Including fungal pathogens is crucial in the fight against deadly antimicrobial resistance, which is rapidly becoming a public health threat worldwide, according to a study published in The Lancet journal on Friday. The study, led by scientists at the universities of Manchester in the UK, Amsterdam, and the Westerdijk Institute in the Netherlands, showed that most fungal pathogens identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) are either already resistant or rapidly acquiring resistance to antifungal drugs. These fungal pathogens account for around 3.8 million deaths a year. The study, which comes ahead of the UN meeting on AMR later this month, calls for including resistance developed in many fungal pathogens to curb AMR. The scientists argued that focussing on bacteria alone will not help fully combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). They called for immediate action, without which resistance to fungal disease will escalate. Aspergillus, Candida, Nakaseomyces glabratus, and Trichophyton indotineae are the major fungicide resistant infections. These can have devastating health impacts on the elderly and people with weak immune systems. Dr. Norman van Rhijn from The University of Manchester said that invasive fungal diseases have been responsible for many drug resistance problems over the past decades. However, the threat of fungal pathogens and antifungal resistance has largely been “underrecognised” and “left out of the debate” by scientists, governments, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies. van Rhijn explained that “the close similarities between fungal and human cells make it hard to find treatments that selectively inhibit fungi with minimal toxicity to patients”. The scientists suggested a global consensus on limiting the use of certain classes of antifungal molecules. They also stressed the need for collaborating on solutions and regulations that ensure food security and universal health for animals, plants, and humans. 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.
13 September,2024 04:11 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSGanesh Chaturthi is a time of celebration for many but with festivities come a lot of song, dance and music too. With a vibrant atmosphere filled with loud music throughout the city to honour Bappa and seek his blessings, experts say it is important to be aware of the effect of loud sounds. The joy of celebrations can quickly become distressing, as the high volume of sounds during the festivities poses a risk of ear damage for 20 per cent of individuals. Many may experience noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), discomfort, pain, or ringing in their ears. To safeguard your hearing and enjoy the celebrations without issues, it's advisable to limit exposure to loud sounds by using noise-canceling headphones or ear muffs and distancing yourself from the source of loud sound. Ganeshotsav is celebrated across Maharashtra with great fervour. During the festival, a large number of people join the processions, dance their hearts out, and welcome their beloved Bappa. However, the loud music played during the festival can be a matter of concern for people. Dr Sushrut Deshmukh, ENT, Apollo Spectra, Pune, explains, “With loud music blaring from speakers and processions echoing through the streets, many people aren't aware of the ill effects of loud sound on their hearing health. Exposure to sounds above 85 decibels can lead to ear damage in around 20 per cent of individuals. Children, elderly people, and those with pre-existing conditions are particularly prone to hearing problems. Loud noise can lead to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), which can be temporary or permanent." He adds, "Moreover, loud noise can damage the hair cells and hearing nerve in your inner ear and there can be pain, swelling, discomfort, and ringing of the ear. The common symptoms seen due to noise-induced hearing loss are difficulty in perceiving high-frequency sounds, and speech that may appear distorted or challenging to comprehend. Among the 10 people who visited, 7 aged between 13-65, reported experiencing ear pain, temporary hearing loss, and tinnitus 9ringing of the ears). A hearing test should be done on an immediate basis if one is unable to hear and avoid permanent hearing loss." Dr Deshmukh added, “To prevent ear damage, walk away from loud noise or take a break, close the doors and windows at home to avoid loud noise especially to ensure the well-being of cardiac, cancer, stroke patients, use earmuffs or noise-canceling earphones. Those with temporary or permanent hearing loss may need hearing aids.” Dr Bhavik Shah, ENT Zynova Shalby Hospital Mumbai, further adds, ‘‘Children, senior citizens and pregnant women can suffer a lot due to DJ noise during festive season. Due to this loud noise, elderly patients suffer because they cannot bear the shock of loud sound. Noise pollution can cause problems like arterial hypertension which means stress on the heart can lead to myocardial infarction (which means heart attack) or stroke. Continuous exposure to loud noises can lead to permanent hearing loss. Loud noise damages the inner ear cells. It can affect not only the body but also the mind. It also affects sleep by increasing irritability. Noise causes stress in pregnant women. This can affect both the mother and her baby.’’ Dr Shah Added, ‘‘The best solution to this noise is to use ear plugs or ear muffs. Do not stay too long in the sound field of the speaker. Our ears can tolerate 80 decibels. The ears of a common man can tolerate a sound of 75 to 80 decibels. In a crowded place, we can tolerate a sound of up to 110 decibels. The management of Ganeshotsav mandals should take care that there should be no noise and air pollution during the arrival and immersion procession of Ganeshotsav. People who have undergone heart surgery or have blood pressure problems should not stay in high noise areas. Expectant mothers should stay away from the sound of DJs. Never add coconut oil if your baby's ears are hurting due to high noise levels. For this it is advisable to take medical advice. Also for ear itching don't scratch your ears by ‘using ear buds'. Due to ear bud use, there is a possibility of damage to the ear and tympanic membrane.’’
