Category: Health

Amitabh Bachchan has opened up about his recent struggles with sleep and getting back to his fitness routine. The 83-year-old actor shared that his demanding work schedule has disrupted his gym sessions. Reflecting on the challenges of keeping up with exercise as one grows older, Big B also shared a mantra he follows to remain active.

“At times on the net you get so many physical motions to activate sleep .. tried all and nothing happened .. so best to do it the natural .. get in to the coverings, cuddle like the fetus we were before evolving and facing the World .. and DONE .. snoring and all… Aaaahhhh… a yawn .. indicator of the shortage of the Oxygen needed .. so shall retire,” Amitabh Bachchan wrote in his vlog.

Big B revealed that his gym routine has become irregular and is currently on pause. Referring to the phrase “Don’t let the old man in”, the actor acknowledged that staying fit is not always easy but stressed the importance of continuing to make an effort despite the challenges.

“Gyming has been a bit non routined , so trying to bring it back in line .. for, the demanding work all over taxes the body and mind .. and a little more attention needs to be accommodated .. The mind says YES ..but the BODY says – ‘hold on buddy’, don’t let the old man in ‘ easier said than done .. but DO IT ..so I shall IT,” he added.

On the work front, Amitabh Bachchan is currently hosting Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18. The actor will next be seen in the Kalki 2898 AD sequel alongside Prabhas and Kamal Haasan.

Ask any gastroenterologist about the days after Diwali and the list is familiar: heartburn that wakes people at night, a distended abdomen, loose stools, and the occasional stomach infection traced to a sweet left out too long. The sweets are not villains. But the digestive tract is far from indifferent to how a mithai is made, how much is eaten and when.

Most advice on festive sweets rests on calories. That is incomplete. The gut responds to fat, to lactose, to fermentable carbohydrates and to the timing of a meal, and a calorie count captures only some of that.

What The Gut Notices

Fat

Dietary fat slows gastric emptying, so food lingers in the stomach. High-fat meals are also associated with more frequent transient relaxations of the lower esophageal sphincter, the muscular valve that keeps acid where it belongs. The consequence is reflux. A fried sweet in syrup, eaten late at night, is close to a textbook trigger. In people with gallstones, a large fatty load can also provoke a gallbladder attack.

Lactose

By most estimates, a majority of Indian adults digest lactose, the sugar in milk, poorly. Khoya is milk reduced by prolonged heating, which concentrates its lactose. Chhena is curdled milk from which much of the whey, and the lactose dissolved in it, has been drained. Undigested lactose draws water into the bowel and is fermented by colonic bacteria, producing gas, cramps and diarrhea.

Fermentable Carbohydrates

Chickpea flour and cashews both contain oligosaccharides, which ferment in the colon. In people with irritable bowel syndrome, larger portions can aggravate symptoms.

Sugar

The World Health Organization recommends that free sugars supply less than 10 percent of daily energy, with additional benefit below 5 percent: about 50 grams and 25 grams on a 2,000-calorie diet. Sucrose is half fructose, which is metabolized largely in the liver, where excess promotes fat synthesis. That matters in a country where metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, formerly called fatty liver disease, is estimated to affect roughly one in three adults.

A Sweet-by-Sweet Reckoning

Mithai Approx. Energy Principal Digestive Considerations Relative Gut Burden

*Energy values are indicative and vary with recipe and portion. The final column is a clinical judgment about typical preparations, not a measured quantity.

The ranking is comparative. A single rasgulla is not a license to eat four. Portion and timing alter every row of this table.

The Risks Outside the Box

Festive demand strains supply, and gastroenterologists see the consequences in the form of gastroenteritis. Milk-based sweets spoil quickly, especially when left unrefrigerated through an evening of visitors. Adulterated khoya is a recurring concern in the festival season. Buy from licensed vendors, check the date of preparation, refrigerate milk-based sweets and discard anything that smells sour or looks discolored.

How to Eat Mithai

The evidence favors modest, unglamorous habits.

