Barkha Mathur

Pet ownership can bring comfort and calm through routine and companionship, though experts stress that emotional benefits differ widely and can sometimes come with added strain

Tea is a daily ritual for many Indians, but doctors say having it with meals may interfere with nutrient absorption and digestion. Here's what to do without giving up your tea

Lost your voice after cheering, singing or a bad cold? The instinctive whispering may worsen the damage. An ENT expert explains what helps your vocal cords heal faster

Substance use may begin as a personal choice, but repeated exposure alters brain circuits that control reward and impulse, turning use into a disease for some people

You may hide a cigarette, but the body keeps score. A doctor explains how smoking leaves subtle signs across organs long before stains, smell or a confession appear

For the first time, scientists have proposed a weekly THC limit linked to cannabis addiction risk, suggesting adults staying under about 40 mg THC a week face lower odds of dependence

From phones to chairs to shoes, according to doctors, your small daily habits and choices are reshaping your body, with effects that often surface years later as stiffness and joint pain

Here's how homeostasis, hormones and obesity drugs affect why lost weight often returns faster than expected

A state-funded cancer research project centred on cow-based remedies has triggered debate. Surgical oncologist explains what science says, what evidence is missing, and why accountability matters

Can AI search answer put your health at risk? Google has removed 'AI Overviews' from some medical searches after a report by The Guardian flagged misinformation with potentially dangerous consequences

From nerve misfiring to sleeping position, night-time leg cramps have many triggers. A doctor explains what causes them and when they need medical attention

National Youth Day: Seeing more patients who look older than their years, a doctor says modern work-life habits are quietly affecting sleep, hormones, metabolism and long-term heart health

Hot nights may be stressing ageing hearts. A new Australian study finds that bedroom temperatures above 24 degrees Celsius during sleep can disrupt heart recovery in older adults

A Harvard-led study shows even one episode of binge drinking can injure the small intestine, weaken the gut barrier and trigger immune responses that allow toxins to leak into the bloodstream

Many of us work and study with music playing in the background. A doctor explains whether it truly sharpens the brain or mainly lifts mood, motivation and emotional state

New research shows people regain weight far faster after stopping obesity drugs than after dieting, with benefits fading quickly and raising questions about how long GLP-1 medicines need to be taken

ChatGPT Health introduces a dedicated space for health queries, allowing users to link medical records and fitness apps, even as OpenAI warns it is not a substitute for medical care

Hormonal shifts across life stages mean women's nutrition needs change over time, affecting muscle, bones, heart health and metabolism, making age-specific diets a biological necessity

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: The UN says cervical cancer, though preventable, continues to claim lives worldwide due to gaps in vaccination, screening and timely treatment

A new warning from an Apollo doctor explains how dinner, alcohol, sleep, smoking and even exercise just before a lipid profile test can quietly distort cholesterol and triglyceride results