Health

The outer area of the retina, or the peripheral retina, could offer a window into an early detection of Alzheimer`s disease long before irreversible brain damage occurs, and a routine eye exam may thus potentially help with an early diagnosis of the neurodegenerative condition, according to a new study. "The eyes are indeed a window into the brain, but our study reveals that we have been looking at the wrong part of the window. While most clinical eye exams focus on the central retina, the most critical early indicators of Alzheimer`s disease (AD) appear to be hidden at the periphery of the eye," author Stephen Wong, from Houston Methodist Hospital in the US, said. "By identifying these retinal changes that occur before the brain`s `plumbing` system fails, doctors may eventually be able ...

In an age of rising heart disease, diabetes, and stress-related illnesses, a simple habit like walking is gaining renewed attention. The idea of walking 10,000 steps a day has become a popular fitness goal but can it truly protect your heart? Experts say regular walking can significantly improve both physical and mental health. Dr. Nilesh Gautam, Consultant-Interventional Cardiology at P.D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Khar, Mumbai, highlights the wide-ranging benefits of daily walking. “Walking 10,000 steps a day can improve blood pressure control, reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and enhance cardiovascular fitness. It also helps with weight reduction, strengthens muscles and bones, and improves general well-being.” Lower blood pressure improves circulation an...

Grey’s Anatomy fans across India and the world woke up to bad news on February 20, as Eric Dane, popularly known as ‘McSteamy’ playing Dr Eric Sloan on the hit television show, passed away at 53 due to Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called ALS. Dane, who was an advocate of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig`s disease, succumbed to it less than a year after he announced his diagnosis in April 2025. Shedding light on the disorder, Dr Sheetal Goyal, who is the consultant neurologist at Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai Central, explains, "ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movements. Over time, these motor neurons degenerate, leading to muscle weakness and loss of function." In most ...

Stopping the consumption of tobacco dramatically reduces the risk of oral cavity cancer by more than 60 per cent, a study conducted by a Mumbai-based organisation has found. The study, conducted by the Centre for Cancer Epidemiology of the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), demonstrated that quitting smoking and chewing habits reduces the risk of oral cancer or buccal mucosa cancer compared with continuous consumption. For this hospital-based case control study, enrolment was carried out in five TMC cancer centres located in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Barshi, Varanasi and Guwahati in India, during 2010-2022. The research was conducted on both men and women, aged 19-75 years. For the first time, the study shows a 61 per cent reduction in the risk of oral cavity cancer for smokers and a 42 per cent re...

Mumbai doctors have restored vision to a 44-year-old gynaecologist from Mumbai who had become completely blind in both eyes after ten years of progressive vision loss caused by severe glaucoma and multiple refractory intraocular pathologies, none of which had responded to the several surgeries she had previously undergone. In a complex, first-of-its-kind surgical intervention in the world, the surgical team at Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, performed the advanced 5F-ISHF IOL implantation technique on the patient, to remove a malpositioned artificial intraocular lens (IOL) in her left eye, along with optical penetrating keratoplasty (OPK), the novel 5F scleral fixation technique, and pupilloplasty in a single sitting to address her complex ocular complications. The patient regained 6/24 vision...

Walking across a room is something most people do without thinking. For 33-year-old Sumit, it had long been a daily struggle requiring effort, support, and determination. A survivor of polio since the age of one, Sumit lived with weakness and deformity in his left lower limb for decades. Sumit was affected by polio in early childhood, which left his left leg weak and deformed. Despite undergoing multiple corrective surgeries over the years, daily life remained challenging. He had reduced ankle movement, foot drop, and his heel could not touch the ground. Walking short distances caused pain and fatigue, and he often had to support his leg with his hand to move forward. Over time, he developed post-polio syndrome, a condition in which muscle weakness worsens many years after the initial pol...

In a major step forward in advanced vascular care, Kolkata doctors have successfully helped give a new lease of life to an elderly man walk again. Dr. Ranjan Kr. Sharma, who is the senior consultant, Cardiology at Manipal Hospital, Salt Lake, performed advanced atherectomy-assisted procedure for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) in Kolkata. The minimally invasive treatment was carried out on a 75-year-old patient suffering from both heart and leg artery blockages, enabling him to recover quickly and return to his normal routine within just 24 hours. The patient had undergone angioplasty 11 years ago, during which two stents were placed in critical heart arteries - the Left Anterior Descending (LAD) artery and the Right Coronary Artery (RCA). Recently, he began experiencing shortness of bre...

Pooja’s journey to motherhood began with hope in early 2021, but soon turned into heartbreak after her first miscarriage. Despite emotional recovery, the couple faced a second miscarriage in mid-2022, followed by a third loss in late 2022, leaving them devastated and anxious about future pregnancies. Clinically, recurrent pregnancy loss is defined as two or more consecutive miscarriages. Experiencing three pregnancy losses between 2021 and 2022 placed Pooja in the RPL category, warranting specialised care. RPL affects nearly 1–2 per cent of couples, and in close to 50 per cent of cases, identifiable and treatable medical causes are found. After nearly a year of emotional and physical recovery, the couple sought specialised treatment in November 2023. A detailed evaluation revealed high b...

In a major step towards strengthening student well-being in higher education, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) on Sunday announced it has started drafting a comprehensive mental health policy for its campus community.   The initiative is being seen as a landmark move that could set a model for other IITs across the country. The first draft of the policy has been prepared by the institute’s Wellness Centre, which serves as a mental health care facility for students, faculty and staff. The draft was developed with inputs from the Dean of Student Welfare, Associate Dean of Student Wellness, clinical psychologists at IIT Roorkee, external advisors and faculty members, ensuring that the framework reflects both professional expertise and institutional experience. The init...

Doctors at a hospital in Delhi have successfully treated a five-day-old infant diagnosed with congenital hydrocephalus, a rare neurological condition involving an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain. The condition was detected during the last trimester of the pregnancy. This allowed helped the medical team at Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, to initiate the treatment immediately after birth to prevent potential neurological damage. The hospital said in a statement that the mother was recommended to undergo a fetal MRI to assess the extent of the condition, followed by counselling for the parents. According to doctors, congenital hydrocephalus is a condition present at birth. It causes the head to enlarge due to excess fluid building up in the brain and increased pressure. The conditio...