Dementia risk increases the younger a person develops diabetes: Study

The risk of developing dementia increases in persons with Type 2 diabetes

who develop glucose resistance earlier in their lives, a significant study has revealed.

New research published in Diabetologia, the journal of the European Association for the Study of

Diabetes, shows an association between Type 2 diabetes and developing dementia in later life --

with the risk of dementia increasing the earlier a person develops the disease.

The study investigated the association between prediabetes and dementia.

Prediabetes is an intermediate stage of high blood sugar, where blood sugar is high but has not yet

crossed the threshold for Type 2 diabetes.

"Prediabetes is associated with dementia risk, but this risk is explained by the development of

diabetes. Diabetes onset at an early age is most strongly related to dementia," said the study by

Jiaqi Hu and Professor Elizabeth Selvin of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

in the US.

To reach this conclusion, the authors analysed data from participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk

in Communities (ARIC) study. Those enrolled were aged 45-64 years in 1987-1989 and from four

US counties.

The cognitive function assessments incorporated data from a scoring system involving three

cognitive tests.

Among 11,656 participants without diabetes at baseline, 2,330 (20 per cent) had pre-diabetes.

They found that the earlier age of progression to diabetes had the strongest association with

dementia -- a 3 times increased risk of dementia for those developing diabetes before age 60.

It fell to a 73 per cent increased risk for those developing Type 2 diabetes aged 60-69 years and

23 per cent increased risk for those developing diabetes aged 70-79 years.

At ages 80 years or older, developing Type 2 diabetes was not associated with an increased risk of

dementia.

"Preventing or delaying the progression of prediabetes to diabetes will substantially reduce the

future burden of dementia," the authors noted.

https://www.newkerala.com/news/2023/63598.htm

Social stress, problem-solving deficits contribute to teen girls suicide risk: Study

Teen females who have more trouble efficiently resolving interpersonal

difficulties when they are under social stress, as well as those who have more interpersonal stress

in their lives, are more likely to engage in suicidal behaviour, according to a study published by

the American Psychological Association.

Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among teens, and rates of suicidal behavior are

particularly high among girls. Previous research has found that interpersonal stressors - such as

conflict with peers, friends and family - are related to suicidal behavior. Some theories of suicidal

behavior suggest that poor social problem-solving skills may contribute to the link, possibly

because teens with poorer social problem-solving skills are more likely to see suicide as a viable

solution to their distress when they feel they've exhausted other options.

The current study aimed to test these associations by considering both experimentally simulated

and real-world measures of social stress. The research was published in the Journal of

Psychopathology and Clinical Science.

"The findings provide empirical support for cognitive and behavioral theories of suicide that

suggest that deficits in abilities to effectively manage and solve interpersonal problems may be

related to suicidal behavior," said study lead author Olivia Pollak, MA, of The University of North

Carolina at Chapel Hill. "Clinically, this is notable, as problem-solving features prominently in

several treatments for suicidal or self-harming behaviors."

Participants were 185 girls ages 12 to 17 who had experienced some mental health concerns in the

past two years. At the beginning of the study, participants completed surveys or interviews about

their mental health symptoms and suicidal behaviors. Participants also completed a task assessing

their social problem-solving skills, which involved responding to scenarios involving interpersonal

conflicts or challenges with other people, such as peers, friends, family members and romantic

partners. The teens were then asked to perform a task that has been shown in previous studies to

induce social stress - they had to prepare and deliver a three-minute speech before what they

thought was an audience of peers watching via video link. Immediately after the stressful task,

they again completed the social problem-solving task to see whether experiencing social stress led

to declines in their problem-solving ability.

The researchers also followed the girls for nine months, checking in every three months, to ask

them about the stressors they were experiencing in interpersonal domains, such as with peers,

friends and family members, as well as about suicidal behaviors.

Overall, the researchers found that girls who showed greater declines in problem-solving

effectiveness in the lab, and who also experienced higher levels of interpersonal stress over the

nine-month follow-up period, were more likely to exhibit suicidal behavior over the nine-month

follow-up period.

"Importantly, problem-solving deficits under distress may increase risk for future suicidal

behavior only in combination with greater cumulative interpersonal stress in real life," Pollak said.

"Risk for suicidal behavior was higher among adolescents who showed greater declines in

effectiveness and who experienced high levels of interpersonal stress over nine-month follow-up,

consistent with robust evidence for links between interpersonal life stress and suicidal behavior."

https://www.newkerala.com/news/2023/63831.htm

Study reveals skin cancer rewires its energy systems to spread more efficiently

According to a new study, melanoma skin cancer cells fundamentally

reorganise their internal power systems in order to move to other places of the body.

The research, led by investigators at Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London,

suggests that reversing this change can make tumour cells less invasive. The team also identified

a key molecule that orchestrates this process - knowledge that could lay the foundations for new

therapeutic strategies to halt the spread of cancer.

Cancer cells' ability to break away from the original tumour and spread to other parts of the body

presents one of the greatest challenges to treating the disease. This process, called metastasis, seeds

secondary tumours that grow in other organs, ultimately causing most cancer deaths.

"We're still not targeting the secondary disease enough in the clinic, and I think we need to change

this," comments Professor Victoria Sanz-Moreno, lead author of the new study, which was funded

by Cancer Research UK. "In our lab, we want to understand what are the characteristics of cells

that are able to metastasise? What are their weaknesses? And how do we target them?"

Melanoma skin cancer is among the quickest-spreading cancer types and is a key focus of

Professor Sanz-Moreno and her laboratory's research. If melanoma is diagnosed at an early stage

before it spreads, almost all patients in the UK survive their disease for a year or more. But this

survival drops to just over half once the disease has spread. The team's work aims not only to equip

us with the knowledge to better treat melanoma but also to unlock an improved understanding of

how all cancers spread.

In the new study, published in Nature Communications, the team investigated how metastasising

cells rewire their energy systems to move quickly and efficiently on their journey to other parts of

the body.

The researchers examined migrating tumour cells in a special model system allowing movement

in three dimensions - a departure from conventional systems that place cells on a flat surface that

doesn't accurately replicate how cells move through living tissue. They found that metastasising

tumour cells adopt a style of movement known as rounded-amoeboid migration, where cells

maintain a loose connection to their surroundings, enabling them to slither through the tissue. This

requires far less energy than a common style of cell movement known as mesenchymal migration,

where cells grip tightly onto their surroundings and drag themselves through their environment.

They observed that the invasive tumour cells reshape their mitochondria to suit this efficient style

of movement, opting to have many, small, fragmented mitochondria that operate in a low-power

mode. This is in contrast to less-invasive cells, which have large, branching networks of

mitochondria that operate in a high-power mode.

"These metastatic cells are rewiring themselves to be very efficient," explains Dr Eva Crosas-

Molist, first author on the new paper. "They only need low levels of energy to move, which helps

them to survive in the potentially stressful environments they are migrating to, where there may

be a lack of nutrients or oxygen."

Intriguingly, the team found that if they manipulate the shape of the mitochondria in their

metastasising tumour cells and force them to become more joined up, the cells lose their invasive

behaviour. Likewise, if they make mitochondria more disconnected in non-invasive cells, the cells

start to behave like metastasising tumour cells. The researchers discovered that a molecule called

AMPK sits at the centre of these processes. It senses the energy requirements of the cell and also

controls the cytoskeleton, which determines how the cell moves and behaves.

"That was a really surprising thing for us - we wouldn't have imagined that changing the

mitochondria could affect the cytoskeleton and vice versa." Professor Sanz-Moreno explains. "By

modifying these little mitochondria you create a global change, altering what the cell looks like

and its whole behaviour."

Professor Ketan Patel, Chief Scientist at Cancer Research UK, said " Patients whose cancer has

spread often face tougher treatments and lower chances of survival. These insights about how

cancer cells travel around the body could be incredibly valuable for designing interventions to

prevent this in the future. The more we know about what's happening in the bodies of people with

cancer, the greater our ability to tackle it will be."

https://www.newkerala.com/news/2023/63844.htm

How cancers in distant organs change liver function: Study

The study explores how cancer can release molecules in the bloodstream, that modify the liver,

further disrupting the detoxification processes.

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine found that cancer often releases molecules into the

bloodstream that pathologically modify the liver, sending it into an inflammatory state, causing fat

accumulation, and disrupting its typical detoxification processes. This finding sheds light on one

of cancer's sneakier survival strategies and raises the prospect of fresh diagnostics and therapeutics

for identifying and reversing this process.

