Human Papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted virus. There are more than 100 strains of HPV of which at least 30 to 40 causes infections in the genital tract. As common as it is, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can cause a number of infections including cancer and genital warts. It is important to understand how one acquires HPV and how to prevent severe infection to stay safe and healthy.   Q:WHAT IS HPV?...

  Women within the age of 21 to 65 can have a Pap Smear done once every 3 years or as recommended by the doctor. If you are found to be at risk for Cervical Cancer, you may need to have the test done more frequently. Q:What is a Pap Smear Test?   Dr:A Pap Smear or a Pap Test involves taking cells from the cervix (lower end of uterus, top of your vagina), to...

  A man's fertility potential is at its best until the age of 50. After this age, the quality of sperm produced and sperm count go down. For women the ideal age to get pregnant is 25 to 35 years. Q:How long should a couple try to conceive naturally before opting for Fertility Testing?   Dr:After a year of carefully timed, unprotected sexual intercourse, if a couple is unable to conceive, it is time to...

  Having unprotected sex as close as possible to to the time of ovulation increases the chances of conception For couples trying to conceive, being aware of the four phases of the menstrual cycle can help time intercourse in order to improve their chances of getting pregnant. But first, what are the phases of the menstrual cycle?   THE MENSTRUAL PHASE   It is the time when women have their periods. It lasts for 4...

  Gestational Diabetes is usually a temporary condition and goes away on its own after the baby is delivered. However, having gestational diabetes means that you can develop type 2 diabetes later on in life. Doing an annual check-up is a wise choice. A woman undergoes several changes in her body during her pregnancy. Sudden increase of hormonal activity produces emotional and physiological changes, and it can be quite a rollercoaster ride. Considering her own...

  The Movember movements is all about creating an awareness on major men's health issues and urging men of all ages to pay attention to their body For most people 'Movember' is just about growing a moustache or a beard and exploring a new look in the month of November. But NO, that's not it.   MEN + NOVEMBER = MOVEMBER   The Movember campaign was started to raise awareness on health issues that affect...

  Pulmonary Rehab aims to educate people on lung health and to equip them with exercises that promote the same Most of the time we barely notice how we breathe. The process of inhalation and exhalation is so natural and familiar that we live most of our life, without even realising we are constantly doing it. Only when we do strenuous activity, which makes us gasp for breath do we feel the heaving of our...

  Uncontrolled diabetes will cause blood vessel damage in the long run leading to foot ulcers or amputation, kidney failure, heart disease and stroke. Diabetes is a global issue with 463 million known cases of the disease amongst adults across the globe. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to maintain blood sugar levels in the body. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can lead to several complications such as blindness, kidney failure, stroke,...

  It has been found that a man's coping mechanism in the face of stressful events is less adaptive, increasing their risk for heart disease. That being said, fewer women than men survive their first heart attack. There are some conditions that only affect men, and some that impact only women. Heart disease is not a gender specific condition. Worldwide, millions of people are diagnosed with heart disease irrespective of gender. The difference lies in...

  Leukemia, which is the cancer of the white blood cells. It is the most prevalent type of blood cancer amongst children under the age of 15.   Q:What is Blood Cancer?   Ans:It is the occurrence of cancerous cells in the blood. In most cases blood cancer begins in the bone marrow which is where blood is produced. Blood cancer is often the result of abnormal/ excessive production of white blood cells.   Q:What...