Even as most Indians are busy working hard during their adult years, they are thinking about their retirement, not only to enjoy a good time off work, but also to be financially prepared so that they don't face any difficulty in the future.Retirement planning has been ranked as Indians’ first financial priority even as actual preparedness or a plan in place collapsed to 37 per cent from 67 per cent in 2023, a report said on October 29. The report from PGIM India Mutual Fund said that retirement took the first spot, climbing from eighth place, as lifestyle and entrepreneurial goals overshadow family-centric concerns. The shift reflects a broader change in financial planning from fear‑driven security to aspiration‑driven ambition, blending protection with progress and lifestyle freedom, it said. Family security and health emergencies, once dominant, have slipped down the list. In their place, aspirations such as lifestyle upgrades, starting a business, and personal fulfilment are rising rapidly. The fund house found that mutual funds emerged as the dominant retirement vehicle, while preference for choosing a product from a distributor rose to 62 per cent from 44 per cent in 2023. Mutual fund adoption for retirement climbed to 35 per cent from 24 per cent, it said, noting growing traction for NPS (National Pension System), PPF (Public Provident Fund), and retirement‑focused funds. Abhishek Tiwari, who is the CEO at PGIM India Asset Management Private Limited, said that the decline in readiness "is not a setback but a sign of positive evolution." "Indians are beginning to distinguish between safeguarding against risks and actively building a future for themselves. With a rising sense of surplus and families moving beyond simply providing for children to planning for their own retirement, it reflects a maturing mindset focused on self-driven security and dignity,” said Tiwari. Alternate income adoption among respondents declined to 25 per cent even as intent to pursue it jumped to 44 per cent. “Rising affluence and impact of pandemic have propelled self‑oriented goals like retirement planning, lifestyle upgrades, and entrepreneurship to the forefront, running parallel to traditional family-centric concerns,” said Ajit Menon, who is the senior advisor at PGIM India Asset Management Private Limited. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
30 December,2025 04:22 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSAn international team of researchers has discovered a new method to fight cancers that no longer respond to treatment. The team led by Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science used mutations that make tumours drug-resistant, Xinhua news agency reported. One of the biggest challenges in cancer care is when a therapy stops working. In many metastatic cancers, drugs that initially work lose their effect over time as cancer cells mutate and continue to grow. The new study, published in the journal Cancer Discovery, proposed a new way to confront cancer resistance: harnessing the very mutations that make tumours resistant in order to fight the cancer. The team introduced a computational tool called SpotNeoMet. It identifies therapy-resistant mutations common to many patients. These mutations produce tiny protein fragments called neo-antigens, which appear only on cancer cells. These shared neo-antigens may provide the basis for new immunotherapy approaches that prompt the immune system to selectively target cancer cells. "Our research demonstrates a broad principle that may change the way we think about treatment-resistant cancer," said Prof. Yardena Samuels at the Weizmann. "The same mutations that allow a tumour to evade a drug can, through precise immunotherapy, become the cancer's weak point. Unlike 'boutique' immunotherapies that must be tailored to each individual patient, these therapies could be suitable for large groups of patients," Samuels added. The researchers tested their approach on metastatic prostate cancer, a disease where most patients eventually become resistant to standard treatments. They identified three neo-antigens that showed promising results in lab experiments and in mouse models. The researchers said the approach differs from highly personalised therapies because it targets resistance mutations shared by many patients. This allows the same treatment to be applied more broadly to people with treatment-resistant cancers. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
30 December,2025 02:20 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSDo not take antibiotics over the counter, without a doctor’s consultation, said Dr M Srinivas, director at AIIMS, Delhi, on Monday, December 29, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned against their misuse. PM Modi, in his last 'Mann Ki Baat' of the year on Sunday, raised concern about “extremely worrying” Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) levels in the country, and urged people not to take antibiotics casually. The Prime Minister cited a recent alarming report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which stated that antibiotics are becoming less effective against diseases such as pneumonia and UTIs in India. "If everyone takes antibiotics and gets resistance, we won't have any drugs to treat them in the ICU. It is very harmful,” Dr V Srinivas, Director at AIIMS, said. “The message is: don't take antibiotics over the counter if you think you have an infection, a fever, or any other symptoms," he added. The doctor urged people to consult a doctor, who will then know which antibiotic to give. "The physician will prescribe the medicine with the lowest