Do you have a rash that looks like a ring? You may be suffering from ringworm, an infection caused by fungi. While it sounds scary, having ringworm doesn't mean you're unclean — anyone can get it! It's important to understand the causes of this common skin condition so you can take steps to prevent it and get rid of any current outbreaks as soon as possible. In this article, we'll discuss the causes of ringworm and provide several helpful tips for preventing the spread of this infection.

How is Ringworm Caused?

Ringworm is a prevalent issue, especially in tropical regions and during sweltering, humid summers. Ringworms can easily propagate in warm, damp settings. This includes locker rooms and indoor swimming pools. Ringworm is caused by various fungi. These infectious fungi tend to thrive in warm and humid environments. You can contract ringworm through various means:

1. Direct skin-to-skin contact with an individual who is infected.
2. Interaction with animals like dogs, cats, or farm animals carrying ringworms.
3. Contact with soil that has been contaminated by ringworm.
4. Handling objects, such as phones, combs, or towels, that have been contaminated with the fungi responsible for ringworm.

Your likelihood of developing a ringworm infection increases if you:

1. Reside in tropical regions.
2. Spend considerable time in hot and humid weather.
3. Experience heavy sweating.
4. Engage in activities like wrestling, football, or other contact sports.
5. Live in close quarters with others, such as military housing.
6. Share towels, clothing, razors, or other items without proper disinfection (razors) or washing (clothing and towels).
7. Are overweight or obese.
8. Have diabetes.
9. Wear clothing that rubs against and irritates your skin.
10. Frequent locker rooms or pools without thoroughly washing and drying your feet before you put on shoes and socks.

Leukemia is a type of cancer that is characterised by the malfunctioning and rapid multiplication of abnormal white blood cells in the bloodstream. While it can affect individuals from all walks of life, leukemia - specifically acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML)- has been known to primarily target children. With devastating effects like anemia, severe bleeding issues, bone pain, and piled up infection risk due to lowered immunity system amongst many others; it’s no surprise that understanding the causes of leukemia holds paramount importance when it comes to prevention as well as implanting new treatment strategies. Therefore join us as we decode the mysteries surrounding the causes of leukemia.

How is Leukemia Caused?

Leukemia is caused by mutations in the genetic material within blood cells, specifically leukocytes. The changes impair the cells' ability to regulate their growth and division. In some instances, the mutated cells manage to evade the immune system's control mechanisms, leading to uncontrolled proliferation and outnumbering of healthy blood cells in the bloodstream.

Several factors increase a person's risk of developing leukemia. This includes:

• Gender: Gender plays a role, with men being more predisposed to this condition than women.
• Age: Age is a significant factor, as the likelihood of developing most forms of leukemia increases with advancing age.
• Family history: While most leukemias do not have a strong hereditary component, having a first-degree relative or an identical twin with the condition can increase an individual's risk.
• Other medical conditions: Congenital syndromes, including Down syndrome, Fanconi anemia, Bloom syndrome, ataxia-telangiectasia, and Blackfan-Diamond syndrome, are associated with an elevated risk of developing the condition.
• Smoking: Although smoking itself may not directly cause leukemia, individuals who smoke cigarettes face an increased risk of developing the condition.
• Radiation: Exposure to radiation, particularly from high-energy sources like atomic bomb explosions, can raise the risk of leukemia.
• Certain chemicals: Long-term exposure to specific pesticides or industrial chemicals like benzene is also considered a risk factor for leukemia.
• Electromagnetic fields: Prolonged exposure to electromagnetic fields, such as living near power lines, may increase an individual's likelihood of developing the condition.
• Certain therapies: Certain types of chemotherapy and radiation therapy used to treat other forms of cancer are recognised as factors that can increase the risk of developing leukemia.
  

If you or your family have been dealing with red, itchy, and watery eyes lately—conjunctivitis (also known as “pink eye”) may be to blame. Conjunctivitis is a very common eye condition that can affect individuals of all ages and cause a range of annoying symptoms. While this infection can make life uncomfortable for a short time, understanding its causes and treatments will help ensure quick recovery periods so you can get back to living your life normally! In this article, we'll cover the various causes of conjunctivitis and what you should do if you're experiencing any of its symptoms.

How is Conjunctivitis Caused?

The following are some of the popularly known causes of conjunctivitis.

• Viral Conjunctivitis

One prominent cause of conjunctivitis is viral infection. Adenoviruses in particular, are the primary reason. Viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious and typically spreads via contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces, and is mainly what causes redness in the eyes. Symptoms include watery discharge, redness, and itching. The condition often accompanies viral illnesses like the common cold or upper respiratory tract infections.

• Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Bacteria, like Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, can induce bacterial conjunctivitis. The condition frequently occurs in the morning with crusty eyelids and yellow or green discharge. Close physical contact with infected persons, sharing personal items, or touching contaminated surfaces are common modes of transmission.

• Allergic Conjunctivitis

Some individuals experience allergic conjunctivitis triggered by exposure to allergens or seasonal changes. Typical allergens include pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores. The allergens lead to inflammation of the eye's conjunctiva, resulting in redness, stinging, and tearing.

• Irritant Conjunctivitis

Direct contact of the eye with irritants such as smoke, chlorine from swimming pools, or harsh chemicals can cause irritant conjunctivitis. The condition is not contagious and usually resolves once the irritant is removed. Proper eye protection and avoidance of irritants can prevent this form of conjunctivitis.

Several factors increase the likelihood of developing conjunctivitis:

• Exposure to an infected person: You can catch Conjunctivitis by coming into contact with an infected person.
• Age: Children are particularly susceptible to infectious conjunctivitis due to close contact in educational settings.
• Contact Lens Wear: Improper handling, extended use, or inadequate cleaning of contact lenses can lead to bacterial conjunctivitis.
• Compromised Immune System: People with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to bacterial or viral conjunctivitis.
• Allergies: Those with a history of allergies are more prone to allergic conjunctivitis.
• Environmental Exposure: Living in crowded or unsanitary environments may elevate the risk of conjunctivitis transmission.

The pancreas is a component of the gastrointestinal system and is responsible for producing enzymes to aid in digestion as well as hormones to regulate blood glucose levels. Pancreatitis is characterized by inflammation of the pancreas, which arises when the digestive enzymes within the organ become activated and irritate the lining of the pancreas. Acute pancreatitis can occur suddenly and last for a few days, while chronic pancreatitis manifests gradually over the course of several years. In this article, we explore the causes of pancreatitis.

How is Pancreatitis Caused?

Swelling and pain are consequent to inflammation of the pancreas. Acute pancreatitis often stems from gallstones and generally dissipates after a few days of treatment. Nonetheless, repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis can progress into chronic pancreatitis. Chronic pancreatitis is a severe condition that does not resolve on its own. In the absence of treatment, chronic pancreatitis can result in permanent damage to the pancreas. Excessive alcoholism is the most common cause of chronic pancreatitis. Some of the other causes of pancreatitis are:

• Gallstones: Gallstones formed in the gallbladder can come out and block the bile duct, resulting in blockage of pancreatic enzyme release into the small intestine. Retention and activation of digestive enzymes in the pancreas result in irritation of the pancreas, which results in inflammation.
• Excessive consumption of alcohol: Excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to the development of pancreatitis by increasing the viscosity of pancreatic secretion, which leads to inflammation and fibrosis.
• High levels of triglycerides in the blood: higher levels of triglyceride-rich lipoprotein in the circulation can occlude the pancreatic capillaries, which can damage pancreatic acinar cells, resulting in inflammation.
• Abnormally high calcium levels: Elevated calcium levels in the blood can deposit in the pancreatic duct, which results in the retention and activation of trypsinogen in the pancreas. Activation of enzymes in the pancreas results in inflammation.
• Family history of pancreatitis: Genetics plays an important role in the development of pancreatitis. A person with a family history of pancreatitis has a higher chance of developing pancreatitis.
• Other causes of pancreatitis include pancreatic cancer, cigarette smoking, diabetes, abdominal injury, infection, cystic fibrosis, obesity, abdominal surgery, and trauma.

There have been numerous petitions received by the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of Aadhaar. The world’s largest biometric identification database has been mired in privacy concerns, amid fear that data of millions of Indians may be compromised.

All these concerns have led the Supreme Court to come out with an order that extends, indefinitely, the deadline for linking Aadhaar with various services such as existing bank accounts and health insurance policy.

Why is KYC done when buying an insurance policy?

Know Your Customer (KYC) is a mandatory process in financial transactions, including insurance. It ensures transparency, prevents fraud and verifies the identity of policyholders.

Key Reasons for KYC in Insurance:

• Prevents identity theft and fraudulent claims.
• Complies with government regulations.
• Ensures that the benefits of insurance reach the rightful policyholder.
• Helps insurers assess risk and issue appropriate policies.

When purchasing a health insurance policy, KYC documents such as a PAN card, voter ID, passport or Aadhaar may be required for verification.

Why was Aadhaar linked to insurance policies earlier?

In 2017, the government made it mandatory to link Aadhaar with financial services, including insurance policies. The primary reasons for this move were:

• To streamline the identification process and eliminate duplicate or fake policies.
• To curb money laundering and fraudulent claims.
• To improve efficiency in claims settlement and reduce paperwork.

However, the Supreme Court later ruled that Aadhaar linking cannot be mandatory for services other than government subsidies. As a result, its requirement in insurance policies was reconsidered.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for existing insurance policies?

Making its stance clear, the insurance regulator IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India) has said that Aadhaar is not required to buy an insurance policy. It released a circular that stated, “In view of the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India for existing insurance policies, the date of linking Aadhaar is extended till the matter is finally heard and the judgment is pronounced by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India”.

Further to this, IRDAI said that customers buying new insurance plans will be given 6 months from the date of the policy to submit their Aadhaar number, failing which, they will need to submit any “officially valid documents” as mentioned in the Prevention of Money-Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005.

The “officially valid documents” consist of driving license, passport, PAN card, and voter identity card among others. All of these documents, except the PAN card, can serve both as photo and address proof.

How to link Aadhaar with insurance policies - online and offline

While Aadhaar linking is optional, some policyholders may prefer to use it for convenience. Here’s how you can link Aadhaar to your insurance policy.

Online Process:

1. Visit the insurer’s website and log in to your account.
2. Go to the Aadhaar linking section in the customer portal.
3. Enter your Aadhaar number and verify it with an OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
4. Submit the request and wait for confirmation from the insurer.

Offline Process:

1. Visit the nearest branch of your insurance provider.
2. Fill out the Aadhaar linking form and provide a self-attested copy of your Aadhaar card.
3. Submit the form along with other KYC documents.
4. Receive confirmation after verification.

Conclusion

Aadhaar is no longer mandatory for insurance policies, including a health insurance policy or any other form of coverage. However, it remains a valid and widely accepted KYC document. Policyholders have the choice to link their Aadhaar voluntarily for ease of transactions. Whether it is for your individual health insurance or health insurance policy for family, keeping updated with regulatory changes and ensuring compliance with KYC norms will help you maintain a seamless insurance experience.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a certified medical and/or nutrition professional for any questions. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.

Gastritis is made up of two words- gastro, meaning stomach, and itis, which means inflammation. In this condition, the protective lining of the stomach becomes inflamed. This condition can be acute and occur suddenly in severe form. In chronic form, gastritis can exist for years if not treated. Erosive gastritis is less common but serious and can lead to bleeding and ulcers. The formation of ulcers and cancer of the stomach can occur if this condition is not treated on time. It is important to know the causes of gastritis to understand the condition better.

How is Gastritis Caused?

Gastritis can occur if the protective lining of the stomach becomes weak or damaged. It can be categorized as erosive or non-erosive. In erosive gastritis, erosion of the stomach lining and the formation of ulcers occur, while in non-erosive gastritis, irritation or reddening of the stomach lining occurs. Given below are the main causes of gastritis as well as the causative factors that increase the risk of gastritis.

• Infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori): H. pylori bacteria is the causative agent for infectious gastritis. This bacteria grows in the mucous lining of the stomach and causes inflammation. H. pylori infection can spread through food, water, and contact with infected people.
• Excessive alcohol consumption: Chronic consumption of alcohol can irritate and inflame the stomach lining. Alcohol consumption can also increase the secretion of stomach acid, which can further harm the stomach lining.
• Use of pain relievers like non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs can increase the permeability of the gastric membranes, neutrophil infiltration, and production of oxygen-free radicals, which can increase the risk of gastritis.
• Autoimmune disorders: Chronic inflammation can also result from autoimmune disease, where immune cells start attacking their own cells.
• Stress: Acute gastritis can result from major surgical procedures, injury, severe infections, or burns.
• Ageing: In older adults, the stomach lining becomes thin, which increases the risk of gastritis. Apart from a thinner lining, the chances of H. pylori infection and autoimmune disorders are high in older adults.
• Cancer treatment: chemotherapy or radiotherapy to treat cancer can also make the stomach lining thinner and more vulnerable to ulcers.
• Other causes of gastritis include viral infections, fungal infections, tobacco use, digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease, bile reflux, and reduced blood supply.
  

Brain fever, also known as Encephalitis, is a condition that can be frightening and life-threatening. This condition strikes the brain and causes inflammation, which can cause seizures, fever, and in severe cases, lead to a coma. There are many causes of this condition such as a viral or bacterial infection, parasites or fungi, and sometimes even autoimmune diseases. In this article, we will go over the common causes of brain fever:

How is Brain Fever Caused?

Brain fever is caused by a number of different agents, including:

• One of the most common causes of brain fever is a viral infection. The herpes simplex virus is one of the most common causes of the condition and can lead to inflammation of the brain. Another common virus that can lead to this condition is the West Nile virus, which can be transmitted through mosquito bites. These viruses can lead to a wide range of symptoms such as headaches, fever, confusion, and seizures. Sometimes these symptoms may be mild, and other times they can be severe and even life-threatening.
• Bacterial infections can also lead to Encephalitis. One of the most common bacterial infections to cause this condition is Streptococcus pneumonia. This bacteria can lead to meningitis (inflammation of the brain membranes) and can in turn lead to inflammation of the brain. This condition can present with symptoms such as fever, stiff neck, severe headache, and sensitivity to light. It is important to treat bacterial infections quickly to prevent bacterial spread and reduce the risk of serious complications.
• Parasites and fungi can also lead to Encephalitis. One such parasite is the Nematode worm, which can cause eosinophilic meningitis leading to brain fever. Fungal infections such as Aspergillosis can also result in Encephalitis, especially in people who have weakened immune systems. These infections can cause symptoms such as seizures, confusion, and difficulty thinking.
• In some cases, Encephalitis can be developed due to autoimmune diseases such as Lupus or Sjogren's syndrome. These conditions lead to the immune system attacking healthy cells in the body, resulting in brain inflammation. Symptoms of autoimmune Encephalitis can include hallucinations, difficulty with coordination, personality changes, and memory problems.
  

During the colder months, many of us find ourselves dealing with the unpleasant side effects of influenza, or “the flu.” Highly contagious and sometimes dangerous for those whose immune systems are already compromised, influenza affects people all over the world. It is important that we understand what causes it in order to minimise our risk and protect ourselves and our families from becoming sick. In this article, we will discuss some common causes of influenza as well as some measures you can take against this illness.

How is Influenza Caused?

Influenza is caused by different types of viruses, which are classified into four distinct types: influenza A, B, C, and D. This is can be caused by several ways including the following:

• The transmission of influenza typically happens through person-to-person contact, predominantly via respiratory droplets produced when individuals infected with the flu sneeze, cough, or engage in conversation. The airborne droplets have the potential to infect others within a radius of approximately 6 feet.
• Although less frequent, an alternative route of transmission involves indirect contact, where the flu virus lingers on objects or surfaces. If an individual touches a contaminated surface and subsequently makes contact with their mouth, nose, or eyes, they may become infected.

Even before symptoms could typically manifest, most healthy adults can transmit the virus to others. The timeline is up to seven days post-onset of symptoms. Individuals with weakened immune systems or children may remain contagious for an even longer duration. Typically, flu symptoms commence approximately two days after the virus gains entry into the body.

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Poliovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that has been causing serious health problems for millions of people worldwide since ancient times. It can cause irreversible paralysis, with around 10 to 15 percent of those infected dying from the disease and many others forced to live with lifelong disabilities. Although effective vaccines against polio were developed in the 1950s, cases still occur - but why? In this blog post, we'll explore the causes of polio for better understanding of this severe disease.

How is Polio Caused?

Polio is caused by the poliovirus, and is also known as poliomyelitis. This highly contagious virus exclusively targets humans and enters the body through the mouth. Here are a few causes of polio:

• Poliovirus transmission can occur if a person touches their mouth after coming into contact with even tiny traces of infected feces.
• Consuming food and drinks infected with poliovirus
• Poliovirus, however, less commonly spreads through droplets from sneezes or coughs.
• Additionally, objects like toys contaminated with feces can pose a risk.

Infected individuals can spread the poliovirus to others shortly before and up to two weeks after showing symptoms. The virus can persist in an infected individual's intestines for weeks, continuing to contaminate food and water sources. Even asymptomatic individuals can carry and pass on the virus to others, causing illness.

There are two types of vaccines available to prevent polio. The inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and the oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). The vaccines prepare children's immune systems to combat the polio virus, with over 99 per cent protection achievable by following the recommended IPV vaccine schedule. Polio typically affects young children. But people who haven’t been vaccinated are at a huge risk of getting polio.

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Hypertension is also referred to as elevated blood pressure. It is a persistent condition characterised by increased pressure within the blood vessels. The heart continually pumps blood throughout our bodies via the blood vessels. Blood pressure results from the force of blood pushing against the artery walls as it is propelled by the heart. When blood pressure is elevated, the heart must work harder. By knowing the causes of hypertension, it is easier to get timely medical intervention.

How is Hypertension Caused?

The following are some of the popular factors that may contribute to the causes of hypertension development:

• Smoking
• Excess body weight or obesity
• Insufficient physical activity
• An excessive intake of dietary salt
• Insufficient intake of nutrients like potassium and magnesium
• Overindulgence in alcohol
• Prolonged stress
• Advancing age
• Genetic predisposition
• A family history marked by high blood pressure
• Chronic kidney disease
• Disorders affecting the adrenal and thyroid glands
• Sleep apnea

The much coveted Bariatric surgery for obesity has recently entered the robotics era in the city with Apollo Hospitals. Robot-assisted techniques have been introduced and these are considered as a better option or alternative to laparoscopy. However, these are also thought to be more expensive.

Dr. Rajkumar Palaniappan, consultant, Apollo Hospital, Addressed a press conference recently and stated that the latest robotic surgery offered excellent results as compared to laparoscopy. The basic downside of this project was that it would cost at least `1.75 lakh more as compared to a laparoscopic procedure.

There are numerous benefits of robotic surgery including supreme precision, enhanced ergonomic flexibility of the robotic arm in a body of patient, less amount of blood loss, pain score reaching 4/10 as compared to 6/10 for laparoscopy. Another benefit is that one can expect faster turnaround time for the patient.

Swine flu, caused by the H1N1 virus or Influenza A, is a highly contagious type of influenza that can be potentially life-threatening in extreme cases. It is particularly dangerous for young children and those who are immunocompromised due to other illnesses or age. As with any pandemic, it’s important to understand what the causes are so that appropriate precautions may be taken to reduce infection risk or severity. In this article, we will explore some of the possible causes of swine flu and how you can protect your health during an epidemic.

How is Swine Flu Caused?

Swine flu infects the cell lining the nose, throat and lungs. The virus spreads when a person coughs, sneezes, breathes or talks and releases droplets in the air which get spread when a person inhales the virus and it can also enter the body if a person touches a virus- contaminated surface and then directly touches their own eyes, nose or mouth. Contrary to popular belief, a person cannot catch this type of flu from eating pork. People with the virus are able to spread the virus even before the day when their symptoms appear until about four days after they start. Swine flu is caused by other factors responsible for the spread of the virus which include:

• Age: The cases of Influenza virus tend to have worse outcomes in children under age 2 and people older than age 65.
• Living or working conditions: People who live or work in health-related facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, dental care and diagnostic centres are more likely to get the flu.
• Weakened immune system: Anyone with a weak immune systems due to cancer treatments, anti-rejection medications, long-term use of steroids, organ transplants, blood cancer or HIV can weaken the immune system which makes a person more prone to catch swine flu and may increase the chances of developing complications.
• Chronic illnesses: Chronic conditions may increase the chances of developing the influenza virus-related flu. Certain conditions include asthma and other lung diseases, diabetes, heart disease, nervous system diseases, metabolic disorders, and problems with the airway and kidney, liver or blood disease.
• Aspirin use under age 19: If people below the age of 19 years are taking long-term aspirin therapy are at risk of developing Reye syndrome when infected with this virus.
• Pregnancy: Pregnant people are more prone to develop swine flu complications, especially in the second and third trimesters because during that time immune system tends to be weak and may increase the risk for the baby after birth.
• Obesity: individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher have a greater chance of acquiring flu complications and another related disease as their metabolism slows down with a gain in weight