• Eat sweets after a meal, not in place of one. Skipping meals to “save room” tends to end in overeating and acid.
• Plate one portion. Grazing from the box makes it easy to lose count.
• Finish dinner early. Guidelines for gastroesophageal reflux disease, including the American College of Gastroenterology’s 2022 guideline, suggest avoiding meals within two to three hours of bedtime in people with nighttime symptoms.
• Take a short walk. Light walking after meals modestly lowers post-meal blood glucose in trials; its effect on acidity is less well established.
• Hydrate, and ease off alcohol, strong tea and carbonated drinks, which can aggravate acidity.
• Keep fiber in the day. Fruit, dal, vegetables and whole grains guard against the constipation that rich festive food brings.

People with diabetes should count the carbohydrate: jaggery, honey and dates are still sugars. Sweets made with sugar alcohols, often marketed as sugar-free, commonly cause gas and loose stools. Those with reflux should avoid fried sweets late in the evening, and people with gallstones or high triglycerides should be wary of large, fatty meals.

When It Is Not Just Indigestion

Mild discomfort after a rich meal usually settles on its own. Persistent or severe symptoms do not, and the following warrant prompt medical attention: severe or lasting abdominal pain; repeated vomiting or vomiting blood; black, tarry or bloody stools; difficulty or pain with swallowing; unexplained weight loss; and diarrhea lasting more than a couple of days.

There is no single healthiest Diwali sweet, only better and worse bargains for the digestive tract. For most people, a small piece of kaju katli or a rasgulla with the syrup drained will be easier on the gut than a fried, khoya-heavy sweet. But portion, timing and food safety shape the outcome more than the choice of mithai itself. Choose what you love, eat it slowly and early, and let the festival be a festival.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted tentative approval to Indian pharmaceutical company Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories for its generic version of lenacapavir. This drug is a breakthrough HIV prevention injection that needs to be administered just twice a year. This approval is granted under the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and is an important step towards making HIV prevention more affordable and accessible across low- and middle-income countries. This generic injection is made for adults and adolescents weighing at least 35 kg who are at risk of sexually acquired HIV-1.

Under an existing agreement, the injection is expected to be available at $40 per person per year across 120 countries covered by the voluntary licence granted by US-based Gilead Sciences. The first supplies are expected to reach countries before the end of 2026, with wider availability planned for 2027.

What Is Lenacapavir And How Does It Prevent HIV?

Lenacapavir is a long-acting antiviral medicine originally developed by Gilead Sciences. It belongs to a class of medicines called HIV-1 capsid inhibitors. Lenacapavir works at multiple stages to prevent HIV from multiplying and spreading in the body, which is unlike several other existing antiviral medicines that target a single stage of the virus’s life cycle.

The drug has been developed for both HIV treatment and prevention, although the formulations and dosage schedules differ depending on its use. For HIV prevention, it is administered as an injection twice a year, making it a convenient option for people who may struggle with daily preventive medication. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also recommended twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir in its HIV prevention guidelines. The medicine has been recognised as a major scientific development, with the journal Science naming it the 2024 ‘Breakthrough of the Year’.

Why Is The US FDA Approval Important?

The FDA’s tentative approval is an important milestone because it allows Dr. Reddy’s to go ahead with supplying an affordable generic version of the injection in eligible countries. The development follows a voluntary licensing agreement granted by Gilead Sciences to Dr. Reddy’s in October 2024. In September 2025, Dr. Reddy’s entered into an agreement with Unitaid, the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI), and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) to support product development, regulatory processes and wider access.

Dr Neil Buddy Shah, CEO of CHAI, highlighted the importance of making HIV prevention easier to follow. “For someone at risk of HIV, taking a pill every day to prevent a disease they don’t have is a hard thing to ask. Two injections a year, of a product that is almost 100% effective at preventing HIV, changes that entirely,” he said.

He also pointed out that more than 1,25,000 people in Africa have already started using lenacapavir, adding that the generic approval could bring the medicine within reach of millions more.

How Can A Twice-Yearly Injection Help Prevent HIV?

One of the biggest challenges in HIV prevention is ensuring that people can consistently follow preventive treatment. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) involves taking medication before potential exposure to HIV to reduce the risk of infection. Daily oral PrEP is an effective prevention option, but taking a pill every day can be difficult for some people because of lifestyle, access, privacy concerns or challenges with maintaining a routine. A twice-yearly injection could help address some of these barriers.

• Fewer doses: Instead of taking a preventive pill every day, people can receive two injections annually, reducing the need for frequent medication.
• Convenience: People who have difficulty maintaining a daily medication schedule may find long-acting injections easier to follow.
• Higher privacy: Some individuals may prefer receiving an injection twice a year rather than keeping daily HIV prevention medication at home.
• Better access: The planned $40 annual price could make this prevention option more accessible in countries with limited healthcare resources.
• Additional prevention: Lenacapavir offers another option for people who may not prefer or be able to use daily oral PrEP.

However, HIV-negative status must be confirmed before starting lenacapavir and before every subsequent injection. The medicine is intended for HIV prevention and does not replace other measures to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

Deepak Sapra, Chief Executive Officer, API and Services, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., said, “This is a moment of immense pride for all of us at Dr. Reddy’s. Developing and manufacturing a complex long-acting injectable like lenacapavir at an affordable price required strong scientific capabilities and manufacturing expertise to address an urgent access need. The U.S. FDA approval validates that work and brings us a significant step closer to making this twice-yearly HIV prevention option available to people across low- and middle-income countries.”

Pulled into our lungs, travelling through our bloodstream and potentially disrupting our metabolism, air pollution may be contributing to India’s diabetes and obesity epidemic.

Air pollution could be doing far more than damaging your lungs. Emerging research suggests that breathing toxic air over prolonged periods may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, interfere with insulin metabolism and even contribute to weight gain and obesity.

And this could have particularly serious implications for India, which is already battling an enormous burden of diabetes and obesity.

In a conversation with NDTV Lifeline, renowned pulmonologist Dr Arvind Kumar warned that air pollution must no longer be viewed as merely a respiratory health problem.

“There is now data to say that diabetes and even obesity, which is so rapidly increasing in our country, have been linked to air pollution,” Dr Kumar said while speaking on Health, Actually.

The warning comes against the backdrop of mounting scientific evidence linking long-term exposure to fine particulate matter, particularly PM2.5, with metabolic disorders.

So Can Breathing Dirty Air Fuel A Diabetes Crisis?

One of the most important studies to examine this question was published in the journal BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care in October 2023.

Researchers studied 12,064 adults in Delhi and Chennai to investigate the relationship between PM2.5 exposure, blood glucose levels, HbA1c and the incidence of type 2 diabetes.

A 10 microgram per cubic metre increase in annual average PM2.5 exposure was associated with a 22% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The researchers also found that a 10 microgram per cubic metre increase in monthly average PM2.5 exposure was associated with a 0.40 mg/dL increase in fasting blood glucose and a 0.021-unit increase in HbA1c.

This is particularly significant for India, where diabetes is already a major public health challenge.

Dr Kumar explained the possible biological mechanism during his conversation with NDTV Lifeline.

“When these toxic particles go into the lungs, they get absorbed into the blood. And then they go to every organ in the body.”

He added that when these particles reach the pancreas, they can trigger inflammation and interfere with insulin metabolism.

“When these particles get deposited in the pancreas, they cause inflammation there. And that disturbs the insulin metabolism. And you have less insulin,” Dr Kumar explained.

The pancreas plays a central role in regulating blood sugar by producing insulin. Disruption of insulin production and signalling can contribute to metabolic dysfunction and diabetes.

So Is Pollution Making Us Obese?

The potential connection between air pollution and obesity is another emerging area of research.

Dr Kumar pointed out that the effects of toxic particles may extend to adipose tissue which is the body’s fat-storing tissue.

“Likewise, when these particles get deposited in the adipose tissue, which is the fatty tissue, they again disturb the fat metabolism,” he said during the NDTV Lifeline podcast, Health, Actually.

Another research points in this direction.

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Environmental Research in 2026 examined 41 studies involving adults and found positive associations between exposure to PM2.5 and several obesity-related measurements.

The researchers found that higher PM2.5 exposure was associated with:

• 0.93 kg/m2 higher body mass index (BMI).
• 1.17 cm higher waist circumference.
• 1.60% higher waist-to-hip ratio.

The analysis also found associations between PM2.5 and increased risks of general and abdominal obesity.

The researchers cautioned that more longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality. Nevertheless, the findings add to concerns that environmental pollution could be an overlooked contributor to the obesity epidemic.

How Does Polluted Air Affect Your Metabolism?

The mechanism is increasingly being investigated by researchers.

Fine particulate matter can trigger oxidative stress and inflammation. These processes may affect several organs involved in regulating blood sugar and energy balance, including the pancreas, liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue.

