Our lifestyle habits play an important role in how well we live. While some health concerns are more visible, silent killers like high cholesterol should always be kept an eye on because it can have serious health issues.

Keeping an eye on your cholesterol levels is really important for your health. Too much of this fatty substance in your body can be dangerous because it might block blood vessels, potentially leading to a life-threatening stroke or heart attack. Interestingly, your eyes might give you a clue if your cholesterol is too high.

Yellow Bumps Around Your Eyes

The American Association of Ophthalmology points out that if you start to see "yellow bumps around the eyes," this could be a sign of dangerously high cholesterol. These bumps are known as xanthelasma, and if you notice them, you should see a doctor right away.

That's because xanthelasma can sometimes be an early warning sign of three very serious eye conditions: age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, and corneal arcus. The good news is a simple blood test can check your cholesterol levels, and your doctor or nurse can discuss the results with you.

Understanding Your Cholesterol Numbers

When you get your cholesterol tested, the results usually include:

• Total cholesterol: This is the overall amount of cholesterol.
• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol: Often called "good" cholesterol.
• Non-HDL cholesterol: This is the "bad" cholesterol, and it's a key number to watch.

For a healthy person, a healthy total cholesterol reading should be below 5mmol/L. Your HDL (the good kind) should be above 1mmol/L. Most importantly, your non-HDL reading should ideally be below 4mmol/L. Your doctor might also give you a QRISK score, which estimates your risk of developing a heart or circulation problem over the next 10 years.

How Does High Cholesterol Affect Your Health?

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention having too much cholesterol in your blood can cause a sticky substance called "plaque" to build up on the inside walls of your arteries. Arteries are like pipes that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body.

Over time, as more plaque builds up, these arteries get narrower. This narrowing makes it harder for blood to flow freely to and from your heart and other important organs. When blood flow to the heart is blocked, it can cause chest pain (also called angina) or even a heart attack.

This cholesterol buildup in your arteries can also greatly increase your risk for heart disease and stroke, which are serious health problems.

What Puts You At Risk of High Cholesterol?

Some health problems, like type 2 diabetes and obesity, can raise your risk for high cholesterol. Your daily habits also play a big part. Eating foods high in unhealthy fats (called saturated and trans fats) and not moving your body enough can also increase your risk. For some people, high cholesterol runs in their family, meaning they're more likely to get it too. All these things that increase your chances are called "risk factors."

You can't change some risk factors, like your age or your family history. But you can take steps to lower your risk by changing the things you can control, like your diet and how active you are.

Simple Ways to Lower Cholesterol

The good news is that making small changes to your diet can significantly improve your cholesterol levels.

For example, instead of choosing items like meat pies or sausages, try to eat oily fish such as mackerel and salmon. You can still enjoy familiar meals; for instance, swap a meat pie for salmon served with mashed potatoes and peas. Also, opt for brown rice instead of white rice, whole grain bread instead of white bread, and wholewheat pasta.

When you're looking for snacks, choose healthier options like nuts, seeds, and fruit instead of cakes and biscuits.

Beyond diet, it's also crucial to move your body for at least 20 minutes every day. This could be a brisk walk, swimming, cycling, or playing a sport. The key is to find activities you enjoy, as you're much more likely to stick with them if you do!

While we are busy romanticising the rains, mosquitoes have already made their seasonal comeback. Dengue and malaria thrive during this time of year, and as the monsoon season brings much-needed relief from the summer heat, it also creates the perfect environment for the spread of mosquitoes, waterborne diseases, and skin infections.

Here are five tried-and-tested ways to keep dengue and malaria firmly at bay.

1. Clear Standing Water

Mosquitoes love existing in standing water. “Mosquitoes that spread dengue and malaria breed in standing water, even in tiny amounts like water in flowerpots, old tyres, buckets, or coolers,” explains Dr Rakesh Gupta. Which means that puddle on your balcony or that forgotten bucket in the corner could be a five-star mosquito maternity ward.

