Too few people realise how important sleep is! Modern society has developed a set of well-entrenched rules that keep sleep in utmost disregard. The alarm clock is an often-used fixture in an overwhelming majority of households of the modern world. By using electric lighting, alarm clocks, sleeping pills, and shift-work, we have wreaked havoc on the process of sleep.

A lack of a protein in Down’s syndrome brains could be the cause of learning and memory problems, says a US study. Writing in Nature Medicine, Californian researchers found that the extra copy of chromosome 21 in people with the condition triggered the protein loss. Their study found restoring the protein in Down’s syndrome mice improved cognitive function and behaviour.

Breast feeding is the most beautiful and most effective way for every mother to love and care for their child. Indeed since the creation of mankind, breast feeding is known to be, by nature, the best food for newborns. Mrs Bina Bonomaully, Breast Feeding Counsellor for nearly twenty years, knows much about the innumerable benefits it holds for both babies and mothers.

Our eyes are the organs that allow us to see. They start working from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep but eyes are often taken for granted.

The loss of loved ones invariably brings changes in perspective in life and the consequence is that one either becomes detached from all material things and follow a course of servitude to the worlds of creation  or out of bitterness and fear of losing any more valuable commodities one becomes self-orientated and a self preservation mechanism is developed.

An increase in infectious diseases has been noted following the recent heavy rainfall. Gastroenteritis, flu, and conjunctivitis are among the most prevalent ones.

Despite the necessary care being provided in hospitals, dispensaries and community health centres, the prevalence of diabetes in Mauritius remains alarming. Year after year, the number of diabetics in the country is increasing. According to official stats, around 120,000 Mauritians suffer from this disease i.e. about 10% of the population.

Yet another study confirms what people have been saying for ages: Stop drinking diet soda. Like, right now. Drinking just one 12-ounce can of an artificially sweetened fizzy drink per week can increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes by 33 percent, French researchers found. And given that most people don't stop at a single weekly serving, your real risk for diabetes could actually be much higher.

More than 10,000 people suffer from renal failure in Mauritius. A serious but silent disease, renal failure is often diagnosed too late.

Psychological diseases are very common in Mauritius. However, often, people suffering from psychological diseases are not aware of it. There are also those who do not come forward for any treatment.

Last year, during the same period, cases of chikungunya and dengue, though only a few, were noted in the country. Preventive measures are thus strongly recommended to avoid a re-emergence of these diseases.

The New Year is over but the celebration is still on. And one of the main side effects of partying till late in the night and boozing is inevitably waking up with a hangover the following day. Besides overcoming hangovers, it is also time to shake off the excess kilos accumulated during New Year festivities.