With kidney disease affecting close to one-fifth of India's population, late diagnosis and limited access to treatment are turning it into a silent epidemic. Experts stress the need for early screening and better awareness.
In a breakthrough that researchers call an 'unmitigated clinical success', an artificial titanium-made heart has helped a man with heart failure get a new lease on life. The patient in his 40s survived on the device for over 100 days, before finally receiving a donor heart transplant
Glaucoma, one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide today, is a critical health issue that demands attention and awareness. Firstpost brings out an expert’s view on how to manage this condition and live a healthier life.
Researchers in China have developed a nanovaccine to prevent the buildup of plaque in arteries – atherosclerosis – that can result in blood clots, stroke and heart attacks. The vaccine was injected into mice that were fed a high-cholesterol diet. Here’s what the scientists found
A survey by LocalCircles, a citizen engagement platform, revealed that nearly 59 per cent of Indians get less than six hours of sleep each night. And for many, even that is far from uninterrupted. Contrary to popular belief, only six per cent of the over 43,000 respondents held mobile calls or messages responsible for disrupting their sleep
On October 7, 2023, Hamas gunmen attacked the Nova Music Festival in southern Israel, killing many and abducting several others. Now, research by Israeli neuroscientists suggests that some festivalgoers had taken drugs like MDMA and LSD during the incident. The study indicates this may have provided some psychological protection against trauma
Prince Frederik of Luxembourg died on March 1, 2025, at the age of 22 after a prolonged battle with POLG mitochondrial disease — a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive multi-organ failure. Diagnosed at 14, Frederik spent years advocating for research and treatment, founding The POLG Foundation in 2022 to combat the disease. There is currently no cure or effective treatment for POLG disease
US authorities have disclosed what caused the death of veteran actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, whose bodies were found at their home last month. The Hollywood star died of a heart disease, a week after his wife died of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). It is a rare illness spread through contact with rodents or their urine, feces, or saliva
Menopause describes the stage of a woman’s life when her menstrual periods stop permanently, and she can no longer get pregnant. Despite the challenges menopause presents to heart health, women can take proactive steps to mitigate risks. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and routine medical check-ups can improve cardiovascular well-being.
Glaucoma, a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve at the back of the eye, can lead to vision loss and even blindness if left untreated. Affecting millions worldwide, this condition often progresses silently, making early detection and management crucial. Firstpost explores expert insights from doctors on how to effectively deal with it and adopt lifestyle changes to protect your vision,
Ahead of Women's Day, let's talk about vaginal health. According to a new study, Bacterial vaginosis, a common yet potentially serious vaginal infection that affects nearly one in three women worldwide may be a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Here's why the research is eye-opening
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) shows that nearly 24% of women and 22.9% of men are now categorised as overweight or obese—a sharp rise compared to 2015-16 data. Experts caution that this trend, fuelled by unhealthy diets and inactive lifestyles, risks undoing decades of advancements in public health.
Researchers in the UK have discovered that swearing can boost pain tolerance by up to 32 per cent. Not only this, swearing has been linked to stronger social bonds, improved memory, and even easing the sting of rejection or exclusion. But what makes swearing the perfect painkiller?
New research found that men with higher-quality sperm are likely to live nearly three years more than those with low-quality. The large-scale study, published in the journal Human Reproduction, tracked over 78,000 Danish men for 50 years. It found that poor semen quality in men may be an early warning sign of broader health issues
Health experts are raising concerns after US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr suggested vitamin A and nutrition as measles treatments, without explicitly endorsing vaccination. With a major outbreak in Texas already claiming a life, doctors warn that promoting vitamin A as an alternative could be misleading and dangerous
During Ramzan observe spiritual fasting but this practice becomes challenging for migraine patients as dehydration along with lowering of blood sugar levels and withdrawal from caffeine and disturbed sleep patterns
Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who is running for Ohio governor's post, faced backlash online after images from an old interview showing him barefoot resurfaced on the internet. He was criticised for appearing without shoes, with some commenting about his origins. But is wearing footwear inside the house a healthy habit?
Adult obesity rates have more than doubled since 1990, while adolescent obesity has quadrupled. Among 2.5 billion overweight adults, 890 million were classified as obese, accounting for 43% and 16% of adults, respectively. The issue also affects younger populations, with 37 million children under 5 and over 390 million aged 5–19 being overweight, including 160 million living with obesity.
The images show particles extracted from postmortem human brain tissue, which were later analysed to identify their chemical composition. The duplications were initially flagged by an anonymous comment on PubPeer, a platform for post-publication peer review
According to a recent Lancet study, nearly 450 million (45 crore) Indians could be overweight or obese by 2050. This would mean, India will have the second-highest number of overweight and obese people in the world by mid-century after China. What is driving India's obesity epidemic?
As measles cases surge in Texas and other states, US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr claims such outbreaks are routine. Public health experts warn that declining vaccination rates are fuelling larger and more frequent outbreaks, with the US witnessing its first measles-related death in a decade. Is this truly 'not unusual'?
James Harrison, known in Australia as the ‘man with the golden arm,’ died at 88. His blood contained a rare antibody, Anti-D, which was used to develop a treatment for pregnant women whose blood could harm their unborn children. Over his lifetime, he made 1,173 plasma donations, helping save more than 2.4 million Australian babies
A new study suggests prolonged exposure to heat accelerates biological ageing in human beings. These effects are most noticeable in older people because they don’t sweat as much as younger people. The study is significant because heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe, raising concerns about human health
Scientists have long studied the size of our pupils to understand attention, emotion and even medical conditions. But now, new research has surprisingly revealed that they change size in sync with our breathing. Here's why this discovery is important
We brush our teeth daily to have fresh breath and avoid cavities. But how does this toothpaste affect the bacteria — the oral microbiome — in our mouths?
Earlier this week, two more cats contracted H5N1 in Washington after eating pet food from the same brand, Wild Coast Raw. One of the cats was euthanised while the other one remains in veterinary care
Health officials in Congo have reported cases of an unidentified illness called the 'crying disease' in two remote villages in Equateur province. So far, the disease has infected over 1,000 people and has claimed the lives of 60 people in the past few weeks. What is the mystery disease all about?
The Karnataka health department has found carcinogenic chemicals in idlis made by some hotels and street vendors in the state. Some use plastic sheets instead of cotton cloths to steam the staple food. The discovery has prompted the state government to implement a ban on plastic in the food industry
Neurofibromatosis type 2 is a genetic disorder that causes tumours to grow on nerves, primarily in the brain and spinal cord. Congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia is a rare condition where the tibia, the larger of the two lower leg bones, fails to heal properly, leading to a false joint (pseudoarthrosis) and often resulting in bowing and fragility.
An unvaccinated child has died as measles cases in rural West Texas continue to surge, making it the largest outbreak in the US in six years. Initially confined to a close-knit Mennonite community, the outbreak has now spread to other under-vaccinated groups. Texas Health Department spokesperson Lara Anton has cited the outbreak to the community’s ‘close-knit and under-vaccinated’ nature