possible risk, and you should take it for the prescribed duration. “Self-prescription of antibiotics should not be done. It is very important that we do not take antibiotics until the doctor gives them to us,” he advised. The expert also noted that antibiotics will not work with viral infections, as there are antivirals for them. Dr Bimal Kumar Das, Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology, AIIMS, lauded the Prime Minister's speech about the importance of antibiotics and the serious issue of their misuse and overuse across the country. "Antibiotic resistance has now become a major public health concern. Bacteria are increasingly acquiring resistance to almost all classes of antibiotics that are commonly used, both in hospital settings and in the community," Das said. This situation is extremely worrying because we already have a very limited number of effective antibiotics, and very few new antibiotics are being developed. As a result, it has become critically important to focus on this issue and promote the rational use of antibiotics. "Antibiotic resistance exists not only in hospital settings but also in the community, making it a widespread and serious challenge," Das said. Dr Neha Rastogi, senior infectious diseases consultant at a city-based hospital, said that "India is bearing a silent and large pandemic in terms of high burden of infectious diseases, with UTI and pneumonia facing major brunt. Easy over-the-counter availability of antibiotics, irrational prescribing, and incomplete treatment courses have accelerated resistance." Major issues are the ease of access to antibiotics and the way prescriptions are implemented with limited checks and balances. Mass awareness, behavioural change, better diagnostics alongside stringent regulation and implementation of national policies on controlling AMR are key to tackling the crisis, Rastogi said. The expert also suggested prevention of infections via vaccination, proper sanitation, and better management of environmental factors. Further, pre-empting early and improved affordable diagnostics, avoidance of self-medication, the right dose, right duration protocol can be key pillars to build and sustain the drive against anti-microbial resistance. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
30 December,2025 12:47 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSDr Rajeev Jayadevan, Convener of the Research Cell of the Kerala State Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Chairman of the Scientific Committee, IMA Cochin, on Sunday warned that the misuse of antibiotics is fueling a global health crisis - antimicrobial resistance. Speaking with ANI, Jayadevan, a leading expert, warned that antibiotics are losing their effectiveness against dangerous bacteria due to overuse, making infections harder to treat. He pointed out that the primary reason behind this growing problem is the overuse and inappropriate consumption of antibiotics. "Antimicrobial resistance is a serious problem affecting the entire world. This is a situation in which antibiotics no longer work against dangerous bacteria. The reason is the overuse of antibiotics. Especially in India, some individuals go directly to medical stores and buy antibiotics, just like they would buy fruits and vegetables. This is not acceptable in any developed country," said Jayadevan. In India, the lack of regulation allows people to buy antibiotics over the counter, unlike in developed countries, where prescriptions are mandatory. Jayadevan urged immediate action: stop over-the-counter sales and make a doctor's prescription mandatory. "Antibiotics should be dispensed only with a doctor's prescription after evaluation of the patient. If people start buying and using antibiotics on their own, bacteria will become resistant to them. Bacteria develop mechanisms to resist antibiotics. So the antibiotics no longer work...," he said. The consequences are dire: prolonged illnesses, increased healthcare costs, and untreatable infections. The solution lies in responsible antibiotic use and stricter regulations. "To reduce this problem, the overuse of antibiotics has to be immediately stopped. One way to do it is to stop allowing the sale of antibiotics without a doctor's prescription. This is the standard of care in all developed countries," added Jayadevan. This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned against the misuse of antibiotics, citing a recent Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report that shows antibiotics are becoming ineffective against diseases like pneumonia and urinary tract infections. He emphasised that antibiotics should be used only under a doctor's guidance, as their overuse drives antimicrobial resistance. In his monthly radio address, Mann Ki Baat, on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a strong warning regarding the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. He emphasised that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming one of India's most serious public health challenges. Citing a report by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the PM noted that antibiotics are becoming increasingly ineffective against common infections like pneumonia and urinary tract infections (UTIs). PM Modi stressed that people often mistakenly believe taking a pill can cure all health issues, but this mindset is making diseases more challenging to treat. He urged citizens to avoid self-medication and consult doctors before taking antibiotics. He cautioned against the belief that "one pill can cure everything," stating that taking antibiotics without proper medical guidance makes infections stronger and more challenging to treat. He urged citizens to strictly avoid self-medication and follow a simple mantra: "Medicines require guidance, and antibiotics require doctors". The National Medical Commission (NMC) supports pm Modi's stance, advocating for responsible antibiotic use and stricter regulations to prevent over-the-counter sales without prescriptions. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
