Mental Health Disorders (Credit: Canva)
How often do you hear people calling each other "psychopath"? Or how often do you witness people labelling themselves as "bipolar" or "depressed"? Quite frequently. Right? These are names of some serious, often life-threatening mental disorders which have been included in common vocabulary. Ayushi Jolly, a PhD scholar opined that "mental health disorders are not adjective to be thrown around."
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Today, many people who are organized and prioritize santitation and hygeine, label themselves as suffering from OCD. However, in psychology, OCD is a long-lasting disorder in which a person experiences uncontrollable and recurring thoughts (obsessions), engages in repetitive behaviours (compulsions), or both. This condition can significantly impair daily functioning, leading to severe anxiety and distress. Without proper treatment, it can escalate, affecting relationships, work, and overall quality of life.
Depression
"I am so depressed, I act like it's my birthday everyday," these are lyrics from a chart-topping Taylor Swift song. However, the singer-songwriter has never been diagnosed for the same. Similarly, people throw away the term even at the slightest discomfort. But, this mental health disorder is life-thretening, serious mood disorder. It causes severe symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working. Note, to be diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must be present for at least 2 weeks.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Any person who is high on energy and gets distracted easily could be heard saying "I'm suffering from ADD." In reality, ADD is a type of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that's characterized by problems with concentration and focus. ADHD is a developmental disorder that can affect a person's daily life, including their ability to perform at school or work and their social relationships.
Bipolar Personality Disorder
Broke up with your partner? Chances are you'll end up calling them bipolar. The terms has also been used in various films and songs, sans the knowledge of it's seriousness. Formerly known as manic-depressive illness or manic depression, this condition is a lifelong mood disorder that causes intense shifts in mood, energy levels, thinking patterns and behavior. A person suffering from this disorder witnesses intense shifts in mood, energy levels, thinking patterns and behavior, for long periods of time.
Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD)
Being "paranoid" has become more like a negative adjective among teens and young adults. However, a person who suffers from this condition is incapable of maintaining succesful relationahips. Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD) is a group of personality disorders categorised under "Cluster A". A person with PPD thinks in odd or eccentric ways, and suffers from unrelenting mistrust or suspicion of others, even when there is no reason to be suspicious. This disorder usually begins in early adulthood and appears more common in men than women. People with PPD are always on guard, believing that others are constantly trying to demean, harm, or threaten them. People with this disorder also doubt the commitment, loyalty, or trustworthiness of others. PPD patients also might have difficulty relaxing.
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Organ donation is one of the most generous gifts a person can give. Age, diabetes, hypertension or other medical conditions do not automatically rule out organ donation, doctors said on World Organ Donation Day.
Observed on August 13 every year, World Organ Donation Day aims to raise awareness about the need for organ and tissue donation and honour donors and their families.
Dr. Umesh Gupta, Director and HOD, Nephrology and Kidney Transplant, Aakash Healthcare Multi-Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, told HealthandMe that organ donation can be considered when brain function is permanently lost and cannot be restored.
Brain death occurs when all functions of the brain and brainstem have permanently stopped.
“Brain death is different from a coma or a prolonged unconscious state. In brain death, the person cannot regain consciousness or breathe independently. Mechanical support may continue to keep the heart beating and preserve the condition of organs for a limited period, which is why organ donation can be considered,” he said.
Depending on the donor’s medical condition, organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs and pancreas may be suitable for transplantation.
Age alone does not rule out organ donation. Eligibility is assessed individually by the transplant team.
Doctors evaluate:
Can People With Diabetes or Hypertension Donate?
People with well-controlled diabetes or hypertension may still be eligible to donate certain organs or tissues, said Dr. Shailesh Chandra Sahay, Senior Director - Urology, Kidney Transplant, Robotic Surgery, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj.
Modern transplantation practices allow doctors to assess each organ individually rather than excluding a donor solely because of age or a particular diagnosis.
Every potential donor deserves a medical evaluation. An organ that may appear unsuitable to a person could ultimately give another patient a second chance at life.
Blood group compatibility is an important consideration in organ transplantation.
“A blood group O donor typically donates to O recipients, while AB recipients can receive organs from all ABO blood groups in many transplant settings,” Dr. Saurabh said.
