You’ve waved goodbye to cookies, chips, and everything else that comes in a shiny wrapper, but the scale refuses to budge. It can be disheartening when cutting out processed foods doesn’t translate into immediate weight loss.

While eliminating junk food is an essential first step, weight loss often requires more nuanced adjustments. Studies, including a 2019 publication in Cell Metabolism, reveal that processed foods can lead to increased calorie consumption — about 500 extra calories daily compared to whole, unprocessed diets. While cutting out junk food is a commendable step, achieving sustainable weight loss requires a holistic approach.

But sometimes, ditching junk food isn’t enough. Here are five key reasons why your weight loss journey may be stalling, and how you can get back on track.

1. Your Sleep Schedule Is Sabotaging Your Goals

The connection between sleep and weight is often overlooked but crucial. Both too much sleep (over 9 hours) and too little (under 5 hours) can disrupt your body’s production of appetite-regulating hormones, such as leptin and ghrelin. This hormonal imbalance can increase cravings and overeating, particularly for high-calorie foods.

Additionally, poor sleep can leave you feeling fatigued, making it harder to stick to exercise routines.

How to Fix It: Aim for 7–8 hours of quality sleep per night. Establish a consistent bedtime routine and minimize screen time before bed to improve sleep hygiene.

2. Liquid Calories Are Sneaking Into Your Diet

You may have switched to a "healthier" drink lineup, but beverages like fruit juices, sugary coffee drinks, and wine can contain hidden calories that derail progress. Even organic fruit juices, often marketed as healthful, are loaded with sugar and lack the fiber found in whole fruits.

How to Fix It: Stick to water, unsweetened tea, black coffee, or sparkling water. To manage hunger, drink two cups of water 30 minutes before meals—a strategy backed by research in the Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine. Treat calorie-laden drinks as occasional indulgences rather than daily staples.

3. Meal Timing Is Working Against You

When and how often you eat can significantly influence weight loss. Skipping meals can lead to overeating later, while constant grazing throughout the day can result in unnoticed calorie overload.

Studies show that front-loading your calories, with a substantial breakfast and lighter evening meals, promotes greater weight loss. Research published in the journal Obesity found that individuals consuming larger breakfasts lost twice the weight compared to those who favored bigger dinners.

How to Fix It: Stick to eating every 3.5 to 4 hours during a 10–12-hour daytime window. This approach stabilizes blood sugar and encourages fat reserves to be used for energy between meals.

4. You’re Overcompensating for Exercise

Exercise is a cornerstone of weight loss, but it’s easy to overestimate the calories burned and indulge in post-workout treats. That post-spin class protein shake or granola bar may negate your calorie deficit if not balanced within your daily intake.

How to Fix It: Plan snacks strategically. If your workout falls within two hours of a meal, skip the extra snack and refuel during your regular meal. If you need a snack, opt for small, protein-rich options like Greek yogurt or a handful of nuts.

5. Water Intake Is Falling Short

Water plays an underrated role in weight loss. Staying hydrated helps control hunger and reduces the temptation to reach for sugary drinks. Dehydration, on the other hand, can be mistaken for hunger, leading to unnecessary snacking.

How to Fix It: Drink 2–6 cups of water daily to satisfy thirst without adding calories. Carry a reusable water bottle as a visual reminder to stay hydrated throughout the day.

What Other Factors Can Hinder Weight Loss

Sitting for long hours, whether at a desk or on the couch, can slow your metabolism and disconnect your body’s natural hunger cues. Incorporating even short bursts of activity, like three 10-minute walks daily, can reignite your metabolism.

Stress often leads to comfort eating, favoring calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or journaling, can help address the emotional triggers behind overeating.

Medical conditions, genetics, or hormonal imbalances can also impede weight loss. If your efforts yield no results, consult a healthcare professional for tests or guidance tailored to your needs.

Weight loss isn’t linear, and small, consistent adjustments are more effective than drastic overhauls. By identifying and tackling these hidden barriers, you can set yourself up for lasting success on your health journey.

Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain. Cell Metabolism. 2019

Effect of excessive water intake on body weight, body mass index, body fat, and appetite of overweight female participants. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2014

Today, on World Heart Day 2025, understanding the early signs of a heart attack has never been more critical. Chest pain is one of the most common reasons people rush to hospitals, but not all discomfort signals a cardiac problem. According to Dr. Binay Kumar, Senior Consultant – Interventional Cardiology & Electrophysiology at Yatharth Hospitals, timely and accurate testing is essential to distinguish heart-related issues from other causes.

Doctors rely on a combination of clinical examination, rapid tests, and advanced imaging to make these assessments. A detailed medical history and physical examination can provide initial clues about the likelihood of a cardiac event. Alongside this, an electrocardiogram (ECG) is typically performed immediately. The ECG records the heart’s electrical activity, helping detect patterns indicative of a heart attack or restricted blood flow.

