Tag: Health

Health Scope

Wisdom Teeth Explained: When to Worry and When to Let Them Be

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Dr. Mallika Manoj Prabhudesai, Consultant Dental Surgeon

Wisdom teeth, also known as third molars, are the last set of teeth to develop, usually emerging in the late teenage years or early twenties. For some people, they come in without causing any issues, aligning well with existing teeth and functioning like any other molar. But for many others, these late arrivals can become a source of discomfort, complications, and dental concerns that require attention.

One of the most common reasons wisdom teeth cause problems is the lack of space in the jaw. As modern diets and evolution have gradually reduced jaw size, there often isn’t enough room for these extra molars to emerge properly. When this happens, the teeth may grow at odd angles, remain partially erupted, or become fully impacted beneath the gums. These situations can create pockets where food particles and bacteria accumulate, increasing the risk of infection, swelling, and pain. In some cases, this can even lead to difficulty in opening the mouth comfortably.

Impacted wisdom teeth can also press against neighbouring molars, potentially causing damage or shifting alignment over time. This can undo years of orthodontic work or create new dental issues that extend beyond the wisdom teeth themselves. Because of these risks, dentists often monitor the development of third molars through regular check-ups and imaging.

However, removal is not always necessary. If wisdom teeth are healthy, fully erupted, and properly aligned, they can remain in place without causing any harm. The decision to remove them typically depends on symptoms such as persistent pain, infection, gum inflammation, or damage to adjacent teeth. In some cases, dentists may recommend preventive removal if they anticipate future complications based on positioning and available space.

When removal is required, the procedure is commonly performed by a dentist or oral surgeon under local anesthesia, though general anesthesia may be used in certain cases. The process is routine and widely practiced, but like any surgical procedure, it comes with a recovery period. Swelling, mild discomfort, and limited mouth opening are normal in the days following the extraction. Proper post-operative care, including medication, rest, and maintaining oral hygiene, plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth recovery.

Understanding your wisdom teeth and paying attention to early signs of trouble can help prevent more serious complications down the line. Regular dental visits and timely advice from professionals can make all the difference. After all, maintaining oral health isn’t just about treating problems—it’s about preventing them before they begin.

Health

Cardiovascular Diseases Account for 17% of Deaths in Goa: Dr Roque Wiseman Pinto

Tanisha Cardozo

Cardiovascular diseases account for 17 per cent of all deaths in Goa, making them the single largest cause of mortality in the state, senior pathologist Dr Roque Wiseman Pinto said on Saturday.

Dr Pinto was speaking at an interactive presentation titled ‘Life’s Journey – The Long Haul’, organised as part of the centenary celebrations of Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias in Panaji. Drawing from his long engagement with medical records and postmortem data, including a 2008 study on mortality patterns in Goa, he underlined the growing burden of heart disease in the state.

“At the medical records department, I studied postmortem reports, pathology findings and death certificates and found that cardiovascular diseases were the most common cause of death among people in Goa, accounting for about seventeen per cent,” Dr Pinto said.

He attributed the rise in heart ailments to lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and drug use, along with underlying conditions like hypertension and diabetes. According to him, cardiac conditions including myocardial infarction, arrhythmias and heart failure are increasingly affecting younger individuals. “Usually heart attacks would occur in older people, sixty years and above, but in the last ten years we have seen younger people with heart attacks,” he noted.

Dr Pinto also highlighted the high prevalence of diabetes in Goa, stating that nearly one in four people in the state are affected. He warned that uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious complications such as kidney failure, stroke, dementia and organ damage. He pointed out that diabetic foot remains a major concern, with Goa Medical College performing an average of one amputation daily, either of a toe or an entire leg.

Addressing cancer, he said that around 30 per cent of cases are linked to smoking and passive smoking. He explained that cancer develops due to genetic changes, including in oncogenes and repair genes, and that environmental and lifestyle factors such as pollution, alcohol, certain occupations, infections and food additives also contribute to risk.

On pollution, Dr Pinto cited extensively studied cases in Delhi, where air pollution has been linked to construction activity, vehicular emissions and industrial operations. In Goa, he identified mining areas, coal handling, industrial estates and road construction as emerging concerns. He warned that pollution can lead to severe lung and respiratory diseases and may even affect unborn children through the placenta.

Emphasising preventive healthcare, Dr Pinto stressed that lifestyle choices remain the primary determinant of health outcomes and urged individuals to adopt healthier habits to reduce the growing burden of disease in the state.

Business

Aveeno Baby Expands Sensitive Skin Portfolio with Launch of Daily Moisture Cleansing Bar in India

Tanisha Cardozo

Aveeno Baby has expanded its science-backed sensitive skin portfolio in India with the launch of the Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Cleansing Bar, a premium soap-free cleansing bar enriched with the power of colloidal oatmeal. Designed specifically for the Indian market, the new product aims to provide parents with a superior and gentle cleansing solution for babies with sensitive skin conditions.

Developed in collaboration with pediatricians and dermatologists, the Daily Moisture Cleansing Bar offers mild and gentle cleansing with a balanced pH of 5.5, helping preserve the skin’s natural moisture barrier while soothing and strengthening delicate infant skin. Suitable for newborns from birth, the formulation is crafted using sulfate-free, coconut-derived surfactants that create a mild, rich, creamy lather without irritating or drying the skin.

The launch comes amid rising concerns over sensitive skin conditions in infants and young children. According to the Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP), the incidence of Atopic Dermatitis (AD) among Indian children has increased significantly over the past decade. Conditions such as eczema and diaper dermatitis are also becoming more prevalent, often aggravated by extreme weather and environmental factors. Parents are increasingly seeking clinically proven and safe solutions to help prevent and manage these conditions.

Backed by a robust safety and efficacy study conducted among newborns, babies, and toddlers with sensitive skin, the non-soap cleansing bar has been clinically tested to provide gentle cleansing, reduce dryness, and enhance skin barrier function. Unlike conventional soaps that are often alkaline and may disrupt the skin’s acid mantle, Aveeno Baby’s soap-free formulation is designed to be milder and supportive of the natural skin barrier.

Sharing the rationale behind the launch, Manoj Gadgil, Business Unit Head – Essential Health & Skin Health and VP Marketing at Kenvue, highlighted the increasing prevalence of sensitive skin conditions and the need for diverse, science-backed solutions. He noted that the new cleansing bar brings the proven goodness of colloidal oat into a new format, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to clinically tested skincare innovation tailored to Indian consumers.

The product was unveiled at the 63rd Annual Conference of IAP Pedicon 2026 by Dr. Alok Bhandari, Treasurer of IAP, alongside leading dignitaries from the pediatric community. More than 2,000 healthcare professionals from across India attended the event, where Aveeno Baby showcased its research-driven portfolio and commitment to advancing infant skin health through scientific collaboration.

Dr. Dilip Tripathi, Regional Head of Baby & Women’s Health Research & Development at Kenvue, emphasized the clinical advantages of non-soap-based bars in pediatric practice. He noted that not all cleansers are equally suitable for sensitive skin conditions and that premium soap-free bars are increasingly preferred due to their ability to cleanse effectively while preserving the skin’s natural protective barrier.

Priced at INR 200, the Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Cleansing Bar is available across major e-commerce platforms and modern trade outlets in India. To support the launch, the brand will roll out a digital campaign across Meta and YouTube, along with collaborations with parenting influencers to educate mothers about sensitive skin conditions and the importance of science-backed skincare solutions.

With this launch, Aveeno Baby continues to reinforce its positioning as a pediatrician-recommended brand that combines scientific research with the power of naturally derived ingredients, delivering gentle and effective skincare solutions for babies with sensitive skin.

Aight Sky

The Breath Connection: Understanding Pranayama and Its Transformative Power

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Anupama Verma

In the intricate tapestry of yoga, Pranayama stands as the vital thread connecting the mind and body. Derived from the Sanskrit words prana, meaning life force, and ayama, meaning expansion or control, Pranayama is the conscious regulation of breath to influence energy, awareness and overall wellbeing. Far beyond simple breathing exercises, it represents a profound system of self-mastery rooted in ancient yogic philosophy and increasingly validated by modern science.

Classical yogic texts such as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali describe Pranayama as an essential limb of yoga, a bridge between the physical postures and deeper meditative states. While yoga postures strengthen and align the body, breath regulation refines internal awareness and steadies the fluctuations of the mind. The breath becomes both the tool and the teacher.

From a physiological perspective, Pranayama directly influences the autonomic nervous system. In moments of stress, the sympathetic nervous system activates the body’s “fight or flight” response — increasing heart rate, elevating blood pressure and sharpening reactivity. Through slow, intentional breathing, the parasympathetic nervous system is engaged instead, guiding the body toward “rest and digest.” This shift lowers cortisol levels, reduces anxiety and promotes a sense of calm clarity. The remarkable truth is that breath is one of the few bodily functions we can control consciously while simultaneously affecting unconscious systems.

Among the many techniques practiced, Nadi Shodhana, or alternate nostril breathing, is known for its balancing effect on the mind and emotions. By alternating airflow between nostrils, practitioners often report improved concentration and emotional equilibrium. Ujjayi breath, recognizable by its gentle ocean-like sound, creates a steady rhythm that builds internal warmth while anchoring attention. These practices are not merely mechanical; they cultivate awareness, discipline and presence.

In a world defined by constant stimulation, multitasking and digital overload, Pranayama offers something radical in its simplicity: pause. Each conscious inhale and exhale becomes an opportunity to reset. When attention rests on the breath, thoughts slow and emotional turbulence softens. Instead of reacting impulsively, we respond with intention. The breath becomes a steady anchor in an unpredictable environment.

Scientific research continues to highlight what ancient practitioners intuitively understood — that breathing patterns influence cognitive performance, emotional regulation and overall health. Controlled breathing has been linked to improved heart rate variability, better sleep patterns and enhanced mental focus. What was once viewed as purely spiritual practice is now recognized as a powerful wellness intervention.

Ultimately, Pranayama is not confined to a yoga mat or meditation cushion. It is available in boardrooms, classrooms, traffic jams and quiet moments before sleep. It is accessible in every breath we take. The practice teaches us that calm is not dependent on external conditions; it is cultivated internally through awareness and discipline.

Pranayama is not just about breathing. It is about reclaiming control in a chaotic world, strengthening the connection between body and mind, and discovering that within each breath lies the potential for balance, clarity and transformation.

National

Right to Menstrual Health Is a Fundamental Right Under Article 21: Supreme Court

Tanisha Cardozo

In a historic judgment on January 31, 2026, the Supreme Court of India declared that menstrual health and hygiene are integral to the right to life and dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution, issuing a series of comprehensive directions aimed at ensuring dignity, health, gender equality and educational access for adolescent girls. The ruling acknowledged that inaccessibility to menstrual hygiene management measures, such as sanitary products and proper sanitation, undermines the dignity and participation of girls in education and daily life.

A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan emphasised that access to menstrual hygiene facilities is essential for dignified living and cannot be treated as a welfare benefit alone. The court noted that barriers to menstrual health disproportionately affect girls’ education, leading to absenteeism, stigmatization and unequal opportunities.

Under the directions, all states and Union Territories are required to ensure that every school — government, government-aided and privately managed — is equipped with functional gender-segregated toilets with usable water supply, hand-washing stations with soap, and privacy and accessibility that also cater to the needs of children with disabilities.

The bench further ordered the free provision of oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins compliant with applicable standards to girl students. These pads should be made readily accessible, preferably within toilet premises through sanitary napkin vending machines, or, where vending machines are not feasible, at a designated point or with a responsible authority in the school.

In addition, schools must establish Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) corners, stocked with spare uniforms, innerwear, disposable pads, sanitary waste disposal systems compliant with environmental rules, and emergency supplies. The Court also directed the establishment of safe, hygienic mechanisms for sanitary waste disposal in line with Solid Waste Management rules.

The Court emphasised the need for periodic inspections of school infrastructure and facilities, including toilets, availability of menstrual products, and proper sanitation maintenance. It also called for gender-responsive education and awareness programmes, suggesting inclusion of information on menstruation, puberty and related health topics, to break taboos and stigma.

The judgment stemmed from a Public Interest Litigation filed in 2024 by social activist Jaya Thakur, seeking nationwide implementation of the government’s Menstrual Hygiene Policy for school-going girls and highlighting gaps in access to sanitary products and sanitation facilities.

The Supreme Court made it clear that non-compliance with its directions — including failure by private schools to provide mandated facilities — may lead to deregistration of institutions, and that state governments and authorities will be held accountable for implementation lapses.

Legal experts and educationists have described the verdict as a major step toward gender justice, public health, and educational equality, with the potential to reduce school dropouts among adolescent girls and promote healthier, stigma-free environments across educational institutions nationwide.