Doctors in Thane have performed a combined liver–kidney transplant on a 55-year-old man who had been on dialysis for 15 years, offering him a renewed lease on life. The man had end-stage renal disease and was undergoing alternate-day dialysis for over a decade under the care of Dr. Pooja Binani, consultant nephrologist at Jupiter Hospital. Eight years ago, he was also diagnosed with liver cirrhosis caused by Hepatitis C. Although antiviral therapy cured the infection, his liver function progressively deteriorated, eventually leading to liver failure. The liver disease was managed by Dr Parijat Gupte, consultant hepatologist, who closely monitored the worsening hepatic function. With two vital organs failing simultaneously, the physiological stress on the patient’s body — particularly the heart and lungs — was significantly high. After meticulous optimisation by the nephrology and hepatology teams, the patient was listed for a simultaneous liver–kidney transplant. When a suitable deceased donor was identified, both organs from the same donor were allocated to him. The combined procedure posed multiple challenges, including prolonged surgical duration, strict fluid management in the absence of kidney function, and minimising blood loss. The kidney transplant surgery was led by Dr. Lokesh Sinha, while the liver transplant was performed by the hepatobiliary transplant team. Dialysis equipment was kept on standby, and the anesthesia team closely monitored fluid and electrolyte balance throughout the procedure. Both transplants were completed successfully in approximately nine hours, without the need for blood transfusion or intraoperative dialysis. Postoperatively, the transplanted kidney took some time to function, requiring one session of dialysis. Soon after, the patient began passing urine naturally—an emotional milestone after eight years without urine output. He was discharged in stable condition and continues to recover well. Speaking about the case, Dr Anand Ramamurthy, director – Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Surgery, Jupiter Hospital, Thane, said, “Combined liver–kidney transplantation is a true test of teamwork, timing, and surgical precision. When two organ systems fail, the physiological impact on the body is profound. In this case, careful planning, minimising blood loss, and strict fluid management were critical to success. Watching a patient pass urine naturally after eight years is deeply rewarding and reminds us why advanced transplant programmes are life-changing, not just life-saving.” This successful combined liver–kidney transplant underscores the importance of seamless collaboration between nephrology, hepatology, transplant surgery, and critical care teams. With precise planning and expert execution, the procedure not only restored vital organ function but also transformed the patient’s quality of life—demonstrating how advanced transplant care can deliver truly life-changing outcomes.
29 January,2026 04:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentObesity is rising at an alarming rate and is today a major public health challenge in India, said Economic Survey for 2025-26 on Thursday. According to the Economic Survey, tabled in the Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the concerning trend was driven by unhealthy diets, lifestyle changes, including sedentary lifestyles, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), and environmental factors. “It is affecting people across all age groups and increasing the risk of NCDs such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, impacting both urban and rural populations,” the Survey said. Citing data from the 2019-21 National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the Survey said that 24 per cent of Indian women and 23 per cent of Indian men are overweight or obese. Among women aged 15-49 years, 6.4 per cent are obese, and among men, 4.0 per cent are obese. The prevalence of excess weight among children under five has risen from 2.1 per cent in 2015-16 to 3.4 per cent in 2019-21. As per estimates, more than 3.3 crore children in India were obese in 2020, and it is projected to reach 8.3 crore children by 2035. The Economic Survey also flagged concern over the rising UPF market in the country, which is displacing long-established dietary patterns, worsening diet quality, and is associated with increased risk of multiple chronic diseases. “India is one of the fastest-growing markets for UPF sales. It grew by more than 150 per cent from 2009 to 2023. Retail sales of UPFs in India surged from $0.9 billion in 2006 to nearly $38 billion in 2019, a 40-fold rise. It is during the same period that obesity has nearly doubled in both men and women. This mirrors the global rise of obesity, parallel to dietary shifts,” it said. “The rising use of UPFs imposes a substantial economic cost through higher healthcare spending, lost productivity, and long-term fiscal strain,” it added. The Survey also cited comprehensive, multi-pronged initiatives launched by the government to prevent, manage, and reduce obesity in the country. The interventions include POSHAN Abhiyaan & Poshan 2.0, Fit India Movement, Khelo India, Eat Right India, Nationwide Awareness Campaign - ‘Aaj Se Thoda Kam’ and AAMs, the School Health Programme, and Yoga promotion. These aim to promote a holistic approach that integrates health, nutrition, physical activity, food safety, and lifestyle modifications and continue to advance the goal of a healthier, stronger, and obesity-free India. 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 January,2026 02:06 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSAmid growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, a new large-scale clinical trial published in The Lancet on Thursday showed that an AI-enabled stethoscope can boost early detection of various heart diseases. A team of Spanish researchers found that an AI-enabled stethoscope helped doctors in identifying early signs of serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, arrhythmias, and valve disease, in primary care clinics. The study found that introducing the technology to doctors led to a substantially faster and more frequent detection -- nearly twice as many new heart failure cases and three times as many detections of irregular heart rhythms -- of these cardiovascular conditions, indicating that the device performed well. “Primary care faces a growing workload and limited resources, making it the ideal recipient of the efficiencies promised by artificial intelligence (AI). The potential of AI to improve diagnostic accuracy through decision support systems or image analysis is clear. However, implementing these tools into primary care workflows remains challenging,” said corresponding author Sergio Cinza-Sanjurjo from Santiago de Compostela University, Spain. The TRICORDER trial is the first cluster randomised controlled implementation trial (RCIT) of a clinical AI technology on a national scale, involving 205 UK NHS general practices and more than 1.5 million registered patients in the UK. The AI stethoscope integrates three algorithms designed to detect heart failure, irregular heart rhythms, and valve disease during routine appointments. Over the 12-month study period, doctors performed nearly 13,000 AI-assisted cardiac examinations. While the overall heart failure detection rates were similar between the groups (1,342 new cases in the AI group versus 1,984 in usual care), subgroup analyses showed that patients examined with the AI stethoscope had significantly higher detection rates compared to patients who were not examined with the AI device. The trial suggests that AI tools such as smart stethoscopes could help physicians detect heart problems earlier in routine care, but only if they’re properly integrated into day-to-day clinical operations. Despite strong algorithmic accuracy, real-world benefit depended heavily on clinician engagement and workflow integration. Many practices reported declining use of the AI stethoscope over time, citing extra steps in routine work and limited electronic health record integration as key barriers. 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 January,2026 12:37 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSLack of awareness on timely treatment is fuelling mental health disorders in young Indian adults, said health experts on Wednesday, January 28. Speaking at the 77th Annual National Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society (ANCIPS 2026), leading mental health experts noted that the excess use of digital devices may further drive mental disorders. The high-level scientific deliberations revealed that nearly 60 per cent of mental disorders in India are diagnosed in individuals below the age of 35. They pointed out that the Covid-19 pandemic, combined with economic uncertainty and changing social structures, has further intensified stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in this age group. “When 60 per cent of mental disorders are affecting people below 35 years of age, it becomes clear that India’s mental health crisis is unfolding far earlier than we once believed. These are the years when individuals are studying, building careers, and contributing to society,” said Dr. Deepak Raheja, Organising Secretary of ANCIPS Delhi. “Excess use of digital devices and dependency on the virtual world will further increase mental issues in the future. One of the main reasons for the rising cases in India is a lack of awareness of timely treatment. If reported on time, almost all the mental disorders can be treated successfully, and patients can lead a normal life,” added Dr. Nimesh G. Desai, former Director of the Institute of Human Behaviour & Allied Sciences (IHBAS). Desai emphasised that mental disorders that begin in youth often follow a lifelong course if not treated early. “These impact not just the individual, but families, workplaces, and the country’s overall productivity. Psychiatry in India must move from a reactive approach to a preventive and early-intervention-driven model,” he said. The experts cautioned that when mental disorders begin early and remain untreated, they often become chronic, leading to long-term disability and high social and economic costs. “Rapid social change has significantly altered young people’s lived experiences. Today’s youth are dealing with intense academic competition, constant digital comparison, loneliness despite connectivity, and uncertainty about employment and relationships. Mental health services must adapt to these realities and become more accessible, youth-friendly, and stigma-free,” said Dr Savita Malhotra, President of the Indian Psychiatric Society. Raheja said that early identification, school- and college-based mental health programmes, and destigmatisation are no longer optional; they are essential if we want to protect the future of our nation. 