Health

A comprehensive study has identified a direct correlation between rising atmospheric toxicity and male infertility, revealing that men living in highly polluted regions (AQI >151) experience an 11 per cent decrease in normal sperm integrity compared to those in cleaner environments. The research by Indira IVF, titled “Evaluating the impact of environmental pollution on sperm DNA Fragmentation: A retrospective cohort analysis”, highlights that as the Air Quality Index (AQI) escalates in industrialised cities, there is a corresponding "boom" in male infertility. The study introduces the concept of “pollution bias”, highlighting that worsening air quality is linked to higher levels of abnormal sperm and a steady decline in normal sperm counts. To ensure high diagnostic standards, the stud...

For many on the neurodivergence spectrum, Ramadan is more than a spiritual journey; it is a significant neurological shift. When a brain thrives on predictability and specific sensory inputs, the sudden change in sleep cycles, hydration, and social stimulation can trigger a cascade of executive dysfunction. Instead of the standard advice to just be patient, neurology experts Dr Prashant Makhija, consultant neurologist, Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai Central and Dr Anuradha H K, lead consultant, neurology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, to provide a brain-first guide to navigating the holy month with science-backed hacks. Conquering Suhoor and sleep inertia Waking up in the predawn hours often triggers sleep inertia, a heavy, disoriented feeling where the brain feels unresponsive. For neu...

Behavioural issues, once largely associated with adults, are now increasingly being seen in children. There is a worrying surge in problems such as aggression, violent behaviour, irritability, poor attention span, emotional outbursts, and social withdrawal among children. Excessive screen time, early exposure to mobile phones, and a lack of physical and creative activities are the driving factors in children. Experts say parents ignoring early signs can impact a child’s emotional development, academic performance, and long-term mental health, making timely attention more important than ever. It is also why they say parents should stay vigilant and consult the expert without any delay, and seek timely help. From a clinical perspective, excessive screen use directly affects the developing b...

Immune cells within a brain tumour could be taking control of sugar metabolism, breaking down fructose to suppress immune responses and promote tumour growth, a study has found. Published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study is the first to identify a sugar metabolism driving immune suppression in glioblastoma, an aggressive, rapidly growing malignant tumour in the brain, researchers said. They suggested blocking how fructose gets broken down in specialised immune cells may improve a patient`s response to immunotherapy and outcomes. "Across several mouse models, when we removed the fructose transporter, the tumours simply didn`t grow," senior author Jason Miska, assistant professor of neurological surgery at Northwestern University`s school of medici...

Mumbai doctors have successfully given renewed hope to Rajiv Varwade, who was rendered quadriplegic after a devastating neck injury causing severe spinal cord compression, to stand and walk again. In the face of a grave prognosis and a prolonged lack of medical treatment, he underwent a complex, high-risk cervical spine surgery that has been miraculous for him.  Varwade sustained a life-threatening injury while returning home from work when an object suddenly came in his path, causing him to fall from his motorcycle. The impact resulted in a fracture of the cervical spine with severe compression of the spinal cord, leaving him paralysed below the shoulders. Injuries of this magnitude are associated with extremely high mortality and profound, often permanent neurological loss (like Christo...

For millions of observers worldwide, the post-Iftar slump is as much a part of Ramadan as the fast itself. We’ve all seen it: the heavy lethargy that hits right as the call for Taraweeh prayers begins. Traditional fried favourites like samosas and pakoras are cultural staples, but nutritionally, they are often energy thieves. They provide a momentary burst of satisfaction only to rob the body of the stamina needed. Amid the ongoing month of Ramadan, nutrition experts move beyond the standard ‘don`t eat fried food’ lecture that many find impossible to follow. Instead, they offer a high-performance blueprint for Iftar—to aid sustained energy, mental sharpness, and overall wellbeing. Phase 1: Waking up the digestive system During a prolonged fasting period, the human digestive system essen...

Remotely changing the composition of the gut microbiome by stimulating the vagus nerve, which sends signals from the gut to the brain, may help reverse ageing-related memory loss, according to a new study. Studies are looking at the gut for solutions to health issues arising due to ageing. "We wanted to understand why some very old people remain cognitively sharp while other people see significant declines beginning in their 50s or 60s," senior author Christoph Thaiss, assistant professor of pathology at Stanford University, said. "We learned that the timeline of memory decline is not hardwired; it`s actively modulated in the body, and the gastrointestinal tract is a critical regulator of this process," Thaiss said. The study in mice, published in the journal Nature, showed that compos...

A study has found that a women`s risk of developing dementia may be predicted 25 years before symptoms begin through a test of a blood-based biomarker called `phosphorylated tau 217` -- a protein linked to the brain changes seen in Alzheimer`s disease. Higher levels of phosphorylated tau 217, or p-tau217, were strongly associated with future mild cognitive impairment and dementia -- of which Alzheimer`s disease is the most common form -- among older women who were cognitively healthy at the study`s start. "Our study suggests we may be able to identify women at elevated risk for dementia decades before symptoms emerge," first author Aladdin H. Shadyab, associate professor of public health and medicine at the University of California San Diego, said. Source link

Talegaon: A 59-year-old hypertensive woman from Pune has regained normal breathing after battling a rare tracheal tumour. Struggling with progressive shortness of breath and stridor (noisy breathing), she received timely care at TGH Onco Life Cancer Centre, Talegaon Dabhade. Under the expertise of Dr Utkarsh R. Ajgaonkar, Dr Vivek Bande, Dr Ashish Bawiskar, Dr Madhura, and Dr Vishvas Koul, thoracoscopic-assisted tracheal resection restored her airway and quality of life, showcasing the impact of advanced minimally invasive surgery for rare airway cancers. Alka Deshmukh, a homemaker and resident of Talegaon, had been experiencing progressively worsening breathing difficulties for nearly a month. She initially consulted a chest physician, who advised a CT scan of the chest. The scan reveal...

A Mumbai couple, married for five years and trying to conceive for over a year, had been silently struggling with infertility because of sexual health challenges. Through personalised treatment, advanced reproductive techniques, and empathetic counselling, they recently welcomed a healthy baby boy. The husband was a known case of Type 2 Diabetes and suffered from erectile dysfunction, while the wife had been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and vaginismus. Due to vaginismus, a condition that causes involuntary tightening of vaginal muscles, making examinations and intercourse difficult, she initially found it difficult to even undergo internal examinations. With reassurance and gradual counselling by the clinical team, she was able to tolerate transvaginal ultrasonography a...