PatientsEngage General Community

Bangalore based paediatrician Dr Najoo Varkey’ has written a book  “Stop Marrying Your Niece! (or uncle, or cousin)", highlighting the linkage to hearing loss. Shivani Maheshwari, editor PatientsEngage reviews the book and interviews Dr. Najoo Varkey on how she came to study this linkage of hearing loss with sanguineous or blood marriage and what she hopes this book will accomplish.  Hearing loss is one of the most severe forms of disability and the second most common…

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is observed from 18-24 November every year. It serves as a reminder of the growing problem of Antimicrobial Resistance and how each one of us can play a role. PatientsEngage breaks down the problem and what we must do to address the problem of AMR together.  What are bacteria? Bacteria are germs found inside and outside of our bodies. Most germs are harmless, and some can even be helpful to humans, but some bacteria can cause infections, like strep…

70 वर्षीया लेखिका उषा जेसुदासन कहती हैं कि बढ़ती उम्र और अकेला होना डरावना हो सकता है, लेकिन ऐसे में भी आप खुश रह सकते हैं - आप उम्मीद न छोड़ें। इस लेख में वे हमें बताती हैं कि उन्होंने अकेलेपन और उदासी को दूर करने के लिए किस तरह से जान-बूझ कर एक सोचा-समझा प्रयास किया है, जिसमें नए दोस्त बनाना, दूसरों के बच्चों की देखभाल करना, किताबें दान करना, और  खुद को सक्रिय और व्यस्त रहना शामिल है। जब मेरे पिता की मृत्यु हुई, तब मेरी माँ की उम्र 70 वर्ष से थोड़ी अधिक थी। मुझे याद है कि मैं उनके लिए बहुत…

Creating a support group for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) caregivers might help to ease the emotional strain they experience and provide hope, information, friendship, sharing, self-advocacy, problem- solving skills and opportunities for personal growth. The first part of the article details intense rehabilitation programme after brain injury. Are there any broad guidelines or tips for family and friends supporting someone with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the near, medium and…

Author-writer Usha Jesudasan, 70, says being old and alone can be scary, but there is always hope. Here she tells us how she makes a conscious effort, that includes making new friends, babysitting at the pool, and donating books, to be keep herself active and engaged to fend off loneliness and gloom. My mother was just over 70 when my father died. I remember being very worried for her as she would now live alone in a large house. I wondered how she would cope being alone. Mum…

हर पांच में से एक आत्महत्या किसी बुजुर्ग की होती है। समीक्षा सिवन लिखती हैं कि यह बहुत ही बड़ा चिंता का विषय है और इस के प्रति स्वास्थ्य सेवा प्रदाताओं, नीति निर्माताओं, समुदायों और समाज के हिस्से के रूप में हम सभी का ध्यान आकर्षित करना आवश्यक है। आत्महत्या और उस की रोकथाम के बारे में जागरूकता बढ़ाने और इस से जुड़े कलंक को मिटाने के प्रयास में  हम 10 सितंबर को विश्व आत्महत्या रोकथाम दिवस के रूप में मनाते हैं। इसके आयोजन का आधार इंटरनेशनल एसोसिएशन ऑफ सुसाइड प्रिवेंशन (आईएएसपी) और विश्व…

Treatment of Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism is usually treated with: Medicines commonly include Beta-blockers or Antithyroid pills. Radioiodine Therapy is an effective method  that uses radioactive iodine -131 to destroy the cells in the gland. Can be taken in the form of capsules or liquid. Thyroid surgery to remove part of the thyroid gland is less commonly done. Is done only when medications are ineffective or not optional such as people with large goiters or pregnant women. Note:…

Hyperthyroidism is classified into two types: Primary Hyperthyroidism is essentially Graves' disease which accounts for 60-80% of all cases of hyperthyroidism. It is an autoimmune disorder.  Secondary Hyperthyroidism can be due to a nodule, goitre or any rare cause. Read more about Graves' Disease here  

Organ, tissue and cell transplants are sometimes the solution for certain conditions. This explains the basics of transplantation, types of transplants, lifespan of common transplanted organs and basic steps to preventing organ rejection. What is Transplantation? Transplantation is the procedure whereby an organ, tissue or cells is removed from one area of the body and implanted to another part of the body of the same or another person’s body. The tissue or organ is sometimes called “graft” or…

Renu Bhuwalka from Mumbai has lived with hypothyroidism for the over 3 decades. She shares her lived experience from early symptoms to diagnosis and how she managed it well to ensure an active lifestyle.  Please tell us a bit about your condition? I have had hypothyroidism for the last 36 years. I was diagnosed in 1986, when I was 28 years old. What were the early symptoms? What made you go to a doctor? I had over a few months become very lethargic and I thought it was just…