Both Dr Gupta and Dr Gowri Kulkarni agree on this as the most crucial preventive step. “Even the smallest pools of water, in flowerpots, discarded tyres, clogged drains, or air coolers, can serve as breeding grounds,” says Dr Kulkarni. The solution lies in a weekly routine check. Empty pet bowls, clean roof gutters, cover storage tanks, and if you have air coolers, dry them regularly. Your small efforts can literally break the mosquito life cycle.

2. Repel, Block, and Net Them Out

Mosquitoes prefer early mornings and late afternoons to feed on blood. Which is why repellents are not just optional; they are survival tools. Use creams, sprays, patches, or bands consistently.

“At night, always sleep under mosquito nets,” advises Dr Gupta. In fact, if you have babies or elderly family members, or if you are pregnant, nets become non-negotiable. Treated nets offer extra protection, so think of them as your double lock against intruders.

Dr Kulkarni adds that protection can be layered. “Prioritise protection from mosquitoes by using repellents, installing mosquito nets or screens, and wearing long-sleeved clothing during dawn and dusk when mosquito activity peaks.” Consider it your personal armour against the monsoon’s most persistent pests.

3. Cover Your Body

This season, ditch the mosquito-friendly wardrobe. Loose, long-sleeved shirts and full-length trousers are in; short sleeves and shorts are out. Mosquitoes love dark colours, so light shades are your best bet. Lighter clothes also keep you cooler in humid weather.

“If you can, tuck your shirt into your pants and your pants into your socks,” suggests Dr Gupta.

4. Clean Surroundings, Clear Conscience

A cluttered, damp home is practically an invitation for mosquitoes and skin infections to move in. “A clean and dry environment makes it harder for mosquitoes to breed,” says Dr Gupta. His advice is to keep kitchens tidy, avoid damp laundry lying around, and if you are using air coolers, empty and dry them often.

Dr Kulkarni emphasises the role of community action too. “Dengue and malaria prevention cannot be achieved in isolation. Coordinated neighbourhood clean-up drives, public awareness campaigns, and active involvement of local bodies make preventive efforts more effective and long-lasting.”

5. Boost Your Inner Defences

Of course, even the best mosquito-prevention tactics can fail if your immunity is running on low battery. Dr Gupta recommends a monsoon-friendly diet. “Eat plenty of seasonal fruits and vegetables, especially those with natural immunity-boosting properties like papaya, jamun, ginger, garlic, and turmeric.”

And do not forget the basics, like drinking only boiled or filtered water, skipping dubious street food, and washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly. After all, the last thing you want while dodging dengue is a waterborne stomach infection.

Do Not Ignore the Warning Signs

Despite your best efforts, if you develop a high fever, severe body aches, persistent headache, or unexplained fatigue, do not brush it off as ‘just the weather’. Dr Kulkarni cautions, “High fever, body aches, persistent headache, or unexplained fatigue should never be ignored during this season. Early medical advice can prevent complications and greatly improve recovery.”

Staying safe during the monsoon is all about balance. Enjoy the rains, but keep an eye on puddles. Relish the weather, but do not forget your mosquito repellent. As Dr Gupta sums it up, “Small preventive actions taken every day not only protect you but also help in keeping your community healthier through the season.”

Monsoons are more than just good, hot food. And while most of us are quick to pull out umbrellas and raincoats, very few think about protecting our eyes, especially if we wear contact lenses. And according to eye specialists, this oversight could cost us more than just a little irritation.

Why Your Eyes Are at Risk in the Rainy Season

The humid climate during the rainy season creates the perfect environment for viruses to thrive. On top of that, people tend to spend more time indoors and in close contact with one another, which raises the risk of viral infections spreading by nearly 50 per cent. Add to this the common flu, which weakens immunity, and your eyes become more vulnerable than ever.

Contaminated water is another culprit. Dr Jayapratha Selvaraj, General Ophthalmology, points out that poor water hygiene can worsen eye conditions such as conjunctivitis (commonly known as pink eye) and keratitis, an infection of the cornea. “These infections are especially troublesome for people who wear contact lenses,” she says.

