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India Today
4 days ago
- Health
- India Today
One body, many risks: How doctors are fighting silent diseases
While India celebrates National Doctor's Day on July 1, healthcare professionals are raising red flags over a quieter health emergency—lifestyle diseases that damage multiple organs silently and often without warning. From heart attacks in young adults to early cognitive decline and undiagnosed cancers, doctors across specialities are now urging Indians to shift from reactive treatments to proactive prevention. Here's what experts from cardiology, gastroenterology, neurology, orthopaedics, and oncology have to AGE 30, YOU SHOULD START CHECKING YOUR HEALTH"Dr Vikram B Kolhari, Senior Consultant – Cardiology at Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru, notes that heart attacks are increasingly being reported in patients in their 30s. 'Early detection through cholesterol and blood pressure checks, followed by lifestyle changes, can prevent long-term damage,' he recommends a cardiac rehabilitation program not just post-heart attack but as a preventive measure. 'A sodium-restricted, nutrient-rich diet combined with regular physical activity can boost heart performance. Even if you're symptom-free, get screened,' he advises."YOUR GUT IS THE FIRST ORGAN TO REFLECT STRESS," According to Dr Vijay Kumar HJ, Consultant – Gastroenterology, today's fast-paced lifestyles make our digestive system highly vulnerable. 'Persistent bloating, constipation, or acidity are early signs your gut is under stress,' he advocates for daily gut care: high-fiber meals, hydration, and movement. 'Your gut has its own language—learn to hear it before it screams for help,' he adds, stressing that gut disorders left unchecked can lead to serious illnesses like fatty liver or even gut cancers."BRAIN FOG AND MOOD SWINGS MAY SIGNAL EARLY COGNITIVE DECLINE,"advertisement'Brain fog is real,' says Dr Jayanth SS, Consultant Neurologist. 'If you're forgetting recent events, struggling to focus, or constantly fatigued, don't brush it off.'He explains that unmanaged stress, lack of sleep, and hormonal imbalances can trigger mood swings and memory issues, which may escalate into cognitive conditions like early dementia. He also warns that seizures, if ignored, may cause neuronal loss and emotional dysregulation. 'Prevention begins with attention to the mind's subtle red flags,' he says."MUSCLE LOSS STARTS QUIETLY—AND EARLY," ADVISESMusculoskeletal issues aren't just for the elderly, says Dr Rahul Puri, Consultant Joint Replacement and Robotic Surgeon. 'Most people today sit for hours in poor postures and skip strength training. By 40, many start losing muscle mass,' he lack of conditioning, combined with poor ergonomics and nutrition, can lead to serious injuries later. 'Falls in your 50s or 60s are not just accidents—they're often results of decades of neglect. Regular strength exercises can improve balance, posture, and bone density,' he adds."CANCER GIVES CLUES—IF YOU LISTEN TO YOUR BODYDr Vishwanath Sathyanarayanan, Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology, highlights the importance of recognizing cancer's early warning signs. He recommends remembering the 'CAUTION' acronym for symptoms like unexplained bleeding, lumps, or digestive lifestyle—junk food, stress, alcohol, smoking, and poor sleep—is directly increasing cancer risk,' he says. Routine screenings for breast, cervical, colon, lung, and prostate cancers are crucial. Post-treatment, he advocates for nutrition, psychosocial care, and ongoing medical follow-ups for healthy IS THE NEW PRESCRIPTIONDoctors agree: preventive care is no longer optional. Screenings, mindful habits, exercise, and regular check-ups can collectively help Indians live longer, healthier lives. National Doctor's Day isn't just a tribute—it's a reminder to take charge of your health before silent symptoms become serious diseases.- EndsTrending Reel
India Today
19-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
Nighttime symptoms that are big red flags for your heart, liver and kidneys
Do you wake up often at night to urinate, struggle to breathe while lying down, or wake up sweating for no clear reason? These could be signs of more than just poor sleep -- they might point to serious problems with your heart, kidneys, or say nighttime symptoms are often ignored, but they can be early red flags for heart failure, blocked arteries, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and even liver frequent night urination could mean heart or kidney trouble Getting up often at night to urinate, called nocturia, is more than just annoying. It can be an early sign of heart failure or kidney disease."During the day, in heart failure, the body holds on to fluid, especially in the legs. At night, when you lie down, this fluid moves back into the bloodstream and is filtered by the kidneys, making you urinate more. In kidney disease, the kidneys lose their ability to concentrate urine, so you make more urine both day and night, but nighttime urination is usually more noticeable and disturbing," Dr. Vikram B Kolhari, senior cardiologist at Apollo nighttime urination is chronic and comes with swelling in the legs, fatigue, or shortness of breath, it's time to see a trouble and sweating at night? Don't ignore itBreathlessness while lying down or suddenly waking due to shortness of breath can be warning signs. Getting up often at night to urinate, called nocturia, is an early sign of heart failure or kidney disease. () 'Shortness of breath at night can mean your heart isn't pumping blood well, causing fluid to build up in the lungs,' says Dr. signs include: night sweats caused by your heart working extra hard due to blocked arteries, chest discomfort or pain due to pressure, tightness, or squeezing, especially if it wakes you up or comes with breathlessness, and sleep apnea involving disrupted breathing during sleep can be linked to heart problems and high blood of restful sleep can itself increase blood pressure and strain the heart over or restless legs linked to liver issuesMany people with liver problems notice their sleep quality gets worse.'Most people with liver disease find their sleep is affected. You might get insomnia or feel un-refreshed after sleep,' says Dr. Shalini Bhutta, consultant physician at Neotia Mediplus OPD & Diagnostics may take longer to fall asleep, or wake up often. Some even report restless legs, an urge to move the legs, especially at nigh, which may be linked to liver function. Shortness of breath at night can mean your heart isn't pumping blood well. () Not every sleep issue means disease, but some symptoms shouldn't be ignored.'Frequent sleep disturbances, poor sleep quality, breathing problems, chest pain, or persistent anxiety at night are signs to consult a doctor,' says Dr. sleep–heart connection: Why sleep apnea is dangerousObstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is more than loud snoring or tiredness. It can put serious pressure on your heart. It is linked to high blood pressure, heart rhythm issues, and even heart attacks, says Dr. with OSA often stop breathing multiple times during the night, which lowers oxygen and increases stress on the heart. People with OSA often stop breathing multiple times during the night, which lowers oxygen and increases stress on the heart. () advertisementOver time, this can lead to heart failure, stroke, and metabolic problems like diabetes and to see a doctorIf you notice any of these nighttime symptoms:Waking up often to urinateFeeling breathless while lying downWaking up with chest pain or sweatingInsomnia or restless legsConstant poor sleep or fatigueThese could be your body's way of warning you about your heart, liver, or kidneys.
