As you grow old, your health starts to deteriorate. Everything, whether it is your mental health or your physical health, starts to slow down. However, with age, your mental health gets overshadowed by your physical health.

Signs You Should Note

If you note these signs in your ageing parents or grandparents, take note of it. Try to get involved with them. It is also important to ensure that they have a separate social circle apart from the family. This way, they can have friends who they can also relate to.

With age, suggests Sinha, you are more prone to be depressed, and anxious. “Mental health conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorders are not something that happens when you grow older. You may have been living with these for the last 40 years, but the management differs, she suggests.

As you grow old, your symptoms start to overlap with other mental health conditions. For the proper treatment professionals use differential diagnosis, suggests Sinha. “The lines become blurred and to differentiate the symptoms from one mental health condition to another becomes difficult,” she says.

Preventive Measures

There are also food habits like eating leafy vegetables, nuts, fish, virgin coconut and beans that help with brain functions.

Sinha suggests that keeping a social circle and continuing your hobbies can help your mind stay healthy. “Men especially face this issue, after they retire, they feel like they are at the loss of authority, and they start to lose control. It is thus important to keep doing things and learning a new skill to keep your brain active. While for women, since they continue taking care of the house, their brain stays active,” she says.

Cognitive stimulation is the key, especially to managing dementia, she notes.

“Just with weight training, you push your body and after a while, it becomes your muscle memory. Same with the brain. However, one should not get into solving too many puzzles, or trivia after being diagnosed with dementia. Because that would mean you are making your already injured brain exercise which might lead to agitation,” she recommends.

How to support?

“The most important part is for the caregiver to understand what is happening and come to terms with the conditions. Because the elderly with cognitive conditions are not able to understand, they cannot be told or instructed to do anything. Thus, the responsibility is solely on the caregiver,” points out Sinha.

So, what can be done?

Awareness

Reach out to therapists and counsellors to know the ways to create such a healthy environment.

Be Patient

She suggests adopting the same approach that you do with kids and with your pets. This is when you focus on gestures, body language and mood over language. Due to cognitive disorders, parents experience a loss of language and the only way to communicate and to understand what they are communicating is through these means.

Be Empathetic

Create a healthy environment by agreeing with them and listening to their stories. The responsibility of creating a safe environment is totally with you.

There might be times when your parents may do socially unacceptable or non-compliance behaviour. But it is important to understand the triggers and ensure that the triggers do not occur anymore.

Help Them Stay Fit

Dr Ambrish Mithal, endocrinologist in a podcast with Ranveer Allahbadia, highlighted the difference between the popular weight loss drug Ozempic and Mounjaro. Dr Mithal said that a person can lose around 10 kgs in four to six months. When Allahbadia asked Dr Mithal if there is any difference. To this, Dr Mithal said that while Ozempic is a GLP-1 drug, Mounjaro is a combination of GLP-1 and GIP. In simpler language, if one has to compare the two for only weight loss, Mounjaro can outweigh Ozempic by roughly 10 per cent.

What Is The Difference Between Ozempic and Mounjaro?

While both drugs are approved by FDA and requires prescription, and doses increases over time to a maintenance dose, experiences shortages, not FDA-approved for weight loss.

Although several studies suggest that Mounjaro may lead to greater weight loss than Ozempic, it is not currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically for weight loss. That said, doctors may prescribe both Mounjaro and Ozempic off-label to support weight management in certain patients.

A real-world comparative effectiveness study by Truveta Research examined the active ingredients in both drugs among overweight and obese adults. The findings showed that tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, resulted in greater weight loss within one year of treatment. Individuals taking tirzepatide were more likely to achieve meaningful body weight reduction at three, six, and 12 months compared to those on semaglutide.

According to Eli Lilly, participants in Mounjaro clinical trials lost between 12 and 25 pounds. The trials reported an average weight loss of 21.1 percent after 12 weeks and a total mean weight loss of 26.6 percent over 84 weeks.

In contrast, clinical trials conducted by Novo Nordisk found that Ozempic users lost between 9.3 and 14.1 pounds. On average, participants lost about 15 percent of their body weight after 68 weeks of treatment.

Is Mounjaro More Effective Than Ozempic?

The answer depends on individual health goals and medical needs. Mounjaro is widely recognised for its strong impact on lowering A1C levels and promoting weight loss. Ozempic, meanwhile, not only helps control blood sugar but is also approved to reduce cardiovascular risk in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Head-to-head research suggests that Mounjaro may offer greater reductions in both blood sugar and body weight. In the SURPASS-2 trial, tirzepatide outperformed semaglutide in lowering A1C levels. The 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg doses of tirzepatide reduced A1C by 2.01, 2.24, and 2.30 percentage points respectively, compared to a 1.86-point reduction with the 1 mg dose of semaglutide.

