Health

Greater exposure to air pollution particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the three months before conception can raise the risk of childhood obesity to two years after birth, according to a study on Thursday. Past research has linked air pollution exposure during pregnancy to a broad range of health problems in children, including respiratory issues and a higher risk for chronic diseases such as obesity and heart problems. But, the new study by an international team of researchers from the US and China focused on the preconception period -- typically defined as the three months before a pregnancy begins. Environmental exposures during this timeframe can affect the health of sperm and eggs, which are in their final stages of growth, said the team, in the paper publ...

Slow maturing of the brain`s cortex -- that helps with self-control and decision-making -- during teenage could be a reason for developing eating disorders as a young adult, according to a new research. Disordered eating behaviours can be `restrictive` -- involving dieting and purging in which one deliberately limits food intake to control body weight and shape -- or `emotional` in response to negative emotions or urges such as binge-eating. For the study, published in the journal Nature Mental Health, the researchers led by those at King`s College London analysed MRI brain scans of almost 1,000 teenagers from England, Ireland, France and Germany, taken at ages 14 and 23 years. Genetic data and responses to questionnaires assessing the participants` well-being and eating behaviours were ...

A team of Indian doctors, including from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, has in a new study published on Wednesday, redefined obesity for the Indian population.  Traditionally Body Mass Index (BMI) was used to define obesity, but the new approach, published in a study in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology focuses on abdominal obesity, comorbid diseases. This new classification, which comes 15 years after the last definition, marks a significant step forward in addressing the unique health challenges posed by obesity in Asian Indians. The need for updated obesity guidelines stemmed from several critical factors such as the outdated BMI criteria, which relied exclusively on Body Mass Index (BMI, a ratio of weight in kg/height in meter square) for diagnosis; as w...

There is a concerning increase in endometriosis cases among women aged 20-40, according to some Mumbai doctors. The condition, which often goes undiagnosed for years, can impact women’s quality of life and fertility, if left untreated. Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, on places like the ovaries or fallopian tubes. It can cause severe pain in the pelvis and make it harder to get pregnant. According to the World Health Organization, endometriosis affects roughly 10 per cent of reproductive age women globally. Dr Swetha Lalgudi, Gynaecologist, Zynova Shalby Hospital, informs, “We are seeing a 10 per cent rise in endometriosis cases among women aged 20-40. Around 1 in 10 women per month get diagnosed with the condition....

Every year, January is celebrated as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, and largely Cervical Health Awareness Month, to highlight the importance of having a healthy cervix. While having a healthy cervix is important, Dr Nitin Gupte, who is the gynecologist at Apollo Spectra Pune, says there is more than one reason why people should not take their cervix health for granted. Maintaining good cervical health is essential for a successful pregnancy. He says, "Cervical health is important during pregnancy. The cervix is responsible for holding the baby in place until the pregnant woman goes into labour. Having a healthy cervix will help with the proper development of the baby and avoid complications, such as premature birth or miscarriage. A large number of women are unaware of the importance of...

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) said on Saturday it has developed a unique brain-computer interface-based robotic hand exoskeleton that can help in stroke rehabilitation and redefine post-stroke therapy by accelerating recovery.  The robotic hand deploys a unique closed-loop control system that actively engages the patient’s brain during therapy. It integrates three essential components: a brain-computer interface that captures EEG signals from the brain’s motor cortex to assess the patient’s intent to move, a robotic hand exoskeleton that performs therapeutic hand movements, and software that synchronizes brain signals with the exoskeleton for real-time assist-as-required force feedback, according to a IITK statement. This synchronised approach ensures continuous engag...

Shifting to balanced diets is key to combat the alarming nutrition crisis, caused by unhealthy diets, in India, said health experts. According to the latest report of the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), India is facing a health crisis, with 56.4 per cent of the total disease burden attributed to unhealthy dietary practices. Unhealthy eating habits, including the consumption of processed foods high in salt, sugar, and fats, have become alarmingly prevalent, with the proliferation of fast-food chains and the easy availability of packaged snacks. "India faces a unique and alarming nutrition crisis, with abdominal obesity being more prevalent than overall obesity. More than 50 per cent of the population suffers from diet-related disorders, incl...

Even as watching short videos or reels on social media platforms has become an integral part of the daily lives of young and middle-aged people, a new study shows that addiction to this can lead to high blood pressure. The study, conducted by researchers The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University in China, aimed to explore the correlation between the screen time spent watching short videos at bedtime and essential hypertension among young and middle-aged people. The team analysed data of 4,318 young and middle-aged people who self-reported screen time spent watching short videos at bedtime and also underwent medical examinations between January 2023 and September 2023. They found that longer screen time spent watching short videos at bedtime was associated with a higher hypertension...

Skincare expert Blossom Kochhar puts together recipes, hacks and DIYs on how to approach daily skincare routines by blending traditional Indian practices with science in her new book. "The Glow Getters Guide to Everyday Skincare" is aimed at guiding readers in achieving healthy skin through authentic, nature-based techniques. There are also a few pointers on how beauty is influenced by a balanced body, mind, and emotions. "Caring for your skin, hair, and body goes beyond mere beauty; it also has a significant impact on your health and emotions. Even the wise have said that we must look after our bodies, for this is where the divine resides," Kochhar writes in the book, published by Hay House. She says beauty is not just skin deep but holistic. "This quest for holistic beauty led me to...