Health

What's the deadly kissing bug disease spreading across the US?

Chagas disease, a potentially fatal illness spread by the blood-sucking kissing bug, is now found across 32 US states, with local infections confirmed in eight. The CDC warns that over 280,000 Americans may be infected without knowing, as the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi silently damages the heart and digestive system

For the first time, world has more obese school kids than underweight

For the first time ever, global childhood obesity now outstrips underweight, affecting 1 in 10 school-aged children. UNICEF warns ultra-processed food and poor policy have created a new, urgent form of malnutrition.

Drink more, worry less: How water could be your new stress buster

A new study, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, found that people who drank less than one-and-a-half litres daily showed dramatically higher levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, when faced with stressful situations. The findings further add hydration to the growing list of lifestyle factors that influence stress resilience

RFK Jr autism report: Could a common painkiller taken during pregnancy be a factor?

The US Department of Health and Human Services is set to release a report on autism this month. Led by Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, the probe may link Tylenol use during pregnancy and low folate levels to autism. But what does science say?

Doctor Explains | Why Pap smears can’t detect ovarian cancer and which tests women should rely on instead

Ovarian cancer is often called the silent killer. In this report, Firstpost brings out expert insights on why it remains difficult to detect, the symptoms women should not ignore and how new treatments such as PARP inhibitors are reshaping outcomes.

Infant born with 2 babies in abdomen: What is this rare medical condition?

In a remarkably rare case, doctors in Gurugram recently removed two 'parasitic' foetuses growing inside the abdomen of a one-month-old baby girl. The condition, known as foetus in fetu, is extremely rare, seen in only about 1 in 5,00,000 live births worldwide. Here's how doctors managed to save the infant

Experts warn vitamin D deficiency during monsoon raises fracture risk

In India, an ICMR study estimates that nearly 22–39% of adults over 40 show signs of osteoarthritis, and doctors warn that weather changes like high humidity and reduced sunlight can worsen symptoms.

‘No place in children’s hands’: Why the UK is banning energy drinks for under 16s

The United Kingdom plans to ban sales of energy drinks to under-16s, citing their health risks among young people. Previously, a survey found that among teenagers aged 13 to 16, as many as one in three admits to having them weekly. Are these beverages bad for health?

Get dirty: How gardening is a good stress-buster

Research suggests 20 to 30 minutes of gardening a few times a week can reduce stress and lift mood, with benefits increasing the more regularly one gardens. Digging the dirt also strengthens social connections, and increases fibre intake, which helps reduce risk factors for some physical and mental illnesses, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cancer

Is intermittent fasting increasing the risk of heart attacks?

A new study, published in the journal Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome, links intermittent fasting to a 135 per cent higher risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attacks or strokes. While researchers say more long-term study is needed to know for sure, they have cautioned against the one-size-fits-all approach to fasting

How safe are sleep gummies for kids? Here's what sleep researcher says

Melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone that makes us feel sleepy, is used to treat sleep-related issues. Amid a rise in reports of non-fatal overdoses of melatonin gummies in Western Australia, a sleep researcher looks at their safety.

Dr explains: Why 60% of liver cancers are preventable and how early action can save lives

Liver cancer, sixth in incidence and fourth in deaths globally, is mostly preventable. Rising cases are linked to MASLD, obesity and diabetes. Firstpost brings out experts’ view on the growing burden, the importance of early detection, and how lifestyle changes, better surveillance and newer therapies can help reduce its toll.

Was CDC director Susan Monarez fired for opposing RFK Jr's vaccine policy?

Susan Monarez’s tenure as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director ended abruptly less than a month after she was sworn in. The White House announced her removal, while her lawyers insist she was neither fired nor resigned. Her ouster, driven by clashes over Robert F Kennedy Jr’s vaccine policies, triggered the resignations of several top CDC officials

How heatwaves are making people age faster

Heatwaves are no longer just short-lived threats. New research reveals that repeated exposure to extreme heat accelerates biological ageing, with effects comparable to smoking or alcohol. Outdoor workers and rural residents are most vulnerable, while rising global temperatures mean billions could face long-term health consequences