There are certain kinds of suffering that cannot be fully described in any language. Seeing someone you love disintegrate slowly- body, mind, and soul compels you to an emotional limbo in which hope, love, and sorrow get mixed up painfully. I lived through this experience with my paternal uncle, once a towering 6’2” figure of energy and wit, suffered a debilitating brain stroke. For the next seven years, our family watched him shrink, not just physically but in every possible way. A man who once lit up rooms became bed-bound, barely conscious, and unrecognizable. His laughter, once infectious, was replaced by silent gasps and spasms. His wife, my aunt, aged a decade in two years. The entire household lived in suspended animation, haunted by guilt, torn by duty, and plagued by helplessness.

Another tragedy was of a young daughter, in her late 30s, who had given every fiber of her existence to nursing her disease-stricken father, bedridden. Despite all efforts, he fell into a long, agonizing decline. One evening, with shaking hands and crying eyes, she admitted, "I prayed to God to take him. I couldn't stand to watch him suffer anymore." I despised myself for it, but I couldn't help it." That instant summed up a silent truth that went unspoken: when does the need to preserve life become the desire to permit a peaceful death?

As these stories reveal, there are moments where death is not a villain but a long-awaited release. This perspective fuels the growing global debate on euthanasia and assisted dying. Though often used interchangeably, these terms bear crucial legal and ethical distinctions.

Euthanasia is where there is a third party usually a physician actively performing actions to put an end to a patient's life to cure suffering. Where it is performed at the request of the patient, it's referred to as voluntary euthanasia.

Assisted suicide means assisting someone in ending their life, often with prescribed lethal drugs. The difference here is that the patient carries out the final action.

Assisted dying is a more general term and frequently used when policy or advocacy is involved. It could mean either of the above, though certain groups reserve it to describe assisted suicide for patients with terminal conditions.

Yet another practice of end-of-life care, palliative sedation, permits profound sedation all the way to death for those who are suffering unbearable distress. Not considered legal euthanasia, yet having its ethics dangerously close, it remains at the center of much philosophical argumentation.

In countries such as the UK, these acts are still illegal. Assisting suicide can bring a maximum of 14 years in prison, and euthanasia can be considered murder. Yet, actions such as withholding treatment from terminal or vegetative patients — often referred to as passive euthanasia — are permitted.

Stories That Stir the Debate: Dignity and Choice

The strongest arguments for or against assisted death are not in legal documents but in living testimonials.

One of the cases that stirred international headlines was that of Noa Pothoven, a 17-year-old Dutch woman who had been afflicted with extreme mental illness, including anorexia and depression. Early media accounts misrepresented her death as a case of legal euthanasia. Actually, she starved to death and dehydrated under medical supervision, and her physicians, in respect for her autonomy, did not act to stop it.

Noa had endured years of intense PTSD, depression, and anorexia, stemming from violent sexual abuse. Following several hospitalizations and efforts to manage her mental illness, she made the heartbreaking choice to withhold food and fluids—a legal option in the Netherlands.

Unlike the media accounts, her death was not due to physician-assisted euthanasia, but voluntary withdrawal of treatment. Her doctors and family respected her wish to discontinue interventions, upholding her autonomy in the face of their own grief.

This case highlights how mental distress, as with physical pain, can propel people towards death—not on impulse, but with deliberate intent. It also reveals how misinformation can taint ethical debate.

In another dramatic case, Louise Shackleton candidly discussed taking her husband, Anthony, to Switzerland, where he opted to die at Dignitas. Anthony had advanced motor neuron disease and had lost his bodily functions over the course of years.

"He didn't have choices. What he desired was nothing more than a good death," Louise told in a moving interview.

Upon returning to the UK, she turned herself in, knowing full well the legal consequences of assisting a suicide and yet had no regrets. “I loved him. He was my husband. I was with him until the end.”

Her story brings forward an essential question: If we can choose how we live, should we not also have the right to choose how we die?

When her husband Anthony, a renowned furniture restorer, was diagnosed with motor neuron disease, he rapidly lost the capacity to live independently. "He didn't want to be in a bed unable to move, unable to even turn his head," Louise said to Sky News. They talked about his end-of-life choices over two years.

Anthony eventually went for Dignitas in Switzerland. Louise accompanied him there, remained with him, and saw him pass away peacefully—unencumbered by the physical prison his sickness had constructed around him.

