Health

If you are someone who regularly uses earbuds or earphones, beware as its prolonged usage can significantly damage your ear health, said experts on Monday. Prolonged exposure to loud volumes through headphones or earphones significantly increases the risk of permanent hearing loss. Regularly listening at high levels can damage the delicate structures in the ear, leading to irreversible hearing impairment. It`s crucial to monitor volume levels and take breaks to protect your hearing. This risk is particularly heightened among young people who frequently use these devices for extended periods. Additionally, using noise-cancelling headphones at moderate volumes can help reduce the need to turn up the sound, further safeguarding your hearing health. Regular hearing check-ups are also recomme...

Cocaine, a drug that has long been infamous for multiple overdose deaths, and erratic behaviour -- from rock prodigy Tom Petty to Charlie Sheen, once Hollywood’s highest paid sitcom star -- has ruined talents and fortunes for long.   Now scientists have uncovered what exactly is in cocaine that makes it such a dreaded narcotic substance.  A team at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) has uncovered how cocaine triggers a specific protein in the brain to hijack normal brain circuitry, promoting further drug-taking behaviour. The discovery, detailed in an article in `Nature Communications`, sheds light on the mechanisms behind drug-context associations, which are critical factors in relapse vulnerability. The study, led by Christopher Cowan, Chairman of the Department of Neuros...

While diabetes has been linked to the risk of developing uterine fibroids, the association is not completely proven, said experts on Sunday.  Uterine fibroids are benign tumours of the uterus that frequently occur in women during their childbearing years. The incidence of uterine fibroids is becoming a major gynaecological concern in young women in the country, but the precise cause remains unknown. The factors that are frequently associated with the condition include genetics and certain lifestyle factors. “The idea that diabetes is linked to uterine fibroids is not proven, but the relationship is complex and still under study,” Dr Chetna Jain, director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Gurugram, said. “There is evidence suggesting that fa...

Actress Hina Khan, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for stage three breast cancer, has shared how during the workout session, she loses control of her legs and falls over due to the numbness. The 36-year-old actress took to Instagram and shared a video of herself in which we can see her walking in the rain for her workout session. She is wearing a pink tank top, black joggers, and a hair bandana. Hina is also carrying a big umbrella and is showing a victory sign to the cameras. Along with the video, Hina penned a long note, which read: "What`s Your Excuse?? Exercise or any kind of Physical Activity is vital for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But it`s even more essential and effective when one`s going through a phase of illness. Working out regularly not only helps you feel str...

The increase in colon or colorectal cancer cases among adults under 50 is concerning, said experts on Sunday.  Colon cancer is becoming a significant health concern in India, ranking as the seventh most common cancer, with higher incidence rates in urban areas like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the age-adjusted incidence rate is approximately 4.3 per 100,000 men and 3.4 per 100,000 women, with colorectal cancer responsible for about 8.2 per cent of all cancer-related deaths in India. According to experts, factors such as diet, lifestyle, genetics, and environmental influences contribute to the development of this disease. “Colorectal cancer, once predominantly associated with older populations, is witnessing a worrying surge a...

Many hoped the Paris Olympics would be the post-Covid Games. Instead they seem to be the `who cares about Covid` Games. Noah Lyles won a bronze with the virus in front of tens of thousands of spectators, and dozens of other athletes at the Games have tested positive. But organizers have only issued health recommendations, and no restrictions, allowing athletes to compete if they wish and are able to. This comes in sharp contrast with the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, which had to be delayed by a year because of the pandemic and were held under intense Covid-19 regulations ¿ and no fans allowed at any events. Six months later, the Winter Games in Beijing had even stricter protocols because of China`s zero-tolerance policy. In Paris, the Olympics recall pre-Covid-19 times. French people have re...

If you spend long hours on the internet, you have definitely come across many posts about ‘Asli Adivasi Hair Oil’. The videos are funny and leaving everybody in splits. There are people who are questioning its authenticity and others who are curious about what it exactly is and even want to try using it. One Mumbaikar said, “I have come across it and want to try it out, is it useful?” With a promise of long black hair, everybody seems tempted.  At a time when most people are trying out everything that goes viral on the Internet, including food, diets and even skincare routines, the search and use of the viral Asli Adivasi hair oil is imminent. It won’t be long before people start looking for it with clues in the videos or shop for it online. In fact, we have found the oil to already be av...

Saliva tests can more accurately determine the severity of recurrent respiratory infections in children than the standard blood test, a new study shows on Thursday. Conducted by researchers from Radboudumc Amalia Children`s Hospital and UMC Utrecht Wilhelmina Children`s Hospital, Netherlands, the study reveals that low levels of broadly protective antibodies in saliva are linked to an increased likelihood of pneumonia episodes in children. This method offers valuable diagnostic information and is more comfortable for children. Recurrent respiratory infections affect 10-15 per cent of children. Typically, paediatricians rely on blood tests to identify antibody deficiencies as an underlying condition, though these tests often yield limited results. "This is challenging for paediatricians ...

If you are under high stress, following a Mediterranean diet -- rich in fruits and veggies, nuts and legumes -- may help, according to a research. The research by a team from Binghamton University, State University of New York compared the Mediterranean diet versus the traditional Western diet to understand how diet influences stress. Stress can be a precursor to mental distress, said Lina Begdache, Associate Professor of health and wellness studies, adding that the findings show people can lower their perception of how much stress they can tolerate by following a Mediterranean diet. Begdache said the study, published in Nutrition and Health, "demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet lowers mental distress". It "may be associated with a decrease in the negative components of perceived ...

A new investigational drug, nipocalimab, has shown promising results in altering the standard treatment for Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN), potentially delaying or preventing anemia and reducing the need for intrauterine blood transfusions in high-risk pregnancies.  HDFN is a severe condition where the blood types of a mother and her foetus are incompatible, leading to life-threatening anemia in the baby. Currently, treatment typically involves multiple ultrasound-guided intrauterine blood transfusions, which carry risks like fetal death, premature rupture of membranes, and pre-term birth. “If further studies support using nipocalimab to treat HDFN, it will make treating the foetus in these pregnancies safer and easier for pregnant moms,” said Dr. Kenneth Moise Jr. a ...