Diseases & Conditions A–Z

Angina is chest pain or discomfort that happens when the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen-rich blood. It is usually caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries by fatty plaque (coronary artery disease). Stable angina tends to come on with exertion, climbing stairs or emotional stress, and eases within a few minutes of rest. Unstable angina is different: pain that is new, comes on at rest, or is getting more frequent or severe can be a warning of a heart attack and needs emergency care. Angina is more common with age and in people with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or a tobacco habit. Women, older adults and people with diabetes may feel breathlessness, tiredness or indigestion-like discomfort rather than classic chest pain.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways in which the bronchial tubes become swollen and narrowed, making breathing difficult. It affects over 30 million people in India and is triggered by allergens (dust, pollen, pet dander), respiratory infections, exercise, air pollution, and cold air. Asthma is not curable, but it is highly controllable with the right treatment plan. Iswarya Hospital's Pulmonology department provides personalised asthma management including spirometry, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) testing, inhaler technique training, allergen avoidance counselling, and step-up biological therapy for severe refractory asthma.

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix — a small finger-shaped pouch attached to the large intestine — that requires prompt surgical removal. It is one of the most common surgical emergencies worldwide, most frequently affecting young adults. A perforated (ruptured) appendix is life-threatening and demands immediate intervention. Iswarya Hospital performs laparoscopic appendectomy — a minimally invasive procedure with 3 small incisions, significantly less pain, and same-day or next-day discharge. 24×7 emergency surgical and anaesthesia teams ensure rapid response.

Arthritis is not a single disease — it refers to over 100 conditions involving joint inflammation. The two most common types are osteoarthritis (OA), caused by cartilage wear-and-tear and most common after age 45, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks joint linings causing systemic inflammation. Early diagnosis and treatment significantly slow progression. Iswarya Hospital's Orthopedics department offers the full spectrum of arthritis management: medical therapy, physiotherapy, intra-articular steroid and hyaluronic acid injections, and robotic-assisted joint replacement surgery when conservative management fails.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an irregular and often fast heart rhythm. The upper chambers of the heart (atria) quiver instead of beating in a steady pattern, so blood is pumped less efficiently. AF may come and go (paroxysmal) or be present all the time. Some people feel palpitations, breathlessness, dizziness or tiredness, while others have no symptoms and find out during a routine check. AF becomes more common with age and is linked to high blood pressure, heart valve disease, thyroid problems and heavy alcohol use. The main concern is stroke: blood can pool in the quivering atria and form clots that travel to the brain. Over time, a persistently fast rate can also weaken the heart. Treatment focuses on preventing stroke, often with blood-thinning medicine, and on controlling the heart rate or rhythm with medicines, cardioversion or catheter ablation.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, accounting for 1 in 4 female cancer diagnoses. In India, it surpassed cervical cancer as the leading female cancer in the last decade. When detected early (Stage I–II), 5-year survival rates exceed 90%. Iswarya Hospital's multidisciplinary Cancer Centre offers breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), mastectomy with reconstruction, sentinel lymph node biopsy, targeted HER2 therapy, hormonal therapy, and LINAC-based IGRT radiation. A dedicated tumour board reviews every case to determine the optimal treatment protocol.

A brain tumour is a growth of abnormal cells in the brain or its coverings. Tumours can be benign (non-cancerous), such as many meningiomas, or malignant, such as many gliomas. Some start in the brain itself (primary tumours), while others spread there from cancers elsewhere in the body (secondary or metastatic tumours). Brain tumours can occur at any age, including in children. Even a benign tumour can cause serious problems because the skull is a closed space, so a growing mass can press on nearby brain tissue and raise pressure inside the head. Symptoms depend on where the tumour is and how fast it grows. They may include headaches that are new or different, seizures, changes in vision, speech or personality, and weakness on one side of the body. Treatment is planned by a team and may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or careful monitoring of slow-growing tumours.

