Health

#Perspective / Is Dhaka’s air the new silent killer?

One of the most talked-about topics on social media right now is the filthy, hazy, air pollution in Dhaka. With winter officially here, it is no secret that the bustling city's air quality has been "unhealthy," "very unhealthy," and "hazardous" on some days, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI).

Is your lower back pain a sign of Urinary Tract Infection? Here’s how to tell

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause symptoms like burning during urination, frequent urges with little output, lower back pain, and foul-smelling urine. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent complications, especially kidney infections.

Facing a heart attack when alone? Here’s your survival guide

The natural response to a heart attack in a crowded public place would be to cry out for help. But what if you are home alone and have a heart attack? Well, here are some things you should do.

How to trick your body into being a morning person (yes, it’s possible!)

Waking up early is a boon for morning people, giving them extra hours in the day to get things done and more. This does not necessarily come easy to everyone, especially those whose energy levels peak towards the end of the day, rather than in the beginning.

8 glasses a day = model physique? Let’s dive into this myth

The idea that simply drinking more water will magically melt away extra pounds is nothing more than a popular myth. While staying hydrated is crucial for overall health, water is far from being the secret weapon to weight loss.

Can rice really make you fat, or are we just looking for excuses?

Rice, primarily composed of carbohydrates, provides about 200 calories per cooked cup, with white rice offering around 45 grams of carbs and very little fat. It is a quick source of energy but is often criticised for its high glycaemic index (GI), particularly in its white form, which can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels.

Skipping your mammogram? Here’s why that’s a terrible idea

October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The significance of this month varies from person to person — for some, the pink ribbon is a memory of a disease that changed their lives, while for others, it is an opportunity to rally behind almost two million women who get cancer diagnoses annually throughout the globe.

Battling dengue: Simple steps to stay safe during the outbreak

Here are a few ways to stay safe from dengue. While most people know these precautions, a timely reminder never hurts anyone.

35 and pregnant: Navigating the myths and realities

The expression may sound alarming but "geriatric pregnancy" is simply a medical term for pregnancies in women aged 35 and above. Over time, this has evoked fear and concern due to increased health risks. However, it’s important to understand that these risks do not define every pregnancy.

September 15, 2022
September 15, 2022

Left to fend for themselves

The health vulnerability of migrant workers has thus far received scant attention in policy discourses.

September 15, 2022
September 15, 2022

Here's how public-private partnerships can improve the healthcare sector

Public-private partnerships can lead to a more equitable and accessible health sector.

September 7, 2022
September 7, 2022

Strength training for a long life

A new study published in The British Journal of Sports Medicine has found that doing both aerobics, up to three hours a week, and strength training, up to two sessions a week can result in lower mortality risks and better overall health than doing just one or the other. Regular physical exercise has plenty of health benefits, one of which is a longer life. Until now, most research showed that regular cardio or strength training interchangeably was the key to cardiac health, but recently, more and more experts are waking up to the benefits of pairing the two together for maximum longevity and health.

September 4, 2022
September 4, 2022

Diet and nutrition for Hepatitis: Foods to eat and avoid when you have a liver problem

There are many confusions and misconceptions surrounding the ideal diet of a person suffering from liver diseases. The diet of a person effected by liver disease like hepatitis and liver cirrhosis must be balanced yet nutritious as it is a part of treatment therapy.

September 3, 2022
September 3, 2022

How to improve brain function?

Long-COVID brain fog, mum brain or work burnout — there are quite a few reasons in today’s world that can bring intelligence levels to a drop. If left in that state, the mind, just like a person, can become lethargic and unwilling to get back to its original sheen. For a growth-oriented individual, low smarts could also mean a slowdown in their career. Fortunately, there are a number of ways one can constantly challenge their mind and keep it alert and focused.

August 31, 2022
August 31, 2022

Hair care tips and tricks for the summer

Whenever summer is at its peak, our hair has the roughest end of the stick as the first line of defence from the sun. So, it is essential that we give our hair some TLC. Here are a few tips and tricks that will help you do just that.

August 29, 2022
August 29, 2022

Purpose of yoga as explained by the Sutras of Patanjali

There are many wisdom traditions and spiritual maps to help you journey inwards. Yoga is one of these. Vedic scholars in ancient India spent many years in meditation to intuit this knowledge. Buddha studied with many of these teachers before his awakening. The knowledge was passed down orally till they were most accurately transcribed in The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. For this article, I am drawing from a fabulously accessible version translated by Alistair Shearer.

August 18, 2022
August 18, 2022

Living with Vitiligo

We went to a doctor who confirmed that the biggest nightmare for my family had come true – I had vitiligo. 

August 17, 2022
August 17, 2022

Good News: Forgetfulness maybe linked with higher intelligence

According to studies, our memory optimises decision-making by only remembering key points or valuable information. Forgetting the unimportant details is basically making space or optimising the memory for what matters. Researchers from the University of Toronto stated that new memories could overwrite old memories. They said, “It is important for the brain to forget irrelevant details. People can instead focus and optimise their memory to help them make intelligent decisions in the real world.”

August 16, 2022
August 16, 2022

The health benefits of eating hilsa

Not only does it taste great, but hilsa is also a powerhouse of nutrition. A diet rich in hilsa fish has many health benefits and the fact that it’s the season for hilsa gives us another reason to include it regularly in our diet. A 100g of edible hilsa contains roughly 310 calories, 22g protein, and 19.5g fat. Polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA obtained from fish oil are reported to have potential in curing coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, diabetes rheumatoid arthritis, brain development, cancer, and depression. It also supplies the daily requirements of 27 percent of vitamin C, 2 percent of the iron, and an incredible 204 percent of calcium.