Health

According to a report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023, around 17.5 per cent adult population (1 in 6 people) suffer from infertility worldwide. While the conversations around female infertility are gradually increasing, many people still don`t talk openly about male infertility because of social stigma and misconceptions. Declining sperm count is a major factor that affects male fertility. Factors affecting sperm health A lack of physical activity, unhealthy lifestyle changes, poor dietary habits, stress, environmental pollutants, addictions, among other factors, can impact sperm health. Toxic substances in the environment also play a role. Dr Ankita Kaushal, Consultant - Fertility & IVF Specialist, Motherhood Fertility & IVF, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, inf...

Cooking garlic and onions in vegetable oil at high temperatures can generate trans-fatty acids (TFA) and can prove to be detrimental to heart health, claims a study by Japanese researchers. TFAs are harmful fats that can accumulate along artery walls, restricting blood flow and increasing the risk of heart attacks. While TFAs are commonly present in processed foods, evidence suggests that they can also be created at home during cooking. Studies indicate that unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), usually considered beneficial, can undergo trans-isomerisation -- a molecular reconfiguration that transforms them into TFAs when heated at 150 degrees Celsius or higher. To explore, researchers from Meijo University assessed the role of isothiocyanates and polysulfides -- sulphur-containing compounds...

The much-anticipated 4th Edition of Jupiter Marathon Thane’25 is all set to take place on January 5 in 2025. It will start at 5:30 am from Singhania School on Pokhran Road No. 1, J.K. Gram in Thane West. The marathon will have three distance categories - 5000 m, 10 km and 21 km. Participants can register through ticketing platforms. Organised by Jupiter Hospital, this annual event brings together marathoners and fitness enthusiasts to run for a greater purpose – raising awareness about the life-saving importance of organ donation. This year’s marathon will feature a diverse group of participants, including prominent figures from Mumbai and Thane, medical professionals, members of the armed forces, police and fire officers, as well as school students and community leaders. By coming togeth...

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...