)
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 sperm count and irregular periods to IVF and birth control pills, fertility doctors explain the misconceptions that add stigma, delay treatment, and fuel anxiety for couples trying to conceive
Across age groups, men continue to avoid mental health support even when they are struggling. Experts explain why this happens and what needs to change to make help accessible
Doctors say subtle shifts in bladder habits and pelvic comfort can reveal early prostate issues long before complications arise, making awareness crucial for men of all ages
Research suggests GLP-1 injections like Ozempic and Zepbound may dampen alcohol and drug cravings by lowering dopamine reward responses, but larger human trials are still underway
Kerala's sharp rise in Naegleria fowleri infections has led Karnataka to caution Sabarimala pilgrims, urging awareness of symptoms, risks, water-safety measures to prevent the highly fatal infection
A Yale study suggests GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide slow alcohol breakdown in the liver, raising blood alcohol levels even as they reduce toxic byproducts linked to inflammation and liver damage
Men face hormonal shifts that influence mood, libido, fertility, metabolism and energy, yet these imbalances often go unnoticed. Doctors explain the signs, risks, and why awareness matters
From kidney stones to chronic kidney disease, hydration helps-but only to a point. Doctors explain when water protects kidney health, when it doesn't, and why 'more' isn't always better
As Nayanthara turns 41, she reminds fans that her glow comes not from beauty trends but from a simple rule rooted in South Indian tradition: eating local, seasonal foods for skin and hair health
A global review of 66 studies across 31 countries finds adults with very low vitamin D levels face a higher risk of depression, especially when levels drop below 30 nmol/L
As air quality dips and jaggery resurfaces as a "lung cleanser", experts say the belief rests on nostalgia and old animal studies, not human science, and explain what actually helps
Using data from 30,000 adults, researchers say ultra-processed foods may alter key brain regions linked to hunger, reward and overeating, raising new questions about long-term health risks
Doctors warn that long, uninterrupted sitting may worsen blood sugar, raise inflammation and weaken diabetes management, particularly among desk-based professionals
As diabetes rises to one in six Indians and Gen Z struggles across all wellness pillars, a new study highlights how stress, inactivity and sugar-heavy diets are reshaping the nation's health
With diabetes complicating millions of pregnancies each year, the WHO outlines new global guidance on diet, monitoring and treatment to improve safety for mothers and babies
Paediatric experts say childhood high blood sugar is driven more by lifestyle than genes, sharing early signs and simple daily habits families can use to prevent long-term glucose problems
Children's Day: With social media, school messages and family comments shaping their attitudes, doctors explain how positive language can help kids build a calm, confident and guilt-free relationship
The WHO's Global Tuberculosis Report 2025 shows the first decline in cases since Covid, but warns that shrinking funding and persistent risks could undo gains against the world's deadliest infection
From masks and plants to Diwali and ACs, pulmonologists break down the myths standing in the way of clean air and better health
A Lancet review of global data shows childhood hypertension has doubled in 20 years, driven by rising obesity, inactivity and poor sleep, raising urgent concerns for parents and schools