The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that many regions across the country will experience above-normal temperatures and a rise in the number of heatwave days this May. According to IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the number of heatwave days is expected to increase by one to four days across most parts of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Gangetic West Bengal.

Heatwaves are extended periods of abnormally high temperatures, which can range from a few days to several weeks or even months. They pose significant health, social, environmental, and economic challenges. With the rising threat of heat waves, it is crucial to understand the various health issues triggered by extreme heat conditions.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body’s natural temperature regulation fails, pushing the core body temperature above 104°F (40°C). The condition can develop suddenly and become life-threatening if not treated promptly. Heat stroke requires emergency medical attention.

Heat Exhaustion

Though milder than heat stroke, heat exhaustion remains a serious concern. It results from the excessive loss of water and salt through sweating, especially during physical activity in high temperatures. People working outdoors or engaging in exercise during the peak heat hours are particularly vulnerable.

Dehydration

In extreme heat, the body loses fluids more rapidly through sweat. If these fluids are not replenished, dehydration can occur. Symptoms include fatigue, headache, dry mouth, decreased urine output, and dizziness. Severe dehydration may impair organ function and poses a significant risk to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and those with chronic medical conditions.

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps are painful, and involuntary muscle spasms are caused by electrolyte imbalances and fluid loss due to intense sweating. These cramps often affect the muscles of the abdomen, arms, or legs and are common among people performing strenuous physical activities in hot environments.

Sunburn

Prolonged exposure to sunlight can lead to sunburn, which is an inflammatory reaction of the skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. While mild sunburn may cause redness and discomfort, severe cases can result in blistering, peeling, infections, and long-term damage, including an increased risk of skin cancer.

With much of India bracing for hotter-than-usual weather, health experts urge people to take precautions: stay hydrated, avoid peak sun hours, wear protective clothing, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of heat-related illnesses arise.

News of wildfires and damage caused by it is often centered around the immediate effects of the smoke. While the aftermath of such a destructive event can be difficult to deal with, a new study shows, the side effects of the wildfire could show up, even months later

Wildfire smoke doesn't just clear with the wind. A new study shows that the harmful effects on your heart and lungs can last for up to three months after the smoke clears. The particle pollution in wildfire smoke makes it much more likely for people to end up in the hospital for months, even when the air looks clean. This means there's a hidden, long-lasting danger for anyone in areas hit by these fires.

Even if you're only around the smoke from small fires for a few days, it can still cause health problems that last a long time. The study, published in the journal Epidemiology, also found a direct link between the amount of smoke pollution and an increased risk of health problems. The more smoke in the air, the higher the danger to people's health.

How the Study Was Conducted

To understand this extended impact, researchers examined hospitalization records from 2006 to 2016 for residents across 15 U.S. states. The states included Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin. The extensive dataset included over 13.7 million hospitalizations for heart diseases and nearly 8 million for respiratory conditions, providing a broad view of health impacts following smoke exposure.

The study found that people's risk of hospitalization for these conditions increased within three months of exposure to wildfire smoke. High blood pressure was the health condition most significantly impacted. Other conditions gravely affected included various heart diseases, strokes, irregular heart rhythms, pneumonia, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and asthma. These findings underscore the broad and serious health consequences that extend far beyond the immediate smoke event.

Urgent Need for Better Wildfire Management

These results emphasize that preventing wildfires is crucial for protecting public health. Wildfires can burn for weeks, and smoke may linger in the air for extended periods, keeping the air toxic even after a wildfire has ended. Current wildfire management strategies are outdated and ineffective. More effort should be placed on proactive wildfire management to safeguard public health, rather than solely relying on traditional air quality controls after fires have already started.

What Are The Health Effects Of Smoke Inhalation?

The Cleveland Clinic explains that smoke inhalation happens when you breathe in a significant amount of smoke, for instance, during a house, vehicle, or forest fire. This smoke can directly harm your airways and lungs. It often contains dangerous chemicals like carbon monoxide and cyanide, which can be fatal if inhaled in large quantities.

If you've been in a fire, are experiencing symptoms of smoke inhalation, or suspect you've breathed in a lot of smoke, it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention or go to the emergency room.

Even smaller amounts of smoke, such as from distant wildfires, can irritate your eyes and airways. In such situations, it's important to stay indoors with windows closed or wear a mask if you must go outside. This is especially vital if you have existing respiratory conditions like COPD or asthma. You may experience symptoms like:

• Shortness of breath
• Hoarseness
• Chest pain
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Noisy breathing, like wheezing or stridor
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Fainting
• Seizures

When a stressful situation arises, any type of worry or anxiety, a lot of people opt for taking a smoke break. While it may be occasional at times, after a while, it can become a habit. However, why do people smoke during these occasions? According to the Mental Health Foundation UK, nicotine creates an immediate sense of relaxation, which makes people believe that the smoke is helping them reduce stress and anxiety. However, what they do not realize is that this sense of relief comes at the cost of withdrawal symptoms and more cravings to smoke.

