Cervical Spondylosis (Degenerative neck disease )

Cervical Spondylosis/ Degenerative neck disease

General Info about Cervical Spondylosis

The area, which are commonly affected by Cervical Spondylosis are from the fourth to seventh vertebral bones. The discs present in between the two vertebrae loses height due to ageing or degeneration or sometimes due to injury.

In cervical spondylosis the ligament of the joints become thick and shortened. The disc space becomes narrow and gradually compresses the nerve. In advanced cases of Cervical Spondylosis, spinal cord is affected and may also lead to paralysis of the arm.


Galen as far back as in 160 AD recognized this protective effect of the discs and said:

'Probably then, provident nature made the nerves grow out from the spinal medulla right at the point where the lateral parts of the vertebrae come to an end, so that the nerves may not suffer in any way'.

Who are commonly prone to cervical spondylosis?
It is common in middle-aged people.
Women are affected more than men.

Degeneration occurs at different people at different rates. Pain is not common in all who undergo the ageing process, it occurs in the presence of any one of the precipitating factor as enlisted in the causes below.

Cervical Dystonia (Torticollis / Stiff Neck / Wryneck )

Torticollis / Stiff Neck / Wryneck / Cervical Dystonia

General Info about Torticollis

The word 'Torticollis' comes from the Latin
, tortus meaning "Twisted" and Collum meaning "Neck".

Torticollis refers to the neck in a twisted or bent position due to imbalance of neck muscles and leads to involuntary contractions of the neck muscle refers to presentation of the neck in a twisted or bent position due to non-symmetry of neck muscles leading to involuntary contractions of the neck muscle.

This condition affects the neck muscles which become tender and soft. The neck gradually begins to bend to one side. Family history of the condition increases the chances of suffering from the condition. In such cases, the condition may gradually start and begin to bend the neck to one side during the middle age. It is medically termed as spasmodic torticollis and this twist in the neck manifests as spasms.

Timely treatment is extremely crucial, lest the condition becomes permanent. Torticollis can also develop due to injury or in some cases as a side-effect to certain medications.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer - Overview

Cervical cancer
is a slowly progressing disease, which affects the lining of the mouth of the uterus, known as cervix

Cancer is a disease, which is caused by the uncontrolled growth and proliferation of cells. Cancer that affects the lining of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus, is known as cervical cancer.

The surface of the cervical lining comprises of two cell types, the squamous and the columnar cells. Squamous cells are resistant to injury while the columnar cells forms glands and secrete a mucus- like fluid. The region in the cervix where there is a transition from one cell type to another is called squamo-columnar junction. This is the area that is most prone to develop cancer. During a Pap-screening test, samples from this area are removed to be examined.

Cancer of the cervix develops gradually and becomes full-blown over a period of time. The abnormal changes that the cervical cells develop which transform them to a pre-cancerous state are referred to as 'Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia' (CIN). Based on its degree or intensity, these changes are classified as low grade CIN and high grade CIN.
CIN may eventually progress to Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (SIL) or it may develop into Carcinoma In-situ, which is localized malignant growth. SIL can be further divided into low or high grade.

High-grade SIL and Carcinoma in-situ may transform into Invasive Carcinoma, which spreads to adjacent tissues. The Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the uterus, seen in 80-90% of the cases, mostly affects the squamous cells, while the Adenocarcinoma, affecting the glandular cells, is observed in the remaining cases.

Cervical Cancer

Cephalgia (Headache )

Headache / Cephalgia

About

A headache literally means ‘pain in the head’. It is a common complaint that may occur frequently in some


'Every head has its own headache'
- Arab proverb

A headache literally means ‘pain in the head’. In many cases, it does not stop with the head and may extend on to the neck and upper back. It is a very common complaint that may occur frequently in some people.

The brain is itself pain-free as it lacks nociceptors;however, the surrounding membrane, dura, and the associated blood vessels have pain receptors and are highly prone to pain. Any irritation to these membranes and blood vessels result in aches. Irritations to the head muscles too can result in a painful experience.

The common causes for a headache include stress/tensions, dehydration, eye stain, migraine, sinusitis and low levels of blood sugar. Headaches may also occur due to life-threatening conditions like brain tumors, encephalitis, meningitis, increased BP, cerebral aneurysms and brain tumors. Head injuries are other causes of headaches. In women, headaches can be caused by the fluctuating levels of hormones, such as estrogen.

Headaches are often harmless and they tend to go away by themselves. In some rare cases, migraines can be associated with stroke.