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2018 examined the relationship between air pollution and insulin resistance. It found associations between certain pollutants, including nitrogen dioxide and PM10, and changes in insulin resistance markers.

A 2025 review in Frontiers in Endocrinology established the same.

This is important because insulin resistance is a key feature of type 2 diabetes.

However, researchers are still investigating precisely how much of the relationship is directly attributable to pollution, and how it interacts with other risk factors such as diet, physical inactivity, genetics and socioeconomic conditions.

As a pulmonologist and chest surgeon who is seeing Delhi NCR’s air pollution worsen over the years, this is a link established without a doubt, says Dr Kumar.

Clearly India’s pollution problem could have consequences beyond the lungs.

“There are three or four other areas where there is solid evidence available of horrible damage being caused,” he said, referring to the wider effects of air pollution on the human body.

He pointed to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke and neurological disorders, besides diabetes and obesity.

India’s diabetes and obesity crisis may have environmental dimensions that are not receiving enough attention.

Pollution cannot be considered the sole cause of either condition. Diet, physical activity, genetics, sleep, age and other factors remain important. But mounting evidence suggests that the air people breathe could be another significant piece of the metabolic health puzzle.

“The lungs are the point of entry, but the damage can travel much further. The question is no longer simply whether polluted air makes us cough or struggle to breathe” Dr Arvind said.

Sugar is often one of the hardest things to eliminate from our daily diet. From the morning cup of tea and packaged breakfast cereals to chocolates, desserts and sugary beverages, added sugar finds its way into our meals more often than we realise. While occasional indulgence is not necessarily harmful, regularly consuming excessive amounts of added sugar can affect metabolic health, contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of dental problems. Several Bollywood celebrities have spoken about reducing or eliminating sugar from their diets as part of their fitness and lifestyle routines. From Kartik Aaryan giving up sugar for his dramatic physical transformation in Chandu Champion to AR Rahman revealing that he has avoided sugar for a decade, these celebrities have brought renewed attention to the benefits of cutting down on added sugar. Sonam Kapoor, Masaba Gupta and television actor Saumya Tandon have also discussed their experiences with sugar-free diets. But what actually happens to your body when you stop consuming added sugar? Can it improve your energy levels, help manage weight and support metabolic health? Here are seven celebrities who have spoken about giving up sugar and what nutrition science says about this dietary change.

7 Bollywood Celebrities Who Have Given Up Sugar

1. Kartik Aaryan: Stayed Away From Sugar For 1.5 Years

As reported by Indian Express, Kartik Aaryan underwent a remarkable physical transformation for his role in Kabir Khan’s Chandu Champion. The actor, who plays Paralympic gold medallist Murlikant Petkar, revealed that he stayed away from sugar for approximately one-and-a-half years while preparing for the film. In an interview with Filmfare, Kartik spoke about his earlier fondness for sweets and how having something sweet after every meal had become a habit. However, eliminating sugar was not easy initially. He experienced cravings and what he described as withdrawal symptoms during the early stages of his dietary change. The actor eventually became comfortable with his new eating habits and said that cutting sugar also improved his quality of sleep. His diet included protein-rich foods such as paneer, tofu, beans and lentils, alongside salads. He also replaced regular rice with cauliflower rice during his preparation.

Running has become one of the most popular ways to get fit in midlife. Park tracks, early-morning clubs and weekend 5Ks are full of people who laced up for the first time in their forties or fifties. That is good news. But the body at 45 does not respond like the body at 25, and how an adult starts matters as much as the decision to start. The key is not to avoid running after 40, but to start at the right pace, build strength and progress gradually.

Why Running After 40 Is Worth It

It is never too late. People who begin exercising in midlife gain real protection for their heart and overall health, even if they were inactive in their younger years.

Amrita Arora, in a recent interview, shared that walking is an important part of her fitness routine. The 45-year-old recently opened up about her approach to fitness, healthy ageing and the effort it took to get back in shape after a phase when she felt she had let herself go. Speaking to Pinkvilla Lifestyle Plus, the actor said, “You can either find me walking on a road or a treadmill. I go to the gym a lot. I’m very particular about what I eat.” She also spoke about including cardio and strength training in her routine.

Amrita admitted that maintaining fitness has not always been easy. “It was never like that. I had a couple of years where I let myself go. It took me a while to get back in shape and find that rhythm again. It’s not always so smooth as it looks. It takes a lot of effort, hard work. You have to make certain sacrifices,” she said. She added that if she feels she has binged, she sometimes works harder at the gym.

How Is Walking Beneficial For Your Health?

Walking is one of the easiest ways to stay physically active. It doesn’t need expensive equipment, can be done almost anywhere and is suitable for people across different age groups. If you walk regularly, it can offer several health benefits. Here, take a look at some of them.

• Heart health: Walking increases the heart rate and improves blood circulation. Regular brisk walking can help lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases by supporting healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
• Weight management: Walking burns calories and adds to daily energy expenditure. When combined with a balanced diet, it can help maintain a healthy weight and reduce excess body fat.
• Blood sugar control: Physical activity helps the muscles use glucose for energy. Walking after meals can help reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes and improve insulin sensitivity.
• Strengthens muscles and bones: Walking works the muscles of the legs, hips and core. Since it is a weight-bearing activity, it also helps maintain bone strength and can improve mobility.
• Mental health: Walking can help reduce stress and improve mood. Spending time outdoors, getting natural light and moving the body can also support better mental well-being.
• Improves stamina and endurance: Regular walking improves the body’s ability to sustain physical activity. Over time, people may find that they can walk longer distances without feeling as tired.
• Better sleep: Regular physical activity can help regulate the sleep-wake cycle and improve sleep quality.

How To Turn Your Daily Walks Into A Workout

Walking does not have to be a low-intensity activity. A few changes can make it an effective workout. Here, take a look at some of the ways to turn your daily walks into a workout.

1. Walking Speed

Instead of walking at the same pace throughout, include periods of brisk walking. You should be able to talk but find it slightly difficult to sing. Increasing your speed raises your heart rate and makes your cardiovascular system work harder.

2. Interval Walking

Alternate between a few minutes of brisk walking and a few minutes of slower walking. For instance, walk at a comfortable pace for two minutes, followed by three minutes of faster walking. Repeat this throughout your session and gradually increase the brisk intervals.

3. Inclines And Slopes

Walking uphill or increasing the incline on a treadmill makes your muscles work harder. It engages the glutes, hamstrings and calves and also increases the intensity of your workout. Start with a small incline and increase it gradually.

4. Walking Duration

If you usually walk for 15 minutes, gradually increase it to 20 or 30 minutes. Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every week. This can be brisk walking spread across five or more days.

5. Walking Posture

Keep your back straight, shoulders relaxed and head facing forward. Allow your arms to swing naturally. Avoid looking down at your phone throughout the walk, as this can affect your posture and walking.

6. Short Strength-Training Exercises

Walking primarily works the lower body, but you can do it along with strength training. Include exercises such as squats, lunges, calf raises and wall push-ups before or after your walk. This helps improve muscle strength, balance and overall fitness.

7. Walk Consistently

Consistency is more important than walking at an extremely fast pace once in a while. Choose a time that fits your daily schedule, whether it is early morning, during a lunch break or in the evening. You can also divide your walking time into shorter sessions throughout the day.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for a qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

The festive season is about fun family get-togethers, shopping, travelling, and of course lots of tasty food. There is so much to do that it is easy to forget about exercise. For women who are dealing with work house duties and holiday planning, finding time to work out might seem like one more thing, on a list that is already too long.

The best part is that being active does not always mean spending an hour in a gym. 10 to 20 minutes of moving around can help you stay on track, gain strength and feel more energetic. Here are five quick, easy workouts that women can do during the festive times.

1. The 10-Minute Full-Body Workout

When time is short, a full-body workout is a start. A full-body workout works muscle groups and moves the body without any gear.

Try this set of moves:

• Bodyweight squats – 12 times
• Wall or knee push-ups – 10 times
• Glute bridges – 15 times
• Marching in place – 45 seconds

Repeat the circuit two or three times, resting a little between rounds.

Beginner modification: Start with one or two rounds. Use a chair for support when squatting. Focus on movement instead of speed.

2. A Quick Cardio Burst

If you have sat at your desk all day or run errands, a short cardio session can help you move and lift your energy.

Try this set of moves:

• Marching in place – 1 minute
• Step jacks – 45 seconds
• High knee marches – 45 seconds
• Side steps – 1 minute

Repeat the sequence, taking breaks as needed. This workout can finish in about 8 to 10 minutes.

Beginner modification: Replace jumping moves with low-impact steps to ease stress. Keep the pace easy. Raise intensity slowly as stamina grows.

3. The Strength-Building Mini Session

Strength training helps build muscle, keep muscle strong, aid movement and lift overall fitness. A full gym is not needed to begin.

Try this combination:

• Squats – 12 repetitions
• Lunges – 8 repetitions per leg
• Incline push-ups against a wall or sturdy counter – 10 repetitions
• Bird dogs – 10 repetitions per side

Do two rounds, resting 30-45 seconds between exercises if needed.

Beginner modification: Use a chair for balance while doing lunges or swap lunges with knee extensions. Focus on form instead of more repetitions.

4. A Core Workout in 10 Minutes

Between workdays and holiday prep, a short core session is a simple way to add variety to your routine. Core exercises build stability and help daily movement.

Try this combination:

• Dead bugs – 10 repetitions per side
• Bird dogs – 10 repetitions per side
• Glute bridges – 12 repetitions
• Plank – 15-30 seconds

Repeat this circuit twice, moving slowly and with control.

Beginner modification: Do the plank against a wall or higher surface of the floor. Stop if pain occurs and choose a variation that feels comfortable.

5. The Busy-Day Movement Break

Some days feel too busy for a workout. When that happens, breaking movement into sessions can keep you active without adding more pressure to your day. Try a five-minute walk after breakfast or a few rounds of stair climbing or gentle mobility exercises between work calls. You may also take a brisk ten-minute walk after dinner or dance to your festive songs.

Beginner modification: Start with comfortable short-distance walks and increase the duration as well as distance as your fitness improves. Every movement break counts toward an active day.

Making Fitness Part of Your Festive Routine

The key to staying consistent during the season is flexibility, not perfection. Schedule a workout when movement suits you best, whether that is before work, during a lunch break or after your daily responsibilities are done. On busy days, even five to ten minutes of movement is a useful starting point.

Remember to warm up, stay hydrated, eat meals and get enough rest. You do not need to compensate for meals with extra exercise or feel guilty about taking a rest day.

This festive season, focus on building a routine that fits your life. You don’t have to do hardcore workouts to stay on track. Small, steady habits keep you feeling energised and strong. That way, you can enjoy all the festivities without feeling like you’re missing out.

Menopause is often discussed in terms of hot flashes, night sweats, irregular periods and other physical symptoms. But for women in the middle of their working lives, the transition can have consequences that extend well beyond their health. Difficulty concentrating during meetings, forgetting words, struggling with memory and feeling unusually anxious can affect professional confidence and the ability to manage everyday responsibilities at work.

A new study published in the journal Women’s Health examines how women experience menopause and perimenopause in the workplace, highlighting the relationship between health, happiness and productivity. Researchers analysed 130 anonymous Reddit posts to understand how symptoms influence career sustainability, workplace relationships and decisions about professional priorities.

The findings suggest that while some women experience stress, embarrassment and fears about job security, others use this life stage to reassess what they want from their careers. The research also raises an important question for employers: are workplaces equipped to support women through a transition that can coincide with some of the most demanding and senior years of their professional lives?

The issue is relevant in India, where menopause remains a relatively under-discussed workplace health concern, despite the number of women continuing to work through midlife.

How menopause can affect women’s careers

The study, titled “Too hot to handle”: A qualitative analysis of Reddit platform data on the impact of menopause on career sustainability, examined publicly available posts shared between April 2022 and July 2024.

The researchers collected posts from menopause-related communities as well as general workplace and career discussion forums. After reviewing the material, they retained 130 posts describing personal experiences of menopause or perimenopause and their effects on work.

The researchers used a framework that examined three interconnected aspects of career sustainability: health, happiness and productivity.

Their analysis found that menopause could affect all three, sometimes creating a cycle in which symptoms disrupted work performance, and the resulting stress further affected emotional well-being.

1. Brain fog and memory problems can affect workplace confidence

One of the prominent concerns in the posts was cognitive difficulty, commonly described as brain fog. Women reported forgetting words, experiencing memory gaps, struggling to concentrate and losing their train of thought during conversations or meetings.

These experiences could be particularly distressing for women who were accustomed to performing demanding professional roles. Some described feeling embarrassed when they could not recall information or complete tasks as efficiently as before.

The impact was not limited to productivity. Women also reported questioning their abilities, worrying about performance reviews and fearing that colleagues or managers might interpret their difficulties as a decline in professional competence.

The researchers noted that some participants faced disciplinary action or concerns about job security. Others said that a supportive manager helped them manage the difficulties.

2. Fatigue, sleep problems and anxiety can compound the problem

Menopause-related symptoms are not experienced in isolation. Hot flashes and night sweats can disrupt sleep, while fatigue, migraines and mood changes may make it harder to manage a demanding workday.

Women in the study described fatigue, mood swings, anxiety and headaches alongside cognitive difficulties. These symptoms could reinforce one another: disrupted sleep and exhaustion affected concentration, while worries about work performance added to emotional strain.

For some participants, the effort required to maintain a professional image while managing symptoms became an additional source of stress.

3. Some women reconsider their professional priorities

The findings were not uniformly negative. While some women felt that menopause threatened their professional identity or made them less relevant at work, others described the transition as an opportunity to reconsider their priorities.

Some participants wanted to slow down, establish clearer boundaries or move into part-time work. Others explored alternative career paths or considered building independent businesses.

One participant described improved health after moving to a less stressful part-time role.

The researchers suggest that menopause can become a period of career recalibration, with some women placing greater emphasis on health, personal fulfilment and sustainable working arrangements rather than conventional career advancement.

The findings are particularly relevant to India, where workplace discussions about menopause are still limited and women’s experiences can vary significantly depending on their occupation, income and access to healthcare.

A 2026 study published in Frontiers in Global Women’s Health examined menopausal symptoms, work ability and quality of life among 280 employed women aged 45 to 65 in southern India.

It found that 73.2% of the participants reported moderate-to-severe menopausal symptoms. The burden was particularly high among unskilled workers and women in physically demanding occupations.

Sleep problems, fatigue and a reduced ability to carry out usual activities were associated with poorer work ability. Women reporting reduced capacity to perform their regular activities had nearly twice the odds of poor work ability.

The Indian study highlights why menopause at work cannot be viewed only through the experiences of women in corporate offices or senior professional roles. Women working in factories, healthcare, education, domestic work, agriculture and other physically demanding occupations may have fewer opportunities to adjust their schedules, take breaks or work remotely.

For a woman working in a formal office, flexibility around working hours or access to a private space to manage symptoms may make a difference. For someone working in a job that requires prolonged standing, physical labour or fixed shifts, such adjustments may be harder to access.

The Indian findings therefore underline the need for workplace support that accounts for differences in occupation and working conditions.

Glenn Maxwell’s international career has been defined by explosive batting performances, athletic fielding and several extraordinary performances, including the unconventional switch-hit batting style. But behind his high-energy style of cricket there were times when he had physical setbacks, injury concerns and periods when he had to step away from the game to focus on his well-being. The Australian all-rounder announced his retirement from international cricket on November 3, 2026, saying he wanted to spend more time investing in his body and preparing for the remaining tournaments of his career. Here are some significant episodes from his fitness and recovery journey. According to media, he focussed on cardiovascular conditioning and agility drills form the foundation of his endurance, particularly after managing full-body cramps and heat exhaustion during high-demand matches

Glenn Maxwell’s Fitness Secret: A Lower-Carb, Lower-Calorie Diet

In 2022, as per the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) website, Glenn Maxwell opened up about his approach to diet and weight management. During an episode of RCB Bold Diaries, the Australian all-rounder revealed that he had experimented with a diet lower in carbohydrates and calories after becoming concerned about the food being prepared for him and its impact on his health. “I was worried because the right food was not being cooked and it was taking a toll on my health. I just went on a slightly lower carb and a lower calorie diet. It worked for a period of time and I was stable and over time, I started getting fitter,” Maxwell said.

He also admitted that he had not followed the diet consistently. Reflecting on his weight fluctuations during the IPL, he said, “After the first leg of the IPL, I put on about 9 kilos.”

