Health and Me

Ishita Roy

What Are The Physical Symptoms Of Stress?

How Does Stress Impact Your Body?

How stress affects your body

Stress is your body’s natural response to challenges or demands. It’s a physical and mental reaction triggered by anything from daily responsibilities—like work, school, or family—to major life changes, such as illness, loss of a loved one, or a traumatic event. In small doses, stress can be beneficial. It helps you stay alert and focused and can even improve performance in some situations. This is because your body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which increase your heart rate, speed up your breathing, and prepare your muscles to respond quickly.

But when the stress response continues for too long or happens too often, it can become harmful. Chronic stress—when your body stays in a prolonged state of alert—can lead to long-term health problems.

<h5>Central Nervous and Endocrine Systems</h5>

Your brain’s hypothalamus triggers the “fight or flight” response, telling your adrenal glands to release stress hormones. These hormones prepare your body to deal with threats. Ideally, once the threat is gone, hormone levels drop, and your body returns to normal. But if stress persists, this system stays activated. Over time, this can lead to anxiety, depression, irritability, headaches, and sleep disturbances. Chronic stress can also push people toward unhealthy habits like overeating, skipping meals, smoking, or using alcohol or drugs.

<h5>Respiratory and Cardiovascular Systems</h5>

Stress causes your breathing to speed up in order to quickly move oxygen throughout your body. If you have a breathing condition like asthma, this can worsen symptoms. Your heart also pumps faster, and your blood pressure rises. Over time, this extra workload increases your risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.

Under stress, your liver produces extra glucose for energy. But if your body can’t regulate this surge, it can raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Stress may also lead to stomach discomfort, nausea, acid reflux, or bowel issues such as diarrhea or constipation. While stress doesn’t directly cause ulcers, it can aggravate them.

Muscles tense up during stress to protect you from injury. Normally, they relax when the stress passes. But with ongoing stress, they stay tight. This can lead to headaches, back pain, and general body aches. Chronic muscle tension can also make you less likely to stay active, which can contribute to more discomfort and reliance on painkillers.

Stress can reduce sex drive in both men and women. In men, long-term stress can lower testosterone, affect sperm production, and cause erectile dysfunction. In women, it may lead to irregular, painful, or heavier periods and intensify menopause symptoms.

Initially, stress boosts your immune system. But over time, it weakens your body’s defenses, making you more susceptible to colds, flu, and other infections. It can also slow down your recovery from illness or injury.

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Trump Government Ends Program For HIV Vaccine: What Is Means For Healthcare

World No Tobacco Day 2025: How “Safe” Vaping Is Hooking A New Generation On Nicotine?

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Stress is your body’s natural response to challenges or demands. It’s a physical and mental reaction triggered by anything from daily responsibilities—like work, school, or family—to major life changes, such as illness, loss of a loved one, or a traumatic event. In small doses, stress can be beneficial. It helps you stay alert and focused and can even improve performance in some situations. This is because your body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which increase your heart rate, speed up your breathing, and prepare your muscles to respond quickly.But when the stress response continues for too long or happens too often, it can become harmful. Chronic stress—when your body stays in a prolonged state of alert—can lead to long-term health problems.How Stress Affects the BodyCentral Nervous and Endocrine SystemsYour brain’s hypothalamus triggers the “fight or flight” response, telling your adrenal glands to release stress hormones. These hormones prepare your body to deal with threats. Ideally, once the threat is gone, hormone levels drop, and your body returns to normal. But if stress persists, this system stays activated. Over time, this can lead to anxiety, depression, irritability, headaches, and sleep disturbances. Chronic stress can also push people toward unhealthy habits like overeating, skipping meals, smoking, or using alcohol or drugs.Respiratory and Cardiovascular SystemsStress causes your breathing to speed up in order to quickly move oxygen throughout your body. If you have a breathing condition like asthma, this can worsen symptoms. Your heart also pumps faster, and your blood pressure rises. Over time, this extra workload increases your risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease.Digestive SystemUnder stress, your liver produces extra glucose for energy. But if your body can’t regulate this surge, it can raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Stress may also lead to stomach discomfort, nausea, acid reflux, or bowel issues such as diarrhea or constipation. While stress doesn’t directly cause ulcers, it can aggravate them.Muscular SystemMuscles tense up during stress to protect you from injury. Normally, they relax when the stress passes. But with ongoing stress, they stay tight. This can lead to headaches, back pain, and general body aches. Chronic muscle tension can also make you less likely to stay active, which can contribute to more discomfort and reliance on painkillers.Sexual and Reproductive SystemsStress can reduce sex drive in both men and women. In men, long-term stress can lower testosterone, affect sperm production, and cause erectile dysfunction. In women, it may lead to irregular, painful, or heavier periods and intensify menopause symptoms.Immune SystemInitially, stress boosts your immune system. But over time, it weakens your body’s defenses, making you more susceptible to colds, flu, and other infections. It can also slow down your recovery from illness or injury.

