Conditions

Dental needs become increasingly specialized with age, making regular visits to the dentist even more important. Dr Shail Jaggi highlights some common gum and teeth problems that could become burdensome, if ignored. When we think of an elderly patient the first vision that generally tends to flash by is someone with greying hair, stooping and bent over with age, thick glasses and a denture to eat! But let’s take a quick look at my office! I am dentist and deal with geriatric patients all the…

On  World Suicide Prevention Day, Paras Sharma, Programme Coordinator, iCALL Psychosocial Helpline, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) dispels some common misconceptions about suicide. 1.  People who talk about suicide don’t usually do it, they just want attention. Suicide is a call for help that went unanswered. It's a myth that those who wish to end their lives don't explicitly say so, and those who don't are the ones who talk. There is ample research to show that suicidal…

Support Group for Parkinson's in India run by PDMDS and in collaboration with their partners. Last Update - Feb 2019 A support group is an informal gathering of people who share similar experiences, situations or problems. By meeting together, Parkinson’s Support Group members can offer each other emotional and practical support. In such a group, one is able to learn about Parkinson’s its problems and treatment. But most importantly the members share experiences and practical tips on living…

Yuna Angell has coped with Schizophrenia and has also been in control of it for some time now. Here she recounts the regimen of her daily life, the accompanying stresses and the side effect of her daily doses of medicine and how does she cope with it all. How do I prepare for a work day, now that I have various things to do in my life right now, while changing my medications? I was diagnosed with Schizophrenia in 2004 and stabilised more or less in 2013. I was originally on 4mg Risperidone. But…

Endoscopy guru and leading gastroenterologist Dr Vipulroy Rathod’s comprehensive interview on gastrointestinal diseases and cancers makes for an enlightening and interesting read. What is Gastroenterology? Gastroenterology is the branch of medicine focused on the digestive system and its disorders. Diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, which include the organs from mouth to anus, along the alimentary canal, are the focus of this specialty. Physicians practicing in this field are called…

Living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome Living with irritable bowel syndrome presents daily challenges. Identify the factors that trigger Irritable bowel syndrome. This is a key step both in managing your condition and in helping you feel that you have control of your life. Overcome preoccupation with the condition and move on with your life. Don’t let it hamper your daily activities. Find out how AGS managed his IBS and kept it under control here.   Your support team: Whom to consult…

It is not always clear what causes irritable bowel syndrome, treatment focuses on the relief of symptoms, so that you can live as normally as possible. In some cases, medication along with psychological treatments may also be helpful. Some suggestions: Know your triggers: It is helpful to keep a food diary and record foods that make your symptoms better or worse. It is simply a matter of substitution, of replacing trigger foods with safe choices. Change your habits: Avoid caffeine in all…

The symptoms vary between individuals and some people have more severe symptoms than others. The symptoms tend to come and go – they may last for a few days or for a few months, often during times of stress or after eating certain foods. Symptoms may include: Diarrhoea (sudden and explosive episodes) Constipation Alternating episodes of diarrhoea and constipation Stools appearing harder or very loose   Abdominal pain usually occurs in the lower half of the abdomen; pain is aggravated by…

The exact cause of Irritable Bowel Syndrome is yet unknown, but most experts think that it is related to problems with digestion and increased sensitivity of the gut. One theory suggests that irritable bowel syndrome is caused by abnormal contractions of the colon and intestines. Some people develop irritable bowel syndrome after severe gastrointestinal infection (eg Salmonella or Campylobacter, or viruses). It is not so clear how the infection triggers IBS to develop. However most people with…