Health

People with pockets of fat hidden inside their muscles are at a higher risk of dying or being hospitalised from a heart attack or heart failure, regardless of their body mass index, according to research on Monday.  The new study, published in the European Heart Journal, adds evidence that existing measures, such as body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference, are not adequate to evaluate the risk of heart disease accurately for all people. The study showed that people with higher amounts of fat stored in their muscles were more likely to have damage to the tiny blood vessels that serve the heart (coronary microvascular dysfunction or CMD). They were also more likely to die or be hospitalised for heart disease. People who had high levels of intermuscular fat and evidence of CMD were at...

A count of white blood cells (leukocytes) may be a crucial indicator for determining debilitating outcomes of Covid-19 in postmenopausal women, according to a new international study on Wednesday.  Even months after the initial diagnosis of Covid -- caused by the SARs-CoV-2 virus -- millions of people worldwide suffer from its ongoing effects.  Cognitive impairment and fatigue are the most common lingering symptoms, with cognitive impairment affecting 70 per cent of patients.  Older adults -- especially women -- are the most at risk, said the researchers from the US, and Singapore. “Post-acute sequelae of Covid infection significantly affects quality of life, often leading to severe disability.  This effect is particularly pronounced in women, who already experience higher rates of cog...

Potassium salt may provide a good alternative to sodium, and must be promoted, said experts on Wednesday while welcoming a new recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO) on potassium-enriched salt to combat hypertension and related heart risks.  The WHO, in its recent guideline, suggests using K-salt or potassium chloride instead of regular table salt, rich in sodium. It may reduce noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and chronic kidney disease by lowering blood pressure. It also lowers the risks of other conditions associated with high sodium intake, such as gastric cancer. As per the WHO, every year 80 Lakh people die due to poor diet. Of these, 19 lakh deaths are attributable to high sodium intake. “High sodium concentration is associated ...

Tingling, weakness of hand-grip or foot drop could signal Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), said health experts on Monday, even as the reported cases spike to over a hundred in Pune, Maharashtra.  The Maharashtra health department on Sunday also reported what is suspected to be the first death linked to the GBS outbreak concentrated in Pune. The Union health ministry has sent a team to Pune’s Sinhgad area, where the outbreak is currently concentrated. What is GBS?GBS is a serious illness that often progresses rapidly, making the patient bedridden in a few days. It is associated with damage to nerves causing severe weakness of limbs, trunk, and face. It is often followed by a bacterial or viral infection (such as diarrhoea causing Campylobacter Jejuni bacteria or viral infections like deng...

When young adults begin their professional life, their amount of daily physical activity as well as sleep -- essential for healthy well-being -- falls steeply, according to a study on Tuesday. The study led by scientists at the University of Cambridge found that physical activity increases initially and later drops down significantly. Young adults who increased their physical activity were those doing semi-routine occupations such as bus driving or hairdressing, and routine occupations such as cleaning or waiting, or technical jobs. Conversely, people entering managerial or professional occupations did not engage in physical activity. The largest drop in levels of physical activity was seen among people who work from home --though their sleep levels did not change when they started wor...

A 53-year-old working professional battling dystonia has been successfully treated with advanced lesioning surgery in Mumbai. The surgery promises to offer renewed hope to him and other patients with tremors, dystonia, and Parkinson’s disease and is an alternative to deep brain stimulation (DBS). Patients suffering from debilitating conditions like severe tremors, dystonia, and Parkinson`s disease/essential tremor often struggle to perform basic activities like eating, drinking, using a cup or spoon, buttoning clothes, shaving, writing, or using a mobile phone. Sachin Nadkarni, a 53-year-old banker, suffered from severe focal right-hand dystonia- abnormal involuntary movements of his right hand for the past seven years, which significantly impacted his daily activities such as writing, ea...

In a remarkable initiative for the devotees attending the grand Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, a special camp named `Netra Mahakumbh` has been set up to provide free eye checkups, spectacles, and medicines.  This camp, running since January 13, is also offering free eye surgeries for those in need, along with promoting awareness about eye donation. The camp, supported by organisations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Saksham Foundation, and other social groups, has been helping thousands of pilgrims daily. According to Satyavijay Singh, the RSS`s Kashi region service head, the Maha Kumbh is held every 12 years, and this year, the Netra Mahakumbh aims to provide free eye care services to up to five lakh people, including free eye checkups for three lakh individuals, and distributing...

India accounts for 53 per cent of the global leprosy cases, said experts here urging the need for legal reforms to help individuals affected by the disease. Leprosy/Hansen’s disease is an infectious disease caused by mycobacterium lapre that causes severe, disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage in the arms, legs, and skin areas around the body. “India accounts for 53 per cent of the global leprosy cases. It is important to establish community-based rehabilitation to eliminate discrimination and support the affected individuals,” said Dr. S. Sivasubramaniam, Senior Scientist, at an event held in the national capital. While leprosy is not so contagious, repeated contact with nose and mouth droplets from someone with untreated leprosy can spread. However, due to a lack of awareness, there...

A 26-year-old woman with a hemoglobin level of just 2 (g/dL), battling catastrophic APLA syndrome during her eighth month of pregnancy, has successfully delivered a healthy preterm baby in Mira Road, after a life-saving multidisciplinary intervention. In a remarkable achievement, a team at Wockhardt Hospitals in Mira Road, led by Dr Rajashri Tayshete Bhasale, consultant obstetrics and gynaecologist and laparoscopic surgeon, consisting of nephrologist Dr Puneet Bhuwania, hematologist Dr. Muralidaran C. successfully treated the pregnant woman who arrived in critical condition with a hemoglobin level of 2 (g/dL) and a rare diagnosis of catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLA). The woman delivered a healthy preterm baby weighing 1.2 kg following an emergency cesarean section and...

According to World Health Organization (WHO), cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally. Its effects can go beyond the diagnosis, impacting other aspects of health including fertility. Every year, January is observed as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month to facilitate conversations and raise awareness about causes, symptoms, effects and treatment of the condition. Link between cervical cancer and fertility Among patients of child-bearing age, the crucial topic of whether cervical cancer impacts fertility frequently comes up. Dr Shishir N. Shetty, Senior Consultant - Surgical Oncology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, says, "Depending on the cancer`s stage, the kind of treatment needed and the patient`s general condition, the answer is complicated.”“Although ...