Health

Women who give birth to twin babies are two times more at risk of facing a heart problem than those with singleton births, according to a study on Monday. The research, published in the European Heart Journal, showed that the mother of twins is at higher risk of hospitalisation due to heart disease a year after birth. Notably, the risk is even higher in those who had a high blood pressure condition during pregnancy, also known as preeclampsia. The study, led by researchers from Rutgers University in the US, comes as “the rate of twin pregnancies worldwide has risen in recent decades, driven by fertility treatments and older maternal ages”. “The maternal heart works harder for twin pregnancies than for singleton pregnancies, and it takes weeks for the maternal heart to return to its pre...

As per the Indian Council of Medical Research – National Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR-NCRP), the estimated incidence of cancer cases is projected to increase from 14.61 lakhs in 2022 to 15.7 lakhs in 2025, the government had informed the Parliament in December 2023. The incidence of cancer has been steadily increasing in India over the last few decades. Addressing this challenge ahead of World Cancer Day, Dr Radheshyam Naik, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Hematologist and Bone Marrow Transplant Physician, Sammprada Hospital, Bengaluru, said, “Over the years, cancer incidence has been steadily increasing because of factors like population growth, increasing number of aging people, improved diagnostic facilities and lifestyle changes involving smoking, alcohol, bad diet, obesity and lack...

South-East Asia region is expected to witness an 85 per cent increase in the number of new Cancer cases and deaths, said the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday, ahead of World Cancer Day. Each year 4 February is commemorated as World Cancer Day. “The theme this year United by Unique is a reminder of the collective commitment against cancer,” said Saima Wazed, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia. “WHO acknowledges every patient’s unique experiences and the value of people-centered care delivered jointly by healthcare providers, families, friends, and community,” she added. In 2022, the WHO South-East Asia Region had 2.4 million new cases of cancer, including 56,000 children, and 1.5 million deaths. “Among all the WHO regions, our Region had the highest number of cancers of...

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects millions worldwide. According to the World Health Orgnization, 18 million people worldwide were living with the condition in 2019. February 2 is observed as Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day every year to raise awareness about the condition, its causes, symptoms, treatment options and more. Despite advancements in medical science, several myths about RA persist, often leading to misinformation and delayed treatment. In a conversation with mid-day.com, Dr Vaibhav Bagaria, Director - Orthopaedics, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, busts five common misconceptions about the condition. Myth 1: RA only affects the elderly. Unlike osteoarthritis, which is primarily age-related, RA can affect individuals of a...

Lifestyle choices and workplace culture are critical for the mental well-being and thus, the productivity of the people in India, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25 on Friday. Tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Survey noted that mental well-being encompasses all our mental-emotional, social, cognitive, and physical capabilities -- construed as the mind`s composite health. It noted that beyond being an economic issue, mental well-being is the ability to navigate life’s challenges and function productively. "Data suggests that mental well-being is not static; indeed, there is a myriad of factors, including workplace culture, hours spent working, and lifestyle, that influence mental well-being," the Survey said. It highlights how lifestyle, work culture...

After an electrifying opening night on January 30 that set the tone for the Jaipur Music Stage, the Jaipur Literature Festival continued its journey of soul-stirring melodies on its second day. Held at Hotel Clarks Amer, Jaipur, the three-day long Jaipur Music Stage comes to life each evening as the inspirational sessions of the day concludes. The first evening had two performances celebrating the timeless verses and songs of medieval mystics Amir Khusrau and Kabir Das. The Hazrat Amir Khusrau Project was brought to the stage by acclaimed performer Abhijit Pohankar while the baani of Kabir was musically rendered as a rock-opera by the renowned Dastaan LIVE.  The second evening featured a range of stellar performances, including one by Kamakshi Khanna, who is known for her heartfelt lyrics...

Soaking in a variety of colours and indulging in a lot of junk food and dessert during the festival, makes it important to take care of your skin post-Holi. Even if the colours are mild or harsh on your skin there are a few "Gharelu nuskhe" (home remedies) to keep your skin nourished and healthy. Here are 5 kitchen ingredients that would do wonders to your skin post-Holi by Rachika Singh, Senior Brand Manager, Clovia. Yoghurt: Yoghurt has been the best for the gut and also for the skin. It comes packed with lactic acid that is known to help dissolve dead skin cells and make way for new cells. It acts as a natural exfoliator that helps you get a natural glow by reducing acne and pimples along with blemishes. Apply yoghurt on your face and neck and massage in a circular motion. Let it stay...

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 ...