13 September,2024 03:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentImmediate treatment is crucial to warding off sepsis -- a life-threatening emergency caused by a dysregulated host immune response to an infection, said experts on World Sepsis Day on Friday. World Sepsis Day takes place annually on September 13 and is aimed at raising awareness of the devastating condition that claims millions of lives globally each year. In 2020 alone, there were 48.9 million sepsis cases globally, leading to 11 million deaths -- representing 20 per cent of all global deaths. The burden is particularly heavy in low- and middle-income countries, where 85 per cent of sepsis-related deaths occur. In India, there were an alarming 11.3 million cases and 2.9 million deaths in 2020, underscoring the urgent need for improved prevention, early diagnosis, and effective treatment strategies. Sepsis can lead to severe outcomes, including organ failure, septic shock, and high mortality rates. Survivors may face long-term effects like chronic muscle weakness, pain, fatigue, and cognitive issues. “Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency where the body’s response to an infection spirals out of control, leading to self-damage of organs and impaired function,” Dr. Chinnadurai R, Lead Consultant - Critical Care, Aster RV Hospital, told IANS. The critical condition often results from bacterial infections like pneumonia, urinary tract infections, abdominal infections, or bloodstream infections. Viruses such as influenza and Covid-19 can also trigger sepsis, while fungal and parasitic infections are less common causes. “Immediate treatment is crucial and involves early detection, administering broad-spectrum antibiotics within the first hour, providing supportive care (for example, intravenous fluids, oxygen), and controlling the infection source by draining abscesses or removing infected tissue,” Chinnadurai said. Dr. Aakashneel Bhattacharya, Consultant, Infectious Diseases, Paras Health Gurugram said: “Preventing sepsis starts with taking precautions such as practicing good hygiene, keeping wounds clean and covered, staying up-to-date on vaccinations, and seeking timely medical care for infections before they escalate”. The experts also called for raising awareness about sepsis through public education, early treatment, training healthcare professionals to manage sepsis effectively, and adhering to evidence-based guidelines are key strategies. With timely recognition and treatment, the rates of hospitalisation and death from sepsis can be significantly reduced. Also Read: Hina Khan suffering from mucositis: Experts decode symptoms, causes, treatment 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
13 September,2024 01:51 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSA team of doctors here successfully performed a complex, emergency surgery to save the life of a critically premature baby boy with Amyand’s hernia -- a rare condition where the appendix is located in the groin. “It is only the fourth case of its kind in medical history in the world,” said SRM Global Hospitals in a statement on Thursday. The boy, born at just 28 weeks to Manju, a housewife, and Moorthy who works as a daily wage laborer, underwent surgery on the 23rd day after his birth while under general anesthesia. “The newborn had been in the Neonatal ICU since birth. The baby developed obstructed right inguinoscrotal swelling on the 23rd day. We had to do emergency surgery, as the condition was life-threatening,” said Dr. Saravana Balaji, from the hospital. Balaji explained that although neonatal hernias are relatively common in preterm babies, Amyand’s hernia is exceptionally rare -- affecting only about 0.42 per cent of these infants. “Even rarer is the perforated appendix, occurring in just 0.1 per cent of Amyand’s hernia cases. To date, only three such cases have been reported globally. Our prompt intervention was crucial in addressing this complex and rare condition,” he added. The doctor noted that it was a highly challenging surgery as the boy, like any other premature baby, had an immature airway that made anesthesia more difficult and required precise management. In addition, the low birth weight of the infant necessitated specialised postoperative care in the NICU to ensure proper recovery and support. The complex surgery that lasted for an hour was successful. The child recovered well, gaining weight to reach 2.06 kg and was discharged in good general condition, said the hospital. 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.
