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Barkha Mathur leads health coverage for the Business Standard website. She reports on the intersection of medicine, policy, and health science, with a focus on stories that impact readers’ physical and mental well-being. When not tracking the latest developments in health, she’s often reading medical research or listening to hip-hop.
Barkha Mathur leads health coverage for the Business Standard website. She reports on the intersection of medicine, policy, and health science, with a focus on stories that impact readers’ physical and mental well-being. When not tracking the latest developments in health, she’s often reading medical research or listening to hip-hop.
From stress and salt to medicines, age and alcohol, an internal medicine specialist explains why blood pressure myths can quietly harm your health
After 35, your sleep, heart, muscles and metabolism start shifting subtly. An NHS doctor shares five simple daily habits, from morning light to strength work, that can help you age better
Sudden heart deaths in 'fit-looking' adults under 45 are often linked to silent coronary artery disease. An Apollo doctor explains why it hides, what raises risk, and what checks help
Trump endorsed Susie Wiles' "alcoholic personality" label despite being a non-drinker. Psychiatrists explain why it is not a diagnosis, and what traits the phrase points to
Electric brushes can cut plaque 10-20 per cent in trials, but timers, pressure sensors and technique matter more than price
From chalk and clay to compulsive ice chewing, pica is a recognised condition often linked to iron deficiency and other health issues. A doctor explains why these cravings happen and when to seek help
A University of Florida study using MRI and machine learning suggests sleep, optimism, stress control and social support are linked to younger-looking brains, by up to eight years in some participants
Ever recognised a face instantly but blanked on the name? A neurologist explains why names slip first, how stress and sleep affect recall, and when forgetting may signal trouble
Doctors explain why relapse can happen even years after quitting, as stress, sensory triggers and long-stored brain "reward" memories can reactivate cravings and old habit loops
A new study finds daily vitamin C-rich kiwifruit raised skin vitamin C levels, increased collagen-linked skin thickness, and sped up epidermal cell renewal over eight weeks
Cosmo Pharmaceuticals says two Phase 3 trials of topical clascoterone showed statistically significant hair regrowth with side effects similar to placebo; detailed results are still awaited
After 40, small habits start showing up in your labs, sleep and waistline; a longevity doctor explains five common mistakes to quit now to protect muscle, metabolism and long-term health
Lab-made PET bottle nanoplastics were found to weaken probiotic bacteria and trigger stress and inflammation markers in human and blood cells, raising fresh safety questions
From casual contact and mosquito bites to tattoos, pregnancy, PrEP, and treatment, specialists debunk the misconceptions that fuel stigma and delay diagnosis
Australia has issued a safety alert on GLP-1 drugs after reviewing reports of depression and suicidal thoughts; while there is no proven causal link, regulators want users to stay alert
Parliament data and an ICMR multi-city study show pollution spikes tracking a surge in Delhi breathing emergencies, with over 200,000 ER visits since 2022 and admissions rising
As 'eldest daughter syndrome' trends online, psychologists unpack the real dynamics behind it, from early caregiving and perfectionism to burnout, guilt and people-pleasing
Smoking is not just a bad habit, doctors say; it is nicotine, stress relief, routine and brain conditioning working together, which is why quitting can feel far harder than it looks
A new Nature Communications study finds brain ageing isn't linear, with key network 'turning points' at 9, 32, 66 and 83 that mark distinct phases from childhood to late life
Beyond PM2.5 and PM10, polluted air carries neurotoxic metals like lead, arsenic and cadmium that inflame the brain, disrupt energy pathways and trigger fatigue and fogginess on high-AQI days