In the study, which was published in Nature, the researchers discovered that extracellular vesicles

and particles (EVPs) containing fatty acids secreted by a wide range of tumour types that are

developing outside the liver can remotely reprogram the liver to a condition approximating fatty

liver disease. The livers of cancer patients and animal models of the disease both included signs

of this mechanism, according to the researchers.

"Our findings show that tumors can lead to significant systemic complications including liver

disease, but also suggest that these complications can be addressed with future treatments," said

study co-senior author Dr. David Lyden, the Stavros S. Niarchos Professor in Pediatric Cardiology

and a professor of pediatrics and of cell and developmental biology at Weill Cornell Medicine.

For the past two decades, Dr. Lyden, who is also a member of the Gale and Ira Drukier Institute

for Children's Health and the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center atWeill Cornell Medicine,

and his research group have been studying the systemic effects of cancers. These effects reflect

specific strategies cancers use to secure their survival and speed their progression. In their work

published in 2015, for example, the team discovered that pancreatic cancers secrete molecules

encapsulated in extracellular vesicles, that travel through the bloodstream, are taken up by the

liver, and prepare the organ to support the outgrowth of new, metastatic tumors.

In the new study, the researchers uncovered a different set of liver changes caused by distant cancer

cells which they observed in animal models of bone, skin and breast cancer that metastasize to

other organs but not to the liver. The study's key finding is that these tumors induce accumulation

of fat molecules in liver cells, consequently reprogramming the liver in a way that resembles the

obesity- and alcohol-related condition known as fatty liver disease.

The team also observed that reprogrammed livers have high levels of inflammation, marked by

elevated level of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), and low levels of drug-metabolizing enzymes

called cytochrome P450, which break down potentially toxic molecules, including many drug

molecules. The observed reduction in cytochrome P450 levels could explain why cancer patients

often become less tolerant of chemotherapy and other drugs as their illness progresses.

The researchers traced this liver reprogramming to EVPs that are released by the distant tumors

and carry fatty acids, especially palmitic acid.When taken up by liver-resident immune cells called

Kupffer cells, the fatty acid cargo triggers the production TNF-a, which consequently drives fatty

liver formation.

Although the researchers principally used animal models of cancers in the study, they observed

similar changes in the livers of newly diagnosed pancreatic cancer patients who later developed

non-liver metastases.

"One of our more striking observations was that this EVP-induced fatty liver condition did not cooccur

with liver metastases, suggesting that causing fatty liver and preparing the liver for

metastasis are distinct strategies that cancers use to manipulate liver function," said co-first author

Dr. Gang Wang, a postdoctoral associate in the Lyden laboratory. Dr. Jianlong Li, a scientific

collaborator in the Lyden laboratory, is also a co-first author of the study.

The scientists suspect that the fatty liver condition benefits cancers in part by turning the liver into

a lipid-based source of energy to fuel cancer growth.

"We see in liver cells not only an abnormal accumulation of fat but also a shift away from the

normal processing of lipids, so that the lipids that are being produced are more advantageous to

the cancer," said co-senior author Dr. Robert Schwartz, associate professor of medicine in the

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and a member of the Meyer Cancer Center at Weill

Cornell Medicine and a hepatologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.

That may not be the only benefit that cancers derive from this liver alteration. "There are also

crucial molecules involved in immune cell function, but their production is altered in these fatty

livers, hinting that this condition may also weakens anti-tumor immunity," said co-senior author

Dr. Haiying Zhang, assistant professor of cell and developmental biology in pediatrics at Weill

Cornell Medicine.

The researchers were able to mitigate these systemic effects of tumors on the livers by

implementing strategies such as blocking tumor-EVP release, inhibiting the packaging of palmitic

acid into tumor EVPs, suppressing TNF-a activity, or eliminating Kupffer cells in the experimental

animal models. The researchers are further investigating the potential of implementing these

strategies in human patients to block these remote effects of tumors on the liver, and exploring the

possibility of utilizing the detection of palmitic acid in tumor EVPs circulating in the blood as a

potential warning sign of advanced cancer.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the

headline has been changed.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/how-cancers-in-distant-organs-change-liverfunction-

study-101685078461752.html

Wilson’s disease: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Wilson's Disease could be present at birth but not show signs until copper levels start to rise. Here

are its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention

Wilson's Disease is a rare genetic disorder that causes copper to accumulate in various organs,

including the liver, brain and eyes and the excess copper can cause significant damage to these

organs, leading to a range of symptoms. According to health experts, Wilson’s disease is one of

the main reasons of cirrhosis of liver beside alcohol, hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus but mostly

these diseases are silent and once symptoms come the disease is usually in an advance state.

Wilson’s disease: Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

It is a hereditary disease, which means it runs in family and is a rare genetic disorder that affects

the body's ability to remove excess copper from vital organs like the liver, brain and eyes. This

disease, also known as hepatolenticular degeneration, can cause severe neurological and liver

problems if left untreated.

Causes:

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Purshottam Vashistha, Consultant - Gastroenterology at

Apollo Hospitals in Navi Mumbai, shared, “Wilson's Disease is caused by a genetic mutation that

affects the body's ability to metabolize copper. Normally, the liver removes excess copper from

the body and releases it into the bile for excretion. In people with Wilson's Disease, this process is

disrupted, leading to the accumulation of copper in the body.”

Dr Sanjeev Rohatgi, Lead Consultant - Liver Transplant and HPB Surgery at Manipal Hospital in

Bangalore's Whitefield, revealed, “Wilson’s disease is a genetic disorder resulting in abnormal

accumulation of copper in the brain, liver, and eyes. It is an autosomal recessive transmission,

which means that if both the carrier – father, and mother have Wilson’s Disease, then there is a 1

in 4 chance of the child developing the condition. Wilson’s disease usually presents in the age

group of up to 20 years and the presentation is acute liver failure in 5% of cases whereas the rest

of the 95% present with chronic liver disease.”

Elaborating upon the same, Dr Mayank Gupta, Senior Consultant - Gastroenterology at Max Super

Speciality Hospital in Dehradun, said, “Wilson's illness is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait,

requiring the inheritance of one defective gene copy from each parent in order to manifest

symptoms. If you have just one faulty gene, you will not get sick, but you can pass the gene on to

your offspring and become a carrier. If your parents or siblings have Wilson's Disease, you may

be more susceptible to the disorder. Consult your doctor about whether you should get tested for

Wilson's Disease via genetics. The likelihood of successful treatment greatly increases with early

diagnosis of the illness.”

Symptoms:

According to Dr Purshottam Vashistha, the symptoms of Wilson's Disease can vary widely,

depending on which organs are affected and the severity of the condition. Some of the most

common symptoms include:

Liver problems, such as jaundice, abdominal pain and an enlarged liver

Neurological problems, such as tremors, difficulty speaking and muscle stiffness

Psychiatric problems, such as depression, anxiety and mood swings

Eye problems, such as a brownish ring around the cornea and difficulty seeing in low light

Dr Sanjeev Rohatgi, pointed out, “If they present with acute liver failure, there will be signs of

liver failure such as jaundice, ascites, abdominal distension, encephalopathy, and coagulopathy -

abnormal coagulation. These patients are usually very sick and they require liver transplants

straight away. The rest of the 95% of patients present with a chronic liver disease where the liver

gets affected slowly because of the accumulation of copper and eventually the liver become

cirrhotic.”

Dr Mayank Gupta insisted that while Wilson's Disease could be present at birth, it does not show

any signs or symptoms until copper levels in the brain, liver or another organ start to rise.

Depending on the areas of your body that the disease has damaged, your signs and symptoms will

vary. They may consist of:

Fatigue, a lack of appetite, or stomach discomfort

A jaundice-like yellowing of the skin and eye whites

Eye discolouration that is golden-brown (Kayser-Fleischer Rings)

Accumulation of fluid in the legs or abdomen

Speech, swallowing, or motor coordination issues

Uncontrolled motions or rigid muscles

Diagnosis:

Dr Chetan Kalal, Program Director - Hepatology and Transplant Medicine at Nanavati Max Super

Speciality Hospital in Mumbai, explained, “Diagnosing Wilson's Disease can be challenging, as

the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. A complete medical history, physical

examination and blood tests can help diagnose the disease. However, the gold standard for

diagnosis is a liver biopsy, which can detect the presence of excess copper in the liver. Genetic

testing can also confirm the presence of the ATP7B mutation.”

Treatment:

Dr Purshottam Vashistha revealed, “The treatment for Wilson's Disease typically involves a

combination of medication and dietary changes. The goal is to reduce the amount of copper in the

body and prevent further damage to the organs. The medication used to treat Wilson's Disease is

called a chelating agent, which binds to copper in the body and allows it to be excreted. The most

commonly used chelating agent is called penicillamine, although other medications, such as

trientine and zinc, may also be used. Dietary changes can also help manage the symptoms of

Wilson's Disease. Foods that are high in copper, such as shellfish, liver, and nuts, should be

avoided. Instead, people withWilson's Disease should focus on eating a balanced diet that includes

plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.”

As per Dr Chetan Kalal, the treatment involves removing excess copper from the body and

preventing further accumulation. He said, “The primary treatment is medication, such as chelating

agents, which bind to copper and remove it from the body. Zinc acetate and penicillamine are the

two most commonly used medications to treat Wilson's Disease. A liver transplant may be

necessary in severe cases, especially if the liver has suffered irreversible damage. The success rate

of liver transplants for Wilson's Disease is high, and most patients see a significant improvement

in their symptoms after the procedure. However, this is a costly and invasive procedure, which is

not viable for all patients.”

Bringing his expertise to the same, Dr Sanjeev Rohatgi said, “There are some medications that

help in chronic liver disease such as chelating agents like penicillamine, which tries to eliminate

the excess copper and zinc supplements are given to reduce the absorption of copper from the

intestine. Thus, medical treatment gives us some time to prevent the liver from decompensation.

The diagnosis is usually made with urine examination where the amount of copper is extremely

high and a low ceruloplasmin test – a blood test that measures the amount of the protein

(ceruloplasmin) in your blood that carries copper. Our aim is to recognise these patients early and

treat them initially with medical treatment and eventually, with liver transplants. If one of the

parents is donating livers, their genetic study and tests are done, so that they do not have chances

of developing disease themselves.”

Dr Mayank Gupta asserted thatWilson’s Disease patients require lifetime care as acute liver failure

could result from stopping treatment. Regular blood and urine tests are required to monitor the

effectiveness of the medication. The condition can be managed by doctors with:

Chelating agents, which are drugs that eliminate copper from the body, contain zinc, which stops

the intestines from absorbing copper.

In many instances, medication can lessen or stop organ damage as well as the symptoms.

Additionally, doctors could advise altering your diet to eliminate items high in copper.

Prevention:

Dr Chetan Kalal highlighted, “Since Wilson's Disease is a genetic disorder, it cannot be prevented

entirely. However, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent severe complications and improve

the quality of life of those affected by the disease. It is essential to undergo regular check-ups and

screening tests if you have a family history of Wilson's Disease or are experiencing any of the

symptoms.”

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/wilsons-disease-causes-symptoms-diagnosistreatment-

and-prevention-101685003038786.html

Autoimmune disorders can be treated by Type 2 diabetes medicine: Study

The study states that researchers discovered a medicine used for treating Type 2 Diabetes, that can

treat autoimmune diseases as well.

Researchers at Swansea University discovered that a medicine frequently used to treat type 2

diabetes might possibly be used to treat autoimmune illnesses.

Academics at the University's Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science have found that the

drug, canagliflozin (also known as Invokana), could be used to treat autoimmune disorders such

as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus as it targets T-cells, which form an

essential component of the immune system. Canagliflozin is a drug that controls blood sugar levels

in people with type 2 diabetes, however researchers have found an unexpected role for the drug

involving the human immune system.

Existing research has reported that targeting T-cell metabolism in autoimmunity can lead to

therapeutic benefits. T-cells are a type of white blood cell that help the body fight infections and

diseases, but in autoimmune diseases they have been observed to attack healthy tissues.

The new study, funded by the Medical Research Council and published today in the journal Cell

Metabolism, found that canagliflozin dampens down T-cell activation, suggesting that the drug

could be repurposed as a treatment for T-cell driven autoimmunity.

Dr Nick Jones, senior author who led the study said: "Our findings are significant as they provide

the foundation for the clinical development of canagliflozin for the treatment of certain

autoimmune diseases. As the drug is already widely used and has a known safety profile in humans,

it could potentially reach clinic quicker than any new drugs developed and bring valuable benefits

more swiftly to patients with autoimmune disorders."

Ben Jenkins, first author and postdoctoral researcher at Swansea said: "Identifying new roles for

drugs that are currently being used in other disease settings is an exciting area of research. Given

that our research primarily targets the metabolism of immune cells, we hope that the potential

therapeutic benefits of our findings are applicable to a wide range of conditions."

The researchers are hopeful that canagliflozin will enter a clinical trial to treat certain autoimmune

disorders in the future. (ANI)

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/autoimmune-disorders-can-be-treated-by-type-

2-diabetes-medicine-study-101685078475800.html

Do I have cancer? 10 common pre-cancer signs to know

Once you notice these signs talk to your doctor immediately

Cancer is a treatable condition and for this you have to notice the signs of the disease when it is in

the early stage.

One of the biggest challenges of cancer recovery is that people do not understand the early signs

and by the time they reach the doctor the disease has already progressed.

Here are a few pre-cancer signs which are the warning signs of cancerous growth.

Recurrent fever at night

Fever due to cancerous growth is much different from the fever we experience during common

cold and flu.

As per a report available on the website of John Hopkins Medicine, "certain characteristics of

recurring fever can foretell a possible cancer connection. You should pay particular attention if: a

fever happens mostly at night, you have no other signs of infection and you experience night

sweats."

Change in skin texture and color

Any noticeable change in the texture and color of the skin should never be ignored.

Health experts warn to check the moles on the skin regularly. If the mole is increasing in size and

changes its color, you should get it tested from your doctor.

Persistent pain

A cancerous growth pushes regular areas of the body causing sudden and persistent pain. In the

initial stage it might seem irrelevant as the pain seems to go away after sometime.

But persistent pain without any valid reason should never be ignored.

Difficulty in breathing

This symptom stems from fatigue. While there can be several reasons for difficulty in breathing,

including poor heart health, the possibility of cancerous growth in the body should never be ruled

out.

If you notice changes in your breathing ability while doing simple tasks like walking the stairs,

inform your doctor about it.

Fatigue

Cancerous cells use up the body's nutrients for their own growth. This causes loss of nutrition in

the body and hence the person feels extremely weak.

The fatigue caused by cancer is not similar to the ones we usually experience when we do lots of

physical work.

If all of a sudden you are unable to carry on with your day to day work, visit your doctor.

Drastic weight loss

Unexplained weight loss is a major indicator of cancerous growth in the body. The onset of cancer

can be checked if one pays attention to their weight.

If you are not trying for weight loss or have not made any significant changes to your diet and

lifestyle but are still losing lots of weight do not be happy about it and instead check it with a

doctor immediately.

Changes in body functions

"Pay attention to changes in your body functions. These changes can be caused by many different

factors (some serious, though many not)," says Johns Hopkins gastroenterologist Anne Marie

Lennon, M.D., Ph.D.

The expert says sudden constipation or diarrhea, difficulty passing urine or passing stool, passing

air in urine or urine mixed in your stool, feeling like you’re not emptying your bowels completely,

any other change from your normal bowel function, should not be ignored.

Unexplained bleeding

When you bleed without bruising yourself you should know that there is something wrong in your

body.

Bleeding like seeing traces of blood in urine or stool, seeing blood patches on sputum are indicators

of serious diseases.

This includes vaginal bleeding between periods as well.

Lumps and abnormal growths

An abnormal growth on the skin never indicates anything good.

Lumps in the neck, armpit, groin areas, chest, breast should be monitored carefully and if it persists

for a long time or changes its nature like grows abnormally or starts giving pain it should be tested

by a doctor.

Loss of appetite

Another way cancerous growth can affect your body is by disturbing your appetite.

Several patients report their early cancer sign to be feeling full even when they have hardly eaten

anything.

If you have difficulty in swallowing it is highly recommended to get the throat checked by an

expert.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/do-i-have-cancer-10-

common-pre-cancer-signs-to-know/photostory/100501802.cms

Hypothyroidism: How to lower your TSH through diet

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

When your thyroid does not generate enough of specific hormones that are essential for regulating

key metabolic or chemical processes throughout your body, hypothyroidism develops. Fatigue,

sadness, weight gain, and an inability to eat are all symptoms of hypothyroidism. It can result in

weight gain, infertility, heart disease, and joint pain if left untreated. To diminish the signs and

symptoms of hypothyroidism, you could want to reduce your TSH levels. Thyroid medications

can be used to address elevated TSH levels.

