With the count in cases of deadly diseases such as dengue and cancer on the rise, the popularity for disease-specific insurance plans is increasing in the city of ‘Nizams’. The health insurance firms have started floating disease-specific plans for their customers. In addition to the health insurance policy that encompasses a myriad of diseases, these disease-specific plans come with protection from deadly diseases, which are otherwise excluded in general healthcare plans.

The experts say that, apart from increasing cases of these diseases, the popularity of these plans are also high, due to the high treatment costs that is involved with it. According to rough estimates, the healthcare expenses for dengue can easily touch ₹1 lakh and more depending on the severity. Whereas treatment for cancer and other such severe diseases cost no less than ₹3-5 lakh.

Industry insiders noted, while these trend of disease-specific policies were introduced about 3 years ago, it has picked up pace in Hyderabad only now. Apart from cancer and dengue related policies, diabetic and cardiac insurance plans are also being purchased in substantial numbers in the city. Firms are also seen rolling out special policies for HIV/AIDS, kidney diseases, neuro disorders etc.

In what is sure to be good news for parents of new-born babies admitted to neonatal ICUs, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has termed the definition of a newborn as a “baby born during the policy period and aged up to 90 days” in the realm of health insurance.

This definition has also been conveyed to the Newborn Medical Insurance Committee of the National Neonatology Forum (NNF), a body that has been fighting relentlessly for providing health insurance coverage to newborns.

Prior to this communication by IRDAI, insurance benefits for newborns were limited to vaccination in the first 90 days of the baby’s birth, that too in family health insurance policies having newborn coverage. By defining the term ‘newborn’, IRDAI has ensured that a newborn can avail the health insurance benefits from the time of birth itself.

The move comes at a time when the medical fraternity is worried over the rising cases of neonatal complications, and the dismal health insurance coverage provided to newborns. Treatment for the little ones is expensive and can range from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000/day.

A rise in dengue cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) has led to insurance companies offering single disease-specific covers. These covers will not only cover dengue but also other critical illnesses including cancer, diabetes, and hypertension.

Most health insurance policies launched after 2014-2015 cover dengue under the umbrella. However, policies launched prior to 2014-2015 are offering add-ons against diseases like dengue.

ICICI Lombard General Insurance is offering add-on covers for dengue and chikungunya for all health insurance policies launched and issued prior to 2014-2015. Quoting Sanjay Datta, Chief of Underwriting and Claims, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, “For our newer policies, like Complete Health Insurance and Health Booster we have inpatient coverage for all vector-borne diseases including dengue and chikungunya. Besides allopathic treatment, the insured has the choice to undergo inpatient AYUSH treatment.”

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Cerebral palsy is a disorder that affects a person's movement, muscle tone, balance, and posture. It is caused by damage or abnormality in the brain, usually before, during, or shortly after birth. Cerebral palsy can significantly impact the quality of life of the affected person and their family. Let's explore some possible causes of cerebral palsy and how they can affect brain development.

What are the Causes of Cerebral Palsy?

Here are some key reasons of Cerebral Palsy

Brain Damage Before or After Birth

• Brain damage during pregnancy due to infections, lack of oxygen, or problems with blood flow.
• Brain injuries during childbirth, especially if it is a complicated delivery.
• Brain damage that occurs in the early years of life.

Infections During Pregnancy

• Certain diseases like rubella (German measles) or cytomegalovirus can harm the developing baby's brain.

Premature Birth

• Babies born too early may have underdeveloped brains, increasing the risk of Cerebral Palsy and can be the cause of cerebral palsy in the child.

Genetic Factors

• Genetic factors can sometimes play a role, although it's not usually the primary cause.

Multiple Births

• Twins, triplets, or more are at a higher risk because of the potential for complications during pregnancy or birth.

Jaundice and Rh Incompatibility

• Severe jaundice or Rh incompatibility between the baby and mother can lead to brain damage if not treated promptly.

Head Injuries

• Traumatic head injuries, like those from a car accident or a fall, can result in Cerebral Palsy.
• The kind and seriousness of cerebral palsy can change based on when, where, and the extent of the brain damage. There are various forms of cerebral palsy, such as:

• Spastic cerebral palsy is the most common type, characterised by stiff and tight muscles that cause difficulty in movement and coordination.

• Dyskinetic cerebral palsy: It is characterised by involuntary movements that can affect the face, mouth, arms, legs, or trunk

• Ataxic cerebral palsy: It causes issues with balance and coordination that can affect walking and fine motor skills

• Mixed cerebral palsy: It arises when a person has a mix of two or more types of cerebral palsy

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition which attacks your gut system when you eat gluten. Basically, it is a condition of major intolerance to gluten – a protein primarily found in a wide range of grains like wheat, barley, rye etc. This protein does not offer any necessary nutrients and people with celiac condition can get heavily triggered by it. Over time this trigger damages the internal lining of the small intestine and does not allow you to absorb nutrients, leading to malabsorption. This blog dwells on the causes of celiac disease in adults.

How is celiac disease in adults caused?

Let us directly dive into understanding the causes of celiac disease. While the exact cause of celiac disease is not well defined, medical science has effectively four primary triggers or causes of celiac disease in adults as well as children, which are discussed below -

• Genetics – Research and study shows that one of the primary causes of celiac disease is genetic mutation. This means this autoimmune condition is passed on to an individual through family lines. However, note that the presence of the concerned genetic mutation does not necessarily imply that the individual will develop celiac disease or vice-versa.
• Physical stressful event – While there is no definitive or precise pattern to this, sometimes major physical stress can also be the cause of celiac disease in adults. Physically straining events like major surgery, a major illness or even pregnancy can cause celiac disease.
• Gastrointestinal infections – This is a common but again a highly non-definite cause of celiac disease. In several cases of gastrointestinal infections, the affected person has been found to develop the celiac condition. It is non-definite in the sense, that gastrointestinal infections can vary well lead to celiac disease and in many cases, it may not.
• Bacteria in the gut – Some studies and observations have indicated that sometimes celiac disease may be caused by the bacteria, or the microorganisms present in the gut. Their presence may trigger an avid intolerance against gluten and may cause celiac disease.

Conclusion

While these causes of celiac disease are not precise, the above discussion will help you gain a fair understanding of what are the causes of celiac disease in adults. This will however make you prepared to understand what treatment you should avail of in case you develop celiac disease. Having a suitable health insurance plan can help cover the costs of diagnostic tests, dietary consultations, and ongoing treatments, ensuring that managing celiac disease is both accessible and affordable.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the topic featured in the article. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.

Coeliac disease is a chronic condition affecting the digestive and immune systems. It occurs when the body reacts to gluten. You must be wondering what gluten is. It is a protein in barley, wheat, and rye. Gluten triggers an inflammation in the small intestine. It then damages the villi, the finger-like projections that help absorb food nutrients. This may cause various symptoms and complications, such as diarrhoea, bloating, weight loss, anaemia, osteoporosis, skin rashes and neurological problems. Coeliac disease is not curable, but you can manage it with a strict gluten-free diet and proper coeliac disease treatments.

Coeliac Disease Treatment 

Here are some common coeliac disease treatments

• The best way to handle coeliac disease is by always eating foods without gluten. That means saying no to anything with wheat, barley, rye, and some oats. Refrain bread, pasta, cereals, cakes, cookies, and certain sauces. You can easily find gluten-free alternatives in the market. 

• Sometimes, people with coeliac disease might have to take extra vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, folic acid, and vitamin D. That is because malabsorption can lead to shortages of these nutrients, which can harm your health differently. Taking these supplements can return these levels to normal and stop or treat issues like anaemia and weak bones.

• Some people need medication for specific symptoms or complications. For example, anti-diarrhoeal drugs can help control diarrhoea. If you are dealing with gut pain and swelling, use anti-inflammatory drugs. Similarly, corticosteroids can help treat severe inflammation or skin rashes. However, use these medicines only under medical supervision.

• Some people follow a lactose-free diet or take lactase enzyme supplements. Lactose intolerance can develop due to damage to the gut lining. Lactose is a sugar found in milk and dairy products, which requires lactase enzymes to digest. Lactose intolerance results in abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhoea. 

Crohn's disease is a severe condition that causes inflammation and irritation in the digestive tract. Although it can affect any part of the digestive system, including the mouth and the anus, the small and large intestines are most frequently affected. Abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, weight loss, and rectal bleeding are just a few of the symptoms that Crohn's disease can produce. Complications like fistulas, abscesses, ulcers, and intestinal blockage can also result from it. While there is no recognised treatment for Crohn's disease, there are methods to control the signs and lessen the inflammation. Understanding the causes for Crohn's disease

What are the Causes of Crohn’s Disease?

The specific Crohn's disease reason is not known, but a combination of factors may influence it, such as

• Genetics: Sometimes, it runs in families. You might be at a higher risk if your close relatives have Crohn's.

• Immune System: Your immune system usually fights off harmful elements, like germs. But Crohn's can get confused and attack your intestines, causing inflammation.

• Environmental Factors: Crohn's disease etiology also includes some lifestyle or environmental aspects like smoking or certain infections. These can increase your chances of getting Crohn's.

• Gut Bacteria: You have tons of friendly bacteria in your gut. Sometimes, an imbalance can trigger Crohn's.

• Diet: While diet alone doesn't cause Crohn's, it can play a role. Some foods might make symptoms worse.

• Stress: Stress doesn't cause Crohn's but can worsen symptoms or trigger flare-ups.

• Medications: In rare cases, certain medications can lead to Crohn's as a side effect.

• Age and Ethnicity: Crohn's disease is often seen in young adults but can affect people of any age. It is more common in some ethnic groups.

• Smoking: Smoking poses a significant risk, particularly when it's the onset of Crohn's disease or its symptoms start worsening.

Croup disease is a condition that affects your breathing and voice. It happens because a part of your throat called the larynx gets swollen and narrow. This swelling makes it harder for air to pass through, making breathing difficult, especially at night. A cough that resonates like a barking seal is a distinctive sign of croup, which is why it is also called a barking cough. It can be scary, but with proper care and the right barking cough treatment, most people with this condition get better within a few days.  

What are the Treatments of Croup?

Discussed below are some of the common treatments of Croup –

• Steamy Bathroom: Steamy bathroom is considered an effective treatment of Croup. Turn on the hot shower and allow the shower area to fill with steam. The warm, moist air can ease the swelling in the throat, making breathing easier.

• Cool Mist Humidifier: Running a refreshing mist humidifier in your room can also help. It adds moisture to the air, which can soothe their throat.

• Stay Calm: It is necessary to stay calm because when your child sees you are worried, it can make their breathing even more difficult. Calm them and reassure them that everything will be okay.

• Medicines: In some cases, a doctor might prescribe Croup medication to reduce the swelling in the throat. In severe cases, they may also give a medicine called epinephrine to open up the airways quickly.

• Rest: Rest is crucial. Make sure your child gets plenty of it. They need to save their energy to fight off the croup.

• Hydration: Encourage your child to drink fluids like water or juice. Staying hydrated helps the body heal faster.

• Avoid Irritants: Keep your child away from smoke or other things that can irritate their throat.

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