Page 49 - Latest Updates on Health with BS

Inflammation control in diabetics may cure depression, methods vary: Study

An analysis has revealed that addressing inflammation in diabetes can help determine success in treating depression in a group of patients. However, there are differences in outcomes between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, researchers said. While type 2 diabetes is a metabolic condition marked by an inability to manage blood sugar, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and damages insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. "People with type 2 diabetes and high inflammation levels possibly respond particularly well to a change in depressive cognitions through cognitive behavioural therapy. People with type 1 diabetes and high inflammation levels, on the other hand, could benefit more from anti-inflammatory drug therapies," said author Norbert Hermanns from the Research Institute of the Diabetes Academy Mergentheim (FIDAM), Germany. Findings published in the journal Diabetologia could help develop customised treatment plans for ...

What happens during an IVF cycle? Step-by-step guide to fertility treatment

As more couples turn to IVF for parenthood, understanding the step-by-step process, costs and success rates is key to navigating this complex journey

From dandruff to diet, here are 16 myths about balding in men, women busted

Hair loss often triggers confusion and panic. This week, we dispel 16 myths about balding in men and women

One-fifth of Indians aged 45 and above had diabetes in 2019: Study

About a fifth of those aged 45 and above were living with diabetes in 2019, with two in every five possibly unaware of their condition, according to data from a study among India's ageing adults. Findings published in The Lancet Global Health also suggest that as the country's population rapidly ages, diabetes cases among the middle-aged and older adults will increase, even if increase in prevalence of the condition in age-specific groups can be arrested, authors said. Researchers, including those from the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, and US, also found that 46 per cent of those aware of their diabetes regained a control over blood sugar levels, while around 60 per cent were able to control their blood pressure the same year. Six per cent were taking a lipid-lowering medication to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, the team said. The 'Longitudinal Aging Study in India' (LASI), which surveyed about 60,000 adults aged 45 and above during 2017-2019

Vitamin D and B12 deficiencies: A growing public health concern in India

Urban lifestyles, dietary habits, and lack of awareness are fuelling a crisis doctors say is vastly underestimated

Fluoride or not? Dentists reveal how to choose the right toothpaste

Fluoride-free toothpaste sounds clean and natural, but dentists say it may not be enough to protect your teeth from decay and long-term damage

Haryana hospitals to continue AB-PMJAY strike despite partial payments

IMA Haryana says hospitals will continue Ayushman Bharat services suspension over Rs 500 crore dues, citing trust deficit with state health agency despite partial repayments

Hepatitis D virus labelled cancer-causing agent: All you need to know

The new classification highlights major gaps in testing and treatment, and reinforces the need for better data, affordable medicines, and stigma-free care

This is why dermatologists want you to stop wearing nail polish daily

Constant nail polish use may hide early signs of anaemia, diabetes or even cancer

Weight loss doubles with minimally processed foods, new study finds

Swapping ultra-processed meals for home-cooked, whole food options can significantly boost weight loss, according to a major new clinical trial

The world nearly beat polio, but missteps and fake records revived it

For the past decade, Sughra Ayaz has travelled door to door in southeastern Pakistan, pleading with parents to allow children to be vaccinated against polio to wipe out the paralytic disease. She hears their demands and fears. Some are practical families need basics like food and water more than vaccines. Amid rampant misinformation and immense pressure for the campaign to succeed, Ayaz said, some managers have instructed workers to falsely mark children as immunised. And the vaccines, which must be kept cold, aren't always stored correctly, she added. The World Health Organisation and partners embarked on their polio campaign in 1988 with the bold goal of eradication a feat seen only once for human diseases, with smallpox in 1980. They came close several times, including in 2021, when just five cases of the natural virus were reported in Pakistan and Afghanistan. But since then, cases rebounded, hitting 99 last year, and officials missed at least six self-imposed eradication ...

Silent heart attacks: No chest pain, no warning and hidden danger

You could be having a heart attack and feel fine-experts explain how to spot the signs of a silent heart attack before it quietly causes lasting damage

India doctors report discovery of new blood group CRIB, rarest in the world

A routine surgery in Karnataka led to the identification of a blood group never seen before. The finding has raised questions about the limits of our understanding of human blood types

Smoking linked to increased risk of developing slipped disc, warn doctors

Doctors at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) here have warned that smoking significantly increases the risk of developing a slipped disc, also known as lumbar disc herniation. The warning came after a successful surgery was performed on a patient referred with recurrent lumbar disc herniation. A team led by surgeon Dr Bhaskar Borgohain recently carried out a tubular microdiscectomy successfully to relieve the pressure on the S1 nerve root on a patient admitted to the hospital. Four large fragments of the disc were removed during the minimally invasive procedure, he said. "Research suggests that smoking is one of the risk factors for slipped discs, possibly due to damage to collagen fibres in the disc's outer ring caused by toxic hydrocarbons in cigarette smoke," Dr Borgohain said. He added that such damage weakens the structure of the spinal discs, making them more prone to rupture or herniation, particularly in the lower

Matcha tea: Is it really healthy or just another overhyped wellness fad?

From fatigue and focus to mood and metabolism, matcha is trending-but here's what doctors want you to know before making it part of your daily health ritual

Lancet launches project to track health impact ahead of plastics treaty

An international group of researchers and experts has launched an initiative aimed at tracking health impacts due to plastics, ahead of the final negotiations before the signing of the world's first treaty on regulating the chemical substances. Titled 'The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics', the launch accompanies the release of a 'Health Policy', which is published in 'The Lancet' journal and a review of currently available evidence on how plastics -- including microplastics and plastic chemicals -- affect human health. The team of experts, including members of the United Nations (UN)-established Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, have authored the 'Health Policy' document. The 'UN Global Plastics Treaty' is a legally binding document aimed to regulate plastics through their life cycle from production to consumption to disposal. The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee -- titled 'INC 5.2' -- is scheduled for August 5 to 14, 20

The contagion scale: From measles to TB which disease spread fastest?

The R0 measure indicates how an infection will spread in a population. If it's greater than one (as seen above), the outcome is disease spread

World breastfeeding week 2025 calls for better support for new mothers

Global campaign highlights the need for shared responsibility across workplaces, families, and health systems, while emphasising early breastfeeding support as critical to infant survival

Can juice fast really detox your body? Here's what doctors want you to know

Fact-check Friday: Juice cleanses promise detox, weight loss, and instant energy, but are they truly effective or just hyped-up health myths?

The real reason flights make your ears pop: Doctor explains how to stop it

Ever wonder why your ears feel weird on planes? A doctor breaks it down, and shares quick fixes that actually work