Call
+918447748545

Published on: Apr 04, 2020
2 minute read
By: Raj Dwivedi

Problems With Detecting The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (1)

The Novel Coronavirus Disease has been in the public eye for almost two months now, and a lot has been happening behind the scenes to understand this new outbreak. Several organizations have been working together with the World Health Organization and Officials from China to understand the symptoms and how the virus causes the disease, track the number of people infected by the virus and put in place public health measures to adequately mitigate the potential dangers this disease can bring with it. In this post we will discuss the new updates to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

IDENTIFYING COVID-19

As of 17 February, there have been 70, 365 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in China, with 1772 deaths, which gives it an estimated fatality rate of 2.5%. Now whilst these are official figures, the actual estimate may differ from this. This is because the areas that have been heavily affected especially the Hubei region, have had shortages of coronavirus testing kits, with demands far outstripping supply. Testing is required to not only identify patients for treatment but also for isolation and quarantine. This is a key step in preventing the rapid spread of disease amongst the population. Understanding the spread of a new disease also helps scientists create accurate disease models that can determine the infectivity, morbidity and mortality of COVID-19, and predict where the infection may strike next. The government authorities can use this information to prepare the surrounding regions, and ensure the impact of the disease is lessened.

Current testing requires swabs to be taken from the patients mouth and throat. This sample is then sent to laboratories, where the viral DNA is replicated in order to identify whether this DNA is from the coronavirus. Unfortunately, this is expensive, uses lots of reagents and can take two days. Even with laboratories working round the clock, running 6,000 tests a day, the workload is outstripping the health departments capacity. This leaves a large population of the Hubei Province with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 but with no way to formally diagnose the disease. There may be a significant under-reporting of cases simply because capacity does not exist to test everyone, and the disease burden may be considerably higher.

INNOVATION IN RESPONSE

In response to this doctors have started using CT scans to identify potentially infected patients. CT scans are a quick, non-invasive and readily available. By looking for lesions and signs of pneumonia in the patients lungs. Whilst this negates the need for testing strips, lesions are a fairly late sign of COVID-19, and so this method is not suitable for those who have recently been infected or have not yet shown these symptoms. In the Hubei Province however, with the drastic shortage of testing kits, clinical and radiological diagnosis is now being used to increase the rate of detection.

Manufacturers are also struggling to increase output of testing kits and reagents to match this demand, and the race is on to develop new rapid testing kits. Beijing has approved seven Biopharmaceutical companies to push forward with fast track development of testing kits. Liferiver, a Shanghai based biotech company, took just 20 days from development of its kit to launch. This process normally takes 3 years. China’s Nankai University announced on Monday a breakthrough in developing a rapid test kit that can identify infection among suspected patients within 15 minutes.

And it’s not just Chinese companies — a Singapore based biotech company has announced a portable kit that can detect the novel coronavirus as well as similar viruses responsible for MERS and SARS in a single 2 hour test. These innovations represent a massive step forward in identifying infected patients early in order to provide them the necessary treatment, and in accurately tracking the spread of the disease.

www.secondmedic.com

Read Blog

Sleep Debt and Its Impact on the Body: Hidden Risks of Chronic Sleep Loss

Sleep is not a luxury; it is a biological necessity. Yet in today’s fast-paced world, many people consistently sacrifice sleep due to work demands, screen time and stress. Over time, insufficient sleep accumulates into what is known as sleep debt. Understanding sleep debt and its impact on the body is essential because chronic sleep loss silently affects nearly every organ system.

According to the World Health Organization and global sleep research, chronic sleep deprivation is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders and mental health conditions.

What Is Sleep Debt?

Sleep debt refers to the cumulative effect of not getting enough sleep.

For example:

if you need 8 hours but sleep 6 hours daily
you accumulate 2 hours of sleep debt per night

Over a week, that equals 14 hours of lost sleep.

This deficit places strain on the body.

Why Sleep Is Critical for Health

Sleep supports:

brain function
immune response
hormonal regulation
tissue repair
memory consolidation

Without adequate sleep, these processes become impaired.

Immediate Effects of Sleep Debt

Short-term consequences include:

daytime fatigue
poor concentration
mood swings
irritability
reduced reaction time

Even one night of poor sleep affects cognitive performance.

Sleep Debt and Hormonal Imbalance

Sleep regulates several key hormones.

Chronic sleep loss disrupts:

cortisol
insulin
leptin and ghrelin (hunger hormones)

This imbalance affects appetite, stress and metabolism.

Impact on Metabolic Health

Sleep debt increases:

insulin resistance
blood sugar fluctuations
abdominal fat accumulation

ICMR and NFHS-5 data show rising metabolic disorders in India, partly linked to lifestyle patterns including poor sleep.

Increased Risk of Obesity

When sleep is insufficient:

appetite hormones increase
cravings for high-calorie foods rise
impulse control weakens

Sleep deprivation promotes weight gain.

Sleep Debt and Immunity

The immune system relies heavily on sleep.

Chronic sleep loss:

reduces infection-fighting cells
increases inflammation
slows recovery from illness

Lancet research confirms that sleep deprivation weakens immune response.

Cardiovascular Consequences

Sleep debt increases risk of:

hypertension
heart disease
stroke

Poor sleep affects blood pressure regulation and vascular health.

Mental Health Impact

Sleep and mental health are deeply connected.

Sleep debt contributes to:

anxiety
depression
emotional instability

Chronic insomnia is both a cause and consequence of mental health disorders.

Cognitive Decline and Brain Health

Lack of sleep impairs:

memory
attention
decision-making

Over time, chronic sleep deprivation may increase risk of neurodegenerative disorders.

Sleep Debt and Inflammation

Chronic sleep loss elevates inflammatory markers.

Persistent inflammation contributes to:

metabolic syndrome
cardiovascular disease
autoimmune conditions

Preventing sleep debt reduces systemic inflammation.

Can Sleep Debt Be Recovered?

Short-term sleep debt can be partially recovered through:

consistent longer sleep
improved sleep hygiene

However, chronic sleep deprivation requires long-term behavioural changes.

Weekend “catch-up sleep” offers temporary relief but does not fully reverse long-standing sleep debt.

Warning Signs of Sleep Debt

Common indicators include:

reliance on caffeine
difficulty waking up
daytime drowsiness
poor focus
frequent illness

Persistent symptoms require lifestyle correction.

Practical Strategies to Reduce Sleep Debt

Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule

Go to bed and wake up at the same time daily.

Limit Screen Exposure Before Bed

Blue light suppresses melatonin production.

Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment

Dark, quiet and cool environments improve sleep quality.

Manage Stress

Relaxation techniques reduce cortisol levels and support sleep.

Avoid Heavy Meals and Caffeine at Night

These disrupt sleep cycles.

Role of Preventive Health Checkups

Screening helps detect:

hypertension
metabolic imbalance
stress-related conditions

Sleep quality assessment should be part of preventive care.

Long-Term Benefits of Adequate Sleep

Restorative sleep supports:

stable mood
strong immunity
healthy weight
improved productivity
reduced disease risk

Sleep is foundational to wellness.

Conclusion

Understanding sleep debt and its impact on the body highlights the critical role sleep plays in maintaining physical and mental health. Chronic sleep loss disrupts hormones, weakens immunity, increases metabolic risk and affects heart health. While occasional sleep loss may be manageable, consistent deprivation carries serious long-term consequences. Prioritising adequate, high-quality sleep is one of the most powerful steps toward protecting overall health and preventing chronic disease.

References

World Health Organization (WHO) – Sleep and Non-Communicable Diseases
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Lifestyle Disorders and Sleep Patterns
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Adult Health Indicators
Lancet – Sleep Deprivation and Chronic Disease Research
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Lifestyle Risk Factors

Request A Callback

+91

By using this website/app, I confirm that I am at least 18 years old and consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance with the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Declaration.