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Safeguarding the windows to the soul

Safeguarding the windows to the soul

The Hindu24-06-2025
On cataract surgeries and the urgent need for access, brain and spine innovations, maternal health amidst rising heat, sickle cell care and more
It's one of the most common surgeries performed, a procedure that practically everyone has heard of and perhaps one that most of us will have to undergo, but cataract surgeries are still not available and accessible to all -- cataracts continue to account for about 40% of all cases of existing blindness, and in India, remain the leading cause of blindness.
In fact, as of 2023, the World Health Organization estimated that only 17% of people with vision impairment due to cataract have received access to an appropriate intervention. This, despite the surgery being one of the safest and least resource-intensive of procedures. We take our vision for granted most times, never really thinking about our eyes or how they work despite their being crucial to every aspect of our lives, but this June, observed as Cataract Awareness Month, is as good time a time as any, to learn and understand more about them. And to this end, we have two stories on cataract for you: Dr. S. Soundari explains the hows and whys of cataracts and the surgery required, and Dr. C. Aravinda and Dr. Sangeetha Raja give you a glimpse of the history and the evolution of the procedure that is now used to treat millions.
Speaking of surgeries, here are a few more stories of interest, delving into medical procedures for the brain and spine: Dr. Ari G. Chacko explores advances in brain tumour care, while Dr. G. Sudhir and Dr. K. Karthik Kailash explain how minimally invasive spine surgery has transformed the landscape of spinal care.
But in all of the excitement over the latest in medical science, the progress in technology and the potential promise of AI, it is crucial to not forget the basics: ensuring the health of mother and baby. And not only are we still some distance away from achieving optimal care for all mothers and babies in India, climate change is now emerging as an increased threat to the health of both. Take this into consideration: despite overall progress over the last 30 years, an analysis (published in the British Medical Journal Global Health) has found that cases of low weight at birth from four states -- Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and West Bengal -- account for nearly half of India's cases. Having a low birth weight -- under 2.5 kg -- has been linked with problems in the child's cognitive development and a vulnerability to chronic conditions in later life. To add to this existing issue is the burden of extreme heat: I podcast with Prof Jane Hirst about how high temperatures -- which India now faces on a regular basis -- impact pregnancy outcomes.
Talking of maternal health, C. Mayareports that Kerala still has the lowest maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in the country despite some latest data revealing figures that the State disputes. And in Tamil Nadu, P. V. Srividya writes, the government's Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation system has helped exposechild marriages.
Maternal health isn't just crucial at the time of pregnancy: Athira Elssa Johnsondecodes a study that found that domestic violence perpetrated on mothers was linked with higher depressive disorders amongst their teen children, highlighting again, the vital need to safeguard the health of mothers -- as this is intrinsically linked with the health of the next generation.
One more story on newborns that can have far-reaching implication if made into policy is this study by the Indian Council of Medical Research that found post-birth diagnosis, resulting in early treatment, could substantially improve the quality of life and reduce mortality in patients with sickle cell disease -- from the reported current 20 to 30% to less than 5%. If you're wondering what sickle cell disease is, do read this explainer. Internationally too, there's been some focus on this area: British lawmakers have debated proposals to decriminalise abortion amid concerns that police are using antiquated laws to prosecute women who end their own pregnancies.
Elsewhere around the globe, there's some good news, the United States' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved of pharma company Gilead Sciences' twice-yearly injection to prevent HIV -- a move the company hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against the sexually transmitted virus. Lenacapavir, marketed under the brand name Yeztugo, has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV transmission by more than 99.9 percent in adults and adolescents -- making it functionally akin to a powerful vaccine.
Local news however, has been good, and not-so-good: while R. Prasadwrites on two existing drugs that offer hope to cure Russell's viper bites; Moyurie Som reports on the West Bengal Assembly passing a Bill on 'transparency' in medical costs in private facilities and Abhinay Lakshman details the Centre's plans to set up a National Tribal Health and Research Institute, Afshan Yasmeen speaks to the corresponding author of a research paper that has found that public health spending has not resulted in significant pro-poor services in India and S. Vijay Kumar finds that a report released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has revealed that the organ transplantation programme in the country has been crippled by multiple issues, especially insufficient funding, shortage of specialised doctors, and procedural delays.
Here's a quick round-up of the Covid-19 situation: cases are dipping, despite social media buzz about the 'razor blade' Covid variant, but even so, the ICMR has introduced its first high-performance computing facility at its National Institute of Virology (NIV) facility in Pune to boost genomic storage and analysis, aiding faster detection of new disease threats and more efficient response to outbreaks.
Our tailpiece for the week is this story by Dr. Vid Karmarkar and Jitendra Chouksey on why alcohol regulation in India needs a national framework and policy.
Once again, we have a healthy list of explainers this week, do dive in when you find the time:
Dr. Arunima Ray writes on understanding albinism in the Indian context
Dr. Javeed Zabiullah explains why the world needs to embrace neurodiversity
Dr. V. Madhumitha busts myths around vitiligo
Dr. Raman Goel writes on the importance of changing mindsets and narratives around obesity
Dr. Arun Kumar Balakrishnan details the need to screen for kidney cancer after 40
Anirban Mukhopadhyay breaks down a study on making CAR T-cells in vivo for cancer care
If you want to know about DNA analysis, click here
As part of our 'all you need to know' series, here is an explainer on the world's rarest blood group, Gwada negative, and one on clinical trials
And finally, here is why chronic pain must be part of suicide risk assessments
For many more health stories, head to our health page and subscribe to the health newsletter here.
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3 signs of iron deficiency in women that even doctors miss
3 signs of iron deficiency in women that even doctors miss

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3 signs of iron deficiency in women that even doctors miss

Iron deficiency, affecting a significant portion of women, often goes unnoticed. Dr. Mirdamadi highlights chronic fatigue, lightheadedness, and cold extremities as key indicators frequently overlooked by doctors. He emphasizes the importance of checking ferritin levels, the storage form of iron, alongside regular iron levels to accurately diagnose and address these symptoms. Iron deficiency is a common concern in women. About 30% of women between the ages of 15 and 49 suffer from anaemia, and 37% of pregnant women also have it, according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) statistics. Iron deficiency often goes unnoticed, especially in the initial stages. Dr. Pedi Mirdamadi, a licensed naturopathic doctor and holistic nutritionist specializing in functional medicine in San Diego, has explained the 3 crucial signs of iron deficiency that even doctors tend to overlook. 'While most doctors only check iron levels, that may not be enough when it comes to addressing these symptoms. This is because it's as equally as important to check ferritin or the storage form of iron. Because having low ferritin despite normal levels of iron can still be contributing to these symptoms,' he said. Let's take a look. What is iron deficiency Iron deficiency occurs when the body lacks sufficient iron. Iron plays a crucial role in the production of red blood cells. These red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency impairs the body's ability to produce enough hemoglobin, which results in a condition called iron deficiency anemia. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Do you have a mouse? Play this for 1 minute and see why everyone is crazy about it. Play Game Undo Now let's look at the 3 common signs of iron deficiency that even doctors tend to overlook. Chronic fatigue Feeling constantly drained is a crucial sign of low iron levels, yet it is often missed in diagnosis. Dr. Mirdamadi notes that low energy should not be dismissed. As chronic fatigue is a symptom of many health concerns, chances of it getting mistaken for other ailments are possible. Some even attribute exhaustion to stress or lack of sleep. The most important thing to understand is that chronic fatigue is never a good indicator of health. Feeling lightheaded or dizzy One common complaint people with iron deficiency have is lightheadedness or dizziness . If you feel lightheaded while standing up quickly or during physical activity, it could be due to iron deficiency. When the iron levels in the body is low, hemoglobin production is affected, which limits the transport of oxygen to the cells. This sign is often mistaken for dehydration. Cold hands and feet Women often complain of cold hands and feet, even in warm environments. This could be a crucial sign of low iron. A deficiency in iron affects circulation and the body's ability to regulate temperature. People often miss this symptom or attribute it to poor circulation, without investigating iron levels. Soha Ali Khan Slays Functional Training Circuit 'Low iron levels can be so easily missed because most doctors assess iron status by looking at a blood count and serum iron. Ferritin is the storage form of iron and is very important to measure if there are any symptoms of fatigue, lightheadedness, dizziness, or easily bruising,' the doctor notes.

Drowning Prevention Day 2025: Theme, History And First Aid Steps You Must Know
Drowning Prevention Day 2025: Theme, History And First Aid Steps You Must Know

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time10 hours ago

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Drowning Prevention Day 2025: Theme, History And First Aid Steps You Must Know

Last Updated: World Drowning Prevention Day 2025 highlights the theme 'Your Story Can Save a Life,' with focus on awareness, safety, and essential first aid to prevent water tragedies. World Drowning Prevention Day 2025: Observed annually on July 25, World Drowning Prevention Day aims to raise awareness about the devastating and long-term impact of drowning on families and communities. The day also serves to promote effective drowning prevention strategies. According to research, an estimated 2,36,000 people lose their lives to drowning each year, many of them children aged 5 to 14. The risk is especially high in rural areas, where children often enter water without proper safety measures, making them more vulnerable to such tragedies. World Drowning Prevention Day 2025: History and Significance World Drowning Prevention Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution A/RES/75/273 in April 2021 as part of a global effort to raise awareness about drowning and promote prevention strategies. Drowning is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as 'the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid." It can result in death, morbidity, or no morbidity. Contrary to common assumptions, drowning is often silent and quick. The WHO has identified drowning as a leading cause of injury-related death worldwide, especially affecting children and adolescents. Research estimates that over 2,00,000 people die from drowning each year, with the burden particularly high in low- and middle-income countries, and in both urban and rural settings, especially where water safety infrastructure is lacking. By establishing World Drowning Prevention Day, the WHO aimed to promote drowning prevention activities and safety programmes for everyone, including the creation of safe places for children to bathe and teaching them how to swim, while also improving the overall disaster and flood relief management in rural and poverty-stricken areas. World Drowning Prevention Day 2025 Theme For World Drowning Prevention Day 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted the theme 'Your Story Can Save a Life." This theme underscores the powerful role of personal storytelling in raising awareness about drowning risks and prevention. It encourages individuals who have survived drowning incidents or experienced water-related tragedies to share their stories, helping to educate others, inspire action, and support those coping with trauma or fear related to water. First Aid Steps For Drowning Step 1: Before diving in to save someone's life, ensure your safety as well by using a flotation device or a long pole to ride through the water. Enter only if you are sure both of you will be saved. Step 2: Get the drowning person out of the water as quickly as possible. Step 3: Lay the person flat on a solid surface. Check their breathing and pulse by placing your ear close to their mouth and nose to listen for breath sounds. You can also watch their chest movements. Place two fingers on their neck, just under the jawline, to check the pulse. Step 4: Give them five rescue breaths before going ahead with chest compressions. Step 5: If the person is still short of breath, give them proper CPR. Step 6: Finally, if the recovery is achieved, ensure you prevent cold and hypothermia by covering them with a blanket. view comments First Published: July 25, 2025, 07:20 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

WHO launches policy summaries on air quality and health to drive sector-specific action
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  • The Hindu

WHO launches policy summaries on air quality and health to drive sector-specific action

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