Medscetera

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...

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 ...

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...

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,...

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...

LAXATIVES Laxatives are a class of drugs used in the treatment of Constipation. Laxatives and Purgatives are known as Cathartics as they are known to cause Catharsis. Catharsis is the evacuation of the bowel and is usually done before the diagnostic procedures or surgeries of the bowel. Constipation is the functional impairment in the inherent capacity of the colon to produce normal stools at regular intervals. It is usually associated with difficulty in emptying the bowels and hard faeces.  Causes: Constipation is mainly caused due to decrease in colonic motility due to - ageing, emotions, low bulk diet, low liquid intake, spastic colon, chronic amoebiasis, or due to drugs. The drugs that cause this effect are Diuretics, anti-diarrhoeal, Anticholinergics, MAOI (Mono Amine Oxidase Inhibitors), Opioids, Tricyclic anti-depressants, Analgesics, and Antacids. Laxatives are further classified into -  Bulk-forming agents -  This includes - Dietary fibre bran, Psyllium (Plantag...