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Think sugar causes diabetes? These 15 myths could be risking your health
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Business Standard
2 days ago
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Think sugar causes diabetes? These 15 myths could be risking your health
Is fruit bad for diabetes? Can you reverse it with lemon water? Do sugar-free foods help? In this edition of Fact-check Friday, we bust the 15 biggest diabetes myths that still trip people up. With insights from top doctors, this video sets the record straight so you can take control of your health—with facts, not fear. ????⚕️ Featuring Dr Manisha Arora & Dr Ajay Agarwal
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First Post
3 days ago
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Your screen is making you sick? Experts call for digital detox as screen time fuels health crisis
Doctors across specialties are calling for digital detox as screen-related stress, sleep issues and anxiety surge in 2025. Experts explain how intentional disconnection from devices can reset brain chemistry, improve sleep and boost emotional health—making unplugging a modern, science-backed prescription for well-being. read more Haunted by unread books or a dusty yoga mat in the corner? If you're one of the millions who spend an average of five or more hours a day glued to digital screens, scrolling endlessly through social media or binge-watching content, experts warn it's time to consider a reset. Increasingly, doctors are urging people to step away from their screens and embrace digital detox as a vital prescription for physical and mental well-being. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In 2025, as our devices become inseparable from daily life, the need for structured screen breaks has taken on new urgency. Medical professionals across specialties are reporting a dramatic rise in symptoms directly linked to digital overuse from chronic eye strain and sleep disturbances to rising levels of anxiety and social withdrawal. Not just a trend, but preventive medicine 'Digital detox isn't a fad, it's now a critical part of preventive healthcare,' Dr. Manisha Arora, Director of Internal Medicine at the CK Birla Hospital (Delhi) told Firstpost. 'In today's hyper-connected environment, our brains are overwhelmed with constant notifications from apps like YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The impact on mental and physical health is visible across all age groups.' According to Dr. Arora, prolonged exposure to screens contributes to reduced physical activity, disrupted sleep cycles, and poor posture. Children and teenagers are increasingly complaining of headaches and restlessness, while older adults are reporting fatigue and difficulty focusing. The physical toll is significant. 'Ophthalmologists are seeing more cases of digital eye strain. ENT specialists are noting hearing issues caused by excessive use of earbuds, especially among younger patients,' she says. Mental health professionals, too, are witnessing the fallout: rising cases of anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, particularly linked to social media comparison. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Doctors are now routinely discussing 'digital hygiene' during consultations. 'We advise families to set screen-free hours, especially during meals and before bedtime,' Dr. Arora said. For children, structured screen time and parental controls are vital. For adults, mindfulness in digital consumption—engaging with content intentionally rather than passively is key. Unplugging is neuroscience-backed self-care Dr. Gagan Saini, Vice Chairman and Head of Radiation Oncology at Yashoda Medicity, frames digital detox in biological terms. 'Excessive screen time overstimulates the sympathetic nervous system, the 'fight or flight' response, keeping the body in a constant state of low-grade stress. This contributes to elevated cortisol levels, poor sleep, fatigue, and difficulty focusing. Blue light exposure from screens disrupts melatonin release, affecting circadian rhythm and sleep architecture. 'As a physician, I've observed an alarming rise in symptoms linked not to viruses or chronic disease, but to screen overuse. Headaches, sleep disturbances, anxiety, eye strain and even postural issues are increasingly rooted in our digital habits. The prescription? A concept as simple as it is powerful: unplugging,' he added. Dr Saini further said that unplugging allows the parasympathetic nervous system, our 'rest and digest' mode to regain balance. 'Even 30 minutes a day of conscious disconnection from phones, laptops and television can lower heart rate, improve mood and support better sleep quality.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The doctor's prescription: conscious disconnection Both Dr Saini and Dr Arora emphasised intentional disconnection as the new health mantra. From using focus apps and screen time trackers to setting social media boundaries, small daily habits can prevent long-term health consequences. The goal isn't to reject technology but to use it wisely, on our own terms. 'Walk without earphones. Talk without distractions. Make time for silence,' urges Dr. Saini. 'This isn't just good advice—it's medicine.' As digital engagement becomes unavoidable, choosing when and how to disconnect may be the most powerful health intervention of our time.
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Tech meets touch: How doctors are adapting to the digital transformation of healthcare
As AI, telemedicine and digital tools transform healthcare, doctors are adapting to a tech-driven future while preserving the human touch. Experts say technology can enhance care but empathy, intuition and doctor-patient relationships remain essential in modern medicine's evolving role. read more As technology continues to transform healthcare at an unprecedented pace, doctors are learning to walk the tightrope between innovation and intuition. From AI-powered diagnostics to telemedicine platforms and wearable tech, physicians across India are adopting new tools with cautious optimism but insist that the irreplaceable human touch remains at the core of healing. Dr. Ajay Agarwal, Senior Director of Internal Medicine at Fortis Hospital (Noida) believes that while digital innovation brings undeniable efficiency, it must be grounded in clinical wisdom. 'We must navigate this transformation with a blend of cautious optimism and evolving pragmatism,' he said. Telemedicine for instance, has become a permanent fixture in healthcare practice, especially for chronic disease follow-ups and preliminary triage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'It has enhanced accessibility and allowed us to manage patients remotely with greater ease,' Dr. Agarwal added. 'But subtle diagnostic cues like a patient's gait, expressions or behavioural signs—are still best read in person.' AI, meanwhile, is viewed by Dr. Agarwal as a powerful assistant rather than a replacement. 'It opens doors to deeper clinical reasoning by highlighting imaging patterns and supporting diagnosis, but its integration must be critically evaluated by trained physicians,' he said. Digital health portals and patient records available online have also improved data sharing across hospitals, bridging long-standing communication gaps. Still, he added, 'The art of understanding the person behind the illness, that is something no tool can replicate.' Dr. Tushar Tayal, Consultant in Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital (Gurugram) echoed this sentiment, saying that technology has permanently altered the landscape of healthcare. 'The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a shift that was already underway,' he says. Telemedicine has evolved from a peripheral service to a mainstay of patient care, particularly useful for mental health, routine follow-ups and care in underserved regions. 'Doctors have had to develop virtual bedside manners—learning how to maintain empathy and build trust through a screen.' AI's role in diagnostics is particularly pronounced in radiology, pathology, and dermatology, where pattern recognition can be enhanced by machine learning. 'These tools help reduce errors and allow us to focus more on patient interaction,' Dr. Tayal added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Wearables and mobile health apps are another frontier. Devices that monitor heart rate, blood sugar, and sleep patterns now offer real-time data that can inform personalised treatment plans. 'Doctors are collaborating with data scientists to make sense of this information,' he said. Medical education is also adapting, with new training modules focusing on digital ethics, AI tools and critical data analysis. Still, the integration of tech in healthcare isn't without its challenges. Data privacy, screen fatigue and the risk of over-reliance on algorithms remain key concerns. Yet both doctors agree that rather than replacing physicians, technology is expanding their role. Today's doctors are no longer just healers, they are digital guides, interpreters of complex data and managers of virtual care ecosystems.
