Knowing about several conditions and diseases may not seem like a feasible thing to do for many people, but knowledge does come with power. Knowing signs and symptoms of certain diseases can help you tackle them early on. While many people know what insomnia, vertigo etc. are, only a quarter of them are aware of these particular diseases which is responsible for two of the most common issues, malnutrition and pneumonia.

Dysphagia, which is a condition that makes it difficult to swallow, is much more common than you may think. Published in the Dysphagia journal, this study wanted to see how much people really know about dysphagia compared to other health issues. They found that even though lots of folks struggle with swallowing problems, they don’t know the name of the problem or what it causes. The study showed that 99% of the participants knew about insomnia, 87% knew about Vertigo, but only 25% knew about dysphagia

This lack of knowledge is a big deal because it means people might not get the help they need.

What Is Dysphagia?

Dysphagia is a scientific term used for trouble swallowing. The Cleveland Clinic explains that it happens when something goes wrong with the muscles or nerves you use to move food and drinks from your mouth to your stomach. Sometimes, it's a problem with the shape of your throat or esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. When you can't swallow properly, food can go down the wrong way, into your lungs. This can cause a serious lung infection called pneumonia. Cleveland clinic explains that it increases the risk of pneumonia because it can lead to aspiration, where food, liquid, or saliva enters the lungs instead of the digestive tract, causing infection and inflammation.

The Frontiers in Neurology 2022 study found that people who had dysphagia after a stroke were 10 times more likely to get pneumonia. Dysphagia also causes malnutrition as it makes it harder to consume enough food and fluids, potentially leading to reduced appetite, fear of eating, and a decreased enjoyment of meals, ultimately impacting nutritional intake.

Is This A New Issue?

To double-check what people said in the survey, the researchers looked at the records of millions of patients in hospitals. They found that dysphagia was written down in many more records than vertigo. Insomnia was the most common problem, but dysphagia was still a big issue. This means that a lot of people go to the doctor because they’re having trouble swallowing. The records back up the survey: lots of people have dysphagia. It's important to know about this problem because it affects many lives.

Is Dysphagia A Symptom or A Condition

The Cleveland Clinic explains that dysphagia a symptom of various health issues. These problems might involve your brain and nerves, your muscles, or something physically blocking your throat. To help with swallowing difficulties, doctors may prescribe medicine, suggest changes to how you eat, or perform certain procedures.

Why Should More People Know About This?

The researchers who did this study hope that more people will learn about dysphagia. They want doctors and nurses to know more about it, too. They think that if we talk about it more, people who have trouble swallowing will get help sooner. They want more money to be spent on research to find better ways to treat it. Furthermore, they want everyone to have access to good healthcare, so no one has to suffer because they can’t swallow properly. It’s important to spread the word so people get the help they need

Louisiana health officials have confirmed that two more people have died and at least 22 have been hospitalized from a flesh-eating bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus. This brings the total number of deaths in the state to four so far this year.

The bacteria is found naturally in warm saltwater and brackish water, as well as in raw or undercooked seafood. Two of the most recent deaths were from people who got sick after eating raw oysters.

What Is Flesh-Eating Bacteria/Vibrio vulnificus?

Vibrio are bacteria that live in coastal waters. While most types are harmless, some can cause severe, life-threatening infections, though this is rare. The Vibrio vulnificus strain is particularly dangerous and is responsible for more than 95% of all deaths from seafood-related illness in the United States.

Each year, nearly 80,000 people in the U.S. get sick from a Vibrio infection, mostly from eating contaminated food. Of those, about 500 are hospitalized, and around 100 die.

How Do People Get Infected With Flesh Eating Bacteria?

In Louisiana, officials have recorded 22 total cases this year, and all of those people had to be hospitalized. More than 80% of these cases happened when people were exposed to the bacteria through a wound on their skin while in saltwater. The remaining cases were from people who got sick after eating seafood, such as raw oysters. The bacteria are most common in warm coastal waters, usually between May and October. Because of this, state health officials have issued a warning for residents to take precautions to prevent infections.

