Health

India has the highest number of oral cancer cases among countries in South Asia, driven by increased use of smokeless tobacco products like betel quid with tobacco, gutka, khaini; and areca nut, according to a study on Wednesday.  The study led by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and published in The Lancet Oncology journal showed that India logged 83,400 of the 120,200 oral cancer cases globally caused by smokeless tobacco (chewed, sucked, inhaled, applied locally, or ingested) and areca nut (seed of the areca palm) in 2022. The consumption of areca nut (30 per cent) and betel quid with tobacco (28 per cent) were responsible for the most oral cancer cases among women, followed by gutka (21 per cent) and khaini (21 per cent). Among men, it was khaini (47 per cent),...

Consuming more caffeine, present in coffee, tea, and cocoa may improve heart health in people with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study on Wednesday.  Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke. This is both due to the disease and some treatments for them, particularly cortisone derivatives. To date, these patients were given conventional recommendations like quitting smoking, reducing cholesterol, and controlling high blood pressure, the new study published in the journal Rheumatology, added drinking caffeine to the list to boost their heart health. Researchers from Sapienza University of Rome, in Italy, suggested that caffeine, present in coffee, tea, and cocoa, actively helps end...

While silent strokes may not be fatal as a normal brain stroke, it can still affect brain health and lead to cognitive issues such as memory and attention problems, said experts on Monday.  Silent stroke, also known as silent cerebral infarction, can go undetected for years. It does not have symptoms such as sudden weakness, speech difficulties, or facial drooping. It occurs when cerebral blood flow is transiently disrupted, leading to ischemic damage without overt clinical symptoms. However, “the condition can result in subtle neurocognitive deficits, such as memory issues and difficulties with attention, and increased risk of subsequent overt strokes, which are more severe and easily recognisable,” Dr Deepak Yadav, consultant, Neurology, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, said. “Depending o...

While advances in cancer therapies have greatly improved survival rates for breast cancer, new research on Tuesday showed that common treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, may accelerate the biological ageing process in survivors.  The study led by a team from the University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences in the US suggests that the impact of breast cancer treatments on the body is more extensive than previously thought. The findings, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, showed that breast cancer survivors, regardless of the type of treatment received, had significantly increased markers of cellular ageing -- such as DNA damage response, cellular senescence, and inflammatory pathways. These ageing markers increased the risk of earl...

Older adults suffering from abnormal bleeding, fatigue, and weakness, must be assessed for scurvy -- a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, suggests a study on Monday. Detailing a case study of a 65-year-old woman with mobility issues and social isolation, the study published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) showed that scurvy, or vitamin C deficiency, is not just an 18th-century seafarers’ disease. Researchers from the University of Toronto in Canada implored clinicians to consider scurvy in patients with abnormal bleeding and nonspecific symptoms. The elderly patient visited the emergency department at a downtown Toronto hospital for leg pain and weakness, skin lesions, and discoloration. She also had several chronic health conditions. Mobility issues restricted her ...

As Navratri celebrations grip Indian streets, people are preparing to don their favourite Kediyas and Chaniya Cholis, and dance to the high-intensity beats of Gujarati music. Garba, a significant part of the festivities, boasts of a fanbase beyond geographical or cultural boundaries. Over the past few years, its scope has also extended from a festive symbol to a fitness activity. Garba fitness classes and workout tutorials including elements of the dance form are gaining prominence. This folk dance, which entails high-power steps, has several health benefits, Alpesh Rawal, a Mumbai-based Garba instructor says, “It offers a holistic combination of physical and mental wellness. It makes for a good cardio workout for weight loss. The high-energy movements such as fast-paced footwork, twirls,...

The government on Sunday observed the World Cerebral Palsy Day, with nation-wide awareness campaigns to foster an inclusive world for everyone. Under the leadership of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), the government marked the day with awareness campaigns across the nation. Various national institutes and regional centres under the Department hosted programmes to spread awareness about cerebral palsy and empower those affected by it. The World Cerebral Palsy Day serves as a platform to amplify the voices of individuals living with cerebral palsy (CP). This year`s theme, ‘#UniquelyCP’, celebrates the uniqueness of the cerebral palsy community - their interests, passions, and identities - showing that they are not solely defined by their disability. Th...

In an extremely rare case, doctors here saved a newborn with a rare and life-threatening defect in oesophagus and trachea.  The baby, diagnosed with oesophageal atresia and a tracheoesophageal fistula, soon after birth was brought to HCMCT Manipal Hospital, Dwarka. Oesophageal Atresia (EA) is a rare and serious congenital condition that affects the development of oesophagus in newborns and turns the early days of life into a critical fight for survival. In some cases, this condition is accompanied by a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), which is an abnormal connection between the oesophagus and the trachea (windpipe). This connection can cause severe complications, as it allows gastric liquids to pass into the lungs, leading to respiratory distress, infections, and other serious issues, ...

Heart disease is one of the most concerning health issues plaguing the modern world. According to World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. World Heart Day is observed on September 29 every year to raise awareness about heart health, highlighting risk factors and holistic solutions.  While tobacco and alcohol use, junk food and lack of exercise are commonly recognised risk factors of this health concern, other overlooked lifestyle habits like sitting for prolonged periods and inadequate hydration are also secretly damaging your heart.   Dr. Talha Meeran, Consultant, Advanced Cardiac Sciences and Heart Transplant, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, highlights, “In ou...

An international team of researchers on Friday said that by leveraging AI to analyse retinal images for cardiovascular risk assessment, they aim to bridge a crucial gap in early disease detection.  A recent position paper in the Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology explores the transformative potential of AI in ophthalmology. The work represents a collaboration among researchers from Penn Engineering, Penn Medicine, the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem, and Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine in Korea. With fundus photography enabling the visualisation of retina at the back of the eye, the potential of AI in providing systemic disease biomarkers is becoming a reality.  When fundus images are of sufficient quantity and quality, ...