General Health Topics

The list below provides some examples of the articles available in the InsHeal Content Repository on general health topics. For further details and sample articles, please reach out to us at: insheal@insiwi.co.in.

Topic	Description
Allergy to Antibiotics	Allergic reactions to medications, especially antibiotics, are not uncommon. Alternative options are available for those who are allergic to a particular group of antibiotics.
Antibiotic Resistance in India – Time for Action	Antibiotic resistance could result in redundancy of some of the commonly used antibiotics, and create a deficit in the available treatments. Judicious use of antibiotics is the need of the hour.
Chronic insomnia	Insomnia is a sleep disorder associated with a difficulty in falling asleep and/or maintaining the sleep for the required duration. While sleep hygiene techniques may help some individuals with insomnia, others may need medications.
Companion diagnostic tests	Companion diagnostic tests detect an abnormality in a gene or a protein responsible for a cancer, and an associated treatment to specifically treat that abnormality is available.
Conditions associated with Insomnia	People with insomnia are at a risk of conditions such as heart disease, depression, diabetes and obesity. On the other hand, people with conditions such as psychiatric disorders, chronic pain and respiratory issues are at a risk for insomnia.
Dengue	Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that could follow a mild course or progress to complications such as bleeding and a fall in blood pressure. The prevention of mosquito bites and early detection of the infection can prevent severe disease.
Drugs and Kidney Damage	Some medicines can have adverse effects on the kidney, and could even result in kidney failure. These should be avoided in individuals with pre-existing kidney disease.
Dry Eyes – Causes	Dry eyes may be a consequence of local conditions affecting the eyes or eyelids, generalized disorders, intake of certain medications or environmental conditions.
Dry Eyes – Non-pharmacological Treatments	Several tips such as reducing screen time and taking regular breaks from screens could help to improve dry eyes.
Dry Eyes – Symptoms	Symptoms related to dry eyes include stinging, a foreign body sensation and intermittent tearing.
Dry Eyes – Tests	A careful eye examination with several tests are used to diagnose the probable cause of dry eyes.
Dry Eyes – Treatment	Several approaches are used to treat dry eyes such as artificial tears, moisture retaining goggles and the intake of essential fatty acids.
Effect on Reduced Sleep on health	Reduced sleep in terms of duration as well as rhythm can affect the physical and mental health. It also increases the risk of accidents.
Informed Consent	The informed consent form is a written document that indicates the willingness of a person to participate in a clinical trial after being informed about the relevant information related to the clinical trial.
Low back pain in Athletes	Excess stress on the back can result in low back pain in athletes. Core strengthening exercises can help to avoid the pain from developing.
Low vitamin D Levels – Causes and Effects	Inadequate exposure to sunlight and/or inadequate intake of vitamin D through the diet are common causes of vitamin D deficiency. The deficiency primarily affects bone health, though it may also have an impact on immunity.
Motion Sickness – Causes and Symptoms	Motion sickness refers to a group of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sweating, fatigue and lethargy. It arises from travel on land, sea or air and results from conflicts of sensory signals from the inner ears and the eyes to the brain.
Motion Sickness – Drug Therapy	Motion sickness can be prevented using drugs such as scopolamine and dimenhydrinate. These may be associated with sedation and other side effects and should therefore be used with caution.
Motion Sickness – Non-drug Treatments	Several methods such as a proper posture and breathing techniques while traveling could reduce the symptoms of motion sickness in select individuals. Over-the-counter medications including herbal preparations should be used only after consulting a physician to prevent side effects.
Neck pain – Risk Factors	Neck pain is due to physical factors affecting the bones and/or the muscles of the neck. It could also be associated with psychological factors such as stress or mental disorders such as bipolar disorder.
Nocturnal muscle cramps	Nocturnal cramps in the calf muscles are common, especially in the elderly. They may be associated with an underlying illness, though in several cases, the exact cause is not known.
Noise-induced Hearing Loss	Very loud noises affect the inner ear and lead to hearing loss. Therefore, exposure to loud noises should be minimized when possible.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)	NAFLD is a condition characterized by infiltration of fat in the liver followed by inflammation and fibrosis. With no drugs currently approved for its treatment, diet control and regular exercise with the aim of promoting weight loss constitute the mainstay of the treatment of NAFLD.
Nonspecific low back pain	Nonspecific low back pain refers to low back pain without any organic cause. Conditions that increase the risk include sedentary behavior, increased weight and cigarette smoking.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea	Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition where a person temporarily stops breathing during sleep. Weight loss and special appliances could help to overcome the breathing problems.
Occupational low back pain	Low back pain due to one’s occupation can result in absenteeism. Psychosocial factors such as dissatisfaction at work may contribute to the back pain in these individuals.
Omics technologies in Cancer Therapy	Omics technologies, which include genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and microbiomics, analyze data related to genes, transcripts, proteins, metabolites and microbial flora, thus contributing to a personalized approach to cancer treatment.
Parkinson’s Disease – Symptoms	Parkinson’s disease is a condition associated with symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement and problems with balance. Symptoms unrelated to the motor system such as depression and sleep disturbances may be present.
Personal health records	Personal health records, especially those related to current illnesses and routine medicines, as well as health insurance details should be available in person as well as with the immediate family or friends. These could be required in case of a medical emergency.
Precision / Personalized Medicine	Precision medicine, also referred to as personalized medicine, moves away from the one-size-fits-all to a tailored approach to individualize treatment for complex diseases such as cancer.
Remission of type 2 diabetes	Some people with type 2 diabetes may be able to come off their diabetes medications following interventions such as bariatric surgery or lifestyle modifications. They should however continue to routinely monitor their blood glucose control and check for diabetes complications.
Tinnitus	Tinnitus is a symptom where a sound appears to be generated by the body, rather than by outside source. It could be due to simple conditions such as excessive wax in the ear to more serious conditions. In some cases, the cause is not known, and the patient can be taught to cope with the condition
Tumor board	A tumor board is a group of cancer specialists that meet either physically or virtually to discuss the treatment of a cancer based on its molecular profile.

Aging – Related Topics

Topic	Description
Aging and Nutrition	The elderly could suffer from malnutrition due to physiological changes such as difficulty with chewing, psychological conditions such as depression and social factors such as loneliness.
Aging and the Digestive Tract	The elderly often suffer from poor oral health, due to which the chewing and swallowing of food can get affected. Loss of appetite and a possible reduction in some digestive enzymes could also affect their nutritional status.
Deterioration of functions with age	Older age is associated with a reduction in bone and muscle, cardiovascular and cognitive functions.
Dietary recommendations for the Elderly	The elderly are recommended a nutritious diet that is rich in protein, easy to chew, and tasty. The fluid intake should be adequate.
Falls in the Elderly – Prevention	Falls in the elderly can be prevented through balance and strengthening exercises, reducing the possible hazards in the house and treatment of conditions that could predispose to the falls.
Falls in the Elderly – Risk Factors	Factors that increase the risk for falls in the elderly include muscle weakness, the intake of certain medications and problems with balance or the feet.
Falls in the Elderly – Tests	Tests for balance, muscle strength, bone density and tests to diagnose predisposing conditions can help to identify preventable causes of falls and prevent disability in the elderly.
Physical activity to promote healthy aging	Adequate physical activity during one’s lifetime can promote healthy aging.

Heart – Related Topics

Topic	Description
Acute Coronary Syndrome	Acute coronary syndrome is a condition associated with a sudden reduction of blood supply to the heart. Symptoms include chest pain and breathlessness.
Aspirin for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease	Recent recommendations suggest the initiation of low-dose aspirin in those between 40 and 60 years at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease but not already suffering from one on a patient-to-patient basis.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)	CPR delivered early and in the right way can save the lives of people suffering from a cardiac arrest.
COVID-19 and the Heart	Some patients with COVID-19 suffer from complications related to the heart. These may include heart attacks, abnormal heart rhythms and inflammation of the heart.
Myocardial infarction – Types	Myocardial infarction or heart attack refers to damage to the heart muscle due to reduced oxygen supply. The most common types are type 1 and type 2.
Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease	An older age and the male sex, presence of disorders such as diabetes and hypertension and lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet could increase the risk of heart disease.
Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes	People with long-standing diabetes or with diabetes complications are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. A healthy diet, a regular exercise program and treatment with medications could reduce the risk cardiovascular disease in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest – Causes	The causes of sudden cardiac arrest include coronary artery disease, congenital heart disorders, use of anabolic steroids, stress and trauma to the chest.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Athletes	A sudden cardiac arrest in athletes is often due to a coronary artery disease in adults over the age of 35 years. In younger individuals, a heart abnormality present since birth is often responsible.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest – Management	Treatment of sudden cardiac arrest should preferably begin before the patient is transferred to the hospital to improve the outcome of the patient.
Palpitations – Cardiac Causes	Palpitations are due to abnormal heart rhythms. Individuals with an underlying heart disorder or a family history of a sudden early death due to a heart problem should sort immediate medical assistance for the palpitations.
Palpitations – Diagnostic Tests	Tests for palpitations are directed towards identifying the cause of the palpitations. They include tests such as ECG or Holter monitoring which check the working of the heart, as well as blood tests to detect abnormalities such as thyroid dysfunction that may affect the regular beating of the heart.
Palpitations – Non-cardiac causes	In addition to cardiac causes, palpitations may result from non-cardiac causes such as anxiety and high thyroid hormone levels. These should be ruled out in a patient complaining of palpitations.

Disclaimer: The content provided on this site is meant for informational purposes only and not intended to replace the relationship between the doctor and the patient. It should not be used for self-treatment by patients or by doctors to treat patients. Consult your doctor before using any of the above information.