HEALTHCARE AWARENESS

Have you ever left your Antibiotics course incomplete because you felt better after a few days? If yes, you are risking yourself to a major global health threat called Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) also known as Antibiotic resistance. In 2021, AMR was associated with 9,87000 deaths in India alone.

This brings us to our next question- “What is Antimicrobial resistance and how does it affect the human body?”

Antibiotics are prescribed to treat bacterial infections by killing or inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria. However, it is common for symptoms to improve before the infection has been completely eliminated. Skipping dosages or ending the treatment prematurely,  allows these surviving bacteria to continue multiplying, increasing the risk of the infection returning and can potentially reduce the effectiveness of treatment .

Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria are exposed to antibiotics but are not completely eliminated. The remaining bacteria can adapt and evolve to withstand future treatment and survive the use of medicines meant to kill or weaken them. This means infections that were once easily treatable may require stronger, more expensive medicines, longer hospital stays, and more complex medical interventions. There are only a limited number of medications that can kill or weaken bacteria. Antibiotic resistance leaves fewer effective medications for these infections, which can lead to serious disability or death. 

The growing burden of antimicrobial resistance is already being felt around the world. In 2023, approximately one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections worldwide were resistant to antibiotics. Between 2018 and 2023, antibiotic resistance increased across many monitored pathogen-antibiotic combinations, with annual growth rates ranging from 5% to 15%. India is also significantly affected. In 2021, bacterial AMR contributed to more than 266,000 deaths in the country. WHO estimates that antibiotic resistance is highest in the WHO South-East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean Regions, where 1 in 3 reported infections were resistant.  

Completing your prescribed Antibiotic course ensures Complete Eradication of the Infection, prevents Antibiotic Resistance as well as recurrence of the infection.

Some bacterias can also be contagious and completing your course prevents the infection from spreading. During a bacterial infection your body also needs time to fully recover and function properly. When you stop your antibiotic course early, it leads to a longer recovery period, increased fatigue, and a higher chance of complications. Completing the regimen allows your body to heal more efficiently, restoring your health sooner. 

It is important to remain consistent during your antibiotic course, even if you miss a single dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's time for your next dose ( we should not take a double dose of antibiotics, to make up for a missed dosage.) If you’re unsure about what to do, contact your healthcare provider for guidance.  Antibiotics are powerful tools, but only if used properly. Recovery might take time but it’s important to complete the full course of your prescribed Antibiotics, as prescribed by your doctor. This helps to keep yourself and the community safe from the dangers of incomplete antibiotic treatment.

A fever, cough, urinary tract infection, or a seemingly minor wound is often overlooked and not treated as a matter of concern. For most people, these conditions are treatable and resolve without major complications. However for certain individuals, such as, older adults, people with diabetes, cancer patients, pregnant women, people with weak auto immune system and people who completely neglect these conditions, a small infection can escalate into a severe medical condition called Sepsis.

Sepsis is a life threatening medical emergency which occurs when our body is unable to fight an infection in a controlled manner and instead starts damaging its own tissues and organs. Our immune system reacts in an overwhelming manner triggering extensive inflammation throughout our body. This can impair blood flow, damage vital organs and ultimately lead to a ‘septic shock’. 

Sepsis is a global burden as approximately 49 million people develop sepsis every year and nearly 13 million sepsis-related deaths are reported globally. It is also one of the leading causes of in-hospital mortality across the world. Research suggests that people with diabetes face approximately 3 times the risk of developing severe infections that can progress to sepsis. Diabetics in septic shock have a 10% higher mortality than non-diabetics. Despite these alarming numbers, awareness remains low and many cases are identified after the occurrence of significant organ damage.That is why it is very important to understand sepsis and recognize its early warning signs as most people have a family member, friend, loved one or themselves fall under one of the high risk groups.

Sepsis develops from different kinds of infections, but Bacterial infections is the leading cause for most cases. Pneumonia accounts for roughly 30% of the cases, while Urinary Tract infections lead to approximately 25% of the cases. Soft tissue infections such as infected wound or diabetic foot infections and abdominal infections such as appendicitis or gallbladder infections account for 15% each.The remaining cases arise from conditions such as meningitis, bloodstream infections, and other serious infections.

Early warning signs of sepsis shock include, continuous fever about 38.3°C, unusually low body temperature below 36°C, rapid breathing exceeding 20 breaths per minute, a resting heart rate above 90 beats per minute, low blood pressure, reduced urination  or having strong urges to pee, severe weakness and cold or clammy skin. In older adults, sudden confusion or a change in mental status is considered one of the earliest indicators that sepsis is developing.

During a sepsis shock, time is the most crucial element. Survival rates can reach 70–80% when appropriate antibiotics are administered within the first hour, but outcomes decline dramatically when treatment is delayed.Studies have shown that for every hour antibiotic treatment is delayed in patients with septic shock, the risk of mortality increases by approximately 7.6%.

Sepsis is a medical emergency that demands immediate attention. Recognizing the warning signs, seeking prompt medical care for infections, and acting quickly before symptoms worsen can save lives. Early diagnosis and treatment remain the most effective tools in making the difference between recovery and a life-threatening outcome.

2.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year making it one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. Breast cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the breast grow uncontrollably and form a tumor. The disease most commonly begins in the milk ducts (ductal carcinoma) or the milk-producing glands known as lobules (lobular carcinoma).

However despite its prevalence, advances in awareness, screening, and treatment have significantly improved outcomes. In fact, when breast cancer is detected in its early stages, treatment is often highly successful. However, if left undiagnosed and allowed to spread to nearby tissues or distant organs, it can become much more difficult to treat and potentially life-threatening.

It is important to be able to identify early signs of breast cancer, to increase chances of treatment and cure. Many people associate breast cancer with a breast lump, but the disease can present through several other warning signs. A new lump or thickening in the breast or underarm is one of the most common symptoms, but changes in breast size, shape, or appearance should also be taken seriously. Other possible signs include nipple inversion, unusual or bloody nipple discharge, persistent breast or nipple pain, swelling under the arm, and skin changes such as redness, dimpling, thickening, or an orange-peel appearance. Some women may also experience itching, irritation, scaling around the nipple, or a persistent rash. Recognizing these symptoms early and seeking medical attention promptly can make a significant difference in outcomes.

Breast cancer is classified into different stages based on how far the disease has progressed. Stage 0 refers to pre-invasive conditions confined to the milk ducts or lobules. Stages I to III indicate increasing tumour size and involvement of nearby lymph nodes. Stage IV, also known as metastatic breast cancer, occurs when the cancer spreads to distant organs such as the lungs, liver, bones, or brain. Studies suggest that approximately one in three women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer may later develop metastatic disease, highlighting the importance of early detection and ongoing follow-up care.

Major causes of breast cancer are mostly associated with age, genetics, and family history. However, lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and physical inactivity can also increase the risk of developing breast cancer. While it cannot always be prevented, certain lifestyle choices may help reduce risk. Maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and calcium-rich foods, limiting alcohol consumption, and avoiding tobacco use can all contribute to better breast health. Regular breast self-examinations and routine mammogram screenings are equally important, as they can detect abnormalities before symptoms become noticeable.

The encouraging news is that early detection remains one of the most effective tools in the fight against breast cancer. Through awareness, preventive care, regular screening, and timely treatment, many patients can achieve successful outcomes and lead healthy lives.