Despite affecting roughly 18% of people at one time or another, depression is perhaps the least well-understood condition among psychological disorders, especially among the lay population. Depression is often thought of as “just bad mood,” or as some sort of an emotional tantrum by the sufferer, eliciting suggestions like “shrug it off” or “pick yourself up and get on with life.” It is curious how, in the case of a physical illness, nobody would expect you to just “walk it off.” Adequate treatment and rest would be considered essential for recuperation; however, the need for these are not as obvious for most people in the case of a mental illness like depression. To help separate facts from fiction, let us look at a few common misconceptions about depression: It is just a case of the blues – While all of us go through periods of low mood now and then, depression is far more serious, with a complex array of contributing factors, with far-reaching implications on the sufferer’s quality of life, relationships, and work. Depression happens to the idle – This is a cruel myth. Deep and debilitating changes in the sufferer’s brain chemistry can make it near-impossible for him or her to find motivation to work or engage in their hobbies.

If you have recently come across the term soft tissue sarcoma because you or someone you know has been affected by it, then here is a comprehensive list of questions to ask the doctor or the medical team in charge about this type of rare but malignant cancer that forms in the soft tissues in the body. Find answers from multiple sources, discuss options and understand clearly what this condition is from the diagnosis and how it can be managed or treated. It is important to be armed with answers and acquire the wisdom to make the ideal choices. Does the diagnosis confirm cancer? Where is the growth found in the body? What type of soft tissue sarcoma is it? How much has cancer spread? What stage is it in? What is the current health condition? How will it affect other co-morbid health conditions? What are the suggested treatment options? Why are these medications, procedures or surgeries being proposed? How will treatment help? What will be the effect of the recommended treatments? What goal can they achieve? Are there any risks or side effects to expect in these treatments, both immediately and in the long term? How can side effects be prevented or managed?

Oral cancer has suddenly increased in cases with HPV infection in the younger generation. These lesions are found at the very back of the mouth, also known as oropharynx or OP. In order to extend the affected person’s life expectancy, early detection is a prerequisite. The American Dental Association and the Oral Cancer Foundation have a standardized protocol that can be completed in 5 minutes during opportunistic screening. OP comprises one-third of the tongue from its root, posterior wall of pharynx, tonsils and its folds. Clues like changes in facial asymmetry, swelling, skin discoloration, temporal wastages, paralysis, weight loss, anorexia, and fatigue are gathered during recording history. In addition, other non-visual changes are also recorded. It is advised to inform the patient about the procedures, establish rapport, win their confidence, and also educate the patient about malignancy, advantages of early detection, and risk reductions. The patient’s face is then examined for signs of malignancy. Eye movement and visual activity are checked for the viability of the optic nerve and swellings. Nearby areas and blocks in tear ducts are also checked as they may indicate malignancy in the sinuses and palate. Furthermore, any hearing deficiency is noted during conversations and the external ear is checked for telltale signs.

Aftercare is extremely important for renal cancer survivors to prevent its recurrence. In some individuals, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy can remove the cancer cells completely. It is important for these cancer survivors to follow an aftercare plan that includes A schedule for follow-up visits to the doctor and the tests that need to be taken. A list of side effects that you need to keep a look out for after the treatment is completed. Some of the side effects of the cancer treatment may appear even several years after the treatment has been stopped. It is therefore important to find out about these. A list of red flags to look out for in case the cancer has recurred. A healthy diet that needs to be followed. An exercise regimen. A list of tests that need to be done such as early detection tests for other types of cancer. Renal cancer survivors need to make changes to their lifestyle to prevent the cancer from coming back. This involves quitting smoking, following a healthy and well-balanced diet, exercising regularly and managing stress. It is important to note that there is very little evidence to show that making these changes may prevent the recurrence of renal cancer.

Diabetes is a serious health condition that can affect people of any age. It has been associated with increased risk of stroke, blindness, and heart attack, even amputation due to poor blood circulation in the limbs. Treatment for diabetes involves keeping a close watch on the sugar level in the blood and playing attention to what you do, eat and how you live your life. Your treating physician should be able to design a treatment plan based on the type of diabetes you are suffering from as well as your lifestyle: 1. Treatment with Insulin If you have type 1 diabetes, it means your pancreas are unable to produce insulin due to which the sugar level in the blood is higher than the allowed limited. External insulin in the form of injection is administered in this case. The daunting part, however, is administering insulin injections yourself. Luckily, there are devices and techniques to deliver the right amount of insulin that the body needs and make the procedure seem effortless. Some people with diabetes are given insulin through a computerized insulin pump. The accuracy of delivery is attained through insulin therapy, the amount of insulin which depends on the blood sugar level before food intake.