Is your child addicted to gaming? A neurologist explains the red flags

Gaming is not harmful in itself, but when it begins to replace sleep, studies and social interaction, it can affect a child’s mental and physical development. Neurologist Dr Kunal Bahrani explains why gaming addiction is increasing.

From mobile phones to gaming consoles, screens are now a part of a child’s life. What once started as a harmless way to relax has slowly turned into hours of uninterrupted gameplay for many young users. Across India, parents are increasingly concerned as homework gets delayed, sleep shrinks, and outdoor play disappears.

Dr Kunal Bahrani, Chairman and Group Director, Neurology at Yatharth Hospitals, says the issue is not gaming itself, but the lack of balance. “Gaming is not inherently harmful. The concern begins when it starts replacing essential developmental activities like sleep, study, physical play and real-world social interaction.”

Why is gaming addiction rising

The surge in gaming addiction is closely linked to accessibility. Smartphones are widely available, internet plans are affordable and multiplayer platforms connect children instantly. “Today’s games are designed to maximise engagement. Reward systems, competitive levels and visual stimulation activate the brain’s dopamine pathways, making children want to keep playing,” explains Dr Bahrani. For many children, gaming becomes more than entertainment; it becomes an escape.

“Children dealing with academic pressure, loneliness or boredom often turn to gaming because it provides immediate gratification and a sense of achievement that may feel harder to attain in real life.” Over time, this virtual reward cycle can become habit-forming.

Early signs parents should watch for

• The first symptoms of addiction include:
• Irritable when asked to stop gaming
• Giving gaming priority over studies and meals
• Loss of interest in other hobbies and outdoor activities

“Parents may observe a decline in academic performance, mood swings, withdrawal from social activities, or even secrecy about screen use,” explains Dr Bahrani.

Physical symptoms such as headaches, eye strain, and fatigue are also experienced. Staying up late to play games disturbs the sleep patterns, which in turn affects concentration and moods the following day.

How gaming affects the developing brain

Excessive gaming impacts more than daily routine. “When gaming becomes compulsive, it can interfere with attention span, impulse control and emotional regulation,” Dr Bahrani notes. “Children’s brains are still developing, and prolonged overstimulation can alter behaviour patterns.”
This does not mean occasional gaming is dangerous. The risk lies in frequency, duration and emotional dependence.

How parents can prevent gaming addiction
Prevention is about structure, not punishment. “Strict bans often backfire. Guidance, consistency and involvement are far more effective,” advises Dr Bahrani. Practical steps include:

• Setting realistic screen-time limits
• Keeping devices out of bedrooms
• Establishing device-free meal times
• Encouraging sports, music or creative hobbies
• Open communication matters just as much as rules

“Talk to your child about what they are playing. Understand the appeal. When parents show interest instead of judgment, children are more likely to cooperate.” Leading by example is equally important. If adults are constantly on their phones, enforcing boundaries becomes difficult.

When to seek professional help

If gaming begins to severely affect behaviour, academic performance or emotional stability, professional guidance may be necessary. “Early intervention from a paediatrician, neurologist or counsellor can prevent long-term psychological impact,” Dr Bahrani says. Timely action can help restore balance before patterns become deeply ingrained.

Technology is here to stay. Gaming, when balanced, can even enhance cognitive skills and strategic thinking. The goal is not elimination but moderation. With awareness, involvement and consistent boundaries, parents can ensure that screens remain a source of entertainment, not addiction.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Brain Tumour in Kids: Expert shares what every parent needs to know; symptoms, diagnosis and more

 Every human being can have a tumour at any stage of life, and similarly, children are not spared. Brain tumours can occur in children of all ages. It is said that tumours in the extreme of ages are more often malignant or cancerous.

Dr Rahul Gupta, Senior  Neuro and Spine Surgeon, explains that in children, tumours can be located in any part of the brain. These tumours lie within the brain tissue more often than in adults. Hence, the chance of having cancer is higher. Some tumours, like brain-stem glioma, can be benign but behave aggressively like a cancer. Some of these may be associated with syndromes that are due to genetic mutation, and multiple problems are detected in that child. Life is very uncertain for these patients.

What are the symptoms suggestive of a brain tumour?

These tumours most commonly have headache with vomiting, increasing head size, or seizure as the first symptom. In infants, due to blockage of the flow of fluid within the ventricles of Brain, there is increased water collection known as hydrocephalus, which leads to a disproportionate increase in head size.

Young children have headaches with vomiting, irritability, reduced appetite, and loss of weight. Focal or generalised seizures are seen in most tumours and need preventive medicines. Some patients present with eye symptoms/signs like a decrease in vision, double vision, a downward fixed gaze of the eyes known as the sun-setting sign, etc.