A brain aneurysm is a weak, balloon-like bulge in the wall of an artery in the brain. Most are small, cause no symptoms and are found by chance on a scan. The danger is rupture, which causes a subarachnoid haemorrhage: a sudden, severe 'thunderclap' headache that is a medical emergency. Iswarya Hospital's neurosurgery team evaluates aneurysms with CT angiography and MRI, and treats them by microsurgical clipping through a craniotomy or by endovascular coiling, depending on the size, shape and location of the aneurysm and the patient's overall health. Unruptured aneurysms are monitored or treated electively based on rupture risk. The 24×7 emergency department, CT scanner and Neuro ICU on OMR allow a ruptured aneurysm to be diagnosed and treated without transfer.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive, long-term condition in which the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste, balance electrolytes, and regulate blood pressure. CKD is classified in Stages 1–5, with Stage 5 (eGFR < 15 ml/min/1.73m²) being End-Stage Renal Disease requiring dialysis or kidney transplant. Diabetes and hypertension are the two leading causes. Iswarya Hospital's Nephrology department led by Dr. Muthu Kumar P. provides early detection through eGFR and urine ACR screening, disease-slowing interventions, haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and living donor and cadaveric kidney transplantation.

Cervical cancer starts in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the womb that opens into the vagina. Almost all cases are linked to long-term infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus passed on through sexual contact. Most HPV infections clear on their own, but a persistent infection can slowly cause abnormal cell changes that may turn into cancer over several years. This slow course is what makes cervical cancer largely preventable. The HPV vaccine protects against the virus types that cause most cervical cancers and works best when given before sexual activity begins. Regular screening with a Pap smear and/or an HPV test finds early changes that can be treated before cancer develops. Early cervical cancer often has no symptoms, which is why screening matters even when you feel well. Later it may cause bleeding after sex, between periods or after menopause, and unusual discharge.

Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon (large bowel) or rectum. Most cases begin as small growths called polyps on the inner lining of the bowel. Many polyps are harmless, but some slowly turn into cancer over years, and finding and removing them during a colonoscopy can prevent cancer from developing. The risk rises with age, but colorectal cancer also occurs in younger adults, so symptoms should not be dismissed at any age. Early cancer may cause no symptoms. When symptoms appear, they include blood in the stool, a lasting change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, tiredness from anaemia and unexplained weight loss. These are often mistaken for piles or a stomach upset, which can delay diagnosis. Treatment depends on the stage and may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Colorectal cancer found at an early stage is often treatable.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung condition that makes it hard to breathe out fully. It includes chronic bronchitis, in which the airways are inflamed and produce excess mucus, and emphysema, in which the small air sacs of the lungs are damaged. The damage builds up slowly over years. Smoking is the leading cause, but long-term exposure to smoke from cooking with wood, dung or kerosene, and to dust, fumes and air pollution, can also cause COPD, including in people who have never smoked. It usually appears after the age of 40 with breathlessness on exertion, a daily cough with phlegm and frequent chest infections. The lung damage cannot be reversed, but stopping smoke exposure slows its progress. Inhalers, pulmonary rehabilitation and vaccinations help people breathe more easily, stay active and have fewer flare-ups.

A cataract is clouding of the natural lens inside the eye, which sits behind the coloured iris. Normally clear, the lens slowly becomes cloudy, so light cannot pass through sharply and vision becomes blurred, dim or yellowed. Most cataracts are linked to ageing and develop gradually over years, often in both eyes. They can appear earlier in people with diabetes, after an eye injury or with long-term steroid use, and rarely are present from birth. Common complaints include difficulty reading, trouble seeing at night, glare from headlights or sunlight, and colours looking faded. Early on, updated glasses and brighter lighting may help. No eye drops or medicines can clear a cataract. When it starts to interfere with daily activities such as reading, driving or cooking, surgery is the effective treatment: the cloudy lens is removed, commonly by phacoemulsification through a small incision, and replaced with a clear artificial lens (intraocular lens).

