TOI Health Plus

Does your body get used to lack of sleep? Can napping fill in for night-time shut-eye? If you think these are true, then this podcast is for you. For, sleeping is something we all do but know so very little about.In this episode, host Himanshi Dhawan, a Senior Editor with TOI, sits in with Dr Sanjay Manchanda, a pioneering sleep specialist who established Delhi’s first sleep clinic at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in the 1990s. With over three decades of experience and 27,000 sleep studies conducted, Dr Manchanda dispels the common misconception that sleep is merely a passive state. Instead, he explains its vital evolutionary role in memory consolidation, tissue repair, and neuronal rejuvenation.The conversation walks us through the vast landscape of sleep medicine — which encompasses nearly 80 distinct conditions — highlighting major disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome. Dr Manchanda shares fascinating case studies, illustrating how multiple sleep disorders can coexist and heavily impact physical safety, emotional stability, and long-term heart health.Listeners will also learn the truth behind viral health trends. Dr Manchanda challenges the efficacy of over-the-counter melatonin and magnesium supplements, warns against the accuracy of commercial wearable trackers, and explains how the ‘blue light’ from digital devices disrupts the brain’s natural sleep rhythms. Finally, the episode concludes with practical sleep hygiene advice, from fixing wake-up times to proper evening wind-down routines.Don’t miss the nutrition power tip of the week by nutritionist Pooja Makhija (https://www.nourishgenie.com/)Chapters:00:38 - The Evolutionary Importance of Sleep01:42 - The 80+ Types of Sleep Disorders02:43 - Debunking 'Insomnia' vs. 'Dysomnia'03:34 - The Four Pillars of Dysomnia & Sleep Studies04:43 - Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Risks05:48 - Restless Leg Syndrome: The Sleep Thief06:52 - Unpacking Narcolepsy & Cataplexy08:28 - Parasomnias: Violent and Complex Sleep Behaviors09:48 - The Daily Physical Toll of Disrupted Sleep11:19 - Cognitive Impact, Irritability, and the Role of REM13:20 - The Tripod Stand of Perfect Sleep14:53 - The Modern 24-Hour Cycle and Shift Work Fatigue16:41 - Dangers of Microsleeps & The Myth of the Nightcap18:54 - The Truth About Melatonin and Over-the-Counter Supplements20:31 - The Trend of Magnesium and Gadget Over-Reliance22:01 - The Reality of Wearable Sleep Trackers23:40 - The 20-Year Swiss Watch Dealer Problem29:21 - Unconscious Night Eating(30:12-32:59) Sleepwalking Crime and Legal Precedents(32:59-34:14) Blue Light and Digital Fatigue36:03 - Masterclass in Sleep Hygiene

