Medical Site

Herpes Zoster is caused by varicella zoster virus, the same that causes chickenpox. It should not be confused with genital herpes, which is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Shingles, as it is commonly known leads to development of blisters and rashes on the back or chest. The rash usually spreads forming a ring or strip. Let us know the basics about this common viral infection. (more…)

Mouth or Oral cancer is the cancer of the mouth or the oral cavity. It includes lips, tongue, tonsils, hard palate, soft palate, gums, lining of the cheeks and salivary glands. Oral cancer also includes cancer of the pharynx (the area of the throat which lies behind the mouth). It is one of the leading cancers in the world killing millions of people worldwide. Under the microscope, the cancer usually presents as a squamous cell carcinoma.

What causes mouth ulcer?
Almost 70-80% of all mouth cancers are linked to tobacco consumption and smoking. Other than tobacco, alcohol also increases the risk of oral cancer. The other risk factors are: (more…)

Mouth ulcers are extremely common and many of us experience them at least once in our lifetime. It’s nothing but an open sore which develops inside the mouth, or on lips and surrounding area. It occurs due to a break in the continuity of the epithelium or the mucous membrane. Mouth ulcers are painful and occur commonly due to deficiency of vitamin 12. Other reasons include poor dental hygiene, food allergies, eating very spicy food and mouth injuries resulting from various dental procedures.

Though mouth ulcers usually heal within a period of 10 days, they cause a lot of trouble. So here are some home tips/remedies that can help in relieving the pain:

-The first thing would be to stop eating oily and spicy food. The pain will only intensify when you consume such food items. Also, avoid drinking coffee and tea. Your diet should consist mainly of fresh fruits and vegetables. (more…)

Migraine is a neurological condition which is characterized by severe headache. It is more common in women and occurs due to dilatation (expansion) of blood vessels. As a result of this, the nerves that coil around the vessels are stretched and this results in release of chemicals which eventually causes pain. The headache is usually on one side, throbbing in nature and associated with nausea and vomiting.

Migraine attacks are usually recurrent in nature and can be triggered by a number of factors. One such factor is the food that you consume. So if you are suffering from migraine, here is the list of food items that you should avoid: (more…)

Hepatitis is defined as the inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis viruses. The most common type of hepatitis is Hepatitis A, B and C. Other than this Hepatitis D, E and G viruses also cause infection. The liver stores and produces various important substances and it also helps in purifying the blood. So liver inflammation can cause serious problems and can even be fatal. Let’s know more about the common types of Hepatitis.

Hepatitis A
• Also, known as “infectious hepatitis”, it is caused by Hepatitis A virus (HAV)
• It is an acute infection which is most common in children
• It is spread through ingestion of contaminated food and water (more…)

Human intestine provides host to a number of worms. Some are harmless while other can trouble you in a number of ways. The most common worms to cause human infection are roundworm, hookworm and whipworm. A person infected with any of these worms can present with mild to severe symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms are so mild that they are almost unnoticeable. The most common symptoms are:

- Pain in the abdomen
- Bloating up of the abdomen
- Vomiting (more…)

Every year more and more babies are being delivered prematurely. A baby is said to be born premature when the delivery takes place before completion of 40 weeks in the mother’s womb. Such babies suffer from various health disorders and some can even be life threatening. They are weak, delicate and have very thin skin. They are underweight and often have underdeveloped organs. The increase in the number of premature deliveries is definitely a matter of concern. If you want your child to be born healthy, then here’s what you need to do! (more…)

A strong immune system helps your body to fight infections. People with a weak immune system are more likely to fall prey to the various infectious agents than those with a strong one. Various supplements/medicines are available in the markets which claim to strengthen your immune system and make your body stronger to fight infections. However their effectiveness has often been doubted.
Rather than going for these supplements and medicines, you can very well strengthen your immune system by using these food products at home. They are easily available, have no side effects and are good for your body. (more…)

Chronic pulmonary obstructive disorder or COPD as it is commonly called is a very common respiratory disorder affecting adults in developed countries. It is one of the leading causes of chronic illnesses in these countries. The two diseases that come under COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. A patient with COPD complains of breathlessness, as airflow from and to the lungs is restricted. The disease is closely associated with smoking and the number of COPD patients in on the rise with the increase in number of smokers in the world. (more…)

Swine flu- the first pandemic of the 21st century! However there is no need to panic just now. The virus responsible for the current pandemic – Influenza A H1N1 does not appear to be too virulent. Here are few simple things which you can do to prevent the infection. (more…)