high blood pressure, or hypertension, may develop anxiety about their health, creating a cycle where each condition worsens the other.

Can Anxiety Lead To Blood Pressure?

Anxiety is the body’s built-in response to stress. It’s common to feel anxious before a major exam or while awaiting important news. When this happens, the body releases stress hormones that raise the heart rate and narrow blood vessels, both of which can push blood pressure higher.

A 2015 study by Medical News Today found that individuals with severe anxiety faced a greater risk of developing hypertension compared to those with milder symptoms. Researchers emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of anxiety, especially for people who already have high blood pressure.

In most cases, anxiety-related spikes in blood pressure are short-lived and return to normal once the person calms down. However, constant anxiety can strain the heart, kidneys, and blood vessels much like long-term hypertension does. Over time, hormonal changes linked to anxiety may lead to fat accumulation, especially around the waist. Anxiety can also alter daily habits, such as causing stress eating, which may indirectly raise blood pressure.

Signs of Anxiety-Induced High Blood Pressure

A normal blood pressure reading typically falls between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. For adults over 80, readings below 150/90 mmHg are considered healthy. When readings consistently rise above these levels, it can indicate hypertension. Some anxiety medications can also increase blood pressure. For example, serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, are known to cause a rise in BP. Common symptoms of anxiety that may contribute to higher blood pressure include:

• Trembling or shaking
• Excessive sweating
• Chest pain
• Headaches
• Nausea or stomach discomfort
• Irritability
• Dizziness or shortness of breath

Can High Blood Pressure Also Trigger Anxiety?

High blood pressure itself can sometimes lead to feelings of anxiety. People diagnosed with hypertension may start worrying about their long-term health or potential complications. The symptoms of hypertension, such as headaches, vision problems, or an irregular heartbeat can also cause distress or panic. According to Medical News Today, signs of hypertension can include:

• Vision changes
• Headaches
• Irregular heart rhythm
• Buzzing in the ears

Severe hypertension can also provoke anxiety. If someone feels unusually anxious and experiences symptoms like headaches or shortness of breath, it is important to seek immediate medical help.

Since hypertension often develops without clear warning signs, it can be difficult to tell whether the cause of discomfort is anxiety or high blood pressure. This is why regular check-ups with a doctor are essential for monitoring and managing both conditions effectively.

A major part of your health depends on your sleep. While you may delay your sleep or skip it to do other tasks, your body keeps the score. You may be slowly pushing yourself into not just physical health issues, but also mental health issues.

While sleep may seem like an easy thing, you only need enough time for there are many aspects of it that could reveal whether you are sleeping well or not. In a recent post, Dr Christopher J Allen, MD, a US board-certified sleep doctor, revealed 10 important sleep facts that one must know.

Sleep Advice You Need For Proper Rest

In the video titled, “Advice I’d give you as a sleep doctor for a decade – If I wasn’t afraid of hurting your feelings” he gave the below mentioned advice.

Snoozing Doesn't Help

Hitting the snooze button actually confuses your brain. It starts a new sleep cycle that you immediately interrupt. This guarantees you will feel more groggy and tired all morning, not rested. Just get up when the alarm first rings.

Late-Night Energy Isn't Natural

Feeling "wired" late at night isn't natural energy. It usually means you've had too much stimulation, you're dehydrated, and you're stuck in a constant stress cycle. Your body is running on high alert, not true fuel.

Instant Sleep Isn't Healthy

If you fall asleep the second your head hits the pillow, you don't have great sleep; you have a problem. It's a clear sign of severe exhaustion or a major sleep debt built up from missing sleep over time.

You Need Recovery, Not Stimulants

Your constant low energy can't be fixed by simply drinking more caffeine. Your real issue is a lack of proper recovery. You need more REM sleep—the deep, restorative kind—to truly solve your energy problem.

Midnight Waking Is Stress-Related

Waking up sharply at 3 AM is not random bad luck. It often happens because your stress hormones, called cortisol, start pumping during the night. Your body is on high alert, starting its "night shift" while you should be resting.

Scrolling Isn't Relaxing

You think you're relaxing when you scroll through your phone, but your nervous system disagrees. The bright screen and constant stimulation signal danger to your brain, putting you into survival mode instead of calming you down.

Weekend Catch-Up Doesn't Work

Trying to "catch up" on sleep during the weekend doesn't fix your sleep debt. It simply throws off your body's internal clock (circadian rhythm). This actually makes it much harder to wake up and start your week on Monday.

You Can't 'Get Used To' 5 Hours

Science shows that believing you are "used to" only five hours of sleep is dangerous. Your body is actually quietly suffering damage and breaking down. You need more sleep to avoid long-term health risks.

