Sitting for too long can put you at the risk of this serious health condition

 Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news

Not moving enough can put you at risk​

If you find yourself spending a lot of time sitting still in a small area, you need to be aware. Your chance of getting a blood clot rises as you remain sedentary for a longer period of time. Any traveler who spends more than four hours in a vehicle, including a plane, car, bus, or train, is susceptible to deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is another name for blood clots.

How critical can thrombosis be?​

Blood clots can happen to anyone who travels for more than four hours, whether they do so by plane, automobile, bus, or train. It can form in the calf veins of your legs during travel because you are sitting still in a confined space for long periods of time. However, a serious health situation can occur when a part of the blood clot breaks off and travels to the lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism, and it may be fatal.

Dr. Raghuram Sekhar Consultant, vascular and endovascular surgery at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Mumbai, says, “The good news is there are things you can do to protect your health and reduce your risk of blood clots during periods of prolonged sitting such as during travel.”

These factors can increase your risk for blood clots​

Most people who develop blood clots have one or more other risks for blood clots, such as:
Obesity
Older age (risk increases after age 40)

Recent surgery or injury (within 3 months)

Use of estrogen-containing contraceptives

 .Hormone replacement therapy (medical treatment in which hormones are given to reduce the effects of menopause)

Pregnancy and the postpartum period (up to 3 months after childbirth)

Previous blood clot or a family history of blood clots

Active cancer or recent cancer treatment

Limited mobility (for example, a leg cast)

Varicose veins

Recognizing the symptoms​

About 50% of people with DVT have no symptoms at all. The following are the most common symptoms of clots that occur in the affected part of the body (leg/arm/lungs)

1. Swelling of the leg or arm

2. Pain or tenderness that you can’t explain

3. Pulmonary Embolism: Breathlessness of recent origin

How to protect yourself and reduce your risk of blood clots during sedentary periods​

Move your legs frequently when on long trips and exercise your calf muscles to improve the flow of blood.

If you’ve been sitting for a long time, take a break to stretch your legs. Pulling each knee up toward the chest and holding it there with your hands on your lower leg for 15 seconds, and repeating up to 10 times during prolonged sedentary periods helps to improve the flow of blood in your legs.

If you are at risk, talk with your doctor to learn more about how to prevent blood clots. For instance, wearing progressive compression stockings may help some people.

 

Signs that indicate extremely low vitamin B12 in the body

 Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news

Low levels of vitamin B12 in the body can be extremely harmful​

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in various bodily functions. It is necessary for the production of red blood cells, the maintenance of a healthy nervous system, and the synthesis of DNA. Since our bodies cannot produce vitamin B12 on their own, we must obtain it through our diet or supplements.

What is the normal level of vitamin B12 a human body should have?​

Vitamin B12 levels above 300 pg/mL are considered to be normal. A vitamin B12 level of less than 200 pg/mL is considered to be deficient. When vitamin B12 levels drop significantly, it can lead to a condition known as vitamin B12 deficiency. This deficiency can have serious health consequences if left untreated.

Fatigue and weakness​

One of the most common and early signs of vitamin B12 deficiency is fatigue and weakness. This occurs because vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in the production of red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Without enough red blood cells, tissues and organs do not receive an adequate oxygen supply, leading to fatigue and weakness. Individuals with low B12 levels often describe feeling tired, sluggish, and lacking in energy, even after a full night's sleep.

Cognitive decline​

Vitamin B12 is essential for maintaining a healthy nervous system, including the brain. Low B12 levels can affect cognitive functions, leading to difficulties in concentration, memory problems, and mental fogginess. In severe cases, it may even result in mood disturbances, such as depression and irritability. These cognitive impairments can impact daily life and overall well-being, making it crucial to address B12 deficiency promptly.

Numbness and tingling sensations​

Another hallmark sign of extremely low vitamin B12 levels is numbness and tingling sensations, particularly in the hands and feet. This condition, known as peripheral neuropathy, occurs because B12 deficiency can damage the myelin sheath that surrounds nerves. As a result, the nerves cannot transmit signals properly, leading to sensations of tingling, burning, or numbness. Over time, this can progress to more severe symptoms, such as muscle weakness and difficulty with balance and coordination.

Vision problems​

In some cases, vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to vision problems. Optic neuropathy, a condition in which the optic nerve is damaged, can occur due to low B12 levels. This can result in blurred or disturbed vision, difficulty in distinguishing colors, and even vision loss in severe cases. While not a common symptom, it underscores the importance of addressing B12 deficiency promptly to prevent further complications.

Mouth ulcers​

Oral symptoms can also be indicative of vitamin B12 deficiency. Individuals with low B12 levels may experience glossitis, which is the inflammation of the tongue. This can make the tongue appear swollen, red, and shiny. Additionally, mouth ulcers or canker sores may develop, causing discomfort and pain while eating or speaking. These oral symptoms can be among the early signs of B12 deficiency.

Difficulty walking and balance issues​

As vitamin B12 deficiency progresses, it can lead to neurological symptoms, including difficulty walking and balance issues. This occurs due to the damage to the nerves that control muscle movement and coordination. Individuals with severe B12 deficiency may experience muscle weakness, stumbling, and an unsteady gait, making them more prone to falls and injuries.

Pale skin​

A deficiency in vitamin B12 can also manifest in changes to the skin's appearance. Anemia resulting from B12 deficiency can lead to a pale or jaundiced (yellowish) complexion. This occurs because the red blood cells produced in the absence of sufficient B12 can be abnormally large and fragile, leading to their early breakdown and a decrease in the number of healthy red blood cells in circulation. This can give the skin a pale or yellowish hue, a condition known as "megaloblastic anemia."

Can mobile radiation cause brain tumors?

  Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news

Can my mobile phone cause a tumor?​

The potential link between mobile phone radiation and brain tumors has been a subject of ongoing scientific research and public concern for several decades.

While the majority of studies conducted to date have not definitively established a causal relationship between mobile phone radiation and brain tumors, it is essential to examine the existing evidence and understand the complexities of this issue.

​Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation​

Mobile phones emit non-ionizing radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs), which are much less energetic than ionizing radiation, such as X-rays or gamma rays. Ionizing radiation has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms and molecules, leading to DNA damage and an increased risk of cancer.

Non-ionizing radiation, like that emitted by mobile phones, lacks the energy required for such direct DNA damage. However, concerns have arisen due to the potential for RF-EMFs to heat tissues and the possibility of indirect biological effects.

What studies have found​

Several epidemiological studies have investigated the relationship between mobile phone use and the risk of brain tumors. The Interphone study, one of the largest and most comprehensive of these studies, involved 13 countries and found no overall increased risk of glioma or meningioma, the two most common types of brain tumors, associated with mobile phone use.

What does WHO say?​

Similarly, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified RF-EMFs as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B) in 2011 based on limited evidence suggesting a potential link between mobile phone use and glioma. This classification did not conclude that mobile phone radiation definitively causes brain tumors but rather indicated that there were some concerns warranting further investigation

Findings from animal studies​

It's worth noting that animal studies have not provided conclusive evidence of a causal link between mobile phone radiation and brain tumors, although some studies have reported biological effects, such as DNA damage and increased tumor incidence in rodents exposed to high levels of RF-EMFs.

What’s the takeaway?​

While there is ongoing research and debate, the current scientific consensus does not definitively support a causal relationship between mobile phone radiation and brain tumors.

Given the potential for long latency periods in cancer development, continued research is necessary to monitor the effects of long-term and evolving mobile phone use patterns. It is also prudent for individuals to follow recommended guidelines for safe mobile phone use, such as using hands-free devices and limiting exposure, especially among children and adolescents.