However, compatibility involves more than blood type. Doctors also assess:
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Lung cancer has long been associated with smoking, but this is no longer the complete picture. While tobacco remains the leading cause, an increasing number of people who have never smoked are also being diagnosed with the disease. This changing pattern highlights the need to look beyond smoking alone when considering lung cancer risk.
In non-smokers, lung cancer is often diagnosed later because neither patients nor families may initially suspect the disease. As a result, symptoms are sometimes mistaken for common respiratory illnesses, delaying evaluation and treatment.
While smoking continues to account for most lung cancer cases, several other factors can also contribute. Long-term exposure to second-hand smoke, air pollution, radon gas, asbestos, diesel exhaust, and certain workplace chemicals has been linked to an increased risk. A family history of lung cancer or specific genetic mutations may also make some individuals more susceptible, even if they have never used tobacco.
In urban areas, prolonged exposure to polluted air is becoming an important concern. Fine particulate matter can enter deep into the lungs, causing long-term inflammation and damage that may increase the risk of developing lung disease, including cancer.
Early lung cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they should not be ignored, particularly if they persist for more than a few weeks. Symptoms that should be evaluated by a doctor include:
• A persistent cough that does not improve
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• Repeated chest infections
• Hoarseness of voice
• Persistent fatigue
These symptoms can occur due to several conditions and do not always indicate lung cancer. However, persistent or worsening symptoms should be assessed promptly to identify the underlying cause and begin appropriate treatment if needed.
Finding lung cancer at an early stage improves the chances of successful treatment. Individuals with prolonged exposure to environmental or occupational risk factors, or those with a strong family history of lung cancer, should discuss their risk with a doctor. Imaging tests such as chest CT scans and, when indicated, molecular testing help identify the type of lung cancer and support treatment planning.
Not every case of lung cancer can be prevented, but reducing exposure to tobacco smoke, avoiding harmful occupational exposures, improving indoor air quality where possible, and seeking medical advice for persistent respiratory symptoms can help protect lung health. Greater awareness that lung cancer can affect both smokers and non-smokers may lead to earlier diagnosis, timely treatment, and better outcomes.
(Dr Dipanjan Panda, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi)
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Influenza strain H1N1, formerly known as swine flu, is rising significantly in India, with deaths also being reported in some states.
H1N1 is a subtype of Influenza A and can cause sudden fever, cough, sore throat, headache, body aches and fatigue. These symptoms can overlap with those of other seasonal influenza strains, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), making it difficult to identify the infection based on symptoms alone.
Delhi: According to official data, Delhi has reported 1,349 confirmed H1N1 infections. No official deaths have been reported.
Kerala: A total of 2,468 influenza cases were recorded in the state in July, with 24 deaths reported during the month. The total number of cases recorded in the state this year stands at 5,519, with 60 deaths reported.
Maharashtra: The state has reported 25 laboratory-confirmed H1N1 cases, including a major spike of 15 cases in July. One confirmed death was officially verified by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) Death Audit Committee.
Gujarat: H1N1 activity is also being reported, with Ahmedabad currently seeing a rise in cases.
Although H1N1 influenza primarily affects the respiratory tract, the infection can also put additional strain on the heart in some people, particularly those with a chronic history of cardiovascular disease, experts told HealthandMe.
Fever, dehydration, increased levels of carbon dioxide in the body, decreased oxygen levels and the body’s inflammatory response can increase the workload on the heart during an H1N1 infection.
This added strain may be more concerning for people who already have cardiovascular disease, said Dr. Praveen Raman Mishra, Associate Consultant, Institute of Cardiac Sciences at ShardaCare – Healthcity.
Some H1N1 influenza patients may experience cardiovascular complications, including:
Dr. Saurabh Gupta, Associate Director, Internal Medicine, Yashoda Medicity, added that H1N1 infection may cause fluctuations in heart rhythm or inflammation associated with the heart.
“In some circumstances when suffering from the H1N1 virus, although the initial symptoms of the virus may be those shared with the normal flu, such as temperature, aches and cough, those with pre-existing heart conditions should be more vigilant whilst they’re recuperating,” he told HealthandMe.
“As the infection puts more work on the body, you can find that previous heart problems are more noticeable,” he added.
The experts noted that people recovering from H1N1 should seek medical attention if they develop symptoms such as:
People with a chronic history of cardiovascular disease may face greater strain on the heart during H1N1 infection.
Monitoring symptoms during recovery and seeking medical attention when concerning symptoms develop can help identify cardiovascular problems early.
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