Health News - Page 27

Less sugar, more millets, pulses, some meat: What the ideal Indian diet should look like

After 13 years, ICMR, India’s apex health research body, has released a new set of dietary guidelines. It has recommended limiting the consumption of cereals and increasing the intake of pulses, meat, poultry, and fish. Ultra-processed foods like chips should be avoided and artificial protein powders are a no-no

How olive oil can help lower the risk of dementia-related deaths

Choosing olive oil, which is a natural product, instead of fats is a healthy choice. According to new research, about a teaspoon of olive oil a day is linked with lowering the risk of dementia-related death by 28 per cent

Are your cars giving you cancer?

According to a new study, flame retardants, which are known or suspected of causing cancer, may be in the air inside our cars. These chemicals are added to materials to either stop flames from starting or to slow their spread. They are found in the foam of your car seats

Why has India been dubbed the ‘cancer capital of the world?’

A new study by Apollo Hospitals showed India sees around 10 lakh new cancer cases every year. Experts blame a variety of issues including unhealthy diet, pollution, and poor lifestyle choices. They say screening is a vital tool to fight cancer and advise the public not to put off getting regular check-ups and medical attention

Quicksplained: Kerala on alert for West Nile fever. What are its symptoms?

Multiple cases of West Nile fever were detected in Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Thrissur districts. What is this dengue-like illness making a resurgence in the southern state?

World's first patient begins sickle cell gene therapy treatment: What is it?

Doctors in the US spent hours removing stem cells from the bone marrow of 12-year-old Kendric Cromer. These cells will be sent to a lab in New Jersey where researchers will infuse a healthy haemoglobin gene in them. Bluebird Bio, the company behind the pioneering treatment, says it can treat only 85 to 105 patients per year and that the therapy costs $3.1 million (Rs 26 crore)

World Asthma Day: How your sleeping habits affect the condition

There is a link between sleep and asthma. Sleeping too little or too much can make a difference. But can ample nighttime rest make things better?

World Asthma Day: There's a SMART Therapy. Know its benefits, risks and more

Single maintenance and reliever therapy (SMART) offers a promising solution by streamlining asthma management through a single inhaler that combines both long-term control and quick-relief medication

Ditch the Elevator: How stair climbing can help you live longer

According to a new study, the simple act of stair climbing can dramatically lower the risk of heart disease and premature death. The findings fit with a body of evidence pointing to the benefits of moderate-intensity exercise

Your brain 'compass' helps you navigate and can throw light on Parkinson's, Alzheimer's: Study

While a great deal of research has been done on the navigation skills of many different species, not as much is known about our own "neural compass." Nonetheless, comprehending this neuronal network may have significant effects on our knowledge of disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, which frequently cause impairments in orientation and navigation

5-month-old in UK suffers cardiac arrest: How common is this heart ailment in children?

A five-month-old boy from the UK is in critical condition in a hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest at a theme park. This has put the spotlight on heart ailments among the young. How prone are children and toddlers to cardiovascular diseases?

How many hours should you stand in a day? And how much time should you sit?

Mounting evidence now suggests how you spend your day can have meaningful ramifications for your health. According to a new study, interrupting sitting regularly with light-physical activity (such as taking a three–five minutes walk every hour) can improve metabolism

Parent Care: Should you be burping your babies?

Parents are often advised to burp their babies after feeding them. So when a baby cries after a feed, many assume it’s because the child needs to “be burped”. However, this is not necessarily true

Is obesity raising your risk of dementia?

Obesity damages the tiny vessels supplying blood to the brain, and is a major cause of high blood pressure, diabetes and chronic inflammation, all of which have been repeatedly linked to dementia risk

Study puts productivity loss due to oral cancer in India in 2022 at USD 5.6 billion

India contributes two-thirds of the global mortality due to oral cancer and has a younger population at risk, said the study, which analysed how the disease affected 100 patients treated between 2019 and 2020 with a follow-up of 36 months.

