Patient Education

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Directory — 61 articles

Acid Reflux and Heartburn

Understand reflux symptoms, practical relief and the warning signs that should not be dismissed as acidity.

Diarrhoea and Preventing Dehydration

Learn safe fluid replacement, food advice and warning signs during diarrhoea.

Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Understand why low iron develops and why finding the cause matters alongside treatment.

Asthma and Living With an Action Plan

Learn about asthma assessment, inhaler technique and symptoms of a severe attack.

Dengue and Warning Signs During Recovery

Understand dengue assessment, supportive care and why deterioration can occur after fever falls.

Tuberculosis and Completing Treatment

Learn when to consider TB, how it is assessed and why completing the prescribed course protects patients and families.

Pneumonia and Breathing Symptoms

Recognise pneumonia symptoms, how treatment is chosen and why breathing difficulty needs timely care.

Recognising a Possible Heart Attack

Learn why chest pressure and related symptoms can be an emergency and why rapid assessment matters.

Recognising Stroke and Acting Quickly

Learn common stroke warning signs, why symptoms that disappear still matter and what to avoid while waiting for help.

Kidney Stones and Colicky Pain

Understand kidney stone symptoms, treatment choices and when a blocked urinary system can become an emergency.

Chronic Kidney Disease and Early Protection

Learn why kidney disease may be silent and how blood and urine tests guide long term care.

Anaphylaxis and Severe Allergic Reactions

Recognise severe allergic reactions and why immediate emergency treatment is essential.

Insomnia and Better Sleep

Understand insomnia, useful sleep habits and why persistent sleep problems deserve assessment.

Anxiety and When Worry Becomes Overwhelming

Learn about anxiety symptoms, evidence informed support and why new physical symptoms should not automatically be labelled anxiety.

Depression and Getting Support

Understand depression, treatment options and when urgent support is needed.

Osteoarthritis and Keeping Joints Moving

Learn about osteoarthritis, suitable activity and why a hot swollen joint needs prompt assessment.

Osteoporosis and Preventing Fragility Fractures

Understand silent bone loss, fracture assessment and the roles of exercise, nutrition and medicines.

Cataract and Changes in Vision

Learn about gradual cataract symptoms and why sudden vision loss must be assessed differently.

Gum Disease and Bleeding Gums

Understand gum inflammation, daily cleaning and symptoms that require urgent dental assessment.

Vaccination Across Life Stages

Understand how vaccine needs change with age, pregnancy, health risks and travel.

Haemorrhoids and Rectal Bleeding

Haemorrhoids, often called piles, are enlarged vascular cushions around the anus or lower rectum. They can cause itching, discomfort, a lump or bright red blood. Rectal bleeding has several possible causes, however,…

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a disorder of gut and brain interaction that can cause recurrent abdominal pain with changes in bowel habit. Constipation, diarrhoea or both may occur. Symptoms are real and can…

Peptic Ulcers and H pylori

A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine. Helicobacter pylori infection and certain anti inflammatory pain medicines are important causes. Ulcers are not simply…

Gallstones and Gallbladder Pain

Gallstones are solid deposits that form in the gallbladder. Many cause no symptoms and are found incidentally. A stone that blocks normal drainage can cause upper abdominal pain, often on the right or in the centre.…

Fatty Liver Disease and Metabolic Health

Fat can accumulate in the liver for different reasons. When associated with metabolic risk, the condition may be described as metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD; older reports often…

Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

Hepatitis B and C are viral infections that can affect the liver. They are different infections with different prevention and treatment approaches. Both can remain silent for years, so testing may be appropriate even…

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 supports red blood cell formation and nervous system function. Deficiency may cause anaemia, nerve problems or both. A normal haemoglobin level does not rule it out. Early recognition matters because some…

COPD and Chronic Breathlessness

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, causes persistent airflow limitation and breathing symptoms. Tobacco smoke is an important cause, but indoor cooking smoke, occupational exposures and other factors…

Stopping Tobacco With Support

Stopping smoked or smokeless tobacco benefits health at any age. Cigarettes, bidis, hookah and chewing tobacco all carry risks. Nicotine dependence can make quitting difficult, and repeated attempts are common.…

Sleep Apnoea and Daytime Sleepiness

Sleep apnoea involves repeated breathing interruptions during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnoea occurs when the upper airway repeatedly narrows or closes. Loud snoring can be a clue, but not everyone who snores has…

Malaria and Fever After Mosquito Exposure

Malaria is a parasitic infection transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Fever, chills, headache and body aches may occur, but the pattern is not always regular or distinctive. Malaria can become severe quickly, and…

Chikungunya and Persistent Joint Pain

Chikungunya is a mosquito transmitted viral infection that can cause fever and pronounced joint pain. Rash, headache and fatigue may also occur. It can resemble dengue and other illnesses, so diagnosis should…

Leptospirosis After Floodwater Exposure

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection associated with exposure to water or soil contaminated by infected animal urine. Floodwater and certain agricultural or sanitation work can increase risk. In Kerala and other…

Animal Bites and Rabies Prevention

Rabies is a preventable viral disease that becomes extremely dangerous once symptoms develop. Possible exposure requires immediate wound care and prompt medical assessment. Do not wait for symptoms, wait to see…

Influenza and Preventing Respiratory Infections

Influenza is a viral respiratory infection that can cause sudden fever, body aches, headache, fatigue and cough. Other infections, including COVID 19, can look similar. Most people recover, but some develop serious…

Food Poisoning and Safer Food Handling

Foodborne illness can result from bacteria, viruses, parasites or toxins in food and drink. Diarrhoea, vomiting, cramps and fever may occur. Symptoms can begin at different intervals after exposure, so the last meal…

Antibiotics and Preventing Resistance

Antibiotics treat selected bacterial infections. They do not treat viruses such as an uncomplicated cold or influenza. Resistance occurs when microorganisms develop ways to withstand medicines, making infections…

Heart Failure and New Swelling

Heart failure means the heart is not meeting the body’s needs effectively because of problems with filling, pumping or both. It does not mean the heart has stopped. It can cause breathlessness, fatigue and fluid…

Atrial Fibrillation and Palpitations

Palpitations are an awareness of the heartbeat, such as racing, fluttering or skipped beats. They can have harmless or important causes. Atrial fibrillation, or AF, is one rhythm disorder in which the upper heart…

Epilepsy and Seizure First Aid

A seizure is a temporary disturbance of brain activity that may affect movement, awareness, sensation or behaviour. Not every seizure involves shaking, and one seizure does not automatically mean epilepsy. A first…

Vertigo and Dizziness

Dizziness can mean spinning, faintness, unsteadiness or a vague light headed feeling. Vertigo specifically describes an illusion of movement. These sensations have different causes, so describing what you feel is…

Alcohol Related Harm and Dependence

Alcohol can affect the liver, heart, brain, sleep, mental health and relationships. Dependence can develop when the body adapts and drinking becomes difficult to control. Support should be respectful and…

Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke

Heat illness occurs when the body cannot manage heat effectively. Outdoor work, exercise, poorly ventilated homes and some medicines can increase risk. Heat exhaustion can progress to heatstroke, which is an…

Burns and Safe First Aid

Burns may result from hot liquids, flames, electricity, chemicals or other exposures. The skin appearance alone may not reveal injury depth. Prompt safe first aid can limit damage, while large, deep or high risk…

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Early Joint Swelling

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that can affect joints and other parts of the body. It differs from osteoarthritis and is not simply wear with age. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce…

Gout and a Suddenly Painful Joint

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis caused by urate crystals in a joint. It often causes sudden intense pain, warmth and swelling, sometimes in the big toe but also elsewhere. A painful red joint is not automatically…

Glaucoma and Protecting Sight

Glaucoma is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve. The common forms can progress quietly with few early symptoms. Lost vision generally cannot be restored, but appropriate treatment can reduce further…

Ear Pain and Hearing Loss

Ear pain can arise from the outer or middle ear, wax, injury or sometimes a nearby jaw or dental problem. Hearing loss may be gradual or sudden. The timing and associated symptoms are important because some causes…

Tooth Decay and Dental Abscess

Tooth decay develops when acids produced by bacteria damage tooth structure. It may begin without pain and later cause sensitivity or toothache. A dental abscess is a collection of pus from infection and needs dental…

Antenatal Care and Pregnancy Warning Signs

Antenatal care supports the health of the pregnant person and baby through planned review, prevention and timely management of problems. Register for care early and agree an individual schedule. Feeling well does not…

Menopause and Managing Symptoms

Menopause marks the end of menstrual periods because ovarian hormone production has changed. The transition beforehand is called perimenopause. Hot flushes, sleep disruption, vaginal dryness, mood changes and altered…

Breast Changes and Breast Awareness

Breasts can change with hormones, pregnancy, breastfeeding, age and many benign conditions. Breast awareness means knowing what is usual for you and reporting a new change. It does not require a rigid monthly test,…

Cervical Cancer Prevention and Screening

Persistent infection with certain high risk human papillomavirus types can cause cervical precancer and cancer. Prevention includes HPV vaccination, appropriate screening and treatment of abnormal findings. These…

Contraception and Family Planning

Contraception helps people plan whether and when to become pregnant. Choices include condoms, pills, injections, implants, intrauterine methods and permanent procedures, with availability varying by location. The…

Breastfeeding and Early Infant Feeding

Feeding support should protect the baby’s nutrition and the parent’s wellbeing without blame. Breastfeeding can provide important benefits, but pain, attachment difficulties and concerns about intake deserve…

Childhood Nutrition and Growth

Children need sufficient energy and varied nutrients for growth, learning and immunity. Growth is best assessed over time using age appropriate measurements and charts, not by comparing siblings or judging appearance…

Wheezing and Breathing Difficulty in Children

Wheeze is a whistling sound that can occur when lower airways narrow. Viral illnesses, asthma and other conditions can cause it. Infants may have bronchiolitis, while sudden symptoms can follow choking or an allergic…

Preventing Falls in Older Adults

Falls can cause injury and loss of confidence, but they should not be accepted as unavoidable ageing. They often result from several interacting factors, including balance, muscle strength, medicines, eyesight and…

Dementia and Changes in Memory

Dementia describes a group of conditions affecting thinking, memory and everyday function. It is not an inevitable consequence of ageing. Occasional forgetfulness differs from a persistent decline that affects…

Sexually Transmitted Infections and Testing

Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, can spread through sexual contact, and some can also spread through blood or from parent to baby. Many cause no symptoms. Testing and treatment should be confidential,…

Be a Smart Patient

Practical health and safety advice for Indian families: plan appropriate checkups, keep records securely, use medicines safely and prepare for consultations.