Page 46 - Latest Updates on Health with BS

Deadly 'brain-eating amoeba' claims 18 lives, infects 67 in Kerala

According to Dr Girishkumar Soni of Lilavati Hospital, the amoeba infects a person when infected water enters the nostrils, commonly while swimming, diving, or nasally rinsing with unsterilised water

Can coffee interfere with antibiotics? New study reveals a possible link

German scientists have discovered that caffeine can interfere with antibiotics like amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin in bacteria, raising questions about how diet may influence drug effectiveness

More women live with depression and anxiety than men, shows WHO data

Global data reveals that women are more prone to depression and anxiety than men, with social, biological and economic factors driving the mental health gap

Who gets to be called 'Dr' in India? New rules spark major confusion

Conflicting government orders have reignited the long-standing debate over who can legally use the 'Dr' prefix-from physiotherapists to AYUSH and PhD holders

Flu wave grips Delhi-NCR: 69% of households report viral symptoms

Doctors link the surge in Delhi-NCR to H3N2 flu and advise annual flu shots to reduce hospitalisations and prevent severe illness

Gym bros and home chores: What keeps Indian women from working out

Only 1 in 25 young Indian women exercise daily, as safety, social norms, and domestic expectations hold them back from building lasting fitness habits

Bone glue breakthrough: Chinese scientists heal fractures in 3 minutes

Inspired by oysters, this medical breakthrough repairs bones in 3 minutes without screws, plates or metal implants - and the glue dissolves safely in the body

Double shift, half the sleep: India's women lose rest to unpaid work

From late-night chores to early alarms, Indian women's sleep is sacrificed for the family's routine

'New cancer vaccines to prevent recurrence, not onset in healthy people'

The new cancer vaccines are not intended to prevent the onset of cancer in healthy individuals but to stop its recurrence in those already treated, a medical expert said. These are therapeutic cancer vaccines designed to prevent recurrence of the disease in people who already had cancer, not for its prevention in healthy people, said Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, convener of the Research Cell, Kerala State IMA, and chairman of the scientific committee, IMA Cochin. He was speaking at the inaugural session of the second annual conference of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Society (GIOS) here on Saturday. Highlighting the evolution of cancer treatment, including the development of therapeutic cancer vaccines, Jayadevan, in a statement, clarified their purpose. These are a form of immunotherapy, specifically individualised neoantigen therapy, which trains the body's own immune system to recognise and eliminate cancer cells, he said. He also spoke of the modern challenge of information overload a

Eye helpline launched to connect patients nationwide with Delhi doctors

Making eye care accessible to citizens, a team of leading ophthalmologists in Delhi have launched a national eye helpline number to connect doctors with patients from all over the country. The initiative, spearheaded under the banner of Sight Sarthi India Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, promises free telephonic and video consultations for anyone across the country struggling with eye problems. Headed by Dr Ikeda Lal, cornea, cataract and refractive surgeon and medical director at Delhi Eye Centre, the helpline is set to become a lifeline for millions - especially those in remote towns and villages who often struggle to access quality ophthalmic care. With a dedicated team of leading ophthalmologists from Delhi, the project is designed to break barriers of geography, cost, and access. From cataract and refractive errors to preventable blindness, millions either delay or avoid treatment due to lack of access or high cost of travel, Dr Lal said. "The newly launched helplin

Medicinal cannabis sparks concern in Australia over psychosis, poisonings

More than 1,000 unapproved medicinal cannabis products are available in Australia. People often take these for conditions where we have no strong evidence they work

Smoking kills 1.35 mn Indians each year, experts urge safer nicotine use

Tobacco kills 1.35 million Indians every year, but quit rates remain very low despite widespread awareness. With India spending more than Rs 1.77 lakh crore annually on tobacco-related diseases, healthcare experts called for innovative, science-backed harm reduction strategies, including the use of smoke-free nicotine alternatives. Dr Pawan Gupta, senior consultant, Pulmonary Medicine at BLK-MAX Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi stated that for patients with COPD or cardiovascular risks, every cigarette avoided matters. "Scientific review, ?including those by the Royal College of Physicians (UK), show that non-combustible nicotine delivery carries significantly lower risks compared to smoking. That evidence cannot be ignored," Gupta said. Public Health England (PHE, UK) has estimated that smoke-free nicotine alternatives are up to 95 per cent less harmful than smoking because they remove tar and combustion. Globally, nicotine pouches have gained traction as discreet oral alternative

Nutrition myths on social media drive emotional ties to certain foods

In today's social media world, endless online wellness hacks, fad diets and nutrition misinformation are spreading faster than ever

What actually happens inside your brain when you change your mind?

Research on changes of mind uses the concept of "metacognition" to explain when and how mind changes occur

How 'brain cleaning' while we sleep may lower our risk of dementia

Disrupted sleep may slow the brain's waste-clearing glymphatic system, raising dementia risks. Researchers say good sleep could aid toxin clearance, though its role in humans is still debated

IVF chains in India turn to AI to cut costs and boost success rates

Indian IVF providers are deploying AI for embryo and sperm selection to improve precision, reduce costs, and widen fertility access amid growing demand for reproductive care

Men above 50 must watch for these often-missed prostate cancer signs

Frequent urination, weak flow or blood in urine may be early signs of prostate cancer in men over 50, but these are often mistaken for ageing or ignored entirely

Can eating veggies before carbs improve health? Meal sequencing explained

A simple change in the order of eating food can boost satiety, support metabolic health, and lower post-meal sugar spikes

From guilt to healing: How to rebuild a healthy relationship with food

From binge eating cycles to restrictive diets, eating disorders affect both body and mind. Doctors share how you can spot the signs, seek help and rebuild a healthy relationship with food

This influencer had no symptoms. A mammogram still found Stage 0 cancer

Content creator Hallie Swanson felt perfectly healthy-until a routine scan detected Stage 0 breast cancer, highlighting the life-saving power of early screenings even without symptoms