Tiredness Starts Before Bed

Waking up feeling completely exhausted isn't usually your mattress's fault. It’s often connected to your stress mindset, the food you eat, and those sneaky stress hormone spikes that happen while you should be deeply sleeping.

Most Important Factor For Sleep

The health expert ended the post by explaining your body can't truly heal and recover if you keep it in the same environment and under the same stress that makes you feel run down. Your bedroom and your nightly routine are actually a direct reflection of your entire lifestyle.

The core scientific truth is that your body isn't being lazy, it is genuinely exhausted, and your brain isn't broken, it's just begging for the safety and security that comes from good, proper rest.

The Union Health Ministry has confirmed that a batch of Coldrif cough syrup made at a Tamil Nadu facility contained diethylene glycol (DEG) beyond safe limits. Earlier samples collected in Madhya Pradesh tested negative, but contamination was detected when Tamil Nadu authorities examined the products directly at Sresan Pharma in Kanchipuram.

Several states have now banned the syrup, and the Centre has ordered inspections at 19 pharmaceutical units across six states, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said in an official statement on October 5. But what exactly is diethylene glycol, and should you be concerned?

Diethylene Glycol Found In ‘Coldrif’ Cough Syrup

Some children with routine cold symptoms such as cough, fever, and mild discomfort were prescribed the locally available Coldrif syrup. Instead of getting better, within a few days, some developed dark urine, extreme fatigue, and signs of kidney failure, as per BBC.

Death reports are also surfacing, with the toll rising. The Tamil Nadu government has issued a notice to Sresan Pharma, asking why its drug license should not be revoked after 14 children in Madhya Pradesh reportedly died from consuming this toxic syrup. The governments of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu have banned Coldrif sales after tests revealed it contained a highly poisonous chemical. The health ministry confirmed that the syrup contained diethylene glycol (DEG), an industrial solvent, which can be fatal even in small doses.

What Is Diethylene Glycol?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) are industrial chemicals used in antifreeze, paints, brake fluids, and plastics. They are not intended for medicinal use but can enter drugs if contaminated or if industrial-grade raw materials are used instead of pharmaceutical grade ingredients such as glycerine or propylene glycol.

Once consumed, DEG and EG break down into toxic compounds that can harm the kidneys, liver, and nervous system. Tamil Nadu drug officials found that Coldrif contained 48.6% DEG, which is far above safe limits. The Centre has initiated inspections at 19 pharmaceutical units in six states, filed FIRs, and taken regulatory action in multiple regions.

Several children remain hospitalized across states after consuming the syrup. Doctors are providing treatments including dialysis, but they warn that affected children may continue to experience long-term kidney and nerve problems.

How To Know If You Have Been Contaminated With Diethylene Glycol?

Cases of DEG contamination are emerging daily, mostly in children who developed acute kidney issues after taking cough syrup. Common warning signs include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Drowsiness
• Reduced urination

In children, poisoning can escalate quickly to acute kidney failure, seizures, and even death.

Is It Safe To Consume Cough Syrup?

Interestingly, the batch of Coldrif syrup made by Sresan Pharma (Tamil Nadu) tested positive for high DEG levels (48.6%) at the manufacturing site, triggering bans in Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and possibly other states. At the same time, samples collected from other locations, such as in MP and Rajasthan, did not always show contamination, suggesting limited batch issues or testing differences. However, to minimize the risk:

• Always follow your doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions regarding dose and duration.
• Prefer single-ingredient formulations over combinations to reduce the chance of overexposure.
• Avoid expired syrups or those from unreliable sources.
• Seek medical help if symptoms persist instead of increasing the dose yourself.
• Store medicines correctly according to label instructions (temperature, humidity, etc.).

India is the world’s largest producer of generic medicines, often called the “pharmacy of the world.” Incidents like this raise serious public health concerns and could impact India’s global pharmaceutical reputation.

One thing we know for sure about SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is that it keeps changing. Since the start of the pandemic, we have seen several notable variants, including Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron. New variants are a normal part of how viruses evolve, but keeping an eye on each emerging one is crucial to make sure people, both in the U.S. and around the world are prepared.

This is particularly important if a variant spreads faster, causes more severe illness, resists vaccines, or combines all these factors compared with the original virus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) uses letters from the Greek alphabet to name new coronavirus variants, beginning with Alpha, which first appeared in 2020. While COVID no longer sparks the same widespread fear, the virus continues to evolve.

Since 2020, countless variants have appeared, each carrying different levels of risk in different countries. Below, we take a chronological look at these variants, how dangerous they have been, and how they have been mutating across regions.

