Common Cold

Approximately 77 million Indians have diabetes, and it is estimated that nearly 57 percent of adults with the disease go undiagnosed. Despite how common the condition is, there are still a lot of myths around it that lead to an inadequate or incorrect understanding of diabetes and how to treat it. It's crucial to gain a thorough awareness of these little-known facts so that persons with diabetes and those who care for them can have a better understanding of the chronic illness and how to best manage their health. Hanish Gupta, Consultant Physician, and Cardiologist, at Life Aid Hospital, Delhi said, "Almost three-fourths of India's diabetes population have uncontrolled blood glucose levels, and half of them show poor blood pressure control. Further, at least one-third of them have increased cholesterol and lipids. Common reasons for these metabolic abnormalities include non-adherence to treatment, infrequent doctor visits, and lack of awareness of long-term consequences of poorly managed diabetes." Here are five common myths about diabetes de-bunked: Sugar Alone Causes Diabetes Fact: Diabetes is a complex condition related to several factors. These include being overweight or obese, leading a sedentary lifestyle, having an unhealthy diet, and more. It can also be related to genetic factors, such as a family history of diabetes. While people with diabetes are often advised to control their sugar intake, eating too much sugar alone does not cause diabetes. However, still, be mindful of your sugar consumption -- moderation is key. An overall diet high in sugar can mean higher calories, which can contribute to weight gain and consequently increase your risk of diabetes. On the whole, try to opt for low glycemic index options and foods high in fiber as well, to achieve the right balance. Diabetes can be Cured Fact: While in rare cases diabetes is reversible, in most cases, diabetes once developed, is a lifelong condition. But living with diabetes doesn't have to be scary. There are various ways to effectively manage the condition. With proper adherence to prescribed medication and dietary and lifestyle modifications, as well as monitoring of one's glucose levels, people with diabetes can live a full life. By discussing with a doctor what diabetes management approach works best in individual cases, people can achieve their target glucose range and achieve optimal health. Diabetes only Affects the Body's Blood Sugar Levels Fact: Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body uses blood sugar. However, diabetes can affect more than just glucose levels. Research suggests that the condition -- especially when uncontrolled -- can cause other related complications, such as increasing the risk of problems relating to the heart, eye, kidney, nerves, or feet. This makes managing diabetes in a timely manner even more important. It is also advisable for people with diabetes to get regular health check-ups and keep an eye on their broader health, to identify and address any problems promptly. Some Types of Diabetes are milder than others Fact: While diabetes has different categories, like type-1 and type-2 and gestational (while pregnant), these cannot be defined as mild or severe. Across all types of diabetes, uncontrolled cases can lead to serious, long-lasting complications. Despite this, people with diabetes can lead healthy, better lives with proper diabetes management, regardless of the type. Diet and Lifestyle Changes Alone can Fully Manage Diabetes Fact: While lowering the intake of certain foods that raise your blood glucose and adopting a healthy fitness routine are key steps to managing diabetes, this does not mean that only these steps will be adequate for all people with diabetes to fully manage their condition. Abhijit Pednekar, Medical Affairs Director, Abbott India, commented, "Diabetes management is an ongoing process, which must be holistic and personalized. This involves adhering to dietary and lifestyle changes, prescribed medication, and regular glucose monitoring, which can collectively help individuals manage diabetes. By achieving better control over one's glucose levels, people can live healthier, fuller lives." Understanding facts about the condition, it can make the care journey less complicated. Following medical guidance and working with doctors to understand what works best for individual situations is important, and it can empower people to better manage their diabetes. (Agency) Read More► How to Take Care of Your Bone and Joint Health in Winters

