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World Heart Federation marks Mar 27 as World Adherence Day with 14 institutions
Millions of lives—and billions in healthcare costs—are at stake due to one critical but often ignored issue: failure to follow treatment plans. The World Heart Federation (WHF) warns that non-adherence to medication, lifestyle recommendations, and overall healthcare plans is fuelling preventable hospitalisations, worsening health outcomes, and straining healthcare budgets worldwide. To address this crisis, WHF has partnered with leading institutions to mark March 27 as World Adherence Day—a global call to action to ensure patients stay on track with life-saving medicines and healthier lifestyles. Across the globe, adherence rates to medical treatments and lifestyle changes are dangerously low. In high-income countries, it is estimated that more than 50 per cent of patients with chronic conditions do not follow their prescribed treatments; adherence rates are even lower in lower-income nations. “This is a defining moment and raising awareness is the first step in closing these critical gaps in healthcare,” says professor Jagat Narula, president of the World Heart Federation. “The reasons for non-adherence are complex—from stigma and communication barriers to financial constraints—and we must act now.” The stakes couldn’t be higher. Non-adherence to therapies has a great impact on population health, causing around 200,000 deaths in Europe every year. In fact, research shows that increasing adherence rates to 70 per cent could save more than €330 million over 10 years in the European Union. One study in China found that good adherence after heart attack was associated with a 39 per cent reduction in cardiovascular events; a study in the US found that patients adhering to treatment experienced a lower rate of cardiovascular events, reduced by 20 per cent. Meanwhile healthcare costs are skyrocketing. In the US, non-adherence to medication and healthcare plans in chronic disease patients led to annual per-person costs of up to USD 52,341 in a single year, driven by increased hospitalizations, emergency visits, and outpatient care. For healthcare professionals and caregivers, ensuring patients stick to their treatment plans— including medications, diet, exercise, and regular check-ups—is an uphill task. Limited time, resources, and follow-up mechanisms make it difficult to track adherence—leaving patients vulnerable to life-threatening consequences. The WHF, in alliance with 14 global partners, is calling on patients, caregivers, the pharmaceutical industry, and the medical community to unite in breaking down barriers to adherence. “Treatment doesn’t stop at the doctor’s office,” says Narula, “with World Adherence Day, we intend to ignite a global dialogue and invoke a movement to make adherence—whether to medications, healthier living, or follow-up care—a healthcare priority that deserves a universal commitment.”
27 March,2025 11:11 AM IST | Geneva | mid-day online correspondent
Repetitive behaviours indicative of autism diagnosis rather than social skills
People with autism are typically diagnosed by clinical observation and assessment. To deconstruct the clinical decision process, which is often subjective and difficult to describe, researchers used a large language model (LLM) to synthesise the behaviours and observations that are most indicative of an autism diagnosis. Their results show that repetitive behaviours, special interests, and perception-based behaviours are most associated with an autism diagnosis. These findings have the potential to improve diagnostic guidelines for autism by decreasing the focus on social factors- which the established guidelines in the DSM-5 focus on but the model did not classify among the most relevant in diagnosing autism. "Our goal was not to suggest that we could replace clinicians with AI tools for diagnosis," says senior author Danilo Bzdok of the Mila Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute and McGill University in Montreal. "Rather, we sought to quantitatively define exactly what aspects of observed behaviour or patient history a clinician uses to reach a final diagnostic determination. In doing so, we hope to empower clinicians to work with diagnostic instruments that are more in line with their empirical realities." The scientists leveraged a transformer language model, which was pre-trained on about 489 million unique sentences. They then fine-tuned the LLM to predict the diagnostic outcome from a collection of more than 4,000 reports written by clinicians working with patients considered for autism diagnosis. The reports, which were often used by multiple clinicians, included accounts of observed behaviour and relevant patient history but did not include a suggested diagnostic outcome. The team developed a bespoke LLM module that pinpointed specific sentences in the reports that were most relevant to a correct diagnosis prediction. They then extracted the numerical representation of these highly autism-relevant sentences and compared them directly with the established diagnostic criteria enumerated in the DSM-5. The researchers were surprised by how clearly the LLM was able to distinguish between the most diagnostically relevant criteria. For example, their framework flagged that repetitive behaviours, special interests, and perception-based behaviour were the criteria most relevant to autism. While these criteria are used in clinical settings, current criteria focus more on deficits in social interplay and lack of communication skills. The team expects their framework will be helpful to researchers and medical professionals working with a range of psychiatric, mental health, and neurodevelopmental disorders in which clinical judgement forms the bulk of the diagnostic decision-making process. 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 March,2025 10:54 AM IST | Washington DC (USA) | mid-day online correspondent
AIIMS to launch human trials on indigenous MRI machine system in October
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi is expected to run human trials on India's first indigenously developed MRI machine system in October. The indigenous 1.5 Tesla MRI system for medical imaging will be built at the Indigenous Magnetic Resonance Imaging (IMRI) -- a national mission, sponsored by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) and being implemented at the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER), an autonomous government institution under Meity. C-DAC (Trivandrum), C-DAC (Kolkata), IUAC (New Delhi), and DSI-MIRC (Bangalore) will work as collaborating agencies to design and develop the MRI system. Meity informed that "animal trials have been concluded". In addition, “the subsystems development and testing of RF Power Amplifier, High power T/R switch, RF spectrometer, RF Coils, Rx. Front ends, control unit, couch, and IMRI software have been completed and integrated with the procured magnet, gradient coil, and gradient amplifier," it added. “India takes a big leap in developing frugal and indigenous health solutions including medical devices to not just meet domestic demand but also to serve the next billion,” said Sunita Verma, Group Coordinator R&D, MeitY. The MRI machine is part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SAMEER, and AIIMS. Under the MoU, both institutions will work collaboratively to develop high-field/low field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)/ Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) systems and promote research in radio frequency (RF), microwave systems, and allied areas for medical applications. The MOU encompasses five key areas: collaborative research in medical devices development; clinical validation of indigenous 1.5 T MRI system developed by SAMEER, Mumbai; collaborative research in AI/ML for image enhancement and accelerated imaging; design and development of subsystems of high/low field MRI scanner; and development of RF subsystems for high field animal MRI scanners. “It is important to showcase the country’s capabilities, and clinicians must work closely with scientists to develop more and better medical devices,” said Dr M. Srinivas, Director, AIIMS, New Delhi. 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.
26 March,2025 11:47 AM IST | New Delhi | IANS
Increased screen time driving near-sightedness in children, adults: Study
Overuse of digital devices and the resulting increased screen time is driving a significant number of people, especially the young towards near-sightedness or myopia, warned experts on Monday. Health experts have long been raising concerns over the world moving towards an explosive myopic crisis, especially post the Covid-19 pandemic, when traditional schools shifted to online learning through tablets and laptops; and outdoor activities were almost eliminated. “Digital eye strain is becoming a significant concern, especially among children post Covid. When children focus on screens for long periods, the eye muscles remain contracted. Over time, this prolonged strain contributes to the development of myopia (near-sightedness), particularly in young, pliable eyes,” said Dr. Anuj Mehta, Professor, and HOD, Ophthalmology, VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital at the ‘Illness To Wellness’ Summit organised by ASSOCHAM. Dr. Kirti Singh, Director Professor, Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi said that the constant focus on screens decreases the rate of eye blinking, leading to dry eyes. “This issue is even more pronounced in cramped spaces with poor ventilation, excessive air conditioning, or exposure to smoke - conditions often seen in ‘sick building syndrome,” Singh. According to ophthalmologist Dr. (Prof.) A. K. Grover, from a city-based hospital, reduced or ineffective blinking leads to ocular surface issues such as dryness, burning, and eye fatigue. "Prolonged screen time strains our ability to shift focus between near and distant objects causing focusing difficulties. It can also lead to poor posture which contributes to neck and head strain, adding to overall discomfort,” Grover noted. Singh added that the impact of digital strain isn’t limited to just the eyes. “Our body functions as a connected system -- eye health is linked to liver and heart health and kidney,” she said. The experts agree that eliminating digital devices from children’s lives is unrealistic. However, steps can be taken to minimize its impact of causing digital eye strain. They emphasised the importance of balance, encouraging more outdoor activities to strengthen long-distance vision. They suggested the 20-20-20 rule which is after 20 minutes of screen time, take a 20-second break by looking at an object 20 feet away and aim for at least 2 hours of outdoor activity daily as well. 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
