Health News - Page 8
Drinking excessive cold water in summer? It may not be ideal
As the sweltering summer heat intensifies, people turn to cold water to cool down and refresh themselves. However, that cold water affects your digestion and nutrient absorption, and in several cases, drinking chilled water may cause loss of consciousness, according to experts
Can you shower too often during summer? Here's what experts say
As temperatures soar across India, frequent showers may seem like the easiest way to stay cool and fresh. But can bathing too often during summer harm your skin and body? Experts explain the ideal shower frequency, the risks of over-showering, and the best bathing practices to follow during extreme heatwave conditions
WHO says Ebola outbreak risk now at highest level with 82 confirmed cases
The outbreak, which experts suspect was circulating under the radar for some time, was caused by the less common Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments
Why your favourite namkeens, biscuits, and sodas could soon feature prominent warning labels
India may soon introduce strong front-of-package warning labels on processed foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat. The Supreme Court has called the measure essential to safeguard citizens’ right to health. Here is why this is a big deal
Why Ebola vaccines won’t stop the latest outbreak: The Bundibugyo problem explained
The Ebola outbreak in Central Africa has left hundreds dead. Though there are vaccines for the virus, the problem is that this latest flare-up is being driven by the little-seen Bundibugyo strain. Experts say there are two potential vaccine candidates, but neither of them has undergone clinical trials
Why are diphtheria, measles and whooping cough making a dangerous comeback in Australia?
Australia is facing its biggest diphtheria outbreak on record, while measles, whooping cough and syphilis cases are also rising sharply. Falling vaccination rates, overcrowded housing, weakened public health systems, and post-pandemic immunity gaps are helping once-controlled infectious diseases return across the country
Sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis and gonorrhoea surge in Europe. Here’s why
Bacterial sexually transmitted infections, including syphilis and gonorrhoea, have reached record high levels across Europe, according to the ECDC data. Gonorrhoea hit 106,331 cases, with a 303 per cent increase since 2015, while syphilis reported more than double in the same period to 45,557. Experts point to wide gaps in testing and prevention
600 suspected cases & counting: Why is Ebola spreading so fast? Is India prepared?
Bundibugyo, a rare type of the Ebola virus, has caused 600 suspected cases and more than 130 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in neighbouring Uganda, according to WHO. After the UN health agency sounded its second-highest alarm about the disease this week, India has stepped up surveillance and preparedness measures across the country
Ebola outbreak: Delhi Airport issues advisory for passengers coming from African countries
The advisory has urged passengers who suffer from symptoms like fever, weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, sore throat, or unusual bleeding to contact the airport's health desk immediately
A thin strip of plastic: Inside the ill-equipped epicentre of Congo’s new Ebola outbreak
A fast-spreading Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC has exposed severe gaps in emergency response, with hospitals lacking basic protection as the rare Bundibugyo strain spreads into neighbouring Uganda
Ebola outbreak not a pandemic emergency, but a high-risk regional health concern: WHO
WHO says the Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda is a high regional health risk but not a pandemic emergency, as cases rise and fears grow over the rare Bundibugyo virus strain.
How 'office air' might be silently affecting your skin, hair and overall health
Long hours spent inside offices may be doing more than causing fatigue. Experts warn that dry, poorly ventilated indoor air can silently damage your skin and hair, trigger dehydration and worsen respiratory issues. Here’s what 'office air' really means, the hidden health effects linked to it, and how you can protect yourself at work
Heatwave vs heatstroke: What's the difference?
India is currently facing extreme heatwaves across various parts due to which several cases of heatstroke are headlining in the news. But what's really the difference between the two? Let's find out
Why are infectious disease outbreaks such as hantavirus and Ebola becoming more frequent?
First, a hantavirus infection broke out aboard a cruise ship, leaving three dead and around a dozen infected. Then, the norovirus began spreading on a British vessel in France. Now, a spike in Ebola cases in central Africa has killed hundreds of people. But why are these infectious disease outbreaks increasing?
From brain to gut, what 45 degrees Celsius temperature does to your body
Delhi and parts of north India are scorching in extreme heat. The weatherman announced that the temperatures would rise beyond 45 degrees Celsius. With the mercury rising, the entire body is forced to work much harder than normal, which can affect one’s overall health
WHO declares Ebola emergency: Why Ebola is deadly, how it attacks you
WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda a global health emergency. As rare Bundibugyo strain drives high fatality risk, experts warn of rapid spread and weak health systems
Argentina launches rodent hunt after deadly hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship
Scientists have launched an urgent wildlife trapping mission in Tierra del Fuego after a deadly cruise ship hantavirus outbreak raised fears of a rare rodent-borne strain
Ebola outbreak: American doctor infected while treating patients in Congo; 6 others exposed as testing delays mar response
American physician Dr Peter Stafford to be evacuated to Germany after contracting rare Bundibugyo strain in DRC; six other Americans exposed as a critical provincial testing blind spot gave the lethal virus a multi-week head start
India’s fight against dengue has a data problem doctors can’t ignore, warns expert
From year-round transmission in cities to new outbreaks in the Himalayas, Dengue is no longer a "monsoon disease." As India races toward its first indigenous vaccine, experts warn that our current surveillance is missing millions of cases.
Ebola outbreak declared a global emergency: Is India at risk?
After the hantavirus scare comes the Ebola panic. The WHO has declared the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, which has resulted in at least 88 deaths and more than 300 cases, to be a ‘public health emergency’. Is India vulnerable to the disease?
World Hypertension Day: Doctors warn of ‘silent killer’ as high blood pressure rises among young Indians
On World Hypertension Day, leading medical experts warn against the rising threat of high blood pressure among youth, emphasising crucial lifestyle modifications, accurate measurement techniques and preventing severe, silent organ damage.
Cruise ship outbreaks: Why norovirus spreads rapidly at sea and how to contain it
Crowded cabins, shared dining spaces and constant passenger movement can turn cruise ships into ideal environments for fast-spreading viral outbreaks, with experts warning that even a few undetected cases can quickly escalate into large-scale onboard infections.
Rising pollution and poor awareness worsening asthma burden in India: Experts
Doctors warn that rising pollution, seasonal changes, smoking and delayed treatment are worsening asthma across India, while myths around inhalers continue to affect timely diagnosis and long-term disease management.
Don't want to grow old? How a cup of coffee and fruit could be the answer you're looking for
A new study suggests that consuming fruit and a cup of coffee a day can reduce the risk of unhealthy cell ageing. Findings presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul revealed that polyphenols found in berries, apples, coffee and tea protect our DNA from ‘bad’ ageing
‘Thin outside, fat inside’: How Indians are measuring obesity incorrectly
A new paper published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology argues that Asians, including Indians, are more likely to develop diabetes-related diseases even when they are thinner and have lower Body Mass Index (BMI) levels compared to Westerners. But why does BMI miss the mark?
Why your lifestyle may be increasing hypertension risk more than salt
On World Hypertension Day, doctors warn that high blood pressure is no longer linked to salt alone. Poor sleep, stress, prolonged sitting, excessive screen time, and unhealthy eating habits are quietly increasing hypertension risk. Experts say younger adults are also highly vulnerable due to modern lifestyle, making regular blood pressure checks and small lifestyle changes increasingly important
WHO declares international health emergency over rare Ebola strain killing dozens in Congo
A rare Ebola strain spreading across the DR Congo and Uganda has triggered the WHO’s highest emergency alert, raising fears over regional transmission even as officials say the outbreak does not yet qualify as a pandemic
Hantavirus outbreak: One of the four Canadians isolating after cruise ship journey tests positive
Canada on Saturday confirmed that one of the four Canadians who were quarantining in British Columbia had tested positive with the deadly Hantavirus after being on board the cruise ship where the outbreak occurred.
The cost of always-on culture: Why migraines are surging among India’s Gen Z and millennials
From "digital fatigue" to the trap of self-medication, neurologists warn that what young adults dismiss as a "bad headache" is now a leading cause of global disability.
What’s the injectable 7-minute cancer drug launched in India?
Tecentriq SC, launched in India by the pharma giant Roche, is subcutaneous. This means it is injected directly under the skin rather than intravenously, which takes hours. This is the world’s first such immunotherapy aimed at treating certain types of lung cancer