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 January,2026 05:01 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSA team of Indian and US researchers has developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based technique to detect diabetes without the traditional blood tests. The technique can detect whether a person has high blood sugar by taking a high-resolution photo of the retina (back of the eye). The study, published in the Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics journal, showed that AI can spot tiny warning signs in the eye’s blood vessels that are invisible to the human eye, which can differentiate people with and without diabetes without a finger-prick blood test. "India has over 100 million people with diabetes, and very often, many do not even know they have it. If the use of AI tools with simple retinal photos can help early diagnosis of diabetes, it can be used in real-time in the future to screen for diabetes," said Dr. V. Mohan, a Chennai-based diabetologist and a Padma Shri awardee, who was part of the study. Dr. Sudeshna Sil Kar, from Emory University, US, shared that the researchers trained the AI to look at specific shapes and patterns in the veins using retinal photos of people without and with diabetes. The team, including those from Yenepoya (deemed to be) University in Karnataka, analysed 273 retinal images from 139 participants. They extracted 226 quantitative vessel tortuosity features separately for arteries and veins using machine vision-based approaches. The AI technique was precise in correctly identifying diabetes using retinal photographs in the test group with 95 per cent sensitivity. The system could even spot ‘prediabetes’, which is the stage where lifestyle modification can help prevent diabetes. It could prove to be an effective non-invasive mode of detecting diabetes early, as it does not require expensive laboratory equipment. The patients also do not need to fast or undergo a blood test. The method just requires a quick photo of the back of the eye, said the researchers. The expert, however, stressed the need for validating the research findings in a larger population. 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 January,2026 04:50 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSHealth experts on January 27 have urged the government to introduce tax-funded Universal Health Care, and boost resources at government hospitals in the upcoming Union Budget 2026. The experts also highlighted the lack of funds to in public health care institutions to deliver adequate services to a large number of patients and stressed the need to expand PMJAY to include outpatient care. “We advocate tax-funded Universal Health Care with a basic health package for all citizens and to increase public health allocation to 2.5-5 per cent of GDP, strengthening government hospitals and human resources,” said Dr Vinay Aggarwal, past National President, Indian Medical Association. “The government should reform PMJAY to include outpatient care, realistic package rates, DBT, copayments, and timely reimbursements,” he added. The expert also urged the government “to provide GST exemption on lifesaving equipment, consumables, and all vaccines". A recent report by The Lancet Commission stressed that the public sector healthcare system is the backbone for achieving the universal health coverage goal. An accompanying Comment paper examined India’s progress towards universal health coverage and highlights structural weaknesses in the health system. It particularly highlighted fragmented governance, poor coordination across levels of care, health services organised around institutions rather than citizens, and persistent gaps in quality, equity, and continuity of care as major barriers to UHC. The paper suggested that India’s path to universal health care requires multiple programmes and noted that operating in silos can weaken accountability and service continuity. Healthcare delivery must remain facility-centred rather than focused on patient journeys and long-term care needs. It also mentioned that weak referral systems and poor integration between primary, secondary, and tertiary services limit efficiency and outcomes. The study stressed that policy intent alone is insufficient without institutional capacity to execute reforms. “While over the last few years, the government has increased the allocation for healthcare in its budget, the continued prioritisation on capacity building has often left public healthcare facilities with insufficient funds to deliver adequate services to the large number of patients that they serve,” said Aditya Banerjee, Member at Medical Technology Association of India (MTaI). “A deliberate shift in the public procurement criteria, from the lowest upfront price to the best long‑term value for the overall healthcare system, is essential for delivering better patient outcomes for every Rupee spent,” he added. Banerjee said that it will help avoid the spiralling healthcare budgets, that today is becoming unsustainable in many developed economies of the world. 