What is the best time to go to sleep? Find out how to dodge diabetes, obesity and heart diseases with sleep

Source: https://www.news9live.com/health/health-news

Humans spend a good chunk of their lives sleeping and as per doctors, sleep is more than just a way to reset and recharge for the next day. According to studies, 7-8 hours of sleep in a day is crucial for physical and mental health – it can also be instrumental in keeping chronic and acute diseases at bay, such as heart diseases and diabetes. While we have all grown up listening to ‘early to bed, early to rise, makes you healthy, wealthy and wise’, there are few who manage to live up to it. But the one thing that never remains constant is the sleep time of all – but a sleep calculator has ascertained the best time for one to go to bed.

What is the best time to go to bed?

According to research, not sleeping enough consistently can affect one in several ways. In the short term, lack of sleep can leave one feeling scatterbrained all day, susceptible to low energy levels, stress, irritability, and anxiety. In the long term, being sleep deprived can take a negative toll on several systems of the body, says the Sleep Foundation.

Studies show that it can lead to weight gain, may weaken the immune system, and also lead to insulin resistance and diabetes. it can also aggravate hypertension. But what is the best time to go to bed? According to a new Sleep Calculator by Make My Blinds, one must try to figure out the best time to go to sleep. The calculator asks on the age, gender, and what time one usually goes to sleep.

After getting the information, they suggest that the time to sleep should allow one to complete four to six sleep cycles. It can also add 15 minutes off to account for the time one takes to fall asleep. As per the calculator, experts recommend women sleep 20 minutes more than men.

How to improve sleep quality?

The calculator can also give one some personalised tips on improved sleep based on diet, comorbidities, and daily habits. Firstly, the calculator asks if one is vegan, vegetarian, or eats meat what time one eats the biggest meal and what is the preferred time for workouts. Next, the calculator asks the temperature of the room at night and the frequency of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco use, followed by what one does before sleeping and what it takes to wake one up. The calculator also asks for the preferred sleep position and how one can control light levels in the bedroom.

How to improve sleep quality?

The following tips can help one get better quality sleep:

1. Stick to a constant bedtime routine, even on weekends
2. Put all devices away before going to sleep
3. Keep the room dark and cool
4. Avoid smoking coffee one hour before sleeping
5. Avoid working out atleast 90 minutes before

Is skipping breakfast or lunch good for your body? Expert weighs in

 Source: https://www.news9live.com/health/health-news

Breakfast is perceived as healthiest meal of the day as compared to other meals. But in today’s busy and hectic life schedule people tend to skip their breakfast in a rush to reach office on time. This also happens with lunch meals, due to lot of pressure at work, we often forget, miss or skip our lunch. But determining the consequences of this is extremely essential.

On the other hand, some people also believe that skipping breakfast or lunch meal may help them lose weight or they may achieve it sooner but in reality what is the truth?

According to a report, it is claimed that skipping breakfast meals may increase the risk of obesity.

In conversation with News9, Vedika Premnani, Clinical Dietician, Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai said, “Breakfast” is the breaking of your nightly fast, so, in theory, this break can happen any time of day. The way your body responds to organised eating timings can vary widely depending on your sleep patterns, hunger pangs and how high your energy demands are early in the day. If consumed correctly, it provides you with sufficient fuel to get through the day, focus and mood. Many studies suggest that frequent starvation may lead to dizziness, low blood pressure, weakness, dehydration and lethargy.”

Starting your day with a hearty breakfast and making dinner plans tend to be on most people’s daily to-do lists. But most people tend to skip lunch due to a clash with peak working hours.

Consequences of skipping lunch include

• Your mid-day productivity levels can drop: While lunch often is downplayed by the idea that it needs to be quick, rushed, and jammed into our day, fuel eaten at lunchtime is very crucial for setting us up for a fruitful afternoon. It is important to note that the foods consumed for lunch should be fibre and protein such as whole grain cereals, dals, and salad to maintain satiety levels and prevent post-meal crashes and lethargy.

• There would be a high chance of over-indulging later in the day: If we do not eat the right quantity and quality of food throughout the day, we tend to make up for it later in the day by overdoing it during the evenings. The reason is, that when your body is fasting, the brain releases neurotransmitters which are linked to increased cravings.

• You might lose out on essential nutrients as a result of consuming a lesser number of meals. It is important to provide your body with sufficient calories, carbohydrates, proteins, fibre, vitamins, minerals and water. Eating lunch on time can also reduce the chances of craving sweet, starchy, high-fat, and salty foods.

 

Lung cancer treatment: UK researchers develop a drug that can kill a tumour when combined with chemotherapy

 Source: https://www.news9live.com/health/health-news

Scientists in the UK have recently developed a drug which can work wonders to treat an aggressive form of cancer. As per The Guardian, researchers at the Queen Mary University London said that the treatment can quadruple three-year survival rate and also increase average survival rate by 1.6 months. Experts further said that the new drug, which works by cutting off food supply to the tumour is a first of its type for mesothelioma – a type of lung cancer – in 20 years. Results of the study were published in JAMA Oncology journal.