When she returned to the UK, Louise turned herself in to the authorities for helping him commit suicide—legally a crime. But she stands firm on her position. "He was my husband and I loved him. I helped him find peace."

As more and more support it, assisted dying is still one of the most debated ethical challenges today. Critics have legitimate points — risk of coercion, dignity of human life, and the risk of exploitation of the vulnerable. Especially where mental illness comes into play, critics contend that wanting to die may be symptomatic, rather than a choice.

Yet, supporters point out that tight controls, psychiatric assessments, and medical screening are already the cornerstone of current legislation in legal states. It's a matter of dignity, choice, and humane relief not harm for them.

Joseph Awuah-Darko, a British-Ghanaian artist aged 28 and residing in the Netherlands, has taken an unimaginably courageous step: after years of struggling with severe bipolar disorder, he has opted to seek euthanasia. His is not a tale of hopelessness, but of profound emotional introspection, strength, and a quest for human contact amidst chronic mental suffering.

Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a mental condition that triggers savage mood swings between manic highs and depressive lows—Joseph has spent years struggling through a mental health system that, no matter how hard he tried, never provided him with lasting relief. The emotional burden of his experience weighed so heavily on him that he made the agonizing decision to seek out medically assisted death, a legal possibility in the Netherlands under strict guidelines.

In a tearful Instagram video released in December, Joseph explained, "I'm Joseph, I am bipolar and I moved to the Netherlands to legally end my life."

In brutal candor and chilling vulnerability, he explained how every morning starts with "severe pain." It took him five years of thinking before he submitted his official request to the Euthanasia Expert Centre. It can take four years to get approval, a timeline that reflects the seriousness and stringency of the process.

"I am NOT special," he penned. "Like a lot of folks in their 20s; the ongoing burnout, debt, paralysing depression, violent media cycle and the dystopian truth of AI … all bear heavily." For Joseph, these meals are not simply sustenance—they are acts of presence, community, and comfort in the late hours of his narrative.

What Doctors Think?

Curing isn't always healing. Sometimes it's just relieving pain. Sometimes, restoring dignity. Sometimes, it simply is releasing — with grace, with peace, with control. For the sick who suffer without respite — physically or emotionally — the freedom to choose a death with dignity can be as therapeutic as any miracle medicine.

Dr. Tonmoy Sharma, Psychiatrist & Neuroscientist shares, "Choosing to die is not always driven by depression or emotional crisis. In many cases, especially where assisted dying is legal, it is a deliberate and carefully considered decision. These are often made by individuals with terminal illnesses or degenerative conditions who retain full mental capacity. These people may not be clinically depressed, but they are suffering in a way that no treatment can relieve, and they want control over how and when their life ends."

Dr Tonmoy further answers the pivotal question about why some people feel so helpless from their sufferings that they no longer want to live. "This question takes on different meanings depending on whether someone is experiencing mental illness or facing irreversible physical decline."

"In cases of terminal physical illness or chronic, untreatable conditions, helplessness often stems from the loss of control over one's body and the erosion of dignity. These individuals are not seeking death because they feel worthless or unloved, they may have supportive families and full access to care. Rather, they seek assisted dying because the suffering is constant and unrelenting, and they wish to preserve autonomy over the remainder of their life," adds Dr Tonmoy.

"On the other hand, when people experiencing clinical depression feel helpless, their thoughts may be clouded by negative thinking patterns—a symptom of the illness itself. These individuals may feel hopeless or burdensome, even when they are not. Their suffering is real, but it is often reversible with proper treatment."

While caregivers—whether family or professionals, witness suffering up close. In many cases, it’s the person who is ill who initiates the conversation about assisted dying. Families often need time to come to terms with this decision, even when it comes from a place of clarity, not despair.

Dr Tonmoy explains, "For loved ones, the idea of a planned death can feel unnatural. They may struggle with guilt, sadness, or confusion, not because they don’t understand, but because letting go is never easy. Often, the person must gently convince their family, helping them see that the decision is not about giving up, but about preserving dignity."

"Despite all this, many caregivers ultimately stand by their loved one’s decision. Still, they carry their own burdens and deserve support as they navigate the complex emotional journey that comes with love, loss, and end-of-life care."

