If you’re one of the millions of women struggling with unexplained headaches, body pain, or even fibromyalgia—and you’ve ruled out the usual suspects like stress, sleep, or hormones—it may be time to look inside your mouth. Literally.

A powerful new study in Frontiers in Pain Research revealed a strong link between bad oral hygiene and higher risk of migraines and chronic body pain. The study implies that neglecting your morning brushing and flossing isn't just exposing your teeth to harm—perhaps it's also driving silent inflammation that amplifies pain sensitivity throughout the body.

Link Between Oral Microbes and Chronic Pain

In a joint study at the University of Sydney, scientists studied 158 New Zealand women, all of whom received thorough dental examinations and gave saliva samples for microbial testing. They compared their self-reported history of migraines, fibromyalgia, and abdominal pain to both their oral health and microbiota. The findings were remarkable.

Women with the poorest oral health—characterized by higher levels of plaque, gum disease, and inflammation—had a 49% greater chance of experiencing migraines and were 60% more likely to experience moderate to severe body pain.

“We’ve long known that oral microbes play a role in systemic inflammation,” said lead researcher Sharon Erdrich, a doctoral candidate at the University of Sydney. “But this is the first study to show a clear link between poor oral health and the kind of widespread pain experienced in fibromyalgia and migraine sufferers.”

Why Bacteria in Your Mouth Might Be Messing With Your Brain?

The mouth, with more than 700 microbial species calling it home, is an intricate ecosystem. When brushing and flossing routines fail, bad bacteria flourish. These microbes create chemicals that can stimulate inflammation, disrupt neurotransmitter signals, and modulate the nervous system's ability to perceive pain.

Senior researcher Joanna Harnett described how these pain-causing microbial products may pass into the bloodstream and impact pain processing centers in the brain, making one more sensitive to pain.

"Sleep disturbances, headaches, and fatigue—all the hallmarks of fibromyalgia—can have a microbial cause, and it starts in oral hygiene," said Harnett.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, tender points, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive problems. It is most commonly found in women aged 20-50 and is notoriously hard to diagnose, going undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years.

Although the precise etiology is not known, the syndrome has been thought to be related to aberrations in pain signal processing in the brain. There is also emerging evidence of interaction among the immune system, gut microbiota, and recently, the oral microbiome.

Surprising Symptom in Your Mouth

For women who experience fibromyalgia or migraines, symptoms tend to flare at random. This research now adds that the status of oral health could be an untapped piece in the diagnostic picture.

Four different microbial species were found to be more common in women who complained of increased pain severity. Researchers are convinced that these microbes affect inflammatory pathways that render receptors for pain more active and sensitive.

This research isn't merely providing an intriguing microbial connection—it's a wake-up call about how we do oral hygiene.

From being a mere topic of pearly whites and good breath, brushing and flossing are now starting to be viewed as weapons in the fight against chronic pain. Better oral hygiene may be an inexpensive, easy-to-reach solution for individuals struggling with migraine, fibromyalgia, or otherwise unexplained pain in the body.

We also hope these findings inspire healthcare professionals to include oral care evaluations in pain treatment plans," Erdrich said. "Particularly for women with chronic, difficult-to-treat diseases."

Tips to Maximize Your Oral Health And Ease the Pain

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day.
• Drink enough water to promote healthy saliva flow, which keeps bacteria in check.
• Avoid sweet foods and acidic drinks that fuel nasty microbes.
• Schedule regular dental check-ups every six months.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash if advised by a dental professional.

Although further research is required to comprehend precisely how oral bacteria regulate pain, this research contributes to a mounting body of evidence that the mouth is considerably more linked to overall health than previously believed.

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is scary, but what often causes greater harm is the delay in finding the disease and starting treatment. Many patients visit doctors only when symptoms become too obvious to ignore, by which time the illness has already advanced and is far harder to control. In most cases, cancer is caught late not because it hides well, but because people skip routine screenings.

In an Instagram video shared on November 6, Dr Jayesh Sharma, consultant surgical oncologist at ITSA Hospitals, spoke about four key tests that can help detect cancer early and reduce the number of late-stage cases.

4 Tests That Help Catch Cancer Early

Dr Sharma explained that there are four screenings everyone should consider. He noted that these tests can help identify cancer at the very first stage, when abnormal cells have formed but have not yet begun to spread. Detecting it at this point allows doctors to remove the cells completely, giving patients an excellent chance of recovery.

Mammography

Dr Sharma advised getting a mammogram once around the age of 40. He mentioned that while yearly tests are often suggested, most people do well with a screening every two years.

Cervical Cancer Screening

Cervical cancer remains one of the most common cancers in women. According to Dr Sharma, the Pap smear is a reliable way to catch early changes in cervical cells, even before symptoms appear.

Stool Test

He also recommended a stool test as a simple way to look for signs of stomach cancer. The earliest sign of trouble in the stomach is often hidden bleeding, which can be picked up through this test.

Chest CT Scan

For people who have been heavy smokers over many years, Dr Sharma suggested a chest CT scan. This group faces a higher chance of lung cancer, and a scan can help identify changes in the lungs at an early stage.

Symptoms Of Cancer

Warning signs of cancer can appear in many ways, and the symptoms usually depend on which part of the body is involved.

Some broad symptoms that may point to cancer, though they can occur in many other conditions as well, as per Mayo Clinic include:

• Fatigue that does not improve
• A lump or thickened area you can feel beneath the skin
• Unexpected weight loss or gain
• Changes in the skin, such as darkening, redness, yellowing, slow-healing sores, or new changes in moles
• Altered bowel or bladder habits
• A cough that lingers or ongoing breathing trouble
• Difficulty swallowing food
• A rough or hoarse voice
• Regular indigestion or discomfort after meals
• Ongoing, unexplained joint or muscle pain
• Recurring fevers or night sweats without a clear cause
• Bleeding or bruising without explanation

When To Seek Medical Advice

You should contact your doctor if any symptom continues for a long time or gives you reason to worry.

If you feel fine but are anxious about your cancer risk, speak with your doctor about it. They can guide you on the screening tests or checks that may be suitable for you

Recent data from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority show a sharp rise in the number of women opting for egg-freezing. Yet the subject remains clouded by many misunderstandings. The decision itself is not simple. It involves emotional questions, significant costs and the physical demands of treatment. One common misunderstanding is the belief that egg freezing can harm egg quality, when the procedure does not lower the inherent quality of the eggs you already have.

We got in touch with Dr Shaweez Faizi, Fertility Specialist, Nova IVF Fertility, Mangalore, who told us more about the same.

What Is Egg Freezing?

Egg freezing, also called oocyte cryopreservation, is a fertility option in which a woman’s eggs are collected, frozen, and kept for future use. The steps include taking hormones to help the ovaries produce multiple mature eggs, retrieving those eggs through a short clinical procedure, and freezing them through a rapid cooling method known as vitrification.

As per Healthline, the frozen eggs are then stored in liquid nitrogen. When pregnancy is planned later, the eggs are thawed, fertilized in a laboratory, and the embryo is transferred to the uterus.

How Egg-Freezing Works?

The journey begins with roughly 8 to 12 days of hormonal tablets and injections that help several follicles grow at once. Dr Shaweez Faizi told us that doctors then use an ultrasound-guided needle to retrieve the mature eggs under light anaesthesia. The eggs are preserved through vitrification. The medication does not pull eggs from future years. It acts only on that month’s cohort, which is why medical bodies consider the procedure safe and ethically sound.

Can Egg Freezing Lower Your Egg Quantity?

Dr Shaweez Faizi told us that egg-freezing does not drain your ovarian reserve for life. The process collects only the group of eggs that your body was already preparing to release in that month. Some women notice a short-term dip in AMH after the procedure, but this usually settles with time. The stored supply inside the ovaries remains unchanged.

For those unversed, AMH, or Anti-Müllerian Hormone, is commonly used to assess ovarian reserve, meaning the approximate number of eggs still present in a woman’s ovaries.

Anti-Müllerian Hormone and Reserve

AMH is often treated as a marker of ovarian reserve, though it naturally varies. Studies show that a small number of women experience a temporary fall in AMH after stimulation, followed by a return to baseline. Specialists usually advise repeating the AMH test a few months after retrieval to get an accurate picture.

Egg Freezing Success Rates

Age at the time of freezing and the number of eggs stored have the strongest influence on outcomes. Global data suggest that women under 38 who freeze about 20 eggs tend to have higher chances of a future live birth. Older women usually retrieve fewer eggs per cycle, and success rates decline. Indian clinics report a wide range of live-birth outcomes, depending on age and the number of usable eggs.

People with low AMH or diminished reserve will have fewer eggs from the start. The issue lies in the baseline biology, not in the freezing itself. Those who have had ovarian surgery, such as endometrioma removal, may have reduced reserve due to the operation and should plan their timing carefully.

Women facing chemotherapy or serious medical treatment should consult both oncologists and fertility specialists. The Indian Fertility Society recently issued guidance on handling low ovarian response and preservation choices.

Practical Steps For Those Considering Egg Freezing

Dr Shaweez Faizi shared a few practical steps for women considering egg freezing:

• Start with basic tests such as AMH, AFC and a hormonal panel.

• Ask detailed questions about expected egg yield for your age, the number of cycles you may need, and the clinic’s real success figures. Advertising often paints a brighter picture than the data.

• Plan financially for medication, scans, retrieval, freezing and long-term storage.

• Keep age in mind, as younger eggs are more likely to develop into healthy embryos.

• Choose established centres that follow national and international practice standards.

Egg-freezing is a recognised and safe method to preserve fertility options, but it is not a guaranteed path to pregnancy.

Costs, success rates and the number of cycles needed vary widely. As the service becomes more accessible in India’s metropolitan centres, careful counselling and realistic planning remain essential before you decide.

India’s growing dependence on quick, over-the-counter remedies has drawn fresh concern from a senior orthopaedic and sports surgeon in New Delhi. In a recent Instagram video, Dr Obaidur Rahman of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital warned that the country’s casual use of a common antibiotic is undermining its effectiveness and pushing India closer to a major public health challenge. His message, shared through a post and video, called attention to an urgent issue that often goes unnoticed in everyday medical choices.

What Is Azithromycin?

Azithromycin, sold under brand names such as Zithromax, Azee and Zmax, is a macrolide antibiotic prescribed for various bacterial infections. It works by slowing the growth of harmful bacteria. It does not help with viral illnesses like the common cold or flu, according to MedlinePlus.

Azithromycin Is Being Used “More Than Toffee or Roti”

Dr Rahman explained that one particular antibiotic has become so familiar in Indian homes that many people take it without a second thought. He noted that families frequently reach for this medicine to treat colds, coughs and mild fevers, despite the fact that most of these illnesses are viral. Because antibiotics do not work on viruses, this habit has increased unnecessary exposure and created ideal conditions for resistance to form.

In his post, he described the extent of the overuse by saying that the tablet is consumed even more commonly than basic household foods. This pattern, he said, has quietly pushed India into a vulnerable zone.

Azithromycin Antibiotic Resistance: Azithromycin Losing Power Against Key Bacteria

The antibiotic at the center of his warning is Azithromycin, a drug often prescribed for sore throats and upper respiratory tract infections. Dr Rahman noted that it was once effective against Mycoplasma Pneumonia, a bacterium responsible for pneumonia in adults and children.

He pointed out that this is no longer the case. According to him, India now shows an alarming 80 to 90 percent resistance to Azithromycin when treating infections caused by this bacterium. A medicine that once addressed a wide range of respiratory problems is no longer reliable for many patients.

Azithromycin: Antibiotic Resistance Already Reaching Clinics

Dr Rahman said that antibiotic resistance is not an abstract idea but something he encounters in his orthopaedic practice. He has seen cases where routine antibiotics fail entirely, leaving patients with few options. When commonly used drugs stop working, he added, treatment becomes more complicated, more expensive, and sometimes impossible.

His concern is that if such misuse continues unchecked, India could face a situation where even simple infections become difficult to manage.

The surgeon urged people to avoid taking antibiotics without proper medical advice. Most seasonal respiratory infections resolve on their own, and unnecessary drugs only add to the resistance problem. He encouraged viewers to share the information, especially with those who often purchase antibiotics over the counter.

Azithromycin Warning: Why This Warning Matters Now

Dr Rahman, who works at PGIMER and RML Hospital and specialises in bone, joint and sports injury care, said his experience treating a large volume of patients has made the issue impossible to ignore. He believes that without immediate changes in how antibiotics are used, India risks losing access to medicines that save lives in emergencies.

His message acts as a reminder that antibiotic resistance does not appear suddenly. It builds slowly through small, routine choices. And, as he warns, the cost of ignoring these early signs may be far greater than most people realise.