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We’ve all heard the joke at some point — women take longer in the bathroom because they “pee more.” But is there any truth behind this bathroom stereotype? As it turns out, science is more complex than that, and the answer lies deep within the structure of our kidneys.
Biologically speaking, men generally have larger kidneys than women. But does that mean they produce more urine? Not necessarily.
A recent review of autopsy data has revealed some interesting findings. While men do tend to have physically larger kidneys, researchers aren’t entirely sure if this difference holds up once body size — such as height, weight, or body surface area (BSA) — is taken into account. In other words, just because a man has a bigger kidney doesn’t automatically mean it's more efficient or produces more urine.
However, here's where it gets interesting: When kidney size is adjusted relative to body size, men may not actually have significantly larger kidneys than women. And in clinical settings, women often show better kidney health outcomes over time. Studies suggest that women are less likely to develop or progress to chronic kidney disease (CKD), even though they may report more frequent urination.
Hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause also play a significant role in urinary patterns. Estrogen, for instance, affects the urinary tract and can make women more sensitive to the urge to go.
Ultimately, urination is a deeply personal — and variable — experience. If you find yourself making more frequent bathroom visits than usual, regardless of gender, it might be worth discussing with a healthcare provider.
Because when it comes to your health, every drop matters.
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New Delhi's weather is fluctuating sharply, with Western Disturbances driving bouts of intense heat and sudden pre-monsoon showers. The city is currently hovering in the mid-30s°C but is also bracing for a return to scorching heat, with maximum temperatures forecast to climb into the low to mid-40s°C this week.
Such weather fluctuations can play a significant role in triggering migraine attacks, said Dr. Vivek Kumar, Principal Director - Neurology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj.
Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Vivek noted that many components of weather are reported to affect migraine. These include:
Dr. Kumar explained that a drop in atmospheric pressure, often seen before storms, can create a pressure imbalance between the environment and the sinuses or inner ear, stimulating nerves and leading to headaches.
"Rapid temperature changes, as well as exposure to extreme heat or cold, can also trigger migraine episodes," he said.
Similarly, both high humidity and very dry air have been associated with the onset of migraine symptoms. Bright sunlight and intense sun exposure, particularly when reflected off surfaces such as snow or water, are also recognized migraine triggers.
Also read: Global Temperatures Likely To Stay Near Record Levels For Next Five Years: WMO
According to Dr. Kumar, weather changes can affect brain chemistry by influencing serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter involved in migraine development. They may also contribute to inflammation or pressure differences within the sinuses.
Further, the expert noted that seasonal transitions can be particularly challenging.
"Spring and summer may trigger migraines because of heat and allergens, while winter's cold and dry air can also contribute to headaches and sinus discomfort," he said.
Notably, weather is often only one factor among several. Allergies during spring or viral illnesses during autumn may also combine with environmental changes to trigger headaches, Dr. Kumar stressed.
Read More: What Can You Learn About Your Health From Ice Cream Headaches?
Migraine is also frequently mistaken for a sinus headache because the symptoms often overlap.
Dr. Kumar noted that migraine attacks can cause forehead and facial pressure, as well as nasal congestion or a runny nose. Unlike migraine, however, sinus infections may be accompanied by fever.
He explained that migraine can activate nerves in the face, a phenomenon known as cranial autonomic activation, which can create sensations of nasal blockage and congestion.
While weather changes are difficult to avoid, monitoring weather forecasts may help people prepare for potential triggers. Preventive treatment may also reduce sensitivity to environmental changes and allow greater freedom in daily activities.
Dr. Kumar advised:
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Pancreatic cancer is one of the most feared diseases, and it causes thousands of lives to be wasted away due to this fatal disease. According to the Population-Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs) managed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the IARC Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), about 22,982 Indians have pancreatic cancer every year.
On the other hand, the American Cancer Society's US SEER Pancreatic Cancer Stat Facts shows the annual number of cases is 67,530. Thus, any lead to resisting cancer is good news for the world. Recently, a research team from Stony Brook Medicine and Luisa Escobar-Hoyos of Yale School of Medicine, led by Kenneth Shroyer and Natalia Marchenko, found an important fact to fight the fatal disease.
