Author: Sunitha S

Hair loss is one of the major problems faced by women of all age groups. Most young women experience hair loss as strands of hair coming off from the head. But as you age, this pattern varies. Hair slowly starts thinning, which leaves you with a totally different look.  On average, a healthy woman loses 50 to 100 strands of hair a day. Your day to day activities like washing, shampooing, combing, and brushing can all result in hair fall. But the hair fall is not noticeable as new hair grows in place of the old ones. But when new…

Have you ever felt a throbbing pain or pulsing sensation on one side of the head? Does sensitivity to light and sound accompany this sensation? Do you feel like vomiting when you get this headache? You may be suffering from a condition called migraines.  A study on the systematic analysis of migraine shows that the condition is more prevalent in Western countries like North and South America and Europe. Asian populations have a moderate to low level of migraine in the world.  What Is A Migraine? Migraine is a neurological disease that manifests itself in the form of a throbbing…

Toothpaste is an essential product for oral and dental hygiene. Though natural products like neem and sea salt are used in some Asian countries to clean teeth, the majority of people rely on it.  Brushing teeth in the morning and evening with toothpaste is a routine for most. But have you ever wondered what goes into it? What gives it the refreshing scent and anti-bacterial property? Let us have a look at the major components of toothpaste.  What Are The Major Components Of A Toothpaste? Fluoride Fluoride is a mineral that plays a key role in strengthening the enamel of…

Vitamins are compounds that are highly essential for the body’s normal functioning. The body requires different types of vitamins in different quantities for its healthy growth and functioning. The peculiarity of vitamins is that the body normally produces very little of these compounds. Thus, you need to procure that through food and other external sources.   If you are deficient in a particular vitamin, it can cause serious health conditions. Thus, maintaining the right quantity of vitamins in the body is highly essential.  What Are The Different Types Of Vitamins? Vitamins can broadly be divided into two categories – water-soluble and…

Pancreatic cancer is the 12th most commonly found cancer globally, affecting men more than women. However, the prevalence of pancreatic cancer in Asian countries is very low. The majority of the cases occur in North America, followed by Europe.  The peculiarity of this cancer is that it does not manifest any symptoms during the initial stage. Thus, the diagnosis happens mostly during the advanced stage. A good understanding of this condition and identifying the risk factors is very important for early diagnosis.  What Is Pancreatic Cancer? The pancreas is an organ that lies on the lower part of the stomach.…

What is Vertigo? Vertigo is dizziness coupled with the sensation that the environment around is spinning. Vertigo attacks may be sudden and transient, lasting for a few seconds, or they may be chronic and sometimes debilitating, affecting daily tasks. It is a symptom of various conditions affecting the inner ear, brain or sensory nerve pathways. Depending on the cause, other accompanying symptoms may include: Loss of balance Lightheadedness Headache A sense of motion sickness Nausea or vomiting Tinnitus (Ringing sound in the ear) Hearing loss Fullness of the ear Sweating Nystagmus (Abnormal, uncontrolled eye movements) What are the Causes of vertigo? Causes…

What is COPD? Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the progressive decline of lung function due to emphysema and/or chronic bronchitis. These conditions cause damage and inflammation to the lungs, manifesting as breathing difficulty and chronic cough with mucus. It is the third major cause of death worldwide. COPD affects people of both genders, though it is most commonly found in men. COPD is mainly caused by smoking, or chronic exposure to secondhand smoke and pollutants. It may be hereditary though rarely so, as in the case of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), where the body does not produce sufficient alpha-1 antitrypsin…

Bronchiectasis is a serious condition affecting the lungs. This condition mainly affects people above 75 years old, though it is also common among the younger population with prevalence higher in women than in men. In young children, the condition is mostly seen in boys than in girls.  According to a recent study, this respiratory disease affects 566 per 100,000 people in high-income countries. In Asian countries, bronchiectasis is very common, and its prevalence is much higher when compared to other developed countries.  What Is Bronchiectasis? Bronchiectasis is a lung condition that results in coughing up mucus. Air enters the lungs…

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, countries have put forth a lot of travel restrictions to contain the spread of the virus. Only essential travel was permitted between countries through a bio bubble mechanism.  However, Southeast Asian countries have started opening their borders for international travellers, but with strict COVID-19 precautions. Passengers are required to undergo PCR tests, both before and landing at the destination country, for added safety. Those with any COVID-19 symptoms or have come in direct contact with a patient are strictly not allowed to travel.  How To Manage Special Medical Conditions During Travel? Asthma…

Some people experience nasal congestion quite often. No allergy medication or over-the-counter drugs provide relief to nasal congestion. Some experience continuous colds that seem to not go away. All these are caused by a condition called nasal polyps.  Nasal polyps affect 1-4% of the world population. When compared to children, this condition is more common among adults, especially those above 30. The nasal polyp is normally linked to other conditions in the nose like asthma and other respiratory infections.  What Are Nasal Polyps? Nasal polyps are small, painless, benign growths that appear on the sinus or nasal passage lining. They…