Dr Raees Ahmed Raja

31/12/2025

04/12/2025

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

—Virginia Woolf

01/12/2025

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

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

22/11/2025

Feel the Earth in 15 Minutes

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

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

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

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

20/11/2025

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

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

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

17/11/2025

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

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

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

15/11/2025

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

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

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

15/11/2025

Are you guilty of sleeping next to your cell phone?

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

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

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