Sleep plays a vital role in maintaining brain and heart health, but for people who have suffered a stroke, getting the right amount of rest may be a challenge. A recent study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, sheds light on the relationship between stroke and sleep abnormalities.

It reveals that stroke survivors are more likely to experience irregular sleep patterns, either getting too much or too little sleep compared to individuals without a history of stroke. While the study does not conclusively prove that stroke causes sleep disturbances, the correlation is significant and points to the importance of addressing sleep as part of post-stroke care.

The research involved 39,559 participants, of which 1,572 had experienced a stroke, while 37,987 had not. Over the course of the study, participants were asked every two years about their sleep duration on workdays or weekdays. The responses were divided into three categories:

- Short sleep: Less than six hours

- Normal sleep: Six to eight hours

- Long sleep: More than eight hours

One of the key findings was that normal sleep duration (six to eight hours per night) was less common among stroke survivors across all age groups:

- Among people aged 18-44, only 32% of stroke survivors reported normal sleep, compared to 54% of those without stroke.

- In the 45-64 age group, 47% of stroke survivors had normal sleep, compared to 55% of non-stroke individuals.

- For those over 65, 45% of stroke survivors had normal sleep, while 54% of non-stroke individuals reported the same.

These numbers suggest a clear difference in sleep patterns between stroke survivors and those without stroke, with stroke survivors being more likely to experience sleep problems.

Sleep Patterns in Stroke Survivors

The study revealed that people who had suffered a stroke were 54% more likely to sleep more than eight hours per night and 50% more likely to sleep less than six hours compared to people who had not experienced a stroke. This suggests that abnormal sleep—either too much or too little—may be common in stroke patients.

Dr. Sara Hassani, the lead author of the study from Duke University School of Medicine, highlighted that "sleeping the right amount is considered essential for ideal brain and heart health." She further noted that abnormal sleep patterns could affect stroke recovery and quality of life, stressing the need to screen for sleep issues in stroke survivors.

Stroke and Sleep Disorders

Abnormal sleep patterns in stroke survivors are not a new discovery. Previous research has linked stroke to sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Insomnia and excessive sleepiness are also common in stroke patients, potentially as a direct or indirect consequence of the stroke itself. Understanding the precise relationship between stroke and sleep is complex, and further research is needed to determine how sleep duration impacts long-term recovery outcomes.

One limitation of the current study is that the participants self-reported their sleep duration, which could lead to inaccuracies. However, the association between stroke and irregular sleep patterns is consistent enough to warrant concern.

Importance of Sleep for Recovery and Well-being

Getting the right amount of sleep is crucial for everyone, but it is especially important for stroke survivors. Both insufficient and excessive sleep have been linked to poor recovery outcomes and reduced quality of life after a stroke. According to Dr. Hassani, "Future research should explore the links between stroke and duration of sleep and determine the effect of sleep duration on outcomes after stroke."

Tips for Improving Sleep Quality

Whether you're recovering from a stroke or simply trying to improve your overall health, good sleep hygiene is essential. Here are some practical tips for getting a good night’s rest:

1. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps regulate your body's internal clock.

2. While naps can be tempting, especially if you're feeling fatigued, they can interfere with nighttime sleep. If you must nap, limit it to 20-30 minutes and avoid napping late in the day.

3. Activities like reading, meditation, or listening to calming music can help signal to your body that it's time to wind down.

4. Avoid using smartphones, tablets, or watching TV right before bed, as the blue light emitted can disrupt your sleep cycle.

5. Make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet. Comfortable bedding and the right mattress can also make a big difference.

6. Physical activity during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night, but try to avoid vigorous exercise close to bedtime.

7. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation to help calm your mind before bed.

8. Both caffeine and alcohol can interfere with your sleep, so try to avoid them in the hours leading up to bedtime.

Sleep is a vital part of maintaining both mental and physical health, particularly for stroke survivors. Whether you have had a stroke or are simply looking to improve your health, prioritizing sleep should be a key component of your daily routine.

COVID vaccines saved millions of lives. As countries worldwide raced to provide relief and protection from the deadly coronavirus, rumours began to circulate about vaccines. Hundreds of false reports emerged following major developments. One such allegation was that the vaccines contained viruses that cause AIDS (HIV). But are these claims factual, or do they need to be debunked?

Misconceptions about these vaccines stem from misunderstandings about how the immune system and vaccines work. It is crucial to clarify that AIDS is caused by HIV, which is entirely different from SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19.

Do COVID-19 Vaccines Contain HIV?

No, COVID-19 vaccines do not contain any virus that causes AIDS. The vaccines use messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) technology, which teaches our bodies how to recognise and combat the coronavirus. They do not contain any live viruses, including HIV.

What Are The Different Types Of COVID Vaccines?

Each coronavirus vaccine causes the immune system to create antibodies, which fight infection with SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines use a harmless version of a spikelike structure called an S protein on the surface of the COVID-19 virus. There are multiple types of coronavirus vaccines.

mRNA vaccine

An mRNA vaccine gives cells instructions for how to make the S protein found on the surface of the COVID-19 virus. After vaccination, the body's muscle cells begin making the protein pieces and showing them on cell surfaces. This causes the body to create antibodies. Then if you catch the COVID-19 virus, these antibodies are used to help clear out the virus.

Once the protein pieces are made, your cells break down the instructions and get rid of them. The mRNA in the vaccine doesn't enter the nucleus of the cell, where DNA is kept. Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines use mRNA.

Vector vaccine

In this type of vaccine, material from the virus that causes COVID-19 is placed in a modified version of a different virus. This different virus is called a viral vector. The viral vector gives cells instructions to make copies of the COVID-19 virus S protein.

Once the cells display the S proteins on their surfaces, the immune system responds by creating antibodies and defensive white blood cells. If infection with the virus that causes COVID-19 happens later, the antibodies help clear out the virus.

Viral vector vaccines can't cause infection with the COVID-19 virus or the viral vector virus. The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is a vector vaccine that's no longer used in the United States.

Protein subunit vaccine

Subunit vaccines include only the parts of a virus that best stimulate the immune system. This type of COVID-19 vaccine has harmless S proteins in it. Once the immune system recognises the S proteins, it creates antibodies and defensive white blood cells. If infection with the COVID-19 virus happens later, the antibodies help clear out the virus. The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is a protein subunit vaccine.

If you are someone who suffers from dry and itchy eyes, a recent update may not be the best news for you. As per the enforcement report from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 75,000 cases of eye drop solution were voluntarily recalled nationwide by the BRS Analytical Service, which is a pharmaceutical testing lab.

Why Are These Products Recalled?

The recall came in the backdrop of FDA audit at BRS Analytical Service, which found a number of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) deviations. These are a set of regulations enforced by the FDA to ensure that manufacturers use safe practices to produce pharmaceutical products, reports NBC news.

"cGMP deviations may lead to products of unacceptable quality, and it is not possible to rule out patient risks resulting from use of these products,” said AvKare, which is a manufacturer of medical, surgical, and pharmaceutical items, which had originally reported the recall.

Furthermore, as per the enforcement record, the recall is also "due to a lack of assurance to sterility". These products are also described as "eye lubricants", which help relieve dry and irritated eyes.

Which Products Have Been Recalled?

NBC news reports that the recall includes ophthalmic solutions shipped over a two year period from: May 26, 2023 until April 21, 2025, according to AvKare.

• NDC# 50268-043-15 Artificial Tears Ophthalmic Solution
• NDC# 50268-066-15 Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Gel 1%
• NDC# 50268-068-15 Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Solution
• NDC# 50268-126-15 Lubricant Eye Drops Solution
• NDC# 50268-678-15 Polyvinyl Alcohol Ophthalmic Solution

So, What Can You Do Instead?

Dr Anita Sethi, who is Principal Director and HOD Ophthalmology, Max Multi Specialty Centre at Panchsheel Park recommends to stay away from natural remedies like haldi (turmeric) or ginger from putting inside the eye.

In absence of eye lubricants, she recommends certain daily habits that can help protect the eyes from dryness. "In the extremely dry and hot weather, we need to protect our eyes by wearing sunglasses or caps and avoid the direct dust and wind going into the eyes when we are sitting in an air-conditioned room or the fan avoid the blast directly in your face, like when you're driving. Keep the vents so that it is away from your face and not going directly into the eyes."

When asked if there are anything one can eat to ensure their eyes are not dry, she said, "food and nutrients that help with dry eye basically just maintaining the health of the eye, which is foods rich in vitamin E, antioxidants. Coloured vegetables and fruits and even maintaining your thyroid and vitamin D levels because these also contributes to dry eye."

The key to ensure that your eyes are protected from environmental factors like sun, dust, and eat, especially for those who work outdoors or spend long hours on screen, she recommends investing in good sunglasses with ultraviolet protection.

"For those who are using computers a lot, you need to blink your eyes constantly, take breaks in between, and drink a lot of water. Dehydration is also contributing factor to dry eye." She also recommends using a zero number protective glasses and computer glasses that can decrease strain and dry eye.

When summer arrives and the air grows thick with warmth, it brings with it an unwelcome guest—mosquitoes. That irritating buzz in your ear, the sharp sting on your skin, and the maddening itch afterward can quickly turn a pleasant evening into a nightmare. But have you ever noticed that mosquitoes seem to swarm around you more than others? If you find yourself swatting away bites while your companions remain unbothered, you're not alone—and you're not imagining it.

Turns out, mosquitoes do play favorites, and science has a few fascinating explanations for why that might be. From your blood type to your wardrobe, your scent to your sweat, here’s a deep dive into the weird and wild biological reasons why mosquitoes might just love you more—and what you can do about it.

Before we decode their behavior, it’s important to understand the threat they pose. Mosquitoes are among the deadliest creatures on earth, not because of their bite itself, but because of what they can carry. From Dengue, Malaria, and Chikungunya to Zika Virus and Japanese Encephalitis, mosquitoes are silent vectors for disease that impact millions globally. According to the World Health Organization, mosquito-borne illnesses claim over a million lives each year—making them far more than a backyard pest.

Why Do Mosquitoes Bite?

Contrary to popular belief, mosquitoes don’t bite for food. Male mosquitoes survive entirely on nectar, while females seek out blood to obtain proteins vital for egg development. That’s right—only the females bite, and they do it for reproduction.

But mosquitoes don’t choose their targets randomly. Their decision to bite you is rooted in biology and chemistry. Female mosquitoes are equipped with a suite of sensory tools that allow them to detect carbon dioxide from nearly 160 feet away, identify specific skin odors, and even spot you based on the color of your clothes. Here are five weird biological reasons mosquitoes may find you more irresistible than others.

1. Your Blood Type

There’s long been speculation that mosquitoes prefer certain blood types, and science offers some support. A 2004 study found that mosquitoes landed on people with Type O blood nearly twice as often as those with Type A. A more recent 2019 study reinforced this finding, observing mosquitoes feeding more frequently from Type O blood samples.

While the exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, researchers believe it’s related to secretions on the skin associated with specific blood types—particularly in people known as “secretors,” whose blood type antigens are found not just in their blood but in their saliva, sweat, and skin.

2. The Color of Your Clothing

Mosquitoes are highly visual and rely on sight to locate hosts, especially in the daylight. Studies show that darker colors—black, navy, and red—stand out more to mosquitoes. These colors retain more heat and contrast strongly with green, natural environments, making you an easy target.

Light-colored, loose-fitting clothing offers more than just summer comfort—it can be your first line of mosquito defense.

3. You Emit More Carbon Dioxide

Every time you exhale, you release carbon dioxide, one of the key cues mosquitoes use to track humans. Larger individuals, people who are pregnant, or anyone who’s physically active emits more CO₂ and is more likely to attract attention.

According to research published in Chemical Senses, mosquitoes detect carbon dioxide using an organ called the maxillary palp, which enables them to lock in on their target from a shocking distance of up to 164 feet.

4. Your Body Odor

Human sweat contains a mix of compounds—like lactic acid, ammonia, and uric acid—that mosquitoes find irresistible. Newer research highlights the role of carboxylic acids, which are produced when beneficial skin bacteria break down sebum (the waxy substance secreted by your skin).

Interestingly, even the most expensive perfumes or colognes may not mask these natural odors. Genetics, hygiene, and lifestyle factors like exercise can all impact how your skin smells to a mosquito.

5. Alcohol

Yes, even your choice of beverage can make a difference. A small study found that mosquitoes were more likely to land on participants after they had consumed beer. While the sample size was small and the findings modest, it raises interesting questions about metabolism, body temperature, and skin chemistry post-consumption.

Why Some People Swell More Than Others After Bites?

Mosquito bites don’t affect everyone equally. Some people develop small red dots; others end up with itchy welts. The difference lies in your immune response. When a mosquito bites, it injects saliva that contains anticoagulants and proteins. Your immune system releases histamine to combat these foreign substances, which causes inflammation and itchiness. People with stronger immune responses tend to have more visible reactions.

Remedies To Protect Yourself

Forget citronella candles and unverified home remedies. The most effective repellents contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. For those preferring natural alternatives, plant-based repellents such as neem oil, lavender, and citronella can help, though they may need more frequent application.

Want an extra layer of protection? Look for sunscreens that also offer mosquito repellent features—perfect for beach days and hikes alike.

How to Make Your Home Mosquito-Free?

A few strategic changes can turn your home into a mosquito fortress:

• Eliminate stagnant water in pots, buckets, and bird baths—mosquitoes breed in still water.
• Use ceiling fans to disrupt mosquito flight patterns.
• Install window screens and keep doors shut during dawn and dusk.
• Add mosquito-repelling plants like marigold, basil, and lemongrass to your garden.
• Taking cues from global solutions like the Caribbean’s approach to community fogging and public awareness can also make a lasting impact.

Understanding why mosquitoes target you is more than a fun fact—it’s a survival skill. Armed with knowledge and the right protection, you can reclaim your summer without constantly itching or worrying about disease.