As the monsoon season arrives, bringing much-needed relief from the heat, it also ushers in a host of potential health issues, particularly those affecting the eyes. The increased humidity and exposure to contaminated water during this period create an ideal environment for various eye infections. Understanding these infections and how to prevent them is crucial for maintaining optimal eye health.

Common Eye Infections During Monsoon

1. Conjunctivitis: Commonly known as pink eye, conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the conjunctiva—the thin membrane covering the white part of the eye and the inner eyelids. This condition can arise from bacterial or viral infections, as well as allergies, and is highly contagious. Symptoms often include redness, itchiness, and discharge.

2. Stye: A stye appears as a painful red bump on the eyelid, resulting from a bacterial infection of the oil glands. Often triggered by poor hygiene practices, a stye can cause swelling and discomfort, requiring proper treatment to alleviate symptoms.

3. Keratitis: This condition involves inflammation of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. Keratitis can be caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections and may lead to severe pain, redness, and visual disturbances if not addressed promptly. This infection is particularly concerning for contact lens wearers.

4. Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelids, blepharitis can be associated with bacterial infections or allergies. Symptoms include itching, redness, and crusting along the eyelash line, often requiring specific cleaning routines to manage effectively.

Causes of Eye Infections

- Increased Humidity: The monsoon season brings heightened humidity levels, creating a moist environment conducive to the growth of bacteria and viruses. This increase in moisture can facilitate the transmission of infectious organisms that lead to eye infections.

- Contaminated Water: Rainwater is often mixed with pollutants and toxins, making it a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Contact with contaminated water, whether through splashes or exposure, significantly raises the risk of developing eye infections.

- Poor Hygiene: Touching the eyes with unwashed hands is a major risk factor for introducing harmful bacteria and viruses. This is especially true after outdoor activities during the monsoon, where exposure to various contaminants is likely.

- Airborne Allergens: The monsoon season also brings increased levels of pollen, mold, and dust, which can irritate the eyes and lead to conditions such as conjunctivitis. Allergens can exacerbate existing eye issues, making it essential to manage exposure.

- Contact Lens Use: Those who wear contact lenses must be particularly vigilant during the monsoon. Improper handling, extended wear, or exposure to contaminated water can lead to a higher incidence of eye infections.

- Shared Personal Items: Sharing items like towels, handkerchiefs, and makeup can facilitate the transfer of infections. These items often harbor bacteria and viruses that pose a risk when used by multiple individuals.

Tips For Eye Care During Monsoon

1. Maintain Good Hygiene: Frequent handwashing is crucial, especially before touching your eyes. Avoid rubbing your eyes to prevent transferring harmful pathogens.

2. Keep Eyes Dry: After exposure to rain, gently dry your eyes with a clean, soft towel. Avoid using towels that have been previously used to minimize contamination risks.

3. Use Clean Water: Rinse your face and eyes with boiled or filtered water to eliminate harmful bacteria. Avoid using rainwater directly on your face.

4. Wear Protective Eyewear: Sunglasses or protective glasses can shield your eyes from rain and airborne pollutants, providing a barrier against irritants.

5. Proper Contact Lens Care: Follow strict hygiene practices when handling contact lenses. Ensure they are cleaned with the appropriate solution and avoid wearing them for extended periods, especially in humid conditions.

6. Avoid Sharing Personal Items: Prevent the spread of infections by not sharing personal items that come into contact with your eyes. This includes towels, makeup, and even handkerchiefs.

7. Stay Indoors During Heavy Rains: Limiting outdoor exposure during intense rainfall can help reduce the risk of coming into contact with contaminated water and allergens.

8. Use Eye Drops: Lubricating eye drops can help keep your eyes moist and wash away allergens and pollutants. However, consult a healthcare professional before using medicated drops.

9. Diet and Hydration: A diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants supports your immune system. Staying hydrated is also essential, as it helps flush out toxins and reduces the likelihood of infections.

10. Seek Medical Attention: If you experience symptoms such as itching, redness, or discharge from the eyes, seek prompt medical attention. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and promote quicker recovery.

When pain strikes your face like a bolt of lightning, it's not just a headache or a dental issue. It could be Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN), a condition so excruciating that it has been dubbed the “suicide disease”. Experts say it’s worse than a migraine, and sadly, most people don’t even know it exists until it hits them.

What makes this pain so cruel?

Dr. Namrata Dabas, HOD and Consultant, Pain and Palliative Care at Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, New Delhi, explains that the trigeminal nerve is the largest cranial nerve, carrying pain sensations from the face to the brain. “When it gets compressed or irritated, intense, electric shock-like pain is experienced by individuals, often on one side of their face,” she says. This kind of pain isn’t just bad; it’s chronic, and the triggers are disturbingly everyday: “eating, drinking, washing the face, or even a light breeze”.

Dr. Aparna Gupta, Associate Director of Neurology at Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi, calls this condition “nerve pain of the fifth nerve”, adding that “the pain in this condition is extremely severe and excruciating, mainly in the half of the face.” It’s not just the intensity but the unpredictability: “The pain can be episodic, lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes, or it can be chronic… in a waxing, waning manner or at times, it may spike at intervals.”

But what causes it?

While TN has several possible causes, Dr. Dabas says that it’s “mostly caused by compression of the trigeminal nerve by a nearby blood vessel loop.” Other times, it may follow a herpes zoster infection or result from a tumour pressing against the nerve. Still, she says, “TN is considered to be idiopathic, which means that no definite cause can be identified behind it in most situations.” Women and people over 50 are more likely to suffer from it.

Dr. Gupta agrees, adding that in some cases, “we found blood vessels which are surrounding the nerve, just destroying its sheath and causing the pain.” She also lists other causes like “a tumour compressing the nerve or a demyelinating condition called MS”.

When a smile or a sip can set it off

It’s not just the pain; it’s how common daily actions can bring it on. Dr. Gupta points out that activities like “smiling, chewing or brushing or eating very hot or cold food like ice cream or hot coffees… all aggravate the pain.” The randomness and relentlessness of the condition can take a huge toll on mental health.

Managing the unmanageable

“An MRI is used to detect the underlying problem,” says Dr. Dabas. If a tumour or blood vessel compression is spotted, surgery is an option. Initially, doctors often start with neuropathic medications, but these can “cause side effects or stop working over time.” In those cases, she recommends a minimally invasive procedure: radiofrequency ablation of the trigeminal ganglion. “Performed under local anaesthesia, it uses radiofrequency ablation to burn a part of the trigeminal ganglion in a controlled manner,” she says. The relief is often immediate.

Dr. Gupta also lists treatments ranging from “anti-seizure medication” to “a nerve block or a local Botox in the region where the pain occurs”. In cases where a blood vessel is the culprit, “a microdiscectomy is done.” And when it’s due to MS or a tumour, “it requires the primary treatment”.

When 12-year-old Jody started struggling with everyday tasks—tripping over her own feet, fumbling with buttons, losing her balance—her mother, Sarah Levett, chalked it up to anxiety and autism. What they didn’t know at the time was that these small, seemingly unrelated signs were the first red flags of a devastating diagnosis: a fast-growing, aggressive Stage 4 brain tumor.

After a four-year fight, Jody passed away in 2022 at the age of 16. Her loss has left a permanent hole in her family’s life. Now, her mother is sharing Jody’s story, not just as a tribute but as a warning for other parents and caregivers to recognize the signs of brain tumors early—and to push for answers when things don’t feel right.

Jody’s symptoms began innocuously. During the summer holidays of 2018, she started taking longer to get dressed and found it increasingly difficult to do simple things like fasten buttons. At first, doctors attributed these delays to anxiety about returning to school.

But things progressed quickly. Within weeks, Sarah noticed her daughter bumping into objects, walking in a crooked line, and complaining of headaches and nausea. Jody also experienced mood swings, screaming fits, and facial twitching—symptoms that doctors later recognized as classic signs of a brain tumor.

It wasn’t until a second visit to the doctor that Jody was referred for a scan at the Royal Surrey Hospital. That scan revealed a mass in her brain. Within days, she was transferred to St George’s Hospital in London, where surgery removed about 80% of the tumor.

The shock of a cancer diagnosis was compounded by the unknown. Doctors couldn’t identify the exact type of brain tumor Jody had—even after multiple biopsies and surgeries. They could only tell the family that it was fast-growing and aggressive.

Sarah expressed deep frustration about the lack of clarity. “It’s so hard not knowing,” she said. “How can you treat something when you don’t even know what it is?”

This diagnostic uncertainty limited treatment options and made long-term planning nearly impossible. Sarah is now pursuing private testing on Jody’s biopsy samples, hoping they might yield new insights.

After the initial operation, Jody underwent chemotherapy and six weeks of radiotherapy. She missed most of the school year and struggled with common side effects—fatigue, nausea, and hair loss. To ease her discomfort, she shaved her head early and wore bandanas to school when she could attend.

Her resilience stood out. Jody loved school and insisted on staying engaged with her studies whenever possible, even when her body was failing her. Between hospital-based lessons and home tutoring, she did everything she could to stay connected to normal teenage life.

Sarah transferred Jody to a smaller school to better support her medical needs—a move that helped Jody remain involved in learning while managing treatments.

Fifteen months of clear scans gave the family cautious hope—until October, when a routine MRI revealed the tumor had returned. Jody underwent another surgery just before Christmas, followed by another round of radiotherapy and oral chemotherapy.

Then, in July, another tumor appeared. More surgery followed—this time complicated by focal seizures. Despite it all, Jody kept her focus on what mattered most to her: attending school and living life on her own terms.

“She has been through so much,” Sarah said. “But her main concern was whether she’d miss class.”

The emotional toll on the family has been immense. Sarah continues to manage grief, unanswered questions, and the feeling that the healthcare system is under-equipped to deal with rare pediatric cancers.

“There’s just not enough research,” she said. “Not enough awareness. Not enough support for families like ours.”

Subtle Signs of Brain Tumor In Kids

Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among children and adolescents in many countries, yet they receive disproportionately low research funding. The symptoms can be subtle, dismissed as behavioral issues, migraines, or developmental delays—especially in kids. The early warning signs of brain tumors in children include:

• Headaches (especially in the morning)
• Unexplained vomiting
• Balance and coordination issues
• Vision changes
• Behavioral shifts or mood swings
• Delayed milestones in younger children

Sarah has turned her grief into action. She’s organizing a fundraiser for The Brain Tumour Charity, aiming to raise both money and awareness. She also advocates for stronger mental health support for bereaved families, another glaring gap in the current healthcare landscape.

“The main aim now is to stop this from happening to another family,” she said. “To make sure someone, somewhere, hears our story and recognizes the signs early enough to make a difference.”

Jody’s legacy isn’t just in the fight she endured but in the awareness her story now brings. Her quiet bravery, her love for school, and her unshakeable strength in the face of uncertainty have touched the lives of many—and may help save others.

For Sarah and families like hers, the battle doesn’t end with loss. It continues through every conversation, every campaign, and every effort to improve the system for those who come next. If you suspect something’s wrong with your child’s health—don’t wait. Ask questions, request scans, and push for answers. Early diagnosis saves lives.

Someone close to you seems fine, smiling, showing up for work, posting selfies, maybe even getting compliments like “You look great, have you lost weight?” You wouldn’t suspect they’re battling a serious mental health condition but what if they are? What if their struggle is happening beneath the surface—camouflaged by societal expectations, assumptions, or even praise?

This is exactly the danger when it comes to eating disorders—a class of complex, deeply psychological conditions that too often get misrepresented, misdiagnosed, or completely missed. Many people, including healthcare professionals, still picture eating disorders through one narrow lens: a visibly thin young woman, wasting away. That image is outdated and dangerously incomplete.

“People often suffer in silence simply because they ‘don’t look sick enough’ in the eyes of others,” says Dr. Ria Talwar, Counselling Psychologist & Eating Disorders Specialist at Samarpan Health. “Many individuals living with severe symptoms of an eating disorder fall within what is considered a ‘normal’ or even higher body weight.”

Eating disorders don’t discriminate by gender, age, or size. And they don’t always show up as emaciation or dramatic weight loss. They can look like control, perfectionism, calorie counting masked as ‘health’, or persistent anxiety around meals. If we continue to rely on stereotypes, we miss the very people who most need support.

Common Misconceptions About What A Person With Eating Disorder Looks Like

Assumptions about how eating disorders look are not just incorrect—they’re actively harmful. Dr. Talwar highlights that comments like “You’ve lost weight, you look great” or “You should eat more, you’re disappearing” are often thrown around casually. But these statements can validate disordered behaviors or minimize distress. “They lead to a potential eating disorder being normalised, misunderstood, or even praised,” she says.

More dangerously, they build a mental narrative where people feel they need to appear visibly unwell to be taken seriously. This creates a hierarchy of suffering, where only the physically obvious cases are acknowledged. That mindset delays diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

What’s more, the reality is grim: eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of any mental illness, both from physical complications and suicide. Every delay in recognition comes at a potentially fatal cost.

Dr. Talwar emphasizes that many clients with long-standing disordered eating go years without anyone noticing—sometimes even themselves. “We regularly see individuals who have lived with a deeply unhealthy relationship with food for years before their struggle is recognized,” she notes.

Why? Because they don’t ‘look the part.’

This is especially true for people living in larger bodies, men, non-binary individuals, or people of color—groups that have been historically excluded from the narrow portrayal of who gets eating disorders.

In many cases, these disorders are a coping mechanism for emotional pain, anxiety, trauma, or a desire for control. Food becomes a way to self-soothe, punish, or numb when feelings become overwhelming. Some people engage in disordered eating as a form of self-harm, especially when traditional outlets like talking or crying aren’t safe or available.

Eating Disorders Are Never Just About Food

Eating disorders are not about vanity or willpower. They are multi-layered mental health disorders, and food is just the symptom. Many times, they coexist with other conditions like:

• Anxiety
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Depression

In fact, perfectionism is a common thread—people set impossibly high standards for themselves, and when they fall short (as humans inevitably do), they use food as a way to regain control or punish themselves.

Dr. Talwar puts it plainly, “Food, weight, and appearance are surface-level expressions of deeper psychological distress.”

Subtle Signs Of Eating Disorder That May Be Easy To Miss

Often, the earliest signs of an eating disorder aren’t physical at all. They show up in behaviors and mood shifts. Teachers, parents, and even close friends may miss them if they’re only looking for weight loss. Dr. Talwar outlines key red flags:

• A sudden obsession with “clean” eating or calorie tracking
• Avoidance of meals or eating in secret
• Anxiety or irritability before and after eating
• Checking the mirror or weighing themselves compulsively
• Social withdrawal, especially around food-related events
• Bathroom visits right after meals

Sometimes, these behaviors are dismissed as “just being healthy” or “dieting.” But the difference is in the distress, rigidity, and secrecy. And often, the individual doesn’t even realize their behavior is harmful.

What helps most? Not confrontation—but compassionate conversation. Create a safe space, without judgment, where someone can speak freely. That’s often the first real step toward healing.

What Role Does Social Media Plays In Detection And Intervention?

In the digital age, social media can make eating disorders both more visible and more dangerous. It's a tool but how we use it matters. “Social media is a powerful force that cuts both ways,” Dr. Talwar says. On one hand, curated fitness journeys, diet fads, and aesthetic 'health' content can subtly glorify disordered eating. Young people are especially vulnerable to these unrealistic comparisons.

On the other hand, the internet has helped destigmatize the conversation. Many people realize they’re struggling when they see others openly share their recovery journeys, therapy tips, or mental health insights. Hashtags like #EDRecovery and #BodyNeutrality have helped people find community and support.

“Monitoring and navigating the medium requires media literacy, critical thinking, and accountability from platforms themselves,” says Dr. Talwar. More education, more empathy, and more intentional content can shift the narrative from comparison to connection.

What Needs to Change?

• Stop assuming you can tell who’s struggling by how they look
• Reframe praise about weight loss—it may reinforce dangerous behaviors
• Start conversations with empathy, not judgment
• Advocate for broader training for healthcare providers, educators, and families to recognize diverse signs of eating disorders
• Hold media accountable for promoting healthy and inclusive representations of bodies and food

Eating disorders don’t need to be visible to be serious. The pain is real—even if the person looks “fine.” Recovery starts with recognizing the truth, eating disorders wear many faces, and all of them deserve support. Let’s stop waiting for someone to look sick before we take their suffering seriously.