Health

High levels of antibiotic-resistant superbugs in both indoor and outdoor environments in Delhi are posing public health risks, according to a study.  Airborne microbial contamination, especially involving antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes, poses a growing public health concern in urban environments. The study, by researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, explored the prevalence and diversity of staphylococci, including methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS), in bioaerosols from various urban settings in Delhi, India. Indoor and outdoor air samples showed significantly high staphylococcal loads far above the WHO’s recommended limit for microbial exposure. Seasonal variations revealed a peak in airborne MRS during winter, while monsoon rains reduced o...

Even as most Indians are busy working hard during their adult years, they are thinking about their retirement, not only to enjoy a good time off work, but also to be financially prepared so that they don`t face any difficulty in the future.Retirement planning has been ranked as Indians’ first financial priority even as actual preparedness or a plan in place collapsed to 37 per cent from 67 per cent in 2023, a report said on October 29.  The report from PGIM India Mutual Fund said that retirement took the first spot, climbing from eighth place, as lifestyle and entrepreneurial goals overshadow family-centric concerns. The shift reflects a broader change in financial planning from fear‑driven security to aspiration‑driven ambition, blending protection with progress and lifestyle freedom, i...

Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Convener of the Research Cell of the Kerala State Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Chairman of the Scientific Committee, IMA Cochin, on Sunday warned that the misuse of antibiotics is fueling a global health crisis - antimicrobial resistance. Speaking with ANI, Jayadevan, a leading expert, warned that antibiotics are losing their effectiveness against dangerous bacteria due to overuse, making infections harder to treat. He pointed out that the primary reason behind this growing problem is the overuse and inappropriate consumption of antibiotics. "Antimicrobial resistance is a serious problem affecting the entire world. This is a situation in which antibiotics no longer work against dangerous bacteria. The reason is the overuse of antibiotics. Especially in India,...

Hormonal disorders in men are becoming a major yet hidden cause of infertility. While many people associate hormones mainly with women’s health, men also rely on a delicate balance of hormones such as testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and thyroid hormones to produce healthy sperm. When these hormones fall out of balance, the body’s ability to make sperm reduces sharply. Doctors say many men ignore early signs because the symptoms are mild or confused with stress, ageing, or lifestyle issues. As a result, fertility problems appear much later, making treatment harder and longer. Hormonal disorders lower testosterone, which reduces sperm production and sexual drive. Thyroid imbalances (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism) disrupt metabolism and sperm q...

From changing the definition to the rise of GLP-1 medications, and the government’s several initiatives, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s clarion call, obesity became the focus of healthcare in India in 2025.  The anti-obesity drive, especially the generic drugs, will continue to remain a key focus in 2026. Traditionally, Body Mass Index (BMI) was used to define obesity, but after 15 long years, India revamped its obesity guidelines in 2025 by lowering the threshold for obesity to 25 kg/m² (down from the international 30 kg/m²), with "overweight" defined between 23.0 and 24.9 kg/m². The new approach focused on abdominal obesity and comorbid diseases, rather than just BMI. With this, the clinical focus shifted from BMI to waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio (W-HtR) to ...

With air pollution levels rising across the Delhi-NCR region, a growing number of people are reporting neurological health problems. Short-term exposure can trigger issues like cognitive impairment, anxiety, and even stroke. Particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, and ozone are key culprits, disrupting brain function and sparking inflammation. Speaking with ANI, Dr Vinit Suri, senior consultant, Neurology, Apollo Hospitals, said that rising air pollution is linked to neurological issues like headaches, dizziness, and memory loss, with long-term exposure potentially causing Alzheimer`s, Parkinson`s, and strokes. He said, "Normally, it is said that air pollution affects the lungs, sinuses, and heart, but after a lot of research, it can be said that it affects the brain too. Short-ter...

A team of US researchers has developed and validated an artificial intelligence (AI)-based non-invasive tool that can predict the risk of head and neck cancer spread.  The AI tool by researchers from the Mass General Brigham could predict the likelihood that a patient`s oropharyngeal cancer -- a type of head and neck cancer that develops in the throat -- will spread. It could help doctors by signaling which patients should receive aggressive treatment. "Our tool may help identify which patients should receive multiple interventions or would be ideal candidates for clinical trials of intensive strategies such as immunotherapy or additional chemotherapy," said senior author Benjamin Kann, the Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (AIM) Programme at Mass General Brigham. "Our tool can also h...

In an extraordinary display of medical skill and human compassion, doctors in Kerala performed an emergency surgical procedure on the roadside, saving a critically injured accident victim when there was no time to reach a hospital. With no operation theatre, no medical equipment, and minutes to spare, the doctors decided to act immediately. Using the light from mobile phones, they carried out a life-saving intervention right at the accident site, while local residents and police assisted, transforming the stretch of road into a makeshift operation theatre. The remarkable incident was narrated in a Facebook post by Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Tuesday. The account has since resonated widely, serving as a powerful reminder of how courage, presence of mind and empathy can save...

CD4 tests is strongly recommended as the preferred method to identify advanced HIV disease among people living with HIV, said the World Health Organization (WHO). The new recommendation is part of the 2025 guidelines on advanced HIV disease. The WHO defines advanced HIV disease in adults, adolescents, and children five years and older, "as a CD4 cell count less than 200 cells/mm3". "Advanced HIV disease is the major cause of AIDS-related deaths among people living with HIV. It is a serious public health issue, including in settings with good coverage of HIV testing and treatment, and despite having achieved or made good progress towards the 95–95–95 targets," the WHO said. At presentation, all children living with HIV younger than five years should be considered as having advanced HIV di...

When Pramila Kavar first held her son Neeraj in her arms, everything seemed perfect. He was a healthy baby, feeding well and growing normally in their small village of Chinchore in Maharashtra’s Nashik district.Like any young mother, Pramila dreamed of watching her child grow stronger with every passing month.But when Neeraj was around nine months old, those dreams began to fade.Each time Pramila tried to introduce solid food, a little khichdi, a soft morsel meant to mark a new stage of growth, Neeraj would vomit violently. What began as an occasional episode soon turned into a frightening routine. Feeding time became a moment of anxiety, followed by tears and helplessness.Over the next few months, Neeraj’s condition worsened. He started losing weight instead of gaining it. His tiny body ...