One of the most ignored health condition, the Inflammatory Bowel Disease or the IBD affects 4.9 million people globally, notes the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This condition also includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. NIH calls its a 'silent' disease since most of the times the symptoms are dismissed as stress or normal stomach issues. This is what leads to diagnostic delays.

A recent study conducted by a health ministry team from Toho University, Kyorin University and Osaka Metropolitan University, published in the Journal of Gastroenterology noted that Japan is witnessing a rapid surg in chronic IBD, with patient numbers rising by nearly 40% in just eight years.

The study also estimated that by 2023, the country had around 316,900 patients with ulcerative colitis and 95,700 with Crohn’s disease. In comparison, the previous nationwide survey in 2015 counted 220,000 ulcerative colitis cases and 71,000 Crohn’s patients.

In other numbers, this means Japan had 254.8 cases of ulcerative colitis and 77 cases of Crohn's per 100,000 people. This, when compared to a 1991 survey, revealed that patients now have a tenfold increase, this could be the new dramatic long-term trend.

What Is IBD?

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), IBD refers to a group of lifelong diseases that affect your intestines. The main types of IBD are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Ulcerative colitis affects the large intestine, while Crohn’s disease can inflame any part of the digestive tract. Both are lifelong conditions of unknown cause that trigger abdominal pain, diarrhea and other complications, with no known cure. Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigned twice, in 2007 and 2020, due to ulcerative colitis, as reported by the Japan Times.

These diseases are recognized as "designated intractable disease" under the Japanese law. This means that the patients are entitled to have government support. This category is only applicable to rare, incurable illnesses that require a life-long care. This condition affects fewer than 0.1% of Japan's population.

Researchers have also noted that their latest estimates also include mild cases and patients who are not covered by government medical certificates. This also shows a very clear national burden. The study also stressed the need for continued monitoring to guide treatment, prevention strategies and health policy.

What Are The Symptoms Of IBD That People Usually Ignore?

• Diarrhea or changes in bowel movements
• Stomach pain
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Weight loss

There are also symptoms that may come and go:

Remission: this refers to periods when symptoms temporarily go away

Flare-ups: this refers to periods where the symptoms are increased

IBD can also lead to health complications, which could be in both inside the gastrointestinal GI tract and outside the GI tract, also known as extraintestinal manifestations.

What Complications Inside Or Outside GI Happens?

Inside the GI Tract:

• Dehydration
• Not absorbing enough essential nutrients
• Increased risk of colon and rectal cancers

Outside the GI Tract:

• Low red blood cell count (anemia)
• Reduced bone density
• Joint pain
• Skin changes
• Eye irritation
• Delayed or impaired growth in some children

New covid strain symptoms: A new Covid strain is circulating in the UK, now accounting for a noticeable share of cases in England. Named Stratus, it has two variants, XFG and XFG.3. Experts have pointed out that one of its distinguishing features may be a hoarse voice, which is less common in earlier strains. By September 10, 2025, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported a 7.6% increase in coronavirus cases across England compared to the previous week, though it’s not clear how many infections are linked specifically to XFG.

At the same time, the UK is facing a “tripledemic” which is a rise in Covid, flu, and RSV infections at the same time. This has left many people confused about whether their symptoms are caused by Covid or just a seasonal illness. Below, we explain how to spot the differences.

What Is the Tripledemic?

A tripledemic happens when cases of flu, Covid-19, and RSV rise sharply in the community. Dr. Armando Paez, chief of Infectious Disease at Baystate Health, explains that a tripledemic becomes concerning when infections reach a level that could overwhelm healthcare services.

While the idea of three viruses circulating at once may feel alarming, there are steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your community. Vaccinations, good hygiene, and staying home if you feel unwell are key precautions.

New Covid Strain: Stratus (XFG and XFG.3)

The World Health Organization classifies XFG as a “variant under monitoring”, with a low public health risk globally. Compared to other variants, XFG has shown higher growth rates, even surpassing the recently reported Nimbus NB.1.8.1 variant.

New Covid Strain Symptoms: Unique Symptoms of Stratus

While classic Covid symptoms in the UK included fever, cough, and loss of taste or smell, Stratus may appear differently. A notable sign of this variant is a hoarse or raspy voice. Other symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath and chest tightness
• Sore or scratchy throat
• Headaches and body aches
• Digestive issues, nausea, or loss of appetite
• Brain fog or trouble concentrating
• Loss of taste or smell (less common than before)

How to Tell Covid from Flu or RSV

Symptoms of Covid can overlap with flu and RSV, including:

• Fever or high temperature
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Muscle or joint aches

What makes Stratus different is the hoarse voice, which could be an early clue that your illness is Covid rather than a typical cold or flu. Other signs to watch for include nasal congestion, sore throat, digestive issues, and overall tiredness. RSV, while often mild, can occasionally lead to more serious complications like pneumonia or bronchiolitis.

What You Should Do

As flu, Covid, and RSV spread together this season, health experts urge everyone to stay up to date with vaccines. Dr. Jamie Lopez Bernal of the UKHSA advises getting your winter vaccines early to reduce risk before infections increase further.

If you develop symptoms, monitor your health closely and see a doctor if your condition worsens or persists. Taking precautions now can help protect you and those around you during the ongoing tripledemic.

As per the Indian Council of Medical Research and National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, 2.5 million people live with cancer in India, and every year, at least over 7 lakh cancer patients are registered. The data also shows that India has lodged around 5,56,400 cancer-related deaths.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare cited ICMR data and noted that 100 our of 1 lakh people are diagnosed with cancer. The National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) under ICMR has been tracking cancer incidence and burden since 1982 and it has played an essential role in enabling evidence-based policy decision. This has made cancer care more accessible in India, as the policies now focus more on cancer centers, availing cancer care, financial aid, and more.

Cancer Care In India

In fact, the Union Budget for 2025-26 is Rs.99,858.56 crore, with Rs. 95,957.87 crore designated for the Department of Health and Family Welfare and Rs. 3,900.69 crore for the Department of Health Research. The Union Budget also has taken key initiatives like day care cancer center, and custom duty exemptions for 36 lifesaving drugs and medicines essential for treating cancer. Six lifesaving medicines have given concessional customs duty of 5%.

Robust Infrastructure That Extends Cancer Care

As per the Indian Journal of Medical Research's 2024 study by ICMR, India has a robust indigenous pharmaceutical industry that produces cancer and other drugs at some of the lowest costs in the world. There is also a large network of private-sector healthcare facilities that range from low-cost to modern corporate facilities.

India has also welcomed digital health and artificial-intelligence (AI)-based solutions in cancer care, especially in the domain of cancer care and control, which has represented a promising advance.

India's First Homegrown CAR T-Cell Therapy

CAR T-cell therapy is a personalized form of immunotherapy that genetically modifies a patient's T-cell, a type of immune cell, in a laboratory to recognize and kill specific cancer cell.

In October 2023, notes the National Cancer Institute, US, India's counterpart to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, made NexCAR19 India's first approved CAR-T cell therapy.

The approval was based on the results of two small clinical trials conducted in India and was funded by ImmunoACT, a spin-off company of IIT Bombay.

What More India Is Doing In Making Cancer Care Accessible

India is gradually stepping ahead by combining innovation and accessibility to advance cancer care in India. In an attempt to better understand how India is taking a step ahead in cancer care, the upcoming Times Now Health Summit is hosting a session on 'Advancing Cancer Care in India: Bridging Innovation and Accessibility'. The session will feature experts from the field, including oncologists, entrepreneur, and those who have painstakingly worked to make cancer care more accessible.

The panel will feature Anchal Sharma, Social Entrepreneur Founder Canheal, Dinesh G, Therapy Area Head/Business Unit Head - Oncology, Novartis, Dr. Shyam Aggarwal, Chairperson Oncology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, and Dr. Shyam Aggarwal, Chairperson Oncology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

For more details, visit TIMES NETWORK INDIA HEALTH SUMMIT 2025.

A bone glue can fix your fracture, and this could be a landmark breakthrough in medicine by a team of researchers from China. Fractures are one of the most challenging conditions in modern medicine and while they are among the most common clinical injuries, the recovery period takes most time. The consequences of a fracture too differs across ages and causes disability risks in young and middle-aged adults, and mortality risks for the elderly. While medicine and technology have advanced, the recovery time still makes it difficult for many to cope with.

A recent research breakthrough in China, inspired by nature and powered by biomedical innovation has developed a bone adhesive called 'Bone 02'. The glue has shown promising results in its earlier clinical use. The advancement could also transform the way doctors treat complex fractures, and move beyond the limitations that are posed by surgical methods.

The adhesive is said to be a quick fix for comminuted fracture, which is a serious bone break where the bone shatters into three or more fragments. This is unlike a simple fracture that breaks cleanly into two pieces.

Why Comminuted Fractures Are Difficult To Treat

Fixing multiple tiny bone fragments at once is orthopaedics' greatest challenge. While conventional metal fixation device fixes most fractures, it cannot achieve precise alignment and also makes the surgery time consuming and highly invasive.

In many cases, bone fragments are also lost or fail to heal correctly and it could then lead to complications such as nonunion or post-traumatic arthritis.

The impact is especially severe when fractures occur in joints, and that is when even with minor irregularities, it can permanently affect mobility and cause long-term pain. This is also the reason why, surgeons, world-wide are searching for a minimally invasive method, which can simplify the procedure and also improve outcomes.

Inspired By Nature, A Quick Fix For Bones

The innovation is not just sudden, the seeds were planted decades ago, when veteran orthopedic expert Professor Fan Shunwu imagined a material that could bond bones together. Years later, the vision was passed on to the younger lot of researchers who found the inspiration from oysters.

It was during a visit home when Dr Lin Xianfeng noticed how oyster shells remained firmly attached to concrete bridge bases, even after years of tidal waves. If they remain to remain stuck even in humid and wet environment, then can it also work inside the human body?

The problem with glue, any glue, for that matter is that they do not work in water. So, can oyster solve that very problem?

This idea sparked a long research journey. The team tackled challenges such as finding the right biocompatible material, refining manufacturing methods, and validating safety through rigorous testing. Eventually, their persistence led to the development of a new adhesive that met three critical goals:

• Strong adhesion in blood-filled surgical environments
• Efficient and simple application during surgery
• Complete biodegradability within six months

'Bone 02': How Does This Bone Glue Work?

Bone 02 is a nod to the household 502 glue, and it is designed to offer strong bonding of bones. Unlike screws or plates, it can secure even the minute and tiniest bone fragments with minimal trauma.

The glue has passed 150 trials across Chinese hospitals and has demonstrated encouraging results. In one of the case studies, a young worker with comminuted wrist fracture underwent the treatment that would have otherwise required a large incision and metal implants and spinal fixation. If trials continue to show success, this could mark the beginning of a systemic shift in orthopedic treatment.