Blood tests for cardiac biomarkers, especially troponin, are also vital in confirming heart muscle injury. Chest X-rays may be conducted to exclude other causes of pain and to examine heart size or potential lung complications. Dr. Kumar said “While these initial tests are crucial, they have their limitations, and further investigation is sometimes necessary.”

Which Tests Should Be Done for Chest Pain?Electrocardiogram (ECG): First-line test to detect irregular heart rhythms or evidence of a heart attack.

Blood tests: Check for cardiac enzymes like troponin, which rise during a heart attack.

2D Echocardiography: Assesses the pumping function and overall structure of the heart.

Treadmill stress test: Monitors how the heart responds under physical exertion.

Angiography: A detailed imaging test to confirm blockages in coronary arteries, often used in high-risk cases.

Accuracy of ECG in Chest Pain

While ECGs are a vital diagnostic tool, they have limitations. Dr. Binay Kumar noted that a normal ECG does not necessarily mean the heart is healthy. The sensitivity of ECGs for detecting coronary artery disease can be relatively low, and in some cases, significant blockages may not be immediately apparent.

On the other hand, abnormal readings are often more specific for heart events, but even then, doctors must interpret results in the context of symptoms, risk factors, and patient history. Because of these limitations, ECGs are often repeated or supplemented with other tests if clinical suspicion remains high.

When to Move Beyond ECG

Not every case of chest pain can be explained by ECG and blood tests alone. Persistent, worsening, or recurring pain may prompt doctors to explore further. Stress tests, for example, monitor how the heart responds to exercise or medication, helping identify areas with reduced blood flow.

Echocardiograms, which use ultrasound to assess heart function, are especially useful when ECG results are inconclusive. “These tests allow us to detect subtle issues that might otherwise go unnoticed,” Dr. Binay Kumar explained, highlighting the importance of combining multiple diagnostic tools for a more accurate assessment.

Advanced Tests for Identifying Heart Blockages

For high-risk patients or when non-invasive tests indicate significant concerns, coronary angiography remains the gold standard. This invasive procedure provides a direct view of blockages, guiding treatments such as angioplasty or bypass surgery. CT coronary angiography offers a non-invasive alternative, producing detailed 3D images of coronary arteries and allowing doctors to visualize potential problems without surgery. Stress echocardiography, nuclear perfusion imaging, and cardiac MRI can further detect areas of reduced blood flow and evaluate heart muscle health.

Dr. Binay told us, “A stepwise approach is essential. ECG and troponin tests serve as rapid triage tools, while advanced imaging should be reserved for patients whose risk or symptoms warrant more detailed evaluation. By following these strategies, hospitals can ensure timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and better outcomes for patients presenting with chest pain.”

He further recommends:

• Use ECG and blood troponin tests for initial triage.
• Escalate to stress testing or imaging for persistent or unexplained symptoms.
• Reserve coronary angiography for high-risk patients or confirmed abnormalities.
• Consider non-invasive imaging like CT angiography for intermediate-risk patients needing detailed assessment.

When most people think of rabies, dogs are the first animals that come to mind. However, for those unfamiliar, rabies can be transmitted by several other animals as well. Recently, a rare and alarming case was reported in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, where a woman died after contracting rabies through cow’s milk. On the occasion of World Rabies Day, it’s important to understand which animals can carry and transmit this deadly virus.

Greater Noida Woman Dies After Contracting Rabies from Cow: What You Need to Know

A woman in Greater Noida allegedly died from rabies days after contracting the disease through an infected cow. The rare case has raised questions about how rabies can be transmitted through milk and what precautions can prevent such risks.

What is Rabies?

Rabies is a vaccine-preventable, zoonotic viral disease transmitted from mammals to humans. It primarily affects the central nervous system and can infect dogs, cats, livestock, and wildlife.

Can You Get Rabies from Milk?

An ICAR report notes that milk from rabid animals, such as cows and buffaloes, may contain the rabies virus, posing a risk if consumed without boiling. The report classifies “person drinking unboiled milk” as Category I in terms of exposure risk.

In the Greater Noida case, the cow reportedly contracted rabies after a stray dog bite. Despite the animal showing symptoms and being vaccinated by the family, the woman did not seek medical attention.

Other exposures in this category include being licked by an infectious animal on an intact mucous membrane (mouth, nose, anus, genitalia, conjunctiva) or being bitten without blood.

Why Bite Classification Matters

The ICAR report highlights that patient classification based on the nature of exposure is crucial. It guides decisions for post-exposure rabies vaccination and administration of immunoglobulin. Patients are classified into three categories: Category I, II, and III, with vaccination recommended for Category II and III exposures.

“The rabies virus infects the brain. Once it reaches the brain and symptoms appear, the infection is virtually untreatable and almost always fatal within days,” the report states.

Previous Cases And Official GuidanceAccording to the CDC, there have been reports of potential mass exposures to rabies from drinking unpasteurized milk.