what are the physical symptoms of stress?

Trump administration cuts down HIV vaccine fund

Health News

CDC No Longer Recommends COVID Vaccine For Kids And Pregnant Women - What Do Experts Think?

rfk jr. announces cdc no longer recommends covid vaccine for kids and pregnant women - what do experts think?

Errors In MAHA Report Acknowledged By the White House, What Happens Next?

errors in maha report acknowledged by the white house, what happens next?

Nutrition

Can Eating Too Much Ginger, Cloves, Cinnamon Or Turmeric Interfere With Your Daily Medication?

can eating too much ginger, cloves, cinnamon or turmeric interfere with your daily medication?

Cook County Health Grapples With Lost Grants Amid Federal Pullback

cook county health grapples with lost grants amid federal pullback

In a devastating setback for global HIV research, the United States government has abruptly halted funding for a seminal mRNA-based <span>HIV vaccine</span> study, just days before its scheduled start in March 2025. The vaccine, developed under the BRILLIANT consortium, had secured all regulatory approvals and was on track to begin Phase 1 clinical trials in South Africa—a country with the highest number of people living with HIV.

Now, vials of the vaccine sit idle in lab refrigerators, their promise frozen alongside the hopes of researchers who have worked for years toward this breakthrough.

“It feels like the world has come to an end,” said Linda-Gail Bekker, director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre and the trial’s lead. “But we have to find a way forward.”

South Africa, a critical hub in the global HIV research ecosystem, has been hit particularly hard. The cuts have disrupted care and prevention programs, forced clinics to shut down, and triggered mass layoffs of healthcare workers.

Thesla Palanee-Phillips, director of clinical trials at Johannesburg’s Wits RHI, described the situation as a “devastating domino effect,” with research programs unraveling and data becoming unusable. She was deputy director of MATRIX, a major HIV-prevention R&amp;D initiative that lost its $125 million USAID grant. “There’s little chance of resurrection,” she said. “Our partners at USAID have been let go.”

This funding freeze erases not only years of work, but future dividends of innovation. Bekker warns that dismantling this “well-oiled ecosystem” of research and partnerships is a loss that goes beyond science—it’s bad economics.

The vaccine halt is not an isolated event. It’s part of a broader trend of U.S. health aid reductions, particularly under the Trump administration. Between 2017 and 2021, the administration canceled at least 68 health-related grants awarded to 46 institutions, totaling around $40 million. These included vital studies on LGBTQ health, youth suicide, and HIV prevention.

Many researchers believe the cuts were politically motivated. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) defended the terminations by citing a commitment to “gold-standard, evidence-based science,” though critics argue they reflect an ideological rollback on gender and minority protections.

Under Trump, the definition of gender in healthcare was altered, undermining Obama-era protections for transgender individuals. In 2020, the administration reversed rules prohibiting healthcare discrimination based on gender identity—actions that severely limited access to gender-affirming care and other essential services.

The Trump-era focus on trade protectionism also had medical repercussions. Tariffs on pharmaceutical imports from China have raised alarms about the future of heparin, a life-saving anticoagulant. Made primarily from pig intestines sourced in China, heparin has no real substitute for patients requiring injectable blood thinners.

The threat of tariffs could disrupt this fragile supply chain, raise drug costs, and cause shortages in U.S. hospitals. Manufacturing domestically would require major investment, and alternative sources remain limited. The consequences of such disruption go beyond inconvenience—they could endanger lives.

Despite the bleak outlook, researchers in South Africa are exploring alternate funding sources. Bekker has reassigned some of her staff to shield them from layoffs, while the South African Medical Research Council is in talks with the government, private philanthropists, and pharmaceutical companies.

