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Harmful Effects Of Listening Music With Earphones

Technology is the most necessary evil of our times and one such necessity currently is that of earphones/headphones. While taking early morning walk, crossing the street, boarding a metro, traveling in a bus, sipping coffee in a café or just a call in the office, throughout the day you will encounter several people listening to music or talking through earphones. However, by letting your earphones plugged in too much, you might not be disturbing the people around you, but you certainly are harming yourself enough without taking note of it.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that around a billion young people across the globe could be at the risk of hearing loss because of the unsafe listening habits, they practice through earphones.

The primary concern with the headphones is the volume exposure that they give the ears. Earphones are capable of producing very loud levels of sound very close to the ear and hence are very dangerous. However, it must be noted that it is not always about the volume of the headphones but also the long duration for which the earphones are used. Earphones are exposed to germs also as they are exposed to too many places where they are kept. Sharing the earphones paves way for the transfer of these germs which further induces harmful effects on ears.

How does blaring earphone damage your ears?

Earphones produce sound waves that reach our ears, making the eardrum vibrate. This vibration spreads to the inner ear via the small bones and reaches the cochlea which is a chamber in the inner ear which is filled with a fluid and consists of thousands of small’ hairs’. When this vibration reaches the cochlea, the fluid vibrates making the hairs also move. The louder the sound, the stronger the vibrations and the more the hairs move.

The continuous and long-term exposure to loud music makes the hair cells to eventually lose their sensitivity to vibration. Sometimes the loud music also results in the cells bending or folding over which leads to the sensation of temporary hearing loss. The hair cells may or may not recover from these extreme vibrations. However, even when they recover, they mostly cannot function normally which can cause permanent hearing loss or deafness and is almost impossible to be recovered from.

Side Effects of Using Earphones

Some of the harmful ways in which earphones can affect our ears are:

NIHL(Noise-Induced Hearing Loss)

Tinnitus

Hyperacusis

Hearing loss

Dizziness

Ear infection

Excessive ear wax

Pain in the ears

Effect on the brain

NIHL: It is not only about the volume that you expose your ears to through those earphones but also the duration that can lead to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

Tinnitus: The damaged hair cells in cochlea can result in a ringing, buzzing, or roaring noise in the ear or the head. This consequential electrical noise is called tinnitus.

Hyperacusis: More than 50% of the people who suffer from tinnitus are prone to develop high sensitivity to normal environmental sounds too. This condition is referred to as Hyperacusis.

Hearing Loss: As mentioned above, loud music or long exposure tends to make the hair cells bend down too much and severely, the extent of which can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss.

Dizziness: Many times, the increased pressure in the ear canal due to loud noise can also result in dizziness.

Ear infections: Since the earphones are directly placed into the ear canal, they block the passage of air which enhances the chances of infections in the ear. The regular and long-term use of earphones also increases the growth of bacteria. These bacteria stay on the earphones and on more usage infect the ear. When the earphones are shared, the same bacteria from one person’s ear transfer to the other person, exposing the person also to serious ear infections.

Excessive ear wax: Using the earphones for a long time also develops excessive ear wax which further accelerates the chances of tinnitus, hearing difficulty, earache, and frequent ear infections.

Pain in the ears: Long-term usage of earphones as well as using earphones that poorly fit can induce pain that can often extend to the inner ear as well, leading to soreness in the vicinity of the ear i.e. from the jaws to the top of the head.

Effect on the brain: The electromagnetic waves that the headphones generate result in problems for the brain as well in the long term. High decibel noise levels withdraw insulation from nerve fibers that carry signals from the ear to the brain. Ear infections can also affect the brain.

One can save the ear from any severe damage through the earphones by being aware of the consequences and by making small habitual changes.

How to avoid hearing damage from headphone?

The below following tips helps to prevent hearing damage from headphone/earphone,

The most basic change is to not keep the volume very high

Restrict your exposure to loud noise as well as the duration

Make use of noise-canceling headphones

Use over-the-ear-model to avoid direct sound vibrations to the eardrums as well as direct contact with the ear canal

Regularly sanitize the headphones to stop a buildup of bacteria, sweat and shed skin

Avoid using earphones when traveling by car, bus, train or even walking. Traveling in an already noisy public transport, adds to the decibel level due to the surrounding sound.

Author:

Dr. Santosh S (Consultant – Ear, Nose, and Throat)

Columbia Asia Hospital, Hebbal

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Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

What is Polycystic Ovarian Disease?

Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD), also known as Polycystic Ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a very common condition affecting 5% to 10% of women in the age group 12–45 years. It is a problem in which a woman’s hormones are out of balance. It can cause problems with menstrual periods and make it difficult for her to conceive. The principal features include no ovulation, irregular periods, acne and hirsuitism. If not treated it can cause insulin resistant diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol leading to heart disease.

What causes Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD)?

Normally, the ovaries make female sex menhormones and a tiny amount of male sex hormones (androgens). These help regulate the normal development of eggs in the ovaries during each menstrual cycle.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is related to an imbalance in these sex hormones. In PCOS, they start making slightly more androgens. This causes patients to stop ovulating, get pimples and grow extra facial and body hair.

Follicles are sacs within the ovaries that contain eggs. Normally, one or more eggs are released during each menstrual cycle. This is called ovulation.

In polycystic ovary syndrome, the eggs in these follicles do not mature and are not released from the ovaries. Instead, they can form very small cysts in the ovary, hence the name polycystic ovaries.

PCOS seems to run in families, so the chance of having it is higher if other women in the family have PCOS, irregular periods, or diabetes

Common symptoms of PCOD/PCOS include:

Acne

Weight gain and trouble losing weight

Extra hair on the face and body. Often women get thicker, darker facial hair and more hair on the chest, belly, and back.

Thinning hair on the scalp

Irregular periods. Often women with PCOS have fewer than nine periods a year. Some women have no periods others have very heavy bleeding

Fertility problems. Many women who have PCOS have trouble getting pregnant (infertility)

Depression

Investigations like blood sugar estimation, thyroid hormone tests, ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis are done. Sometimes serum androgens, luteinising hormone and other hormone estimations may be ordered

Treatment

The medical treatment of PCOD/PCOS focuses on managing your individual concerns, such as infertility, hirsutism, acne or obesity.

Lowering of blood glucose levels

Restoration of fertility

Treatment of hirsutism or acne

Restoration of regular menstruation, and prevention of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer

Losing weight (which can be difficult) has been shown to help with diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Even a weight loss of 5% of total body weight has been shown to help with the imbalance of hormones and also with infertility.

Medications used to treat the abnormal hormones and menstrual cycles of polycystic ovary syndrome include:

Birth control pills or progesterone pills help to make menstrual cycles more regular

Metformin, a medication that increases the body's sensitivity to insulin, can improve the symptoms of PCOS and sometimes will cause the menstrual cycles to normalize. For some women, it can also help with weight loss.

LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogs

Treatment with clomiphene citrate causes the egg to mature and be released. Sometimes women need this or other fertility drugs to get pregnant.

Medications or other treatments for abnormal hair growth include:

Birth control pills. It may take several months to begin noticing a difference.

Anti-androgen medications, such as spironolactone and flutamide may be tried if birth control pills do not work.

Eflornithine cream may slow the growth of unwanted facial hair in women.

Hair removal using laser and nonlaser light sources damages individual hair follicles so they do not grow back. This can be expensive and multiple treatments are needed. Laser removal can be combined with other medicines and hormones.

Pelvic laparoscopy to remove a section of the ovary or drill holes in the ovaries is sometimes done to treat the absence of ovulation (anovulation) and infertility. The effects are temporary.

Expectations (prognosis)

Women who have this condition can get pregnant with the right surgical or medical treatments. Pregnancies are usually normal.

