If you’ve ever felt like the world around you looks a little duller than it used to, you’re not imagining things. Scroll through social media and you’ll see countless people reminiscing about a time when cities, homes, and even products seemed more colorful. There’s a real design shift toward greyscale, with modern architecture, interiors, and branding favoring muted palettes. But aesthetics alone don’t explain the decline in vibrancy. Your own health could be making it harder for you to see colors in their true intensity.

There is no denying that the world around us has lost its vibrancy. Red-bricked houses with their bold color are now painted beige, play places filled with primary colors have been substituted by grey plastic, and 85 percent of newly sold vehicles in markets such as Australia are black, white, silver, or grey in color. It's minimalist and neutral that rules not just design but also the areas where we spend most of our time.

But what this actually does is mean that we are already experiencing less visual stimulation. For those with eyes or health issues that also blunt your perception of color, the effect is compounded. The world may not necessarily be less colorful—it might actually be more difficult for you to pick up on the little vibrancy that is left.

Why No Two People See Colors the Same?

Even aside from health issues, color vision is not absolute. Human eyes have specialized cells named cones, which translate wavelengths of light into the colors we perceive. Different individuals have varying numbers and sensitivities of these cones, so no two individuals view the same hue in the same manner. This is why disagreements about whether a dress is blue or gold—or a shoe is grey or pink—can split whole groups.

For color blind individuals, resulting from genetic variations in cones, the difference is extreme. But for the majority of us, differences can nonetheless influence how we perceive the spectrum. Add to this the effects of illness, aging, and drugs, and color perception becomes even more complicated.

What Medical Factors Can Diminish Color and Vision?

Medications That Change Color Perception

There are prescription medications that have surprising visual side effects. Certain medications, like sildenafil (Viagra), are temporary color-altering agents, casting a blue or green hue over everything. Certain medications used to treat tuberculosis also disrupt the way that eyes sense light. Although these changes are temporary, they can profoundly change the way that the world seems vivid—or washed out.

Cataracts and the Yellowing of Vision

Cataracts are the most frequent age-related eye disorder globally. When the eye lens becomes opaque, light that enters the eye is scattered and colored. People with cataracts often say that the world is more yellow or brown, like someone has put a filter in front of their eyes. In the United States alone, over 24 million individuals over the age of 40 suffer from cataracts, placing this in the top causes of impaired color vision.

Macular Degeneration and Glaucoma

Age macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma target the retina and optic nerve, respectively, and have the ability to take away both sharpness and contrast of colors from vision. In initial stages, individuals can struggle more to see slight shades, while advanced deterioration can leave colors washed out completely. With millions across the globe being affected by the two, these conditions greatly affect how older generations see vibrancy.

Systemic Health Conditions and Lifestyle Factors

Your eye health depends on your overall health. Diabetes, for example, can impair blood vessels in the retina and affect color vision years before other signs are present. Alcoholism has also been linked to diminished capability to differentiate colors, and sickle cell anemia can impair ocular blood flow in manners that decrease vibrancy. These linkages underscore the significance of systemically managing health, not only for longevity but also for sensory quality of experience.

The Subtle Role of Aging

Even in health, aging will naturally change the way we perceive the world. We have found that older people's pupils respond less intensely to very saturated colors than do younger individuals. The eye's crystalline lens also slowly yellows with age and more thoroughly filters out blue light and alters color perception. Although the effect is gradual, the combined result is a visual world that gradually dulls over time.

Are We Losing The Eyesight To Perceive Colors Twice Over?

It is what makes this experience remarkable that it's both biological and cultural. On the one hand, international design styles are leaching color out of the spaces we live. On the other hand, our own vision—due to aging, health issues, or medication intake—can be eliminating what color remains. And the effect is a sensory one that can feel less vibrant than decades past.

The question is if society will react. The trend of "dopamine dressing" and vibrant home design indicate folks are actively bringing back color into their lives. Building up our worlds with brighter hues may not reverse biological shifts, but it can counteract the increasingly beige landscapes around us.

