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New Delhi: A daily weight-loss pill already hailed for its slimming effects could also offer significant protection against serious heart problems, according to new research from the United States. Scientists have found that tablets containing semaglutide — the same active ingredient used in popular injections such as Wegovy and Ozempic — may reduce the risk of heart failure by more than a fifth. The findings add to growing evidence that drugs originally designed to treat diabetes and obesity may have far-reaching benefits for cardiovascular health. In a large study tracking nearly 10,000 adults, researchers observed that people taking a daily semaglutide pill were 22 per cent less likely to be hospitalised for heart failure or die from the condition than those given a placebo. The trial also found a 14 per cent reduction in major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes. Semaglutide has already been shown to help patients lose up to 15 per cent of their body...
New Delhi: Scientists may have found a new clue to why the body stores fat so easily—and how that process might be slowed down. In a recent study published in Science Signaling, researchers uncovered an enzyme that appears to act like a switch for fat production. When this switch was turned off in laboratory mice, the animals gained less weight, had lower cholesterol levels, and showed signs of healthier livers, even when fed diets designed to promote obesity. The discovery matters because obesity has become one of the most common health problems worldwide. It raises the risk of heart disease, fatty liver disease, and other conditions that shorten life expectancy. While diet and exercise remain central to weight control, scientists are increasingly looking at what happens inside the body at a chemical level—and how those processes might be altered. The enzyme in the study was also associated with nitric oxide, a molecule naturally produced by the body. Nitric oxide helps regulate...
New Delhi: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which mainly affects the skin and peripheral nerves. This disease, though curable, causes heavy social stigma. It remains a significant public health concern in many developing countries, including India. This disease has a long incubation period and begins with subtle skin lesions like hypopigmented patches with sensory loss. Dr. Saji Firoz, Consultant, Department of Dermatology and Cosmetology, KIMSHEALTH, Thiruvananthapuram, spoke about the importance of mitigating leprosy-related stigma. Why the need to raise awareness? It is infectious and spreads through prolonged close contact with an untreated infected person, primarily via droplets. It is not highly contagious and does not spread through casual contact. It is a curable disease. Once treatment starts, the patient becomes non-infectious, thus interrupting transmission Early diagnosis and treatment prevent disability. Multidrug therapy is freely...
New Delhi: Nipah virus is one of the most serious emerging infectious diseases, known for its high fatality rate and rapid progression. With recent alerts from West Bengal, many people are understandably concerned. Understanding how Nipah spreads and why certain regions become hotspots can help reduce fear and improve preparedness. Dr. Manisha Arora, Director of Internal Medicine at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, answered all Nipah virus-related FAQs. Is the Nipah virus fatal? Yes, Nipah virus infection can be fatal. Reported mortality rates range between 40% and 75%, depending on early diagnosis, access to intensive care, and outbreak preparedness. The virus primarily affects the brain and respiratory system. In severe cases, patients may develop acute encephalitis, respiratory distress, and multi-organ failure. This is why early detection and isolation play a critical role in improving outcomes. How does Nipah spread? Nipah virus spreads through multiple routes: 1. Animal-to-human...
New Delhi: Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is a treatment that helps people with symptoms of menopause. As women reach menopause, they might suffer from many uncomfortable symptoms. HRT can provide relief to women. Sometimes, it is used interchangeably with Hormone Therapy (HT). While Hormone Replacement Therapy generally refers to menopause, HT is a broader term that may include other treatments involving hormones. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), once viewed with caution due to past safety concerns, is steadily regaining ground in women’s health. With newer formulations, improved screening, and better understanding of menopausal physiology, specialists say that HRT today is safer, more effective, and more tailored to the patient. In an interaction with TV9 English, Dr Shruthi Kalagara, Consultant -Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Sarjapur, Bangalore, spoke about how hormone replacement therapy has become safer over the years. What HRT Does and Who Needs...
New Delhi: Every year, one in ten babies enters the world before their time. That 's approximately 15 million preterm births globally, a staggering figure that represents the leading cause of death in children under five years worldwide. Yet what many don 't realize is that a significant proportion of these premature births are preventable with timely identification and appropriate intervention. In an interaction with TV9 English, Dr. Kinjal Avdhut Kothari, Associate Consultant – OBG, Manipal Hospital, Goa, spoke about how preterm births need not be an inevitability. Here 's how your lifestyle choices can make a difference. What are premature births? The key lies in understanding why premature births happen and recognising that prevention begins long before labor starts. Preterm birth delivery before 37 completed weeks of gestation results from a complex interplay of maternal, fetal, and placental factors. Common culprits include intrauterine infections, cervical...
New Delhi: Eating more plant-based foods and cutting back on added sugars and fats could lower the risk of chronic kidney disease, according to a major long-term study that tracked nearly 180,000 adults in the UK. The research, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, analysed data from the UK Biobank, one of the world’s largest health databases. Participants, aged 40 to 69, reported their eating habits and were followed for around 12 years. During that time, just under 5,000 people developed chronic kidney disease, a condition that affects roughly one in 10 adults worldwide and is expected to become one of the leading causes of death in the coming decades. Researchers found that people who closely followed the EAT–Lancet “planetary health” diet were less likely to develop kidney disease. The diet, designed to balance human health with environmental sustainability, encourages eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, while keeping red meat,...
New Delhi: Alcohol has long been marketed with mixed messages—occasionally praised for heart health while repeatedly flagged as a cancer risk. Now, a large long-term study from the United States adds new clarity, identifying how much drinking may raise the likelihood of developing bowel cancer. Researchers from the US National Cancer Institute tracked more than 88,000 healthy adults over two decades. During that period, 1,679 participants were diagnosed with bowel cancer. The findings, published in the journal Cancer, suggest that people who consumed an average of 14 or more alcoholic drinks per week over their lifetime had a significantly higher cancer risk compared with those who drank rarely. According to the analysis, heavier drinkers were around 25 per cent more likely to develop bowel cancer and nearly twice as likely to develop rectal cancer. The results come as doctors and scientists are trying to explain why bowel cancer rates are rising in younger adults. Previous data...
New Delhi: Tattoos are often seen as harmless, personal expressions of identity. But scientists are increasingly examining what happens after the ink settles beneath the skin. New research suggests that tattoo pigments do more than simply sit in place—they interact with the body in ways that are only now coming into focus. Dr Manal Mohammed, a medical microbiology lecturer at the University of Westminster, says tattoo ink doesn’t simply remain fixed in the skin. Once injected, pigments trigger an immune response, and the body treats them as foreign material. Immune cells attempt to remove the particles, but because the pigments are too large, they become trapped in the skin, which is why tattoos are generally considered permanent. The inks themselves are complex chemical mixtures. Many pigments currently used were originally designed for industrial purposes, such as car paint, plastics, and printer toner, rather than for use in the human body. Some inks contain trace amounts of...
New Delhi: Glaucoma is not a single disease. It is a group of eye disorders in which the optic nerves, which connect the eyes to the brain, are progressively damaged, usually due to raised intraocular pressure or impaired blood flow to the nerve. While age is a major risk factor, glaucoma can occur at any stage of life, including infancy, childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. Can young people get glaucoma? Dr Pradeep Balam, Consultant – Glucoma, Sankara Eye Hospital, Hyderabad, in an interview with TV9 English, said that young people can get glaucoma, though it is rarer than in older adults and often goes undetected until vision is affected. The expert went on to talk about the crises in people of various age groups. Read on to know how it develops in people of various age groups. In children, glaucoma is often congenital or developmental, linked to abnormal formation of the eye’s drainage system. This form may present with enlarged eyes, light sensitivity, excessive...
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