Injury Battles Of Glenn Maxwell

1. The 201 Against Afghanistan: Battling Severe Cramps

One of the most memorable moments of Maxwell’s career came during the 2023 ODI World Cup match against Afghanistan in Mumbai. Australia were struggling at 91/7 while chasing 293 when Maxwell produced an unbeaten 201 off just 128 balls to guide his team to victory. However, the innings came at a significant physical cost. Maxwell suffered severe cramps in both legs, affecting his toes, shins, calves, and hamstrings. He also experienced a back spasm after collapsing on the field. As per a Times of India report, at one stage, he even discussed with Australian physiotherapist Nick Jones whether he should retire hurt. Despite the pain, Maxwell chose to continue and went on to produce one of the most historic innings in cricket history. Despite struggling to move freely, Maxwell continued batting and completed one of the most remarkable double centuries in ODI history.

2. The 2022 Leg Injury That Affected His Fielding

Maxwell’s physical challenges were not limited to cramps. A leg injury sustained in 2022 continued to affect him even after his return to competitive cricket. When he announced his ODI retirement in June 2025, Maxwell acknowledged that the physical demands of the 50-over format, combined with the lingering impact of the injury, had affected his fielding during the Champions Trophy.

He also said he did not expect to make it to the 2027 ODI World Cup and believed it was time to give younger players an opportunity. An injury can affect an athlete long after the initial recovery period. Returning to competition does not always mean that strength, mobility, endurance and performance have returned to their previous levels. Following a fractured left fibula and ankle injury, Maxwell restructured his daily gym work to include dedicated ankle and calf extensions, knee extensions, and unilateral strength exercises to restore equal muscle balance

3. The Golf Cart Accident And Concussion Before The 2023 World Cup Double Century

Just before Australia’s match against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup, Maxwell suffered a concussion in an accident involving a golf cart. He fell from the vehicle and was subsequently ruled out of Australia’s match against England. He returned to the team before producing his extraordinary double century against Afghanistan. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury, and an athlete’s return to play should depend on medical assessment and established return-to-play protocols rather than simply their willingness to compete.

4. The 2019 Mental Health Break: When Maxwell Chose To Step Away

Maxwell’s recovery journey also involved addressing his mental well-being. In October 2019, he withdrew from Australia’s T20I squad to take a break and seek support for mental health concerns. He later spoke about how years of travelling, spending extended periods away from home and living out of a suitcase had affected him.

His partner was among the first to notice changes in his behaviour and encouraged him to speak to someone. Maxwell also spoke about the importance of conversations with fellow cricketer Moises Henriques and the support he received from team psychologist Dr Michael Lloyd. He eventually returned to competitive cricket, including the Big Bash League. Recovery is not limited to muscles, joints and physical conditioning. Mental health support, adequate rest and managing professional commitments are also important parts of an athlete’s long-term well-being.

5. The 2024 IPL Break: Taking Time To Recover

Maxwell took another break during IPL 2024 while representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru. After scoring just 32 runs in six innings, he asked to be left out of the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He explained that he had experienced a similar situation before and did not want to continue playing while getting further into a difficult physical and mental state.

He described the break as an opportunity to refresh himself, get his body right and return in a better frame of mind. It is said that athletes often face pressure to continue competing despite fatigue, poor form or physical discomfort. Maxwell’s decision highlights the importance of recognising when rest and recovery may be more beneficial than pushing through.

6. His 2025 ODI Retirement: A Decision Influenced By Physical Demands

Maxwell announced his retirement from ODI cricket in June 2025 after representing Australia in 149 matches. Explaining his decision, he spoke about the difficulty of managing the physical demands of the format, particularly after his 2022 leg injury. He also acknowledged that he did not see himself playing in the 2027 ODI World Cup. The decision allowed Australia to begin planning for younger players while Maxwell focused on other formats and his professional commitments.

7. His 2026 International Retirement: Investing More Time In His Body

On November 3, 2026, Maxwell announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a 14-year career with Australia. He also stepped away from Victoria’s 50-over and four-day competitions. In an interview on The Final Word podcast, the 38-year-old said he needed to spend more time investing in his body to ensure he could get through the remaining tournaments of his career. Maxwell had hoped for a possible farewell match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, but accepted Australia’s decision to focus on younger players. He will continue playing franchise T20 cricket and is looking towards the upcoming Big Bash League season. His retirement announcement adds another chapter to a career in which managing physical demands became an increasingly important consideration.