Limb weakness or facial asymmetry can also be a feature of a brain tumour in a child. Some patients present with frequent tonic posturing due to raised pressure inside the skull. If not treated in time, these symptoms can lead to coma or even death.

What are the methods of diagnosing brain tumours in children?

Ultrasound can detect tumours or hydrocephalus in infants or even before birth. The most important and harmless investigation to detect a brain tumour is MRI. But in children, sedation or anaesthesia is required to keep the child still for 15 to 20 minutes during the scanning. A CT scan is advised in an emergency to look for hydrocephalus or signs of raised intracranial pressure. Patient is also evaluated for functions of other parts of the body by blood tests, chest X-rays, or ultrasounds of the abdomen.

What are the treatment options for a brain tumour detected in a kid?

Surgery is the main treatment needed in the majority of cases. It helps to establish the tissue diagnosis, reduce the pressure effect of the tumour, and also debulk the mass, making it more suitable for other modalities like radiotherapy. A few children may need an additional VP shunt to divert extra fluid from the brain to the abdominal cavity. It's a relatively simple procedure with good results. Some patients with cancer need radiotherapy and chemotherapy at follow-up.A few of them may be subjected to direct radiotherapy without surgery if the risks of surgery are too high.

Is the surgery difficult?

Anaesthesia during Surgery and postoperative care in ICU is very difficult and complex. Trained paediatric neuroanesthetists are required to handle children. Surgical procedures are also quite demanding and need high-end gadgets and delicate instruments.

Can these kids be cured of Brain tumor?

Quality and longevity of life are quite compromised in cancer patients. However, patients with benign tumours live a long, healthy life if the tumour has been removed safely and completely.

What can be done by parents to prevent or deal with such a situation?

Brain tumours cannot be prevented, as there is no clear reason behind their occurrence.

Parents have a crucial role to play in dealing with these patients. They should recognise early symptoms or signs and report to their family physician asap. MRI or CT scans of the brain should be done at the slightest suspicion. If a brain tumour is detected, then they should visit a well-equipped hospital capable of dealing with such cases. Such hospitals have in-house MRI, an active pediatric Department and Pediatric ICU. Senior neurosurgeons and neuroanesthetists who have experience dealing with children with brain tumours will do a good job. Parents have to be optimistic and emotionally strong. They should follow the advice of the Neurosurgeon and oncologist and refrain from delaying the treatment. Some Parents try alternative therapy, but we have seen them coming back with treatment failure.

The news of having a brain tumour in their child is devastating and disheartening. But parents should keep their morale high and support the child physically, emotionally, and financially. They should be ready for frequent visits to the hospital and timely investigations.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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14 Silent Signs That You’re Under Too Much Stress

Living under constant stress is never good for you, but sometimes, the chronic stress you’re experiencing might emerge in surprising ways, slowly chipping away at your physical and emotional well-being. Unhealthy food habits, clenching jaw muscles at night, acne, irritability, and many other more serious health issues can all be a sign that you’re under too much stress, and it’s time to prioritize your health and dial down the stress in your life for a little while. Here 14 of such signs, some of which are guaranteed to surprise you. 

 

1. Difficulty Remembering Things

Both short- and long-term stress can affect your cognitive capabilities, with memory being one of them. People who live under excessive stress often report having difficulty retrieving important information and even more issues with memorizing new things. Why this happens isn't certain, but it is suggested that the memory problems have both a psychological and a neurological cause

On one hand, high cortisol (the stress hormone) levels in the brain were linked to short-term memory loss in seniors, so the hormone might be to blame. On the other hand, anxiety and depression, as well as sleep issues stressed people often experience likewise increase forgetfulness, so these, too, likely contribute to the issue. In any case, relaxing your body and mind may help you restore your true memory. 

 

2. Cravings for Junk Food

Stress eating is not a myth, it's a real phenomenon, one that's more dangerous than you'd think, too. When stress levels rise, the delicate hormonal balance can be upset, and often, the levels of hunger hormones are affected, too. 

 

This is why some people will not be able to eat while they're stressed, whereas others will tend to overeat and indulge in junk food. The result - a terrible habit that contributes to weight gain and other health issues, as well as an emotional attachment to food.

 

3. Wrinkles and Gray Hairs

Increased hair and skin aging can be the result of chronic stress, and it's not only because we tend to do less self-care when we're stressed out. Studies have shown that high-stress levels decreased collagen production in the skin, and collagen is the building block of our skin cells and the substance that makes skin plump and youthful-looking.

As for gray hairs, the neurotransmitter called norepinephrine that's secreted during a stressful moment in the sympathetic nervous system seems to be to blame, as revealed in a recent study. As a result of the so-called fight or flight response to stress, norepinephrine drains the pigment from melanocyte cells in your hair, causing gray hairs. 

 

Needless to say, stress is not the only cause of wrinkles and gray hairs, as is the case with many other signs on this list, but it is certainly one of the major factors contributing to these signs and symptoms.

4. You Catch the Cold and Flu More Often

Immune suppression is one of the most dangerous and least understood effects of stress on the human body. Several studies have shown that chronic stress affects the immune system, with one notable paper finding that people experiencing a lot of stress typically suffer 70% more respiratory infections and suffer from cold and flu symptoms for 61% longer than those who experience low levels of stress. 

 

Some researchers believe that this is because people who suffer from stress are less sensitive to cortisol since they have higher levels of the hormone as a result of stress, and so their immune cells fail to activate when cortisol levels rise in response to an infection. Still, the precise mechanism is poorly understood, but you should definitely take extra care in protecting yourself from infections if you're under a lot of stress. 

 

5. Rapid Heartbeat and Hypertension

A famous symptom of the fight or flight response is a rapid heartbeat, which is rather useful when your cortisol levels rise in response to a physical stimulus, like a rapidly approaching car when you're crossing the street, as it will help your muscles get more oxygen and will make running away from the dangerous situation easier.

Unfortunately, running away from most issues people face these days isn't a solution, but our bodies still react to emotional and work-related stress the same way, pumping up the heartbeat, and as a result, contributing to hypertension. Combine this with a stress eating habit, and you have a recipe for a cardiovascular disaster, so please watch your stress levels and diet to avoid heart issues and hypertension. 

 

 

6. Difficulty Concentrating

Another cognitive symptom of stress is difficulty concentrating, or brain fog. While this symptom is often temporary, in some people, difficulty maintaining focus due to stress can significantly impair their work or school performance. These difficulties, in turn, can raise your stress levels even more and cause anxiety or depression, all of which are bound to further worsen your cognitive health. 

 

If you're experiencing this symptom, try mental relaxation techniques, such as meditation, and try to maintain a healthy sleep schedule and activity levels to break the cycle. 

 

7. Changes in Libido

During times of intense stress, your libido, too, can and often does take a hit. This is because stress is a complex neuropsychological response that alters one's hormone levels and affects your emotional well being. 

 

Stress, anxiety, and depression (the latter two can be caused by stress as well) can lower your sex hormone levels, with studies finding a correlation between low testosterone levels and stress, which can and probably does contribute to the sex drive impairment in both sexes. De-stressing and focusing on your emotional health is key to prevent and deal with these libido changes. 

 

8. Shortness of Breath

Breathing problems, such as shortness of breath and even asthma are significantly more common among people who experience a lot of stress. These issues can also become worse if you're under stress, as your chest muscles and diaphragm can tighten in response to stress, making you breathe faster. As a result, this can cause anxiety, which fastens the breathing and heartbeat even further. In cases like these, it's important to make yourself breathe slowly and deeply to stop the vicious cycle.

Interestingly, in one study, researchers also found that women who were stressed out during pregnancy were a lot more likely to give birth to kids with asthma and other breathing difficulties, so stress can have very far-reaching health effects.

9. Fatigue and Sleep Issues

Chronic stress is among the main causes of insomnia, but trouble falling asleep is not the only sleep condition that can be caused by stress, as some people tend to be even more sleepy when they're stressed out. Irrespective of the condition, the majority of people experiencing sleep issues will also feel more tired throughout the day. 

 

The causes of stress-related sleep issues are both hormonal and psychological, with high cortisol levels and the activation of the sympathetic nervous system (both hallmarks of the stress response) meddling with sleep hormone levels and one's ability to relax. Fatigue can also occur without sleep issues in people experiencing stress, as reported in a 2011 study. 

 

This type of fatigue can become constant if stress persists, developing into a condition known as chronic fatigue syndrome. 

 

 

10. Having Cold Sores Often

Skin rashes and the re-emergence of dormant conditions, such as the herpes virus or shingles is also common among people who experience stress or a traumatic event. As we mentioned earlier, stress can depress your immune system, and when your immunity is low, the different chronic conditions, including the herpes virus that's causing cold sores seize the chance to show themselves. If you happen to get cold sores more often than you used to, it can be a sign that you're under too much stress. 

 

11. Feeling Angry, Irritable, or Anxious

Emotional and psychological symptoms are hallmarks of chronic stress, with people who are under a lot of stress also suffering from anxiety or depression. When you're stressed out, you're also more likely to react harshly, be angry and more irritable than usual, likely because of other symptoms, such as tiredness and insomnia in particular, but also due to hormonal fluctuations in the brain. 

 

When it comes to depression sufferers specifically, stress can increase the likelihood of getting a major depressive episode, as suggested in studies both in adolescents and adults, so make sure to compensate for stressful situations if you're suffering from depression.