Cervical spondylosis is age-related wear of the discs and joints of the neck. By the age of 60 most people show it on an X-ray, and for the majority it causes only occasional neck stiffness. Problems arise when bone spurs or a bulging disc press on a nerve root (cervical radiculopathy, causing arm pain and tingling) or on the spinal cord itself (cervical myelopathy, causing clumsy hands, unsteady walking and bladder changes). Iswarya Hospital's neurosurgeons and physiotherapists treat most cases without surgery, using posture correction, neck strengthening, medicines and targeted injections. Surgery, such as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion or laminoplasty, is advised when the spinal cord is compressed or arm weakness is progressive, because cord compression does not reverse on its own.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not use it effectively, resulting in persistently elevated blood glucose levels. India has the world's second-largest diabetic population. Long-term uncontrolled diabetes damages the kidneys (diabetic nephropathy), eyes (diabetic retinopathy), nerves (neuropathy), and cardiovascular system. Iswarya Hospital's Diabetology & Endocrinology department offers personalised diabetes management including HbA1c monitoring, insulin pump therapy, CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) setup, dietary counselling, and comprehensive management of related conditions including hypothyroidism and PCOS.

A herniated disc (also called a slipped or ruptured disc) occurs when the soft inner nucleus of an intervertebral disc pushes through a crack in the tougher outer ring, pressing on nearby nerves. It most commonly affects the lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck) spine. Most patients improve with physiotherapy, anti-inflammatories, and nerve blocks. When pain is severe or neurological deficits are present, minimally invasive microdiscectomy or endoscopic spine surgery is available at Iswarya Hospital's Spine Centre, with same-day or next-day discharge protocols.

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterised by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Over 70% of epilepsy patients achieve full seizure control with appropriate anti-epileptic medication. For medication-refractory epilepsy, surgical options — including resective surgery, vagus nerve stimulation, and responsive neurostimulation — offer the possibility of seizure freedom. Iswarya Hospital's Neurology department provides comprehensive epilepsy management including EEG, video-EEG telemetry, MRI epilepsy protocol, and neurosurgical evaluation for drug-resistant cases.

Endometriosis is a long-term condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it, most often on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the lining of the pelvis. This tissue responds to monthly hormone changes, causing inflammation, pain and scar tissue (adhesions). Cysts called endometriomas, or 'chocolate cysts', can also form on the ovaries. Endometriosis affects women of reproductive age and often starts in the teens or twenties. The main symptom is period pain severe enough to disrupt school, work or daily life, which is often dismissed as normal. Other symptoms include pain during or after sex, pain on opening the bowels or passing urine during periods, heavy periods and difficulty getting pregnant. The severity of symptoms does not always match the amount of endometriosis present. There is no permanent cure, but pain relief, hormonal treatment and keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery can control symptoms and help with fertility.

Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid (bile) that form in the gallbladder. Cholesterol stones are most common, formed when bile contains too much cholesterol. Gallstones range from the size of a grain of sand to a golf ball. Small stones may be asymptomatic for years; larger stones or those blocking the bile duct cause intense upper abdominal pain (biliary colic), jaundice, or inflammation (cholecystitis). Iswarya Hospital performs laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) — a day-care procedure with 3 small incisions, returning patients to normal activity within 5–7 days.

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which carries signals from the eye to the brain. It is often, but not always, linked to raised pressure inside the eye. Most glaucoma develops slowly and causes no pain or early symptoms. Side (peripheral) vision is lost first, so many people do not notice a problem until significant damage has occurred. Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored, which is why regular eye check-ups matter, especially after 40 or if glaucoma runs in the family. A less common form, acute angle-closure glaucoma, happens when eye pressure rises suddenly. It causes a painful red eye, blurred vision, halos around lights, headache, nausea and vomiting, and is an emergency. Treatment with eye drops, laser or surgery lowers eye pressure and helps protect the remaining vision.

Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that first appears during pregnancy, usually between 24 and 28 weeks, when pregnancy hormones make the body less responsive to insulin. It affects roughly one in six to eight pregnancies in India and most women have no symptoms, which is why every pregnant woman at Iswarya Hospital is screened with a glucose tolerance test. Left untreated it raises the risk of a large baby, difficult delivery, pre-eclampsia, newborn low blood sugar and, later in life, type 2 diabetes for the mother. Our obstetricians manage it as a high-risk pregnancy with a diet plan, home glucose monitoring, regular growth scans and, when needed, metformin or insulin. Most women deliver a healthy baby at term, and blood sugar returns to normal after birth in the majority of cases.

A heart attack (myocardial infarction) occurs when a coronary artery is blocked by a blood clot, cutting off oxygen to heart muscle. Every minute of delay causes irreversible muscle death. Iswarya Hospital's 24×7 Digital Catheterisation Lab performs emergency primary PCI (angioplasty) with urgent cardiac assessment — a critical benchmark for saving heart muscle. NABH Certified cardiac emergency team available round the clock. Call 044 2025 2025 immediately.

Heart failure means the heart is not pumping blood as well as the body needs. It does not mean the heart has stopped. The heart muscle may be weakened and unable to squeeze strongly, or stiff and unable to fill properly. As a result, fluid can build up in the lungs, legs and abdomen, causing breathlessness, swelling and tiredness. Heart failure usually develops after other conditions strain or damage the heart, most often a previous heart attack, coronary artery disease or long-standing high blood pressure. It is more common in older adults but can affect younger people with heart valve disease or cardiomyopathy. Heart failure is a long-term condition, and symptoms can worsen suddenly. With the right medicines, advice on salt and fluids, regular follow-up and cardiac rehabilitation, many people improve their symptoms, spend less time in hospital and stay active.

A hernia occurs when an organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue. Common types include inguinal, umbilical, incisional and hiatal hernias. Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted hernia repair at Iswarya Hospital ensures faster recovery and minimal scarring.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a chronic condition in which the force of blood against artery walls is persistently elevated (≥130/80 mmHg). Often called the 'silent killer', it usually causes no symptoms until it triggers a heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure. It is the leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease globally. Iswarya Hospital's Cardiology department provides comprehensive hypertension management including ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), lifestyle counselling, medication optimisation, and screening for secondary causes such as renal artery stenosis or adrenal tumours. 24×7 cardiac emergency care available.

Hypothyroidism means the thyroid gland in the neck does not make enough thyroid hormone. This hormone controls how the body uses energy, so when levels are low, many body processes slow down. Symptoms usually come on gradually and can be vague: tiredness, weight gain, feeling cold, constipation, dry skin, thinning hair, low mood, slowed thinking and heavier or irregular periods. Because these are easy to blame on stress or ageing, hypothyroidism can go unnoticed for a long time. It is more common in women and becomes more common with age. A common cause is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid. Untreated hypothyroidism can affect cholesterol, heart health, fertility and pregnancy. It is diagnosed with a simple blood test and is usually treated with a daily thyroid hormone tablet, with the dose adjusted according to regular blood tests.

A head injury ranges from a mild concussion to a life-threatening bleed inside the skull. Road traffic accidents and falls are the commonest causes in Chennai, and the first hours decide the outcome. Iswarya Hospital's emergency department on OMR has a CT scanner available round the clock and a neurosurgeon on call 24×7, so a brain bleed can be diagnosed and operated on without transfer. Treatment depends on the scan: observation and neuro checks for a concussion; burr-hole drainage for a chronic subdural haematoma; craniotomy to remove an acute clot; or decompressive craniectomy to relieve dangerous brain swelling, with recovery in the dedicated Neuro ICU. Older adults on blood thinners can bleed slowly for days or weeks after a minor fall, so a new headache or confusion after a knock to the head always needs a scan.