30 December,2025 12:10 PM IST | Kochi | ANIArtificial Intelligence (AI) may not replace professional care, chatbots like ChatGPT may help reduce mental health stigma, particularly for people hesitant to seek traditional face-to-face support, according to a study. The team from Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia surveyed 73 people who had used ChatGPT for personal mental health support, investigating ChatGPT use and its perceived effectiveness related to stigma. “The findings suggest that believing the tool is effective and plays an important role in reducing concerns about external judgment,” said Scott Hannah, a student of the Master of Clinical Psychology at ECU. Stigma is a major barrier to seeking mental health help. It can worsen symptoms and discourage people from accessing support. The study focused on anticipated stigma -- fear of being judged or discriminated against; and self-stigma -- internalising negative stereotypes, which reduces confidence and help-seeking. People who felt ChatGPT was effective were more likely to use it and more likely to report reduced anticipated stigma, meaning less fear of being judged. As AI tools become more common, people are using chatbots for private, anonymous conversations about their mental health concerns. “These results suggest that, despite not being designed for these purposes, AI tools such as ChatGPT are becoming more widely used for mental health purposes,” he added. While it may be easier to open up to AI, one should be wary, as anonymous digital tools carry important ethical considerations, the team said. “ChatGPT was not designed for therapeutic purposes, and recent research has shown that its responses can sometimes be inappropriate or inaccurate. Therefore, we encourage users to engage with AI-based mental health tools critically and responsibly,” Hannah said. The team stressed the need for more research to understand how AI can safely complement mental health services. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
30 December,2025 11:42 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSAmong many other health experts in the country, Dr. Sandeep Bansal, who is the director of Safdarjung Hospital, earlier this week, has warned that irresponsible antibiotic use is accelerating the threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), making several common infections increasingly difficult to treat. In a self-recorded video message released after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent Mann Ki Baat address, Dr. Bansal at the Delhi-based hospital, underscored the urgent need for public awareness and responsible behaviour. Dr. Bansal said antibiotics have been a "powerful weapon" for medical professionals for more than 80 years, beginning with the discovery of penicillin and followed by the development of several advanced drugs. However, he cautioned that misuse of these medicines is weakening their effectiveness. "When antibiotics are used irresponsibly -- without consulting a doctor, by not completing the prescribed course, by sharing medicines, or by directly purchasing them from chemists -- the bacteria become unaffected by these drugs. This condition is known as antimicrobial resistance," he explained. Highlighting the growing impact of AMR, Dr. Bansal noted that infections such as typhoid and tuberculosis, as well as common illnesses like urinary tract infections and pneumonia, are becoming harder to manage. "We are seeing in recent years that many infections which were earlier easy to treat are now posing serious challenges due to antimicrobial resistance," he said. Referring to regulatory measures, Dr. Bansal pointed out that the government has introduced Schedule H, under which many antibiotics carry a red warning label. "These medicines are strong and should not be used without consulting a doctor," he said, urging people to pay attention to such warnings. He also welcomed Prime Minister Modi's focus on the issue, saying the Prime Minister has repeatedly highlighted AMR in his Mann Ki Baat programmes. "We want to thank the Prime Minister for sharing this important information with the public," Dr. Bansal said. Emphasising that laws alone are not sufficient, he appealed to the citizens to act responsibly by taking antibiotics only on medical advice, maintaining hygiene, and regularly washing hands. "By doing this, we can protect our people from many infectious diseases," added the doctor. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
