Diseases & conditions
Symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention explained simply.
60 diseases & conditions
Acidity and GERDDigestiveGERD happens when stomach acid flows back into the food pipe, causing heartburn and sour belching.AcneSkinAcne is a common skin condition where hair follicles get blocked with oil and dead skin, causing pimples, mostly on the face, chest and back.Allergic RhinitisRespiratoryAllergic rhinitis is inflammation of the nose caused by allergens such as dust mites, pollen and pet dander.Anxiety DisorderMental HealthAnxiety disorders involve excessive worry or fear that is hard to control and interferes with daily life.AsthmaRespiratoryAsthma is long-term inflammation of the airways that causes episodes of wheezing, coughing and breathlessness, often triggered by allergens, dust, smoke or infections.Breast CancerCancerBreast cancer is the most common cancer in Indian women. Early detection greatly improves survival.CataractEyeA cataract is clouding of the eye lens that causes blurry vision; it is the leading cause of treatable blindness in India.Cervical CancerCancerCervical cancer develops in the cervix and is almost always caused by long-term HPV infection. It is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and screening.ChickenpoxInfectiousChickenpox is a contagious viral infection causing an itchy blister rash. It is usually mild in children but can be severe in adults.ChikungunyaInfectiousChikungunya is a viral infection spread by Aedes mosquitoes, known for severe joint pain that can last for weeks or months.Chronic Kidney DiseaseUrologicalChronic kidney disease is gradual loss of kidney function over months or years, most often due to diabetes and high blood pressure.Common ColdRespiratoryThe common cold is a mild viral infection of the nose and throat that usually gets better in 7 to 10 days.ConjunctivitisEyeConjunctivitis is inflammation of the clear membrane covering the eye, usually from a virus, bacteria or allergy.COPDRespiratoryCOPD is a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe, mostly caused by smoking and indoor smoke from biomass cooking fuel.Coronary Artery DiseaseCardiovascularCoronary artery disease is narrowing of the arteries that supply the heart, caused by fatty plaque. It can cause chest pain (angina) or a heart attack.COVID-19InfectiousCOVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, ranging from mild cold-like symptoms to severe pneumonia.DengueInfectiousDengue is a viral infection spread by the Aedes mosquito, which bites during the day. It can cause a sharp fall in platelets and, in severe cases, bleeding and shock.DepressionMental HealthDepression is a common, treatable mental health condition causing persistent low mood and loss of interest that affects daily life.Diarrhoea and GastroenteritisDigestiveAcute gastroenteritis is an infection of the gut causing diarrhoea and vomiting. Dehydration is the main danger, especially in children.EczemaSkinEczema is a long-term condition causing dry, itchy, inflamed skin that flares from time to time.EpilepsyNeurologicalEpilepsy is a brain condition causing repeated seizures. Most people control it well with regular medicine.Fatty Liver DiseaseDigestiveFatty liver is the build-up of excess fat in liver cells, often linked to obesity, diabetes and alcohol. It is very common and reversible in early stages.GlaucomaEyeGlaucoma is damage to the optic nerve, usually from raised eye pressure. It causes silent, permanent vision loss if untreated.GoutMusculoskeletalGout is a type of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals in a joint, often the big toe, with sudden severe attacks.Heart FailureCardiovascularHeart failure means the heart cannot pump blood as well as it should, leading to fluid build-up and breathlessness.Hepatitis AInfectiousHepatitis A is a short-term viral liver infection spread through contaminated food and water. It usually resolves completely.Hepatitis BInfectiousHepatitis B is a viral liver infection spread through blood, unsafe injections, sexual contact and from mother to baby. It can become chronic and lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.High Blood PressureCardiovascularHypertension is persistently raised blood pressure, usually 140/90 mmHg or higher. It often has no symptoms but greatly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney disease.High CholesterolCardiovascularHigh cholesterol means too much LDL (bad) cholesterol or triglycerides in the blood, raising the risk of heart attack and stroke.HyperthyroidismEndocrineHyperthyroidism is when the thyroid makes too much hormone, speeding up the metabolism.HypothyroidismEndocrineHypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland makes too little thyroid hormone, slowing down the body. It is common in Indian women.InfluenzaInfectiousInfluenza is a contagious viral infection of the nose, throat and lungs that causes sudden fever and body ache and can be serious in high-risk groups.Intestinal Worm InfestationInfectiousIntestinal worms such as roundworm and hookworm are common in Indian children and cause anaemia and poor growth.Iron Deficiency AnaemiaBloodAnaemia is a low level of haemoglobin in the blood; iron deficiency is the most common cause in India, especially in women and children.Irritable Bowel SyndromeDigestiveIBS is a common gut disorder causing abdominal pain with constipation, diarrhoea or both, without visible damage to the bowel.Japanese EncephalitisInfectiousJapanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral infection of the brain, seen in parts of India, especially rural rice-growing areas.Kidney StonesUrologicalKidney stones are hard deposits of minerals that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain when they move.MalariaInfectiousMalaria is a parasitic infection spread by the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. In India it is mainly caused by Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum.MeaslesInfectiousMeasles is a highly contagious viral disease causing fever and rash; it can be serious in young children and is preventable by vaccine.MigraineNeurologicalMigraine is a recurrent headache, often one-sided and throbbing, with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.ObesityLifestyleObesity is excess body fat that harms health. For Indians, a BMI of 25 or above is considered obese and a waist over 90 cm (men) or 80 cm (women) is a risk sign.OsteoarthritisMusculoskeletalOsteoarthritis is wear and tear of joint cartilage, most often in the knees, causing pain and stiffness.OsteoporosisMusculoskeletalOsteoporosis is thinning of bones that makes them fragile and likely to break, especially after menopause.Peptic UlcerDigestiveA peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, commonly due to H. pylori infection or painkillers.PneumoniaRespiratoryPneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs of one or both lungs, caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.PolioInfectiousPolio is a viral disease that can cause permanent paralysis. India was certified polio-free in 2014, and vaccination continues to keep it that way.Polycystic Ovary SyndromeGynaecologicalPCOS is a common hormonal condition in women causing irregular periods, excess male hormones and often small cysts on the ovaries.PsoriasisSkinPsoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease causing thick, red, scaly patches, often on elbows, knees and scalp.RabiesInfectiousRabies is a viral infection of the brain spread mainly by dog bites. Once symptoms start it is almost always fatal, but it is fully preventable with prompt treatment after a bite.Rheumatoid ArthritisMusculoskeletalRheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, causing pain, swelling and deformity.RingwormSkinRingworm is a fungal skin infection causing itchy, ring-shaped rashes. It is very common in hot, humid parts of India.StrokeNeurologicalA stroke happens when blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or a vessel bursts. It is a medical emergency; fast treatment saves brain tissue.TetanusInfectiousTetanus is a serious infection from bacteria in soil entering through wounds, causing painful muscle stiffness. It is preventable by vaccine.TuberculosisInfectiousTuberculosis is a bacterial infection, mainly of the lungs, spread through the air. It is curable with a full course of medicines, which are free under India national TB programme.Type 1 DiabetesEndocrineType 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas makes little or no insulin. It usually begins in childhood or early adulthood and needs lifelong insulin.Type 2 DiabetesEndocrineType 2 diabetes is a long-term condition in which the body does not use insulin properly, so blood sugar stays high. India has one of the largest numbers of people with diabetes in the world.Typhoid FeverInfectiousTyphoid is a bacterial infection caused by Salmonella Typhi, spread through contaminated food and water.Urinary Tract InfectionUrologicalA UTI is a bacterial infection of the bladder or kidneys, much more common in women.Vitamin D DeficiencyNutritionalVitamin D deficiency is very common in India despite sunshine, and can cause bone pain, weakness and weak bones.Whooping CoughInfectiousWhooping cough is a bacterial infection causing severe coughing fits, dangerous for babies.