However, the National Centre for Disease Control clarified: “There is no laboratory or epidemiological evidence showing that rabies is transmitted via consumption of milk or milk products. Therefore, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is not required for consuming milk or milk products from rabies-infected animals.”

Can You Get Rabies From Other Animals?Rabies is caused by a virus found in the saliva of infected mammals. It is most commonly spread through bites, but transmission can also occur if saliva enters broken skin or mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. While any mammal can potentially carry rabies, the risk varies by region and species.

High-Risk Animals

• Dogs: The leading cause of human rabies worldwide, especially in developing countries, according to the NCDC.
• Bats: A major source of human rabies deaths in the Americas, Europe, and Australia, as their bites often go unnoticed.
• Raccoons, Foxes, and Skunks: Primary rabies carriers in the United States, as noted by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
• Other Wild Mammals: Coyotes, wolves, bobcats, and ferrets can also transmit the virus.
• Domestic Animals: Cats, cattle, horses, goats, sheep, and pigs may spread rabies if unvaccinated.

Low-Risk Animals

Small Rodents: Mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, and other small rodents rarely transmit rabies to humans.

The virus spreads mainly through bites. However, exposure can also occur if infectious saliva contacts open wounds or mucous membranes.

How to Identify a Rabid Animal

Rabid animals often show unusual behavior and physical signs because the virus attacks the brain and nervous system. While symptoms can vary depending on the species, the following are common red flags:

1. Strange Behavior

• Wild animals losing their natural fear of humans, approaching people or populated areas.
• Nocturnal animals (like bats, raccoons, or foxes) being active during the day.
• Sudden aggression in normally calm pets.

2. Signs of Aggression or Anxiety

• Unprovoked biting, snapping, or attacking other animals or humans.
• Restlessness, irritability, or agitation.

3. Physical Symptoms

• Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Weakness, paralysis, or staggering movements.
• Seizures or trembling.

4. Signs of "Dumb Rabies" (paralytic form)

• Unusual quietness, lethargy, or sudden paralysis.
• Animals may appear unusually tame but unable to move properly.

Disclaimer:

Not all sick animals have rabies, and not all rabid animals show every symptom. If you see an animal behaving strangely or showing these signs, do not approach it. Report it immediately to local animal control or veterinary authorities.

A new COVID strain, named Stratus, along with its variants XFG and XFG.3, is circulating in the UK, with XFG.3 responsible for a significant portion of cases in England.

Experts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are closely monitoring these variants but are not overly concerned, noting that viral mutations are normal. The WHO has classified XFG as a “variant under monitoring” and assessed its additional global public health risk as low. Current data indicate that XFG does not cause more severe illness or deaths, and existing vaccines are expected to remain effective. Below we have listed some unique symptoms of the emerging strain that you should take note of.

New Covid Variant in UKWith winter fast approaching, many people are already experiencing runny noses, dry coughs, and fevers. Currently, these symptoms are likely caused by COVID-19, with virus levels among the highest they have been all year.

XFG, a sub-variant of the once-infamous Omicron, was first detected in January. This strain, nicknamed Stratus, now accounts for the majority of COVID cases in the UK and has two main variants: XFG and XFG.3. According to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data, XFG is responsible for 38.3% of UK cases, while XFG.3 accounts for 32.8%. Globally, Stratus is linked to over 60% of COVID cases, according to the World Health Organization, which is actively monitoring the variant.

Unique Symptoms of New COVID Strain in UK

Many people will remember the classic COVID-19 symptoms first recorded in the UK in 2020, including fever or chills, a persistent new cough, and loss or change of smell or taste. However, specialists note that the Stratus variant may present differently, sometimes causing a hoarse voice.

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Stratus follows the highly infectious Nimbus strain, which was linked to severe “razor blade” sore throats, according to Stony Brook Medicine, the academic medical center of Stony Brook University in New York. Symptoms of Stratus can also include shortness of breath, chest tightness, sore or scratchy throat, headaches and body aches, upset stomach, nausea or loss of appetite, brain fog or trouble concentrating, and loss of taste or smell—though the latter is now less common.

Experts recommend seeking medical attention if these symptoms appear to receive proper diagnosis and treatment, which may include antiviral medications, at-home remedies, or over-the-counter drugs.

Immunity against COVID-19 remains low, and cases are no longer tracked as closely as during the height of the pandemic, when free testing was widely available. Current monitoring, however, shows infections are at their highest levels this year. Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) indicate that around 9% of all COVID tests taken in the week ending September 7 were positive, the highest since last November. Among those tested in GP practices, 10.8% were infected, while 8.9% of hospital swabs returned positive results.

Who Is Still at Risk of Severe COVID?For most people, COVID-19 now causes a mild, self-limiting illness. However, certain groups remain at higher risk of severe disease:

• Older adults, particularly those over 70
• Immunocompromised individuals, including cancer patients
• People with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease
• Socially disadvantaged populations, including those experiencing homelessness