Health

Prediabetes is the most ‘overlooked’ health condition, which if not reversed in time can raise the risk of diabetes by 70 per cent, said experts on Wednesday. Prediabetes is a serious condition that occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered Type 2 diabetes. The condition affects more than 130 million individuals in India and over 700 million people worldwide. Like diabetes, it can lead to life-threatening complications like a heart attack or brain stroke. “Prediabetes puts you at a greater risk of developing diabetes. If both fasting and post-glucose levels are high, the risk is the highest. The level of HbA1c determines the risk for diabetes, with the five-year risk being 50 per cent if the HbA1c is more than 6 per cent, and 25 per cent...

People who gain excess weight from their 20s are likely to have weaker hearts by the time they reach their 60s, according to a study. Scientists from the University College London (UCL) verified this by examining the links between weight gain in young and middle-aged adults and enlarged hearts that pump blood less well. This is over and above the effect of being overweight in later years, they said in the paper, published in the European Heart Journal. Alun Hughes, Professor of Cardiovascular Physiology and Pharmacology at UCL noted that early weight gain causes heart damage beyond the effects of being overweight later in life. He said that while it is known that "being overweight is associated with poorer heart health, we know little about the long-term relationship between being overw...

Four new human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, infection in the state of Colorado have been confirmed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bringing the total cases to nine since 2022. The four presumptive-positive cases were reported by the state on Friday, and the CDC confirmed the infection on Sunday, according to a press release, Xinhua news agency reported. All new cases were in farm workers who were involved in the depopulation of poultry at a commercial egg facility experiencing an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus. These workers reported symptoms after being exposed to infected poultry. The CDC said they reported "mild illness," including conjunctivitis and eye tearing, as well as fever, chills, coughing, sore...

The monsoon season brings with it the necessity and opportunity to implement specific lifestyle practices. While people are quick to adopt weather-appropriate clothing and choose monsoon travel destinations, an often overlooked area that requires special attention during monsoon is skincare. The humid weather causes several challenges for the skin like dampness and clogged pours, making implementation of special monsoon skincare measures important. In a conversation with mid-day.com, Dr. Taniyaa Bakshi, a Delhi-based homeopathy expert and director of Bakson Group, shares the importance of monsoon skincare and essential tips one must follow to keep the skin radiant and healthy during rainy season. Why is it important? Seasonal change necessitates special skincare practices. “Monsoon mean...

Heart diseases are increasing at an alarming rate, with many young patients in their 20s and 30s succumbing to heart attacks in India. This trend is a huge concern for cardiologists, renowned interventional cardiologist H.K. Bali said in Chandigarh on Sunday. HEART Foundation organised a day-long academic program, CIIST360, to highlight the latest advances in the field of cardiology. Around 250 cardiologists and physicians from northern India attended the conference. Speakers delivered lectures on cardiac diseases, including coronary artery diseases, structural heart diseases, and heart failure. Delegates had the opportunity to interact with distinguished speakers and discuss specific patient cases, enhancing the collaborative spirit of the event. Bali, the founder patron of HEART Found...

Global childhood immunisation levels stalled in 2023, with a whopping 14.5 million kids missing out on the essential three doses of the vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) vaccine, according to a new report by the UN organisations on Monday.  The report by the WHO and UNICEF provides estimates of national immunisation coverage (WUENIC) for vaccinations against 14 diseases. It showed that 84 per cent (108 million) children received three doses of the vaccine against DTP in 2023. However, 14.5 million did not receive a single dose of the vaccine -- an increase from 13.9 million in 2022. In addition, 6.5 million children did not complete their third dose of the DTP vaccine, the key to achieving disease protection in infancy and early childhood. “The latest trends demo...

Walking after meals is safe and may be key to managing diabetes, hypertension, and sleep issues, said an expert. Taking to social media X, Dr Sudhir Kumar, from Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, said walking, whether in the mornings or evenings, before breakfast or dinner, is a healthy habit. "Walking after meals is safe, and short walks after meals are associated with multiple health-related benefits," he said. Dr Sudhir stated that walking may particularly help people with diabetes as it improves glycemic control -- the maintenance of blood glucose levels. "Walking is associated with a mean reduction in HbA1C of 0.5 per cent in people with type 2 diabetes," the top neurologist said. The HbA1c test is used to evaluate a person`s level of glucose control. It can also help lowe...

Federal health officials are investigating a possible death and dozens of illnesses tied to recalled “microdosing” candies laced with a chemical found in mushrooms and sold online and in vape shops nationwide.At least 48 people in 24 states said they got sick after eating Diamond Shruumz-brand products, including chocolate bars, cones and gummies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.One death is “potentially associated” with the outbreak and 27 people have been hospitalized, the agency said. People who fell ill reported severe symptoms like seizures, agitation, abnormal heart rates and loss of consciousness. The latest illness was reported Monday, FDA officials said.Prophet Premium Blends LLC, of Santa Ana, California, recalled all of its Diamond Shruumz products late last m...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an alert on Tuesday advising health care providers and public health authorities about an elevated risk of dengue fever infections in the U.S.The viral disease, which spreads through mosquito bites, has affected at least 2,241 people in the nation this year, according to the CDC. The greatest number of cases on the continental U.S. have been recorded in Florida, New York and Massachusetts. But the crux of U.S. cases has been recorded in Puerto Rico, where nearly 1,500 cases have been reported in 2024. (U.S. travelers also reported a high number of infections at 745 cases.) The U.S. territory issued their own public health emergency this March, while the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an emergency related to the virus last ...

Imagine you have a serious talk with your partner—yet when you bring it up a couple weeks later, they say: “We never had that conversation! You must be thinking of something else.” Or your boss gives you an assignment but omits crucial information, later berating you for falling short and claiming you were provided with the exact instructions you know you never received. Maybe you keep hearing that you’re overreacting, too sensitive, or misinterpreting things.All are possible examples of gaslighting. The (frequently misused) term describes “the act of when someone is talking to or communicating with you, making you feel like your reality is being questioned,” says Laura Sgro, a therapist in Los Angeles who specializes in helping people navigate dysfunctional families or relationships. Over...