More than 75 years after independence, the shadow of colonialism continues to loom large over South Asia’s health landscape. While rapid urban development and modern medical advances have redefined healthcare access in India, its fractured system and persistent disparities are deeply rooted in the legacy of British rule.

From Ayurveda to Inequality

Before colonization, India’s approach to health was grounded in prevention, traditional medicine like Ayurveda, and community care. However, during British occupation (1757–1947), there was a seismic shift. Colonial policies devalued indigenous medical systems and replaced them with Western biomedical models that prioritized intervention over prevention. But these innovations were reserved for Europeans—leaving native Indians with limited and poor-quality care. The structural inequities didn’t end with the British exit.

Post-independence India’s healthcare policies mirrored its colonial past. Urban centers developed first, benefiting the elite, while rural and marginalized communities remained underserved. The wave of privatization in the 1980s worsened these disparities, pushing nearly 800 million Indians toward inadequate public healthcare, long waits, and low-quality services.

A Century of Starvation and its Genetic Toll

Colonial rule also plunged India into repeated famines. Unlike the Deccan famine of the 1600s, under the Mughals, which was a rare anomaly, British colonial policies—marked by grain exports, brutal taxation, and delayed relief—resulted in at least 31 major famines during the 18th and 19th centuries. From the 1770 Bengal Famine to the devastating 1943 famine under Churchill’s wartime policies, tens of millions perished, even as India exported food.

Dr. Mubin Syed, who has studied the generational impact of these famines, explains, as Medium also reports: “Exposure to even one famine has a multi-generational effect of causing metabolic disorders including diabetes, hyperglycemia, and cardiovascular diseases.” South Asians, he notes, are biologically “starvation-adapted”—our bodies are conditioned to store fat and limit muscle growth to conserve energy.

Health Consequences That Still Haunt Us

This biological inheritance has led to stark disparities in modern health outcomes. Studies show that South Asians are six times more likely to develop diabetes than Europeans, and 40% more likely to die from heart attacks. Even responses to exercise and strength training are lower in South Asians compared to other ethnicities—a result of generations surviving famine and undernourishment.

Height data from ancient Harappan burial sites (3300–1300 BCE) places average stature at 5'6"—higher than most colonized populations under British rule until 1870. Famine and poor nutrition during colonial rule caused regression in health indicators until well after independence.

A Call to Remember, and Reform

Colonialism may have formally ended, but its effects are far from over. The multigenerational toll is not just physical, but mental and systemic—ranging from mistrust in health institutions to an inequitable healthcare system. Most of us weren’t taught how historical oppression impacts our biology, and that lack of awareness holds us back.

But as Dr. Syed reminds us, “It’s not a doom and gloom scenario.” With awareness, lifestyle changes, and systemic reform—focused on diet, fitness, sleep, stress, and substance use—much of this inherited burden can be reduced. South Asians must reclaim their narratives, advocate for equity in healthcare, and educate future generations on how to heal from a history we didn’t choose, but continue to live with.

Sniffles and other symptoms often mistaken for a winter virus such as Covid or flu could actually be caused by something else, according to a pharmacist. George Sandhu, deputy superintendent at Well Pharmacy, explained that pollen allergies are now extending into autumn as seasons stretch longer.

He said: “Warmer temperatures are lengthening growing seasons, so pollen counts are higher than in past decades. Rising carbon dioxide levels don’t just warm the planet, they also act like a fertiliser for plants, increasing pollen production.”

What Is a Pollen Allergy?

A pollen allergy happens when your immune system reacts to pollen, which is a fine powder released by trees, grasses, and weeds during reproduction. In people with this allergy, the immune system mistakes pollen for a harmful substance and releases chemicals such as histamine.

This can trigger symptoms like sneezing, runny or blocked nose, itchy or watery eyes, and throat irritation. This condition is commonly called hay fever and tends to appear during certain times of the year when specific plants are blooming, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Sandhu added that milder winters are allowing some plants to start producing pollen earlier in spring and continue later into autumn. He noted: “Late summer also sees a shift from weed pollen to increased indoor mould, leaf mould, and dust mites, which all peak during autumn. Combined with damp autumn conditions, people with allergies now face a much longer ‘high-risk window’ every year.”

Types of Pollen Allergens

The pharmacist explained the three main types of allergens:

• Weed pollen: including ragweed, mugwort, plantain, nettle, dock, goosefoot, and sorrel.
• Mould spores: thrive in damp autumn conditions and can be found in rotting leaves, compost heaps, soil, as well as bathrooms, kitchens, and other damp areas.
• House dust mites: found in bedding, carpets, soft toys, and fabrics.

Best Treatment for a Pollen Allergy

The best way to manage pollen allergies depends on how severe they are and what suits your body. What helps one person may not work for another. A healthcare provider can recommend the most effective treatment. According to Sandhu, “Antihistamines can relieve sneezing, runny nose, and itching, for example, cetirizine or loratadine. Nasal corticosteroid sprays, such as fluticasone or mometasone, reduce inflammation and congestion. Decongestants may give short-term relief for a blocked nose, but they shouldn’t be used long-term. Saline sprays or rinses can help clear allergens from the nose, and eye drops can soothe itchy, watery eyes.”

Can Allergy Shots Work Against Pollen Allergy?

Allergy shots gradually retrain your immune system to tolerate pollen. They involve a series of injections containing pollen, with the dose slowly increased over time. This helps your body build tolerance. Allergy shots are administered by a healthcare provider.

While it is impossible to avoid pollen completely, you can change some daily habits to reduce exposure. For instance, try not to be outside on warm, windy spring days when pollen levels are high. Pollen counts are usually highest in the early morning and early afternoon.

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.

Periods or menstruation is a process where the uterus sheds its uterine lining made of mucus, blood, and other components. While most women and girls go through this, there are many misconceptions and myths about it. Many people feel uncomfortable talking about menstruation, which then discourages young girls from coming forth with their problems, and normalizing harmful period symptoms.

Dr. Holly Miller, an OB-GYN, aims to correct the common misconception of what a "normal" period truly entails. In a recent video on Instagram, she detailed how far too many young women suffer in silence because doctors, media, or even peers have dismissed their painful and debilitating symptoms as "just cramps" or "just PMS."

There are many myths about menstruation, UNICEF lists a few with include myths like ‘foods like curd, tamarind and pickles disturb the menstrual flow’. In reality, diet does not determine how your period flows.

The problem of tackling these deep-seated cultural beliefs is made even harder because many girls have very little accurate information about puberty, periods, and reproductive health.

Many of these symptoms can be so difficult to deal with, and early intervention goes a long way. However, how can one know what is normal and what isn’t?

What ‘Normal’ Period Facts Are Actually Red Flags

According to Dr. Miller, these three period experiences are often labeled as normal but are actually red flags that warrant a medical evaluation:

Severe Cramps That Cause Absence from School or Work

Dr. Miller emphasizes that cramps so severe that they necessitate canceling plans, missing school, or leaving work are not normal. If over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen, are ineffective at managing the pain, it should not be dismissed as simply "bad luck." This level of pain is a significant warning sign for underlying conditions like Endometriosis or fibroids. Dr. Miller encourages patients not to minimize their pain and to clearly tell their doctor if the pain is rated a 9 or 10 on a pain scale, stressing that every patient deserves to be heard.

Bleeding So Heavy It Soaks Through Protection Hourly

Bleeding that soaks through a pad or tampon in less than two hours for several consecutive hours, or passing blood clots the size of a golf ball, is considered excessive and is not normal. This is known as heavy menstrual bleeding, which can lead to serious health issues such as iron deficiency anemia, resulting in extreme fatigue and difficulty concentrating (brain fog). Dr. Miller states that this is a medical condition that requires evaluation to check for potential causes, including clotting disorders, fibroids, or hormonal imbalances.

Debilitating Mood Swings and Extreme Fatigue Before a Period

It's time to stop normalizing severe emotional symptoms and exhaustion as "just PMS." Dr. Miller explains that if anxiety, depression, or mood swings are so extreme in the one to two weeks before a period that they disrupt a person’s relationships or daily life, the individual may be experiencing PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). This is a severe, yet treatable, form of PMS. Dr. Miller advises that people experiencing these symptoms need professional help to manage the condition, not just a dismissive lecture to "calm down."