Page 2 - Indian Healthcare

Do kids even need cough syrups? Doctors say they may do more harm than good

The recent child deaths in MP and Rajasthan have reignited debate on whether cough syrups are safe or even effective for kids or are they a needless and risky habit?

Cocoa extract may slow ageing by cutting deadly inflammation, study finds

Daily cocoa extract supplements lowered inflammation markers and cut cardiovascular deaths by 27 per cent in a large trial, raising hopes for its role in healthy ageing

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

Cipla launches Huena, India's first non-antibiotic drug to fight UTI

Drug firm Cipla on Friday said it has introduced a non-antibiotic treatment for patients suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections. The company has launched Methenamine Hippurate under the brand name HUENA. This marks a significant step forward for the company in its fight against anti-microbial resistance as it becomes the first to introduce such treatment in India, the Mumbai-based drugmaker said in a statement. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common reason for antibiotic use in India, with infection cases doubling over the last 30 years. Women are more susceptible to UTIs, which account for 15 per cent of overall antibiotic prescriptions. Methenamine Hippurate offers an effective, non-antibiotic alternative for preventing UTIs by targeting bacteria in the bladder and urinary tract. Studies show it is as effective as long-term, low-dose antibiotic therapy for UTI prevention, with lower costs and no risk of antibiotic resistance. "We believe this ...

Gallstones rising in kids; doctors stress early detection, healthy habits

Once considered an adult ailment, gallstones are increasingly affecting children across India, prompting paediatricians to call for greater awareness and preventive care. In a surprising shift in pediatric health trends, hospitals and clinics across India are reporting a steady rise in cases of gallstones among children, experts said. Traditionally viewed as a condition affecting middle-aged adults, gallstones are now being diagnosed in children as young as six, raising concerns among medical professionals and public health experts. Gallstones are solid deposits that form in the gallbladder, often composed of cholesterol or bilirubin. While many cases remain asymptomatic, they can cause intense abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and digestive distress when they obstruct bile flow. "We're seeing a clear increase in pediatric gallstone cases, especially in urban centres," said Dr Shandip Kumar Sinha, the director of pediatric surgery and pediatric urology at Mednata-The Medicity in ..

India vs China HIGHLIGHTS, Hockey Asia Cup 2025: India beat China 4-3 to start their campaign

Indian skipper Harmanpreet, with three goals to his name, was the hero of the match for the hosts

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?

Worried about mercury in vaccines? Here's the science behind 'thimerosal'

As the debate over mercury in vaccines reignite around the world, Indian health experts dismiss any link between thimerosal and developmental disorders such as autism

Healthcare body seeks regulatory reforms in meeting with Niti Aayog

Nathealth has proposed a digital single-window system to Niti Aayog to ease the healthcare sector's compliance load, citing inefficiencies and duplication across ministries

Agitating ASHA workers in Kerala welcome Centre's reported incentive hike

The ASHA workers in Kerala who have been agitating for the last several months against the state government demanding a hike and post-retirement benefits, on Saturday welcomed the Centre's reported decision to increase their fixed monthly incentive. They said the union government's decision would be beneficial for over 10 lakh ASHA workers in the country. There are media reports that the Centre approved a proposal to hike the fixed monthly incentive of ASHAs from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500 during the recent 9th meeting of the Mission Steering Group (MSG). The media also reported that the retirement benefits of the ASHA workers would be increased by the Centre, too. S Mini, state vice president of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association (KAHWA) whose members are carrying out the indefinite agitation in front of the Secretariat here, said they had already carried out two Parliament marches raising the same demand. "We welcome the union government's decision to increase the fixed monthl

60 mn people screened for sickle cell disease, says health ministry

A total of six crore individuals have been screened for sickle cell disease (SCD) against the targeted seven crore under the National Sickle Cell Mission, the Union health ministry said on Tuesday. Among those screened, 2.15 lakh individuals were diagnosed with the disease and 16.7 lakh carriers identified. Additionally, 2.6 crore health cards have been distributed by the respective states to the screened individuals, the ministry said. States including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, Karnataka and Uttarakhand have demonstrated significant progress by achieving a high percentage of screening relative to their targets. The highest incidence of diagnosed cases has been reported from the states of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Screening for SCD is being conducted using validated point-of-care testing (POCT) kits, which ensure rapid, reliable and confirmatory results. Furthermore, a dedicated dashboard and a sickle cell disease portal hav

Unsafe gains: 14% of Indian protein powders have toxins, 70% mislabelled

From lead and aflatoxins to undeclared herbal extracts, a recent study raises red flags about the safety and authenticity of protein powders consumed widely across India

Sudden stomach and back pain? You might be ignoring gallbladder stones

Persistent or sudden pain in your upper abdomen or back can be easy to dismiss. Doctors warn that such discomfort could be a sign of gallbladder stones, a common but often overlooked condition

Govt has adopted holistic approach to improve health of citizens: Amit Shah

The Narendra Modi-led government has adopted a well thought out holistic approach to improve the health of the citizens of the country, Union minister Amit Shah said in Pune on Friday. Special attention has been given to every programme touching health, especially medical education and research, Shah said after performing the ground breaking ceremony of Poona Hospital and Research Centre (PHRC) Health City project. In the past 11 years, the Modi government has made all the arrangements to improve the health of the citizens of the country, he said. In the previous government, the health budget was Rs 37,000 crore and in 2025-26, Modi ji increased it to Rs 1.37 lakh crore, he said. Shah also inaugurated the Jairaj Sports and Convention Centre built by the Shri Poona Gujarati Bandhu Samaj in Pune. The country is rapidly progressing on the path of development and a foundation is being laid for building a developed India in 2047, he said. Pune has led the entire country in knowledge,

Luma Fertility raises $4 mn in seed funding led by Peak XV's Surge

Luma Fertility, a Mumbai-based fertility health-tech startup, raises $4 million in seed funding to expand its services in Mumbai and beyond, with participation from Ameera Shah and Vijay Taparia

Scientists edge closer to drug that could safely extend human lifespan

New meta-analysis shows that rapamycin may mimic the benefits of dietary restriction in animals, bringing researchers closer to a safer way to slow ageing and boost healthspan

Is that stomach pain pancreatitis? How to know when to see a doctor

Pancreatitis cases are increasing in India, especially among young adults. Experts link it to alcohol use, gallstones, infections, and rising lifestyle risks

Heart-smart eating: Diet tips to lower risk of sudden cardiac arrest

From leafy greens to healthy fats, cardiologists reveal how smart eating habits reduce cardiac arrest risk

Your dentist can spot diabetes, heart disease and cancer in early stages

From diabetes to autoimmune conditions, oral symptoms often appear before other health problems-your dentist may be the first to notice them

How bee stings can trigger heart attacks: Lessons from Sunjay Kapur's death

Sunjay Kapur tragically died after swallowing a bee during a polo match. Here's how such incidents can turn fatal-and what you can do to help someone in a similar emergency