PCOD/PCOS Complications

Increased risk of endometrial cancer

Infertility (early treatment of polycystic ovary disease can help prevent infertility or increase the chance of having a healthy pregnancy)

Obesity-related (BMI over 30 and waist circumference greater than 35) conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes

Possible increased risk of breast cancer

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Cervical Spondylitis: Symptoms, Treatment and Exercises

Cervical Spondylitis is characterized by evident damages to or deterioration of the neck ligaments, spine, discs, and vertebrae. While this is a very commonly known term, some of the best neurosurgeons in Mysore may even refer to it as arthritis of the neck, cervical osteoarthritis, or degenerative osteoarthritis. In this condition there is a formation of bone spurs on the edges of the vertebrae; these bone spurs are also known as osteophytes. This leads to the thinning of the discs and thus, damaging their shock-absorbing abilities.

Some of the most commonly observed symptoms of cervical spondylitis include:

Swollen facet joints

Pain in the limbs

Restricted movements especially when walking

Loss of coordination and sensation

Numbness in the joints

Neck stiffness and severe pain

Loss of blood vessels

Damaged bowel / bladder function

Weakness in the legs and arms

Dysphagia

While cervical spondylitis can get severe in some cases, the best neurology hospital in Mysore may even recommend you certain neck exercises which often help relieve the symptoms of cervical spondylitis. Cervical spondylitis doesn’t come with any alarming signs, and hence, sometimes the smallest of the symptoms also tend to give away with time. However, it’s important to consult one of the best neurosurgeons in Mysore as a proper diagnosis and treatment of cervical spondylitis can help the patient eliminate any chances of further aggravation. If the patient has a feeling that the neck muscles are stiffening, the doctor would usually go for some muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine or even antidepressants like amitriptyline can also help relieve pain. When none of the other methods work, doctors may even go for gabapentin medication. In cases of severe pain, a steroid injection may be employed as a treatment of cervical spondylitis; such an injection comes in various types.

The most common types of steroid injections are:

trigger-point injection

facet joint injection

cervical epidural steroid injection (ESI)

In certain cases, physical therapies have always been proven to be beneficial in the treatment of cervical spondylitis and can help alleviate the alarming symptoms. However, when the symptoms don’t respond to any of the above-mentioned procedures, a doctor may refer the patient to surgery. Surgery is recommended only when the pain and stiffness go out of control and are seemingly incurable by medication, injection or therapy.

If you have the below symptoms, you may be recommended for surgery:

Neck pain that only gets worse with time

The alarming loss of feeling

Weakness in the muscles

Nerve Root Compression: This can be identified after getting an MRI test done and this condition is also known as myelopathy

In this procedure, the surgeon aims to remove the osteophytes or the parts of the bone that are protruding and causing pain. Sometimes even some parts of the disc may need to be operated upon in order to relieve stress off the spinal cord and nerve roots. The last procedure that may be employed if the aim is to take off pressure from the root joints and spinal cords is Cervical Fusion.

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Hip Replacement Surgery: Types and Procedure

Hip replacement surgery is a method by which the doctors aim to eliminate/replace parts of the femur and pelvis known as the thighbone. This is a treatment method for hip-arthritis and also helps relieve pain in the hips. This procedure may even be recommended by surgeons in case of accidents where the hip is broken or damaged. Hip replacement surgery can be classified into three broad types:

Total Hip Replacement: This is the most commonly performed type of hip replacement surgery. In this method, the surgeon replaces the damaged parts with fabricated implants. A durable plastic cup is used in order to replace the socket which may sometimes even include a hard-metal titanium shell.

Partial Hip Replacement: This method involves the replacement of just a side of the hip joint known as the femoral head as contrary to total hip replacement where both the sides are operated on. The best orthopaedic surgeon in Bangalore would usually recommend it to elderly people.

Hip Resurfacing: This is just a fine-tuning of the ailing femoral head and socket and mostly recommended to younger patients with better chances of successful recoveries.

An orthopaedic surgery hospital in Bangalore would primarily employ any one of the two major surgical approaches for total hip replacement surgery:

The posterior method: One of the most common methods, this gets its name from the very fact that the surgeon makes an incision of the posterior or the backside of the hip to perform the surgery.

The anterior method: Similarly, this approach involves the surgeon making an incision on the anterior or front side of the hip.

What are the risks/complications associated with hip replacement surgery? 

Just like any surgery, even hip replacement comes with its own set of benefits and risks. One of the most worrying risks associated is the post-surgical infection and the patient must ask the surgeon of the infection rate in the chosen facility. Also, it is advisable to only go to hospitals with the best success rates in hip replacement surgery since only the best orthopaedic surgeon in Bangalore would be able to not only provide the best care but also guide with compassion through the entire journey of recovery as well. Although a very safe surgery, sometimes there have been cases of post-surgical pain as well, and it needs an expert professional to be able to study the patient's condition well so that they are able to decide/improvise the suitable procedure that is tailored to the patient. Other risks can include blood clots in the leg or pelvis, and accidental hip dislocation during or after recovery and can range from being mild to severe so it is imperative to have your queries answered in the first place and also be under the supervision of a highly trained and credible surgeon.

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 Endometriosis is quite a common condition amongst women and can be quite painful too. Here are the causes and symptoms of endometriosis.

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Causes and Symptoms of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is one of the most painful disorders which involves a tissue growing out of the uterus. It is commonly observed that endometriosis doesn’t usually spread beyond the pelvic region and mostly affects the pelvic tissue lining, ovaries, and the fallopian tubes. In this condition the endometrial-tissue thickens, disintegrates and bleeds during a menstrual cycle, however, since it doesn’t get an escape route it gets accumulated. It is in this phase where the endometriomas form. Although effective ways of treating endometriosis are widely available, it may sometimes cause unbearable pain during periods along with causing infertility issues.

Apart from certain exercises such as pelvic, which can also be associated with periods, not so often, something more severe can be associated with the complications of endometriosis, however, here are some of the most commonly observed symptoms for endometriosis:

Dysmenorrhea: This condition is characterized by painful menstrual periods which may develop into pelvic cramps, pain in the abdomen and / or lower back.

Pain during intercourse is a common observation in those suffering from endometriosis.

Experiencing pain in times of urination and bowel movements. These symptoms may also accompany a menstrual period.

Intermenstrual bleeding is also quite common in case of endometriosis.

The best gynaecology hospital in Mysore has also observed that most cases of endometriosis are diagnosed in patients who are actually seeking treatment for infertility.

Experiencing fatigue, nausea, constipation, or bloating may be common occurrences as per the best gynaecology hospital in Pune.

While pain is definitely an indicator, the severity of endometriosis can't be assessed from the pain alone. Sometimes even a mild endometriosis can cause excessive pain or even the other way around.

Causes of endometriosis:

Retrograde menstruation: In this condition the menstrual blood tends to flow back reversing its course. This blood contains the endometrial cells which then further stick to the pelvic lining and keep getting pooled with each menstrual cycle.

Peritoneal cells transformation: As part of the widely accepted induction theory, it is believed that factors such as immunity and hormones lead to the transformation of peritoneal cells. These peritoneal cells, then house the abdomen’s inner lining developing into endometrial-like cells.

Transformation of the embryonic cell: This condition is associated with the release of estrogen hormone which is solely responsible for the transformation. This condition is most likely to occur during the phase of puberty.

Surgical scar: Post-surgical phases, especially after a C-section or a hysterectomy, can lead to the development of endometrial-like cells.

Endometrial cell transport: The blood vessels or tissue fluid (lymphatic) system may transport endometrial cells to the other parts of the body.

Immune system disorder: As the name suggests, this condition is associated with the abnormalities / ailments of the immune system. A fragile / frail immune system may not be able to effectively identify an endometrial-like tissue and hence, hinder its growth in the surrounding regions of the uterus.

