Health Stories
Sweet talk: How sugar turned from prized possession to rogue carb
Tracing the social and cultural origins of this white crystal that found celebrity status in the Middle Ages, till its fall from grace after overconsumption
- TNN
How blood sugar might be quietly stealing your memory, brain power
As new research reveals a strong link between diabetes and cognitive decline, docs say there is need to focus on improving ‘brain spans’
From no hope to a potential cure for a deadly blood cancer
Multiple myeloma is considered incurable, but a third of patients in a Johnson & Johnson clinical trial have lived without detectable cancer for years after facing certain death
- Gina Kolata
- New York Times
Is your ‘healthy’ child at risk of heart diseases and diabetes?
They may look fit, but their bodies are already waving red flags — abnormal cholesterol, high blood sugar, and hidden fat. A new AIIMS study finds Delhi kids are quietly carrying markers of lifestyle diseases years before adulthood
- Team TOI Plus
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Caffeinated & hooked: Why energy drinks are a teen health time bomb
Doctors say issues ranging from sleep disorders to anxiety and obesity are common as youngsters get hooked to caffeine-sugar fix
Is it possible to reverse tooth decay? Here’s what dental experts say
Online ads often promote products such as chewing gums that claim to reverse cavities and toothpastes or powders that promise to rebuild enamel. Are these marketing claims scientifically substantiated, and do these products actually live up to the hype?
- Katie Camero
- New York Times
‘Wait, is my matar paneer safe?’ Inside the Indian cottage cheese controversy
Between viral videos by the paneer police and real raids on spurious units, consumers are udderly confused
- Sneha Bhura
- TNN
Woof! What Some People Are Getting Wrong About Strays
India’s Animal Birth Control programme has substantially brought down street dog numbers & rabies cases. Science & empathy, not misleading data & fear-mongering, should guide our action
Hair transplants offer hope to bald men but how safe are they?
Kanpur deaths show that behind the glossy before-and-after photos lies a world of shady clinics and underqualified doctors
Gummies, powders, pills: India's supplement boom a health hype or scientific advance?
Venture capitalist funding, influencers power the country's pill popping craze. But there are lingering safety concerns
- Disha AcharyaAjay Rag
- THE ECONOMIC TIMES
Covid is back in the news. What you need to know about the latest wave
Reports of Covid-19 cases are trickling in from across India. Some Southeast Asian countries are also witnessing a recurrence. Why there's no need to panic
How silent heart attacks are killing ‘seemingly fit’ Indians
A Mumbai doctor with no prior health issues died suddenly just a day after turning 50. He died in his hospital despite receiving help, including an all-clear ECG. His tragic death highlights a rising trend: silent heart attacks
- Lata Mishra
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Is there a type - or colour - of alcohol that's safer than others?
Many believe that some types, or colours, of alcohol are less risky for your health and are better in terms of ensuring you don't have a hangover.
- Caroline Hopkins Legaspi
- New York Times
When is the best time to exercise to reduce blood sugar levels?
Movement can be a powerful medicine for people with diabetes and other forms of insulin resistance. But intensity and timing can make a difference
- Hilary Achauer
- New York Times
Why Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis shouldn’t make men panic
Prostate cancer is different from other cancers because it advances very slowly. Oncologists say those in early stages can opt for a wait-and-watch surveillance protocol rather than surgery and radiation
- Lata Mishra
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
How world’s first personalised gene-editing treatment saved a baby
Team led by Indian-origin doctor Kiran Musunuru helped a desperately ill baby thrive. The technique used has the potential to help people with thousands of uncommon genetic diseases
- Gina Kolata
- New York Times
This common medical test could cause cancer: Study
A landmark study warns that routine CT scans could silently trigger thousands of future cancers. With India’s scan usage soaring and oversight weak, experts warn why we are we heading into a preventable crisis
- Lata Mishra
- TIMESOFINDIA.COM
Covid lockdowns saved lives, but did they make us sicker?
Many Indians feel their infections go on longer after Covid. A new global study backs this with a theory called ‘immunity debt’ — but doctors remain divided on its validity
Why you need to worry about your mental health during conflicts
People of all age groups are prone to mental health issues that are often overlooked during crises like the recent faceoff between India and Pakistan. Doctors have some tips on how to cope.
When a spoonful becomes lethal: Hidden risks with child medication
From adult ORS to too much paracetamol, cases of medicine mess-ups in kids are growing. But following some basic guidelines can minimise dose errors, along with collective vigilance from healthcare providers, pharmacists and parents