Conditions

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:…

For people suffering from chronic illness, hospital stays are frequent. A hospital stay can be made more comfortable and relaxed with items you can bring from home. Even in cases of an emergency, such a hospital list can be given to a loved one to be fetched from your home. Here is a compilation of what many patients prefer to have with them during their time in a hospital. Remember, you should carry what suits your needs the best. To read this in hindi, click here:  25 चीज़ें जो…

Dr Gayatri Deshpande, senior gynaecologist, cautions against infection of the Human papillomavirus (HPV) transmitted mainly through sexual contact that can cause painful and highly contagious genital warts resulting in a range of cancers in both men and women and advises safe sex to reduce risks. What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and how do you get it? This is an infection caused by Human Papillomavirus which is a DNA virus. One can catch this infection by sexual contacts which may…

Fibroids are a common occurrence in women between 30 to 50 years of age and are mostly benign, but should be treated keeping in mind the symptoms present and the advice of the treating gynaecologist. Dr. Chandan Dubey, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist answers some of the common questions. What are fibroids and why do they occur? Fibroids are benign (not cancer) growths arising from the muscle cells of the uterus. They can range from very small (less than a centimetre) to very large in size. They…

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia have many overlapping symptoms with chronic pain and fatigue being the most common threads.  Dr. Shital Raval explains the differences between the two conditions and the different diagnostic criteria Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS is a medical condition with an unknown cause, presenting initially with constant or recurring fatigue for 6 months or more. Myalgic encephalitis or ME is the now the internationally accepted term for CFS. Fibromyalgia or…

And other questions on types of radiation therapy and tips to handle the effects of radiation therapy answered by Dr. Arpana Shukla, Senior Consultant Radiation Oncology, Sterling Cancer Center Ahmedabad 1.   What exactly is Radiation Therapy? Radiation Therapy is a clinical modality mainly dealing with the use of ionizing radiations for the treatment of cancer patients (and occasionally benign diseases). The primary goal is to deliver a precisely measured dose of radiation to a…

If you or your loved one is admitted to the hospital for any reason, make sure to keep these questions in mind. These questions are meant to clarify the medical status of the patient, gain information and understand the care needed after a procedure. This will ensure peace of mind for all.  This checklist of questions is aimed to streamline the hospitalization process and make it a comfortable experience for patients and their caregivers. Consider having a family member or friend with you…

All dementia is not about memory loss. Neha Sinha, a clinical psychologist by training and dementia specialist, discusses the symptoms as well as ways of handling Fronto-temporal Dementia (FTD), a lesser known form of dementia. Fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) is one of the lesser-known types of dementia and equally or more challenging to handle than the others. It accounts for about 5-10% of cases of dementia (Source: ARDSI Dementia India report 2010) Named after the famous physician Arnold Pick…

And questions on seizures, ketogenic diet, depression answered by Dr Joy Desai, a Consultant Neurologist in Mumbai and on the Committee of the Bombay Chapter of The Indian Epilepsy Association. #AskTheDoctor series 1.  How effective is surgery for epilepsy cure? Surgery is effective in well selected patients. Patients are evaluated for surgery on 3 conditions: Is their epilepsy arising from one spot in the brain? Has testing confirmed this site and will it be possible to intervene and…