Conditions

Some signs and symptoms of arthritis require urgent medical care. If you have any of the following, you should seek medical care as soon as possible: One or more swollen joints Fever Weight loss Inability to function due to joint pain or swelling Overall sense of feeling ill, accompanied by fever, joint swelling and joint pain Sudden weakness of specific muscle groups Burning pain, numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation around joints. Symptoms depend on the type of arthritis you have:…

The process of diagnosing arthritis involves several steps. The doctor will record your medical history and give you a physical examination. He/she may also recommend laboratory tests, imaging tests (such as x-rays), and other tests as required. Laboratory and imaging tests are sometimes, but not always, needed to determine the cause of arthritis. These tests may include: X-rays: To see a detailed picture of the bones. However, for many types of arthritis, changes in the joint are not visible…

Chemotherapy is a standard line of treatment for many cancers. However, it does come with side effects. Dr Shital Patel explains the common side effects due to chemotherapy like mouth sores, nausea, dry skin, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss and more and how to get relief from them.   Chemotherapy is a type of therapy where single or combination of drugs are given to control cancer and halt/slow progression & growth. They work by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, leading to cell…

Skin allergies affect a large percentage of people and can be difficult to deal with. Learn about Skin allergies, types of skin allergies and how to test for it. An allergy is an abnormal reaction or increased sensitivity to certain substances. The allergic individual produces symptoms when exposed to these substances, which are harmless to non-allergic people. Normally, the body's defence system fights against foreign bodies. In most allergic reactions, it is a false alarm which induces the…

Managing high blood pressure is an important aspect of health management since it can lead to many issues - kidney disease, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, etc. We address questions on - What to eat? How much salt is ok? Is it ok to drink? What does Vitamin D have to do with it? And more. 1. What is considered high blood pressure? A reading of 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher is considered high blood pressure. If your blood…

Varicose veins affects more than 1 in 5 persons. Dr Shital Raval explains what varicose veins are, the causes and risk factors, the tests for diagnosis, the treatment and self management for varicose veins.  What are varicose veins? The venous system of the leg consists of 3 types of veins: 1. Superficial: long and short saphenous veins. These are principal veins near the surface of the legs. 2. Deep: veins that supply the muscles of the leg 3. Perforators: veins that connect the deep…

Depression is a major mental health issue that affects many men and women worldwide each day, but it's not uncommon for their symptoms to be confused with chronic fatigue syndrome. In her book The Exhaustion Breakthrough, Dr. Holly Phillips touches on why this diagnosis can be so tricky. She also shares in this interview with Huff Post Live  "One of the most common signs of depression is fatigue, a lack of motivation, a change in mood, a change in appetite, but also if…

Do your heels hurt when you take your first steps in the morning? You may have plantar fasciitis. Dr Shital Raval advises on symptoms and exercises to ease the pain. What is Plantar Fasciitis? The plantar fascia is a flat ligament that connects the heel bone to the toes and supports the arch of the foot. If you strain this ligament, it can get inflamed. Plantar Fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain. हिंदी में पढ़ें: प्लांटार फ़ेशियाइटिस के कारण एड़ी में दर्द Whom does it affect?…

Dr Choo Wei Chieh tells you why it’s important and what information it should carry. Patient empowerment means being engaged with your health and making your own health decisions. In order to do this properly (not to mention safely), one’s health information should be well organised. This means keeping an accurate record of your health such that you can access it whenever necessary, wherever you are, and to share it with whoever necessary (family, healthcare professionals, caregivers, etc.).…