Read: WHO Issues First Guidance On Obesity Drugs — GLP-1 Drugs Get the Green Light

How Do Mounjaro and Ozempic Side Effects Compare?

Both medications share similar side effects, most commonly gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and vomiting. However, some data suggest that side effects with Mounjaro may be slightly more frequent or severe.

The SURPASS-2 trial found that the most common side effects were generally comparable between tirzepatide and semaglutide. However, tirzepatide was associated with a slightly higher rate of serious adverse events.

Mounjaro’s prescribing information includes a warning about severe gastrointestinal disease, a caution not listed in Ozempic’s label. Clinical trials also showed that more patients discontinued Mounjaro due to gastrointestinal side effects. For both drugs, higher doses were linked to an increased likelihood of side effects.

Ultimately, how a person responds to either medication can vary. Each drug works differently in the body, and individual tolerance, medical history, and treatment goals all play a role in determining which option may be more suitable.

Difference Between GLP-1 Drug and GIP Drug

GLP-1 Drugs

GLP-1 drugs mimic the action of the natural hormone GLP-1 to regulate blood sugar and promote weight loss. They work by increasing insulin release in a glucose-dependent manner, decreasing the liver's production of glucagon, and slowing down the emptying of the stomach, which helps lower blood sugar levels after a meal. They also act on the brain to suppress appetite and increase feelings of fullness, leading to reduced calorie intake.

In people with type 2 diabetes, notes Harvard Health, the body's cells are resistant to the effects of insulin and body does not produce enough insulin, or both. This is when GLP-1 agonists stimulate pancreas to release insulin and suppress the release of another hormone called glucagon.

These drugs also act in the brain to reduce hunger and act on the stomach to delay emptying, so you feel full for a longer time. These effects can lead to weight loss, which can be an important part of managing diabetes.

GIP Drugs

As per the American Diabetes Association's published study, Gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) is best known for its role as an incretin hormone in control of blood glucose concentrations.

GIP is produced from a larger 153–amino acid precursor protein encoded by the GIP gene. In the bloodstream, it circulates as an active 42–amino acid peptide. It is synthesised by K cells located in the lining of the duodenum and jejunum in the small intestine.

Like other endocrine hormones, GIP is released into the bloodstream and travels to target organs through circulation. Its receptors are seven-transmembrane G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) found primarily on the beta cells of the pancreas.

In a major push towards eliminating cervical cancer from India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program for girls aged 14 years.

The new vaccination drive comes as cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in India, with nearly 80,000 new cases and over 42,000 deaths reported annually. As per data from the ICMR-National Cancer Registry Program (NCRP), an estimated 78,499 new cases and 42,392 deaths were reported in 2024.

Calling it a "decisive step”, the government noted that it is aimed at “strengthening the vision of ‘swasth nari’ (healthy women) while being rooted in scientific evidence, strict regulatory oversight and global best practices”.

“India's vaccination drive reflects safety, responsibility, and long-term commitment to women’s health,” it added.

The national program will use Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine that protects against HPV types 16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer, as well as types 6 and 11.

However, social media has been rife with concerns around the safety of the vaccine, its impact on women’s reproductive health, among others.

HPV Vaccine: The Myths And Facts

Myth: HPV vaccines can cause severe side effects and even death.

Fact: The HPV vaccines come with a “confirmed strong safety record”.

“Extensive global monitoring shows a strong safety profile supported by scientific reviews. Independent evaluations have found no causal link between vaccination and chronic harm, strengthening confidence in its continued use worldwide,” the government said.

The vaccine has been licensed in India since 2008, and the new rollout follows recommendations by the World Health Organization (WHO) and approvals from the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).

“HPV vaccines have been given to hundreds of millions globally. Extensive post-marketing surveillance shows an excellent safety profile, with no causal link to serious adverse outcomes. The evidence is robust, transparent, and reassuring,” Dr. CS Pramesh, Director of the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, shared in a post on the social media platform X.

Myth: The HPV vaccine has never been used in India

Fact: The vaccine has been in use in India. It has been administered for years since 2008 with successful implementation in states like Punjab, Sikkim, and Tamil Nadu.

Myth: HPV vaccination does not prevent cervical cancer

Fact: The HPV vaccine has been proven to prevent cervical cancer

Studies show a 65 percent drop in cervical cancer cases among US women between 2012 and 2019 and an 88-89 percent reduction in precancerous lesions among Scottish women over a decade.

Countries with early HPV vaccine adoption have also shown large declines in HPV infection, high-grade cervical lesions, and cervical cancer incidence.

"Even when considering the rarest side effects, HPV vaccines are overwhelmingly safe. The protection they offer against cervical cancer far outweighs the minimal risks. Parents are encouraged to vaccinate their daughters on time," said Dr. Neena Malhotra, Professor and Head of Department, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AIIMS New Delhi on X.

Myths: Are Multiple Doses Needed?

Fact: A single dose of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine is effective. It provides strong protection against HPV infection. It helps prevent cervical cancer.

“Strong global and Indian scientific evidence confirms that a single dose provides robust and durable protection when administered to girls in the recommended age group," the government said.

For all major diseases, early detection is key to improving treatment outcomes. However, when it comes to rare diseases, it is unpredictable, making it more challenging to diagnose. In such a scenario, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing a major role -- from early diagnosis to treatment, said health experts on Rare Disease Day.

Rare Disease Day is annually observed on February 28 to raise awareness about the lesser-known conditions and the underlying challenges for people suffering from them.

While many of the rare disorders are genetic, they often also surface without any prior family history. In some cases, they are diagnosed in infancy, while in others the manifestation is years late.

The advanced AI technology is, however, now enabling clinicians to better understand the patients’ genetic profiles and patterns that were not clearer earlier. The technology is also paving the way for earlier and more accurate diagnoses, bringing hope to thousands of patients worldwide.

“AI is revolutionizing the fight against rare diseases by speeding up diagnosis, research, and development of treatments. Rare diseases often take years to diagnose because of the lack of data, overlapping symptoms, and unclear diagnosis,” Dr. Vinit Banga, Director, Neurology, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Faridabad, told HealthandMe.

“AI algorithms can process medical records, genetic information, and images to identify patterns that may escape human detection, allowing for earlier and more accurate diagnoses,” he added.

AI Simplifying Rare Disease Diagnoses, Drug development

In a February paper published in the journal Nature, researchers from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China presented an AI system called DeepRare -- a multi-agent system for rare disease differential diagnosis decision support, powered by large language models, integrating more than 40 specialized tools.

Using the specialized tools and knowledge sources, the agentic AI system generates ranked diagnostic hypotheses for rare diseases. Each of the tools was also accompanied by reasoning that links the conclusions to verifiable medical evidence.

Similarly, Harvard University-based researchers in a paper also published in the Nature journal in 2025 described an AI tool called PopEVE, which can identify genetic variants most likely to cause severe disease or death.

The model was able to identify more than 100 novel alterations responsible for undiagnosed, rare genetic diseases.

"AI is cutting short the diagnostic odyssey from years to weeks. Large-scale genomic projects help create a vital reference architecture for India and the global community,” Dr. Sudheendra Rao N R, MBBS, PhD, Scientific Advisor, Organization for Rare Diseases India, told HealthandMe.

By integrating deep phenotyping with AI, clinicians can decipher unknown genetic variants and accelerate the development of both repurposed and next-generation precision-therapies, the expert added.

AI can also help researchers identify new drug targets for the treatment of rare conditions.

Dr. Banga said that AI is also instrumental in accelerating drug development by processing enormous amounts of biomedical data to discover new targets for drugs and repurpose existing ones. Importantly, AI is cutting down on time and expenses.

“Machine learning algorithms enable the prediction of patient responses to particular treatments, making it possible to develop personalized treatment strategies,” the expert said.

Further, AI-enabled infrastructure is helping to achieve geographic neutrality, delivering the same caliber of healthcare screening to rural villages and Tier-3 cities as to Tier-1 hubs, ensuring a high-quality healthcare gateway that is no longer defined by where the patient lives.

Moreover, AI-based platforms bring together researchers from across the globe, making it easier to share data.

What Is A Rare Disease

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a rare disease as an often debilitating, chronic, or degenerative condition affecting 1 or fewer per 1,000 population.

Rare diseases do not have epidemiological data, are at high risk of misdiagnosis, and often also lack effective treatments.

According to the WHO ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases), there are over 5,500 rare diseases. It also assigns unique identifiers (URIs) to them for better tracking.

There are estimated to be over 7,000 distinct rare diseases affecting more than 300 million people globally.