Page 10 - Barkha Mathur

Falls after 65 can be deadlier than heart attacks, doctors warn: Here's why

Doctors warn that falls after 65 can trigger fractures, immobility, and fear, accelerating long-term disability and dependence, and leaving older adults struggling to regain confidence and function

Ageing and insomnia: Why older adults sleep worse and what actually helps

From early awakenings to lighter sleep, ageing changes how we rest. A neurologist explains when disturbed sleep is normal, when it points to disease, and what to do to rest better

Why gallstones, hernias and appendicitis are filling operation theatres today

Gallstones, hernias and appendicitis are turning up earlier than before. Doctors explain how sedentary lives, processed diets and weight gain are driving more surgical cases

Budget 2026: Doctors, hospitals lay out India's healthcare spending wishlist

As Union Budget 2026 approaches, healthcare leaders spell out priorities to curb preventable disease, cut out-of-pocket costs, and strengthen India's health system at scale

Confused about weight loss? Endocrinologist explains where to start right

Endocrinologist explains how to build a realistic weight-loss plan that can help you lose fat without regaining it

How many eggs a day is safe? Expert answers cholesterol, belly fat questions

Eggs are praised as a protein powerhouse but blamed for cholesterol. A gastroenterologist answers common questions people still ask about weight loss, liver health, and daily egg intake

Do we really have microplastics in our organs, as some studies suggest?

From brains to blood, microplastics have been reported across the human body; now researchers warn that weak methods and contamination may be distorting the evidence and fuelling unnecessary fear

How altered bile acids may influence chronic kidney disease progression

Scientists find how changes in bile acids linked to gut bacteria may signal advancing chronic kidney disease, pointing to a possible link between gut metabolism and kidney decline

How stress changes your face: What's 'cortisol face' and how to reverse it

When stress lingers, cortisol nudges the body to hold on to salt and water, redistributes fat, and stirs up inflammation

Why your takeaway coffee cup could be hidden source of microplastics intake

A new study warns that hot takeaway coffees served in plastic cups may release thousands of microplastic fragments, raising fresh questions about everyday plastic exposure

Your shoes may be damaging your knees and back more than you realise daily

From barefoot trends to cushioned trainers, doctor explains how footwear affects your knees, hips and spine, and what kind of shoes actually reduce joint wear over time

Budget 2026: With under 2% of GDP, India's health spending lags global norms

India's public health spending remains below 2% of GDP, far lower than global standards and middle-income peers. As disease burdens rise, experts ask if underfunding health is now an economic risk

India's diabetes burden hits 90 million as lifestyle shifts reshape health

India now has 90 million adults living with diabetes, second only to China. The IDF Diabetes Atlas warns the burden will rise sharply with ageing, urbanisation and lifestyle change

Want to catch up on sleep over the weekend? Science says it may not work

Extra weekend sleep can ease fatigue and briefly sharpen alertness, but it cannot reverse deeper health effects of chronic sleep deprivation or fix long-term sleep debt, says a doctor

Teens who sleep more on weekends show lower depression symptoms: Study

A US study suggests teens and young adults who sleep longer on weekends to make up for weekday sleep loss may have

Mosquitoes are biting humans more as wildlife fades, study from Brazil finds

A Brazilian study finds mosquitoes in fragmented Atlantic Forest habitats are feeding more on humans as wildlife declines, raising concerns that mosquito-borne diseases may become harder to control

Is your pet your therapy? Doctors explain how dogs and cats change stress

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

What happens when you drink tea with your daily meals? Doctor explains

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 concert or match or cold? Here's how to recover

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

Is addiction a choice or a disease? Doctor explains the brain shift

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