PatientsEngage General Community

People often want a second opinion. But what is a second opinion? When should one get a second opinion and how to prepare for an efffective second opinion. We unpack these questions and more in this informative article on the important topic of second opinion. What does a second opinion mean?  A second opinion simply means seeking an opinion following a primary consultation with your doctor with another specialist/doctor to help in making the best choice for the patient. It is usually…

We live in an era of easy access where everyone can access medical information and self-medication can seem like an easy option. It is easy to forget the wisdom of seeking professional help. Here we unpack the risks of self-medication and how they impact different organs.  A doctor prescribes medication after a detailed consultation with a patient. A consultation includes a detailed medical history (both present and past), a physical examination and lab tests to make a diagnosis. Based on…

Vaccines don't stop after childhood. Immunisation and vaccinations help us fight infections. The immune system of persons with chronic conditions and the elderly are compromised and hence it is recommended for them to vaccinate themselves. Some vaccines like HPV vaccine also prevent cancers. Read all about immunisations and talk to your physician about these. How your body fights infections-role of antibodies The immune system protects you from illness and infection. When bacteria or viruses…

Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. The reactivation after dormancy in adulthood causes extremely painful rash which is avoidable by awareness and vaccination. Here are a few things everyone must know about Shingles. What is Shingles? Shingles is a viral disease caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, also known as the Herpes Zoster virus. The virus remains…

Pranav Johri, 41 from New Delhi was diagnosed as being Antibiotic resistant when multiple courses of antibiotics did not help treat Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis, a common enough condition. He shares how he dealt with and why he campaigns for AMR awareness. What were the early symptoms?What made you go to a doctor? What were you prescribed antibiotics for? In May 2016, I noticed symptoms of a pulling pain in the groin, sensitivity to cold, and daily low-grade fever. I went to a urologist when I…

Dr. Seema R Rao of Karunashraya explains palliative care, addresses the myths and misconceptions around it and highlights its importance for better quality of life of patients. What is Palliative Care? In India, more and more people are suffering from serious illnesses like cancer, heart diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, AIDS, stroke, organ failure, drug-resistant tuberculosis, and neurological diseases. Physical issues like pain, shortness of breath, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue,…

Author-writer Usha Jesudasan, 70, has lived with polio since she was two years old. She shares how her relationship with exercise has changed over the years and why we must exercise the body, mind and soul. My mother said that I could walk when I was just eleven months old and run by the time I turned one year. ‘I was so proud that you could do these things earlier than your cousins. Your chubby little legs going pat pat pat on the ground when the others were just learning to stand.’ ‘But then…

Srishailam Srinivas, 67, a resident of Australia, has completed 100 donations of blood plasma, donating continuously every fortnight for the last six years. He maintains that it is an endeavor to give something back to the community because plasma is in great demand in Australia for making vaccines. Please could you tell us a bit about yourself? What are you doing and where are you based? I am Naval Architect by profession. I graduated from IIT Kharagpur in 1977. After working in India for 13…

वैश्विक स्तर पर, प्राथमिक और बाह्य रोगी (आउट पेशेंट) स्वास्थ्य देखभाल केंद्रों में 10 में से 4 रोगियों को दवा से जुड़ी गलतियों के कारण नुकसान होता है। इस नुकसान में से 80% तक को रोका जा सकता है। सबसे हानिकारक त्रुटियों का संबंध निदान, नुस्खे (प्रिस्क्रिप्शन) और दवाओं के उपयोग से हैं। इस लेख में जानें कि रोगियों और उनके देखभाल करने वालों को घर में दवा की त्रुटियों से बचने के लिए क्या करना चाहिए। दवा की त्रुटियां (दवाओं से जुड़ी गलतियाँ, मेडकैशन एरर) क्या हैं? ‘नेशनल कोऑर्डिनेटिंग काउंसिल फॉर…

Globally, as many as 4 in 10 patients are harmed in primary and outpatient health care. Up to 80% of harm is preventable. The most detrimental errors are related to diagnosis, prescription and the use of medicines. This article highlights tips that patients and their family caregivers must follow to prevent medication errors at home.  What are Medication Errors? Medication error has been defined by the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention as “Any…