Lifestyle

New Delhi, May 7 (IANS) Genetics, coupled with increased consumption of tobacco products, may explain the reason why men are more prone to bladder cancer, experts said here on Sunday.

Bladder cancer is the 10th most common cancer worldwide and the fourth most prevalent cancer among men, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). About 550,000 new cases are detected every year worldwide.

The disease develops when bladder tissue cells begin to separate uncontrollably, and the incidence of bladder cancer is higher in males compared to females.

India has about 21,000 new cases of bladder cancer, and the incidence has been increasing over the last few years.

A recent report from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) showed that Delhi has the highest cases of bladder cancer, followed by Thiruvananthapuram and Kolkata. Delhi also has the highest incidence of bladder cancer in females followed by Mumbai and Mizoram.

"Bladder cancer ranks among the top 10 types of cancer affecting thousands of people in India annually. While it can occur in both men and women, men are more commonly affected, likely due to genetics and lifestyle," Dr Bhaskar Singh, from HCG NCHRI Cancer Centre - Nagpur, told IANS.

"Consumption of tobacco is a common reason for the increasing incidence of bladder cancer in India. The other reason is exposure to aromatic amines and carbon black dust in rubber, leather, and dye industries. The smokers have three-four times higher risk of bladder cancer as compared to non-smokers," added Dr (Brig) A.K. Dhar, Senior Consultant Medical and Hemato Oncology, American Oncology Institute, Gurugram.

Dhar stated that the incidence of bladder cancer is four times higher in males as compared to females.

Another reason behind increased risk among men include the role of sex hormones.

"It is believed that androgen promotes, and oestrogen inhibits bladder carcinogenesis in the progression phase," Dhar told IANS.

In addition, men who undergo radiation therapy for prostate cancer also have an increased risk of bladder cancer, the expert noted.

However, changing some lifestyle habits can lower the risk of bladder cancer.

Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do, as smoking is one of the biggest risk factors for bladder cancer.

"Tobacco is responsible for 40-50 per cent of bladder cancer. Quitting all kinds of tobacco will help in reduction of bladder cancer," Dhar said.

Staying hydrated and avoiding exposure to harmful chemicals, such as those in certain industrial or agricultural settings, can also help reduce risk.

Regular screenings can also greatly increase the chances of successful treatment, as bladder cancer is often easier to treat in its early stages.

"If you experience symptoms such as blood in your urine, pain during urination, or frequent urination, it's important to see a doctor immediately. Several conditions can cause these symptoms, but it's important to rule out bladder cancer as a potential cause," Singh said.

--IANS
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New York, May 7 (IANS) Heart inflammation post Covid vaccination was not caused by antibodies created by the jab, rather it was the result of a more generalised response involving immune cells and inflammation, finds a study.

Myocarditis is a generally mild inflammation of heart tissue which can cause scarring but is usually resolved within days.

The increased incidence of myocarditis was seen primarily in males, who had been vaccinated with mRNA vaccines -- designed to elicit immune responses specifically to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among males aged 12 to 17, about 22 to 36 per 100,000 experienced myocarditis within 21 days after receiving a second vaccine dose.

For the study, scientists at Yale University conducted a detailed analysis of immune system responses in those rare cases of myocarditis among vaccinated individuals.

They identified the immune signature of these heart inflammation cases.

"The immune systems of these individuals get a little too revved up and over-produce cytokine and cellular responses," said Carrie Lucas, associate professor of immunobiology, at Yale.

The findings, published in the journal Science Immunology, rule out some of the theorised causes of the heart inflammation and suggest potential ways to further reduce the incidence of a still rare side effect of vaccination, the authors say.

Earlier research had suggested that increasing the time between vaccination shots from four to eight weeks may reduce risk of developing myocarditis.

Lucas noted that, according to CDC findings, the risk of myocarditis is significantly greater in unvaccinated individuals who contract the Covid-19 virus than in those who receive vaccines. She emphasised that vaccination offers the best protection from Covid-19-related disease.