Why the new mPox strain that is spreading in Congo is causing concern

Scientists have identified a novel variant of mPox discovered amid an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, suggesting a high transmission rate among individuals. Since January, the country has reported over 4,500 suspected cases, resulting in approximately 300 deaths. Recently, the nation has officially recognised the outbreak as a health emergency

What are 'FLiRT' variants of COVID-19 that are on rise in US?

The FLiRT variants are derived from JN.1, which caused a spike in cases at the beginning of the year. KP.2, one of the sub-variants in the new set, accounted for around 25 per cent of new sequenced cases during the two weeks ending 27 April. There is growing concern because of their potential for rapid transmission

Keep Calm & Carry On: How being angry for only 8 minutes can increase chances of a heart attack

Anger is bad for cardiovascular health; even short bursts can take a toll. New research has found that being angry for a few minutes impairs the functioning of your blood vessels and can trigger heart attacks and strokes

Your brain connections 'weaken' in first half of your sleep and that's good for you: Study

Scientists explained that while awake, the connections between neurons get stronger and more complex, but if the activity continued without breaks, it would be "energetically unsustainable."

What is vitrectomy, the eye surgery AAP’s Raghav Chadha underwent in UK?

AAP leader Raghav Chadha had an eye condition, which could have possibly led to blindness. He is currently in London recovering from a major surgery called vitrectomy. We tell you all about it

High on workouts: Can marijuana make exercise more fun?

In Western countries, individuals are turning to an unexpected solution to enhance their exercise routines: cannabis. A recent study indicates that cannabis is aiding gym enthusiasts in the United States in finding motivation for their workouts

Why breast cancer screenings should start at the age of 40

Experts in the US recommend that women be screened for breast cancer every other year beginning at the age of 40. The nudge toward earlier screening is meant to address two issues: the increasing incidence of breast cancer among younger women and the higher breast cancer death rate among Black women compared to White women

Are the health benefits of moderate drinking a myth?

Recent studies have challenged the notion that moderate alcohol consumption has positive impact on health. While guidelines vary across different nations, there is an overall trend towards reducing alcohol consumption. Here's why

Get Set Go! Why you can't catch up with some runners

While some factors which might affect your running speed are controlled by genes, following a regular exercise routine and training your brain towards better techniques might help you maximise your potential and make you run faster and better

Why universal blood donations might become a reality soon

A study published this week in the journal Nature Microbiology showed that bacteria in the intestines of human beings produces certain enzymes that could convert a person’s blood group to type O. Researchers say their goal is to deal the routine lack of shortage that hospitals face when it comes to type O blood — also known as the universal blood type

Healthy lifestyle can offset life-shortening genes by 62%, add 5 years to your life: Study

According to results from multiple long-term studies, leading a healthy lifestyle can add up to five years to your life and 62% counterbalance the effects of life-shortening genes. The findings were released in the BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine publication

AstraZeneca’s Covishield causes rare blood clot-disorder TTS, admits Covid vaccine’s side effect

In a legal document submitted before the High Court of Justice, London, UK pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has admitted that its Covid vaccine, Covishield, 'can, in very rare cases, cause TTS' - Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, a clotting disorder

How vitamin D can improve immunity against cancer

Research has uncovered a potential correlation between vitamin D and enhanced immunity, marking a significant advancement in the battle against cancer. In mice, the study revealed that vitamin D promotes the proliferation of specific gut bacteria, leading to improved resistance against the disease

Now US rejects MDH over salmonella contamination: What is it, why it is dangerous?

In the last six months, a third of MDH Pvt Ltd's shipments of spice products were rejected by the US because of salmonella contamination. It is a type of bacteria that causes diarrhoea in humans. In America, over 1.35 million salmonella infections are reported each year, with 26,500 leading to hospitalisations, and 420 deaths

What is oil pulling, an Ayurvedic oral hygiene practice? Why is it a rage?

The Ayurvedic practice of ‘oil pulling’ has become popular on social media for its oral health benefits. But does it deliver? While proponents praise its potential to reduce plaque and bad breath, sceptics and limited research question its efficacy. Is it then good for your teeth?