Beauty's war with mind
'Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a severe mental health condition where a person is intensely obsessed with any self-perceived flaws or defects in their physical appearance, flaws that are either not observable or appear minor to others. This preoccupation over their body causes significant emotional distress and can interfere with day-to-day functioning, relationships, and their social life,' says Dr Aana Shah, consultant psychiatrist at Aster Prime Hospital, Ameerpet.
This isn't about someone simply disliking a selfie or wishing for clearer skin. This is a psychological struggle where the mind distorts reality. 'Though core features are similar. Generally women often focus on skin, hair, weight, or facial features. Men may also fixate on muscularity (muscle dysmorphia), hair thinning, or genitals. They might be more likely to exercise excessively or use steroids,' narrates Dr C Manjula Rao, clinical psychologist at Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills.
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Time of India
21 hours ago
- Time of India
Apollo Hospitals shares in focus as brokerages hike target prices post strong Q1FY26 results
Apollo Hospitals shares are likely to be in focus on Thursday, August 14, after the company posted a strong set of Q1FY26 results , prompting multiple brokerage firms to raise their target prices for the stock. The healthcare major reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 433 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, marking a 42% year-on-year increase from Rs 305 crore in the same period last year. On a sequential basis, PAT was up 11% from Rs 390 crore in Q4FY25. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Revenue from operations in Q1FY26 rose 15% year-on-year to Rs 5,842 crore compared to Rs 5,086 crore in Q1FY25. Sequentially, revenue grew 4.5% from Rs 5,592 crore in the March quarter. The robust performance was supported by growth across segments, improved specialty mix, and operational efficiency gains. Nuvama: Buy| Target price: Rs 9,010 Nuvama has raised its target price for Apollo Hospitals to Rs 9,010 from Rs 8,635, maintaining a 'Buy' rating. Live Events The brokerage noted strong performance from HealthCo and said sustained execution remains key. It expects hospital growth from H2FY26 through phased bed expansion, higher international patient inflows, and an improved specialty mix. Nuvama also highlighted potential value unlocking from the Keimed merger, front-end restructuring, and a possible listing within 18 months. HealthCo's valuation multiple was raised to 26x from 22x, and FY26E/FY27E EBITDA estimates were increased by 2% and 4%, respectively. Motilal Oswal: Buy| Target price: Rs 9,010 Motilal Oswal also raised its target price to Rs 9,010 from Rs 8,720 while maintaining a 'Buy' rating. The firm cited broad-based growth with EBITDA and PAT beating estimates on cost optimisation and noted that profitability was boosted by lower operating expenses. It highlighted a 14% year-on-year rise in surgical revenues on the back of strong CONGO therapy momentum. HealthCo is on track for cash EBITDA breakeven (excluding ESOP) by Q2FY26/Q3FY26. The brokerage expects 15%, 21%, and 28% CAGR in revenue, EBITDA, and PAT, respectively, over FY25–FY27 and has raised its FY26/FY27 earnings estimates by 7%. Avendus: Buy| Target price: Rs 8,765 Avendus has increased its target price for Apollo Hospitals to Rs 8,765 from Rs 8,515, reiterating a 'Buy' call. The brokerage has advanced the breakeven timeline for the online business EBITDA to FY27 from FY28 earlier. It projects ex-Keimed revenue CAGR at 17% in FY25–FY27, with EBITDA expected at Rs 510 crore and Rs 770 crore for FY26 and FY27, respectively. Offline pharmacy revenue CAGR is also projected at 17%, while existing units' EBITDA CAGR is estimated at 16% in the same period. Avendus factors in the AHCo–Keimed merger in April 2026 and the APL front-end acquisition in April 2027. It expects healthcare services EBITDA CAGR of 14% and AHLL at 22% over FY25–FY27. FY26/FY27 EBITDA estimates have been raised by 4% each, driven by higher AHCo EBITDA, partly offset by new hospital losses. Also read: Zerodha's Nithin Kamath on how a boring, invisible Sebi step brought windfall gains for retail investors ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
The Print
2 days ago
- The Print
Harvard researchers may have found key piece to Alzheimer's puzzle. It was in the human brain all along
The disease, which typically affects a large number of those above 65 years of age and is the commonest cause of dementia, is characterised by destruction of memory and mental functions and researchers have been working for decades to find its cure, without success. Scientists associated with the Harvard Medical School in the US say, the key to Alzheimer's—an incurable neurodegenerative condition—could be lithium metal, already well-known in psychiatry for treating conditions such as bipolar disorder. But until now, its deficiency had not been directly linked with Alzheimer's. New Delhi: The findings from a ground-breaking scientific project on early detection, prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease may lead to a foundational piece of the puzzle. The latest study, published in journal Nature this month, showed—for the first time—that lithium naturally occurs in the brain, protects it from neurodegeneration and maintains the normal function of all crucial brain cell types. The results—which were a decade in the making—are based on a series of meticulously planned experiments on mice and analyses of human brain tissue, apart from blood samples from people in various stages of cognitive health. 'These observations indicate a physiological role for endogenous lithium that affects brain aging and vulnerability to Alzheimer's,' the scientists noted. It was estimated that in 2021, nearly 50-400 million people worldwide had Alzheimer's, typically associated with high levels of beta-amyloids, a specific type of protein whose build-up can seriously impair functioning of several organs such as the brain. Through this latest project, US scientists found that lithium loss in the human brain is one of the earliest changes leading to Alzheimer's, while in mice, similar lithium depletion accelerated brain pathology and memory decline. Also, the reduced lithium levels stemmed from binding to amyloid plaques and impaired uptake in the brain. A final set of experiments also found that a novel lithium compound that avoids capture by amyloid plaques restored memory in mice. Understandably, clinicians are excited. 'This work shifts lithium from the sidelines to centrestage in Alzheimer's research, revealing it might have an overlooked but important key to understanding the ailment, with implications for its early detection, prevention, and management,' Dr Sudhir Kumar, a senior neurologist associated with Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, told ThePrint. In India, it is estimated that nearly 8 million people are currently living with Alzheimer's, and this number is projected to double by 2030. Also read: 'Rare' genetic mutation linked to Alzhiemer's resistance in international study Spotting the missing link Experts say that the life-altering disease has for long been associated with clumps of the protein amyloid beta, neurofibrillary tangles of the protein Tau—another crucial protein found in neurons—and loss of a protective type of protein, known as REST. Yet, these never fully explained the exact cause behind the disease. For instance, some people with these abnormalities have the condition but many others don't. For years, research has focused on preventing or slowing beta-amyloid build-up, from early vaccine attempts to more recent monoclonal antibody therapies such as lecanenab and donanenab approved by the US Food And Drug Administration, said Dr Arabinda Mukherjee, neurologist with CMRI Hospital in Kolkata. These newer drugs typically target the beta-amyloid plaque but don't reverse memory loss and only modestly reduce the rate of decline. The risk of the disease has also been linked with genetic and environmental factors but neuroscientists have not been able to figure out why some people with these risk factors develop Alzheimer's but others don't. In this context, the answer thrown by the new study—lithium—could be the critical missing link. The CMRI neurologist said that anything that gives us a new path towards prevention or slowing progression could have a profound impact—not only on patients, but also on their families and the healthcare system. 'This study is a reminder that sometimes solutions may lie in unexpected places, and that even familiar compounds can reveal new possibilities when science takes a closer look,' he underlined. Why a potential game-changer The new findings, experts say, fill a major gap in our understanding of early Alzheimer's pathology and the study is the first to show that lithium is naturally present in the brain and that its levels drop significantly in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to Alzheimer's. Among the implications of the results, said Dr Kumar, could be the reframing of lithium from a psychiatric drug to a potential nutrient-like neuroprotective agent; as the findings have demonstrated, it plays a physiological role in brain health, not just a pharmacologic one, and its deprivation may be an early driver of Alzheimer's. It may also lead to introduction of amyloid-evading lithium compounds such as lithium orotate, as unlike conventional lithium salts like carbonates, lithium orotate can bypass amyloid sequestration. In mouse models, it rescued memory and halted neuropathology without the toxicity seen at higher doses. Additionally, the work has offered new diagnostic and therapeutic avenues and shown that tracking lithium levels, possibly through blood or imaging, could serve as an early biomarker for disease risk. Low-dose lithium supplementation, especially with plaque-evading forms, may emerge as a preventative or disease-modifying strategy, pointed out Dr Kumar. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: There is a huge treatment gap for neurological conditions like Alzheimer's—how to close it
