Nowadays, allergies are more common than ever, with almost half of the population worldwide having experienced an allergic reaction at least once in their lifetime. Often, we can simply misattribute an allergy symptom as an age-related change in our body, a flu or some other health condition.    I myself suffer from allergies all the time, and know how a breakout or swelling can be easily blamed on hormonal changes or lack of sleep, even though it’s most likely my dust allergy acting out. That’s the main reason why it’s important to know how allergies can manifest themselves, and hop ..read more

I am amazed by the maddening diversity of food Karnataka has to offer. North Karnataka, Dakshina Karnataka, Kodagu, Mangaluru, Udupi, Saraswat and Navayath Muslim being some of the cuisines in the sate. I have tasted, cooked and delved into recipes from almost all these regions and there is probably just one dish that has eluded my love. It is ragi mudde. The 1st time I had it, I almost choked. The mudde was probably too dense, or as newbie, I greedily took off too a large bite, or I didn’t soak it in enough curry to soften it. I still stay away from this very popular millet-based dish from Ka ..read more

      Red light therapy (RLT), also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photo biomodulation, uses specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to penetrate the skin and stimulate cellular function. This non-invasive therapy is employed to treat a variety of conditions, including skin issues, pain and inflammation. Here’s a closer look at the science behind red light therapy and its potential benefits. Red light therapy works by emitting wavelengths of light ( typically between 600-1000 manometer) that are absorbed by the mitochondria, the energy-producing ..read more

Shingles is caused by varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After an episode of chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in the body and reactivates to cause shingles when the immunity weakens. But shingles is not just a skin disease as commonly thought – its impact can extend far beyond to other parts of the body such as nerves, heart, eyes, and the brain. And unfortunately, ageing adults are particularly vulnerable to this condition and its serious complications. Since shingles is a viral infection, it must be treated with antiviral medications, along with painkil ..read more

Your body communicates when something is wrong. The color and state of your fingernails can let you know when something is going awry inside your body. Sometimes they can be minor vitamin deficiencies and other times more serious conditions. These changes can be subtle, or blatant and it’s worth noting any differences because many diseases are reflected on your fingertips. As always these are warning signs and it’s important not to rely solely on your nails for a health check. Consult with a medical professional who can consider other symptoms and run blood tests. 1. Red nails    I ..read more

A recent study has unveiled a potential breakthrough in addressing glioblastoma, the most lethal brain cancer type.    Treating brain tumors presents unique challenges primarily because the blood-brain barrier, a protective mechanism regulating the passage of substances from the bloodstream to the brain, hinders the effectiveness of most chemotherapy medications.    Northwestern Medicine scientists recently employed an implanted ultrasound device within the brain to temporarily create an opening in the blood-brain barrier. This breakthrough enabled the delivery of chemother ..read more

Menopause is a significant and often transformative phase in a woman's life. It can come with a range of physical and emotional changes that differ from woman to woman. Although it's a natural biological process, it can be overwhelming and raise many questions and concerns. If you're feeling confused or intimidated by the symptoms associated with menopause, don't worry - you're not alone. Symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and menstrual changes can leave you searching for answers. Thankfully, you have a trusted resource to turn to: your gynecologist. Your gynecologist is not only a sp ..read more

Stomach issues can be quite discomforting - yet despite the uncomfortable feeling, how often have you really looked into what is going on in your gut? Knowing the signs and symptoms of the various kinds of pain you are experiencing can shed light onto the underlying cause of your stomach issues. Here are seven of the most common stomach symptoms and what they may be telling you about your health: 1. Burning sensation in the chest     Possible cause: Acid reflux     Acid reflux is caused by stomach acid that has washed back up into your chest. Most people tend to exper ..read more

Olive oil has a rich and deep taste, it is highly recommended as an addition to salads or other foods, and recent research shows that there is a good reason to start using it more in old age, since it has been found to help prevent death from dementia. There are many other great benefits to olive oil, such as its ability to treat arthritis and the latest research has shown that no matter what the quality of your diet - if you only consume 7 grams of olive oil daily, which is about half a tablespoon, you can reduce your risk of death from dementia by 28% . Let's dive a little deeper into this ..read more

Usually, when we go to the doctor or the hospital for treatment or testing, we do what the doctor tells us without questioning their decisions. This is not necessarily the correct approach, because, contrary to what many think, doctors don’t actually provide us with treatments tailored to us personally, since the complaints we come to them with are usually not so different to other patient’s complaints except for small changes that they think are negligible.    In recent years, an international initiative, Choosing Wisely, has begun to promote the quality and safety of treatments we ..read more