Sharing a home with others is not a novel concept, particularly when people are trying to split expenses or otherwise lack the funds for independent dwelling. The popularity of shared living has made it a popular option for many, whether it's sharing a bedroom or an apartment.

However, there may be serious disadvantages to this arrangement that could negatively affect one's physical and emotional health.

Among the difficulties that come with sharing a house with someone are issues of overcrowding, privacy invasion, and the health hazards that come with living in close quarters.

The Impact of Crowding on Health

One of the most urgent problems with cohabitation is overcrowding. Overcrowded housing is linked to a number of health issues, particularly when there are more residents than a space can accommodate. Living so close to other people raises serious health issues, such as the spread of infectious diseases, poor air quality, and inadequate sanitation.

For example, a kitchen or lavatory that is frequently used but is not adequately cleaned or maintained can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria. Inadequate ventilation, crowded sleeping arrangements, and excessive foot traffic in public places can all worsen air quality, increasing the risk of respiratory problems and disease.

The mental strain of spending a lot of time in cramped quarters can also cause stress. As per studies and also experts, living in a crowded place makes it more difficult for people to feel alone or private, which can lead to sadness and anxiety.

When you are continuously around people. it might make it difficult to set personal boundaries, which can lead to frustration and exhaustion.

Maintaining Privacy: is it a challenge?

Privacy is essential for mental health and well-being. While being with someone helps you feel secured, however, living among others, particularly strangers or people you don't know well, may make it tough to find moments of alone. This lack of privacy may be especially harmful to people who cherish their alone time for relaxation and restoration.

When you don't have privacy, it's more difficult to control your emotions, sleep quietly, or decompress after work. Your inability to manage your surroundings, whether due to other people's schedules, noise levels, or hygiene, may cause you to be nervous all of the time. This lack of control can cause ongoing discomfort and a sense of powerlessness. These feelings can further translate into mental health problems.

Social and Emotional Stress

The complicated social interactions that come with living with others, particularly strangers, can have an impact on your mental health. Some people might also feel uncomfortable in social situations, however, for others it could be thriving. When you share a room, you are frequently exposed to the habits and eccentricities of others. This could lead to disagreements about hygiene, noise levels, and borders.

Furthermore, mental stress may induce emotions of loneliness and isolation.

Safety and Security Hazards

Another big concern of living together, particularly in cramped quarters, is the possible risk to one's safety. Overcrowding also leads to hazards connected with these elements, and the results of a fire or emergency can be catastrophic.

Furthermore, you could also be concerned about your own safety, whether you live with strangers or someone you know. A lack of awareness of the people you live with can result in confrontations, theft, and other sorts of exploitation. The safety of your personal possessions and maybe your health could be jeopardized.

Long-Term Effects on Health

Sharing or living in close quarters may have significant long-term consequences. Regularly coping with stress, sleep deprivation, and physical health issues can drastically reduce one's quality of life.

Workplace productivity, relationships, and overall happiness may be impacted. Furthermore, healing from the emotional toll of living in these conditions may take some time, even if things improve.

Honey, oats, curd, berries...no I am not talking about foods to eat but things people apply on their face to keep to glowing and fighting anti-ageing. But there is one fruit that is less talked about when it comes to skincare-Apple. But why is Apple gaining popularity in skincare?

Several potential benefits come from applying apple-based products to the skin, including:

Prevents Premature Skin Ageing

Many skincare brands now use apple extract in their formulations.

As per dermatologists, highlight that apple extract contains phenolic acids and flavonoids, two essential components commonly found in fruits. A 2019 study emphasised the role of phenolic acids in a balanced diet, attributing their powerful antioxidant properties to various health benefits. Additionally, a 2016 review noted that flavonoids possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic properties.

Many anti-ageing skincare products also feature these compounds. As a 2019 study demonstrated, both phenolic acids and flavonoids help shield the skin from pollution-related damage. Apple fruit extract is a valuable skincare ingredient due to its rich composition of phytochemicals. Flavonoids act as antioxidants, protecting the skin from free radical damage caused by UV exposure, pollution, and environmental stressors.

Apple fruit extract contains flavonoids such as:

Catechins

Flavanols

Quercetin

May Give a Dewy Glow

Some believe that applying apple cider vinegar to the skin can improve dullness. Apple cider vinegar, derived from apples, contains acetic acid and citric acid.

A 2021 study found that acetic acid has antioxidant properties that protect the skin from infections. However, improper usage can cause skin irritation.

Citric acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), acts as an exfoliant. A 2018 study suggested that citric acid can help remove dull outer layers of skin, revealing a fresher, more radiant complexion.

Joyce Carslaw, founder of SmartAss Beauty, explains, “Unlike physical exfoliants with scrubbing particles, apple fruit water gently exfoliates dead skin without breaking the proteins that hold skin cells together.”

May Help Reduce Acne

Apples may also aid in acne management.

A 2018 study indicated that citric acid in apple cider vinegar can help reduce acne-related inflammation. However, excessive use may harm the skin barrier. Apple fruit extract (Pyrus malus) is an excellent addition to skincare formulations. It contains vitamins A and C, as well as zinc—compounds known to support clear, healthy skin.

