Health

Regular consumption of junk food -- rich in sugar, salt, and fat -- hampers micronutrient absorption in the body and leads to nutrient deficiencies, affecting overall health, said experts on Saturday. National Nutrition Week is observed annually from September 1 to September 7. The theme this year is ‘Nutritious Diets for Everyone’. A nutritional deficiency occurs when the body doesn`t get enough of a nutrient from food or has trouble absorbing it. Junk foods typically lack the necessary vitamins, minerals, and fiber that facilitate proper digestion and nutrient absorption. Deficiencies can affect digestion, and bone growth, cause skin disorders, anaemia, dementia, nervous system damage, and more. “Consuming junk foods regularly can significantly hinder micronutrient absorption, leadin...

Long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution is linked to a higher risk of infertility in men, according to a Danish study.  The study led by researchers at the Nord Universitet in Denmark throws light on a significant worldwide health issue, infertility which affects one in every seven couples. Studies on sperm quality and the success of fertility treatments have found negative correlations with particulate air pollution; however, results on fecundability, or the probability of becoming pregnant, have been inconsistent, and no research has looked into the impact of transportation noise on infertility in men and women. The study, published in the journal BMJ, found that prolonged exposure to PM2.5 is associated with a higher risk of infertility in men. The team i...

Have you ever been faced with a choice at a crossroads? A recent study may have finally figured out what our brains are doing when we indulge in spontaneous behaviour.  The Brain Institute at Chapman University in California, US, conducted a study on how the brain triggers impulsive behaviour like leaping off a high-dive platform or coming up with novel ideas. They concentrated on a phenomenon where the human brain becomes more active one or two seconds before it takes action. Since the 1960s, neuroscientists have believed that this ramping is an indication that our brain is getting ready to act following the completion of an unconscious, premeditated decision. However, the new research offers another answer. The team found that many rapidly fluctuating neurons -- brain cells, interact...

Spinal cord injury, one of the most devastating injuries to the human body, is becoming more common than ever, said experts on Thursday. Spinal Cord Injury Day is celebrated each year on September 5 to bring about awareness about the spinal cord. The spine is the backbone of the human body and maintaining its health is crucial for overall well-being, said the health experts. “With the increasing prevalence of sedentary lifestyles, poor posture habits, and the rise of technology use, spinal issues have become more common than ever,” Dr Arvind Kulkarni, Head - Spinal Surgeon, Mumbai Spine Scoliosis and Disc Replacement Centre, told IANS. The incidence of spinal cord injury in India is estimated to be around 20 per million with 2,500 fresh cases added every year. The condition is no longe...

Dietary deficiency, which can be prevented, is a major risk factor for osteoporosis in women, said experts on Thursday. National Nutrition Week is observed annually from September 1 to September 7. The theme this year is ‘Nutritious Diets for Everyone’. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that weakens bones, making them thinner and more susceptible to fractures. The disease majorly affects women, particularly after menopause. Six crore people in India reportedly have osteoporosis and 80 per cent of them are women. A decline in oestrogen levels -- the female hormone essential for healthy bones -- directly affects bone density explains why women are more at risk. “The most important cause of osteoporosis is a dietary deficiency, which can be prevented with a recommended dietary allowance of 1...

Frequent mobile phone use was positively linked with increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly in those who currently smoke and have diabetes. Furthermore, poor sleep, psychological distress, and neuroticism were identified as contributing factors to this connection, a study found on Wednesday.  A paper in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology describes the outcomes of this extensive prospective cohort study. "Mobile phone use is a ubiquitous exposure in modern society, so exploring its impact on health has significant public health value. However, whether mobile phone use is associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases, remains uncertain," Yanjun Zhang, MD, Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China, explained. In this...

After undergoing successful treatment, a 31-year-old man has conquered generalised plaque psoriasis and fulfilled his aspiration of marriage.  In 2016, Rahul Kumar (name changed) from Mumbai, proprietor of an events company, exhibited symptoms such as scaly or flaky skin, rashes on the scalp, trunk, upper and lower extremities sparing his palms, soles, face, and genitals, and nails. He tried ayurvedic and homeopathic treatment but couldn’t find any relief. Then, the patient came to Dr Rinky Kapoor for treatment. He was given regular medications for a few years. However, due to irregular usage of medicines, and side effects developing over time, his quality of life deteriorated, he was looking at marriage proposals, and all this took a toll on his mental state. He wanted to go off all app...

In a heartening tale, a pregnant woman, who was dealing with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hypertension, has given birth to a premature baby girl weighing 1.6 kg, after which she needed NICU management for 35 days. Rinki Yadav, a 37-year-old woman who visited Wockhardt Hospitals in Mira Road with a history of Rheumatoid Arthritis, which she had been managing since 2015. She had experienced several miscarriages in the past. She got married on December 15, 2018, and got pregnant in September 2019, which ended in a miscarriage at 7 weeks with a spontaneous abortion. She immediately conceived again in November 2019, but unfortunately, this pregnancy also ended in a miscarriage at 7 weeks due to a Blighted Ovum. Her third pregnancy in April 2021 resulted in another miscarriage at 9 weeks, and furthe...

While belching or burping is a normal physiological function, a new study on Tuesday revealed that dietary habits or a disease could be the reason. About 10,000 persons participated in an online survey administered by researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University in Japan to investigate the association between the prevalence of belching disorders, comorbidities, and lifestyles. Based on the results, 151 individuals, or 1.5 per cent of the total, had belching issues. This was more common in men, alcohol drinkers, and people on acid reflux medicine. “The problem with belching disorders is that they take a long time to treat and are only practised in a limited number of medical facilities,” said Professor Yasuhiro Fujiwara from the varsity’s Graduate School of Medicine. “In the future, the...

Does your work keep you glued to screens for a longer period? Beware, coupled with no physical activity, it might take a toll on your brain`s cognitive functions and lead to digital dementia, warned experts on Tuesday. The term “digital dementia” means memory issues and cognitive deterioration brought on by over-dependence on digital devices like smartphones, computers, etc. “Long periods of screen time can affect the brain`s cognitive functions,” Dr Vinayak Kshirsagar, Senior Laparoscopic Surgeon, DPU Super Speciality Hospital, Pimpri, Pune told IANS. “This is basically because of the decreased attention span and prolonged screen time, which often involves sitting in a difficult posture on the bed or couch. This can cause various health-related problems, such as obesity, body aches, sp...