Health

Babies who sleep less or have a poor quality of sleep could be at a higher risk of developing and being diagnosed with autism, according to researchers who looked at over 1000 mother-infant pairs in Australia. An increase in night-time sleep by an hour by six months of age was related with fewer autism characteristics at age two and four. Findings, published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, suggest that sleep issues in infants could be a potential indicator of autism -- a neurodevelopmental disorder, in which one displays repetitive behaviour and has impaired social skills. Researchers, including those at The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, surveyed parents about their baby`s sleep patterns at age six and 12 months. The parents then reported if they ...

Group of orthopaedic experts have raised a serious public health concern, stating the misuse of steroids and unregulated protein powders is severely damaging the hips of young gym-going individuals in their 20s. This warning came during the `Delhi Hip 360` conference held in the national capital, where orthopaedic specialists highlighted the alarming rise in cases of Avascular Necrosis (AVN) and early hip degeneration in youth, conditions traditionally seen in older adults. Dr L Tomar, the organising chairman of the conference, said, "We are observing a significant surge in hip-related complaints among young patients in recent years. Every week in my OPD, I see two to three patients under the age of 30, many in their early 20s, complaining of persistent hip pain." "Investigations often ...

Well-being of nurses is necessary to strengthen health systems, and help in the growth of the nation, said Union Health Minister J P Nadda on International Nurses Day on Monday. International Nurses Day is observed every year on May 12 to offer gratitude for their service and to promote their health and well-being. Lauding nurse`s efforts, Nadda stressed the need to increase investment in nurses and to protect and empower them. “Today, on International Nurses Day, we pay tribute to the compassion, strength, and commitment of our nurses. We recognise that the well-being of nurses is directly linked to the strength of our health systems and national growth,” Nadda said, in a post on social media platform X. “Investing in nurses means investing in healthier societies, productive communitie...

Arthritis occurs in close to 40 to 60 per cent of women across the globe and is also one of the primary causes of disability.  While the effects of arthritis not only on men but also on women are known, it affects mothers differently. Arthritis is not only a physical disease, says Dr Vaibhav Bagaria, director, Orthopaedics at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital in Girgaon but it`s one that tests the core essence of motherhood—a caretaker. Globally and in the country, Dr Ashraf Khan, consultant orthopaedic and joint replacement surgeon, Ruby Hall Clinic Wanowrie says statistics show that approximately 1 in every 4 women gets diagnosed with arthritis at some point in their lives, with close to 40&#37 of such people being women under the age of 65—most of whom are mothers and primary ...

The Ministry of Ayush on Sunday announced the launch of its Weekly Yoga Podcast, a new digital initiative produced by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY). The weekly podcast has been launched by Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Ayush on his social media platforms. This podcast aims to bring the timeless wisdom of yoga to every household, blending ancient practices with modern lifestyles. According to the ministry, the inaugural episode of the podcast, sets the tone for a transformative journey into the world of yoga. The podcast series is designed to engage listeners with insightful discussions, guided practices, and expert interviews, making yoga accessible and relatable to people of all ages and backgrounds. The launch comes...

Girls given antibiotics during their first year of life, especially in the first three months, are more likely to enter puberty at an earlier age, according to new research. The research, presented at the first Joint Congress between the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE), found that the likelihood of early puberty was also higher among those exposed to a greater variety of antibiotic classes. The findings highlight the importance of using these medicines in infants appropriately and how early-life drug exposure could shape future health outcomes. Early puberty, also known as central precocious puberty (CPP), is a condition characterised by the early onset of secondary sexual development in children. In girls this means be...

India is witnessing a steady downward trend in maternal and child mortality towards the achievement of UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 targets, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Saturday. Citing Registrar General of India’s (RGI) recently launched Sample Registration System (SRS) Report 2021, the Ministry stated that there has been a significant reduction in Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) and Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR). "India`s progress in reduction of maternal and child mortality indicators outpaces global averages,” the Ministry said. "These sustained improvements are a result of strategic interventions and the unwavering commitment of the government," it added. While the MMR declined ...

India is witnessing a significant uptick in the adoption of diagnostic radiology devices, with a major rise in accelerated adoption of AI-powered technologies and remote monitoring solutions, according to a report on Friday.  The report by 1Lattice, a tech-enabled market intelligence firm, also attributed the growth to rising disease burden, increased investment in healthcare infrastructure. It revealed that India has registered 1.48 lakh radiology devices, with Maharashtra (20,590), Tamil Nadu (15,267), and Uttar Pradesh (12,236) leading the charge. These figures reflect a broader trend toward modernisation and digitisation of diagnostic services, even beyond urban centres. “Radiology is evolving from being a hospital-based specialty to a cornerstone of primary and preventive care. Th...

An international team of researchers found that a cholesterol-lowering drug may offer a more effective and convenient way to protect people at high risk of heart attack and stroke.  The study led by researchers at Monash University in Australia tested a once-daily oral medication called Obicetrapib and found it significantly lowered both LDL or bad cholesterol and lipoprotein(a), [Lp(a)] -- two key contributors to cardiovascular disease. The findings marked an important step forward for patients who have struggled to reach their cholesterol targets with current therapies, said study lead professor Stephen Nicholls, Director of Monash University`s Victorian Heart Institute. "We know that many people at high risk of heart attack or stroke don`t get their cholesterol levels low enough, eve...

People face many health challenges every day and many times they become really severe. While the severity may differ, it is always disheartening to hear. This has changed over the years, owing to medical advances not only around the world but also in India, people are able to get treated successfully in time.  These medical cases are inspiring not only for the ones undergoing treatment but also for their families, as they navigate their lives around them. While one highlights a woman`s important journey in getting diagnosed with superficial endometriosis and `kissing ovaries`, the other highlights a child, finding a ray of hope, in his thalassemia treatment, and meeting his donor. Here are two cases from this week: Pune woman successfully treated for superficial Endometriosis and `Kissi...