Muscle, Bone and Joint (earlier named Arthritis)

Asha Sarella, a Bengaluru-based Bharatanatyam dancer, movement therapist, and a counsellor, talks about how her life changed after embracing a vegan diet. I just finished my dance practice and I feel so good. This was not the case few years ago. I had joint pains, heart burns and I was also overweight. My body would feel heavy, stiff and tired. I went to a Naturopathy (vegan) doctor with all these concerns; he examined me and asked me to do food testing for 3 days. He asked me to make some food…

Swati Agrawal, who has Fibromyalgia, appeals to others in the community to start speaking about their invisible illness to raise awareness, remove prejudices and advocate for more equal and friendly world. If you have a story to share, write in to us. You can't see that I am unwell. You can’t tell that I have multiple Chronic Invisible Illnesses by talking to me, or by looking at me. I will tell you the customary "I am fine" to "How are you". This is the story of all spoonies. Our illness is…

Swati Neogy is not lazy. She has a condition called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which causes extreme fatigue, together with allied problems like body ache, hypertension and sugar level fluctuations and even partial memory loss. She has had to battle misleading perceptions, even by doctors. Finally she now accepts her condition and wishes to spread awareness. Swati, please tell us a bit about your condition  I am a patient of SEID/CFS (Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease/Chronic Fatigue…

There is a lot to learn from the life story of Jacqueline Colaco, 68, a National Hockey Champion and highly successful banker, who was struck by Rheumatoid Arthritis at age 36. But she bravely fought the disease with surgeries, medications and a positive winning-over-whining approach. Today, she is a beacon of hope and inspiration to fellow sufferers. She was what every girl aspires to be. A school Head Girl, National Champion of Women’s Hockey, distinction in BCom in college, a highly…

Dr. Sapan C. Pandya, MD DM Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology answers this and many other questions in this exhaustive talk with Kirtida Oza, Co-founder of Sjögren’s India. This online Webinar on “Rheumatic Diseases: Challenges and Hope” is aimed at enhancing awareness about lesser understood diseases.   #Rheumatic Diseases Awareness Month Dr. Sapan C. Pandya starts with a quick recap of lesser known Rheumatic Diseases including Scleroderma, Lupus, Inflammatory Myositis and…

Are you confused as to when to use Ice Pack and when to use Heat to deal with pain, injury and inflammation? This infographic below sums it up quite simply. According to Dr. Bhuvaneswari, a quick guideline to follow is:  Ice pack is preferred if it is a recent and acute pain episode especially injury which may be a blood clot, muscle tear or tendon tear.  For instance most sport and exercse injuries.  Heat or warmth for Chronic pain with stiffness, especially joint related…

Kalpana Kamdar, a physiotherapist from Ahmedabad, emphasises the importance of good posture to protect our bones, joints, muscles and ligaments and suggests simple ways to keep our musculoskeletal system in perfect shape. Video of webinar recording below.   You should listen to Physiotherapist Kalpana Kamdar below on how to prevent aches and pains. While this was recorded during COVID lockdown, it applies to anyone who has a sedentary lifestyle.     In the past three articles we…

Do you sometimes get sudden cramps in your calf or toe muscles? Dr. Shital Raval explains the causes and tips to get rid of leg cramps and to prevent them  Leg cramps or Charley horse (term used mainly in Canada and the US) is a common but harmless condition experienced by most individuals. These are sudden painful contractions of the leg muscles often in the calf area. They can last for seconds to a few minutes and rarely last more than 10 minutes. हिंदी में पढ़ें: पैर में ऐंठन -…

A bedridden patient becomes vulnerable to various health complications like painful bed sores, circulation and respiratory problems, depression and contractures, due to lack of activity for long periods. Usha Ravi suggests steps to ensure proper nursing and caring for your loved one confined to the bed. There are a host of challenges which arise if one is confined to bed because of sickness, disability or frail age. The burden is felt not only by the individual but also by the carers.  It…

And the mistakes people make when dealing with people with disability and hidden illnesses. Aarthi Sampath who has Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy shares her some of worst experiences of being a wheelchair user. I am quite accustomed to people staring at me, curiously, inquisitively. They often wonder whether I have polio as awareness of other illnesses leading to paralysis  is limited. So I have to face inane questions like, “Did you get some fever which paralysed you?” “Did you visit a…