PatientsEngage General Community

Pain is one of the most disturbing and feared complication of cancer. Therefore, it needs to be addressed at all costs. Excerpted from newly published book – ‘Conquering Pain’. During her last admission to hospital, three weeks before she finally succumbed to leukaemia, thirteen-year-old Ms M.A. was in severe pain due to multiple reasons: Ulcers in the mouth and painful inflammation of the face, as a result of the side-effects of chemotherapy Bone pain in the legs, due to the disease affecting…

Cancer pain can be treated and quality of life in a cancer patient can be enhanced by appropriate medications, emphasise Dr Mary Abraham, Pain & Palliative Care Physician, and Dr Vandana V Prakash, Clinical Psychologist. Despite increased attention to cancer pain, it still continues to be a major issue with cancer patients and survivors. Why is it so? There are many reasons why cancer pain is still a major issue with cancer patients and survivors. Firstly, there is a misconception and fear…

We are often caught unawares by medical emergencies. But it does not need to be so. We can plan and reassess the plan regularly. Here are some guidelines and pointers on what you should consider.   It is unnerving when a loved one falls suddenly and seriously ill at home, or there is an accident. The family member may feel disorientation and denial, hoping to just wait out, or may thrash about like a headless chicken trying to arrange for transport to the hospital and unsure what to…

Diet changes are an integral part of management of many chronic conditions. Here are real life experiences of eight women who incorporated diet and nutrition changes in their disease management regimen.  Celiac Disease When Jeeva Anna George was diagnosed with Celiac disease, an uncommon digestive disorder causing inflammation of the small intestine, her whole life began revolving around food. Here she talks at length about her personal journey and how she learnt the hard way to control…

To our readers and members from India! United in Health!  

We all have some bad habits. Many of these affect our health – both physically and mentally. This Independence Day, we posed a question to our contributors - Are there any unhealthy habits that you would like to break free from? And received a range of interesting responses. What are the unhealthy habits you want to free yourself of? 1)   Imran Mohammad Ali - Thalassemia Major I think if I have to pick the unhealthy habits I would like to be free of, they would be overthinking -…

We wish you a Happy and Healthy 54th National Day!  

Nothing prepares you for the loss of a parent, even in adulthood. On the first anniversary of her mother's death, Shweta talks of coming to terms with the loss as she reminisces about the year gone by. Last May, one ugly morning, we all woke up to a new reality. My ma, who had been living life full of vitality till the previous night, decided not to wake up. In just a few minutes, a seismic shift had altered our lives forever. The first several weeks, and months, and on random days without…

Natural Disasters can adversely affect elderly people and those with chronic conditions. Dr. Shital Raval details the issues faced and how you can be prepared if you are a caregiver to an elderly person or have a chronic condition like Diabetes, Renal and Respiratory Issues, Allergies, Cancer.   Natural Disasters (earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, electrical black-outs, blizzards, cyclones, storms etc.) can have a devastating effect on all but recent studies have thrown light on how…

Opioids are essential to pain management in patients with chronic and severe pain. Since they are narcotic medications and have side-effects, it is important for patients and caregivers to be aware of the type of Opioid that has been prescribed and possible adverse reactions. Excerpted from Indian Primer of Palliative Care by Pallium India.  Opioids are a class of drugs that are used in pain management in patients with chronic and debilitating pain. They work by binding to opioid…