Health News - Page 29
Could increasing heat cause mental disorders?
A new study has suggested that extreme heat could cause mental disorders, including schizophrenia and depression. The research, published in Nature Climate Change, said the number of people at risk for mental and behavioural disorders (MBD) could drastically increase by 2050 due to rising temperatures from climate change
World Liver Day: How lifestyle choices and late diagnosis are fueling India’s liver cancer crisis
As India marks World Liver Day, health experts are raising concerns over the rising burden of liver cancer, a disease often linked to modern lifestyle habits and late diagnosis. Despite advances in oncology, liver cancer cases, especially hepatocellular carcinoma are climbing steadily in India. Firstpost brings out a doctor’s view to explore the reasons behind the trend, its implications and the ways to address it.
Dr Explains: It’s not just alcohol — your diet might be putting your liver at risk
World Liver Day: As modern lifestyles evolve, fatty liver disease is emerging as a quiet but growing health concern, with both drinkers and non-drinkers at risk. To shed light on this worrying shift, Firstpost brings you expert insights to explore the reasons behind the trend, why early detection is critical and how lifestyle changes can reverse damage before it’s too late.
Is a desk job increasing your risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, long linked to older adults, is now on the rise among young Indians particularly those in desk-bound jobs, posing a significant public health challenge.
Blame the calendar? How your birth month may shape your body fat
New research suggests that the month you are born in could influence your body’s health as you grow older. Scientists have found that people conceived during colder months tend to have more active brown fat, a type of fat that burns calories to keep the body warm. According to the study, those born in September, October or November may benefit from this effect
Spain goes back to school to fight obesity, to serve fruits, vegetables and fish to kids in lunches
Despite Spain’s reputation for its healthy Mediterranean diet, a 2019 study revealed that over 40 per cent of Spanish children between the ages of six and nine exceeded the recommended weight, with 17.3 per cent classified as obese
How harmful is fake paneer served in popular Indian restaurants
Recently, an influencer and YouTuber, Sarthak Sachdeva, accused Shah Rukh Khan’s wife, Gauri Khan’s swanky Mumbai restaurant, Torii, of serving ‘fake paneer.’ While the restaurant has firmly denied the allegations, the video has gone viral, stirring conversation on how Indians are unknowingly consuming high amounts of analogue paneer, also called synthetic paneer. But what exactly is fake paneer?
Genetics of hemophilia: Why mutations matter more than ever in diagnosis and treatment
Hemophilia, a rare inherited bleeding disorder, is primarily caused by mutations in specific genes that impair the body’s ability to produce clotting factors, leading to excessive bleeding and long-term complications. These mutations not only determine the severity of the disease but also shape its inheritance patterns across generations.
World Hemophilia Day: Equity in bleeding disorder care isn’t optional — it’s long overdue
According to estimates by the World Federation of Hemophilia, nearly 80% of hemophilia cases in India remain undiagnosed, highlighting a critical gap in awareness, screening and access to care.
Why it is not a good idea to take Dolo-650 like it’s ‘Cadbury Gems’
A US-based gastroenterologist has put focus on the extensive use of Dolo-650 by Indians, who he said consumed it like it is Cadbury Gems. A brand name of paracetamol, the medicine used for fever and aches, gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. But how much Dolo is too much Dolo?
20 cm racetrack, two samples & one microscopic finish line: Inside the world's first sperm race to be held in the US
Los Angeles is set to host the world's first ‘live’ sperm race on April 25. The one-of-a-kind event, hosted by Sperm Racing, a startup founded and run by teenagers, will have a racetrack that mimics the female reproductive system, fluid dynamics, chemical cues, and a synchronised start. It will take place in front of a cheering audience of 4,000 people in the Hollywood Palladium
What is the rare brain disease which causes sponge-like holes in the brain?
A total of three cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare and incurable brain condition, have been detected in Hood River County of Oregon state over the last eight months. This condition causes the brain to rapidly deteriorate, forming sponge-like holes that lead to severe neurological damage and, ultimately, death
Pfizer shelves obesity pill plan after patient suffers liver injury during clinical trial
Pfizer Inc. has said it will discontinue development of its closely watched obesity pill, danuglipron, dealing a severe blow to the company’s ambitions to compete in the rapidly growing weight-loss drug market dominated by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, according to a report
No more fillings or implants? Why world’s first lab-grown teeth are a big deal
Scientists at King’s College London have successfully developed a human tooth in a lab for the first time. The major development could someday lead to patients getting back their lost teeth, offering an alternative to fillings or dental implants
What is Type 5 diabetes connected to malnutrition?
Medical experts have officially recognised a lesser-known diabetes, known as Type 5 diabetes. The condition is common among young, malnourished adults, with doctors estimating that there are an estimated 20-25 million people worldwide, mainly in Asia and Africa, afflicted by this form of the disease
Doctor Explains: How diabetic retinopathy is silently stealing vision in India
With vision loss due to diabetes emerging as one of the most serious yet overlooked complications in India, Firstpost brings expert insights on how to detect and manage diabetic retinopathy before it's too late.
Eyeing the crisis: How India’s healthcare system is failing 100 million diabetics battling retinopathy
India holds the unenviable position of being home to the world's largest diabetic population, with nearly 100 million affected individuals. While the exact statistics may invite scrutiny, the undeniable reality is India's accelerating diabetes epidemic. This surge makes critical investments in three areas to prevent new cases, improve treatment access and aggressively manage complications.
No safe limit. How having less than a single drink a day can increase cancer risk
According to US dietary guidelines, having even low amounts of alcohol, less than a single drink a day, is linked to increased cancer risk. Despite this, a 2019 survey found that less than 50 per cent of US adults are aware of the cancer risks of alcohol consumption
Taking the piss: Does drinking pee have any health benefits?
Former Indian prime minister Morarji Desai claimed he drank a daily glass of urine, which contributed to his longevity. British adventurer Bear Grylls also endorses it. From whitening teeth to treating allergies, ancient medicine emphasises on the benefits of urophagia or urine therapy. But are these claims foolproof? How can drinking waste be healthy?
World Parkinson's Day: Why younger brains are falling prey to an old-age disease
Parkinson’s disease is increasingly affecting younger Indians, with early-onset cases rising sharply. Experts warn that nearly 40–45% of patients in India develop symptoms as early as their 20s or 30s. While there’s no cure, early detection, medication, exercise, and psychological support can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Doctor explains: How Parkinson’s hides in plain sight and why early detection matters
Parkinson’s disease is often mistaken for routine aging—but ignoring early warning signs can delay crucial treatment. For Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Firstpost brings out a doctor’s view on how to decode symptoms, causes and the promise of newer treatments for the disease.
607 cases, 505 alone in Texas: How measles outbreak has shaken the US
The US has already recorded more than twice the number of measles cases seen in all of 2024, with Texas reporting the majority at 505. As of April 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US has confirmed 607 cases nationwide in 2025. The multi-state outbreak has confirmed health experts' fears that the virus could spread further in under-vaccinated communities and continue circulating through the year
In a first, scientists create brain circuit that can transmit sensation of pain
A research team at Stanford University has become the first to assemble a functioning brain circuit in a lab dish by combining different types of neurons grown from human stem cells, according to a report
TikToker had her period for 1,000 days. What is this condition, how common is it?
A TikTok user named Poppy has revealed her ordeal of bleeding for over 1,000 days. She got her period in 2022, but it did not stop even after weeks. The 23-year-old finally found what was causing her incessant bleeding on day 950
What is postpartum preeclampsia, the rare and ‘scary’ condition Meghan Markle suffered?
In the first episode of her new podcast 'Confessions of a Female Founder', Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, has revealed that she was diagnosed with a 'rare and scary' health condition known as postpartum preeclampsia shortly after giving birth. While the condition only affects four to five per cent of pregnant women, it can result in serious health consequences and even death if left untreated
One in five Indians vitamin D deficient: ICRIER warns of looming crisis, urges reform for affordable testing & supplements
India faces a looming public health crisis as Vitamin D deficiency affects one in five citizens, warns a new ICRIER report. The report calls for urgent reforms—affordable testing, mandatory food fortification, national awareness campaigns and preventive care strategies—to combat the widespread deficiency and ensure a healthier future.
From warm nights to seismic shocks: Climate change is rewriting India’s public health future
Warming cities, extreme weather and ecological disruption are now directly impacting food security, maternal health and the wellbeing of millions
Tahira Kashyap’s cancer relapse: Why does the disease come back?
Tahira Kashyap, filmmaker and actor Ayushmann Khurrana's wife, has revealed that her breast cancer has returned, seven years after her first diagnosis in 2018. The disease may come back months or years after treatment, as some cancerous cells could remain hidden. But is breast cancer recurrence common?
World Health Day: Preventive health tests you should never skip in your 20s, 30s and 40s
Doctor-recommended health tests for your 20s, 30s & 40s. From STI screenings to mammograms, know which checkups to prioritise for early disease detection
Use of white snus is growing in Sweden, UK. Why this ‘tobacco free’ product is still risky
An increasing numbers of teenagers are taking what’s known as “white snus”. While nicotine-free white snus exists, most products on the market contain nicotine. Experts note that as the use of this product increases, the unanswered questions about its health effects become more pressing