Health News - Page 14

Delhi girl with rare bone disorder walks again after groundbreaking surgery

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.

Measles outbreak in US: Why a Texas community is at centre of the crisis

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

How AIIMS doctors removed 17-year-old UP boy’s ‘parasitic twin’ in rare surgery

A 17-year-old boy from Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao, who lived with the limbs of his ‘parasitic twin’, is free now. A team of doctors at AIIMS, Delhi performed a rare surgery, removing an extra set of limbs and a pelvis attached to his torso. But what is a ‘parasitic twin’?

Bird flu detected in cats in India. Can it be transmitted to humans?

India has confirmed its first H5N1 avian influenza case in domestic cats in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district. The infected felines showed high fever, appetite loss, and lethargy before dying within one to three days. Scientists are concerned about the virus mutating in mammals and the possible risk to humans

Trump administration reviews Moderna bird flu vaccine funding amid massive outbreak in US

The U.S. government awarded Moderna $590 million in January to advance the development of its bird flu vaccine

Child in Texas dies from measles, first US fatality in years

A child in Texas has died from measles, marking the first death in an outbreak that has affected over 130 individuals, the state's health department announced on Wednesday

Soil bacteria outbreak in Australia: 14 die of rare antibiotic-resistant Melioidosis in Queensland

Queensland, in northeastern Australia, experienced heavy flooding after storms dumped more than 1.5 metres (59 inches) of rain in parts of the state this month, engulfing homes, businesses and roads

12-year-old Thai girl battles for life after vaping for 2 years. Can this habit kill you?

A 12-girl-old girl from Thailand is fighting for her life in hospital after she suffered near-total lung damage after vaping for two years. Her family remained unaware of her habit until she suffered from severe breathing difficulties, vomiting, and extreme weakness and was put on a ventilator one day. How dangerous is a vape, used by many as a substitute for cigarettes?

How India’s ban on 2 painkillers is linked to the opioid crisis in West Africa

Over the weekend, Indian authorities banned the manufacturing and export of Tapentadol, Carisoprodol combination drugs, two highly addictive opioids. The action comes after an investigation revealed how these drugs were being illegally exported to parts of West Africa, namely Nigeria and Ghana, fuelling an opioid crisis

Did you know that Ozempic came from one of the most deadliest lizards?

Ozempic and its contemporaries are the new craze. But would you believe it when we say that these weight-loss drugs would be impossible without the influence of the Gila monster, one of the world’s most venomous lizards?

Another pandemic? What is HKU5-CoV-2, new Covid-like bat virus found in Wuhan?

Chinese researchers have found a new bat virus called HKU5-CoV-2, which can enter human cells using the same gateway as the highly contagious SAR-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. However, researchers say the newly discovered germ is much less capable of rapidly spreading among people than SARS-CoV-2

Busting myths: Is gluten-free food good for weight loss and diabetes?

The gluten-free food industry is booming. But if this is your option because of the trend think again. A new study shows that the perceived benefits of gluten-free products like weight control and diabetes management are exaggerated

Has India made progress in preventing suicides? 30 per cent fall in death rates from 1990 to 2021

India has seen a more than 30 per cent reduction in the suicide death rate in India from 1990 to 2021. Interestingly, it was found the suicide rates among women decreased more significantly than those among men. Globally, the study showed one person dies on average every 43 seconds by suicide

Lost the weight but struggling with loose skin? How many are opting to get rid of it

Famous YouTube star Nikocado Avocado recently underwent a ‘360 body lift’. The procedure, also known as skin removal surgery, aims at removing extra skin from the body after an individual has experienced extreme weight loss. Doctors note an increasing number of people are opting for this surgery, as more adopt weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy

Home unsafe Home: Is air pollution in your house higher than outside?

A new study suggests people may be exposed to unhealthy levels of airborne pollutants inside their homes, even if the outdoor air quality is good. This is because all houses have varying levels of particulate matter (PM) and several internal and external factors have an impact on the indoor air quality

High levels of faecal bacteria in Maha Kumbh’s Sangam waters: Is it safe to take a dip?

A recent report by the Central Pollution Control Board has revealed alarmingly high levels of faecal coliform bacteria in the Ganga waters in Prayagraj, where millions are gathering to take a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh Mela. The presence of these bacteria indicates a warning sign of possible contamination and is linked to various health issues including diarrhoea, vomiting, typhoid, and cholera

Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs. How serious is his condition?

