Health

Exercise is a cornerstone in managing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), according to a study led by an Indian-origin researcher. MASLD, previously known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a chronic liver disease that occurs when fat builds up in the liver in people who don`t drink much alcohol. It can affect people with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. The study, led by Hirsh D. Trivedi and team at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California, US showed that exercise can be beneficial even for patients who have progressed to cirrhosis -- severe scarring of the liver. Besides weight loss, exercise can aid in reducing liver fat, improving inflammation biomarkers, and enhancing cardiovascular health, revealed the study,...

Mumbai doctors have successfully treated Renu (name changed) to restore her jaw function after conducting a complex surgical procedure. The 36-year-old was suffering after experiencing excruciating pain and discomfort for six months due to Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ), a disorder of the hinge-like joint connecting the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull. This limited her ability to open her mouth only as wide as the slender gap of a single finger, making it difficult for her to talk and eat.   As her daily life took a big toll, Renu decided to consult Dr Tofiq Bohra, oral and maxillofacial surgeon, S. L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim - A Fortis Associate, who diagnosed her with Synovial Chondromatosis, a rare and benign condition in which bone tumors affect the joints, and counselled ...

A team of expert obstetricians and neonatologists at a Mumbai hospital have achieved a remarkable milestone by saving the life of a micro-preemie born at just 23 weeks of gestation, weighing over 600 grams. After spending more than 100 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the baby was discharged in good health, weighing 2.2 kg.  The team including Dr. Pratima Thamke, consultant- Obstetrics, Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar, Dr. Anish Pillai, lead consultant- Neonatology & Pediatrics, Dr. Sanju Sidaraddi and Dr. Amit Ghawade, Consultant- Neonatology and Pediatrics, Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar along with their team of NICU junior consultants, staff and nurses helped carry out the successful delivery. The journey started with Neha (name changed), a 37-year-old first-time mo...

Lung cancer, long known to affect smokers, is seeing a significant rise in people who do not smoke, said doctors on Monday, raising concern over the shift. According to health experts, increased exposure to air pollution as the major reason. A recent research, published in the Lancet`s eClinical Medicine Journal showed that a majority of lung cancer patients in India are non-smokers. The study noted that lung cancer cases are also manifesting in India about 10 years earlier as compared to Western countries. "India`s lung cancer demographic presents a unique and concerning picture, with a rising incidence among younger individuals and an increasing number of cases occurring in non-smokers. Traditionally, lung cancer has been strongly associated with smoking, but we are witnessing a shift...

Walking speed can be a quick, equipment-free tool for identifying metabolic health risks among people with obesity, according to a study. The study, published in the Scientific Reports journal, suggests that a faster walking pace can prevent metabolic diseases in obese people. More than helping in increasing mobility, it can also signal poor health. Past studies have suggested that a slow walking speed is correlated with the development of cardiovascular diseases and an increased risk of mortality in the elderly. The study by researchers from Doshisha University in Japan explored the connection between subjective walking speed and metabolic disease risk, particularly in individuals with obesity. The findings suggest that assessing how a person perceives their walking pace relative to pee...

Healthcare workers can enable early detection of autism by identifying red flags specific to autism during routine immunisation, said a paediatric neurologist at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Taking to social media platform X, Dr. Sheffali Gulati, Professor and faculty-in-charge at the Child Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics at AIIMS Delhi, explained what autism is and how it can be identified early. “Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by social deficits and qualitative impairment in communication, along with some fixed interests and behaviour,” Gulati said. She noted that the condition comes with “some fixed patterns of interest, and there may be sensory issues within them”. She explained how to identify autism in a baby within 2...

There is a significant rise in respiratory illnesses among children aged 6-13, with viral infections such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). flu, pneumonia, and allergy-related problems affecting both skin and respiration. There has been a notable uptick in asthma exacerbations among children. Most children are coming to the OPD with symptoms such as runny nose, decreased appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, body pain, fatigue, cough with phlegm, and sore throat. The prevention strategies include maintaining good personal hygiene, eating a nutritious diet, wearing masks, social distancing, hand sanitizing, and regular check-ups with the doctor. Parents should stay vigilant when it comes to their child’s well-being by following the proper vaccination schedule. The alarming spike in air ...

Consumption of coffee and tea can lower the risks of developing head and neck cancer, including cancers of the mouth and throat, claimed a study on Monday. Head and neck cancer is the seventh most common cancer worldwide, and rates are rising in low- and middle-income countries. The findings, based on an analysis of data from 14 studies, showed that compared with non-coffee-drinkers, individuals who drank more than 4 cups of caffeinated coffee daily had 17 per cent lower odds of having head and neck cancer overall. It also led to a 30 per cent lower risk of having cancer of the oral cavity, and 22 per cent lower odds of having throat cancer. Drinking 3-4 cups of caffeinated coffee was linked with a 41 per cent lower risk of having hypopharyngeal cancer -- a type of cancer at the bottom ...

As the winter season begins, there is an alarming rise in cases of cold, flu, and constipation. Unfortunately, cold weather, absence of exercise, dehydration due to the lack of hydration, and changes in diet are the driving factors behind surging cold, flu, and constipation cases in children aged 8-12. Doctors say parents should take utmost care of their children during winter. Children should eat a well-balanced diet inclusive of all the vital nutrients, avoid processed foods, adhere to good personal hygiene, get a flu vaccination, and stay active by exercising indoors when the weather outside is cold. Timely attention is crucial for managing these illnesses and improving the quality of life of children. The colder winter months not only invite joint or respiratory illness but even cold,...