Does Flesh Eating Bacteria Actually Eat Your Flesh?

According to the American Society For Microbiology, the term "flesh-eating" can be a bit misleading. From the bacteria's point of view, its goal is simply to survive. Humans are not its normal home—it's built to live in the ocean. When it gets into a human wound, it uses the tools it already has to stay alive in this new environment. Damaged tissue becomes a food source for the bacteria. By destroying cells, it can also protect itself from the body's immune system. Moving deeper into the body helps it find more food and avoid other germs.

Vibrio vulnificus has a set of tools, like special toxins and proteins, that break down body tissue and fight against the body's defenses. For example, one strong toxin called RtxA1 kills human cells and attacks the body's immune cells, allowing the bacteria to spread quickly.

The bacteria also really need iron to grow. This is why people with health issues that increase iron in their blood, such as liver disease, are at a higher risk of getting a deadly, full-body infection.

Interestingly, the damage isn't just caused by the bacteria. Sometimes, the body's own immune system can make things worse by releasing chemicals that increase swelling and destroy even more tissue.

How Can You Protect Yourself From Flesh Eating Bacteria?

The best way to stay safe is to avoid these infections in the first place. The CDC advises that if you have an open wound, like a cut or a new tattoo, you should stay out of salty or brackish water, including at the beach. If you do come into contact with water or raw seafood, immediately wash the wound with soap and water.

It's also very important to be aware of the risks, especially if you have other health issues. If you get a cut in saltwater and it starts to look infected—with swelling or pain—see a doctor right away. Tell them you were in seawater. The good news is that this bacteria is very sensitive to antibiotics, so catching the infection early is the key to getting better.

It is not new for weight loss trends to pop up, whether it is intermittent fasting, quitting carbs, ‘three-bite-rule’ etc. However, recently a new diet trend has gotten the attention of many people throughout the world, but not for the right reasons.

The ‘Pink Salt Diet Trend’ has seen an instant rise on the internet, however, what is actually fueling this rise? Does it actually work or is its false advertising?

Is Pink Salt An Ayurvedic Remedy?

According to Freedom from Diabetes organization, Himalayan pink salt, , also known as sendha namak, is often seen as a healthier alternative to regular table salt or sea salt. It's believed to be a better choice not only because of its mineral content but also because it contains slightly less sodium chloride than common table salt.

This salt comes from the Himalayan mountains and gets its signature pink color from trace amounts of minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium. It's often promoted as the purest form of salt because it is said to be free of chemicals. However, many experts have pointed out a key detail about these benefits. Not only is there not enough evidence of its benefits, they are also few and far between, meaning it isn’t too different from regular iodized salt.

Myth vs Reality: Is Pink Salt Actually Healthy?

It has been a few year since we have seen the slow rise of pink salt. Iodine Global Network experts pointed out that the salt is surrounded by myths. Despite its name, the salt doesn’t come from the Himalayas. It is actually mined from deep underground deposits in Pakistan. The pink color, often marketed as a sign of its health benefits, is simply due to small amounts of other minerals, which offer no real nutritional advantage.

Claims that pink salt can detoxify the body or that lamps made from it can purify the air are also false. The tiny amounts of trace minerals present are not enough to have any effect on health. A study by Australian scientists found that you would need to consume about six teaspoons of pink salt a day to get any significant nutrients from it—an amount that would be dangerously high in sodium and bad for your health.

Was The ‘Pink Salt Trick’ A Wellness Hack Or Scam?

On social media, "pink salt trick" is being heavily promoted, often using fake videos created with artificial intelligence (AI). These videos, some of which feature fake versions of celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, claim that a simple drink can "melt fat," "reset metabolism," and is "better than Ozempic." In reality, these are scams, and celebrities like Oprah have never endorsed them. The videos spread false health information.

