Health News - Page 18

Delhi sees rise in ‘walking pneumonia’ cases: What is it, how is it different from pneumonia?

Delhi’s air quality has been oscillating between ‘severe’ to ‘severe-plus’ categories for the past few days. There has also been a rise in cases of ‘walking pneumonia’, a mild case of pneumonia that results in swelling of the airways and accumulation of mucus in the lungs’ air sacs. Though the condition isn’t serious, severe pollution has exacerbated its symptoms among patients

Heavy metals in Lindt: Are Swiss chocolates safe for consumption?

Renowned Swiss chocolate maker Lindt is at the centre of a controversy after it admitted that its products contains heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. This comes amid a lawsuit by US consumers after a study by an American non-profit The Consumer Reports highlighted the presence of harmful heavy metals in the chocolates

4 tourist deaths in Laos: What makes methanol poisoning so lethal?

The recent deaths of four tourists in Laos have drawn attention to the dangers of methanol poisoning. This toxic chemical, often found in counterfeit or poorly brewed alcohol, can cause severe metabolic acidosis, blindness, and even death

Why is it so difficult to lose weight? ‘Fat cells’ may be the reason

We all know how challenging it is to lose weight – countless hours of dieting and exercising. However, recent studies suggest that even after we lose weight, our fat cells could be the reason maintaining that loss is difficult. Long-term care and attention are required to prevent weight gain again

Is your diet delivering enough protein?

Protein is the foundation of health and wellbeing and is more than just a nutrient

WHO chief reportedly hospitalised with symptoms of labyrinthitis: What is this illness?

Labyrinthitis can lead to vertigo— a sensation of spinning— dizziness, nausea, and potential hearing loss

It's okay to not be okay but K-dramas are good for mental health. Here’s why

Korean shows are all the rage right now, but did you know they can improve mental health? From showing deep grief to intense happiness, they can tap into multiple emotions. Like art therapy, watching K-dramas can help deal with anxiety and depression, say experts

Get up, Stand up: How sitting at your desk all day increases heart risk

According to new research, sitting for prolonged hours could significantly raise the risk of heart disease. This is because muscles are essential for controlling blood sugar and fat levels. They need to move to perform at their best

Can the pest control in your house kill you?

A six-year-old girl and her one-year-old brother died in Tamil Nadu’s Chennai after reportedly inhaling toxic fumes from rodenticide used by a pest control service at their house. Their parents survived and are undergoing treatment at a hospital. All pesticides are toxic and can cause side effects if handled incorrectly

Why measles cases have risen by 20% across the world

According to a study, about 10 million people caught measles last year, a 20 per cent rise compared to 2022. A decline in vaccination coverage is the primary reason for this surge. The WHO and US CDC has also cautioned that the target of eliminating measles as an endemic threat by 2030 is ‘under threat’

Doctor Explains | Diabetes risk growing in India, the good news is it's preventable — here's how

Even as India tops the world in diabetes with 26% of all cases, it does not have to this way. Type-2 diabetes is preventable and manageable with lifestyle changes and medical interventions.

World Diabetes Day: How India became the world’s ‘capital of untreated diabetics’

It is a double whammy for India. A recent study published in The Lancet has found that the country had the highest number of diabetics in 2022. Another alarming revelation is that it also accounted for the most cases of untreated diabetes globally

800 mn people living with diabetes, rates double in 30 years: Study in Lancet

The groundbreaking international study found that the rates of diabetes in adults doubled from about 7 per cent to about 14 per cent from 1990 to 2022

World Diabetes Day 2024: How urban diets and artificial sweeteners are raising global diabetes risk

World Diabetes Day 2024: On World Diabetes Day, learn about diabetes symptoms, prevention strategies and the need for proactive lifestyle changes. Factors such as poor dietary habits, a heavy reliance on processed foods and misconceptions surrounding artificial sweeteners significantly contribute to the increasing global diabetes rates.

High levels of lead found in turmeric: Is the spice in your food toxic?

A recent study has revealed concerning levels of lead in turmeric samples from India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, with some samples exceeding 1,000 micrograms per gram. The highest contamination was found in polished turmeric roots. So, should you be worried about the turmeric used in your food?

UK NHS rolls out a new 'stop-smoking' pill: Could this be the game-changer smokers need?

The NHS in England is launching Varenicline, a once-daily pill designed to help smokers quit by reducing nicotine cravings and easing withdrawal symptoms. Expected to assist over 85,000 smokers annually, the medication could prevent around 9,500 smoking-related deaths over the next five years

Aryan to Anaya: What is hormone replacement therapy that Sanjay Bangar's child underwent?

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar’s son Aryan Bangar, now Anaya Bangar, has come out as a transgender woman after a gender transition procedure called hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). The medical treatment is used to replace hormones when the body is unable to produce enough of them

Love in genetics: Why young couples are going for pre-wedding screening

Genetic screening is crucial in identifying potential genetic disorders, enabling couples to make informed decisions about their future. It includes testing for diseases like sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and cystic fibrosis.

Do you forget easily? Here's why the slip from memory might be good for you

We may forget information for a host of reasons and blame our memory in a go. However, scientists have found that forgetting actually helps people to prioritise important information, and create opportunities to form new ones

Doctor Explains | Loneliness now a mental health epidemic, needs to be tackled to avert social disaster

Loneliness is now a mental health epidemic and is pushing young adults, particularly young men, towards extremism and anti-social behaviour that needs to be tackled urgently to avert a social disaster in the making

What is 'petticoat cancer' that doctors are warning Indian women against?

Doctors warned that saree underskirts or petticoats tied around the waist tightly for a long time can lead to skin disorders and even a rare form of cancer dubbed ‘petticoat cancer' or 'saree cancer'. Research published in BMJ Case Reports highlighted this lesser-known condition after several women who wore sarees for decades were diagnosed

Why you should avoid giving your child sugar in the first 1,000 days

A recent study has found that reducing sugar intake during a child’s first 1,000 days – from conception to age two – could lower their risk of chronic conditions later in life. Early exposure to sugar may impact metabolism and affect how the body processes food over a lifetime

Mumma mayo! Why has Telangana banned mayonnaise?

The Telangana Commissioner of Food Safety issued an order on Wednesday, immediately prohibiting the production, storage, and sale of raw egg-based mayonnaise for a year. This urgent move comes on the heels of troubling reports from Hyderabad, where a spate of food poisoning cases – including one death and several hospitalisations – were linked to mayonnaise used in popular street foods

National Ayurveda Day: How Bamboo charcoal act as natural shield against pollution

Bamboo charcoal, often called "black diamond" for its detoxifying properties, is revolutionising skincare by addressing concerns like dehydration, inflammation, and pigmentation linked to air pollution.

Woman becomes ‘stiff wooden person’ after getting scolded at work: What is catatonic stupor?

A woman named Li suffered from a severe psychological breakdown after she got scolded at her workplace in China. The emotional trauma took a toll on Li's mental health and she suffered from a disorder called catatonic stupor. As her condition worsened, Li became a 'stiff wooden person' who didn't eat, drink, or move; she even needed a reminder to use the bathroom from her family

All about U-WIN, India's new online vaccine portal for pregnant women, children

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled U-WIN, an online platform to record vaccines given to pregnant women and children. The digital platform is expected to expand vaccine coverage and streamline the entire vaccine administration process in India. U-WIN is expected to become the world's largest immunisation registry

Daylight saving time is ending in US: Here's how it affects health and how to prepare for it

Daylight saving time ends in the US on November 3, Sunday, at 2 am, when clocks will roll back by one hour. This will give people an extra hour of sleep. However, shifting the clock can also have a serious impact on sleep patterns

Why men must be aware of breast cancer risks

The signs of male breast cancer can closely resemble those seen in women

Does poor sleep make your brain age faster?

A new study has found poor sleep quality in early middle age could also be linked to signs of faster brain ageing later in life. The research is significant as accelerated brain ageing is associated with cognitive decline, memory issues and an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia

Doctor explains: Why women face double the risk of osteoporosis compared to men

Osteoporosis, often referred to as a silent disease, poses a significant public health concern due to its insidious onset and potential for catastrophic outcomes. Firstpost brings out a doctor’s view on how to deal with it and live a healthier life.