30 December,2025 11:28 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIHormonal disorders in men are becoming a major yet hidden cause of infertility. While many people associate hormones mainly with women’s health, men also rely on a delicate balance of hormones such as testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and thyroid hormones to produce healthy sperm. When these hormones fall out of balance, the body’s ability to make sperm reduces sharply. Doctors say many men ignore early signs because the symptoms are mild or confused with stress, ageing, or lifestyle issues. As a result, fertility problems appear much later, making treatment harder and longer. Hormonal disorders lower testosterone, which reduces sperm production and sexual drive. Thyroid imbalances (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism) disrupt metabolism and sperm quality. High prolactin levels interfere with testosterone production and may cause erectile problems. Insulin resistance and obesity disrupt hormonal balance, leading to poor sperm count and motility. Stress-related cortisol spikes suppress male reproductive hormones. “Over the past few years, we have noticed more young and middle-aged men coming with fertility concerns, and a large percentage of them have underlying hormonal disorders. We are observing 2-5 per cent of patients she has been seeing coming with hormonal disorder.The biggest challenge is that these conditions do not show strong symptoms in the beginning. A man may only feel slightly tired, gain weight, have reduced interest in sex, or experience mood changes. Because these signs are subtle, they are often ignored for months or even years. This delay affects sperm quality, reduces hormone levels, and sometimes leads to complete disruption of the reproductive cycle. Early diagnosis, lifestyle correction, proper medication, and hormone therapy will be beneficial to manage these problems effectively. I advise men to get a hormone panel and semen analysis done if they are trying to conceive and not seeing results,” said Dr Jyotshna Palgamkar, Fertility Specialist, Nova IVF Fertility, Virar, Mumbai. “To protect fertility, men should maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly, avoid smoking, alcohol, and steroids, get enough sleep and manage stress, check thyroid, testosterone, and prolactin levels regularly, and seek medical help early if experiencing fatigue, low libido, or delayed conception. Hormonal disorders may be silent, but their effect on male fertility is serious and growing. Early awareness, regular testing, and timely treatment can protect reproductive health and improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy,” said Dr Jyotshna Palgamkar “We are seeing more couples face infertility; many cases are linked to hormonal disorders in men. These imbalances quietly affect sperm count, quality, and sexual health, but most men do not notice the early signs. So, with timely testing, hormone correction, weight control, and supportive treatments, we can improve their fertility. Early action truly makes a big difference for couples trying to conceive,” said Dr Rita Modi, senior consultant, Fertility Health Specialist, Motherhood Fertility & IVF.
29 December,2025 05:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFrom changing the definition to the rise of GLP-1 medications, and the government’s several initiatives, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi's clarion call, obesity became the focus of healthcare in India in 2025. The anti-obesity drive, especially the generic drugs, will continue to remain a key focus in 2026. Traditionally, Body Mass Index (BMI) was used to define obesity, but after 15 long years, India revamped its obesity guidelines in 2025 by lowering the threshold for obesity to 25 kg/m² (down from the international 30 kg/m²), with "overweight" defined between 23.0 and 24.9 kg/m². The new approach focused on abdominal obesity and comorbid diseases, rather than just BMI. With this, the clinical focus shifted from BMI to waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio (W-HtR) to better identify abdominal fat, which is more prevalent in the "thin-fat Indian" phenotype. According to the National Family Health Survey (2019–21), nearly a quarter of Indian women and men are overweight or obese. There is also a rising tide of childhood obesity, with about 5 per cent of school-going children being obese. The Prime Minister's clarion call to reduce unhealthy fats and oils in food was a crucial point in the fight against obesity in the country. PM Modi suggested reducing daily oil consumption by 10 per cent. Obesity was also highlighted as a major health concern in his monthly radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat'. What followed was a national campaign to reduce household edible oil consumption by 10 per cent to curb obesity rates. Further, aligned with the Fit India initiative, the Prime Minister also invited 10 prominent personalities to join the national movement against obesity and promote awareness about healthy food consumption. The Ministry of Health also urged government offices and schools to install sugar and oil boards to develop healthier workplaces and build a healthy India. The boards consist of informative posters and digital boards highlighting the harmful impacts of the amount of sugar and oil present in popular food items, including samosas, kachori, pizza, pakoras, banana chips, burgers, soft drinks, and chocolate pastries. It also displays the effects of these foods on the human body, as well as shares the recommended amounts of fat and sugar for individual intake. Other government-led broader anti-obesity campaigns include initiatives like Fit India, POSHAN Abhiyaan, and Eat Right India. The nationwide Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar campaign (Sept-Oct 2025) also focused on the health of women and families, highlighting the link between maternal health and childhood obesity. Meanwhile, this year, India also saw a surge in GLP-1 medications. The anti-obesity market in India became the fastest-growing segment reaching Rs 628 crore by mid-2025, growing at a massive 46 per cent CAGR. Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (Tirzepatide), Novo Nordisk's once-weekly injectable weight-loss drug Wegovy, and Ozempic (Semaglutide) were launched in India this year. Generic drugs also saw a push with Biocon’s Liraglutide, Emcure Pharmaceuticals’ Poviztra (Semaglutide), and Yurpeak (Tirzepatide) by Cipla in partnership with Eli Lilly. The market is expected to change radically in early 2026 following the patent expiration of semaglutide in India in March. Major Indian pharmaceutical companies, including Cipla, Dr. Reddy’s, Sun Pharma, and Zydus, are preparing to launch generic versions expected to be 50 per cent to 85 per cent cheaper than the innovator brands. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