12. Digestive issues

We've written about the gut-brain axis many a time, which is essentially a tight link between your gut microbiome and the brain. When you're stressed out, the balance of microbes that live in your digestive tracts is upset, which manifests itself in bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and even heartburn. IBS, in particular, has been linked to stress. The fact that we often tend to eat fast food when we're stressed out doesn't help our digestive system either, of course.

 

13. Acne, Scalp Issues and Hair Loss

Chronic stress is practically synonymous with chronic inflammation because high cortisol levels have a very similar effect to an actual infection, as discussed above. These high levels of inflammation in the body combine with hormonal issues do often result in hormonal breakouts, which are more common among women, especially around their period. In addition, high cortisol levels also increase oil production in the pores, as suggested by the American Academy of Dermatology, which also causes acne. The same can also cause scalp issues, such as dandruff. 

 

Hair loss can likewise be caused by stress. Traumatic life events can trigger temporary hair loss up to 3 months after the event itself. It was even observed that chronically stressed people, on average, have thinner hair than those with lower stress levels. 

 

14. Clenching Your Teeth at Night

Do you often wake up with a tight or painful jaw in the morning? Many people with higher stress levels are known to suffer from bruxism - an often painful condition that occurs when you grind or clench your teeth. This condition can result in jaw pain, headaches, and even damaged teeth. 

 

If you notice any signs of bruxism, it's necessary to discuss the issue with your dentist, as they can help you prevent tooth damage. Stress and anxiety management is the main preventative methods of bruxism.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Is Insomnia A Risk Factor For Type 2 Diabetes? Here's What You Need To Know

Insomnia is a form of sleep deprivation. Insomniacs have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or doing both. When people with insomnia get up from their sleep, they generally don't feel refreshed. Fatigue and other symptoms may result as a result of this. Not sleeping enough can also lead to many health problems. It can lead to metabolic orders.

Studies have shown that inadequate sleep causes stress hormones like cortisol to be released, which can contribute to insulin resistance and thus higher blood sugar levels. These stress chemicals can boost your desire for high-carbohydrate, high-sugar foods, and beverages, which can contribute to weight gain and type 2 diabetes.

There Is Another Reason Why Insomnia Can Lead To Insomnia

Not only that, but lack of sleep lowers the hormone leptin, which raises the body's need for carbohydrates. Leptin is also in charge of modulating glucose metabolism. 

As a result, if you're having trouble sleeping, keep an eye on your sugar levels. A minimum of seven hours of sleep per night is required to keep healthy and fit, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society. Daytime fatigue is a common symptom of insufficient sleep.

Recognize The Symptoms Of Insomnia Before Its Too Late

Here are the signs and symptoms of insomnia before it progresses into something more dangerous.

• Having trouble falling asleep at night
• Getting up in the middle of the night
• Getting up way too early
• After a night's sleep, you don't feel properly rested
• Tiredness or drowsiness during the day
• Irritability, melancholy, or worry are all symptoms of irritability
• Paying attention, focusing on duties, or remembering is difficult
• Errors or accidents have increased
• Constant concerns about sleep

Steps To Maintain A Healthy Sleep Cycle

In case you notice your symptoms, take these simple steps to maintain a healthy sleep cycle. 

Stick To A Schedule

Every day, go to bed and wake up at the same hour. On weeknights and weekends, try to keep the time gap between your sleep schedules to no more than one hour. Consistency helps to maintain your body's sleep-wake cycle. Allow for a maximum of 8 hours of sleep. A healthy adult should get at least seven hours of sleep per night. To attain this goal, most people don't need more than eight hours in bed.

Pay Attention To Your Diet

Diet plays an important role when it comes to your lifestyle. Make sure you're not hungry or stuffed before going to bed. Avoid eating anything heavy or substantial within a couple of hours of going to bed. It's possible that your discomfort will keep you awake. Nicotine, coffee, and alcohol should all be avoided. Nicotine and caffeine's stimulating effects take hours to wear off and can disrupt sleep quality. Even though alcohol makes you tired at first, it can disturb sleep later in the night.

Create An Appropriate Environment

Make an environment for sleeping. This usually entails something cool, dark, and silent. It may be more difficult to fall asleep if you are exposed to light. Before going to bed, avoid using light-emitting screens for an extended period of time. Before night, try relaxing activities like taking a bath or utilizing relaxation techniques to help you sleep better.

Stay Active

Regular physical activity can help you sleep better. However, avoid being active too close to nighttime.

Limit Your Nap Time

Long naps during the day can disrupt nocturnal sleep. If you must nap, keep it to 30 minutes or less and avoid napping late in the day.

Dial Down The Stress

Are you stressed? Issues in life can make it difficult for you to sleep. Chronic sleep deprivation can result from certain illnesses. So, address the problem to deal with insomnia.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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