Health

Sleep debt and night shifts increase the risk of several common infections, according to a study on Monday.  According to researchers from Norway, sleep debt, defined as the gap between sleep need and actual sleep duration, increased infection risk in a dose-dependent manner. The study, published in the journal Chronobiology International, examined the effects of sleep patterns and shift work on the immune system among 1,335 nurses from Norway. The findings showed that shift work -- particularly night shifts -- was associated with a higher risk of several infections, including the common cold. The risk of pneumonia/bronchitis was 129 per cent higher for nurses with moderate sleep debt and 288 per cent for severe sleep debt. Both sinusitis and gastrointestinal infections also showed hig...

About 75 per cent of consumers and 97 per cent of primary care providers (PCPs) in India are ready to embrace artificial intelligence (AI)-powered healthcare solutions for tasks such as disease prediction, risk assessment, and diagnosis, a new report said on Thursday. The report by, ZS -- a leading management consulting and technology solutions firm -- showed how India is on the brink of a healthcare transformation, driven by unprecedented levels of trust in AI. It highlights that over 60 per cent of Indians are open to adopting virtual care models for services ranging from routine consultations to chronic disease management -- marking a pivotal shift toward digital-first healthcare. Further, more than 63 per cent of Indians show a strong interest in using AI-powered health apps for var...

India’s elderly population is expected to reach 346 million by 2050, a new report said on Saturday.  In 2024, the senior population stood at 157 million, according to the report by the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India (CREDAI) in collaboration with KPMG. The increase to 346 million will constitute over 20.6 per cent of the country’s total population. The report highlights the rapid demographic shift in India’s senior population and the urgent need for a structured, community-driven approach to senior living. “This shift underscores the need for a more structured and inclusive approach to senior living—moving beyond traditional care homes to vibrant, community-driven environments,” said the report, launched during the 6th edition of the New India Summit in ...

Teenagers who do not get the right amount of sleep may be at an increased risk for high blood pressure or hypertension -- a common risk factor for cardiovascular diseases -- warned research on Friday. Researchers from Pennsylvania State University in the US defined insomnia as reporting difficulty falling and/or staying asleep and defined objective short sleep duration as less than 7.7 hours, based on the median total time asleep in a lab-based sleep study. The study on more than 400 teenagers in the US showed that teenagers who reported insomnia and slept less than 7.7 hours were five times more likely to have clinical hypertension than "good sleepers" (those who did not report insomnia and obtained sufficient sleep defined as 7.7 hours or more). Teenagers who slept less than 7.7 hours...

Severe bleeding -- haemorrhage -- high blood pressure disorders like preeclampsia is responsible for over one lakh pregnancy-related deaths worldwide, according to a new study, released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday. In 2020, there were an estimated 287,000 maternal deaths in total – equivalent to one death every two minutes. The study, published in the journal The Lancet Global Health, showed that haemorrhage -- mostly occurring during or following childbirth -- is responsible for nearly a third (27 per cent or 80,000) of maternal mortality, with preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders contributing to an additional 16 per cent or 50,000 deaths. Preeclampsia is a serious condition characterised by high blood pressure that can lead to haemorrhage, strokes, orga...

After days of heat and humidity, followed by a dip in temperature, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued another heatwave alert in Mumbai from March 9-11. Temperatures are also expected to soar in April. Given the rising temperature and shift in season that can bring a range of health challenges, it is essential to keep yourself hydrated and follow nutritional guidelines. Importance of hydration Ushakiran Sisodia, Chief Dietician, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, explains, “Hydration is the process of replacing water lost by the body through life processes like sweating and urination. Sometimes, vomiting and loose stool also lead to water loss.” She reveals why hydration is essential for the body: Water helps the body maintain a healthy temperature. It carries o...

There is a major shift in workplace culture as the burnout rates have dropped significantly from 35 per cent to 22 per cent, a new report said on Friday. According to a ‘Great Place To Work’ report, this change is linked to the increasing role of innovation in organisations. Companies that make innovation a part of their daily operations are not only sparking creativity but also improving employee engagement, boosting retention, and reducing stress at work. True innovation is not just about occasional brainstorming sessions or hackathons. It becomes a habit when employees are encouraged to think creatively in decision-making, teamwork, and problem-solving. Organisations that adopt a proactive approach to innovation become more adaptable and motivated, creating a culture where employees...

Israeli researchers have discovered a surprising immune defense role of the proteasome, a cellular structure known for degrading and recycling proteins.  The study, published in Nature, could inspire new strategies against antibiotic-resistant infections, Xinhua news agency reported. The study, led by the team from Weizmann Institute of Science (WIS), found that when breaking down old proteins, the proteasome constantly and regularly releases antimicrobial peptides, Xinhua news agency reported. These antimicrobial peptides are considered vital components of the body`s first line of defense as they attack and kill bacteria. Experiments showed that human cells with active proteasomes effectively controlled bacterial growth, while blocking proteasome activity allowed infections to spread,...

Makhana, a popular snacking option and a staple in Indian pantries for decades, has been in the spotlight in recent times, being hailed as a superfood due to its health benefits. During Budget 2025 session, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the formation of a special ‘Makhana Board’ in Bihar. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also revealed in a rally that he consumes makhana 300 days in a year. Given the rising demand for this global superfood, which is also referred to as fox nut or lotus seed, and an increased focus on its cultivation in India, Amreen Sheikh, Head Dietician, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, reveals why it should be a part of your diet. “Makhana is often considered a superfood because of its rich nutritional profile. It is naturally gluten-free, low in calorie...

A team of international researchers has developed a new blood test that could predict the risk of about 30 age-related conditions like lung cancer and heart disease that can appear decades later.  The blood test measures the age of different organs of the human body to predict the risk. The team including from the UK, France, and the US said the quick and easy blood test identifies whether a specific organ is ageing faster than expected -- an advance that may pave the way for personalised prevention and treatment methods. The findings based on 20 years of follow-up data revealed that a heart that aged more rapidly predicted a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, while accelerated lung ageing predisposed people to respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary d...