“It takes decades to build a research career,” said Palanee-Phillips. “Overnight decisions are destroying the work we’ve done.” Yet, she holds on to a sliver of hope: that African researchers will persevere and rebuild.

As global health leaders now warn of a potential immunization disaster—should the U.S. also pull support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance—the world is watching Washington’s next moves with urgency and concern. Because when America retreats from global health, the consequences reverberate far beyond its borders.

no fund for hiv vaccine us

trump government cuts funds

us news

HIV vaccine

no fund for hiv vaccine

trump govt cuts down hiv vaccine fund

In a devastating setback for global HIV research, the United States government has abruptly halted funding for a seminal mRNA-based HIV vaccine study, just days before its scheduled start in March 2025. The vaccine, developed under the BRILLIANT consortium, had secured all regulatory approvals and was on track to begin Phase 1 clinical trials in South Africa—a country with the highest number of people living with HIV.Now, vials of the vaccine sit idle in lab refrigerators, their promise frozen alongside the hopes of researchers who have worked for years toward this breakthrough.“It feels like the world has come to an end,” said Linda-Gail Bekker, director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre and the trial’s lead. “But we have to find a way forward.”A Domino Effect in South AfricaSouth Africa, a critical hub in the global HIV research ecosystem, has been hit particularly hard. The cuts have disrupted care and prevention programs, forced clinics to shut down, and triggered mass layoffs of healthcare workers.Thesla Palanee-Phillips, director of clinical trials at Johannesburg’s Wits RHI, described the situation as a “devastating domino effect,” with research programs unraveling and data becoming unusable. She was deputy director of MATRIX, a major HIV-prevention R&D initiative that lost its $125 million USAID grant. “There’s little chance of resurrection,” she said. “Our partners at USAID have been let go.”This funding freeze erases not only years of work, but future dividends of innovation. Bekker warns that dismantling this “well-oiled ecosystem” of research and partnerships is a loss that goes beyond science—it’s bad economics.Broader Cuts Undermine Health ProgressThe vaccine halt is not an isolated event. It’s part of a broader trend of U.S. health aid reductions, particularly under the Trump administration. Between 2017 and 2021, the administration canceled at least 68 health-related grants awarded to 46 institutions, totaling around $40 million. These included vital studies on LGBTQ health, youth suicide, and HIV prevention.Many researchers believe the cuts were politically motivated. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) defended the terminations by citing a commitment to “gold-standard, evidence-based science,” though critics argue they reflect an ideological rollback on gender and minority protections.Under Trump, the definition of gender in healthcare was altered, undermining Obama-era protections for transgender individuals. In 2020, the administration reversed rules prohibiting healthcare discrimination based on gender identity—actions that severely limited access to gender-affirming care and other essential services.Tariffs and the Heparin CrisisThe Trump-era focus on trade protectionism also had medical repercussions. Tariffs on pharmaceutical imports from China have raised alarms about the future of heparin, a life-saving anticoagulant. Made primarily from pig intestines sourced in China, heparin has no real substitute for patients requiring injectable blood thinners.The threat of tariffs could disrupt this fragile supply chain, raise drug costs, and cause shortages in U.S. hospitals. Manufacturing domestically would require major investment, and alternative sources remain limited. The consequences of such disruption go beyond inconvenience—they could endanger lives.Looking for New PathwaysDespite the bleak outlook, researchers in South Africa are exploring alternate funding sources. Bekker has reassigned some of her staff to shield them from layoffs, while the South African Medical Research Council is in talks with the government, private philanthropists, and pharmaceutical companies.“It takes decades to build a research career,” said Palanee-Phillips. “Overnight decisions are destroying the work we’ve done.” Yet, she holds on to a sliver of hope: that African researchers will persevere and rebuild.As global health leaders now warn of a potential immunization disaster—should the U.S. also pull support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance—the world is watching Washington’s next moves with urgency and concern. Because when America retreats from global health, the consequences reverberate far beyond its borders.

trump government ends program for hiv vaccine: what is means for healthcare

Tanya Dutt

World No Tobacco Day: How “Safe” Vaping Is Hooking A New Generation On Nicotine?

UK Bans Disposable Vape: Will This Really Stop Young People And Reduce Waste?

uk bans disposable vape: will this really stop young people and reduce waste?