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business Standard
Over 18,000 lives saved through organ donation, but demand persists
World Organ Donation Day, marked annually on August 13, promotes awareness about organ donation's life-saving potential, honours donors, and urges more people to pledge their organs. The 2025 theme, 'Answering The Call,' highlights the role of professionals in donation and transplantation while inspiring greater public participation. Organ failure remains a pressing health issue. 'A single donor can save up to eight lives, offering renewed hope and dignity,' said Dr Naveen M Nayak, consultant – nephrology and renal transplantation, Apollo Hospitals Bangalore. The numbers Despite progress, a vast gap persists between demand and availability. United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data shows over 106,000 people in need of life-saving transplants globally. In India, over 63,000 await kidney transplants and about 22,000 need liver transplants. India performed over 18,900 transplants in 2024 — the highest ever — ranking third globally after the US and China, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said. This marks a sharp rise from fewer than 5,000 in 2013. "Lakhs of people need a transplant every year, but only a small fraction actually get one. Awareness is slowly improving in cities, but in many places, people still don't know much about it or have wrong ideas about the process. We need more public education and a stronger system to match donors with patients quickly," said Dr Sushanth Kulkarni, senior consultant urologist, Laparoscopic & Renal Transplant Surgeon at CARE Hospitals, Hyderabad. NOTTO's role in India The National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) coordinates organ donation and maintains the national registry. Its Aadhaar-linked online pledge portal, launched in 2023, has seen over 330,000 registrations. Recent guidelines give priority to women patients and relatives of deceased donors in allocation, aiming to address disparities and encourage donations. Common myths and misconceptions According to Dr Nayak, several misconceptions still prevent people from registering as organ donors. 1. Age and medical conditions automatically disqualify you "This is not true. For living donors, the usual age range is 18 to 65 years, but for deceased donors, the age limit can be extended. We've had small children donate organs to save lives, and elderly people with well-preserved organs can also be donors," he explains. Only a few medical conditions, such as damage to a specific organ, may rule out donation of that organ, but other healthy organs can still be donated. 2. Doctors won't try to save you if you're a registered donor "Doctors always try to save the patient's life. Only when brain function is lost and brain death is declared can a person be considered for donation," says Dr Nayak. 3. Religious or cultural beliefs prohibit donation Some people fear that donating an organ will affect them in the next life, or that their religion forbids it. "This is not a scientific belief, and no religion disqualifies a person from becoming a donor," he clarifies. 4. Having a donor card is enough Merely signing up or carrying a donor card is not sufficient. "Your family should be aware of your wishes, because they make the final decision if you are declared brain-dead," he says. 5. Organ donation disfigures the body "Living donation today uses laparoscopic surgery, and the body is not disfigured," Dr Nayak notes. 6. Only the wealthy can afford a transplant This is a common misconception among people who need transplant. Many government hospitals, NGOs, and government schemes provide financial support for transplants, even for those from low-income backgrounds. 7. Transplants are only for kidneys and livers While these are the most common, donations can also include the heart, lungs, cornea, hands, and more. "Many other transplants can improve a patient's quality of life," Dr Nayak emphasizes. Join the movement - become a donor Experts urge citizens to register via the NOTTO website or hospital coordinators and, crucially, to inform their families. Dr Nayak explains that registering as an organ donor is simple, "You can visit the NOTTO website and scan the QR code available there. Fill in your details, and you'll receive an online donor card. Alternatively, you can also register through your hospital's transplant coordinator."