A pregnancy is called high-risk when a condition in the mother or baby needs closer monitoring than routine antenatal care. Common reasons include diabetes, high blood pressure or thyroid disease, pregnancy after 35, twins, IVF pregnancy, a previous caesarean, previous miscarriage or preterm birth, and placenta problems such as placenta praevia. High-risk does not mean something will go wrong; it means more frequent visits, extra scans and a delivery plan agreed in advance. Iswarya Hospital's obstetricians care for high-risk pregnancies with the emergency department, operation theatres, blood bank, ICU and NICU on the same campus, so the team can act within minutes if mother or baby needs help. Painless delivery and planned or emergency caesarean are available 24×7 with an obstetrician and anaesthetist in-house.

Hydrocephalus is a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain, which raises pressure inside the skull. In babies it is usually present from birth or follows a bleed or infection and shows as a rapidly enlarging head. In adults it can follow a head injury, bleed, tumour or meningitis, or appear in older people as normal pressure hydrocephalus, where an unsteady walk, memory decline and urinary urgency are mistaken for ageing. Iswarya Hospital's neurosurgeons diagnose it with CT or MRI and treat it by placing a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt that drains fluid to the abdomen, or by endoscopic third ventriculostomy in suitable patients, which creates a new fluid pathway without a shunt. Paediatric and adult cases are managed with neonatology, neurology and the Neuro ICU on one campus.

Menstrual disorders include irregular cycles, heavy bleeding (menorrhagia), painful periods (dysmenorrhoea), missed periods (amenorrhoea) and bleeding between periods. A normal cycle is 21 to 35 days with bleeding for 2 to 7 days; anything outside this that persists for three cycles deserves a consultation. Common causes are PCOS, thyroid disorders, fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis, polyps, stress and weight change, and in women over 40, the approach to menopause. Iswarya Hospital's gynaecologists investigate with a pelvic ultrasound and hormone tests done on the same visit, and treat the cause: cycle regulation and lifestyle plans for PCOS, tranexamic acid or a hormonal IUD for heavy bleeding, hysteroscopic removal of polyps, and laparoscopic surgery for fibroids or endometriosis when medicines are not enough. Adolescents are seen in a private setting with a parent.

Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) are hard mineral and salt crystals that form inside the kidneys and can cause excruciating pain when they pass through the urinary tract. Stones smaller than 5 mm may pass naturally with fluids and medication. Larger or obstructing stones require intervention. Iswarya Hospital's Urology department offers RIRS (Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery) and PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy) — minimally invasive laser procedures that eliminate stones with a single day's hospitalisation and rapid recovery.

Knee osteoarthritis is the progressive wear-and-tear of the cartilage that cushions the knee joint, leading to bone-on-bone contact, pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility. It is the most common cause of knee replacement surgery in adults over 50. Iswarya Hospital's Orthopaedics department offers robotic-assisted total and partial knee replacement surgery — providing superior accuracy of implant placement, faster recovery (walking within 24 hours), and a longer implant lifespan compared to conventional techniques. Conservative management including physiotherapy and hyaluronic acid injections is also available for early-stage cases.

Liver cirrhosis is the end stage of chronic liver disease, where repeated scarring (fibrosis) replaces healthy liver tissue, impairing the liver's ability to filter toxins, produce proteins, and support digestion. Common causes include chronic hepatitis B or C infection, alcoholic liver disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Compensated cirrhosis can be managed medically, but decompensated cirrhosis (with ascites, jaundice, or bleeding) often requires liver transplantation. Iswarya Hospital's Surgical Gastroenterology department, led by Prof. Dr. G. Manoharan, performs both living donor and cadaveric liver transplants with outcomes comparable to international standards.

Lung cancer starts when cells in the lung grow out of control and form a tumour. It is broadly divided into non-small cell lung cancer, which is more common, and small cell lung cancer, which tends to grow and spread faster. Smoking cigarettes or beedis is the strongest risk factor, but lung cancer also occurs in people who have never smoked, linked to second-hand smoke, indoor cooking smoke, air pollution and workplace exposures. In the early stages there are often no symptoms. Later signs include a cough that does not go away or changes, coughing up blood, chest pain, breathlessness, hoarseness, repeated chest infections and unexplained weight loss. These symptoms can be mistaken for tuberculosis or other chest infections, which may delay diagnosis. Treatment depends on the type and stage and may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Finding lung cancer earlier allows more treatment options.

