Inspiring Health

Eosinophilic Esophagitis Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune/antigen-mediated esophageal disease characterized clinically by symptoms related to esophageal dysfunction and histologically by eosinophil-predominated inflammation. What is Eosinophilic Esophagitis? Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus. It is characterized by the presence of high numbers of eosinophils in multiple biopsy samples from the esophagus of patients who present with symptoms of esophageal dysfunction. EoE causes inflammation and scarring in the esophagus, which restricts the passage of food. Symptoms of Eosinophilic Esophagitis The most common symptoms of EoE include dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), food impaction (feeling of something getting stuck in the throat or chest), heartburn, chest pain, abdominal pain, vomiting and feeding difficulties in children and infants. Several foods or food groups often worsen EoE symptoms and alter the inflammato...

Next Generation Probiotics Probiotics have gained significant popularity in recent years for their numerous health benefits. Regular consumption of probiotic supplements and foods is associated with improved gut and digestive health as well as reduced risk of many chronic diseases. However, traditional probiotics only provide limited health benefits. Researchers are now developing next generation probiotics that can offer far more potent and targeted effects. This new generation of probiotics promises to revolutionize gut health and become a mainstream treatment for various illnesses. What are Next Generation Probiotics? Next generation probiotics are live microbial dietary supplements with enhanced functional attributes compared to traditional probiotics. Traditional probiotics typically contain 1-2 bacterial strains but next generation probiotics contain genetically characterized strains engineered for delivering specific health benefits. They are designed to survive better in the hu...

Dental Caries Detectors Dental caries, commonly known as cavities or tooth decay, remains one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide. Early diagnosis and treatment of dental caries is critical in preventing further progression and promoting oral health. Traditional diagnosis methods rely significantly on visual and tactile examination which have limitations. Recent years have seen promising advancements in technology that can potentially transform how dental caries are detected. Optical Detection Systems One of the most investigated non-invasive detection methods is based on optical imaging technologies. Certain wavelengths of light in the visible or near infrared spectrum have been found to interact differently with healthy and demineralized tooth structure affected by caries. This property is utilized by devices to detect the onset and extent of Dental caries Detectors . Some commercial optical systems use laser fluorescence to illuminate the tooth surface and analyze f...

Colposcope    A colposcope is a medical device used to examine the cervix for any abnormalities or pre-cancerous lesions. It helps doctors detect early signs of cervical cancer or determine if further diagnostic tests are required. Here are some key things to know about colposcopy: The Purpose and Components of a Colposcope A colposcope consists of a lightweight binocular microscope attached to an arm stand. It has special lighting that illuminates, magnifies, and allows close examination of the entire cervix and vaginal walls. During a colposcopy, a physician places the colposcope over the vaginal opening to get a magnified view of the cervix, which may not otherwise be visible to the naked eye. The Colposcope has several advantageous features compared to a normal speculum exam. Its intense lighting technology, often using green-filtered halogen, LED or xenon light, allows easy visualization of blood vessels and surface contours of the cervix. Magnification ranging from 5-...

Humira Biosimilar Biosimilars are touted as the future of innovative biologic medicines, offering more affordable treatment options for patients worldwide. However, with the impending patent expiry of blockbuster drugs like Humira, there are still many unanswered questions about how the biosimilar market will evolve. What are biosimilars? Biosimilars are biologic medicines that are developed to be similar to an existing approved biologic drug, known as the reference product. They are engineered to be highly similar to the original biologic in terms of quality characteristics, biological activity, safety and efficacy. However, biosimilars are not generic copies of biologics. Developing a biosimilar is more challenging than a generic small molecule drug due to the complexity of biologics which are produced through living systems. Stringent regulatory requirements need to be fulfilled to demonstrate biosimilarity. The first Humira biosimilar Humira (adalimumab) developed by AbbVie i...

Orthopedic Braces And Support Casting And Splints Orthopedic bracing, casting and splinting plays an important role in the treatment and rehabilitation of various musculoskeletal injuries and conditions in India. From fractured bones to strained muscles to post-surgery recovery, orthopedic supports help patients immobilize injured areas, apply pressure or traction, and protect healing tissues. With India's growing population and rates of road accidents, sports injuries and chronic diseases affecting bones and joints, the demand for quality orthopedic supports has significantly increased in the country. Common Types of Orthopedic Injuries in India Some of the most common orthopedic conditions requiring bracing, casting or splinting in India include: - Fractures: Bone fractures, especially of the lower and upper limbs, are very prevalent due to accidental falls and road traffic accidents. Common fracture sites include wrist, ankle, knee, shoulder and collar bone. - Sprains a...

The fitness industry has seen revolutionary changes over the past few years with the advancement of technology. Smart fitness gadgets and apps have made working out more accessible and convenient for people worldwide. Smart Fitness The Rise of Smart Fitness Devices Wearable fitness trackers were some of the earliest smart devices to enter the market and their popularity has grown exponentially ever since. Brands like Fitbit, Apple Watch, Garmin and Whoop track everything from steps, heart rate, sleep and more using advanced sensors. The ability to monitor health data in real-time on the wrist has transformed personal fitness. An array of other specialized smart devices have emerged for dedicated workouts like running, cycling, swimming and strength training. For example, smart watches developed by Coros, Polar and Garmin offer GPS tracking, music playback and advanced metrics specific for various sports. Underwater fitness trackers allow swimmers to monitor metrics in pools. Intellig...

Bone Grafts and Substitutes The field of orthopedics and trauma surgery has witnessed tremendous advancements in recent years. One such major area of progress is bone grafts and substitutes that are used extensively in various bone repair and reconstruction procedures. Autografts Remain the Gold Standard When it comes to bone grafting procedures, autografts, which involve transplanting bone from one site to another in the same person, remain the gold standard. The transplanted bone fuses easily and causes minimal immune response. Despite the advancements in bone substitute technology, autografts are still preferred in many situations given their osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties. However, autografts do have some disadvantages like requiring additional surgery to harvest bone, risk of donor site morbidity, and limited supply. Allografts Gaining Popularity With limitations of autografts, allografts or bone grafts taken from another human (either a cadaver or a living donor)...

Veterinary Blood Glucose Just like humans, glucose, commonly known as blood sugar, is the primary source of energy for pets. It is vital for cellular metabolism and overall health. Maintaining healthy and balanced blood glucose levels is important for dogs and cats. Testing blood glucose helps veterinarians diagnose and monitor conditions related to glucose metabolism. What are normal blood glucose levels? The normal range of blood glucose levels may vary slightly between veterinary labs and also depends on whether the animal is fasting or not. In general, here are the normal reference ranges: - Dogs (fasting): 70-120 mg/dL - Dogs (non-fasting): 80-140 mg/dL - Cats (fasting): 75-140 mg/dL - Cats (non-fasting): 80-180 mg/dL Measuring Veterinary Blood Glucose provides vets with valuable insight into a pet's overall health and helps diagnose related medical conditions. Maintaining levels within the normal range is crucial. Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) Hypoglycemia, characterized...

Magnetic Driven Drug Delivery Technology With advancements in nanotechnology and material engineering, magnetic drug delivery is emerging as a revolutionary targeted drug delivery approach. This cutting-edge technology utilizes magnetic fields and magnetic nanoparticles to guide therapeutic agents directly to diseased sites in the body, minimizing side effects and maximizing treatment effectiveness. As research progresses, magnetic drug delivery holds enormous potential to transform healthcare and improve patient outcomes for various conditions. The Rise of Targeted Drug Delivery Traditionally, drugs are administered systemically, circulating throughout the body in search of their target. However, most drugs will accumulate non-specifically in healthy tissues as well, causing unwanted side effects. To address this issue, scientists have long pursued targeted drug delivery methods that concentrate therapeutic agents precisely where needed. Magnetic drug delivery aims to do just that ...