Here’s what the expert says

To treat your hypothyroidism, Dt.Vidhi Chawla, Founder of Fisico Diet Clinic advises to alter

your diet and way of life.When someone has hypothyroidism, their body does not produce enough

thyroid hormones. While modifying one's diet won't make the problem go away, it can help

manage it. It can be helpful to have the following knowledge to get started with a dependable

source. Iodine, selenium, and zinc are among the elements in food that can support healthy thyroid

function. Some meals may have a detrimental impact on thyroid function and exacerbate

hypothyroidism symptoms.

Nutrients to include in Thyroid diet

According to Chawla, “Limiting certain foods and supplements can also be beneficial because they

can affect how well the body absorbs thyroid replacement therapy.”

Iodine

Foods Containing Iodine are whole eggs, cheese, salt, and milk. But it's important to keep iodine

intake in check. In fact, this can make both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism—a condition in

which the body produces too many thyroid hormones—worse.

Selenium

Foods that contain Selenium are Tuna, Chicken, Oatmeal, Brown rice, Eggs. Selenium has

antioxidant properties and contributes to the synthesis of thyroid hormones. It is naturally found

in thyroid tissue.

Zinc

Foods rich in zinc are legumes, yoghurt, cereals, pumpkin seeds, and chicken. When combined

with selenium, zinc supplementation enhances thyroid function in hypothyroid females.

Foods to avoid to regulate thyroid function

Goitrogens

Goitrogens are substances that, if consumed in large quantities, may have an impact on thyroid

function. However, goitrogen-containing veggies like broccoli are healthy overall and have no

negative effects on thyroid function when consumed in moderation. Additionally, cooking

vegetables largely renders the goitrogenic substances inactive. Most goitrogen-containing foods

are green cruciferous vegetables, such as: Brussels sprouts, collards, broccoli, cauliflower and

cabbage.

Soy

There is some evidence that soy may affect the body's ability to manufacture thyroid hormones.

More study is necessary to determine how soy affects thyroid function. Chawla advises just

consuming it in moderation. Soy-based foods include tofu, edamame, soy sauce, soy milk, and

tofu.

Tips to take thyroid medicine

To ensure complete absorption by the body, thyroid medication must be taken on an empty

stomach. Take it at least three to four hours after dinner or at least 30 to 60 minutes before

breakfast. Taking this medication within 4 hours of eating foods containing iron or calcium is not

advised. Additionally, the following drugs and nutritional supplements may prevent the body from

properly absorbing thyroid medication: Acid neutralizers or antacids, calcium supplements and

milk, foods high in fibre, such bran flakes, fibre bars, and fibre drinks, and iron supplements,

suggests Chawla.

Avoid packaged food

Reducing consumption of highly processed foods and added sugars may help with symptom

management, weight control, and general wellbeing. Foods and beverages that are extremely

processed and have high added sugar content include: Fast foods, Hotdogs, donuts, cakes, cookies,

and soda.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/doctor-lists-5-possiblecauses-

of-brain-tumour/photostory/100497382.cms

Scientists identify brain signals for chronic pain

New York, May 23: For the first time, scientists, including one of India-origin, have recorded pain related

data from inside the brain of individuals with chronic pain disorders.

Scientists identify brain signals for chronic pain

In the study, published in the journal Nature Neuroscience, they identified an area of the brain

associated with chronic pain and objective biomarkers of chronic pain in individual patients.

Identifying such a pain signature will enable the development of new therapies that can alter brain

activity to relieve suffering due to chronic pain, said the researchers.

"When you think about it, pain is one of the most fundamental experiences an organism can have,"

said lead author Prasad Shirvalkar, Associate Professor of anaesthesia and neurological surgery at

the University of California, San Francisco.

"Despite this, there is still so much we don't understand about how pain works. By developing

better tools to study and potentially affect pain responses in the brain, we hope to provide options

to people living with chronic pain conditions."

For the study, the team looked directly at changes in brain activity in two regions where pain

responses are thought to occur -- the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the orbitofrontal cortex

(OFC) -- as participants reported their current levels of chronic pain.

Four participants, three with post-stroke pain and one with phantom limb pain, were surgically

implanted with electrodes targeting their ACC and OFC.

"Functional MRI studies show that the ACC and OFC regions of the brain light up during acute

pain experiments. We were interested to see whether these regions also played a role in how the

brain processes chronic pain," said Dr. Shirvalkar. "We were most interested in questions like how

pain changes over time, and what brain signals might correspond to or predict high levels of

chronic pain?"

Several times a day, each participant was asked to answer questions related to how they would rate

the pain they were experiencing, including strength, type of pain, and how their level of pain was

making them feel emotionally. They would then initiate a brain recording by clicking a remote control

device, which provided a snapshot of the activity in the ACC and OFC at that exact

moment.

Using machine learning analyses, the research team was able to use activity in the OFC to predict

the participants' chronic pain state.

In a separate study, the researchers looked at how the ACC and OFC responded to acute pain,

which was caused by applying heat to areas of the participants' bodies.

In two of the four patients, brain activity could again predict pain responses, but in this case the

ACC appeared to be the region most involved. This suggests that the brain processes acute vs.

chronic pain differently, though more studies are needed given that data from only two participants

were used in this comparison.

https://www.newkerala.com/news/2023/63084.htm

Life pressuresmay lead to multiple sclerosis flares, disability: Study

Washington, May 24: A study headed by Michigan Medicine indicates that stresses across the

lifespan, such as poverty, abuse, and divorce, are linked to deteriorating health and functional

outcomes in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Using survey data frommore than 700 people with MS, researchers discovered that stressful events

occurring both in childhood and adulthood contributed significantly to participants' level of

disability.

The results are published in Brain and Behavior.

"MS is the leading cause of non-traumatic disability among young adults, and additional research

is needed to identify these external drivers of disability that can be addressed or prevented,

including stress, to improve functional outcomes," said co-author Tiffany Braley, M.D., M.S.,

director of the Multiple Sclerosis/Neuroimmunology Division and Multidisciplinary MS Fatigue

and Sleep Clinic at University of Michigan Health.

"This knowledge is needed to inform MS research as well as clinical care. Referrals to resources,

such as mental health or substance use support could help reduce the impact of stress and enhance

wellbeing," Braley said.

More than 2.8 million people in the world haveMS, an autoimmune condition that affects the brain

and spinal cord, in which the protective layer of nerve cells is attacked by the body's immune

system. People with MS can experience unique, often painful, exacerbations of their symptoms

known as a relapses, exacerbations or "flares".

Initially in the study, both childhood and adult stressors were significantly associated with worse

burden caused by relapse after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the association

between childhood stressors and disease burden lost significance when further accounting for

experiences in adulthood.

Studies focused on stress and MS that don't account for the full lifespan, researchers say, could

miss vital information or overestimate the relationship between childhood stressors and health

outcomes.

"Adverse Childhood Experiences, which we call ACEs, and other childhood stressors could impact

immune, inflammatory and behavioral processes throughout life, and reduce resilience to adult

stress," said first author Carri Polick, Ph.D., R.N., who completed this work while at the U-M

School of Nursing and is now a postdoctoral fellow in the National Clinician Scholars Program at

Duke University.

"It is important to use a lifespan approach in future work to better understand patterns and inform

symptom management. For example, we are expanding upon this work to investigate mechanistic

pathways through sleep, smoking and mental health, through which stressors may lead to worse

MS outcomes including increased disability, pain and fatigue."

https://www.newkerala.com/news/2023/63341.htm

8 heart attack signs and symptoms people should not ignore

Actor Nitesh Pandey died at the age of 50 in Nashik due to heart attack. Cardiologists on warning

signs of heart attack people must not ignore.

Heart ailments are becoming common in people of all ages due to a range of reasons. Actor Nitesh

Pandey who's known for his role in Om Shanti Om and more recently TV serial Anupamaa,

succumbed to heart attack in Nashik. He was 50. In the recent past, many personalities from the

world of entertainment - young and old - lost their lives due to heart attack from Satish Kaushik,

Sidharth Shukla, Puneeth Rajkumar, Singer KK, to Raju Srivastava. Heart attack also known as

myocardial infarction occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is severely reduced or blocked.

The blockage is may be due to buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances in the arteries. A

heart attack can have mild, major or no symptoms. 

Men are more prone to cardiac arrest than women, particularly those over the age of 45. (Freepik)

Causes of heart ailments in India

"The growing incidences of cardiac arrest in India are a major cause of concern and the recent

death of actor Nitesh Pandey is unfortunate. There are various causes and reasons behind the

increasing incidences of cardiac arrest in younger people in India. These include unhealthy

lifestyle choices such as a lack of exercise, poor diet, smoking and alcohol consumption, stress

and anxiety, and genetic predisposition to heart diseases.Men are more prone to cardiac arrest than

women, particularly those over the age of 45. However, there has been a significant increase in the

number of younger women suffering from heart diseases such as coronary artery disease and heart

attack in recent years," says Dr Devendra Shrimal, Director Cardiology, Narayana Multispeciality

Hospital, Jaipur.

"When a heart attack occurs, usually the patient will have chest pain in the central part but it could

be only in the left side or only in the right side. The chest pain may or may not radiate to the left

arm. If the pain or discomfort continues for more than 15-20 minutes, one should suspect a heart

attack, and should go to emergency of a nearby hospital or go for ECG because it will tell you

exact diagnosis of heart attack. Many times people don't have pain. It may only be abnormal chest

discomfort. They can't even describe it properly. Sometimes it's just breathing difficulty which

they never had before but particulary people with diabetes - they may not have chest pain, they

may just have breathing difficulty. There are lot of patients who may have symptoms in the upper

part of tummy, some discomfort. It's a pity that many of the patients think that it is a gas problem.

So, if you don't have these symptoms before and they are new symptoms and they continue even

after taking an antacid and they continue more than 20 minutes, please consider it could be a heart

attack," says Dr TS Kler, Chairman, Fortis Heart and Vascular Institute, Fortis Memorial Research

Institute, Gurugram in a telephonic conversation with HT Digital.

"The warning signs that people should watch out for are chest pain or discomfort such as feeling

of pressure, squeezing, fullness or burning in the chest, shortness of breath, unexplained sweating,

nausea or vomiting, and fatigue. It is crucial to raise awareness about the importance of heart health

and encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle to avoid or minimize the risk of cardiac arrest,"

adds Dr Shrimal.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEART ATTACK

Dr V. Vinoth, Sr. Consultant Interventional Cardiologist CARE Hospitals Hitech City, Hyderabad

shares signs and symptoms of heart attack that people should not ignore as early medical

intervention can improve chances of survival.

1. Chest discomfort

The most common and recognizable symptom of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort. This

sensation is often described as a tightness, pressure, or squeezing feeling in the centre or left side

of the chest. It can be persistent or intermittent, lasting for a few minutes or coming and going.

Most importantly that discomfort or pain will increase while patient is walking or climbing

upstairs. It is essential to pay attention to any unusual or unexplained discomfort in the chest

region.

2. Upper body pain

Heart attack symptoms may extend beyond the chest to other areas of the upper body. Pain or

discomfort can radiate to the arms (usually the left arm), back, neck, jaw, or even the stomach.

Sometimes they can have only throat pain which will increase during exercise or walking and

decrease with rest. This pain may occur alongside or independent of chest discomfort. Any

unexplained pain or discomfort in these regions should not be disregarded.

3. Shortness of breath

Difficulty in breathing or a feeling of shortness of breath can be indicative of a heart attack. This

symptom can manifest even without chest pain and may occur at rest or during physical activity.

Breathing difficulty during walking or during sleep is very important symptom which may be

related to heart. If you find yourself struggling to catch your breath, it is important to consider the

possibility of a heart attack.

4. Nausea and indigestion

Some individuals experiencing a heart attack may feel nauseous, or experience symptoms

resembling indigestion. These symptoms are more common in women. If you have unexplained

nausea or indigestion-like discomfort, particularly when accompanied by other potential signs of

a heart attack, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly. Don’t self-medicate. This is the most

common reason for delay in seeking medical attention.

5. Profuse sweating

Unexplained or excessive sweating, often accompanied by cold and clammy skin, can be an

alarming sign of a heart attack. This symptom is more frequently observed in men. If you suddenly

break out in a profuse sweat without any apparent cause, it is important not to overlook it.

6. Fatigue and weakness

Feeling unusually tired, weak, or exhausted, especially with minimal physical exertion or during

rest, can be an indication of a heart attack. If you find yourself experiencing extreme fatigue or

weakness that is out of the ordinary, it is prudent to consider the possibility of a cardiac event.

7. Dizziness and light-headedness

Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, experiencing fainting spells, or having a sensation of nearly passing

out can be a result of reduced blood flow to the heart. These symptoms should never be ignored

and should prompt immediate medical attention.

8. Anxiety and panic

Emotional symptoms such as feelings of anxiety, fear, or impending doom can sometimes precede

or accompany a heart attack. These psychological symptoms, particularly when combined with

other warning signs, should not be dismissed.

"It is important to remember that symptoms can vary among individuals, and some people,

especially women and older adults, may experience atypical or milder symptoms during a heart

attack. However, any suspicion of a heart attack should be taken seriously. If you or someone

around you experiences any of these signs, it is crucial to call emergency services immediately

and seek prompt medical care. Timely intervention can make a significant difference in the

outcome, potentially saving lives and minimizing heart damage," concludes Dr V. Vinoth.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/8-heart-attack-signs-and-symptoms-peopleshould-

not-ignore-101684928771674.html

World Thyroid Day 2023: Date, history, significance, facts, symptoms, how to observe the day

World Thyroid Day is observed every year on May 25 to educate people on thyroid diseases and

be aware of the symptoms. All you want to know about the day.

The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland is situated at the front of the neck, under the voice box. Diseases

of the thyroid gland are among the most abundant endocrine disorders worldwide, second only to

diabetes. 1 in 10 people around the world will suffer from some form of thyroid disorder. Thyroid

diseases can affect more women than men. When thyroid gland makes too many hormones, it is

called an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism. On the other an underactive thyroid where the

gland doesn’t make enough hormones is referred to as hypothyroidism. Both of these imbalances

can lead to a range of symptoms. On World Thyroid Day, here's all you want to know about the

date, history, significance of the day apart from facts, types of thyroid disorders and symptoms of

the disease. 

On World Thyroid Day, here's all you want to know about the date, history, significance of the

day apart from facts, types of thyroid disorders and symptoms of the disease.

On World Thyroid Day, here's all you want to know about the date, history, significance of the

day apart from facts, types of thyroid disorders and symptoms of the disease.

Date of World Thyroid Day

World Thyroid Day will be observed on May 25 (Thursday) this year.

History and significance of World Thyroid Day

World Thyroid Day was first observed in 2007 by the members of the Thyroid Federation

International. This global healthcare day was created to honour European Thyroid Association

(ETA) which was formed in the year 1965. The day is dedicated to people suffering from thyroid

disorders and the researchers who are committed to the study and treatment of thyroid diseases

worldwide. Thyroid diseases can be life threatening if not managed early. However, early

management and treatment can make them curable.

Types of thyroid diseases

The two most common types of thyroid disorders are hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and

hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones.

Symptoms include weight gain, fatigue, dry skin, hair loss, among others.

An overactive thyroid gland could lead to hyperthyroidism. This happens when thyroid gland

produces an excess of thyroid hormones. Common symptoms of the condition are weight loss,

increase in appetite, increased heartbeat, anxiety, irritability, and heat intolerance.

In Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the immune system attacks and damages the thyroid gland, leading to

hypothyroidism.

In case of Graves' disease, thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of hormones, resulting in

hyperthyroidism.

Facts about thyroid diseases

Women are more likely to develop thyroid disorders than men.

Hypothyroidism is more common in elderly while hyperthyroidism affects younger people more.

Thyroid disorders can affect metabolism, energy levels, weight, heart function, fertility, mood, and

cognitive function.

More than half of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition.

Expecting mothers with undiagnosed thyroid issues face an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm

delivery, and developmental problems in their children.

If not treated early, thyroid disease can even cause heart disease, osteoporosis, and infertility.

How to observe World Thyroid Day

Early intervention can help manage or treat thyroid disease. Get yourself tested in case of any

symptoms of overactive or underactive thyroid. Encourage your friends or near and dear ones to

get tested.

Pay attention to your body and any unexpected weight gain or weight loss, change in energy levels,

mood swings should not be taken lightly.

Fix your lifestyle: Eat healthy and stay active as much as you can. Take out time to relax,

rejuvenate and unwind.

What expert says on hypothyroidism

"Hypothyroidism is a common problem, easy to treat, and does not usually lead to chronic

complications. Hypothyroidism, a growing global trend, manifests with a range of symptoms.

Common signs include fatigue, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, dry skin, hair loss, muscle

weakness, and depression. Other symptoms may include memory problems, constipation, and

menstrual irregularities in women," says Dr Anusha Nadig, Associate Consultant - Endocrinology,

Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore.

"Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial in managing hypothyroidism. Hormone replacement

therapy is the primary treatment, where synthetic thyroid hormones are prescribed to compensate

for the hormone deficiency. Regular monitoring of thyroid hormone levels helps ensure proper

dosage adjustments. Lifestyle modifications such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress

management also play a role in managing symptoms and improving overall well-being," adds Dr

Nadig.

"It is important to raise awareness about hypothyroidism to encourage early detection. Routine

screenings, especially for individuals with risk factors, can help identify the condition and initiate

treatment promptly. By understanding the symptoms and available treatment options, individuals

can take proactive steps to manage hypothyroidism effectively and maintain a good quality of life,"

he adds further.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/world-thyroid-day-2023-date-historysignificance-

facts-symptoms-how-to-observe-the-day-101684934236786.html

Stress causing high BP? Doctors share life-changing tips to fight stress & hypertension

One can avert the risk of breast cancer by making changes in lifestyle habits that include prolonged breastfeeding, regular physical activity, weight control, cutting down consumption of alcohol, avoiding exposure to tobacco, avoiding prolonged use of hormones and avoiding excessive radiation exposure.

When was the last time you felt stressed? Chances are you already might have experienced this troubling emotion today. At some point or another, we are all bound to feel stressed and it may be difficult to eliminate or avoid stress completely from our lives. Then what should we do?

Doctors suggest you can learn to manage it. Stress management is not just an option, but a necessity, as overwhelming levels of unmanaged stress can cause multiple health problems – one of them being hypertension or high blood pressure.

On World Hypertension Day on May 17, doctors explain how your everyday stress can spike your BP levels, and how you can manage it.

“Stress can contribute to the development of high blood pressure (hypertension) through various mechanisms. When we experience stress, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, leading to the release of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones stimulate the body's fight-or-flight response, resulting in an increased heart rate and blood vessel constriction, ultimately raising blood pressure levels,” explains Dr. Saritha Sekhar, Associate Professor and Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Amrita Hospital, Kochi.

Furthermore, chronic stress can trigger inflammation within the body. This inflammation can damage blood vessels and impair their ability to dilate or contract properly. The compromised flexibility and function of blood vessels can contribute to elevated blood pressure, adds Dr. Sekhar.

“Unhealthy coping mechanisms often accompany stress. People may turn to excessive eating, heavy alcohol consumption, or smoking to cope. These behaviors can directly contribute to high blood pressure,” shares Dr. Sekhar. “Additionally, stress can disrupt normal sleep patterns, leading to inadequate rest and recovery. Poor sleep quality is associated with an increased risk of developing hypertension.”

Dr. Vivudh Pratap Singh, Senior Consultant - Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla Road, New Delhi, further adds some common stress triggers that studies have found to be associated with high BP. “Multiple studies indicate that adverse psychosocial working conditions including job strain, effort-reward imbalance and bullying are associated with higher risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.”

Life-changing tips to fight stress & hypertension

Dr. Jyoti Kapoor, Founder-Director and Senior Psychiatrist, Manasthali, shares the following tips:

Prioritize stress reduction in everyday life. Incorporating stress-reducing activities such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga into your routine can have a profound impact on managing stress levels. These practices help activate the body's relaxation response, counteracting the effects of chronic stress on blood pressure.

Physical activity plays a crucial role in stress management. Engage in regular exercise, such as “brisk walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling. Regular physical activity helps reduce stress hormones, promotes the release of endorphins (feel-good chemicals), and improves overall well-being. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.”

A healthy diet can significantly contribute to stress reduction and blood pressure control. Incorporate “fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products into your meals. Avoid sugar and processed foods, which are typically high in salt, and opt for fresh, unprocessed alternatives instead.”

Effective time management can alleviate stress and prevent it from escalating. Prioritize tasks, set realistic goals, and break them down into manageable steps. You should learn how to delegate, say no when necessary, and maintain a balanced schedule can help reduce stress levels.

Adequate rest and sleep play a critical role in stress management and blood pressure regulation. Aim for “7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. Establish a relaxing bedtime routine, create a comfortable sleep environment, and limit the consumption of caffeine or electronic devices before bed.”

Dr. Sekhar shares the following lifestyle tips to manage stress:

Take time out for activities you enjoy, engage in hobbies, spend quality time with loved ones, and set aside time for relaxation and leisure activities.

Building a strong support network is valuable. Seeking social support from friends, family, or joining support groups can provide an outlet for sharing experiences, seeking advice, and receiving emotional support.

Managing stress is an ongoing process, and it may take time to find the strategies that work best for you.

Dr. Rajeev Gupta, Director- Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, signs off with the following tips:

It is crucial to identify and address the underlying causes of stress, whether it is work-related pressure or personal issues, to prevent long-term health consequences.

In some cases, doctor-prescribed medications may be necessary to manage hypertension, however, lifestyle changes remain the cornerstone of prevention and management of high blood pressure.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/stress-causing-high-bp-doctors-share-life-changing-tips-to-fight-stress-hypertension/articleshow/100298969.cms

40% of dementia cases caused by 12 modifiable lifestyle habits; Oxford experts share healthy tips

The Modifying Dementia Risk group, part of the Department of Psychiatry, Oxford University has found the impact of 12 risk factors on dementia and cognitive decline.

The group, led by Dr Sarah Bauermeister and supported by Dementias Platform UK and Alzheimer's Research UK, has investigated the impact of the 12 risk factors on later life dementia and cognitive decline, as identified in the Lancet 2020 commission.

The potential risk factors are

The researchers found that the following are the potential risk factors that help in the progression of dementia:

Lack of education

Hypertension

Obesity

Alcohol

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Hearing loss

Smoking

Depression

Physical inactivity

Social isolation

Diabetes

Air pollution

In view of the rising cases of dementia, which as per the Lancet report might increase to 152 million by 2050, experts at Oxford have recommended the following eight lifestyle habits.

Diet low in cholesterol, salt and sugar

The experts agree with the evidence which says that the Mediterranean diet is excellent for brain health.

"This is partly because this type of diet is low in saturated fat and sugar, so reduces the risk of conditions like diabetes and obesity that are in turn risk factors for dementia," they say.

The Mediterranean diet is one of the most popular diets of recent times which is rich in seasonal vegetables, fruit, grains, unsaturated fat, olive oil, fish and beans.

Cut down alcohol intake

"Alcohol has a complex relationship with dementia," the Oxford experts say.

Professor John Gallacher, from the Department of Psychiatry, recommends limiting alcohol intake to seven units a week to account for both sides of the coin.

Stop smoking

Experts have stressed on the "long-established link between smoking and dementia".

Smoking speeds up the progression of dementia by causing mini-strokes that underpin vascular dementia, they explain.

Lots of exercise

Citing evidence, which are actually huge in number, the experts have said, "exercise reduces decline in thinking and memory skills in people with Alzheimer's disease, and improves their physical and mental wellbeing.

Health experts recommend at least 150 minutes of exercise per week.

Social involvement

To keep the brain active is to be socially active, the experts say.

"Even small amounts of social interaction can make a positive difference: interacting with someone else for just 10 minutes before taking memory and attention tasks improved people's results," the experts recommend.

Participate in intellectual activities

Another interesting habit the experts have talked about is participation in intellectual leisure activities.

This includes, they say, reading, attending a club, manual hobbies like needlework, and arts-related activities like visiting galleries or theaters.

Wear hearing aids

Talking about hearing loss as a potential risk factor of dementia, as found by the Lancet report, the experts suggest wearing a hearing aid if the hearing ability is compromised.

This is most probably one of the important yet ignored aspects of brain health.

"Sleep is crucial for creating long-lasting memories, and healthy adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep each night," the experts recommend.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/40-of-dementia-cases-caused-by-12-modifiable-lifestyle-habits-oxford-experts-share-healthy-tips/photostory/100330694.cms?picid=100330748

Possible mechanism behind triggering of multiple sclerosis uncovered

Previous studies have established a link between EBV and MS, with increasing evidence suggesting that EBV infection precedes MS

Researchers have found further evidence for how the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) triggers the neurological disease multiple sclerosis (MS) or drives disease progression.

The herpesvirus EBV, one of the most widespread viruses in humans, has infected over 90 per cent of the world’s population, who carry the virus for life as a latent and a usually asymptomatic infection.

Most people are infected as children with few or no symptoms but in young adults, the virus often causes infectious mononucleosis, also known as glandular fever or kissing disease.

This study from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden is published in the journal Science Advances.