As medicine progresses, it is more and more possible to lengthen life. But the question of ethics persists: At what expense? If healing is also the cessation of suffering — both for patients and their caretakers then perhaps, in carefully examined instances, assisted death can really be an act of love, not defeat.

Where the World Stands on Legal Assisted Dying?

As the world continues to wrestle with the morality of assisted dying, a number of nations have proceeded with legalization, usually in stringent conditions. Here is where the world legal landscape stands:

United States

Ten states and the District of Columbia permit physician-assisted dying under statutes that generally cover terminally ill patients with fewer than six months to live. Oregon, the first to make it legal in 1997, mandates strict consent procedures. While narrow in scope, it recognizes the dignity of those to be inevitably killed.

Canada

Canada's "Medical Assistance in Dying" (MAiD) law started in 2016 and has since grown. It started out being reserved for individuals with foreseeable death but now covers patients with grievous and irremediable illnesses, although a planned expansion to cover mental illness was delayed until 2027.

The Netherlands and Belgium

Both countries allow euthanasia and assisted suicide under strict conditions, including unbearable suffering with no prospect of improvement. Belgium even permits minors to request euthanasia, provided there’s parental consent.

Switzerland

Home to Dignitas, Switzerland has allowed assisted dying since 1942, provided there's no selfish motive. Foreign nationals can legally access services here, leading to the controversial concept of “suicide tourism.”

Australia and Spain

Both countries allow voluntary assisted dying for terminally ill patients. Australia has stringent state-by-state rules, while Spain provides euthanasia and assisted suicide through its national legislation enacted in 2021.

Dr. Tonmoy Sharma is a Psychiatrist & Neuroscientist, CEO of Merlin Health in India

If you are someone who suffers from dry and itchy eyes, a recent update may not be the best news for you. As per the enforcement report from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 75,000 cases of eye drop solution were voluntarily recalled nationwide by the BRS Analytical Service, which is a pharmaceutical testing lab.

Why Are These Products Recalled?

The recall came in the backdrop of FDA audit at BRS Analytical Service, which found a number of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) deviations. These are a set of regulations enforced by the FDA to ensure that manufacturers use safe practices to produce pharmaceutical products, reports NBC news.

"cGMP deviations may lead to products of unacceptable quality, and it is not possible to rule out patient risks resulting from use of these products,” said AvKare, which is a manufacturer of medical, surgical, and pharmaceutical items, which had originally reported the recall.

Furthermore, as per the enforcement record, the recall is also "due to a lack of assurance to sterility". These products are also described as "eye lubricants", which help relieve dry and irritated eyes.

Which Products Have Been Recalled?

NBC news reports that the recall includes ophthalmic solutions shipped over a two year period from: May 26, 2023 until April 21, 2025, according to AvKare.

• NDC# 50268-043-15 Artificial Tears Ophthalmic Solution
• NDC# 50268-066-15 Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Gel 1%
• NDC# 50268-068-15 Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Solution
• NDC# 50268-126-15 Lubricant Eye Drops Solution
• NDC# 50268-678-15 Polyvinyl Alcohol Ophthalmic Solution

So, What Can You Do Instead?

Dr Anita Sethi, who is Principal Director and HOD Ophthalmology, Max Multi Specialty Centre at Panchsheel Park recommends to stay away from natural remedies like haldi (turmeric) or ginger from putting inside the eye.

In absence of eye lubricants, she recommends certain daily habits that can help protect the eyes from dryness. "In the extremely dry and hot weather, we need to protect our eyes by wearing sunglasses or caps and avoid the direct dust and wind going into the eyes when we are sitting in an air-conditioned room or the fan avoid the blast directly in your face, like when you're driving. Keep the vents so that it is away from your face and not going directly into the eyes."

When asked if there are anything one can eat to ensure their eyes are not dry, she said, "food and nutrients that help with dry eye basically just maintaining the health of the eye, which is foods rich in vitamin E, antioxidants. Coloured vegetables and fruits and even maintaining your thyroid and vitamin D levels because these also contributes to dry eye."

The key to ensure that your eyes are protected from environmental factors like sun, dust, and eat, especially for those who work outdoors or spend long hours on screen, she recommends investing in good sunglasses with ultraviolet protection.