The "pink salt" recipe is very simple, which is why it has become so popular: you just mix a half teaspoon of pink salt and the juice of half a lemon into a glass of water. The videos claim this drink is an easy way to lose weight.

However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. No studies have shown that this drink can cause weight loss or reduce appetite.

Experts, including nutritionists, have warned against this trend. They explain that the high salt content in the drink can actually cause water retention and bloating, rather than fat loss. Also, if people use pink salt instead of regular table salt, they risk not getting enough iodine, which can lead to thyroid problems.

Is The Pink Salt Trick Banking On The ‘Quick Weight Loss’ Scheme?

The truth about social media is that one thing that will always trend is the newest diet or the newest way to lose weight. It is also true that the moment it gains momentum, the trend will have hundreds if not thousands of people doing tricks or hacks to lose weight. While some may be doing it to see whether it works or not, others may do it because they are not happy with their weight and struggling to lose it.

This is why one must stay alert and fact check any claims with a healthcare professional, because your health comes first.

What Salt Should We Use: Pink Or Regular Iodized Salt?

The widespread use of iodized salt has been incredibly successful in reducing iodine deficiency worldwide. The International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IGN) works with governments and industries to make sure salt iodization programs continue, protecting public health and, most importantly, children’s brain development. As new trends like Himalayan pink salt emerge, it's important to prioritize health over hype and recognize that iodized salt remains a crucial part of a healthy diet.

Working night shifts may feel normal after years on the job, but experts insist your body never truly adapts to being awake when it should be resting. The human body runs on an internal clock, our circadian rhythm, that is wired to align with natural light. When we flip that schedule, it has consequences like fatigue, foggy thinking, irritability and higher risks of heart disease, obesity and depression. In short, no matter how much night shift workers tell themselves they are used to it, their body disagrees.

Why Night Shifts Disrupt the Body

Light is the primary driver of circadian rhythm. In the morning, exposure to sunlight tells the brain to stop producing melatonin, the hormone that makes us sleepy so we feel alert and ready for the day. By evening, melatonin production rises, pushing us toward rest. Night shifts turn this cycle upside down. Instead of winding down, the body is forced to stay active at the very hours it is wired for repair and recovery.

This constant mismatch creates what scientists call 'social jetlag.' Unlike regular jetlag, which resolves when you return to your usual timezone, social jetlag is chronic. People feel out of sync, not just with their bodies, but with family and friends who follow daytime schedules.

A Nurse’s Tried-and-Tested Routine

For some professions though night work is non-negotiable. Nurses, doctors, emergency workers, security staff, millions keep the world running after dark. One UK-based nurse, after years of struggling with exhaustion, discovered a routine that made her night shifts a little more bearable.

Her strategy was simple:

Sleep in a dark room to mimic nighttime conditions.

Use a sound machine to block out daytime noise.

Wear an eye mask to ensure complete darkness.

Stick to the same sleep schedule on workdays to train the body.

Even then, she admitted it wasn’t perfect. On her days off, she often felt 'drunk' with fatigue because she wanted to stay awake and spend time with her family, pulling her back into a daytime rhythm.

Expert-Backed Tips for Better Sleep

So what can night shift workers or anyone battling poor sleep do? Sleep experts at Harvard suggest practical steps to support the body’s natural rhythms:

Wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.

Exercise in the afternoon, which promotes better nighttime rest.

Four hours before bed: use blue light–blocking glasses if you’re around screens.

Two hours before bed: shut down most devices (distant TV viewing is less disruptive).

One hour before bed: stop using smartphones completely.

If you wake up at night, avoid scrolling your phone—it only stimulates the brain further.

Night shifts may always come at a cost to sleep and long-term health, but small, consistent changes can ease the burden. As the nurse’s story shows, while your body may never fully adapt, you can train it to rest better and that can make all the difference between dragging through the day and feeling somewhat in control.