Samosa vs Health: Will calorie warnings stop India's junk food obsession?
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Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Karnataka battles dengue surge amid rising monsoon health crisis
Karnataka has recorded the third-highest number of dengue cases in India between April and June 2025, with 1,480 reported infections and no deaths, as per provisional data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Only Kerala (3,871 cases, 16 deaths) and Tamil Nadu (3,023 cases, 2 deaths) surpassed Karnataka in dengue numbers during this period. While the state avoided fatalities, the volume of cases highlights the pressure on local health systems during the pre-monsoon and early monsoon surge in dengue cases has been concentrated in southern India, emerging as a regional public health challenge. Along with Karnataka, Maharashtra (1,345 cases) and Telangana (433 cases) also reported a significant number of infections. Kerala's high fatality rate has caused alarm, and Tamil Nadu's steep jump in cases—from 4,778 in 2024 to over 8,500 so far this year—points to a worsening Karnataka's case numbers are high, they remain largely consistent with last year's data, suggesting a relatively steady trajectory. Health experts, however, caution against interpreting this as a sign of control, warning that the ongoing monsoon season still poses significant a broader vector-borne disease (VBD) front, Karnataka appears to have maintained stability. The state recorded 148 malaria cases between January and June 2025, a marginal increase from the 141 cases reported during the same period last year. Notably, there were no reported cases of Kala-azar, Japanese Encephalitis, or Chikungunya, indicating effective surveillance and disease prevention situation stands in contrast to states like Odisha, where malaria cases nearly doubled—from 12,363 to 24,472. Similarly, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh witnessed sharp spikes in dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. Karnataka's neighbours, Telangana and Kerala, also reported a rise in dengue and malaria, attribute Karnataka's relatively stable VBD numbers to better preparedness, baseline public health infrastructure, and community-level interventions. However, the continued high burden of dengue infections demands intensified control measures, including mosquito breeding source reduction, timely fogging, and better warn that the absence of fatalities should not create a false sense of security. Urban crowding, water stagnation, and poor waste management continue to foster mosquito breeding, especially during the rains. Strengthened public participation and inter-departmental coordination will be crucial in preventing further dengue and chikungunya cases are reportedly down compared to 2024, but regional spikes have emerged. The Health Ministry has stepped up efforts with disease surveillance through the Integrated Health Information Portal and pre-monsoon preparedness, including training, drug supply, and integrated vector its high dengue load but stable performance on other VBDs, Karnataka stands at a critical juncture. .
Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Indian Express
Weighing less than her birth weight, Gaza infant starves to death: ‘She needed baby formula'
On a street shattered with rubble in war-torn Gaza, a mother held her five-month-old daughter for the last time. Covered in a thin white cloth, Zainab Abu Halib was not even heavier than anything. She had already died before reaching the pediatric ward of one of the final active hospitals in the Gaza strip. Her mother Esraa bent down and kissed her daughter's cool and shrunken forehead for the last time. Zainab weighed just under 2kg at her death, less than when she was born. Her body bore the starvation, skin stretched over bone, limbs so thin a morgue worker's thumb was wider than her ankles. Her father Ahmed said, 'She needed special baby formula which did not exist in Gaza.' His voice breaking as he stood beside her small, cloth-wrapped body during funeral prayers held in the hospital courtyard. Zainab's story is not unique. She is one of at least 85 children confirmed to have died from malnutrition-related causes during the war in Gaza, according to the territory's Health Ministry. The total number of deaths tied to starvation including adults has risen to 127 with many cases reported only in the past few weeks. Dr Ahmed al-Farah who is the head of pediatrics at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis called Zainab's condition 'severe, severe starvation.' She had been allergic to cow's milk and needed a specialised formula. Without it chronic diarrhea and vomiting weakened her tiny body. As her immune system collapsed and infection set in. Within weeks, she was gone. Her family who were displaced and living in a makeshift tent struggled to find even basic food, let alone the specific formula Zainab needed. Esraa, who is undernourished herself, could only breastfeed her daughter for six weeks. After that there was nothing else left. 'With my daughter's death, many will follow. Our children, whom we carried for nine months, have become just numbers,' Esraa said. Doctors at Nasser Hospital are sounding alarms as cases of acute malnutrition surge. With only eight pediatric beds the department is treating around 60 children in which many laid on extra mattresses on the floor. Another clinic tied to the hospital reports 40 new malnutrition cases weekly. 'Unless the crossings are opened and food and baby formula are allowed in for this vulnerable segment of Palestinian society, we will witness unprecedented numbers of deaths,' Dr al-Farah warned. Humanitarian aid has been slow. Since March after the collapse of the most recent ceasefire, Israel halted the entry of food, fuel, and medicine for over two months to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. Aid resumed in May but remains insufficient. Israel's Foreign Ministry claims to have allowed around 4,500 aid trucks since then including 2,500 tons of baby food and special formulas. Still, this averages fewer than 70 trucks a day far below the 500 to 600 daily shipments the UN says are needed. The situation has been further more complicated by chaos on the ground. Hungry crowds and desperate gangs often intercept trucks before the food can be distributed. In some cases over 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed while attempting to reach aid. A mother's robe hung loose on her child's frame, her own hunger barely hidden. 'There was a shortage of everything. How can a girl like her recover?' she asked. Last Saturday, Israel announced a new humanitarian pause to allow more aid deliveries, but denied accusations of intentional starvation. A government statement blamed Hamas for manipulating 'images of children suffering from terminal diseases.' (With Associated Press inputs)