"For those who are using computers a lot, you need to blink your eyes constantly, take breaks in between, and drink a lot of water. Dehydration is also contributing factor to dry eye." She also recommends using a zero number protective glasses and computer glasses that can decrease strain and dry eye.

When summer arrives and the air grows thick with warmth, it brings with it an unwelcome guest—mosquitoes. That irritating buzz in your ear, the sharp sting on your skin, and the maddening itch afterward can quickly turn a pleasant evening into a nightmare. But have you ever noticed that mosquitoes seem to swarm around you more than others? If you find yourself swatting away bites while your companions remain unbothered, you're not alone—and you're not imagining it.

Turns out, mosquitoes do play favorites, and science has a few fascinating explanations for why that might be. From your blood type to your wardrobe, your scent to your sweat, here’s a deep dive into the weird and wild biological reasons why mosquitoes might just love you more—and what you can do about it.

Before we decode their behavior, it’s important to understand the threat they pose. Mosquitoes are among the deadliest creatures on earth, not because of their bite itself, but because of what they can carry. From Dengue, Malaria, and Chikungunya to Zika Virus and Japanese Encephalitis, mosquitoes are silent vectors for disease that impact millions globally. According to the World Health Organization, mosquito-borne illnesses claim over a million lives each year—making them far more than a backyard pest.

Why Do Mosquitoes Bite?

Contrary to popular belief, mosquitoes don’t bite for food. Male mosquitoes survive entirely on nectar, while females seek out blood to obtain proteins vital for egg development. That’s right—only the females bite, and they do it for reproduction.

But mosquitoes don’t choose their targets randomly. Their decision to bite you is rooted in biology and chemistry. Female mosquitoes are equipped with a suite of sensory tools that allow them to detect carbon dioxide from nearly 160 feet away, identify specific skin odors, and even spot you based on the color of your clothes. Here are five weird biological reasons mosquitoes may find you more irresistible than others.

1. Your Blood Type

There’s long been speculation that mosquitoes prefer certain blood types, and science offers some support. A 2004 study found that mosquitoes landed on people with Type O blood nearly twice as often as those with Type A. A more recent 2019 study reinforced this finding, observing mosquitoes feeding more frequently from Type O blood samples.

While the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, researchers believe it’s related to secretions on the skin associated with specific blood types—particularly in people known as “secretors,” whose blood type antigens are found not just in their blood but in their saliva, sweat, and skin.

2. The Color of Your Clothing

Mosquitoes are highly visual and rely on sight to locate hosts, especially in the daylight. Studies show that darker colors—black, navy, and red—stand out more to mosquitoes. These colors retain more heat and contrast strongly with green, natural environments, making you an easy target.

Light-colored, loose-fitting clothing offers more than just summer comfort—it can be your first line of mosquito defense.

3. You Emit More Carbon Dioxide

Every time you exhale, you release carbon dioxide, one of the key cues mosquitoes use to track humans. Larger individuals, people who are pregnant, or anyone who’s physically active emits more CO₂ and is more likely to attract attention.

According to research published in Chemical Senses, mosquitoes detect carbon dioxide using an organ called the maxillary palp, which enables them to lock in on their target from a shocking distance of up to 164 feet.

4. Your Body Odor

Human sweat contains a mix of compounds—like lactic acid, ammonia, and uric acid—that mosquitoes find irresistible. Newer research highlights the role of carboxylic acids, which are produced when beneficial skin bacteria break down sebum (the waxy substance secreted by your skin).

Interestingly, even the most expensive perfumes or colognes may not mask these natural odors. Genetics, hygiene, and lifestyle factors like exercise can all impact how your skin smells to a mosquito.

5. Alcohol

Yes, even your choice of beverage can make a difference. A small study found that mosquitoes were more likely to land on participants after they had consumed beer. While the sample size was small and the findings modest, it raises interesting questions about metabolism, body temperature, and skin chemistry post-consumption.

Why Some People Swell More Than Others After Bites?

Mosquito bites don’t affect everyone equally. Some people develop small red dots; others end up with itchy welts. The difference lies in your immune response. When a mosquito bites, it injects saliva that contains anticoagulants and proteins. Your immune system releases histamine to combat these foreign substances, which causes inflammation and itchiness. People with stronger immune responses tend to have more visible reactions.

Remedies To Protect Yourself

Forget citronella candles and unverified home remedies. The most effective repellents contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. For those preferring natural alternatives, plant-based repellents such as neem oil, lavender, and citronella can help, though they may need more frequent application.

