Health

A study analysing brain scans of crew members who spent a year at an Antarctic research station has revealed changes due to exposure to isolated and extreme environments with potential impacts on physiology and cognition. The findings, published in the journal `npj Microgravity`, have implications as extended space missions are planned from around the world, researchers said. The team from the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand found an overall reduction in white matter and a reduced grey matter in brain regions known to help with memory, language and spatial awareness. Astronauts experience considerable stress in space, and understanding its effects on the brain can aid in assessing risks and building resilience, the researchers explained. They pointed out that analogue environments...

In a remarkable feat of advanced surgical care, the hospital in Kolkata has successfully performed a 10-hour-long, high-risk surgery on a 60-year-old patient diagnosed with severely advanced ovarian cancer. The patient, Rina Ganguly (name changed), had cancer that not only spread extensively in the abdominal cavity but had also reached the chest lymph nodes, making the case highly complex.  Ovarian cancer is the third most common cancer among women in India and is often referred to as a "silent killer" due to its lack of symptoms in the early stages, which frequently leads to diagnosis at an advanced stage. In such cases, performing an ultra-radical surgery to remove all visible disease is the most crucial prognostic factor in improving survival outcomes. The operation was led by Dr Arun...

If you are suffering from insomnia, performing exercises such as yoga, tai chi, walking, and jogging may help improve sleep quality, according to a study. The findings, published in the online journal BMJ Evidence Based Medicine, back the use of exercise as a primary treatment strategy for poor sleep patterns. Insomnia is characterised by difficulties falling and staying asleep, or waking up too early in the morning. It is associated with heightened risks of various mental and physical health conditions, including dementia and cardiovascular disease. Drug treatments for insomnia come with side effects, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), while effective, isn’t always available due to the shortage of trained therapists, explained the researchers from Beijing University of Chinese Me...

Hearing loss combined with the feelings of loneliness accelerates cognitive decline, leading to dementia in older adults, according to a study. Researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) in Switzerland showed that isolation, communication difficulties, reduced alertness, and hearing impairment or loss are a real challenge in daily life. The findings, published in the journal Communications Psychology, showed that hearing loss accelerates cognitive decline, particularly among individuals who feel lonely, regardless of whether they are socially isolated. ‘‘We found that people who were not socially isolated but who felt lonely saw their cognitive decline accelerate when they were deaf,’’ said Matthias Kliegel, professor in the Cognitive Ageing Laboratory in UNIGE. The team analyse...

Indians consume salt 2.2 times more than the amount recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), posing severe health risks such as hypertension, strokes, and kidney disease, among others, according to ICMR`s National Institute of Epidemiology. WHO recommends less than 5 grams per day of salt (roughly under a teaspoon) or below 2g of sodium per day. However, “the mean salt consumption per day by an Indian is 11 grams per day, which is 2.2 times more than the WHO recommendation”, the ICMR-NIE said. According to the apex research body, regular iodised salt contains 40 per cent of sodium, much higher than the WHO limit. The WHO also suggests the use of low-sodium salt to ward off the risk. “Major salt source is hidden in Indian diet and the hidden salt is fuelling a real risk,” sai...

More than 14 million children worldwide did not receive a single dose of any vaccine in 2024, according to new national immunisation coverage data released on Tuesday by the UN agencies World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. The report showed that nearly 20 million infants missed at least one dose of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP)-containing vaccine last year, threatening to unwind decades of progress. More than 30 million children also remained under-protected against measles, leading to more large or disruptive outbreaks. In 2024, the number of countries experiencing large or disruptive measles outbreaks rose sharply to 60, nearly doubling from 33 in 2022. The report blamed limited access to immunisation services, disrupted supply, conflict, and instability, or misinfo...

Amid the ongoing controversy about the so-called advisory about the ‘samosa-jalebi’ carrying cigarette packet-like health warnings, celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar has reacted to the news on social media. While there were several media reports about the claim, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Tuesday issued a fact check stating that display of `Sugar` and `Oil` boards is general advisory to make people aware of hidden fats and excess sugar in all food products, and not specifically to any particular food product.However, Diwekar reminds of an age-old health and nutrition factor that is often ignored and the need for people to pay attention to the food they consume in their every day life as it is the need of the hour.           View this post on Instagram ...

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects millions of men around the world and can significantly impact quality of life. As conversations around male sexual health become more open, the demand for effective and accessible treatments continues to grow. Among the many available options, one name has emerged as a leading contender: Kamagra. What Is Kamagra? Kamagra is an oral medication that contains sildenafil citrate—the same active ingredient found in Viagra. Originally developed as a generic alternative, Kamagra has gained widespread recognition for offering comparable results at a more affordable price point. Produced primarily by Ajanta Pharma in India, it comes in various forms, including tablets, effervescent tablets, and oral jelly. Its growing appeal isn’t solely about cost. Kamagra is o...

With the monsoon season in full swing, there has been a surge in gastric issues among both children and adults, say health experts. The rainy season is known to increase risk of certain infections like dengue, malaria, and typhoid, among others. It is also a time when the risk of contracting gastroenteritis and other gastric issues rises. Health experts are observing a surge in cases of stomach-related problems like diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain in both Mumbai and Pune. “In the last 3-4 weeks, seven out of ten children visited the OPD with abdominal distress, diarrhoea or vomiting,” reveals Dr Siddharth Madabhushi, consultant neonatologist and medical director at Ankura Hospital for Women & Children in Pune. Highlighting how children are more vulnerable to infections, he says,...

Dietary approaches like intermittent energy restriction (IER), time-restricted eating (TRE), and continuous energy restriction (CER) can all improve blood sugar levels and body weight in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes, according to a study. Although researchers identified improved HbA1c levels, and adverse events were similar across the three groups, the IER group showed greater advantages in reducing fasting blood glucose, improving insulin sensitivity, lowering triglycerides, and strengthening adherence to the dietary interventions. IER typically involves periods of reduced calorie intake. It differs from intermittent fasting (IF) as it involves periods of complete or near-complete food abstinence. The research directly compared 5:2 intermittent energy restriction with 10-hou...