Previous studies have established a link between EBV and MS, with increasing evidence suggesting that EBV infection precedes MS and that antibodies against the virus may be involved.

This study uncovered the molecular mechanisms involved, which seemed to vary between patients and remained largely unknown, the researchers said.

“We have discovered that certain antibodies against the Epstein-Barr virus, which would normally fight the infection, can mistakenly target the brain and spinal cord and cause damage,” said Olivia Thomas, postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet and shared first author of the paper.

Analysing blood samples from more than 700 patients with MS and 700 healthy individuals, the researchers found that antibodies that bind to a certain protein in the Epstein-Barr virus, EBNA1, can also bind to a similar protein in the brain and spinal cord called CRYAB, whose role is to prevent protein aggregation during conditions of cellular stress such as inflammation.

They said that these misdirected, cross-reactive antibodies may damage the nervous system and cause severe symptoms in MS patients, including problems with balance, mobility and fatigue.

These antibodies were present in about 23 per cent of MS patients and 7 per cent of control individuals.

“This shows that, whilst these antibody responses are not required for disease development, they may be involved in disease in up to a quarter of MS patients.

“This also demonstrates the high variation between patients, highlighting the need for personalised therapies. Current therapies are effective at reducing relapses in MS but unfortunately, none can prevent disease progression.

“MS is an incredibly complex disease, but our study provides an important piece in the puzzle and could explain why some people develop the disease,” said Thomas.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/possible-mechanism-behind-triggering-of-multiple-sclerosis-uncovered-508952

Cancer cells use new fuel in absence of sugar: Study

Pancreatic tumours have few functioning blood vessels and can’t easily access nutrients that come from the bloodstream, like glucose

A new nutrition source for pancreatic cancer cells has been discovered by researchers at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Centre. Uridine is a substance that provides insight into both biological processes and potential treatment paths.

The findings, published in Nature, show that cancer cells can adapt when they don’t have access to glucose. Researchers have previously identified other nutrients that serve as fuel sources for pancreatic cancer; this study adds uridine to the catalog.

Pancreatic tumours have few functioning blood vessels and can’t easily access nutrients that come from the bloodstream, like glucose. Costas Lyssiotis, Ph.D., Maisel Research Professor of Oncology and lead investigator of the study, explained that without the right nutrients, the cancer cells get hungry. “We know they still grow, obviously, but what are they using to grow?” he said. “These findings show that, under certain circumstances, uridine is one of those fuels.”

Asked about impact, Zeribe Nwosu, Ph.D., one of the co-first authors in the study, says “the ability of cancer to switch to alternative nutrients has fascinated me for a long time. Blocking

such compensatory switches could lead us to new treatments and that’s the door we hope this study will open”.

Uridine is present in the tumor microenvironment, but its exact source, and how cancer cells access it, remains a mystery. “Part of the picture is it’s in the bloodstream, but we don’t know where it’s coming from specifically,” said Lyssiotis. “Likely, it’s coming from multiple places, and so far we haven’t been able to pin it to a single source.”

Events that Lyssiotis refers to as “times of crisis” -- when cells don’t have enough nutrients, because of limited blood access and/or intense competition between cells -- could be a clue as to why, and where, cells turn to uridine. “The cancer cells seem to be sensing the concentrations of glucose and uridine in the local environment to inform their adaptation,” says Matt Ward, another co-first author.

Lyssiotis’ team recognises this unknown regulatory process, as well as a cancer-promoting mutation in the KRAS gene, which is common in pancreatic cancer, as two ways that cancer cells control their usage of uridine.

Lyssiotis and his team have been working on this research for nearly a decade alongside their collaborators in the Sadanandam lab at the Institute for Cancer Research in London. They used a technology that screens hundreds of different nutrients to see which ones support pancreatic cancer growth. Typically, researchers look at standard nutrients like sugar, protein and fat, but Lyssiotis’s team took an unbiased approach.

“We used a large panel with over 20 pancreatic cell lines and around 200 different nutrients to assess different ways pancreatic cancer cells grow,” he explained. “What do they actually metabolise? This method led us to discover uridine.” This method offers therapeutic insight, too. The findings showed that uridine is metabolized by the enzyme uridine phoshorylase-1, or UPP1. Blocking UPP1 had a major impact on the growth of pancreatic tumors in mice, findings that suggest the importance of testing drugs that block uridine as possible new treatment options.

“There’s potential to better understand and treat pancreatic cancer with new drug targets and new therapeutic approaches,” said Sadanandam, co-author on the study.

More research is needed to determine the best way to move this discovery to the clinic.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/cancer-cells-use-new-fuel-in-absence-of-sugar-study-508964

US scientists, led by Indian, make pathbreaking discovery that could improve lives of brain cancer patients

In a pathbreaking finding that could bring in a fundamental change in the treatment of cancerous brain tumours, a team of scientists from the San Francisco Medical Centre, University of California, discovered that the cancerous cells link up with healthy brain cells to become hyperactive and cause speedy cognitive loss and death in patients.

The team, led by Saritha Krishna, an Indian, also found out that a commonly used anti-seizure drug was effective in reducing the hyperactivity of the tumour cells and even halting their growth.

The study was published in the latest issue of the science journal "Nature".

Scientists have found out that the communication between healthy brain cells and cancerous cells could be manipulated to slow down or even halt the growth of the tumour.

These findings will be more beneficial to patients with glioblastoma, considered the most fatal among adult brain cancers, the study noted.

The study conducted by Krishna and fellow scientist Shawn Hervey-Jumper discovered a previously unknown mechanism by which brain tumours hijack and modify brain circuitry to cause a decline in cognitive activities in glioma patients while recording the brain activity in patients undergoing awake-brain tumour surgery.

Talking to PTI, Krishna, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and the lead author of the paper, said when patients were given language tasks during awake brain surgery, in addition to the commonly known language areas of the brain, we found activation in tumour-infiltrated brain regions, which were remote and farther away from the language brain zones.

This unexpected finding showed that the deadly cancer cells can hijack and restructure connections in surrounding brain tissue to make them hyperactive, speeding up cognitive decline and shortening the survival period among patients.

This forced the scientists to carry out extensive biological characterisation of the connected tumour cells, using brain organoids (small bundles of neurons derived from human stem cells and mouse models engrafted with human glioblastoma cells.

"These experiments revealed a key role of a protein called 'thrombospondin-1' in this neuronal hyperexcitability and that the drug, gabapentin, a commonly used anti-seizure medication, successfully reduced neuronal hyperexcitability and halted further tumour growth," the study quoted.

This discovery could be greatly beneficial in developing more effective treatment methods for a very fatal disease like glioblastoma, the scientists noted.

"Besides this known anti-seizure activity, this study discovering the anti-tumour effect of gabapentin using mouse models highlights the potential of repurposing this existing drug to target tumour growth, thereby expediting therapeutic drug development for patients with malignant glioma," Saritha said.

Moreover, the key discovery regarding the hijacking of brain circuitry by the cancer cell, will lead to the development of drugs and neuromodulation techniques that could disconnect neuronal linkups with brain cancer cells to halt tumour growth, she added.

"Non-invasive brain modulation techniques traditionally applied to modulate neuronal function in epilepsy and psychiatric diseases, could now be exploited in clinical trials and tested in patients with brain cancer to suppress glioma's activity," Saritha said.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/us-scientists-led-by-indian-make-pathbreaking-discovery-that-could-improve-lives-of-brain-cancer-patients-509240

Obesity speeds up loss of immunity from Covid-19 vaccines, says new study

A new research reveals how obesity speeds up loss of immunity from Covid-19 vaccines Pfizer and Moderna

Covid vaccines are very effective, but for some groups they don’t generate as strong an immune response. These groups include older adults and people with weakened immune systems, for example due to cancer or other medical conditions. They tend to already be at heightened risk from Covid.

Likewise, obesity – and its association with several other conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease – leads to an increased risk of severe Covid.

The effect of obesity on Covid vaccine effectiveness, however, has not been well understood. But our new study in Nature Medicine finds obesity is linked to faster loss of immunity from Covid vaccines.

We know people with obesity have an impaired immune response to other vaccines including those for influenza, rabies and hepatitis.

Covid vaccines generate antibodies which recognise the spike protein, a protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes Covid) that allows it to attach to and infect our cells. The vaccines also prime immune cells called T cells to protect against severe Covid if we do contract the virus.

Because immunity acquired after two doses wanes in the months afterwards, many countries have elected to administer booster vaccines to maintain immune protection, particularly in vulnerable groups.

Several studies have suggested that following Covid vaccination, antibody levels may be lower in people with obesity than in the general population.

Earlier in the pandemic, we assembled a team of researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Edinburgh to investigate the effect of obesity on vaccine effectiveness over time.

Using a data platform called EAVE II, the University of Edinburgh team, led by Aziz Sheikh, examined real-time healthcare data for 5.4 million people across Scotland.

In particular, they looked at hospitalisations and deaths from Covid among 3.5 million adults who had received two vaccine doses (either Pfizer or AstraZeneca).

They found that people with severe obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) over 40, had a 76 per cent increased risk of hospitalisation and death from Covid after vaccination compared to those with a BMI in the normal range. The risk was also moderately increased in people who were obese (a BMI between 30 and 40) and those who were underweight (a BMI lower than 18.5).

The risk of severe disease from breakthrough infections after the second vaccine also began to increase more quickly among people with severe obesity (from around ten weeks post-vaccination) and among people with obesity (from around 15 weeks) compared with people of a normal weight (from around 20 weeks).

Investigating further

Our team conducted experiments to characterise the immune response to a third dose, or booster, of mRNA Covid vaccines (those made by Pfizer and Moderna) in people with severe obesity.

We studied 28 people with severe obesity attending Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, and measured antibody levels and function as well as the number of immune cells in their blood post-vaccination. We compared the results to those from 41 people of a normal weight.

Although antibody levels were similar in samples from all participants before booster vaccination, the ability of antibodies to work efficiently to fight the virus, known as “neutralisation capacity”, was reduced among people with severe obesity.

In 55 per cent of people with severe obesity we either couldn’t detect or quantify neutralisation capacity, compared to 12 per cent of people with normal BMI.

This might mean Covid vaccines induce lower quality antibodies in people with obesity. It’s possible the antibodies are not able to bind to the virus with the same strength as in people of a normal weight.

After a booster, antibody function in people with obesity was restored to the same level as those of normal weight. However, using detailed measurements of B cells, which are responsible for antibody production and immune memory, we found that these immune cells developed differently in the first couple of weeks after vaccination in people with obesity.

By repeating measurements of immune responses over time, we could see antibody levels and function declined more rapidly after the third dose in people with severe obesity.

What does this mean?

There were some limitations in both parts of the study. For example, BMI data was only collected once in EAVE II and therefore we cannot exclude changes in BMI over time. Also, the number of people included in our in-depth immunology study was relatively modest.

Nonetheless, immunity from Covid vaccines doesn’t seem to be as robust or long-lasting in people with obesity.

With severe obesity affecting 3 per cent of the UK population and 9 per cent of the US population, these findings have important implications.

First, Covid boosters may be particularly important for this group. Our study also highlights the need for more targeted interventions to protect people with obesity from severe Covid.

Evidence shows weight loss of at least 5 per cent can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and other metabolic complications of obesity. Interventions that can lead to a sustained reduction in weight (such as lifestyle modification, weight loss drugs, and bariatric surgery) could similarly improve Covid outcomes.

Weight loss may likewise improve vaccine responses but we need more research to investigate.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/obesity-speeds-up-loss-of-immunity-from-covid-19-vaccines-says-new-study-101684143094672.html

Breast cancer: These are the unusual signs of breast cancer other than a lump

Breast cancer remains to be one of the most serious types of cancer in women. In 2020, 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 685,000 deaths were reported. This figure is threatening because breast cancer is diagnosed at a later stage and many women are unable to detect the signs at the early stage of the disease.

Breast cancer, just like many other forms of cancer, is treatable if it is detected at the initial stage of the disease.

In this article we will discuss the different signs of breast cancer, other than the classic sign which is a lump in the breast.

Given below are some of the unusual signs of breast cancer. The purpose of this is to understand the different range of symptoms, not ignore them and get it tested at the earliest.

Nipple retraction

Retracted nipple or inward nipple can hint of a cancerous growth. In this condition, the nipple does not point outward, they point inward or are flat. It can either happen in one of the breasts or in both the breasts.

While there are several reasons behind it like bacterial infection, in a birth defect or mammary duct ectasia, in case of breast cancer the nipple gets inverted all of a sudden. There is also a change in the color and appearance of the nipples.

Skin dimpling

Skin dimpling means when the skin of the nipple feels like an orange peel. This is way different than the normal texture of the nipple skin.

Dimpled skin is the indication of inflammatory breast cancer.

Burning sensation

If your breast feels warm and swollen it can be due to breast cancer. This is a classic sign of inflammatory breast cancer of which skin dimpling is a major sign.

In this condition, the breast also feels tender and a sharp pain is also felt in the breast.

Discharge from nipples

Discharge from nipples can be bloody fluid coming out of the nipples or else milk like fluid coming out of the nipples even when you are not breastfeeding.

Just like the other symptoms, nipple discharge can happen for other reasons but if it persists for a longer time get it tested.

What else should one know?

Lump remains one of the key indicators of breast cancer. However, there are several reasons for lumps to form in the breast and many of these are not cancer.

"As many as 90% of breast masses are not cancerous. Non-cancerous breast abnormalities include benign masses like fibroadenomas and cysts as well as infections," the WHO says.

Breast cancer may spread to other parts of the body. The first site where breast cancer spreads is the lymph nodes under the arm. With time it may spread to lungs, liver, brain and bones.

How to reduce the risk of breast cancer?

One can avert the risk of breast cancer by making changes in lifestyle habits that include prolonged breastfeeding, regular physical activity, weight control, cutting down consumption of alcohol, avoiding exposure to tobacco, avoiding prolonged use of hormones and avoiding excessive radiation exposure.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/celiac-disease-complications-of-this-autoimmune-disease-that-miss-universe-harnaaz-sandhu-struggles-with/photostory/100301230.cms

Celiac disease: Complications of this autoimmune disease that Miss Universe Harnaaz Sandhu struggles with

What is Celiac disease?

A majority of people learned about Celiac disease when Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu revealed that she has this autoimmune condition, a disorder marked by sensitivity to gluten. Celiac disease is an immune-mediated systemic disease triggered by intake of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. The prevalence of celiac disease in the general population is estimated to be 1% in the world. Despite increased awareness and knowledge about celiac disease, up to 95% of celiac patients still remain undiagnosed. Celiac disease, sometimes called celiac sprue or gluten-sensitive enteropathy, is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye.

Here’s what the expert says

Dr. Sufla Saxena, HOD Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, HCMCT Manipal Hospitals, Dwarka says “If you have celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response in your small intestine. Over time, this reaction damages your small intestine's lining and prevents it from absorbing some nutrients (malabsorption). The intestinal damage often causes diarrhoea, fatigue, weight loss, bloating and anaemia, and can lead to serious complications.

In children, malabsorption can adversely affect growth and development, besides causing the symptoms seen in adults.”

Symptoms of celiac disease

Sometimes people may have subtle symptoms or late symptoms making it difficult to diagnose celiac disease at an early stage .But because celiac disease is so hard to diagnose, people can have it for years. This long-term damage to the small intestine may start to affect other parts of the body.

It's a common misconception that eating a little gluten will not harm you. Eating even tiny amounts can trigger symptoms of celiac disease and increase your risk of developing complications.

Untreated celiac disease can cause these health problems:

If Celiac disease is left untreated then it can lead to following complications

Malnutrition – Children suffering from celiac are often malnourished and have growth failure because of impaired absorption of nutrients from the intestines.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies – leading to brittle and fragile bones and Iron deficiency anaemia because of malabsorption of calcium and Iron respectively.

Weak tooth enamel, recurrent oral ulcers

Delayed puberty, short stature, fertility issues

Behavioural issues like anxiety and depression

Lactose intolerance symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort.

Cancer — If left untreated, the damage to the intestines may increase the risk of developing some cancers and autoimmune diseases later in life.

People with celiac disease may also have a decreased response to the hepatitis B vaccine.

Diet for celiac patients

Most dairy products, including cheese, butter, and milk, are safe for people with Celiac disease to eat. Meals can include fruits, vegetables, meat and fish, but not items that have been breaded or battered. You can eat potatoes, rice, rice noodles and gluten-free flours made from rice, corn, soy and potatoes.

The takeaway

There's no cure for celiac disease — but for most people, following a strict gluten-free diet can help manage symptoms and promote intestinal healing.Early and timely diagnosis of celiac disease by serological and endoscopic evaluation in children is associated with better quality of life as well as better compliance with the gluten-free diet.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/celiac-disease-complications-of-this-autoimmune-disease-that-miss-universe-harnaaz-sandhu-struggleswith/photostory/100301230.cms