Health

A study has described how prolonged exposure to heat -- especially under increased global warming -- can impact cognition of school children, affecting long-term learning and the ability to handle complex tasks. Researchers from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and University of New South Wales in Australia reviewed data from seven previously published studies involving nearly 14.5 million students from 61 countries, including India. Findings published in the journal PLOS Climate point to impacted learning capacity of students under a long-term exposure to heat, with performance in complex tasks, such as mathematical, hit harder than that in simpler ones, including reading. As the planet continues to get warmer, deficits in learning abilities among the youth can accumulate, p...

Lung cancer is among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths across India. The disease often progresses silently, with symptoms appearing only in the advanced stages. It occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in one or both lungs.The major cause is tobacco smoking, including passive smoke exposure, but it can also result from air pollution, genetic factors, and long-term exposure to harmful substances like asbestos or radon.  Every year, World Lung Cancer Day is observed on August 1 around the globe, to raise awareness about lung cancer, and not only how it affects people but also why research is important. While that is ongoing, a lot can be done before hand, especially when diagnosed early, lung cancer is not only treatable but also curable. Doctors in Mumbai are urging peop...

Climate change could worsen the risk of diarrhoea -- a leading cause of death among children aged under five -- across south and southeast Asia, including India, endangering the health of millions of children, according to a study. Researchers from Australia, including those from Flinders University, analysed data of more than three million children, taken from national surveys of eight Asian countries, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Prevalence of diarrhoea was found to be about 8 per cent among India`s under-fives. The disease is marked by passing loose, watery stools occurring more often than normal. Dehydration, malnutrition and an impaired immunity are among its risk factors. The findings, published in the journal Environmental Research, also highlight temper...

As work stress mounts and deadlines pile up, nearly 20 per cent of corporate women are now resorting to smoking as a coping mechanism. This alarming trend can increase their chances of developing lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and bronchitis in the coming years. With smoking-related lung issues on the rise, experts stress that quitting is the need of the hour. They say it is time to refocus on timely diagnosis, early treatment, and lung care awareness, especially for working women navigating high-pressure careers to take utmost care of their lungs. Corporate women today juggle tight deadlines, long working hours, high expectations, work-life imbalance, career pressure; limited breaks can lead to stress. Moreover, stress causes symptoms such as fatigue a...

In a major medical milestone, a 30-year-old man struggling with bladder neck obstruction has found relief through a minimally invasive procedure performed at hospital in Thane.The patient had been experiencing troubling urinary symptoms, but was successfully treated by Dr. Aakil Khan, urologist at KIMS Hospitals using the iTind device, believed to be a next-generation solution that opens the blocked passage without the need for major surgery, a catheter, or an overnight hospital stay. The iTind procedure, done under sedation, offers a key advantage over traditional treatments: it preserves sexual function, causes minimal discomfort, and allows same-day discharge. During the procedure, a slender, three-strut nitinol device is inserted through the urethra into the prostatic urethra and bla...

In today’s fast-paced world, everyone is talking, but very few are actually listening. Being truly heard is one of the deepest emotional needs we all have. Whether it’s a friend going through a rough time or just someone needing to vent, active listening can do wonders for both them and you. If you often find yourself wondering how you can be there for a friend who is struggling, or being supportive in a larger sense, it is key to remember that sometimes, what a friend truly needs isn`t advice, but a non-judgmental space to be heard.  International Day of Friendship is observed on July 31 every year to celebrate the uniqueness of friends. Highlighting its importance, psychiatrists delve into how powerful good listening can be. They outline simple and real tips that anyone can use to becom...

More than three of every five liver cancer cases in the world can be prevented by addressing risk factors, such as hepatitis, alcohol habits and non-alcoholic fatty liver conditions, according to an analysis report of The Lancet Commission on the fatal disease. Researchers from The Hong Kong Cancer Institute, Fudan University, and others in China, South Korea, the US and Europe authored the report. The team predicted a 35 per cent increase in liver cancer driven by a severe form of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease that is caused by excess fat in the liver and called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. Liver cancer is among the top three types of cancer deaths in 46 countries, according to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Hepatology. The Lan...

Pune doctors are observing a spike in pre-eclampsia cases among pregnant women. It is a condition that, if not addressed early, can put the mother`s and the baby’s lives in danger. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related disorder by high blood pressure and signs of organ damage, most often to the kidneys, during pregnancy that typically develops after the 20th week of gestation. The doctors highlight that early detection, close monitoring, and intervention are crucial in managing the condition and preventing progression to eclampsia, a more severe and life-threatening complication, where seizures occur, posing a grave threat to both mother and baby. It is because preeclampsia isn’t just a pregnancy complication. They say studies show that women who’ve had preeclampsia have a higher risk of car...

As per the World Health Organization data (2022), approximately 1.3 million people die each year from chronic viral hepatitis (B and C). The low diagnosis rate combined with limited treatment coverage poses a significant challenge.  Every year, World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28, and is a crucial reminder to take proactive steps against hepatitis, a silent threat that can lead to severe health complications.  Dr Harish K C, consultant medical gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bengaluru, and Dr Alisha Chaubal, principal consultant, hepatology, Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai, delve into expert-backed strategies to prevent hepatitis.  From ensuring safe drinking water and practicing everyday hygiene to understanding crucial vaccines and the importance...