A person's compulsive nature could be the reason why such individuals indulge in self-destructive behaviour, making harmful choices despite knowing the obvious negative outcomes, according to a new study. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications Psychology, also found that making compulsive decisions did not appear to be random mistakes or people having "bad days". "They're stable traits — almost like personality types. This is not to say they're fixed, just that they may require (an) intervention to break," said lead researcher Philip Jean-Richard Dit Bressel, a behavioural neuroscientist and experimental psychologist at The University of New South Wales. Researchers said self-sabotaging choices do not arise out of a lack of motivation or capacity — rather from a subtle, yet persistent failure to connect their actions with consequences. The team observed three distinct behaviours among Australian participants whose choices in an online game resulted in either a reward or punishment — 'Sensitives', 'Unawares' and 'Compulsives'. The 'Sensitives' were those who worked out which choices led to unfavourable outcomes and adapted their behaviour. The 'Unawares' were those who did not work out, yet were able to modify their strategies once their errors were brought to their attention. The third group — 'Compulsives' — "persisted in harmful decisions despite both punishment and informational intervention", the authors explained in the study. "We basically told them, 'this action leads to that negative consequence, and this other one is safe'. Most people who had been making poor choices changed their behaviour immediately. But some didn't," said Jean-Richard Dit Bressel. Playing the online game required the participants to click on either of two planets — one would lead to a spaceship that delivered points (reward), while the other to a spaceship that stole from the points accrued thus far (punishment). After a few rounds of trial and error, the researchers found that the sensitive participants were able to work out which planet led to punishment, but the 'Unawares' and 'Compulsives' failed to make the connection and therefore, were "punished intermittently". In another group of participants — a more diverse, international pool of 267 people from 24 different countries with different backgrounds and a wider age range — the researchers found similar results. Further, when this diverse group played the same game six months later, most were seen to display the same behaviours. "That was one of the more striking findings. It suggests these aren't just random mistakes or bad days. They're stable traits — almost like personality types. This is not to say they're fixed, just that they may require intervention to break," Jean-Richard Dit Bressel said. The patterns seen in the study — "where people ignore both experience and information" — are similar to those noted in gambling and other compulsive behaviours, the lead researcher said. The team also said the research has important implications for public health messaging, as campaigns largely rely on providing information — about smoking, drinking, diet, or financial risks — assuming that people will act on it. "We've shown that standard information campaigns work for most people — but not for everyone. For compulsive individuals, we may need a different kind of intervention," Jean-Richard Dit Bressel 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
23 July,2025 03:19 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIEnglish singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne, widely regarded as the godfather of heavy metal, passed away on Tuesday, July 22, at the age of 76. In a statement, his family said, “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love.” While the cause of death has not been disclosed, the frontman of the pioneering heavy metal band ‘Black Sabbath’ had been battling health issues in recent years. In 2020, the musician had revealed that he was suffering from Parkinson’s disease. What is Parkinson’s disease? Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement and balance, but can also lead to pain, disturbed sleep, mental health challenges, and other health complications. The condition may result in disability and a need for constant care, significantly reducing quality of life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease has doubled over the past 25 years. Global estimates from 2019 showed that more than 8.5 million people were affected by the condition. Signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease The condition includes both motor and non-motor symptoms, which can progressively worsen over time. Motor symptoms, as listed WHO, include slow movement, tremors, rigidity or stiffness, involuntary movements, imbalance, and difficulty walking. Non-motor symptoms include cognitive decline, mental health disorders, dementia, sleep problems, pain, and sensory disturbances. Risk factors of Parkinson’s disease The likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease increases with age. It typically affects older adults, with the average age of onset being around 60, although it can also occur in younger individuals. WHO also notes that men are more commonly affected by the condition than women. Though the exact cause remains unknown, genetic factors play a key role in many cases. Individuals with a family history of the disease are at a higher risk of developing it. Management and treatment There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease. However, symptoms can be managed through medication, surgery, and rehabilitation therapies such as physiotherapy, according to WHO. 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
23 July,2025 02:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOlder adults with high blood pressure may benefit from drinking beetroot juice, claimed a study on Wednesday. The blood pressure-lowering effect of nitrate-rich beetroot juice in older individuals may be attributed to specific changes in their oral microbiome, according to a study led by researchers at the University of Exeter in the UK. Nitrate is crucial to the body and is consumed as a natural part of a vegetable-rich diet. In the study, when the older adults drank a concentrated beetroot juice ‘shot’ twice a day for two weeks, their blood pressure decreased. However, the effect was not observed in the younger group, as revealed by the findings published in the journal Free Radical Biology and Medicine. “This study shows that nitrate-rich foods alter the oral microbiome in a way that could result in less inflammation, as well as a lowering of blood pressure in older people. This paves the way for larger studies to explore the influence of lifestyle factors and biological sex in how people respond to dietary nitrate supplementation,” said Professor Andy Jones, of the University of Exeter. The study recruited 39 adults aged under 30 and 36 adults in their 60s and 70s who spent two weeks taking regular doses of nitrate-rich beetroot juice and two weeks on a placebo version of the juice with nitrate stripped out. The older age group experienced a notable decrease in the potentially harmful mouth bacteria Prevotella after drinking the nitrate-rich juice, and an increase in the growth of bacteria known to benefit health, such as Neisseria. The team said that an imbalance between beneficial and harmful oral bacteria can decrease the conversion of nitrate (abundant in vegetable-rich diets) to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is crucial to the healthy functioning of the blood vessels, and therefore the regulation of blood pressure, the researchers explained. "The good news is that if you don’t like beetroot, there are many nitrate-rich alternatives like spinach, rocket, fennel, celery, and kale,” added Professor Anni Vanhatalo, from the varsity. 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
23 July,2025 11:45 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSLifestyle solutions or specific nutrient supplementation might yield better results for Indians with genetic risk of obesity, reveals a study. Many gene variants previously associated with obesity in Europeans do not affect Indians similarly, which resonates with a different pattern of obesity in Indians, according to the findings of the study by researchers at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad. The study also revealed that Polygenic Risk Score (PSR) predicts obesity more accurately in people with European-like ancestry than in those with other ancestries, including Indians (South Asian ancestry) Researchers at CSIR-CCMB, led by Dr Giriraj Ratan Chandak, characterised the genomes of the Indian population. They included individuals with diabetes as well as those with normal blood glucose levels, who have been followed for nearly 20 years, providing a unique opportunity to investigate the genetic basis of obesity in Indians. Obesity is a grave problem in India and other parts of South Asia, given their incidences of diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. The pattern of obesity in India is notably different from that in Europe, with Indians tending to have more central (abdominal) obesity. Several obesity-associated genetic changes were identified and used to develop the PRS for Indians, effectively creating a “virtual individual” to model obesity risk. This data from Indian samples has served as a representative for the South Asian population in the study. Through this data, the study's findings become more relevant for the Indian and South Asian populations. The scientists also examined the connection between a person’s genetic risk of obesity and the impact of lifestyle weight loss interventions, such as diet and exercise. They discovered that individuals with a higher genetic risk of obesity responded better to interventions but also regained weight more quickly once the interventions ended. “The observations made from this study are similar to the earlier results on height, where genetic variants identified in Europeans predicted lower risk in Indians, and environment-related modifications of genes play a larger role. It looks like lifestyle, diet and nutrition might be playing an equal or more important role in predicting obesity in Indians. So, for Indians, lifestyle solutions or specific nutrient supplementation in the background of genetic risk might yield better results,” said Dr Chandak. Earlier studies by Dr Chandak showed that the genetic basis of non-communicable diseases varies significantly between Indians and Europeans. The latest study by researchers at CSIR-CCMB is part of a global study. An international team of 600 researchers across 500 institutions drew on the largest and most diverse genetic dataset ever. This provided access to genetic information from over 5 million people from different countries, including India. Using this data, the researchers developed a genetic test called PRS that predicts adulthood obesity in early childhood. This discovery could help identify children and adolescents already at higher genetic risk of developing obesity, who could benefit from targeted preventative strategies such as lifestyle interventions at a younger age. This score is twice as effective as the previous best test at predicting a person’s risk of developing obesity. “What makes the score so powerful is its ability to predict, around the age of five, whether a child is likely to develop obesity in adulthood, well before other risk factors start to shape their weight later in childhood. Intervening at this point can have a huge impact,” says Assistant Professor Roelof Smit from the NNF Centre for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) at the University of Copenhagen and lead author of the research that was published in the journal Nature Medicine. 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
23 July,2025 11:08 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSThe benefits of yoga can be seen all year round and for people of all ages and that has led to not only Indians but also people from different parts of the world to adopt asanas in their daily life. While every kind of child and adult benefits from it, health experts say pregnant women can also benefit a lot from a type called Prenatal Yoga. Over time, there have been many different kinds of yoga that have been classified for specific purposes, and yoga during pregnancy is one such routine that can help a great deal. So, what is prenatal yoga? Danny Laliwala, consultant, obstetrics & gynaecology at Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre in Mumbai says prenatal yoga focuses on physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and mental exercises to help pregnant women stay calm in stressful situation.Dr Sunita Tandulwadkar, who is the head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, IVF and Endoscopy Centre at Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune adds, “The primary goal of prenatal yoga is to help expectant mothers prepare for childbirth both physically and mentally, promoting balance, relaxation, and a connection with their baby.” Physical benefits of yoga during pregnancy With multiple roles during pregnancy, Dr Laliwala highlights that the form of yoga for pregnant mothers not only has physical benefits and emotional benefits but also helps prepare for labour. He explains, “The physical benefits include improving flexibility and strength, reducing back pain and discomfort, and enhancing balance and posture.” While improving strength and flexibility, Dr Tandulwadkar says it also helps tone muscles needed for childbirth, such as the pelvic floor, hips, and core, and improves overall flexibility. It not only reduces aches and pains with gentle stretches and strengthening exercises for lower back pain but also hip pain, and sciatica. “Prenatal yoga also enhances blood circulation and ensures more oxygen-rich blood reaches the baby, promoting healthy development, and can help prevent swelling. Lastly, it also boosts energy levels by combating fatigue often experienced during pregnancy.”Mental and emotional benefits of prenatal yogaWhile the physical benefits are plenty, Dr Lilawala says the emotional benefits are that it helps reduce stress and anxiety, promotes better sleep, boosts mood and overall well-being, and increases blood circulation and prevents thrombosis in vessels. With deep breathing techniques (pranayama) and mindfulness practices, the health expert who is also the president of the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India says it helps calm the nervous system, lower cortisol levels, and alleviate stress, anxiety, and even symptoms of depression. “Yoga also helps regulate hormones and releases endorphins, contributing to a more stable mood. It also helps promote good sleep by alleviating discomforts and promoting relaxation, prenatal yoga can lead to better sleep. The mindful nature of yoga encourages expectant mothers to slow down, tune into their bodies, and bond with their growing baby,” she adds. How yoga prepares women for labour Last but not the least, prenatal yoga also helps women prepare for labour. “The breathing techniques and relaxation exercises help manage pain and stress during labour. It also helps strengthen pelvic muscles and improves flexibility for easier delivery. By incorporating prenatal yoga into their routine, expectant mothers can experience a more comfortable and empowering pregnancy journey.” Dr Tandulwadkar says the yoga asanas also optimises baby positioning because certain movements can encourage the baby to move into an optimal position for birth “It also improves stamina because building physical endurance is vital for the demands of labour. Beyond personal benefits, it also helps build a support system, says Dr Tandulwadkar. “Attending prenatal yoga classes can connect pregnant women with other expectant mothers, creating a valuable support network.” In essence, the health expert says prenatal yoga provides a holistic approach to pregnancy, supporting the mother's body and mind as she prepares for the arrival of her baby.
22 July,2025 06:58 PM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento PintoA four-day workweek might help with an employee's well-being, according to a study that trialled the intervention in organisations across the US, UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Researchers from Boston College in the US and University College Dublin in Ireland found that workers reported an improved well-being with lower levels of burnout, a better job satisfaction and physical and mental health -- this was not seen among employees of 12 organisations where a reduced workweek was not trialled. For the study, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, nearly 2,900 employees across 141 organisations in the six high-income countries worked four days a week for six months without a pay reduction. To maintain productivity, workplaces were re-organised with efficiency and collaboration improvements prior to start of the trial. The authors wrote, "Analysis of pre- and post-trial data from 2,896 employees across 141 organisations in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the USA shows improvements in burnout, job satisfaction, mental health and physical health — a pattern not observed in 12 control companies." The improved well-being was attributed to three factors — an enhanced perception of one's own work ability, reduced sleep problems and lower levels of fatigue. "The results indicate that income-preserving four-day workweeks are an effective organisational intervention for enhancing workers' well-being," the team said. Countries around the world have been experimenting with interventions, such as a shorter workweek or reduced working hours in a week, to improve work-life balance and boost productivity. However, a country's labour laws and economic conditions, along with how work and leisure is culturally perceived are other factors influencing a potential shift away from traditional work routines. France legally mandated a 35-hour workweek in the early 2000s, while Bhutan is said to be amongst the countries with the most working hours per week — over 50. The researchers cited a large body of research looking at the link between long hours spent working and employees' psychological and mental well being — results point to higher rates of diabetes, heart disease and chronic pain conditions. The team also said that however, most of the studies are observational and short-term, making it difficult to assess the link between working hours and well being. Further, workplace interventions in the studies have largely looked at individual-level measures and rarely targeted organisation-level work hours, the team said. The authors acknowledged the study's limitations that it was not a randomised trial — considered the gold standard in experiments to establish cause-and-effect relationships — and that the participants were all from high-income countries. "Many organisations (in the study) are small, which restricts our ability to generalise," the authors said. Evidence from this study, nevertheless, adds strength to the link between hours spent working and well-being of employees, they 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
22 July,2025 12:16 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIAsthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Affecting more than 300 million people worldwide, asthma is a significant public health concern that can severely impact an individual's quality of life if not properly managed. Although the exact cause of asthma is multifactorial—ranging from genetic predisposition to environmental triggers—the underlying mechanisms involve immune system dysregulation, airway hyperresponsiveness, and chronic inflammation. Conventional asthma treatment usually includes inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, leukotriene modifiers, and biologic agents targeting specific immune pathways like IgE or interleukin-5. These therapies help control inflammation, relax airway muscles, and reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. While these medications are effective for many patients, they often require lifelong use and do not fully address the systemic factors contributing to asthma progression. With advancements in medical science and biotechnology, new pathways have emerged in the field of asthma disease treatment. Precision medicine is gaining attention, especially in severe and treatment-resistant cases, where biologic therapies tailored to a patient’s unique immunological profile are showing encouraging outcomes. Moreover, stem cell-based therapies and immunomodulatory approaches are being studied for their potential to repair damaged lung tissues and restore immune balance. Another evolving area in the asthma disease treatment landscape is the identification of endotypes—biological subtypes of asthma defined by specific molecular and cellular mechanisms. Understanding these endotypes allows for more accurate and effective treatment decisions, enabling physicians to target the root cause of the disease rather than simply alleviating symptoms. Embracing Regenerative and Holistic Treatments for Asthma At AMSA Biotech, we are dedicated to developing and delivering next-generation therapies that not only manage symptoms but aim to correct the underlying mechanisms of chronic diseases. For asthma, this means integrating advanced biologic research with holistic treatments for asthma that support long-term respiratory health and immune regulation. Regenerative strategies, such as those using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are being investigated for their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects in patients with asthma. Preclinical studies suggest that MSCs can reduce airway inflammation, decrease mucus production, and promote tissue repair in the lungs. This opens a promising window for cellular approaches to asthma treatment, particularly in cases that are not adequately controlled by conventional drugs. In parallel, holistic treatments for asthma are gaining recognition in comprehensive care models. These treatments consider the patient's overall lifestyle, environmental exposure, diet, and stress levels. Nutritional support with anti-inflammatory foods, breathing techniques like Buteyko and pranayama, allergen avoidance, and even gut microbiota modulation are all part of integrative asthma care aimed at improving the patient’s resilience and respiratory health naturally. Furthermore, exosome-based therapies—utilizing extracellular vesicles derived from stem cells—are also under scientific investigation for their potential to carry regenerative signals to inflamed lung tissues. Exosomes may help in reducing chronic airway inflammation without the risks associated with systemic immunosuppressive drugs, making them a viable component of future asthma disease treatment protocols. At AMSA Biotech, we believe that successful asthma treatment must be comprehensive, evidence-based, and personalized. Our research focuses on combining regenerative technologies with lifestyle-based interventions to address not only the symptoms but the root biological causes of asthma. This multi-dimensional approach is designed to enhance patient outcomes, reduce dependency on steroids, and ultimately lead to better long-term control of the condition. In summary, the future of asthma treatment lies in the fusion of scientific innovation and holistic care. With continued research and patient-centered solutions, AMSA Biotech is committed to transforming the way asthma is managed—helping individuals breathe easier, live better, and move toward a healthier, more resilient future.
21 July,2025 05:38 PM IST | MUMBAI | BrandMediaWe humans love numbers. Really love them. We obsess over them, chase them, compare them, and - let’s be honest - let them define us sometimes. From the moment we step on the bathroom scale in the morning to when we check our karma score on Reddit at night, numbers are everywhere, quietly whispering little verdicts on how we’re doing in life. But why do we love metrics so much? What is it about boiling down complex aspects of our existence into neat numbers that feels so satisfying? Numbers Make the Abstract Feel Concrete Life is messy. Success, happiness, health, intelligence - these are big, abstract ideas that we can’t easily grasp. But slap a number on them, and suddenly they feel solid and trackable. Calories count every bite we eat, step counters track every move we make, and credit scores define our financial trustworthiness in three digits. At school, this obsession with quantification takes center stage. The GPA, for instance, has become the ultimate measure of academic achievement. It’s not just a number; it’s a shorthand for years of late-night studying, group projects, pop quizzes, and term papers. And when you’re working hard for those grades, who doesn’t love the help of a GPA Calculator? In seconds, it can show you exactly where you stand - and what you need to do to reach that next decimal point. It takes away some of the mystery and gives students a sense of control over their academic journey. For students at Indiana University, the IU GPA Calculator goes a step further, tailoring calculations specifically for IU’s grading system. It’s one of those little tools that make life easier but also feed into our love for knowing exactly how we’re doing at any given moment. Metrics Give Us a Sense of Progress There’s something deeply motivating about seeing numbers change in the right direction. Whether it’s your daily step count ticking toward 10,000 or your GPA nudging closer to a 4.0, numbers offer a clear sign that our efforts are paying off. They give us milestones, goals, and tiny victories to celebrate. At IU, students use their GPA as both a benchmark and a roadmap. Want to apply for that prestigious internship? Your GPA will indicate whether you’re on track. Thinking about graduate school? The IU GPA Calculator lets you project how your grades this semester might impact your overall average. It’s like a little crystal ball for your academic future. But Not All Metrics Matter Equally Of course, not every number deserves our obsession. While it’s helpful to know how many calories you’ve eaten or how many followers you have on Instagram, these numbers don’t necessarily measure your worth or happiness. And that’s where we need to pause and reflect. Metrics can motivate, but they can also trap us. If we start to believe that our entire identity is wrapped up in a GPA, a credit score, or a social media follower count, we lose sight of the bigger picture. Numbers can’t capture creativity, kindness, resilience, or joy. At their best, metrics help us improve. At their worst, they limit how we define success. A Love Letter to Metrics - and a Caution So yes, we love metrics. We love seeing our achievements distilled into numbers, especially when those numbers move in the right direction. There’s a reason why apps, tools, and calculators - like that trusty GPA Calculator or the helpful IU GPA Calculator - are so popular: they feed our need to measure, compare, and strive. But numbers should be our guideposts, not our masters. Whether you’re a student at IU calculating your final grades or someone tracking your daily steps, remember: metrics are just one part of your story. They help us understand where we are and give us goals for where we want to go. But they don’t define who we are. Even the most prestigious university can’t capture your worth in a single number on a transcript. And as you step out of school and into life, you’ll find that the most important things - integrity, friendship, passion - aren’t easily measured. So go ahead, calculate that GPA, check your karma score, count your steps. Enjoy the motivation and clarity metrics can offer. But at the end of the day, don’t forget to live beyond the numbers.
21 July,2025 05:37 PM IST | New York | IANSIn a rare and surprising case, a 51-year-old woman, who is a homemaker and mother of two children, has been successfully treated by doctors in Pune, after they found that she had a large tumour (fibroid) growing in her uterus almost the size of a football, and she was completely unaware of it, considering it as an asymptomatic fibroid. The fibroid, weighing around 3 kilograms, was safely removed by the doctors at Motherhood Hospital in Kharadi giving her a new lease of life. It all started just two months ago when the woman noticed a small bulge in her stomach. Since she didn’t have any pain or discomfort, she ignored it. But during a regular check-up, a general physician felt a lump and advised her to get a sonography done. That’s when the big shock came, the scan showed a massive 20 cm fibroid almost the size of a football weighing 3 kg in her uterus. She was then referred to Dr Madhuri Laha, who is the senior gynaecologist and obstetrician at the hospital in Pune. After taking a detailed medical history, the expert found that three years ago, Rima had suffered from heavy bleeding (medically called menorrhagia). At that time, a scan had shown a small 4.2 cm fibroid. Since she was close to menopause (a stage when such growths usually shrink), doctors had performed two simple procedures, like uterine curettage (cleaning of the uterus) and insertion of a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) to stop the bleeding.Also Read: Mumbai doctors find reason why woman suffered from severe headaches for more three years Dr Laha said, “What makes this case unique is that fibroids diagnosed during the perimenopausal age, especially when asymptomatic, are generally not expected to grow this big. However, in this instance, due to the absence of regular follow-up and imaging led to a shocking size and weight of fibroid of 3 kg . This case reinforces the importance of periodic health check-ups and monitoring, even when there are no obvious symptoms.” Due to its large size and pressure on other organs, doctors decided to go ahead with a major surgery called Total Abdominal Hysterectomy with Bilateral Oophorectomy. In this procedure, the uterus was removed (hysterectomy). Both ovaries were removed (oophorectomy), and the surgery was performed through an abdominal cut (open surgery). “Large fibroids like this are not only rare but also tricky to operate on,” explained Dr Sushil Deshmukh, consultant - general, laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon, who was part of the surgical team. He added, “They press on nearby organs like the bladder, intestines, and even the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder. There’s always a risk of damaging those areas. Every step in surgery must be done with precision.” The procedure was completed successfully, and Rima was discharged in stable condition. She is now at home and recovering well. “This case shows how important regular check-ups are, even when you feel completely fine. Fibroids can grow silently, and early detection can prevent major complications. Although fibroids are common, fibroids of this size are extremely rare and are seen in less than 10 per cent of cases. Quick action, early diagnosis, and treatment by skilled doctors can make all the difference," highlighted Dr Laha. The woman said, “I had no idea something this big was inside me. I had no pain or problems, so I didn’t think much about it. I’m very thankful it was caught during a check-up. The doctors gave me full confidence, and I’m feeling so much better now. It feels like I’ve got a fresh start.”SEE PHOTOS: 5 easy tips for parents to make meals interesting for their school children
21 July,2025 05:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentLiving with medical conditions is often difficult and may often go unnoticed in many cases as people believe it is not so serious, as is the case of a 31-year-old woman, married with children. She had been battling severe headaches for over three years pain so intense and constant that she relied on daily painkillers just to function. While she was repeatedly diagnosed with migraine in the past, there was no real relief. As she felt her life was shrinking around her, she opted to meet Mumbai-based health expert Dr Sheetal Goyal, who is a consultant neurologist at Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai Central. After all the necessary tests, Dr Goyal found that it was a regrowth of a hormone-secreting pituitary tumour. Initially referred as a routine case of migraine, Dr Goyal noticed key red flags during the consultation. The headache pattern was unusual, dull, hollow, and unrelenting, not matching typical migraine symptoms. The woman also mentioned needing painkillers daily, yet nothing seemed to help.Also Read: Doctors remove massive 3-kg football-sized tumour from woman's uterus in Pune The city-based doctor requested a full review of the patient’s medical history and previous MRIs. After reviewing them, she found that a critical detail had been overlooked. The patient had undergone pituitary tumour surgery three years earlier. Further MRI imaging and hormonal studies confirmed that the tumour had returned and was actively secreting excess growth hormone, a rare but dangerous condition. Adding to the diagnostic breakthrough was a crucial observation made during history-taking: the patient’s husband noted dramatic changes in her facial structure over the years. On comparing with old photographs, Dr Goyal observed coarse facial features, enlarged hands, and thickened limbs — classic signs of acromegaly, a condition triggered by excess growth hormone. Recognising this as a hormone-related headache, Dr Goyal collaborated with endocrinologist Dr Pranav Ghody, and the patient was started on targeted therapy. Remarkably, without a single painkiller, her three-year-long headache vanished within a month. “This case reinforces that not every headache is a migraine,” said Dr Goyal. “It takes listening closely, thinking beyond the obvious, and digging deeper. Her transformation is a reminder of what accurate diagnosis can do," she added. Today, the patient is pain-free, relieved, and rebuilding her life-grateful that someone finally looked beyond the label and treated the real cause.Also Read: 212 kg to 169 kg in 6 months: Mumbai man battling severe obesity gets new hope
21 July,2025 05:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMore than a lack of exercise, a higher caloric intake may be the primary driver of obesity worldwide, finds a study. While many experts have offered that rising obesity rates are due to declining physical activity as societies become more industrialised, the findings led by researchers from Duke University in the US, show that people in wealthier countries expend just as much -- or even more -- energy daily. “It’s clear that changes in diet, not reduced activity, are the main cause of obesity,” said Herman Pontzer, principal investigator and Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology at the varsity. In an article recently published in the journal PNAS, the researchers analysed thousands of measurements of daily energy expenditure, body fat percentage, and body mass index (BMI) from more than 4,200 adults aged 18 to 60 across 34 populations spanning six continents. While a marginal decrease was found in size-adjusted total energy expenditure with economic development, differences in total energy expenditure explained only a fraction of the increase in body fat that accompanied development, said the researchers. "This suggests that other factors, such as dietary changes, are driving the increases in body fat that we see with increasing economic development,” explained Amanda McGrosky, lead investigator and postdoctoral researcher at Duke at the time of the study. McGrosky is now an assistant professor of biology at Elon University in the US. Notably, the findings do not mean that efforts to promote physical activity should be minimised. Instead, the data support an emerging consensus that both diet and exercise should be prioritised, the researchers said. “Diet and physical activity should be viewed as essential and complementary, rather than interchangeable,” the study noted. The team will next work to identify which aspects of diet in developed countries are most responsible for the rise in obesity. 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 July,2025 01:00 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSADVERTISEMENT
