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.

Covid-19 is back again, and it is here to stay. Globally too, especially in the UK, the cases are surging. New variants with new symptoms are constantly being detected. This phenomenon is called the Long Covid. Several studies have shown that Long Covid is capable of affecting not just your respiratory system, but also your heart, brain, nervous system, gut, and more.

Many are also developing lingering fatigue, breathlessness, brain fog, chest pain and heaviness, palpitations, sleep problems, and mood changes.

However, there is a way to manage them. Experts from across the world have come up with 10 tips that can help you stay a step ahead of Covid.

Pacing

Many people with Long Covid experience post-exertional symptom exacerbation (PESE). Pacing involves balancing rest and short activity bursts, monitoring energy use, and stopping before exhaustion sets in. This approach helps reduce relapses and supports gradual recovery.

Journal Your Symptoms

Recording sleep, mood, meals, activity levels, medication, and symptom severity can reveal useful patterns. For instance, poor sleep might worsen brain fog. Such diaries also help clinicians evaluate whether treatments or rehabilitation plans are effective.

Sleep Hygiene Is A Must

Poor-quality sleep makes fatigue, pain, and concentration issues worse. Setting consistent sleep and wake times, limiting screens before bed, avoiding late caffeine, and having a calming bedtime routine can improve rest.

A Guided Rehabilitation

Tailored pulmonary and physical rehabilitation can aid recovery, especially for breathlessness and reduced stamina. However, overexertion may worsen symptoms. Gradual, supervised programmes designed by physiotherapists or rehab teams are recommended.

Practice Breathing Techniques

Practices like pursed-lip breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, and energy-conserving postures can ease breathlessness episodes. Learning safe methods from a physiotherapist can make these techniques more effective.

Treat Symptoms, One At A Time

Since Long Covid is a broad diagnosis, meaningful care often comes from addressing underlying issues. For example, palpitations may require heart rate checks, while severe fatigue may warrant tests for anaemia, thyroid conditions, or sleep disorders.

Brain Workouts To Beat Brain Fog

Memory lapses and concentration problems are common. Tools such as written lists, phone reminders, focusing on one task at a time, and short cognitive exercises can help. Cognitive pacing, working in short blocks with rest, works better than forcing through fatigue.

Take Care Of Your Mental Health

Anxiety and depression are frequent after COVID-19 and can worsen fatigue and pain perception. Therapy, including CBT where appropriate, and social support can reduce distress. Integrated programmes addressing both physical and mental health show the best results.

Keep A Check On Vaccine Updates

Vaccination not only reduces the risk of severe COVID-19 but may also lower the chance of developing Long Covid. Preventing infection remains the most effective protection.

Ensure A Support Plan

A clear care plan from specialists can guide you on warning signs, contacts for urgent help, and workplace adjustments such as reduced hours or flexible tasks. Where post-COVID clinics aren’t available, integrated primary and community care can be valuable.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare noted India contributes to 18% of the global population, and as per the World Health Organization (WHO), the burden of mental health problems in India is 2433 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 10000 population. The age-adjusted suicide rate is per 21.1 per 100000 population, and the economic loss between 2012-2030 is estimated at USD 1.03 trillion.

Another study published in 2024 in Cureus, quotes a previous study from early 2021 by UNICEF and Gallup that reveals that children in India were hesitant seeking help for mental health.

According to another 2024 study, the prevalence rate of mental health issues in children and teenagers in India was determined to be 23.33% in school and 6.46% in the community. The National Mental Health Survey 2016 also found that teenagers had a 7.3% prevalence of illness, distributed equally across boys and girls. However, it was greater in metropolitan metro areas, and the prevalence of anxiety issues was 3.6%, with depression-related conditions at 0.8%

What Is India Doing To Tackle The Mental Health Problem?

While the challenges remain, the government has taken several initiatives to tackle mental health issues. It was especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when mental health problems rose in India, as a result the government set up a 24/7 helpline to provide psychosocial support, by mental health professionals, to the entire affected population, divided into different target groups viz children, adult, elderly, women and healthcare workers. Till date a total of 5,77,743 calls have been received on the helpline.

Furthermore, as part of the National Mental Health Programme, in 2024, 25 Centres of Excellence were sanctioned set up to train more postgraduate students in mental health and provide advanced treatment. 47 postgraduate departments in mental health were also established or upgraded in 19 government colleges. Mental health services were also introduced in 22 newly established AIIMS.

Read: India Health Summit 2025 | How India Is Bringing Innovation And Accessibility To Advance Cancer Care

Why Is India's Youth Struggling?