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4 Most Common Heart Diseases

Coronary Heart Diseases

Coronary Heart Disease is one of the most common types of heart diseases. Medically known as Coronary Artery Disease, this is a condition where plaque accumulation on the coronary walls and arteries restricts the free movement of blood. CHDs are known to cause sudden heart attacks and some of the signs that should prompt one to get diagnosed for CHD at the best cardiology hospital in Bangalore are:

Pain or a feeling of added pressure on the chest

Spasms in the shoulders, neck, and jaws

Pain in the arms or back

A constant feeling of indigestion

Factors that can alleviate the risks of CHD are:

High / Low Cholesterol

Smoking Habits

Diabetes Melitus

High BP

Post-menopausal phases in women

Obesity

Family History

Arrhythmia

This condition is characterized by certain changes/anomalies in the electrical impulses responsible for the normal functioning of the heart, especially the tempo of the heart beats. Arrhythmias can cause the heart to beat too quickly, too slowly or irregularly, resulting in a broad range of symptoms. The most commonly felt signal for Arrhythmia is a feeling of the heart skipping a beat, literally. It's important to consult one of the best cardiologists in Bangalore when you first experience the symptom in order to avail efficient diagnosis and early-stage monitoring to prevent heart attacks.

Heart Valve Disease

The valves present in the heart are key to directing the flow of blood. These valves all work together seamlessly to ensure that the blood is being pumped in and out properly. A Heart valve Disease is said to occur when one or more of these valves stop responding thus leading to irregular blood flow. Some of the major causes for HVDs are:

Stenosis

Restricted valve opening

Thickening or shrinking of the flaps in the valve

Regurgitation

Atresia

Valve leakage

All these conditions/causes can play a significant role in restricting the flow of blood into and out of the heart. The most commonly observed symptoms for HVDs that must be perused by the best cardiac surgery hospital in Bangalore are:

Breathlessness

Fatigue

Visible neck veins

Heart Murmur

Swelling in the legs, feet and ankles

Heart Failure

The biggest concern of the modern age, heart failure, was earlier associated with age and a severe heart condition, however, in recent times it has been observed that the age-bar for heart failure has been constantly blurring. In this condition, the heart is unable to function at its optimum pumping threshold, hence leading to deficiency in the oxygen levels. Factors that contribute to the development of heart failure can include:

Coronary Heart Disease

Hypertension

Heart Valve Diseases

Congenital abnormalities

Heart Muscle Abnormalities 

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Types of Epilepsy & Seizure Disorders in Adults

The human brain is an amazing organ and is an interconnected labyrinth of nerves, cells, impulses and chemically charged elements called neurotransmitters. Any irregularity among these can cause critical damage to the brain and its components leading to a seizure. Neurologists in Bangalore define seizures as abnormal bursts of neurons firing off electrical impulses, which can cause the brain and body to behave strangely. The severity of seizures can differ from person to person. Some people simply experience an odd feeling with no loss of awareness or may have a "trance-like" state for a few seconds or minutes; while others lose consciousness and have convulsions.

​Seizures or medically known as epilepsy are well dealt with across the best Neuro Hospitals in Bangalore but don’t have any age-range of occurrence, however, it is most commonly observed in patients who are young. Although it’s tough to attribute a single condition as a cause for epilepsy but there are some illnesses that may cause lasting damage to the brain:  

Cerebrovascular disease  

Stroke

Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Brain tumors

Severe head injuries

Hereditary

Seizures can also be caused by triggers or certain kind of medications that may traumatize the brain or its components:  

Stress

Sleep Deprivation  

Alcoholism  

Unprescribed medications and drugs  

Menstruation [in women]  

Lack of proper nutrition in the diet  

Low blood sugar levels  

There are mainly two types of epilepsies that occur in adults - Focal Epilepsy (also known as partial seizures) and Generalized Epilepsy.  

Focal Epilepsy: Focal seizures are identified as an unusual electric discharge confined to a smaller area in the brain and are further classified into 3 broad categories which reflect the effect on Consciousness, Responsiveness and Memory and they Frontal Lobe Seizure, Occipital Lobe Seizures, and Parietal Lobe Seizures respectively.  

Generalized Seizures: They are mostly characterized by a widespread, beyond-normal discharge affecting both the sides or hemispheres of the human brain. This condition can lead to a patient constantly staring or blinking accompanied by certain jerks and shivers. This type of epilepsy also leads to reduced muscle tone and limb stiffening. These are further classified into:  

Absence Seizures

Myoclonic Seizures

Generalized Tonic–Clonic Seizures or Grand mal seizure

Columbia Asia’s department for Epilepsy and Seizure treatment in Bangalore is known for being one of the best in the country.

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Cervical Cancer: Symptoms, Risks & Treatments

The cervix is characterized as the lower part of a woman’s womb or the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical cancers can be caused due to a variety of reasons, however, the most commonly observed reason is the Human Papillomavirus or HPV. More often than not, this contraction is attributed to sexual intercourse with someone already inflicted with the virus. That being said, not all HPVs lead to cervical cancer signs and symptoms and some may only leave a wart. Some of the best gynecology hospitals in Bangalore would even recommend you to opt for the vaccine available for the prevention of cervical cancers. Apart from HPV, some of the other common causes for cervical cancer signs and symptoms are excessive smoking, multiple sexual partners and a damaged immune system.  

What are the various cervical cancer signs and symptoms?

Just like other cancers, cervical cancer signs and symptoms only become evident at an advanced stage, thus making it difficult to be diagnosed during the initial stages of contraction:  

Spotting or bleeding from the vagina  

Post-intercourse bleeding from the vagina  

Unusual vaginal discharge  

Pain during intercourse

These cervical cancer signs and symptoms must prompt one to visit a gynecologist in Bangalore at the earliest as it may help in early-stage detection. At an advanced stage, the cancer tends to spread to the abdomen and limbs and thus affecting those organs severely, the signs to which may be:

Urinary blockage / pain  

Weight loss

Lack of appetite  

Anemia due to blood loss  

Fatigue and weakness

Cervical Cancer Treatment

Treatment of cervical cancer, if detected in the early stages, has a high cure rate. The type of treatment of cervical cancer depends on the stage of cancer.  A single therapy or a combination of therapies can be used for the treatment of cervical cancer. The options for treatment are:

Surgery – to remove the cancer (usually at an early stage)

Radiation therapy

Chemotherapy

Chemoradiation

The type of treatment of cervical cancer also depends on the patient’s age, lifestyle, desire to have children (need to conserve the uterus) and overall health.

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Columbia Asia Hospital Whitefield ranks amongst the best multispeciality hospitals in Bangalore with top doctors, surgeons and the best nursing staff Enquire today

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Even though 'Unlocking' in India is in the 3rd Phase, it is not exactly the safest time to be heading outdoors. As the COVID-19 cases are increasing, follow these safety measures to step-out - only when it is absolutely necessary.

For expert consultation, book appointment at https://www.columbiaindiahospitals.com/

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Hernia can be a very painful condition and requires the right kind of treatment Columbia Asia offers excellent hernia treatment in Gurgaon

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Shoulder ball replacement surgery is a surgery that requires a great deal of skill and experience. Columbia Asia, being one of the top orthopaedic hospitals in Gurgaon, has an expert team of doctors and surgeons who will put you onto the path of recovery in no time.

https://www.columbiaindiahospitals.com/health-articles/what-shoulder-replacement-complications-types-and-procedure

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Come to Columbia Asia Hospitals the best multispeciality hospital in Gurugram, to get unmatched medical care and treatment from top notch doctors and well trained nurses

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There has been so much emphasis for the past month about hand hygiene due to COVID-19 pandemic. Also there has been a huge spike of people suffering from rashes on their palms. This is enough proof about how this is the one area of our body that is the most exposed to all the dangerous effects of both our physical and chemical environment, in addition to our own body dynamics internally. Understanding the cause of rash and symptoms is very essential to treat the condition.

#palmrashes #dermatologistinindia #bestdermatologistinindia #bestdermatologistinbangalore

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Chronic kidney disease usually means that the kidneys have been under pressure for quite a while and they are not able to filter the blood properly. Broadly, there are 5 chronic kidney disease stages which have different chronic kidney disease treatment regimens and symptoms associated with each of them  https://www.columbiaindiahospitals.com/specialties/nephrology