admin | Dr M V Rao

Debunking 3 Common Myths About Malaria

by admin | Apr 22, 2025 | Malaria

India was the largest contributor (83%) to cases concerning malaria in the South-East Region in 2020, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2021 World Malaria Report.

This statistic is not merely a number. It translates to several parts of India having high malaria incidence and deaths. For instance, states like Mizoram (API 4.61) and Tripura (API 2.43) have recorded high malaria incidence with the help of the Annual Parasite Incidence meter. Regions in states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Odisha, and West Bengal have an API of more than one, indicating the additional scope of risk if untreated.

Malaria is a life-threatening disease spread to humans by specific kinds of mosquitoes, which are commonly found in tropical regions. The symptoms of malaria range from mild to life-threatening. The mild symptoms consist of fever, chills, and headache. On the other hand, the severe symptoms are fatigue, confusion, seizures, and inconsistent breathing.

Malaria can impact anybody. However, infants, children under the age of 5, expectant mothers, young girls, travelers, and people suffering from HIV or AIDS are more prone to developing severe infections. This disease can be prevented by simply avoiding mosquito bites or with the help of medication, or repellents. The right diagnosis at the right time can be extremely helpful in managing the symptoms before they worsen.

It is important to note that malaria is caused by a parasite and does not spread from one person to the other. It is not a communicable disease.

What Are the Symptoms of Malaria?

The earliest and most common indicators of malaria include fever, headache, and chills.

The onset of symptoms typically occurs within 10 to 15 days following a bite from an infected mosquito.

The severe symptoms consist

Extreme tiredness and fatigue
Impaired consciousness
Multiple convulsions
Difficulty breathing
Dark or bloody urine
Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
Abnormal bleeding

Those experiencing severe symptoms should seek emergency medical attention immediately. Early treatment for mild malaria can prevent the infection from worsening.

Malaria during pregnancy may also lead to premature birth or result in a baby with a low birth weight.

What are the 3 Common Myths Associated with Malaria?

Myth No. 1: Malaria is transmitted solely through bites from mosquitoes.

Fact: Although mosquito bites are the main way malaria spreads, it can also be transmitted via blood transfusions and from a mother to her child during pregnancy.

Myth No. 2: Malaria can be cured with a single dose of medication.

Fact: Treatment for malaria generally consists of a mix of medications and often requires several doses spread over several days.

Myth No. 3: Malaria affects only specific groups of individuals.

Fact: Malaria can affect anyone, irrespective of their age, gender, or health condition. However, specific groups like young children, expectant mothers, and individuals with weak immune systems are at greater risk of serious illness.

It is important to prevent malaria. Implement measures to avoid mosquito bites, such as applying insect repellent, wearing protective attire, and sleeping beneath mosquito nets.

Immediate diagnosis and intervention are essential. Timely medical care can help reduce the possibility of severe complications and decrease the risk of death.

This World Malaria Day, let’s raise awareness and take action against malaria, promote early diagnosis and treatment, and support ongoing research. Let’s take steps to get closer to a malaria-free world.

Misinformation regarding developmental conditions is known to spread quickly, and therefore, months such as April, dedicated to World Autism Awareness, go a long way in debunking the common myths and providing authentic information about the condition. If you are autistic or a parent of an autistic child or both, this blog might help you get answers to some of the common misconceptions about Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Myth 1: Autism is an Illness.

Several people refer to autism as an illness or a disease, but the truth is that it is merely a neurodevelopmental disorder. This means that when you compare a child with autism to one without, the brain development and function of the former is different from the latter. However, it is important to note that different does not necessarily mean bad or wrong. All individuals with autism do not face the same challenges. As the name suggests, it is a spectrum of disorders and needs to meet a criterion for proper diagnosis.

Myth 2: It is a Mental Illness.

Contrary to popular belief, autism is not found under mental illnesses. While all healthcare professionals rely on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health conditions, it is not a known fact that the book is divided into multiple categories for both sections.

A key difference between the two is that mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or substance use disorder develop at a later stage in life, whereas autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning the child is born with it. Several studies suggest that an individual with autism may be prone to developing psychiatric disorders as well, so the parents must look for shifts in moods and behavior in the child as they would with any other. While there are rehabilitation and treatment programs for those with mental health conditions, there are none for autism.

Myth 3: There’s an Epidemic of Autism.

The number of those with autism is growing. While this may sound like an epidemic, it is mainly because of four major factors consisting of:

Larger recognition because of awareness and the availability of resources and tools for autistic children. This allows for early intervention, and supportive therapies play a huge role in diagnosing children with autism.
Better medical expertise in autism is causing healthcare professionals to diagnose the condition in a quicker and enhanced way.
Changes to the diagnostic criteria of DSM-5 in 2013 caused Autism Spectrum Disorder to be referred to as an umbrella diagnosis. This meant that Asperger’s syndrome, autism, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder were replaced in the manual and then grouped under the ASD diagnosis, making ASD more popular overnight.
New rules enabled healthcare professionals to diagnose Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which wasn’t allowed before. This caused both conditions to become more common, as both often occur together.

While research does hint toward an increase in the number of children with ASD, it does not meet the criteria of an epidemic.

Autism can be difficult to deal with. While we have walked a long way to understand the condition, we still have miles to go because of misinformation. If your child has autism, it’s essential to consult healthcare professionals for personalized guidance. While this blog here may provide helpful insights, nothing replaces expert advice.

If you have further questions, we are here to help! Book an appointment today and let’s work together to provide the best possible care for your child.

Debunking Common Myths About Autism

by admin | Apr 7, 2025 | Autism

Autism spectrum disorder, commonly referred to as autism, is a developmental condition that involves continuous difficulties with social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior. It is a condition that spans over a lifetime, and its treatment and support vary from individual to individual. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated one in 36 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder.

Misinformation regarding developmental conditions is known to spread quickly, and therefore, months such as April, dedicated to World Autism Awareness, go a long way in debunking the common myths and providing authentic information about the condition. If you are autistic or a parent of an autistic child or both, this blog might help you get answers to some of the common misconceptions about Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Myth 1: Autism is an Illness.

Several people refer to autism as an illness or a disease, but the truth is that it is merely a neurodevelopmental disorder. This means that when you compare a child with autism to one without, the brain development and function of the former is different from the latter. However, it is important to note that different does not necessarily mean bad or wrong. All individuals with autism do not face the same challenges. As the name suggests, it is a spectrum of disorders and needs to meet a criterion for proper diagnosis.

Myth 2: It is a Mental Illness.

Contrary to popular belief, autism is not found under mental illnesses. While all healthcare professionals rely on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health conditions, it is not a known fact that the book is divided into multiple categories for both sections.

A key difference between the two is that mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or substance use disorder develop at a later stage in life, whereas autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning the child is born with it. Several studies suggest that an individual with autism may be prone to developing psychiatric disorders as well, so the parents must look for shifts in moods and behavior in the child as they would with any other. While there are rehabilitation and treatment programs for those with mental health conditions, there are none for autism.

Myth 3: There’s an Epidemic of Autism.

The number of those with autism is growing. While this may sound like an epidemic, it is mainly because of four major factors consisting of:

Larger recognition because of awareness and the availability of resources and tools for autistic children. This allows for early intervention, and supportive therapies play a huge role in diagnosing children with autism.
Better medical expertise in autism is causing healthcare professionals to diagnose the condition in a quicker and enhanced way.
Changes to the diagnostic criteria of DSM-5 in 2013 caused Autism Spectrum Disorder to be referred to as an umbrella diagnosis. This meant that Asperger’s syndrome, autism, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder were replaced in the manual and then grouped under the ASD diagnosis, making ASD more popular overnight.
New rules enabled healthcare professionals to diagnose Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which wasn’t allowed before. This caused both conditions to become more common, as both often occur together.

While research does hint toward an increase in the number of children with ASD, it does not meet the criteria of an epidemic.

Autism can be difficult to deal with. While we have walked a long way to understand the condition, we still have miles to go because of misinformation. If your child has autism, it’s essential to consult healthcare professionals for personalized guidance. While this blog here may provide helpful insights, nothing replaces expert advice.

If you have further questions, we are here to help! Book an appointment today and let’s work together to provide the best possible care for your child.

7 Proven Strategies to Beat Insomnia Tonight

by admin | Mar 22, 2025 | Insomnia Tonight

If you’re in bed tonight googling- “How to Fall Asleep Naturally.”
If you haven’t had a good night’s sleep in weeks or even months.
If you wake up too early and fall asleep too late, we see you.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder which makes it difficult for you to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. It may even result in tiredness in the day and make it difficult to function. There are several kinds of insomnia, consisting of:

Onset insomnia: You have trouble falling asleep.
Maintenance insomnia: You have trouble staying asleep.
Early morning awakening insomnia: You wake up too early and can’t fall back asleep.

Even if you have insomnia or not, there are 7 ways that you can get a good night’s sleep tonight.

Try to Wake Up at the Same Time Every Day: While it is tempting to get that extra hour of sleep on weekends, it is important that you train your body to wake up at the same time every day. This not only makes you have a consistent sleep schedule, but also helps you combat insomniac blues.
Say No to Alcohol and Stimulants like Nicotine and Caffeine: The interesting thing about caffeine is that it lasts more than you think it is. It stays in your body for several hours lasting upto 24 hours. Therefore, it impacts your sleep cycle and makes you experience difficulty in falling asleep. Alcohol has a similar effect on your body. While they may have a sedative effect for the first few hours after consumption, they can result in frequent arousals and restless sleep. In case you’re on medications acting as stimulants consisting of decongestants or asthma inhalers, it is wise to ask your healthcare provider the timing at which they should be taken to minimize the effect it has on your sleep cycle.
Napping is a No: Nothing seems better than napping in the middle of the day, right? Wrong. It is extremely essential to establish and have a consistent sleep pattern and train yourself to associate your sleep with external cues such as darkness and a timely bedtime. Napping has the potential to affect the quality of sleep at night.
Workout Regularly: Exercising regularly can enhance not only the quality of sleep but the duration as well. It is important to note that exercising immediately before sleeping should be avoided as it has a stimulating effect on the body. You may exercise three hours before you decide to sleep.
Prevent Activities in Bed Before Bedtime: Your bed isn’t a place for working, balancing the checkbook, watching television or taking calls. Limiting the bed to sleep helps you make that space restricted to rest. The rest of activities simply increase your alertness and make you experience difficulty in falling asleep.
Avoid Eating or Drinking Anything Before Bed: Snacking before bed or having a late dinner can make your digestive system active and keep you awake and restless. In case you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) or heartburn, it becomes even more essential that you prevent eating or drinking before bedtime because this has the potential to make your symptoms worse. Moreover, drinking a lot of fluids and overhydrating yourself before bed can overwhelm your bladder and make you visit the bathroom more than usual, disrupting your sleep.
Turn your Sleeping Environment into a Comfort Space: The temperature, lighting and noise, all play an essential role in helping you sleep at night. Your bed should be comfortable and neat, and there should be no noise or disruption in your surroundings. All these factors can help you fall asleep on time.

By incorporating these seven strategies into your routine, you’ll be well on your way to achieving a more restful and rejuvenating sleep, leaving you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.

The Impact Of Rickets On Growth And Development

by admin | Mar 8, 2025 | lack of vitamin D

The lack of vitamin D in your body could be the cause of you having Rickets. It is categorized as a childhood disease as it impacts children. This condition causes their bones to bend and break more easily. In some rare cases, rickets is also caused by genetic disorders. The importance of vitamin D in your body is extremely important, as it is responsible for helping the child absorb calcium and phosphorus from food. If not consumed, the bones may become fragile and bent.

The generic advice would be to add vitamin D and calcium to your meals so you do not face the consequences of rickets. If the child has one more condition or disease with rickets, they may need medications or other treatments. There may also be skeletal deformities as a result of rickets, which can be further corrected through surgery.

Rickets is not similar to osteomalacia affecting adults. In fact, the differentiating factor between the two is that rickets affect children’s bones that are in the process of growth and development. Adult bones, however, are already grown and do not share the same symptoms with rickets unless they had it as a child.

What are the Symptoms of Rickets?

The symptoms of rickets may include:

Bowing of leg bones.
A widening of knees (in children who can walk) or wrists (in infants who are capable of crawling).
Bone pain.
Swelling of the ends of ribs, referred to as rachitic rosary (pronounced “ra-kit-ic”) due to the appearance of the rib ends resembling rosary beads beneath the skin.
Pigeon chest (where the breastbone protrudes outward or upward).
Delays in growth.
Unusual curvature of the spine or abnormal shape of the skull.
Dental issues, such as cavities.
Seizures (in severe instances when calcium levels are dangerously low).

What Causes Rickets?

The simple answer is vitamin D. It is the main agent responsible for absorbing calcium and phosphorus from food. If the body is unable to receive the right quantities of vitamin D or calcium or has difficulty using vitamin D, it may have Rickets. Sometimes not receiving adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D may also cause rickets.

Vitamin D is usually sourced from food or natural sunlight. The children who face a deficiency in Vitamin D need to spend sufficient time in the sun. They may also consume foods containing fish oil, egg yolks, and fatty foods, including salmon and mackerel, which are high in vitamin D. You may also find added Vitamin D in milk, cereal, and fruit juices.

The child may face absorption issues in Vitamin D if they are born with any medical disorder such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, cystic fibrosis, or kidney problems that impact their bodily functioning.

What are the Risk Factors of Rickets?

Several factors may make you prone to rickets. They include:

Dark skin: Dark skin contains a higher concentration of the pigment melanin, which reduces the skin’s capacity to generate vitamin D from sunlight.
Mother’s Vitamin D Deficiency during Pregnancy: An infant born to a mother suffering from significant vitamin D deficiency may exhibit symptoms of rickets at birth or develop them within a few months after delivery.
Northern latitudes: Children residing in areas with limited sunlight are more vulnerable to the risk of rickets.
Premature birth: Infants delivered before their expected dates generally have lower vitamin D levels due to insufficient time to obtain the vitamin from their mothers while in the womb.
Medications: Certain types of anti-seizure drugs and antiretroviral medications, used in the treatment of HIV infections, seem to disrupt the body’s ability to utilize vitamin D.
Exclusive breast-feeding: Breast milk lacks sufficient vitamin D to avert rickets. Infants who are exclusively breastfed should be given vitamin D supplements.

How Does Rickets Impact the Growth and Development of a Child?

Rickets cause the bones to go weak, turning them fragile and bendy.

Deformities in Bone: In the legs, arms, and spine, it may cause the weight of the body to make the bones bend and deform. This may also lead to bowed legs, knockknees, and a pigeon-like chest.

Slow Growth: Rickets may delay normal bone development, resulting in stunted growth and smaller stature.

Problems in Skeletal Structure: Your weak bones are always at risk for fractures. In extreme cases, rickets may also impact the skull, bringing about slow closure of the soft spots or the fontanels and a differently shaped head.

In conclusion, rickets can have a major effect on a child’s growth and development, resulting in physical disadvantages and health issues.

It’s important to talk to a doctor if you feel that you have or your child has rickets. It is important to remember that early diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing the symptoms of rickets and reducing long-term complications.

The Secrets to Dengue Fever Prevention

by admin | Feb 27, 2025 | Dengue Fever

Did you know up to 400 million people get infected with dengue every year and many millions are at risk? Dengue fever is a disease caused by the bite of mosquitoes infected with one of the dengue viruses. The symptoms are similar to the flu. However, they may become worse and develop into dengue hemorrhagic fever, which is a life-threatening disease. While the first time getting infected with dengue fever may not be severe, the second time increases the risk of symptoms.

What is Dengue Fever?

You may get dengue fever if a mosquito carrying one of the four kinds of dengue virus (DENV) bites you. The DENV is generally found in regions that are tropical and subtropical, such as Central and South America, Africa, and parts of Southeast Asia and the western Pacific Islands. However, it has now attacked regions such as Europe and the southern parts of the United States. Dengue fever affects millions of cases across the world and may result in serious bleeding, a drop in blood pressure, and death if the symptoms get severe.

What are the Symptoms of Dengue Fever?

Several affected persons have no indications or symptoms of dengue infection.

When symptoms of dengue fever arise, they may be confused with other illnesses like the flu. It may take usually 4 to 10 days after the mosquito bite for the symptoms to show. Usually, dengue fever may result in a high fever of 104 F (40 C) coupled with symptoms such as:

Headache
Muscle, bone, or joint pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Pain behind the eyes
Swollen glands
Rash

While most people with dengue recover within a week or more, other people may experience their symptoms worsening. The latter may have severe dengue, dengue hemorrhagic fever, or dengue shock syndrome, which is usually life-threatening.

Severe dengue is when your blood vessels turn damaged and start to leak. Additionally, there is a decrease in the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your bloodstream. This may further lead to shock, internal bleeding, organ failure, and even death.

The warning signs of severe dengue fever, which is a life-threatening emergency, may emerge immediately. The warning signs usually start to show one or two days after your fever subsides and may consist of:

Severe stomach pain
Persistent vomiting
Bleeding from your gums or nose
Blood in your urine, stools, or vomit
Bleeding under the skin, which might appear like bruising
Difficult or rapid breathing
Fatigue
Irritability or restlessness

How is Dengue Fever Diagnosed?

If you have the symptoms of dengue fever, your healthcare provider may recommend you get a blood test done. The blood test helps in determining the specific kind of dengue virus you have out of the four. It may also help them understand if any other viruses are causing similar symptoms in your bloodstream.

How Do I Treat Dengue Fever?

There is no medication available that specifically addresses dengue fever. Your healthcare provider will offer guidance on how to handle your symptoms and advise you on whether you need to visit the ER.

How Can I Handle the Symptoms of Dengue Fever?

Handling your symptoms is the sole approach to managing dengue fever. Adhere to the advice of your healthcare provider, which may consist of:

Staying hydrated by consuming plenty of water and fluids.
Obtaining as much rest as you can.
Managing pain with acetaminophen (such as Tylenol®) exclusively.
Avoid taking ibuprofen (like Advil®) or aspirin. This may elevate your risk of severe internal bleeding.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of dengue fever, make sure to speak to your healthcare provider and keep an eye out for the warning signs of severe dengue.