Migraine is a neurological condition that causes repeated attacks of moderate to severe headache, often throbbing and on one side of the head. Attacks can last from a few hours to up to three days and often come with nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light, sound or smells. Some people have an 'aura' beforehand, such as flickering lights, zigzag lines or tingling, which usually lasts less than an hour. Migraine often begins in the teens or early adulthood and is more common in women, sometimes linked to periods. Triggers vary from person to person and may include missed meals, poor sleep, stress, dehydration in hot weather, bright sunlight and strong smells. Migraine is not dangerous in itself but can seriously affect work, studies and family life. Treatment includes medicines to stop attacks, preventive medicines for frequent attacks, and identifying and managing personal triggers.

Menopause is the point twelve months after a woman's last period, usually between 45 and 55, when the ovaries stop releasing eggs and oestrogen falls. The years around it, perimenopause, can bring hot flushes, night sweats, sleep problems, mood changes, vaginal dryness and irregular bleeding. After menopause, lower oestrogen raises the risk of osteoporosis and heart disease, so this is also the time to check bone density, blood pressure, cholesterol and sugar. Iswarya Hospital's gynaecologists offer menopause consultations that cover symptom relief, including menopausal hormone therapy where it is safe and appropriate, non-hormonal options, local oestrogen for dryness, and a bone health plan. Bleeding after menopause is never normal and is investigated promptly with an ultrasound and, if needed, a hysteroscopy.

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac in or on an ovary. Most are 'functional' cysts that form as part of the normal menstrual cycle, when an egg follicle does not release its egg or the structure left after ovulation fills with fluid. These are common in women of reproductive age, usually cause no symptoms and often disappear on their own within a few menstrual cycles. Other types include endometriomas linked to endometriosis, dermoid cysts and cystadenomas. A small number of ovarian cysts, especially those found after menopause, need careful assessment to rule out cancer. Larger cysts can cause pelvic pain, bloating, a feeling of fullness or pain during sex. Sometimes a cyst bursts or twists the ovary (ovarian torsion), causing sudden severe pain that needs emergency treatment. Management ranges from repeat ultrasound monitoring to keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery, depending on the cyst's size and appearance and your age.

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become thin, weak and more likely to break. Bone is living tissue that is constantly broken down and rebuilt. With age, and especially after menopause when oestrogen levels fall, bone is lost faster than it is replaced. Osteoporosis is often called a 'silent' disease because there are no symptoms until a bone breaks, sometimes after a minor fall or even a bend or cough. The wrist, hip and spine are commonly affected. Spinal fractures can cause back pain, loss of height and a stooped posture. Hip fractures in older adults are serious and usually need surgery and a long recovery. Both women and men can develop osteoporosis. Low vitamin D, low calcium intake and too little weight-bearing exercise add to the risk. Medicines, diet, exercise and fall prevention can strengthen bones and reduce the chance of fractures.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological condition that mainly affects movement. It happens when nerve cells in a part of the brain that produces dopamine, a chemical messenger that helps control movement, are gradually lost. The main signs are slowness of movement, stiffness and a tremor that is often most noticeable at rest, usually starting on one side of the body. Over time, walking may become shuffling, balance may worsen and handwriting can become small. Many people also have non-movement symptoms, sometimes years before diagnosis, such as loss of smell, constipation, sleep problems, low mood and anxiety, and later memory difficulties. Parkinson's usually starts after the age of 60 but can begin earlier. It is not contagious. There is no cure yet, but medicines, physiotherapy, speech therapy and, for selected people, deep brain stimulation can help people stay active and independent for longer.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age, affecting 1 in 5 women in India. It is caused by elevated androgen (male hormone) levels that disrupt ovulation, leading to irregular or absent periods, fluid-filled ovarian cysts, and metabolic changes. PCOS is a leading cause of female infertility. Iswarya Hospital's Gynecology department provides comprehensive PCOS management including hormonal therapy, insulin sensitisers (Metformin), lifestyle intervention programmes, and assessment of reproductive health concerns. Laparoscopic ovarian drilling is available for cases unresponsive to medication.

Prostate cancer starts in the prostate, a small gland below the bladder in men that helps make semen. It mostly affects men over 50, and the risk rises with age. Many prostate cancers grow slowly and may never cause harm, while others are more aggressive and need prompt treatment. Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. Urinary problems such as a weak stream, passing urine often or getting up at night are more often caused by benign prostate enlargement (BPH) than by cancer, but they are a good reason to see a urologist. Advanced cancer may cause blood in the urine or semen, bone pain or weight loss. Diagnosis combines a PSA blood test, examination, MRI and biopsy. Treatment depends on the stage and grade of the cancer, your age and overall health, and ranges from active surveillance to surgery, radiotherapy and hormone therapy.

The pituitary is a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain that controls the thyroid, adrenal glands, growth, fertility and milk production. Pituitary tumours (adenomas) are almost always benign, but they cause problems in two ways: by producing excess hormone, such as prolactin, growth hormone or cortisol, or by growing large enough to press on the optic nerves and cause loss of side vision. Iswarya Hospital's neurosurgeons and endocrinologists work together: prolactin-secreting tumours are usually treated with tablets alone, while larger or other hormone-producing tumours are removed through the nose by endoscopic endonasal surgery with the ENT team, leaving no external scar. MRI with pituitary protocol, full hormone testing and visual field assessment are available on site, and follow-up continues with endocrinology after surgery.

Renal failure, or kidney failure, means the kidneys can no longer filter waste products and excess fluid from the blood well enough. It can happen in two ways. Acute kidney injury develops over hours or days, for example after severe dehydration, a serious infection, certain medicines or a blockage to urine flow, and often recovers if the cause is treated quickly. Chronic kidney failure is the end result of long-term kidney damage, most often from diabetes and high blood pressure, and develops over months or years. As kidney function falls, waste and fluid build up, causing swelling of the legs and face, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, itching, breathlessness and reduced urine output. Dangerous changes in blood potassium and acid levels can affect the heart. When the kidneys can no longer support the body, dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed. Detecting kidney disease early allows treatment to slow its progress.

Retinal detachment is an eye emergency in which the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, peels away from its normal position. When this happens, the detached retina stops working properly, and vision can be permanently lost if it is not repaired quickly. It most often starts with a tear in the retina that lets fluid seep underneath. It is more likely in people who are very short-sighted, have had cataract surgery or an eye injury, or are middle-aged or older. Warning signs include a sudden shower of new floaters, flashes of light, and a dark shadow or curtain spreading across part of your vision. Retinal detachment is usually painless, so people may delay seeking help. Early treatment of a retinal tear with laser or freezing (cryotherapy) can prevent a detachment, while a detachment usually needs surgery to reattach the retina.

A stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted — either by a blocked artery (ischaemic stroke, 85% of cases) or a ruptured blood vessel (haemorrhagic stroke). Every minute without treatment causes approximately 2 million neurons to die. Use the FAST mnemonic: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency. Iswarya Hospital's Emergency Department on OMR provides 24×7 acute stroke care with CT imaging within 45 minutes and IV thrombolysis within the 4.5-hour golden window. A dedicated Neuro ICU ensures continuous monitoring and rapid neurosurgical backup.