एक अध्ययन के अनुसार, 69 फीसदी लोगों ने कोविड संक्रमण से पहले सिरदर्द की शिकायत की है, यह इस बीमारी का प्रमुख लक्षण बन गया है। किंग्स कॉलेज लंदन के शोधकर्ताओं ने जोई कोविड लक्षण अध्ययन ऐप के डेटा का विश्लेषण किया और स्थिति के पहले लक्षणों में से एक के रूप में सिरदर्द पाया। एक्सप्रेस डॉट को डॉट यूके की रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, यह बुखार, खांसी और हानि या स्वाद और गंध में बदलाव जैसे अन्य क्लासिक कोविड लक्षणों की तुलना में अधिक सामान्य है। अध्ययन में बताया गया है कि कुछ कोविड रोगियों को प्रारंभिक संक्रमण की तुलना में अधिक समय तक सिरदर्द के साथ देखा गया, यह संकेत भी लंबे कोविड के लिए एक विशेषता है। अध्ययन के अनुसार, हमारे डेटा से पता चलता है कि ये सिरदर्द अक्सर आते हैं और जाते हैं, लेकिन शुक्र है कि वे समय के साथ धीरे-धीरे कम हो जाते हैं। हालांकि यह दर्दनाक लक्षण बच्चों में कम आम लगता है, कोरोनोवायरस सिरदर्द सभी आयु समूहों में देखा जाता है। अध्ययन के अनुसार, इसलिए, हालांकि कोविड -19 वाले कई लोग सिरदर्द का अनुभव करते हैं। जरूरी नहीं है कि सिरदर्द वाले अधिकांश लोगों को कोविड -19 नहीं होगा। थकान और गंध की कमी के साथ सिरदर्द कोविड को संकेत दे सकता है। रिपोर्ट में कहा गया है कि अन्य लक्षण जो वायरस की दिशा को भी इंगित कर सकते हैं, उनमें गले में खराश, बुखार, मांसपेशियों में असामान्य दर्द और लगातार खांसी और चक्कर आना शामिल हैं। यह भी पढ़े► कोविड रोगियों ने माना स्वस्थ्य होने में योग ने की मदद

Cervical cancer is most common among Indian women after breast cancer, an expert said on Tuesday. Talking to IANS, Dr Neerja Bhatla, Head Of Department, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, said that in Indian women, cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer, but is preventable and curable, if found early and effectively treated. However in India, an estimated 123,907 new cases and 77,000 deaths are reported each year, or one woman dying every 8 minutes, she said. "Cervical cancer is unique in that it can be prevented by vaccination and has a long precancerous stage during which women can be tested and treated without suffering undue discomfort, anxiety, or financial hardship," she added. The World Health Organisation has set goals to expedite progress toward the elimination of cancer and calls on countries to strive to reach the goals of vaccinating 90 per cent of girls with HPV vaccine by the age of 15, screening 70 per cent of women between the ages of 35 and 45 with a high-performance test such as the HPV test, and treating 90 per cent of women diagnosed with precancer or cancer, as well as facilitating palliative care, in the next decade. However, the lack of awareness continues to be a key impediment to treatment participation and adherence. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has already started a screening programme for the three most frequent cancers: oral, breast, and cervical cancer. On the occasion of International Women's Day, AIIMS Delhi screened 100 women using high precision HPV test. WHO recommends using a test that gives same day results. This is the first time this strategy was tried at AIIMS using the GeneXpert platform that is also used for TB testing. It includes novel Point of Care HPV test and enabled Single Visit Screen and Treat approach. The report was available in only 60 minutes and based on the results, patients were offered treatment of precancer. Read More► Most Effective Herbs to prevent Cancer

London- People with higher levels of T-cells from common cold coronaviruses are less likely to become infected with SARS-CoV-2, according to new research. The study, by Imperial College London researchers, provides the first evidence of a protective role for these T-cells. While previous studies have shown that T-cells induced by other coronaviruses can recognise SARS-CoV-2, the new study, published in Nature Communications, examines for the first time how the presence of these T-cells at the time of SARS-CoV-2 exposure influences whether someone becomes infected. The researchers also stated their findings provide a blueprint for a second-generation, universal vaccine that could prevent infection from current and future SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron. "Being exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus doesn't always result in infection, and we've been keen to understand why. We found that high levels of pre-existing T cells, created by the body when infected with other human coronaviruses like the common cold, can protect against Covid-19 infection," said Dr Rhia Kundu, from Imperial's National Heart and Lung Institute. "While this is an important discovery, it is only one form of protection, and I would stress that no one should rely on this alone. Instead, the best way to protect yourself against Covid-19 is to be fully vaccinated, including getting your booster dose," she added. The study included 52 people who lived with someone with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and who had therefore been exposed to the virus. The participants did PCR tests at the outset and 4 and 7 days later, to determine if they developed an infection. Blood samples from the 52 participants were taken within 1-6 days of them being exposed to the virus. This enabled the researchers to analyse the levels of pre-existing T-cells induced by previous common cold coronavirus infections that also cross-recognise proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The researchers found that there were significantly higher levels of these cross-reactive T-cells in the 26 people who did not become infected, compared to the 26 people who did become infected. These T-cells targeted internal proteins within the SARS-CoV-2 virus, rather than the spike protein on the surface of the virus, to protect against infection. Current vaccines do not induce an immune response to these internal proteins. The researchers said that - alongside our existing effective spike protein-targeting vaccines - these internal proteins offer a new vaccine target that could provide long-lasting protection because T-cell responses persist longer than antibody responses which wane within a few months of vaccination. Read More► Covid Fear, Stress Can Impair Cognitive Functions: Study