New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) Surgery to treat chronic sinus disease can be more effective than antibiotics, according to a major clinical trial.The common symptoms of Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), or sinusitis, include a blocked and runny nose, loss of smell, facial pain, tiredness, and worsening of breathing problems, such as asthma. It’s often similar to the symptoms of a bad cold, but it can last for months or even years.The findings, published in the journal The Lancet, found that surgery was …

New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) Training ASHA workers to identify red flags in babies with Spinal Muscular Atrophy can be a major boost in the fight against the rare disease in India, said health experts on Saturday.SMA is a rare genetic disorder that affects the motor capabilities of the person affected.In SMA, intellectual capacities remain normal, but motor capacities are affected.Speaking to IANS, Dr. Rahul UR, State Nodal Officer – Child Health and Rare Diseases, National Health Mission, Kerala, s…

Manila, Aug 30 (IANS) The Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday reported that it has tallied 2,525 cases of the highly contagious Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in just one week, bringing the total number of cases to 39,893 recorded from January to August 16.The agency said around 50 per cent of the cases were detected in children aged one to three years old.The rapid spike in HFMD cases, reported Xinhua news agency, prompted the DOH to urge the local government units to heig…

New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) Intake of healthy gut bacteria in a pill form can act as a holy grail to tackle weight loss as well as metabolic syndrome that drives the risk of heart disease and diabetes, according to a study.Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of five conditions — high blood pressure, high blood sugar, large waist circumference, high triglycerides (fat in the blood), and low HDL (‘good’) cholesterol.The study, published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, showed that th…

New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) Even a small amount of ultra-processed foods can lead to increased weight, hormone disruption, and poor sperm quality in men, finds a study.An international team of scientists has now discovered that people gain more weight on an ultra-processed diet compared to a minimally processed diet, even when they eat the same number of calories.The study, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, in humans also revealed that a diet high in ultra-processed foods introduces higher …

New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) Metals, particularly nickel and vanadium, and sulphate particles — components of fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) — can worsen asthma and lead to hospitalisation, according to a new study.The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, showed that for each decile increase in the pollutant mixture, asthma hospitalisations increased 10.6 per cent among children and 8 per cent among adults ages 19 to 64.Nickel, vanadium, sulfa…

Geneva, Aug 30 (IANS) The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that cholera outbreaks, driven by conflict and poverty, are worsening across multiple countries and pose a significant global public health challenge.The latest Disease Outbreak News said that 409,000 cholera cases and 4,738 deaths were reported across 31 countries between January 1 and August 17 2025, with six countries reporting case fatality rate exceeding 1 per cent.According to the data, the Eastern Mediterranean Region …

New Delhi, Aug 29 (IANS) Vowing doorstep delivery of primary healthcare, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said on Friday that the government has set a target of opening around 100 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs every month.After reviewing the progress on construction of new Arogya Mandirs, CM Gupta said that the government aims to ensure faster treatment for patients and to ease the pressure on government hospitals.The Chief Minister said that the 67 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs currently operational in Del…

New Delhi, Aug 29 (IANS) Looking to enhance the mental and emotional well-being of senior citizens, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Chairman Keshav Chandra on Friday inaugurated a Meditation Centre at its Aashirwad Senior Citizens Home, Kali Bari Marg. Addressing the senior citizens, Chandra said, “Meditation is not only a path to inner peace but also a source of energy and stability. This centre will serve as a mental well-being space where our senior citizens can reconnect with themselves, …

New Delhi, Aug 29 (IANS) Certain mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and depression, can raise the risk of developing heart disease and mortality by nearly 100 per cent, according to a report on Friday.The report, published in the journal The Lancet Regional Health-Europe, summarises cardiovascular health disparities among those diagnosed with depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Researchers from Emory University showed that …