Health

In a rare and surprising case, a 51-year-old woman, who is a homemaker and mother of two children, has been successfully treated by doctors in Pune, after they found that she had a large tumour (fibroid) growing in her uterus almost the size of a football, and she was completely unaware of it, considering it as an asymptomatic fibroid.  The fibroid, weighing around 3 kilograms, was safely removed by the doctors at Motherhood Hospital in Kharadi giving her a new lease of life. It all started just two months ago when the woman noticed a small bulge in her stomach. Since she didn’t have any pain or discomfort, she ignored it. But during a regular check-up, a general physician felt a lump and advised her to get a sonography done. That’s when the big shock came, the scan showed a massive 20 cm...

US President Donald Trump was recently diagnosed with ‘chronic venous insufficiency’ following a medical check-up after noticing “mild swelling” in his lower legs. During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the US President was diagnosed with a vein condition which is "common in individuals over the age of 70”. Reading a letter from Trump’s doctor, she further revealed that there was no evidence of more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease, and stressed that the President remains in “excellent health”. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition in which the veins in the legs have trouble sending blood back to the heart because of damaged valves. “Over time, this causes blood to pool in the legs. It’s more commo...

Dogs may have `personalities` which guide their television viewing habits -- an anxious dog might respond more to cars or a doorbell sound, while an excitable one is more likely to follow on-screen objects, a study has found. Researchers from Auburn University, US, also found that pet dogs may perceive two-dimensional objects on the TV screen in a manner similar to those in the three-dimensional environment. The results, published in the journal Scientific Reports, help understand a pet dog`s internal, perceptual experience and may inform interventions taken towards their welfare. "In practice, engagement with television could provide dogs with an enriching, meaningful experience," the authors wrote. About 650 dog owners responded to surveys after observing their dog`s TV viewing habit...

Scientists have identified a key gene essential for vitamin D absorption, which may also boost treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases.  The gene, called SDR42E1, is crucial for taking up vitamin D from the gut and further metabolising it -- a discovery with many possible applications in precision medicine, including cancer therapy. "Here we show that blocking or inhibiting SDR42E1 may selectively stop the growth of cancer cells,” said Dr Georges Nemer, Professor at the University of College of Health and Life Sciences at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar. Previous research showed that a specific mutation in the SDR42E1 gene on chromosome 16 is associated with vitamin D deficiency. The mutation caused the protein to be cut short, rendering it inactive. In the study, publishe...

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are rising at alarming rates worldwide in adults younger than 50 years, according to two studies.  The first study, published in JAMA, showed that the surging cancer cases go beyond colorectal, and include gastric, oesophageal, and pancreatic. "Colorectal cancer is the most common early-onset GI cancer worldwide, accounting for more than half of the cases, but it is not the only GI cancer that is rising in younger adults. Unfortunately, pancreatic, gastric, and oesophageal cancers are also increasing in young people," said Dr. Kimmie Ng, from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in the US. "The rising incidence of early-onset GI cancers is alarming and underscores the need for enhanced prevention strategies and early detection methods," Ng added. The second study,...

US President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) -- a condition where leg veins do not allow blood to flow back to the heart -- explaining the swollen ankles and bruises on his hands.  The 79-year-old US President was recently photographed at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 final in New Jersey, where visible swelling around his ankles sparked public speculation about his health. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed that the ultrasound exams performed on Trump`s legs confirmed CVI -- seen frequently among people over the age of 70. However, additional exams showed "no signs of heart failure, renal impairment or systemic illness" in Trump, Leavitt said, adding that the US President is not experiencing any discomfort due to the diagnosis. ...

As monsoon showers cool the air and bring relief from the summer heat, experts raise concerns about a sharp rise in dehydration cases. Prolonged outdoor working hours, coupled with less intake of water and other fluids can lead to dehydration, even during monsoons.  Dehydration-related complaints, especially among adults aged 25-55 years, working professionals, children, and the elderly, need timely attention. Hence, it is the need of the hour to seek medical attention if required. Not only diarrhoea and constipation, but even dehydration is a common occurrence in monsoon. "Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluids than it takes in. This affects the normal functioning of your organs and can lead to serious complications like kidney strain, fatigue, dizziness, heat exhaustion, a...

A study analysing brain scans of crew members who spent a year at an Antarctic research station has revealed changes due to exposure to isolated and extreme environments with potential impacts on physiology and cognition. The findings, published in the journal `npj Microgravity`, have implications as extended space missions are planned from around the world, researchers said. The team from the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand found an overall reduction in white matter and a reduced grey matter in brain regions known to help with memory, language and spatial awareness. Astronauts experience considerable stress in space, and understanding its effects on the brain can aid in assessing risks and building resilience, the researchers explained. They pointed out that analogue environments...

In a remarkable feat of advanced surgical care, the hospital in Kolkata has successfully performed a 10-hour-long, high-risk surgery on a 60-year-old patient diagnosed with severely advanced ovarian cancer. The patient, Rina Ganguly (name changed), had cancer that not only spread extensively in the abdominal cavity but had also reached the chest lymph nodes, making the case highly complex.  Ovarian cancer is the third most common cancer among women in India and is often referred to as a "silent killer" due to its lack of symptoms in the early stages, which frequently leads to diagnosis at an advanced stage. In such cases, performing an ultra-radical surgery to remove all visible disease is the most crucial prognostic factor in improving survival outcomes. The operation was led by Dr Arun...

If you are suffering from insomnia, performing exercises such as yoga, tai chi, walking, and jogging may help improve sleep quality, according to a study. The findings, published in the online journal BMJ Evidence Based Medicine, back the use of exercise as a primary treatment strategy for poor sleep patterns. Insomnia is characterised by difficulties falling and staying asleep, or waking up too early in the morning. It is associated with heightened risks of various mental and physical health conditions, including dementia and cardiovascular disease. Drug treatments for insomnia come with side effects, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), while effective, isn’t always available due to the shortage of trained therapists, explained the researchers from Beijing University of Chinese Me...