LATEST HEALTH TIPS & TRICKS

  Wildfire Pollution Linked to Increased Risk of Dementia A new study has revealed a connection between long-term exposure to wildfire smoke and an increased risk of dementia. Researchers found that prolonged exposure to air pollution caused by wildfires in Southern California is associated with an 18% higher diagnosis rate of dementia. Wildfire smoke contains harmful pollutants, including fine particulate matter known as PM2.5. When particulate pollution is consistently present in the air, it can severely affect human lungs and heart health. Previously, particulate pollution has been linked to premature deaths, irregular heartbeats, worsening asthma, nonfatal heart attacks, weakened lungs, and difficulty breathing. While its connection to neurological diseases has been suggested, the specific role of PM2.5 is a new finding. The recent study observed over 1.2 million members of Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, aged 60 and above, over 11 years. It found that individuals...

  Irregular Sleep Patterns Linked to Cardiovascular Issues, Study Finds A new study reveals that individuals with inconsistent sleep schedules face a higher risk of stroke and heart attacks. This remains true regardless of the total amount of sleep they get. The research found that irregular sleep increases the likelihood of stroke, heart failure, and heart attack, even if individuals meet the recommended sleep duration. For adults aged 18 to 64, 7-9 hours of sleep per night is recommended, while those 65 and older should aim for 7-8 hours. The study examined data from 72,269 participants aged 40 to 79 years old who were part of the UK Biobank Study. None of the participants had a prior history of cardiovascular events like heart attacks. To track sleep patterns, participants wore sleep monitors for seven days, allowing researchers to measure their Sleep Regularity Index (SRI) scores. These scores were based on the consistency of daily sleep and wake times, sleep duration, and...

  Common Thyroid Medication Linked to Bone Weakness, Experts Say An estimated 23 million Americans take levothyroxine daily. A new study suggests that levothyroxine, a commonly prescribed thyroid medication, may be linked to an increased risk of bone fractures in older adults. Levothyroxine is a synthetic hormone often used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroxine. This deficiency can lead to symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, and, in severe cases, serious or even fatal complications. Researchers noted that some individuals continue taking levothyroxine for extended periods, even when it is unclear whether they still need it or why it was initially prescribed. Dr. Elina Ghotbi, a postdoctoral research fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the study leader, stated, “Data suggests that a significant proportion of thyroid hormone prescriptions may be given to older adults without hypothyroidism...

 35% of heat-related deaths worldwide were a result of climate change, experts say A conference at Aga Khan University aims to formulate a policy to address climate change in Pakistan Medical experts have revealed that 35% of heat-related deaths worldwide between 1990 and 2018 were a result of human-caused climate change. At a conference held at the Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD) of the Aga Khan University (AKU), experts warned that this rate could increase further in low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan if urgent measures are not taken. The conference was attended by national and international experts, policymakers, and researchers to suggest practical measures to address issues such as climate change, agriculture, and nutrition. In his inaugural address, IGHD Founding Director Dr. Zulfiqar Bhatta described climate change as a multifaceted crisis and said that this problem is not only having a profound impact on the environment but also on health, nut...

  Insulin Resistance Linked to Dangerous Heart Disease, Study Finds     A new study has highlighted that insulin resistance, a condition associated with prediabetes, significantly increases the risk of developing common and serious heart valve diseases.      According to research published in a medical journal, adults with insulin resistance are at a higher risk of developing aortic stenosis —a condition where the aortic valve narrows, restricting blood flow from the heart. If left untreated, this condition can lead to heart failure and even death.     Dr. Johanna Kossisto, a cardiologist at Kuopio University Hospital in Finland, stated in a press release that this finding emphasizes insulin resistance as a crucial and modifiable factor contributing to aortic stenosis.    She explained, "Since insulin resistance is prevalent in Western populations, maintaining metabolic health could be a promising way to reduce the risk of aortic ste...

  New Method Developed for Detecting Disease-Causing Bacteria A new test has been developed that can detect the presence of bacteria in any liquid by observing color changes. This innovative test simplifies the confirmation of disease-causing pathogens, aids in disease diagnosis, and enhances food safety measures. Scientists at McMaster University, combining expertise from engineers and biochemists, have introduced a method using a bio-gel to confirm bacterial contamination in liquids. The test detects bacteria like E. coli or Listeria by changing the color of the liquid upon their presence. The bio-gel in the test utilizes harmless bacteriophages that can identify bacteria in various liquids, such as pond water, milk cartons, or even urine, even in minimal quantities. Bacteriophages are the most abundant life form on Earth, with each type targeting and eliminating a specific kind of bacteria. This method significantly reduces detection time, taking only a few hours compared...