Getting tonsils removed puts you at risk of flu, asthma and pneumonia

If you have had your tonsils removed in childhood, you may want to read this. A new study by the University of Melbourne in Australia and University of Copenhagen in Denmark found that removing tonsils and adenoids in childhood increases the risk of diseases like asthma, influenza and pneumonia. The scientists examined the long-term effects of these common paediatric surgeries for the first time. The adenoids and tonsils are strategically positioned in the nose and throat respectively to act as the first line of defence, helping to recognise airborne pathogens like bacteria…

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5 best investment options to build wealth without taking too much risk

Every person needs to make financial planning his top priority today and save for the future. A wise man once said, “Make your money work for you, instead of working for it.” The old adage has held true till date because it aptly highlights the importance of financial planning. Financial planning is more than just monthly or yearly budgeting. It takes into account not only a person’s current needs, but also his future requirements. Still financial planning is a low priority for a majority of people as they perceive it…

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This anti-clot drug could reduce stroke risk too

A drug to treat bleeding may benefit some stroke patients as well, according to a study. The research, led by experts at The University of Nottingham, found that giving tranexamic acid (TXA) to people who had experienced intracerebral haemorrhage reduced the number of deaths in the early days following the stroke. It also found that both the amount of bleeding in the brain and number of associated serious complications were lower in the patients who had received the TXA treatment. However, the trial found no difference in the number of…

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Are you on antidepressants? It is linked to higher risk of dementia

While anti-depressants can help mental health patients deal with depression, long-term use of certain anti-depressants could have serious side effects. A large study done by researchers from the University of East Anglia’s School of Health Science have linked use of antidepressants to dementia, though they could not definitively conclude that the drugs were the cause. Previous studies have shown that medications commonly prescribed to reduce depression and anxiety may increase the risk of death by preventing multiple organs from functioning properly, and increase risk of bone disease.And among patients suffering from high blood pressure, antidepressants…

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Young women who have hypertension are at an increased risk of heart failure post delivery

Young women suffering from hypertension are at an increased risk of heart failure within the six weeks after delivery, also known as the postpartum period, according to a study. Heart failure is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and death, affecting relatively young reproductive-age women, especially among those with the presence of an additional disease or condition, such as hypertension. The study found that although less than 2% of all pregnancy-related hospitalisations occurred during the postpartum period, nearly 60% of pregnancy-related heart failure hospitalisations took place during the same time.…

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Dear parents, take note. Bariatric surgery may halve heart disease risk in obese teens

Bariatric surgery can cut in half the risk of premature heart disease and stroke in teenagers with severe obesity, a study has found. The study, based on a prediction model, showed that prior to bariatric surgery the overall risk of a severely obese teen having a fatal or non-fatal heart attack, stroke, heart failure or other heart disease event over a 30-year period was 8 per cent on average. One year after surgery, the risk of a heart disease event would be cut in half — to 4 per cent…

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