29 December,2025 03:57 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSA team of US researchers has developed and validated an artificial intelligence (AI)-based non-invasive tool that can predict the risk of head and neck cancer spread. The AI tool by researchers from the Mass General Brigham could predict the likelihood that a patient's oropharyngeal cancer -- a type of head and neck cancer that develops in the throat -- will spread. It could help doctors by signaling which patients should receive aggressive treatment. "Our tool may help identify which patients should receive multiple interventions or would be ideal candidates for clinical trials of intensive strategies such as immunotherapy or additional chemotherapy," said senior author Benjamin Kann, the Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (AIM) Programme at Mass General Brigham. "Our tool can also help identify which patients should undergo de-intensification of treatment, such as surgery alone," Kann added. The research is published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Treatments for oropharyngeal cancer, including combinations of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, can be difficult to tolerate and may have lasting negative effects. Therefore, it's important to identify subgroups of patients who may benefit from less or more intensive treatment approaches. One way to accomplish this involves assessing whether the patient has pathologic extranodal extension (ENE), which occurs when cancer cells invade beyond the lymph node into surrounding tissue. Currently, ENE can only be definitively diagnosed by surgically removing and examining lymph nodes. The new AI-based tool helped in imaging data from computed tomography scans and predict the number of lymph nodes with ENE -- an indicator of a patient's prognosis and likelihood of benefiting from intensified therapy. When the tool was applied to imaging scans from 1,733 patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma, the tool was able to predict uncontrolled cancer spread and worse patient survival. Integrating the AI's assessment into established clinical risk predictors improved risk stratification, leading to more accurate predictions of survival and cancer spread in individual patients. "The AI tool enables the prediction of the number of lymph nodes with ENE, which could not be done before, and shows that it is a powerful, novel prognostic biomarker for oropharyngeal cancer that could be used to improve the current staging scheme and treatment planning," said Kann. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
28 December,2025 12:40 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSWith air pollution levels rising across the Delhi-NCR region, a growing number of people are reporting neurological health problems. Short-term exposure can trigger issues like cognitive impairment, anxiety, and even stroke. Particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide, and ozone are key culprits, disrupting brain function and sparking inflammation. Speaking with ANI, Dr Vinit Suri, senior consultant, Neurology, Apollo Hospitals, said that rising air pollution is linked to neurological issues like headaches, dizziness, and memory loss, with long-term exposure potentially causing Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and strokes. He said, "Normally, it is said that air pollution affects the lungs, sinuses, and heart, but after a lot of research, it can be said that it affects the brain too. Short-term exposure can cause headache, dizziness, and transient memory loss or brain fogging. Long-term exposure is linked to many neurological disorders like alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's disease, ADHD and autism in kids. Strokes are also linked to exposure to high pollution levels..." He further stated that air pollution tends to slow down the recovery of stroke patients. "There are some observational studies that high air pollution can slow down the recovery of stroke patients," added Dr Suri. With rising air pollution, physicians are seeing a surge in chest X-rays and chest CT scans due to increased lung-related conditions. Air pollution directly affects the lungs and causes inflammation in other organs, thereby increasing the demand for these diagnostic tests. Dr Harsh Mahajan, Chairman of the FICCI Health Services Committee and Founder and Chief Radiologist at Mahajan Imaging & Labs, said, "In winters we see an upsurge of people coming with breathlessness, chest infection, some allergic conditions...So it is a routine matter that the number of chest X-rays, or for that matter, even chest CTS that we may do in our centres does increase in winters. " However, Dr Mahajan pointed out that it remains difficult to clearly distinguish how much of these ailments can be attributed to low temperatures and how much to air pollution. He further said, "It is difficult to segregate how much of this is because of the low temperature and how much is due to pollution." He further emphasised that the goal is to reduce pollution levels to levels acceptable under