Pope Francis is facing complex medical problems. A day after the Vatican said he has a ‘polymicrobial infection’ of his respiratory tract, he has developed pneumonia in both lungs. The 88-year-old pontiff reportedly feared that he wouldn’t make it before he was hospitalised last week

Fact Check: Are antidepressants tougher to quit than heroin, as RFK Jr claims?

US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has made several controversial claims about health, including vaccinations in the past. Now, he has said that some people find it harder to quit antidepressants than heroin. While his past remarks have sparked debate, is he right this time?

What is ‘polymicrobial respiratory tract infection’ that Pope Francis is suffering from?

Pope Francis’ hospitalisation continues as he is being treated with a ‘complex clinical’ condition, says the Vatican. He has been diagnosed with a ‘polymicrobial infection’ of his respiratory tract. What is this illness?

Can noise-cancelling headphones damage your brain?

According to audiologists, the prolonged use of noise-cancelling headphones can increase the risk of hearing issues triggered by the brain, such as auditory processing disorder (APD), affect listening skills and make it difficult for people to communicate in social settings

You are what you eat: How some foods and medicines can alter your skin colour... forever

Our skin can take unexpected colours when exposed to excessive amounts of some foods and medicines. A condition known as argyria causes this to happen. In this, silver particles accumulate in the body. These silver ions circulate in the body and become embedded in the deep skin layer and, when exposed to sunlight they turn into metallic silver or related compounds. As a result, affected lighter skins adopt a bluish or greyish tinge

Love takeout food? How its plastic packaging can give your heart a hard time

A shocking study conducted by Chinese researchers, suggests that regularly eating from plastic takeout containers might significantly increase the risk of congestive heart failure. They found that plastic exposure can disrupt the gut microbiome—the collection of microorganisms that inhabit the human gut—and impact the circulatory system which can lead to heart problems

WHO wants cigarette-style cancer warnings on alcohol bottles

Alcohol consumption has been linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer. WHO classifies alcoholic beverages as Group 1 carcinogens, indicating sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans

How a cheap blood test may soon detect one of the deadliest cancers

Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) have developed a blood test called PAC-MANN, to detect pancreatic cancer. The study is significant since this type of cancer is one of the deadliest and was responsible for more than 50,000 deaths last year

Can weight-loss drug Ozempic help reduce alcohol consumption?

A new study published in the JAMA Psychiatry gives the strongest evidence that semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic and the weight-loss drug Wegovy — could genuinely help individuals struggling with alcohol addiction drink less and crave alcohol less frequently. The study is the first-ever controlled trial examining the drug’s impact on alcohol consumption

Why doctors are warning against the use of menstrual cups

Doctors have urged women to ensure that they position menstrual cups correctly after one woman developed kidney complications. This warning comes as a study revealed how a 30-year-old woman was diagnosed with uterohydronephrosis — a swollen kidney caused by blocked urine flow into the bladder — owing to the misplacement of the cup

India screens 146 mn women for breast cancer; health minister says 57,000 diagnosed, 50,000 receiving treatment

The National NCD Portal was rolled out by the government in 2018 under NP-NCD for non communicable diseases (NCDs) screening and management and ensuring continuum of care for five common NCDs, including breast and cervical cancer

What is Camp Hill, never-before-seen virus that could ‘threaten all of mankind’?

A new virus is raising alarm in America’s Alabama. The Camp Hill virus, a close relative of the henipavirus family, has been found in northern short-tailed shrews (Blarina brevicauda) and there is fear about possible human transmission. Here's why experts say it could be deadly

New study: Switching salt with alternative can reduce risk of recurring stroke by 14%

Previous studies have shown that lowering sodium intake and supplementing potassium independently reduce one’s blood pressure and potentially cardiovascular risks, including stroke

World Cancer Day | India’s daycare cancer centres: A bold vision but can execution keep pace?

With the introduction of 200 daycare cancer centers, advanced diagnostics, improved access to treatment, and a people-centered approach, India is making significant strides in cancer care. However, experts advocate the success of these initiatives depends on execution, community participation and continued investment in research and innovation.