With the extra busy schedules people have these days, fitness tracking apps have helped many people time and track their exercise time, calories burnt and the time taken to do so. These apps also remind us to drink water, not exceed our calorie limits for the day, as well as keep exercising. However, sometimes these devices can have an adverse impact on our health. Instead of making us feel better, they can make us feel anxious or stressed. This generally happens when we become too focused on the numbers and start to worry if they aren't perfect. It's important to understand that while these trackers can be helpful, they shouldn't control our mood or make us feel bad about ourselves.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association also found that people with heart problems who used trackers were more worried about their symptoms. With so many people using these devices, it's becoming a common problem. 20% of wearable users felt anxious and always contacted their doctors when they received an irregular rhythm notification. They also found that these devices meant increased monitoring and worrying, higher usage of AFib (atrial fibrillation) specific health care etc. These findings suggest that while wearables can help patients monitor their AFib, they may also lead to increased anxiety and health care use. More research is needed to fully understand the effects of these devices on patients, doctors, and the health care system.

Signs These Apps May Be Getting Too Much For You

We can become too focused on achieving certain goals, like a certain number of steps or a perfect sleep score. This can lead to stress and anxiety when we don't meet those goals, instead of simply using the information to support a healthy lifestyle.

Your Metrics Influence Your Mood

If your happiness or sadness depends on the numbers your fitness tracker shows, it's a sign you might need a break. Getting a low score can make you feel like you've failed, even if you've been making healthy choices. It's normal to feel a little disappointed when you don't reach a goal, but your overall mood shouldn't be affected. If you notice that your mood changes a lot based on your tracker's data, it might be time to step away from it for a while.

You Constantly Try To Interpret Your Numbers

If you find yourself constantly searching online to understand what your tracker's data means, it's a warning sign. Trying to interpret every number can lead to more worry and confusion. You might start to believe you have health problems that don't exist. It's important to remember that these trackers are tools, not medical professionals. Spending too much time trying to decode the data can increase your anxiety instead of helping you.

You Feel Anxious When You Can’t See Your Data

If you feel nervous or anxious when you forget your tracker or it's not working, you might be too dependent on it. You should be able to feel comfortable and relaxed without constant data. If you feel panicky when you can't see your numbers, it's a sign you need to learn to be okay without them. You should be able to trust your body's signals instead of relying only on the tracker.

You’re Ignoring How Your Body Feels

If you rely only on your tracker and ignore what your body is telling you, it's a problem. Your body's signals are important. For example, you might feel well-rested, but if your tracker says your sleep quality is low, you might start to doubt yourself. It's important to listen to your body and not just the numbers. Your body knows when it's tired, hungry, or needs rest. The tracker is a tool to support your health, not replace your body’s signals.

Breast cancer patients who chose to undergo complementary and alternative medicine treatments have the lowest survival rates, a JAMA Oncology study shows.

This form of cancer continues to be the most common cancer among women worldwide, and predicted that the number of new cases of the deadly disease will reach more than 3.5 million globally in 2050 -- rising by a third from 2.3 million in 2023.

The Global Burden of Disease analysis with data from 204 countries revealed that despite advancements in breast cancer treatments, yearly deaths from the disease will rise by 44 percent, from 764,000 to 1.4 million.

About 1.9 lakh Indian women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, meaning that a new case is diagnosed every four minutes. On average, a woman in India dies of breast cancer every eight minutes, highlighting how urgently the country needs stronger awareness, early diagnosis and sustained care.

One factor that sets India apart is the age at which women are affected. Almost half of all breast cancer patients in the country are younger than 45. This is a much higher proportion than seen in many Western nations, where the disease is usually detected later in life.

Despite multiple advancements in therapies to cure breast cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, endocrine therapy, and immunotherapy, a subset of patients continues to choose complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

However, researchers from Yale University School of Medicine have now found that those who undergo CAM have over three times higher risk of death than those who receive standard therapy.

CAM consists of healthcare practices, products and therapies not generally considered part of conventional Western medicine such as herbal products, vitamins, minerals, meditation, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, tai chi, Reiki and guided imagery.

Using CAM alongside standard treatment was linked to a 45 percent higher risk of death compared with using standard treatment alone, the study noted.

Additionally, women who combined CAM with standard treatment were also less likely to receive key therapies such as hormone therapy or radiation, which worsened their chances of survival and recovery.

What Leads To Breast Cancer?

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 -- linked to nearly 11 percent of all healthy life lost
• tobacco use (including second-hand smoke; 8 percent),
• high blood sugar (6 percent),
• high body mass index (4 percent),
• high alcohol use and low physical activity (both 2 percent)

Substantial progress has been made in reducing the global breast cancer burden linked to high alcohol use and tobacco between 1990 and 2023, which declined by 47 percent and 28 percent, respectively.

Can AI Help With Earlier Detection?

Using artificial intelligence (AI) in breast cancer screening can reduce the number of cancers diagnosed in late stages by 12 percent, according to a major new study from Sweden.

The study found that fewer women in the AI group were diagnosed with breast cancer in the years after screening. There were 1.55 cancers per 1,000 women in the AI-supported group, compared with 1.76 per 1,000 in the standard screening group.

According to lead author Dr Kristina Lang of Lund University in Sweden, this indicates better early identification of clinically relevant cancers. She said of the results: “Our findings show that AI-supported screening improves the early detection of breast cancers that are more likely to become aggressive or advanced.

“This results in fewer serious cancers being diagnosed in the interval between screenings.”

She added that wider adoption of AI-supported mammography could ease workforce pressures on radiologists while improving early detection, including of aggressive cancer subtypes.

As cervical cancer screenings ramp up across the world, a new JAMA study shows that a majority of women prefer clinic-based testing over at-home self-sampling tests in the US.

Researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston studied 2,300 women with an average age of 45.5 years. Most were married or living with a partner (58.2 percent), had health insurance (91.9 percent), and had at least some college education (61.6 percent).

Out of those analyzed, over 60 percent preferred clinic-based testing, 20 percent preferred at-home self-sampling tests and over 18 percent were unsure. However, women who had experienced prejudice or discrimination in healthcare were nearly twice as likely to prefer at-home testing.

The study noted that out of the women who preferred at-home testing, nearly 55 percent said it was due to greater privacy, over 35 percent said it was because of a lack of time and over 33 percent noted it was due to fear of embarrassment.

Marginalized women, individuals with low income and individuals who do not trust the health care system were also more likely to prefer at-home self-sampling for cervical cancer screening or not know which option to choose.

To increase screening uptake, the researchers suggested that US officials should incorporate home-based self-sampling as an alternative to clinic-based testing, women’s education and empowerment should be enhanced and tailored interventions focusing on high-risk groups are needed to increase awareness and self-confidence in performing home-based self-sampling.

What Is Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer develops in a women's cervix (uterus opening) due to abnormal cell growth, primarily caused by persistent HPV infection, a common infection that's passed through sexual contact.

When exposed to HPV, the body's immune system typically prevents the virus from causing damage however, in a small percentage of people, the virus can survive for years and pave the way for some cervical cells to become cancerous.

Treatment involves surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, with early detection significantly improving outcomes, though it remains a major cancer in low-income countries Cervical cancer can also be prevented through vaccination and regular screening (Pap/HPV tests).

Symptoms Of Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer has no symptoms in the early days and therefore, is hard to detect until it has spread. However, the early-stage symptoms include:

• Vaginal bleeding after sex
• Vaginal bleeding post-menopause
• Vaginal bleeding between periods or unusually heavy/long periods
• Watery vaginal discharge with a strong odour or containing blood
• Pelvic pain or pain during intercourse
• Advanced Cervical Cancer Symptoms (when cancer has spread beyond the cervix)
• Painful or difficult bowel movements or rectal bleeding
• Painful or difficult urination or blood in the urine
• Persistent dull backache
• Swelling of the legs
• Pain in the pelvis or lower abdomen

Cervical Cancer: A Growing Crisis In India

As per the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, about 42,000 new cases of cervical cancer is reported annually in India. This underscores the need for preventive measures such as vaccination and early screening. The country loses one women every eight minutes to cervical cancer.

The WHO Global Strategy to eliminate cervical cancer includes the 90-70-90 targets by 2030 -- vaccinating 90 per cent of girls against HPV, screening 70 percent of women, and ensuring treatment for 90 percent of those diagnosed with cervical disease.

In line with the global strategy to fight cervical cancer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently also launched a free HPV vaccination drive that will target health and well-being of adolescent girls in the country.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda has also announced that cervical cancer screenings using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) will now be available at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and other health facilities for women between 30 and 65 years of age.

"Screening for cervical cancer is now available at 1,81,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, also known as Health and Wellness Centers, across the country as a part of population based screening for early detection and treatment," said Nadda, while addressing a press briefing at the World Health Organization virtually.

Using VIA, a low-cost, point-of-care method, trained health workers will screen women for cervical cancer. Those who test positive will then be referred to higher centers for diagnostic confirmation and further evaluation.

Viagra, a popular erectile dysfunction medication, may be the world's only existing treatment against Alzheimer's disease, according to over 20 experts.

A panel of 21 experts recently combed through anonymous nominations, clinical evidence and found that out of 80 existing medications that show potential in treating the neurodegenerative disorder.

Out of those, Sildenafil (Viagra) ranked first, with Zostavax (a shingles vaccine) and Riluzole (a drug used to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) coming in second and third.

"Each of the priority candidates has evidence supporting relevant underlying mechanisms of action, non-clinical studies, and clinical evidence from epidemiological studies and/or preliminary clinical trials," the researchers wrote in their paper.

"The tolerability of each of these compounds is also suitable for administration to a frailer population of older individuals as part of a well-monitored clinical trial program. We therefore recommend each of these therapeutic approaches as a high priority for clinical trials for the treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease."

The researchers found that Viagra may support brain health in several ways. Studies suggest it can promote the growth of nerve extensions (neurites) and reduce abnormal tau protein activity as well as improve blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain.

Previous research also shows that the compound can reduce levels of amyloid-beta (Aβ42) in the hippocampus and lower markers of brain inflammation. Additionally, it can also protect neurons from amyloid-beta damage.

Scientists are yet to determine the exact mechanism behind how Viagra can help protect the brain from Alzheimer's-related damage.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common forms of dementia and mostly affects adults over the age of 65.

About 8.8 million Indians aged 60 and above are estimated to be living with Alzheimer's disease. Over seven million people in the US 65 and older live with the condition and over 100,00 die from it annually.

Alzheimer's disease is believed to be caused by the development of toxic amyloid and beta proteins in the brain, which can accumulate in the brain and damage cells responsible for memory.

Amyloid protein molecules stick together in brain cells, forming clumps called plaques. At the same time, tau proteins twist together in fiber-like strands called tangles. The plaques and tangles block the brain's neurons from sending electrical and chemical signals back and forth.

Over time, this disruption causes permanent damage in the brain that leads to Alzheimer's disease and dementia, causing patients to lose their ability to speak, care for themselves or even respond to the world around them.

While there is no clear cause of Alzheimer's disease, experts believe it can develop due to genetic mutations and lifestyle choices, such as physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and social isolation.

Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. Over time, Alzheimer's disease leads to serious memory loss and affects a person's ability to do everyday tasks.

There is no cure for this progressive brain disorder and in advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition or infection. These complications can result in death.

Can You Detect Alzheimer's Early On?

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a blood test which can help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in adults aged 55 and above.

The blood test, known as Lumipulse, can detect amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease and has proven to be a “less invasive option” that “reduces reliance on PET scans and increases diagnosis accessibility.”

FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary said of the landmark decision, "Alzheimer’s disease impacts too many people, more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

"Knowing that 10 percent of people aged 65 and older have Alzheimer's, and that by 2050 that number is expected to double, I am hopeful that new medical products such as this one will help patients."

It remains unclear when this test will be available for commercial use across the world.