Conditions

In India, it is estimated that about 6% of the adult population is infected with one or more sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at any given time, which means approximately 30–35 million new episodes of infection annually. Here are some frequently asked questions addressed Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections or diseases that one can get from any kind of sexual activity. . More than 30 different bacteria, viruses and parasites can be…

The constant barrage of tests for diabetes diagnosis and management can feel overwhelming. And new ones keep popping up. Dr. Shital Patel explains the role and utility of each of the tests  If you are living with diabetes, you have had a lot of blood tests, check-ups, and screenings. It can feel overwhelming trying to keep track of what all these tests mean and which ones are truly important for your health. You may often see new tests being added in testing packages or mentioned in…

According to World Health Organisation, sepsis is one of the most frequent causes of death worldwide. From data published in 2020, there were 48.9 million cases and 11 million sepsis-related deaths worldwide, representing 20% of all global deaths. It is important that we understand what sepsis is, symptoms to watch out for and when to seek timely treatment. Sepsis is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s response to an infection spirals out of control…

In the UNPACKING podcast series, we start with a discussion on a new and exciting innovation in cancer treatment, the CAR -T Cell Therapy with Dr. Hari Menon. During the course of this conversation, we will unpack what CAR -T is, where it stands today. Is it really what you think it is and how we can take informed decisions on this new treatment? Dr. Hari Menon is Professor of Hematology and Head Medical Oncology at St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences in Bangalore. He has been in the…

The use of Continuous Glucose Monitor is increasing. The PatientsEngage team has put together useful information that explains the basics of CGM, who it is meant for, what you can expect, how to interpret the data and more. What Is Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)? With India fast moving towards becoming the Diabetes capital, newer monitoring techniques for blood sugar have come into play. The Continuous Glucose Monitor or CGM, as its commonly known as, is a wearable sensor that measure…

The decision for caesarean birth is never an easy one. However, if you are opting for elective caesarean section, it is important to understand the implications on the health of the mother and the child. In this article, we talk about the increasing evidence of a C-section on long term gut health of the child and what you can do about it. The mode of delivery—caesarean section (CS) or vaginal delivery—can have significant long-term effects on a child's health, influencing the gut microbiome,…

Prevention is better than cure, specially in the case of back pain. Here are some simple things to do to make your back stronger and prevent back pain.  How to fortify your back and prevent back pain: Ensure regular exercise and physical therapy for any muscle tightness or sports/workout injuries. Work on strengthening your core. Include exercises to increase flexibility. Avoid hunching your back or slouching and maintain good posture while sitting. Use good back support (rolled towel…

Back Pain management typically needs an integrative approach - of dealing with the pain but also making lifestyle changes to prevent deterioration and flare ups. Rehabilitative care is a critical element of managing back pain. According to WHO: A multimodal/integrative approach is usually needed. The management should support people to make sense of their pain experience from a bio-psycho-social perspective and support their re-engagement in meaningful life activities. Advice should validate…

Treatment options for back pain range from medications that provide temporary relief to disease modifying medications for chronic conditions to surgical treatments for certain causes. Here are a list of a few options for treating back pain.  Note: The diagnosis determine the optimal combination of treatment Medications: Muscle relaxants which help with muscle sprains and chronic back pain. Steroid injectables or numbing injections may be given by the doctor for longstanding pain and…