"I hope this new knowledge will enable further optimising mRNA vaccines, which, in addition to offering clear health benefits during the pandemic, have a tremendous potential to save lives across numerous future applications," said Anis Barmada, doctoral student at Yale School of Medicine.

--IANS
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London, May 7 (IANS) Women, who have suffered domestic abuse, may have a higher risk of developing atopic diseases, including asthma, according to a research led by one of Indian origin.

Published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, the research found that in analysis of patient records, there were a significantly larger percentage of women who had atopic diseases and had a history of being exposed to domestic abuse and violence compared to those who hadn't.

"Our results show women with a recorded exposure to domestic violence and abuse had a 52 per cent increased risk of developing atopic diseases," said Dr Joht Singh Chandan from the University of Birmingham, UK.

"Domestic violence and abuse is a global issue that disproportionately affects women. We set out to deepen our understanding of the health impacts of domestic violence so evidence-based public health policies can be further developed to address not only domestic violence, but secondary effects like the development of atopic diseases," he added.

The team of researchers performed a retrospective study in the UK, looking at adult women (those aged 18 and older) with a physician recorded exposure to domestic violence and comparing them to women over 18 without a recorded exposure.

Patients with pre-existing reports of atopic disease were excluded from the study.

A total of 13,852 women were identified as being exposed to domestic violence and were matched to 49,036 similar women without a reported exposure.

In total, 967/13,852 women in the exposed group were diagnosed with atopic disease compared to 2,607/49,036 in the unexposed group.

The researchers also acknowledged limitations to the study such as women in the exposed group were more likely to be a current smoker than women in the unexposed group.

--IANS
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By IANSlife
New Delhi, May 7 (IANSlife) Bhavin Bheda, the business manager for Cadiveu Professional, understands that having frizzy hair may be a tremendous pain, especially in the morning. But don't panic, there are plenty of simple hairstyles you can try to manage your frizz and look great even on the busiest of mornings.


The Messy Bun: This classic hairstyle is perfect for frizzy hair as it allows you to embrace your natural texture. Simply gather your hair into a loose bun and secure it with a hair tie.

The Low Ponytail: A low ponytail is another simple hairstyle that's perfect for busy mornings. To make it more interesting, you can add a braid or twist to the front section of your hair.

The Top Knot: If you're short on time, a top knot is a great option. Gather your hair into a high ponytail, twist it around and secure it with bobby pins.

The Half-Up, Half-Down: This hairstyle is perfect if you want to show off your curls while still keeping them under control. Simply gather the top half of your hair and secure it with a hair tie or clip.

The French Braid: A French braid is a chic and elegant hairstyle that's perfect for frizzy hair. It keeps your hair off your face and is ideal for both casual and formal occasions.

The Side Braid: A side braid is a great option if you have long hair. Simply gather your hair to one side and braid it, securing it with a hair tie.

The Fishtail Braid: This trendy braid is a great option for frizzy hair as it looks great with a bit of texture. It may take a little practice to get right, but once you've mastered it, you'll love the results.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
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Noida, May 7 (IANS) Even as the police continue to take action against them, youngsters, who perform dangerous stunts in vehicles to make the reel viral on social media, refuse to budge risking not only their lives but of others as well.

In the last two months, such cases have increased three times. FIRs are being registered against the owners and vehicles are being seized, yet such videos are flooding social media platforms. In the last four months this year, 75 cases of making stunt videos have come to the fore.

Most of the cases have been reported in the last two months as about 44 such cases have come to light. Along with imposing heavy fines on owners, their vehicles have been seized and FIRs have been filed. The lowest 7 cases came in January. The number increased to 14 in February and then gradually these cases kept increasing every month.

In the past, videos of two Scorpio drivers went viral in Noida, in which stunts are being performed. The first video is being said to be of the expressway, while the second video is being investigated by the police.

The first video is of 14 seconds, in which a young man is performing a dangerous stunt by opening the front gate of the black coloured Scorpio. He is driving in a zigzag manner at high speed. The traffic police has issued a challan of Rs 37,000 on the basis of the number of the Scorpio.