In the vast majority of the cases, the pain is relieved by simple, over- the- counter, pain-relieving pills such as aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol. Certain headaches do not go away by themselves and may require more specific treatment accompanied by lifestyle changes.

Cellulite Treatment

Cellulite Treatment

Get that svelte, toned look at affordable prices by traveling abroad.

Cellulite is a skin condition, also known by other synonyms such as 'orange peel syndrome' or 'cottage cheese skin'. It mostly affects women of all sizes and shapes and age. It is also observed in some men.

Stress and a lot of other lifestyle factors play a role in causing cellulite. The only impact of this condition is that it is considered aesthetically offensive by some as the skin overlying the thighs, abdomen and buttocks become dimpled and lumpy.

If you pinch the skin over these areas, your skin may become dimply or tender, or may appear paler or may feel colder in comparison to the rest of the body. If such is your case, you are a candidate for cellulite treatment.

Some of the treatments offered for cellulite are listed below-

ENDERMOLOGIE - also referred to as "liponic sculpturing", is not a surgical procedure. Here a patented vaccum device is used to do ‘deep massage’ on the affected areas to improve blood flow and aid in lymph drainage. It also breaks down the fat cells and provides a smooth contour.

MESOTHERAPY- Here small quantities of medications and vitamins are injected into the middle layer of skin over the affected areas. The drugs help to dissolve the fat while the vitamins help in healing. Initially, redness and inflammation may result from the injections, but it would subside after a day or two.

RejuveSkin, is a novel breakthrough to treat cellulite. This procedure involves ‘special solution’ and ‘special tools’created exclusively for the method.

Laser and electromagnetic - assisted treatments and target cell liposuction are also carried out to treat cellulite.

Initially there may be swelling and discomfort There may be a few associated risks too, such as infections. But things get back to normal within a few days. However, you may be advised against strenuous activities for a while.

Ayurvedic Massage - Some of the best treatment for cellulite is found in the traditional Indian Ayurvedic method of treatment consisting of detoxifying massages carried out by expert therapists.

Aroma Massages - Massages using oils and other aromatic substances also find favor with many.

None of these treatments have found universal support although many have gained by them. Along with the treatment modalities, a healthy diet, coupled with regular exercises, is mandatory.

Get Cellulite treatment at affordable prices by traveling abroad. But first check out the credentials of the plastic surgeon and the hospital or consult us first to help you.

Causes of Hair Loss

Causes of Hair Loss

Worried about your thinning hair? Before you leap into a course of treatment, look at what might be causing your hair to fall. Here are a few common reasons why people lose hair (listed in order of the control an individual can exercixe over them, and how common these conditions are):

1. Trichotillomania,

2. Hair treatments and styling

3. Genetics

4. Disruption of the hair-growth cycle

5. Skin diseases

6. Chronic diseases

7. Side effect of medicines


1. Trichotillomania

People who suffer from trichotillomania (which is classified as a psychological disorder) pull out their hair, mostly as a result of stress – some people actually do it so compulsively they even go bald. Usually, their hair is lost in patches. Sometimes the hair shaft is broken, and occasionally the follicle itself is damaged and scarred. The more the scarring, the less the chance of hair re-growth.


The best solution for this is to realize that that you are pulling out your own hair and then stop doing it! If you feel you are unable to stop the uncontrolled hair pulling in spite of knowing that the habit is seriously thinning your hair, seek professional help from a psychotherapist.

2. Hair treatments and styling

Hair treatments with hot oils or irons, and perming, coloring, bleaching, or straightening, will weaken your hair and cause it to break off. Even using blow dryers weakens hair, and can thin hair out over the years if you use the dryers on the hottest setting all the time.

One type of hair style – pulling the hair tight into pony tails or braids - can lead to hair being pulled out of its roots in some women. This kind of hair loss can actually be permanent if the style has been worn a long time and the hair follicles are scarred – which means they will not produce new hair.

3. Genetics

If you are going bald, or thinning out, and your parents and grandparents haven’t had great ‘coverage’ either, chances are your hair loss is genetic. The culprit hormone behind most hair loss (DHT or, dihydrotestosterone) is produced in different quantities by different people, and hair follicles seem to have different susceptibilities to the effects of this hormone – these differences are programmed into our genes,

That does not mean that you can do nothing about it. A lot of ‘male pattern baldness’ or androgenetic alopecia responds to well to the latest medicines being developed to treat it.

4. Disruption of the hair-growth cycle

Life stresses like pregnancy, surgery, or severe illness or trauma can lead to hair loss. Usually the major part of hair loss happens two or three months after the event – because even though the hair may stop growing at the time of stress, the root dies and the hair falls out only later. During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause the body to hold on to hair that will be normally shed. When the pregnancy is over and hormones return to their ordinary levels, this hair will fall out.

Most people recover from this kind of hair loss naturally (so long as the stressor is a short-term event).

5. Skin diseases

Some people lose hair in small patches over the scalp – a condition called alopecia areata. This is believed to be a kind of auto-immune disease which occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissue. The patches sometimes disappear spontaneously, but treatment with medicines is also an option.

Some skin diseases like ringworm and psoriasis, when they affect the scalp, can cause hair fall. The hair fall usually stops once the disease is controlled.

6. Other diseases and malnutrition

Sometimes hair fall can be a symptom of an underlying disease like diabetes, lupus, or polycystic ovaries. If you have thyroid disease – whether your thyroid is overactive or underactive – you will have poor quality hair that falls easily.

Hair fall can also be a sign of nutritional
deficiencies. Iron deficiency can cause hair fall, and people whose diet does not have enough protein and calcium will also lose hair. This is why women on a crash diet, or those who have disorders like anorexia or bulimia, often lose a lot of hair.

7. Side effects of drugs

Most people know that severe hair fall (that may sometimes even lead to baldness) is a side effect of chemotherapy drugs for cancer
. But what most people do not know is that medicines for depression, bipolar disorder, and acne can also cause hair loss. Any medicine containing amphetamines – often prescribed for Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders and also present in diet pills – can cause your hair to fall.

The good news is that once you stop these medicines, your hair should grow back automatically.

If you can clearly pinpoint the reason why you are losing hair, choosing the right treatment course becomes a lot easier. Accordingly, you can introduce desirable lifestyle or fashion changes and if required, consult a doctor.


Compiled by: Susan Vinodh Pandian

Reviewed by: Tanya Thomas

Uploaded by: Mani

Cataract in Detail

About Cataract


Cataract is derived from the Greek word cataraetos, which describes especially running water. Rapidly running water turns white, as do nature of cataracts. The lens is a crystalline transparent structure, situated within the eyeball composed of protein and water. As long as the lens is transparent we are able to see the world. Any factor that leads to a loss of transparency of the lens can cause cataract.

Cataract

General Info about Cataract

The most common condition related to aging is cataract. More than quarter of all Indians aged 65 and older have a cataract. A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens. When the lens becomes cloudy, the light is blocked and scattered, and therefore the image that appears is blurred. As a cataract develops, it becomes harder for a person to see. The lens is that part of the eye which helps to focus light on the retina. The retina is the eye's sensitive layer that sends visual signals to the brain. To produce a sharp image, the lens must remain clear.

Cardiac Catheterization (Coronary Angiogram )

Cardiac Catheterization / Coronary Angiogram

About Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is a radiological procedure for both diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions. It involves the insertion of a long thin flexible tube called catheter a vein or an artery to the heart.

The common insertion site for the catheters are groin, arm or neck. An interventional cardiologist can do this procedure. It is performed in a sterile "catheterization laboratory" or "Cath lab". During catheteriztion, contrast material (also called dye) is injected and X-ray images can be viewed live or recorded for future references.

Cardiac catheterization can be done at any age, including for new borns. The procedure approximately takes an hour or more depending on the condition for which it is performed. In the United states, more than one million Americans have angiograms and cardiac catheterization done every year. More than half of these patients have angioplasty or bypass surgery to improve blood supply to their heart.

Picture Of Cardiac Cath Lab

Claude Bernard was the first to catheterize a horse in the 19th century.

The first person to try and insert a catheter into a human heart was Werner Forssmann, in 1929. He had performed this act on himself under the guidance of fluoroscopy. Back then, it was considered a disapproving act until 1956 when he was recognized and awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology along with André Cournand and Dickinson W.Richards.

Cardiac Catheterization

Carcinoma of The Breast (Breast Cancer )

Breast Cancer / Carcinoma of the Breast

About


Breast cancer, as the name suggests, is a cancer that affects the breasts or mammary glands.

It is the second most popular cancer after lung cancer and is the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths world wide.


On a global scale breast cancer is the most common cancer amongst women . According to estimates, in the 2004 alone breast cancer caused 519,000 deaths worldwide.

Breast cancer incidence increases with age; the older the woman, the more aggressive the evaluation techniques employed. Nevertheless, younger women with breast lumps are at a far greater risk for breast cancer in comparison to asymptomatic women of the same age group, and to older women.

Breast cancer mostly occurs in women over the age of 50, and the risk is especially high for women over age 60.

Contrary to popular belief that it is a woman’s affliction, it can affect both men and women.

A combination of enviornmental factors and genes are responsible for this cancer. In familial breast cancers. a mutation in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 play a major role in the disease onset.

Breast cancer can be inherited both from either a female or a male relative who may have had the disease or who acts as a carrier of the mutant gene(s).

Breast cancer incidence varies vastly worldwide. It is significantly higher in the developed countries of the world in comparison to the less-developed ones. There has been a surge in the number of affected individals since the 1970s and experts are of the opinion that the indulgent lifestyles of the western world could be largely responsible.

Breast cancer is also found to occur more often in white women than African American or Asian women. Several studies have revealed that the breast cancer scenario in the US is quite different for a for a black women in comparison to her white counterpart. The former is more likely to die from the disease although it is the latter who is more frequently diagnosed with the disease. This. experts say. is a reflection of the socio-economic and cultural disparity that exists among the races and that it is highly likely that the black woman has less access to screening and treatment facilities.

Breast lumps need to be taken seriously because the vast majority of breast cancers are detected as a palpable lesions sometimes by the clinician during a regular check or by the patient herself.It can also present as non palpable lesions during a routine mammography.It must be noted that the palpable lesions are assessed quite differently from the non -palpable lesions.

Breast cancer is one of the oldest cancers known to man. However, it is only with the modern understanding of the systemic nature disease that effective treatments began to evolve.

A pink ribbon denotes the struggle of the sufferers when fighting the cancer. In 1996 the pink and blue ribbon was designed to create awareness of the fact that "Men Get Breast Cancer Too!”

Breast Cancer - Facts

• Breast cancer is 100 times more frequent in women in comparison to men. Prognosis is the same in both.

• Most common cancer in women - the incidence rate among females is twice as much as that of colorectal cancer and cervical cancer and approximately three times that of lung cancer

• Globally, the incidence of breast cancer is the highest among American women.

• 16% of women between the age of 40-60 years have breast-related problems. Of these 40% complain of breast lumps

• In women over 40 years, these breast lumps may carry a risk of breast cancer

• However, the majority of these breast- related complaints may be due to benign breast disease.

Cannabis

About Cannabis

Cannabis has a long history of medicinal, recreational, and industrial use and comes from a bushy plant, with thick sticky flowers, called Cannabis Sativa.

Cannabis or Hemp otherwise known as 'marijuana' or 'marihuana',

• Cannabis is produced from dried leaves from the Hemp plant, 'Cannabis Sativa'.
• The active ingredients from this plant are called 'marijuana', or 'marihuana'.
• An interesting point about marihuana is that it makes some people lose focus on events around them, while it elevates the physical sensations in others.
• Cannabis is a drug that affects an individual by acting on the brain.
• 50 percent of the chemicals that make up Cannabis are the potent 'cannabinoids', of which the most active is D-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC).
• Traveling through the blood stream the chemicals bind to specific receptors in the brain causing changes in the nerve cells resulting in specific effects.
• Marihuana 'high' is felt as the THC reaches the brain through the blood within 5 minutes of intake, and the effect may last up to 5 hours.

Cancer Pain

General Info about Pain

Pain is a form of sensation. Normally, pain alerts us to a bodily injury or illness. Everyone feels pain and so it is important for patients to be able to describe their pain to the doctor.

Cancer of The Stomach (Gastric Cancer )

Gastric Cancer / Cancer Of The Stomach

General Info About Gastric Cancer

The stomach is part of the digestive system. It is located in the upper abdomen, under the ribs on the left side. The upper part of the stomach connects to the esophagus, and the lower part leads into the small intestine.

The stomach is shaped like the letter J. Nearby the stomach are organs such as the liver, left kidney with left adrenal gland, pancreas, colon, and spleen.

The clinical term for cancer of the stomach is gastric cancer.

Approximately 24,000 new cases of gastric cancer are diagnosed each year in this country. And there are about 700,000 new cases diagnosed worldwide.

The disease is found most often in people over age 55. It affects men twice as often as women, and is more common in black people than in white people.

Also, stomach cancer is more common in some parts of the world -- such as Japan, Korea, parts of Eastern Europe, and Latin America -- than in the United States.

Cancer of The Adrenal Cortex (Adreno Cortical Carcinoma / Adreno Cortical Cancer / Adrenal Cortex Cancer )

Adreno Cortical Carcinoma / Adreno Cortical Cancer / Cancer of the Adrenal Cortex / Adrenal Cortex Cancer

About

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an incompletely understood rare malignancy with poor treatment outcome and prognosis.

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that affects the outer layer (cortex) of the adrenal glands situated atop the kidneys. The cortex has several important functions such as producing adrenaline, nor adrenaline and steroid hormones besides controlling heart beat rate and blood pressure.

This condition affects about 1-2 million people annually; children below the age of 6 years and adults aged between 30-40 years are the most affected.




The adrenal is an important hormonal gland of the body and produces glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids and sex hormones hence the cancer of this gland can cause excess production of these hormones leading to many syndromes depending on the cell type that proliferates. Sometimes the cell type that proliferates may not produce a functional tumor.

In children when it manifests as a cancer it is usually a functional tumor. Virilization is by far the most common presenting symptom, followed by Cushing's syndrome and precocious puberty.

Among adults presenting with hormonal syndromes, Cushing's syndrome alone is most common, followed by mixed Cushing's and virilization (glucocorticoid and androgen overproduction). Feminization and Conn syndrome (mineralcorticoid excess) occur in less than 10% of cases.

In adults the presentation maybe as a functional tumor or a non-functional tumor (almost in 40%). Among functional tumors the most common is Cushing's syndrome, followed by mixed Cushing's and virilization. Feminization and Conn syndrome (due to mineralcorticoid excess) occur in less than 10% of cases.

Like any cancer this can also often invade nearby tissues or spread to distant organs like bone, liver and lungs.

Cancer of Ovary (Ovarian Cancer )

Ovarian Cancer / Cancer of Ovary

Ovarian Cancer - Overview

Ovarian cancer affects both the ovaries and is referred to as the 'silent killer' as the symptoms go unnoticed until the disease advances.

Ovarian cancer is a disease in which there is rapid division and growth of cells in one or both the ovaries. It is also known as the 'silent killer' because most often the symptoms go unnoticed until the disease advances. It is the fifth most common cancer in women and affects the ovaries, which are the female reproductive organs that produces the ova or the egg. Ovaries also secrete the sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone and are two in number. They are located within the pelvic region on either side of the uterus.

Ovarian cancer is responsible for 5% of the total cancer deaths among women. Early detection of ovarian cancer increases the woman's chances of survival. Other factors that affect the survival rates are age, stage of cancer, and tissue type.

The ovaries contain cells which multiply to maintain tissue health, but when the growth control is lost, cells divide faster resulting in a cellular mass or tumor. If it does not invade the surrounding tissue and is confined to a few layers then it is a benign tumor. On the other hand if the tumor spreads to surrounding tissues and organs, it is considered malignant.

Campylobacteriosis

Campylobacteriosis


What is Campylobacteriosis

Campylobacteriosis is a Zoonotic disease caused by a bacterium Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni is the most common cause of gastroenteritis worldwide. Campylobacter causes 5%-14% of all diarrohea that occurs worldwide.


Infection occurs due to consumption of contaminated food, water or raw milk.

calcium and vitamin supplements

Calcium and Vitamin Supplements

Calcium and Vitamin Supplements - Why the Supplements

Humans are by nature inquisitive and insatiable. They tirelessly pursue a perfect healthy body. Calcium and vitamin supplements are taken to provide the body with the 'required' nutrients.

People want their daily doses of health through minerals & vitamins not through diet, but through a short cut, via supplements. Various supplements are available in the market and all boast of being the best. These rooftop proclamations of "I am the best" leave the consumer confused. This is an objective effort to clear the mist over supplements and guide the consumers.

caffey-silverman disease (Infantile Cortical Hyperostosis )

Infantile Cortical Hyperostosis / Caffey-Silverman disease

Introduction

Infantile Cortical Hyperostosis is an unusual disease of an unknown etiology. It is also known as Caffey's disease or Caffey-Silverman disease after the persons who discovered it. The main feature of the disease is a peculiar cortical thickening of certain bones like the mandible, the clavicles, and the shafts of long bones. Several other diseases like syphilis, scurvy, rickets and traumatic injury also produce cortical thickening in bones, but as yet researchers
have been unable to find any link between these diseases and infantile cortical hyperostosis.