Diabetes

Dr Paromita Ganguli, Senior Dental Surgeon with Fortis, Calcutta, explains the correlation between diabetes and dental care, and how the former, if not controlled, can affect dental health adversely. What are the most common oral health problems affecting persons with diabetes? The stomatognathic system comprising the oral cavity, the lining mucosa, the dentition, the periodontium supporting bone muscles and nerves are usually all affected with diabetes.  The most common diseases are:…

In most cases, due to late diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer, the mean survival period is less than 6 months. In such cases, management of Pancreatic Cancer should include: Palliative chemotherapy helps reduce the symptoms of pancreatic cancer thus improving the quality of life for the patient. Be sure to discuss side-effects with your Oncologist before starting. Pain management with opioid analgesics, nerve blocks and morphine (at later stages). Relief of duct blockages using a stent during ERCP…

The exact cause of most Pancreatic cancers is still unknown but there are established risk factors that greatly increase the likelihood of getting cancer in the pancreas. Most risk factors affect or alter the DNA of the cells that causes abnormal growth of cells; such DNA mutations can also be due to inherited genes. The most common type of pancreatic cancer is Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Risk factors of Pancreatic Cancer: Tobacco use: this includes both smoking and smokeless…

In our AsktheDoctor series, Dr Shailesh Shrikhande of Tata Memorial, Mumbai helps us better understand one of the most sudden and deadly cancers - Pancreatic Cancer. Also its relation with diabetes and the need for palliative surgery.  1.    There was a report on rising incidence of pancreatic cancer in India. What are the possible reasons? According to SEER database (2008-2012), incidence of the pancreatic cancer is static globally (including India) and incidence in India…

Many of us struggle with sugar cravings. It could be at a party, or when we are depressed, per-menopausal or just bored. Here are some tips in a useful infographic.  Also, see the discussion here  Read about PMS related cravings   

Here are the top 10 articles read in 2017 covering a wide range of topics from diabetes, hypertension, chemotherapy diet, risks of bedridden patients, gastritis, rheumatoid arthritis and platelets. Did you miss any of them?  1. What to Eat during Chemotherapy treatment for Cancer Patients with cancer experience a loss of appetite and a change in taste during treatment, especially chemotherapy. Here are some tasty and healthy tips provided by CPAA that can help you cope with…

Diabetes continues to affect so many people, who continue to struggle to contain and manage it.  Meenu Agarwal, a clinical dietician and nutritionist based in Singapore shares tips on how to prevent diabetes.  There are two stages where if detected, diabetes can be brought to control more easily: Pre-Diabetes and Gestational Diabetes Pre-diabetes: It means that the cells in your body are becoming resistant to insulin or your pancreas is not producing as much insulin as required…

In the second part of the series on drug interactions that persons with diabetes should watch out for, we talk of which medicines increase or decrease your blood glucose level and what you should watch out for. Often persons with diabetes are on medications other than the diabetes drugs (oral or injectable). They may be on some medications for life for chronic conditions (such as thyroid, mental disorders etc) or acute conditions (such as allergies, infections etc). Drug interactions are known…

People often fail to recognize the significant dangers of dehydration in winter, dismissing it as a health concern of hot, summer months. Dr Shital Raval corrects this common misconception and advocates why water is crucial even during the cold weather to stay energized. Dehydration is a hidden threat in the months of winter when many people forget to drink as much water as they do in hot summer months. This is a common psychological mistake as we easily forget about hydration in the cold…

Bariatric-surgery or weight-loss surgery has been shown to help improve or reverse many obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and more. Dr. Jaydeep Palep, Bariatric Surgeon at Nanavati Hospital, provides in-depth information on how it can have a positive effect on the health of obese individuals. Bariatric surgery has emerged as a treatment option for obesity and is increasingly recognized to have benefits for glycemic management in patients…