The study investigated the role of Keratin 17 (K17) and found that the protein can be a driver of chemoresistance to gemcitabine. It is often used to treat various types of cancer. The study shows that the K17 can act as a target for the development of novel treatments.
They discovered that the protein is a key driver of chemoresistance to gemcitabine, an agent used to treat a wide range of cancers, including advanced tumors of the pancreas, lungs, and breast.
Daxaronrasib is a daily oral pill that has demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with standard intravenous chemotherapy.
Described as a multi-selective inhibitor of RAS(ON) proteins, it is the first investigational drug in a new class of RAS inhibitors designed to target a broad spectrum of cancer-causing RAS mutations.
The drug works by blocking KRAS signalling proteins that drive tumor growth.
Read More: New Pancreatic Cancer Drug Daxaronrasib May Benefit Patients With Lung And Ovarian Tumors Too
Daraxonrasib is the first drug. It works by pairing up with a protein called cyclophilin A inside cells, acting like a molecular glue, glomming onto the mutated protein.
Pancreatic cancer is considered one of the most RAS-dependent cancers, with more than 90 per cent of patients carrying tumours driven by RAS protein mutations. Similar RAS-targeting drugs are also being developed for pancreatic, lung, and colon cancers.
The findings were presented at a plenary session of the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s meeting in Chicago on May 31 and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Weight loss is a slow process, but it must be done right for best results. (Photo credit: iStock)
For many individuals, the most frustrating part of weight loss is not the effort; it is the lack of results. Strict diets are followed, workouts are consistent, and routines are maintained with discipline, yet the scale refuses to move in a meaningful way. What appears, on the surface, to be a failure of method is often a reflection of how the body is designed to respond.
Dr V G Mohan Prasad, M.D., D.M. (Gastro), FASGE, FRCP(E), FICP, FSGEI, Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist & Therapeutic Endoscopist, VGM Hospital, Tamil Nadu, in an interaction with Health and Me, said, "Weight loss is not a straightforward process of cutting calories. When food intake is reduced, the body does not simply comply; it adapts. Metabolism slows down, energy is conserved, and hunger signals become stronger. Over time, particularly in those who have gone through repeated cycles of dieting, the body becomes more efficient at holding on to energy. This adaptive response can create a situation where effort continues, but progress stalls."
At the same time, fat loss does not occur uniformly. Certain areas of the body, especially abdominal fat, are more resistant due to hormonal influences. This often leads to a mismatch between internal metabolic improvements and visible physical changes, making it seem as though nothing is working, even when the body is undergoing shifts beneath the surface.
Metabolic health also plays a defining role. Two individuals following identical routines can have very different outcomes depending on factors such as insulin sensitivity, muscle composition, and inflammation levels. In some cases, underlying medical conditions or long-term medication use can further complicate the process, making conventional approaches less effective.
What this highlights is a need to move beyond standardised weight-loss strategies. When the body resists, simply intensifying effort is rarely the solution. Instead, it calls for a more targeted and individualised approach that takes these biological responses into account.
This is where advancements in medical science are beginning to bridge the gap. Alongside lifestyle changes, minimally invasive procedures using endoscopic techniques through the mouth, thereby obviating the need for surgery, are increasingly being used to support individuals who struggle despite sustained efforts. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), for instance, works by reducing stomach volume and delaying the emptying of the stomach, helping individuals feel full sooner and sustain dietary changes over time. Another endoscopic technique is the placement of an intragastric balloon in the stomach, which promotes portion control and supports behavioural modification.
For those who have previously undergone bariatric surgery and are experiencing weight regain, endoscopic transoral outlet reduction (TORe) helps restore satiety by reducing the size of the gastric outlet.
These interventions are not designed to replace healthy habits but to work alongside them, particularly in cases where biological resistance makes progress difficult. They reflect a broader shift in how weight management is being understood—not as a one-size-fits-all process, but as something that requires alignment between effort and how the body responds.
Failure to lose weight is a reminder that the body is not a simple system and that effective solutions must take its complexity into account.
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