Keeps Skin Hydrated

Apples are rich in vitamin E, a crucial nutrient for skin hydration. Older studies from 1998 and 2006 revealed that apple has water-binding properties that help maintain skin moisture and nourishment.

Using Apples in DIY Skincare

Expert dermatologists widely acknowledge the skincare benefits of apples and apple fruit extract when properly formulated.”

Shafer suggests applying apple slices directly to the face for a quick hydration boost. The vitamin E in apples helps keep the skin soft and hydrated, while the juice firms up the skin and maintains its natural pH balance.

For acne-prone skin, try mashed apple mixed with heavy cream or coconut milk. Mashed apple combined with milk cream soothes acne. Regular application can help fade dark spots and prevent future breakouts.

Over the past century, social progress has greatly altered the age at which women opt to have children. Whereas most women in the past gave birth in their early twenties or teens, the trend has since dramatically changed. Women in nations such as the U.S., South Korea, and in Europe are now delaying motherhood to well into their 30s. Indeed, the average age of first-time mothers in most OECD countries now stands at about 30.

But biology has not kept pace with society. Women's fertility is still tied to the natural aging of a woman's reproductive apparatus – something that modern medicine is always trying to get around. With career aspirations, education, and individual choice rewriting the schedules of motherhood, an urgent question presents itself: how far can we push back female fertility?

How Does The Biological Clock Work?

At the very center of female fertility is a game of numbers – one that is decided even before a girl is born. Women are born with a limited number of eggs, usually one million. By the time they reach puberty, this count drops to about 300,000. Of these, only some 300 to 400 will ever develop and get released during ovulation.

By age 37, egg stores decrease to around 25,000, and by age 51 – the average age of menopause in the United States – only 1,000 are left. Yet, ovulation and fertility do not necessarily persist up to menopause. In the majority of women, natural fertility declines sharply 7 to 10 years before, typically by the early 40s.

Though this fall has been around for some time, its raw statistics still stun: natural conception chances fall from about 25% per cycle during a woman's 20s to less than 5% per cycle by her 40s.

What Does the Egg Supply Do at Each Age?

More important than the declining egg quantity is the sharp decline in egg quality with advancing age. Each egg contains chromosomes that make up the DNA map for a new life. When egg quality falls, so does the chance for a successful pregnancy.

By age 30, nearly 25–30% of a woman’s eggs may carry chromosomal abnormalities. By 35, this rises to 40%, and after 40, it spikes dramatically. Studies show that beyond age 40, up to 75% of eggs may have abnormalities. Such eggs are less likely to fertilize, implant, or lead to a healthy baby.

The dangers posed by low quality of eggs are miscarriage, unsuccessful fertility treatment, and chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome.

How Far Can Science Go in Extending Fertility?

With the help of improvements in assisted reproductive technologies (ART), the limits of biological fertility are gradually being extended. Methods like egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and the employment of donor eggs have helped many women give birth well into their 40s – and, in some instances, even their 50s.

Egg freezing, specifically, has been a game-changer. It enables women to save their younger, healthier eggs to use later in life. It's not a surefire insurance policy, though. Success is dependent on age at the time of freezing, number of eggs saved, and overall health.

Nevertheless, though technology may provide additional time, it will not halt the natural aging of the ovaries or enhance the genetic quality of aging eggs. There is still a biological limit.

Decrease in Male Fertility Level

Men, too, experience a decline in fertility – but it tends to occur more gradually. Starting around age 40 to 45, men see a drop in sperm quality and volume, but they often retain the ability to father children into their 60s and beyond. Unlike women, men continuously produce new sperm, whereas women are working from a non-renewable stockpile of eggs.

This disparity implies that while more and more couples are opting to wait to have children, the responsibility of the "biological clock" remains mostly on women.

Although most of the discussion about female reproductive aging centers on wanting to have children, it is important to note that it also marks more general changes in a woman's health – specifically the onset of menopause and its attendant risks. Perhaps one of the most important but most underappreciated is the increasing significance of regular reproductive screenings, particularly as women get older.

Among these, cervical cancer screening stands out as a powerful tool to protect women’s health beyond their childbearing years.

Pap smears and HPV testing are able to pick up on abnormal cell changes before they develop into cancer. Because the immune system shifts with age and hormonal changes impact cervical health, regular screening is even more important. Women in their 30s and 40s – the same time frame when fertility is actively shifting – need to continue to be vigilant about their yearly OB-GYN checkups.

Actually, while women are thinking of or undergoing fertility treatments or assessing their reproductive future, this is the ideal opportunity to make sure their cervical health is under surveillance. New technologies in at-home HPV testing, liquid-based cytology, and co-testing provide more convenient and precise diagnoses ever before.

So is there a boundary beyond which female fertility can be prolonged? Biologically, yes. Despite incredible scientific strides, the natural aging of eggs and of the ovaries places limits that technology can only stretch so far.

Yet reproductive health is more than fertility. By broadening the story to encompass cervical screenings and preventive care, we give women the ability to take holistic control of their reproductive path – whether they opt to become mothers at 25, 35, or older because prolonging fertility isn't merely about having the capacity to conceive, it's about maintaining a lifetime of reproductive health.

Gemma Illingworth was only 31 when she died from a rare and aggressive type of dementia. A bright, independent artist who painted, traveled the world, and valued life's creative liberties, Gemma's life is not only tragic — it's a valuable lesson in the crucial need to recognize subtle neurological symptoms early on. Diagnosed at 28 with posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), a rare dementia that attacks the brain's visual processing area, Gemma's condition worsened quickly.

Her premature death highlights an increasing public health issue: overlooked early warning signs of cognitive and neurodegenerative impairment. For policymakers, healthcare professionals, and family members, her tale is both a warning and a reminder.

What is Posterior Cortical Atrophy?

Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA) is a rare, progressive neurodegenerative illness usually regarded as a subtype of Alzheimer's disease. In contrast to normal Alzheimer's, which first compromises memory, PCA attacks the rear portion of the brain — the occipital and parietal lobes — that are involved in visual and spatial processing. Some of the symptoms are:

• Trouble reading, identifying objects, or estimating distances
• Visual confusion or disorientation
• Hand-eye coordination difficulties
• Trouble with daily visual activities

Because of its atypical presentation, PCA often goes misdiagnosed as depression, anxiety, or even ophthalmological issues. This diagnostic challenge delayed Gemma’s care for years, despite her early struggles with sight, time perception, and coordination — red flags that now, in hindsight, point clearly to the disease’s onset.

The Missed Signs of Early-Onset Alzheimer's

Gemma's family recalls her as "ditsy," a girl who was unusual but self-reliant. From an early age, she had difficulty with her eyesight, telling the time, and coordination. Her difficulties were attributed to her character and not taken as possible signs of a neurological disorder.

It was not until 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, that her condition progressed quickly. She was no longer able to process visual information on her computer screen, and she had to cease working. Her symptoms were first blamed on anxiety and depression. It was not until thorough neurological testing in 2021 that PCA was diagnosed. By this time, the disease had progressed significantly.

This delay in diagnosis had a devastating impact — and it serves as a powerful reminder that even subtle neurological symptoms should not be ignored or dismissed.

Once diagnosed, Gemma's ability to live independently quickly declined. She began needing help with basic tasks: dressing, using the stove, managing appointments. She would call her mother up to 20 times a day. Eventually, she returned home, requiring full-time care.

Her sister Jess remembered, "She didn't know what [PCA] really meant, but that was obviously a blessing in disguise." Even with the dire prognosis, Gemma was relieved at first, believing she could now "fix" whatever was amiss.

But there was no cure. Her illness affected her ability to eat, swallow, talk, and walk. Her family took care of her at home until she died in November 2023, surrounded by loved ones. Her sense of humor, they reported, never left her — one of the few things the disease couldn't steal.

In Gemma's memory, her best friend and siblings completed the 2024 London Marathon, raising more than $47,000 for the National Brain Appeal and Rare Dementia Support (RDS).

"RDS couldn't cure Gemma, but they supported us through it the best way possible," her brother Ben explained. Their aim now is not to let other families endure the same suffering.

The funds raised support research, education, and family care for those with rare dementias — a community frequently ignored in popular discussions of memory decline and aging.

Why Early Detection is Important?

Dementia is commonly regarded as an old person's disease. Gemma's experience shatters the stereotype. Although PCA is uncommon, dementias in younger people are increasingly being diagnosed by neurologists globally.

Cognitive decline does not necessarily begin with memory loss. It may begin subtly — in the guise of visual problems, coordination problems, repeated disorientation, or even mood swings. That's why it's important that clinicians, educators, and families realize early symptoms can be disguised as behavioral idiosyncrasies or psychological problems. Early diagnosis can:

Give time for appropriate care planning and lifestyle changes

Halt progression with cognitive therapies or medications (where indicated)

Provide emotional relief and clarity for patients and families

How to Recognize and Prevent Early Memory Decline?

Although prevention of dementia is not always possible, early identification can dramatically enhance quality of life. Following are the preventive steps anyone can take:

1. Be Alert to Atypical Symptoms

Observe sudden or progressive change in visual-spatial awareness, particularly in young adults. Difficulty judging distances, recognizing objects, or maneuvering in familiar spaces may require neurological assessment.

2. Prioritize Complete Health Evaluations

When symptoms occur, push for full testing. This should involve neuroimaging (MRI or CT), cognitive screening, and — if necessary — spinal fluid analysis.

3. Get Early Intervention

Work with experts like neuropsychologists, neurologists, and occupational therapists early on. They can offer tools and coping strategies to deal with daily activities.

4. Emphasize Brain Health

A diet high in antioxidants (berries, greens), exercise, mental stimulation, and adequate sleep all help improve brain function and lower the risk of cognitive impairment.

5. Know Your Family History

Certain dementias are linked to genetics. If family history exists, don't wait on neurological evaluation if symptoms develop.