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
Diabetes in Your 40s? Your Heart Needs Aggressive Protection—Now
Living with diabetes in your 40s is no longer uncommon. But what many people don't realize is that this is also the age when your heart begins to face real, silent threats—especially if diabetes is part of the equation. Today, experts stress that aggressive prevention strategies for heart health must begin early, particularly for individuals with diabetes. Dr. Kushal Sharnagat, Consultant CardiologistQuote: Avoid late-night heavy meals, especially oily curries, as they can trigger postprandial lipid spikes and strain the heart. After 40, opt for lighter, earlier dinners to ease both digestive and cardiovascular Diabetes and Heart Disease Come Together Diabetes on its own is a demanding condition, but its impact on heart health makes it even more critical to manage proactively. The presence of high blood sugar over time can damage blood vessels and contribute to the buildup of plaque in arteries—a condition known as atherosclerosis. This makes the heart more vulnerable to serious complications like heart attacks or strokes. Even those recently diagnosed with diabetes, and especially those in their 40s, face an elevated risk—often before any heart symptoms are visible. That's why it's essential not just to manage diabetes, but to start actively protecting the heart from the very beginning. Dr. Anshu Kumar Jha, DM CardiologistQuote: Family history of heart disease is common among Indians. If a parent had a heart attack before age 55 (for men) or 65 (for women), your risk doubles. After 40, prioritize annual cardiac checkups , even if you feel perfectly healthy. Turning 40? It's Time to Reassess Your Health Plan Your 40s are a pivotal decade for your long-term health. It's the age when the early effects of diabetes begin to show—subtly, quietly, and often without warning. Medical guidelines now recommend that all individuals with diabetes aged 40 and above consider preventive measures for heart disease . One of the key interventions suggested is the early use of lipid-lowering therapy, such as statins, to reduce cholesterol and the risk of plaque buildup. These are not treatments for someone who is already ill—they are preventive steps for people who appear healthy but have underlying risk factors like diabetes. Dr. Munish Dev, Consultant CardiologistQuote: Heart disease is the leading silent killer for those over 40. Symptoms often go unnoticed until it's too late. Make your check-ups non-negotiable and your wellness a daily priority. Your heart isn't just pumping blood-it's powering your life. Why Early Prevention Matters The goal of early intervention is simple: stop problems before they start. When you live with diabetes, managing your blood sugar is important—but it's not enough on its own. Other factors like LDL (bad cholesterol), blood pressure, and lifestyle choices also play a huge role in your overall cardiovascular health. Left unchecked, diabetes can quietly and progressively damage your arteries over time, leading to complications that are harder to treat later. That's why starting a heart-focused health plan at 40 isn't just advisable—it's essential. Dr. Consultant Interventional CardiologistQuote:Turning 40 is not a health decline-it's a wake-up call. Your heart has been working hard for decades. Support it with healthy habits, manage stress, and never ignore signs like fatigue or chest discomfort. Prevention begins with awareness. Your Prevention Checklist at 40+ If you're in your 40s and living with diabetes, here's what a proactive prevention approach might look like: Get your cholesterol (LDL-C) checked regularly, not just your preventive therapy with your doctor—even if you feel heart-friendly lifestyle changes—a healthy diet, regular exercise, and no your blood pressure and maintain it within recommended delay action just because you don't have symptoms yet. These steps don't just protect your heart—they improve your quality of life and reduce the risk of major health events down the line. Dr. Sridhara Suthan, Consultant & Interventional CardiologistQuote: Metabolic syndrome, seen frequently in urban Indian adults post-40, significantly increases the risk of heart attacks. Waist size, fasting glucose, HDL, and triglycerides are crucial markers. Routine health checks can help manage these before complications set in.. Not Just for High-Risk Cases Often, people think heart disease prevention is only for those with a family history or those who've had a prior cardiac event. But that's no longer the case. Anyone with diabetes, especially over the age of 40, is already in a higher-risk category, even without a personal history of heart disease. And with diabetes becoming more common in younger age groups, acting early is more important than ever. Conclusion: Small Steps Now, Stronger Heart Later Your 40s should be a time to build and protect your health—not wait for warning signs. If you have diabetes, it's time to think beyond sugar and take steps that protect your heart for the long run. Because prevention at 40 is far better than treatment at 50. Disclaimer - The above content is non-editorial, and ET Healthworld hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content.