13 September,2024 12:46 PM IST | Chennai | IANS
Hina Khan, who is battling Stage 3 breast cancer, is continuously sharing her treatment and recovery journey with fans, updating them about personal decisions, challenges and more. She recently took to Instagram to reveal that she is struggling with ‘mucositis’, a painful side-effect of chemotherapy. She wrote, “Another side effect of chemotherapy is mucositis. Although I am following the doctors advice to treat it, if any of you have been through it or have known any useful remedies, please suggest. It's really hard when you can't eat. It will greatly help me.” Less than a week after this development, she took to Instagram Stories to give an update on her fight against mucositis, revealing that the condition is better now. Posting a selfie, she wrote, "This is for each one you.. My Mucositis is much better.. I read all your comments and suggestions.. You all hv been a great great help.. Sending you all tons of love". Mucositis is a common side effect of chemotherapy and proper information and guidance is key to combat it. Mid-day.com speaks to medical experts who reveal the symptoms, causes and measures to navigate the condition. What is mucositis? “Mucositis is inflammation of the mucosa, the mucous membranes that line your mouth and your entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract,” reveals Dr. Pritam Kataria, Medical Oncologist, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai. He further explains, “Between 20-40 per cent of patients with solid tumours receiving chemotherapy develop mucositis, usually within five to fourteen days of starting treatment.” Explaining why chemotherapy causes mucositis, Dr. Atul Narayankar, Consultant Medical Oncologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, says, “Cancer patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy can suffer from this condition as these treatments are known to damage the cells of the mucosa and tend to take a toll on the mouth and abdominal organs.” Dr. Kataria further clarifies, “Cancer treatments are a common cause of mucositis. Whether or not they are targeting cancer, the following treatments frequently cause mucositis: chemotherapy, radiation of the head, chest or neck and bone marrow transplants.” “The cells in the body’s mucous membranes divide rapidly, similar to cancer cells. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy attack cancer cells and any other rapidly dividing cells, including those of the mucous membranes along the oral cavity and GI tract.Also Read: National Nutrition Week 2024: Planning to fast this festive season? Mumbai dieticians explain why nutritious eating is essential How does mucositis affect the body? Given how common this condition is, it is important to be prepared for its effects while undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Dr. Kataria states, “Mucositis can cause difficulty in eating or loose stools, leading to loss of appetite and weight loss. Also, there could be fatigue and pain while eating.” Dr. Narayankar adds, “One known to have this condition will experience severe pain owing to radiation therapy and will find it difficult to eat food or drink liquids. It can also cause bleeding while one is brushing teeth. This condition can further cause mouth infection and severe mucositis can lead to interruptions or reductions in cancer treatment, leading to a bad prognosis of the disease. This condition can impact one’s quality of life as one will have nutritional problems.” Although generally severe, the condition doesn’t impact everyone in the same way. “The incidence and severity of mucositis vary between chemotherapeutic agents, the number of chemotherapy cycles, the dose of chemotherapy, and from patient to patient,” informs Dr. Kataria. Dr. Narayankar states, “This is a temporary condition and will go away on its own after a while. One with this condition shouldn’t panic and seek timely help from the expert.” What are the symptoms of mucositis? For early diagnosis and intervention, one must look out for the following signs and symptoms of mucositis. “The signs and symptoms of this condition include having extremely dry and sore mouth ulcers that can be painful, mouth infection causing bad breath, bleeding, white patches with pus, high saliva production and swallowing difficulty,” explains Dr. Narayankar. Most symptoms of mucositis affect the mouth. However, the GI tract is also affected. Dr. Kataria states the following GI symptoms:• Diarrhea• Blood in the feces• Stomach crampsAlso Read: ‘8-10 lakhs could save your life’: Mumbai experts on building financial shields How to prevent and treat mucositis? Dr. Kataria shared the following measures for managing mucositis. • Sometimes, mucositis could be caused due to reduction in blood count. So, managing WBC count is important. • Doctors may prescribe topical pain relief medications, antifungal lozenges or antiseptic mouthwash.• Keeping the oral cavity clean is important. Measures for prevention of oral mucositis include: • Avoid all tobacco products.• Stay hydrated.• Keep the lips and mouth moist.• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.• Avoid hot, spicy or salty foods.• Limit the intake of hot, fizzy or alcoholic drinks.• Avoid hard or crunchy foods.Dr. Narayankar suggests the following measures to manage mucositis: • One should suck on ice cubes from time to time, opt for a sugar-free gum to keep the mouth moist. • Tackle the problem of dry lips with the help of a lip balm recommended by an expert. • Eating soft, moist foods like soup, jelly, frozen fruits and vegetables, ice-cream, milkshakes, cheese, mashed potatoes, eggs, custards and puddings can be beneficial for patients. • Be sure to avoid foods loaded with sugar. • Brushing teeth with a soft brush and drinking enough water is advised for patients. • Use a mouth wash only after consulting an expert. Nutritional aspects of mucositis Since mucositis mainly affects the mouth and the GI tract, eating becomes a challenge. In such a situation, it is difficult for the body to get desired nutrients for functioning properly. How can this be navigated? Fauziya Ansari, Dietitan, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Mumbai, says, “When dealing with mucositis, maintaining healthy nutrition levels can feel like a daunting task. One may experience difficulty in eating food or even swallowing a few sips of water.” In order to navigate that, she says, “Look for foods that are easy to chew or swallow that do not trigger your mouth ulcer or inflammation. For optimal nutrition, you can add additional nutritional shakes, smoothies or juices made from a range of vegetables, fruits or protein powders. Focus on foods that provide maximum protein such as yogurt, lentils, chia seeds, tofu, paneer, milk, soybean, mushroom, spinach, rajgira (amaranth) barley, oats and dry fruits.” She further states, “Ensure that you drink an adequate amount of water to stay hydrated. You can try eating in smaller portions, making it easier for you to chew or eat while maintaining a nutritional balance. Be mindful about your eating habits. Chew your foods slowly and savour each bite to create a better connection with the food during this tough time.” She gives the following tips: • If you are dealing with mucositis then you need to make mindful decisions when it comes to food. • Select foods that are gentle on your digestive tract and mouth as they can further lead to allergic reactions causing diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, and vomiting. • In case you feel difficulty chewing then you can blend or puree blanched vegetables into soups or stews. • Opt for soft fruits like bananas, strawberries, avocados, papaya, grapes, plum, kiwi, dragon fruit, watermelon, oranges and cheery. These fruits are packed with essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fibers, antioxidants, zinc, folic acid, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. • Avoid foods that are spicy, acidic, oily, rough textured or hot food.• Opt for healthy drink alternatives like coconut water, almond milk or soy milk for maximum nutritional intake.Disclaimer: This information does not replace professional medical advice. Kindly consult a qualified medical professional for personalized guidance.
13 September,2024 11:25 AM IST | Mumbai | Raaina JainChildren whose families use screens a lot tend to have weaker vocabulary skills, and video games have the biggest negative effect on kids’ brain development, according to a study on Thursday. Scientists from Estonia surveyed the parents of more than 400 children about their screen use, their children’s screen use, and their children’s language skills. The findings, published in the Frontiers in Developmental Psychology, found that parents who use screens a lot also have children who use screens a lot and that children’s higher screen time is associated with poorer language skills. “The research shows that during the first years of life, the most influential factor is everyday dyadic face-to-face parent-child verbal interaction,” said lead author Dr Tiia Tulviste of the University of Tartu, Estonia. In the survey of 421 children aged between two and a half and four years old, the team asked parents to estimate how long each family member would spend using different screen devices daily. The parents were also asked to fill out a questionnaire evaluating their children’s language ability. The researchers sorted both children and adults into three screen use groups -- high, low, and moderate. They found that parents who used screens a lot had children who also used screens a lot. Analysing the language development of these children, the team found that children who used screens less scored higher for both grammar and vocabulary. No form of screen use had a positive effect on children’s language skills. Tulviste noted that reading ebooks and playing educational games may offer language learning opportunities, especially for older children. But, using screens for video games had a notable negative effect on children’s language skills, regardless of whether parents or children were gaming, the researcher 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
12 September,2024 02:27 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSIf you are suffering from chronic pain in your body, it may be time to actively work towards losing that belly or abdominal fat, suggests research on Wednesday. Reducing belly fat may help reduce chronic musculoskeletal pain particularly if it’s at multiple body sites, especially in women, revealed the study, published in the open-access journal Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. Musculoskeletal pain, which affects about 1.71 billion people globally, affects bones, joints, ligaments, tendons or muscles. Previously published research has shown that obesity is associated with musculoskeletal pain, but it’s unknown if excess fat tissue is linked to chronic musculoskeletal pain at multiple body sites, said researchers from the universities of Tasmania and Monash in Australia. “Abdominal adipose tissue was associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain, suggesting that excessive and ectopic fat depositions may be involved in the pathogenesis of multisite and widespread chronic musculoskeletal pain,” said the team. They suggested reducing abdominal adiposity for chronic pain management. The study analysed data from 32,409 participants -- half (51 per cent) were women, and their average age was 55. All participants underwent MRI scans of their abdomen to measure the amount of fat around the abdominal organs (visceral adipose tissue or VAT) and the amount of fat just under the skin that can be pinched (subcutaneous adipose tissue or SAT). About 638 people were assessed again after two years. The team found a significant link between the number of chronic pain sites and VAT, SAT, the ratio of the two, and weight (BMI). The findings showed women were two times more affected compared to men. Sex differences in fat distribution and hormones may be the reason why women are more affected, the researchers explained. However, they noted, “This is an observational study, and as such, can’t establish cause and effect”. Also Read: World Physical Therapy Day: The benefits of physiotherapy for mind, body & soul 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
12 September,2024 10:26 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSPeople suffering from common laryngopharyngeal dysfunction like chronic cough, hoarseness, recurrent throat clearing, especially after Covid, may be at significant risk of developing a heart attack or stroke, warns a study on Wednesday. Researchers from the University of Southampton observed a reduction in baroreflex sensitivity -- a measure of how much a person's heart rate changes in response to changes in blood pressure -- in patients with throat symptoms. The team noted that the findings could be explained by the Vagas nerve -- which controls the autonomic nervous system -- prioritising protection of the airways over less urgent functions, such as blood pressure regulation. “Our immediate survival depends on the throat being able to separate air and food passages each time we swallow,” said lead author Reza Nouraei, Professor of Laryngology and Clinical Informatics at the University of Southampton. “The throat does this using delicate reflexes, but when these reflexes are disturbed, for example, due to a viral infection like Covid or exposure to reflux affecting nerves in this region, the control of this critical junction becomes compromised, giving rise to symptoms like the feeling of a lump in the throat, throat clearing, and coughing,” Nouraei added. The study, published in JAMA Otolaryngology, showed that “in patients with a faulty throat, the heart, specifically a function called baroreflex, is less well controlled”. This can “likely impact long-term survival, as patients with reduced baroreflex function are more likely to die of a heart attack or stroke in years to come,” Nouraei said. In the study, the team involved 23 patients admitted to ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgery with aerodigestive symptoms like choking episodes, chronic cough, and difficult or painful swallowing. These patient’s heart rates, blood pressure, and baroreflex sensitivity were compared with 30 patients admitted to Gastroenterology with digestive (esophagogastric) symptoms. The aerodigestive tract involves lips, mouth, tongue, nose, throat, vocal cords, and part of the oesophagus and windpipe, While reflux was a common cause of symptoms in both groups, people in the aerodigestive group were found to have a higher resting heart rate and lower resting blood pressure. They also had lower baroreflex sensitivity than those in the digestive group. “Now, and especially since Covid which damages nerves, we are seeing more patients with throat symptoms,” Professor Nouraei said. “This study helps us to think about patients more holistically. As a clinician, if you can fix a problem in the throat that is potentially taking away bandwidth from the Vagus, then it frees up the nerve to give to the rest of the body”. 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.
