UN warns that lack of funding threatens the global fight against HIV/AIDS

Although feeling hungry late in the evening is sometimes normal, attention should be paid if you regularly experience intense hunger at night and consume more food than during the day. Medical specialists warn that if this situation recurs daily, it should not be ignored, especially if it causes waking up in the middle of the night to eat. In such cases, it may indicate a condition known as nocturnal overeating syndrome.

What is Nocturnal Overeating Syndrome

Nocturnal overeating syndrome is classified as an eating disorder that is often accompanied by sleep problems. People suffering from this syndrome may wake up one or two times at night to eat. At this time, the body prompts the person to consume food. Most often, there is a craving for sweets and high-carbohydrate products, such as chips, sandwiches, or chocolate, which can be ordered online.

The consequences of this pattern include poor well-being in the morning and lack of desire to have breakfast. Regular nighttime overeating, lack of sleep, and skipping breakfast lead to decreased productivity during the day.

Causes of the Syndrome

According to Dr. L.H. Goteker, medical superintendent at Lady Harding Medical College, there are several possible causes for the development of this syndrome. One factor may be a genetic predisposition passed down through generations. Psychological stress also plays a significant role; stress often exacerbates symptoms by causing increased appetite. Furthermore, if a person does not receive enough food during the day or skips meals, the probability of intense hunger and subsequent nighttime overeating increases.

Treatment for Nocturnal Overeating Syndrome

Dr. Goteker emphasizes the need to first determine whether the patient truly has nocturnal overeating syndrome. If constant intense hunger at night and food consumption after waking up during sleep are observed, a doctor should be consulted. A specialist may suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy—a form of conversation that helps understand certain behavioral patterns and form healthier habits. In some cases, antidepressants are prescribed. Doctors may also recommend progressive muscle relaxation, which serves as a method to relieve tension, relax muscles, and prepare the body for sleep.

A popular ingredient in gel polish, known as TPO (trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide), is coming under intense scrutiny from international bodies, which are beginning to remove it from salons. This chemical component, once an integral part of nail care, now raises serious concerns regarding its impact on fertility.

What is TPO and how does it work?

TPO functions as a chemical photoinitiator, enabling the instant curing of gel coatings. When wet nails are exposed to UV or LED lamps, TPO absorbs the light, triggers a rapid chemical reaction, and hardens the liquid, creating a strong, chip-resistant finish.

Reasons for the ban in the UK

Regulators are implementing the ban not because TPO harms natural nails, but due to more serious warnings. European chemical authorities have classified TPO as a substance that potentially can damage fertility or harm an unborn child. However, it should be noted that the official warning is based on laboratory studies conducted on animals given very high, concentrated oral doses of TPO.

According to Caroline Reynoldsford, Director of Science at the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTPA) in the UK, the TPO molecule decomposes itself upon exposure to UV radiation. Any traces remaining after this are permanently trapped inside the solid plastic layer on the nail. Furthermore, the amount of TPO used in standard manicures is a thousand times less than the levels that cause reproductive function problems in laboratories. The international ban is viewed as an extreme, precautionary measure by European governments, rather than proof that current manicures are actively causing harm.

Potential impact of TPO on reproductive health

The essence of the ban is that TPO is an invisible toxin capable of slowly accumulating in the body and disrupting the reproductive system. This is comparable to smoking or inhaling low levels of air pollution: one instance of exposure poses no danger, but prolonged exposure over many years creates a risk.

Regulators' concerns stem from the possibility that manicurists or gel manicure enthusiasts may constantly inhale chemical dust while filing or absorb microscopic amounts through the skin and cuticle for weeks on end. Long-term consequences include:

• Impact on male fertility: With constant contact, TPO affects the male reproductive system, causing physical shrinkage and damage to the testes in scientific tests, which ultimately hinders healthy sperm production and can lead to complete infertility.
• Disruption of the female cycle: For women, prolonged exposure acts as an endocrine disruptor, throwing off the natural hormonal balance and disrupting regular ovulation cycles, making conception difficult.
• Harm to the developing fetus: With continuous exposure during pregnancy, the chemical substance can enter the fetus's body and cause direct harm, potentially leading to developmental problems or birth defects.

Shifting trends and global context

Health authorities are not banning TPO because people are currently getting sick. The ban is driven by changing trends in the beauty industry. If ten years ago gel coatings were applied only occasionally for special occasions, today millions of people wear gel polish constantly, changing color every two weeks, while technicians spend 8–10 hours a day in these chemical fumes.

As the use of these products has become more widespread, scientists have concluded that the risk of accumulating this chemical substance in the body over a lifetime is too high, thus it is being completely excluded to protect the long-term health of all people. Although local regulatory bodies in South Africa have not yet banned TPO, technically local salons can use it indefinitely; however, the beauty industry is entirely global in nature.

A delegation from Saudi Arabia, led by Minister of Health Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al-Jaladjel, reviewed the activities and opportunities of the innovative pharmaceutical cluster BioPharma City in Uzbekistan.

Overview of Reforms and Potential

During the meeting held at the Agency for the Development of Medical and Pharmaceutical Industry, representatives from Saudi Arabia received detailed information about current reforms in Uzbekistan's healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as the strategic potential of BioPharma City.

Cooperation Agreements

As a result of the discussions, both sides agreed to expand investment cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector, support innovative projects, and deepen practical partnership between Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia.