However, the availability of numerous options in the market has made it difficult to find the best health insurance for one’s need. Without a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of facts related to medical insurance policies, one may make the wrong choice.

Before buying any medical insurance policy check the different type of plans available. This will ensure you the best deal. Medical insurance policies are available under the following plans:

Group insurance:
Group insurance provides medical insurance to groups like employees of an organization, members of a co-operative society etc.

Individual:
Individual insurance policies are exclusively created for the specialized requirements of individuals. Generally individual insurance plans have higher premium rates.

Floater:
This plan caters to both a group of people and individuals. For e.g. an entire family is well insured under this plan with single premium.

Critical illness insurance:
For illnesses such as heart trouble, cancer, failure of kidney etc, health insurance companies offer a critical illness plan where the coverage amount is paid on diagnosis of the disease and not as a reimbursement of medical expenses. To get the best health insurance policy comparison of existing options is an important task. An online search helps one compare various plans of different medical insurance companies. Once this is done, seeking multiple quotes helps you make a comparison of costs and benefits to arrive at the best health insurance plan for you. Before buying a medical insurance policy, check for the following:

What percentage of medical costs would be reimbursed?
There are chances that some health insurance policies will not compensate for all the medical expenses incurred. So before purchasing it, be sure of the coverage and what percentage of medical costs would be reimbursed by the company.

What is the monthly premium and is there an anticipated rate increase?
Be sure of the monthly premiums and check with your insurance agent about the anticipated rate increase. If the monthly premiums are unaffordable, search for cheaper options.

Will the insurance company compensate for all the medical costs or only for the major expenses?
While buying a health insurance policy one is under the notion that it will cover all the medical costs. But there are chances that the policy has conditions which cover only the major expenses incurred. Along with healthy food and exercise, health insurance is an important part of leading a healthy and secured life. It is essential that you have adequate amount of coverage and a complete understanding of the exclusions of the policy, along with the least premium rates, to truly purchase the best health insurance policy available.

Are you aware of the benefits of health insurance? Do you believe that you will never need health insurance because you are fit and fine? Do you believe that the only benefit of health insurance is reimbursement in the event of hospitalization?

Here are 5 Benefits of Health Insurance

1. Don't Pay for Your Hospitalization

You can avail cashless health insurance (indemnity-based) at networked hospitals of insurance companies. It means that you do not have to pay the medical expenses at these hospitals. The insurance company settles them on your behalf.

This facility is a boon for patients as they do not incur out of their pocket expenses, freeing them up from unnecessary mental burden and enables them to concentrate on recuperation and rehabilitation.

2. Get a Convalescence Benefit

Some health insurance plans offer a daily amount for each day of hospitalization. Do not worry about keeping records of the amount actually spent to claim this daily cash. The daily cash amount does not depend upon the amount actually spent.

You can also opt for Convalescence benefit in your health insurance policy. Such a cover pays you a lump sum amount if hospitalization exceeds a certain number of days.

3. Safeguard Your Finances and Avail Tax Benefits

A comprehensive health insurance policy with an adequate sum assured can help you meet unplanned health care expenses so that you do not have to dig into your savings or reroute our income. One can also avail pre-defined tax benefits by paying health insurance premiums.

4. Cover for Life Threatening Critical Illnesses

The fixed pre-defined benefit type of medical insurance policies provides a fixed lump sum payment upon diagnosis and confirmation of certain critical illnesses like cancer, stroke, paralysis, kidney failure, etc. Irrespective of the actual amount spent by the insured, he or she receives the lump sum amount which can be used to fund rehabilitation, recuperation, lifestyle adjustment, etc.

5. Get Allied Benefits

Health care system in India has evolved with preventive health check-ups and improved diagnostics. Certain progressive insurance companies offer benefits that are generally not associated with health insurance policies. Some such benefits are:

• Consultation with nutritionists
• Free health check-ups
• Tie-ups with health service providers
• Free Consultation with doctors
• Discounts Coupons on healthcare services

Rising healthcare costs can punch a big hole in your pocket. Paying a small health insurance premium is the simplest way to mitigate the financial losses and to achieve peace of mind. Avail health insurance to save yourself from worries of hospitalization. You can use any health insurance policy app in India to buy your desired policy.

Buying health insurance plans can be one of the most confusing decisions for anyone. There are a multitude of options available in the marketplace, but the widely varying premiums and coverage options make it very difficult for us to zero down on a particular policy.

Well, worry no more! Listed below is a detailed checklist that is an absolute must-have for anyone looking to buy health insurance. Make sure you are thinking through each of the points detailed here before making a decision.

Family coverage

While individual policies for each member of the family would be ideal and provide the best coverage, it may not be a financially feasible decision because of the significant premium payout. However, when you go in for family plan, make sure you check the "Sum Insured" before choosing your plan. Any expenses above this amount will not be covered, so it's important to take adequate cover right from the start. Remember, this amount cannot be increased once you've made a claim. You also need to ensure that the amount is sufficient for hospitalisations for more than one family member.

Network hospitals

While it may not seem relevant now, travel is a significant deterrent when someone is hospitalised. Hence, when choosing an insurer, make sure that they have reputable hospitals from your vicinity, within their network. This will also help you receive cashless treatment, a boon when you have so many other things to worry about!

Reputation in the marketplace

While this may seem like an obvious point, it deserves special mention. Look up your insurer's reputation online, and speak to friends and others who have some experience with insurance. Find out about their claim settlement process, the size of their network. Don't go for too-good-to-be-true providers, because when you need them the most, they will prove to be just that.

Pre-existing conditions

Many of us have pre-existing health conditions for which we need coverage. Any mention of a pre-existing condition could impose a waiting period on your insurance plan. Make sure you check the waiting period carefully. While some cap it off at 2 years, others can go up to 4 years! Certain procedures like knee replacement, cataract operations, etc., could also have a waiting period.

Well, whatever the case maybe, not any longer. This handy guide helps you to address your basic doubts about health insurance.

Let's Start

So, what are mediclaim, health insurance and medical insurance? Well, all refer to the same thing - an insurance plan that protects you against medical emergencies, monetarily, of course. These plans cover expenses related to hospitalization, including eligible pre as well as certain post-hospitalization expenses.

Summarizing Quickly The Indian Scenario

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) regulates the insurance sector in India. Any person seeking to insure himself/herself against medical expenses needs to buy a mediclaim policy by paying the requisite insurance premium on the policy. On incurring hospitalization expenses, he/she can then make a claim to the health insurance company.

Apart from the standard policies that cover expenses right from ambulance charges to operation theatre charges, a number of diverse policies are designed that cater to certain unique requirements of each person. Some of these innovative policies are as follows:

Family Medical Insurance Policy

These are family floater health plans that cover all family members under a single policy instead of individual policies for each member.

Upside: Flexibility of utilizing the sum insured by any member of the policy. E.g. If the sum insured is Rs.3 lakhs for Mr. Sharma and Mrs. Sharma; Mrs. Sharma alone can utilize the entire limit of Rs. 3 lakhs.

Downside: Members prone to illness may exhaust the cover leaving other family members with no cover or an insufficient cover.

ICICI Lombard, the leading private sector general insurance company in India has always been synonymous with tech advancements in the Insurance sector. However, they are not only a tech first insurance company but they also rely heavily on their customers for inspiration. Take for example, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) based cashless claims settlement process.

Traditionally cashless claim settlement is a process that not many of us looked forward to. It is complex and time-consuming. In fact it needs a lot of technical know-how and human dependence. With all of this in place the total time taken for such a process is at least an hour. During medical emergencies when we seek immediate treatment for our loved ones, waiting for so long is not an option. At times like these we wish that there was a human touch to all these processes. We hope that someone would consider what we’re going through and hold our hand through this ordeal.

With ICICI Lombard’s AI based cashless claims settlement, the complete claim authorization process has been automated. The company has harnessed Algorithms using Cognitive Computing along with Intelligent Character Recognition (ICR) & Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in this tech enabled innovation. The decision on the claim authorisation have also been updated. Once the data is uploaded in the system, the AI based technology evaluates the admissibility of the claim. A deep learning module is deployed, which automatically provides the amount to be approved using defined algorithms. As a result the time required for reading and then subsequently approving the form has become a matter of seconds. The entire process is now complete in just a minute. The varied medical procedures where AI is being deployed includes Cataract, Maternity, Appendicitis, Hemodialysis and Hysterectomy. The insurer is looking to expand this list over due course of time.

“The solution is designed keeping in mind medical emergencies. For health insurance policy holders, this would mean instant cashless processing of their request; thereby ensuring that they avail immediate treatment that is so important in case of medical exigencies. This solution will make claims processing faster, consistent and convenient for our customers, significantly enhancing their claim experience.” says ICICI Lombard’s Executive Director Sanjeev Mantri.

This is not the first time that ICICI Lombard has come up with an innovative solution for its customers. In the past it has introduced several ‘industry first’ solutions such as 'InstaSpect ' – India’s first real time claims approval for motor insurance claims using live video inspection and an AI powered interface for customer query management through chat bots (MyRA). As always ICICI Lombard has strived to deliver technology with a human touch.

It has become really difficult for the modern man to cope with these expenses without having a back-up plan. The best option in this respect is to buy a health insurance plan. You need to buy a health insurance plan even if you are covered with an group (employer) health insurance plan.

With a huge variety of health insurance plans available on the market these days, the task of selecting the best and cheap health insurance policy has become difficult and confusing for a common man.

Thankfully, reputed insurance companies offer comparative health insurance quotes to help their customers choose the best plan. The quotes also make this process quick and easy. All you need to do is share all of your health insurance needs and the company will offer you a choice of policies that may meet your budget and insurance needs.

Usually, the health insurance quotes are displayed on the insurance website to help visitors and prospective clients to compare cheap health insurance plans. You may easily choose a plan that ensures low premiums. It is also important to check the health plan details to choose a plan that ideally meets your budget and specific requirements. With the help of these quotes, you may even compare features of various health insurance plans and check out the best health policy.

Locating the best Health Insurance

The World Wide Web is the best place to look for health insurance plan. The place ensures 100 per cent comfort and saves time. You can get insurance right from the comfort of your home. In fact, you can do it whenever and wherever you want. These plans are a perfect fit for taking care of medical care and other health needs.

The Healthcare Facilities in India

Most of the renowned hospitals in India are located in the major metro cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh, and Bangalore. The hospitals here are of best quality and claim to offer the best and latest treatment options. These medical centres are also equipped with high quality equipment. The doctors are highly qualified and experienced. However, the healthcare facilities and treatment offered are very expensive here. In case of a health emergency, you may have to exhaust all your savings.

The dental care facilities are also expensive. It is not possible to cope with these expenses without having an insurance plan. Buying a health insurance policy in India will help you take care of a number of emergencies (as stated in the policy) without worrying about finances.

Why Buy Health Insurance?

There are many reasons to buy a health insurance plan. One of the major reasons behind this is the immense benefits it offers to the buyers. These days, the insurance plan offer cashless facilities, cover against various illnesses, personal accident, injury and a lot more.

Apart from these facilities, the health insurance in India also offers tax benefits to the buyers. As per the rules specified by the government of India, it has been mentioned that health insurance buyers will get tax benefits. As per the Income Tax Act of 1961, special provision has been made to minimize burden through tax deductions under the following sections:

80D

80DD

80DDB

Why Compare Health Insurance Quote?

A health insurance quote is an information guide on a specific insurance plan. With these quotes, you can come to know about various insurance companies and their exciting offer. Hence, it is advisable that potential customer compare many health insurance quotes prior to making a decision.

These quotes are widely available online these days. You can access treatment with the treatment anywhere across the world. You may even purchase on the internet. These quotes are easily available on the internet. All you require doing is to request for these quotes and read them carefully to know what they have to offer.

Since every individual is different, the need for health insurance differs too. What suits your friend may prove to be a misfit for you. Hence, it is crucial to make a list of health insurance requirements and use it when buying one. Equating a health insurance quote with your list of requirements is the best way to invest in the right policy.

One of the major advantages of using a health insurance quote is that it allows you to reach out to the most affordable plan. Comparing a number of plans offered by the company will let you decide on the most affordable plan.

Most health insurance experts recommend their clients to compare insurance plan as it helps them get a clear idea of what a company is offering to its clients. The comparison process should be adopted before deciding on a plan. Buying health insurance is a crucial investment. Not taking care about buying the one that fits into your specific requirements or budget.

Health insurance quotes are available online for free. You don't need to pay anything to avail these quotes. If buying an affordable health insurance plan is your prime motive, comparing quotes can really help.

Staying fit is not as time consuming as you thought

Since most full time employees work for eight to nine hours a day, learning to manage your health while at your workplace is extremely crucial. For those who have a desk job, the stakes are even higher. Here are a few tips to stay fit while working:

1. Walk

Walk as much as you can. Ditch the elevator and take the stairs. Develop a habit to walk while talking on your mobile phone. In addition, if you stay close to your workplace, you can consider walking down - not only will you improve your health, but also save money and the environment!

2. Move Around

'Sitting is the New Smoking', writes Rujuta Diwekar, a leading diet consultant, in her book 'Dont Lose Out, Work Out'. This is because the long-term effects of sitting can be extremely harmful. Move around, visit the water cooler, walk briskly after a meal. If a message needs to be delivered to a colleague, walk up to their desk. This will not only improve help your team skills and cut out waiting time but also burn a few extra calories.

3. Watch What You Eat

Diet plays a major role in maintaining our health. It is the fuel for our body and attention should be paid to ensure that only nutritious and wholesome food is consumed. Opt for a healthy home cooked meal instead of junk food that is loaded with unnecessary empty calories.

4. Watch How You Eat

Concentrate while eating. Do not multitask while at the dining table. Activities like checking e-mails, watching TV and receiving phone calls can distract you and lead to overeating. Eat slowly; never rush to gulp your food. Our mind is wired to register a full stomach only 15 minutes after it is actually full.

5. Drink

While one should drink water only when thirsty, air-conditioned office environments can trick us into not feeling thirsty for a long time after starting to dehydrate. That is why one should sip water at regular intervals. Along with water, you can try fresh coconut water, lemonade, or smoothies made from fresh fruit.

Off late, there has been an increase in the consumption of packaged energy drinks, juices, and sodas. While they provide energy, they also have high sugar content, and hence should be avoided unless you really need the extra energy. Also, restrict the consumption of tea and coffee. You can opt for healthier alternatives like decaffeinated green tea or coffee.

6. Stretch

Light exercises and stretches while sitting in a chair can improve flexibility. Ensure that you maintain a proper posture and opt for an ergonomic workstation. Stretch your limbs at regular intervals to aid blood circulation.

7. Stand Up

Be unconventional and alternate between sitting and standing while you work. Standing will help you avoid lethargy, burn calories, aid digestion and improve blood circulation.

Staying fit is not rocket science. Opt from a healthy lifestyle that involves regular exercises and good food. The mantra to remaining fit is to burn more calories than you consume by staying active. A few minor behavioral changes can pave the way for both physical and mental wellbeing. Also, don't forget to buy health insurance policy to safeguard your savings and your future.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT.

This saying rightly points out the fact that being healthy starts with eating healthy. We all know a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and essential fats is ideal for a healthy life. Additionally, certain superfoods can augment a balanced diet and support our body’s response to fighting illnesses. These superfoods are a kind of health ammo that strengthen and support our immune system against various ailments.

You don’t need to spend a bomb to buy snake oil or manuka honey to boost immunity. Our list of immunity-boosting foods contains ingredients and items that are readily available in local Indian markets. These are neither expensive nor exotic, but they promise to build your immunity against a wide range of illnesses. While these superfoods don’t guarantee protection from the COVID-19 disease(only hand hygiene and social distancing do!), they can definitely fortify your immunity and help you fight infections in case you do fall sick. If you have a health insurance, then it will cover you from any financial losses occurred due to any diseases or infections.

1. GARLIC

Garlic does more than just adding flavor to our Indian curries and vegetable preparations. A key ingredient in most of our pantries, this superfood can help boost the immune system and help fight viral infections. Garlic is especially protective against the flu and common cold. It contains a strong concentration of allicin and other sulfur-containing compounds, which are thought to give garlic its medicinal properties. When garlic is crushed or chewed, its main active ingredient allicin is released. Not only does it reduce your risk of falling ill with the flu, but it also reduces the severity of cold and flu symptoms..

How to boost your immunity with garlic: Use peeled, crushed garlic pods to add some zing to your meals.

2. CITRUS FRUITS

Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, is considered to be instrumental in increasing white blood cell production in the body. Since white blood cells form an important part of the immune system, they are vital in battling infections. Meeting the daily requirement of Vitamin C—75 mg for women and 90 mg for men—can go a long way in boosting your immunity. This vitamin is also claimed to be an effective treatment for the most frequent infectious disease that we catch in our lives – the common cold. It is said to make cold symptoms less severe and also decrease the duration of the illness.

How to boost your immunity with citrus fruits: Snack on oranges, lemons, kiwis or other citrus fruits between meals.

3. YOGHURT

The immune system is also involved in keeping the gastrointestinal tract clean and preventing pathogens from entering your bloodstream. This is where the role of yoghurt as an immunity-boosting superfood comes in. Yoghurt supports the immune system by inhibiting a variety of pathogenic bacteria and yeasts in the digestive tract and maintaining good gut health. Packed with live strains of lactobacillus, which is a kind of beneficial bacteria (also called probiotic), yoghurt changes the intestinal microflora and thereby promotes a healthy gut. It may enhance resistance to infection and hasten recovery.

How to boost immunity with yoghurt: Enjoy a cup of yoghurt for breakfast with nuts, fruits or cereal.

Tuberculosis is one of the biggest health problems in India

India bears a disproportionately large burden of the world's tuberculosis (TB) rates, as it continues to be the biggest health problem in India. The recently discovered global phenomenon of Totally Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis complicates this situation further.

The TB-affected population is rising in India as a majority of them are unable to afford the treatment drugs prescribed. At present, only 1.5 million patients already under the Indian government's care get free treatments for regular TB. Patients who seek treatment in India's growing private sector struggle to buy drugs for themselves.

Tuberculosis, an ancient and deadly bacterial disease that most commonly affects the lungs, has been curable for decades using a cocktail of antibiotics taken for six months. However, the bacteria have mutated into more drug-resistant forms which have become difficult to treat.

Treatment of Tuberculosis

It is a common disease in developing countries, and has been reappearing in developed countries because of the migration of population and other diseases lowering human immunity. It is amongst the ten leading causes of death and one of the most common causes of death in children. Treatment is done using a combination of drugs and surgery.

The aims of TB treatment are:

• To cure the patient of TB and restore their quality of life and productivity
• To prevent the relapse of TB
• To reduce the transmission of TB to others
• To prevent the development and transmission of drug-resistant TB

Drugs

There are more than twenty drugs available for TB treatment. They are used in differing combinations in different circumstances. Few TB drugs are only used for the treatment of new patients when there is no suggestion of any drug resistance. Others are only used for the treatment of drug-resistant TB. The new TB drugs bedaquiline and delamanid are also available to be used for the treatment of MDR-TB.

More than 90% people with drug-susceptible TB can be cured in six months using a combination of first line TB drugs. The bacteria die very slowly, and so the drugs are to be continued for quite a few months. Even when a patient starts to feel better, they can still have bacteria alive in their body. All the drugs must be taken for the entire period of the TB treatment. If only one or two TB drugs are taken, then the bacteria may not all be killed.

Aortic stenosis is a serious condition that, if left untreated, can have a major impact on your quality of life and long-term health. This condition causes your heart to work harder, eventually leading to weakness and complications. Early recognition and management are essential. This article explores the different steps you can take to prevent aortic valve stenosis.

What is The Prevention of Aortic Stenosis?

The prevention of aortic stenosis caused by ageing is typically challenging. However, you can take proactive steps to mitigate other cardiovascular diseases by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This includes managing your diet, sustaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly.

Other methods of aortic valve stenosis prevention:

1. Maintain optimal blood pressure:

Having high blood pressure (hypertension) increases the risk of developing aortic stenosis. About 40% of individuals diagnosed with aortic stenosis also struggle with hypertension. This condition places a lot of stress on the heart, causing it to have to work harder to get blood through the narrow arteries. This increased stress can accelerate the progression of aortic stenosis and can lead to complications such as heart failure.

2. Reduce your cholesterol levels:

Elevated levels of cholesterol and triglyceride are associated with an higher risk of myocardial infarction and aortic stenosis. Fortunately, these conditions can often be effectively managed with lifestyle changes like adopting a healthy diet and exercising regularly. In some cases, medication may also be necessary to achieve optimal lipid and triglyceride levels.

3. Avoid smoking 

Smoking also damages the arteries near your heart. This causes aortic stenosis, where the valve contracts, making blood flow difficult. Participate in supporting smoking cessation by providing programs and medications to address withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

4. Control diabetes condition

The risk of aortic stenosis is significantly increased in diabetic patients. Researchers claim that the narrowing of the aortic valve causes inflammation and calcium build up. It is thus important for diabetic patients to properly manage the condition to avoid the development of aortic stenosis.

Aortic stenosis resulting from bacterial infections can largely be prevented by promptly treating these infections. This involves adhering to antibiotic and medication regimens as directed, even beyond symptom relief.

However, aortic stenosis stemming from inherited or chronic conditions is typically not preventable. Congenital aortic valve stenosis, for instance, cannot be prevented.

The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood throughout our body. Certain health condiitons cause the narrowing of the aortic valve, which is responsible for directing blood from the heart’s left ventricle to the body via the aorta. This results in restriction of blood flow, causing heart and breathing conditions. Let’s explore the risk factors of aortic stenosis.

What are The Risk Factors of Aortic Stenosis?

Aortic stenosis usually occurs due to conditions like atherosclerosis and endocarditis. However, some factors can make it develop faster, such as:

• Age: Beyond 70 years of age significantly increases the risk of aortic valve stenosis due to natural damage.
• Congenital heart defects: This condition can occur if specific abnormalities such as bilateral aortic valves are present at birth.
• Chronic kidney disease: This condition weakens the body’s ability to eliminate waste products, which can lead to valve stiffness.

India is overburdened with cases of aortic stenosis, a condition wherein the aortic valve narrows, and blood cannot flow normally from the heart to other body parts. Over the past decade, there has been a gradual rise in the number of deaths attributed to calcific aortic valve disease in India. While this is a worrying condition, the best revelation is that the cure for aortic stenosis is no longer under the carpet!

What is the Treatment for Aortic Stenosis?

Firstly, if the condition is very mild, surgery becomes unnecessary. The doctor usually recommends medications or lifestyle changes for aortic stenosis treatment.

However, if the case is severe, healthcare professionals can access several surgical and non-surgical procedures to treat the condition.

Aortic valve replacement surgery involves removing the faulty valve from the heart through open chest surgery or a less invasive procedure. The defective valve is replaced with a new valve made from mechanical parts or tissues from animals or humans.

Balloon valvuloplasty is a less invasive procedure whereby doctors use a catheter to insert a balloon into the narrowed valve. This method helps improve symptoms of aortic stenosis when valve replacement surgery isn't an option.

TAVR, or transcatheter aortic valve replacement, is a newer and less invasive way to replace a damaged aortic valve. Instead of open-heart surgery, doctors use a catheter to insert a new valve into place, avoiding the need for traditional surgery in many patients. The initial successful attempt in India, involving a woman in her eighties, was recorded in 2011.

Aortic stenosis is a heart problem usually associated with the narrowing of the aortic valve, leading to impeded blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. Detecting symptoms of aortic stenosis is very important for effective early diagnosis and proper intervention. The symptoms are observed in patients’ regular lives, from shortness of breath and chest pain to fainting and fatigue. Such symptoms can prompt people to visit medical centres immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.

What are the Symptoms of Aortic Stenosis?

Aortic stenosis symptoms may include chest pain, rapid and fluttering heartbeat, trouble breathing or feeling short of breath, dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, difficulty walking short distances, swollen ankles or feet, and difficulty sleeping or needing to sleep sitting up.

Valve stenosis symptoms depend on severity. Some individuals may not experience marked symptoms, while others may show symptoms of tiredness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and fainting. In infants and children with congenital aortic stenosis, the symptoms can include fatigue after exercise, failure to gain weight, breathing difficulties, and feeding problems. Frequent check ups with healthcare providers and consulting with them regularly are paramount for early detection and control.

Heart diseases have become quite prevalent today, with many fatalities being reported regularly. One such heart-related disease, aortic stenosis, is also grabbing attention. Aortic stenosis (AS) is a frequently occurring heart valve condition, affecting approximately 3% of adults aged 75 and above. 

Let us begin by understanding the aortic valve stenosis aetiology.

What are the Causes of Aortic Stenosis?

Here is a glimpse into the causes of aortic stenosis:

This condition occurs when the lower left heart chamber valve and the aorta get blocked or clogged. But what causes such blockage? It is caused by a condition called atherosclerosis, which is a buildup of calcium around the aortic valve as a person ages. This buildup makes the valve tissue stiff, narrow, and rigid.

Beyond atherosclerosis, there are other causes of aortic stenosis, including congenital heart defects. If a child is born with a heart defect, say a bicuspid aortic valve, the chances of aortic stenosis occurring go up. Similarly, rheumatic fever and infective endocarditis can be potential causes for this condition to occur.

Alkaptonuria is a rare inherited disorder known as black urine disease, wherein a person's urine turns dark brown or black when exposed to air. This condition is a fallout of the body's preventing the complete breakdown of two amino acids, tyrosine and phenylalanine, which are involved in building protein. The body cannot produce an enzyme called homogentisic dioxygenase acid (HGD). The bones and cartilage become discoloured and brittle, leading to the onset of another condition called osteoarthritis, especially in the spine and large joints. Hence, alkaptonuria can be defined as a rare genetic inborn error of protein metabolism. In the following section, let’s learn about the alkaptonuria diagnostic test.

What are the Diagnoses for Alkaptonuria?

The doctor may conduct tests to determine alkaptonuria if a patient shows symptoms such as the early onset of osteoarthritis, or their urine is turning black when exposed to air. The patient’s family history also comes into the picture. The tests include:

• Gas chromatography - Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) to look for elevated levels of homogentisic acid in a patient’s urine within a 24-hour period. The normal content per day should be 1-8 grams
• Echocardiography to detect cardiac-related problems
• Molecular genetic testing to identify any mutated HGD gene

For a better diagnosis of alkaptonuria, the doctor may want to know more about a patient’s family history, which is very useful in correctly diagnosing alkaptonuria. Most people do not know whether they carry the HGD gene or their parents were the inadvertent carriers.

Biochemical test: This is the gold standard method to check for alkaptonuria. A first-morning urine sample taken from the patient is mixed with ferric chloride. The doctor ascertains the condition as alkaptonuria if the mixture turns black.

Alkaptonuria is a very rare inherited disorder. The condition is also known as black urine disease because a patient’s urine turns dark brown or black when it comes in contact with the air. This disorder gets triggered as the body cannot completely break down two amino acids, tyrosine and phenylalanine, which build up protein. The body cannot produce an enzyme called homogentisic dioxygenase acid (HGD), leading to brittleness and discolouration of the bones and cartilage. It signals the onset of osteoarthritis, especially in the spine and large joint areas. There is no specific treatment for alkaptonuria, but taking certain medicines and bringing about lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms.

What are the Treatments for Alkaptonuria?

Alkaptonuria is a lifelong condition with no specific treatment. Any alleviation of the condition focuses mainly on the use of anti-inflammatory medicines or narcotics. The options to manage the symptoms of alkaptonuria include:

Nitisinone: This medication reduces the level of homogentisic acid in the body to slow the advancement of alkaptonuria in adults.

Diet: A diet with low protein intake can help reduce the risk of potential side effects nitisinone may cause.

Exercise: If the condition starts causing pain and stiffness, gentle exercises may help build muscles and strengthen the joints. Doing so may also help relieve stress, lose weight, improve posture, and ease symptoms. Consulting a physiotherapist may help, as they can customise an exercise plan. 

Pain relief: Consult the doctor before starting any medicines, including painkillers, to manage the pain.

Emotional support: Alkaptonuria is a lifelong inherited disorder and a person diagnosed with the condition may feel anxious, stressed, and depressed. They may need emotional support from their family or caregiver in dealing with the condition.

Surgery: The onset of alkaptonuria can make the cartilage, which is flexible tissue, hard and cause breakage, leading to joint damage. The doctor may suggest surgery, especially hip, knee, or aortic valve replacement. 

Cushing’s syndrome occurs as a result of too much production of cortisol in the body. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is released during times of stress; therefore, it is also called a stress hormone.

What are the treatments for Cushing's syndrome?

Cushing’s disease is usually caused by a tumour that results in too much secretion of cortisol in the body. Certain medications used for the treatment of other conditions can also lead to the production of cortisol, this hormone. Red and round faces, rapid weight gain, general weakness, diabetes, blurry vision, purple stretch marks on the abdomen, weak muscles, and high blood pressure are some of the symptoms of this condition. Cushing’s syndrome, if left untreated, can be fatal. A health insurance policy is important for people suffering from Cushing’s syndrome because it provides essential financial support for necessary medical interventions.

The cure for Cushing’s syndrome depends on the underlying cause and may include:

• Reducing glucocorticoid doses: If higher cortisol levels are due to the side effects of glucocorticoid medicine, then the healthcare provider will likely reduce the dose of the medicine or change the medication to a non-glucocorticoid.
• Medications: when surgery, radiotherapy, and other options cannot be used, then medicines like ketoconazole, mitotane, and metyrapone are used for the treatment of Cushing's disease.
• Surgery: If Cushing’s syndrome is caused by a tumour in the pituitary, hypothalamus, or adrenal gland, then surgical removal of the tumour is done.
• Radiation therapy: Tumours located in the pituitary gland are sometimes difficult to remove. In such cases, radiation therapy is done to stop the growth and remove the tumour.
• Chemotherapy: If the Cushing’s disease is caused by a cancerous tumour, then treatment may include chemotherapy to stop the spread of the disease.

If the treatment is done properly, then the disease may go away within two to 18 months, depending on the cause of the disease.

Cushing’s syndrome or hypercortisolism is a condition when your body produces too much of the cortisol hormone. People suffering from asthma or rheumatoid arthritis are more prone to Cushing’s syndrome. As per the estimates, 70% of the people who have Cushing’s syndrome are women or who are assigned female at birth.

What is the Diagnosis of Cushing Syndrome?

For Cushing’s syndrome diagnosis, the physician will ask the patient to undergo several tests. The healthcare provider will look at the person’s medical history, and perform some examinations and lab tests to accurately determine the health situation. The doctor may ask for the following tests to be done:

1. 24-hour urinary cortisol test - Your healthcare provider will ask you to get a 24-hour analysis of your urine where the amount of cortisol in micrograms will be analysed.
2. Midnight salivary cortisol test - Your cortisol levels are determined through this test. It is estimated that cortisol levels are low during the night between 11 pm to 12 am. If the test reveals that your cortisol levels are high you are suffering from Cushing’s syndrome.
3. Blood tests - Your doctor will also ask you to get a blood test done. Through the blood test, the ACTH levels in the blood are measured. It is estimated that if the ACTH levels are low then you might be suffering from an adrenal tumour, and on the other hand, if the levels are normal or high then you could be suffering from a pituitary or ectopic tumour.
4. High-dose dexamethasone suppression test - This test is performed only if your ACTH levels and cortisol levels in the morning are high. This test is done to know the source of Cushing’s syndrome. It helps to identify pituitary adenoma (Cushing’s disease) and a tumour in the body.

Once your healthcare provider confirms Cushing’s syndrome, they will proceed to identify its underlying cause. Typically, this condition arises from medication use or the presence of a tumour. If you are currently taking glucocorticoids, it's likely the medication is responsible. In this case, the doctor will consider reducing the dosage. In cases where you are not on glucocorticoids, the suspicion shifts toward the presence of a tumour. The tumour could be in the adrenal glands, pituitary gland, or elsewhere. To pinpoint the tumour's location, your healthcare provider may recommend specific imaging studies:

1. CT scan (CT) or MRI of the abdomen: These scans are used to detect tumours in the adrenal glands and can be performed with or without IV contrast, offering high sensitivity.
2. Pituitary MRI: This imaging technique focuses on the pituitary gland to identify potential tumours. However, it may not always yield a definitive diagnosis; approximately 50% of Cushing syndrome cases display normal MRI results, while 10% have unrelated tumours.
3. Bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPPS): BIPPS helps locate the source of ACTH secretion. It boasts an impressive accuracy rate of 95% to 98%.
4. Chest CT scan: If there is suspicion of an ectopic tumour, a chest CT scan will be ordered to investigate the possibility of lung cancer

Cushing’s syndrome develops when our body produces too much of the cortisol hormone. This may happen for several reasons. A 2019 review estimates that about 10% of the new Cushing’s syndrome cases annually are seen in children alone. Various treatment options are available for Cushing’s syndrome. Health insurance Plans may help you cover your medical expenses when the need arises.

How can Cushing’s Syndrome be prevented?

The prevention of Cushing's syndrome depends on the cause. The condition can appear due to the continuous use of glucocorticoids. If you are taking any such medicines for a long time to control inflammatory diseases or immune rejection after transplantation surgery, it can increase cortisol levels in your body. Reducing the intake or stopping such medicines, as suggested by the physician, can help control the hormone levels.

Cushing’s syndrome cannot be prevented when it is caused by a tumor. It gets better with treatment but will take a long time to recover.

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a genetic disorder that damages the membrane covering nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It also affects the adrenal glands. The symptoms become apparent from age 4 to 10. It can be present in later ages also. The symptoms include loss of vision, learning disabilities, deafness, lack of coordination and balance, lack of appetite, progressive dementia, etc.

What is the Diagnosis of Adrenoleukodystrophy?

For the diagnosis of Adrenoleukodystrophy, the healthcare provider will review your medical history, symptoms, and also family history. A physical examination and certain tests are conducted to confirm the disease. The diagnostic tests include-

• Blood tests - This will examine the levels of long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) in the bloodstream. High levels of VLCFAs indicate the possibility of ALD. Also, the working of adrenal glands will be examined through blood tests.
• Genetic tests - Done to detect mutations that cause ALD.
• MRI - The powerful radio waves of the MRI scan procedure create images of the brain. Through this, abnormalities in the brain including nerve damage can be detected. Doctors make use of several types of MRI to identify the problem.
• Vision Screening - ALD diagnosis also includes vision screening, especially in males who do not show any symptoms related to
• Skin Biopsy and fibroblast cell culture - A sample of skin will be examined to check for increased levels of VLCFA.

The infants will undergo newborn examination which includes the screening for ALD.