Health

Between the exhausting traffic and corporate hustle of Indian metropolitan cities, stress has become the default setting for the Indian urbanite. We have long been conditioned to believe that happiness is a distant destination—a reward found only during a Himalayan trek or a Goan sabbatical. However, as people mark the International Day of Happiness, observed on March 20 every year, a new perspective is emerging: happiness isn`t just an internal state, it is a biological negotiation with our environment. To move beyond surface-level self-care, mid-day spoke to mental health experts Rima Bhandekar, psychologist and head of Mpower toll-free mental health helpline, and Mehezabin Dordi, clinical psychologist at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital. Together, they share an urban zen blueprint...

The AIIMS-Delhi is studying links between exposure to air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter 2.5, and the risk of developing lung cancer. The AIRCARE study, which the institution claimed is the first of its kind, is being led by Dr Abhishek Shankar, Assistant Professor, Radiation Oncology, AIIMS. Dr Shankar said that as air pollution continues to be an increasingly significant public health concern, there is a need for research to inform policy and disease management. He said India is home to some of the most polluted cities in the world, and there is an urgent need to scientifically look at the effects of pollution on people`s health. "Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers among males in India, and there is a high number of non-smoking lung cancers among females a...

Nearly 18,000 people in the age group of 18-45 died due to heart attacks or heart failures in Haryana between January 2020 and January 2026, the Assembly was informed on Wednesday, March 18. The government shared this information in the House in a written reply to a question from a Congress MLA, who had sought to know the "year-wise and district wise number of youths in the 18-45 years of age group who have died due to heart attack/heart failure in Haryana from the year 2020 till date, and whether the government has conducted any study or survey to ascertain whether these deaths have any co-relation with COVID-19 infection or COVID-19 vaccinations; if so, the findings of such study/survey together with the action taken by the government in this regard". The House was informed that no suc...

A comprehensive study has identified a direct correlation between rising atmospheric toxicity and male infertility, revealing that men living in highly polluted regions (AQI >151) experience an 11 per cent decrease in normal sperm integrity compared to those in cleaner environments. The research by Indira IVF, titled “Evaluating the impact of environmental pollution on sperm DNA Fragmentation: A retrospective cohort analysis”, highlights that as the Air Quality Index (AQI) escalates in industrialised cities, there is a corresponding "boom" in male infertility. The study introduces the concept of “pollution bias”, highlighting that worsening air quality is linked to higher levels of abnormal sperm and a steady decline in normal sperm counts. To ensure high diagnostic standards, the stud...

For many on the neurodivergence spectrum, Ramadan is more than a spiritual journey; it is a significant neurological shift. When a brain thrives on predictability and specific sensory inputs, the sudden change in sleep cycles, hydration, and social stimulation can trigger a cascade of executive dysfunction. Instead of the standard advice to just be patient, neurology experts Dr Prashant Makhija, consultant neurologist, Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai Central and Dr Anuradha H K, lead consultant, neurology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, to provide a brain-first guide to navigating the holy month with science-backed hacks. Conquering Suhoor and sleep inertia Waking up in the predawn hours often triggers sleep inertia, a heavy, disoriented feeling where the brain feels unresponsive. For neu...

Behavioural issues, once largely associated with adults, are now increasingly being seen in children. There is a worrying surge in problems such as aggression, violent behaviour, irritability, poor attention span, emotional outbursts, and social withdrawal among children. Excessive screen time, early exposure to mobile phones, and a lack of physical and creative activities are the driving factors in children. Experts say parents ignoring early signs can impact a child’s emotional development, academic performance, and long-term mental health, making timely attention more important than ever. It is also why they say parents should stay vigilant and consult the expert without any delay, and seek timely help. From a clinical perspective, excessive screen use directly affects the developing b...

Immune cells within a brain tumour could be taking control of sugar metabolism, breaking down fructose to suppress immune responses and promote tumour growth, a study has found. Published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study is the first to identify a sugar metabolism driving immune suppression in glioblastoma, an aggressive, rapidly growing malignant tumour in the brain, researchers said. They suggested blocking how fructose gets broken down in specialised immune cells may improve a patient`s response to immunotherapy and outcomes. "Across several mouse models, when we removed the fructose transporter, the tumours simply didn`t grow," senior author Jason Miska, assistant professor of neurological surgery at Northwestern University`s school of medici...

Mumbai doctors have successfully given renewed hope to Rajiv Varwade, who was rendered quadriplegic after a devastating neck injury causing severe spinal cord compression, to stand and walk again. In the face of a grave prognosis and a prolonged lack of medical treatment, he underwent a complex, high-risk cervical spine surgery that has been miraculous for him.  Varwade sustained a life-threatening injury while returning home from work when an object suddenly came in his path, causing him to fall from his motorcycle. The impact resulted in a fracture of the cervical spine with severe compression of the spinal cord, leaving him paralysed below the shoulders. Injuries of this magnitude are associated with extremely high mortality and profound, often permanent neurological loss (like Christo...

For millions of observers worldwide, the post-Iftar slump is as much a part of Ramadan as the fast itself. We’ve all seen it: the heavy lethargy that hits right as the call for Taraweeh prayers begins. Traditional fried favourites like samosas and pakoras are cultural staples, but nutritionally, they are often energy thieves. They provide a momentary burst of satisfaction only to rob the body of the stamina needed. Amid the ongoing month of Ramadan, nutrition experts move beyond the standard ‘don`t eat fried food’ lecture that many find impossible to follow. Instead, they offer a high-performance blueprint for Iftar—to aid sustained energy, mental sharpness, and overall wellbeing. Phase 1: Waking up the digestive system During a prolonged fasting period, the human digestive system essen...

Remotely changing the composition of the gut microbiome by stimulating the vagus nerve, which sends signals from the gut to the brain, may help reverse ageing-related memory loss, according to a new study. Studies are looking at the gut for solutions to health issues arising due to ageing. "We wanted to understand why some very old people remain cognitively sharp while other people see significant declines beginning in their 50s or 60s," senior author Christoph Thaiss, assistant professor of pathology at Stanford University, said. "We learned that the timeline of memory decline is not hardwired; it`s actively modulated in the body, and the gastrointestinal tract is a critical regulator of this process," Thaiss said. The study in mice, published in the journal Nature, showed that compos...