Is India Winning the War Against Rising Non-Communicable Diseases? The latest health statistics paint a concerning picture: diabetes, heart disease, and cancer rates are climbing, impacting millions across the country. From rural healthcare access to the burgeoning urban health crisis, challenges remain significant. This week, we delve into the crucial initiatives underway – government policies, technological advancements in telemedicine, and the rising role of preventative healthcare – that aim to address this national health emergency. Experts weigh in on the effectiveness of current strategies and the critical need for increased public awareness campaigns targeting lifestyle diseases. Are these efforts enough? Explore Abtak.com's in-depth coverage on healthcare in India and discover the vital information you need to protect your well-being and the future of public health. Stay informed; stay healthy.
New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) Six depressive symptoms in midlife such as not being able to cope with problems and losing confidence in oneself might predict risk of dementia two decades later, according to a new study. Feeling nervous and tensed most of the time, not feeling warmth and affection for others and difficulties concentrating were among the six symptoms contributing towards dementia, according to the findings published in The Lancet Psychiatry journal. Researchers led by those at the University College London said the cluster of specific symptoms, rather than depression overall, could indicate the relationship between midlife depression and dementia risk in later life. Lead author Philipp Frank from University College London's division of psychiatry, said, "Our findings show that dementia risk is linked to a handful of depressive symptoms rather than depression as a whole. This symptom-level approach gives us a much clearer picture of who may be more vulnerable decades before dementia develops." "Everyday symptoms that many people experience in midlife appear to carry important information about long-term brain health. Paying attention to these patterns could open new opportunities for early prevention," Frank said. Data from 5,811 middle-aged adults who participated in the UK's Whitehall II study, a long-term research that started in 1985 looking into social inequalities in health, was analysed. Midlife depressive symptoms were assessed during 1997-1999, when the participants were dementia-free and middle-aged (45-69 years) through questionnaires covering 30 common depressive symptoms. The participants were followed up for 25 years through national health registries, 10.1 per cent of whom developed dementia. Those reporting five or more depressive symptoms in the questionnaire were found to have a 27 per cent higher risk of developing dementia. However, the increased risk of dementia was driven entirely by the six specific symptoms in adults under 60 -- loss of self-confidence and difficulty coping with problems were each associated with a roughly 50 per cent increased risk of dementia, the researchers found. "A distinct set of midlife depressive symptoms was associated with an increased risk of dementia, suggesting that these symptoms might be early markers of underlying neurodegenerative processes," the authors wrote. "These findings could inform earlier identification and more targeted interventions for individuals with depression who are at risk of dementia," they said. Symptoms such as loss of self-confidence, difficulty coping with problems, and poor concentration can lead to reduced social engagement and fewer cognitively stimulating experiences, both of which are important for maintaining cognitive reserve, the team noted. They explained cognitive reserve as the brain's ability to cope with damage or disease, allowing one to maintain normal thinking and function even when the brain is physically affected. An August 2024 study found that lacking a purpose in life and perceiving fewer opportunities for personal growth could be a very early sign of dementia. Findings published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry suggested that the aspects of psychological wellbeing noticeably declined among older adults three to six years before being diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment that usually precedes dementia and where memory and thought processes are impacted, yet does not interfere with daily functioning. PTI KRS KRS RUK RUK RUK RUK
Kolkata: A second-year MBA student at IIM Calcutta has been arrested after a woman alleged that she was raped inside boys' hostel of the premier institute. However, in a surprising turn, the woman's father later claimed there was no sexual assault and said his daughter was "fine and resting." The woman, a psychological counsellor by profession, visited the Haridevpur police station on Friday evening and submitted a handwritten complaint. She alleged that she had been offered pizza and water during lunch and felt unwell soon after consuming them. According to the complainant, she lost consciou ...Read More >
PNN Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], November 14: As part of its CSR initiative, CitiusTech, a global leader in healthcare technology, has launched a program to make quality healthcare accessible to underserved urban communities across 12 slums in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The initiative is supported by DocOnline contributing medical expertise and healthcare services as the knowledge partner, and NGO SEED. The initiative focuses on capacity building, digital healthcare integration, and community empowerment--bridging healthcare gaps through affordable, high-quality services. At the heart of th ...Read More >
PNN New Delhi [India], July 11: Aayush Wellness Limited, an Integrated Healthcare Company, proudly announces the launch of its - Brain Fuel Capsules, formulated to support cognitive function, memory retention and mental clarity using time-tested herbal ingredients. With this launch, the company continues to expand its nutraceutical product portfolio, addressing one of the most overlooked health challenges in modern society like poor memory, lack of focus, and a decline in clear thinking." With the increasing demands of modern life, millions of individuals -- including students, working profe ...Read More >
A study in Nature Medicine reveals that physical and social environmental factors like pollution, socio-economic inequality, and lack of green spaces significantly contribute to accelerated brain aging. Research by the Global Brain Health Institute underscores the cumulative, syndemic nature of these exposures, emphasizing a shift towards broader structural interventions. An insightful analysis published in Nature Medicine uncovers the profound impact of environmental exposures on brain aging. C ...Read More >
Project led by Professor Sivaprakasam with international team The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by releasing the most detailed high-resolution 3D images of the human fetal brain. Developed by researchers at the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre, this pioneering project is the first of its kind globally, showcasing over 5,132 digitally captured brain sections at a cellular level using advanced brain mapping technology. The dataset, apt ...Read More >
Chennai: In a landmark feat, IT-Madras has released the world's first high-resolution detailed 3D images of the human foetal brain, pushing the frontiers of brain mapping technology and placing India in the global league in this segment of science. This data set, termed 'DHARANI', is open source, meaning it is freely available for all researchers world-wide. For the first time globally, 5,132 brain sections have been captured digitally using cutting-edge brain mapping technology developed by Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at the IIT. This work will advance the field of neuroscience and pot ...Read More >
New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said authorities cannot go against demolition orders issued by courts and stressed that displaced residents have been provided accommodation.Her words came in the wake of the recent Madrasi Camp demolition for which the opposition Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has criticised her. AAP has targeted Gupta, and alleged that the displaced Madrasi Camp residents were provided homes in faraway Narela, and those lack basic amenities.Attending an event to mark the construction of a Jan Sewa camp at a slum cluster in the Haiderpur area, Gupta told reporters: "In t ...Read More >
Bijnor: In a tragic incident that exposes the growing crisis of rural indebtedness in Uttar Pradesh, a family of four in Bijnor's Noorpur area consumed poison after being overwhelmed by mounting debt and pressure from moneylenders. The mother and elder daughter died on the spot, while the father and younger daughter are battling for their lives at a higher medical centre. The incident took place in Tendra village, where Pukhraj, a marginal farmer, had reportedly taken loans from local moneylenders to sustain his family. With no institutional financial support or meaningful state intervention, ...Read More >
New Delhi: Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, currently riding high on the success of his latest film Sitaare Zameen Par, hosted a special screening of the movie at Rashtrapati Bhavan for President Droupadi Murmu. The event marked a significant moment in the film's journey, highlighting both its critical acclaim and social resonance. In a candid conversation with Filmfare, Khan delved into deeply personal territory, opening up about his family's battle with mental health, particularly his daughter Ira Khan's struggle with depression. "You feel far more for your children than you ever could for your ...Read More >
NewsVoir Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], July 10: Knowledgeum Academy, a learner-centric IB World School backed by the prestigious JAIN Group, announces the release of its IBDP results for the Class of 2025. As learners prepare to embark on new academic and personal pursuits, this moment offers not only a reflection on their performance but also on the journey that brought them here - a journey defined by inquiry, intention, and individual growth. This year, Knowledgeum Academy recorded a 90% IB Diploma success rate, with an average score of 32 points and a highest individual score of 41 poin ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 15 (PTI) The Indian economy is expected to grow at 6.5 per cent in the current financial year, despite geo-political tensions and trade policy uncertainties, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) Chairman S Mahendra Dev said on Tuesday. In an interview with PTI, Dev further said that domestic growth will be driven by low inflation, resulting from good monsoon and benign interest rate regime, triggered by three back-to-back rate cuts by the Reserve Bank of India. "There are significant global headwinds like the twin shocks of geo-political tensions and trade ...Read More >
