
(Credit-Canva)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Credit: Canva/Eli Lilly
While GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro have helped patients lose weight, a major concern has been weight regain once the therapy is stopped. Now, a new study by US scientists suggests that a daily pill may help prevent that rebound weight gain.
According to a clinical trial led by Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian, switching to the once-daily orforglipron pill may not only help maintain weight loss but also preserve cardiometabolic benefits.
Orforglipron is US drugmaker Eli Lilly’s first oral pill for weight loss, marketed as Foundayo. In April, it received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In the Eli Lilly-funded trial, published in the journal Nature Medicine, researchers found that patients in the Phase 3b clinical trial maintained around 75–80 per cent of their weight loss. They also experienced several additional health benefits, including:
The ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial enrolled patients who had already achieved substantial weight loss that later plateaued while taking weekly injectable GLP-1 drugs during the SURMOUNT-5 trial.
The study randomized:
The results showed that patients switching from tirzepatide to orforglipron maintained an average of 74.7 per cent of their body weight reduction, compared with 49.2 per cent in the placebo group.
Meanwhile, patients who switched from semaglutide to orforglipron maintained 79.3 per cent of their body weight reduction, compared with 37.6 per cent in the placebo arm.
Over the 52-week trial period, participants treated with orforglipron gained:
Eli Lilly licensed orforglipron, the active ingredient in Foundayo, from a Japanese pharmaceutical company in 2018.
Like injectable GLP-1 drugs, Orforglipron is available in six doses ranging from 0.8 mg to 17.2 mg. Patients typically begin at the lowest dose and gradually increase under medical supervision.
Also read: Donald Trump Will Have Fourth Medical Checkup In May, Says White House
Unlike some oral GLP-1 drugs, people taking orforglipron do not need to restrict food or drink intake after taking the pill. Researchers say the small molecule is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream and reaches target tissues efficiently.
Foundayo is not approved for use in children and carries warnings about potential thyroid tumours, including thyroid cancer.
The drugmaker advises patients to watch for symptoms such as:
Credit: iStock/Roche
In a major development for cancer care in India, Swiss pharmaceutical major Roche Pharma has launched Tecentriq SC, the country’s first subcutaneous (under-the-skin) immunotherapy for lung cancer that can be administered in approximately seven minutes.
While conventional intravenous (IV) infusions can take hours, Tecentriq SC can significantly improve the cancer treatment experience by reducing treatment time by nearly 80 per cent.
The seven-minute injectable immunotherapy has the potential to:
“With Tecentriq SC, we are bringing an innovation that meaningfully reduces treatment time while maintaining the established efficacy and safety profile of Tecentriq. We believe such advances can play an important role in enabling more patient-centric and future-ready cancer care delivery in India,” said Roche Pharma India Chief Medical Officer Dr Sivabalan Sivanesan, in a statement.
Tecentriq SC is the first and only PD-(L)1 inhibitor globally with both intravenous (IV) and subcutaneous (SC) formulations across multiple cancers.
First approved by the UK MHRA in 2023 and subsequently by the USFDA in 2024, Tecentriq SC is now approved in more than 85 countries, with over 10,000 patients benefitting globally.
In India, Tecentriq SC is currently approved by the DCGI for adjuvant and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC is the most common form, making up about 80–85% of all cases.
According to Sivanesan, the drug is priced at about "Rs 3.7 lakh per vial".
Also read: India Gets Its First Alzheimer’s Drug: Know All About Eli Lilly’s Lormalzi
Tecentriq SC combines Tecentriq with Halozyme Therapeutics’ Enhanze drug delivery technology.
The technology uses recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 (rHuPH20), an enzyme that temporarily increases permeability in the subcutaneous space, enabling rapid dispersion and absorption of the medicine into the bloodstream, the company said.
The launch of Tecentriq SC also aligns with the broader shift toward decentralised cancer care in India. Shorter administration formats can free up hospital beds, healthcare staff time, and oncology resources at tertiary care centres, while helping shift care delivery to daycare centres and beyond traditional tertiary hospitals.
“India’s growing cancer burden requires us to rethink how cancer care is delivered. Innovations such as subcutaneous immunotherapy have the potential to simplify treatment administration, reduce pressure on hospital beds and support more decentralised models of care beyond large metro hospitals,” said Dr Amit Rauthan, Consultant and HOD of Medical Oncology at Manipal Hospital.
Global studies have indicated strong patient preference for subcutaneous administration.
According to results from the IMscin002 study presented at the European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC) 2024:
Studies have also shown that subcutaneous administration is associated with less discomfort, pain, and irritation compared to IV administration.
In the IMscin001 study presented at ESMO 2023:
Credit: AI generated image
Even as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) got rebranded as Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), it signals a major shift in how doctors understand and treat one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women, said health experts today.
Speaking to HealthandMe, the experts noted that from the earlier narrowed focus on ovarian cysts, the transition toward PMOS will better capture the condition’s complex metabolic and endocrine nature.
Dr. Isha Kriplani, Consultant – Obstetrics and Gynecology at Paras Health, said the renaming marks “the beginning of a new era in women's gynecological health.”
Also read: PCOS Is Now PMOS: What The Name Change Means For Millions Of Women
The new name aims to explain the condition more accurately and comprehensively.
Polyendocrine means it affects multiple hormones in the body.
Metabolic refers to issues linked to weight, insulin, blood sugar, and heart health.
Ovarian highlights its impact on ovulation and reproductive health.
Syndrome refers to a group of symptoms occurring together.
In simple terms, PMOS is a hormonal and metabolic condition that can affect periods, fertility, skin, mood, weight, and long-term health.
Dr. Isha stated that the term PMOS acknowledges that the disorder is not solely linked to hormonal imbalance or ovarian dysfunction, but also deeply connected to metabolic health. She explained that many women experience symptoms such as weight gain, skin issues, fatigue, insulin resistance, and hormonal disturbances without necessarily showing ovarian cysts on ultrasonography.
“Rebranding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) into Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) is the beginning of a new era in women's gynecological health. This is because renaming helps us understand that the complex interplay of this disease is not only about imbalanced hormones but also metabolism,” she told HealthandMe.
Dr. Isha added that the shift could help broaden diagnosis and encourage early intervention to prevent long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension. She noted that the new terminology also provides women with a more accurate understanding of the syndrome and encourages treatment strategies focused on addressing the root metabolic causes.
Dr. Raina Chawla, Associate Director – Gynecology at Sarvodaya Hospital, told HealthandMe the transition from PCOS to PMOS corrects what she described as one of medicine’s “most persistent misnomers.”
She explained that for years, the term PCOS led many patients to believe the condition was purely ovarian in nature, often resulting in confusion and delays in diagnosis. According to Dr. Raina, the so-called “cysts” seen in PCOS are actually immature follicles that develop as a consequence of the disorder rather than being its primary cause.
Also read: PCOD vs PCOS vs PMOS: Why The Condition’s Name Has Changed Over Time
“The shift from PCOS to Reproductive Metabolic Syndrome (PMOS) is an important move toward correcting one of medicine’s most persistent misnomers,” Dr. Raina said.
She further emphasized that the newer terminology places appropriate attention on insulin resistance and androgen excess, helping doctors and patients approach the disorder as a systemic endocrine and metabolic condition rather than a localized ovarian issue.
Experts believe the change in terminology could also reduce stigma and improve awareness about the wide-ranging symptoms associated with the syndrome, while encouraging a more holistic treatment approach that includes lifestyle modifications, metabolic screening, and long-term preventive care.
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