Health

The elderly population currently stands at about 104 million in India which is projected to rise to 319 million by 2050, calling for a unified action to address healthcare challenges, experts said on Friday.  Healthy ageing is about fostering physical, mental, and social well-being in order to enable people to live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives. Experts said that the government has been addressing this subject through laudable initiatives but over the years, major issues around elderly healthcare have emerged. “In order to enable older persons to preserve their independence, remain active, and participate completely in their communities throughout their lives, supporting surroundings and policies are needed,” said Anil Rajput, Chairperson, Assocham National Council on CSR, which i...

Not only skin and eye infections but cases of allergic cough and cold cases are also rising among adults aged 30-65 due to air pollution. This surge, attributed to the city`s worsening air pollution and winter smog, has left experts grappling with an influx of patients seeking relief from persistent allergic coughs and colds that are triggered by an overreaction of the immune system because of environmental irritants. Experts advised to stay indoors when the air quality is poor in the area, wear masks, and use a purifier at home. As the air quality in Mumbai is deteriorating day by day, the increased air pollution is creating havoc on one’s respiratory health. Dr Nimit Nagda, general physician at Zynova Shalby Hospital in Ghatkopar said, “The spike in cases of allergic cough and cold in ad...

Low in calories and packed with essential vitamins and minerals, mushrooms make for an excellent addition to your diet and according to new research, eating just five small mushrooms a day could help combat a range of diseases, including heart disease, cancer and dementia.  This is due to two key antioxidants — ergothioneine and glutathione. These substances play a significant role in neutralising damaging `free radicals`, which are implicated in a variety of severe diseases, according to researchers. “What we found is that, without a doubt, mushrooms are highest dietary source of these two antioxidants taken together, and that some types are really packed with both of them,” said Robert Beelman, director at the Penn State Centre for Plant and Mushroom Products for Health in the US. Por...

In a remarkable achievement, a team led by Dr Megraj Ingle in Mumbai, has successfully treated a 61-year-old man suffering from a rare and complex swallowing disorder, Achalasia.  The patient, who had been struggling with severe difficulty swallowing for two years, found relief through an innovative treatment approach. This successful treatment not only brought immense relief to the patient but also improved his overall health. Two years ago, Suhas R. Mungaker, a resident of Mumbai experienced hiccups while eating which he initially dismissed as something everyone goes through. As time passed, he started to feel a sensation of gagging and the impression that food was getting stuck in his throat. To alleviate this, he would drink water and then attempt to eat again after a brief pause. Ev...

The traditional medicinal plant Subabul may help manage insulin resistance related to type 2 diabetes, according to research from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology.  Subabul or Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit is a fast-growing leguminous tree commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions.  The plant`s leaves and immature seeds are eaten in the form of soups or salads, both raw and cooked. It is a rich source of protein and fibre. It has been traditionally used in human and animal food by different ethnic communities. The team examined the therapeutic potential of the seedpods from Subabul in managing insulin resistance, which occurs when cells in the body don`t respond...

An Australian-led international research has found that over 1.5 million deaths globally every year were linked to the health impacts of air pollution caused by landscape fires.  According to the research published on Thursday by Monash University in Melbourne, 1.53 million deaths per year between 2000 and 2019 were attributable to wildfire-sourced air pollution, Xinhua news agency reported. The study found that over 90 per cent of all deaths attributable to landscape fire-sourced air pollution occurred in low and middle-income countries -- particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, southeast, south and east Asia. It was a comprehensive assessment of the health risks associated with air pollution from landscape fires, involving researchers from universities around the world. Of the 1.53 milli...

Even as snakebites are raising public health concerns, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has declared snakebite cases and deaths a “notifiable disease” in India.  As per data from the Ministry, around 50,000 deaths in India occur due to an estimated 3-4 million snakebites annually. This accounts for half of all snakebite deaths globally. However, the cases are grossly underreported. “Snakebites are an issue of public health concern and in certain cases, they cause mortality, morbidity, and disability. Farmers, tribal population, etc. are at higher risk,” said Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, in a letter, addressed to the Secretaries of Health of all States and Union Territories (UTs). “You are requested to make snakebite cases and deaths a ‘Notifiable Dise...

Early diagnosis and treatment can help 70 per cent of patients with epilepsy -- a chronic neurological condition -- to lead normal lives, said health experts here on Monday.  The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that epilepsy affects nearly 50 million people worldwide. “India contributes to 10-12 million people, over one per cent of the total population and nearly one-sixth of the global burden. The prevalence in India ranges from 3.0 to 11.9 per 1,000 population. The high incidence has become a serious public health challenge for us and there is an urgent need for early diagnosis, clinical interventions, and care,” Dr. Praveen Gupta, Principal Director & Chief of Neurology, at Fortis Hospital, said. Symptoms of epilepsy include sudden numbness, body stiffness, shaking,...

US researchers have, in a study on Monday, found a link between hidden belly fat, known as visceral fat, and abnormal proteins in the brain -- hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. Visceral fat refers to the accumulation of fat around internal organs such as the liver, heart, kidneys, and the mesentery of the intestine. Unlike subcutaneous fat, which lies beneath the skin, visceral fat is metabolically active and poses greater health risks. The study, presented at the ongoing annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), showed that visceral fat can predict the risk of Alzheimer’s up to 20 years before the earliest symptoms of dementia appear. The study included 80 cognitively normal midlife individuals (average age: 49.4 years), of which about 57.5 per cent were obese...

Eating more plant-based protein than animal-based protein may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD), according to a new study on Monday.  The study, led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, showed that the risk reductions are likely driven by the replacement of red and processed meats with plant proteins and eating more legumes and nuts. “Such a dietary pattern is beneficial not just for human health but also the health of our planet," they said in the study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The study aims to pioneer the investigation of an ideal ratio of plant to animal protein and how it impacts health, specifically heart health. "The average American eats a 1:3 plant-to-animal protein rat...