Birthdays are exciting for everyone. There's celebration, a cake, and balloons. But what if it goes wrong? This is what happened with Giang Pham, from Vietnam, who was celebrating her 33rd birthday on February 14, when a hydrogen balloon in her hand touched the flame from the candle on the cake and exploded on her face.

This incident was also captured on camera. The footage clearly shows how the balloon blew up as soon as it touched the flame. Her friends were shocked and can be heard gasping in the background as they saw this.

In the days following the incident, she also shared photos on her Instagram showing her bandaged face, and revealed the first-degree burns on her hand and second-degree burns on her face. However, the good news was that her vision was unaffected, though for her face to recover, it would take months.

She is now also warning others about the risks of using highly inflammable hydrogen balloons. The other alternative could be a helium balloon, which you could fly higher and they remain on the ceiling.

Health Update

She revealed that her doctor estimated up to six months for her skin to recover. She would still have to go to the hospital for dressing and treatment. Another such case happened with a woman named Tine from Australia, when on her son's 7th birthday, the balloon exploded and "shook her house". Her son was burned in the forearm.

Such incidents happen because decorators want to save the cost by replacing helium with hydrogen, which is highly inflammable.

In Healing

Giang shared that she experienced second-degree burn on her face and first-degree burn on her hands. As per John Hopkins Medicine, first degree burns affect only the epidermis, or the outer layer of skin. The burn site becomes red, painful, dry, however, there are no blisters. A mild sunburn could be an example of such a burn. This is also called superficial burns.

Whereas, second degree burns involve the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of the skin. The burn site appears red, blistered and could also be swollen and painful. This is also known as partial thickness burn.

Then comes the third degree burns, also known as full thickness burn. This destroys the epidermis and dermis and could also damage the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. However, when the bones and muscles are burned, it could be referred to as a fourth degree burn. The burn sit appears white or charred and there is no feeling in the area since the nerve endings are destroyed.

How burns are treated?

The right way to treat a burn depends on its depth and how much of the body it covers. While minor, superficial burns can be managed at home, deeper or larger burns may need medical attention. Keep these essential guidelines in mind:

Do:

• Remove the source of the burn immediately – For example, take off clothing soaked in hot liquid to prevent further damage.
• Run cool water over the burn – This helps soothe the skin, except in cases of certain chemical burns.
• Keep the burn clean and protected – Cover it with a clean, non-stick bandage when possible.
• Seek medical help – If the burn is deeper than a superficial layer, larger than your hand, or full-thickness, see a doctor.

Don’t:

• Use home remedies like bleach or butter – These can make the burn worse.
• Apply ointments or creams on deep burns – They can trap heat and worsen the injury.
• Put ice on the burn – It can cause more damage to the skin.
• Pop blisters – This increases the risk of infection.

Knowing these simple steps can make a big difference in burn care and healing.

Retatrutide, Eli Lilly’s new weight-loss drug, is in the final stages of its clinical trial, and the results seem very promising, the drugmaker said on Thursday. In a news release, they disclosed that the brand-new drug helped people lose up to 30 per cent of their body weight, which is about 85 pounds. The results are on a par with bariatric surgery, which helps people shed approximately 25 to 35 per cent of their total body weight within one to two years. Doctors say that this is the largest weight loss ever witnessed in a medical trial. While Lilly has not yet filed for approval from the Food and Drug Administration, the pharma giant says that it expects to file this year.

What is Retatrutide?

Retatrutide is similar to drugs like Zepbound and Wegovy that mimic the GLP-1 hormone. Retatrutide, however, along with GLP-1, mimics glucagon as well, thereby working like a triple agonist. This is unlike Zepbound, which is a double agonist. Researchers said that they have witnessed the impact of semaglutide and tirzepatide. However, Retatrutide's results went beyond the current weight-loss drugs on the market.

Dr Shauna Levy, medical director of the Tulane Weight Loss Center, explained that the current GLP-1s are not good enough to induce weight loss in people dealing with severe obesity and those who have a BMI of 35. Bariatric surgery can provide the same, but it seems that Retatrutide will be far more effective for people living with a high BMI who are trying to achieve a healthy weight.

Read more: Meet Retatrutide: The Unapproved Cousin Of Ozempic That Supports Weight Loss Differently

Retatrutide's results

Retatrutide was in the third phase of its trials involving 2,300 obese or overweight participants. While the full results have not yet been released in a medical journal, participants who took the highest dose of the drug lost 28 per cent of their body weight, approximately 70 pounds. Furthermore, nearly half of the participants lost over 30 per cent of their body weight. The trial continued for 80 weeks, and a small group of severely obese patients took the drug for 104 weeks and lost about 85 pounds on average. Alternatively, patients who took high doses of Zepbound lost around 21 per cent of their body weight in 72 weeks. Wegovy users lost about 15 per cent of their weight in 68 weeks.

What were the side effects of Retatrutide?

On the downside, there were some side effects too. Retatrutide users experienced the following side effects:

1. Diarrhoea
2. Nausea
3. Constipation
4. Urinary tract infections
5. Uncomfortable skin sensations

These have, however, been seen with GLP-1 drugs.

New weight-loss drug coming soon?

Retatrutide might be the next big weight-loss drug set to hit the market soon. It aims to maximise weight-loss results with fewer side effects for users. If approved, it could be helpful for patients who are struggling to lose weight on the current versions of GLP-1 drugs.

A 24-year-old student from West Bengal has reportedly become the first confirmed heatstroke case of the season in India’s national capital.

According to doctors at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital, the young man was admitted in critical condition after developing hyperpyrexia — an extremely high body temperature, and altered mental status while travelling by train to the national capital.

"We received our first heatstroke patient at the RML Hospital on the intervening night of May 20-21. The 24-year-old youth from West Bengal was travelling on a train when his health deteriorated,” said Dr Ajay Chauhan, Director Professor of Medicine, at RML, PTI reported.

“He was brought to the hospital in an unconscious state. We took immediate action and tried to cool down his body,” he said, adding that the boy "is admitted to the medicine ward and is still critical".

As per the doctors, the student had no known pre-existing medical condition, and other possible causes of his symptoms were ruled out before heatstroke was diagnosed.

What Is Heatstroke?

Heatstroke is the most severe form of heat-related illness and is considered a medical emergency. It occurs when the body loses its ability to regulate temperature due to prolonged exposure to extreme heat or dehydration. In most cases, body temperature rises above 104°F (40°C), which can damage the brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles.

“The general features of a patient with heat stroke are: first, his or her body temperature will be very high. It will not be around normal levels like 104, 105, or 106—it will be significantly elevated. Second, the person may be delirious, confused, or even in a state of unconsciousness or coma. The breathing will also be labored,” Dr. Naval Vikram, Professor, Department of Medicine, at the AII India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), told HealthandMe.

During a heatwave, most patients improve quickly with rest, oral fluids, cooling measures, and moving to a shaded or air-conditioned environment.

"However, if heat exposure continues and the body’s cooling mechanisms begin to fail, the condition can progress to heat stroke, which is a medical emergency. In heat stroke, body temperature often rises above 104°F," Dr. Vaibhav Mishra, Senior Director & Head, CTVS, Max Super Speciality Hospital, told HealthandMe.

What may initially appear as confusion, disorientation, or irrelevant talking can rapidly worsen into:

• altered consciousness,
• seizures,
• coma,
• death.

Heat Stroke: How Can One Prevent?

Also read: Bundibugyo Ebola Cases Rise To 600 As Scientists Investigate Spillover Event

While it may be impossible to avoid rising temperatures, the focus should be on how much you can protect yourself. Experts suggest the following measures:

• Avoiding exposure to extreme heat as much as possible.
• In case of being exposed, make sure to cover yourself—cover your head and upper body, use an umbrella, stay hydrated, and take breaks in between.
• If you have to work in a hot environment for a couple of hours, take a break in a cooler or temperature-controlled environment for at least half an hour before resuming, rather than continuously working in the heat. These steps can help prevent heat-related problems.
• If symptoms do occur, and it is heat exhaustion, take rest and avoid further activity for some time.
• In more severe cases—if someone shows symptoms like loss of consciousness or very high body temperature—they should be taken to a hospital immediately. Do not try to manage such cases at home.

What Does the IMD Say?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of severe temperatures across several states.

"Heat wave to severe heat wave conditions likely to continue to prevail over northwest & central India during the week and over East India during the next 5 days," the IMD said, in its latest update on May 20.

It added that severe heat conditions will persist for at least the next 72 hours across Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. Temperatures in several cities are expected to touch 47°C to 48°C, with Banda currently emerging as the hottest place in the country.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, and it has a long preclinical stage. It is mostly diagnosed at an advanced age, but according to doctors, it begins years before the symptoms become evident. New research shows that blood biomarkers, along with self-reported memory concerns, could give an explanation as to how Alzheimer's disease worsens over time. Therefore, the best time to nourish brain health is during your 40s or 50s.

For this study, researchers used data from the Dunedin Study at the University of Otago, which had been following a few participants for over 50 years. Researchers found a protein known as pTau181, which is associated with self-reported problems linked to memory and thinking skills. Participants were 45 years old at the time of assessment. Typically, an Alzheimer's diagnosis happens at or after the age of 65–70.

When it comes to Alzheimer's, the treatments could only slow down disease progression, but they do not fully restore cognitive function, which is usually lost in the advanced stages. Researchers noted that these treatments work best when taken early, which makes it important to identify the early signs of Alzheimer's disease.

Dementia prevention

Researchers noted that different types of dementia can look different at various stages of the disease. However, the course of progression and treatment can vary from patient to patient. In the past, Alzheimer's could only be diagnosed post-mortem or through invasive procedures such as lumbar punctures. However, researchers are now working towards identifying blood biomarkers that could offer minimally invasive ways to identify high-risk patients for Alzheimer's.

Can Alzheimer's be detected early?

Researchers note that Alzheimer's can be detected in the early stages, and this could provide an opportunity for prevention. It may also offer health benefits for ageing and the brain. Some lifestyle changes include supporting people to remain active, continue engaging in social activities, and address factors such as hearing loss or hypertension. Preventive approaches in this case have worked more effectively the sooner they are implemented. Therefore, it is important to study middle-aged populations, as the signs can start appearing long before the disease is finally diagnosed.

Forgetfulness as an early sign

As people get older, they notice that their memory is not as strong as it used to be. Forgetfulness gradually becomes a common issue with advancing age. However, in some cases, these problems indicate a different story altogether. Recent research shows that minor changes in cognition often begin long before diagnosis, and that is the first moment the disease is truly felt.

Screening for biological Alzheimer's markers

When it comes to screening for biological markers, combining them with subjective memory function reports can help distinguish the earliest signs of Alzheimer's from normal ageing. Proteins such as pTau181 are much higher in Alzheimer's patients, but researchers have not yet ascertained when they begin to accumulate. While researchers did not find that pTau181 was linked to MRI scans measuring cognitive test performance at 45, there were two possible explanations for this:

1. pTau181 might increase during the early stages of Alzheimer's, when people start to experience worsening memory, but it does not appear on an MRI.
2. Alternatively, it could be that high pTau181 is not linked to Alzheimer's risk in midlife, but the protein could still be useful for Alzheimer's diagnosis in older adults.