World No Tobacco Day 2025: Theme, History, And Significance

world no tobacco day 2025: theme, history, and significance

Smoking Could Be A Bigger Issue For People With Disability

smoking could be a bigger issue for people with disability

Can Drinking Alcohol Increase Your Risk Of Pancreatic Cancer? WHO Study Reveals Alarming Link

can drinking alcohol increase your risk of pancreatic cancer? who study reveals alarming link

Every year on May 31, <span>World No Tobacco Day</span> serves as a global wake-up call to the grave dangers of tobacco consumption. Initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987 and formalized in 1988, this day aims to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco use and push for effective policies to reduce its consumption. This year’s theme, “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products,” takes a bold stand against deceptive marketing strategies that present vaping and other nicotine products as “safer” alternatives to traditional tobacco.

This narrative, although seductive, is not just misleading—it’s dangerous.

<h2>Why Vaping is Seen as a “Healthier” Substitute?</h2>

Public health campaigns had, for a while, reason to celebrate. Decades of anti-smoking efforts were showing results, with fewer people lighting up cigarettes. The drop in cigarette smoking was hailed as a victory for preventive healthcare. But the rise of e-cigarettes—sleek, flavored, and aggressively marketed—has reversed some of that progress.

Originally touted as a cessation aid or a “less harmful” nicotine delivery method, vaping quickly evolved into a cultural trend, especially among youth. While traditional smoking rates declined, vaping became the most common method of nicotine consumption among adolescents, replacing rather than eliminating tobacco use.

“Vaping is not harmless,” warns Dr. Arun Chowdary Kotaru, Head and Senior Consultant of Pulmonology &amp; Sleep Medicine. “Even if it may contain fewer toxic chemicals than traditional cigarettes, it still delivers a cocktail of harmful substances that are anything but safe.”

At the heart of both smoking and vaping is nicotine—a highly addictive stimulant that alters brain chemistry. E-cigarettes typically contain this substance, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), not only fuels addiction but also impairs adolescent brain development.

“The teenage brain is still developing until around the age of 25,” explains Dr. Kotaru. “Nicotine interferes with areas responsible for learning, impulse control, and mood regulation. Early exposure can also set the stage for a lifelong struggle with addiction, increasing vulnerability to other substance abuse later in life.”

It’s not just youth who are affected. Pregnant women who vape put their unborn children at risk, as nicotine restricts blood flow to the placenta, potentially leading to low birth weight and other complications.

Many people assume that switching from cigarettes to vaping means fewer chemicals entering the body. That’s not entirely accurate. While e-cigarettes may contain fewer carcinogens than combustible cigarettes, the aerosol (not vapor) inhaled from vaping devices contains a toxic mix.

According to the CDC and corroborated by Dr. Kotaru, this aerosol may include:

<ul><li>Heavy metals like lead, nickel, and tin</li><li>Volatile organic compounds that are linked to cancer</li><li>Flavoring chemicals, notably diacetyl, associated with “popcorn lung” or bronchiolitis obliterans</li><li>Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs</li></ul>

“Inhaling these substances directly into the lungs introduces not just nicotine, but also numerous potentially carcinogenic and lung-damaging compounds,” Dr. Kotaru adds. “This is not harm reduction—it’s harm diversification.”

<h2>Are Flavors and Packaging Hooking the Next Generation?</h2>

One of the most alarming strategies employed by the vaping industry is flavoring. Youth-friendly flavors like mango, cotton candy, and mint make vaping palatable—and appealing—to teenagers and young adults. As of late 2023, over 6,000 vaping products were available in the U.S., many in disposable formats that are brightly colored and easy to conceal.

These products are not just accessible—they're marketed with the kind of sophistication once seen in cigarette advertisements from the 1950s and ’60s, before regulation cracked down. The industry's tactics seem designed to normalize vaping, glamorize nicotine, and downplay the risks.

<h2>Myth of “Harm Reduction” and Dual Use</h2>

Proponents of vaping often cite “harm reduction” as a justification, suggesting that e-cigarettes are a stepping stone to quitting. While this may hold true for a subset of adult smokers under medical guidance, the reality is more complicated.

Dual use—where individuals both vape and smoke traditional cigarettes—is increasingly common. This behavior does not reduce harm but rather amplifies exposure to toxic chemicals. According to public health experts, dual users may suffer worse respiratory outcomes compared to those who stick to one method alone.

