The winter weather can significantly affect the skin, leaving it dry, flaky and sensitive. The cold air and low humidity can worsen skin health while causing a range of skin-related issues. The seasonal shift calls for a change in skincare practices and routines. “During winter, people are often seen complaining about worsening skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. The lower levels of sunlight in winter can impact your skin leading to vitamin D deficiency,” informs Dr Rinky Kapoor, Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetic Dermatologist and Dermato-Surgeon at The Esthetic Clinics. Skincare tips for winter She shares the following tips to keep your skin healthy, hydrated and glowing during the cold weather: Stay hydrated from within: If you want healthy and glowing skin, make sure you stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, and you can even try eating fruits like watermelon due to its water content. Additionally, stews, soups, and herbal teas can not only help you stay hydrated but also provide you with much-needed warmth during the colder months. Skip extremely hot showers: Who doesn’t love taking hot, steamy showers during the winter? While it might be tempting to do so, prolonged exposure to hot water can be harmful for your skin. Over time, it can strip the skin of natural oil, making it look dry and extremely rough. Moisturise your skin: Ditching moisturisers during winter is a big no-no. As the temperature drops, it becomes vital to moisturise your skin. Look for moisturisers that contain ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter and ceramides. These ingredients provide intense hydration to your skin while strengthening the skin barrier. Don’t forget your SPF: It’s a common myth that you only need to apply sunscreen during the summer or when the sun is too bright. Sunscreen needs to be applied every day, even during the days when sun rays aren’t too strong. Go for broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 for better coverage and UV protection. Also Read: Ultimate bridal skincare guide: Say ‘I do’ to radiant skin on your big day
10 December,2024 04:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a significant feat, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras on Tuesday released the most detailed 3D high-resolution images of the foetal brain. For the first time in the world, 5,132 brain sections were digitally imaged at cell resolution using cutting-edge brain mapping technology developed by the team at Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at IIT. The research is critical for India as the country accounts for nearly one-fifth of the world’s childbirths at 25 million each year. This makes it vital for the country to understand brain development from the foetus to a child, to adolescence, and a young adult, and developmental disorders like learning disabilities and autism. “This study will pave the way for new scientific discoveries, allowing quantification of neurodevelopmental disorders and advances in fetal medicine. This is now the largest publicly accessible digital dataset of the human fetal brain, advancing current knowledge by 20X. This is the first time such advanced human neuroscience data has been produced from India and made freely available as a global resource,” said Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, Head, Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre, IIT Madras. The key applications of generating such high-resolution brain images are advancements to current foetal imaging technologies, for early diagnosis and treatment of developmental disorders. This work termed ‘DHARANI’, is available open source, and will advance the field of neuroscience and potentially lead to the development of treatment for health conditions affecting the brain. “I am delighted that India is at the forefront in generating human foetal brain maps for the first time through this cutting-edge technology developed by IITM’s Brain Centre. We are pleased that the support from our office has seeded this pioneering effort advancing scientific knowledge in this frontier area of brain sciences, and has generated a global resource for researchers worldwide,” said Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser. These findings have been accepted for publication as a special issue by the Journal of Comparative Neurology.
10 December,2024 03:23 PM IST | Chennai | IANSLove to binge on ultra-processed food (UPFs) like chips, biscuits, sausages, burgers, soft drinks, and instant noodles? Beware, these can make you age faster biologically, warned a study. A person's biological age is a relatively new way of measuring a person's health. It refers to how old a person seems based on various molecular biomarkers. A person with a healthy lifestyle may have a biological age younger than their chronological age, while poor lifestyle choices, such as a diet high in UPFs, can accelerate biological ageing, said researchers from Monash University in Australia The study, published in the journal Age and Aging, involved 16,055 participants from the US aged 20-79 and showed that for every 10 per cent increase in UPF consumption, the gap between biological and chronological age widened by approximately 2.4 months. Participants in the highest UPF consumption quintile (68-100 per cent of energy intake in their diet) were biologically 0.86 years older than those in the lowest quintile (39 per cent or less of energy intake in their diet). Nutritional biochemist Dr. Barbara Cardoso, a senior lecturer in the University's Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food said the findings underlined the importance of eating as many unprocessed and minimally processed foods as possible. "The significance of our findings is tremendous, as our predictions show that for every 10 per cent increase in total energy intake from ultra-processed food consumption there is a nearly 2 per cent increased risk of mortality and 0.5 per cent risk of chronic disease over two years," she added. UPFs are industrial formulations typically containing ingredients not commonly used in home cooking, such as hydrogenated oils, high-fructose corn syrup, flavour enhancers, and emulsifiers. These foods are high in salt, sugar, fats, and other unhealthy elements and are designed for convenience and long shelf life. 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.
10 December,2024 03:15 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSA large-scale Swedish study on Monday suggested that drinking sweetened drinks can significantly increase your risk of serious cardiovascular diseases like stroke, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. The study also showed that eating too much-added sugar can increase the risk of stroke or aneurysm. However, limited consumption of treats can be safe. “Consuming sweet drinks was worse for your health than any other form of sugar," noted the study published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health. Suzanne Janzi, a doctoral candidate at Lund University said that the sweetened beverages, which contain liquid sugars, "typically provide less satiety than solid forms" Janzi said this makes people feel less satiated "potentially leading to overconsumption”. Moreover, unlike treats that are "often enjoyed in social settings or special occasions, sweetened beverages might be consumed more regularly.” To understand how sugar consumption affects cardiovascular disease risk, the team collected data from two major studies with a sample of 69,705 participants. The study evaluated the link between honey, treats like a pastry, or sweetened beverages like fizzy drinks -- and seven cardiovascular diseases: two different types of stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, aortic aneurysms, atrial fibrillation, and aortic stenosis. During the 10 years of follow-up, 25,739 participants were diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. High intake of sugar in general raised the risk of ischemic stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysm. It also spiked the risk of heart failure in participants with a normal BMI. Notably, they found that the highest risks of a negative health outcome arose in the lowest intake category for treats, suggesting that "extremely low sugar intake may not be necessary or beneficial for cardiovascular health.” However, Janzi said the study is “observational and cannot establish causation". Also Read: Adopting a healthy diet can reduce severity of chronic pain: Study 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
10 December,2024 10:13 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSAdopting a healthy diet can reduce the severity of chronic pain, an Australian research has found. In a new study, researchers from the University of South Australia found a direct link between greater consumption of food within the federal government's Australian Dietary Guidelines and lower levels of body pain, particularly among women, reports Xinhua news agency. "It's common knowledge that eating well is good for your health and well-being. But knowing that simple changes to your diet could offset chronic pain could be life-changing," Sue Ward, a co-author of the study, said. Previous research has found that over 30 per cent of people globally suffer from chronic pain, with women and people who are overweight or obese more likely to be affected. The new study found that higher consumption of core foods -- vegetables, fruits, grains, lean meats, dairy and alternatives -- reduces chronic pain regardless of a person's weight. "Knowing that food choices and the overall quality of a person's diet will not only make a person healthier but also help reduce their pain levels is extremely valuable," Ward said. The study found that the effect of healthy diets reducing chronic pain was more prominent for women than for men. Ward said it is possible that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of core food groups are what reduce pain, but the team cannot say with certainty whether poorer quality diets lead to more pain or if pain leads to a poorer diet. 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.
09 December,2024 06:51 PM IST | Canberra | IANSA team of researchers in the US has shown that a high fibre, plant-based dietary intervention may delay progression to multiple myeloma, a type of rare and incurable blood cancer affecting the bone marrow. The team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) has reported results from the first-ever clinical trial in this regard. "This study showcases the power of nutrition — specifically a high fibre plant-based diet — and unlocks a better understanding of how it can lead to improvements in the microbiome and metabolism to build a stronger immune system,” said MSK myeloma specialist Dr Urvi Shah, who presented these findings at the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual meeting in San Diego, California. These findings further support how we as physicians can empower patients, especially those with precancerous conditions, with knowledge on reducing their cancer risk through dietary changes, she added The study enrolled 20 participants with a precancerous blood disorder and an elevated body mass index (BMI) at risk for developing multiple myeloma. They received 12 weeks of high fibre, plant-based meals and 24 weeks of coaching. Two participants with progressing disease prior to study showed a significant improvement of their disease progression trajectory. Additionally, at one year after enrollment, none of the participants had progressed to multiple myeloma. During the study, participants were encouraged to eat as much as they wanted if it was whole plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes. With these dietary changes, there were significant improvements in quality of life, insulin resistance, gut microbiome health and inflammation. On average, participants lost eight percent of their body weight after 12 weeks. These findings were confirmed in a smoldering myeloma mouse model where 44 per cent of mice fed the high fibre diet did not progress to myeloma compared to the standard diet where all mice progressed to myeloma. 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.
09 December,2024 06:41 PM IST | New YorkCrores of devotees are set to assemble for the world's largest religious event Mahakumbh beginning on January 13, 2025, on the holy banks of Sangam in Teerthraj Prayagraj. Besides ensuring a robust pilgrimage framework for pilgrims, the Yogi Adityanath government has placed strong emphasis on their health through the establishment of Netra Kumbh, a special initiative dedicated to eye care. Spread over nine acres, Netra Kumbh targets will examine the eyes of more than 5 lakh devotees and distribute 3 lakh pairs of glasses simultaneously. Moreover, eye patients would also be identified during these examinations who require surgical interventions. They will be facilitated to undergo free operations at hospitals near their homes. This will be possible because of state govt inking agreements with more than 150 hospitals across the country. Kavindra Pratap Singh, chairman of the organising committee of Netra Kumbh, emphasised that for the first time in Mahakumbh history, patients referred by doctors for eye surgeries will be able to receive free operations at a hospital in their home district. "After examination, patients will receive referral cards, one of which will be sent to the respective hospital while the other will go to Saksham, the organising body of Netra Kumbh. Patients or Saksham workers can coordinate the surgeries based on convenience, both during and after the fair," he added. Kavindra Pratap Singh described Mahakumbh as "symbol of social harmony" and highlighted that Netra Kumbh represents a "mass eye treatment Mahayagna" aimed at addressing vision-related issues among devotees. He confirmed that doctors from the Indian Army would also volunteer their services free of cost, offering free examinations, medicines, and refreshments to eye patients. Netra Kumbh was first organised in 2019 and since then has grown substantially. During the 2019 Kumbh, the event entered the Limca Book of World Records by providing glasses to 1.5 lakh people and examining 3 lakh patients. This year, the scale of Netra Kumbh is expected to break the previous records, becoming the largest event of eye examinations and glasses distribution in any religious or medical event worldwide. Dr. Kirtika Agarwal, media coordinator of Netra Kumbh, said that the initiative will be set up in the fair area near Nagvasuki Temple in Sector 6. Netra Kumbh will run daily from January 12 to February 26, excluding the main bathing festival. She further added that approximately 150 doctors from outside the region will provide their services throughout the 45 days of Netra Kumbh, supported by 400 additional medical professionals. On any given day, 40 doctors will operate the Outpatient Department (OPD) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with an extension up to 4 p.m. if needed. In addition to 40 doctors in the OPD, there will be more than 500 optometrists, out of which 100 will provide services daily. This combined team of 200 medical professionals and volunteers will be available to examine and treat eye patients daily throughout the fair. Also Read: Luxury tent city to be set up in Uttar Pradesh for Mahakumbh 2025 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
09 December,2024 10:05 AM IST | Prayagraj | IANSAs the market for leadless pacemakers grows in India, doctors point out definite advantages of the technology for heart disease patients but also call for more data and analyses on its long-term effects. At the same time, researchers have written about the lack of a national registry tracking pacemaker implants, including conventional ones. A pacemaker helps a heart patient control an irregular heartbeat. In November, Abbott, the US-based healthcare and medical devices company, introduced the AVEIR VR single-chamber ventricular leadless pacemaker in India for treating patients having slow heart rhythms. The device has been approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, Abbott said in a statement. The AVEIR VR device is implanted directly into the heart's right lower chamber (ventricle) through a "minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure from the groin", thereby requiring no surgical cuts to the chest or wires, it said. Doctors consider a 'leadless' pacemaker an advancement over a conventional wired one, which has been commonly associated with infections. "A leadless pacemaker offers a powerful option for the treatment of people with cardiac arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats. Leadless pacemakers address known complications associated with traditional pacemakers," Dr Balbir Singh, group chairman-Cardiac Sciences, Pan Max, and chief of Interventional Cardiology and Electrophysiology at Max Hospital, Saket, said in the statement. Dr Singh, who recently implanted the AVEIR VR device in a 74-year-old woman, explained that the patient "came in a bad shape with a conventional pacing that had got badly infected". "She was running a high fever and was septic. There were vegetations (infections) on the valves of the heart. The leads, which reach the heart via valves, were infected and with them, the valves. The situation called for urgent intervention," he told PTI. He added that the pacemaker causing trouble was removed surgically and the leadless device implanted, following which the patient is now going about her daily life. Dr Ajay Kaul, chairman of Cardiac Sciences at Fortis Hospital, Noida, said the technology has definite advantages as the leads or wires in conventional pacemakers increase the chances of infection. "Most of the complications with conventional pacemakers were because of the leads -- they go to the heart via the tricuspid valve, where they can cause regurgitation (backflow). These problems are not present with a leadless pacemaker," he told PTI. However, even as patients with a high risk of infection are likely to benefit from leadless pacemakers, being a "new technology", there are concerns, especially those related to its long-term effects, according to Dr Kaul. Research from around the world has documented high success and safety rates, suggesting the leadless device's promise in the field of cardiac pacing, while also calling for clinical trial data to confirm the perceived advantages. Researchers from the UK's Royal Stoke University Hospital reviewed 18 studies that looked at almost 2,500 patients implanted with a leadless pacemaker and found that success rates ranged between 95.5 and 100 per cent. The results were published in 2022 in the Indian Pacing and Electrophysiology Journal. Another trial, titled 'LEADLESS II', that enrolled 200 patients from across the US, Canada and Europe found that the implant success rate was about 98 per cent, with a safety (no complications) of 96 per cent. "The most frequent complications were three cases of cardiac tamponade and three premature deployments," the authors, including those from the Mount Sinai Hospital in the US, wrote in the study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC): Clinical Electrophysiology. Cardiac tamponade can be life-threatening and occurs when excess fluid or blood fills the 'pericardium sac' surrounding the heart, preventing the organ from filling and functioning properly. While the technology "shows promise in the field of cardiac pacing", researchers from Emory University's School of Medicine in the US called for more clinical data. "As this technology continues to mature, randomised clinical trials comparing this technology to traditional transvenous pacemakers are needed to confirm or refute the perceived advantage of this technology," the authors wrote in a 2018 review article published in the Journal of Geriatric Cardiology. Meanwhile, researchers from India pointed out a lack of national data on pacemaker implants, including conventional ones. "More than 20,000 pacemakers are implanted each year in India and the numbers are growing annually. Despite this, there is no national registry in India that collects or tracks data of implanted devices," the authors from Bengaluru's Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research wrote. The 2018 study, which examined the profiles of heart patients undergoing pacemaker implants at the tertiary care centre between 1999 and 2014, was published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. "We need long-term data before we can fully rely on leadless pacemakers," Dr Kaul said. "Although some data is available, which has justified the use of this technology, more evidence is needed, particularly regarding its safety." Other leadless pacemakers available in India are Micra AV, developed by Medtronic, a medical device company headquartered in the US and Ireland, and Abbott's Nanostim. 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.
08 December,2024 01:32 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIA team of doctors at Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow has removed a rare giant gallbladder, sized over 15 cm, from a 35-year-old woman, giving her a new lease of life. Shalini Tiwari reported to the hospital with severe pain in the abdomen. Her ultrasound revealed a gallstone disease -- hardened deposits in the gall bladder. During her surgery, the doctors found that besides gallstones, her gall bladder was giant-sized. “Per operatively we found out the patient has a giant gallbladder, that is more than 15 cm in size. The normal size of the gallbladder is about 7-8 cm. The surgery called giant cholecystectomy is rare. Only 9 cases have to date been reported worldwide,” Dr. Suramya Pandey, general surgeon at Lucknow Civil Hospital, told IANS on Saturday. The patient was managed efficiently by the team. And the surgery went uneventfully, said the doctor. Pandey noted that Tiwari was discharged after five days, without any post-operative complications. The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that sits just below the liver on the upper right side of the abdomen. It collects and stores a digestive fluid made in the liver called bile. Giant gallbladder is a rare condition that can be caused by cholecystitis -- a redness and swelling (inflammation) of the gallbladder, gallstones, gallbladder cancer, or other diseases. It can develop in patients of any age and can mimic an abdominal tumour. People with gallbladder problems can experience a sudden, severe, and sharp pain in the upper right abdomen, or the center of the abdomen just below the breastbone. They can also suffer from back pain between the shoulder blades, and pain in the right shoulder, among others. 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. 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.
08 December,2024 07:15 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSNot only skin and eye infections but cases of allergic cough and cold cases are also rising among adults aged 30-65 due to air pollution. This surge, attributed to the city's worsening air pollution and winter smog, has left experts grappling with an influx of patients seeking relief from persistent allergic coughs and colds that are triggered by an overreaction of the immune system because of environmental irritants. Experts advised to stay indoors when the air quality is poor in the area, wear masks, and use a purifier at home. As the air quality in Mumbai is deteriorating day by day, the increased air pollution is creating havoc on one’s respiratory health. Dr Nimit Nagda, general physician at Zynova Shalby Hospital in Ghatkopar said, “The spike in cases of allergic cough and cold in adults aged 30-65 can be attributed to airborne pollutants and allergens during the smog. These conditions can cause inflammation in the airways, and raise the chances of allergic cough and common cold that can be severe and long-lasting. The winter season in Mumbai typically sees an increase in such cases due to temperature fluctuations. This year, however, the patients' symptoms are not subsiding even with standard medications. 6 out of 10 people daily in OPD with such as persistent coughing, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose and sore throat, and difficulty breathing. The treatment prescribed is antihistamines and decongestants. Also, take preventive measures such as using air purifiers at home, wearing masks when outdoors, and avoiding prolonged exposure to heavily polluted areas. So, be indoors when the air quality outside is poor to prevent these concerning respiratory problems."Dr C. C. Nair, internal medicine expert, Lilavati Hospital in Bandra adds, “Cool air during winter is more than just frosty air but also respiratory distress. The air pollution consists of particulate matter (PM) and other chemicals that take a toll on one’s respiratory health. 5 out of 10 people aged 35-60 in the OPD have stubborn allergic coughs and colds that need long-term medical attention. Medication, rest, prompt hydration, social distancing, personal hygiene, and hand sanitization will be key measures to tackle these problems. Even children aged 8-12 are complaining of allergic cough and cold and will need prompt intervention. Consult the expert without any delay, get vaccinated against flu and pneumonia, if you have other symptoms such as breathlessness, and get yourself evaluated for asthma and bronchitis and initiate treatment for these conditions.” “Pollution during winter is known to aggravate respiratory problems such as allergic cough and cold. Higher levels of particulate matter and other pollutants tend to irritate and inflame the respiratory tract and weaken the immunity causing respiratory distress. Each day, 3-4 out of 10 people aged 30-65 come with an allergic cough and cold that refuses to subside. Antihistamines, cough syrups, nasal decongestants, and antibiotics will be prescribed to the patients. To prevent allergic cough and cold, wear masks, use a humidifier at home, eat a well-balanced diet, avoid exercising outdoors, practice good hygiene, including frequent hand washing, and keep windows closed during high pollution periods,” Concluded Dr Chhaya Vaja, Internal Medicine Expert, Apollo Spectra Mumbai.
06 December,2024 07:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe elderly population currently stands at about 104 million in India which is projected to rise to 319 million by 2050, calling for a unified action to address healthcare challenges, experts said on Friday. Healthy ageing is about fostering physical, mental, and social well-being in order to enable people to live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives. Experts said that the government has been addressing this subject through laudable initiatives but over the years, major issues around elderly healthcare have emerged. “In order to enable older persons to preserve their independence, remain active, and participate completely in their communities throughout their lives, supporting surroundings and policies are needed,” said Anil Rajput, Chairperson, Assocham National Council on CSR, which is the social arm of the industry chamber, during a panel discussion here. Globally, ageing is one of the 21st century's most significant social challenges. In India, with a three-fold increase in elderly population expected over the next two-and-a-half decades and geriatric care still being a relatively new area in healthcare and mainly restricted to cities, “I believe that empowerment of the elderly necessitates active and sustained participation from the corporate sector, civil society, and the government,” said Rajput. According to Padma Shri Professor (Dr) Subhash Manchanda, cardiologist, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, yoga has the potential to control the common diseases among the elderly, like heart disease, high BP, diabetes and joint problems. “Scientific studies show that yoga can delay brain damage and even may be anti-aging. Hence it is suggested that yoga is a perfect technique for healthy and graceful aging,” he suggested. Professor Vinod Kumar, senior consultant in medicine and former head of Geriatric Clinic, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, a man’s dream of graceful healthy aging and a happy old age is achievable through balanced diet without addictions, physical exercise, sound sleep, peace and relaxation, as well as by engaging in active mental, social and spiritual engagement.
06 December,2024 07:13 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSADVERTISEMENT
