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PCOS Awareness Month: Understanding and Managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
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PCOS Awareness Month: Understanding and Managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

PCOS Awareness Month: Understanding and Managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

By Dr. Jyoti Upadhyay
 Specialist in Internal Medicine, Aster Hospital, Mankhool, Dubai

September is observed as PCOS Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – one of the most common hormonal disorders among women of reproductive age. Despite its prevalence, PCOS is often misunderstood, underdiagnosed, and sometimes overlooked, leaving many women struggling in silence.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is a condition caused by hormonal imbalances that affect the ovaries. Women with PCOS may have irregular or absent periods, excess male hormones (androgens), and multiple small cysts on their ovaries. It is also associated with insulin resistance and metabolic challenges.

Common Symptoms of PCOS:
  • Irregular or absent menstrual cycles
  • Excess facial or body hair (hirsutism)
  • Acne or oily skin
  • Weight gain, especially around the abdomen
  • Hair thinning on the scalp
  • Difficulty conceiving

Not all women with PCOS experience the same symptoms, which is why it often goes undetected.

Why PCOS Awareness Matters

Globally, PCOS affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age, making it one of the leading causes of infertility. Beyond fertility, PCOS also increases the risk of:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Sleep apnea
  • Anxiety and depression

Raising awareness is critical to ensuring timely diagnosis, proper management, and emotional support for women living with this condition.

Managing PCOS: Lifestyle and Medical Care

Although PCOS has no cure, it can be effectively managed with a combination of lifestyle changes and medical treatment.

  • Healthy diet: Focus on whole foods, lean protein, vegetables, and reducing refined sugars.
  • Exercise: Regular physical activity improves insulin sensitivity and supports weight management.
  • Medical treatment: Depending on symptoms, doctors may prescribe hormonal therapy, fertility medications, or medicines for insulin resistance.
  • Mental health support: Counseling and stress management are important, as PCOS can significantly impact emotional well-being.
Empowering Women with Knowledge

As an Internal Medicine Specialist, I encourage women to pay attention to their bodies and seek medical advice if they notice irregular cycles or other symptoms of PCOS. Early diagnosis not only helps in managing symptoms but also reduces the risk of long-term complications.

World Patient Safety Day: Putting Patients First
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World Patient Safety Day: Putting Patients First

By Dr. Jyoti Upadhyay
 Specialist in Internal Medicine, Aster Hospital, Mankhool, Dubai

Every year on September 17th, the world observes World Patient Safety Day, an initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO) to highlight the importance of making healthcare safer for every patient, everywhere. Patient safety is not just about preventing medical errors – it is about building a culture of trust, communication, and accountability across all levels of healthcare.

Why Patient Safety Matters

Healthcare saves lives every day, but without the right safety measures, it can also pose risks. Globally, millions of patients are harmed due to unsafe practices, medication errors, infections, or miscommunication. According to WHO:

  • Nearly 1 in 10 patients is harmed while receiving hospital care.
  • At least 50% of these incidents are preventable.
  • Unsafe medication practices alone cause over 3 million deaths annually.

These statistics highlight the urgent need for awareness, stronger systems, and shared responsibility between healthcare professionals, patients, and communities.

This Year’s Theme: Engaging Patients for Patient Safety

World Patient Safety Day 2025 emphasizes “Engaging Patients for Patient Safety”. Patients are not just receivers of care – they are partners in their healthcare journey. Encouraging patients to speak up, ask questions, and share their concerns ensures safer outcomes.

Ways Patients Can Be Engaged:
  • Open Communication: Patients should feel comfortable discussing their symptoms, treatments, and concerns with healthcare providers.
  • Awareness of Medications: Knowing what medicines they are taking and why helps reduce errors.
  • Infection Prevention: Simple steps like hand hygiene and following hospital guidelines reduce risks.
  • Shared Decision-Making: Patients should be active participants in treatment plans.
The Role of Healthcare Professionals

As an Internal Medicine Specialist, I believe that patient safety begins with a commitment to quality care, teamwork, and accountability. Doctors, nurses, and support staff must work together to:

  • Double-check medications and dosages.
  • Follow infection control protocols strictly.
  • Encourage patients to voice concerns.
  • Continuously learn from audits and case reviews.
Building a Culture of Safety

True safety in healthcare is achieved when patients and healthcare professionals work as one team. Hospitals must foster an environment where safety is prioritized over speed, and where mistakes are acknowledged, learned from, and prevented in the future.

World Sepsis Day: Raising Awareness to Save Lives
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World Sepsis Day: Raising Awareness to Save Lives

By Dr. Jyoti Upadhyay
 Specialist in Internal Medicine, Aster Hospital, Mankhool, Dubai

Every year, September 13th is observed as World Sepsis Day, a global initiative to raise awareness about a medical emergency that affects millions worldwide. Despite its prevalence, sepsis is often under-recognized, yet it remains one of the leading causes of preventable deaths globally.

What is Sepsis?

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body’s response to an infection spirals out of control, damaging its own tissues and organs. Common infections that can trigger sepsis include pneumonia, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and abdominal infections. If not recognized and treated promptly, sepsis can lead to septic shock, organ failure, and death.

Why Awareness Matters
  • Every year, sepsis affects over 49 million people worldwide.
  • Around 11 million people die from sepsis annually – more than deaths from cancer or heart attacks.
  • Many survivors face long-term complications such as fatigue, memory problems, and reduced quality of life.

Raising awareness is crucial because early recognition and treatment can save lives. Simple measures like infection prevention, timely medical care, and vaccination can drastically reduce the risk.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

Sepsis can affect anyone, but is more common in newborns, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Warning signs include:

  • High fever, chills, or very low temperature
  • Rapid heartbeat or breathing
  • Confusion, disorientation, or extreme drowsiness
  • Severe pain or discomfort
  • Low blood pressure, clammy skin

If you or a loved one experience these symptoms in the context of an infection, seek medical help immediately.

Prevention is Better Than Cure

Sepsis is often preventable. Here are some key steps:

  • Practice good hygiene: Handwashing and wound care reduce infection risks.
  • Vaccinate: Protect against flu, pneumonia, and other preventable diseases.
  • Manage chronic conditions: Diabetes, kidney disease, and heart problems increase vulnerability.
  • Recognize infections early and consult a doctor without delay.
National Immunization Awareness Month: Protecting Health, One Shot at a Time
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 National Immunization Awareness Month: Protecting Health, One Shot at a Time

Dr. Jyoti Upadhyay

Specialist in Internal Medicine at Aster Hospital Mankhool, Dubai, UAE

The Importance of Immunization

National Immunization Awareness Month is celebrated every August to highlight the critical role vaccines play in preventing serious illnesses and safeguarding public health. Immunizations not only protect individuals but also help communities stay safe by reducing the spread of infectious diseases.

Vaccines have dramatically decreased the incidence of life-threatening conditions like measles, polio, hepatitis, and influenza. They also prevent complications that can affect organs such as the liver, lungs, and heart.

Why Awareness Matters

Despite proven safety and effectiveness, vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge. Awareness campaigns help:

  • Educate the public about vaccine benefits
  • Address myths and misinformation
  • Encourage timely vaccination for children, adults, and seniors

Vaccines Across Life Stages

Children:

  • Protect against diseases like polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, and more.
    Adults:
  • Boosters for tetanus, influenza, and shingles.
  • Vaccines for hepatitis A & B, pneumococcal infections, and COVID-19.
    High-risk groups:
  • People with chronic illnesses, liver disease, or immunocompromised conditions need additional protection.

Tips for Staying Up-to-Date

  1. Maintain a personal vaccination record.
  2. Consult your doctor about recommended vaccines based on age and health status.
  3. Follow local public health guidelines for seasonal vaccines like flu and COVID-19 boosters.
World Hepatitis Day – July 28
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World Hepatitis Day – July 28

“Hepatitis Can’t Wait” – Raising Global Awareness

Every year on July 28, the world marks World Hepatitis Day to increase awareness about viral hepatitis — a silent but deadly disease that affects over 350 million people worldwide.

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, often caused by a viral infection. The five main types of viral hepatitis are:

  • Hepatitis A – spread through contaminated food or water
  • Hepatitis B – transmitted via blood, sexual contact, or childbirth
  • Hepatitis C – mainly spread through blood
  • Hepatitis D – occurs only with hepatitis B co-infection
  • Hepatitis E – spread through contaminated water

These infections can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer if left untreated.

Why It Matters

  • 1.1 million people die each year from hepatitis-related causes
  • 9 out of 10 people with hepatitis are unaware of their condition
  • Hepatitis B and C cause the majority of chronic infections and deaths
  • Vaccines and treatments exist, but access and awareness are still limited

 Prevention and Action

  • Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B
  • Get tested—especially if you were born before 1965 or have risk factors
  • Practice safe hygiene and avoid sharing needles or personal items

Seek treatment—hepatitis C is now curable, and hepatitis B can be manage

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