HEALTH

In 1991, coffee was placed under a cloud of suspicion. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, classified coffee as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. This categorisation was based on early research that drew associations between coffee and bladder cancer, supported by animal studies …

To mark each October 10, the world pauses to remember that mental health matters. For many, those two words, World Mental Health Day, evoke images of green ribbons, webinars, social-media campaigns and appeals to “end the stigma”. But beneath the surface lies a deeper purpose: to reclaim mental health as …

A panic attack is a sudden, intense surge of fear or anxiety that can feel debilitating, often striking without warning. The experience is terrifying, involving physical symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, and a profound sense of losing control or impending doom. While they are not physically …

As flu season approaches, many families in Trinidad and Tobago turn to traditional foods, herbs, and home remedies that have supported health for generations. While modern medicine remains essential for severe symptoms, boosting your immune system through diet can provide a strong defence. From soursop to sorrel, the islands offer …

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific condition characterised by high blood pressure and protein in the urine, typically occurring after the 20th week of gestation. While the exact cause of preeclampsia remains elusive, researchers believe it arises from a combination of factors related to the placenta, the organ that nourishes the developing …

Menopause, a natural biological process marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years, is often accompanied by a range of symptoms that can significantly impact quality of life. While hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has long been a cornerstone of treatment, the landscape of menopause management is rapidly evolving. New research …

By Federico N Fernández With just 100 days until the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control’s 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) convenes in Geneva, Caribbean nations face a defining moment. While the Secretariat pushes a familiar narrative of prohibition and restriction, Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has …

Stress is an unavoidable part of modern life, a ubiquitous presence that touches everyone, regardless of age, profession, or background. While a certain level of stress can be a motivator, pushing us to achieve and adapt, chronic, unmanaged stress is a silent assailant, eroding our health, relationships, and overall quality …

The rise of screens in education The global shift towards digital learning has made laptops, tablets and smartphones essential tools in every student’s academic life. In Trinidad and Tobago and across the world, schools are now more reliant than ever on screen-based platforms for lesson delivery, assignments, group work and …

Spicy food has long been surrounded by folklore and claims of miraculous health benefits, including the prevention and even treatment of cancer. In recent years, scientists have examined these claims more closely, focusing on the active compounds found in various types of pepper, especially capsaicin, curcumin from turmeric, and piperine …