Health

Engaging in mentally stimulating activities during down time, such as reading, can be beneficial for brain health, according to an Australian research. In a new study, researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA) found that some sedentary, or sitting, activities are better for cognitive function than others. The researchers assessed the 24-hour activity patterns of 397 adults aged 60 and above, and found that socially or mentally stimulating activities such as reading, playing musical instruments, crafting or talking to others are beneficial for memory and thinking abilities. Watching television or playing video games was found to be detrimental. The researchers said the findings could help reduce the risks of cognitive impairment, including from dementia. "We already kn...

Mariam Abdalla Mohamed Ali, a 17-year-old teenager from Kenya, has successfully regained her mobility and independence after undergoing a challenging hip replacement surgery at a Mumbai hospital. The procedure, performed by Dr. Safiuddin Nadwi, a renowned joint replacement surgeon, has given Mariam a new lease on life, enabling her to walk pain-free after four years of suffering due to a failed surgery in Kenya. Mariam’s troubles began after a road traffic accident four years ago, which led to bilateral femur screw fixation. Unfortunately, the surgery resulted in complications, including leg length discrepancy (LLD) and persistent limping. Her leg shortening caused uneven pressure on her hip joint, which worsened over time. Adding to her challenges, Mariam gained significant weight, putti...

In a medical achievement, a 64-year-old woman with advanced Parkinson`s disease received relief from the condition after nine years through Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Surgery in Mumbai. This procedure, performed at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, marks a novel approach for treatment of this progressive disease. Patient Sangeeta Bharwada (name changed), a resident of Bhayander was living with Parkinson’s for a long time, which posed several challenges. She experienced tremors, slowness in activities and stiffness. Gradually, she developed an imbalance and freezing gait while walking. Over time, the symptoms became difficult to manage with medication alone. Dr. Mansi Shah, Consultant Neurologist and Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Specialist at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, ...

More often than not, patients and even nurses and doctors are skipping steps that help paint an accurate portrait of someone`s blood pressure -- how someone sits and positions their arm, whether they just had a cup of joe or chitchat with their practitioner during the measurement, and other factors can produce readings that are higher or lower than normal blood pressure. "To really make a dent at improving people`s cardiovascular health, we need to screen and treat people for hypertension, but we need to do it correctly," Tammy Brady, a pediatric nephrologist at the Johns Hopkins Children`s Center in Baltimore who studies blood-pressure measurement and cardiovascular health in children and adults, told The Wall Street Journal. "Getting the right reading is important for preventing heart ...

Renowned musician Zakir Hussain, who weaved magic on tabla, passed away on Monday morning, after being admitted in a San Francisco hospital due to deteriorating health condition. As per the family statement, ‘idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis’ is stated as the cause of death. Pulmonary fibrosis, or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, is a chronic, progressive lung disease that can severely affect the respiratory functions of the body. Mid-day.com speaks to Dr Kamlesh Pandey, Consultant Chest Physician, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road and Dr Sheetal Chaurasia, Consultant – Pulmonary Medicine, Manipal Hospital, Whitefield, who explain the symptoms and causes of the disease, also stressing on why early diagnosis is essential to slow down its progression. What is pulmonary fibrosis? Pandey: Pulmonary...

Punjabi singer-actor Singga recently opened up about a deeply personal battle – a struggle with severe depression. The mental health challenges led him down a difficult path, causing him to gain significant weight, and lose touch with his physical and emotional well-being. While navigating these emotional struggles, Singga realised the need to reclaim his life. "I wasn’t myself. I didn’t feel like doing anything. I was ignoring my health and work, and every day felt like a struggle,” he expresses. “But then, one fine day, something changed. Something hit me, and I realised I needed to give myself a second life. I had to rebuild myself—not just for me but for my family, who must have been worried seeing me in that state,” he added. Sharing how physical fitness and diet played an important...

As the cold weather arrives, the risk of experiencing spine-related injuries and back problems increases. During the winter season, muscles can get tightened, which significantly reduces flexibility. This makes individuals more prone to strain and injuries throughout the season. “The cold temperature can affect your physical activity making you tempted to sleep in your blankets all day long. This can lead to a reduced range of motion, which is not good for your spine, as it may weaken the muscles that support the spine,” informs Dr Ayush Sharma, a Mumbai-based Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon. Ignoring spine-related issues as a minor inconvenience can lead to more serious complications in the future. “These injuries can not only affect your physical health but also day-to-day work. Spine issue...

As winter begins, experts are witnessing a concerning trend which is a significant increase in kidney stone cases among adults aged 25-55 This seasonal spike in kidney stone formation has raised alarms within the medical fraternity and underscores the need for increased awareness and preventive measures such as prompt hydration and timely intervention. A kidney function test regularly is recommended for patients to know about the functioning of their kidneys. The winter season not only sees an increase in joint issues, respiratory illnesses, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and skin conditions but can also contribute to the formation of kidney stones. This can be attributed to reduced water intake in winter months coupled with a physiological increase in calcium levels during the winter m...

While oat, almond, and soy milk have emerged as popular alternatives to cow’s milk, a new study showed it may be lacking in proteins and essential amino acids. Over the last decade, these plant-based beverages have also seen remarkable growth in the global market due to their environmentally-friendly approach. But extensive processing is causing chemical reactions that cut down the protein quality and, in some cases, produce cancer-causing compounds, claimed researchers from the University of Copenhagen. Lead author Professor Marianne Nissen Lund, from the varsity’s Department of Food Science said that plant-based drinks cannot “replace cow’s milk” in terms of “proper nutrition”. In the study, the team examined 10 different plant-based drinks and compared them with cow’s milk to underst...

A diet low in omega-6 and high in omega-3 fatty acids, combined with fish oil supplements, can significantly reduce the growth rate of prostate cancer cells in men with early-stage disease, claims a study. The research by the University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences offers new evidence that changes in diet can play a crucial role in slowing down the growth of cancer cells in patients who are undergoing regular monitoring of cancer but have not yet begun medical intervention. The findings, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, “suggest that something as simple as adjusting your diet could potentially slow cancer growth," said Dr. William Aronson, Professor of Urology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. The dietary changes may help “extend the time befor...