Imagine this. A young teenager, 17, years old, who is fully developed. Now imagine this, the same teenager has a fully developed extra set of limbs and a pelvis. That extra set of pair is attached with chest artery. But, how can this happen?

While it is extremely rare, and has a chance of less than one case occurring per 100,000 births. Such things do happen. This is called parasitic twin.

What Is A Parasitic Twin?

It is an extremely rare type of cojoined twin where a baby is born with an underdeveloped twin attached to its body. This condition is also known as vestigial twins. The condition is very closely related to conjoined twins, where babies are connected at birth and share organs. However, the main difference is that in conjoined twins, there are two developed babies, whereas in parasitic twins, only one is fully developed, other one is underdeveloped and non functional.

In such a case, the twin who is developed is medically known as the autositic or the dominant twin. The dominant twin is healthy in most aspect but may have extra tissue, organs, or limbs from the parasitic twin.

The parasitic twin may be attached with the dominant twin through several places. The common joints are at the head, torso, chest, pelvis, buttocks, or back. In these cases, the parasitic twin is not alive and they die either in the womb or during the childbirth.

Doctors Remove Parasitic Twin

Now, let's go back to the case we referred to, where a young teenager had an extra pair of limbs attached to chest. The teenager who has not been named is from Uttar Pradesh's Unnao neighbourhood, and was treated in AIIMS, Delhi. The team of doctors successfully removed the extra set of limbs from his body.

Dr Asuri Krishna, who led the team of specialist who surgically removed the extra limbs told the BBC that only 40 to 50 cases of parasitic twins have been documented in world medical literature, and in those cases, the surgery had been attempted on children. The doctor said that without much medical literature to guide them, the team of doctors depended on "intuition, skill and knowledge".

The doctor shared that the child had two fully formed legs, buttocks and external genitalia, which weighed around 15kg "protruding from his abdomen".

How Was The Surgery Performed?

The doctor shared that first they identified how interconnected the parasitic and host twins were. The doctors took scans and found that parasitic twin was attached to the teen's breastbone. The blood was being supplied from a vessel in his chest. However, "there wasn't much connection with other main organs like the liver or kidneys," said Dr Krishna. The team also found a large cyst in the teen's abdomen.

Then the surgery was performed in two stages. In the first stage, the parasitic twin was removed. Then the cystic mass was extracted from the surrounded area. The entire surgery was completed in two and a half hours and the team of doctors included radiologists, anaesthetists, and plastic surgeons.

The biggest challenge was when the teen's blood pressure dropped as 30 to 40% of his blood flowed to the parasitic twin, however, the doctors were prepared for it and they stabilized him.

Back pain is generally considered a problem seen in old age, but of late, we are increasingly seeing younger adults suffering from back pain. Prolonged sitting hours, inadequate physical activity, smoking, and an unhealthy lifestyle have made back pain a common complaint even in people under 30 years of age.

What is a slipped disc?

In an interview with Health and Me, Dr Satish Satyanarayana, neurosurgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Bengaluru, said, “Most commonly, we attribute this pain to a slipped disc or other disc-related conditions. However, they are just one among many reasons causing back pain. A thorough understanding of the other conditions that can lead to back pain, and knowing the ‘red flags’ to help identify them, will assist in seeking early treatment and preventing further complications.”

Muscle strain is considered to be one of the most common reasons for developing back pain in younger individuals. Daily activities like travelling for long hours, lifting heavy weights without proper technique, and carrying heavy backpacks can lead to muscle strain. Often, the pain due to muscle strain comes down with the help of medications such as muscle relaxants and rest.

Poor posture and back pain

Working professionals and students spend many hours a day studying, gaming, and working on computers without maintaining proper posture, leading to excess strain on the back muscles and, in turn, prolonged back pain. Having a properly ergonomically designed workstation/study table setup can prevent back discomfort and stiffness.

What are the causes of back pain?

Lack of physical activity and associated conditions such as obesity weaken our core muscles, which are considered the main pillars supporting our spine. Weakened core muscles will not be able to perform the functions expected of them, leading to back pain. Regular exercise, weight management, a healthy diet, and guided weight training will help strengthen our core muscles and reduce the risk of back pain.

Other than muscles, the spine also contains small joints known as facet joints, irritation or inflammation of which can lead to back pain. A structure known as the pars interarticularis acts as a clamp in the spine, holding two adjacent vertebral bodies, and any defect, such as a congenital defect or fracture due to repetitive microtrauma, as seen in gymnasts, can lead to the slipping of one bone over the other, causing back pain.

Though mechanical back pain is most common, there are other conditions such as inflammatory arthropathy, tumours, and infections. Conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and hyperuricemia/gout are some examples of inflammatory conditions in which an individual experiences early morning back pain associated with stiffness and may also present with pain in other joints.

Can tuberculosis lead to back pain?

Tuberculosis affecting the spine is considered the most common infection of the spine. Severe back pain, weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, and night sweats are some of the common symptoms. Other bacterial and fungal infections are also seen affecting the spine, most commonly in immunocompromised individuals.

Tumours, though rare in young individuals, warrant further investigation when symptoms such as severe weight loss, night pain, and prolonged back pain are present to rule out the possibility of tumours.

Other conditions such as scoliosis (congenital/adolescent idiopathic scoliosis), which is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine, can cause back pain. It requires further assessment in the form of radiological investigations to assess the degree of deformity and to plan any surgical intervention, if required, based on the severity of the curve.

What are the symptoms?

Identifying some of the red-flag signs, such as weakness in the legs, numbness around the groin, bladder or bowel dysfunction, fever, unexplained significant weight loss, or severe pain following major trauma, is essential. These symptoms may indicate serious underlying pathology requiring medical care.

Fortunately, back pain in young people is largely preventable. Basic lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, maintaining proper posture, avoiding prolonged sitting, maintaining a healthy body weight, undertaking monitored weight-training programmes, following a healthy diet, and getting adequate sleep will help prevent as well as overcome existing back problems. Invest in your spinal health at the earliest opportunity to reap the benefits in the second half of life.

Every year, millions of people undergo routine health check-ups that include a lipid profile. Yet for many, the numbers on the report—Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, and increasingly ApoB—remain confusing.

Most people know that cholesterol is linked to heart disease and that "good" cholesterol can be beneficial, while high levels of "bad" cholesterol may increase cardiovascular risk. However, understanding what the different lipid profile numbers mean—and which ones matter most—can make a significant difference to long-term heart health.

Taking to the social media platform X, noted neurologist Dr. Sudhir Kumar said, "This is mainly meant for people who have NOT suffered a heart attack or stroke and are NOT already taking statins."

How Often Should You Get Tested?

Dr. Sudhir, Senior Consultant Neurologist at the Institute of Neurosciences, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, shared that for most healthy adults, a lipid profile every two to three years is generally sufficient.

However, more frequent testing may be necessary for people with:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• A history of smoking
• A family history of premature heart disease
• Previously abnormal cholesterol levels

LDL: Why This Cholesterol Matters

Also read: AHA’s New Dyslipidemia Guidelines Stress Early Screening, Lifestyle Management

LDL cholesterol, commonly known as LDL-C, is often referred to as "bad cholesterol." The expert explained its key role in the development of heart disease.

"Excess LDL can enter artery walls and contribute to plaque formation. Over time, these plaques may narrow blood vessels or rupture, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes," Dr. Sudhir said.

For most healthy adults, LDL levels below 100 mg/dL are considered desirable. Levels above this range gradually increase cardiovascular risk, particularly when elevated over many years.

The lower the LDL, the lower the long-term risk of heart attack and stroke. On the other hand, persistently high LDL can increase the lifetime risk of:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Peripheral artery disease

Triglycerides: A Marker Of Metabolic Health

Triglycerides are another type of fat found in the bloodstream. High levels of triglycerides are often a marker of poor metabolic health, Dr. Sudhir said.

He added that high triglycerides can indicate:

• Insulin resistance
• Obesity
• Prediabetes
• Diabetes
• Physical inactivity
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Diets rich in refined carbohydrates and sugary beverages

What About HDL?

High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, has long been known as "good cholesterol." Traditionally, higher HDL levels have been associated with lower cardiovascular risk.

However, recent research has challenged the idea that simply raising HDL improves heart health. Several medications designed to increase HDL levels failed to reduce heart attack risk, prompting a shift in focus toward lowering harmful cholesterol particles rather than boosting HDL alone.

As a result, the expert cautioned against judging cardiovascular health based solely on HDL levels.

ApoB: The Emerging Risk Marker

Read More: Cardiovascular Diseases Lead As India’s Top Killer: US Cardiologist Points Out Risk Factors

One of the most important developments in cardiovascular prevention is the growing recognition of Apolipoprotein B, or ApoB. Dr. Sudhir stated that ApoB is a protein found on potentially harmful cholesterol-carrying particles such as LDL and VLDL (Very Low-Density Lipoprotein, a type of "bad" cholesterol).

"Think of ApoB as a count of the particles capable of entering artery walls and causing plaque. One ApoB is equal to one potentially harmful particle," the expert said.

ApoB is important because two people may have the same LDL level, but only one may have many more cholesterol-carrying particles. That person will often have a higher ApoB level and potentially higher cardiovascular risk. ApoB often provides a more accurate assessment of risk than LDL alone, the neurologist explained.

He suggested that ApoB testing should be considered by people with diabetes, prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, elevated triglycerides, or a strong family history of heart disease.

How To Improve Lipid Profile Naturally?

• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Avoiding smoking
• Limiting sugary drinks
• Reducing ultra-processed foods
• Eating more vegetables, fruits, and legumes
• Choosing healthier sources of fat
• Prioritizing good sleep.

A recent research published in the Nature Medicine journal reveals that a new drug can help people on obesity shots to avoid unwanted muscle loss linked to flat bums or "Ozempic butt". The US research suggests that about a third of the weight loss from GLP-1 obesity jabs like Wegovy and Mounjaro can come from muscle rather than fat. The medication is apitegromab.

The trial with 102 adults, mostly women, who took apitegromab with their obesity medication, maintained more muscle while still losing fat, body scans showed.

But How Does Ozempic Function?

The first thing to remember here is that Ozempic is a brand-name medicine that contains semaglutide as its active ingredient. Semglutide is the synthetic version of GLP-1, a natural hormone produced in the intestines that regulates blood sugar, appetite, and digestion. Now, every time you eat, your body produces various hormones, including GLP-1. These are called post-nutrition hormones, and they help you absorb the energy you just consumed.

Also Read: Salmonella Outbreak: Instant Noodles Sicken Over 80 In The UK, Europe

GLP-1 travels to your pancreas, prompting it to produce insulin. It also travels to the hypothalamus in your brain, which gives you the feeling of being full or satiated. Ozempic imitates this hormone, thereby silencing the food chatter in the brain. Interestingly, for some people, this food chatter is really quiet ( people with low appetite), and for others it is an outburst (people who generally binge eat). So with Ozempic, silencing this self-talk in the brain, people tend to lose their appetite and eventually weight.

However, it is important to note that losing weight includes not just fat but muscle as well. Losing too much muscle can lead to reduced strength and a shorter life span. Notably, records show that most people who start taking them stop them at 12 weeks; therefore, it is important for some but not for others.

Also Read: Ebola Outbreak Escalates: Uganda Rushes Medics To Congo Border Regions

What Are The Side Effects?

Ozempic is a drug that is tasked to help diabetic patients manage their blood sugar levels and weight. However, recent research has shown its effectiveness in mitigating various addictions like alcohol and drugs by inhibiting hormones. But what people ignore are its side effects, which include:

• Nausea is a frequent side effect, especially when starting Ozempic or increasing the dose, and vomiting may occur along with nausea.
• Diarrhoea and abdominal discomfort also show up in people using Ozempic, but they generally resolve as your body adjusts.
• Ozempic can reduce appetite but may also lead to unintended weight loss or reduced food intake, causing discomfort for some people.
• There are certain less common, but serious side effects, like Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas.
• This drug may also cause severe kidney issues, particularly if dehydration occurs from side effects like vomiting or diarrhoea.