“People assume they're cutting down on cigarettes by vaping,” says Dr. Kotaru. “But in reality, they’re compounding the risk by layering one addiction on top of another.”

Campuses across the U.S. are grappling with the rising incidence of vaping among students. Once confined to restrooms and dorm rooms, the use of e-cigarettes has crept into classrooms, cafeterias, and even public events.

Behavioral health reports from school districts, such as the 2024 Wood County Youth Behavioral Health Barometer, indicate that vaping is often seen as harmless among teens—a perception that public health advocates are racing to correct. Educational campaigns are now targeting youth directly, enlisting students in peer-led interventions to counteract the flood of misinformation on social media and among friends.

The narrative that e-cigarettes are a “safer” alternative to smoking needs to be critically examined and, in many cases, flatly rejected. Public health isn’t a race to the lesser of two evils. It’s a pursuit of well-being grounded in evidence, prevention, and transparency.

While vaping may have a role in helping some adult smokers transition away from combustible tobacco under strict supervision, the broad marketing of these devices—especially to youth—is a threat to global health.

On this World No Tobacco Day, let’s unmask the illusions, expose the tactics, and recommit to a nicotine-free future. The risks are real. The science is clear. “Safer” isn’t safe—and we should stop pretending otherwise.

<em>Dr. Arun Chowdary Kotaru, Head and Senior Consultant, Pulmonology &amp; Sleep Medicine, Artemis Hospitals</em>

world no tobacco day

vaping health risks

nicotine addiction

is vaping safe

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e-cigarette dangers

tobacco-free awareness

Every year on May 31, World No Tobacco Day serves as a global wake-up call to the grave dangers of tobacco consumption. Initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1987 and formalized in 1988, this day aims to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco use and push for effective policies to reduce its consumption. This year’s theme, “Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products,” takes a bold stand against deceptive marketing strategies that present vaping and other nicotine products as “safer” alternatives to traditional tobacco.This narrative, although seductive, is not just misleading—it’s dangerous.Why Vaping is Seen as a “Healthier” Substitute?Public health campaigns had, for a while, reason to celebrate. Decades of anti-smoking efforts were showing results, with fewer people lighting up cigarettes. The drop in cigarette smoking was hailed as a victory for preventive healthcare. But the rise of e-cigarettes—sleek, flavored, and aggressively marketed—has reversed some of that progress.Originally touted as a cessation aid or a “less harmful” nicotine delivery method, vaping quickly evolved into a cultural trend, especially among youth. While traditional smoking rates declined, vaping became the most common method of nicotine consumption among adolescents, replacing rather than eliminating tobacco use.“Vaping is not harmless,” warns Dr. Arun Chowdary Kotaru, Head and Senior Consultant of Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine. “Even if it may contain fewer toxic chemicals than traditional cigarettes, it still delivers a cocktail of harmful substances that are anything but safe.”At the heart of both smoking and vaping is nicotine—a highly addictive stimulant that alters brain chemistry. E-cigarettes typically contain this substance, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), not only fuels addiction but also impairs adolescent brain development.“The teenage brain is still developing until around the age of 25,” explains Dr. Kotaru. “Nicotine interferes with areas responsible for learning, impulse control, and mood regulation. Early exposure can also set the stage for a lifelong struggle with addiction, increasing vulnerability to other substance abuse later in life.”It’s not just youth who are affected. Pregnant women who vape put their unborn children at risk, as nicotine restricts blood flow to the placenta, potentially leading to low birth weight and other complications.What’s in a Vape?Many people assume that switching from cigarettes to vaping means fewer chemicals entering the body. That’s not entirely accurate. While e-cigarettes may contain fewer carcinogens than combustible cigarettes, the aerosol (not vapor) inhaled from vaping devices contains a toxic mix.According to the CDC and corroborated by Dr. Kotaru, this aerosol may include:Heavy metals like lead, nickel, and tinVolatile organic compounds that are linked to cancerFlavoring chemicals, notably diacetyl, associated with “popcorn lung” or bronchiolitis obliteransUltrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs“Inhaling these substances directly into the lungs introduces not just nicotine, but also numerous potentially carcinogenic and lung-damaging compounds,” Dr. Kotaru adds. “This is not harm reduction—it’s harm diversification.”Are Flavors and Packaging Hooking the Next Generation?One of the most alarming strategies employed by the vaping industry is flavoring. Youth-friendly flavors like mango, cotton candy, and mint make vaping palatable—and appealing—to teenagers and young adults. As of late 2023, over 6,000 vaping products were available in the U.S., many in disposable formats that are brightly colored and easy to conceal.These products are not just accessible—they're marketed with the kind of sophistication once seen in cigarette advertisements from the 1950s and ’60s, before regulation cracked down. The industry's tactics seem designed to normalize vaping, glamorize nicotine, and downplay the risks.Myth of “Harm Reduction” and Dual UseProponents of vaping often cite “harm reduction” as a justification, suggesting that e-cigarettes are a stepping stone to quitting. While this may hold true for a subset of adult smokers under medical guidance, the reality is more complicated.Dual use—where individuals both vape and smoke traditional cigarettes—is increasingly common. This behavior does not reduce harm but rather amplifies exposure to toxic chemicals. According to public health experts, dual users may suffer worse respiratory outcomes compared to those who stick to one method alone.“People assume they're cutting down on cigarettes by vaping,” says Dr. Kotaru. “But in reality, they’re compounding the risk by layering one addiction on top of another.”Campuses across the U.S. are grappling with the rising incidence of vaping among students. Once confined to restrooms and dorm rooms, the use of e-cigarettes has crept into classrooms, cafeterias, and even public events.Behavioral health reports from school districts, such as the 2024 Wood County Youth Behavioral Health Barometer, indicate that vaping is often seen as harmless among teens—a perception that public health advocates are racing to correct. Educational campaigns are now targeting youth directly, enlisting students in peer-led interventions to counteract the flood of misinformation on social media and among friends.“Safer” Doesn’t Mean SafeThe narrative that e-cigarettes are a “safer” alternative to smoking needs to be critically examined and, in many cases, flatly rejected. Public health isn’t a race to the lesser of two evils. It’s a pursuit of well-being grounded in evidence, prevention, and transparency.While vaping may have a role in helping some adult smokers transition away from combustible tobacco under strict supervision, the broad marketing of these devices—especially to youth—is a threat to global health.On this World No Tobacco Day, let’s unmask the illusions, expose the tactics, and recommit to a nicotine-free future. The risks are real. The science is clear. “Safer” isn’t safe—and we should stop pretending otherwise.Dr. Arun Chowdary Kotaru, Head and Senior Consultant, Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine, Artemis Hospitals