Want an extra layer of protection? Look for sunscreens that also offer mosquito repellent features—perfect for beach days and hikes alike.

How to Make Your Home Mosquito-Free?

A few strategic changes can turn your home into a mosquito fortress:

• Eliminate stagnant water in pots, buckets, and bird baths—mosquitoes breed in still water.
• Use ceiling fans to disrupt mosquito flight patterns.
• Install window screens and keep doors shut during dawn and dusk.
• Add mosquito-repelling plants like marigold, basil, and lemongrass to your garden.
• Taking cues from global solutions like the Caribbean’s approach to community fogging and public awareness can also make a lasting impact.

Understanding why mosquitoes target you is more than a fun fact—it’s a survival skill. Armed with knowledge and the right protection, you can reclaim your summer without constantly itching or worrying about disease.

Cancer diagnoses is one of the most devastating news that one receives. The future after the revelation may seem bleak, but as many cancer survivors have said, one must power through and try their best. During these times, you lean on your close ones and friends for help, even if it is just for emotional support. Angela Torres always looked out for others, and helped them as best she could, until it was her who needed the help.

Angela is a busy mom with three kids and a full-time job. She also runs two food banks in the Bronx, New York City. She took over this important work from her mother, who also believed strongly in helping the community. However, when Angela found out she had breast cancer, it made her rethink everything about herself.

Angela said that before her diagnosis, she was always the one taking care of everyone else. She admitted, "I didn’t want anyone to think I was weak."

Finding a Lump and Diagnosing Cancer

At 39, Angela felt a small lump in her breast. Tests showed it was stage 0 breast cancer, also called carcinoma in situ. This meant it was very early, and she didn't need more treatment. This experience made Angela realize how important it was to get regular mammograms and checkups. She also encouraged her loved ones to do the same.

A few years later, Angela's sister had a mammogram, and doctors wanted to carry out more tests because they suspected something serious. The results, fortunately, showed no serious signs.

This scare made Angela's sister urge her to get another mammogram sooner than planned. Angela remembered, "She kept saying, ‘I just have a bad feeling.’ So I moved my mammogram appointment up six months, mostly just to get her to quit talking to me about it.”

Angela clearly remembers getting the call with the results of that mammogram. She was ironing her son's shirt for his prom the next day. Her doctor told her they had found several tumors that she would never have been able to feel on her own.

More Serious Diagnosis and a Change in Plans

Angela had another surgery to remove the tumors and take samples from her lymph nodes. Sadly, the tests showed that the tumors were cancerous. Doctors found different kinds of breast cancer cells. Most were hormone-positive, but one was triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Because TNBC can be more aggressive, Angela's treatment plan had to change. She would need surgery, chemotherapy (chemo), and radiation.

Treatment was a long and difficult process. After surgery, Angela had four months of chemo. Then, she had a few weeks to recover before starting daily radiation for several weeks. Her doctor explained that the side effects of chemo and radiation can build up over time. Angela wasn't sure what that meant for her life. But when she started radiation and experienced more side effects, she understood. Some of the side effects from chemo were still bothering her, and the radiation added to them.

How did Community Support Helped Her Prognosis?

Even though the treatment was hard, it worked. Angela believes that her positive attitude played a big part in getting through it. She also learned to accept help from others during her treatment. This was new for Angela, and she said it was the hardest thing to adjust to. "I just didn’t want to feel weak. I didn’t want people to give me that ‘awww’ look. I wanted to be superwoman and just power through, but you have to allow the help in," she explained.

American Cancer Society (ACS) explained that emotional support is crucial for better chances of survival during cancer. A strong emotional support helps people going through cancer have a more positive outlook, better changes in the cancer, and reports show that it helps them better their life quality immensely.

Small things like making brief calls, ending the call with ‘I’ll be in touch soon’, calling when it is suitable for them, returning their messages as soon as you can, checking in with their caretaker to know if they need anything.

True to her nature, Angela strives to help more people, she has spoken at events, at interviews, and with friends and family. Her goal is to use her experience to help save lives and talk about cancer honestly. She thanks ACS for their help and contribution, and gives people hope for the future and love “Nobody wants to go through this, but they make you feel like they're with you for the fight. That means everything.”