In our latest health updates: Maintaining dental hygiene is crucial for keeping those pearly whites in top shape. According to content creator Ian Clark, a sea salt swish every day until the tooth becomes free of infection is a solution to avoid a root canal. Dr Aditya Sharma, dentist, Dentistree, Pune stated that “Sea salt washes cannot magically eradicate an infection from the tooth. An infected tooth has to be treated properly. Also, various things — like trauma to the spaces or inborne bacteria — can result in an infection; and it is not just of the pulp (nerve).” Warning signs that a root canal might be on the horizon include intense tooth pain, prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold, and swollen gums.
Television actor Firoz Khan, known for his comedic impersonations of Amitabh Bachchan and his role in the sitcom Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai, died on Thursday, 23rd May. Khan suffered a fatal heart attack in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh. In an interaction with The Indian Express, Dr Aman Salwan, consultant- interventional cardiology, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad said, “Extreme heat can increase the risk of heart attacks, and several factors contribute to this." He added that exposure to heat leads to increased sweating and potential dehydration, straining the cardiovascular system. The loss of electrolytes through sweat can also impair heart function.
Next up: According to Dr Vinit Banga, associate director of neurology, at BLK MAX Hospital, taking shorter showers during a heatwave is crucial for maintaining both personal and public health. Talking to The Indian Express, Vinit said, "Prolonged exposure to hot water can exacerbate dehydration, which is already a significant risk during extreme heat. Dehydration can lead to serious complications, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke." He added that shorter showers also help prevent skin irritation, as hot water strips the skin of natural oils, leading to dryness and increasing susceptibility to heat rashes, which are more common in high temperatures.
A Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore encountered severe turbulence, resulting in one passenger fatality and multiple injuries. The aircraft, a Boeing 777-300ER, was diverted to Bangkok due to the emergency. Officials reported a total of 30 injured individuals, including both passengers and crew members. Among them, 18 were hospitalised and another 12 received medical attention. Stating that the reported incident can be understood through several factors, Dr Praneeth Polamuri, consultant cardiologist, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad said, "Turbulence can cause significant stress and anxiety, which can elevate heart rate and blood pressure, potentially triggering a heart attack, especially in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions."
Meanwhile: Many people are wondering if Kartik Aaryan’s recent feat of reducing his body fat from 39 per cent to seven per cent without steroids and sugar for 14 months is possible or achievable. Functional medicine expert and celebrity coach Vijay Thakkar said, "Reducing carbohydrate intake lowers insulin levels and increases glucagon levels, a hormone that promotes the release of stored fat. This hormonal environment favours fat loss, especially from areas with higher fat stores, like the belly and waist." He also added that more sustainable and flexible diet plans, allowing for around 130 grams of carbohydrates per day, are associated with better diet discipline, psychological well-being and long-term weight loss.
After a Banaras Hindu University (BHU) study reported long-term adverse events of “special interest” in a group of over 900 people a year after they were vaccinated with Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has called it a “poorly designed study” with critical flaws. The director-general of the apex medical research body has also written to the authors of the paper and the editor of the journal stating that it is incorrect and misleading. According to ICMR, the study does not have a control group of unvaccinated individuals to prove that the side effects are indeed associated with vaccination.
According to the latest Lancet study, every year, almost five million people die globally because of anti-microbial resistant (AMR) bacteria. Prof Ramanan Laxminarayan, senior research scholar at Princeton University and co-author of a new Lancet series on the subject stated, “In India, in 2019, approximately 10,43,500 deaths were associated with AMR. For too long, AMR has been seen as either not urgent or too difficult to solve... We hope that this September the UN high-level meeting will ensure that there is a global will to act." According to an analysis by The Lancet series of papers, administrators suggest improving and expanding existing methods to prevent infections, such as hand hygiene, regular cleaning and sterilisation of equipment in healthcare facilities, etc.
Lastly: Internal medicine expert Dr Suranjit Chatterjee provided tips to avoid while going outdoors in heatwaves. He stated "One of the primary reasons for a heat stroke is inadequate hydration. Instead of consuming sufficient water, many of us opt for diuretic beverages like coffee, tea, soda and alcohol, which exacerbate dehydration." Another critical issue is improper food preservation. High temperatures accelerate the growth of bacteria, spoiling the food faster and increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses. The elderly, infants and individuals with chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible to heat-related illnesses due to their impaired thermoregulation.