world no tobacco day 2025: how “safe” vaping is hooking a new generation on nicotine?

Aarushi Bhadury

World No-Tobacco Day: Quitting Smoking Can Significantly Boost 'Good' Cholesterol And Heart Health

quitting smoking can significantly boost 'good' cholesterol and heart health

News of <span>wildfire</span>s and damage caused by it is often centered around the immediate effects of the smoke. While the aftermath of such a destructive event can be difficult to deal with, a new study shows, the side effects of the wildfire could show up, even months later 

Wildfire smoke doesn't just clear with the wind. A new study shows that the harmful effects on your <span>heart and lungs</span> can last for up to three months after the smoke clears. The particle pollution in wildfire smoke makes it much more likely for people to end up in the hospital for months, even when the air looks clean. This means there's a hidden, long-lasting danger for anyone in areas hit by these fires. 

Even if you're only around the smoke from small fires for a few days, it can still cause health problems that last a long time. The study, published in the journal Epidemiology, also found a direct link between the amount of smoke pollution and an increased risk of health problems. The more smoke in the air, the higher the danger to people's health. 

To understand this extended impact, researchers examined hospitalization records from 2006 to 2016 for residents across 15 U.S. states. The states included Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin. The extensive dataset included over 13.7 million hospitalizations for heart diseases and nearly 8 million for respiratory conditions, providing a broad view of health impacts following smoke exposure. 

The study found that people's risk of hospitalization for these conditions increased within three months of exposure to wildfire smoke. High blood pressure was the health condition most significantly impacted. Other conditions gravely affected included various heart diseases, strokes, irregular heart rhythms, pneumonia, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and asthma. These findings underscore the broad and serious health consequences that extend far beyond the immediate smoke event. 

<h2>Urgent Need for Better Wildfire Management </h2>

These results emphasize that preventing wildfires is crucial for protecting public health. Wildfires can burn for weeks, and smoke may linger in the air for extended periods, keeping the air toxic even after a wildfire has ended. Current wildfire management strategies are outdated and ineffective. More effort should be placed on proactive wildfire management to safeguard public health, rather than solely relying on traditional air quality controls after fires have already started. 

