Teeth are an essential and permanent part of our adult lives. We grow a set of milk teeth as kids and lose them in the following years, growing a new and permanent set if adult teeth by the age of 12 and 14 according to NHS Informs. A full set of teeth has 32 in total, which includes wisdom teeth. But these grow much later in life, and they can cause a lot of trouble as well.

They can cause pain and swelling, infections in your gum, tooth decay, gum disease, buildup of fluid, or a dental abscess. The risk factors of wisdom teeth being so much caused this to become a standard procedure for people. But should you get them removed when they are causing you so much issue?

Do You Need To Remove Wisdom Teeth?

Even if you don't feel pain, your wisdom teeth could still cause trouble and there can be multiple reasons for that.

One of the reasons can be that your wisdom tooth is "impacted," meaning they're stuck under your gums and can't come in properly. This can happen if your jaw is too small or if it's growing at a bad angle. Impacted teeth can damage the teeth next to them.

Some dentists recommend removing healthy wisdom teeth to avoid future problems. As you get older, your jawbone hardens, making removal more difficult. Waiting can lead to complications after surgery, like heavy bleeding, broken teeth, severe numbness, or limited jaw movement. These issues can last for days or even a lifetime.

Why Should You Remove Your Wisdom Teeth?

WebMD explains that wisdom teeth need to be removed when they're causing problems, or if X-rays show they're likely to in the future. Specific reasons include

Damage to other teeth

Your wisdom teeth might shove your other teeth, making them crooked. This can cause pain when you bite and make it hard to chew.

Jaw damage

Sometimes, bags of fluid called cysts grow around stuck wisdom teeth. These cysts can eat away at your jawbone and hurt your nerves.

Sinus problems

Problems with your upper wisdom teeth can cause pain in your sinuses, like a stuffy nose or pressure in your face.

Gum inflammation

The gums around wisdom teeth can get puffy and red. It's hard to brush or floss these areas, so they get irritated easily.

Cavities

When gums swell, they make little pockets where food gets trapped. This food attracts germs that cause holes in your teeth.

Alignment issues

Stuck wisdom teeth can push your other teeth together. This crowding can mess up braces or make it harder to straighten your teeth.

Understanding The Procedure of Wisdom Teeth Removal

Wisdom teeth removal means taking out one or more of your back teeth. Sometimes, these teeth are stuck under your gums. During the surgery, you'll get medicine to make you sleepy or numb. You might get local numbing, strong sleep medicine, or something in between. Most people go back to work in a few days, but it takes a few weeks to fully heal. It's important to know what to expect.

• Mayo Clinic explains the procedure, the oral surgeon will first cut the gum tissue that exposes the tooth and the bone
• They will then remove the bone that blocks access to the tooth.
• After dividing the tooth into sections for easier access, they remove the tooth and clean up.
• They will then stitch up the wound and place a gauze to control the bleeding

What Are The Risks Of Wisdom Teeth Removal?

Doctors say wisdom tooth extraction, while often beneficial, is a surgical procedure that carries potential risks. Understanding the risk can help you make an informed decision regarding whether you wish to get the surgery.

- Following extraction, a blood clot should form in the socket. A "dry socket" comes loose or doesn't form, it's called a dry socket. This causes a lot of pain. Luckily, a dentist can fix this problem.

- Like any surgery, with wisdom tooth removal there's a chance of getting an infection. Keeping your mouth clean and following your dentist's advice helps prevent this.

- Though uncommon, nerve damage can happen during extraction. This damage to the nerves near the wisdom tooth might be short-term or last longer.

- Some people take longer to heal after surgery. How hard the removal was and how well you heal naturally affect recovery time.

The Before And After Considerations

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons explain that before your surgery, buy soft foods. Your doctor will give you a list of foods you can eat. Good choices are yogurt, soup, applesauce, ice cream, blended foods, and smoothies. Don’t use straws, because they can cause a painful problem called dry socket.

