#World Hypertension Day

[motivelinks]

World Hypertension Day: Raising Awareness for a Healthier Tomorrow

World Hypertension Day is observed annually on May 17th to create awareness about hypertension, its impact on health, and strategies to prevent and manage this silent yet deadly condition. Established by the World Hypertension League (WHL), the day serves as a global initiative to educate the public and healthcare professionals about the importance of maintaining healthy blood pressure levels and reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases worldwide. With the increasing prevalence of hypertension, World Hypertension Day is more relevant than ever in advocating for healthier lifestyles and preventive care.

Understanding Hypertension

What is Hypertension? Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, occurs when the force of blood against the walls of the arteries remains consistently too high. This condition often goes unnoticed due to its asymptomatic nature, earning it the nickname "the silent killer." If left uncontrolled, hypertension can lead to severe health complications such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and vision loss.

Key Risk Factors:

Lifestyle Factors: Unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, excessive salt intake, and alcohol consumption.

Medical Conditions: Diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol levels.

Genetic Predisposition: Family history of hypertension.

Age and Gender: Risk increases with age, and men are more prone to hypertension at a younger age compared to women.

The Theme of World Hypertension Day

Each year, World Hypertension Day adopts a theme to focus on specific aspects of awareness. Recent themes like “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer” emphasize the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring and effective management.

The Importance of Raising Awareness

Hypertension affects nearly 1.28 billion people worldwide, with most cases being preventable or manageable through lifestyle modifications and medical intervention. Yet, many remain undiagnosed or fail to adhere to treatment regimens. Awareness campaigns play a critical role in:

Educating the Public: Promoting knowledge about the causes, symptoms, and consequences of hypertension.

Encouraging Regular Screening: Highlighting the importance of periodic blood pressure checks to detect issues early.

Advocating Healthy Lifestyles: Encouraging balanced diets, regular exercise, and stress management to prevent hypertension.

Reducing Health Inequalities: Ensuring access to diagnostic tools, medications, and healthcare services for underprivileged populations.

How to Observe World Hypertension Day

Check Your Blood Pressure:

Take the opportunity to measure your blood pressure at home or at a clinic. Knowing your numbers is the first step to prevention and control.

Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle:

Reduce salt and processed food intake.

Maintain a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily.

Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption.

Participate in Awareness Campaigns:

Attend community events, seminars, or online webinars focusing on hypertension awareness.

Share educational materials on social media to reach a broader audience.

Encourage Others:

Motivate friends, family, and colleagues to get their blood pressure checked and adopt heart-healthy habits.

Global Impact and Challenges

Despite significant progress in awareness and treatment, hypertension remains a leading cause of death globally. Some of the challenges include:

Low Awareness Levels: Many individuals remain unaware of their hypertensive status.

Limited Access to Healthcare: Especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Poor Treatment Adherence: Patients often discontinue medications or fail to follow lifestyle recommendations.

Rising Cases Among Youth: Increasing sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy diets contribute to hypertension in younger populations.

Preventive Measures and Treatment

Prevention:

Adopt the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, focusing on nutrient-rich foods low in sodium.

Incorporate regular physical activity into your routine.

Manage stress through techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing.

Limit caffeine and avoid tobacco products.

Treatment: For those diagnosed with hypertension, a combination of lifestyle changes and medications prescribed by healthcare professionals can effectively manage the condition. Regular follow-ups and monitoring are essential to ensure long-term control.

Conclusion

World Hypertension Day is a vital reminder of the collective responsibility to combat the growing prevalence of hypertension. By promoting awareness, encouraging preventive measures, and improving access to healthcare, we can reduce the global burden of this silent killer. Let’s take the pledge this World Hypertension Day to prioritize heart health by knowing our numbers, making healthier choices, and supporting others in the journey to wellness. Together, we can build a more nutritious, hypertension-free future.

[ricisidro]

🎵🎶 Dear heart ❤️ wish you were.

#OnThisDay #OTD, May 17, #WorldHypertensionDay is celebrated around the world 🌎

Let’s break free from bad relationships with:

💔 Unhealthy diet

💔 Cigarettes

💔 Alcohol

💔 Physical inactivity

LOVE yourself, your health and your heart ❤️💛💚💙💜

[motherconcern-blog]

World Hypertension Day with Mother Concern NGO

Mother Concern NGO is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of mothers. On World Hypertension Day, the organization takes the opportunity to raise awareness about hypertension and its impact on maternal health. By empowering mothers with knowledge and resources, Mother Concern aims to prevent and manage hypertension. Read More

[personalcare-nheal]

Empowering Hearts: World Hypertension Day and the Path to Heart-Healthy Living

World Hypertension Day, observed annually on May 17th, stands as a global reminder to prioritize cardiovascular health and address the silent epidemic of high blood pressure. With its profound impact on heart health and overall well-being, hypertension demands our attention. In this blog, we will delve into the significance of World Hypertension Day, explore the link between hypertension and heart disease, and discuss practical steps to foster heart-healthy living on a global scale.

Also Read: World Hypertension Day: Making People Aware of Hypertension

Understanding Hypertension and Heart Disease: Hypertension, or high blood pressure, serves as a major risk factor for heart disease. Prolonged elevated blood pressure puts strain on the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and other cardiovascular complications. World Hypertension Day serves as a platform to raise awareness about the correlation between hypertension and heart disease, urging individuals to take proactive measures to safeguard their heart health.

Raising Awareness: Knowledge as a Lifesaver: World Hypertension Day plays a crucial role in raising awareness about hypertension and its potential consequences. By disseminating information about risk factors, symptoms, and the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring, we can empower individuals to take control of their cardiovascular health. Awareness campaigns, community events, and educational resources help spread knowledge, enabling individuals to recognize the signs of hypertension and seek timely medical intervention.

Adopting a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle: Prevention is key when it comes to combating hypertension and heart disease. World Hypertension Day emphasizes the significance of adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Regular physical activity, maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, managing stress levels, limiting alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking are vital steps in nurturing a healthy heart. By embracing these lifestyle changes, individuals can significantly lower their risk of developing hypertension and its associated cardiovascular complications.

Regular Blood Pressure Monitoring: World Hypertension Day highlights the importance of regular blood pressure monitoring. Checking blood pressure readings at home or visiting healthcare professionals for routine check-ups allows for early detection of hypertension. By tracking blood pressure levels and identifying any abnormalities promptly, individuals can initiate necessary lifestyle modifications or seek medical interventions to manage their blood pressure effectively.

The Role of Healthcare Professionals: World Hypertension Day serves as an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the crucial role of healthcare professionals in combating hypertension. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare providers play a significant role in diagnosing and managing high blood pressure. They offer guidance on medication, lifestyle modifications, and personalized treatment plans. It is essential for individuals to engage with healthcare professionals regularly, discuss concerns, and adhere to recommended interventions to protect their heart health.

Community Support and Education: World Hypertension Day encourages community engagement and support networks for individuals affected by hypertension. Support groups, educational events, and awareness campaigns foster a sense of solidarity and enable individuals to share experiences, knowledge, and resources. By building strong community support, we can create an environment that promotes heart-healthy living, reduces stigma, and encourages individuals to seek help and support.

Advocacy and Policy Changes: World Hypertension Day advocates for policy changes and initiatives that prioritize cardiovascular health. This includes advocating for increased access to affordable healthcare, promoting heart disease prevention programs in schools and workplaces, and encouraging policies that promote a healthy environment, such as reducing salt in processed foods and implementing smoke-free zones. By addressing the societal and environmental factors that contribute to hypertension, we can create a supportive framework for individuals to lead heart-healthy lives.

Conclusion: World Hypertension Day serves as a call to action, reminding us of the critical role that hypertension plays in heart disease and global well-being.for more information visit personal care n heal. 

[sawaalkejawaab]

https://sawaalkejawaab.com/world-hypertension-day-2023-quotes-importance-remedy/

World Hypertension Day 2023: एक स्वस्थ भविष्य के लिए जागरूकता

वर्ल्ड हाइपरटेंशन डे 2023 प्रतिवर्ष हर 17 मई को मनाया जाता है और यह एक महत्वपूर्ण आरोग्य संदेश देता है। इस दिन, वैश्विक स्वास्थ्य समुदाय एक साझा उद्देश्य के लिए जुटता है - हाइपरटेंशन या उच्च रक्तचाप के खतरों के बारे में जागरूकता फैलाना। यह अवसर एक माहत्वपूर्ण संदेश है कि रक्तचाप नियंत्रण के माध्यम से आप स्वस्थ भविष्य की ओर प्रवृत्त हो सकते हैं।

विश्वभर में लाखों लोगों को हाइपरटेंशन से पीड़ित होने का खतरा है, और यह एक मुख्य कारण है जो दिल की बीमारियों, स्ट्रोक, और कई अन्य स्वास्थ्य समस्��ाओं के पीछे होता है। इसलिए, वर्ल्ड हाइपरटेंशन डे के माध्यम से हमें अपने रक्तचाप को नियंत्रित रखने की महत्वता को समझना चाहिए और स्वस्थ जीवनशैली अपनाने के लिए सक्रिय बनना चाहिए।

[iz-star]

Zayne's newest card made me tear up a little.

He truly heals that part of me that it's very much broken and still under maintenance ❤️‍🩹

CW: Adult talk about mental health issues and how Zayne's been a good unintentional therapy.

I sometimes joke about how "To sit on his lap would totally fix me" as a reference to his Hidden Motive card and basically that he loves MC to sit on his lap but you know, I think to be hug by him is what actually would hold together all the pieces of me that are about to fall. He hugs MC with such delicate touch, so much tenderness and you can see the love pouring from his touch, his gaze, his words.

I once mentioned in another post that I totally understand Zayne's trauma with nightmares because there was a time I had them constantly too. There's actually another part of that story: back in the day I was so stressed that my blood pressure was always high. The very reason I had to be taken to the psychiatric hospital was because there wasn't another medical reason for my high levels of blood pressure than stress. I got my blood pressure checked for 10 days (or was it 15? I can't remember) in order to discard hypertension, I also got some medical tests done to discard if the problem was in my thyroid, blood tests to check my levels of cholesterol and tryglicerides, I even got an echocardiogram but according to every test, my body was... fine. There was no apparent reason as to why I was shaking like a wet dog against the cool wind in the backyard.

I knew I was anxious, stressed and basically on high alert all the time but somehow I came to normalize the dizzines, the shakiness of my body, the arrhythmias and feeling extra weak all the time. I'm not going to talk about the reasons that led me up to feel that way bc they're too personal and sensitive, the point is: I was so stressed that my body started to somatize my mental state.

It was there when I had to be given antidepressants and got diagnosed with depression, panic disorder and other stuff that I prefer to omit atm. I started to sleep more because of the medicine but it wasn't a good sleep bc it was there when the nightmares would always make me feel distressed and exhausted everytime I woke up. I also used to had arrhythmias when I went to sleep.

This is another thing I love about Zayne's nagging about sleeping early that I forgot to mention in my previous post: Sleeping properly not only helps your body to regain energy and start the process of reparation and regeneration of cells, but not sleeping properly can lead not only to mental health issues but also, heart issues. Zayne, being the cardiac surgeon he is, knows what's truly best for you.

If I'm honest, even after therapy, I haven't been able to heal all what's causing me to be stressed. My panic attacks have decreased greatly but not entirely and you know what's funny about Zayne and panic attacks? Out of the four LIs he's literally the best option to help out with them: not only is he a Doctor and knows how to act in emergencies while keeping a calm and collected attitude but his evol is the best ally in these cases. Back then, whenever my panic attacks would hit me, that shit about breathing never the fuck worked with me (and I'm telling you this with all the frustration I feel just to remember) because to be aware of my breath only made me feel like it was easier to lose control over it. So I had to be given a couple of ice cubes in a bag pressed over my neck and face in order to wake up my brain from the emotional distress it was putting me into. The sudden cold sensation not only helped me to wake up but was also comforting from all the sweat you get to produce in these attcks.

So yeah, I can picture Zayne seeing that when nothing is working, he could cool off his hands to the right temperature to help you wake up from the emotional distress. His touch not only gentle but comforting, making you remember that his hands are the safest place in the world and there's no danger.

Even to these days, whenever someone touches me all of sudden, I can't help but flinch and my heart beat rises automatically, I'm not lying when I say that even for the smallest things my blood pressure rises. Around two months ago, I had to go to the Doctor bc I got sick and the nurse had to ask a few personal things that got me anxious so quickly that once we were done, my heart was running wild in my chest. The next thing the nurse did was to check on my blood pressure and guess what? It was higher than it should be. Next thing she did was to do a quick test of my blood and it was all fine, so she brushed the blood pressure as me being sick.

When I had to start therapy, the hardest part was to talk about the things that were stressing me out. It suprised me how difficult was it for me to put them into words, because the first sessions, whenever I tried to start talking, my voice trembled and my heart beat would rise, the ability to breath leaving my body with each try. The psychiatrist had to literally drug me with xanax, then rivotril just for me to calm down and be able to fucking talk lol.

I suppose this is the reason that his latest PV got me a little too emotional: he's the one who offers his heart for you to listen, he's the one who tells you that his heart holds no secrets that can't be uncovered and softly asks you to be honest. I'm sure that the topics of the card are less serious that the things I've talked about here but the point still remains; in order for you to open up, he also puts himself in a somewhat vulnerable but sincere position, making you know you're both in equal terms. You put your heart on the table, he does it too. He holds you closer for you to listen his heart, his sincerity something so soft yet endearing that I just know I'd be able to say everything.

Most of the times, to talk about these topics with a few ppl has been quite frustrating. These are things I don't talk about with my family to a certain point and my friends don't have the emotional capacity to handle such things. I know I overwhelmed them and none of them knew what to say when the topic was lying there on the table, bare and ugly. The only friend that was able to offer some support was actually someone that went through a very similar situation than me.

This is not a complaint, in life I've come to understand that most people won't feel emphaty for you unless they truly understand the meassure of what you went through and most cases, it only happens if they have experienced it by themselves. Of course, this won't stop them from trying to be kind but they probably wouldn't realize that their words could hurt you instead of helping you. My friends aren't bad, they're just rough because life has made us like that, no one in this life has been taught how to help. We learn it by experience.

That's another thing that I love about Zayne, he literally exists to help. He made it his mission in life to help. If I were to ask emotional support from him, I know he would take it as it is: a place where one is allowed to be weak. No judgments, no assumptions, just a space to feel safe to breakdown. When MC opened up to him about losing her family and how that was the reason she was having an unhealthy lifestyle lately, instead of his normal nagging, he understood her and said how she had the right to do what she could to cope with her pain but just asked her to make sure not to get injured in the process. He didn't judge her, he gave her a space to acknowledge her pain and the way she was dealing with it, and they weren't even that close back then.

I've been learning to live with this heart of mine who gets scared so easily that it's kind of funny how I came to love this fictional character whose role is to be a cardiac surgeon xD When I started to play this game nobody told me that this Doctor would literally help me heal my heart. If my body flinches when someone touches me, to see the extra care and love he touches MC with makes me feel so many things. He's been broken too many times that of course he knows how to hold something with the utmost care.

I started to play around the end of February and I'm still surprised at how Zayne's writing has checked out all the boxes in my fragile spots. He's been so therapeutic for me, and it's just surprising (and a little bit sad) how he's helped me to heal what real men (and some women) have broken in me. He's the man that has helped me the most aside from my brothers and step father who only hurt me greatly the day he decided to leave this world. It's so funny how a fictional character has done all of this to me, how his reminders about eating and sleeping properly worked for me outside of the game and how he telling me to have more confidence also helped that now I even also have a better job, (I mentioned it in another posts, but for a couple of years my mental state made it difficult for me to get a job and the jobs I was able to get later were all informal and bad paid) but I also can't help thinking that he's a man written by women after all and I wonder if some ppl in his writing team had gone through difficult situations and crafted him out of the things that helped them to heal.

Women help women at the end. I wish Zayne's writing team a long and happy life. And I wish the same for the other LI's writing teams because I know just as Zayne has helped me and other girlies to get up and keep going forward, the other guys have done the same for their girlies ❤️‍🩹

Thank you, Zayne and your writing team for making my 2024 better than the previous years and helping me to start moving in life again ❤️‍🩹

[moonspirit]

Angst time!

• Annie is pregnant, somewhat far along maybe 16-81 weeks

•Pollitical event

•Assassination attempts and Armin is badly hurt. Doesn’t wake up for days after

•the stress causes her to loose the baby

•has to go through this without armin and ends up spending ages by his bed size with out moving eating or taking care of herself, on top of this she is still in pain from the miscarriage

•Armin wakes up and immediately checks on her and the baby like he will do

•Annie doesn’t know how to react

I love this idea but I have no idea how it will play out especially with the others like how they will react to the situation.

Holy fuck anon 🥲 You're trying to destroy these two without the possibility of repair?!

tw: pregnancy, miscarriage, extreme angst.

Tbh a stillbirth at around 20 weeks along is an incredibly traumatic event. To humour this, we will say Annie begins to suffer from hypertension and develops placental complications that... eventually lead to a stillbirth.

She's by Armin's bedside after having cried her eyes red once again because he's so still, so cold, so... eerily quiet in his sleep. He just ran a high fever the night before and it took everything in her to not imagine him dying. Still, it's been a month and he hasn't woken up. The doctors say they can't tell if he ever will. It's like the world is broken in two, unable to breathe or function.

There's no sign. Nothing seems wrong with her other than the tremors in her hands when the fear of Armin never coming back overwhelms her.

Nothing's wrong... Except her baby's been really quiet for a few days now.

Until she begins to bleed in her sheets one day.

Just like that, it's gone. Her baby, gone. Dead in her belly. Cold and heavy and so so far away.

Annie breaks down.

For the past weeks ever since finding out she was carrying life within her, she's bonded. Bonded with he or she, an imaginary wisp of blonde hair, the picture of blue eyes and a small hand curling around her finger. Bonded with the expectation of a voice gurgling and babbling, eagerly looking forward to the time when she'll finally win her bet with Armin that their baby will say "mama" first.

And Armin... She remembers how he looked when she told him. She remembers how he cried. She remembers the tremble of his hands when they caressed her stomach, still flat then. She remembers how he began to call them Mama and Papa. How he kissed her everywhere. How he brought home cake and other sweets and watched her eat away with gusto. How he laughed into her neck and fell into a comfortable silence with her as the night progressed and they lay in each other's arms, thinking about their baby. How he'd kiss her stomach and talk to their child every single day.

But he's not a Papa anymore, and she, no longer a Mama.

Their baby's gone.

The others try to help. They comfort her and wipe her tears. They hold her as she shrieks in pain at the loss in her stomach and heart. They make her eat. They make her drink. They make her sleep, but only so much works; sleep doesn't come even to help forget the emptiness in her body for a few hours.

They don't tell Annie how much they were looking forward to welcoming a tiny baby into their big happy family.

Not Pieck, not Reiner, not Jean or Connie... They mean well, but they don't help rid her of the ache, not really.

When Armin finally wakes, it's like atleast one half of the world has been righted. But he wakes, and looks at her with those blue eyes, watery and moist, relieved to see her again. Relieved to see them again.

But there is no them. Only her.

Everything that cannot be said, he understands the moment he reaches for her stomach and finds it flat and devoid of life. Empty, where a cradle used to once be. Quiet, where a voice should've been.

All is still.

[bwat5-blog]

Response To Comments On Grey War Crime Post #2

**spoilers for arcane**

Got another full and non-aggressive or disrespectful response on this that was worth answering properly! So thank you to @deliciousdeanfriendeagle-blog for taking the time. I'm answering here because responding in those comments is insanity.

"I don't find people who enact martial law and go on a rampage for revenge to be likeable"-- I'll give you the revenge bit if lacking a tad bit of nuance but I'll remind you the elite of Piltover agreed to Martial Law while they were busy eating out of Ambessa's hand before Caitlyn was ever involved.

"I dont agree which you (probably obvious) on "its not chemical gas because we havent seen serious immediate affects""

So what I think you are misunderstanding is that I never questioned the Form The Grey takes only the classification it would fall under in the real world if it existed in reality. RCA's and Chemical weapons are not classified differently because of a difference in primary from, but in their intent, use, and effects primarily. This is why an RCA is classified as a chemical weapon if used outside of the bounds of that protected status.

Regarding your statement on disregarding my classification because we have not seen immediate effects: I suppose all I can say is that I'm working with the content we are given and the literature of the resources I made use of whereas you are speculating. I can't really argue against speculation. The moment we see a shred of proof that the people who were exposed short term are suffering consequences I'll be happy to admit as much.

3. I dabble in science and the first thing I noticed is the color. Sometimes its bright green sometimes its more muddy (could be individual quality) and the symptoms for exposure are the EXACT same.... In league of legends (the game which the lore is based on) Zaun is supposed to be bright green to show the toxic air pollution and while it may not be an immediate death sentence now (adaption? Immunity?) (I linked the zaun quote to this because it seems that is the link you are making I think. For clarity and fairness they were not immediately together in post so I may have misread):

So we have long since diverted from strict LOL lore. and from I gather you are implying that because the symptoms seem to be the same and the lore is that the toxicity has made Zaun glow green in such a way it quite severe? I also understand that green gas normally indicated the presence of Chlorine which i understand is a comparison you are making we are getting to.

4. Comparing Chlorine Gas VS The Grey:

So I do see that Chlorine Gas is normally yellow-green under normal conditions. I do have a few points of contention:

While Chlorine Gas itself is not flammable it can react with many common chemicals which would make the use of it in any sort of combat situation highly questionable as we see done.

I'll give you the short term symptoms are all a solid match:

Burning eyes blurred vision

Irritated skin

Irritated mucous membranes: eyes/nose/throat

coughing/shortness of breath/wheezing

All just for example

3. "Lung health usually returns to normal within 7 to 14 days"-- from short term exposure to Chlorine. We see repeated examples of people recovering much much faster.

Reference serious exposure: I.E Caitlyn and Steb, Heenot, Chem Baron soldiers we later see attending the rally-

"At very high levels of exposure, death occurs in minutes to hours from respiratory failure, hypoxaemia, hypovolaemia, acute respiratory obstruction, alveolar destruction or a combination of these. Acute pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary vascular congestion, and burns of the upper and proximal lower airways contribute. Hypoxia and hypotension indicate a poor prognosis, as does development of pulmonary oedema within four hours of exposure.

In survivors, resolution commences within 48 hours."

We don't ever see anything close to this level of problem from anything Caitlyn is doing. Or from several characters fully immersed and exposed for longer than a few moments.

And while as you said it is possible just like Chlorine people may have latent problems we can speculate certainly but there is no basis in it unfortunately.

4. "tear gas is usually (meaning in america) an aerosol or powder like substance and doesn't actually move like gas"

So while it is true that tear gas is not technically considered a true gas and more often as you said power or aerosol, tear gas is not the exclusive example of an RCA. Merely the most prevalent.

Creator: LEAH MILLIS | Credit: REUTERS

Not to mention we need to remember that The Grey is being pushed and propelled by a ventilation system.

5. Your TLDR: "The grey cant be RCA due to RCA not being actual gases and would not be able to fill a ventilation system and is probably (meaning most likely) just Chlorine gas which is considered a chemical weapon due to side effects and reaction of civilians"

The classification of gas does not make the difference between RCA and Chemical Weapon. An RCA can in fact be a gas. Chemical Weapons Convention Article 2.7 defines an RCA as "any chemical not listed in a schedule, which can produce rapidly in humans sensory irritation or disabling physical effects which disappear within a short time following termination of exposure"

"Convention expressly prohibits the use of riot control agents as a method of warfare”. Article 1.5-- None of your points were regarding my defining Caitlyn's actions as warfare or not so I'm assuming we are on the same page

"Convention permits use of toxic chemicals for “Law enforcement including domestic riot control purposes”. Article 2.9(d)"-- Same as above

2. Being that its state as a gas or otherwise is not a factor in its definition as an RCA that alone I cannot consider as a factor. But as to the comparison to Chlorine Gas, the short term exposure symptoms are indeed similar to The Grey. But except for the images of the people who grew up in the Undercity surrounded by it we are given no evidence of anyone suffering such extreme problems from long term exposure. Additionally, as sources seem to indicate that short term exposure can normally take 1-2 weeks for recovery and people seem to be functioning normally on average within minutes of removing themselves from it, I cannot agree with that assessment either. While Chlorine Gas does carry a risk of latent symptoms and The Grey may as well, we cannot address that without total speculation.

[super-paper]

The Villains' Pastime: Gourmet Food Highlights

Another day, another event focused on the LOV and their targeted psychic attacks on Skeptic's blood pressure (+ ReDestro's wallet)

The event starts with the gang fully embracing the freeloader lifestyle: lounging around and playing cards, ordering premium food on the PLF's dime, and doing absolutely nothing to actually help out with running the organization they violently took over like a week ago.

Everyone praises Tomura for being good at cards, with Compress and Twice wondering how he can be so good at reading others even though most of them are wearing masks. Jin then proceeds to shout out what his hand is, solving part of the mystery behind Tomura's undefeated winning streak in record time.

They want to play another game, but Tomura shoots them down bc it's close to noon and he's hungry. They agree to stop playing cards and get some lunch, and start talking about what sort of gourmet (read: expensive) foods they should try next. Tomura breezily talks about how nice it is to finally have money to burn (he's the worst ♥️), which inevitably summons Skeptic from the fourth ring of hell to bitch everyone out about wasting the PLF's precious funds.

"Thanks a bunch~" If Skeptic murks you in your sleep, you really only have yourself to blame Mister.

No one does "endearing in a criminally insane way" quite like Tomura. 😬

Trumpet senses that things are about to get ugly (or that skeptic is about five seconds away from a full blown hypertensive crisis) and intervenes, suggesting that they play a game of cards-- If Tomura wins, the PLF will foot the bill. If Skeptic wins, they either have to pay for their own lunch or just go hungry.

Tomura (quite predictably) says "fuck that" and tells Spinner just to go buy them lunch at a convenience store.

>be me >be stuck in a secret base hidden deep in the mountains >be literally miles away from civilization and the nearest town >tfw warp gate is doing ten-to-life and warp sludge is being gatekept by the world's most toxic Ivo Robotnik cosplayer 😔 >my boss, fully aware of all the above, orders me to walk to the nearest town and buy him a frozen burrito from a gas station >mfw

IS THIS YOUR MAN, SPINNER.

Tomura lightly bullying his friends and making unreasonable requests is nothing new, but this one strikes me as hilariously mean spirited even by his standards bc it’s also implied Tomura expects Spinner to foot the bill on top of all that:

BRO FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE ELSE 😭

Trumpet eventually convinces Tomura that it would actually (read: obviously) be faster to just settle the issue with a game of cards-- Tomura finally gives in, and they settle on a game of blackjack.

Compress explains the rules of blackjack and offers to deal the cards-- Trumpet shuts this down immediately and says that HE will deal the cards, thank you very much:

As an aside, I love how utterly shameless they make Compress in these events lmao.

Tomura and Skeptic begin their game, and Tomura quickly makes it apparent that he approaches blackjack with the same suicidally reckless abandon as he does pretty much everything else:

Out of context MHA, eat your heart out.

Spinner, Compress, and Dabi all worry that Tomura has drawn too many cards and is gonna lose by default, but Jin and Himiko both express their faith in his abilities as an ill-gotten bread winner (<3)

Tomura and Skeptic both reveal their hands, and we hard cut to the aftermath where the LOV are gushing about all the high quality meat they bought on the PLF's dime while Skeptic seethes in the corner.

>Tomura

> making logical choices

well, there's your first mistake.

Trumpet tells Skeptic to stop being a hater and dig in, casually siding with the LOV now that they've won their premium beef:

Trumpet:

Like a true politician.

The lunch party continues until ReDestro enters the scene... gushing about some high quality meat he managed to get ahold of and asking the League if they'd like some hot pot. :) Skeptic realizes his life is a cosmic joke. The event ends.

Bonus Stuff:

This is starting to feel less like a case of the LOV simply liking sushi and more like a united effort to haze Dabi. Deserved, tbh.

Jin telling Himiko to eat her veggies and Compress fondly watching her eat her weight in meat......... they r SO cute wtf..................,😭

>I start joking about Tomura being the most rancid godawful tsundere in existence

>somewhere out there, apollo draws back his dodgeball arm

He sure complains a lot for someone who grumpily indulges their every whim, huh.

[srbachchan]

DAY 5874

Jalsa, Mumbai Mar 18/19, 2024 Mon/Tue 10:37 AM

Birthday - EF - Syed Kabeeruddin Tuesday, 19 March .. and our wishes for this day for your day .. love from all the Ef 🌹❤️🙏 🚩

We are all in the grip of technology and the speed with which it changes and changes our life and indeed the life of the Universe ..

By the time we realise that a finality has been reached , another system takes over rendering the finality to a disposition that gives it a 'been there , has been' temperament ..

Not just in the world of technology , but also in the thinking of all , in every aspect ..

The belief and the sense of reality .. of fact and misadventures in the factual world have quite selectively given us all reason to think or express at every fact , whether it is indeed a fact or not ..

The question mark, the doubt, the knowing that there is an alternative invades us all , and we surrender in servile disposition to its reality ..

Well , enough of the philosophy on the budding reality of alternatives and fact and on to another query ..

COFFEE ..

For the past year or so , thanks to some inputs from the younger generation colleague, the consumption of coffee suddenly became prevailent in my routine .. a drink like tea and beverages I had not consumed for years ..

Yes it did give certain reactions and changes but I needed to know factually and googelly if what the net was netting to .. so researched and came to a netted observation :

Coffee, a beloved beverage, offers several benefits. Its caffeine content enhances alertness and concentration, aiding productivity. Studies suggest coffee may reduce the risk of certain diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Additionally, it contains antioxidants, potentially lowering the risk of cancer and promoting heart health. However, excessive consumption can lead to negative effects. Insomnia and increased heart rate are common, while anxiety and digestive issues may arise in some individuals. Dependency can develop, leading to withdrawal symptoms like headaches. Moreover, excessive caffeine intake may exacerbate existing health conditions like hypertension. Moderation is key to enjoying coffee's benefits while minimizing its drawbacks.

So having consumed it for some time and in a confused state , recently have abstained for about 2 weeks from all - the coffee and the aerated beverages .. and wanted some clarification ..

So .. somewhat relieved , somewhat confused , somewhat - some and what !!!

Love and see ya .. 😁

Amitabh Bachchan

[ragsy]

"20230823-EHA-TD-01" | ~1,800 words

I like writing fake official documents and I wanted to expand on Kenny's time immediately after re-appearing in the world. So I made them both happen in the same fic. ENJOY 👇

CONFIDENTIAL

PARANATURAL AND TRANSDIMENSIONAL INVESTIGATION ADMINISTRATION

ANOMALY 20230823-EHA-TD-01

ANOMALY INTERACTIONS VOICE TRANSCRIPTION: ROOM 145H

INTRODUCTION:

This is the transcription of the Anomaly Interactions Voice Recording from the Anomaly 20230823-EHA-TD-01 investigation. The automated system records continually while the assigned room (145H) is occupied by a registered anomaly. Periods of time where no audible speech was recorded have been omitted from this record.

20230823-EHA-TD-01 was admitted to Prairie Skies Hospital (Bridgeport) on Sunday, August 20, 2023 after appearing on a local's doorstep the previous morning. Medical staff reported disorientation, confusion, aphasia, and possible dissociation. Results of physical examination were within normal parameters for patient's apparent age (estimated 60-70 years old). Arthritis, hypertension, and poor vision without corrective lenses noted. Patient's identity was not able to be determined upon admission, and comparison to local missing persons databases remains inconclusive. Patient was reclassified as anomaly and transferred to PTIA facility on August 23, 2023 after blood panels revealed high levels of xenoparticulates, typical of TD-type anomalies.

Communicators in the text may be identified according to the following list.

A01 | Anomaly | "John Doe"

DG | Assigned Research Assistant | Deepa Ghosh

RH | Resident Nurse (Night shift) | Rebecca Horn

TA | Resident Nurse (Day shift) | Tomas Ares

A series of three dots (...) is used to designate portions of the recording that could not be transcribed. One dash (-) is used to indicate a speaker's pause or a self-interruption and subsequent completion of a thought. Two dashes (--) are used to indicate an interruption by another speaker or a point at which a recording was terminated abruptly.

TAPE 1

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT:

2023-08-23

23:36

RH: I just can't fucking believe--

DG: You should know that everything you say in here is recorded.

RH: Oh, shit. Sorry. I mean- (unintelligible) I don't mean to be--

DG: Ms. Horn.

RH: Okay. Sorry. I just- Why did the hospital sedate him? He wasn't combative. He was barely even lucid.

DG: If we ever want to discharge him, he can't know how to find out where we are again.

RH: (grunts) But how am I supposed to do his intake?

23:37

DG: Just take his vitals. The interview is my job anyway.

RH: Right. Okay. Um...

23:42

RH: 110 over 70. 97.7 degrees. Pulse and respiration are low, 60 and 12 respectively. That's-

DG: Sedative.

RH: Right. It'll be awhile before that wears off.

DG: You're on standby until it does.

23:43

RH: Sure, ever since I was a little girl, I always knew I wanted to watch strange old men sleep.

DG: Ms. Horn.

RH: Sorry. I'll page you when he wakes up, Dr. Ghosh.

DG: Thank you.

(door shuts)

23:48

RH: God damn.

2023-08-24

02:02

A01: (groan)

RH: Oh, shit-

02:04

RH: Oh, no, Mr. Doe, we don't need to be- Let's stay put, okay? That's it, okay, we can sit you up- There. See? It's okay. It's okay.

02:04

RH: No, no- Oh, you really want to be moving, huh? (laughing) Well, sorry, I'm not going to let you beef it onto the floor. There. Now stay. Please. For thirty seconds while I page Dr. Ghosh.

02:05

RH: Thank you.

02:07

A01: (coughing)

RH: Oh, let me get you some- Here, drink- That's it. Okay. No? That's it? We're going to have to reclassify you as a raisin if you don't have some damn water. Just keep- Yeah, sure, you can hang onto that. It's just a styrofoam cup.

02:08

A01: (unintelligible)

RH: Hm? What's that?

02:10

(knocking on door)

RH: Oh, that's- Come in.

(door opens)

A01: (startled yelp)

(door shuts)

RH: Hey, shh, settle. Let me take your cup-

A01: No-

(water splashing)

RH: Oh.

02:11

RH: That's fine, that spot needed to be mopped anyway.

(chair moving)

DG: Good morning, Mr. Doe. I'm sorry to have disturbed you.

RH: You could hardly say two A.M. is morning--

DG: I'm Dr. Ghosh. Can you answer some questions for me?

RH: He's only been awake for ten minutes!

DG: Can you understand me?

RH: Dr. Ghosh.

02:12

DG: Can you tell me your name?

A01: I-

02:13

DG: Can you tell me the current year?

02:14

DG: Can you tell me where you are?

A01: H-

RH: It's okay hon, you can take your time.

A01: Hospital-

DG: Excellent. That is technically not correct, but not the matter at hand. What's important is that you've also just answered my first question.

(paper rustling) (pencil scratching)

02:15

DG: Okay- Can you tell me where you live?

DG: Is there anyone who might be looking for you?

02:16

DG: Where have you been recently?

A01: My-

DG: Oh?

02:17

DG: Hm.

(pencil scratching) (paper rustling)

DG: We can complete there rest of the interview at a later date. Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Doe.

A01: Ah-

DG: I will see you again in the morning.

RH: The actual--

DG: The actual morning, yes.

(door opens)

A01: Wait-

DG: Oh?

A01: Don't-

02:17

RH: Shh. Hey. She'll be back. It's okay, hey, stay there.

DG: I'll be back, Mr. Doe.

(door closes)

RH: You did great, you did so good. We'll get you sorted out.

A01: My-

RH: What's that?

A01: Na--

PLAYBACK ERROR. PLEASE CONTACT ADMINISTRATOR.

\\\\

2023-09-15

14:24

(knocking on door)

A01: Yes.

(door opens)

DG: Good afternoon, Mr. Doe.

(door shuts)

DG: Is now a good time to continue our work?

A01: Yes.

DG: Excellent. You seem like you've been making great progress. Ms. Horn told me that you beat her in a game of cards last night. I'm glad to hear it.

A01: Thank you.

14:25

DG: Still not eating?

A01: No.

DG: Is there anything we can do to make you more comfortable?

A01: No.

DG: Hm. Okay. Well, that's hard to argue with.

A01: (coughing)

DG: Carrying on. I have some more difficult questions for you now.

(papers rustling)

DG: Do you remember anything from before you woke up in this room?

14:26

DG: Please, take your time.

A01: Hospital. Car.

(pencil scratching)

DG: Mm-hm.

A01: Sin--

DG: Oh?

A01: Cinnamon.

DG: Ah. Hm.

14:27

(pencil scratching)

A01: Fall.

DG: As in the season? Autumn?

A01: No.

DG: As in falling down?

A01: Yes.

DG: Can you tell me more about how you fell?

A01: I-

14:28

A01: Don't know.

DG: You remember falling, but not what caused you to fall?

A01: I don't- Yes.

DG: Do you remember where you fell from?

A01: No.

DG: Do you remember where you landed?

A01: Stairs. House.

DG: And you're sure you didn't just fall from the st- No. I'm sorry. That's a leading question. Is there anything else you remember?

14:29

A01: (unintelligible)

DG: Who? Can you elaborate on that?

A01: Where- I-

DG: Mr. Doe?

A01: I don't-

DG: Mr. Doe, please, who is Franklin?--

TAPE 1 END TRANSCRIPT

TAPE 2

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT:

FILE READ ERROR

TAPE 3

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT:

2023-09-17

04:01

A01: I don't- I don't know. I don't know. I can't. I don't. I don't know. I don't know.

PLAYBACK ERROR. PLEASE CONTACT ADMINISTRATOR.

\\

TAPE 4

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT:

2023-09-30

18:30

TA: Oh, Rebecca's here. I'll see you again during dayshift, okay? If you need me. They're putting you on as-needed care soon, I heard.

A01: Oh- Right, thank you.

TA: Anything else I can do before I go?

A01: Crack my brain open and figure out what's going on up here?

TA: I literally can't do that.

A01: Just thought I'd try.

TA: (laughing) You sound like Rebecca. She's rubbing off on you.

(door opens)

RH: I'm rubbing what?

TA: Anyway. See you tomorrow, Mr. Doe.

18:31

PLAYBACK ERROR. PLEASE CONTACT ADMINISTRATOR.

\\\\

2023-10-03

10:55

DG: You have a--

10:56

DG: I must admit, I'm speechless.

A01: Was it- Ah- Did I say something wrong?

DG: No, no- Not at all. That is extremely useful information.

(pencil scratching)

DG: And- Her name? Can you remember her name?

A01: It's-

10:57

A01: Her name- Her name is Emily.

(papers rustling) (chair moving)

DG: I must make some phone calls.

(door opens)

A01: Oh-

DG: As always, thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Doe.

(door closes)

11:01

A01: Oh, god.

11:02

A01: Oh my god. Oh my god.

A01: No, no, no, no- Emily--

PLAYBACK ERROR. PLEASE CONTACT ADMINISTRATOR.

\\\\\

2023-10-05

09:44

DG: Well?

09:45

(papers rustling)

A01: I suppose he might look a little like me.

DG: A bit? The physical resemblance is striking. He's the right age. He has a daughter with the same name as yours. He vanished without a trace. Of all the missing persons files I've looked through, this man is the closest anyone has gotten to finding a match.

A01: That's true, but--

DG: Once the DNA analysis results have arrived, we can know for certain whether or not he's you.

09:46

DG: Is something the matter?

A01: It's nothing, it's nothing.

DG: I thought you might be more excited.

A01: I'm-

09:47

DG: Maybe his photos can jog your memory.

A01: That's- (unintelligible)

DG: Pardon?

A01: Nothing. I'm sorry, can- Can we cut our work short today?

DG: Of course. But I'll let you know as soon as the DNA results are in.

A01: Sure. Thank- Thank you.

(chair moving) (papers rustling)

DG: No, no, keep the file with you. It's just a copy. I will be back tomorrow.

09:48

(door opens)

(door closes)

09:52

A01: (sobbing)

2023-10-05

11:51

A01: (unintelligible)

(sink running)

(water splashing)

A01: (unintelligible)

2023-10-06

09:00

(knocking on door)

A01: Come in.

(door opens)

(door closes)

DG: Good morning, Mr. Doe. How are you feeling?

09:01

A01: Could be better.

DG: Hm.

A01: I read- I looked at the file.

DG: And how do you feel about it?

A01: I- I still don't know.

DG: That's unfortunate. If it's any consolation, I have the DNA results.

09:02

A01: Oh.

DG: Shall I tell you the answer?

DG: Mr. Doe?

A01: Yes. Alright.

09:03

DG: It's a match.

(papers rustling)

DG: He's you.

09:04

DG: I'm sorry if it comes as a shock to you. But this is tremendous news, we- Do you understand? We know who you are now, we know where you're from, we can finally-

09:05

DG: Don't you want to piece together where you've been? Don't you want to finally understand what happened to you?

A01: I- I suppose.

DG: We can't waste any more time. I will put in the request to have you transferred out of containment- Your file will need to be updated, I need to request your records and history from surveillance--

09:06

A01: Stop.

DG: I--

A01: Please.

DG: I'm sorry. This is just very exciting. The real work on your case can finally begin.

09:07

DG: I can give you some time to process, if you would prefer.

A01: I would.

DG: Yes, of- Yes, of course.

A01: Thank you.

DG: We will speak again this afternoon.

(door opens)

DG: It will be wonderful to finally meet you, Mr. Song.

(door closes)

END TRANSCRIPT

COMMUNICATOR IDENTIFICATION: A01 | Anomaly | "John Doe" UPDATED TO: KS | Anomaly | "Kenneth Song"

[motivelinks]

World Hypertension Day at World Diabetes Centre: Why It Matters

World Hypertension Day, celebrated annually, emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about high blood pressure and its impact on global health. At the World Diabetes Centre, this day takes on special significance as hypertension and diabetes are closely linked. This blog explores why hypertension awareness is essential, how managing blood pressure helps individuals with diabetes, and the role of the World Diabetes Centre in promoting better health.

Why Is Hypertension Awareness Important?

Hypertension, often called the "silent killer," frequently goes unnoticed until it causes significant complications. For individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure can:

Increase the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases: Diabetes and hypertension together substantially raise the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Affect Kidney Health: Elevated blood pressure exacerbates the risk of diabetic nephropathy.

Worsen Eye Conditions: Hypertension can accelerate diabetic retinopathy, leading to vision problems.

Impact Overall Health: Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to organ damage and reduced quality of life.

How Does Managing Hypertension Help with Diabetes?

Effective blood pressure management significantly improves outcomes for individuals with diabetes. Here’s how:

Prevents Complications: Lowering blood pressure reduces the strain on organs, decreasing the likelihood of complications.

Supports Heart Health: Well-controlled blood pressure enhances cardiovascular function and reduces disease risk.

Improves Quality of Life: Stable blood pressure contributes to better energy levels and overall well-being.

Enhances Diabetes Management: Controlling hypertension helps stabilize blood sugar levels and reduces stress on the body.

How Does the World Diabetes Centre Support World Hypertension Day?

The World Diabetes Centre champions integrated care for diabetes and hypertension through:

Awareness Campaigns: Educating patients about the importance of blood pressure monitoring and lifestyle changes.

Screening Programs: Offering free or discounted hypertension screening services.

Customized Care Plans: Creating tailored plans that address both diabetes and high blood pressure.

Workshops and Seminars: Hosting events with experts to share insights on managing hypertension and diabetes together.

Questions to Consider for World Hypertension Day

Why Should I Monitor My Blood Pressure Regularly? Regular monitoring helps detect hypertension early, allowing for timely intervention.

How Can Lifestyle Changes Help Control Hypertension? Simple steps like reducing salt intake, exercising, and managing stress can make a big difference.

Can Hypertension Be Reversed? While not always reversible, effective management can significantly improve health outcomes.

Tips for Managing Hypertension and Diabetes Together

Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet: Focus on whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables while minimizing salt and processed foods.

Stay Active: Regular physical activity improves circulation and supports overall health.

Take Medications as Prescribed: Follow your doctor’s advice on antihypertensive and diabetes medications.

Manage Stress: Practice mindfulness techniques such as yoga, meditation, or breathing exercises.

Take Action on World Hypertension Day

World Hypertension Day is a reminder to prioritize your heart and health. At the World Diabetes Centre, you’ll find resources, support, and expert care to manage hypertension and diabetes effectively. Make this day the starting point for a healthier, more balanced life by scheduling a check-up and committing to a proactive approach to your well-being.

[ricisidro]

Today Is May 17. On This Day, World Hypertension Day is celebrated yearly around the world 🌎

Hypertension or High Blood Pressure is among one of the major causes of a varied range of health problems like heart attacks, strokes and kidney-related illnesses. But only 1 in 5 people (20%) with hypertension have it under control.

Lifestyle changes like eating a healthy and low salt diet, avoiding cigarettes and alcoholic drinks and being active (daily walking exercise) can all help lower blood pressure.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Also preserved in our archive

Another great reason to keep masking: We don't even have a good treatment for long covid yet, and many doctors know simply nothing about the condition.

Global efforts to understand and manage long Covid post-pandemic, with varied symptoms and limited treatment guidelines worldwide

Doctors in India are grappling to diagnose and treat unexplained and persistent symptoms of long Covid patients due to limited guidelines, whereas researchers have flagged inadequate studies on the condition.

With the World Health Organization declaring an end to COVID-19 as a global health emergency in May last year, focused efforts are underway around the world to estimate the burden of long Covid among the population.

The condition refers to the set of lingering symptoms affecting varied body parts and persisting well beyond the acute Covid infection period, including cough, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, brain fog and difficulty in focusing. The viral disease is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

While studies have suggested that about a third of those moderately or severely infected are likely to suffer from long Covid, region-wise though, incidence could vary.

A study by researchers, including those from Harvard Medical School, U.S., estimated that 31% of the once-infected people in North America, 44% in Europe, and 51% in Asia, have long Covid, which is “challenging the healthcare system, but there are limited guidelines for its treatment”. It was published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases in September.

In India, however, studies on long Covid are few and far between.

One such study by Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, conducted from May 2022 to March 2023 on 553 patients who had recovered from Covid, found that about 45% had lingering symptoms, persistent fatigue and dry cough being the most common.

“There is limited exploratory research on the long Covid syndrome with scarce data on long-term outcomes,” the authors wrote in the study published in the journal Cureus in May this year.

Understanding the long-term effects of the virus is important for developing management strategies, optimising healthcare delivery, and providing support to recovered Covid patients in the community, they said.

Dr Rajesh Sagar, Professor of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, said, “Looking at the current state of long Covid studies in India, it is too premature to say that we understand the condition well enough to know how to diagnose or treat it.”

Animesh Samanta, assistant professor at School of Natural Sciences in Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, said, “While studies in India highlight the growing recognition of neurological complications in long Covid patients, more focused research on neuroinflammation is needed.”

Doctors, too, have reported a rise in patients complaining of symptoms that they did not have pre-Covid. “People who never had asthma in the past, post-Covid, with every viral infection, they get a long cough, shortness of breath and wheezing, which require the use of inhalers or nebuliser,” senior consultant Dr. Neetu Jain, who runs a post-Covid care clinic at Pushpawati Singhania Hospital and Research Institute, New Delhi, said.

Dr. Arun Garg, chairman, Neurology and Neurosciences, Medanta-The Medicity, Gurugram, said that he was noticing a spike in stroke cases among young patients not suffering from known risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

“Similarly, we are seeing more cases of encephalopathy (swelling of the brain) without reason and having a confused state of mind following one or two days of fever. Their MRI scans show no changes. These patients have increased significantly after Covid,” he said.

In the absence of medical guidelines to diagnose long Covid, doctors are having to resort to broad, non-specific tests and questionnaires to gauge a patient’s ‘quality of life’.

Studies have shown that the fatigue experienced in long Covid is similar to that in cancer patients, with a quality of life similar to patients of Parkinson’s disease.

“We really do not have any test to diagnose long Covid, even though it is definitely a clinical diagnosis. We diagnose long Covid for people who had at least moderate to severe infection, following which they could never regain the quality-of-life pre-Covid. Checking for inflammatory markers like C-reactive proteins (CRP) can support the diagnosis,” Dr. Jain said.

“Other than routine blood tests that measure inflammation, we do antibody tests to look for direct markers. In many of these patients, we are finding rare antibodies which are very new to us and were not there pre-Covid,” Dr. Garg said.

Inflammation persisting despite recovery from acute Covid infection is thought to lie at the heart of long Covid. However, tests to measure this specific immune response are lacking, even as researchers have been working in this direction worldwide.

One such effort comes from Shiv Nadar University, where a team led by Mr. Samanta has developed a fluorescent probe capable of detecting inflammation in brain cells that can arise due to Covid infection.

The probe measures nitric oxide levels in brain cells, especially in human microglia cells, where increased NO levels are linked to the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Microglia are immune cells in the brain that fight disease and help maintain brain health.

Lysosomes within microglia, which help clear foreign disease-causing agents like the SARS-CoV-2 virus, produce nitric oxide as part of an immune response to infection. The probe detects nitric oxide produced in lysosomes in response to infection and thereby allows for a measurement of inflammation levels.

This examination method can provide “qualitative information on infection status”, said Mr. Samanta, corresponding author on the study published in the journal Analytical Chemistry in American Chemical Society.

He explained that patients with pre-existing conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis (an autoimmune disorder) could exhibit prolonged neuroinflammation and loss of brain cells following Covid infection.

While the probe has shown efficacy in cell cultures, animal studies would need to be done, before testing it in humans, Mr. Samanta said.

Looking at the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, the study by Harvard Medical School had found that 587 clinical studies were conducted on long Covid, of which about 53% (312) were testing potential treatments.

Most of these were found to be conducted in the U.S. (58), followed by India (55) and Spain (20). The trials looked at interventions including physical exercise, psychotherapy, and pharmacological ones such as paxlovid and fluvoxamine.

However, “to date, only 11 of these 312 studies have published their results that were not confirmative,” the researchers wrote.

The team called for studies to look into sleep disorders which were rarely included in the registered clinical studies. Further, interventions targeting the biological processes responsible for long Covid are needed but currently lacking, they said.

[9leaguesofmirrors]

The Debt Collector and the Sin Detector

This fic is inspired by @jfinb, specifically the hilarious dynamic they wrote between Reverend Bernice and Lisgoe. I had to write a fic where they met, so here it is!

Also, this might be one of my favourite fic titles I've come up with

ALSO also, this fic takes place in a world where Lisgoe finds out about Ross and Pauline doing stuff while he and Ross were talking, so it could be taken as a sequel to The Downgrade, but it wasn't intended as such

CONTENT WARNING: Mentions of sex, cheating, and alcohol consumption

When Lisgoe skulked into the local bar, he was fuming. Having to walk in the rain, when he didn't bring a coat, after finding out the guy he was maybe-or-maybe-not trying to get somewhere with went and had sex with his boss did not help his hypertension

What made it somewhat better was seeing, as he went to the bar and ordered a beer, the Reverend sat in the corner of the room with a large brandy in her hand

"Fucking hell!" Lisgoe laughed as he approached her, beer bottle in his hand "Reverend Bernice Woodall, downing a drink like a champ!"

"Who's this twat..." She muttered, glaring at Lisgoe "What do you want?"

"I thought drinking was against the rules of the Bible."

"And I thought being a nosy little bugger went against the rules of society."

This just amused Lisgoe further and he took the seat opposite Bernice. He looked at her for a few seconds, taking a swig of his beer

"Come here often?"

"Why are you talking to me like a horny teenager?"

"I'm asking you a fucking question!"

"Drink your drink."

As the man sneered and leaned his elbows on the table, Bernice studied him for a few seconds. For some reason, she felt as though she'd seen his face before - or at least heard that disgustingly sexy voice before

"You ever been to church, Pet?"

"Fuck no!" He laughed again "I have a brother that's a Reverend, but we don't speak. I collect people's debts, and the shite I've done would send me straight to Hell - if I believed in it."

That's when it finally clicked, there was only one man in Royston Vasey that acted this dickish

"Mr Lisgoe himself," Bernice sipped her brandy "never thought I'd see the day."

"Never thought I'd see a Reverend drinking a brandy, but I guess there's a first for everything."

"If you had to sit around listening to a bunch of boring sods whine about disappointing Sky Daddy, you'd be in here everyday. At least you can punch them in the face when they piss you off."

Lisgoe made a face of agreement and drank his drink again. He'd almost forgotten about the fiasco with Ross until Bernice asked:

"So, what brings you here?"

That instantly made him clam up, glaring at Bernice slightly

"Since when was this a fucking confession booth?"

"I'm asking you a fucking question!" Bernice imitated Lisgoe's previous statement, which got a withering look in response

"What would you do if you found out someone you were seeing was bumming their boss behind your back?" He snarled before holding up his bottle "I've earned every drop of this."

Of all the reasons, Bernice wasn't expecting Lisgoe to be caught in a love triangle. He didn't exactly seem like the type to be annoyed over something like that

"She sounds like a daft twat. You're a cunt, but you're not ugly. And to wrap her legs around her own boss? Sounds like a dirty slapper to me."

"I don't give a shite anymore. I mean, do I look bothered? Is my face bothered, Reverend?"

"Not at all."

As they sipped their drinks, a neutral silence fell over them. Lisgoe was the one to break it

"And it was a he, he slept with his female boss."

"You fucking what? You mean you're a bum muncher?"

That got a slightly put-off glare from Lisgoe

"First of all, I'm not munching any bums! Second of all, just because I was with a guy doesn't mean I'm gay - I like women too."

"So you're a... what do they say? Bipolar? By proxy?"

"... Bisexual?"

"That's the bastard!"

Lisgoe shrugged, downing a gulp of his beer and slamming the bottle down with a satified sigh

"I don't label it. Only two things matter: either the other person has to be fuckable or I have to be really, really, really bored."

"Just make sure you get the boss out of the way."

"Piss off!" Lisgoe snapped, not showing any signs of offence "It's his loss, I'm a fucking delight!"

"You seem to be 2 shits short of a toilet in my eyes."

"At least I'm not wasting away in a little booth listening to people complain all day."

Oddly enough, the casual back-and-forth made Lisgoe feel a little less uptight about the whole situation prior. It felt good to have another person that was just as much of a foul-mouthed dick as he was - even if she did look slightly rotten

"About that fella, ever thought about revenge?"

Lisgoe looked at her, left eye twitching in confusion

"Your ex fling had it off with his boss," she explained "what better way to show him up than taking someone home? Someone that'll get Royston Vasey talking."

"You think I should pimp myself out?"

"No, you silly goat! I'm saying you should cause a scandal. He's an attention whore, so do something that takes that away. Plus, it might light a fire under his backside."

Lisgoe considered the suggestion, looking around at the people inhabiting the bar. Nobody was that impressive. In fact, they were unspecial at best and repulsive at worst - so nothing had really changed there

"Everyone here looks one cough away from death. I don't mind someone a bit older, but not fucking decrepid!"

"With the way your love life's going, you can't afford to be picky."

"Rude bitch! I thought the Bible preached kindness and shite?"

"I'm a Reverend drinking a brandy at one in the morning, do you really think I'm worried about a big book?"

Once again, Lisgoe found himself puffing out a laugh. It was an odd feeling; it was nice, but in a way that felt different to Ross. Less intense, more casual

Bernice finished off her brandy and placed the glass on the table, she then drummed her nails against the wood as she waited for the pleasant buzz of alcohol to hit her system

"Want another one?"

"Nah, don't bother."

"You a lightweight then?"

Bernice looked at him like he was the daftest twat in Royston Vasey

"Do I look like a lightweight to you? Can a woman not refuse a drink from a stranger? I don't want you using my body as a sex doll - not when I'm unconcious anyway."

"Fucking hell, relax! I'm not that twisted and I'm definitely not that desperate." Lisgoe finished off his beer "I'm asking because, shockingly, I'm enjoying myself. It's like talking to someone's batty grandma."

"Batty grandma!" Bernice was taken aback and apalled by the comparison "Don't take fucking liberties, Mr Lisgoe."

"You can just call me 'Lisgoe', nevermind that 'Mr' shite... unless saying that turns you on or something."

"I have a right mind to buy another drink just to lob the glass at your fucking head!"

Lisgoe smirked to himself, leaning back in his chair. He had to admit, talking to Bernice seemed to do a fair bit of good to his mood. It was a strange feeling, he felt more drawn to the Reverend than any other stranger, but not in the same way he was drawn to Ross. To him, they were in a strange middle ground between acquaintances and partners

"Got something on your mind, Pet?"

That effectively snapped Lisgoe out of interally berating himself and he turned to Bernice with a shrug

"Just bored."

Bernice's lips formed into a sly smile. She didn't feel a connection to the man in front of her - well, not a romantic one at least - but she wasn't blind just yet. She may have had a mild astigmatism, but her sight was fine other than that. And what she was seeing got her juices flowing... in more ways than one!

And who was she to pass up the opportunity?

"How bored are you, Pet?"

At that point, Lisgoe realised her game. Despite thinking that Bernice looked slightly decaying, there was something about her that suggested a decent lay - plus, shagging a Reverend was on his bucket list

"Really, really, really fucking bored." He shrugged "And up for revenge. But I need some help with that."

"Nothing like a revenge shag, is there, Mr. Lisgoe?"

Lisgoe got up with a devilish grin

"Knew that turned you on, you perverted shite."

*********************************************

Bernice was the first to emerge from her confessional booth, her knees slightly stiff as she walked out. She looked around for a bit before confirming nobody was there

Lisgoe then exited, zipping up his trousers and scowling at her

"Last time I checked, people don't bite when they suck dick."

"I didn't bite you, don't be a big baby!" Bernice snapped back "My teeth just grazed you."

"That wasn't grazing, Bernice, I have bitemarks on my dick!"

"Don't act like you don't like it rough, you're the exact type. Bet that boytoy of yours took chunks out of you."

"Yeah, I like to play with pain, but Ross never bit me on the tip of my cock."

"Well, Ross is currently balls-deep in another woman, so you'll have to save those fantasies for another night."

With a sneer, Lisgoe leaned his back against the confessional booth. To say the experience was pleasant would be unture, but... at least... no, it was just unpleasant. And it caused Lisgoe's mind to wander back to a few weeks ago. The memories weren't even sexual, they were just better than whatever the fuck just happened

"Now what?"

Bernice's voice, once again, effectively snapped him out of his own head

"I'm not fucking you again."

"Never said I wanted that."

A pause in the conversation

"You're a fucking terrible shag," Lisgoe said "but you're not bad to talk to. You're a battered old witch and I like that."

"Well, I like that you're a moody prick with a weird sense of humour."

"That's oddly nice coming from-"

"You also have a very nice moan."

"And you had to fucking ruin it!"

They both ended up laughing, a proper laugh that neither of them had shared before. The kind of laugh that felt satisfying in a strange way

The kind of laugh only friends share

A/N: This took longer to finish than I thought, mainly because I forgot I even wrote it. It's a little cursed and VERY silly, but it's also a favourite for that exact reason

[sad0nion]

Have you ever thought that maybe it's not the doctors who are fatphobic, but some overweight people being overly self-centered and hypersensitive? Seriously, wake up. If a doctor is direct about your condition, it's not to offend you but to help you address potential health risks. No, being overweight is not healthy (it increases the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome). You're being overly sensitive, getting offended by everything, and in other parts of the world, like Eastern Europe, you wouldn't be treated so softly (assuming you're American, which might explain it).

Hi, are you a fat person in America? If not, I don't think you're very qualified to speak on what healthcare for a fat American is like.

I could go into a lot of personal anecdotes to disprove all your points, but I think what it boils down to is that everyone deserve healthcare and everyone deserves respect. With just a quick google search, I found a very interesting study from the National Library of Medicine in the US. Here's the link to it. If you don't want to read the whole thing, I would highly recommend at least reading the "Impact on Providers" and "Impact on Patients" sections.

Personally, I would just like to say that I hope you are able to learn to let go of some of your anger. Maybe look inwards and ask if sending asks like this is helpful to anyone, including yourself. I hope you have a great rest of your day.