Health News - Page 22

‘Fountain of Youth’: Can Ozempic, the weight-loss drug, help slow ageing?

Ozempic, a drug originally developed to manage Type 2 diabetes, has garnered widespread attention for its impressive weight-loss benefits. However, multiple researchers suggest that the so-called 'miracle' drug could slow down ageing and offer 'far-reaching benefits' beyond what was imagined

Polio has made a comeback in war-torn Gaza. Here’s what we know so far

The polio infection detected and subsequent partial paralysis of a 10-month-old infant in Gaza has left health authorities scrambling to contain its spread. Israel and Hamas have now agreed to three-day pauses in fighting in each of Gaza's three zones to allow thousands of UN workers to administer vaccines

What is listeria that has forced a US company to recall 7 million pounds of meat?

US popular food brand Boar's Head has recalled more than seven million pounds of its deli meats owing to the presence of listeria in their samples. Here's what we know about this bacteria

Lancet study reveals widespread deficiencies in iron, calcium and folate among Indians

A study published in The Lancet Global Health reveals that people of all ages in India, regardless of gender, are consuming insufficient amounts of essential micronutrients such as iron, calcium, and folate, which are crucial for maintaining health

What is EEE, the deadly mosquito-borne virus that is raging in the US?

A mosquito-borne virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), has been on the rise in the US. The disease has caused one death in New Hampshire and has also been identified in humans in four other states. The CDC reports that while Triple E is extremely rare, about 30 per cent of those infected with it die

EEE, West Nile, malaria: How different are the mosquito-borne diseases on the rise in the US?

People in Massachusetts are warned to stay indoors when mosquitoes are most active after a rare case of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) was discovered. This comes after Dr Anthony Fauci, the former top infectious disease expert, was hospitalised recently after he came down with West Nile virus. Dengue and malaria cases have also seen an uptick in the country

2,137 deaths in 2024: Bharat Biotech to launch oral cholera vaccine amid global shortage

India's Bharat Biotech said on Tuesday its oral cholera vaccine cleared a latestage trial and that it plans a global launch, aiming to make up to 200 million doses a year amid an expanding outbreak of the disease and treatment shortages.

India has developed its own mpox RT-PCR testing kits. Here’s why this matters

Amid the rapid spread of a new and deadly mpox strain across the globe, India has developed two testing kits for the virus. The ‘Made in India’ tests have been okayed by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Oral cancer: A silent culprit taking its toll on India

Preventing oral cancer requires awareness, regulation of tobacco usage and educating children

Understanding cervical cancer: Prevention, symptoms, and treatment – a comprehensive guide to saving lives

The treatment options available for cervical cancer include surgery, radiation therapy and systemic therapy

Explained: The health insights your nose can provide

Although the human brain works hard to stop the nose from interfering with the line of vision, one’s snout is not something to ignore. Like many other parts of body, examining the nose can help diagnose external skin conditions – and internal diseases

Not child's play: How safe are baby foods in US supermarkets?

According to a new study, up to two-thirds of baby foods sold in grocery stores in the United States are harmful. Baby food pouches were also among the unhealthiest goods evaluated, with fewer than seven per cent of them meeting recommended daily intakes for sugar. The study discovered improper marketing techniques when looking at food packaging

PM Modi presents Ukraine with revolutionary BHISHM cube: What makes it a game-changer?

During his landmark visit to Kyiv, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented the BHISHM Cube, a state-of-the-art mobile hospital designed for rapid deployment in disaster zones. This advanced unit, capable of treating up to 200 casualties, integrates AI and real-time monitoring, ensuring swift and effective medical response

Is your love for meat putting you at risk of diabetes?

Recent studies link regular consumption of red and processed meats to a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes. Research highlights that even small daily servings can significantly increase this risk, urging a shift toward plant-based diets to improve long-term health. How much meat is too much?

How AI and personalised health records are transforming healthcare management

AI and personalised health records are transforming contemporary healthcare practices

Excessive screen time can cause ‘digital dementia’. What is this condition?

While digital dementia is not officially recognised as a diagnosable condition, some experts use the term to describe cognitive changes associated with technology overuse. Multiple studies have found that increased screen time has detrimental effects on social and emotional growth, including, sleep disorders, and mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and ability to interpret emotions

Mpox outbreak: Why has the world reacted so slowly?

