Swapna Kishore sheds light on the rarely talked about challenges of home care for late stage dementia, especially due to low and infrequent communication and multiple medical problems. She brings together her interviews with Dr. Soumya Hegde, a Bangalore-based Consultant Geriatric Psychiatrist who provides practical solutions.
Most discussions around dementia are about memory problems, confusion, wandering, withdrawal, aggression, etc. We rarely talk about later stages, when the loved one…
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Diabetic diarrhoea commonly occurs in people with poorly controlled insulin-dependent diabetes and can pose several challenges related to bowel movement, including constipation and fecal incontinence. Dr Shital Raval gives an overview. Diarrhea is a common and bothersome complication of diabetes. It is commonly seen in diabetic patients who have poorly controlled insulin-dependent diabetes and also a history of peripheral and autonomic neuropathy. The diarrhea comes and goes with periods of…
Dr Shruti Mohanka, a fertility specialist and gynaecologist at Global hospital in Mumbai helps us understand how fertility preservation should addressed for all young male and female patients undergoing cancer treatment. Fertility preservation is a critical element of improving quality of life in cancer survivors. Young children and young adults often survive cancer and may wish to have families in the future. They and their families need to be aware that preserving fertility is an option. Too…
Staging of endometriosis The American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s current classification of endometriosis in stages 1 to 4 is the most widely used and accepted staging system. The classification system uses point scores depending on location, extent, and depth of endometriosis implants; presence and severity of adhesions; and presence and size of ovarian endometriomas. However, the staging of endometriosis does not correlate with the presence of or severity of symptoms.
Treatment of Endometriosis Treatment of endometriosis depends on the extent of the condition, symptoms and associated infertility. It may be treated with medication, surgery or both. In patients in the reproductive years, endometriosis is merely managed: the goal is to provide pain relief, to restrict progression of the process, and to restore or preserve fertility where needed. Medication When pain is the main problem, medical therapy is tried with some of the following: Pain relievers: Over-…
What is endometriosis Endometriosis is a gynecological condition in which endometrial tissue (tissue that lines the uterus wall) is found outside the uterus (often referred to as endometrial implants). This is mostly found in the peritoneum (membrane that lines abdominal cavity and surrounds internal organs), ovaries, fallopian tubes, ureters, bladder, bowel and cul-de-sac (the space behind the uterus). Endometrial tissue in the uterus is under the influence of oestrogen (a female hormone).…
What causes endometriosis Even though doctors are not absolutely sure, they suggest some of the following causes: Genetic: A 10-fold increased risk was found in first-degree relatives of women with endometriosis. It has been suggested that endometriosis results from a series of multiple hits within target genes in a mechanism similar to the development of cancer. In this case, the initial mutation may be either somatic or heritable. (Somatic refers to changes in the genetic structure that are…
Endometriosis symptoms vary and usually reflect the area affected. They may include the following: Recurring pelvic pain that can range from mild to severe cramping or stabbing pain that occurs on both sides of the pelvis, in the lower back and rectal area, and even down the legs Dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual cramps) Pain during and after sex If endometrial implants are found in the bowel, pain during bowel movements If endometrial implants are found in the bladder, pain may be felt during…
Diagnosis of Endometriosis Endometriosis cannot be diagnosed based on symptoms alone; it has to be supplemented with a pelvic examination, pelvic ultrasound, laparoscopy and MRI. Pelvic examination: The pelvic examination has poor sensitivity in the diagnosis of endometriosis, but some findings of the physician may suspect endometriosis, like a tender nodule behind the cervix during a combined vaginal and rectal exam, or the uterus may be tilted back or retroverted. Occasionally, endometriosis…
