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World Alzheimer's Day: Can hustle culture lead to Alzheimer's ? Experts answer

Increased stress, anxiety, fear of failure, and high expectations, particularly at the workplace -- commonly called hustle culture -- coupled with no exercise and poor diet can act as a perfect mix to lead to Alzheimer’s disease, said experts on Saturday. World Alzheimer's Day is observed every year on September 21 to increase public understanding of the neurological disorder. The theme this year is "Time to act on dementia, Time to act on Alzheimer's". “Continuous stress, anxiety, fear of failing the targets and expectations has compelled people to detrimentally increase the number of working hours, cutting down on sleep and take up a lifestyle with minimal physical activity and unhealthy eating habits. All these factors contribute to increased deposition of abnormal proteins and degradation of the brain,” Dr Ishu Goyal, Deputy Consultant Neurologist, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital told IANS. While these abnormal proteins are scavenged from the brain during sleep, facilitated by antioxidants obtained through a balanced diet, the hustle culture seldom allows for proper sleep and nutrition, the expert said. “People who are predisposed to develop dementia due to genetic mutations may face cognitive issues early in their life if they conform to this hustle culture, giving less emphasis on their physical and mental health," Goyal said. The doctor also advised regular breaks between work, relaxation therapies, proper diet, and sleep along with frequent rejuvenating therapies to help maintain proper biochemical balance in the brain to avoid precipitation of Alzheimer’s disease. Affecting millions of lives worldwide, Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disorder that begins with cognitive problems like short memory loss and gradually leads to severe cognitive decline and loss of independence. In India alone, an estimated 5 million people are currently living with dementia, with Alzheimer's accounting for 60-70 per cent of these cases. Globally, over 55 million people suffer from this condition, a number expected to triple by 2050 if current trends continue. Alzheimer’s mainly affects seniors and the risk increases considerably after age 65. Dr. Praveen Gupta, Principal Director and Chief of Neurology at Fortis Hospital said: “Alzheimer's is not just about memory loss” “Alzheimer’s is a comprehensive deterioration of brain function, affecting thinking, reasoning, behaviour, and emotions. It is a progressive disease and irreversible too,” Gupta told IANS. The experts called for proactive measures to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Dr Hema Krishna P, Consultant - Neurology and Movement Disorders, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore advised regular exercise, maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet, and participating in cognitive activities that stimulate the brain. Managing your cardiovascular health by controlling blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and diabetes can significantly help prevent the onset of this neurodegenerative condition, she told IANS. Also Read: Toxic work culture: Humiliation at workplace is driving employees to quit This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

21 September,2024 04:13 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
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Can video games help relieve post-traumatic stress symptoms? New study finds out

Dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? A novel study has shown that playing video games can help lower symptoms of the condition, which can lead to terrifying nightmares and severe anxiety. The study, published in BMC Medicine, provides “scientifically controlled evidence that a single guided digital treatment session can reduce the number of intrusive memories”. It can also be used safely by patients, said the researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden. Unpleasant and intrusive memories of a traumatic event in the form of mental images or flashbacks are the hallmark symptoms of PTSD. Avoidance, excessive tension, and problems such as difficulty sleeping and concentrating are others. The team monitored the intrusive memories of trauma in 164 participants for a week. While half the group were asked to play Tetris -- a video game --, the other half or the control group, were asked to listen to the radio. At the heart of Tetris lies the concept known as mental rotation. When a participant looks at an object from one angle, the individual can imagine what it would look like if it were rotated to a different position and could be seen from a different angle. Emily Holmes, professor at Uppsala University said just one guided treatment session showed positive effects, which shows “it is possible to reduce the frequency of unpleasant and intrusive memories of trauma”. Holmes noted that if trauma can be reduced by “an everyday tool that includes video gaming, it could be an accessible way to help many people". At the beginning of the study, the participants had an average of 15 flashbacks a week. Just a week after, the video game group had an average of just one, while the control group had five per week. Further, the effect lasted even after six months and the gaming group also experienced a significant reduction in all PTSD symptoms. Holmes said it was “surprising that the treatment method was so effective and that the improvement in symptoms lasted for six months”. Also Read: Fatigue, insomnia early signs of burnout at workplace: Experts This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

21 September,2024 01:30 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
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Weight loss surgery can reduce kidney failure risk in diabetics by 44 pc: Study

In people with Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney disease, bariatric or weight loss surgery can significantly protect kidney function and reduce the risk of kidney failure, finds a study. The study, published in the journal Annals of Surgery, showed that bariatric surgery was associated with a 60 per cent lower risk of progression of kidney disease and a 44 per cent lower risk of developing kidney failure or death in comparison to the nonsurgical group. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), which can lead to renal failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes and obesity. About 40 per cent of people with diabetes develop CKD in their lifetime. Lead author Ali Aminian, director of Cleveland Clinic’s Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, said that bariatric surgery can change the trajectory of the disease in obese and diabetes patients with established chronic kidney disease. The team included 425 adult patients (between the ages of 18 and 75) with diabetes, obesity, and stage 3 or 4 chronic kidney disease. Of these, 183 underwent weight loss surgery while 242 were treated with GLP-1 receptor agonist medications. While the most common GLP-1 medications were liraglutide and exenatide, about 20 per cent of patients in the nonsurgical group also received newer GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide (Ozempic) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro) at some point. Researchers found that bariatric surgery could protect kidney function and reduce the risk of kidney failure or death in patients better than GLP-1 drugs. People in the surgery group had more weight loss and better control of their diabetes. They even showed better control of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Aminian said bariatric surgery remains underutilised “despite its kidney-protective benefits”, stressing the need for more research to establish this. Also Read: World Alzheimer's Day 2024: Managing BP, diabetes, obesity can reduce risk of dementia by 60 pc, say experts This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

21 September,2024 11:49 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
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Love sleeping during the day? It could raise the risk of dementia, says study

If you think you can compensate for your night’s sleep during the daytime you may be wrong, said Dr Sudhir Kumar, a Hyderabad-based neurologist on Wednesday. Dr Sudhir, a neurologist at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, in a post on X.com, said that daytime sleep is not aligned with the body’s clock and also increases the risk of dementia and other psychiatric disorders. “Daytime sleep is lighter, since it is not aligned with the circadian clock, and hence fails to fulfill the homeostatic function of sleep,” the doctor said. “This fact is supported by numerous studies of night shift workers, who as a group are predisposed to stress, obesity, cognitive deficits, and an elevated risk of neurodegenerative diseases,” he added. Also Read: Fixing sleep cycle crucial to dodge diabetes, obesity, heart diseases: Doctors This is because the glymphatic system, which is known to clear the brain of protein waste products, is most active during sleep. Hence when sleep loss occurs, the glymphatic system faces failure, raising the risk of dementia, explained the doctor. “Glymphatic failure as the common pathway of dementia. Suppression or failure of the glymphatic system results in accumulation of abnormal proteins in various parts of the brain, leading to many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD),” Dr Sudhir said. Besides poor sleep quality, age, sedentary lifestyle, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, sleep apnoea, circadian misalignment, substance abuse, and depression are factors that suppress or result in failure of the glymphatic system. Also Read: Sleeping naked is good for health? Expert lists down surprising benefits “Good sleepers live longer, weigh less, have a reduced incidence of psychiatric disorders, and remain cognitively intact longer,” the neurologist said. “Habitually sleeping well at night could result in better cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia and psychiatric disorders,” he added.  This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

21 September,2024 11:39 AM IST | New Delhi | IANS
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Obesity, smoking key triggers for Alzheimer's Disease, say experts

Obesity and smoking are key triggers for Alzheimer's Disease, said health experts on Monday, stressing the need to control both, especially in young adults.  Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, which is a serious public health concern. It leads to memory loss, cognitive decline, and inability to perform daily tasks. The experts explained that obesity and smoking are the major risk factors for vascular dementia and can trigger Alzheimer's owing to the inflammation caused due to smoking. “Smoking damages blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the brain, which can harm brain cells. Obesity is linked to inflammation and insulin resistance, both detrimental to brain health,” Dr. Vikas Mittal, pulmonologist at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, said. Alia Bhatt: I avoid giving parenting advice as everyone’s journey is different Curbing the major risk factors are important as a recent study published in the journal The Lancet showed that global dementia cases are set to triple, with 153 million living with dementia by 2050. Alzheimer's, the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 per cent of cases, is also expected to soar. “Obesity also causes conditions like diabetes and cardiac disease which are known risk factors for Alzheimer’s. The presence of these conditions worsens brain health while promoting inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular damage, which leads to memory decline and increase in Alzheimer’s Disease,” Dr. Anurag Saxena, HOD and Cluster Head Neurosurgery, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, said. Additionally, obesity impairs metabolic functions and insulin signalling which increases the risk of neurodegeneration. On the other hand, “smoking worsens oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain which increases the development of Alzheimer’s. “The harmful chemicals in cigarettes like nicotine and tar damage blood vessels and interfere with blood flow. Smoking can not only accelerate Alzheimer’s Disease but also other forms of dementia,” Dr. Anurag said. Moreover, people with a family history of Alzheimer’s are more prone to the condition if they smoke. The combination and genetic factors and the effects of smoking increases the progress of Alzheimer’s symptoms, the doctor noted. Dr. Shailesh Rohatgi, HOD, Department of Neurology, DPU Super Speciality Hospital at Pune, said that he advised maintaining a balanced lifestyle and eating habits and keeping a constant check, as vascular dementia can even develop at an early age due to various lifestyle habits. He also stressed on “daily activities which are not just limited to physical movement but also engaging the brain. It is important to engage your brain in mental activities like board games.” Also read: Mental health experts share effective programs to foster inclusivity for LGBTQ+ students in school This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

21 September,2024 11:37 AM IST | New Delhi | IANS
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Nose-picking habit can signal Alzheimer's risk?

People who frequently pick their noses may be at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a review of dozens of published studies. While scientists cannot accurately pinpoint what causes Alzheimer’s disease, but in the brains of patients, they have observed a buildup of a protein called tau, which is associated with the body’s immune response. But recent studies have pointed the role of neuroinflammation, at least partially in its pathogenesis. In the new study, researchers at the Western Sydney University in Australia "hypothesised that neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s may be partially caused by viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens entering the brain via the nose and the olfactory system". Chronic nose-picking, medically known as rhinotillexomania, introduces germs into the sensitive nasal cavity that cause inflammation in the brain, which has been linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. In the paper, published in the journal Biomolecules, the team showed support for this theory, suggesting that shifts in the nasal environment caused by an overgrowth of germs could be the source of chronic, mild brain infections. The researchers said the such infections can exist seemingly without symptoms but may cause inflammation and leave behind harmful plaques of protein that contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s. "One of the lessons learned from Covid is the value of hand hygiene through frequent hand washing and the use of hand sanitizers, and we suggest these routine hygienic procedures be mandatory routine procedures for the incurable nose-picker," the researchers wrote in the paper. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

21 September,2024 11:35 AM IST | Sydney | IANS
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Managing BP, diabetes, obesity can reduce risk of dementia by 60 pc: Experts

Blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity are preventable risk factors that can help reduce the chances or reverse the odds of dementia by 60 per cent, said experts on World Alzheimer's Day on Saturday. World Alzheimer's Day is commemorated every year on September 21 to raise awareness about the stigma associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease and to increase public understanding of these disorders. The theme this year is "Time to act on dementia, Time to act on Alzheimer's". Alzheimer’s disease, a debilitating, cognitive, and neurological disorder, gradually erodes a person’s memory, language skills, thinking skills, and ability to perform even the simplest tasks. It primarily affects individuals over the age of 65 and is the leading cause of dementia in older adults. It is one of the most common causes of dementia or memory loss. The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in India is growing steadily while it may not be alarming. The disease is affecting the elderly more, but it is also showing signs of increase in the younger population. “The time to act on dementia is to work on the preventable risk factors of dementia. And if we work on the preventable risk factors of dementia, we can reduce or reverse dementia by 60 per cent,” Dr Manjari Tripathi, head of the neurology department, at AIIMS, told IANS. So what are these preventable risk factors? “Controlling blood pressure, diabetes, not smoking or drinking alcohol, and reducing body weight or obesity levels. There should also be no insomnia. Take treatment for insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea, because sleep, if impaired, can impair memory,” Tripathi said. In addition, leading an unhealthy lifestyle which is sedentary, with no exercise; or not learning any new skill in old age, being passive, just sitting on the chair, or staying more on the couch may also harm cognitive functions. Research, published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia, revealed that 7.4 per cent of people aged 60 and older live with dementia in India, amounting to roughly 8.8 million individuals. The study was done using nationally representative data collected in India from 2017 to 2020. Strikingly, dementia prevalence was found to be higher among females (9 per cent) compared to males (5.8 per cent), particularly in rural areas. The research highlights that the number of Indians with dementia could rise to 16.9 million by 2036 if current trends continue. "Women have a much higher lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer's than men. This could be due to a mix of biological, genetic, and lifestyle factors," Dr Arindam Ghosh, Consultant - Neurologist, Narayana Health, Kolkata, told IANS. "In India, where women’s life expectancy is longer, we see a notable gender disparity in Alzheimer's cases," Ghosh added. The experts stressed the need for boosting awareness about the condition which can help in early diagnosis. Tripathi explained that Alzheimer's has three stages -- early, middle, and late. Therapy is begun in the early stage to prevent the disease from progressing at a fast rate. “It is essential that all people are brought in early when the early symptoms start, after which tests can be done to make the diagnosis,” the neurologist said. Early symptoms include memory loss that disrupts daily life, poor judgement, losing track of dates or knowing the current location, repeating questions, or forgetting recently learned information. “The diagnosis is made carefully by taking clinical history from the caregiver, and other neuropsychological tests, like MRI brain, blood tests like Vitamin B12, thyroid, Vitamin D. There are also biomarker tests, after which we do a PET brain test, and then diagnosis can be achieved,” Tripathi told IANS. The expert suggested people start actively making a healthy lifestyle, with proper diet and aerobic exercises, especially after the age of 35. Besides a healthy lifestyle, she suggested people indulge in cognitive tasks like puzzles, sudoku, art, music, pet therapy, learning a new dance, learning a new language, and learning new skills -- basically to have a purpose in life. “If you can act on all these then we can prevent dementia. That is why it is time to act on dementia. All these actions need to start by the age of 35 gradually,” Tripathi said. Also Read: Spend too much time in front of screens? That coupled with no exercise may lead to digital dementia This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

21 September,2024 11:07 AM IST | Mumbai | IANS
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Consuming 3-5 cups of coffee daily may reduce risk of diabetes, high BP: Expert

Consuming 3-5 cups of coffee daily can help lower your risk of diabetes, hypertension or high blood pressure, and fatty liver risk, according to a top neurologist. While coffee is known to provide multiple health benefits, the expert suggested drinking the beverage without sugar and with less milk. Taking to social media platform X, Dr. Sudhir Kumar from Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, listed out some health benefits of coffee. “Most notable benefits are lower risk of type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, fatty liver, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, depression, and certain cancers,” he said. “Coffee drinking increases longevity. 3-5 cups of coffee per day is considered safe and healthy. Avoid adding sugar to coffee,” he added. The expert also advised caution for people with insomnia to “avoid drinking coffee for about 5-6 hours prior to bedtime”. While “pregnant women should limit their coffee intake to 1-2 cups per day, people with severe hypertension should switch to green tea or limit their coffee intake to 1 cup per day”, Kumar said. The beverage is safe “in people with high normal BP and Grade 1 hypertension”. The expert explained that the high levels of antihypertensive nutrients (that is, vitamin E, niacin, potassium, and magnesium) and polyphenols in coffee may be why coffee is associated with a higher risk of hypertension. People suffering from severe hypertension can prefer green tea over coffee, suggested Kumar. Several research have backed the health benefits of coffee, including for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. A study, published online in the April issue of the journal Neurology, showed that the highest coffee consumers had a 37 per cent reduced risk of getting Parkinson’s disease, compared to those who do not drink. Another study, published in ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, showed that, in preliminary in vitro laboratory tests, espresso compounds can inhibit tau protein aggregation -- a process that is believed to be involved in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Also Read: Love binging on ultra-processed foods? It is raising diabetes risk, finds study This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

20 September,2024 01:20 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
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Fatigue, insomnia early signs of burnout at workplace: Experts

Fatigue, sleeplessness, and frequent illness are the early signs that one should watch out for burnout and exhaustion due to workplace stress, and must take help, said experts on Thursday, amid reports of a young CA in Pune who succumbed to death due to work pressure. Anna Sebastian Perayil (26), lost her life due to a “backbreaking workload” and “work stress” at Ernst & Young (EY), claimed her mother Anita Augustine in a heart-wrenching letter to Chairman Rajiv Memani. Perayil worked for four months at the accounting firm, and yet “nobody from the office was present even for her funeral”. In another tragic case, 25-year-old Saurabh Kumar Laddha, working at McKinsey and Company reportedly ended his life by jumping from the ninth floor of his building in Mumbai, after being unable to handle the work pressure. The list can go on with many more names. Dr. Suchismitha Rajamanya, Lead Consultant & HOD - Internal Medicine, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, told IANS that almost every week, "approximately 6 to 10 patients come seeking help, reporting stress and exhaustion". “Burnout and exhaustion can display noticeable signs, and physically these signs could be chronic fatigue, insomnia as well as frequent illnesses,” Rajamanya said. The expert explained that stress can also manifest as hopelessness, annoyance, emotional draining, decreased motivation in the upkeep of appearance, absenteeism, diminishing work performance, and unwillingness to engage in work tasks. Individuals may also struggle with concentration and memory problems. “The key here is to prevent oneself from ‘getting to that point’ and therefore recognise the need for help when a person does,” Rajamanya said. A recent report by Great Place To Work India, a workplace assessment and recognition organisation, showed that one in every four of all employees finds it difficult to speak about mental health issues like stress, burnout, anxiety, or depression at the workplace. Burnout emerged as a significant concern with 56 per cent of employees being affected. Studies have also shown the negative health impacts of workplace stress. A recent study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, showed high job strain and effort-reward imbalance may significantly increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib) -- an irregular heart rhythm condition. Divya Mohindroo, Counselling Psychologist and Founder Embrace Imperfections told IANS that it is important to “think more practically rather than emotionally, and to strike a balance between their emotions and practical life” She also suggested simple daily steps that one can take to minimise the impact of stress in their life. “Keep yourself well hydrated throughout the day to help you release toxins, eat nutritious food, and indulge in 45 minutes of exercise where you sweat out your sorrows while releasing happy and feel-good hormones. The most important thing is to maintain a healthy good sleep cycle,” Mohindroo said. The experts also suggested stress management techniques such as meditation or deep breathing; and to reach out to family, friends, or support groups, and a psychotherapist or a counsellor. Also Read: Toxic work culture: Insulted at the workplace? Experts dissect language, ways to deal with it and need for policy

19 September,2024 01:13 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
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Healthy diet, physical activity key to combat rising obesity, diabetes: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday called on countries to strengthen policies to promote healthy diets and physical activity to combat the rising levels of overweight, obesity, and noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and cancers -- a leading cause of death. “The burden of overweight, obesity, and associated metabolic disorders has been steadily rising, affecting both children and adults,” said Saima Wazed, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia. She noted that these have spiked cases of “non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer” and these are now “responsible for nearly two-thirds of all deaths in the Region”. Besides adults, about 50 lakh children under the age of five are overweight, and 373 lakh children between the ages of 5 to 19 are affected in the Region. The Region is also experiencing a rapid demographic transition with rapid urbanisation, and economic growth further driving unhealthy diets, reduced physical activity, and more sedentary lifestyles. Nearly 74 per cent of adolescents and 50 per cent of adults are not physically active enough. Obesity and NCDs are major challenges to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It seeks to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030 through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. “Healthy diets and regular physical activity are fundamental to achieving this target,” said the Regional Director. However, more than knowledge and behaviour change, “environments that support and encourage healthier choices” are needed, she noted. Wazed also called for strong regulatory frameworks and policies to create healthier food environments at home, school, retail, and digital spaces. Fiscal policies should also incentivise healthy diets, she said. Wazed noted that several countries in the Region have already made significant progress by introducing food labelling regulations, banning trans fats in food, and implementing taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages. But to drive progress towards healthier communities further action is necessary, she said. Also Read: Love binging on ultra-processed foods? It is raising diabetes risk, finds study This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

19 September,2024 01:01 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
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New study shows how Long Covid is affecting children’s health

While Covid-19 did not cause much harm to children, yet those affected are likely to suffer from Long Covid which is affecting their daily life with dizziness, fatigue, and brain fog, according to a study.  The study from the Kennedy Krieger Institute, in the US, showed that the majority of children with Long Covid are likely to experience orthostatic intolerance (OI) -- a condition that causes the body to struggle with regulating blood pressure and heart rate when standing up.  As a result, children often feel dizzy, lightheaded, fatigued, and may experience “brain fog” or cognitive difficulties. The team examined nearly 100 children and found that dizziness (67 per cent), fatigue (25 per cent), and body pain (23 per cent) were the common symptoms, which used to worsen while standing but improved when lying down.  These symptoms can make it difficult to perform everyday activities like exercising, attending school, and socialising, severely impacting their quality of life. Further, the research reveals that OI is prevalent among children dealing with the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19. The team found 71 per cent of the patients studied at the Institute experienced at least one orthostatic condition. The findings explain the relevance of screening paediatric long Covid patients for OI, as many have symptoms that could be missed without proper testing, said Dr. Laura Malone, Director of the Pediatric Post-Covid-19 Rehabilitation Clinic at Kennedy Krieger. “Research proves this condition is common,” she said, urging for “early diagnosis and treatment” which will help the children to recover and return to their normal routines. While calling for a multi-faceted approach to treatment, the researchers stressed the need to increase salt and fluid intake, exercise training, and physical therapy among children, in addition to medications that manage heart rate and blood pressure.  However, Malone says more research is needed to fully understand OI. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

18 September,2024 02:00 PM IST | New Delhi | IANS
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