The second video is of nine seconds. In this video, a young man sitting on the driver's seat of a gray coloured Scorpio is displaying a pistol by putting his hand out of the window. Another young man is seen hanging on the back gate and firing with a pistol. This video is also said to be of Noida.

DCP Traffic Anil Kumar Yadav says that whenever such cases come before the police, they take strict action and impose the maximum challan. He said that even before this videos have been going viral in Noida.

But for the past several days, the trend of youths making reels with pistols has increased, be it a real pistol or fake. He says that as soon as the video goes viral on social media, the police automatically take cognizance of it and this action will continue.

He stated that youths do perform stunts like this to become famous and to assert their supremacy. But this puts their lives as well as the lives of others at risk.

He said that till now challans ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 37,000 have been issued. But still such cases are coming up continuously. The police are trying to take stricter action against such people so that the youths stop doing such dangerous stunts.

In the initial period, it was seen that the youths used to make reels by doing stunts or from places which made their real look different, and they can get more and more likes and views. But now, it is being seen that along with stunts, the trend of making reels while waving arms with pistol in hand is also increasing.

The trend of driving vehicles while waving arms is a hit among the youth these days. Hundreds of such videos are going viral on social media, in which youths are seen making reels while waving their arms in vehicles. Such cases are continuously increasing in the district as well.

According to the traffic police, in the last two months, more than a dozen such incidents have come to light, in which a case has been registered in the concerned police station and the process of strict action is going on.

Many incidents have come to light in the last 15 days in Noida. According to a video that went viral on April 15, stunts were being performed sitting on the bonnet of a car. In this case, the police have issued a challan of Rs 25,000. The second video surfaced on April 19, in which a young man was seen performing stunts on a bike in front of a police post, in which the police issued a challan of Rs 18,500.

A challan of Rs 2000 was issued on April 21 when the video of a bike riding girl's stunt went viral. A challan of Rs 25,500 was issued on April 28 when the video of waving arms in a car went viral. On May 1, the video of a car driver waving arms went viral, in which a challan of Rs 37000 was issued.

--IANS
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By Reema Arora
New Delhi, May 6 (IANSlife) Our bodies' needs and capabilities change as we age, and our skin is no exception. Sometimes the skin may transform more rapidly than necessary, if certain factors are at play such as pollution, unhealthy habits, hormonal and metabolic change. The skin becomes thinner, developing your first fine lines and wrinkles. It also loses its radiance and elasticity; no longer appearing as supple as it once did. While these are natural processes, there are certain skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid and collagen that can actually reverse signs of ageing.


Role of hyaluronic acid and collagen

Both, hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen, have become a mainstay in cosmetics and skincare - supplements, injectables, and topical. These ingredients are critical to keeping your skin looking healthy and youthful, but they work in different ways. For instance: hyaluronic acid helps to plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, in contrast, collagen helps to rebuild and strengthen the skin's connective tissues from within.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance found in the human body. It's present in large concentrations in the skin, where it helps keep the complexion hydrated and plump. In fact, hyaluronic acid is responsible for up to 30 per cent of the skin's natural moisture-binding ability, but its production depletes over time as you age. Similarly, collagen is a protein that your body naturally creates. Like hyaluronic acid, as you age your body produces less of the protein. As collagen plays a role in strengthening skin and increasing elasticity and hydration, wrinkles develop when your body starts producing less. In recent years, people have started using hyaluronic acid and collagen-enriched skincare products and supplements. But for longer-lasting effect and better results, bio-remodelling is a practical choice.

Collagen and hyaluronic acid go together like best friends. They complement and support one another for maximal, effective benefits. Hailed as the break-through treatment for anti-ageing, Profhilo, also synonymous with bio-remodelling, is the latest innovation in the field of aesthetic procedures. With one of the highest concentrations of ultrapure HA on the market, the treatment tackles anti-ageing directly from within the skin itself, stimulating collagen production and strengthening the support networks in the skin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Moreover, hyaluronic acid plays a key role in tissue regeneration, specifically in repairing skin, and has been found very effective in healing wounds. Rather than being a volumising filler or muscle relaxant, Profhilo can be seen as more of an advanced injectable moisturiser. Besides the face, Profhilo can also be injected into neck, hands and other areas with high skin laxity.

Foods for boosting hyaluronic acid and collagen

The importance of nutrition is paramount, since we know that the skin is nourished from the inside. If you're not eating right, your skin will show it. While there are many approaches to eating healthy, certain foods are guaranteed to up your beauty game.

Adding bone broth, foods such as soy products, oranges, bell peppers, tomato, cashew, almonds, kale, beans, and sweet potatoes will provide nutrients that may naturally ramp up your body's synthesis of hyaluronic acid and collagen and give you a healthier glow.

It is also important to reduce or cut out alcohol, coffee, foods and beverages high in sodium and sugars as they all contribute to systemic dehydration, which may show up as skin that looks dull and non-plump. Do your best to limit your intake of processed foods, and increase the intake of water to keep the skin hydrated.

Using the right skin care ingredients, making a few lifestyle changes, and having patience can help your skin in aging gracefully and keeping it look its best through the years. A trustworthy dermatologist can help you create a personalised skin care plan by assessing your skin type, evaluating your skin's condition and recommending products and aesthetic procedures likely to be effective.

(Dr Reema Arora, Medical Director& Founder, The Face Clinic, Hauz Khas)

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS
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Lucknow, May 3 (IANS) For the first time, doctors at the Kalyan Singh Super Speciality Cancer Institute performed a microvascular surgery for tongue reconstruction with free radial artery forearm flap.

Resection of primary tumour was done by Dr Indu Shukla, Assistant Professor, ENT and plastic and reconstructive surgery was performed by Dr Mukta Verma, Assistant Professor, Plastic and Reconstructive surgery.

A 56-year-old male patient had come with complaints of non-healing ulcers and pain at the left lateral border of the tongue for about four months.

His histopathology came out to be moderately differentiated Squamous cell carcinoma and he was diagnosed as a case of cancer tongue.

He was operated on April 27. The tongue was reconstructed with the help of free radial artery forearm flap (microvascular technique). Patient is a known case of diabetes mellitus type 2 and he is also suffering from chronic liver disease.

The doctors said that the patient had now recovered and the surgery was successful.

--IANS
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Seoul, May 3 (IANS) South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday revealed that he was taken aback when asked to sing the 1971 hit by Don McLean, "American Pie", at a state dinner at the White House last week but believes he delivered his rendition quite well.

During his six-day state visit to the US last week, Yoon attended the dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden, and close to the end of it, Biden asked Yoon to sing the song, one of the South Korean President's favourites, reports Yonhap News Agency.

"When President Biden asked me to come up to the stage, I thought I would be given a guitar, but I was pretty taken aback when he asked me to sing," Yoon said during a dinner meeting with the leadership of the ruling People Power Party.

When Yoon grabbed the microphone and delivered the first few lines, he received a standing ovation and loud applause from the audience.

Biden then presented him with a guitar signed by McLean on behalf of the musician, who could not attend the dinner.

Just minutes before Yoon's surprise performance, three Broadway singers gave music performances and sang a rendition of "American Pie".

"As shown in pictures, I thought I sang very well, as singers from 'Miss Saigon' showed a surprising expression seeing me singing," he said.

--IANS
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Noida, May 2 (IANS) Doctors have successfully treated a two-month-old boy suffering from a rare yeast infection called Rhodoturula coupled with Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Meningitis.

"This is the world's first reported case of Rhodoturula infection (Rhodotorula is a genus of pigmented yeasts), while the CMV Meningitis is the second such reported case in the world as per the available medical records," doctors at the Fortis Hospital, Noida, said in a statement on Tuesday.

CMV Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of the lining of the brain. Also known as HCMV, CMV, or human herpesvirus 5 (HHV-5), is the most commonly transmitted virus to a developing foetus.

The baby, born to residents of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, was admitted to the hospital with fever, increased irritability and two episodes of abnormal movements, including up-rolling of eyes, bulging in the top of the head and irritable cry.

Several medical tests such as MRI, CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) etc. were conducted to identify any underlying infection, which revealed that the baby had Meningitis. Owing to the uncontrolled seizures, the baby was intubated and administered antibiotics.

Clinically, the baby showed improvement with satisfactory feeding and activity, but his high-grade fever was not getting better.

He was having 3-4 episodes of fever everyday, thus a CSF examination was repeated and sent for a BioFire test which returned CMV positive.

Ganciclovir injection was administered for the following six weeks. However, the fever didn't subside even after 10 days. The CSF fungal culture revealed the presence of Rhodotorula infection.

After a repeat CSF fungal culture that "revealed the presence of a rare yeast -- Rhodotorula species -- which has not been identified or observed in CMV anywhere in the world, Amphotericin B was administered for four weeks. This helped the baby recover and his fever also subsided," Ashutosh Sinha, Director & Head, Paediatrics, Fortis Noida, said in a statement.

"Without immediate and correct treatment, the chances of survival were meagre. Initial MRI had shown changes in the brain but subsequent MRI of the brain showed improvement. We discharged the baby in normal condition without any complications. The condition has risk factors - high mortality, neurodisability and other related complications if left undiagnosed and untreated," he added.

CMV is a common virus and once infected, the body retains the virus for life. Most people don't know they have CMV because it rarely causes problems in healthy people. The infection generally happens in immunocompromised and HIV patients or those undergoing chemotherapy.

"There have been cases of CMV infection in babies acquired before birth from mother or after birth through breast milk, but infection of the brain is very rare. Some babies can acquire it after birth via breast milk. However, in this case, it was not possible to ascertain if breast milk was the carrier, although we stopped breast milk to limit the exposure," Sinha said.

-IANS
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New Delhi, May 2 (IANS) More than 80 per cent asthma cases in India are undiagnosed, which if left untreated can worsen over time, said experts here on Tuesday.

World Asthma Day is an annual event observed on the first Tuesday of May, aimed at raising awareness about asthma, a chronic respiratory disease affecting millions worldwide.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects 339 million people globally. It causes airways in the lungs to become inflamed and narrow, and produce excess mucus, leading to breathing difficulties, chest tightness, wheezing, and coughing.

Speaking to IANS, Manisha Mendiratta, HOD & Senior Consultant - Pulmonology, at Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad said, "The prevalence of asthma in India is around 3 per cent, though more than 80 per cent of patients remain undiagnosed" in the country.

Lack of proper resources, infrastructure, acceptance and ignorance about the disease are the major reasons, the doctor said.

Moreover, "about 70 per cent of patients with severe asthma are also not properly diagnosed as suffering from a severe form of the disease. The reason is lack of awareness among patients, unwillingness to seek medical help, and many doctors, especially in smaller towns, lacking the diagnostic tools for asthma," Mendiratta said.

There is currently no cure for asthma, advances in medical research show promise for effectively managing the condition. But smart inhalers, immunotherapy, biologic medications, bronchial thermoplasty, and virtual reality therapy are some innovative treatments that can help manage and control the symptoms of asthma.

"With every attack of asthma, the condition of the lung deteriorates, making the next attack of asthma more dangerous. Untreated asthma will over time worsen and lead to respiratory disability, poor quality of life and lack of adequate oxygen in the body, which can harm other organs and even lead to heart failure," Dr. Mendiratta told IANS.

Even among people undergoing treatment for the respiratory condition, less than 1 per cent of patients have properly controlled asthma.

"It is because most of the patients don't take asthma medications for long. In addition to the stigma attached to inhalers, there are also several misconceptions, such as that inhalers are addiction-forming and can lead to side effects. This prevents patients from seeking proper treatment," the doctor said.

--IANS
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