What happens in the body when we are in deep sleep?

 What happens in the body when we are in deep sleep?

Sleep is as necessary as nutritious food and pure water. Why do people feel sleepy? Why is it necessary to sleep? To know these mysteries, another important question is necessary, ‘What happens in our body when we are in deep sleep?’

Why do we feel sleepy?

Sleep also has stages. It is mainly divided into two parts. The first is rapid eye movement. The second is non-rapid eye movement. Apart from this, there are three more stages, which are called N-1, N-2 and N-3.

Out of these, N-3 is the deep sleep stage. It is also called wave sleep. We usually enter this stage within the first two hours of sleep. That is, we reach deep sleep. This is repeated in short periods throughout the night.

During this stage, i.e. deep sleep, the brain produces delta waves. This wave slows down brain activity and puts the body into a deep state of rest. It is very difficult to wake people up in this state. Even if they wake up, they often feel confused or unfocused.

Processes that occur in the body during deep sleep

During deep sleep, the body carries out various physical processes that play an important role in maintaining health and functionality.

1. Cell repair and growth

During deep sleep, the body repairs and regenerates cells. During this period, the production of growth hormone is high. Especially in children and adolescents. This hormone helps in the growth and repair of muscles, bones and other cells. In adults, this hormone also plays an important role in healing injuries, strengthening muscles and repairing cells.

During this time, the body also accelerates protein synthesis, which helps in regenerating damaged cells and building new cells.

2. Increases immunity

During deep sleep, the immune system is strengthened. During this time, the body produces proteins like cytokines, which are necessary to fight infection. Lack of sleep weakens the immune system.

Sleep promotes the activity of T-cells and other immune cells. These cells destroy viruses and bacteria that enter the body. Vaccines are also more effective in people who get enough sleep.

3. Brain cleansing and memory

During deep sleep, the brain cleanses itself and strengthens memory. In this process, it removes toxins and waste from the brain. Deep sleep also helps in increasing memory. The things learned throughout the day are organized in the brain and converted into long-term memory. This process is driven by the interaction between the hippocampus and the neocortex.

4. Energy storage and digestion

During deep sleep, the body's digestive rate decreases, which conserves energy. Heart rate, breathing, and body temperature decrease, which allows the body to rest. During this period, the body controls glucose utilization and improves insulin sensitivity, which reduces the risk of diabetes.

Sleep also controls levels of stress hormones such as cortisol. If sleep is lacking, cortisol levels increase, which increases the risk of stress, anxiety, and obesity.

5. Heart Health

Sleep helps keep the heart and circulatory system healthy. Blood pressure and heart rate decrease during this time, which relaxes the heart. People who get regular sleep have a lower risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. In addition, during this time, the body also focuses on repairing blood vessels and reducing inflammation.

Effects of sleep deprivation

If sleep deprivation occurs, various body systems are negatively affected. Sleep deprivation weakens memory, reduces immunity, increases stress, and imbalances in digestion. In the long term, sleep deprivation increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, depression, and Alzheimer's.

How to get a good night's sleep?

Regular sleep schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.

Sleeping environment: A quiet, dark, and comfortable room.

Limit screen time: Reduce mobile and computer use before bed.

Healthy lifestyle: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management.

Why do people get headaches and red eyes after drinking alcohol?

 Why do people get headaches and red eyes after drinking alcohol?

A headache after drinking alcohol is a common problem, which people know as a ‘hangover’. That is why most people say they have a hangover after drinking too much alcohol.

According to an article based on a study published on the American website National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), a hangover refers to the symptoms that appear as a result of drinking too much alcohol.

What science says is that when we drink too much alcohol, we experience a hangover, or when our head starts to hurt, we feel dizzy, and by that time there is no alcohol left in our body.

Why do we get headaches after drinking alcohol?

Dr. Rajiv Jha says that headaches are common after drinking alcohol. ‘Alcohol itself is a bad drink, which keeps the body in its grip for a long time,’ says Dr. Jha, ‘A person who drinks alcohol can have a hangover for two days. That is why people who drink alcohol experience headaches, body aches, laziness, and weakness.

After drinking alcohol, there is an immediate and another long-term side effect. Headache is an immediate side effect, says neurologist Sunilram Koirala. ‘Alcohol is a substance that mixes with the blood as soon as it reaches the stomach. Its full effect starts to be seen within 10 minutes to one to two hours,’ says Dr. Koirala. ‘Our brain needs to be informed by the nervous system. Various chemicals are being produced there. Alcohol blocks them and changes the brain’s information system.’

That is why people who drink alcohol start to experience problems such as being unable to think, unable to make decisions, slurred speech, and unable to remember, says Koirala. He says, ‘Alcohol overstimulates our nervous system and brain, making it almost like thinking.’

Alcohol is made from ethanol. Ethanol is a type of poison found in alcoholic beverages. Enzymes in our body break it down and convert it into various other chemicals. The most important of these is acetaldehyde. The main cause of hangovers is this acetaldehyde, says Dr. Saroj Kumar Suwal, a specialist in orthopedics and neurology.

According to Dr. Suwal, when alcohol is broken down in our liver, a more toxic chemical called acetaldehyde is formed. A substance called glutathione tries to make acetaldehyde less toxic. But when you drink a lot of alcohol, the level of glutathione decreases and acetaldehyde starts accumulating in large quantities in the body. It is broken down further and converted by enzymes into another chemical, acetate.

This acetate chemical is converted into fatty acids and water. Acetaldehyde enters the bloodstream and is distributed around the body. It damages healthy cells and causes hangovers, including dizziness.

Drinking too much alcohol can lower blood sugar levels, which can lead to weakness, lightheadedness, and fatigue, says Dr. Suwal. “After drinking alcohol, you urinate more than usual,” says Dr. Suwal. “In this case, not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration. Dehydration can trigger headaches and migraines in people with migraines. Also, people with migraines are more likely to have hangovers after drinking alcohol.”

Alcohol consumption also affects sleep. Most people drink alcohol late at night. As a result, they do not get enough sleep. This is also why they experience fatigue and headaches, said Suwal.

Why do eyes turn red after drinking alcohol?

Alcohol has different effects on each person. Alcohol consumption slows down the speed of communication between neurotransmitters in the brain. This can delay the brain and eye receiving messages. It weakens the coordination of the eye muscles. Due to which excessive alcohol consumption can cause problems such as dry eyes and redness, says Dr. Koirala.

When the effects of alcohol increase, the amount of sugar in the blood decreases. Koirala says that due to the lower amount of sugar in the blood than required, the eyes become blurry and vision becomes weak and the eyes become red.

Prevention methods

You can find a lot of information on social media about ways to reduce alcohol hangover. However, Dr. Koirala says that none of the methods have been scientifically proven to be effective.

‘There is no medicine to get rid of a hangover,’ says Dr. Koirala, ‘it starts to go away on its own after some time. You have to wait for the person’s body to digest alcohol, eliminate toxins from the body, rehydrate, repair the cells that have been burned by alcohol, and restore normal brain activity.’

To reduce the effects of a hangover, you need to reduce the amount of alcohol. He says that the more you reduce the amount, the less hangover you will have.

13 Myths About Semen

 13 Myths About Semen

‘The thicker the semen, the better the fertility’, ‘The more semen, the more likely it is to conceive’, ‘As soon as the semen is ejaculated, it swims like a marathon runner and reaches the vagina faster!’ These are common myths about semen, which have no rhyme or reason.

Here, some such myths are debunked.

Myth: The thicker the semen, the better the fertility.

Truth — The thicker or thicker the semen does not necessarily affect fertility. It is good for semen to be slightly thicker. However, if it is too thick, it cannot reach the vagina as easily.

Myth: Sperm quality does not decrease with age.

Truth — When a man crosses the age of 40, his sperm quality continues to decline. This does not mean that an old man cannot father a child. However, the chances of pregnancy decrease due to the decline in sperm quality and the increase in abnormally shaped sperm.

Myth: The sperm runs as fast as an athlete.

Truth - There is a widespread myth about semen - that is, semen runs as fast as an athlete. Which is wrong. Semen does not move at the same speed. It enters at different speeds depending on the man. The woman's vaginal fluid is required for its movement.

Myths: The more semen, the more likely the baby will be born.

Truth - The amount of semen is not required to conceive. Rather, the semen must be healthy. It is not just about healthy semen. For conception to occur, the woman's egg must also be released. Only the union of semen and the ovary is there a chance of conception.

Myth: Semen is alive for a short time.

Truth - Semen only survives for a few hours or a few minutes after ejaculation. However, this is not the case. Semen can survive in a woman's vagina for up to three days after ejaculation. However, it can die in the external environment within a few minutes. How long it should survive also depends on one's physical condition.

Myth: The cause of infertility in men is poor semen quality.

Truth — Overall health affects fertility. Sperm quality is an important factor in male fertility. However, it is not the only factor. Hormone levels, obesity, smoking, alcohol, and some medications can negatively affect fertility.

Myth: Masturbation affects semen production.

Truth — Masturbation does not affect semen production or sperm production at all. It does not affect its quality either.

Myth: Radiation from mobile phones or laptops does not affect sperm.

Truth — Various studies have shown that sitting near these devices for a long time affects sperm health.

Myth: Alcohol and smoking do not affect semen quality. On the contrary, alcohol gives more energy.

Truth — The factors that affect semen the most are alcohol and smoking. It affects the number, production, and quality of sperm. It has also been proven by science that some men have infertility problems.

Myth: Regular sexual intercourse reduces the quality of semen.

Truth — There is no truth in this statement. Regular sexual intercourse does not affect the quality of semen and fertility. Rather, the number of semen may be slightly lower.

Myth: A hot environment does not affect semen.

Truth — No, heat can negatively affect semen. The male reproductive system, especially the testicles, is designed to function at a temperature of about 2-3 degrees Celsius lower than body temperature. An increase in temperature can negatively affect the production, quality, and motility of semen.

Myth: The color of semen indicates health status.

Truth — The color of semen is not an indicator of health. It can only vary for various reasons. Which is normal.

Myth: Fertility is possible with every ejaculation.

Truth — Healthy semen is necessary for reproduction. Weak semen makes it difficult to conceive. Semen contains many unhealthy and incompetent sperm. Only the strongest and healthiest of them go for fertilization.

14 Questions and Answers about HPV Vaccine Against Cervical Cancer

 14 Questions and Answers about HPV Vaccine Against Cervical Cancer

What is the HPV vaccine?

The vaccine against cervical cancer is called the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

Why get it?

– To prevent cervical cancer and other diseases caused by the HPV virus

– To prevent cervical cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in women

Who should get it?

– The younger the age, the better

– Most effective in the age group of 9 to 14

– Women can also get it as per the doctor's advice

Where is it available?

This vaccine can be given in private hospitals. Currently, the government is providing it free of charge through the vaccination program campaign.

Who is the free vaccine for?

– Girls from grades 6 to 10, and girls aged 10 to 14 if they do not go to school

When will the vaccination campaign start?

– It will run for 15 days from Magh 23 to Falgun 6.

Which company's vaccine is being given?

– Nepal is currently preparing to provide the Cicoline brand vaccine made in China.

How much should be administered?

– This vaccine is only given once.

How effective is this vaccine?

– It is claimed that this vaccine is 91 percent effective. It is 100 percent safe if administered before becoming sexually active.

Where can the vaccine be administered?

– It can be administered in government and private schools and nearby health institutions in all seven provinces.

Can it be administered individually?

– Women who are not covered by the vaccination campaign can go to a private hospital to get it.

How much does it cost?

– The price of the HPV vaccine in Nepal can range from 3,000 to 10,000 rupees in the private sector.

What happens if you don't get the vaccine?

– If you don't get the vaccine, you can get infected with the HPV virus and develop cervical cancer. Every year, 2,000 people die from cervical cancer in Nepal.

Isn't this vaccine for medical trials?

The HPV vaccine is a reliable vaccine being provided in Nepal under the cervical cancer prevention program in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization.

One dose of HPV vaccine is enough

The government gave free HPV vaccine to girls against cervical cancer in Bhadra last year. 10,000 girls who have completed 14 years and have not completed 15 years were given HPV vaccine from central hospitals in all seven provinces. At that time, the vaccine was given in two doses.

But in the nationwide vaccination campaign that will be launched from 22 Magh on the occasion of World Cancer Day, only one dose is being given.

The World Health Organization has recognized three vaccines against cervical cancer, out of which the vaccine being given in Nepal is of the Cicoline brand made in China. The Cicoline brand vaccine was given last Bhadra as well.

But why was the vaccine dose reduced this time?

Dr. Abhiyan Gautam, who is the head of the Child Health and Vaccination Branch, said that the dose of the vaccine was reduced on the recommendation of the new research, guidelines and the Vaccination Advisory Committee. “Research has shown that even one dose works completely,” Dr. Gautam said, “The antibodies that should be formed after vaccination are the ones that are needed to protect the body from the virus.” It turned out that one dose did not make a difference.’

In this campaign, a total of 1.688 million 768 people, including girls from grades 6 to 10 who do not go to school, including girls aged 10 to 14, will be vaccinated. A total of 1.77 million 20 vials of vaccine will be received from Gavi for that. So far, 1.5 million vials of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine used against cervical cancer have been received in three phases. The remaining two will arrive in a few days, according to the Department of Health Services.

The government is conducting a vaccination campaign from Magh 23 to protect girls from cervical cancer. The HPV vaccination campaign will run for 15 days (Magh 23 to Falgun 6). 18,900 schools have been designated as vaccination centers. 8,000 centers have been designated in health institutions other than schools.

Dr. Gautam said that 27,080 health workers, 54,160 volunteers, and 15,674 supervisors will be mobilized for the vaccination campaign. "We have planned to vaccinate girls at the school level from January," Gautam told Online News. "We also vaccinate children outside of school through health institutions."

The HPV virus is contagious and spreads easily. It is mainly transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.

According to doctors, the main reasons for the virus infection are getting married at a young age, having children at a young age, having many children, having children in a short period of time, having sex with many people, having unprotected sex, smoking and drinking a lot, and not paying attention to genital hygiene.

According to doctors, 80 percent of people are infected with HPV by the time they reach the age of 30 to 45. If women and men can get vaccinated before they come into contact with the HPV virus, it will give the best results. Because the vaccine prevents infection. But if the virus has already settled in the body, it cannot make it free from infection.

The HPV vaccine also protects against cervical cancer, anal cancer, throat and genital cancer. According to doctors, the HPV vaccine, if administered before sexual intercourse, provides 90 percent protection for life.

Doctors say that since HPV-related cancers may not show any symptoms in the early stages, vaccination and regular screening are necessary. Since the government is unable to easily provide the vaccine, private organizations have been importing and distributing the vaccine at their own expense. Therefore, women are forced to pay high fees for the vaccine.