Health

One in every 20 agricultural workers in Tamil Nadu could be having chronic kidney disease (CKD), with every other affected individual possibly having CKDu (chronic kidney disease with an unknown cause) -- a type known to affect mainly agricultural workers, a study published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia journal has estimated. The study points to factors associated with chronic kidney disease, including an increased age, diabetes, hypertension, anaemia and duration in a week spent working outdoors. Researchers, including those from Madras Medical College, said CKDu -- linked to heat stress due to working outdoors and exposure to agricultural chemicals and environmental toxins -- has been reported in "hotspots" around the world, including India, Sri Lanka and Central America...

An international team of scientists from Japan, the US, Australia, and Belgium has detected a new Covid-19-like virus from a species of moustached bats in Brazil, stoking fears of a potential spillover and a new disease.  Bats are natural reservoirs for many viruses, including betacoronaviruses -- which include the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus (MERS-CoV). The team from the universities of Osaka and Sydney detected the virus called BRZ batCoV from the Pteronotus parnellii -- a small insect-eating bat known for tiny hair tufts on its face. Even though the bat species is common in South America, experts fear the virus might have been gaining ground for months. “We identified a full-length genome of a novel bat CoV (BRZ b...

Jemimah Rodrigues has become India`s newest cricket hero after the historic five-wicket win over Australia in the ICC Women`s World Cup semi-final in Navi Mumbai yesterday. It was a moment of cheers and triumph for India, however it was a moment of release and quiet triump after times of emotional struggle for her. During the post-match press conference, she opened up about her experience hoping it`ll help others, revealing her struggle with anxiety and self-doubts in the weeks leading up to the semi-final match.  She spoke about how her family, friends and fellow team members helped her during this time. Rodrigues revealed, "And also at this time my mom, my dad supported me a lot. And also there  was Arundhati (Reddy), who I think almost everyday I`ve cried in front of, almost everyday ...

The national capital`s continued poor air quality and thick smog engulfing the city are not only harmful for the lungs but also eye health, said ophthalmologists on Thursday, while reporting a 50 per cent surge in eye-related problems.  The thick blanket of smog and dangerously high levels of pollution have led to a spike in cases of eye allergies, dryness, burning sensations, and excessive watering, affecting both adults and children. Doctors say that the toxic cocktail of smoke, particulate matter, and chemical residues released during firecracker burning is not only harmful for the lungs, but for the eyes as well. "If your cornea gets damaged, you need a corneal transplant to restore your vision. However, if pollution levels continue to rise, a time will come when no corneal transpla...

Personal bias and blind belief are time and again reigniting the claim that childhood vaccines are increasing the risk of autism -- a neurological condition, said health experts on Wednesday.  Recently, a self-published report by the US-based McCullough Foundation claimed that vaccination is “the most significant preventable driver” of autism. The report, not being peer-reviewed, has garnered significant attention from many anti-vaccine campaigners, including Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu. “There are many people who take an anti-vaccine stand. We saw the damaging effects of their propaganda during the early part of the pandemic -- when tens of thousands of people died of severe Covid-19 simply because they were afraid to vaccinate,” Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan of the Indian Medical Association, K...

A stroke can occur suddenly, often without warning, and its impact can be life-altering within minutes. Despite advances in medicine, awareness about its early signs and timely intervention remains limited — making education and prevention crucial in reducing its toll.  On World Stroke Day, mid-day spoke to Dr. Prashant Makhija, Consultant Neurologist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central, and Dr. Dipesh Pimpale, Consultant Neurologist at KIMS Hospitals, Thane. The experts shed light on common warning signs, risk factors and awareness details everyone should be aware of. What is a stroke, and why is it considered a medical emergency?Makhija: A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is suddenly blocked or when a blood vessel bursts. The brain can’t store oxygen, so every mi...

Attention lapses due to sleep-deprivation could be because the brain is trying to catch up with waste cleansing -- which typically happens while sleeping -- during the day, a new study has suggested. The cerebrospinal fluid, which flows into and around the brain and spinal cord cushions the central nervous system from shocks, helps remove waste from the brain that was built during the day through `flushing`. It is considered important for maintaining brain health and function. "If you don`t sleep, the cerebrospinal fluid waves start to intrude into wakefulness where normally you wouldn`t see them. However, they come with an attentional tradeoff, where attention fails during the moments that you have this wave of fluid flow," said Laura Lewis, associate professor of electrical engineering...

Every minute counts during a stroke, said Nithin Kamath, co-founder and CEO of Zerodha on Wednesday, while stressing the need to seek immediate medical help within the golden 4.5 hours after suffering the brain condition.  World Stroke Day is observed every year on October 29 to raise awareness about strokes, which occur when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. During the attack, brain cells die every second; thus, early medications are key to boosting survival. Taking to social media platform X, Kamath, who survived a stroke last year, shared how strokes can be better managed if medical help is sought within 4.5 hours -- known as the Golden Hour. If strokes are not treated immediately within the window, it can lead to permanent brain damage and disability. He shared that many peopl...

Dyslexia is a different way of expressing knowledge, said Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, noting that with early identification and proper support, kids with the condition can achieve success.  Kumar was speaking at the ‘Walk for Dyslexia 2025’, held in the national capital, where the Rashtrapati Bhawan and Secretariat were lit up in red. The walk was organised across the nation by the Changeinkk Foundation, UNESCO MGEIP, Orkids Foundation, and Soch Foundation to spread awareness on Dyslexia. Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that affects reading, writing, and spelling, resulting from differences in how the brain processes language. October is observed as Dyslexia Awareness Month. Kumar stressed the need to create awareness and acceptance around Spe...

More than 1 in 3 or 36 per cent young adults, particularly Generation Z, within the legal drinking age have never consumed alcohol, according to a global report.  The report by data analytics company Euromonitor International noted that the growing trend of sobriety among younger consumers is largely driven by a desire to feel healthier and avoid long-term health risks (87 per cent of respondents). Some (30 per cent) are also avoiding due to practical considerations such as saving money and improving sleep quality (25 per cent). The report noted the rise in the ‘Zebra striping’ trend as consumers seek to moderate their alcohol consumption. ‘Zebra striping’ refers to a trend where individuals alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during a single social occasion, creati...