Covid Variant VS Covid Strain

Variants and strains are not the same. A variant occurs when the virus changes slightly (mutates) from the original version, often due to an error in its genetic code during replication. A variant is like a new version of the virus. A strain, however, is when the virus accumulates enough variants that it behaves differently, for example, becoming far more transmissible than the original. All strains are variants, but not every variant counts as a strain, as noted by NHS.

Alpha Variant (B.1.1.7)

By the end of 2020, the original L strain of COVID had undergone several mutations, including the S, V, and G strains. The first widely reported variant, B.1.1.7, known as Alpha, appeared in the U.K. in September 2020. Alpha triggered a global surge of infections before vaccines were available and was deadlier than the original virus. Common symptoms included loss of taste or smell, fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, headache, sore throat, congestion, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines remained effective against Alpha.

Beta Variant (B.1.351)

Soon after Alpha, the Beta variant (B.1.351) emerged in South Africa and spread to other countries. According to CDC estimates, Beta was roughly 50% more transmissible than the original virus, though it only accounted for a small share of U.S. cases. Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J vaccines were still effective against Beta.

Gamma Variant (P.1)

The Gamma variant, P.1, appeared in Brazil in November 2020. It caused relatively few cases in the U.S., though CDC data in fall 2021 suggested it could sometimes cause breakthrough infections among fully vaccinated people. Gamma did not seem as contagious as Alpha or Delta.

Delta Variant (B.1.617.2)

Delta (B.1.617.2) surged in spring 2021, first dominating in India and spreading to over 130 countries, resulting in severe waves worldwide. It caused more serious illness and hospitalizations among the unvaccinated than previous variants.

Even as U.S. vaccination efforts were underway, Delta could evade some vaccine-induced immunity, leading to breakthrough infections, as per CDC. More than 70% of cases were reported in fully vaccinated individuals, prompting booster campaigns. Headache, sore throat, runny nose, and fever were the most common symptoms.

Delta Plus Variant

Delta AY.4.2, known as Delta Plus, was an offshoot of Delta rather than a standalone variant. It had two spike protein mutations that helped it infect cells more efficiently, making it about 10–20% more transmissible. Delta Plus caused a surge in the U.K. but did not take hold in the U.S.

Omicron And Its Subvariants

Omicron and its subvariants have been the dominant strains in the U.S. for nearly two years. The original Omicron (BA.1) no longer circulates widely, but its subvariants now drive most infections. Omicron was first detected in Botswana and South Africa in November 2021 and quickly spread globally. By December, it caused U.S. daily cases to exceed a million.

In 2022, several subvariants emerged, and in 2023, EG.5 (nicknamed “Eris”) became dominant, with BA.2.86 (“Pirola”) also under observation. Omicron subvariants spread very efficiently, partly due to over 30 mutations on the spike protein that increase their ability to infect human cells. Early data suggested the original Omicron caused less severe illness than earlier variants, but high case numbers could still strain hospitals.

Vaccines remain protective against severe disease, though breakthrough infections can occur. The CDC recommends staying up to date with boosters, including the updated 2023 fall shot designed to target EG.5 and BA.2.86.

Nimbus, Stratus And Frankenstein Variants

Nimbus and Stratus are informal names for Omicron subvariants being monitored in 2025. Nimbus (NB.1.8.1) appeared in China early in 2025. Highly transmissible, it spread across Asia, Europe, and the U.S., causing symptoms like a razor-like sore throat, fatigue, mild cough, and congestion.

Stratus (XFG) first appeared in Canada and became dominant in Europe and the U.K. It shows enhanced immune evasion and causes a hoarse or raspy voice in some patients.

Frankenstein Variant

“Frankenstein” is a nickname for hybrid variants formed when someone is infected with two COVID strains simultaneously. Stratus itself is a Frankenstein-type variant. These combination of viruses circulate like any other, but their mixed genetics can make them more transmissible or better at evading immune defenses.

How Many Covid Cases Are Being Reported Now Worldwide?

In India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reports 30,440 cases from January to September 2025, though many go unreported due to self-treatment at home. Meanwhile, cases have been rising in the U.S. and U.K.

For the week ending September 27, 6.7% of Americans tested positive, slightly down from 7.9% the previous week. COVID accounted for 0.8% of U.S. deaths and 0.7% of ER visits during the same period.

SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve. Healthy, vaccinated adults face lower risk of severe disease than during the Delta wave, but older adults and immunocompromised people should remain cautious. Public-health authorities in India and worldwide are actively monitoring variants and will highlight any that significantly change risk.