Can luxury make one happy? Or how valid is the concept of the ‘Luxury Trap’? Are higher-priced goods of higher quality? Are brand items that much needed? Everyone says it doesn’t, but a whole lot of people spend their lives pursuing it.

High body mass index (BMI), rather than high blood sugar levels, are associated with excess risks of COVID-19 infection and long COVID, according to a meta-analysis of over 30,000 UK adults from nine large prospective cohort studies.

Lifestyle features are potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia. Two teams prospectively analysed data from the U.K. Biobank study to determine dementia risk associated with patterns of physical activity and mental activity (PA/MA) and with consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPF). In both studies, all participants were dementia-free at baseline.

Seeing blood when you pee can be alarming. Most of the time, the issue is not serious. In some cases, though, it points to a bigger health problem. Here is what you should know.

A third of your life is spent in bed. So clean bed linens should be a must-do. Think of the drool, sweat, and dandruff you leave behind. Wash them weekly or every other week.

One in eight adults (12.7%) infected with SARS-CoV-2 experience long-term symptoms due to COVID-19, suggests a large Dutch study published in The Lancet.

Stroke is the second leading cause of death, causing 5.7 million deaths annually. Recent research has identified vitamin D deficiency as an independent risk factor for stroke, particularly “ischemic stroke,” which reduces blood supply to the brain due to clots blocking blood flow in the vessels. Other research shows that decreased vitamin D levels worsen stroke severity and prognosis. Many recommend vitamin D for stroke treatment.

Global unrest has increased since the millennium, risking social unrest. Health promotion and wellness activities are popular now. Science and culture affect “social ethos,” especially morality and lifestyle. We were not taught to help the poor in school. The education system undervalues moral education.

Autoimmune diseases have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, but questions remain about these relationships and the implications for preventing CVD.

Have you ever heard about the “Dawn Effect”? For people who have diabetes, the “Dawn Phenomenon” or “Dawn Effect” refers to higher blood sugar levels in the morning, which is common in people with diabetes. One reason for this - the dawn effect - describes an increase in blood sugar, usually occurring between 2 am and 8 am.

A day-long conference titled, “International CME on Kidney Disease and Hemodialysis” was held in Dhaka on recently. The conference was organised by Bangladesh Renal Association and powered by NIPRO-JMI Medical Limited, a Japan-Bangladesh joint venture company, says a press release.

Backbiting is “mean-spirited gossip about someone absent.” Backbiting spreads like a disease. Many do not care this social disease. We recognise arrogance, egotism, and jealousy as immoral, but we often overlook how harmful toxic talk can be. Backbiting can create a negative mindset.

A review of 22 previously published studies suggests that taking micro-breaks—discontinuing a task for 10 minutes or less—is generally associated with reduced fatigue and increased vigour found in a study published in PLOS-One. Multi-study review also suggests short breaks may improve performance in certain settings.

Tonsillitis is the infection of the tonsils. They are located at the back of the throat, two in number, one on each side. Tonsils function as filters, capturing germs that might otherwise enter your airways and infect you. They also produce antibodies to combat infection. However, bacteria and viruses can occasionally overwhelm them. This can cause them to swell and become irritated.

According to the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) 2019 study, smoking, alcohol use, high Body Mass Index (BMI), and other risk factors caused 4.45 million cancer deaths in 2019.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) - a procedure that replace an aortic valve without chest incision or anaesthesia was successfully performed on a 80 year old patient at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) recently by cardiologist Prof Dr S M Mustafa Zaman.

Extreme fitness did not increase mortality in a large observational study. Studies link cardiorespiratory fitness to lower all-cause mortality.

According to a study, ‘sad feelings’ can alter stress-related brain tasks and increase blood levels of inflammatory proteins linked to heart disease, stroke, and metabolic syndrome. Mind and mindset are crucial to one’s nature. Our nature or behaviour is controlled by the ‘brain,’ a mysterious 3-pound soft structure responsible for solving problems, planning actions, and controlling emotions. These executive functions control our’ body and mind.

Schizophrenia is a disabling mental illness without care. People with the disorder hear voices, see imaginary sights, or believe others control their minds. These sensations can cause erratic behaviour. Treatment can manage the most severe symptoms, but there is no cure.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are safe to use during pregnancy, and pregnant women had lower rates of health events after vaccination than similarly aged non-pregnant vaccinated people, a large Canadian study found.