Dr Venkatesan C, Senior Consultant – Ophthalmology, agrees, adding that fungal and bacterial keratitis become more common during the monsoon. “They may start with redness, irritation, or pain, but if not treated right away, they can cause serious visual problems,” he warns.

Contact Lens and Monsoon

Contact lenses are a blessing for millions, particularly students and professionals who find glasses cumbersome. But during the monsoon, they can turn into little traps for germs.

“Contact lenses are safe if you follow the rules. But the moment hygiene slips, lenses can let bacteria or fungi stick to the eye’s surface,” says Dr Venkatesan. The moist, humid environment during the rainy season accelerates this risk. Tears dry more slowly in such weather, keeping the surface of the eye damp, a perfect breeding ground for infections.

Students, in particular, face greater danger. Many wear their lenses for long hours, share lens solutions with friends, or even swim in pools or rainwater while keeping their lenses on. Each of these habits, says Dr Venkatesan, can drastically raise the risk of infection.

Golden Rules of Lens Care in the Rainy Season

You do not have to abandon your lenses every time it rains. With the right care, you can enjoy both the rain and clear vision.

Dr Selvaraj lists the basics:

• Wash your hands thoroughly before touching or wearing lenses.
• Store lenses only in their designated case.
• Never use expired lenses.
• Avoid rinsing or storing lenses in tap water or saline; always use proper lens solution.
• Do not sleep, bath, or swim with lenses on.

Dr Venkatesan adds a few more monsoon must-dos:

• Always use fresh lens solution; never top up old liquid in the case.
• Take off your lenses before going out in the rain.
• If your doctor has not recommended it, do not sleep in your lenses.
• If you notice persistent redness, discharge, or blurred vision, remove your lenses immediately and see an eye doctor.

When Infections Happen

Despite best efforts, sometimes you still get infections. Viral conjunctivitis, for example, often resolves on its own, but that does not mean you should ignore it. “Ophthalmologists may prescribe antibiotic and lubricant eye drops to reduce discomfort and prevent spread,” explains Dr Selvaraj.

If the cornea gets involved, as in keratoconjunctivitis, timely medical treatment becomes crucial. Viral eye infections can remain contagious for up to two weeks, so doctors urge patients to:

• Wash hands frequently.
• Avoid sharing towels, bed sheets, or handkerchiefs.
• Resist rubbing or touching the eyes.
• Switch to glasses and only return to contact lenses after medical clearance.

You do not have to give up your lenses during monsoon, but you do have to respect the hygiene rules. Even a small slip-up, like rinsing lenses in tap water or wearing them during a sudden downpour, can lead to painful infections and, in some cases, long-term vision loss.

As Dr Venkatesan puts it, “You may enjoy the beauty of the rainy season without hurting your eyes if you take basic steps and get medical care right away.”

This Contact Lens Health Week 2025, know that your eyes deserve as much protection as your clothes and shoes. And when it comes to contact lenses in the monsoon, a little extra care goes a very long way.

Dr Jayapratha Selvaraj is an ophthalmologist at Dr Agarwal's Eye Hospital, Chennai

Dr Venkatesan C is a senior ophthalmology consultant at SRM Global Hospitals, Chennai

After the California bubonic plague case, where a resident who went camping at South Lake Tahoe area tested positive for plague, lot has been talked about the disease. The bubonic plague is often remembered as one of the deadliest pandemics in human history.

Today, with the California resident case, we all know that it still lingers in scattered regions, but antibiotics make it far less threatening.

What is less widely known is that the plague may have permanently altered human biology, leaving an imprint on the immune system that persists even now.

Also Read: Bubonic Plague California Resident: Here's All That You Need To Know About The Disease

The Bacterium Behind the Plague

The plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, a rod-shaped bacterium carried by fleas that thrive on rodents and other wild animals. While unremarkable in appearance under a microscope, this microbe has shaped centuries of human history. At its peak during the 14th century, the Black Death killed tens of millions across Europe, with entire towns and communities wiped out in a matter of months.

Earlier outbreaks of plague are believed to stretch back thousands of years, with traces of the bacterium found in ancient human remains. Yet the medieval Black Death was unlike anything before, spreading rapidly through trade routes and devastating Europe within a few short years.

Natural Selection in the Wake of the Black Death

The scale of mortality during plague outbreaks raised an intriguing question: could survival have been influenced by genetics?

If certain individuals carried genetic variations that helped them fight off the infection, those traits might have been passed on to their descendants. In essence, the plague may have acted as a brutal filter, altering the genetic makeup of future generations.

Modern genetic studies now provide evidence for this idea. By comparing DNA from plague victims with that of later populations, researchers have observed that people who lived through the plague era and passed on their genes tended to carry variants that supported stronger immune defenses. This suggests that the catastrophe of the Black Death created a surge of natural selection across affected regions.

Unlocking Clues from Ancient Bones

For a long time, studying the genetic impact of plague was extremely difficult. DNA preserved in centuries-old skeletons is often degraded and contaminated by soil and microbes. However, advances in ancient DNA sequencing opened new doors.

Scientists discovered that the inner ear’s bony labyrinth, one of the densest parts of the human body, preserves intact DNA remarkably well. Extracting genetic material from this area has allowed researchers to examine how plague survivors may have differed from those who succumbed.

With these methods, mass graves of plague victims have become key resources for understanding how the disease influenced human biology. By sequencing genomes from skeletons buried before, during, and after outbreaks, scientists can track changes across generations.

The Role of HLA Genes

One of the clearest examples of plague-driven selection lies in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system. This group of genes is essential for immune defense, helping the body recognize and destroy cells infected by pathogens. Even subtle differences in HLA variants can determine whether someone is more resilient against a particular disease.

Evidence suggests that during the plague years, people carrying certain HLA variants were more likely to survive. These protective versions of the genes became more common in descendants over time. This mirrors what scientists have observed in more recent pandemics, such as Covid-19, where some people showed natural resistance thanks to genetic variations in immune-regulating genes.

A Gene Called ERAP2

Another key discovery centers on a gene known as ERAP2. This gene produces a protein that helps immune cells break down foreign invaders, including bacteria like Yersinia pestis. Researchers studying remains from plague cemeteries in London and Denmark found that individuals who carried a particular version of ERAP2 were twice as likely to survive the Black Death.

By the end of the 14th century, this protective variant had become widespread among Europeans, appearing in roughly half the population in London and even more frequently in Denmark. It is one of the strongest pieces of evidence showing how a pandemic can reshape human genetics in just a few generations.

Balancing Benefits and Risks

However, the story is not entirely one of benefit. Genes that protect against deadly infections may also carry hidden costs.

For example, some of the same immune-system variations that helped ancestors survive plague outbreaks are now associated with autoimmune disorders, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. This illustrates the trade-offs of evolution: what once ensured survival may create vulnerabilities in a very different modern environment.

Why More Research is Needed

While the genetic evidence is compelling, scientists caution that we are only beginning to understand the full scope of plague’s impact. To get a clearer picture, thousands more ancient genomes from across Europe and Asia need to be analyzed. Only then can researchers determine how widespread these adaptive changes really became.

There is also debate over whether plague was the most significant driver of immune evolution. Diseases like smallpox, which persisted for centuries and claimed hundreds of millions of lives, may have exerted an even greater influence. The challenge is teasing apart the effects of different pathogens across different time periods.

What To Remember

You May Like To Read: What History Teaches Us About Plague? Are There More Than One Type?

Despite its reputation as a medieval killer, plague has not disappeared. Small numbers of cases are still reported each year in parts of the world, from the western United States to Madagascar. Thanks to antibiotics, survival rates are far higher today, but the fact that the disease persists is a reminder of its enduring presence in nature.

Rodents and fleas continue to serve as reservoirs for Yersinia pestis. Outbreaks in isolated communities highlight the delicate balance between human society and the microbial world. While the scale of devastation seen during the Black Death is unlikely to return, the evolutionary lessons it left behind remain relevant.

Centuries later, the legacy of plague survives in our DNA. Some of the same genetic defenses that once meant the difference between life and death still influence how our immune systems function today.