We have all wonder what happens right before we die. Whether the belief that we see our entire life flash in our brain is true or do we see the people we cherish the most. Even though death is an immortal truth that happens to everyone eventually, there is little of what we know about it.

While memories and similar thoughts may be difficult to track yet, we can still learn a lot from people who have had such events, especially looking at near-death experiences (NDEs), is helping us understand more.

NDEs are unique experiences reported by people who almost died but survived. They often describe vivid memories, feeling like they're outside their body, or entering peaceful states. These accounts give us a rare glimpse into what might be happening in the brain at the brink of death.

Explaining parts of this dilemma, a 2023 study published in the Frontier’s in Aging Neuroscience, shows what happens in our brain when we die or are at the brink of death.

Defining Death

Historically, death was marked by the heart stopping. However, in 1968, Harvard Medical School proposed adding brain death as a definition. This means someone is legally dead if their brain has completely and irreversibly lost all function, even if their heart is still beating with life support. Doctors use specific tests to determine brain death, like checking for:

• No response to stimulation (coma).
• No reflexes involving the brainstem (like pupils reacting to light or gagging).
• No spontaneous breathing.

While EEG (electroencephalogram), which measures brain electrical activity, can be used, it's not always the primary test. Some studies show brain activity can sometimes persist briefly even after the heart stops.

What Happens to Brain Cells When We Die?

The study explained that when blood stops flowing to the brain, brain cells (neurons) quickly lose their vital oxygen and energy. This sets off a chain reaction of damage: cells run out of their main fuel, ATP. Then, the tiny pumps that keep cells balanced fail, causing them to swell and get flooded with calcium. This excess calcium activates enzymes that literally break down the cell's structure, leading to widespread damage and eventually, cell death.

About 4-8% of people report having had a Near-Death Experience (NDE). These experiences often include vivid memory recall, where people relive their lives in flashbacks, and out-of-body experiences, feeling as if they've left their physical body and are looking down on it. Many also describe an altered consciousness, a profound sense of peace or heightened awareness.

What Did Scientists Find?

Scientists are trying to connect these subjective experiences to measurable brain activity, particularly using EEG. Different brain wave frequencies are linked to different states of consciousness:

Alpha (8-13 Hz): Often linked to a relaxed, "idling" state or inhibiting irrelevant information.

Theta (4-8 Hz): Associated with memory processing, especially in the hippocampus.

Gamma (30-100 Hz): Linked to attention, awareness, conscious perception, and memory. This is a key area of interest in NDEs.

Intriguingly, research on both animals and some human cases has shown a surge of high-frequency gamma waves in the brain shortly after cardiac arrest (when the heart stops). This "gamma surge" has led some researchers to suggest that the brain might be capable of generating active conscious processing even in the final moments of life.

However, the timing and location of this activity can vary. Some studies using limited EEG monitoring (like on the forehead) showed brain activity ceasing before the heart, while others with more extensive brain monitoring found some activity persisting. This suggests the process of brain "shutting down" might be more gradual and complex than previously thought, and not necessarily a sudden, uniform halt across the entire brain.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition marked by the development of small cysts on the ovaries. This can interfere with ovulation, disrupt menstrual cycles, and impact fertility. Interestingly, many individuals with PCOS also experience insulin resistance, a condition where the body produces insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar but cannot use it effectively.

This raises concerns about a potential connection between PCOS and diabetes. We got in touch with Dr Tripti Sharan, Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, explaining how PCOS may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

How PCOS Can Increase Diabetes Risk

“Insulin resistance is often driven by genetics, obesity, and lifestyle factors,” Dr Tripti notes. “To maintain normal blood sugar, the body produces more insulin. Excess insulin then affects the ovaries, causing them to release higher levels of male hormones. This can lead to irregular periods, acne, abnormal hair growth, and sometimes infertility.”

If these factors are left unaddressed, insulin resistance can worsen. Over time, the body struggles to regulate blood sugar effectively, potentially leading to diabetes.

Risk Factors for Diabetes in Women with PCOSPCOS is often seen as a pre-diabetic condition. Without proper management, it can progress to diabetes. Dr Tripti highlights the importance of lifestyle measures, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, managing stress, and adopting a structured daily routine.

ALSO READ: PCOS Awareness Month: 5 Lifestyle Tips To Manage PCOS According To Gynecologist

PCOS is also linked to other health concerns, including high triglycerides, fatty liver, endometrial hyperplasia, and high blood pressure. Factors such as obesity, inactivity, chronic stress, high cholesterol, pregnancy, aging, smoking, vitamin D deficiency, and misuse of steroids can further increase diabetes risk in women with PCOS.

Symptoms Indicating Higher Diabetes Risk

Preventive Measures and Lifestyle Tips

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Engage in daily physical activity, regardless of body size
• Manage stress effectively
• Prioritize sufficient sleep
• Address hormonal imbalances under medical supervision
• Treat thyroid disorders
• Monitor and control lipid levels to prevent cardiovascular issues
• Ensure pregnancies are planned and screened for diabetes

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She also advises focusing on a balanced diet rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables, especially those with skins, which have a lower glycemic load. Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake are important, and regular exercise, including cardio, strength training, stretching, and relaxation practices like yoga and meditation can help manage both PCOS and diabetes risk. Additionally, avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol supports overall health.

In today’s hyper-connected, always-on work culture, long hours and erratic shifts are quietly eating into one of the most essential pillars of health.. A new study by Truworth Wellness, India Workplace Wellbeing Report 2025: From Access to Outcomes, reveals how sleep deprivation, chronic diseases, and poor preventive care are undermining employees during their prime working years.

Sleep Deprivation: A Silent Productivity KillerThe report, based on health data from over 46,000 employees across industries, found that nearly 1 in 10 workers suffer from sleep disorders, most of them between ages 23 and 39. This lack of rest translates to 11.3 lost workdays per employee every year, costing companies an estimated ₹2.1 lakh annually, as per the study.

Chronic Conditions Striking Earlier

Obesity and the Prevention Gap

Poor Sleep Is Leading To Poor Mental Health

ALSO READ: High, Low, or Normal? A Simple Guide To Understanding Blood Pressure Readings

How Companies Can RespondTo tackle the crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends:

• Training managers to recognize and respond to emotional distress.
• Mental health literacy programs to reduce stigma and raise awareness.
• Stress management and lifestyle interventions such as physical activity and psychosocial support.

The Business Case for Better Sleep

A Wake-Up Call for Corporate Industries

ALSO READ: Prediabetes: How To Spot the Silent Warning Signs Before It Turns Into Type-2 Diabetes

By moving beyond generic wellness programs and focusing on measurable outcomes, Indian organizations can turn employee health into a strategic advantage. Embedding sleep, stress management, and preventive care into workplace wellness not only improves productivity but also builds a resilient workforce. The Truworth Wellness India Workplace Wellbeing Report 2025, conducted in collaboration with People Matters, highlights these insights and provides a roadmap for companies to act before small health risks escalate into costly chronic conditions.

Half of all American adults have high blood pressure, also called hypertension, yet many don’t even know it. High blood pressure occurs when blood flows through your arteries at higher-than-normal pressures. Recently, cases of high blood pressure have been rising rapidly in the U.S. and globally. As these numbers climb, regularly checking your blood pressure becomes essential.

According to the 2025 American Heart Association Statistical Update, nearly half of U.S. adults, around 122 million people, have high blood pressure, a leading preventable cause of heart disease, stroke, and early death. Shockingly, only about one in four have their condition under control. To help you stay on top of your numbers, here’s a detailed guide to understanding blood pressure.

Blood Pressure Readings ExplainedBlood pressure is written as two numbers separated by a slash, such as 120/80 mm Hg, which can be read as “120 over 80 millimeters of mercury.”

The first number, or systolic pressure, measures the force of blood against artery walls when the heart pumps.

The second number, or diastolic pressure, measures the pressure when the heart rests between beats.

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Blood pressure naturally changes throughout the day depending on activity, stress, and other factors. A healthy reading is less than 120/80 mm Hg. Blood pressure is considered high when systolic readings are 130 mm Hg or higher or diastolic readings are 80 mm Hg or higher.

New Blood Pressure Guidelines by the American Heart Association

• Earlier Treatment: People with a 10-year cardiovascular risk of 10% or more are advised to start medication along with lifestyle changes.
• Personalized Risk Assessment: Doctors may use the PREVENT™️ calculator to estimate 10-year risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.
• Expanded Lab Testing: Tests such as the urine albumin:creatinine ratio help tailor treatment plans.
• Lifestyle First: Limit sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day, maintain a healthy weight, and stay physically active.
• Alcohol Limits: Men: 2 drinks/day; women: 1 drink/day.

Blood Pressure Monitoring

ALSO READ: This Small Mistake Can Change Your Blood Pressure Reading, According To Doctor

Home monitoring is particularly important for:

• Anyone already diagnosed with high blood pressure.
• People starting or adjusting high blood pressure treatments, to see if they are working.
• Individuals who require closer monitoring, especially those with risk factors for high blood pressure or related health conditions.