Health

Just as respiratory infections and heart ailments tend to increase during winter, experts are also witnessing a noticeable surge in brain stroke cases. The drop in temperature can trigger several physiological changes that elevate stroke risk, including higher blood pressure, thickened blood, dehydration, and reduced physical activity. Doctors are urging people, especially those with hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease, to be extra cautious during the cold season. A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die. The most common type, ischemic stroke, happens due to a blood clot blocking a vessel, while hemorrhagic stroke results from a ruptured blood vessel, causi...

Self-driving Waymo taxis have gone viral for negative reasons involving the death of a beloved San Francisco bodega cat and pulling an illegal U-turn in front of police who were unable to issue a ticket to a non-existent driver. But this week, the self-driving taxis are the bearer of happier news after a San Francisco woman gave birth in a Waymo. The mother was on her way to the University of California, San Francisco medical centre on Monday when she delivered inside the robotaxi, said a Waymo spokesperson in a statement on Wednesday, December 11. The company said its rider support team detected "unusual activity" inside the vehicle and called to check on the rider as well as alert 911. Waymo, which is owned by Google`s parent company, Alphabet, declined to elaborate on how the vehicle...

Throat infections are becoming a growing matter of concern in Mumbai this winter, with doctors reporting a sharp rise in cases across all age groups.  Experts are reporting a noticeable rise in people experiencing throat pain, difficulty swallowing, persistent coughing, and irritation.  Cold air, sudden temperature changes, and high viral activity during winter make the throat more sensitive, while pollution further worsens symptoms. Many people also ignore early signs, which leads to prolonged discomfort and repeated infections. Experts advise staying hydrated, having warm fluids, steam inhalation, and timely medical care to avoid complications. Winter throat infections are usually caused by viruses, bacteria, or irritation from cold and polluted air. Many people across Mumbai experien...

Doctors in Bengaluru have achieved a major medical milestone by successfully performing a rare and highly complex robotic double valve replacement using the latest-generation Da Vinci Xi Surgical System on an elderly woman giving her a new lease of life. The procedure was led by Dr Sathyaki Nambala, renowned cardiac surgeon and chief of Robotic Cardiac Surgery at Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru. This landmark surgery marks a significant advancement in bringing complex multi-valve replacement into the domain of minimally invasive, robotic-assisted cardiac care in India. Although robotic double valve replacement was reported in India over a decade ago, those early attempts were limited to first-generation robotic systems. The patient, a 53-year-old elderly woman, presented with severe destruc...

Integrating universal screening for depression in India`s primary healthcare system could be expected to generate a net savings of Rs 291 billion to Rs 482 billion, a study published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia has estimated. Researchers, including those from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh and National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru, said the savings is equivalent to 0.19 per cent to 0.32 per cent of the country`s gross domestic product. People aged 20 and older would be cheaper to screen than those above 30, the study found. The researchers also noted that the screening programme could save money if at least 60 per cent of patients receiving treatment go through public healthcare ...

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday stayed the state government`s notification mandating one-day menstrual leave a month for working women. The November 9 notification made provision for one day paid menstrual leave per month to women employees aged between 18 and 52 years working in permanent, contractual and outsourced jobs. The stay was granted by a bench of Justice Jyoti M based on a petition filed by Bangalore Hotels` Association and Avirata AFL Connectivity Systems. The petitioners contended that the Karnataka government did not consult them before making such provisions. The menstrual leave was meant for women working in all industries and establishments registered under the Factories Act, 1948, Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1961, Plantation Workers Act, 195...

From limited exposure to sunlight to reduced physical activity, there are a number of changes in lifestyle during the colder months, that lead to an increased susceptibility to illness especially among seniors. As winter grips the nation, it becomes critical to maintain a balanced diet to ensure the well-being of seniors.  With the winter season underway, health experts outline the common nutritional deficiencies, and dietary challenges faced by seniors, such as decreased appetite, limited mobility, and dehydration. They also delve into the importance of key nutrients to focus on, and practical tips that can be incorporated in daily routines. Common nutritional deficienciesDuring these colder months, our body`s ability to fight off infections can weaken, increasing the risk of various ai...

Children who spend more than 30 minutes on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are likely to experience a gradual decline in their ability to concentrate, according to a study of more than 8,000 children from around age 10 through age 14.  Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and Oregon Health & Science University in the US investigated a possible link between screen habits and symptoms related to Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They followed 8,324 children aged 9-14 in the US for four years, with the average time children spent on social media, watching TV/videos, and playing video games -- from approximately 30 minutes a day for 9-year-olds to 2.5 hours for 13-year-olds. Children who spent a significant amount of time on soci...

An immune and cancer cell-targeting antibody therapy has shown potential to eradicate residual traces of deadly blood cell cancer, multiple myeloma, according to interim results from a clinical trial.  The trial included 18 patients who underwent up to six cycles of treatment with the antibody linvoseltamab. On highly sensitive tests, none of the patients had detectable disease, revealed the study presented at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in Orlando, US. The preliminary success suggests linvoseltamab -- a bispecific antibody -- could allow patients to avoid bone marrow transplants, which involve intense, high-potency chemotherapy. It also points to the long-term potential to improve patients’ odds against this disease. “These patients received modern and effe...

With a rise in the ageing population in India and failing artificial joints, the demand for skilled surgeons for revision knee and hip surgeries is rising in the country, said experts on Saturday.  Revision knee or hip replacement surgery, called Revision Arthroplasty, is done when any hip or knee replacement loosens, wears out, or fails. The artificial knee and hip joints are increasingly being subject to wear and tear, with their lifespan reduced to 20 to 25 years. “In India, a lot of elderly patients have undergone joint replacement, primarily due to a rise in degenerative arthritis, in the last 15-20 years. So, the burden of revision surgeries is going to increase, as the implants can wear off or any infection might occur, or some complication occurs,” Prof Vijay Kumar, Department o...