India is taking strong steps to fight hepatitis, a global public health concern, said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on World Hepatitis Day on Monday. World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on July 28 to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and strengthen efforts to prevent and manage it. Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and liver cancer. “World Hepatitis Day provides a platform to raise awareness among people about hepatitis and its preventive measures. Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India is taking strong steps through the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme to fight this health challenge and protect lives,” Nadda shared in a post on the social media platform X. World Hepatitis Day provides a platform to raise awareness among people about hepatitis and its preventive measures.Under the leadership of Hon. PM Shri @narendramodi ji, India is taking strong steps through the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program to fight this health… pic.twitter.com/8abcnBcWzv — Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) July 28, 2025 “This year’s theme, ‘Hepatitis: Let's Break It Down’, underscores the urgent need to eliminate barriers in society that hinder progress towards the elimination of hepatitis,” he added. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India carries a significant burden of viral hepatitis, ranking second globally for hepatitis B and C cases, after China. In 2022, India registered 2.98 crore hepatitis B cases and 55 lakh hepatitis C cases. The WHO reports that India accounted for 11.6 per cent of the global hepatitis burden in 2022. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav called for renewing “commitment to spreading awareness about hepatitis and empowering people with knowledge to prevent it”. “India is advancing steadily through the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme, ensuring timely detection, treatment, and protection for all,” he added. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and non-infectious agents, leading to a range of health problems, including severe liver damage and cancer, some of which can be fatal. There are 5 main strains of the hepatitis virus, referred to as types A, B, C, D, and E. While they can all cause liver disease, they differ in important ways, including modes of transmission, severity of the illness, geographical distribution, and prevention methods. World Hepatitis Day also calls for urgent action to dismantle the financial, social, and systemic barriers -- including stigma -- that hinder hepatitis elimination and liver cancer prevention. Addressing the low coverage of testing and treatment is crucial to achieve the global goal of eliminating hepatitis by 2030. 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
28 July,2025 12:13 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSPeople with dementia are diagnosed an average of 3.5 years after symptoms are first noticed, according to a new study. Early signs of dementia may include memory loss, difficulty finding words, confusion, and changes in mood and behaviour. The study, published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, showed that younger age at onset and having frontotemporal dementia were both linked to a longer time to diagnosis. For those with early-onset dementia, the diagnosis can take 4.1 years, with some groups more likely to experience longer delays. "Timely diagnosis of dementia remains a major global challenge, shaped by a complex set of factors, and specific health care strategies are urgently needed to improve it. Timely diagnosis can improve access to treatments and, for some people, prolong the time living with mild dementia before symptoms worsen,” said lead author Dr. Vasiliki Orgeta, from the Division of Psychiatry at the University College London (UCL). For the study, UCL researchers reviewed data from 13 previously published studies that took place in Europe, the US, Australia, and China, reporting data on 30,257 participants. Dementia is a growing public health concern, affecting over 57 million people globally. Studies estimate that only 50-65 per cent of cases are ever diagnosed in high-income countries, with many countries having even lower diagnostic rates. Timely diagnosis of dementia remains elusive, and specific healthcare strategies are urgently needed to improve it. Dr. Phuong Leung, from UCL's Division of Psychiatry, pointed out that "symptoms of dementia are often mistaken for normal ageing, while fear, stigma, and low public awareness can discourage people from seeking help." Orgeta urged the need for public awareness campaigns to help improve understanding of early symptoms and reduce stigma, encouraging people to seek help sooner. “Clinician training is critical to improve early recognition and referral, along with access to early intervention and individualised support so that people with dementia and their families can get the help they need," the expert said. 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
28 July,2025 12:12 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSResearchers at AIIMS have called for strong, evidence-based warning labels on alcohol products to prevent avoidable cancers, building on India's success with tobacco warnings. In an opinion piece titled "Expanding behavioural interventions through cancer warning labels in India: from cigarette packs to alcohol bottles" published in Frontiers in Public Health on July 24, the doctors have highlighted that alcohol, like tobacco, is a proven carcinogen, yet awareness remains low. The opinion piece by oncologists Dr Abhishek Shankar, Dr Vaibhav Sahni and Dr Deepak Saini from the Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, AIIMS, Delhi stated that adolescence forms a crucial period for the initiation and intensification of substance use behaviour, including alcohol. Behavioural interventions instituted by means of alcohol warning labels may prove to be effective in affecting positive changes in the consumption habits of individuals belonging to this age group, particularly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), where it is all the more important for certain sections of society to be educated and sensitised towards the consequences of substance use, the researchers said. They stated that cancer cases in India have seen a steep rise, with data from the 2012 to 2022 period suggesting a 36 per cent increase in incidence (1.01 million-?1.38 million). GLOBOCAN 2022 data saw about 1.41 million new cancer cases in India with a five-year prevalence at around 3.25 million and a total cancer mortality at 916,827. Alcohol attributable a fraction for cancer and age-standardised rate per 100,000 in India are 4.7 per cent and 4.8 per cent, respectively, according to the GLOBOCAN 2020 data. Data from 2016 suggested that 6.6 per cent of Disease Adjusted Life Years in India were attributable to alcohol consumption which followed that of tobacco at 10.9 per cent, the researchers said. The researchers also mentioned about the advisory brought out by the US surgeon general in January 2025 regarding the consumption of alcohol and the risk of cancer, which stated that alcohol consumption demonstrably elevates the risk for developing at a minimum, seven types of cancer (colon/rectum, liver, breast, esophagus, larynx, pharynx and oral cavity). The advisory also mentioned the mechanistic links between alcohol consumption and the risk of developing cancer along with the fact that this effect is observable regardless of gender. Even before the release of this advisory, alcohol-attributable cancers have been recognised to contribute significantly to the global burden of disease, the researchers said. Cancer warning labels on alcohol containers have been observed to be of benefit in reducing alcohol consumption and lowering the perception of consumption, they said. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) in 2016-17 noted an increase by 16 per cent for health warnings on cigarette packs, with pictorial health warnings demonstrating a 50 per cent elevated impact on the intention to quit smoking cigarettes. Warnings can be differentiated based on the type of messaging involved into loss-framed and gain-framed which have an emphasis on associated risks/harms and the benefits of quitting, respectively, the researchers explained. There is evidence in literature to suggest that gain-framed messaging possesses an advantage over loss-framed warnings but the research on such aspects has mainly focused on loss-framed warnings in the case of cigarette smoking. It is also suggested that a combination of messaging can help inform behaviour change in a more effective manner which is based off the concept of the role individual beliefs play in determining outcomes, they said. India being an LMIC, this trend indicates the effect of cancer warning labels in modifying the behaviour of a significant number of people consuming such products, the researchers highlighted. "The LMICs may look into expanding the positive experience gained from tobacco warning labels to those pertaining to alcohol containers, which clearly state a cancer risk from consumption. It may also be useful for these cancer labels to state that there is no lower threshold for alcohol-related cancer risk along with the types of cancers demonstrably attributable to alcohol consumption so far," the doctors said. They pointed out that a crucial but often ignored aspect while considering warning labels is the multiplicative interaction of smoking and alcohol consumption in determining cancer risk. A National Cancer Institute (NCI) Workshop in December 2020 emphasised the importance of addressing the combined usage of tobacco and alcohol. Co-use of tobacco and alcohol has been found to be associated with a multiplicative effect in cancer risk, particularly for pharyngeal and oral sites. The importance of reciprocative warning labels on tobacco and alcohol product packaging is further underscored by the fact that alcohol usage has been observed to go up with an increase in cigarette smoking, with the former being associated with lower rates of quitting and higher relapse rates in smokers. It may also be worth considering to have helpful or constructive labelling on containers which guide the user to seek medical advice or undergo screening for cancer instead of being terminalistic in its messaging by suggesting graphic or fatal outcomes upon consumption, the researchers said. "Since cancer as a disease may present as a result of the combined effect of alcohol and tobacco consumption, it makes sense to place such cancer warning labels and not address these risk factors in isolation," they said. 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
28 July,2025 11:04 AM IST | Mumbai | PTIOver nine per cent of the world's land area is at "high" or "very high" risk of a zoonotic outbreak -- triggered when an infection spreads from an animal to a human or vice versa, such as the Covid pandemic, according to a study. Findings published in the journal Science Advances also estimate 3 per cent of the global population to be living in extremely risky areas, and about a fifth in medium-risk areas. Researchers, including those from the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) Scientific Development Programmes Unit in Italy, analysed location-specific information from the 'Global Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology Network' dataset and the World Health Organization's (WHO) list of diseases prioritised according to their potential for causing an epidemic or a pandemic. Covid, Ebola, coronavirus-related MERS and SARS, and Nipah are among the most prioritised infections in the WHO's list. The team's analysis suggests that conditions driven by climate change -- higher temperatures and rainfall, and water shortage -- elevate the risk of zoonosis, or 'spillover events'. The study "presents a global risk map and an epidemic risk index that combines countries' specific risk with their capacities for preparing and responding to zoonotic threats (excluding SARS-CoV-2)." "Our results indicate that 9.3 per cent of the global land surface is at high (6.3 per cent) or very high (three per cent) risk," the authors wrote. They also estimated about 7 per cent of Asia's and 5 per cent of Africa's land area to be at high and very high risk of outbreak, following Latin America (27 per cent) and Oceania (18.6 per cent). Overall, the authors found that climate-related changes to the environment substantially drove a region's vulnerability to the risk of a spillover event. They wrote, "This underscores the need for continued monitoring and the integration of climate adaptation and mitigation efforts into public health planning." "Translating these risk estimates into an epidemic risk index allows for the identification of high-risk areas and supports policymakers in improving response capacities, allocating resources effectively, and fostering international collaboration to address global health threats," the team said. A study by the Indian Council of Medical Research found that over 8 per cent of outbreaks reported between 2018 and 2023 under the country's infectious disease surveillance system were zoonotic. Of a total of 6,948 outbreaks analysed, 583 (8.3 per cent) were spread to humans from animals. Outbreaks were also found to consistently peak during June, July, and August. The findings were published in The Lancet Regional Southeast Asia journal in May this year. 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
27 July,2025 12:37 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIVaccines prevented more than 2.5 million deaths from SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind Covid-19 infections, worldwide, according to a study. The study, led by researchers from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Italy, showed that one Covid death was avoided for every 5,400 doses of vaccine administered. Some 82 per cent of the lives saved by vaccines involved people vaccinated before encountering the virus, 57 per cent during the Omicron period, and 90 per cent involved people aged 60 years and older. In all, vaccines have saved 14.8 million years of life (one year of life saved for 900 doses of vaccine administered), revealed the findings, published in the journal Jama Health Forum. "Before ours, several studies tried to estimate lives saved by vaccines with different models and in different periods or parts of the world, but this one is the most comprehensive because it is based on worldwide data, it also covers the omicron period, it also calculates the number of years of life that was saved, and it is based on fewer assumptions about the pandemic trend," said the researcher Dr. Angelo Maria Pezzullo, and Dr. Antonio Cristiano from the varsity. For the study, the experts studied worldwide population data, applying a series of statistical methods to figure out who among the people who became ill with Covid did so either before or after getting vaccinated, before or after the Omicron period, and how many of them died (and at what age). "We compared this data with the estimated data modeled in the absence of Covid vaccination and were then able to calculate the numbers of people who were saved by Covid vaccines and the years of life gained as a result of them," Dr. Pezzullo explained. It also turned out that most of the saved years of life (76 per cent) involved people over 60 years of age, but residents in long-term care facilities contributed only 2 per cent of the total number. Children and adolescents (0.01 per cent of lives saved and 0.1 per cent of life years saved) and young adults aged 20–29 (0.07 per cent of lives saved and 0.3 per cent of life years saved) contributed very little to the total benefit, the researchers said. 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
27 July,2025 12:31 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSFood prices in India saw a sharp rise in 2024 due to an unusually severe heatwave, with onion and potato prices jumping by more than 80 per cent in the second quarter of the year, according to a new study. The study, led by Maximilian Kotz of the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre and involving researchers from the European Central Bank, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and the UK's Food Foundation, investigated 16 extreme weather-driven food price shocks across 18 countries between 2022 and 2024. It found that many of these events exceeded all historical precedents before 2020 and were strongly influenced by global warming. "In India, the price of onions and potatoes jumped by over 80 per cent in the second quarter of 2024 after a heatwave in May, a 'largely unique event' that was made at least 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer by climate change," the researchers said. The year 2024 was the hottest on record and the first with a global average temperature 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. In India, extreme heat in May severely affected crop yields and supply chains, contributing to high inflation in essential vegetables. The study warned that such food price shocks could worsen health outcomes, including malnutrition and chronic diseases and increase economic inequality. "Rising food prices have direct implications for food security, particularly for low-income households... When the price of food shoots up, low-income families often have to resort to less nutritious, cheaper foods. Diets like this have been linked to a range of health conditions like cancer, diabetes and heart disease," Kotz said. The researchers said food price inflation due to climate extremes may also "raise headline inflation", making it harder for central banks to maintain price stability, especially in developing countries where food has a larger share in household budgets. The study said that in Ghana and Ivory Coast, global cocoa prices increased by around 280 per cent by April 2024 after a February heatwave. The heat was made 4 degrees Celsius hotter by climate change. In Brazil and Vietnam, heatwaves and drought led to a 55 per cent rise in Arabica coffee prices and a 100 per cent rise in Robusta prices. In the European Union, olive oil prices rose 50 per cent year-on-year by January 2024 after a drought in Spain and Italy. In the United States, vegetable prices increased by 80 per cent in November 2022 due to a drought in California and Arizona. The researchers called for urgent measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and warned that without climate action, such food shocks will become more frequent. "Until we get to net-zero emissions, extreme weather will only get worse and it is already damaging crops and pushing up the price of food all over the world," Kotz said. The study also recommended that governments and central banks use seasonal climate predictions to anticipate food price shocks and prepare targeted support. It cited an HSBC analysis showing that "temperatures are now a better metric for forecasting food prices across India compared to reservoir levels". The study was released ahead of the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake on July 27, co-hosted by Ethiopia and Italy, both of which also experienced food price shocks due to climate change. The researchers said food affordability must become a policy priority to prevent wider health and political impacts. 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
27 July,2025 12:26 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIA commonly used type 2 diabetes medication in the US -- Glipizide -- may be linked to a higher rate of heart-related conditions, claimed a study. Researchers from Mass General Brigham examined nationwide data from nearly 50,000 patients treated with different sulfonylureas. They found that glipizide was linked to a higher incidence of heart failure, related hospitalisation, and death compared to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. The findings are published in JAMA Network Open. “Patients with type 2 diabetes are at heightened risk of adverse cardiovascular incidents such as stroke and cardiac arrest,” said corresponding author Alexander Turchin, Division of Endocrinology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH). “While sulfonylureas are popular and affordable diabetes medications, there is a lack of long-term clinical data on how they affect cardiac health in comparison to more neutral alternatives like dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors,” he added. Type 2 diabetes is a common chronic disease whose prevalence continues to grow worldwide. Individuals with Type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, including coronary ischemia, stroke, and heart failure. Mitigation of cardiovascular risk is therefore an important aspect of the treatment of diabetes. The study included 48,165 patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate cardiovascular risk who received care at 10 different study sites across the country. The researchers studied the five-year risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients treated with different sulfonylureas (glimepiride, glipizide, or glyburide) or DPP4i in addition to metformin, a primary diabetes medication. They found that glipizide was associated with a 13 per cent increase in cardiovascular risk when compared to DPP4i, while glimepiride and glyburide led to relatively smaller and less clear effects, respectively. “Our study underscores the importance of evaluating each drug in a particular pharmacological class on its own merits,” said Turchin. The team also called for further research to uncover the underlying mechanisms.
26 July,2025 10:58 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSWith an aim to offer a non-invasive, painless, low-cost alternative to conventional testing methods of glucose levels in the body, a BITS Pilani Hyderabad campus student and his mentor developed a smartwatch-based wearable diagnostic platform that would use sweat to measure the sugar readings. The research for platform which was developed by the co-founders Abhishek Kumar, a PhD scholar and Prof. Sanket Goel-Principal Investigator, is being translated toward commercialisation through Cleome Innovation, a spin-off from the MEMS ( Microfluidics and Nanoelectronics Lab) of the BITS Pilani, Hyderabad campus. The startup is working to bring the wearable device to the healthcare market for proactive diabetes management, Abhishek Kumar said. "In my family, even around, I have seen diabetes patients. My father, my grandfather, my grandmother, many people are diabetes patients. So I used to test them using that finger prick method ( to draw blood for glucometer). And I literally sometimes used to feel their pain," Kumar told PTI when asked why he chose to innovate the non-invasive method. One of the most significant features of the platform is its cost-effectiveness and the team deliberately engineered the platform to be scalable, low-cost, and reliable. Each component has been selected to minimise cost while maintaining performance, said Abhishek Kumar. The wearable can detect, not only glucose levels, but also uric acid and lactate which are also important metabolic parameters, the research scholar said. According to him, as per the sample which they tested it has achieved a good accuracy of around 97 to 98 percent currently. Kumar said after clinical validation of the product , it would be submitted for regulatory approvals before going into commercialization. "The first trials may start in six months from now. So altogether it may take one year to get into commercial production," he added. This work is a significant improvisation from a turnkey, fully automated, self-testing diagnostic platform capable of detecting key diabetes-related biomarkers, but from urine and sweat samples, offering a painless, low-cost alternative to conventional testing methods. The study has been recently published in the Lab on a Chip journal by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), prof Goel said. Looking forward, the research team is working on translating the system into wearable formats, such as patch-based or flexible skin sensors, to enable continuous and real-time monitoring of multiple analytes, a step toward personalized, on-the-go health tracking, the professor further said. "Diabetes isn't just about glucose; complications can arise silently and early. By monitoring additional markers like lactate and uric acid, we gain a more complete picture of a patient's metabolic condition. Our system does this non-invasively, affordably, and in real time without requiring blood samples. Costing around Rs 2,500, the device continuously delivers results and is designed not just to replace finger-prick tests, but to enable broader metabolic monitoring using simple biofluids like sweat," said Prof. Goel. The team is anticipating working with the industry for technology transfer or enhancing, he added.
26 July,2025 10:09 AM IST | Hyderabad | PTIHepatitis B drugs are being vastly underused, and boosting early treatment against the deadly hepatitis B virus (HBV) could save many lives over time, argued scientists in a new paper published in Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology. HBV kills over 3,000 people every day, or over 2 people every minute. Of the people who do not clear the infection and go on to develop a chronic HBV infection, between 20 and 40 per cent will die if they do not receive treatment. The experts noted that even though the currently available drugs do not cure people, they are safe, effective, and relatively inexpensive. "These medications are good drugs that are being badly underused," said John Tavis, Professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. "Less than 3 per cent of all people infected with HBV are receiving treatment, and the evidence suggests that many more people could benefit from treatment. If we get people on medication earlier, the net disease and death rate is going to be much less," Tavis said. In the research, the scientists noted that early treatment not only slows down the disease progression but also limits the cumulative liver damage throughout a 20 to 30-year-long chronic infection that causes liver cancer and liver failure. The researchers also noted that hepatitis B carries an emotional, mental, and social burden that adds to the disease's impact on quality of life. "The most common way the infection is passed along is from a mother with HBV to her infant," Tavis said. "Most mothers don't know they have the infection. And, the stress of learning that you passed along a deadly illness to your baby is unimaginable," he added. Although the virus does not spread by casual contact, many people also suffer in their communities. "We know these drugs could reduce the incidence of liver cancer by two-thirds, or possibly even three-quarters. That's a big impact, saving millions of lives over time,” Tavis said. 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.
26 July,2025 09:53 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSDoctors in Mumbai have successfully performed an elective caesarean section (LSCS) of a 37-year-old woman with a 13-cm uterine fibroid, give birth to her child. The patient, who had conceived naturally for the first time after eight years of marriage, was ecstatic to start her journey towards motherhood. However, during her initial scan, a huge intramural fibroid on the uterus was identified, with apprehension regarding the progress of the pregnancy and eventual delivery method. In spite of the diagnosis, all scans including nuchal translucency (NT) scan, double marker, and anomaly scan were normal. At 12 weeks, she had a low pulsatility index (PI) of bilateral uterine arteries, for which low-dose aspirin (75 mg) was started to improve placental blood supply and foetal growth. During the course of pregnancy, the mother had intermittent bursts of severe backache due to the enlarging fibroid. The doctors at Narayana Health SRCC Children's Hospital treated these conservatively with 650 mg of Paracetamol twice daily. Aspirin was discontinued at 32 weeks according to obstetric practice. By 36 weeks, a growth scan had confirmed the fibroid's severe obstruction of the birth canal, and vaginal delivery was considered impossible. With the malpresentation and the central position of the fibroid on the anterior wall, an elective LSCS was planned, with full appreciation of the likely surgical challenges. Dr Kekin Gala, consultant obstetrics and gynecology, at the hospital said, "This was a very difficult case because of the location of the fibroid. It was in the very area where classical and lower segment incisions are usually made, making it a dilemma. We had to plan a modified incision pathway to deliver the baby safely." During intraoperative management, the surgeons identified a minor spot below the fibroid and cautiously made the cut in that space. After a successful delivery, the team made a deliberate choice to delay myomectomy to another time, to avoid causing intraoperative morbidity. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged within 72 hours. The family and patient expressed their appreciation. "We waited eight years to experience this beautiful moment, so we were initially apprehensive when we heard of the fibroid and the possible complications. But the Narayana Health SRCC team tackled the issue with so much calm and confidence that we were reassured. Their professionalism gave us the biggest blessing —a healthy baby," the new mother said. Dr Zubin Pereira, facility director at the hospital added, “Pregnancy fibroids are known to complicate gestation and delivery and create malpresentation, pain, obstructed labour, as well as heightened surgical risks. A well-coordinated effort and preoperative planning by our hospital medical team, were crucial in the prevention of a bad outcome.”
25 July,2025 05:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe monsoon in India brings a refreshing respite from the heat, but it often brings a host of skin troubles too. The increased humidity, fluctuating temperatures, and dampness can throw your skin's balance completely off-kilter, leading to breakouts, fungal infections, and irritation. To understand why your skin's acting out and how to restore its calm, mid-day spoke to Dr Mikki Singh, dermatologist and cosmetologist, founder and medical director at Bodycraft Clinics, and Dr Prachi B. Bodkhe, dermatologist at Envi Aesthetics.The humidity huddle: Why monsoon triggers breakoutsEven if you don't typically battle acne, the monsoon's high humidity can unleash a wave of breakouts. Mikki Singh explains the science behind this phenomenon, "Increased humidity during the monsoon season causes your skin’s sebaceous (oil) glands to become overactive.” She outlines two major issues: Occlusion of pores: Sweat and humidity mix with sebum, dirt, and dead skin cells, clogging pores.Altered skin microbiome: The moist environment encourages overgrowth of cutibacterium acnes (formerly P. acnes), leading to inflammation and breakouts.“Even dry or normal skin types may start overproducing oil as a compensatory mechanism, especially when indoor air alternates between dampness and air-conditioning. Individuals who normally don’t struggle with acne can suddenly experience breakouts during this season,” Singh explains. Monsoon skincare pitfalls: Steer clear for healthy skinWhile proper care needs to be paid during the monsoon, one must also not overdo it. Prachi B. Bodkhe lists key pitfalls to steer clear of:1. Over washing the face: Stick to washing twice a day with a mild cleanser.2. Skipping moisturiser: Use a lightweight, non-greasy moisturizer. Alternatively, you can use hyaluronic acid-based serums and cover it with hydrating sunscreens.3. Heavy makeup: Use breathable, non-comedogenic makeup, or skip it when possible. Alternatively, you can use tinted sunscreens.4. Linen care: Not changing towels and pillowcases often.5. Ignoring footwear-related hygiene: Use open footwear whenever possible. Dry your feet thoroughly and use antifungal powders wherever needed.Your monsoon skincare arsenal: A daily routine for oily and acne-prone skinTo combat oiliness and prevent breakouts, a targeted skincare routine is crucial. Singh recommends the following daily regimen:MorningCleanser: Use a gentle foaming cleanser with salicylic acid (1 to 2 per cent) or tea tree oil to unclog pores and reduce oil.Serum: Lightweight, non-comedogenic serum with niacinamide (5 per cent) or azelaic acid (10 per cent).Moisturiser: Gel-based, non-comedogenic, oil-free moisturiser with hyaluronic acid.Sunscreen: Matte-finish, gel-based broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+).EveningDouble cleanse: Use micellar water or a gentle oil cleanser followed by a foaming salicylic acid face wash.Treatment: Spot treat with benzoyl peroxide (2.5 per cent) or a retinoid (like adapalene 0.1 per cent) at night. It is recommended to consult a doctor before starting a retinoid.Moisturise: Non-comedogenic moisturiser with ingredients like ceramides or centella asiatica.Ingredients to avoidHeavy creams, petroleum-based products, and alcohol-based toners. Avoid layering too many actives (e.g., AHA + retinoid) without guidance—it can increase sensitivity.The fungal factor: Preventing and recognising monsoon infectionsFungal infections like ringworm and athlete's foot flourish in the humid monsoon climate. Singh outlines key preventative measures and early warning signs:Preventative measures1. Keep skin dry, especially in folds (groin, underarms, toes).2. Change wet clothes and socks immediately after exposure to rain.3. Use antifungal powders (clotrimazole or ketoconazole-based) in high-sweat areas.4. Avoid synthetic or tight clothing—opt for breathable cotton.5. Footwear hygiene: Use open-toed sandals when possible and disinfect shoes regularly.Early signs to watch1. Ringworm: Red, circular, itchy rashes with raised edges—typically on groin, thighs, or chest.2. Athlete’s foot: Scaling, peeling, or itching between the toes, often with a foul odour."Always consult a dermat especially if the itch worsens, spreads, or doesn't improve in 5–7 days of over the-counter treatment," Singh advises. Beyond hygiene: Lesser-known triggers for monsoon rashesIt's not just about cleanliness. Several environmental and lifestyle factors contribute to monsoon-related skin rashes. Singh sheds light on these often-overlooked culprits:Environmental triggers:1. Wearing damp clothes and shoes for prolonged hours may lead to frictional dermatitis.2. Allergens in rainwater (pollutants, bacteria) may trigger eczema or contact dermatitis.3. Increased indoor mould from moisture may cause flares in atopic or sensitive skin.Lifestyle habits:1. Over-cleansing due to the sticky feeling strips skin barrier, causing irritation.2. Skipping moisturisers paradoxically worsens oil production and sensitivity.3. Using hot water baths frequently exacerbates dryness and inflammation.Home treatments (for mild irritation):1. Calamine lotion for soothing irritation.2. Cold compresses and fragrance-free moisturizers.Professional intervention is required if:1. Rash spreads rapidly or becomes painful.2. There is oozing, crusting, or fever.3. No improvement within 3 to 5 days of home care.As always, consult a dermatologist before the condition gets worse.Tackling excessive sweating (Hyperhidrosis) in monsoonFor those experiencing excessive sweating, the monsoon can be particularly challenging. Bodkhe offers strategies to manage hyperhidrosis and prevent associated skin issues saying, "During the monsoon, many people experience excessive sweating, especially in areas like the underarms, back, and groin. This, along with tight clothing, can lead to clogged pores, sweat rashes, and infections (folliculitis).” Bodkhe recommends:1. Antiperspirants over deodorants: Switching to antiperspirants from deodorants helps by reducing sweat output. Apply them at night for best results.2. Antibacterial cleansers: Shower daily with antibacterial cleansers. Benzoyl peroxide-based soaps and cleansers work best to keep odour in check.3. Professional treatments: Botulinum toxin works wonders for axillary and palmoplantar hyperhidrosis (sweating over palms and soles). Iontophoresis is one more easily available and less invasive approach.The sunscreen imperative: Don't skip it on cloudy daysA common misconception is that sunscreen isn't needed on cloudy or rainy days. Bodkhe clarifies why broad-spectrum sunscreen remains non-negotiable during monsoon, "UV rays are present year-round, and up to 80 per cent of UV rays can penetrate clouds, so sunscreen is a must.” 1. Look for sunscreens labelled SPF 30 or higher with 'broad-spectrum' protection.2. Opt for gel-based, mineral, or hybrid sunscreens that are oil-free, lightweight, and won’t clog pores.3. Remember to reapply every 2 to 3 hours if outdoors.Nurturing sensitive skin during monsoon's fluctuationsSensitive skin can be particularly prone to irritation and flare-ups due to the fluctuating monsoon weather. Bodkhe advises on protecting and caring for delicate skin:1. Avoid experimenting with new products during this season.2. Stick to gentle, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturisers.3. Use ceramide-based creams to strengthen the skin barrier and protect against environmental irritants.4. Dry properly after getting wet, as rainwater can be slightly acidic and full of pollutants.5. Use light, hydrating serums, then seal in with a non-greasy moisturizer.6. Keep indoor areas ventilated and use organic air purifiers if needed.
25 July,2025 02:15 PM IST | Mumbai | Maitrai AgarwalADVERTISEMENT