Aadya Jha

For decades, cataracts were considered a natural part of ageing. Most people expected to hear about them after retirement, not while building careers or raising young families. But eye specialists are now noticing something that would have seemed unusual a generation ago. More adults in their 30s and 40s are being diagnosed with cataracts.While getting older remains the biggest risk factor, doctors say changing lifestyles and the growing burden of diabetes are shifting the timeline. India is home to one of the largest populations of people living with diabetes, making this trend especially concerning. Experts say cataracts do not appear overnight. They develop gradually, often without causing pain. That is why understanding the link between diabetes and eye health can make a real difference.

Children fall, run, climb, and rarely sit still. So when they say their knees hurt or complain about sore ankles after a busy day, most parents don't panic.

"Knowledge is power," said philosopher Francis Bacon, and nowhere is that more relevant than when it comes to heart surgery. Hearing the words robotic cardiac surgery can trigger a flood of emotions.

Most people blame their skin when breakouts refuse to settle. They change face washes, try expensive creams, or follow the latest skincare trend, hoping the next product will finally work. But sometimes, the real problem may not be sitting on the skin at all. Doctors say the digestive system and the skin constantly communicate with each other through what is known as the gut-skin axis. This biological connection helps explain why digestive problems can sometimes show up as acne, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, or persistent inflammation. When the gut is healthy, it supports the immune system and keeps inflammation under control. But when that balance is disturbed, the effects may become visible on the face and body.

Most people think about the liver only when alcohol enters the conversation. But the truth is far more surprising. The liver is one of the hardest-working organs in the body. Every day, it filters blood, breaks down medicines, stores nutrients, regulates cholesterol, helps digest fats, and removes harmful substances. Because it performs hundreds of essential jobs around the clock, even seemingly harmless daily habits can quietly put it under stress. The concern is that liver damage develops silently. A person can lose a significant amount of liver function before obvious symptoms appear. That is why understanding lesser-known risks matters just as much as avoiding alcohol. Dr Pramod Kumar D A, Senior Consultant, Hepatology & Liver Transplant Medicine, Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore, said, "When people think of liver disease, alcohol is usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, modern liver disease is increasingly being driven by everyday lifestyle choices, unhealthy diets, poor sleep, unnecessary supplements, environmental toxins, and even commonly used medications. The liver processes almost everything that enters the body, so seemingly small habits repeated over years can gradually cause inflammation, fat accumulation, and scarring. Protecting the liver is not about avoiding one thing; it is about making healthier choices consistently." Here are nine unexpected factors that could be silently affecting liver health.

Turning 50 often changes the way people look at life. Children may have grown up, careers may be more stable, and many finally find time for themselves. Yet, while life may seem to slow down, the body quietly enters one of its most important phases. This is the decade when years of eating habits, exercise routines, sleep patterns and stress begin to leave visible marks. Muscle mass starts shrinking faster, bones become more fragile, metabolism slows, and the risk of conditions like diabetes, heart disease, dementia and certain cancers rises steadily. The good news is that growing older does not automatically mean growing unhealthy. Many age-related problems can be delayed, prevented or managed with timely lifestyle changes. According to Dr Srinivasa Prasad B V, Cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, the years after 50 should be viewed as an opportunity to invest in health rather than react to illness. "Turning 50 is a significant milestone, but biologically, it represents a critical fork in the road. This is the decade where the cumulative impact of cellular aging, metabolic shifts, and lifestyle habits begins to surface. To protect brain health, preserve physical independence, and extend your health span—the number of years lived in vibrant, disease-free health, certain daily habits must be abandoned." Here are seven habits experts say should be left behind after the age of 50.

There are days when tiredness makes sense. A sleepless night, a demanding week at work, or looking after family can leave anyone drained.

Most headaches come and go without causing serious harm. They often follow a stressful day, too little sleep, dehydration, or skipping meals.

Monsoon often brings relief from the heat, but it also marks the return of one of India's biggest seasonal health concerns: dengue. Every year, thousands of people assume that once they have recovered from dengue, they have little to worry about in the future. It sounds logical, but unfortunately, that is not how dengue works. Unlike many viral infections that leave behind broad protection, dengue is far more complicated. The virus exists in four different forms, known as serotypes or strains. An infection caused by one strain usually protects a person only from that specific strain, leaving the door open for infection by the other three.

For years, Sam Neill became a familiar face to millions through films like Jurassic Park, where he escaped fictional dangers that seemed larger than life.