Recently, a friend's relative was admitted to the hospital after experiencing recurring discomfort and unstable blood sugar levels. Initially, it appeared to be a routine diabetes complication, but it turned out she had something unexpected—her blood was thickening to such an extent that it was making her sick.While blood thinning is often discussed in the context of diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, the dangers of blood thickening, or hypercoagulability, remain largely overlooked.

This woman in her late 60s living with diabetes, was in danger of suffering a life-threatening complications from abnormally clotting blood. Her story highlights an often overlooked medical issue: thick blood can prevent proper circulation, increase the risk of thrombosis, and contribute to all sorts of health complications, including some that prove fatal if ignored.

Blood must be in a fine balance to be able to circulate properly and clot when needed. But when there is an imbalance of blood proteins and cells, it becomes too thick. This is called hypercoagulability, and it makes the blood more prone to clotting, which can clog the blood vessels and cause serious health issues like strokes, heart attacks, and deep vein thrombosis.

While blood is homogeneous in appearance, it contains a mix of different components, such as red and white blood cells, platelets, proteins, and clotting factors. When these components exist in a greater quantity than normal, the blood becomes thicker, thus harder for the heart to pump it effectively through the body.

What Causes Blood to Thicken?

There are a number of reasons why blood may become thick, and although some are inherited, others are acquired later in life. Some of the most important causes include:

Overproduction of Blood Cells: Too many red blood cells (polycythemia vera) or platelets can cause thick blood.

Underlying Illnesses: Diseases such as cancer, lupus, and diabetes can interfere with blood clotting mechanisms.

Too Much Clotting Protein: Some people overproduce clotting proteins, which puts them at risk of thrombosis.

Smoking: Smoking harms blood vessels and lowers the body's capacity to form anticoagulant factors.

Inflammation: Elevated inflammatory markers, frequently found in chronic conditions such as diabetes, contribute to clot formation.

Because there is no one definition of "thick blood," physicians diagnose it according to the underlying condition causing abnormal clotting.

Link Between Diabetes and Thick Blood

Diabetes patients are especially vulnerable to thickening of the blood because of elevated glucose, lipid, and inflammatory cytokine levels in the blood. Diabetes encourages the development of plaque in arteries, thus enhancing the likelihood of lethal clots. The condition, which is referred to as thrombosis, may clog arteries and veins and result in fatal complications.

When an individual has diabetes, their platelets (small blood cells responsible for clotting) become hyperactive, and the risk of clot formation becomes higher. Poor circulation and long-term inflammation are also contributing factors. Scarily, research indicates that almost 80% of individuals with diabetes will eventually perish from clot-related complications.

Symptoms of Thick Blood

Most individuals are unaware of their thick blood until a blood clot develops. In others, a family history of clotting disorders will lead to testing before symptoms arise. Warning signs can include:

• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Frequent headaches
• Easy bruising
• High blood pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue and lack of energy
• Excessive menstrual bleeding (in women)
• Itching skin
• Gout (a type of arthritis brought on by an excess of uric acid in the blood)

If you have unexplained clotting, multiple pregnancy loss (greater than three first-trimester miscarriages), or a family history of clotting diseases, see a physician for screening.

What Tests Can Detect Hypercoagulability?

In diagnosing thick blood, physicians review the complete medical history and perform blood tests in phases. Some of the most frequently performed tests are:

Complete Blood Count (CBC): Tests for elevated red blood cell or platelet counts.

Activated Protein C Resistance Test: Finds the presence of Factor V Leiden, which is a genetic mutation linked with blood clotting disorders.

Prothrombin G20210A Mutation Test: Finds abnormality in the blood clotting factors.

Antithrombin, Protein C, and Protein S Levels: Assists in finding conditions like lupus anticoagulants.

These tests being expensive and highly specific, physicians would typically start with more general screening tests and proceed to more specialist diagnostics.

How Can You Reduce the Risk of Thick Blood?

Although some reasons for thick blood are genetic and cannot be avoided, life-style changes and medical treatment may decrease risks in people with diabetes or other predisposing factors. Preventive strategies include:

• Circulation is improved and blood kept from becoming sluggish through exercise.
• Thickening of the blood can result from dehydration, so proper hydration with water is crucial.
• Keeping glucose and lipid levels in check can minimize risks of clot formation.
• Smoking harms blood vessels and facilitates clot formation.
• Eating foods with omega-3 fatty acids (fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts) helps in minimizing inflammation and enhancing circulation.
• In certain individuals, physicians might recommend blood thinners such as aspirin or anticoagulants.

Ignoring to symptoms of thick blood may result in more dangerous complications. It is critical to detect them early with routine check-ups and blood work, especially for patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or a family history of blood clotting diseases.

If you suspect that you have thick blood or have clotting-related symptoms, see your doctor right away. Early detection and treatment will avert fatal disorders like stroke, heart attack, and deep vein thrombosis.

Being the most common cause of dementia, Alzheimer’s is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memories, thinking skills and behavioral abilities. These symptoms eventually grow enough to interfere with daily tasks. According to the Alzheimer’s Association over seven million Americans live with Alzheimer’s and that number is said to increase to 13 million by 2050. Nearly 12 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementia issues.

However, are there certain places that have more people affected by Alzheimer’s? According to the South Texas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Texas has the fourth highest number of Alzheimer’s and second highest number of deaths from Alzheimer’s in the US. The Global Alzheimer’s Platform Foundation states that the Starr County is where 26% of Medicare beneficiaries come from. It is a rural Hispanic centric county in the Rio Grande City.

What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?

National Institute on Aging explains that one of the biggest risk factors for Alzheimer’s is aging, most people develop Alzheimer’s when they are 65 or older with less than 10% cases happening before this. Other things include genetics, and research has shown conditions such as heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure could also be risk factors.

Researchers do not fully understand what causes Alzheimer's. They think it's due to clumps of proteins in the brain that damage brain cells. It's likely a mix of genes, how people live, and what's around them. However, one common factor that has been observed by the researchers is that many of these families come from poor economic backgrounds.

Being poor might play a big role because people in poorer areas often have worse air, drive more instead of walking, have more stress, and don't see people as much. She also mentioned that there might be bad things in the water, like arsenic, that can hurt the brain. The very hot weather in Texas could also be a problem, adding stress to the body. Finally, she noted that the large Hispanic population in the area might be more likely to get dementia for reasons we don't yet know.

How Socioeconomic Background of People Affects Alzheimer's

To understand how financial backgrounds could affect Alzheimer's, a 2018 study done by the International Journal of Alzheimer's Disease showed that the number of people without jobs in a region didn't seem to change how much Alzheimer's affected lifespan. This study looked at different areas in Slovakia to see if things like how much money people have, how many people have jobs, and how much education people get affect how long people might live if no one ever got Alzheimer's disease.

However, they found that the amount of money a region had (GDP), the average pay people got, and how educated people were, did have an impact.

More education seemed to indirectly lead to a bigger impact from Alzheimer's on lifespan, which matches what other studies have found. Surprisingly, they also found that when wages and the overall wealth of a region were higher, Alzheimer's seemed to have a bigger effect on shortening lifespan. This is different from what other studies have suggested, where more money usually means less Alzheimer's.

Gardening preserves cognitive function and may also help prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Dementia, Parkinson's Disease, among others. A new study, which was conducted by researchers in the UK, showed that those who grew and nurtured plants as well as lived in greener environments slowed down their cognitive decline. Intrestingly, there is already enough empirical evidence that shows plants reduce stress and improve memory and recall.

It is because of this that many countries have care farms, which get their name from the way they serve people's impulses to work and connect with others. Speaking to the BBC, Henreitte Bringsjord, whose parents founded one of such farms, said, "My mum and dad loved farm work, and they thought about how hard it is for people with dementia to stop working and lose their social life. So, they wanted to help people with dementia become a part of life again."

How Do Plants Help You Boost Neurological Pathways?

The study, which was published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, stated that nature can significantly increase physical activity and social connection while reducing stress, which has multiple positive knock-on effects such as blood pressure, blood sugar control and healthy weight. According to health experts, physical activities really have immense health benefits, but gardening surcharges those.

To test the same, researchers from the University of Edinburgh investigated if there might be a link between gardening and changes in our intelligence over our lifetimes. The study compared the intelligence test scores of participants at age 11 and age 79. All the participants in the study were residents of Edinburgh and were traced throughout their lifetimes. Of the 467 people tested, almost 31 per cent had never gardened, but 43 per cent regularly did. The results showed that those who spent time gardening showed greater lifetime improvement in their cognitive ability than those who never or rarely did. "Between the ages of 79 and 90, cognitive ability, including memory, problem solving, and word fluency, generally declined across the board, but the earlier advantage of gardeners endured", researchers of the study said.

Besides gardening, these are the activities that can also help you boost cognitive health.

1. Physical Exercise: Improves blood flow to the brain and promotes neurogenesis.

2. Mental Exercises: Engaging in puzzles, chess, and memory games enhances problem-solving skills and memory.

3. Reading and Learning: Reading diverse materials or learning a new language strengthens neural connections.

4. Playing Musical Instruments: Enhances cognitive processing and coordination.

5. Social Interactions: Meaningful conversations and group activities stimulate cognitive and emotional processing.

6. Mindfulness and Meditation: Reduces stress and improves focus and attention span.

7. Adequate Sleep: Supports memory consolidation and cognitive function.

8. Healthy Diet: Consuming foods rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, and vitamins promotes brain health.

9. Hobbies and New Skills: Learning new skills or hobbies keeps the brain active and engaged.

10. Cognitive Training Apps: Apps designed for memory and focus training can provide structured mental workouts.

ALSO READ: 6 Tips To Take Care Of Your Gut Health By Celebrity Doctor Steven Grundy

A wave of social media posts has sparked curiosity around a simple bedtime habit: switching off your Wi-Fi router at night. Some claim it boosts sleep quality, reduces headaches, and even improves mental clarity. But is there any science to back this? Here's what experts say happens when you turn off your Wi-Fi for seven nights in a row.

Does Wi-Fi Radiation Affect Your Body?

Wi-Fi routers emit non-ionising radiation — a low-level form of electromagnetic radiation (EMF) — that is widely considered safe under normal household exposure. Dr Hiran S. Reddy, consultant physician, diabetologist, and critical care specialist at Gleneagles Hospital, Hyderabad, who spoke to Indian Express said that for most people, turning off the router is unlikely to cause any physiological changes.

“WiFi devices emit low-level, non-ionising radiation, which current scientific consensus deems safe at everyday exposure levels,” he explained.

However, Dr Reddy noted that people who report heightened sensitivity to electromagnetic fields — a condition known as electromagnetic hypersensitivity — may experience perceived relief from symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. But clinical evidence for this condition remains inconclusive.

Is Sleep Impacted by Wi-Fi Signals?

Dr Sudhir Kumar, consultant neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, speaking to Indian Express told that most studies on Wi-Fi radiation have been conducted on animals. “There’s no conclusive evidence that Wi-Fi disrupts melatonin production from the pineal gland or interferes with human sleep,” he says.

He explains that Wi-Fi routers typically operate at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequencies, which emit far less energy than a mobile phone held close to the head. At common indoor distances (1–2 metres), the signal strength drops significantly, making it unlikely to influence melatonin or sleep in any measurable way.

The Real Sleep Disruptor: Screen Time

Interestingly, both doctors agree that if anything is affecting sleep, it’s likely the screen time, not the router itself. Blue light emitted from phones, tablets, and laptops interferes with the pineal gland and suppresses melatonin — the hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle.

“Disabling Wi-Fi might reduce digital engagement, particularly screen exposure late at night. That can indirectly improve melatonin production and sleep quality,” says Dr Reddy.

Better Sleep Hygiene, Not Less Radiation

While switching off your Wi-Fi router for seven nights won’t likely cause direct changes in your brain or body, it may lead to better bedtime routines. Less internet access could mean fewer late-night scrolls, reduced digital distractions, and an earlier wind-down — all of which support better sleep hygiene.

“Quality sleep enhances everything from mood and cognitive function to immune health,” Dr Reddy noted.

What Does The Study Say?

As per the 2020 study published in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, titled: Spending the night next to a router – Results from the first human experimental study investigating the impact of Wi-Fi exposure on sleep, a night of Wi-Fi exposure doesn’t seem to cause sleep problems for healthy young men — but it might make very subtle changes in brain activity that scientists are still trying to understand.

How Was The Study Conducted?

Researchers studied how Wi-Fi exposure might affect sleep. They invited 34 healthy young men (average age around 24) to stay in a sleep lab for five nights. The first night helped them get used to the lab. Then, they had two test nights — each one following a “normal” night to compare results.

During the test nights, some participants were exposed to Wi-Fi signals (at 2.45 GHz, like your home router), while others got fake (sham) signals. The researchers didn’t tell the participants which one they were getting. Sleep was measured in two ways:

Subjective sleep: How well participants felt they slept (through a questionnaire).

Objective sleep: What actually happened in their brains and bodies during sleep (measured using special equipment called polysomnography).

What They Found

The Wi-Fi signals did not cause any major or noticeable effects on:

• How well participants thought they slept
• The general structure and stages of their sleep (called sleep macrostructure)

However, a detailed look at brain activity showed a small change:

There was a slight decrease in brain wave activity in the alpha frequency range (8–11.75 Hz) during deep (non-REM) sleep when Wi-Fi was on. This change is called a reduction in EEG alpha power.

What It Means

Wi-Fi signals didn’t seem to change how people felt they slept or the main parts of their sleep.

There was a small, measurable brain activity change, but it’s unclear if this has any real impact on health or sleep quality.