25 March,2025 10:43 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Facing high cholesterol? Your office coffee brewing machine may be a cause
Love to sip that freshly brewed coffee at work? Beware, your coffee brewing machine at the office may raise your cholesterol levels, claims a study. The study led by researchers from the Uppsala University and Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden found that automated coffee brewing machines in the workplace contain natural chemicals, known as diterpenes -- known to increase cholesterols. Elevated cholesterol levels are an established risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. In the paper, published in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, the team found significantly higher levels of cafestol and kahweol in coffee examined from 14 machines in Swedish healthcare facilities. Cafestol and kahweol are coffee-specific diterpenes -- known for their potential to increase cholesterol levels. The diterpene concentrations in coffee from brewing machines considerably exceeded paper-filtered coffee. It is because paper filters typically trap these compounds, but metal filters found in many coffee machines allow them to pass into your cup. The researchers examined brewing machines -- which produce coffee in 10-30 seconds by passing hot water through ground beans and a metal filter; liquid-model machines -- which mix liquid coffee concentrate with hot water; and instant machines. While the brewing machines showed the highest diterpene levels, the liquid-model machines generally contained much lower levels comparable to paper-filtered coffee. For espresso, there was a considerable and unexplained variation in diterpene concentration between the four samples tested. This needs further study but may be of importance for regular espresso consumers, said the team. “Based on the concentrations of cafestol and kahweol in investigated machine coffees, thoroughly filtered coffee seems like the preferable choice for cardiovascular health. Accordingly, filtered coffee should be preferred, also in workplace settings,” said the researchers. “Intake of insufficiently filtered coffee during working hours could be an overlooked factor for cardiovascular health due to its effect on plasma cholesterol concentrations,” they added. The researchers also acknowledged major limitations such as its small sample size and lack of details regarding the designs of each coffee machine. The team also called for establishing the link with more studies. 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
24 March,2025 03:03 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Type 2 diabetes linked with some obesity-related cancers: Study
A new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been linked to a subsequent increase in the risk of developing some, but not all, obesity related cancers, according to new research. Previous research has described associations between type 2 diabetes mellitus and higher risk of several obesity-related cancers. However, it remains unclear whether these associations are causal, due to confounding (their mutual risk factor of obesity); immortal time bias (many studies combine prevalent and new-onset T2D); or time detection bias (for example, the co-diagnosis of two relatively common conditions at the same time). In this study, to be presented at European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025, Malaga, Spain, 11-14 May), the authors aimed to address these previous methodological flaws. They performed a matched cohort control study within UK Biobank of new-onset T2D (defined by date of first reported non-insulin dependent diabetes) versus unexposed individuals matched (1 participant to 3 controls) on body mass index (BMI), age, and sex. A total of 23,750 participants with T2D were matched with 71,123 controls. Over a median follow-up time of 5 years, there were 2431 new primary cancers among T2D participants and 5184 new primary cancers among matched controls. The data analysis showed new-onset T2D was associated with a 48 per cent increased risk of obesity related cancers in men and a 24 per cent increased risk in women – an effect independent of BMI. However, there were no associations with several site-specific ORCs – notably, endometrial, and post-menopausal breast cancer in women There were positive associations found – new onset T2D increased the risk for bowel cancer by 27 per cent in men and 34 per cent in women; for pancreatic cancer by 74 per cent in men and a near-doubling of risk in women. For liver cancer new onset T2D was associated with a near-quadrupling of risk in men and near 5-fold increased risk in women. “At this stage, we are unsure whether these differences in men and women are due to a sex-dependent biological pathway such as hormone levels, insulin sensitivity, body fat composition, or due to a simple difference in the number of cancers found in men and women within UK Biobank by chance,” said the study authors. 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