A spinal tumour is an abnormal growth in or around the spinal cord, the spinal nerves or the bones of the spine. Tumours can be benign, such as meningiomas and schwannomas, or malignant. Many tumours affecting the spine have spread from cancers elsewhere, such as breast, lung, prostate or kidney cancer. Because the spinal cord carries messages between the brain and the body, a growing tumour can press on it and cause pain, numbness, weakness and problems with bladder or bowel control. Back pain from a tumour is often persistent, worse at night or when lying down, and not relieved by rest. Symptoms can develop slowly over months or quickly over days. Early diagnosis matters, because sudden compression of the spinal cord can cause permanent paralysis if not treated urgently. Treatment may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or monitoring, and is planned by a specialist team.

Sciatica is pain that travels from the lower back through the buttock and down the back of the leg along the sciatic nerve, often with tingling, numbness or weakness in the foot. It is a symptom, not a diagnosis: in most people it is caused by a herniated lumbar disc pressing on a nerve root, and in older adults by spinal stenosis or spondylolisthesis. Nine out of ten episodes settle within 6 to 12 weeks with medicines, activity modification and physiotherapy. Iswarya Hospital's neurosurgeons review your MRI and tell you plainly whether you need surgery. Microdiscectomy or decompression is advised when leg pain persists beyond three months despite treatment, when weakness is progressive, or urgently when there is numbness around the saddle area or loss of bladder or bowel control, which is an emergency.

Spinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal, most often in the lower back, from thickened ligaments, bulging discs and arthritic joints that develop with age. The hallmark is neurogenic claudication: aching, heaviness or numbness in both legs that comes on with walking or standing and eases quickly on sitting or leaning forward, which is why people with stenosis find it easier to push a trolley than to walk upright. Iswarya Hospital's neurosurgeons confirm the diagnosis on MRI and start with physiotherapy, medicines and epidural steroid injections. When walking distance keeps shrinking or weakness appears, laminectomy to decompress the nerves, with spinal fusion if the spine is unstable, reliably restores walking distance. Most patients walk the day after surgery.

Thyroid cancer develops in the thyroid gland at the front of the neck. The most common types, papillary and follicular thyroid cancer, usually grow slowly and generally respond well to treatment. Less common types, such as medullary and anaplastic thyroid cancer, behave differently and need specialist care. Thyroid cancer is more common in women and can occur at any age, including in young adults. It often shows up as a painless lump in the neck, noticed by the person or found by chance on a scan. Most thyroid lumps (nodules) are not cancer, but any new or growing lump should be checked. Other signs include hoarseness that does not improve, difficulty swallowing and swollen glands in the neck. Treatment usually involves surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid, sometimes followed by radioactive iodine and thyroid hormone tablets.

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional leakage of urine. It is common, especially in women after childbirth and menopause and in older adults, but it is not a normal part of ageing and can often be improved. Many people feel embarrassed and do not seek help, and may limit travel, work or social life as a result. There are several types. Stress incontinence is leakage when coughing, sneezing, laughing or lifting, due to weak pelvic floor muscles. Urge incontinence is a sudden, strong need to pass urine followed by leakage, often due to an overactive bladder. Overflow incontinence is dribbling from a bladder that does not empty fully, for example with an enlarged prostate in men. Many people have a mix of types. Treatment depends on the type and may include pelvic floor exercises, bladder training, changes to drinks such as tea and coffee, medicines and, for some, procedures or surgery.

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths of muscle and fibrous tissue in or on the wall of the womb (uterus). They are common in women of reproductive age, particularly in their 30s and 40s, and range from tiny seedlings to large masses that enlarge the womb. Many women have fibroids without knowing it, and these do not need treatment. Depending on their size and position, fibroids can cause heavy or prolonged periods, which may lead to anaemia, as well as pelvic pressure, a swollen abdomen, frequent urination, constipation, back pain and sometimes difficulty getting pregnant or problems in pregnancy. Fibroids depend on the hormones oestrogen and progesterone, so they often shrink after menopause. Treatment options include medicines to control bleeding, hormonal treatment, and procedures to remove the fibroids (myomectomy) or the womb (hysterectomy), chosen according to your symptoms and plans for pregnancy.