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Popping Painkillers. Is it safe?

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Painkillers are the most commonly used OTC drugs. Though they are considered safe enough to be dispensed OTC (Over-the-counter) without needing a prescription, they certainly have side effects and long-term toxicity. Painkillers belong to the class of drugs known as NSAIDs (Non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These drugs treat fever, and pain and reduce inflammation in the body. NSAIDs/ Painkillers work by preventing the body from producing Prostaglandins. Prostaglandins cause inflammation and pain by dilating blood vessels and raising temperature.  Many people doubt how painkillers know where the pain is, painkillers like NSAIDs block the Cox enzyme thereby blocking the prostaglandins, and prostaglandins send signals of pain to the brain. Thus by blocking prostaglandins, pain signals to the brain are blocked, and all kinds of pain are reduced. Other types of drugs used for pain include narcotics and anesthesia. These drugs change the brain’s perception of pain, but today we a...
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PCOS Epidemic

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  PCOS is the abbreviation of Polycystic ovary syndrome. It is when the ovaries produce too much androgen leading to hormonal imbalance in women.  As a result, women with PCOS experience irregular menstrual cycles, missed periods, no ovulation, or unpredictable ovulation. The ovaries develop small fluid-filled sacs called cysts which contain the undeveloped follicles. These follicles mature and release egg - ovulation. Thus there is no ovulation or unpredictable ovulation with PCOS. In addition to this PCOS also causes acne, weight gain, increased facial and body hair, fatigue, hair fall, mood swings, pigmentation of skin, etc. Insulin resistance is also seen in PCOS, and it can increase the risk of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. PCOS can happen in young girls as well, anytime after puberty. PCOS affects about 3.7%-22.5% i.e. 1.3 crore to 7.9 crore women in India and 4%-20% i.e. 8 crore to 40 crore women worldwide. These are huge numbers. There is an ongo...
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The surge of diseases during Monsoon in India

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Every year with the onset of the Monsoon from July to September comes a surge in all sorts of illnesses, predominantly viral diseases, Upper respiratory tract infections, Gastrointestinal diseases, water-borne diseases, skin diseases, and so on.  There is an epidemic of viral diseases like Dengue fever and Chikungunya. These are mosquito-borne diseases and are spread due to the increase in mosquitoes in monsoons due to flooding and water-logging.  In addition, stagnant water, and high moisture content in homes can lead to mold growth, contaminating the air with mold spores. This can worsen respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis and also cause upper respiratory tract infections. High humidity can increase the growth of fungus and worsen skin conditions such as athlete's foot and other fungal infections. High humidity can increase sebum production which clogs pores and worsens acne. Monsoons cause contamination of water and this leads to water-borne diseases like chol...
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Mpox - What is the hype?

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Mpox, earlier known as monkeypox (because it was originally discovered in monkeys kept for research in 1958, Denmark) is caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). It is a DNA virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, Poxviridae family (also includes - variola virus: cause of Smallpox, vaccinia virus, and cowpox virus). The initial symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, body pain, and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash of lesions on the skin. The incubation period for Mpox is 7-14 days i.e. symptoms begin to appear 7-14 days after exposure. Transmission occurs through contact with an infected person. This includes direct contact with body fluids, and lesions, prolonged face-to-face contact including sexual contact, and indirect contact with contaminated clothing and bedding. Transmission can also occur through infected animals, i.e. hunting, cooking, handling, etc.  People with compromised immune systems are at higher risk for contracting Mpox. Treatment for Mpox includes ...
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Gut Health and its impact on Mental health

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We have all heard the statement "You are what you eat". This isn't just a blanket statement, but the impact of food on gut health and thereby its impact on mental health, emotions, and overall well-being is tremendous. If you've ever had a gut-wrenching feeling or have felt butterflies in your stomach, you know there is a connection between emotions and the gut. This is why you may feel nauseous in stressful situations or have diarrhea before an important exam or interview. This connection between the gut and brain is called the Gut-Brain axis. It is a connection between the CNS of the brain and the Enteric nervous system (ENS) of the gut. The gut is also known as the second brain. This connection is evident in diseases like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) where psychological stress or anxiety can worsen the gut symptoms. On the other hand, studies have found that anxiety, depression, and autism spectrum disorders are linked with Ga...
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Anemia in Women : a detrimental yet prevelant condition.

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Anemia is undesirable in both males and females, but it has a substantial impact on Women. Anemia is defined as the absence of healthy Red blood cells in the blood leading to reduced oxygen flow to the various body organs. It is characterized by hemoglobin levels less than - 12 grams/dL in Women and 13.5 grams/dL in men.  Anemia is characterized by shortness of breath, hair fall, weakness, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, headache, pale skin, lethargy, brain fog, etc.  Anemia may begin in early childhood and is associated with Pica (eating non-nutritious substances - mud, ice, chalk, etc.) Anemia in childhood is associated with stunted growth, poor cognition, delayed development of motor skills, etc.  Anemia is seen in Women with menorrhagia, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. Anemia in pregnant and lactating women may cause poor brain development of the baby, pre-term delivery, low birth weight infants and weakness, delayed healing for the mother, reduced work capacity,...
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WINTER BLUES OR SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (SAD) - and it's Management

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As the winter comes in full force with a dip in the temperature, we may also notice a dip in our mood and energy.  Winter blues or SAD may be due to decreased sunlight exposure in winter causing reduced serotonin levels, disrupted circadian rhythm, and disrupted melatonin levels. This leads to reduced energy levels, demotivation, lethargy, oversleeping, weight gain, increased cravings for carbs and sugar, fatigue, brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and even depression. Though SAD is observed usually during fall and winter, it may rarely be observed in spring and summer as well.   So how do we manage/avoid Winter blues and SAD? 1) Phototherapy - Taking in the sunlight in winter by spending at least 15-20 mins every day under the sun is important.  2) Physical activity - Make a conscious effort to be physically active every day. Incorporating walking, running, and aerobic exercises into the daily routine help improve energy levels.  3) Maintaining a routine - Yo...
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