Health

Popular drugs for diabetes management and weight loss, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, could also be effective in reducing alcohol use, according to a study.  The study, led by researchers at Virginia Tech, US, showed that GLP-1 agonists slow the speed at which alcohol enters the bloodstream, also slowing down the effects on the brain. "People who drink know there`s a difference between nursing a glass of wine and downing a shot of whiskey," said Alex DiFeliceantonio, Assistant Professor at the varsity’s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. A standard serving of either has 0.6 ounces of alcohol, but the shot brings a rapid increase in blood-alcohol content. It feels different because of the way the body handles alcohol over time. "Why would this matter? Faster-acting drugs have a higher a...

Loneliness and social isolation can raise the risk of death from cancer as well as from all causes among those with the disease, according to a study.  In a pooled data analysis of 13 studies involving over 15 lakh patients, a team of Canadian researchers led by those from the University of Toronto found that loneliness is relatively common among people with cancer. The potential impact of loneliness on death from cancer was reported for 2,142,338 patients in nine studies, and pooled data analysis showed that it was associated with an 11 per cent heightened risk of death from the disease, after adjusting for small study sizes. "These findings collectively suggest that loneliness and social isolation may influence cancer outcomes beyond traditional biological and treatment-related factor...

One in three people worldwide is living with conditions that affect their brain, while 11 million lives are lost every year due to neurological disorders, according to a new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday.  Stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, idiopathic epilepsy, neurological complications linked to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorders, and cancers of the nervous system were identified as the top 10 neurological conditions contributing to death and disability. The report stated that while these neurological conditions now affect more than 40 per cent of the global population, less than one in three countries around the world has a national policy to address the growing burden of...

The new antibiotic EVG7 has demonstrated the ability to fight the dangerous gut bacterium C. difficile with only a minimal dose, a new study showed.  C. difficile is a persistent intestinal bacterium that can cause severe illness, particularly in older people and those with weakened health. The bacterium produces a toxin that leads to severe diarrhoea. Current treatments are not always effective, as the infection often returns. "With existing antibiotics, C. difficile sometimes reappears just weeks after treatment," said researcher and lead author Elma Mons, from the varsity. "This happens partly because the bacterium leaves behind spores, which can develop into new bacteria, causing the infection to return," Mons said. The team investigated the effect of a low dose of EVG7 on C. diff...

Women, especially young, account for seven out of 10 patients with autoimmune diseases, said health experts, emphaising the need for increasing awareness and early screening among females.  Autoimmune diseases are chronic conditions where the body`s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues. Common conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroiditis, psoriasis, and Sjogren’s syndrome. These diseases can affect joints, skin, blood vessels, and even internal organs like the heart or lungs. The condition is far more common among women, especially between the ages of 20 and 50, when hormonal and lifestyle factors are most active. Many times, with a lack of awareness and other burdens, women tend to ignore their symptoms, leading to worsening outcomes. “In my outpati...

India is facing a silent but serious health challenge of Vitamin D deficiency, according to a report on Monday that urged the government to tackle the lack of the sunshine vitamin in one in every five Indians.  The Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), along with the ANVKA Foundation, submitted two key policy briefs elaborating a national roadmap to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), and an action plan specific to Delhi. The suggestions are based on a recently released study, which highlighted that Vitamin D deficiency has become a public health concern in India and is affecting people across regions, age groups, and income levels. “Our recommendations focus on practical steps that can be implemented right away, using existing health n...

The focus on mental health is now more than ever before. With more people curious to deal with issues, educating yourself about the subject always helps. While World Mental Health Week is observed from October 4, and concludes with World Mental Health Day 2025 on October 10, the conversation never stops.  Amid our busy schedule, it is time to pause and reflect on the parts of ourselves that truly matter, and to prioritise our mental well-being.  These audiobooks, which are available on Audible, offer honest, relatable, and practical ways to approach mental health, while emphasising that we all have our struggles with emotions that can feel overwhelming. The audiobooks offer small, consistent habits that can make a big difference. Whether it’s navigating anxiety, depression, or simply le...

Obesity is rising across the country, mainly among women in their reproductive years. Busy schedules, lack of physical activity, high stress levels, and unhealthy eating habits are the causes behind obesity. Experts emphasise that weight control and healthy lifestyle practices must become central to fertility care. Couples affected by obesity can still become parents through lifestyle modifications, if that doesn’t work, then Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). And if that doesn’t work then advanced fertility treatments such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) can be taken up. Obesity has become one of the most common health challenges, and it often shows up when women come for fertility or reproductive health issues. Dr. Kaishreen Khan, consultant- Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hos...

India needs a national strategy on ageing and mental health to fight the rising cases of Alzheimer’s disease in the country, according to health experts.  In an editorial published in the Indian Journal of Public Health, experts from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, along with M M Medical College and Hospital, Himachal Pradesh, argued the need to implement a comprehensive National Dementia Plan aligned with WHO’s global framework. “India needs to view Alzheimer’s not just as a clinical issue but as part of a comprehensive national strategy on ageing and mental health. Integrating cognitive health screening in primary care, investing in long-term care models, building caregiver support systems, and strengthening research on risk factors are key steps forward,” Dr K Madan Gopal, ...

An international team of scientists has discovered a new type of diabetes in babies, under six months of age.  Some babies develop diabetes before the age of six months. In over 85 per cent of cases, this is due to a genetic mutation in their DNA. Using advanced DNA sequencing technologies and a new model of stem cell research the team from the University of Exeter in the UK and Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) identified mutations in the TMEM167A gene -- responsible for a rare form of neonatal diabetes. They found that in six children with additional neurological disorders such as epilepsy and microcephaly there was alterations in the TMEM167A gene. "Finding the DNA changes that cause diabetes in babies gives us a unique way to find the genes that play key roles in making and secre...