Health

Adults in their 40s must undergo regular eye check-ups to prevent vision loss from glaucoma -- a chronic eye disease that can lead to vision loss and blindness, said an ophthalmologist at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Taking to social media platform X, Dr. Tanuj Dada, Professor of Ophthalmology and Head of Glaucoma Services at RP Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, said that early detection of glaucoma, which often presents no symptoms, is crucial. If left undetected it can lead to vision loss and blindness. “Glaucoma `silent thief of sight` can cause irreversible vision loss if left undetected. If you have no symptoms and are above 40 years of age, it is recommended that you get an eye check-up every two years,” Dada said. He explained that glaucoma or kala mo...

2025 is just few days away and several people have already set their goals for the new year. Health and fitness-centric resolutions often find a place in this list, with many looking to improve their well-being as they enter the new year. While some set specific goals based on personal health conditions, others just wish to improve their general wellness and maintain a healthy lifestyle. If you fall in the latter category, we have got you covered! In a conversation with mid-day.com, Dr Manjusha Agarwal, Senior Consultant – Internal Medicine, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, shares five simple yet essential health goals that everyone should have in 2025. Essential health goals for 2025 Keep moving daily: Staying active is the key to a healthy lifestyle. Individuals are advised to eng...

According to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023, around 17.5 per cent adult population (1 in 6 people) suffer from infertility worldwide. While the conversations around female infertility are gradually increasing, many people still don`t talk openly about male infertility because of social stigma and misconceptions. Declining sperm count is a major factor that affects male fertility. Factors affecting sperm health A lack of physical activity, unhealthy lifestyle changes, poor dietary habits, stress, environmental pollutants, addictions, among other factors, can impact sperm health. Toxic substances in the environment also play a role. Dr Ankita Kaushal, Consultant - Fertility & IVF Specialist, Motherhood Fertility & IVF, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, inf...

Cooking garlic and onions in vegetable oil at high temperatures can generate trans-fatty acids (TFA) and can prove to be detrimental to heart health, claims a study by Japanese researchers. TFAs are harmful fats that can accumulate along artery walls, restricting blood flow and increasing the risk of heart attacks. While TFAs are commonly present in processed foods, evidence suggests that they can also be created at home during cooking. Studies indicate that unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), usually considered beneficial, can undergo trans-isomerisation -- a molecular reconfiguration that transforms them into TFAs when heated at 150 degrees Celsius or higher. To explore, researchers from Meijo University assessed the role of isothiocyanates and polysulfides -- sulphur-containing compounds...

The much-anticipated 4th Edition of Jupiter Marathon Thane’25 is all set to take place on January 5 in 2025. It will start at 5:30 am from Singhania School on Pokhran Road No. 1, J.K. Gram in Thane West. The marathon will have three distance categories - 5000 m, 10 km and 21 km. Participants can register through ticketing platforms. Organised by Jupiter Hospital, this annual event brings together marathoners and fitness enthusiasts to run for a greater purpose – raising awareness about the life-saving importance of organ donation. This year’s marathon will feature a diverse group of participants, including prominent figures from Mumbai and Thane, medical professionals, members of the armed forces, police and fire officers, as well as school students and community leaders. By coming togeth...

Exercise is a cornerstone in managing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), according to a study led by an Indian-origin researcher. MASLD, previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a chronic liver disease that occurs when fat builds up in the liver in people who don`t drink much alcohol. It can affect people with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. The study, led by Hirsh D. Trivedi and team at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California, US showed that exercise can be beneficial even for patients who have progressed to cirrhosis -- severe scarring of the liver. Besides weight loss, exercise can aid in reducing liver fat, improving inflammation biomarkers, and enhancing cardiovascular health, revealed the study,...

Mumbai doctors have successfully treated Renu (name changed) to restore her jaw function after conducting a complex surgical procedure. The 36-year-old was suffering after experiencing excruciating pain and discomfort for six months due to Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ), a disorder of the hinge-like joint connecting the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull. This limited her ability to open her mouth only as wide as the slender gap of a single finger, making it difficult for her to talk and eat.   As her daily life took a big toll, Renu decided to consult Dr Tofiq Bohra, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, S. L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim - A Fortis Associate, who diagnosed her with Synovial Chondromatosis, a rare and benign condition in which bone tumors affect the joints, and counselled ...

A team of expert obstetricians and neonatologists at a Mumbai hospital have achieved a remarkable milestone by saving the life of a micro-preemie born at just 23 weeks of gestation, weighing over 600 grams. After spending more than 100 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the baby was discharged in good health, weighing 2.2 kg.  The team including Dr. Pratima Thamke, consultant- Obstetrics, Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar, Dr. Anish Pillai, lead consultant- Neonatology & Pediatrics, Dr. Sanju Sidaraddi and Dr. Amit Ghawade, Consultant- Neonatology and Pediatrics, Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar along with their team of NICU junior consultants, staff and nurses helped carry out the successful delivery. The journey started with Neha (name changed), a 37-year-old first-time mo...

Lung cancer, long known to affect smokers, is seeing a significant rise in people who do not smoke, said doctors on Monday, raising concern over the shift. According to health experts, increased exposure to air pollution as the major reason. A recent research, published in the Lancet`s eClinical Medicine Journal showed that a majority of lung cancer patients in India are non-smokers. The study noted that lung cancer cases are also manifesting in India about 10 years earlier as compared to Western countries. "India`s lung cancer demographic presents a unique and concerning picture, with a rising incidence among younger individuals and an increasing number of cases occurring in non-smokers. Traditionally, lung cancer has been strongly associated with smoking, but we are witnessing a shift...