Health News: Medical Updates

Took a New Year's resolution to quit smoking? 'Cytisine' drug may help

IANS | January 1, 2024 12:30 PM

New Delhi, Jan 1 (IANS) 2024 is now here and some of you might have made a New Year's resolution to quit smoking. To keep you up with your resolution, a new study on Monday said that "Cytisine", a low-cost, generic stop-smoking aid that has been used in Eastern Europe since the 1960s, increases the chances of successful smoking cessation by more than two-fold compared with placebo and may be more effective than nicotine replacement therapy.

Having pets may help older adults living alone maintain healthy brains: Study

IANS | December 31, 2023 6:06 PM

San Francisco, Dec 31 (IANS) For the growing number of older adults who live alone, having a pet such as a dog or cat by their side could help them maintain a healthy brain, a new study has said.

Use of 'benzodiazepines' drug during pregnancy may cause miscarriage: Study

IANS | December 31, 2023 4:48 PM

San Francisco, Dec 31 (IANS) A class of drug called "benzodiazepines" -- which is used in the treatment of anxiety, depression and insomnia -- could be linked to higher odds for miscarriage if taken during pregnancy, a new study has found.

Covid keeps coming back, but is it something to worry about? (IANS Column)

Dr. Randeep Guleria | December 31, 2023 10:00 AM

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) Covid is now a viral infection and is caused by a virus which has now become endemic. Like influenza, the Covid-19 virus will continue to survive and there will be small spikes in the number of cases whenever there is a mutation in the virus which gives it a property of being more transmissible. Therefore, the virus will continue to be present in humans and we will have to continue to live with Covid.

Shadow of a Covid wave powered by JN.1 variant looms over early 2024

IANS | December 31, 2023 10:00 AM

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) As cases of the new Omicron sub-variant JN.1 continue to rise globally, including in India, there is a fear among many about a possible Covid wave early next year that may derail normalcy once again. Are these fears real?

How India became world's diabetes capital; what we can do about it (IANS Column)

Dr Ambrish Mithal | December 31, 2023 10:00 AM

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) Indians have always had a close relationship with diabetes. Our ancient texts contain accurate descriptions of diabetes (“madhumeha”).

Fit yet most vulnerable to fatalities: Do fitness fanatics overdo gymming?

IANS | December 31, 2023 9:59 AM

New Delhi, Dec 31 (IANS) Over the past few months, there has been a number of sudden cardiac deaths in relatively young, and seemingly healthy individuals in various parts of the country -- leaving millions gasping for answers as cases of new Covid variant JN.1 increase with deaths being reported in the country.

Breast cancer campaigner urges survivors to share their stories, spread hope

M.K. Ashoka | December 31, 2023 8:39 AM

Bengaluru, Dec 31 (IANS) Meet Swati Surmaya, a writer from Bengaluru, who is on a mission to break the jinx and blind theories associated with breast cancer in society.

Amazon warned about energy, health supplements carrying viagra ingredients

IANS | December 30, 2023 6:22 PM

San Francisco, Dec 30 (IANS) The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned Amazon to act on men's energy or health supplements that carry active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) tadalafil and sildenafil that are used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

India reports 743 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hrs; 3,997 active cases

IANS | December 30, 2023 4:21 PM

New Delhi, Dec 30 (IANS) In the past 24 hours, India has recorded 743 new COVID-19 cases, 54 cases less from Friday, while current number of active cases stands at 3,997.