WHO guidelines in the coming months and years. "Certainly, the government has a huge responsibility to put things in order to reduce pollution, whether it is pollution from vehicles, and they are doing it by mandating the BS6 norms for vehicles. They are also working to reduce dust at road construction sites... However, the government must increase public transport... Citizens and the government should work together to resolve this problem... Our goal should be that progressively in the next months and years to come, pollution should be brought down to levels that are acceptable as per WHO norms," said Dr. Mahajan. Dr Vinay Goyal, Chairman, Neurology, Neurosciences, Medanta, Gurugram said, "We frequently observe a distinct surge in headache complaints during colder months, exacerbated by escalating air pollution. These headaches are far from trivial; globally, they represent a significant public health challenge, ranking as the second leading cause of years lived with disability (YLDs). The burden is particularly profound in countries like India, which in 2019 ranked among the top four globally for the highest migraine cases, alongside China, the USA, and Indonesia. A study in Karnataka, for example, showed a staggering one-year prevalence of 25.2%, significantly above the global average. We also note that prevalence is often higher in rural areas and disproportionately affects women, with a female-to-male ratio of about 3:1. Children are affected too, with approximately 15% experiencing migraines. Winter brings unique physiological challenges: barometric pressure shifts, a natural rise in blood pressure due to cold-induced vasoconstriction, and subtle dehydration from reduced fluid intake are common triggers. Increased indoor time exposes us to dry, heated air and concentrated allergens, irritating the sinuses. Reduced daylight also impacts mood and sleep, indirectly worsening headache frequency. Layered on top of these seasonal factors is the insidious threat of air pollution. Microscopic particulate matter (PM2.5), ground-level ozone, and other noxious gases are more than respiratory irritants. Inhaled, these pollutants trigger systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, affecting brain tissues. They impact blood vessel function and directly irritate nasal nerve endings, contributing to tension or sinus headaches. The synergy between these elements is concerning. A body already under stress from winter conditions becomes inherently more vulnerable to the inflammatory assault of pollutants. A mild, transient headache can become more severe, prolonged, and frequent when both factors are present. "My advice is practical and preventative: prioritise consistent hydration, even if you don't feel thirsty. Invest in high-efficiency air purifiers for your home and consider N95 masks when venturing outdoors on high-pollution days. Ensure adequate sleep, proactively manage stress, and maintain a balanced diet. If headaches become persistent or severe, or affect your quality of life, please consult your physician. We can help identify underlying causes and tailor an effective management strategy to safeguard your health." Vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions face heightened risks. Reducing exposure through masks, green spaces, and policy changes can help mitigate these effects. Experts urged the government and citizens to collaborate on solutions such as expanding public transport and enforcing BS6 norms. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
28 December,2025 12:35 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIAn individualised approach to breast cancer screening that assesses patients' risk, rather than annual mammograms, can lower the chance of more advanced cancers, while still safely matching people to the amount of screening they need, according to a study. The findings, by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), based on a study of 46,000 US women, support shifting the approach to screening from one that is based on age alone to one that starts with comprehensive risk assessment to determine each woman's optimal screening schedule. "The findings should transform clinical guidelines for breast cancer screening and alter clinical practice," said Laura J. Esserman, director of the UCSF Breast Care Center. "The personalised approach begins with risk assessment, incorporating genetic, biological, and lifestyle factors, which can then guide effective prevention strategies," Esserman added. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, accounting for an estimated 2.3 million cases and 670,000 deaths globally. For decades, screening assumed all women have the same risk, and guidelines were based largely on age, despite strong evidence that individual risk varies widely. The new study, published in JAMA, compared the standard annual mammogram with an approach based on individual risk. The results showed that the risk-based screening approach did not increase the frequency of higher-stage cancers. "Shifting resources from lower-risk women to higher-risk women is an efficient, effective approach to screening for and preventing breast cancer," said co-author Jeffrey A. Tice, Professor of Medicine at UCSF. Importantly, the study found that 30 per cent of the women who tested positive for a genetic variant that increased their risk of breast cancer did not report a family history of breast cancer. Under current clinical guidelines, these people would not normally be offered genetic testing. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
28 December,2025 12:26 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSADVERTISEMENT
