All posts tagged: diseases

Is sugar addiction real? Doctor says children who don’t drink alcohol can have the same diseases as alcoholics | Health

Is sugar addiction real? Doctor says children who don’t drink alcohol can have the same diseases as alcoholics | Health

Is food addiction real? Can kids be affected by sugar or food addiction as seriously as alcohol addiction affects people? According to Dr Robert Lustig, M.D., M.S.L., it is possible. Dr Robert is Professor emeritus of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He specialises in the field of neuroendocrinology. His research and clinical practice has focused on childhood obesity and diabetes. Sugar addiction is quite serious, per Dr Robert Lustig. (Instagram/@drmarkhyman, Pexels) Also Read | Giving too much water to babies under 6 months can be toxic? Doctor explains why you need to take precautions During a podcast with Mark Hyman, MD physician and author, Dr Robert discusses the prevalence of food addiction and alcohol addiction, the same rate as alcohol addiction. ‘Food addiction is similar to alcoholism’ The video begins with Mark Hyman and Dr Robert discussing the study ‘Prevalence of food addiction determined by the Yale Food Addiction scale and associated factors: A systematic review with meta-analysis’ where data suggested that the ‘prevalence of food addiction was …

Odisha tribal healer’s remedies for chronic diseases to undergo scientific validation under Ministry of Ayush initiative

Odisha tribal healer’s remedies for chronic diseases to undergo scientific validation under Ministry of Ayush initiative

Hari Pangi, the tribal healer, in Odisha‘s Koraput district. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement  In the quiet foothills of Tentuliguda, a remote village in Odisha’s Koraput district, where age-old wisdom thrives around leaves, epidermal plant tissues, and roots, a humble four-room building serves as a laboratory for a tribal healer. Recently, this unassuming space hosted 17 Ayurvedic experts, including the Director General of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS). Hari Pangi, a beneficiary of indigenous healing knowledge passed down through five generations, has signed a non-disclosure agreement with CCRAS under the Ministry of Ayush for the preservation and validation of local tribal health traditions being practised in his village. If successful, his traditional methods for treating chronic kidney diseases, hypertension, and cancer could gain recognition. Professor Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General of CCRAS, said they were “quite impressed” with Mr. Pangi’s traditional approach. Citing the high demand for Mr. Pangi’s services, with 100-125 patients visiting on Sundays, 70 on Saturdays, and 25 on weekdays, Prof. Acharya noted that “this indicates his formulations are working”. …

PM Modi hails Genome India Project, know how will its data work for preventing diseases

PM Modi hails Genome India Project, know how will its data work for preventing diseases

Image Source : X Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed the completion of the Genome India Project (GIP). Addressing an event related to the Genome India Project completion, he said the Genome India Project marks a defining moment in the country’s biotechnology landscape. My best wishes to those associated with the project, he added. “Today India has taken a historic step in the world of research. Five years ago the Genome India Project was approved. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, our scientists have completed the project. I am very happy that more than 20 research organisations have played a very important role in the research. Now the data of the project is available in the Indian Biological Data Center. This project will prove to be a big milestone in the Department of Biotechnology Research” “Today the world is looking towards India for solutions to various global problems…In the past 10 years, special attention has been given to research and innovation in the nation…Today the youth is carrying out various …

Concerns expressed over rising autism, cancer, and degenerative diseases due to presence of toxins in environment

Concerns expressed over rising autism, cancer, and degenerative diseases due to presence of toxins in environment

Participants at an international symposium on ‘Environmental Impact on Health: Increasing Incidence of Autism, Cancer, and Degenerative Diseases’ in Hyderabad on Sunday (December 29). | Photo Credit: handout Experts raised concerns over rising incidence of illnesses like autism, cardiology, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders linked to environmental toxins. A diverse group of medical professionals, health experts, and researchers from India and countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia discussed the issue of toxins at an international symposium on ‘Environmental Impact on Health: Increasing Incidence of Autism, Cancer, and Degenerative Diseases’ here on Sunnday. Convenor and principal sponsor of the conference Praveen Saxena launched the discussions by highlighting the critical role of heavy metals, pollution, pesticides, and other toxins in contributing to the global health crisis. He emphasized the importance of understanding these toxins’ impacts to enhance medical care and treatment strategies. The symposium concluded with a call for collaborative efforts to address environmental toxins’ challenges and impacts. Participants advocated for freeing medical care from the constraints of conventional medicine and emphasized the need …

Deaths from diarrhoeal diseases drop globally: Study

Deaths from diarrhoeal diseases drop globally: Study

New Delhi: There has been nearly 60% drop in global deaths due to diarrhoeal diseases, but children and the elderly remain vulnerable and accounted for the highest mortality rates, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, according to a study published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases on Wednesday. Diarrhoea patients at a civil hospital in Panchkula in 2021. (HT File Photo) “In 2021, diarrhoeal diseases caused 1.2 million deaths worldwide, which is a substantial drop from 2.9 million deaths recorded in 1990. The largest decrease was among children under 5 years with a 79% decline, but that age group still had the highest mortality rate among all ages, followed by those 70 years and older,” read the findings from the study. According to the authors, it is by far the most comprehensive Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal. Regional disparities in diarrhoeal disease deaths remain stark, the authors said. Regions with high-income countries see less than one …

Health challenges Pune faced in 2024: rise in vector-borne diseases, respiratory illnesses, deteriorating air quality | Pune News

Health challenges Pune faced in 2024: rise in vector-borne diseases, respiratory illnesses, deteriorating air quality | Pune News

Over the past decade, hospitals in Pune have developed world-class healthcare services that attract international health tourism. However, the region has not made significant progress in preventive healthcare. I will highlight several challenges that health professionals in Pune faced in 2024. The urban expansion of Pune has resulted in inadequate water drainage. During the rainy season, stagnant bodies of water lead to a significant rise in the mosquito population. The increased human density creates an ideal environment for the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. During the rainy season of 2024, malaria and dengue cases increased, but the rise in chikungunya cases was even more concerning. Dr Awanti Golwilkar from AG Diagnostics explained this alarming trend. Between June and September 2023, they detected 51 cases of chikungunya. However, in the same period of 2024, that number surged to over 2,500, representing a staggering 50-fold increase. It appears that the chikungunya virus has mutated, now leading to more prolonged and severe arthritis, as well as neurological complications such as paralysis and, in some cases, fatal encephalitis. A new …

Stop abuse of patent monopolies in rare diseases, say patient representatives and treatment activists 

Stop abuse of patent monopolies in rare diseases, say patient representatives and treatment activists 

Health groups argue that Roche’s legal action to block generic supply jeopardises public interest by limiting access to affordable medication. File image for representation. | Photo Credit: Reuters Roche, a Swiss multinational healthcare company, is seeking a permanent injunction against Natco Pharma to prevent the introduction of a generic version of Risdiplam, a Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) drug, citing patent infringement. Health groups on Tuesday (November 5, 2024) argued that Roche’s legal action to block generic supply jeopardises public interest by limiting access to affordable medication. Roche’s patent for Risdiplam is effective until 2035, allowing them to charge approximately ₹6 lakh per bottle, while production costs suggest the drug could be made available for as low as ₹3,024 annually. Patient representatives and treatment activists have come together stating that government, courts, and lawmakers need to take urgent action to address the abuse of patent monopolies in rare diseases. They also noted that the monopoly on the drug could hinder the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s efforts to benefit from domestic production and competitive pricing …

Collector calls for rigorous steps to control seasonal diseases in Annamayya district in Andhra Pradesh

Collector Chamakuri Sridhar has instructed Medical and Health department officials to implement rigorous measures for dengue control in the Annamayya district. A meeting convened at the Collectorate here on Sunday (September 8) focused on seasonal diseases such as dengue and malaria. Addressing the medical and paramedical staff, the Collector emphasized the need for officials to collaborate effectively in preventing dengue and malaria cases. The Madanapalle division in the district reported high instances of dengue, necessitating the setting up of medical camps to mitigate the spread of the disease, the Collector pointed out. Mr. Sridhar stressed that officials should conduct awareness campaigns in areas with a history of high disease prevalence to educate the public about malaria and dengue. The focus is on taking concerted action to curtail the mosquito population, particularly targeting their larval stage. In the event of medication shortages in the district’s Primary Health Centers (PHCs), prompt reporting is essential. Recognizing the potential threat posed by mosquito-borne diseases, it was emphasized that extensive sanitation initiatives and measures to prevent mosquito breeding should be …

Health Minister conducts inspections at hospitals amid rising seasonal diseases

Telangana Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha with Gandhi Hospital superintendent Dr. Rajkumari during an inspection on Tuesday, September 3. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Amid rising seasonal diseases in Telangana, Minister for Health C. Damodar Raja Narasimha conducted surprise inspections at Gandhi Hospital in Secunderabad and King Koti District Hospital to evaluate the quality of services and facilities being provided to patients. During his visit to Gandhi Hospital, the minister held a review meeting in the Superintendent’s office, inquiring about the availability of beds and the range of out-patient (OP) services. He inspected all departments in the OP block, interacting with the patients to assess their well-being and the quality of care they received. Noticing that patient attendants were sitting on the floor, he instructed the hospital superintendent Dr. Rajkumari to ensure proper seating and improved amenities. The minister reassured that there was no shortage of doctors, and indicated that additional doctors were being hired on a contract basis as necessary. At King Koti District Hospital, the minister conducted a thorough inspection of all …

ORDI’s flagship run Racefor7 to raise awareness on rare diseases on Feb 25

A file photo of participants at RaceFor7 in Mysuru. The primary objective of the 7-kilometre run is to raise awareness about rare diseases, and provide patients and their families with access to national and international resources. | Photo Credit: SRIRAM MA Organization for Rare Diseases India (ORDI) is set to host its annual flagship event, Racefor7, across 15 cities on February 25.  The primary objective of the 7-kilometre run is to raise awareness about rare diseases, and provide patients and their families with access to national and international resources, empowering them in the process. Racefor7 is an annual awareness run organised in alignment with World Rare Diseases Day. Since its inception in 2016 in Bengaluru, the event has expanded nationwide, with an expected participation of over 20,000 individuals this year across the cities of Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kochi, Pune, Mysuru, Davangere, Hubballi, Asansol, Kozhikode, and Coimbatore in line with the theme One Nation, One Day – Together for Rare. The Bengaluru run will commence at 7 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Indian …