Ways You Can Protect and Maintain Color Vision

Though some color loss is a natural part of aging, there are ways to safeguard your vision:

• Having regular eye tests can identify cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration at an early stage.
• Treating systemic diseases such as diabetes can prevent complications that blur vision.
• Sunglasses to block UV exposure protect eyes and slow down lens pigmentation.
• A healthy diet with plenty of leafy vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants maintains the health of the retina.

For others who are already experiencing a decline, seeing an eye care professional is essential. A fresh prescription lens, a cataract operation, or simply making some lifestyle changes may bring back a surprising level of vitality.

Whether cities turn again to brighter colors or more assertive patterns, we can control the amount of color we see. From protecting our eye health to mindfully placing ourselves among vibrancy, seeing color is as much a medical concern as a lifestyle choice. The next time you catch the world being a tad grey, it may not be the buildings alone. It may be your health nudging you to notice your eyesight.

We all know her from Baywatch, Nicole Eggert, has been sharing her journey with breast cancer since her diagnosis in 2023. In a recent post she shared on Thursday, she revealed that she went through her second mastectomy along with reconstruction. The post is filled with fellow actors and fans sending love and support.

Her first announcement was made in January 2024, during which she revealed that she had been diagnosed with stage 2 cribriform carcinoma breast cancer.

Who Is Nicole Eggert?

Nicole Eggert is an American actor most known for her roles as Jamie Powell in the series like Charles in Charge and Summer Quinn in the popular series Baywatch. It had already been a month since she found out she had breast cancer before she announced it in Janurary 2024

She told PEOPLE that her symptoms began with breast pain and weight gain, which she initially attributed to menopause. However, a persistent, "throbbing" lump prompted her to seek medical attention.

What Treatment Did Nicole Eggert Go Through?

After undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and her first mastectomy, Eggert shared with Yahoo Life’s Unapologetically series in May that she was on targeted therapy to manage her lymphatic system. She is currently taking "heavy-duty hormone blockers" to prevent the cancer from returning.

Eggert also reflected on how her cancer journey has transformed her relationship with her body. She admitted to years of self-criticism but now sees her body as something to be cherished for its ability to help her live each day. "I just have never loved myself more," she stated, emphasizing that despite the physical changes, she is "so thankful" for her body and loves "every bit of it."

What Is Cribriform Breast Cancer?

Cribriform breast cancer is a type of cancer where the cells have a pattern of small holes, much like Swiss cheese. Sometimes, a single tumor can contain different kinds of cancer cells, but cribriform cells are one of the less common types. Doctors use two main ways to describe a tumor: grading and staging. Grading tells us how much the cancer cells look different from healthy cells and how fast they are likely to grow.

• Grade 1 means the cells are very similar to healthy cells and grow slowly.
• Grade 3 means they are very different and grow quickly.

Staging tells us how big the tumor is and if it has spread.

• Stage 0 is the earliest stage, where cancer cells are only in the breast ducts.
• Stage 1 is a small tumor that hasn't spread.
• Stage 4 is the most serious stage, where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

How Is Nicole Eggert’s Cribriform Breast Cancer Usually Treated?

Cribriform breast cancer typically has a good outlook because it is less likely to spread to the lymph nodes compared to other breast cancers. Treatment plans are based on the cancer's stage and may include surgery, such as a lumpectomy (removing part of the breast) or a mastectomy (removing all of it).

Other common treatments are chemotherapy, which uses medicine to kill fast-growing cancer cells, and radiation, which uses high-energy rays to destroy them. Hormone therapy is also often used, as this type of cancer is sensitive to hormones. These medicines can block hormones to stop the cancer from growing. Since every treatment has potential side effects, it's important to discuss all options with your doctor.

Nicole Eggert’s Cancer Treatment Tip

Sharing her experience with cancer treatment, along with how she feels and tips, Nicole has also shared an important treatment tip that could help many people who are going through chemo.

“Such an important yet simple preventative step - ice the hands and feet during treatment!!! It works! #neuropathy is the number 1 complaint after #chemotherapy and is so easily avoided.” She said in a video posted on June 15th. Many people in her comment section gave their own experience and thanked her for sharing this tidbit. The Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer organization experts explain that when some patients undergo chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer, they can experience nerve damage called neuropathy. This can cause pain, tingling, and numbness in the hands and feet. It can also affect a person's ability to do things that require fine motor skills, like buttoning a shirt or writing.

Researchers believe that using ice on the hands, feet, and mouth during chemotherapy infusions may reduce the amount of the drug that reaches these areas. Experts explain that ice works by making blood vessels smaller, which slows down blood flow to the chilled areas. Since chemotherapy drugs are delivered through the veins, less blood flow could mean less of the drug gets to the nerves.

Along with many supporters, many people also commented about their own treatments one commenter mentioned, “I did ice baths everyday throughout my chemo and it helped so much with neuropathy and other symptoms”, while other mentioned how they could've helped their mother when she was going through chemo had they known this.

As she continues to share her journey, she has inspired many people, and they applaud her strength and resilience

If you think managing diabetes is just about cutting down on sweets, you might want to educate yourself. Blood sugar is only one aspect of managing diabetes. Your lifestyle, including how you move, sleep, and manage stress, plays an equally significant role in managing diabetes as your diet and medication.

The Sugar Myth

Most people picture diabetes as a “sugar disease”—caused by sweets and fixed by salads. But it’s not that simple. Dr Arush Sabharwal, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeon at the Surgical Centre for Obesity and Diabetes Clinic, explains that ignoring exercise, staying constantly stressed, or skimping on sleep can seriously hampers diabetes control. “Diet is important, but without physical activity, quality sleep, and stress management, it’s very difficult to keep long-term complications at bay,” he says.

Also Read: Al Roker's Weight Loss Journey: Health Secrets That Keep Him Going At 71

Why Skipping Exercise Is Like Skipping a Dose of Medicine

Exercise isn’t just about losing weight. It’s one of the most powerful tools for blood sugar control. Research shows that even moderate activity helps your body use insulin better, lowers blood glucose, and improves circulation. Dr Sabharwal points out, “Just 30 minutes of brisk walking, five times a week, is enough to bring blood sugars into the target range. Without activity, sugar levels soar, raising the risk of heart disease, nerve injury, and obesity.”

Dr Shankar Kumar Venkatarayaraju, Senior Consultant – Internal Medicines & Diabetologist at Sparsh Hospital, Bangalore, adds that many patients avoid workouts out of fear of low sugar or lack of time, but the cost of inactivity is steep. “Even moderate activities like cycling, yoga, or walking can improve insulin sensitivity, regulate weight, and boost energy levels,” he says. Skipping workouts is like leaving an essential medicine out of your treatment plan.

Sleep: The Night-time Sugar Regulator

Sleep is like your body’s inbuilt sugar reset button. Lose out on it, and things get messy. Poor or insufficient sleep raises cortisol, the stress hormone that makes blood sugar harder to control. Studies reveal that people with diabetes who sleep less than six hours tend to have higher glucose levels and greater difficulty managing them.

Dr Venkatarayaraju explains, “Good-quality sleep for 7–8 hours not only regulates hormones but also reduces cravings and stabilises energy levels.” Translation: fewer midnight fridge raids and less next-day fatigue.

What Does Stress Do?

Stress might feel like a mental issue, but it wreaks havoc on your blood chemistry. Unmanaged stress triggers the liver to release stored glucose, sending sugar levels on an unwelcome rollercoaster. Dr Sabharwal says, “Stress is one of the most underestimated factors in diabetes. Simple relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or even hobbies can significantly reduce glucose spikes.”

The Lifestyle Loop: How It All Connects

Exercise, sleep, and stress aren’t separate pillars but parts of a feedback loop. When you exercise regularly, your blood sugars stabilise, helping you sleep better. Good sleep gives you the energy to move more. Less stress means fewer cravings, making healthy choices easier. Neglect one, and the domino effect kicks in. Nurture all three, and you’ll find managing diabetes far less overwhelming.

Doctors emphasise that diabetes care is not a single-lane road but a whole lifestyle highway. As Dr Venkatarayaraju summarises, “Diet and medication are essential, but without movement, rest, and stress balance, they cannot deliver the best outcomes.” Small steps, like a brisk walk, a consistent bedtime, or ten minutes of deep breathing, can add up to huge improvements in quality of life.

Breast cancer cases are increasing globally, with a significant rise in aggressive forms, such as triple-negative breast cancer, particularly in women under 40. This has caused many people to wonder how they could curb their risk of getting cancer and whether it is something they can control. Scientists have been researching various links that could lead us to a way we can effectively lower the

A new study reveals a hidden link between two major health crises: Type 2 Diabetes and breast cancer. Researchers have discovered that the metabolic changes from diabetes can actually fuel the growth of aggressive breast tumors, especially the kind most common in younger women.

This research, from Boston University, suggests that Type 2 Diabetes doesn't just put your health at risk in general—it might actively weaken your body's ability to fight off cancer, allowing aggressive forms of the disease to thrive.

Does Diabetes Weaken the Body’s Defense?

The study, published in the journal Springer Nature, is the first to directly link tiny blood particles called exosomes from people with Type 2 Diabetes to a suppressed immune response within breast tumors. Think of exosomes as tiny messengers that carry information between cells. In individuals with diabetes, these messengers are altered and can essentially "retrain" immune cells inside a tumor. This process weakens the body's ability to contain and fight the cancer, allowing the tumor to grow and spread more rapidly.

What Is Triple-Negative Breast Cancer?

According to American Cancer Society, most breast cancers begin in the cells that line the milk ducts or the lobules, which are the milk-producing glands. These types of cancer are known as carcinomas or, more specifically, adenocarcinomas. Breast cancer is also classified by whether it has spread.

In situ (or "in its original place") breast cancer, also known as DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ), is a very early-stage cancer that has not spread beyond the milk duct where it started. It is considered a pre-cancer.

Invasive (or "infiltrating") breast cancer is any type of breast cancer that has grown and spread into the surrounding breast tissue.

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

This is an aggressive type of cancer that lacks three key receptors: estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 protein. Because it tests "negative" for all three, it doesn't respond to some of the most common cancer drugs that target these receptors. It accounts for about 15% of all breast cancers.

Can Diabetes Care Help Lower Cancer Risk?

This groundbreaking research helps to answer a long-standing question: why do people with Type 2 Diabetes often have worse outcomes with breast cancer treatment?

This finding is particularly important because it suggests that traditional treatments, like immunotherapy, may not be as effective in patients who also have diabetes. The researchers believe that understanding this link will lead to the development of more personalized and effective treatments for millions of people.

Diabetes And Cancer: What Should You Eat?

According to the Diabetes UK, about 1 in 5 people with cancer have diabetes. Type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer share common risk factors. Obesity and being overweight significantly increase the risk for both conditions. Carrying extra weight can raise your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes as well as cancers of the gullet, bowel, breast, womb, and kidney. Additionally, both diseases become more common as people get older.

The connection between Type 1 diabetes and cancer is a bit more complex. While Type 1 diabetes can increase your risk for certain cancers—such as those of the liver, pancreas, kidney, and stomach—some evidence suggests it might actually lower your risk for others, like prostate or breast cancer. This area of research is still developing.

Simple Steps to Reduce Your Risk

Taking a proactive approach to your health can lower your risk of developing cancer. By focusing on a few key lifestyle habits, you can make a significant difference:

• Maintain a healthy weight for your height.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Stay active with regular physical activity.
• Avoid smoking.