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 January,2026 09:39 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSIn the modern digital landscape, the glow of a smartphone is often the last thing we see before closing our eyes. While the impact of blue light on sleep quality is well-documented, a new frontier of endocrine research is emerging: the connection between high-energy visible (HEV) light and the thyroid gland. This Thyroid Awareness Month, we delve into the surprising biological link between our late-night screen use and the endocrine system. Does scrolling through social media at midnight actually interfere with your body’s metabolic pace? To answer this, mid-day spoke to Dr Pranav Ghody, consultant endocrinologist and diabetologist at Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai Central, and Dr Tejaswi V, consultant in diabetes and endocrinology at Manipal Hospital in Kanakapura Road in Bengaluru. The invisible connection: The master clock theory To understand how a screen affects a gland in your neck, one must first look at the brain. Dr Pranav explains, “The key link is the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), located in the hypothalamus. Often referred to as the body’s master clock, the SCN receives light signals directly from the eyes.”While the thyroid itself does not 'see' light, the blue light—which is abundant in digital screens—activates the SCN, signalling to the brain that it is daytime. “This synchronisation (or lack thereof) governs multiple hormonal systems, specifically the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid (HPT) axis, the command centre for your metabolism. When you use a screen late at night, you aren't just staying awake; you are confusing the conductor of your hormonal orchestra,” he elaborates. The TSH Rhythm: Why timing is everything The thyroid gland controls everything from body temperature and energy levels to mood and heart rate. However, these hormones aren't released at a steady rate throughout the day.Dr Tejaswi notes, “The body operates on a 24-hour biological clock called the circadian rhythm. Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) typically peaks at night and falls during the day. The HEV light during the night can interfere with regular thyroid hormone production time.”Dr Pranav adds that while a single night of scrolling won't ‘switch off’ your TSH, chronic exposure can blunt the amplitude of this natural cycle. “For individuals with borderline thyroid function, this repeated disruption can become clinically relevant, leading to persistent fatigue even when blood tests appear normal," he adds. The cortisol connection: Stress versus metabolism One of the most significant ‘hidden’ impacts of late-night blue light is its effect on cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Studies suggest that bright artificial light at night can elevate cortisol levels by up to 15 per cent as the brain stays in a state of high alert.This creates a secondary hurdle for thyroid health. Dr Tejaswi explains, “Elevated cortisol levels can hamper the conversion of inactive thyroid hormone (T4) into its active form (T3), which the body actually uses for metabolism. You may have enough thyroid hormone in your system, but your body can't unlock it for use because the stress signals are standing in the way.” Metabolism and the domino effect Can late-night scrolling actually make you gain weight? Indirectly, the answer is yes. The Mumbai-based expert states, “When your circadian rhythm is disturbed, it triggers a domino effect across several metabolic markers.”1. Insulin sensitivity: It begins to decline, making it harder for your body to process sugars.2. Appetite hormones: Ghrelin (the hunger hormone) rises while Leptin (the fullness hormone) falls.3. Energy expenditure: Metabolic inefficiency leads to reduced calorie burning the next day.Dr Pranav iterates, “While blue light alone doesn't cause hypothyroidism, it creates a metabolic environment where weight gain and chronic fatigue become much more likely.” Night shifts versus late-night scrolling Is your phone habit as damaging as working a night shift? Dr Pranav clarifies, “While night-shift workers experience a much more severe and chronic misalignment—linked to higher rates of cardiovascular risk and metabolic disorders—the mechanism for screen users is comparable. Late-night screen use mimics a milder version of shift-work physiology. Over years, this repeated minor disruption increases vulnerability, particularly for those with a genetic predisposition to thyroid disease.” The vulnerable population: Who is most at risk? Individuals already diagnosed with thyroid disorders or those taking medication like Levothyroxine are particularly sensitive to the blue light effect, according to Dr Tejaswi. She notes that patients with hypothyroidism or autoimmune thyroid disease may experience:1. Greater symptom perception: Worsening fatigue and joint pain due to aggravated stress hormones.2. Medication inconsistency: Sleep disturbances can affect how efficiently the body responds to and processes thyroid medication.3. Sleep fragility: A heightened sensitivity to the wake-inducing effects of HEV light. The filter fallacy: Are night mode settings enough? A common question in the endocrinologist's office is whether blue light filters or night shift modes on phones are a cure-all. Both experts urge caution.While these tools shift the light spectrum to warmer wavelengths, they are rarely a complete solution for the endocrine system. The Bengaluru health expert highlights that mental stimulation is just as disruptive as the light itself. Engaging with social media, news, or work emails keeps the brain active and the SCN awake, regardless of the colour of the screen.The most effective strategy remains limiting use entirely for 60 to 90 minutes before sleep to allow the endocrine system to transition into rest mode.Protecting your thyroid in the digital age: A strategic plan The goal, according to Dr Pranav, is smart exposure, not fear. We cannot avoid screens entirely, but we can manage our hormonal hygiene. He outlines four simple ways through which you can strategically manage exposure: 1. Prioritise morning sunlightThe thyroid benefits from predictable routines. Exposure to natural daylight first thing in the morning strengthens the SCN’s master clock, making it more resilient to minor disruptions later in the evening.2. The 90-minute ruleAvoid screens in the final hour and a half before bed. Use this time for reading physical books, relaxation techniques, or light stretching to lower cortisol levels.3. Create a device-free sanctuaryThe sleep environment should be dark and cool. Even small LED lights from chargers or routers can interfere with melatonin production in sensitive individuals.4. Medication disciplineIf you are on thyroid medication, consistency is vital. Take it exactly as prescribed, and ensure you are getting 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep to allow the medication to work in harmony with your body’s natural rhythms. The expert verdict Dr Pranav offers a final, powerful metaphor for thyroid health: "Think of the thyroid as part of an orchestra. When the conductor—the master clock—is confused, the entire performance suffers." Protecting your sleep and respecting your body's natural timing is not just about feeling rested; it is a fundamental pillar of long-term endocrine health. While blue light may not damage the thyroid in the way a physical injury would, it creates a discord in the delicate balance of hormones that regulate your life.
27 January,2026 01:10 PM IST | Mumbai | Maitrai AgarwalChinese researchers have unveiled a crucial mutation in the Ebola virus that significantly enhanced its infectivity during a major outbreak, providing new insights for epidemic surveillance and drug development. The study, published in the journal Cell, focused on the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 2018 to 2020, the second-largest in history, which caused over 3,000 infections and more than 2,000 deaths, Xinhua news agency reported. "The research tells us that during major emerging infectious disease outbreaks, real-time genomic surveillance and evolutionary analysis of the pathogen are crucial," said Professor Qian Jun from Sun Yat-sen University. "This is not only able to warn of changes in transmission risk but also to prospectively assess the effectiveness of existing drugs and vaccines, guiding us to preemptively adjust control strategies," Jun added. A key question drove the research, namely, beyond the impact of local healthcare challenges, did viral evolution itself contribute to the Ebola outbreak's prolonged duration? "We have long been aware that key viral mutations often act as invisible drivers accelerating transmission during major outbreaks. Having worked on Ebola for over a decade, we had to investigate whether similar patterns of mutation existed for this virus," said Jun, explaining the team's motivation. In 2022, the team analysed 480 complete Ebola virus genomes and discovered that a variant carrying a specific mutation in the viral glycoprotein, named GP-V75A, had emerged early in the DRC epidemic. This variant rapidly replaced the original strain, and its rising prevalence closely mirrored the surge in case numbers, suggesting it might confer a transmission advantage, according to the research team. Subsequent experiments using various models confirmed the mutation's biological impact. It showed that GP-V75A had significantly enhanced the virus's ability to infect multiple types of host cells and mice. Furthermore, this study revealed a potential clinical concern, notably that the GP-V75A mutation had diminished the antiviral effectiveness of some existing therapeutic antibodies and small-molecule entry inhibitors, indicating a possible risk of drug resistance. These findings underscore the importance of continuous viral genome monitoring during outbreaks to anticipate evolutionary threats and inform the development of broad-spectrum countermeasures, the research team said. 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.
27 January,2026 12:31 PM IST | Beijing | IANSThe concept of ‘Dry January’ has evolved from a simple New Year’s resolution into a global phenomenon. For many, it is a metabolic reset button after the indulgence of the holiday season. But what occurs beneath the surface? To separate clinical fact from detox fiction, we turn to the specialised insights of hepatologists who delve into the multi-pronged impact of 30-day abstinence, including the timeline of cellular repair, metabolic shifts, and structural limitations The biological timeline: When does recovery begin? While many people wait for the 30-day mark to celebrate their success, Dr. Tushar Madake, consultant in the department of transplant hepatology at Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune, notes that the biological pivot happens almost instantly. The liver, being the only self-regenerating organ, begins a transition the moment the last drop of alcohol is metabolised. Dr Madake delves into the timeline:The 48 to 72-hour window: The metabolic shiftWithin just two to three days of complete abstinence, a profound shift occurs at the cellular level. The liver stops prioritising the breakdown of toxic ethanol and transitions back to its primary metabolic duty: the breakdown of stored fats. This is the moment the healing phase officially takes over from the defence phase. The 7 to 14-day marker: The enzyme dropBetween the first and second week, clinical markers begin to shift. Patients often see a sharp reduction in liver enzymes such as ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) and AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase). During this window, levels of triglycerides—the fats circulating in your blood—also begin to plummet, reducing the immediate greasiness of the liver tissue. The 21 to 30-day benchmark: Visible clearingBy the end of the month, the clearing process becomes observable via medical imaging. While the cellular work started on day one, it takes about three to four weeks for the reduction in inflammation and fat to reach a level that is clinically significant. The myth of the complete reset Dr. Chetan Kalal, consultant hepatologist and transplant physician at Saifee Hospital in Mumbai, offers a vital reality check: 30 days is a brilliant start, but it is not a permanent cure. "Fatty liver does not develop overnight, and it does not disappear permanently in a month. The liver possesses a form of cellular memory. For individuals dealing with obesity, diabetes, or insulin resistance, the vulnerability remains. If a person resumes heavy drinking on February 1st, the liver often re-accumulates fat faster than it did originally,” he explains. Dr Kalal also warns against the stop-start pattern, noting that while short breaks are beneficial, they do not offer long-term protection if the underlying lifestyle remains unchanged. Reversibility versus permanent damage: The zone system The success of a 30-day reset depends largely on the starting condition of the liver. Dr Madake categorises the stages of damage to manage expectations: 1. Stages 1 and 2 (Steatosis and Hepatitis): Simple fatty liver and early inflammation are highly resilient. In nearly 100 per cent of cases, these stages can be completely reversed through prolonged abstinence. 2. Stage 3 (Fibrosis): Known as the yellow zone, this stage involves significant scarring. While the scars themselves may not vanish in 30 days, the inflammation surrounding them settles, effectively freezing the disease and preventing it from advancing to total failure. 3. Stage 4 (Cirrhosis): This represents permanent structural damage. However, even here, a 30-day break is life-saving. It reduces acute on chronic inflammation and lowers pressure within the portal system, helping the remaining healthy tissue function more efficiently. Binge drinkers versus daily drinkers: Who benefits more? “The liver processes different drinking patterns through distinct pathways, meaning the recovery feels different for everyone,” says Dr Madake. Below, he explains how the liver of binge drinkers and regular drinkers may differ in benefiting from a month of abstinence. 1. The steady drinker (1–2 drinks daily): These individuals often live in a state of metabolic sluggishness. Because the liver is always processing alcohol, it is never in repair mode. These drinkers often see the most dramatic improvements in insulin sensitivity and enzyme function during ‘Dry January’. 2. The binge drinker: Binge drinking causes oxidative bursts—sudden shocks to the cells that can cause DNA damage. Even if a binge drinker has several dry days a week, the intensity of the shock means their cells may actually take longer to recover than those of a moderate daily drinker. Beyond the liver: The domino effect The benefits of a month-long hiatus extend far beyond a single organ. Dr Madake describes a domino effect that touches almost every system in the body: 1. Insulin sensitivity: Alcohol disrupts blood sugar regulation. A 30-day break can significantly lower blood sugar levels, reducing the long-term risk of Type 2 Diabetes. 2. Cardiovascular health: Alcohol acts as a vasoconstrictor. Within 2 to 4 weeks, many people notice a measurable drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. 3. Systemic inflammation: Markers like C-Reactive Protein (CRP) decline. This manifests physically as less facial puffiness (alcohol bloat), reduced joint pain, and clearer skin. 4. Sleep and cognition: Alcohol notoriously destroys REM sleep. Abstinence allows the brain to return to normal sleep cycles, improving its ability to eliminate metabolic waste—essentially a detox for the mind. Supporting the reset: The anti-detox diet Dr Kalal is quick to dispel the myth of liver detox foods. "The liver detoxifies on its own," he asserts. The goal of a 30-day reset should not be to add superfoods, but to reduce the metabolic burden. To maximise the benefits of Dry January, he recommends:1. Prioritising protein: Essential for preserving muscle mass and improving insulin sensitivity. 2. Cutting refined carbs and sugar: This is more critical than cutting dietary fats. Sugar and sweetened beverages are primary drivers of liver fat. 3. Embracing healthy fats: Focus on nuts, seeds, and fish to support metabolic balance. 4. Black coffee: Surprisingly, regular black coffee has strong clinical evidence for protecting the liver against scarring and disease over time. How do you know it has worked? Because fatty liver is a silent disease, feeling better isn't always proof of a total recovery. Dr Kalal points out that standard blood tests can be misleadingly normal even when scarring is present. For a true assessment, he recommends non-invasive tools like a FibroScan (which measures liver stiffness and fat), simple fibrosis scores derived from routine blood work, or advanced MRI-based fat measurements. These tools provide a window into the liver that a simple physical exam cannot.The final verdict A 30-day break from alcohol is a powerful physiological restart. It offers the liver a much-needed window to pivot from detoxification to repair. However, for the reset to have a lasting impact, it must be viewed as a gateway to more consistent habits rather than a temporary hall pass. As both experts agree: the liver is forgiving, but it values consistency over novelty.
27 January,2026 11:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Maitrai AgarwalThe entrepreneurial dream is alive and well. Every year, millions of people launch side hustles, hoping to turn passion projects into profitable ventures. Yet a surprising number of these promising businesses never make it past the initial setup phase. The culprit? Not lack of demand, insufficient capital, or poor marketing—but something far more mundane: paperwork. The Documentation Disconnect Most aspiring entrepreneurs spend months perfecting their product or service. They research their market, build their brand, and dream about their first sale. But when it comes time to make their business official, many hit an unexpected wall. The excitement of creation collides with the reality of registration, and suddenly that brilliant side-hustle idea starts collecting dust. The statistics tell a sobering story. Studies suggest that nearly 40% of aspiring business owners abandon their plans during the registration and compliance phase. They're not failing because their ideas lack merit—they're failing because the administrative burden feels insurmountable. Why Paperwork Becomes a Breaking Point Overwhelming Complexity The average person launching a side hustle has no legal or accounting background. Terms like "operating agreement," "EIN," and "registered agent" might as well be written in another language. When faced with choosing between LLC, sole proprietorship, or S-corporation status, many people freeze, afraid of making the wrong choice. Hidden Costs and Unexpected Fees What starts as a seemingly simple registration process quickly reveals layers of expenses. State filing fees, publication requirements in certain states, registered agent services, and ongoing compliance costs add up fast. For someone testing a business idea while working full-time, these costs can feel prohibitive. Time Poverty Side hustlers are, by definition, time-starved. They're carving out hours from evenings and weekends to build their business. When those precious hours must be spent deciphering legal documents or waiting on hold with state offices, motivation evaporates. The opportunity cost feels too high. Fear of Legal Consequences The stakes of getting paperwork wrong feel enormous. What if you file incorrectly and face penalties? What if you choose the wrong business structure and face unexpected tax bills? This fear often leads to analysis paralysis—endless research without action. The Most Common Paperwork Pitfalls Challenge Impact Why It Happens Choosing the wrong business structure Tax inefficiency, personal liability exposure Lack of understanding of options Missing state-specific requirements Fines, business dissolution Requirements vary dramatically by state Incomplete operating agreements Partnership disputes, unclear ownership Templates don't match specific needs Delayed EIN application Cannot open business bank accounts Perceived complexity of IRS processes Ignoring local permits/licenses Operating illegally, potential fines Unawareness of local regulations Breaking Through the Paperwork Barrier The good news? These obstacles are entirely surmountable with the right approach. Start With Education, Not Registration Before filing anything, invest a few hours in understanding your options. Resources like LLCBuddy and similar platforms offer free guides that break down business structures in plain language. Understanding the "why" behind each requirement makes the process far less intimidating. Embrace the Minimum Viable Business Entity You don't need perfect paperwork to start—you need adequate paperwork. For many side hustles, a simple sole proprietorship or single-member LLC provides sufficient protection without overwhelming complexity. You can always restructure as your business grows. Leverage Technology and Templates The paperwork that once required