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Cancer is one of the most common diseases in the world. It is also dreaded and feared by people for it’s fatal and rapid nature. Caption: Cancer, Image Credit: pixabay Here are some facts on the statistics and trends of this disease in India: India has a population of 1.35 billion, out of which around 1.16 million cancer cases get reported annually along with 784,800 reported deaths. The most common types of cancer in India are: Breast cancer: It is the most common cancer that makes up for  27.5% of cancers in Indian women. About 1 in 28 women are likely to develop cancer in their lifetime. In Urban areas- 1 in 22 women develops breast cancer. In rural areas- 1 in 60 women develops breast cancer. Oral cancer: India has ranked 4th in the highest rates of oral cancer in the world. It is one of the most commonly occurring cancers in Indian men and accounts for 11.8% of cancer cases. Lung cancer : Lung cancer constitutes for 10.6% of all new cancer cases in men and 9.3% in both sexes. 90% of the cases are detected in the last or aggressive stages where it is less treatable and almost impossible to cure. Stomach cancer: It is the 5th most common cancer among males and 7th most common cancer among Indian females. Colorectal cancer: It is the 3rd most common cancer in the world with 60% cases reported in developed countries. In India, colon cancer ranks 8th and rectal cancer ranks 9th in the most common cancers. Together, these common cases make up 49% of all reported cancer cases. According to WHO, every 1 in 10 Indians are prone to develop a type of cancer and every 1 in 15 die from cancer. It is believed that one of the main environmental factors that trigger cancer patterns in India is the high usage of tobacco, which is mainly associated with oral, head, neck and cervical cancer. Scientists and researchers also believe that the risk of cancer is closely related to socioeconomic status.For example, a person living in a lower socioeconomic status will develop cancers related to tobacco triggers whereas a person living in a higher economic status will burden with problems of breast and colorectal cancer which is associated with obesity, less physical activity and a more static lifestyle. ALSO READ: Can Breast Cancer Treatment Have Sexual Side Effects? Thus, as India continues to progress, being one of the best performing, developing and stable economies in the world, it starts to lean towards a higher socioeconomic status in the community and therefore, further increases the risk to the cancers related to it. Tobacco can trigger cancer, Image Credit: pikist In 2018, 1.6 lakh out of the 6.5 crores people who had undergone clinical screening were diagnosed with cancer.The total number of screenings doubled between 2017 and 2018, from 3.5 to 6.5 and experts believe that the rapidly changing lifestyle like food habits, social pressures and consumption of tobacco products and alcohol may have caused this increase. In 2018, the most number of cases of common cancer was recorded in Gujarat followed by Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Telangana. However, these rankings are not very stable and vary every year.For example, the number of people diagnosed with cancer in Gujarat increased from 3,939 in 2017 to 72,169 in 2018 and the reported cases in  Andhra Pradesh significantly increased in 2018 and then returned back to its normal rate the following year.This is because cancer is not a contagious disease and moreover, the environmental factors that are capable of triggering tumor formation or mutations are almost exposed to all parts of India. This is due to the fact India has a very stable culture and climatic changes everywhere. According to the National Cancer Registry Programme of the India Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the mortality rate of this disease increased by 6% with more than 1300 Indians dying every day due to cancer.The deaths reported in the following years are: In 2012: 478,180 deaths out of 2,934,314 reported cases. In 2013: 465,169 deaths out of 3,016,628 reported cases. In 2914: 491,598 deaths out of 2,820,179 reported cases. #CancerFacts #Stats #Tends

Sure, money cannot buy happiness but it definitely does create a sense of security and peace of mind when one has financial stability in their life. Today’s society applies so much pressure on an individual and financial success is on the top of that checklist. Money has ranked to be one of the topmost priorities by the majority of the population. As a result of these expectations and trends, it has also become the topmost cause of worry in adult life and often leads to financial stress, anxiety, and depression. In addition to affecting your mental health, it also affects your quality of life due to a lack of resources to maintain health and other recreational purposes. Moreover, depression could also lead to unhealthy habits like overeating, excessive alcohol consumption, and sleeplessness. This is why during times of stress, it is important to learn to be able to handle it in order to be mentally and physically strong enough to overcome such problems. Remember, overthinking or panicking will only cause more problems for an already stressful situation. Therefore, stay calm and collected instead of adding more problems to your plate. Here are some tips for handling financial stress: 1)  Try General Stress Management There are numerous ways to handle stress and ensure the time needed for your body to recover from stressful events. They include: Ensuring enough sleep and rest Exercise regularly and stay fit Don’t rely on drugs and alcohol. It will only provide temporary relief with damaging effects later on. Surround yourself around a supportive, optimistic, and positive environment. Be more assertive to your feelings and less aggressive. It will help you think more clearly and rationally. In any stressful situation, it is important to find something positive to focus on. This is because optimists are better planners. General stress management 2)  Don’t Compare Yourself One of the biggest and most common triggers of financial stress is envy when you look the other way and see someone else thriving with a better house, a better car or a better financial status in general. As Buddha once said, “He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind”. Thus, it is important to stop comparing yourself with others as there will always be someone one step ahead and one step below you and there is one point getting trapped in that inevitable rat race. Therefore, once you stop comparing yourself to others, you will find yourself in a more peaceful and less stressful environment. Moreover, you will also start to be more appreciative of life and have the right mental space to excel and overcome difficulties or hardships. Also Read: 6 Unexpected Anxiety Triggers That are Draining You Out 3)  Seek Help or Guidance It is important to communicate your feelings to your loved ones and surround yourself with positivity. However, it is understandable if you need more professional help and your friends and family may not understand or financially be on the same page as you to be able to give the right advice. Thus, it is important to reach out to counselors, financial planners, or mental health professionals who are trained to guide your financial life while still taking your mental health status to account. Caption: Fixing financial problems, Image Cedit:Credit: Pixabay 4)  Learn and Grow from the Problem Growth and progress only happen when you make a mistake. Thus, mistakes are an important, natural and inevitable part of life. Assess the situation and evaluate your mistakes and errors that have led to this crisis. It may be due to some type of addiction, a spending problem, poor judgment, or even bad business decisions. Once you come to terms and accept the problem, you can get the necessary or required help, if needed. This will inspire you to get up and go on your feet to deal and grow from the issue. 5)  Come Up with a New Plan and Be realistic Once you assess your problems, come up with a new plan and solution to fix them. For example, if you have a shopping addiction join a shopaholic anonymous meeting for help and support, or if you have made a business error, visit a financial advisor or join some courses that will increase your business skills. Start fresh, set a goal, and consistently work towards that goal. However, one must remember not to initially set the bars too high to an unachievable point. This is because high and unrealistic expectations can crush your mental health when you fail, especially when you are just recovering and are in such a fragile stage. In conclusion, it is good to push yourself in order to succeed but remember to be gentle and considerate of your mental well being. #FinancialStress #HandlingFinancialStress

Anxiety is a mental health condition that causes feelings of worry, fear, or tension. Anxiety can also cause panic attacks and extreme physical symptoms, like chest pain in some people. Common symptoms and feeling of anxiety, Image Credits: Commons Wikimedia With around 275 million people affected by anxiety disorders, you can say that they are incredibly common. A combination of factors, that includes genetics, daily habits, and environment play a role, in what can possibly cause anxiety. There are events, emotions, or experiences that a person undergoes that may cause symptoms of anxiety to begin or make them worse. These elements are known as triggers. Though different people may have different anxiety triggers, there are some that are definitely common to them all. It is important to discover any anxiety triggers that you have in order to manage them. There may be many reasons that may not be so obvious that are triggering your anxiety. Let’s have a look at a few of these triggers. 1. Caffeine Caffeine is literally a mood-altering drug. The main role of caffeine is to block the effects of adenosine that causes sleep in the human body. For a few, the result would be a pleasurable sense of energy and focus. But for those with anxiety, caffeine’s effects can be bad. Once this happens, anxiety can take on a life of its own. It is thus recommended for anxiety patients to opt for decaffeinated coffee and herbal or green tea. 2. Sugar The sweet tooth in you will always cry for this one. Sugar can be one of the worst triggers for anxiety. The reason for this is like that of caffeine. Usually sugar has the tendency to cause blurry vision, difficulty in thinking and fatigue. All of this increases worry and fear in a person, when interpreted as signs of a panic attack. Anxiety tends to get worse when there is a rush of sugar and consecutive crashes. The body starts shaking and you feel stressed. Nobody is asking you to stop your sugar intake totally, but it is necessary to limit the quantity being consumed. Sugar can be a major factor in triggering anxiety. Image Credits: Flickr 3.  Environment Have you ever gone outside and just felt free and relaxed? It’s not your imagination! Studies prove the fact that getting out and looking at nature and breathing some fresh air can soothe the mind. There can be multiple components of nature that are beneficial like viewing, hearing, and just being in it. The visual aspects of nature have a soothing effect and clear the mind from disturbing thoughts. Also Read – 6 Types Of Eating Disorders 4. Social Media Social media is a great platform to connect with different people and learn new things. But what can be the problem? Social media usage causes a lot of negative thoughts and emotions within a person and is easily addictive. In addition to this, over usage of such platforms often lead to comparison traps where one individual compares their lifestyle to that of another who’s is better. This can make you feel lonely, sad, and depressed and get you over thinking especially when you see a situation that you wish you were part of. Social media can instigate anxiety. Image Credits: Pixabay 5. Medications Some over the counter medicines and few prescription medications also tend to trigger anxiety. Active ingredients present in such medications make you feel unwell and uneasy. Such feelings of restlessness and uneasiness can set off a series of events in your mind and body that often lead to additional symptoms of anxiety. Medications that can trigger anxiety are: Birth control pills Medicines for weight loss Medicines for cough and congestion It is advisable to talk to a doctor about alternative medicines that can be taken to avoid anxiety issues. 6. News News stories can be really triggering and get a person feeling depressed or anxious. One should consume the right amount of news. Image Credits: pixels Depending on the story being told, it can lead to people not wanting to go to specific places, take extra precautions etc. The key to this is to know when to turn it off. People must be mindful to consume only what is required. The way that negative news affects a person mentally can have a larger effect on how they interpret and interact with the world around them. Never Forget! Remember if you are suffering from anxiety, you are not alone. Avoiding some of these common and unusual triggers of anxiety whenever possible can help. If you feel it’s getting worse, it is best to reach out to a mental health professional to understand better about coping techniques and treatment options to help fight the anxiety disorder. #Anxiety #UnexpectedAnxietyTriggers

Do you often feel the urge to eat more? Are you not satisfied with your diet or don’t feel full even after having a heartful meal? Well! Then you may be suffering from an eating disorder. Eating disorders are considered to be a range of psychological conditions which makes you adopt unhealthy eating habits. In severe cases, eating disorders can pose a real problem to your health and may even lead to death if not treated. What is an Eating Disorder? Eating disorders are mental health conditions which start with an obsession of eating a particular food or maintaining body shape. Eating disorders are found to be prevalent in adolescents and young women. Symptoms of an eating disorder may include binge eating, purging behaviours like vomiting or over-exercising. Obese woman eating her meal, Image Credits: Wikimedia.org What is the Reason Behind Developing an Eating Disorder? Eating disorders may be caused due to various factors. Some of them include: Genetics or hereditary factor. Personality traits like perfectionism, neuroticism, and impulsivity. Perceived pressures to be thin, and exposure to media influencing and promoting such ideals. Psychological differences and altered serotonin or dopamine levels, and stress. Types of Eating Disorder The most common types of eating disorders include Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-Eating Disorder. Whereas, rumination disorder, pica and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder are some of the other uncommon eating disorders. #1 Anorexia Nervosa Anorexia is a life-threatening disorder characterized by abnormally low body weight, very restricted eating behaviour, intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted perception of body image. It is most commonly found to affect young adults and women. Anorexia nervosa is classified into two types: Restricting – In this type, an individual tries to starve themselves or lose weight solely through dieting, fasting, or exercising. Binge eating and purging- In this type,  individuals binge on large amounts of foods or may eat little and then purge out either by vomiting, taking laxatives, or by performing strenuous physical activity. Anorexia may cause thinning of bones, infertility, brittle hair and nails, and in severe cases, it can lead to multi-organ failure and death. #2 Bulimia Nervosa Bulimia nervosa is a lack of control over your eating behaviour. It usually develops during adolescence and early adulthood and is found to be more common in women. People with bulimia tend to eat unusually large amounts of food and then attempt to purge in order to compensate for the calories consumed and to relieve gut discomfort. Side effects: Inflamed and sore throat, worn tooth enamel,  irritation of the gut, acid reflux, severe dehydration, and altered hormone levels. In severe cases, an electrolyte imbalance may occur which can result in stroke or heart attack. #3 Binge Eating Disorder Binge eating is eating unusually large amounts of food in relatively short periods of time. People with binge eating disorder do not restrict calories or use any purging behaviours and later on, they feel disgusted shame, and guilt when thinking about their binge eating behaviour. People with binge eating behaviour are overweight or obese and are prone to heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. #4 Pica Pica is an unusual behaviour of eating things that are not considered as foods. In pica, individuals crave for non- food substances like ice, dirt, chalk, soil, or cornstarch. Adults, children, adolescents and pregnant women are likely to suffer from Pica. It can also be seen in individuals with mental disabilities. Side effects: Pica may result in an increased risk of poisoning,  gut injuries, infections, and malnutrition. #5 Rumination Disorder Ruminating disorder is a condition where the individual regurgitates food into the mouth and re-chews it, and then either re-swallows it or spits it out. This disorder is seen in infants, childhood, or adulthood. Rumination disorder may lead to weight loss and severe malnutrition. #6 Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Also known as “feeding disorder of infancy and early childhood,”. This type of disorder is commonly observed in children and infants but it can also be seen in adults. Individuals with this disorder avoid or restrict certain foods due to a lack of interest in eating, or develops a distaste for certain smells, taste, look and texture. This disorder may lead to nutrient deficiencies or dependence on supplements or tube feeding. #EatingDisorders #TypesofEatingDisorder

Kidney Diseases – Introduction The Chronic Kidney Disease affects around 10% of the world’s population. The kidneys are a pair of organs that lie on either side of the spine in the lower middle part of the back. Each kidney contains around one million filtering units called nephrons. Removal of waste products and excess water from the blood is the most important function of the kidney in the human body. Kidney is one of the most important organ in the body, Image Credits: Commons wikimedia The kidneys process 200 litres of blood every day and produce two litres of urine. The waste products are generated from normal metabolic processes including the breakdown of active tissues and ingested foods. The kidneys allow consumption of a variety of foods, vitamins and supplements, additives, and excess fluids without worrying about toxic by-products building up. Regulating levels of various vitamins and minerals such as calcium, sodium, and potassium in the blood is also done by the kidney. Kidney Diseases in India The number of new patients diagnosed with End Stage Kidney Disease is over 100,000 per year. There’s a lot of burden relating to kidney disease in India, given the inequality in access to health care due to disparities in wealth and literacy. Causes in India Hypertension can cause chronic kidney disease, Image Credits: Pixabay Diabetes and Hypertension are two major reasons causing kidney related diseases in India. Urinary tract infections that lead to infection and scarring of the kidneys and autoimmune diseases, are also a few conditions that affect the kidneys especially in women. Early detection and treatment of these conditions are essential for good outcomes. In some cases, chronic kidney disease can negatively impact a woman’s fertility and the medication used to treat certain kidney diseases can have a similar effect. For women of child-bearing age, medications must be carefully selected. Access to preconception primary care to detect baseline problems in the kidney, and access to good prenatal and antenatal care is essential. Facts, Statistics and Trends The incidence of kidney failure also known as chronic kidney disease has doubled in the last 15 years. Currently over 1 million people worldwide are alive on dialysis or with a functioning graft. Diabetes is much more common in Asia in comparison with the white population and is an important reason for kidney failure. Hypertension is also a major cause of kidney failure and it too has seen a global increase in its incidence. This lifestyle related disorder is also more prone to affect the Asians when compared to the other western countries. Hypertension or diabetes account to around 66% kidney failures. In India, there are approximately 7.85 million people suffering from some kidney related disease. An estimate of around 15 to 30 million people are diagnosed with chronic kidney disease or evidence of any other kidney disease in the USA. Caption: Global map showing severity of kidney diseases, Image Credits: Wikipedia In India, due to extreme poverty and low literacy rate, 90% of the affected people do not get treated for their problem. Kidney shortage can be considered to be a global phenomenon especially in Asian countries. Most people do not get a donor or wait for years. An estimate of 735,000 deaths can be associated with the various kidney related issues the main cause being chronic kidney disease. The prevalence of end-stage renal disease requiring transplantation in India is estimated to be between 151 and 232 per million population. This means, in average, around 220,000 people require kidney transplantation in India. Currently, an approximate of 7500 kidney transplantations are performed at 250 kidney transplant centres across the nation. From this, 90% come from living donors and 10% from deceased donors. The key to the success of treating this disease is early identification, followed by maintenance of potential donors in the intensive care units. Most donations take place in private hospitals with few public hospitals participating too. #Facts #KidneyDiseases #Stats

Neurological disorders are growing at a fast rate all around the globe. Most people do not understand what exactly these disorders are and how it can affect the overall quality of life of those suffering. There exist more than 600-neurological diseases, and one of the most common misconceptions about  is that they are equivalent to a mental illness. It is thus necessary to understand what neurological disorders can do and get treated accordingly. Keeping this in mind let’s have a look at a few facts. The brain is the most important organ of the human body, Image Credits: Flickr Neurological Diseases Facts It’s Not a Mental Illnesses The common misconception about some neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease is that they are equivalent to mental illnesses. In most cases, memory and cognitive ability are untouched by neurological disorders. However, symptoms of a related disease can often be visible, like some mental illnesses. Leading Cause of Disability Worldwide Neurological problems can be blamed as the major reason for disability globally. 15% of the world’s population, that is close to around 1-billion people around the world, have a neurological disorder. Approximately 25% of all people aged 16 to 32 years have some chronic neurological issue. Neurological problems cause around 7 million lives every year globally. They’re Not Always Fatal The medical world judges the seriousness of a disease by the prevalence of death caused by it. Mortality statistics underestimate the suffering caused by diseases that may be non-fatal but may cause considerable disability. Neurological diseases don’t rank high on the list of fatal health problems as this may lead to neglect of the problem. This can thus be a big problem in developing countries and among less affluent populations. Functions of the body can be affected Thinking process can be affected by neurological disorders. , Image Credits: Pixabay When you develop a neurological disorder, it tends to impact in many ways as the nervous system is vital for the functioning of the body. Everyday activities like waking up, breathing, thinking, reading, remembering, and feeling emotions are disturbed. It is the nervous system that looks after the basic movements, balance, coordination, learning ability, hunger, body temperature, sense of touch etc. Neurological Problems Can be From Trauma Though some neurological problems develop for unknown reasons, real physical injuries caused to the brain or spinal cord can also be responsible. A traumatic brain injury can be the result of major shock or injury to the head. The spinal cord is the superhighway for the brain to send signals to reach the rest of your body to perform functions. Headaches Headaches are considered as one of the most prevalent neurological issues. Some other major reasons include stroke, epilepsy, dementia. It has also come to light that most people affected by these symptoms age from around 32-40. There are Effective Treatments Brain mapping, cyber knife, deep brain stimulation and gamma knife are four treatments that are usually adopted to limit the ailment and cure it. New techniques have also been developed that allow doctors to remove brain tumours without affecting the healthy tissue of the brain. Cyber knife is a technique used to treat such disorders, Image Credits: Commons Wikimedia Neurological Diseases Statistics and Trends About 30 million people in India suffer from various types of neurological diseases and the prevalence rate is estimated as 2,394 patients per 1,00,000 of the population. Between 1990 and 2015 the number of deaths due to neurological ailments raised by 36.7% worldwide. Neurological diseases accounted for 16.8 percent of global deaths in the year 2015. It was also noted that an estimate that from 50 million people with epilepsy, more than 80% of them come from the developing nations. Every 1 out of 6 suffer from neurological disorders or diseases around the globe. More than 50 million people globally are victims of epilepsy. Stroke kills approximately 6.2 million people annually. Around 10% of the people in the world are prevalent to migraines. With 7.7 million new cases every year, it is estimated that there are globally 35.6 million people affected by dementia. The World Health Organization stated that every year, millions are affected by neurological disorders, which includes 24 million that suffer from Alzheimer’s and 326 million who have migraines. #Facts #NeurologicalDiseases #Stats

Breast cancer is a condition where a tumor or lump forms in a woman’s breast due to abnormal multiplication and division of body cells. The condition can be treated by either removal, shrinking or controlling the division of cancer cells. Breast Cancer Treatment, Credit: flickr There are various methods of treatment. They include: Surgery: Surgical removal of the cancer tissue. Chemotherapy: A procedure in which drugs and medicines to shrink or kill abnormal cancer cells. Hormonal therapy: Shrinking or killing cancer cells by blocking the hormones required for their growth and division. Biological therapy: Triggers or initiates your immune system to fight cancer cells or control the side effects of other treatment options. Radiation therapy: High energy radiations are used to kill cancer tissues. The course or choice of treatment will be recommended by your doctors. Each type of breast cancer treatment comes with different side effects. One of the most distinct side effects is problems with a woman’s sex life. Sexual Side Effects Breast cancer treatment does not directly affect your ability to perform sexual intercourse. Instead, it affects your hormone levels and may create a decline in a positive image. As a result, the woman loses a general disinterest in their sex life. The most common side effects include: Hair loss, Credit: pixabay 1) Lack of confidence After chemotherapy, women become fatigued, nauseous, lose their hair, and experience excessive gain or lose weight. These side effects make them feel unattractive which adds to the decline of sexual interest due to lack of confidence. In addition, chemotherapy also leads to a decrease in the production of estrogen by the ovaries. As a result, they will experience menopausal symptoms. 2) Vaginal dryness Like chemotherapy, radiation therapy can also cause abnormal levels of estrogen by damaging your ovaries. As a result, one will experience dryness and irritation around the vagina area. Moreover, Radiation therapy can also cause the lining of your vagina to get inflamed and tender. As a result, sexual penetration becomes very painful and uncomfortable. 3) Menopausal symptoms The decrease in estrogen levels also affects the blood supply to your vagina. When this happens the vaginal tissues become softer, thinner, and less sensitive to sexual stimulation. Decreased blood supply also affects lubrication and thus, a woman will find it very difficult to achieve an orgasm. Anxiety and depression due to hormonal changes, Credit: pxfuel 4) Undesired hormonal changes Treatment like hormonal therapy greatly interferes with the normal balance of hormone levels in the body. Abnormal levels change cause behavioral changes in a woman like stress, depression, anxiety, hot flashes, sleeplessness, and fatigue. Conclusion: Overall Impact on Sex Life The overall impact due to these side effects leads to a loss of libido, the sexual desire or energy that a person possesses due to factors like difficulty reaching climax, pain during penetration, loss of sensation, and decrease in sexual hormones. Moreover, there are various physical, emotional, and mental changes that follow a cancer diagnosis. It does not only cause a problem in sex and intimacy but also it other areas of a woman’s life. These mental, physical, and emotional strains of dealing, managing, and getting treated for breast cancer make it very difficult for a woman to relax, be sexually aroused, and enjoy sexual intercourse. Libido Credit: pexels Managing Side Effects: Improving Sex Life Symptoms like pain and vaginal dryness, itchiness and inflammation can be managed in order to help a woman enjoy painless and comfortable intercourse. Doctors may recommend Topical anesthetics, ointments that will help ease out pain without compromising on sexual pleasure. It also serves as a lubricant to ensure easy penetration. Another way to control vaginal dryness is to indulge in low-dose vaginal estrogen therapy to to reduce side effects and increase a woman’s sex drive or sexual desire. #BreastCancerTreatment #SexualSideEffects

What is a Spinal Cord Injury? The spinal cord is a centre for coordinating reflexes which extends from the medulla oblongata to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. Any damage to the structure of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal cord can cause a temporary or permanent change in its function. Spinal cord injury is categorized into two types: Complete – it means a total loss of sensation and muscle function. In this type of injury, the spinal nerves below the injury completely lose its communication with the brain. Incomplete injury – It means that the spinal cord function is not completely shut-down and certaIn areas past the injury can still convey messages to certain parts of the brain. Spine Injury What are the Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury? Symptoms experienced from a spinal cord injury can vary in each individual. It also depends on the extent and degree of spinal injury. However, Spinal cord injuries of any type may result in one or more of the following symptoms: Loss of muscle function, and sensation Loss of bladder control Exaggerated reflex activities Muscle spasms Breathing problem Additionally, the paralysis which may also occur due to spinal cord injury may be of two types Also known as Tetraplegia, affects all the four limbs, trunk, and pelvic organ. In this type part of the trunk, legs and pelvic organs are paralysed. Is Smoking Causing Your Back Pain? What Makes Spinal Injuries so Dangerous? The spinal cord acts as a messenger between the brain and the rest of the body. These coordinated reflexes between the brain and the spinal cord allow you to move, feel, and work in a coordinated way. An injury to the spinal cord may stop the flow of messages below the site of the injury. Also, the extent of the injury may add on to the symptoms of the injury, if it has occurred closer to the brain. People who survive spinal cord injuries may pose various problems both physically and mentally. Some of these problems are listed below: Loss of Bladder Control – it is common in patients with a spinal injury which can increase the risk of urinary tract infections, or bladder and kidney stones. Altered bowel control – Control of your bowel movements is often altered with spinal cord injury. However, it can be regulated by consuming a high-fibre diet and taking certain medications. Skin sensation – Your touch sensation is lost and you may feel numb to heat, cold, and pressure sores. Circulatory control – A spinal cord injury may cause swelling of your extremities, orthostatic hypotension, and may increase the risk of developing blood clots. Another potential and life-threatening form of a circulatory disorder include autonomic hyperreflexia characterized by a dangerous rise in blood pressure. Respiratory Problems- The level of spinal cord injury determines your respiratory issues. If you have a cervical and thoracic spinal cord injury then you may be at higher risk of developing respiratory infections like pneumonia or other lung problems. The injury may also make it difficult for you to cough and breathe. Muscle tone- People with spinal cord injuries may experience muscle spasms or flaccidity in the muscles. Obesity and other diseases – Spinal cord injury leaves a person with limited mobility which place them at higher risk of obesity, cardiovascular disorders and diabetes. Sexual Health- Sexual health is also altered where a man may notice changes in erection and ejaculation and a woman may find difficulties with lubrication and loss of libido. Fertility and sexual function may also be decreased with spinal cord injury. Pain- Nerve pain along with other pains are found to be predominant in a person who has faced a spinal cord injury. Depression and anxiety – In addition to physical injuries, a person with SCI may also experience psychological issues like depression and anxiety. Coping with injury and pain may cause depressive behaviour in the person. Having a spinal cord injury may change your life and things forever. But you can still manage to live a rewarding life. There are many people with spinal cord injuries who are able to work, play sports, drive, and have relationships and families. There are numerous rehab teams that can provide support, training, and resources to help you move toward new goals. #Spinalcordinjury #Spineinjury

Knee Pain, Credits: Pixabay Whether you’re a competitive sportsperson, a gymnast, a runner or a daily walker, knee pain can put a stop to your favourite activities. Knee pain is a common condition faced by people of every age. It may result due to overuse, osteoarthritis, meniscus tear, tendinitis, or due to sprained knee muscles. So, what can you do to get back to your favourite activities and go back to gymming? The best thing you can do is, treat your debilitating knee pain! Try to do these stretches and exercises 4-5 times a week to strengthen your knee muscles and keep them flexible. 1.  Warm-Up Exercises Walking on a treadmill, Credits: Pixabay Knee pain can hurt if you start doing a hardcore workout. So, start slowly by taking a brisk walk of 2 – 5 minutes, riding a stationary bike or performing a few push-ups followed by calf raises. Benefits: Practising warm-up exercises will prepare you for a workout, stretch, and also lower your risk of an injury. 10 Yoga Poses If You Have Bad Knees 2.  Straight Leg Raises Straight leg raise, Credits: wikimedia If you find it hard with your knees then you can start doing simple straight leg raises. This exercise puts little or no strain on your knees. How to: Lie in a supine position Try to bend your right knee while placing the right foot flat on the floor Lift the other leg straight, and raise it to the height of the opposite knee. Repeat this position for 10-15 times and then practice it with the other leg. Benefits: It helps strengthen your quadriceps and the muscles in the front of your thighs. 3.  Hamstring Curls Hamstring curls, Credits: pixabay Hamstring curls involve the muscles along the back of your thigh. How to: Lie flat in a prone position or on your stomach. Try to bring your heels as close to your butt by bending your knees, and hold in that position. Do three sets of 15. You can also perform this while standing and holding onto a support and lifting one leg at a time. Benefits: It helps release the tension in your knees and makes it flexible. 4.  Prone Straight Leg Raises This exercise is great for activating hamstrings and glutes. How to: Lie flat on your stomach Lift your right leg towards the ceiling without bending Hold the leg in the position for 3-5 seconds, lower, and repeat. Do 10-15 lifts and repeat it with left leg. Benefits: It is good for your lower body, helps strengthen the lower back, glutes and hamstrings. 5. Wall Squats Wall squats, Credits: pixabay It is an advanced move, and if you are able to perform this then you are on your way to a speedy recovery. How to: Stand with your feet two ft apart against a wall. Squat down with a tight core, lowering your body towards the floor. Make sure your back and pelvis are against the wall. Hold onto this position as much as you can, and withdraw it if you feel pain or pressure. Repeat the exercise, with a few seconds longer each time. Benefits:  Provides strength and endurance to your glute muscles, abductor muscles, calves, hamstring and quadriceps. 6. Calf Raises Calf raises, Credits: pixabay This exercise helps target the calf muscles of the lower leg and gastronomic muscles and strengthens them. How to: Stand up straight. Raise your heels, until you are standing on your toes. Make sure you have certain support to hold you in case you fall. Hold it for a few minutes, then try to bring your heels slowly down. Repeat this for 10-15 times. Benefits: It helps strengthen the muscles in your calves, provide stability and strengthen your ankle. 7. Step-Ups Step-ups, Credits: flickr Step-ups are just like climbing stairs. They are simple yet effective, you can try step-ups with higher height benches or climbing 2-3 steps at a time. How to: Find a step, chair, or bench which can help you perform this exercise. Place one foot on a step bench, level your pelvis, then bend your knee. Place your opposite foot flat on the floor while touching your toe to the floor. Repeat these 10-15 times and switch legs. Benefits: Works on muscles in the legs and buttocks. It strengthens the gluteal muscles, hamstrings, and quadriceps. 8. Side Leg Raises Side-lying leg raise, Credits: pixabay Side leg raises are the favorite exercise recommended by physiotherapists. It’s because it has many benefits in treating conditions like osteoarthritis, knee pain and also helps curb those abdomen fats. How to: Lie on your left side and keep your legs straight. Slowly lift your left leg towards the ceiling without bending your knee. Hold the position for few seconds and then slowly bring it down. Similarly, do it on your other side. Benefits: This exercise improves balance, strengthens your knee and hip, improves your daily functions like climbing stairs, walking, and squatting to pick up things. #Kneepain #KneeStrengtheningExercises

A fever is a condition in which the average or normal body temperature rises above 98.6°F or 37°C. It can either be caused by pathogens or act as a secondary symptom to other illnesses. Checking for fever, Image Credit: pexels Here are some Tropical fevers facts, statistical records, and trends in India: 1) Areas and countries in the tropical and subtropical regions on the globe are prone to febrile infections caused by pathogens like a number of viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. This condition or illness that is unique to these specific regions is known as Tropical fever. 2) The most common and prevalent tropical fevers in India are: Scrub typhus: It contributes to 18.2% of total cases in India with more than 1 million cases occurring annually. This acute febrile illness is dominant during the monsoons and winters. Malaria: WHO estimates 15 million cases and 20,000 deaths due to malaria in India, annually. It contributes to 8.1% of total cases. estimate for 96 million cases and 40,000 deaths every year. It contributes to 23% Dengue: Around 3.9 million Indians are at risk of contracting dengue, with an of cases of tropical fevers in India. Typhoid or enteric fever: It contributes to 1.1% of total cases. India, along with Bangladesh and Pakistan, is one of the top countries with the highest rates of travel-associated typhoid. In 2015, 18,45,997 cases were reported with 393 deaths. Leptospirosis: It contributes to 1.5% of tropical fever cases with less than 10,000 cases are reported, annually. Most cases originate from states like Kerala, Gujarat, Tamilnadu, and Maharashtra. Although, WHO estimates an annual report of 0.1-1.0 cases a year. Sepsis: In southeast Asia, India has the second-highest sepsis death rate and contributes to 7% of total cases of tropical fevers India. It has a death rate of 213 per 1,00,000 people. Meningitis: It accounts for 8.1% of total cases. Between 2014 and 2015, around 16, 217 cases and 300 deaths were reported in India with the highest number of cases originating from Bihar (8871 cases). Stats 3) Cause: Although tropical fever occurs throughout the year, the number of cases are skyrocketed during the monsoon and post-monsoon season. This is because when the temperature initially goes down during the end of summer and the start of monsoon, humidity rises and water collects in areas. This condition makes it extremely favorable for mosquitoes to breed and thrive and spread vector-borne diseases that commonly cause fever. In addition to that, the rising problem of climate change has lead to unpredicted rainfall, and as a result, rainwaters get accumulated in construction areas and other places. This further aids in the breeding of mosquitoes. 4) There are five variations of fever prevalent in India: Intermittent Fever: A condition where the body temperature remains 37° C during the day but rises during the night. It is typically caused by parasitic or bacterial infections. Sudden High Fever: A sudden increase in the body temperature followed by tiredness, fatigue, body ache and headache Continuous Fever: The body temperature is above nominal levels throughout the day and remains constant. Remittent Fever: This condition is similar to Continuous fever but the temperature can continuously fluctuate by a small difference. Rheumatic Fever: This condition is caused by the streptococcal bacteria which initially causes throat infection but which when left untreated, can lead to painful fever. Moreover, white spots appear on the tonsils and tongue along with inflammation and headache. Most common fever types and medical diagnosis in India, Image Credit: Pikist 5) The symptoms of most tropical fevers tend to overlap with one another and are difficult to diagnose at the time of presentation. This is why all similar emergency cases in the ICU must be suspected and treated as a serious illness by physicians in order to decrease morbidity and mortality. In order to diagnose the illness or disease, physicians have divided tropical fevers into five major syndromes: Undifferentiated fever: Malaria, dengue, scrub typhus, leptospirosis, typhoid, and other common viral fevers. Fever with a rash: Rickettsial infections, meningococcal infection, malaria, measles, rubella, and dengue. Fever with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): Scrub typhus, falciparum malaria, influenza ( H1N1), leptospirosis, hantavirus infection, melioidosis, severe community-acquired pneumonia, and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Fever with encephalopathy: Encephalitis, meningitis, scrub typhus, cerebral malaria, and typhoid encephalopathy. Fever with multi-organ dysfunction: Dengue, sepsis due to bacteria, falciparum malaria, leptospirosis, hepatitis A or E, Hantavirus, hemophagocytosis, and macrophage activation syndrome. #Fevers #FeversFacts #TropicalFevers

Malaria is a life-threatening, vector-borne disease that is caused by a plasmodium parasite. The extent or impact of the infection to human health depends on the species of parasite and most deadly species are prevalent in India. Malaria Mosquito, Image Credit: pixabay Facts on Malaria #1 The state that records the highest number of cases in India in Orissa. The state population is around 36.7 million and it contributes to 25% of the total reported cases annually. The percentage contribution to the cases in other states include: Maharashtra:2% Madhya Pradesh: 6% Karnataka: 7% Jharkhand: 7% Gujarat: 5% Goa: 1% Chattisgarh: 13% Andhra Pradesh: 2% West Bengal: 11% Uttar Pradesh: 5% Tamil Nadu: 2% Rajasthan: 4% #2 One of the main problems scientists face in trying to treat the disease is due to the widespread problems of drug resistance by vector-borne diseases, especially malaria. Chloroquine resistance in Plasmodium Falciparum and intense transmission has been reported and confirmed in the following areas: The northeastern state of Assam Arunachal Pradesh Mizoram Nagaland Suggested Read: 8 Facts About Dengue That May Surprise You #3 There are types or species of plasmodium that can infect a person: Plasmodium falciparum (or P. falciparum) Plasmodium malariae (or P. malariae) Plasmodium vivax (or P. vivax) Plasmodium ovale (or P. ovale) Plasmodium knowlesi (or P. knowlesi) Malaria Parasites, Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons Out of these five species, P. Falciparum and P. Vivax pose the greatest threat as they are the two most dominant and prevalent malarial species and contribute to more than 60% of the reported cases in India. Plasmodium ovale and Plasmodium malariae cases have also been reported in a few areas in the country. #4 Historically, this disease has proven to be an economic burden to the country. In 1935, the estimated loss of rupees was 42 crores in terms of financial loss and loss of wages in the community. Some studies show that the total economic burden from malaria in India could be anywhere around 194 crores from financial loss and treatment cost. #5 Funding: Global funds have invested over $2 billion for India to fight diseases, since 2005. Out of these funds, around $200 million has been disbursed to malaria. In 2019, the Government of India Increased NVBDCP funding by 25% in order to increase their support and push for progress. #6 In November 2015, the Prime Minister of India joined 17 Asia Pacific leaders and pledged to eliminate malaria by 2030. Trends and Statistics India contributes 77% of total malaria in Southeast Asia. From 1990 to date, WHO South East Asia Regional Office estimates 15 million cases and 20,000 deaths in India, annually. Although out of that, India only confirms around 2 million cases and 1,000 deaths every year. Although there was not a well-accepted fact until recently, an incidence gap of 68%-98% existed between the reported and true incidence in India, after an investigation and surveillance were carried out. From the year 2001- 2017, a decline in the trends in the transmission had from 2 million cases in 2001 to around 1-1.2 cases in 2017. History of Malaria Control in India After India got its independence in 1947, 22% of the total population (330 million) was estimated to suffer from the disease. Around that time, 75 million cases and 0.8 million cases were reported annually. To deal with this matter, the authorities launched the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) in 1953. Initially, the programme was successful in keeping a check, reducing incidents deaths but in 1976, there was a massive increase due to poor health, funding, and the development of vector resistance. Similar increasing and decreasing trends were observed every 10 years and the programme evolved to other programmes like National Malaria Eradication Programme (NMEP), Enhanced Malaria Control Project (EMCP) and finally, the NMCP merged with other vector-borne disease programmes and formed the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) in 2002. The NVBDCP launched new tools for prevention and control and has been progressive in the programme ever since. #FactsonMalaria #Malaria #TrendsandStatistics

Respiratory disease or lung disease is a condition that negatively affects the functioning of the lungs, respiratory tract, or both. It is very common and prevalent in India. Lung disease, Image Credit: Wikipedia Global and National Extent According to WHO, in India, deaths due to respiratory diseases account for 11% of total deaths in the country. In every one lakh people, an estimated amount of 142 people die from lung disease. The country bears 18% of the world population but 32% of the global burden of respiratory diseases. Common Respiratory Diseases in India The most common lung diseases that cause major health problems in India are: ● Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) This condition has been showing increasing trends in the country since the 1990s and the rates have surpassed Pulmonary tuberculosis in recent years. The cases have increased from 28 million in 1990 to 55.3  million in 2016. In spite of this condition being highly treatable, half a million Indians die every year due to the lack of awareness and underdiagnosis. The main symptoms that get ignored are breathlessness and coughing as people associate that with old age. Sometimes, the condition also gets mistaken for asthma due to its similar symptoms. One must note that Asthma causes acute attacks but the person still has a normal lung function while in case of COPD, the lung conditions deteriorate and if not treated adequately or effectively, it is very fatal. Infants suffering from pneumonia, Image Credit: flickr ● Pneumonia According to WHO, India had the second-highest number of deaths (127,000)  in children under the age of 5 due to pneumonia in 2018. They are then followed by Pakistan (58,000), the Democratic Republic of Congo (40,000), and Ethiopia (32,000). WHO claims that 1 in every 39 children are at risk. Researchers also claim that one of the factors that were linked with these deaths was poverty which resulted in a lack of access to drinking water, inadequate health care, undernutrition, and excessive air pollution in India. ● Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) According to WHO in 2018, the number of TB cases was estimated to be around 2.69 million that year. This means that every 199 out of 100,000 people in India suffer from this disease. Uttar Pradesh contributes to 17% of the population but accounts for 20% of the total TB cases in India with around 420,000 reported cases. One of the reasons for such high numbers is due to poverty as a large sum of the population cannot diagnosis, care, or treatment of prescribed drugs. Currently, only the 1.5 million patients already under the Indian government’s care get free treatments for TB. ● Asthma About 6% of adults and 2% of children India’s 1.31 billion population and accounts for 10-20% of the reported cases that are related to respiratory disease. In 2015, there were approximately 358.2 million reported cases with 0.44 million deaths. Developing countries like India account for 80% of asthma deaths worldwide. One of the major reasons for the increase in asthma cases is due to the heavy economic burden in a developing country. From the year 2012 to 2016, there has been a 43% increase in the prices in healthcare and treatment. #RespiratoryDiseases #RespiratoryDiseasesFacts #RespiratoryDiseasesStats #RespiratoryDiseasesTrends