24 March,2025 11:28 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Childhood obesity linked to increased risk of COPD later: Study
Children overweight or obese may be at an increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adulthood, according to a study. COPD is a progressive lung disease that makes it hard to breathe and worsens over time. While smoking is a major risk factor for COPD, other risk factors like environmental, occupational, and even early life factors are increasingly being recognised. The study led by researchers from Copenhagen University in Denmark focuses on examining the link between a high body mass index (BMI) in childhood and COPD. The team found that compared to women with an average childhood BMI, risks of chronic COPD were 10 per cent higher for those who had an above-average BMI trajectory. For women with an overweight trajectory, the risk was 26 per cent higher and for those with an obesity BMI trajectory the risk was 65 per cent higher. Similarly, compared to men with an average childhood BMI, the risks of COPD were 7 per cent higher for those with an above-average trajectory. For men with an overweight trajectory, the risk was 16 per cent higher and those with an obesity trajectory the risk was 40 per cent higher. In contrast, a lower risk of future COPD was observed only for women with a below-average childhood BMI trajectory -- 9 per cent lower compared to women with an average childhood BMI trajectory. “Having a BMI trajectory above average in childhood may increase the risk of subsequent COPD. Thus, our results suggest that being overweight during this early period of life is an indicator of risk for the development of COPD,” said Frida Richter, from the Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, at the varsity. The study included data from 276,747 Danish children (137,493 girls) born from 1930-1982, who had between 2 and 12 weight and height measurements between ages 6-15 years. They were then examined for a diagnosis of COPD from age 40 years onwards. The research will be presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) to be held in Malaga, Spain in May. 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
22 March,2025 12:27 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
World Water Day: The surprising link between hydration and hunger
World Water Day, observed annually on March 22, serves as a reminder of the criticality of hydration in holistic wellbeing. Considered to be among the most important nutrients, water supports physical functions, including circulation and digestion, supports cognitive function, and helps rid our bodies of toxins. While it is recommended for adults to drink at least 2 litres of water each day, water can also be leveraged as a tool to influence eating patterns, appetite control, and supporting metabolic health. There is a strong link between hydration and hunger that goes unnoticed by many. People often mistakenly perceive thirst to be hunger and consume additional calories. On World Water Day, nutritionists will help explore the connection between hydration and hunger, debunk common misconceptions about fluid intake, and provide actionable advice on including adequate water in your everyday diet to empower individuals to make informed choices about their water consumption. How much water should we drink? “Water constitutes roughly 70 per cent of our bodies. This percentage varies depending on factors including gender, age, and body composition, and so does the quantity of water we should be drinking depending on our lifestyle and diet. While most of us obtain nearly 20 to 30 per cent of water from food, the majority, approximately 70 to 80 per cent comes from beverages,” explains Swati Mohapatra, diet and clinical nutrition, Manipal Hospitals, Bhubaneswar. She tells us that our bodies cannot store water hence we must ensure that we keep ourselves hydrated. “While the daily requirements vary based on several factors including diet, lifestyle, gender, and age, the adequate total water intake for sedentary adult is on an average between 2.5 to 3 litres per day. To put this in context of body weight, a healthy adult needs around 35 ml of water each day per kg body weight,” she concludes. Debunking misconceptions about thirst and hungerSuvarna Sawant, chief dietician and head of department of clinical nutrition and dietetics at Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai debunks most common misconceptions around thirst and hunger: 1. Thirst and hunger originate from different biological signals, yet many people confuse the two. People mistakenly believe that because they are feeling hungry the body needs food. In reality, it can also be a sign of mild dehydration. 2. The body has a finely tuned system to keep fluid balance in check, but when a person is caught up in daily activities, thirst can be mistaken for hunger, leading to unintentional overeating. For example, a busy individual might quickly grab a snack rather than pause for a glass of water, thus consuming extra calories when the true need was drinking water. Recognizing thirst correctly can help manage both snacking frequency and total caloric intake. 3. Similarly, feeling thirsty or dehydrated is not the only time when your body needs water. Sometimes, dehydration can happen even when you don’t feel thirsty, especially in individuals living in arid or dry conditions. Thus, drinking proactively is important. 4. Many people believe that drinking beverages like tea, coffee, juices, is equal to drinking water or keeping the body hydrated. However, these drinks contain caffeine and sugar and fail to achieve the hydration goals, while adding unwanted calories in your body. It is important to remember that w ater has no substitutes. How can we distinguish between true hunger and thirst? If thirst can be perceived as hunger, then how can we tell the difference? By paying close attention to our bodily sensations. “Common hunger sensations can be a growling stomach, feelings of emptiness or aching in the abdomen. Thirst is regulated by the hormones named aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) – responsible for taking care of fluid balance in the body. Thus, thirst symptoms can vary from hunger and include a dry mouth, heaviness, and headaches, coupled with fatigue,” states Vani Krishna, chief nutritionist at Manipal Hospital, Varthur. Her advice is simple, “The next time you feel hungry, drink a glass of water and wait for a period of 10 to 20 minutes. If that feeling goes away, it is most likely thirst and not hunger. But if it remains, then it is true hunger.” How to leverage water for effectively managing appetite While there is no ‘perfect time of day’ to get the maximum appetite-control benefit, pre-meal water intake can be of help, according to Sawant. “Observational studies have proved that individuals who drank water before meals, as part of a broader weight-loss effort, experienced more reduction in body weight than those on a similar diet without the added water. This practice, according to the observational findings, may help with satiety and potentially lower calorie intake,” she describes. The amount of water an individual should drink is highly variable and depends on considerations related to body size, physical activity level, and other personal requirements. “Drinking half a litre of water before meals is an effective way to manage appetite. Having water before meals fills up the stomach, making the individual feel satiated and thereby bringing down portion size. Water also can temporarily slow down the release of ghrelin, which is the hormone that stimulates hunger when the stomach is empty or when the body needs energy,” suggests Krishna. Long term benefits of hydrating before meals “Consistently drinking water could create sustained changes in eating behaviour,” poses Sawant. She tells us of Western studies that have found that people who drink roughly 500 ml of water before meals not only lose more weight but also tend to maintain healthier eating patterns over time. “The results may be subjective and haven’t been scientifically tested in Indian demographic but the concept can translate well to our cultural setting. For instance, having water before lunch might help us feel satisfied with moderate portions, rather than overindulging,” she states. However, Sawant clarifies, “Such observations do not guarantee automatic transformation of lifelong habits, but they do suggest that including water as a conscious part of mealtime may be easier to maintain than many restrictive diets. Over months, this approach could gradually reshape how much (and maybe even what) you choose to eat.” Hacks to get yourself to hit your daily water goals Ask anyone who complains incessantly about hitting their daily water goals, staying hydrated can be a challenge. Here are five practical hacks to ensure you are adequately hydrated throughout the day: 1. The morning glass: Let the first thing you do in the morning is d rink a glass of water. After waking up, drink water to help remove toxins from the body. 2. Infuse your water: If you are used to sipping on different beverages throughout the day, try adding fruits to your water for extra flavour and hydration. Experiment with combinations of citrus and herbs like lemon, oranges, mint, cucumber, ginger, basil, etc. 3. Pre-meal water: Drinking water roughly 30 minutes before meals helps improve digestion. 4. Carry a bottle everywhere: Make sure you always have water handy, especially if you are on the go. High chances are, if you can see it, you will sip on it. You may also opt for a marked bottle with measurements to keep track of your intake. 5. Set reminders: While many smart watches can remind you to move after being sedentary for too long, add reminders for hydration as well.
22 March,2025 10:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Maitrai Agarwal
Air pollution a cause of increased heart attacks in India: Experts
Air pollution not only affects the lungs but is also behind the increased heart attacks in the country, said public health experts on Friday. Poor air quality has in recent years become a serious public health concern. Studies have confirmed its role in diseases ranging from respiratory to diabetes to heart to cancers. “Imagery showing people coughing in air pollution has led to the common perception that it only causes lung diseases. However, we need to understand that the effect of air pollution on heart health is extremely important. Air pollution kills by way of cardiovascular diseases,” said Dr. Sandeep Bansal, Medical Superintendent, VMMC & Safdarjung, Hospital, at the ‘Illness to Wellness’ summit organised by ASSOCHAM. “Particulate Matter 2.5 has the ability to enter the bloodstream and can transform cholesterol in the body into oxidised cholesterol, which can lead to plaque ruptures, a condition that may trigger acute heart attacks,” he added. In a recent study, Bansal’s team found that a rise of 0.5 in particulate matter over the preceding week is linked to an increase in heart attack cases. He urged for effective solutions to prevent air pollution and, in turn, improve cardiovascular health. Another study, published in the BMJ, shows that outdoor air pollution from all sources accounts for 2.18 million deaths per year in India -- of which 30 per cent are attributable to heart disease. Heart disease is the number one cause of mortality and a silent epidemic among Indians. Increased obesity levels are also a major concern. Obesity is a major risk factor for hypertension, diabetes, and cancers -- all of which can contribute to heart diseases. To counter this, the government has launched several initiatives like Fit India, Khelo India, POSHAN Abhiyan, and Eat Right India, among others “The government has launched the Fit India movement to encourage physical activity and sports, inspiring the younger generation to engage in more outdoor activities instead of being glued to electronic gadgets. Additionally, the Eat Right India movement promotes healthy eating and reduces the consumption of unhealthy foods,” said Dr. Manoj Kumar Jha, Additional Medical Superintendent, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences & Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Jha advised making small changes like eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and prioritising preventive healthcare through regular check-ups and good hygiene. 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
21 March,2025 10:11 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
World Tuberculosis Day 2025: How advanced diagnostics aids early detection
India is home to millions of Tuberculosis patients. It is one of the deadliest infectious diseases and needs timely attention. Cases of TB are surging at an alarming rate. Early detection is essential in controlling its spread and improving treatment outcomes. With advancements like molecular testing, it is possible to identify the disease more precisely and detect drug-resistant strains at an early stage. Delayed diagnosis often leads to a higher risk of morbidity and mortality.Every year, World Tuberculosis Day is observed on March 24 to raise awareness about the disease and its effects on the body. TB is a bacterial infection that happens due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, taking a toll on the lungs. It is transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The symptoms commonly seen are persistent cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue. Factors like weak immunity, malnutrition, and close contact with infected individuals increase the risk of TB infection. If left untreated, TB can become severe and cause complications such as lung damage. Dr Tanish Mandal, consultant pathologist and zonal technical chief, Apollo Diagnostic Delhi said, “Prompt TB detection is lifesaving, as it enables immediate treatment and prevents further transmission. Advanced molecular diagnostics, such as PCR-based tests, have revolutionized TB detection by delivering accurate results within hours, allowing us to save more lives. These tests can identify even low bacterial loads, ensuring early intervention. Early diagnosis also reduces the risk of complications, such as long-term lung damage, empyema, and pneumothorax (lung collapse). Regular screening is essential for controlling the spread of TB. Moreover, timely diagnosis and treatment significantly reduce medical costs, hospital stays, and loss of productivity, thereby easing the financial burden on patients and their families. With the right testing and treatment strategies, we can move closer to eradicating this preventable and treatable disease.” Dr Mandal added, “Molecular testing will allow the detection of drug-resistant TB by identifying genetic mutations that confer resistance to first-line drugs. Unlike traditional culture-based methods, which take weeks, molecular testing gives rapid results and ensures the expert can initiate appropriate treatment sooner. Early identification of drug resistance will help patients receive targeted therapy, improving recovery rates and preventing the further spread of resistant strains. As TB continues to pose a threat, molecular diagnostics into routine TB screening is a game-changer in the fight against this disease.” Dr Tanvi Bhatt, pulmonologist, Zynova Shalby Hospital in Mumbai Said, ‘‘India is home to millions of Tuberculosis (TB) patients. A large number of people with TB have been successfully be able to improve their quality of life after treatment. However, TB is known to take a toll on the lungs by causing lasting damage. Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease that affects the lungs and spreads through coughing, sneezing, talking. The common symptoms are constant coughing, chest pain, coughing up blood, poor appetite, weight loss and fatigue. 50% of the patients who come to the outpatient department for treatment are TB patients. These TB patients are in the age group of 18 to 40 years. Treatment includes in the form of medication. TB can impact one’s lung function, lead to smaller lungs (restrictive disease) and narrower airways with slower airflow (obstructive disease). Post-TB treatment, TB survivors may experience breathlessness which can interfere in their daily routine and impact the quality of life.’’ "Tuberculosis (TB) is known to compromise the lung strength by damaging the lung tissues. Breathing problems, tiredness, and shortness of breath are the critical signs and symptoms of low lung strength. Tb also widens the airways permanently, raising the risk of respiratory infections. It will be imperative for patients to prioritize their lung health by going for regular check-ups and follow-ups, getting vaccinated (especially for pneumonia), maintaining hand hygiene, wearing a mask, social distancing, not being around sick people, avoiding crowded places, eating a nutritious diet, exercise, weight management and medication,” concluded Dr Bhatt.
20 March,2025 03:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
WHO: SE Asia carries highest global burden of oral diseases, mouth cancer
South-East Asia has the highest global burden of oral diseases and mouth cancers, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) on World Oral Health Day on Thursday. World Oral Health Day is marked annually on March 20 to draw attention to oral health -- a key indicator of overall health, well-being, and quality of life. The theme this year is “a happy mouth is a happy mind.” Oral diseases are among the most common noncommunicable diseases worldwide. It affects an estimated 3.5 billion people. “Among the six WHO regions, South-East Asia reports the highest number -- approximately 900 million cases of oral diseases and conditions -- reflecting the region’s large population,” said Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia. “Our region also has the highest burden of oral cancer among all WHO regions. This is the leading cancer among males in the region, accounting for 11.2 per cent of all cases,” she added. The Regional Director noted that oral diseases "cause physical symptoms, functional limitations, and a detrimental impact on emotional, mental, and social well-being". A major reason for South-East Asia’s growing poor oral health is the high consumption of smokeless tobacco and areca nut -- proven carcinogens causing oral cancer. “A recent analysis revealed that one in two cases of oral cancer in our region is attributable to smokeless tobacco or areca nut consumption. This essentially indicates the number of cases that could be prevented if smokeless tobacco or areca nut consumption were eliminated from the population, emphasising the potential impact of primary prevention,” Wazed said. Wazed called the countries of the South-East Asia Region and partners for accelerated action to achieve universal health coverage for oral health by 2030. Meanwhile, the WHO is in the process of formulating a regional roadmap to address the burden of oral cancer. It will guide countries in regionally relevant strategies to address the burden of oral cancer and other health outcomes.
20 March,2025 02:32 PM IST | New Delhi | IANS