On the day of your surgery, follow your doctor’s instructions exactly. They’ll tell you when to stop eating and drinking. This depends on the medicine you’ll get. Brush your teeth before you go. Wear comfortable clothes. Don’t drink alcohol or smoke for at least 8 hours before the surgery. Make sure your ride is confirmed. Following these steps will help your surgery go smoothly.

Get any medicine your doctor prescribes or recommends from the store. You’ll probably need pain medicine. Make sure to get this before your procedure. Make a cold pack by putting ice in a plastic bag or using a store-bought one.

Antidepressants side effects: Anyone who has been prescribed medication for depression knows the long list of possible side effects: fatigue, appetite changes, headaches, and more. But these physical reactions are not the same across all medications. Recent research shows that some antidepressants can cause quick changes in weight, heart rate, and blood pressure, while others are relatively mild. The purpose of this work was to rank antidepressants based on their known side effects, specifically those that appear within the first eight weeks of starting treatment.

What Are Antidepressants?

Antidepressants are prescription medications used to treat conditions like depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and more by boosting brain chemicals that regulate mood. Common types include SSRIs, SNRIs, and NDRIs. They often take several weeks to show full effect. Typical side effects can include dry mouth, weight changes, and dizziness. Interestingly, new research suggests that the side effect profile can vary depending on the specific antidepressant.

Types of Antidepressants

There are several categories of antidepressant medications, as per NHS:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): Increase serotonin levels in the brain to improve mood.
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): Raise both serotonin and norepinephrine, helping with mood, alertness, and stress.
• Tricyclic antidepressants: Affect serotonin and norepinephrine like SNRIs, but also influence other parts of the body and brain.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Boost brain chemical levels by blocking an enzyme that breaks them down.
• NMDA receptor antagonists: Work quickly to improve mood by targeting specific brain receptors, usually given in clinics if other medications fail.
• Atypical antidepressants: Don’t fit neatly into other groups, each affecting brain chemicals in unique ways.

Physical Side Effects Differ Across Antidepressants

Millions of adults in the U.S. rely on antidepressants for conditions such as depression and anxiety. Like all medications, these drugs can cause side effects, though the severity varies. Researchers from King’s College London and the University of Oxford examined just how differently side effects appear across 30 antidepressants, analyzing data from over 58,500 participants in more than 150 studies.

“Not all antidepressants are the same when it comes to their physical side effects,” explained Toby Pillinger, an academic clinical lecturer at King’s College London. The findings, published in The Lancet, are the first to link specific physical side effects to individual antidepressants, offering potentially important guidance for doctors prescribing these medications, which are taken by up to 17% of adults in Europe and North America.

Drugs reviewed included SSRIs like sertraline (Zoloft) and fluoxetine (Prozac), SNRIs like duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor), and NDRIs like bupropion (Wellbutrin).

Antidepressants Side Effects

The research looked at 30 commonly prescribed antidepressants across 151 studies involving over 58,500 patients. Not everyone develops side effects, but on average:

• Eight weeks of agomelatine use linked to a 2.4kg weight loss, whereas maprotiline led to nearly 2kg weight gain.
• Heart rate varied by 21 beats per minute between fluvoxamine, which slowed the heart, and nortriptyline, which sped it up.
• Blood pressure differed by 11 mmHg between nortriptyline and doxepin.

Antidepressants: Effects on Heart Rate and Blood Pressure

Some medications, like fluoxetine, were linked to increased systolic blood pressure, while others, like citalopram (Celexa), were not. Citalopram was associated with slight weight loss, decreased heart rate, and systolic blood pressure, with a minor rise in diastolic blood pressure. Venlafaxine raised heart rate, while paroxetine (Paxil) caused no heart rate changes.

“Clearly, no two antidepressants affect the body in the same way,” said Dr. Atheeshaan Arumuham from King’s College London.

Interestingly, commonly prescribed antidepressants in the U.S., such as fluoxetine, bupropion, and sertraline, were linked to weight loss over the short-term in these trials. For reference, about 1.4 million people were prescribed citalopram last year.

Antidepressants: Short-Term or Long-Term Side Effects?

A limitation of this research is that the studies analyzed were relatively short, with a median treatment duration much shorter than most real-world use. It also did not assess other common side effects, including sexual dysfunction, headaches, upset stomach, and, in rare cases, agitation or suicidal thoughts. Since the focus was on the first eight weeks, further research is needed to understand long-term effects.

Choosing the Right Antidepressant

As side effects differ across medications, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Dr. Pillinger advises that selecting the right antidepressant should always be done in consultation with a qualified medical professional.

Delhi woke up under a thick blanket of haze on Tuesday, October 21, just a day after millions celebrated Diwali with fireworks, signalling the start of yet another pollution season that grips the city every winter.

Residents of what is already the most polluted capital in the world were once again forced to breathe toxic air, classified under the “severe” category. In several parts of the city, the Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed beyond 500, about ten times higher than what the World Health Organization considers safe. In some areas, the concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 particles hit alarming peaks of around 1,800, fifteen to twenty times higher than healthy limits.

While we often link these conditions to respiratory problems, experts say the damage extends to the heart as well. To understand this connection, we spoke with Dr Manav Manchanda, Director & Head of Respiratory, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at Asian Hospital.

How Does Air Pollution Affect The Heart?

An AQI of 400 or more means the air is loaded with fine dust, toxic gases, and heavy metals, levels so high they can strain even healthy lungs and hearts. What was once seen as a seasonal nuisance has now turned into a slow-moving public health crisis affecting millions across Delhi and other northern cities where winter smog pushes AQI readings into the danger zone.

These microscopic pollutants (PM2.5 and PM10) bypass the body’s natural filters in the nose and throat and reach deep into the lungs, settling in the bronchi and alveoli, the small air sacs responsible for oxygen exchange. The result is inflammation, oxidative stress, and swelling of the airways, often accompanied by excess mucus. Even healthy individuals may experience throat irritation, chest discomfort, or a persistent cough.

But the harm does not stop at the lungs. According to Dr Manchanda, “Once particulate matter enters the bloodstream, it circulates through the body and causes inflammation in the blood vessels.” Over time, this inflammation stiffens the arteries, raises blood pressure, and can trigger irregular heart rhythms. Research has shown that even short-term exposure to severe pollution can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, particularly in those already prone to heart disease.

For healthy adults, this exposure can still cause fatigue, palpitations, or a faster resting heart rate as the body compensates for reduced oxygen intake.

What Short-Term Symptoms Should You Watch For Amid High AQI Levels?

During periods of poor air quality, experts recommend being alert to subtle but important warning signs. Common short-term symptoms include a dry cough, sore throat, breathlessness while climbing stairs, chest pain, watery eyes, or persistent headaches. Many also experience tiredness or dizziness because of reduced oxygen supply. These may appear mild but are early signs of inflammation and air toxicity.

To minimise risk, use an N95 or N99 mask before stepping out, avoid exercising outdoors when pollution levels peak, and consider using an indoor air purifier. Regular lung and heart screenings should no longer be limited to people with existing conditions.

Who Is More Vulnerable to Heart Diseases During High AQI?

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the groups most at risk include children, older adults, pregnant women, individuals with existing heart or lung conditions, and people from economically weaker sections. These populations are more vulnerable due to developing or aging organs, compromised immunity, and higher exposure to pollution, especially among those living near traffic or using solid fuels for cooking and heating.

How to Protect Yourself From Air Pollution?

1. Track AQI updates using apps like AQI India or AirVisual, or visit the Central Pollution Control Board’s website. On days when AQI levels exceed 200 (considered poor), avoid unnecessary outdoor activity.

2. Get a good air purifier, preferably one with a HEPA filter can help reduce these toxins. Place purifiers in rooms where you spend the most time, such as your bedroom or living area. If multiple devices are not an option, create a single “clean air zone” in one part of your home.

3. In today’s pollution levels, masks are no longer optional. Choose N95 or N99 masks, which are specifically designed to block PM2.5 particles, the same ones responsible for thousands of deaths each year.