KOLKATA: A 63-year-old Bansdroni resident, who had crossed over to Bengal from Bangladesh in 1972 with his parents, was found hanging at his home on Sunday morning, prompting his family to allege that "extreme anxiety" over NRC and SIR had prompted him to kill himself.Locals claimed that Dilip Kumar Saha's anxiety increased after his youngest son came to Kolkata from Bangladesh recently. Lalbazar, however, denied any recent cross-border migration of Saha's family members. A suicide note was recovered, in which Saha blamed no one for his death. He worked as a Group D employee at a private schoo ...Read More >
New Delhi, May 29 (PTI) A genetic study has traced a 2023 outbreak of a neurological infection in Tamil Nadu to contaminated saline water used at a dental clinic, findings of which were published in The Lancet Regional Health Southeast Asia journal. Twenty-one probable cases of neuromelioidosis -- a neurological infection caused by bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei -- between July 2022 and April 2023 were identified across four districts in the northern part of the state. Seventeen of the 21 cases came from a single district, of which 10 reported undertaking treatment at a dental clinic. T ...Read More >
New Delhi: Alleging "blatant misuse" of agencies to defame its leaders, AAP on Thursday questioned why the first information report filed against former Delhi ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendar Jain was being kept under wraps and "selective" press notes were being leaked to the media.Bharadwaj, who is Delhi AAP convener, alleged that only two former ministers were named in the case without any reasonable cause while all the officers of the health and public works departments, who were actually responsible for executing the hospital projects, were spared. "Is the FIR so baseless that BJP ...Read More >
"The data do not support any advantage in creative thinking for lefties," said Daniel Casasanto, associate professor of psychology. "In fact, there is some evidence that righties are more creative in some laboratory tests, and strong evidence that righties are overrepresented in professions that require the greatest creativity." Casasanto is the senior author of "Handedness and Creativity: Facts and Fictions," published in the Psychonomic Bulletin and Review. Casasanto said there are scientific ...Read More >
Guwahati, July 6: The outbreak of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Assam has taken a worrying turn, with the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) reporting 13 deaths linked to the disease in the past three months. According to hospital authorities, a total of 57 encephalitis patients have been admitted to GMCH during this period. As of Friday, 47 patients are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. In the past 24 hours alone, GMCH admitted 10 new JE cases, indicating a sharp surge in infections. However, there is some relief as 10 patients have successfully recovered and been dis ...Read More >
The death of policeman-turned-Punjabi singer and actor Rajvir Jawanda has sparked an outpouring of grief from fans, politicians and the music community. The 35-year-old died on Wednesday, 11 days after he was fatally injured in an accident in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Jawanda suffered severe injuries after he lost control of his motorcycle when he collided with cattle while he was travelling through Solan district, reports said. His songs, which often carried messages of l ...Read More >
Srinagar, Jan 31: Online gambling has become a growing menace in Kashmir, driving several families into severe financial distress and emotional turmoil. The easy accessibility of online betting platforms has lured many, particularly youth, with the illusion of quick financial gains. However, this often results in heavy monetary losses, debt and psychological suffering. According to details obtained by the news agency -- Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a youth from south Kashmir initially won Rs 10,000 in online betting within a few days. Encouraged by this, he borrowed lakhs of rupees from neigh ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 31: Rusan Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., the marketing and distribution arm of Rusan Pharma Limited, an integrated global pharmaceutical company, has announced the launch of the multi-dose delivery pen device - APOSAN® 3ml Pen (Apomorphine Hydrochloride solution for injection in cartridge)(10mg/ml)(3ml pre-filled cartridges) for treatment of motor fluctuations commonly known as 'ON-OFF' episodes in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease (PD). Also Read | Ashok Kharat Case: 150 Women Exploited via Spiked Drinks and Hypnosis; Congress Makes Wife-Swapping Allegati ...Read More >
New Delhi, Apr 3 (PTI) Ninety four per cent of childhood cancer deaths and 85 per cent of new cases occur in low and middle-income countries, highlighting persistent inequities in healthcare access and treatment, according to a global analysis published in The Lancet journal. Total childhood cancer deaths in 2023 were estimated at 17,000 in India, 16,000 in China, and about nine thousand each in Nigeria and Pakistan. The analysis of data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) also estimated 377,000 new cases of childhood cancer worldwide in 2023, resulting ...Read More >
As the body experiences prolonged stress, the "calming neurotransmitter GABA can dip" When your body experiences prolonged stress, the supply of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) can be diminished. Nutritionist Anjali Mukerjee has said that GABA is an important neurotransmitter that helps to inhibit neural activity and calm the brain, acting as a natural tranquiliser. But, if its supply lessens, then a person starts experiencing weakness, unsteady legs, muscle tension, headache, loose motions and excessive thirst, according to the nutritionist. In a video on Instagram, Anjali Mukerjee has discu ...Read More >
Nagpur: Eminent neurologists from the city joined experts from across the globe on World Brain Tumour Day to raise awareness about the disease.At an event held at the Indian Medical Association (IMA) headquarters in Nagpur, specialists emphasised the importance of early diagnosis, discussed symptoms and treatment options, and highlighted the multifaceted challenges faced by patients and their families.Renowned neurologist and Padma Shri Dr Chandrashekhar Meshram stressed the need for timely detection and comprehensive care. He said awareness about the type of brain tumour and its symptoms is c ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: The Uttar Pradesh administration has strengthened security arrangements across several districts including Lucknow, Sambhal, and Moradabad to ensure peace and avoid any disruption, as Muharram processions and the Kanwar Yatra are being held at the same time.Large crowds gathered for Muharram processions across different regions, while preparations for the Kanwar Yatra are also underway. Police personnel have been deployed in all sensitive areas, and surveillance is being carried out using drones and CCTV cameras.In SambhalDistrict Magistrate Dr Rajender Pensiya while speaking to ANI ...Read More >
Hyderabad: A brain tumour diagnosis often triggers fear -- not just from the disease but from the invasive treatments that follow. Surgery, radiation, long hospital stays and uncertain outcomes overwhelm patients and families. But this World Brain Tumour Day on Sunday brings new hope, as doctors highlight emerging non-invasive therapies that could transform care. Advances in medical technology are introducing targeted, non-surgical treatments that promise better outcomes with fewer side effects and faster recovery. One such breakthrough is Focused Ultrasound Therapy. "It uses sound energy, l ...Read More >
New Delhi, July 10 (UNI) A recent large-scale Danish study has revealed that ultrafine particles in air pollution can cross the blood-brain barrier and may increase the risk of developing tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), particularly meningiomas --the most common type of primary brain tumor. The findings published in journal Neurology add to growing evidence that air pollution's harmful effects extend beyond respiratory and cardiovascular health, potentially affecting the brain as well. Given the high pollution burden in Indian metropolitan areas such as in Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolk ...Read More >
Hyderabad: Do you or someone close to you experience frequent headaches, numbness or weakness in limbs, seizures, vision or speech changes, imbalance, or sudden memory issues? These could be early symptoms of a brain tumour, a serious and potentially life-threatening neurological condition. The brain is an important part of our body. If these symptoms become more frequent or severe, it could indicate the growth of a brain tumor. Brain tumors are also a type of health emergency -- they often grow slowly but can strike suddenly. Highlighting the unparallel role brain plays and the damage tumors ...Read More >
NewsVoir Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], July 10: Knowledgeum Academy, a learner-centric IB World School backed by the prestigious JAIN Group, announces the release of its IBDP results for the Class of 2025. As learners prepare to embark on new academic and personal pursuits, this moment offers not only a reflection on their performance but also on the journey that brought them here - a journey defined by inquiry, intention, and individual growth. This year, Knowledgeum Academy recorded a 90 IB Diploma success rate, with an average score of 32 points and a highest individual score of 41 point ...Read More >
Bengaluru: A major security scare gripped the city on Thursday morning after bomb threat emails were sent to 40 private schools across Bengaluru, including institutions in RR Nagar and Kengeri. The threat was issued via email from the ID [email protected], triggering a swift response from police and the bomb disposal squads. Authorities promptly evacuated the schools and conducted thorough searches of the premises. So far, no explosives have been found, but officials are treating the threats with utmost seriousness. The disturbing email claimed that explosives were planted inside classrooms, ...Read More >
New Delhi: Long-term use of artificial sweeteners or low- and no-calorie sweeteners, used mainly by people with diabetes, can lead to cognitive decline, claimed a study. Researchers from the Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil, analysed 12,000 patients who use common artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin, xylitol, erythritol, sorbitol, tagatose, and acesulfame K. The results, published in the Neurology journal, found that people who consumed the highest amounts had the greatest declines - 62 per cent -- in thinking and memory, as compared to those who consumed less. Also Read: Vi ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Next time you wake up with crushing fatigue, a high fever, a raw throat and swollen glands, take note. The trigger behind it could be something as simple as a kiss.Infectious mononucleosis, or the 'kissing disease', is caused by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) - one of the most common human infections worldwide. It spreads through saliva, not just kissing, but every day close contact.A US study using records from the Mayo Clinic-led Rochester Epidemiology Project, tracking nearly 19,000 people, has found those who develop mono are over three times more likely to develop multiple sclero ...Read More >