Health

Herbal cigarettes, widely sold in India and abroad as natural, tobacco-free, and therapeutic alternatives to conventional cigarettes, are not safer than regular tobacco cigarettes -- they produce emissions that can be comparably or even more damaging than tobacco smoke, according to a study. Findings published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials present a comprehensive comparison of the physical, chemical, and oxidative properties of mainstream (firsthand) smoke from commercially available herbal and tobacco cigarettes in the Indian market, researchers said. "Our findings challenge the widely held belief that tobacco-free means risk-free," author Sameer Patel, an assistant professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar`s department of civil engineering and chemical enginee...

A 32-year-old man, who was struggling to breathe after a fish head got stuck in his throat, was saved by doctors in Jharkhand`s West Singhbhum district on Monday following a timely surgical intervention, officials said. Champai Gagrai, a resident of the Sonua area, was brought to the Sadar Hospital in a critical condition after a fish head got stuck in his throat while he was eating, they said. Gagrai was unable to swallow the fish piece and was experiencing severe breathing difficulties. He travelled nearly 50 km to reach the district hospital for treatment, they added. Upon his arrival at the emergency ward, ENT surgeon Dr Pradeep Kumar and his team immediately attended to him. The fish head was successfully removed through surgery, providing immediate relief to the patient and preve...

Multiple Sclerosis remains poorly understood in India and many patients spend years with unexplained neurological symptoms before they get a diagnosis. The condition can impact movement, vision, balance and even control over bladder function, often disrupting the most productive years of patient’s life. While India is considered a low prevalence region for MS, studies estimate that approximately 5-20 people per 100,000 population may be living with the condition. However, experts believe the true burden is most likely underreported due to limited nationwide epidemiological data.  Every year, World Multiple Sclerosis Day is observed on May 30 around the globe to raise awareness about the disease. Multiple Sclerosis, popularly called MS, is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune...

A hospital in Delhi has treated a 35-year-old woman suffering from recurrent upper abdominal pain caused by gallstones with a mini-laparoscopic technique that uses very small surgical ports, helping patients recover faster, experience less pain and have minimal scarring, officials said. According to a statement issued by the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, it is currently the only hospital in Delhi-NCR to offer mini-laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder removal using the 5-5-2-2 technique. The procedure uses two 5 mm ports and two 2 mm ports, compared to the conventional 10-5-5-5 laparoscopic approach used in standard gallbladder surgeries. Doctors said the woman was concerned not only about the surgery but also about the visible scars and a long recovery period. After evaluation, she w...

A newborn girl born with a rare and life-threatening congenital defect was successfully treated at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital after doctors performed a complex surgery to restore her breathing, Gujarat health officials said on Friday.  The infant was born through normal delivery on May 1 in Naliya town of Kutch district to the family of labourer Anmol Nod. The baby weighed 2 kg at birth and developed severe breathing difficulties immediately after delivery. She was initially treated at local hospitals before being referred to Bhuj, where she underwent six days of intensive treatment. As her condition did not improve, she was later shifted to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on May 8 and admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), under the supervision of Dr. Charul Mehta, Head of Unit of...

As part of the World No Tobacco Day, observed on May 31 every year, Central Railway undertook awareness activities at various stations in Mumbai to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption. The initiative saw messages appealing to passengers to refrain from consuming tobacco products prominently displayed on boards across the railway station premises. Passengers are being counselled to give up the habit of tobacco consumption and many of them in a symbolic gesture gave up/surrendered the tobacco packets they were carrying in trash bins kept for the purpose.   The initiative was taken a step further with a signature campaign was organised at Reay Road station on May 30 and 31, under the guidance of the station manager and his team where passengers were encouraged t...

Orthopaedic experts on Sunday raised concerns over a sharp rise in hip arthritis and avascular necrosis (AVN) cases among younger and middle-aged Indians in the post-COVID period, warning that severe hip damage linked to steroid use during the pandemic is driving a surge in total hip replacement surgeries across the country.  Speaking at the 2nd Delhi HIP 360 Conference here, leading orthopaedic specialists said hospitals are witnessing a growing number of patients in their 30s and 40s suffering from advanced hip joint damage, stiffness, limping, and difficulty in walking. The conference was organised by the Delhi Orthopaedic Association in association with the Indian Arthroplasty Association and brought together orthopaedic surgeons, arthroplasty specialists, fellows, and residents from...

In a unique case, two sisters aged 76 and 74 underwent simultaneous knee replacement surgery at a Mumbai hospital, and were able to walk within 24 hours of the procedure.  The surgeries were performed by Dr Mudit Khanna, who is the consultant joint replacement surgeon, at Wockhardt Hospitals Mumbai Central, with both women showing rapid recovery despite their age. The sisters had been struggling with knee pain for years—one for nearly a decade, while the other developed symptoms more recently. As their condition began to affect daily activities and mobility, they were advised Total Knee Replacement (TKR) — a procedure in which damaged knee joints are replaced with artificial implants to relieve pain and restore movement. Their decision to undergo surgery together is what set this case a...

A concerning spike in Indian endometriosis cases among women who are in the age group of 25 to 30 years is now raising concerns about reproductive health and fertility in younger women. Earlier considered more common in women in their early 30s, the condition is now being diagnosed increasingly in younger age groups. Modern lifestyle patterns include sedentary routines, a lack of regular physical activity, higher consumption of junk and processed foods, irregular sleep cycles, and hormonal imbalances. These factors can affect ovarian function and menstrual health, potentially increasing the risk of developing endometriosis. One such case is that of a 25-year-old Mumbai woman, a working professional who has always led a busy life, but started facing difficulties with her health. In 2024, s...

Ahead of World Blood Cancer Day, observed on May 28 every year, Indian health experts warn that many blood cancer patients in India still struggle to find matching donors in time for life-saving stem cell transplants, often losing crucial treatment time as the disease progresses. While stem cell transplantation remains the only curative treatment option for several blood cancers, severe donor shortages, delayed diagnosis, and India’s limited donor registry continue to impact timely access to treatment across the country. Blood cancer in India Blood cancer remains a major life-threatening health concern in India, with over 1 lakh people diagnosed every year and more than 70,000 lives lost annually. For many patients battling blood cancer, a blood stem cell transplant is often the only ho...