expensive lawyers can now be handled with guided online tools. While complex situations still warrant professional advice, straightforward side hustles can often be established using well-designed templates and LLC formation services that walk you through each step. Break It Into Milestones Instead of viewing business registration as one massive task, divide it into manageable chunks: Research and choose your business structure Select and register your business name Obtain your EIN from the IRS Register with your state Set up a business bank account Research industry-specific licenses Tackling one item per week makes the process feel achievable rather than overwhelming. Invest Strategically in Expert Help You don't need to hire a lawyer for everything, but a one-hour consultation can be invaluable. Many attorneys offer fixed-fee packages for basic business formation. That small investment can save you from costly mistakes and give you confidence to move forward. The Cost of Inaction Here's what many aspiring entrepreneurs don't realize: the cost of not handling paperwork properly often exceeds the cost of doing it right. Operating without proper registration can lead to personal liability for business debts, tax complications, difficulty securing business credit, and even legal penalties. For example, if you have an LLC in California, you must pay the Franchise Tax of $800. If you delay or try to avoid it, it only leads to more complicated tax burdens in the future. More importantly, there's the opportunity cost. Every month you delay because of paperwork paralysis is a month you're not building your customer base, refining your offering, or generating revenue. Moving Forward The paperwork stage doesn't have to be where dreams go to die. By approaching business formation as a learnable skill rather than an insurmountable obstacle, you can push through this critical phase and get back to what you love—building your business. The forms are finite, the processes are documented, and the finish line is closer than you think.
27 January,2026 11:18 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanAdverse effects on health due to emissions from the world's plastics system, including greenhouse gases, air-polluting particles and toxic chemicals released from production, could more than double by 2040, compared to levels in 2016, if current trends continue, according to a study. The study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal, also highlighted that the global production of plastics may not peak until beyond 2100, worsening environmental and health burdens in an already overwhelmed system. Plastic pollution and emissions released across its lifecycle are increasingly recognised for their potential impacts on human health, yet the overall scale of the impact is only beginning to be fully quantified, researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and institutes in France, said. Quantifying health impacts throughout plastics' lifecycles can inform global action against pollution, promoting sustainability across the environment, economy and health, they said. The team added that a non-disclosure of the chemical composition of plastics is "severely limiting" lifecycle assessments in informing effective policy. The plastics lifecycle assessment study is the first global-scale one to estimate health impacts in terms of 'disability-adjusted life-years' related to greenhouse gases, air pollutants and chemicals released, the researchers said. Lifecycles of plastic products analysed include raw material extraction to polymer production to post-consumption waste collection, recycling technologies, dumpsites and open burning and environmental pollution. The model put forth in the study contributes a flexible framework that can be expanded to include new data and methods and improve precision in health impact estimates associated with plastics, their alternatives and substitutes -- the information can contribute towards a rapidly changing policy landscape, the authors said. The framework currently recommends a deep reduction in primary plastic (virgin plastic) production in leading a transition away from substances, along with assessments that account for plastics' functions across sectors. A globally coordinated policy that addresses upstream effects through a full lifecycle approach is crucial to protecting human health, the researchers said. "We found that emissions throughout plastics lifecycles contributed to human health burdens of global warming, air pollution, toxicity-related cancers, and non-communicable diseases, with greatest harms from primary plastics production and open burning," the authors wrote. "Adverse health effects associated with the global plastics system more than doubled under P2O (plastics-to-ocean) BAU (business-as-usual) projections for 2016-40," they said. The authors say to effectively reduce plastic emissions and their impact on health, policymakers must better regulate and significantly reduce the production of new plastics for non-essential uses to effectively reduce plastic emissions and health impacts. Over 175 countries have agreed to develop a Global Plastics Treaty, which is under negotiation. 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
27 January,2026 09:08 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIADVERTISEMENT
