Music therapy taps into long-term memory, which remains intact longer than short-term memory in dementia patients.

"One of our patients struggles to recall much from his past. He has Dementia. However, whenever he listens to songs in his mother tongue, it boosts his mood and reconnect with his memories," Neha Sinha, Dementia Specialist, Psychologist, CEO & Co-founder of Epoch Elder Care told me recently.

This made me wonder if music can really help elderly patients with complex neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's, Dementia and Multiple Sclerosis. Turns out that it can. While it does not specifically treat them, music definitely helps stabilize symptoms, fostering emotional well-being and improving the quality of life for patients.

Music And Memories To Treat Physical Symptoms

Behavioural challenges, such as aggression, anxiety, and social disinhibition, are common in patients with Dementia. Music therapy addresses these issues by creating a calming atmosphere and making them more open to treatment. "Listening to or engaging with music can soothe anxiety, regulate sleep patterns, and encourage them to be more receptive to assistance in performing their activities of daily life (ADL) more comfortably. Moreover, Reminiscence therapy, which helps recall events and discuss past events to improve their well-being, is known to be profoundly effective in treating such conditions.

Music therapy also taps into long-term memory, which remains intact longer than short-term memory in those suffering from Dementia. Familiar tunes or songs from childhood can stimulate certain neural connections, particularly if they are in their mother tongue. This soothes their anxiety, provides comfort and even prompts them to engage in social conversations.

Additionally, music therapy aids motor coordination, which is particularly helpful to those with Parkinson's. Incorporating rhythmic movements like walking or light dancing to music can improve muscle relaxation and enhance motor abilities. While there is no direct evidence linking music therapy to alleviating physical symptoms, its positive impact on mood and cognitive function makes patients more receptive to medical treatment.

Music Therapy Has Shown Significant Benefits

Healing with music is believed to date back to ancient Greece when music was used in an attempt to cure mental disorders. Throughout history, music has been used to boost morale in military troops, help people work faster and more productively, and even ward off evil spirits by chanting.

Music therapy does not involve specialists in most cases. It involves:

• listening to music
• singing along to music
• moving to the beat of the music
• meditating
• playing an instrument

Back pain is one of the most common health complaints worldwide, affecting a large proportion of adults at some point in their lives. In most cases, it is caused by benign musculoskeletal issues such as muscle strain, poor posture, or disc-related problems, and it tends to improve with rest, physiotherapy, or simple medication. However, not all back pain originates from the spine. In some situations, pain felt in the lower back or flank region may be linked to underlying kidney conditions, including kidney cancer. As renal cell carcinoma often progresses silently in its early stages, symptoms may be delayed, making it important to recognise when back pain is unusual.

Why Kidney Cancer Can Cause Back Pain

Dr Raj Nagarkar, Chief Surgical Oncologist at HCG Manavata Cancer Centre, Nashik, said, "The kidneys are located deep in the upper abdomen, on either side of the spine, just below the rib cage. When a tumour develops in this region, it can cause pain through several mechanisms. As the tumour grows, it may stretch the kidney’s outer fibrous capsule, leading to a persistent, dull ache in the flank area between the ribs and hip. In some cases, fragile tumour blood vessels may bleed internally or form clots that obstruct urine flow, resulting in sudden, sharp pain that can resemble renal colic. Larger tumours may also press on surrounding nerves or structures, producing discomfort that may be mistaken for back or abdominal pain."

Unlike musculoskeletal pain, which typically improves with movement or rest, kidney-related pain is often constant, may worsen at night, and does not respond well to routine pain relief or physiotherapy.

Red Flags When Back Pain Needs Further Diagnosis

While back pain alone is rarely a sign of kidney cancer, certain accompanying symptoms should raise concern. One of the most important warning signs is blood in the urine, which may appear pink, red, or dark brown and can sometimes be intermittent. Persistent flank pain associated with a palpable mass under the ribs may indicate more advanced disease. Unexplained weight loss, ongoing fatigue, or a general sense of weakness can reflect systemic illness. Some patients may experience intermittent fever without infection, new-onset high blood pressure, or swelling in the legs and ankles due to impaired venous drainage. Anaemia-related symptoms such as dizziness, breathlessness, or pallor may also be present. When back pain persists beyond a few weeks and is accompanied by any of these features, further medical evaluation is strongly recommended.