A new and possibly more infectious strain of mpox was first detected in a mining town in eastern Congo earlier this year. The central African nation has seen 96 per cent of the world’s roughly 17,000 recorded cases of mpox this year – and yet does not have a single vaccine. Experts say the current crisis has its origins in the 2022 emergency when few doses were made available to Africa

Man with no travel history is first mpox case in Philippines since December

What was concerning was the fact that the Department of Health (DOH) mentioned that the Filipino man who was diagnosed with the virus had no travel history outside the country

Is it safe for children to lift weights? Does it stunt growth?

Lifting weights is an example of resistance training and experts note that there is no evidence a supervised resistance training program stunts kids’ growth or damages growth plates

In Graphics | A simple guide to understanding mpox

The World Health Organization has declared the spread of mpox a global health hazard and has warned that the virus might ultimately cross international borders. On Friday, Sweden announced that it had recorded its first case amid scientists being concerned about the spread of a new version of the disease. Let's take a closer look

What is ‘slapped cheek virus’, the contagious disease on the rise in the US?

Parvovirus B19, known for its distinctive ‘slapped-cheek’ rash, is currently on the rise in the US, warned the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. As of June, about 10 per cent of the US population — and 40 per cent of children aged between 5 and 9 — had antibodies suggesting that they were recently infected

Bridging the gap: Critical role of healthcare education and skilling in India

Technological innovations like telemedicine, connected medical equipment, and AI-assisted decision-making are driving the need for a workforce that is resilient, adaptable, and capable of providing the best care possible to individuals in need

From Africa to Sweden and now Pakistan, how mpox is spreading across the globe

A day after the World Health Organization declared mpox to be a global health emergency, medical officials confirmed a case in Sweden, a first outside of Africa. Three other cases have also been recorded in Pakistan. Is it time for us to be concerned?

YouTuber stays awake for almost 250 hours. What sleep deprivation can do to the body

Content creator Norme was over 250 hours into his ‘no sleep’ attempt when YouTube removed his live stream. This was 12 hours before he was supposed to reach his goal. The content was brought down after the Irish-Australian influencer started showing serious signs of sleep deprivation, like passing out, hallucinating and being incoherent

Bridging the trust gap: Dispelling Ayurveda myths among youth on International Youth Day

Educational campaigns aimed at dispelling misconceptions about Ayurveda, particularly among younger audiences, could benefit from scientific validation

Doctor explains: Why newborn screening is crucial after Kerala reports rare vaccine-derived polio case

As India continues to rely on oral polio vaccines in its fight against polio, a recent case of vaccine-derived poliovirus transmission in Kerala highlights the urgent need for newborn screening for immune deficiencies and targeted public health guidelines to prevent similar cases. To understand the implications of this rare but concerning event, Firstpost brings out a doctor's view on the topic

Gen X and millennials at greater risk of cancer than older generations. Here’s why

A new study, led by the American Cancer Society, has found that Gen X and millennials are at a heightened risk to 17 types of cancer, such as small intestine cancer, kidney cancer and pancreatic cancer. Researchers say a combination of factors, including obesity and a sedentary lifestyle could be the reason

Your microwave is full of bacteria. Does it make it a health hazard?

A study revealed that there is a surprising array of bacteria present in our microwaves. Out of the 747 different bacterial genera identified in microwaves, Klebsiella, Enterococcus, and Aeromonas, could potentially pose health risks to humans. These resilient microbes have adapted to the microwave's extreme temperature fluctuations, radiation, and dryness, challenging the common belief that microwaves are bacteria-proof

What 'unbelievable demand' for weight-loss drugs adds up to for maker Lilly

Drugmaker Eli Lilly has raised its 2024 profit forecast and said sales of Zepbound crossed $1 billion for the first time in a quarter since its launch in late 2023

WHO warned against it but Indian study finds sucralose safe for diabetic people in small doses

Conducted in Chennai, the study focuses on the impact of artificial sweetener sucralose to measure its impact on body weight, BMI, and waist circumference. The study found no adverse impact on glycemic markers