11 September,2024 04:45 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSMore young people die by suicide in India than in other countries, said experts on World Suicide Prevention Day on Tuesday. World Suicide Prevention Day is observed every year on September 10 to raise awareness and fight stigma. The theme this year is “Changing the narrative on suicide”. It has been estimated that suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among the late adolescent age groups (15–19 years) in India. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), more than 40 per cent of all cases of suicides are among young adults below the age of 30. “In India, the magnitude of the young people dying by suicide is unfortunately very high. The number of young people who died by suicide in India is almost double in comparison to the global average. Approximately 160 young persons die by suicide daily in India,” Prof Nand Kumar, from the Department of Psychiatry at AIIMS said. “Some of the common reasons that precipitate the idea of suicide to death by suicide are; stressful family environments; unstable emotional health; substance use, failed relationship; poor bonding between the friends, and loneliness,” he added. The NCRB data showed that 1.71 lakh people died by suicide in 2022. “Suicide, a leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 39, is one of the most pressing public health crises we face globally and in our country,” Dr. Shyam Bhat, Psychiatrist and Chairperson, LiveLoveLaugh, said. Dr. Jyoti Kapoor, Founder-Director and Senior Psychiatrist, Manasthali said that the government has launched initiatives like the National Mental Health Programme and the Kiran Helpline to address the mental health crisis and prevent suicide. “However, greater awareness, access to care, and addressing underlying socioeconomic issues are essential to reducing suicide rates. We also need to change the narrative of suicide to have open, compassionate conversations that break the stigma surrounding mental health struggles,” she said. The experts stressed the need for collective participation of society to prevent suicides and to help those struggling with emotional challenges to easy access to support, free from stigma and shame. Kumar said the effective suicide prevention strategy must include steps focusing on factors beyond the screening for the person at risk of suicide. “The policy needs to emphasise various interventions to enhance the social and emotional connectivity, physical and emotional activity, and mindfulness,” he added.
11 September,2024 04:41 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSApart from the much-anticipated iPhone 16 series, Apple also launched the Apple Watch Series 10 and new features for AirPods Pro 2 at the ‘It’s Glowtime’ event on Monday in California. The company has added groundbreaking health features to its newly-launched Apple Watch which will deliver sleep apnea notifications, while its AirPods Pro 2 will feature the world’s first all-in-one hearing health experience. “With Apple Watch, we continue to offer our users the ability to uncover important health conditions with new sleep apnea notifications. And on AirPods Pro, powerful features put users’ hearing health front and centre, bringing new ways to help test for and receive assistance for hearing loss,” said Sumbul Desai, MD, Apple’s vice president of Health, in a statement. The sleep apnea detection feature is a first for the Apple Watch, beginning with the Series 10 model. It will be supported on Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. The Cupertino-based company said the new sleep notification algorithm was developed using advanced machine learning and an extensive data set of clinical-grade sleep apnea tests. The innovative breathing disturbances metric will track users’ sleep, analyse sleep patterns and notify them in the event of an apnea -- a serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts. The breathing disturbances metric uses the accelerometer to detect small movements at the wrist associated with interruptions to normal respiratory patterns during sleep, and then notify users if it shows consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea. Apple revealed that the sleep apnea feature will roll out in 150 countries once it receives approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the next few months. Other standard health features like the Afib alerts, cardio fitness, and the ECG app, from the previous Apple Watch models are also present in the latest model. The newly launched smartwatch is slimmer than its predecessor and features a larger display. It also offers the fastest charging time yet, reaching 80 per cent battery in just 30 minutes. For fitness enthusiasts, the watch includes advanced features such as a depth gauge for diving up to 20 feet and water temperature readings. The new Tides app provides real-time coastal data, making it ideal for surfers, swimmers, and fishermen. Further, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 comes with active Loud Sound Reduction -- a clinically validated hearing test feature -- and an over-the-counter hearing aid feature. The first-of-its-kind software-based hearing aid feature helps make access to hearing assistance easier than ever at an approachable price point. The hearing test and hearing aid features are expected to receive marketing authorisation from global health authorities soon and will be available this year in more than 100 countries and regions. Since launching the Health app in 2014, Apple has introduced meaningful features that focus on 18 areas of health and fitness across Apple Watch, AirPods, iPhone, and iPad. (With inputs from IANS) Also Read: Apple Intelligence is the highlight of new iPhone 16 series: Find out more about the AI system
10 September,2024 03:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNational strategies aimed at preventing suicide should include measures to address social issues to prevent people from reaching "crisis point," even as clinical services for those in crisis are critical, argue authors of a new six-paper series published in The Lancet Public Health journal.The international team of authors, including those from the Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi, called for a change in the narrative around suicide -- to move away from presenting it as a purely mental health issue and acknowledge the impact of social risk factors, such as poverty, domestic violence, addictions and isolation.This was particularly relevant for India, which released the National Suicide Prevention Strategy in November 2022, and grounded most of its proposed solutions within the mental health scope, despite police data showing that factors, including gender, employment, and stressful life events have important roles to play, the researchers said.The strategy is aimed at lowering deaths in the country due to suicide by 10 per cent by 2030. Objectives include setting up effective surveillance systems for suicide and integrating a mental well-being curriculum across educational institutions.Published on World Suicide Prevention Day, the series' authors described six aspects of a public health approach to preventing suicide. They included a model that looks at social determinants of suicide to show how suicide might arise."With over 170,000 lives lost annually due to suicide in India, addressing the underlying socio-economic pressures in addition to mental health is a critical national priority. By taking a public health approach and fostering collaboration among various sectors, we can create a more supportive environment that prioritises early intervention, reduces stigma, and ultimately saves lives," said series author Rakhi Dandona, Professor of Public Health at the Public Health Foundation of India.The public health approach should also look at national policies aimed at cushioning the effects of economic downturns, including maintaining minimum wage levels, and how exposure to instances of suicide -- either through media or in real life -- can heighten suicide risk, according to the authors.In one of the series' papers, the authors said there is a link between poor economic status and suicide in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).In India, more suicide rates are seen in men in states with higher levels of unemployment, they said and added that unemployment was one of the most important risk factors among women too.They also said that a model that accounted for farmers with marginal land holdings, indebted farmers, and the proportion of land used for non-food crops (or cash crops) could explain 75 per cent of changes in suicide rates between states.In another paper, the authors drew attention to "transmissibility of suicide" for arriving at optimal ways to address the issue. Transmission can occur when one is exposed to suicide-related information, including another person dying by suicide, which draws attention to or highlights specific suicide methods.They called for "restricting the cognitive availability of means through attention to media and other representations of suicide methods.""In simple terms, it means that media needs to consider if the reporting is necessary, how should it be reported that does not increase the risk for others, and is an accurate reporting of circumstances along with promoting help-seeking to those who need. Guidelines are available in this regard," Dandona told PTI.In the fifth paper, the authors described a range of interventions that might address four major risk factors for suicide -- alcohol use, gambling, domestic violence and abuse, and suicide bereavement.At an individual's level, there are signs that can be watched out for such as the language one uses while conversing, Dandona said."It is important to listen to what people have to say, the language of despair they may use to indicate these risk factors. Anecdotal evidence suggests that such statements highlighting suicidal thoughts are many times missed or not taken seriously," she said."This means that for these conversations to happen, people need to feel to be in supportive environment to be able to share what they are going through and to be taken seriously," Dandona said.Suicide is the third-leading cause of death among those aged 15-29 years and is estimated to claim over 7.2 lakh lives every year, according to the World Health Organization. About three-fourths of suicides around the world happen in low- and middle-income countries, it said.
10 September,2024 11:35 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIADVERTISEMENT
