Category Archives: Health

Keeping Human Stories at the Center of Health Care

Caring for the health and well-being of our fellow humans has always been viewed as a combination of art and science. With all the recent advances in technology, there is no doubt the health care industry as a whole gets an “A” in science. The tradeoff, however, is that we’ve become so focused on using the technology (as this HBR article points Read More


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Shortcomings in healthcare data system identified in Hiqa report

A series of shortcomings, including potential privacy issues, have been identified in the main health information system used in Ireland to inform healthcare planning, delivery and funding. A review of the Hospital In-patient Enquiry (HIPE) system by the health standards watchdog said the issues with the governance structures had the potential to impact on its crucial role in healthcare planning. Read More


Eat all your meals within 10 hours for weight loss and good health

Following a simple lifestyle, such as eating all food within 10 hours, can restore balance, help to lose weight, stave off metabolic disease and maintain health, suggests a study led by one of an Indian-origin. The study, conducted over mice, suggests that the health problems associated with disruptions to animals’ 24-hour rhythms of activity and rest — which in humans Read More


High BMI in children could increase risk of asthma

The growth of children in the first three years of their life affects the development of their lungs and the risk of asthma at 10 years of age, says a study. According to recent studies, excessive weight gain in the first years of life can be associated with lower lung function and a higher risk of childhood asthma. The new Read More


Sitting for too long, here’s what happens when you don’t move often

Did you know prolonged sedentary time could lead to health risks? Sitting for too many hours per day or sitting without a break is known to harm your body, a new study reveals. While the evidence on the adverse effects of prolonged sedentary time continues to increase, further studies are needed to determine the most effective and practical interventions for Read More


6 lesser-known reasons why you may be getting a headache

There are different types of headaches and different factors causing it. So, a headache caused during a migraine will be different from the headache caused by eating something very cold. Here are 5 lesser-known causes of headaches: * Migraine: Migraines cause recurring types of headaches that can be severe and accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Triggers for this could be stress, hormonal changes, Read More


Stay calm and meditate, mindfulness can boost pain tolerance

Mindfulness — a meditative practice that focusses on paying attention to the present moment — can increase person’s tolerance to pain, a study has found. Researchers from Wake Forest School of Medicine in the US analysed data obtained from a study published in 2015 that compared mindfulness meditation to placebo analgesia. They sought to determine if dispositional mindfulness, an individual’s Read More


Stick to paper towels, jet-air dryers spread more germs around you

Jet-air hand dryers should not be used in hospital toilets as they spread more germs than disposable paper towels, a study warns. Published in the Journal of Hospital Infection, the study looked at bacterial spread in a real world setting — in two toilets in each of three hospitals, which were in the UK, France and Italy. Each of the Read More


Strokes are linked to dementia, increases risk of the brain disease by 70%

People who have suffered a stroke are more likely to develop dementia, a study conducted by the University of Exeter Medical School confirmed. The study involved an analysis of 3.2 million people across the world. Researchers found that the link between stroke and dementia persisted even after taking into account other dementia risk factors such as blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. “We Read More


Genetic mutations could be responsible for driving tumour formation

A new study has found that genetic mutations in the form of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) may drive tumour formation by blurring cells’ perception of key growth signals. The study, conducted at the University of California, has important implications for understanding and ultimately targeting the defective mechanisms underlying many human cancers. Healthy cells rely on the central Ras/Erk growth Read More