Health Archives - Page 3 of 15

Naswar Use Drives Surge in Oral and Dental Cancer in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

3Sep

By Tahreem Akram1 Comment

Health

Naswar Use Drives Surge in Oral and Dental Cancer in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Health experts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have linked the excessive use of naswar, a form of smokeless tobacco, to a sharp increase in oral and dental cancer cases. In past three months, biggest dental hospital in KPK has diagnosed more than 35 patients with these serious conditions. Dr. Bashir Rehman, a leading dental surgeon, has been treating many of these patients. He expressed deep concern over widespread use of naswar. According to Dr. Bashir, about 15 to 25 percent of population uses naswar regularly, often without understanding severe health risks involved. Naswar contains harmful chemicals, including lime, which directly contribute to development of cancer. Both local and branded varieties have become increasingly popular, further fueling the rise in cancer cases. Dr. Bashir str...

What a Weekend Snooze Could Do for Your Heart Health

1Sep

By Tahreem Akram1 Comment

Health

What a Weekend Snooze Could Do for Your Heart Health

A busy week can disrupt even the best sleep plans, causing many of us to catch up on sleep during weekend. New research suggests that making up for lost sleep on weekends might benefit your heart health. According to a recent study, people who catch up on sleep over the weekend could lower their risk of heart disease by 19%. Study analyzed data from over 90,000 participants in UK Biobank, a health study that tracks individuals’ well-being. Researchers used activity monitors to measure participants' sleep and divided them into groups based on how much they made up for lost sleep on weekends. The group that caught up most on sleep saw a 19% lower risk of developing heart conditions, including heart disease and stroke, compared to those who caught up the least. This effect was even str...

Balochistan Issues High Alert Amid Rising Monkeypox Threat

21Aug

By Tahreem AkramNo Comments

Health, Latest, Pakistan

Balochistan Issues High Alert Amid Rising Monkeypox Threat

The Health Department of Balochistan has raised a high alert across the province, focusing on borders, entry and exit routes, and airports due to the increasing threat of monkeypox. This move aims to prevent the virus from spreading within the region. The health Director General (DG) instructed district health officers (DHOs) in key areas, including Quetta, Kech, Gwadar, Hub, Chaman, and Chagai, to monitor these critical transit points closely. These locations play a significant role in controlling any potential spread of the virus, making them essential for heightened surveillance. The Health Department's letter urged officials to closely monitor all entrance points in border districts. The authorities also issued high alerts for airports and crucial border areas like Gwadar, Turba...

Mpox Declared a Public Health Emergency in Africa

13Aug

By Aqsa Azam1 Comment

Global, Health

Mpox Declared a Public Health Emergency in Africa

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) declared a public health emergency of continental security on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, due to the escalating mpox outbreak across the continent. The Africa CDC made this decision in response to a significant increase in mpox cases, particularly focusing on vulnerable populations like children and sex workers. Mpox is a highly contagious disease previously known as monkeypox. It has been declared a public health emergency in Africa by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). This decision comes as a new, more dangerous strain of the virus rapidly spreads across the continent. As of August 4, 2024, Africa has reported 38,465 mpox cases and 1,456 deaths since January 2022. This year alone, au...

Electric Bandages Speed Up Healing of Chronic Wounds

10Aug

By Tahreem AkramNo Comments

Health, Latest

Electric Bandages Speed Up Healing of Chronic Wounds

A new type of bandage developed by scientists at North Carolina State University could significantly improve how chronic wounds heal. This bandage uses an electric field to speed up the healing process and is much cheaper than other treatments. The electric bandages have shown promising results in tests on animals. They help wounds heal about 30% faster than traditional bandages. This is a big advantage because current treatments for chronic wounds can be very expensive, making it hard for many people to get the care they need. Amay Bandodkar, one of the researchers, says the aim was to create an affordable technology that speeds up healing. The technology is also easy for patients to use at home. The team designed water-powered, electronics-free dressings, or WPEDs. These single-us...