A recent study reveals a concerning link between smoking and disability in the U.S. Roughly two out of five American smokers experience some form of disability, where as one in seven faced severe limitations to their quality of life, meaning their disability was that disrupting their daily routines.

This research, conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), highlights that disability is more than twice as common among current smokers compared to those who have never smoked. What does this connection highlight and why does this issue affect them?

Common Disabilities Among Smokers

The study, published in Tobacco Control, showed what disabilities affected people who smoked the most. Mobility issues, such as difficulty walking or climbing stairs, were frequently reported. Additionally, many smokers experienced cognitive difficulties, which means they experienced problems with thinking, memory, or concentration.

This shows that smoking doesn't just harm your lungs or heart; it also significantly impacts many smokers' daily physical and mental abilities. The Mental Health Foundation UK also explained how regular doses of nicotine lead to changes in the brain. This change leads to withdrawal symptoms as the supply of nicotine decreases in your system causing nicotine withdrawal.

Researchers gathered data from the National Health Interview Survey between 2019 and 2023. This comprehensive in-person survey, conducted by the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, collects information on smoking habits and assesses various types of disabilities. The study meticulously compared disability rates across three groups: approximately 17,600 current smokers, 37,500 former smokers, and nearly 91,000 individuals who had never smoked, providing a robust basis for their conclusions.

What Did The Study Find?

The results are striking: about 40% of the nation's 25 million current smokers reported some level of difficulty across several categories, including mobility, cognition, vision, hearing, communication, and self-care. Even more concerning, 14% of current smokers reported severe difficulty in at least one area, double the rate seen in never-smokers. This data clearly indicates that current smokers face significantly higher rates of both common and severe disabilities compared to non-smokers.

While the study undeniably shows a strong connection between smoking and disability, it couldn't definitively establish cause and effect. Researchers acknowledge that it's unclear if smoking directly leads to these disabilities, or if individuals already living with disabilities might turn to smoking as a coping mechanism. This crucial distinction remains an open question, highlighting the need for further research to fully understand the complex interplay between smoking and disability.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, often termed the "good" cholesterol, plays a crucial role in cardiovascular health by transporting cholesterol from the arteries to the liver for excretion or reuse. Elevated HDL levels are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While genetics influence HDL levels, lifestyle choices significantly impact them.

One notable lifestyle change that positively affects HDL cholesterol is quitting smoking. Smoking has been shown to suppress HDL levels, thereby increasing the risk of heart disease. A 2018 study highlighted that pregnant women who smoked had significantly lower HDL levels compared to non-smokers. The American Lung Association emphasizes that quitting smoking can enhance HDL levels by facilitating the removal of cholesterol from the bloodstream.

Beyond improving HDL cholesterol, smoking cessation offers a myriad of health benefits. Within 20 minutes of quitting, blood pressure and heart rate begin to decrease. In a few days, carbon monoxide levels in the blood normalize, and within 48 hours, nerve endings start to regenerate, enhancing the senses of taste and smell. Over the subsequent months and years, the risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, and various cancers diminish significantly.

To further boost HDL levels, individuals can adopt additional lifestyle modifications:

• Incorporate Healthy Fats: Consuming extra virgin olive oil, rich in polyphenols, can increase HDL cholesterol.
• Engage in Regular Exercise: Physical activities, including strength training and high-intensity interval training, have been shown to elevate HDL levels and enhance their functionality.
• Adopt a Low-Carb Diet: Low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets can raise HDL cholesterol, especially in individuals with obesity or insulin resistance.
• Consume Fatty Fish: Fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can improve HDL cholesterol levels.
• Avoid Trans Fats: Eliminating artificial trans fats from the diet helps prevent the lowering of HDL cholesterol and reduces inflammation.
• In conclusion, quitting smoking is a pivotal step toward enhancing HDL cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular health. Coupled with other healthy lifestyle choices, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease and improve their quality of life.

What All Do We Know About Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell of the body. While it’s essential for building cells, producing hormones, and aiding digestion, too much cholesterol in the blood can pose health risks—particularly to the heart.

There are two main types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is often referred to as "bad" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol to the arteries. High levels of LDL can lead to plaque buildup in artery walls, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

HDL, or "good" cholesterol, works in the opposite way. It transports cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it is broken down or excreted. HDL also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to protect the cardiovascular system.

Maintaining a healthy balance between LDL and HDL is crucial. While high LDL levels are harmful, high HDL levels are beneficial and can lower the risk of heart problems. Lifestyle changes such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking can help improve this balance and promote heart health.