<h2>What Are The Health Effects Of Smoke Inhalation? </h2>

The Cleveland Clinic explains that smoke inhalation happens when you breathe in a significant amount of smoke, for instance, during a house, vehicle, or forest fire. This smoke can directly harm your airways and lungs. It often contains dangerous chemicals like carbon monoxide and cyanide, which can be fatal if inhaled in large quantities. 

If you've been in a fire, are experiencing symptoms of smoke inhalation, or suspect you've breathed in a lot of smoke, it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention or go to the emergency room. 

Even smaller amounts of smoke, such as from distant wildfires, can irritate your eyes and airways. In such situations, it's important to stay indoors with windows closed or wear a mask if you must go outside. This is especially vital if you have existing respiratory conditions like COPD or asthma. You may experience symptoms like: 

<ul><li>Shortness of breath</li><li>Hoarseness</li><li>Chest pain</li><li>Sore throat</li><li>Cough</li><li>Noisy breathing, like wheezing or stridor</li><li>Headache</li><li>Dizziness</li><li>Confusion</li><li>Fainting</li><li>Seizures</li></ul>

Wildfires Could Affect Heart And Lung Health

wildfire

Heart And Lungs

Smoke and heart health

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can wildfires lead to heart attackes

Wildfires Caused Health Symptoms

Heart Health

News of wildfires and damage caused by it is often centered around the immediate effects of the smoke. While the aftermath of such a destructive event can be difficult to deal with, a new study shows, the side effects of the wildfire could show up, even months later Wildfire smoke doesn't just clear with the wind. A new study shows that the harmful effects on your heart and lungs can last for up to three months after the smoke clears. The particle pollution in wildfire smoke makes it much more likely for people to end up in the hospital for months, even when the air looks clean. This means there's a hidden, long-lasting danger for anyone in areas hit by these fires. Even if you're only around the smoke from small fires for a few days, it can still cause health problems that last a long time. The study, published in the journal Epidemiology, also found a direct link between the amount of smoke pollution and an increased risk of health problems. The more smoke in the air, the higher the danger to people's health. How the Study Was Conducted To understand this extended impact, researchers examined hospitalization records from 2006 to 2016 for residents across 15 U.S. states. The states included Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin. The extensive dataset included over 13.7 million hospitalizations for heart diseases and nearly 8 million for respiratory conditions, providing a broad view of health impacts following smoke exposure. The study found that people's risk of hospitalization for these conditions increased within three months of exposure to wildfire smoke. High blood pressure was the health condition most significantly impacted. Other conditions gravely affected included various heart diseases, strokes, irregular heart rhythms, pneumonia, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and asthma. These findings underscore the broad and serious health consequences that extend far beyond the immediate smoke event. Urgent Need for Better Wildfire Management These results emphasize that preventing wildfires is crucial for protecting public health. Wildfires can burn for weeks, and smoke may linger in the air for extended periods, keeping the air toxic even after a wildfire has ended. Current wildfire management strategies are outdated and ineffective. More effort should be placed on proactive wildfire management to safeguard public health, rather than solely relying on traditional air quality controls after fires have already started. What Are The Health Effects Of Smoke Inhalation? The Cleveland Clinic explains that smoke inhalation happens when you breathe in a significant amount of smoke, for instance, during a house, vehicle, or forest fire. This smoke can directly harm your airways and lungs. It often contains dangerous chemicals like carbon monoxide and cyanide, which can be fatal if inhaled in large quantities. If you've been in a fire, are experiencing symptoms of smoke inhalation, or suspect you've breathed in a lot of smoke, it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention or go to the emergency room. Even smaller amounts of smoke, such as from distant wildfires, can irritate your eyes and airways. In such situations, it's important to stay indoors with windows closed or wear a mask if you must go outside. This is especially vital if you have existing respiratory conditions like COPD or asthma. You may experience symptoms like: Shortness of breathHoarsenessChest painSore throatCoughNoisy breathing, like wheezing or stridorHeadacheDizzinessConfusionFaintingSeizures

wildfires caused health symptoms could affect your heart and lungs for months: study

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Wildfires Caused Health Symptoms Could Affect Your Heart And Lungs For Months: Study