Conditions

Brain and spinal cord together are known as the central nervous system (CNS). Brain tumour is an overgrowth of cells, either within the brain or near it in places like nerves, the pituitary gland, and the meninges (sheet like membranes that cover the surface of the brain). Tumours can be benign (non-cancerous growth or lumps that generally do not spread to other organs/tissues) or malignant (made up of cancerous cells that multiply and spread to neighbouring tissues and organs and sometimes…

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,…

Food allergies affect 8% of children and 10% of adults globally. Here we address the common questions people have about food allergies. Note the Big 8 food allergens.   Food allergies are one of the most common medical issues that we encounter every day. Though it has been prevalent through ages, with new tests and increased awareness and incremental use of additives and synthetic food, the prevalence has increased. Many of us feel bloated and uneasy after eating a certain food item…

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…

To get a proper diagnosis of Back Pain, the doctor will go through multiple steps including a medical history, a physical examination and may even need to prescribe some diagnostic tests depending on the location and type of back pain. This is important to determine the right course of treatment. At the time of a consult, the doctor will : Ask Medical History Pain characteristics (location, intensity, duration, onset, and triggers) History of injury or strain (recent trauma, lifting heavy…