Health - The Purbottar

22 Jan

Teen exercise may lower breast cancer risk markers

Banasree SarkarHealth

A new study suggests that recreational physical activity during the teenage years may play a protective role in breast health by influencing breast tissue composition and reducing biological markers linked to stress. Researchers found that teenage girls who regularly took part in leisure-time physical activities such as sports, dance, or gym workouts had lower water content in their breast tissue — a marker associated with lower breast density — along with reduced levels of stress-related biomarkers. Lower breast density has previously been linked to a reduced risk of breast cancer. The findings, published in Breast Cancer Research, highlight adolescence as…

13 Jan

Not getting enough sleep? It could shorten your life

Banasree SarkarHealth

For decades, sleep has often been treated as expendable — something to be trimmed to make room for longer workdays, late-night scrolling, or packed schedules. But a major new U.S. study suggests that chronic sleep deprivation may come at a far greater cost than previously thought: a shorter life. Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) report that communities where people regularly get less than seven hours of sleep per night have noticeably lower life expectancy. The association, published in SLEEP Advances, was stronger than links tied to poor diet, physical inactivity, obesity, or social isolation — surpassed only…

06 Jan

It might be detrimental to your health to skip meals

Banasree SarkarHealth

Frequent meal skipping can have a detrimental effect on your health by causing blood sugar problems, mood changes, exhaustion, and poor focus. This behavior may eventually impair digestion, interfere with metabolism, and raise the risk of long-term conditions including diabetes and heart problems. Addressing these problems is essential to preserving general wellbeing. Severe blood sugar swings brought on by missing meals, especially breakfast, might result in symptoms including weariness, shakiness, and dizziness. Type 2 diabetes risk may rise as a result. Frequent meal skipping slows down metabolism, which makes burning calories more difficult and may result in weight gain. Overeating…

29 Dec

Morning coffee habit may boost longevity

Banasree SarkarHealth

Coffee, one of the world’s most widely consumed beverages, is gaining renewed attention for its potential long-term health benefits. Emerging research indicates that how and when coffee is consumed plays a significant role in the advantages it may offer. Large observational studies suggest that moderate coffee intake, particularly in the morning and with minimal additives, is linked to improved heart health and lower mortality risk. Morning coffee drinkers were found to have a notably reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to those who consumed coffee later in the day, possibly due to better alignment with the body’s natural…

23 Dec

The appendix: not as useless as we once thought

Banasree SarkarHealth

Researchers now believe the appendix plays a role in the immune system, particularly during childhood and adolescence. The small, tube-shaped organ attached to the large intestine contains a high concentration of lymphoid tissue, which helps the body recognize and respond to harmful microbes. This has led scientists to see the appendix as part of the gut’s immune defense network rather than a biological accident. One of the most discussed discoveries involves gut bacteria. The appendix appears to act as a “safe house” for beneficial microbes. When illness, antibiotics, or digestive upset disrupts the balance of bacteria in the intestines, the…

20 Dec

It might be detrimental to your health to skip meals

Banasree SarkarHealth

Frequent meal skipping can have a detrimental effect on your health by causing blood sugar problems, mood changes, exhaustion, and poor focus. This behavior may eventually impair digestion, interfere with metabolism, and raise the risk of long-term conditions including diabetes and heart problems. Addressing these problems is essential to preserving general wellbeing. Severe blood sugar swings brought on by missing meals, especially breakfast, might result in symptoms including weariness, shakiness, and dizziness. Type 2 diabetes risk may rise as a result. Frequent meal skipping slows down metabolism, which makes burning calories more difficult and may result in weight gain. Overeating…

09 Dec

Diabetes cases missed as early signals resemble daily discomforts

Banasree SarkarHealth

Health experts are sounding the alarm over the growing number of diabetes cases that go undiagnosed for months — and sometimes years — because early symptoms are often mistaken for everyday health issues. Doctors say this delay in recognising the warning signs is leading to late detection and avoidable complications. According to endocrinologists, Type 2 diabetes typically begins with subtle changes in the body that do not appear alarming. Many patients initially attribute these signs to stress, ageing, workload or seasonal fatigue, and therefore do not seek timely medical evaluation. A senior diabetologist explained that one of the most commonly…

05 Dec

Few healthy ways to start losing weight with Chia

Banasree SarkarHealth

Chia seeds a superfood rich in nutrients like fiber, protein and omega-3 fatty acids essential for weight loss. Combine chia seeds, almond milk, mixed berries, and maple syrup for berry chia pudding. Stir well, cover, and refrigerate overnight. High in fibre and protein, it's a low-calorie breakfast or snack option. Chia seed smoothie is a delicious and energizing combination of chia seeds, unsweetened coconut water, frozen banana, mango chunks, and lime juice. It provides fiber, protein, and natural sweetness, making it a great addition to any diet. Chia seed scrambled eggs are a nutritious breakfast meal that provides fiber, healthy…

01 Dec

Meghalaya Is Concerned About Rising HIV/AIDS Cases

Sonakshi SarkarHealth

The Meghalaya health department is alarmed by the rising number of HIV/AIDS cases, with over 10,000 individuals testing positive, including 500 children, particularly in the East Jaintia Hills district, which has the highest infection rate. Many affected children come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, highlighting social challenges amid this health crisis. The main transmission cause has been linked to unprotected heterosexual activities, compounded by individuals' reluctance to seek testing, which delays the detection and treatment of cases. Dr. K.L Iawbor from the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) emphasized the need for collective action to combat the virus, aiming for an HIV-free…

25 Nov

Post-pregnancy health habits can prevent heart disease

Banasree SarkarHealth

Women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy may face higher risks of heart disease later in life — but a new study shows that this risk can be significantly reduced through healthy lifestyle habits. Researchers tracking over 4,300 women with a history of gestational diabetes found that those who consistently maintained five key habits — staying at a healthy weight, eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, and drinking alcohol in moderation — lowered their risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 86%. Remarkably, over nearly three decades of follow-up, none of the women who followed all five habits…