When we think of unsafe food or water, we usually expect stomach infections, vomiting, or diarrhea. But can what we eat or drink directly impact our brain and nervous system? In this episode, host Anuja Jaiswal, a senior assistant editor with TOI, speaks with Dr Manjari Tripathi, professor and head of neurology at AIIMS, Delhi, to explore the surprising and serious ways unsafe food, water, and environmental hazards can trigger severe neurological conditions.One such infection is neurocysticercosis, which can occur when food contaminated with tapeworm eggs is consumed. The infection can cause seizures, headaches, brain swelling, vision problems and, in severe cases, cognitive decline. Dr Tripathi stresses the importance of thoroughly washing raw vegetables under running water and avoiding uncooked food from unhygienic sources.Stagnant water poses another set of risks, particularly during the monsoon. Water contaminated with rat urine can cause leptospirosis, which can lead to encephalopathy and seizures. Stagnant water also allows mosquitoes to breed, increasing the risk of dengue and Japanese encephalitis, both of which can affect the brain. Dr Tripathi says Japanese encephalitis can leave children with lasting neurological problems, including movement disorders and cognitive impairment.She also discusses rare but potentially fatal amoebic infections that can enter the brain through the nose after exposure to contaminated stagnant water. Severe headache, fever and vomiting, particularly when accompanied by seizures or altered consciousness, should not be ignored and warrant prompt medical evaluation.The episode also focuses on prevention. Keeping surroundings free of stagnant water, using mosquito nets and repellents, wearing protective clothing, ensuring safe drinking water and thoroughly washing or cooking food can reduce the risk. During dengue season, Dr Tripathi advises avoiding ibuprofen and using paracetamol for fever. She also stresses on preventive neurology, including precautions to prevent falls and head injuries among older people during the monsoon.And last but not the least, do listen to the nutrition power tip of the week by nutritionist Pooja Makhija (https://www.nourishgenie.com/)Chapters: 00:01 – Can food and water affect the brain?01:28 – How contaminated food can reach the brain03:59 – Neurocysticercosis: When a parasite gets to the brain05:36 – Raw meat, food hygiene and prevention06:51 – Is boiled water safe?09:07 – Juices, ice and the hidden risks of eating outside10:17 – Stagnant water: A threat to the brain12:17 – Mosquitoes, dengue and brain complications14:14 – Japanese encephalitis: How stagnant water plays a role16:50 – Vaccines and preventing mosquito-borne infections18:36 – Deadly amoeba infections from stagnant water20:39 – Warning signs: When fever and headache need urgent care23:14 – Long-term effects of brain infections25:38 – Monsoon brain health: Prevention is key

Flu season in India doesn't follow the calendar the way it does in the West — cases are spiking right now in Delhi, Bengaluru and beyond, even as Tamil Nadu's H1N1 wave was reported to have peaked between March and August. In this episode, host Pushpa Narayan, senior editor (health) with TOI, speaks with Dr V Ramasubramaniam, infectious diseases expert with Apollo Hospitals, about why India sees flu round the year and how to tell it apart from other respiratory illnesses.Dr Ramasubramaniam explains why monsoon timing — not winter — drives flu surges across different Indian states, breaks down the difference between H1N1, H3N2 and other strains, and describes why a "simple flu" cough can linger for six to eight weeks after the fever is gone. He also flags who is most at risk of severe complications — children under five, adults over 65, pregnant women and those with diabetes, heart, lung, kidney or liver disease — and why the flu vaccine, though underused by Indian adults, remains one of the safest and most effective ways to prevent serious illness.The conversation also covers the confusing world of flu testing — why bills for the same test can range from ₹1,000 to ₹30,000 — the truth about antibiotic overuse in viral infections, and why doctors recommend two doses of the flu vaccine a year for high-risk adults in India.Whether you've had a lingering cough, are wondering if you need a flu shot, or just want to separate fact from fear around vaccines, this episode brings clear, expert-backed answers from one of India's leading infectious disease specialists.And last but not the least, do listen to the nutrition power tip of the week by nutritionist Pooja Makhija (https://www.nourishgenie.com/)Chapters:00:01 — Flu: More Than a Bad Cold 02:10 – Monsoon, not season, drives regional flu waves02:38 – Decoding H1N1, H3N2 and the alphabet soup of strains05:03 – Fever, body ache, cough: spotting flu early06:05 – When "just a cold" turns into pneumonia06:58 – The mystery cough that lasts six to eight weeks09:03 – Children, elders, pregnant women: who's most at risk10:01 – Vaccines work, but Indian adults still skip them11:36 – Debunking the post-Covid vaccine fear13:38 – Sore arm or serious risk? Sorting vaccine side effects14:38 – Four shots every adult over 50 should get17:22 – Arm, not the buttock: getting the shot right18:22 – No national flu-shot date: timing it to your monsoon20:31 – Trivalent or quadrivalent: choosing your flu shot21:37 – Why high-risk adults need two flu shots a year22:32 – Masks, hand rubs and the travel-and-weddings risk23:13 – Inside the hospital: how doctors triage flu cases26:01 – Why one flu test costs ₹1,000 and another ₹30,00027:33 – The real reason doctors want to know your exact virus29:03 – India's antibiotic overuse problem, explained

Vitamins and mineral supplements have become a routine part of many people’s lives. From vitamin D and B12 to iron, calcium, magnesium and multivitamins, it can be difficult to know what we actually need — and what we may simply be taking because everyone else is.In this episode, host Jahnavi, a senior digital content creator with TOI, speaks to two experts from Bengaluru — nutritionist Prachi Chandra from Sakra World Hospital and gastroenterologist Dr Sreedhara V from Apollo Hospitals — to explore whether healthy adults really need daily vitamin and mineral supplements, who may genuinely benefit from them, and whether taking too many can do more harm than good.Together, they discuss how our diet, lifestyle, age and health conditions influence nutritional requirements. They also look at common deficiencies, when supplementation may be necessary, whether tests are needed before starting supplements, and the risks of self-prescribing or combining multiple products.From multivitamins and vitamin D to iron and B12, this episode separates genuine nutritional needs from wellness trends — and answers a simple question: Do you really need that handful of supplements every day?And last but not the least, do listen to the nutrition power tip of the week by nutritionist Pooja Makhija (https://www.nourishgenie.com/)Chapters00:00 - Are We Really Deficient?02:50 - Can Food Give You All the Nutrients You Need?07:15 - Who Actually Needs Supplements?10:35 - Don’t Let Instagram Prescribe Your Vitamins14:15 - Food First: Can Diet Correct Deficiencies?19:06 - Can You Take Too Many Vitamins?21:17 - When Supplements Clash23:21 - Gummies, Wellness Shots & Green Powders: Do They Work?25:53 - How to Choose a Supplement27:41 - Build a Better Plate30:35 - The Takeaway: Supplement, Don’t Replace

Muscle loss, or sarcopenia, was once considered a condition affecting only the elderly — but new research shows it's now showing up in adults as young as their 30s and 40s. In this episode, host Kamini Mathai, coordinating editor with TOI, speaks with Dr Nitin Kapoor, Professor and Head of the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at Christian Medical College and Hospital Vellore, about why sarcopenia is on the rise in India and what can be done about it.Dr Kapoor shares findings from a decade-long Kerala cohort study showing sarcopenia prevalence jumping from 4% to nearly 35% in younger adults, explains the surprising link between diabetes, insulin resistance and muscle breakdown, and discusses how weight-loss drugs like GLP-1s can accelerate muscle loss. The conversation covers practical, at-home ways to assess your muscle health (calf circumference, grip strength, walk speed), the three pillars of sarcopenia prevention (nutrition, exercise, and calcium/vitamin D), and why 10,000 steps a day isn't enough to protect your muscles as you age.Whether you're managing diabetes, considering weight-loss medication, or simply want to age with strength and independence, this episode offers science-backed, actionable guidance from one of India's leading experts in metabolic health.Before you tune out, do listen to the nutrition power tip of the week by nutritionist Pooja Makhija (https://www.nourishgenie.com/)Chapters:01:20 – What Is Sarcopenia? Defining Muscle Weakness, Mass & Function02:23 – The Kerala Cohort Study: Sarcopenia Jumps from 4% to 35%04:35 – Is Sarcopenia Rising Globally or Just in India?05:02 – The Diabetes–Muscle Loss Connection Explained07:57 – GLP-1 & Anti-Obesity Drugs: The Hidden Muscle Loss Risk09:36 – Why Women Lose More Muscle Than Men on These Drugs11:02 – The 3 Pillars of Sarcopenia Prevention14:31 – Managing Lactose Intolerance & Calcium Supplementation15:56 – Secondary Causes of Sarcopenia & Emerging Medications16:23 – Dr. Kapoor's Personal Routine: Swimming for Muscle Health17:47 – "But I Walk 10,000 Steps a Day!" — Why Aerobic Isn't Enough20:34 – How Much Muscle Do We Lose Per Decade?21:34 – Starting Strength Training Safely in Your 50s & 60s23:19 – At-Home Tests: Grip Strength, Body Composition, Walk Speed25:35 – Closing Thoughts: "A Stitch in Time Saves Nine"