4. Certain indoor plants, like peace lilies, areca palms, and snake plants, can help reduce indoor pollutants naturally. While they can’t replace purifiers, they contribute to better air quality and bring a touch of calm to your space.

5. During severe smog, stay indoors as much as possible. If you need to step out, try to do so in the afternoon when pollution tends to ease slightly. Avoid mornings and late evenings, when toxic particles linger close to the ground.

6. Include antioxidant-rich foods such as nuts, berries, and leafy vegetables to fight the oxidative damage caused by pollution. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish or flaxseeds are also beneficial for heart and lung health.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day as it helps flush out toxins, including those inhaled from polluted air.

For the past 25 years, researchers at Northwestern Medicine have been focused on a special group of people: those aged 80 and older whose minds are still remarkably sharp. They call these individuals "SuperAgers." The goal of the research is simple: to figure out why these older adults are able to keep their brains so young and capable.

These exceptional older adults can take memory tests and score just as well as people 30 years younger. This amazing performance completely contradicts the old idea that losing your mental sharpness is an inevitable part of growing old. The SuperAgers prove that it's possible to maintain a youthful mind well into your 80s and beyond.

The researchers hope that by identifying the unique features, both in lifestyle and brain biology, that are linked to SuperAging, they can discover new methods. These methods would aim to boost cognitive resilience (the brain's ability to cope with damage) and ultimately help to slow down or prevent Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia for everyone.

Can Your Brain Age Be Less Than Your Chronological Age?

This research summary was recently published as a perspective article in the academic journal Alzheimer's & Dementia. The researchers explained that with this they hope to find better treatment options for diseases that cause cognitive decline. They stated that having an exceptional memory in old age is absolutely possible and is tied to a specific, unique brain profile.

This discovery is important because it "opens the door to new interventions" and treatments designed to keep the brain healthy late in life.

Who Is Considered A SuperAger?

Over the decades of research, the scientists noticed that SuperAgers often share certain behaviors and personality traits, like tending to be very social and outgoing. However, the most surprising and important discoveries, came from looking directly inside their brains. She said that what they found in the brain tissue itself was truly "earth-shattering" for the research team.

The term "SuperAger" itself was first created in the late 1990s by Dr. M. Marsel Mesulam at Northwestern. Since 2000, 290 SuperAgers have participated in the ongoing study, and scientists have had the unique opportunity to examine 77 donated SuperAger brains after their death. Some of these donated brains contained the telltale signs of Alzheimer's, the protein buildups called amyloid plaques and tau tangles, while others were completely clear of them.

This led researchers to find out there are two different ways to become a SuperAger. One way is resistance, meaning those people simply do not create the Alzheimer's-related plaques and tangles. The second way is resilience, meaning they do develop the plaques and tangles, but the disease markers have no effect on their brain function or memory.

What Makes A Person A SuperAger?

At the Mesulam Center, SuperAgers visit every year for evaluation. An essential part of the program is the option for them to donate their brains after death for detailed scientific examination. The researchers explain that many of the life-changing discoveries made in this paper were only possible because of the "generous, dedicated SuperAgers" who were followed for many years and chose to donate. Some key biological traits of a superager are

Outstanding Memory

On a test that requires remembering a list of words after a delay, SuperAgers score at least 9 out of 15. This high level of performance is equal to that of people in their 50s and 60s.

Youthful Brain Structure

Typical aging causes the cortex (the brain's outer layer) to thin, but SuperAgers show no such significant thinning. They even have a thicker anterior cingulate cortex than adults decades younger. This area is vital for integrating information related to decision-making, emotion, and motivation.

Unique Cells

SuperAgers have more von economo neurons, which are specialized cells strongly linked to social behavior, and they have larger entorhinal neurons, which are crucial for forming memories.

The Power of Sociability

Though SuperAgers have different jobs, hobbies, and exercise routines, the one common lifestyle factor they share is being highly social and having very strong personal relationships.