Dr Raees Ahmed Raja

04/12/2025

Whatever happens, stay alive.
Don't die before you're dead.
Don't lose yourself,
don't lose hope,
don't lose directions.
Stay alive, with yourself,
with every cell of your body,
with every fibre of your skin.
Stay alive, learn, study, think, read, build, invent, create, speak, write, dream, design.
Stay alive, stay alive inside you,
stay alive also outside,
fill yourself with the colors of the world,
fill yourself with peace,
fill yourself with hope.
Stay alive with joy.
There is only one thing you should not waste in life,
and that is life itself.

—Virginia Woolf

01/12/2025

There is no single position that works best for everyone, but each position comes with certain benefits and drawbacks depending on health and comfort. Side sleeping is the most common among adults. It can ease snoring and help with sleep apnea by keeping the Aires more open. For those with acid reflex or frequent heartburn, lying on the left side often reduces symptoms because gravity helps keep stomach acid from moving upward into the throat.
Sleeping on your back, also called the supine position, can help keep the spine aligned and reduce pressure on the neck and lower back.
Using a pillow under the knees adds more support and relieves back strain. However, this position may worsen the snoring and sleep apnea in some people. Pregnant women are often encouraged to sleep on their left side to improve blood flow to the baby and reduce pressure in the organs.

Sleeping on the stomach is generally considered the least healthy. It forces the neck to twist and place extra strain on both the spine and the muscles. Over time this can cause pain and restless sleep.
The key is to prioritize spinal support, comfort, and proper breathing. If pain, snoring, or poor sleep keeps happening, changing your sleeping position or using supportive pillows may help improve rest.

27/11/2025

22/11/2025

Feel the Earth in 15 Minutes

Did you know that simply standing barefoot on a tree trunk for a short 15‑minute session can give you a quick boost of calm and energy? This practice, often called “grounding” or “earthing,” lets the body pick up subtle electrical charges from the earth, which some studies suggest may help reduce stress, lower inflammation, and improve sleep quality.

Why it works:
- The earth’s surface carries a gentle negative charge. When skin meets the bark, electrons flow in, helping neutralize free radicals.
- Direct contact with natural wood stimulates the vagus nerve, promoting a relaxation response.

How to try it:
1. Find a healthy, sturdy tree in a safe, clean area.
2. Remove shoes and socks, place the soles of your feet (or even your palms) against the trunk.
3. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and stay for 10–15 minutes, feeling the texture and the subtle vibrations of the tree.

What you might notice: a calmer mind, a slight lift in mood, or a gentle tingling sensation. Give it a try and let the forest reset your day—no special equipment required, just you and a tree.

20/11/2025

Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D) affects millions, causing frequent, often urgent diarrhea. A recent study found that a hormone called Insulin-Like Peptide 5 (INSL5) might be behind many of those cases. Normally, bile acids help with fat digestion in the small intestine and are then reabsorbed. But when they travel too far down into the colon, they irritate cells there, triggering the release of INSL5. This happens more than it should in people with IBS-D or in those with undiagnosed bile acid malabsorption. That extra INSL5 makes the colon flush things out fast—resulting in watery, urgent stools.

What’s cool is this discovery could explain about 2 in 5 cases of IBS-D, especially where standard treatments fail. It also suggests a new diagnostic blood test might be developed by measuring INSL5 levels. Some patients already show symptom relief using ondansetron, a drug that blocks INSL5 effects. But scientists still need to figure out exactly who benefits, how much blocking INSL5 helps, and what side effects might crop up.

Research Paper 📄
DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2025-335393

17/11/2025

Phones are among the germiest objects we touch daily. Hundreds of species of bacteria and viruses can live on their surfaces because we use phones in bathrooms, kitchens, and even while eating. Unlike our hands, which we wash regularly, phones often go uncleaned, making them hotspots for germs that can easily transfer to our faces or other surfaces.

Cleaning phones, however, requires caution. Harsh chemicals like bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or high-concentration alcohol can damage screens and coatings, reduce touch sensitivity, and cause smudging. The safest approach is to gently wipe your phone with a soft microfiber cloth. Lightly dampen the cloth with around 70 percent isopropyl alcohol, taking care not to let moisture enter ports, speakers, or other openings. Cases and charging cables should be cleaned separately using the same method.

By following these simple steps, you can significantly reduce the germs on your phone without harming it. Regular phone cleaning, combined with good hand hygiene, helps prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses in everyday life.

15/11/2025

Most of us squeeze a long strip of toothpaste across our brushes, thinking more foam means a better clean. But dental experts say that’s not the case. The truth is, you only need a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to get the job done. Brushing and flossing themselves do most of the work by removing food particles and sticky plaque, while toothpaste mainly boosts the process with fluoride to protect enamel and freshen breath.

Using too much toothpaste can actually backfire. The foamy lather might make your mouth feel cleaner than it really is, tricking you into brushing less thoroughly. Even worse, it can mask important signs like bleeding gums, which may point to early gum disease. Gum bleeding should never be ignored because gingivitis, the first stage of gum disease, can progress to more serious issues if untreated.

Dentists stress that healthy brushing isn’t about how much paste you use but about good technique, regular flossing, and paying attention to warning signs in your mouth. Since oral health is tied to conditions like heart disease and diabetes, taking care of your gums and teeth properly goes far beyond a sparkling smile.

15/11/2025

Are you guilty of sleeping next to your cell phone?

These devices put out invisible electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that interact with your body’s electrical fields in the brain, heart, and deep in the cells.

In addition to disrupting sleep, EMF exposure may play a role in:
-High blood pressure
-High pulse rate
-Decreased cognitive function (memory, focus, and concentration)
-Increased inflammation
-Mood changes
-Increased risk of stroke
-Increased risk of heart attack
-DNA damage

For this reason, it’s important to keep your cell phone and other devices away from your body whenever possible, especially while sleeping.

14/11/2025

WORLD DIABETES DAY

World Diabetes Day is celebrated every 14 November the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co‑discovered insulin in 1922. It’s the world’s biggest diabetes awareness campaign, reaching over a billion people in more than 160 countries.

2025 Theme: “Diabetes Across Life Stages” (also promoted as “Diabetes and Well‑being” with a special focus on the workplace). The idea is to spotlight care, prevention, and support at every age from kids to seniors and to make workplaces healthier for the roughly 430 million working‑age adults living with diabetes.

Why it matters:
History:Launched in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and WHO, it became an official UN day in 2006.

Significance: Highlights the global impact of diabetes, pushes for better access to insulin and care, and encourages early detection.

Prevention tips: Move more, eat balanced meals, cut down on sugary drinks, keep an eye on blood‑sugar levels, and get regular check‑ups.

How you can join the fun: wear blue, get a free screening, share a blue‑circle post, or organize a workplace wellness event. Every small step adds up to a global movement that saves lives!

Let’s light up the world blue and keep the conversation going!

14/11/2025

"Unlike the stomach, the brain doesn’t alert you when it’s empty".

14/11/2025

For many women, excess weight around the midsection is not just about diet or exercise. Polycystic o***y syndrome, or PCOS, is a common hormonal disorder that often leads to abdominal weight gain. The condition disrupts normal insulin function and raises androgen levels, both of which encourage fat to accumulate around the stomach. This central weight is particularly resistant to traditional diet and exercise approaches.

PCOS affects multiple systems at once, including ovarian function, menstrual cycles, and metabolism. Women with the condition may find it extremely difficult to lose belly fat even when following a controlled diet and staying active. Other common symptoms include irregular periods, excessive hair growth, acne, and fertility challenges. The hormonal imbalances create a feedback loop where weight gain worsens insulin resistance, which further disrupts hormone levels and encourages more fat accumulation.

Managing this condition requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both metabolic and hormonal aspects. Doctors may prescribe medications to improve insulin sensitivity, regulate menstrual cycles, and treat other hormone-related symptoms. Combining medical treatment with lifestyle strategies can help women reduce abdominal fat and improve overall health while breaking the cycle of hormone-driven weight gain.

14/11/2025

Thyroid cancer is on the rise, particularly among young adults, and women are three times more likely to be affected than men. This cancer often grows slowly inside the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck and can develop without obvious symptoms, making it easy to overlook.

Early warning signs include a small lump or swelling in the neck, changes in voice, or trouble swallowing. These subtle changes are often dismissed as minor throat irritation, tension, or stress. While many thyroid nodules are harmless, cancerous ones can spread to nearby lymph nodes and other areas if left untreated.

The increase in thyroid cancer diagnoses is partly due to more medical imaging, which sometimes detects nodules incidentally. Despite this, many cases remain unnoticed until the disease progresses, highlighting the importance of regular neck self-exams and checkups. Early detection significantly improves treatment success and can prevent more serious complications. Staying alert to subtle changes in the neck is key for young women, who face the highest risk.