Health News - Page 10

Super-sleepers: Why can some people go on about their day on just 4 hours of sleep?

Sleeping is a necessity, which, if we do inadequately, could lead to several health risks. However, not everyone requires the same amount of bedtime each night. Some people can manage on just four to six hours of shut-eye. Scientists have now found out the reason behind their superpower

From gestational diabetes to preeclampsia: Common pregnancy complications and how to prevent them

Pregnancy is a transformative journey, but it can also bring certain health challenges that require close monitoring. Awareness of common pregnancy complications and their preventive measures can improve maternal and fetal outcomes.

Dr explains: How sleep deprivation became collateral damage in a toxic productivity culture

With sleep deprivation emerging as a silent health crisis in high-pressure work environments, Firstpost brings expert insights on how chronic lack of sleep affects physical, mental and emotional well-being and what individuals and workplaces can do to combat it.

India's asthma crisis: 34 million affected, experts call for early screening and tech-driven solutions

India reportedly has the highest asthma-related deaths in the world, accounting for nearly 46% of them. With over 34 million Indians suffering from asthma, experts called for early screening, tech-led care. Read here

After US, is South Korea having a measles outbreak? Country reports highest number of cases in 6 years

South Korea was certified measles-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2014, and maintains high childhood vaccination coverage. Despite this, it recorded 52 confirmed infections in 2025, mostly contracted by citizens who travelled overseas

Soap’s secret superpower: How did this ancient discovery revolutionise cleanliness?

From ancient Babylon to modern bathrooms, soap has shaped human hygiene for over 5,000 years. But how does it really work? Chemistry reveals that soap’s unique molecular structure allows it to break down both water-loving and water-fearing grime. More than just cleaning dirt, it also disrupts harmful microbes — explaining why your mom was right all along

Dr explains: Is your child at risk? How climate change is worsening asthma and what you can do

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that asthma affects over 260 million people globally, contributing to around 455,000 deaths annually. The burden is unevenly distributed, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) accounting for the majority of asthma-related deaths.

‘Made in India’ dengue vaccine likely to be launched next year. Here’s what we know

India may have a dengue vaccine as early as next year. Developed by Japanese major Takeda, the vaccine named ‘Qdenga’ will be rolled out in India with the help of Hyderabad-based firm Biological E (Bio E). Qdenga will offer protection against all four dengue virus serotypes and will have two doses

Mane Talk: Why humans aren’t as hairy as other mammals

Scientists note that the answer to this hairy question lies in evolution. Over hundreds of millions of years, a small handful of mammals, including humans, evolved to have less hair. This, they note, is tied to the human species and their ability to sweat

Doctor explains: How cerebral malaria can turn a mosquito bite into a life-threatening emergency

Cerebral malaria, a severe complication caused by Plasmodium falciparum, can quickly escalate from a mosquito bite to a life-threatening brain emergency. Firstpost brings out an expert’s view on how the parasite invades the brain, the early warning signs like seizures and coma and why rapid diagnosis and intensive treatment are crucial to prevent permanent neurological damage or death.

From ancient mummies to drug resistance: 10 facts about Malaria you need to know

Malaria, an ancient disease traced back to Egyptian mummies, remains a deadly global threat despite medical advancements. Unlike common perception, malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites rather than viruses or bacteria, transmitted exclusively by female Anopheles mosquitoes during blood-feeding. Firstpost brings out facts related to the disease.

World Malaria Day: Why India's fight against malaria requires more than just medicine

India has made impressive progress in its bid to eliminate malaria. Reported cases have plummeted, mortality has fallen dramatically and global health agencies have lauded the country’s public health push. But behind the numbers lies a far more complex story—one where misdiagnosis, treatment delays and neglected urban infrastructure continue to pose serious threats to the nation's malaria elimination goal.

‘High risk food’: Why Tamil Nadu has banned egg mayo

Tamil Nadu has banned the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of mayonnaise prepared from raw eggs for a year, beginning April. According to the state's food safety commissioner, food business operators use raw egg to make mayonnaise, which, if not stored properly, is a serious health hazard

Why US is planning to remove artificial food dyes from cereals, candies

The US government is preparing to phase out petroleum-derived synthetic food dyes nationwide, following the FDA's recent ban on Red Dye No. 3 due to cancer concerns. Currently, nine out of 36 FDA-approved food colourings are artificial. Studies and state-level legislation cite links between certain dyes and behavioural issues in children, prompting a bipartisan push for stricter regulation

Will Indians get blockbuster weight-loss drugs at cost of cheaper insulin?

Novo Nordisk has said it is discontinuing selling its popular, best-selling insulin brand in India and will instead promote its new, blockbuster drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. But why is the company making the move? Will Indians now lose access to cheaper insulin drugs?

How cancer takes over your brain and steals motivation

Apathy is found in almost 80 per cent of late-stage cancer patients. A new study, conducted on mice reveals that apathy is not a byproduct of physical decline in patients caused due to cancer but actually an integral part of the disease. Doctors and experts have also found a way to tackle it

Is womb transplant the next big thing for those dealing with infertility?

Until now, adoption and surrogacy were their only reproductive options for those who struggled to have children. However, a womb transplant can change this course in the coming days. While this breakthrough provides hope for many, difficult decisions will also need to be made to ensure ethical policies, cost and priority

Could increasing heat cause mental disorders?

A new study has suggested that extreme heat could cause mental disorders, including schizophrenia and depression. The research, published in Nature Climate Change, said the number of people at risk for mental and behavioural disorders (MBD) could drastically increase by 2050 due to rising temperatures from climate change

World Liver Day: How lifestyle choices and late diagnosis are fueling India’s liver cancer crisis

As India marks World Liver Day, health experts are raising concerns over the rising burden of liver cancer, a disease often linked to modern lifestyle habits and late diagnosis. Despite advances in oncology, liver cancer cases, especially hepatocellular carcinoma are climbing steadily in India. Firstpost brings out a doctor’s view to explore the reasons behind the trend, its implications and the ways to address it.

Dr Explains: It’s not just alcohol — your diet might be putting your liver at risk

World Liver Day: As modern lifestyles evolve, fatty liver disease is emerging as a quiet but growing health concern, with both drinkers and non-drinkers at risk. To shed light on this worrying shift, Firstpost brings you expert insights to explore the reasons behind the trend, why early detection is critical and how lifestyle changes can reverse damage before it’s too late.

Is a desk job increasing your risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, long linked to older adults, is now on the rise among young Indians particularly those in desk-bound jobs, posing a significant public health challenge.

Blame the calendar? How your birth month may shape your body fat

New research suggests that the month you are born in could influence your body’s health as you grow older. Scientists have found that people conceived during colder months tend to have more active brown fat, a type of fat that burns calories to keep the body warm. According to the study, those born in September, October or November may benefit from this effect

Spain goes back to school to fight obesity, to serve fruits, vegetables and fish to kids in lunches

Despite Spain’s reputation for its healthy Mediterranean diet, a 2019 study revealed that over 40 per cent of Spanish children between the ages of six and nine exceeded the recommended weight, with 17.3 per cent classified as obese

How harmful is fake paneer served in popular Indian restaurants

Recently, an influencer and YouTuber, Sarthak Sachdeva, accused Shah Rukh Khan’s wife, Gauri Khan’s swanky Mumbai restaurant, Torii, of serving ‘fake paneer.’ While the restaurant has firmly denied the allegations, the video has gone viral, stirring conversation on how Indians are unknowingly consuming high amounts of analogue paneer, also called synthetic paneer. But what exactly is fake paneer?

Genetics of hemophilia: Why mutations matter more than ever in diagnosis and treatment

Hemophilia, a rare inherited bleeding disorder, is primarily caused by mutations in specific genes that impair the body’s ability to produce clotting factors, leading to excessive bleeding and long-term complications. These mutations not only determine the severity of the disease but also shape its inheritance patterns across generations.

World Hemophilia Day: Equity in bleeding disorder care isn’t optional — it’s long overdue

According to estimates by the World Federation of Hemophilia, nearly 80% of hemophilia cases in India remain undiagnosed, highlighting a critical gap in awareness, screening and access to care.

Why it is not a good idea to take Dolo-650 like it’s ‘Cadbury Gems’

A US-based gastroenterologist has put focus on the extensive use of Dolo-650 by Indians, who he said consumed it like it is Cadbury Gems. A brand name of paracetamol, the medicine used for fever and aches, gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. But how much Dolo is too much Dolo?

20 cm racetrack, two samples & one microscopic finish line: Inside the world's first sperm race to be held in the US

Los Angeles is set to host the world's first ‘live’ sperm race on April 25. The one-of-a-kind event, hosted by Sperm Racing, a startup founded and run by teenagers, will have a racetrack that mimics the female reproductive system, fluid dynamics, chemical cues, and a synchronised start. It will take place in front of a cheering audience of 4,000 people in the Hollywood Palladium

What is the rare brain disease which causes sponge-like holes in the brain?

A total of three cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare and incurable brain condition, have been detected in Hood River County of Oregon state over the last eight months. This condition causes the brain to rapidly deteriorate, forming sponge-like holes that lead to severe neurological damage and, ultimately, death

Pfizer shelves obesity pill plan after patient suffers liver injury during clinical trial

Pfizer Inc. has said it will discontinue development of its closely watched obesity pill, danuglipron, dealing a severe blow to the company’s ambitions to compete in the rapidly growing weight-loss drug market dominated by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, according to a report