Cognitive decline is one of the most common diseases that people experience with age. Dementia is an umbrella term used to define symptoms of decline in brain function, whether it is memory, thinking skills or other mental abilities. While the risk factors, causes and treatment options are known, researchers explain that they are still being studied, and every new study brings an interesting perspective about the disease. As there is no proper cure for the disease, people have to rely on medication that slows the disease down.

A new study may have found not just a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease but also a way to lower the potential of developing the cognitive decline.

Risk Factors for the Disease

A new study done by researchers from pharmaceutical firm Gilead Sciences and the University of Washington in Seattle, suggested that people who get cold sores might be nearly twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. US researchers discovered that individuals carrying the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which causes cold sores, had an 80% higher chance of developing this brain-wasting condition.

Other risk factors include age, family history, genetics, certain medication or injuries. Whie most of these are irrefutable things, research has shown that that can be tackled with things like learning a new skill, exercising daily, quitting smoking, eating healthy as well as maintaining a healthy weight.

What Are Cold Sores And Causes

Cold sores are small blisters around one’s mouth, also known as fever blisters. They are caused by a virus known as herpes simplex, and the most common strain of it is herpes simplex virus 1. This is a communicable infection that can spread through kissing or sharing utensils or even towels.

John Hopkins Medicine explained that if the virus transfers to you, it will cause a breakout of cold sores. These sores can be triggered by sunlight, cold wind or other illnesses that can weaken your immune system like hormone levels and even stress.

Antiviral Treatment Shows Promise

However, the study also offered a ray of hope: those who received antiviral medicines for HSV-1 had a 17% lower risk of Alzheimer's compared to those who didn't. This finding is significant because the virus has been linked to changes in the brain similar to those seen in dementia patients, such as plaque-like formations and inflammation.

The study, a collaboration between pharmaceutical firm Gilead Sciences and the University of Washington in Seattle, analyzed data from over 344,000 individuals with Alzheimer's and an equal number without the disease. It found that 1,507 (0.44%) of Alzheimer's patients had a history of HSV-1 diagnosis, compared to just 823 (0.24%) of those without the disease. These findings were published in the journal BMJ Open.

Things To Keep In Mind

Experts emphasized that HSV-1 infection, which is very common, does not guarantee someone will develop Alzheimer's. The exact reason why viral infections might increase dementia risk isn't fully understood, but it's likely due to infections causing more inflammation in the body, contributing to age-related brain inflammation.

They also explained that there isn't enough evidence yet to add infections to the list of 14 established risk factors for dementia. The researchers pointed out that the research relied solely on health records, meaning some HSV-1 infections might not have been recorded since many people don't show symptoms. Additionally, information about infections predating the records wasn't available, and diagnosing Alzheimer's, especially early on, remains a challenge.

For the first time, patients in England and Wales will be able to access a long-acting injection to prevent HIV through the NHS, bringing the policy in line with Scotland. The new jab, administered every two months, provides an alternative to daily oral pills, offering convenience and discretion for those who find tablets challenging to take.

Experts hope the introduction of cabotegravir (CAB-LA) injections will help the UK meet its goal of eliminating new HIV cases by 2030. Meanwhile, early results from another injection, lenacapavir, suggest that annual HIV prevention injections could become a possibility in the future.

A “Game-Changing” Option

Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, described the new injection as “game-changing” and told the BBC: “For vulnerable people who are unable to take other methods of HIV prevention, this represents hope”.

HIV prevention therapy, known as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), is used by HIV-negative individuals to reduce the risk of infection. While daily oral PrEP has been effective for years, some people find it difficult to adhere to. Challenges include lack of privacy, homelessness, domestic violence, or the fear of others discovering their medication.

A long-acting injection that lasts for months addresses these issues, offering both practicality and discretion. Cabotegravir, produced by ViiV Healthcare, is intended to be used alongside safer sex practices, such as condom use. NHS England has secured a confidential discount from the manufacturer, whose list price is around £7,000 per patient per year, as reported by the BBC.

Who Will Be Eligible?

The injection will be offered to adults and adolescents at high risk of sexually acquired HIV who are eligible for PrEP but may struggle with daily tablets. Around 1,000 people are expected to be offered the injection initially, with others continuing or starting oral PrEP. Patients can access it through NHS-operated sexual health clinics “in the coming months,” according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Dom Baldwin, who currently takes PrEP pills, told the BBC he is “over the moon” about the injections: “When you look at where we are now compared to the epidemic in the 80s… HIV is no longer a death sentence”.

Calls for Rapid and Equitable Rollout

Charities have emphasized the need for a fast rollout, as some patients face long waits for appointments. Richard Angell, of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said to the BBC that the therapy should be offered in more settings, not just sexual health clinics: “It’s highly effective and acceptable for patients, and a vital tool for tackling inequalities, with the potential to reach those who are not currently accessing other HIV prevention”.

Official figures show that PrEP access in England is increasing, but gaps remain. In 2024, 146,098 HIV-negative people attending sexual health services were at substantial risk of HIV, with about 76% starting or continuing PrEP, a 7.7% rise from 2023. However, uptake varies by group, with lower rates among black African heterosexual men and women compared to men who have sex with men.

Dr Michael Brady, NHS England’s National Advisor for LGBT+ Health, said to the BBC: “This long-acting injection is a significant addition to our HIV prevention strategies, giving us a powerful new option for people at risk of HIV who cannot have oral PrEP tablets”.

In a recent study published in The Lancet, by the Global Burden of Disease Study, 2023 reveals that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes now account for nearly two-thirds of global deaths, surpassing infectious diseases, according to an analysis of over 33 years.

The study covered 375 diseases and injuries, including 88 risk factors and healthy life expectancy across 204 countries and territories. It included 660 subnational locations, from 1990 to 2023.

The report also highlighted the sharp rise in mental health disorders with anxiety disorders, which were increased by 63%. The report also noted an increase in depressive disorders by 26%.

Environmental Factors That Impact Health

Furthermore, it added that environmental risks such as extreme heats and air pollution also bears an impact on health. There have been deaths due to climate-sensitive exposures rising by 6% annually between 2013 and 2023.

In fact, recently, a health conference of the Indian Rheumatology Association revealed that pollution also triggers rheumatoid arthritis. Heat waves also pose serious health risks, from heat cramps and exhaustion to the life-threatening heatstroke, by overwhelming the body's ability to cool itself.

An Increase In Life Expectancy Rate

As per the study, the global life expectancy rates have rebounded post COVID-19 pandemic. It has now reached 76.3 for women and 71.5 years for men in 2023. Earlier, in the pandemic, the age for women went down to 74.7 years, while for men, it was at 69.3 years, in 2021. Since 1950, the global life expectancy has increased by roughly 20 years.

In 2023, the total deaths globally reached 60.1 million, which included 4.67 million deaths of children under five. The population growth and aging however has driven a 35.2 per cent increase in global deaths since 1950, under-five mortality has steadily declined in this period.

The report also highlighted the difference in the health outcomes. The global life expectancy has improved, however, the geographic inequities still persisted. The mean age at death rose from 46.4 years in 1990 to 62.9 years in 2023.

Who Lived Longer, Where?

High-income countries reported the longest lifespans, women lived up to 80.5 years on average, while men reached 74.4 years. In stark contrast, sub-Saharan Africa recorded the lowest life expectancy, with women living an average of 37.1 years and men 34.8 years.

The report highlights that nearly half of all global deaths and disabilities could be prevented by tackling key risk factors such as high blood sugar, obesity, and social determinants like sexual abuse and intimate partner violence.

India recorded 9.85 million deaths in 2023, ranking second after China’s 10.7 million. The average life expectancy in India stood at 73 years for women and 70.2 years for men.

Encouragingly, India has made notable strides in reducing child mortality. The under-five mortality rate has dropped to 32.1 deaths per 1,000 live births. However, due to the country’s large population, the total number of deaths among children under five remained high, at around 6,92,000.

Many people have a one-dimensional view of their health, ‘if I eat healthy I don’t have to exercise as much’ or ‘since I exercise a lot, I can eat whatever I want’ but it doesn’t work like that. Everything we do and all the organs in our body are interdependent. So which body part does our heart depend on?

Most people only think about their main heart when they consider blood circulation, but there's a lesser-known helper: your calf muscles. These muscles, located in the back of your lower legs, act like a "second heart."

In a recent post, dietician Ms Manpreet Kalra, explained how important calf muscles are to our heart health.

She explained that when you walk, run, or simply move your ankles, your calf muscles squeeze. This squeezing action pushes the blood that has collected in your lower legs and feet back up towards your main heart and the rest of your body. It's a vital part of healthy circulation, preventing blood from just pooling in your legs due to gravity.

The Danger of Sitting Still

If you spend long hours sitting down—whether at a desk, on a plane, or watching TV—you essentially "shut down" your second heart. When your calf muscles aren't moving, they stop doing their job of pumping blood back up. This lack of movement leads to several problems:

Poor Circulation

When your calf muscles are inactive, they stop pumping, causing blood to start pooling in your lower legs and feet. Gravity takes over, meaning the blood has a hard time making the trip back up to your heart, slowing everything down.

Swelling and Fatigue

As blood and fluids linger in your legs, you might notice they feel heavy, tired, or appear visibly swollen. This feeling of dragging your feet is a direct result of your calves not properly assisting your body’s circulatory system.

Toxin Buildup

Normally, your blood removes waste, but when it slows down, toxins build up in your inactive muscles. These waste products are not cleaned out efficiently, which can contribute to muscle discomfort and general poor health over time.

Increased Risk of Blood Clots

The biggest danger is an increased risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which is when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs. These clots can be very dangerous if they break loose and travel to the lungs.

Simple Ways to Activate Your "Second Heart"

The good news is that keeping your calf muscles active is easy and requires only small changes to your daily routine. Movement is the key to keeping your circulation flowing and your heart safe. Here are simple actions you can take:

Move Regularly

Try to walk or stretch for a few minutes every 45 to 60 minutes if you have a desk job. Even standing up and sitting down a few times helps.

Do Calf Raises

While standing, rise up onto your toes and then lower your heels back down. Doing this simple exercise daily—even while brushing your teeth—is great for strengthening and activating your calves.

Change Positions

Avoid sitting with your legs crossed for long periods, as this can squeeze veins and restrict blood flow.

By taking care of your calves, you're not just taking care of your legs—you're helping your whole circulatory system and protecting your main heart!