Health

For many people, getting caught in the rain evokes nostalgia, romance, and welcome relief from sweltering summer heat. However, dermatologists say urban rainwater is far from the pure, harmless shower many imagine. As raindrops fall through polluted city air, they can absorb industrial emissions, heavy metals, soot, and acidic chemicals, creating a mixture that may irritate the skin and compromise its natural protective barrier. The consequences can range from temporary redness and itching to contact dermatitis and, in rare cases, chemical burns. Ahead of the monsoon season, dermatologists explain how polluted rainwater affects the skin, the warning signs that shouldn`t be ignored, and the simple post-rain care steps that can help prevent irritation, rashes, and long-term barrier damage. ...

Indian actor Deepika Padukone`s journey while dealing with her mental health while suffering from anxiety and depression in the mid-2010s is known, but in a new video with PTI, her sister Anisha reveals how it changed the way she perceived mental health, and became personal for her.  Anisha, who is a professional golfer, said she was not aware enough about the signs and symptoms to be able to understand what her sister was really going through. It didn`t even help that they were both living in the same city. "I was really caught unaware and off guard. I felt like I knew enough about the topic but unfortunately, I didn`t. We were fortunate as a family to access mental healthcare and afford it but unfortunately, not everyone has that access and availability." Interestingly, the sister of o...

Doctors in Pune have successfully treated a newborn battling two of the most critical neonatal emergencies including Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) and Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC).  The operation, which was conducted at Ankura Hospital in Aundh, was led by the neonatal team of Dr Umesh Vaidya (HOD), Dr. Siddharth Madabhushi, and Dr. Anusha Rao, along with expert support from Dr. Bhakti Dhamangaonkar, Obstetrician, Dr. Ashish Banpurkar, Pediatric Cardiologist, and Dr. Abhijeet Benare, Pediatric Surgeon, working together to save the baby’s life.  From managing a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder to performing complex intestinal surgery, every step required precision and collaboration. This not only saved the newborn but also gave him a second chance at a healthy future. When t...

Currently, Mumbai doctors are seeing a surge in cases of brain tumours among adults aged 35-45 years. This trend can be attributed to diagnostic facilities, greater awareness, environmental factors, genetic predisposition, and lifestyle-related health challenges.  It is also why they say adults shouldn’t ignore persistent headaches, vision changes, seizures, or balance problems. Experts advise timely attention for symptoms such as constant headaches, vision changes, and seizures. Timely intervention is life-saving for the patients. Previously, brain tumours were commonly seen in the older population above 60 years of age. However, there is a shift in the trend now. Dr Nitin Dange, director - Interventional Neurologist and Neurosurgeon, Gleneagles Hospital in Parel, said, “Unfortunately, ...

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) said it has released ANCHOR (Atlas of Neurochemical Characterisation of the human brainstem with 3D Reconstruction), the world’s most detailed three‑dimensional atlas of the human brainstem. ANCHOR was developed by the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre through its high throughput brain imaging and computing platform that transforms whole human brains into 3D cell-resolution atlases, the statement from IIT Madras said. ANCHOR comprises the most comprehensive, multimodal, 3D maps and atlases of the human brainstem to date spanning from prenatal period to childhood and adult brains. The researchers have made ANCHOR publicly available through a website to ensure that this cutting-edge research benefits researchers, clinicians and patien...

As obesity rates rise in India, doctors warn that many people may have a `cardiac age` significantly older than their actual age, raising the risk of cardiovascular disease much earlier than expected. The concern comes in the wake of findings from the National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6), which showed a sharp increase in obesity among Indian adults. The survey found that 30.7 per cent of women aged 15-49 years were overweight or obese in 2023-24, up from 24 per cent in NFHS-5 (2019-21), while the proportion among men rose from 22.9 per cent to 27.3 per cent. Experts said the trend, coupled with rising diabetes and hypertension, could translate into a greater burden of heart disease. Dr Nitish Naik, Professor of Cardiology at AIIMS, Delhi, said cardiac age is increasingly being used...

India is set to play a key role in the global response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, with the Serum Institute of India (SII) fast-tracking the development and production of a vaccine candidate targeting the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, according to a report.  A report by Modern Diplomacy showed that the initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with the University of Oxford and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). The vaccine candidate -- known as ChAdOx1 BDBV -- is designed to protect against the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, a relatively rare strain currently linked to the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (...

The World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe) on Thursday released its updated Heat-Health Action Plans Guidance, providing a scientific framework for governments worldwide to organise heat protection measures effectively.  In a press release, WHO/Europe said the new guidance provides evidence-based recommendations around eight core elements, including improving local heat-warning systems and strengthening risk communication with vulnerable groups, Xinhua news agency reported. Compared with the first WHO guidance published in 2008, the new version incorporates the latest findings from research and practice, it said. According to the press release, extreme heat is contributing to a rising number of heat-related health problems and premature deaths worldwide each y...

World Blood Donor Day, observed on June 14 every year, serves as a vital reminder of how a single act of generosity can save up to three lives. Yet, many highly motivated individuals arrive at blood centres only to be turned away or experience preventable post-donation fatigue and dizziness. A successful, seamless blood donation does not happen by accident, but is the direct result of how you treat your body in the 48 hours leading up to your appointment. To help you prepare effectively, leading medical experts break down the precise physiological requirements, dietary strategies, and recovery protocols necessary for an optimal donation experience. Why the 48-hour pre-donation window is critical Many people treat blood donation like a routine, spontaneous errand. However, your physiolog...

The Haryana health department has directed all civil surgeons and principal medical officers to undertake an extensive plantation drive ahead of the upcoming monsoon season, officials said on Friday. Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Sumita Misra, said all government health institutions have been instructed to ensure large-scale plantation of suitable tree species to increase green cover and create healthier surroundings for patients, visitors and healthcare workers. She said that with the arrival of the monsoon season, conditions become ideal for plantation activities due to higher survival rates of saplings. The department has, therefore, asked district health authorities to coordinate closely with local administrations and horticulture departments to carry out th...