Differentiating Musculoskeletal Back Pain from Kidney Cancer Pain

It is also important to distinguish kidney-related pain from common musculoskeletal back pain. Mechanical back pain is usually localised to the lower back, may radiate to the legs, and often begins after physical strain or injury. It tends to improve with rest, heat application, or physiotherapy. In contrast, kidney cancer pain is typically one-sided, located higher in the flank below the ribs, and develops gradually without a clear trigger. It is often persistent, may disturb sleep, and is not relieved by standard pain management approaches. Unlike spinal pain, it is more likely to be associated with systemic symptoms such as haematuria, weight loss, or fatigue.

Who Is at Higher Risk?

Certain individuals are at higher risk of developing kidney cancer and should be particularly attentive to persistent flank pain. Risk factors include smoking, which significantly increases exposure to kidney-damaging toxins, obesity, long-standing hypertension, chronic kidney disease or dialysis, and a family history of kidney cancer or genetic conditions such as von Hippel-Lindau disease. Occupational exposure to industrial chemicals like trichloroethylene or cadmium may also contribute to risk. When multiple risk factors are present, even mild or persistent symptoms should not be ignored.

Diagnosing Kidney Cancer

If warning signs are suspected, doctors typically begin evaluation with simple and non-invasive tests. A urine analysis can detect microscopic or visible blood, while blood tests help assess kidney function, anaemia, and calcium levels. Imaging plays a crucial role, with ultrasound often used as the first-line investigation, followed by a contrast-enhanced CT scan for detailed evaluation of tumour size and spread. In selected cases, a biopsy may be performed, although it is not always required before treatment.

Treatment and Outcomes

Treatment outcomes for kidney cancer have improved significantly in recent years. In early-stage disease, partial nephrectomy allows removal of the tumour while preserving healthy kidney tissue, often using minimally invasive or robotic techniques that support faster recovery. In more advanced cases, targeted therapies and immunotherapy help control disease progression and improve quality of life, with many patients able to maintain daily activities during treatment. For small, slow-growing tumours in selected individuals, active surveillance may be an appropriate option.

Listening to the Warning Signs

While most back pain is benign and related to musculoskeletal causes, persistent or unusual pain, especially when accompanied by symptoms such as blood in the urine, unexplained weight loss, or systemic changes, should not be ignored. Kidney cancer often develops silently, and early signs can be subtle. Unlike muscular pain, which is typically movement-related and self-limiting, kidney-related pain is deeper, more persistent, and often associated with other warning features.

Vanessa Trump, the former wife of Donald Trump Jr., has announced that she is beginning the second stage of her breast cancer treatment.

In an Instagram post, Trump said she has spent the past four weeks recovering from surgery.

She said she was “grateful to be healing and moving forward.” “Sending love, strength, and hope to everyone fighting this battle,” she wrote.

The 48-year-old mother of five first revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in late May, saying she was working closely with her medical team to develop a treatment plan.

However, Vanessa Trump has not disclosed the type of breast cancer she has been diagnosed with or provided details about the next phase of her treatment.

What Is Breast Cancer?

Breast Cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the breast grow uncontrollably, often beginning in the milk ducts or lobules. It remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide.

Breast cancer is also the leading cause of cancer mortality among women worldwide and the most common cancer diagnosed overall, accounting for approximately 2.3 million new cases and 670,000 deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization.

Also read: Can Wegovy Improve Survival In Breast Cancer Patients? This Study Suggests It Could

Every year, breast cancer accounts for about 30% of all new cancer cases in US women. The average risk of a woman in the US developing breast cancer sometime in her life is about 13 per cent.

A recent study published in The Lancet Oncology projected that global breast cancer cases could rise to more than 3.5 million annually by 2050.

Major Lifestyle Risk Factors

In 2023, 28 percent of the global breast cancer burden (6.8 million years of healthy life lost to disability, illness, and early death) was linked to six potentially modifiable risk factors.

These include:

• High red meat consumption
• Tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure
• High blood sugar levels
• High body mass index (BMI)
• Excessive alcohol use
• Low physical activity

Breast cancer patients who are also obese or have type 2 diabetes experience more aggressive cancer growth and worse outcomes. Prior studies have shown that weight loss treatment and surgery following a breast cancer diagnosis are associated with improved heart health and increased survival.

Tips For Maintaining Breast Health

Regular checkups are the cornerstone of early breast cancer detection.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), early identification of breast abnormalities greatly increases the chances of effective treatment and survival.

• Women who ignore screenings may face delayed diagnosis, which can complicate treatment.
• Schedule regular mammograms and clinical breast exams
• Perform monthly self-examinations
• Know your family medical history
• Maintain a healthy weight and active lifestyle
• Pay attention to hormonal health
• Watch for physical changes such as persistent pain, swelling, or skin dimpling.

One in two children, or half of the world's children, are exposed to multiple overlapping climate hazards that threaten their health, education, and survival, according to a new report released by UNICEF today.

As the climate crisis worsens, children around the globe are facing increasing threats from heatwaves, storms, floods, and droughts, with more than one billion exposed to at least three of these hazards simultaneously, stated the Children's Climate Risk Report 2026.

“The lives of children continue to be upended by the impact of heatwaves, wildfires, droughts and floods,” said Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF.

“Half of the world’s children are now living with at least three overlapping climate threats shaping their daily lives.”

Children Facing Multiple Climate Risks

Also read: 3 Infants Hospitalized In US Botulism Outbreak Tied To Powdered Formula

The report highlights the unprecedented scale at which children are being exposed to multiple climate hazards. These include:

Floods: Nearly one in seven children—around 337 million—live in areas affected by riverine flooding, while 33 million are exposed to coastal flooding.

Drought: More than three-quarters of all children globally (1.8 billion) are exposed to agricultural or meteorological droughts, threatening food security, nutrition, and livelihoods.

Tropical Storms: Around 662 million children live in areas exposed to tropical storms, where intense rainfall and high winds disrupt homes, schools, and health services.

Heatwaves and Extreme Heat: Nearly two in three children worldwide (1.5 billion) are exposed to heatwaves that are becoming more frequent, longer-lasting, or more severe. Additionally, 1.2 billion children are exposed to extreme heat conditions.

Fires and Dust Storms: An estimated 206 million children are exposed to frequent and severe wildfires, while 123 million are exposed to sand and dust storms.

Malaria: More than two in five children globally—around one billion—live in areas with exposure to malaria, a climate-sensitive disease whose transmission is influenced by temperature and rainfall patterns.

Air Pollution: An estimated 2.3 billion children—almost all children worldwide—live in areas where air pollutants are detectable.

“These exposures pose serious risks to children’s health, learning and well-being, particularly where access to cooling, safe water and health care is limited,” the report noted.

UNICEF Calls for Urgent Action

To protect children's rights from climate threats and help communities adapt to growing environmental challenges, UNICEF is urging governments, businesses, and other stakeholders to take immediate action.

Read More: 3 Infants Hospitalized In US Botulism Outbreak Tied To Powdered Formula

The agency called for:

• Reducing emissions and fulfilling existing international climate commitments based on the best available science.
• Protecting children through inclusive climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and responses to loss and damage, while ensuring child-focused services are incorporated into national adaptation and disaster preparedness plans.
• Empowering children and young people to participate meaningfully in climate action through investments in climate education, knowledge, and skills, while safeguarding their rights to expression and participation in decisions that affect their lives.

“When we strengthen health and education systems and improve infrastructure with children in mind, we protect them from today’s climate threats and help secure their future.”