Medical News & Views from India

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases – CROHN’S and Ulcerative Colitis

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases refer to a set of conditions that result in a troubled and inflamed digestive or gastrointestinal tract. Although, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases exist in different types; the two most common forms are – CROHN’S and Ulcerative Colitis.

Any inflammatory disorder arises when the body causes unnecessary inflammation, that destroys essential tissues and organs. Inflammation is otherwise necessary and exists as the body’s normal response against harmful foreign entities and external damage of tissues. Inflammation is necessary to administer body’s own healing mechanism. However, when the immune system wrongly identifies external threat and thus results in inflammatory actions, inflammatory disorders are said to develop.

Inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD) are also autoimmune conditions, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues of the gastrointestinal tract and cause severe pain, discomfort and even death. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases mostly affect small intestine and large intestine; however, serious cases even infect mouth, esophagus and other parts.

The following discussion entails causes, symptoms and treatment of the two most destructive forms of IBD: Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. You may also get sufficient information regarding diet and lifestyle changes that can help you to deal and live with IBD disorders.

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Heart Bypass Surgery – What, Why and How

Bypass surgery, also known as Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) Surgery is a procedure done to find an alternative path, that can compensate for damaged arteries which fail to carry oxygen rich blood to the heart. The alternative path is created by blood vessels taken from another part of your body. Since these blood vessels form a bypass around the original channel of blood flow, the procedure is known as heart bypass surgery.

Now, for anybody to know, that they themselves or someone they love needs to undergo a bypass surgery, could be certainly a terrifying experience, they wish to escape. However, if anybody has been ordered this surgical remedy, opting for it without delay is the best they can do to avoid consequences.

Bypass surgeries are definitely major surgical procedures that need a good amount of preparation before hand. In addition, there are a multitude of questions that haunt individuals scheduled for this surgery. “Is it risky to undergo a bypass surgery?” “Are there no other alternative methods for treating the ailment?” “How does it feel to undergo this surgery?” “How long does it take to recover from a CABG surgery?” This can go endlessly, leading to increased anxiety, confusion and overall degradation of your health status.

Thus, the only resolute to a scenario such as this, could be learning more and more about the procedure, and what you as a patient or a care taker can do, to yield best results and quick recovery.

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Twitching Eyes – Not A Bad Omen, But An Early Symptom!

“Don’t step out of the house, as something bad may happen!,” is what grandmoms in India advice their grandsons; when they complain of twitching eyes.

Among the various superstitious beliefs, that hold place in Indian society, twitching eyes are perhaps one of the most talked about. It is not only the phenomenon, but your gender, the specific eye (left/right) and the position (upper/lower) of twitching, are believed to reveal much of our destiny!

Twitching eyes, although a medical condition that requires attention, has been wrongly hyped as a bad omen, fortune teller or an indication from the God almighty!

Well, if we take it as an indication, perhaps it is! No. Not something that relates to our future or destiny – It is something more substantial. And that’s your Health! Continue reading “Twitching Eyes – Not A Bad Omen, But An Early Symptom!” →

Is Your Drinking Water Jeopardizing Your Health?

While that sip of water had always been regarded as a life savior; today, we are afraid that it can even turn a menace to our own health. Indians are already having a tough time dealing with existing water crisis problems. Moreover, to work out a solution for this plight, is it enough to just have a continuous supply of water? The answer is NO. It is not about the availability of water alone, but safe drinking water is what we need to strive for.

Water borne diseases are the leading cause of death in India. And still we have thousands who consider “clear looking water” to be clean or safe, and thus use it for drinking purposes!

A glass of water that appears to be clear, is not always uncontaminated and safe to drink. Water borne diseases are related to microbes and definitely these are not visible with naked eyes. And who knows, water that looks clear may in real have millions of germs that can get you seriously ill.

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Alzheimer – Are Your Brains Suffering From Type 3 Diabetes?!

While you may feel a little puzzled to relate diabetes with your mental strength; the medical world is conveniently using type 3 diabetes and Alzheimer interchangeably, for quite some time now.

In a nutshell, Alzheimer’s disease defines reduced intellectual capabilities or memory loss to put it in general terms. On the other hand, Diabetes is a condition of having excess sugar content in blood. It may be due to reduced pancreatic function that fails to produce required amount of insulin, needed for processing blood glucose; thus, leaving more than required levels of sugar in blood.

Insulin disorders can lead to “N” number of health issues; if left untreated or ignored. And can lack of insulin lead to loss of memory? The answer is definitely a YES.

So, if you’re still counting Alzheimer – Diabetes connection to be something fallacious and rumored, you’re wrong. It’s time you gear up, accept the fact and do the needful. And if by any chance you happen to be diabetic, now is the time to learn about this degenerative disease, Alzheimer, and stop this probable epidemic from taking a toll in future.

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All would Be Moms – Here’s Your Weekly Guide to Pregnancy Tests

For all those who are reading this article now, a hearty congratulations from our side on reaching the most beautiful and significant stage of your life. In your new journey of bringing a life to this planet, we are there with you always; as you gradually move towards one of the most awaited days of your life.

Parenting responsibilities begin not when you hold the baby in your arms for the first time. It rather initiates right from the moment you know that you have conceived.

Opting for correct and timely clinical tests to monitor fetus development, along with suggested precautions from your doctor, and taking a good care of yourself, together guarantee the wellbeing of your child.

However, before we move into a detailed discussion on tests during pregnancy, I would like to know if all of you reading this article have undergone a clinical pregnancy test to reaffirm conception?

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What is Knee Replacement Surgery And How To Prepare?

Knee replacement surgery, medically termed as Arthroplasty, is one of the most performed surgical procedures in India. Thanks to the growing population of people suffering from arthritis and osteoporosis that damage knee joints to an extent, when only Knee replacement surgeries can serve as an effective remedy!

Joints in body are nothing but areas where two or more bones meet, and are held together with muscles, tendons and ligaments. Most of the bone joints are movable. Knee joints for example are movable; meaning, that bones are not completely rigid and are allowed to move, providing the needed flexibility. Thus, when knee joints are damaged, your locomotory activities get restricted.

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Throat Cancer – Causes and Treatments

Throat cancer refers to the condition where cancerous cell development takes place anywhere in or around the voice box, vocal cords, oropharynx or tonsils. Depending on the area of cancer growth, throat cancer has been divided into two types – Laryngeal Cancer relating to Larynx and Pharyngeal Cancer relating to Pharynx.

Larynx is what is commonly known as Voice box and houses the vocal cords, that facilitate speech and singing. It is located in the mid line of throat, deep within the skin.

Pharynx is the long tube running behind the mouth and nose, performing two essential functions. Pharynx transfers food from mouth to esophagus and also filters, warms and moistens the air we breathe, so as to conduct the same to the lungs. Thus, pharynx forms an essential part of both are digestive and respiratory system.

Cancers in this area are definitely quite painful. However, the good news is that, accurate treatment and medical procedures administered in a timely manner allow patients to recover and thus survive for several more years. Continue reading “Throat Cancer – Causes and Treatments” →

Colon Cancer – The Easiest Cancer To Prevent

Just a couple of years back, Indian Health experts were in a bewildering state of mind, when Goa was marked to have the highest number of colon cancer cases in India. The veterans made every possible effort to understand reasons that made Indian population so susceptible to Colon cancer. Vigorous research revealed that our choice of food and poor lifestyle are to be held responsible for this declining health standards. However, a lot more could be added to this list and has been discussed later.

Nevertheless, today we do have this one assuring piece of information related to colon cancer. A bit of vigilance related to your personal health, a brief understanding of symptoms or early signs and regular health screening tests can prevent you from developing this bowel cancer.

Colon is nothing but the large intestine and marks the end of human digestive system. The right hand side of colon is responsible for absorbing water and salts from food. And the left hand side stores and regulates evacuation of stool. Last few inches of colon is known as the rectum which terminates with anus and eliminates waste from body. Continue reading “Colon Cancer – The Easiest Cancer To Prevent” →

Mesothelioma – A Rarest Form of Cancer Now in India

Mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer, had always been a notorious health concern for people overseas. However, this had not intruded into the health aspects of Indian population, until September 2015 when the first case of Mesothelioma was reported in Rajasthan.

Mesothelioma involves cancerous growth within the Mesothelium; which is a protective tissue, lining most of our internal organs. Complete cure for this ailment is yet to be formulated; however, various treatment procedures that can reduce the severity of symptoms and consequently ease related discomfort are very much available.

Mesothelioma is related to Asbestos and is more common with men as compared to their female counterparts. One of the deadliest aspects of this disease is that, it can remain undiagnosed for years, as its symptoms mimic many other diseased conditions and thus, gets easily confused with more common health ailments.

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