A 2025 study published in the International Journal of Indian Psychology notes certain risk factors due to which the Indian youth is struggling with mental health issues:

Family Environment and Parenting Style: Dysfunctional family dynamics lead to poor mental health outcomes in Indian youth

Substance Use and Peer Influence: Interaction with antisocial peers can lead to substance abuse and further lead to depression

Academic Pressure and Performance Anxiety: There is intense pressure to perform in academics, and the parental expectation that leads to risk of depression in youth

Socioeconomic Status: Youth from financially disadvantaged families face higher risks of depression and anxiety due to income struggles and financial stress

Violence, Abuse, and Trauma: Exposure to physical or sexual abuse significantly increases the likelihood of depression and anxiety in young people

Gender, Identity, and Relationship Issues: Struggles with gender, sexuality, or relationships heighten vulnerability to mental health crises, often worsened by stigma and isolation

Urban vs. Rural Settings: Urban youth report more mental health disorders than rural youth, linked to academic pressure, social isolation, and weaker family support

Pandemic-Related Stress: The COVID-19 pandemic intensified depressive symptoms among students, with women disproportionately affected due to added household burdens and limited social interaction.

What More Can Be Done To Make Indian Youth Mentally Fit And Healthier?

While there have been initiatives by the government to make mental health more accessible, there still exists a gap between the ratio of mental health experts and those who need it. Furthermore, there is a huge gap of accessibility between rural and urban areas. To understand how can one solve this, the upcoming Times Now Health Summit is hosting a session on Youth and Mental Health: Coping in the Age of Pressure and making India Fitter and Healthier. The session will feature experts from across various fields, including healthcare experts and mental health advocates.

The panel will feature Mayank Srivastava(IPS), Deputy Director General, Major Gen(Retd.) Vikram Dev Dogra, Dr. Praveen Gupta, Chairman, Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro & Spine (MAIINS), Gurugram, and actress Pooja Bedi.

For more details, visit TIMES NETWORK INDIA HEALTH SUMMIT 2025.

After two psychologists raised questions about the US President Donald Trump's mental health, saying that he showed signs of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), questions about his cognitive health is again intensified after Dr Narinder Kapur, a consultant neuropsychologist and visiting professor at the University College London said that president's behavior over the last six months has been "quite odd and strange," as reported by Express, UK.

Kapur said that Trump's suggestion that Canada should become the 51st US state. and his desire to "take over Greenland", and his controversial comments linking autism with paracetamol are really "bizarre". “Even though he’s probably been led a bit by [Robert F.] Kennedy [Jr.] on that, still for Trump to say the things he did was really quite odd and bizarre,” he said.

While Kapur did not diagnose Trump with dementia, he did suggest the possibility of frontotemporal dementia. “If one was thinking about the various possible dementias he’s got, certainly frontotemporal dementia is one of them, because some of his behavior has been really quite bizarre,” he said, adding that an Alzheimer’s test would help clarify concerns.

Is Trump Really Mentally Fit?

Trump, 79, has dismissed doubt about his mental fitness and calling himself the "stable genius". However, a report by the Guardian highlights growing number of unusual public appearances of Trump, which may suggest otherwise.

On his July trip to the UK, Trump unexpectedly veered into a monologue about windmills while meeting European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. For two minutes, he claimed without evidence that wind turbines were driving whales “loco” and destroying scenery. “The abrupt changes in conversation are an example of Trump digressing without thinking, he’ll just switch topics without self-regulation,” Harry Segal, senior lecturer in psychology at Cornell University, told The Guardian.

Another instance is from a cabinet meeting intended to discuss global crises, Trump instead spoke for over 13 minutes about lamps, frames, and the color of paint used in the cabinet room.

What Are The Experts Saying?

Experts have pointed out that Trump's apparent tendency toward confabulation, which refers to confidently recounting events that never happened. The Guardian reported that Trump recently claimed his late uncle professor John Trump had taught Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, at MIT. The timeline makes this impossible: John Trump died in 1985, more than a decade before Kaczynski was publicly identified, and Kaczynski never studied at MIT.

Richard A. Friedman, professor of clinical psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine, told The Atlantic after one such performance: “If a patient presented to me with the verbal incoherence, tangential thinking, and repetitive speech that Trump now regularly demonstrates, I would almost certainly refer them for a rigorous neuropsychiatric evaluation to rule out a cognitive illness.”

Psychologist Dr. John Gartner, formerly of Johns Hopkins University, has tracked what he describes as a “major deterioration” in Trump’s language skills, motor skills, and impulse control. “If you go back and look at film from the 1980s, [Trump] actually was extremely articulate… now he really has trouble completing a thought and that is a huge deterioration,” Gartner told The Guardian.

He warned that Trump’s decline may accelerate: “At the rate he is deteriorating, it’s going to get worse. That’s my prediction.”