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that forms in the lungs and is often caused by exposure to asbestos at work. The deadly, aggressive form of tumour has one of the worst cancer survival rates in the world. Thousands of people are diagnosed with the disease every year. Experts at Queen Mary University of London carried out an international trial for the same across five countries – Italy, Taiwan, Australia and the UK. The team of researchers saw patients receive chemotherapy every three weeks till up to six cycles. Half of the participants were give ADI-PEG20 (pegargiminase), and other were offered placebo for two years.

The final analysis included 249 people with pleural mesothelioma, a disease that takes a toll on the lining of the lung – average age of 70 years. ATOMIC-meso trial was performed from 2017 till 2021 and patients involved in it were followed up for a year. Those who were given pegargiminase and chemotherapy survived for an average of 9.3 months as opposed to 7.7 years for people who were given chemotherapy and placebo. The average progression-free survival rate was 6.2 months with pegargiminase-chemotherapy.

In this trial, researchers noted that pegargiminase-based chemotherapy was well-tolerated with no new safety signal. This significantly increased the median overall survival rate by 1.6 months and quadrupled over 36 months. Researchers also said that this is the first successful combination of chemotherapy with a drug which targets cancer growth over a period of 20 years. The new drug worked by depleting arginine levels in the blood as tumour cells cannot manufacture the same on its own, thereby inhibiting cancer growth.

Researchers were also impressed to see how arginine starvation of cancer cells can work to stop the disease. The discovery was made in the early stages itself, and the same drug is now improving quality of life in mesothelioma patients.

 

Change one habit: Cardiologist shares how you can reduce heart disease risk

 Source: https://www.news9live.com/health/health-news

Eating meals after 8pm can increase the risk of suffering from a stroke by 28 percent as opposed to eating before 8pm.

 Heart diseases take the blame for highest number of deaths globally every year. Be it silent heart disease or those that have prominent symptoms, this group of conditions are potentially fatal but their prevention, management and treatment are largely centred on dietary and lifestyle choices. From heart failure to coronary heart disease to stroke, several factors contribute to the risk of heart conditions -from family history to workouts to smoking to even excessive intake of saturated and trans fats. But according to a cardiologist, there is just one simple dietary change which can make all the difference.

How to time meals for a healthier heart?

According to research, not just changing the types of food one eats but being mindful of the timing of meals can make a difference. As per a cardiologist, eating meals early in a day could mitigate heart disease risk. Doctors say that diet has a gamechanging role to play in prevention, progression and development of cardiovascular conditions.

In a French study from December 2023, scientists anaylsed the data of over 100,000 people. It was discovered that eating later in the day, the first meal, is strongly associated with a high risk of heart diseases. The findings were specific to suggest that even an hourly delay can add to the odds of suffering from cardiovascular crisis and that too by 6 per cent. This means that people who had breakfast at 9am were 6 per cent more likely to suffer from a heart condition as opposed to people who ate at 8am.

How does fasting reduce heart disease risk?

Doctors say that the same is also true for the last meal of the day. As per experts, eating the last meal of the day later at night is associated with a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Eating meals after 8pm can increase the risk of suffering from a stroke by 28 per cent as opposed to eating before 8pm.

Experts also say that taking longer breaks between eating can help. The longer one fasts between the last and the first meal of the next day, the better it is. It helps reduce stroke risk further. This means that a long fasting duration at night can do the trick to fight cardiovascular conditions. Therefore, one must get meals as early as possible in a day and stop eating timely as well for best heart health in a long run.

Padma Awards in 2024-Medicine

 Padma Bhushan award to 3 doctors and Padma Shri to 10 doctors in Medicine

Source: https://www.news9live.com/health/health-news

The Padma Awards 2024 have been announced on the eve of Republic day. While the country applauds the contribution of all awardees, here we have a list of winners who made a significant impact on the healthcare sector. These awardees won in the field of Medicine.

The government has presented three Padma Bhushan and 10 Padma Shri awards in the field of Medicine.

Padma Bhushan

The three Padma Bhushan awardees are Dr Ashwin B Mehta, Tejas Madhusudan Patel and Chandreshwar Prasad Thakur.

1. Dr Ashwin B Mehta

He is a consultant in the department of Cardiology at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre. He has received a total of 19 gold medals in various subjects in MBBS and MD examinations.  He specialises in Coronary Interventions, Rotablation, Balloon Valvotomy and Transcatheter Aortic valve replacement. He is the pioneer in starting Cardiac Catheterization and Angiography in newborn babies and in starting Bundle Electrography in 1973 in India.

His pioneering work also includes first systematic trial on primary angioplasty in acute myocardial infarction.

2. Tejas Madhusudan Patel

He is known for his pioneering work of coronary angiography and interventions with transradial technique which has made coronary interventions safe, accurate and has significantly decreased patient morbidity, mortality as well as duration of hospital stay from 3-5 days in the past to 24-36 hours.

3. Chandreshwar Prasad Thakur

His suggestions on Kala Azar treatment have been accepted by World Heath Organization (WHO) and other international organisations.

Padma Shri

There are 10 Padma Shri awardees in the field of Medicine, namely Prema Dhanraj, Radha Krishan Dhiman, Manohar Krishana Dole, Yazdi Maneksha Italia, Hemchand Manjhi, Chandrashekhar Mahadeorao Meshram, G Nachiyar, Radhe Shyam Pareek, Dayal Mavjibhai Parmar, and Chandrashekar Channapatna Rajannachar.

 

Health Ministry asks doctors to ‘mandatorily’ mention reason behind prescribing antibiotics: Report

 Written By: Sneha Kumari

Source: https://www.news9live.com/health/health-news

According to the report, the government has urged medical professionals to avoid prescribing antibiotics and "mandatorily mention" the reason or a justification while prescribing them. 

The government appealed to all medical professionals and doctors to ensure the effective implementation of orders to discourage the over prescription of antibiotics.

During winters, cold, cough and viral fever see a significant rise. Many people are experiencing this stubborn and persistent fever for days which has led to an increased use of antibiotics. Experts have noted that one of the potential culprits behind the rise in viral infections is easy access to antibiotics. Well, amid this the government has urged medical professionals to avoid prescribing antibiotics and “mandatorily mention” the reason or a justification while prescribing them.

A letter has been issued to all doctors in medical colleges where Dr Atul Goel, the Director General of Health Services has asked them to “mandatorily mention the exact reason or justification while prescribing antimicrobials”, as per a report released by CNBC-TV18.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a step has been taken towards curbing the over-prescription of antibiotics, which leads to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR is considered to be the top ten public health threats in the world. The report further noted that the government also needs to remind pharmacists to implement Schedule H and H1 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules and sell antibiotics only on valid prescriptions. Doctors must mention the exact reason behind prescribing the antimicrobials.

What are the threats to antimicrobial resistance?

The government appealed to all medical professionals and doctors to ensure the effective implementation of orders to discourage the overprescription of antibiotics. The letter noted that the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials are one of the major driving forces behind the growth of drug-resistant pathogens. According to estimation, bacterial AMR was directly related to 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 and 4.95 million deaths were entirely related to drug-resistant infections

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), AMR is listed among the top 10 global health issues around the world. Antimicrobial resistance threatens human lives, animal health and welfare, the environment, food and nutrition security and safety. 

Safety rules to follow while bathing in hot water by geyser

 Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news

Winter necessitates the use of geysers in households but cautions must be followed​

Bathing in hot water from a geyser can be a relaxing and rejuvenating experience, but it's essential to prioritize safety to prevent accidents and ensure a comfortable bathing environment. Here are detailed safety rules to follow while bathing in hot water from a geyser:

Set the temperature and monitor it regularly​

Before stepping into the shower or bathtub, test the water temperature with your hand or a bath thermometer. Ensure it is comfortable and not scalding. A maximum temperature of 120°F (48.9°C) is generally recommended to avoid burns. Adjust the temperature setting on your geyser to a safe level. Modern geysers often have adjustable thermostats. Ensure it is not set too high, especially if you have children or elderly individuals using the hot water.

Supervise kids and older people​

Never allow young children to bathe unsupervised, especially in hot water. Ensure an adult is present at all times to monitor and assist them. Use non-slip bath mats to prevent slips and falls. Make sure everyone in your household is aware of the geyser safety rules. Educate family members, especially children, about the potential dangers of hot water and the importance of using it responsibly.

Make sure you do not overexpose yourself​

Limit your time in hot water to prevent dehydration and skin issues. Prolonged exposure can strip the skin of natural oils and lead to dryness. Aim for shorter, more frequent showers rather than extended periods in hot water. Hot water can lead to dehydration, so ensure you drink enough water before and after bathing. Hydration is crucial for overall health, and replenishing fluids lost during a hot bath is essential.

Install grab bars in the bathroom​

Installing grab bars, especially near the shower or bathtub, provides support and stability. This is particularly important for individuals with mobility issues or the elderly. Place slip-resistant mats both inside and outside the bathtub or shower. This reduces the risk of slipping and falling, especially when entering or exiting the bath.

Check for carbon monoxide​

If your geyser is gas-powered, ensure that the area is well-ventilated to prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide. Install a carbon monoxide detector in the bathroom and surrounding areas. Schedule regular maintenance for your geyser to ensure it functions properly. Address any leaks or malfunctions promptly, and consider professional inspections to identify potential issues. Keep electrical appliances away from water sources to prevent electrical shocks. Avoid using electronic devices like radios or hairdryers in the bathroom, especially when in contact with water.

Do not neglect geyser leaks​

If you notice any leaks or water pooling around the geyser, address the issue immediately. Leaks can lead to electrical problems and compromise the safety of the geyser. When installing a new geyser or making modifications, consult with a professional plumber or electrician. Proper installation is crucial for the safe and efficient operation of the geyser.