Many people often confuse osteoporosis with osteoarthritis, commonly known as arthritis. The terms may be used interchangeably quite often; however, they are not even distant cousins. Let us understand the differences and how each of these needs to be managed.
Osteoporosis occurs when the bones in our body lose mineral density and become thin and brittle. They cannot bear normal weight and thus break easily.
Osteoarthritis is a disease of wear and tear of not just the bone but the surrounding…
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Neetu Wadhwa, co-founder Scleroderma India, a patient advocate committed to improving lives of those affected by Scleroderma. As we relive the memories of our interactions with Neetu, let us resolve to continue to champion for the rights and wellbeing of patients and their families. Rashmi Bhasin, Trustee and Core Committee Member, Scleroderma India Today marks one year to the untimely passing of our dear NEETU. She was a Warrior in true sense. I always remember her smiling…
Medical emergencies work on their own timeline. They do not discriminate and when the time comes, time is of essence. Here are the top 7 emergencies everyone should know about and what you should do immediately. HEART ATTACK One of the most life threatening and commonly encountered emergencies is heart attacks or in medical terms Myocardial Infarction (MI). Immediate action can change the outcome and save lives. What to expect: A heart attack occurs when the plaque mostly made of…
Dr. Seema R Rao of Karunashraya explains palliative care, addresses the myths and misconceptions around it and highlights its importance for better quality of life of patients. What is Palliative Care? In India, more and more people are suffering from serious illnesses like cancer, heart diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, AIDS, stroke, organ failure, drug-resistant tuberculosis, and neurological diseases. Physical issues like pain, shortness of breath, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue,…
Dr.Rajalakshmi Iyer, Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh cautions that Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) can significantly impair quality of life and reduce productivity if good sleep hygiene practices are not followed and medications not taken. Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a type of sleep disorder. Could you tell us a little bit about it and who does it affect? RLS is a medical disorder that is much commoner than…
Types of Multiple Myeloma There are two main types of Multiple Myeloma, Smoldering and Active. Smoldering is also called asymptomatic or indolent myeloma because it shows no symptoms and signs and is slow growing. People need close monitoring every 3-6 months to check for progression. Active is also called symptomatic myeloma due to the presence of signs and symptoms. If it is present in the bone or soft tissue, it is termed plasmacytoma. Several subtypes are identified based on which…
Tests for Diagnosing Multiple Myeloma Multiple myeloma is often diagnosed based on tests, the patient’s symptoms and the doctor’s physical exam of the patient. A diagnosis of multiple myeloma requires either: A plasma cell tumor (proven by biopsy) OR at least 10% plasma cells in the bone marrow AND At least one of the following CRAB criteria: High blood Calcium level (greater than 0.25 mmol/L) Poor Renal function with creatinine greater than 2mg/dL Anemia with red blood cell counts lower…
Prevention of Multiple Myeloma Since the exact cause and risk factors of this cancer are unknown, there is no known way to prevent it. It is important to not ignore symptoms mentioned here and diagnose multiple myeloma early. References: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/multiple-myeloma https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/multiple-myeloma.html https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/multiple-myeloma/types lbagoush SA, Shumway C, Azevedo AM. Multiple Myeloma. [Updated…
Management of Multiple Myeloma Supportive therapy is used for better management of complications, side-effects and other other issues related to cancer. For Multiple Myeloma, this can include: Controlling nausea and vomiting with medications. Bisphosphonates or bone-strengthening drugs to slow down bone damage. Medications like monoclonal antibodies (denosumab) to prevent osteoporosis, and risk of fractures. Hematopoietic growth factors or colony-stimulating factors to increase production of…
