Health

Men with cardiovascular disease risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and smoking may have brain health decline, leading to dementia, 10 years earlier than women, finds a study on Wednesday. The findings of a long-term study, published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, showed that men with cardiovascular disease risk factors can have dementia onset a decade earlier -- from their mid-50s to mid-70s -- than similarly affected women who are most susceptible from their mid-60s to mid-70s. Researchers from Imperial College London, UK found that the most vulnerable regions of the brain are those involved in processing auditory information, aspects of visual perception, emotional processing, and memory. They noted that the damaging e...

A video shared by Ministry of Railways, showcasing a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a 70-year-old conscious passenger who had suffered a heart attack has attracted criticism on social media, with medical experts pointing out that performing this procedure on a conscious person can be dangerous. CPR is a life-saving emergency procedure and given its critical nature, it becomes essential to administer it accurately at the correct time. In a conversation with mid-day.com, Dr Pradeep Kumar D, Senior Consultant – Cardiology, Manipal Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, discusses the essentials of performing CPR. When should CPR be given? When should it be stopped? Dr Pradeep: CPR should be administered to a patient who is unresponsive, not breathing spo...

Chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation forms the backbone of the treatment against cancer and there is no single magic formula against the disease, said oncologists on Monday while slamming former cricketer and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu’s recent claims of his wife being cured of the deadly disease via diet. The oncologists slammed Sidhu, a former Member of the Rajya Sabha, for “creating sensationalism” and misguiding people. In a recent press conference in Amritsar, Punjab, Sidhu described his wife, Navjot Kaur`s treatment for her breast cancer as "starving cancer by not eating dairy products and sugar". In the widely circulated video on social media, Sidhu said that his wife “consumed haldi (turmeric) and neem which helped cure her ‘incurable’ cancer. Also Read: `Unproven remedie...

The decision by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to ban the use of some antibiotics in animal food products will help curb the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), according to a new report.  In October, the FSSAI banned the use of some antibiotics used in the production of meat, meat products, milk, milk products, poultry, eggs, and aquaculture. The ban in usage of antibiotics will enhance the quality of livestock farming in India. This regulatory decision is a crucial move to safeguard public health and curb the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which renders certain bacterial infections increasingly difficult to treat with standard medications among consumers, said GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. “Being one of th...

After facing severe backlash from oncologists across the country for claiming diet can cure cancer, former cricketer and Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday informed that his wife underwent surgeries, chemotherapy, hormonal and targeted therapy, along with a strict diet plan inspired by ancient Indian Ayurveda to fight cancer. Sidhu had in a recent press conference in Amritsar, Punjab, Sidhu described his wife, Navjot Kaur`s treatment for her stage 4 breast cancer as "starving cancer by not eating dairy products and sugar". In the widely circulated video on social media, Sidhu said that his wife “consumed haldi (turmeric) and neem which helped cure her ‘incurable’ cancer. Following this, several oncologists, including from Tata Memorial Hospital and AIIMS, Delhi slammed Sidhu fo...

Prolonged standing at work had a negative impact on blood pressure and in contrast, spending more time sitting at work was associated with better BP, a new study has revealed.  The Finnish study from University of Turku, published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, suggests that activity behaviour during working hours may be more relevant to 24-hour blood pressure than recreational physical activity. “Rather than any single measurement, 24-hour blood pressure is a better indication of how blood pressure stresses the heart and blood vessels throughout the day and night,” says doctoral researcher Jooa Norha. If blood pressure is slightly high throughout the day and does not fall sufficiently even at night, blood vessels start to stiffen and the heart has to wo...

Amid poor air quality in the national capital, doctors on Friday warned that the air pollutants, besides causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues, can also lead to weight gain, contribute to rising obesity rates, and also affect hormonal health.  The air quality in Delhi-NCR on Friday morning was reported to be in the ‘very poor’ category with a thin layer of smog engulfing the region. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi`s average air quality index (AQI) at 7.15 a.m. remained at 371. In seven areas of Delhi, the AQI level remained above 400 and between 450. The AQI was 410 in Anand Vihar, 411 in Bawana, 426 in Jahangirpuri, 402 in Mundka, 410 in Nehru Nagar, 402 in Shadipur, and 413 in Wazirpur. “Air pollution can affect weight gain by altering metabolism...

Do you often wake up in the morning feeling tired? Worry not, because celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar has a few tips for you. Many people consider mornings to be the most active time of the day. Feeling energetic after waking up can not only boost mood but also set the tone for what is to follow.   Taking to Instagram, Diwekar shared a reel, revealing tips to wake up with more energy. “The only way to get more energy in the morning is to sleep better. And the only way to sleep better is to have a proper dinner. And the only way to have a proper dinner is to have it three hours prior to bedtime,” she said in the video.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Rujuta Diwekar (@rujuta.diwekar) ...

Gynaecological cancer, which originates in a woman’s reproductive system, requires early detection for accurate and timely treatment. Understanding symptoms is key to navigate the condition. It affects one of the following organs – ovaries, uterus, cervix, vulva or vagina. In a conversation with mid-day.com, Dr Surabhi Siddhartha, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Kharghar, shares five types of gynaecological cancer that every woman should be aware of. Five types of gynaecological cancer Ovarian cancer Also known as a “silent killer”, ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries in women. Dr Siddhartha informs, “It usually goes undetected until it spreads to other parts like the pelvis and abdomen.” Symptoms include: Bloating Pain in the pelvic area Inabi...

Lung cancer is significantly on the rise among non-smokers in India, and air pollution is a major contributing factor, said experts amid the continued poor air quality in the national capital.  After eight days of severe air pollution, Delhi on Thursday saw slightly improved air quality. At 7 am, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 379, placing the city in the “very poor” category. “While traditional risk factors for lung cancer include smoking cigarettes, pipes, or cigars, exposure to secondhand smoke, radon, air pollution, asbestos, and family history are the major reasons for lung cancer in non-smokers. Long-term exposure to particulate matter can trigger mutations in lung cells, leading to uncontrolled cell growth,” said Dr. Ashish Gupta, Chief of Medical Oncology, at Unique...