Acne vulgaris is a chronic condition affecting more than 85% of adolescents and young adults. It is one of the most common diseases affecting humanity and its impact on quality of life (QoL) is important. The impact of acne on QoL in Indian patients remains undocumented. The study was undertaken to detect the impact of acne vulgaris and related factors that may influence the QoL.Materials and Methods:This was a hospital-based, prospective, cross-sectional, prestructured, questionnaire-based study done on 140 consenting individuals, who attended the Dermatology outpatient department. Acne vulgaris was graded using simple grading system. QoL was measured using a combination of skin disease-specific (Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI)) and acne-specific (Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI)) questionnaires.Results:Majority of our study population were students (103, 73.6%). Face (139, 99.3%) was the commonest site of acne and comedones 133, 95% were the commonest type of lesion. Most of the individuals 66, 47.1% were observed to have grade 1 acne. The mean DLQI score was 6.91 and the mean CADI score was 5.2. Association between the scores was statistically significant. Age, occupation, marital status, family, and treatment history played a role in affecting the QoL. Diet, smoking, and alcohol did not influence the QoL.Conclusion:Though acne had impact on patient's QoL, it was less severe in our study. It is important for health professionals to incorporate QoL measurements when managing acne patients to provide better and appropriate care.

Context:Hair plays an important role in one's personality and builds confidence. Now-a-days, chemical hair relaxers are used very commonly in the society. We document the adverse effects reported by the sample that have used any one of the professional chemical hair relaxers.Aim:To study the adverse effects reported by the sample who underwent repeated chemical hair relaxing.Settings and Design:Cross-sectional questionnaire based study done on a sample taken from a medical college and hospital campus in Mangalore.Materials and Methods:The sample was restricted to females and to those who underwent it more than once. A questionnaire was given to a sample of 90, which matched our criteria.Statistical Analysis:SPSS software 17.Results:Adverse effects reported by the sample after undergoing the procedure were found to be a high 95.56%, out of which the following are the common adverse effects reported; frizzy hair in 67%, dandruff in 61%, hair loss in 47%, thinning and weakening of hair in 40%, greying of hair 22%, and split ends in only 17%.Conclusions:Very few studies have been conducted on the adverse effects of hair straightening products in India. From our study, it can be stated that most of the samples had adverse effects, which was as high as 95.56%. Hence from the details elicited from this study, we can conclude that, usage of chemical hair relaxers does cause adverse effects and is “not a myth.” Thus, it is necessary to make available a less harmful chemical hair relaxer to the society.

The expectations about aging have considerably changed from those of previous generations. Everyone wants to live their life to the fullest without diseases or disabilities. Increased longevity in developing and developed world has lead to rise in the incidence of geriatric problems. Cognitive shifts and other neurological complaints are the most troublesome problems faced by older people over 65. This is the time when Homoeopathy comes into play. Ginkgo biloba, a herb used in the mother tincture form in Homoeopathy can do wonders in geriatric brain diseases and disorders.

Due to their structural peculiarity, girls are prone to develop urinary infections. Lower urinary infections, if not treated promptly can lead to the ascent of the infection to kidneys leading to pyelonephritis. Sepsis is another complication. Repeated use of antibiotics may affect the intestinal micro flora. This study aims at understanding the effectiveness of Homoeopathic constitutional remedy in managing acute cystitis in adolescent females by minimizing or preventing recurrent attacks and complications. The objectives of the study are, to study the improvement of the patient based on symptom relief and reduced pus cell count in urine and to study about the clinical presentation of acute cystitis in adolescent girls.

Hypothyroidism is a condition which disturbs a person's harmonious life with weight gain, menstrual irregularities and mood swings. Many patients bear with them, the burden of taking hormonal treatment throughout their lifetime. The carefully selected homoeopathic constitutional medicines can bring about a cure in these sufferers within a short period of time. The following is the case of a 34 year old woman who was freed of her problems of hypothyroidism with homoeopathic constitutional medicines alone.