Hair loss is a common problem that can affect people of different ages, genders, and professions. Medical students, in particular, may experience a higher rate of hair loss due to the rigorous academic curriculum, long hours of studying, high levels of stress, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition. This article discusses the various causes and types of hair loss, including genetic factors, stress, nutrition deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and the use of chemicals. It also mentions the impact of COVID-19 on hair loss and the potential role of medications in treating hair loss. Overall, it emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the underlying causes of hair loss in medical students to promote their well-being and reduce the risk of hair loss.

Studying sleep disorders is crucial due to their substantial influence on behavior and health in all age groups. The complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, including hormonal fluctuations, stress, and ozone exposure, is the cause of these disorders, which include insomnia, parasomnia, central hypersomnolence disorder, sleep-disordered breathing, and circadian rhythm sleep–wake disorders. They impact behavior, deteriorate social connections, and impair cognitive abilities, physical well-being, and emotional stability. The complex relationship between sleep and mental health frequently eludes attention, with approximately 17% of adults experiencing mental disorders during their lifetime. Frequently, insomnia is associated with anxiety and depression, indicating a bidirectional relationship. Conversely, individuals with mental health issues are susceptible to sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, and sleep apnea. Treatment modalities such as relaxation therapy, stimulus control, and cognitive-behavioral therapy provide prospects for improvement, along with preventive measures such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule and exercising daily. The pandemic’s effect on sleep health has led to the introduction of terms such as “coronasomnia” and “COVID-somnia,” urging further studies on post-COVID-19 conditions. This review examines various sleep disorders, their effects, treatments, and the pandemic’s impact on sleep patterns, aiming to guide readers through the evolving landscape of sleep health during this global upheaval.

Inter-coronary communication is a rare congenital anomaly, defined as a connection between two patent coronary arteries, and was first described in 1972. We report the case of a 61-year-old Emirati female who presented to the emergency department with chest pain and palpitations, along with a strong family history of cardiac disease. She was initially diagnosed with indolent hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and accordingly managed; however, the patient remained symptomatic. Further investigations revealed inter-coronary communication between her left circumflex (LCX) and left anterior descending (LAD) coronary arteries. This case highlights the importance of recognizing inter-coronary communications for better outcomes in patients with HOCM, as well as their potential clinical significance with the need for further studies to be done to pinpoint the true significance.

Adverse drug reactions to commonly prescribed medications such as phenytoin, used for seizures, often go undetected due to various factors. This case report highlights a 52‐year‐old male diagnosed with late‐onset epilepsy who was prescribed phenytoin. Despite the standard dosage, the patient experienced toxicity symptoms and a seizure, prompting admission for assessment. Laboratory tests and imaging were inconclusive, leading to a therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) consultation, which revealed elevated phenytoin levels. Genetic testing for CYP2C9 polymorphisms was not feasible but noted as significant, especially in populations with higher prevalence. Phenytoin was tapered, leading to the patient’s gradual recovery upon discontinuation and transition to valproate. The Naranjo scale predicted potential adverse drug responses (ADRs). This case underscores the significance of TDM, genetic considerations in drug metabolism, and the need to be vigilant in treating epilepsy to prevent such adverse events.

Carotid-Cavernous Fistulas (CCFs) are abnormal arteriovenous connections between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus, resulting from trauma. This case report presents a 47-year-old male who developed a CCF following a road traffic accident. The patient exhibited symptoms such as pulsatile exophthalmos and an ocular bruit, characteristic of CCFs. Diagnosis was confirmed through Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA), revealed the origin of the fistula. The patient was treated using a novel combined approach of microsurgery and endovascular intervention, involving ligation of the internal carotid artery and transarterial coil embolization. The treatment resulted in rapid resolution of symptoms, including the pulsatile exophthalmos and ocular bruit. This case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, blending microsurgical and advanced endovascular techniques, in effectively managing traumatic CCFs. The study underscores the value of early diagnosis and the evolving role of minimally invasive procedures in improving patient outcomes.

Introduction. An absolute burden of over 35 million new cancer cases is predicted by 2050. Although significant progress has been made in the field of oncology via the use of surgical removal, radiation treatment, chemotherapy, and the introduction of immunotherapy, the overall rates of survival and prognoses for cancer patients are still unsatisfactory. In the last decade, intermittent fasting (IF) has become increasingly popular for weight control and potential health benefits. Additionally, research has primarily focused on investigating the impact of IF on metabolism, mitochondrial function, stress responses, repair mechanisms, and autophagy. The aim of the study. To make a literature review about the role of intermittent fasting in starving cancer cells. Materials and methods. This narrative review involved a comprehensive search through databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar. Distinct keywords such as - ″intermittent fasting″, ″intermittent fasting regimens″, ″calorie restriction″, ″oncology″, ″chemotherapy″ and ″tumor microenvironment″ were used. Results. IF exhibits significant impacts on the immune system's ability to fight against tumors by strengthening the ability of hematopoietic stem cells to replenish themselves and enhance immunosuppression. Under an IF program, certain tissues and organs exhibit enhanced resilience to various stressors. Emerging research shows that IF has the potential to enhance the effectiveness and tolerance of anticancer medicines, regulate carcinogenic influences, reprogram clock genes' rhythmic expression in tumor environments, inhibit tumor growth by modifying natural processes like insulin signalling, heme oxygenase-1, prevent the proliferation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and priming the tumor microenvironment to support drug delivery that targets tumors. Cancer treatment via IF notably shields normal cells while raising the efficacy of chemotherapy (CT) and reducing CT-induced inflammation via several immunological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms. Conclusions. Regularly practising fasting for more than one day may confer notable health benefits by protecting healthy normal cells against the deleterious effects of chemotherapy and radiation. The synergistic therapeutic impact of intermittent fasting alongside chemotherapy on tumors suggests that it enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy while also notably reducing chemotherapy-induced inflammation. While intermittent fasting shows promise for certain cancers, such as breast cancer, its efficacy for other types remains uncertain, necessitating further research and personalized treatment plans.