Cellma and Diabetes Care: A New Era of Patient – Centred Management
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Every day, the departments of diabetes care face a challenge in managing the complex needs of patients with diabetes. From the care plans for patients at different levels of conditions to managing data and ensuring proper communication among care teams, diabetes care has become highly multifaceted. According to diabetes UK, over 5.6 million people are living with diabetes including both diagnosed and undiagnosed cases. Each of these patients requires customised care, continuous monitoring, and fluid access to healthcare professionals–all demands that often push the resources and healthcare givers to their limits. For the diabetes care unit to cater to these requirements, a system that provides effective management of patient details, appointment management, and customised care plans is required; enter Cellma. Cellma optimises the hospital’s operations and management. This not only alleviates the hospital administration, but also enhances patients’ experience. Through various modules of Cellma, patients’ hospital journey is smooth. Read the blog to learn how Cellma transforms diabetes care and hospital’s management and operations. What is diabetes? Diabetes is the underlying condition that causes elevated blood sugar. It develops when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or any at all, or when the body isn’t responding to the effects of insulin properly. Diabetes affects people of all ages. For diabetic patients, managing diabetes involves handling multiple aspects of care. The Challenges of Diabetes Management a hospital and clinic face are: Regular blood sugar monitoring Following up the medication and lifestyle changes Document and prescriptions management Keeping track of lab results and medical history Frequent visits to healthcare providers for consultation Due to the lack of an integrated system healthcare providers face incomplete or delayed access to vital information, affecting the quality of care and patient outcomes. How Cellma Transforms Diabetes Care Cellma is an all-in-one HIMS solution that addresses challenges by providing a platform that streamlines all aspects of diabetes management. With administrative tasks and clinical management, Cellma brings together all aspects of patient care. Cellma can integrate across various hospital departments and ensure that healthcare providers have quick access to important information. Here’s how Cellma enhances diabetes care with its modules: Electronic Patient Record (EPR): The Electronic Patient Record (EPR) module of Cellma has a centralised digital storage for all patient information. From demographics to medical history, every piece of data is easily accessible to authorised healthcare providers. In the EPR module, the patient’s data is recorded throughout their care pathways irrespective of where the services were delivered. EPR module is completely integrated for bi-directional connectivity. Patient Administration System (PAS): With Cellma’s Patient Administration System (PAS), administrative tasks such as patient registration, appointment scheduling, and admission/discharge processes are simplified. PAS module includes the referral procedure to specialised consultants. Also, in Cellma, appointments can be booked using the web portal or app. Document Management: Cellma’s document management module stores all the patient documents related to diabetes, including consent forms, diabetes treatment plans, summaries, securely and are easily accessible to the healthcare providers. This reduces the risk of lost paperwork and enhances the efficiency of hospital operations by providing a centralised storage for all important documents. Lab Management: Regular lab tests are important for monitoring diabetes. With Cellma’s lab module test results are seamlessly integrated into the patient’s record. With automated workflows, HbA1c levels, kidney function tests, and cholesterol levels are automatically updated in the EPR of diabetic patients, reducing the risk of errors and ensuring timely interventions. Through Cellma’s lab module, patient care providers effectively manage all pathology requests, reports, and findings within their institution linked to their patient’s records. Cellma can integrate with the existing lab analysers or third-party technology and transfer all the information. E-Pharmacy: The E-Pharmacy module of Cellma integrates prescription management with the hospital’s pharmacy. Diabetes medications can be prescribed electronically, and pharmacists receive the prescriptions in real-time. Cellma’s Pharmacy Medicines Management & Medicines Administration are seamlessly integrated with each other and ensures quality, safety, and efficiency for all prescribed and dispensed items. Cellma’s E-pharmacy & E-prescribing module is integrated with the billing module and hence, it automatically records and generates patient-level costing. Communication: Communication is important for smooth diabetes care. Cellma’s communication module allows healthcare providers to communicate without any issues and provides secure messaging and collaboration tools. Patient can participate and take their health care in their own hands through self-registration, feedback, and access to specific parts of their medical record. Hospital administration can inform the patient about their tests results, upcoming appointments and treatment options. Telemedicine Solution: Cellma supports telehealth services, enabling virtual consultations and remote monitoring. Diabetic patient can confirm, cancel, or re-schedule telemedicine appointments to suit their availability. It reduces no-shows significantly with appointment confirmations and reminders about upcoming remote consultations via the patient app and portal. Finance and Billing: Cellma’s Finance and Billing module simplifies the financial operations of a hospital. It handles everything from the patient’s diabetes treatment’s billing to insurance claims processing and ensures accuracy and transparency. The finance and appointment module in Cellma is completely connected. As a result, patients get automatic billing for each treatment episode and the service provided at the department. For the local, national or procurement requirements, automatic reports are generated. Automatic reports are created whenever needed for local, national, or procurement requirements. With such filtered data, you can see where resources can be managed more ideally. Business Intelligence and Reporting: The Business Intelligence and Reporting module provides diabetes department and the hospital as whole with valuable insights into the departments and hospital’s operations, through advanced analytics and reporting tools. Cellma’s Business Intelligence and Reporting module provides clinical, managerial and financial reports on all data stored within an organisation. Every single piece of data can be accessed in three easy-to-read formats. Our dynamic dashboards give you a snapshot of any specific key performance indicators, customisable to present only the data you need. Patient Portal: Cellma’s Patient Portal provides one-stop access for those dealing with diabetes to their medical information. Through a safe login, patients can monitor
Ophthalmology Department Management Simplified with Cellma
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Eyes are the windows to the soul and keeping them in great health helps in improving general well-being. Ophthalmology, which is the specialised branch of medicine dealing with eye anatomy, physiology, and diseases, is crucial to enabling diagnosis and treatment of anything that involves vision. Over the years, with the evolution of technology, ophthalmology has gradually become more intricate and needs to be equipped with relevant management systems in order to create an efficient clinical workflow whilst enhancing patient care. A report provided by NHS England estimates about 7.5 million ophthalmology patient episodes in England during 2022. Read the blog to know the challenges faced by the ophthalmology departments and how an advanced ophthalmology EHR software like Cellma can revolutionise operations. Challenges Faced by the Ophthalmology Department: The ophthalmology department faces several challenges such as: Long waiting times: Inability to deal with the great number of patients leads to longer waiting times for clinics and procedures. Coordination of Care: The inefficient transition from one level of care to another hinders a speedy decision-making process when there is a lack of relevant patient information. Data Management: The management of large volumes of patient data such as medical history, tests, and treatment plans is complicated, tedious, and potentially prone to error. Resource Allocation: For effective service delivery, one should focus on the effective utilisation of the resources, which include manpower and available equipment. How Cellma Helps Cellma is an integrated comprehensive healthcare information management system that is aimed to manage the needs specific to the departments, clinics, and hospitals. For ophthalmology practices, Cellma functions as an ophthalmology EMR, optimising workflows, enhancing patient care, and improving operational efficiency through its various modules and features. Here’s How Cellma Can Make a Difference: Patient Administration and Scheduling (PAS) Module: The PAS module of Cellma facilitates the whole patient management process. PAS’s built-in appointment scheduling system assures the appointment of patients with minimum wait time while optimising the schedules of ophthalmologists. The module contains functions for automated reminders, which send out notifications to patients about their next appointments via either SMS or email. This function greatly decreases the incidence of missed appointments. Electronic Patient Record (EPR) module: The EPR module of Cellma centralises and securely stores important patient information in a single accessible platform. This consists of exhaustive medical history, investigation reports, and treatment plans, enabling the ophthalmologist to view very vital information at anytime and anywhere. The EPR module thus gives a full view of a patient’s medical histories and ensures continuity of care by allowing the clinician to have all of the relevant information readily available during his or her consultation. That is, the EPR allows to document electronic findings and treatment plans, enhancing efficiency and reducing the likelihood of error due to paper records. Imaging Module: The imaging module is one of the most potent modules of Cellma, as it brings together all imaging associated with ophthalmic diagnostics such as OCT, fundus photography, and visual field tests. It allows the ophthalmologist to incorporate imaging results easily into a patient’s electronic record, resulting in improved clinical decision-making. The module has a provision for access to the latest imaging data to support the accurate communication of diagnosis and treatment options between clinicians and the patient. Lab Module: Making, ordering and tracking of lab tests, including all the necessary blood work and genetics testing related to eye health, much simpler, the lab module of Cellma also addresses pathology requests and reports-all within the electronic patient record. It improves workflow efficiency significantly while making critical test results available in real time for timely clinical decisions. This reduces the administrative burden associated with lab management and affords ophthalmologists more time to treat and care for their patients. ePharmacy Module: The e-pharmacy module facilitates smooth prescription management. The module makes sure that the medications and ophthalmic supplies are supplied and tracked. The module allows ophthalmologists to view medication histories, dosages, and prescription statuses all in one location. Alerts for potential drug interactions have been incorporated in the module, ensuring that prescribing practices contribute to the safety of the patients. This oversight thus enables ophthalmologists to offer relevant care and avoid complications related to management by drugs. Document Management Module: The document management module allows for document storage and administration pertaining to treatment regarding consent and treatment plans. Centralised storage solutions avoid the risk of the paper lost and streamline operations because all critical documents are easily accessible to the relevant staff. Business Intelligence and Reporting Module: The business intelligence and reporting module enables advanced analytics tools for tracking clinical outcomes, patient demographics, and departmental performances for the profession. It enables healthcare providers to generate detailed reports tailored to the specific requirements; the reports provide an insight into different aspects of practices. The approach allows ophthalmologists to be guided by data to improve patient care and optimise departmental efficiencies. Patient Portal: Cellma’s patient portal allows patients to take a more active role in their healthcare. The portal allows them to schedule appointments with their ophthalmologists online and save time by this way. It also educates patients regarding aspects of eye health, the treatment plan, and when to show up for the next appointment, hence they are more informed. Patients can fill in pre-visit forms online with important information about symptoms and medical histories, which must be done before in-office appointments. Automated reminders via e-mail or SMS nudge patients to remain committed to their appointments while reducing no-shows. The connection between patients and the hospital department is enhanced by the Patient Portal through provision of communication and information exchange; hence patient engagement and satisfaction are improved. Functionality and Security Enhancements: Multi-Language Support: Ensures a variety of patient populations can be served by providing forms and education materials in multiple languages. Documenting in Real-time: Information is up-to-date and promptly recorded for all patient contacts along with the treatment plans therein. Audit Trail: Ensures that there is an open record for all amendments made on the patient records in terms of quality assurance and compliance. Video Consultation: Cellma’s video consultation functionality feature allows for virtual consultations between
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): An Overview of IBS symptoms, causes and types
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents For several years, Kimberly, has been suffering from constant stomach cramps and irregular bowel movement. She attributed this to stress of her job. However, when the symptoms started interfering with her daily life and social activities, she knew it was high time to go see a doctor. For weeks, booking appointments and searching for a suitable specialist overwhelmed her until she discovered Cellmaflex. Through Cellmaflex, without any phone calls, Kimberly made an online appointment with a gastroenterologist and received automatic reminders that kept her focused for her intended care. This blog delves into what Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is, its prevalence, IBS symptoms, types, causes, diagnosis and the available treatment options. What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS, is a term for a group of symptoms that affect your digestive system. This is, in fact, a common but rather awkward gastrointestinal disease or medical condition affecting your intestines. Symptoms in people with IBS vary from pain in the abdomen and cramping to diarrhoea or constipation and it alternates frequently. With IBS you may also have diarrhoea, constipation, or an alternating type of pattern where it switches back and forth. IBS does not cause damage in your GI (gastrointestinal) tract, nor does it increase the risk of worse problems like colon cancer. Instead, it is one chronic condition that most people can keep under control through changing their habits and what they eat, taking medications and receiving behavioral therapy. Females are at about twice the risk of suffering from IBS compared to men and most females’ symptoms worsen around the time of menstruation. The National Institute of Health states that the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome is around 11% worldwide as of 2023, based on different clinical criteria used for diagnosis. What are the Types of IBS? There are three categories of IBS. Researchers classify IBS based on how your stools look on days when you are having symptom flare-ups. Most people with IBS have normal bowel movements some days and abnormal ones on others. The abnormal days explain what type of IBS you have. IBS with constipation (IBS-C): Stools are mostly hard and lumpy. IBS with diarrhoea (IBS-D): You mostly experience loose, watery stools. IBS with mixed bowel habits (IBS-M): You experience both the diarrheal type and the constipated type combined, such that you both have hard and lumpy bowel movements and loose and watery movements. The differences are important as certain treatments only work for specific types of IBS. IBS Symptoms IBS may appear with frequent symptoms or symptoms may occur during flare-ups. In other words, you do not always have symptoms. Rather, symptoms may stop occurring (and you’ll again have normal bowel movements). At other times, symptoms will recur. IBS symptoms are: Pain or cramping in the abdomen, often accompanied by a desire to have a bowel movement. Gas or bloating. Diarrhoea – loose stools. Constipation – few stools. Alternating between periods of diarrhoea and constipation. You have mucus in your stool, which can appear whitish in color. You do not feel as if you have entirely eliminated stool from your body after a bowel movement. Causes of IBS The definite etiology of IBS is not determined, but some possible causes that can be connected with its development are as follows: Gut-brain interaction: Abnormal communication between the gut and brain may affect bowel function. Food sensitivities: Some individuals may be sensitive to other foods, especially dairy, gluten, and high FODMAPs. Infections: Infection of the gastrointestinal tract or the overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines may contribute to IBS. Stress and Psychological Factors: Anxiety and depression are commonly associated with IBS. Hormonal Changes: Women show worsening of IBS symptoms during their menstrual cycles. How is IBS Diagnosed? There is no test for diagnosing IBS. Therefore, diagnosis relies mainly on: History and Medical Check-up: Physicians examine the symptoms and for how long they have been present. The Rome IV Criteria: It is used in assessing symptoms involving abdominal pain, change in bowel habits, etc. Exclusion of other conditions: Blood tests and stool tests or imaging may be requested in order to exclude all the other conditions such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment Options for IBS IBS has no known cure. However, there are some options that are used to manage their symptoms. These include: Dietary modification: Patients can identify their trigger foods and avoid them as a possible method of alleviating symptoms. Low-FODMAP is commonly recommended. Medications: Depending upon the type of IBS, a person may be prescribed antispasmodics, laxatives, or anti-diarrheal medication. Psychological therapies: Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and other relaxation techniques may help to alleviate symptoms associated with stress. Probiotics: These may help improve the health of the gut, hence reducing symptoms. Lifestyle modification: Exercise and adequate hydration also help in improving the symptoms. How Cellmaflex Helps Patients Cellmaflex is an all-in-one digital healthcare hub for the patients. With Cellmaflex, an IBS patient can sign up free and easily find a suitable gastroenterologist or digestive health expert. In one click, patients can browse through the directory of the specialists they can see, check the availability of their preferred doctors, and even book appointments online without having to make any calls or waste hours in waiting rooms. Direct results of the tests can be accessed by the patients, and they may access test results anywhere at any time. In addition, patients can locate pharmacies nearest to them through Cellmaflex. This ensures prompt availability of various medications and supplements that may aid in better management of IBS. Continuous, timely intervention and real access to healthcare professionals form the important aspects of IBS management. Cellmaflex empowers patients to take charge of their health with smooth appointment scheduling, rapid viewing of test results, and even hassle-free coordination with specialists for the required care. Cellmaflex provides patients with the support they need every step of their journey. Book
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): causes, risk factors, and CKD stages explained.
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Serena, a busy mother of two, had always thought of her fatigue and swollen ankles as just part of her hectic lifestyle. But when those symptoms stuck around, without any phone calls, she decided to book an online appointment on Cellmaflex — a platform she knew that makes booking healthcare appointments easier. Little did she know that this appointment would lead to the revelation of a condition that affects millions of women worldwide—Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). In this blog, we’ll explore what chronic kidney disease is, CKD stages, its causes, symptoms and risk factors and how it is diagnosed. What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)? Chronic Kidney Disease is the gradual loss of kidney function. The kidneys are a vital excretory organ that cleans the blood to extract waste products and fluids. When CKD progresses, the kidneys can no longer efficiently remove wastes from the body, leading to a dangerous accumulation of wastes in the blood. If unchecked, it can lead to serious health complications. It is referred to as “chronic” because it gradually reduces kidney function. CKD might cause the kidney to fail, which is otherwise referred to as end-stage kidney disease. Everyone with CKD will not experience kidney failure, but the disease will often degenerate without treatment. Although there’s no cure for chronic kidney disease, you can slow down the damage on your kidneys with treatments. According to the International Society of Nephrology, in 2023, the prevalence of CKD worldwide is 10.4% among men and 11.8% among women. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is experienced by 13.3 million people each year and may resolve or lead to CKD or kidney failure in the future. How Do the Kidneys Work? The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs connected to each side of the spine. Their primary role is taking waste and excess fluids from the blood to create urine. They also participate in blood pressure, electrolyte balances, and the production of red blood cells. In women, kidney function is very vital during pregnancy and menopause because hormonal changes add to the pressure on the kidneys. CKD can thus be well handled if caught early when it has not reached critical levels. CKD Stages There are five CKD stages, starting with very mild stage 1 and progressing to stage 5: kidney failure. The healthcare provider will determine the stage of kidney function through the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). GFR is a number derived from the amount of creatinine, a waste product, circulating in the blood. Stage GFR (mL/min) What it means Stage 1 90 or above Normal, but it is possible to have stage 1 kidney disease and still have normal eGFR Stage 2 60-89 Kidney damage with mild loss of kidney function Stage 3a 45-59 Mild to moderate kidney damage. Kidneys do not work as well as they should Stage 3b 30-44 Moderate to severe damage Stage 4 15-29 Severely kidney damage. Kidneys are close to not working at all Stage 5 less than 15 Kidney failure or end-stage renal disease, requires either dialysis or a kidney transplant CKD often goes unnoticed in many women until its advanced stage, which is why regular checkups and close monitoring of symptoms are highly needed. Most Common Causes of CKD Several causes contribute to the formation of CKD. Among the most prevalent causes in women include the following: High Blood Pressure: In the course of time, high blood pressure damages the blood vessels that carry blood to the kidneys. Diabetes: This is one potential cause of CKD and can affect women who have experienced gestational diabetes during pregnancy, increasing their risk of developing the condition later in life. Autoimmune Diseases: While lupus and other autoimmune diseases affect more women than men, they will trigger CKD. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Recurrent UTI’s involving the kidneys can eventually lead to CKD Risk Factors in Females Due to CKD There are a few intrinsic risk factors for developing CKD, in particular among women: Pregnancy Associated Disorders: Preeclampsia and other disorders associated with pregnancy are linked to a higher risk of kidney disease. Family History: The risk of suffering from kidney disease is high if a woman has a family history of the disease. Age: It tends to be more common with advancing age, particularly post-menopause, as well as due to hormonal changes. Obesity: This has strong associated cases with Diabetes and Hypertension, which are risk factors in kidney complications. Early Signs and Symptoms of CKD in Women Women generally develop very mild signs of CKD, making the disease hard to detect. The earliest symptoms include: Fatigue Swollen ankles, feet, or hands Changes in urination Severe itching Not being able to focus Later Signs of CKD: The signs of CKD are generally worse with worsening disease, and severely affect the daily activities of the patient. These include the following: Nausea and vomiting Increased fatigue Breathlessness Chest pain Muscle cramps Anaemia For women, these signs tend to be advanced together with other health conditions, most notably menopause, and thus it will be difficult to diagnose with absolute accuracy. Complications Due to CKD Chronic kidney disease is linked to several complications that affect health in general: Cardiovascular Disease: CKD results in cardiovascular disease being one of the major causes of death and morbidity among women. Osteoporosis: The imbalance of calcium and phosphorus due to CKD may result in weaker bones. Fluid Overload: Failure of the kidneys to filter waste properly leads to fluid overload, causing swelling and breathing difficulties. Kidney Failure: At the last stage of disease, the failure of the kidneys takes place. If untreated, the victim has to depend upon either dialysis or a kidney transplant. How is Chronic Kidney Disease Diagnosed? Early detection of chronic kidney disease is the only way to prevent its advancement. Most common tests that are done to diagnose CKD include blood and urine tests. These are: Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR): This test is used to
Neurology Department Management: A New Era with Cellma
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Neurology is a complex and vital medical field focused on diagnosing and treating conditions related to the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. Neurology department plays a very pivotal role in diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous system. From problems such as migraine and epilepsy to complex diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, effective management in neurology requires precision, efficiency, and reliable data. In this regard, health information technology comes to be essential while trying to ensure better results in the delivery of quality care to patients. It is here that Cellma comes to change the pattern in neurology department, to lead to an innovative approach, to improve clinical workflows, patient engagement, and data security. Read the blog to know how Cellma’s modules and functionalities help in neurology department management. What is Neurology? Neurology is a medical specialty consisting of diagnosing and providing treatments for various nervous system disorders, such as the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and even muscles. Neurological conditions range from benign states like migraines and epilepsy, to serious ones of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Multiple Sclerosis. According to Brain Research UK, approximately 11 million people are living within the UK with a neurological condition. Not to mention, more than 800,000 hospital admissions take place annually because of neurological disorders. With such a wide patient population, neurology departments face an immense burden to deliver timely and efficient care. Also, there is possible security and regulatory compliance Issues. The proper management of sensitive patient information in neurological care requires adequate security and regulatory compliance capabilities. How Cellma Helps in Neurology Department Management: Cellma is an advanced HIMS that solves the aforementioned problems by offering targeted modules and functionalities designed for departmental optimisation in delivering care. Here’s how Cellma can change the management of the neurology department with its modules: Patients’ Administration and Scheduling (PAS) Module: The PAS module of Cellma captures the process of patient appointments in neurology departments. It also has an easy way of scheduling appointments and follow-up, which is important for patients likely to require long-term care for neurological disorders. The patient portal or mobile app allows patients to book appointments, therefore diminishing the administrative workload on neurology staff, which will provide more time to treat patients. Electronic Patient Record (EPR) Module: In neurology department, EPR module is necessary because the history and test reports of patients are very important to help clinicians deliver accurate diagnoses and treatments in the future. EPR allows neurologists the facility of retrieving medical as well as radiological information about their patients, like MRI or CT scan reports along with medicines prescribed for their treatment. It facilitates uninterrupted care for patients through various facilities or visits without any necessity of repeating their history or reconfirming the previous treatments administered. It also supports continuity of care which is critical for chronic conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s. Imaging Module: Accurate imaging, in neurology, is pivotal in diagnosing stroke, multiple sclerosis, or brain tumours. Cellma’s imaging module captures and integrates all neuro-related imaging from MRIs to CT scans, and even EEG results directly into the electronic medical record of the patient. A neurologist may read and interpret the latest imaging report at an appointment, making his diagnosis on the basis of current data instead of outdated scan reports. Lab Module: Cellma’s lab module facilitates easy ordering and tracking of laboratory tests such as blood work, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, genetics test, and much more. Test requests, reports, and results are automatically integrated into the patient’s record, so neurologists remain on top of all diagnostic processes and are able to view the comprehensive condition of the patient. ePharmacy Module: The ePharmacy module streamlines prescription management for neurologists. This is essential for chronic conditions like epilepsy or Parkinson’s disease, where long-term management of medication is the key. The module smoothes the prescription processing between the hospital’s pharmacy and provides for tracking of medication stocks, so medicines will not run out when in use. Document Management Module: Using Cellma’s Document Management Module, all neurological patient documents are securely stored and duly aligned, such as consent to procedures like brain surgery or EEGs, treatment plans for the conditions epilepsy or Parkinson’s disease, and progress notes from consultation. All these can be accessed by neurologists and healthcare providers from anywhere, thereby providing essential information at the point of care. Digitising all the essential records, besides eliminating the risk of lost paper work, streamlines workflow and improves the overall operational efficiency of the neurology department. Theatre Module: The Theatre Module accommodates neurology-related surgical interventions such as brain surgeries, biopsies, or nerve decompressions. It enables proper preoperative and postoperative management with an integration into medical records so that neurologists can accurately manage patient progressions as well as follow-up and follow-through care effectively. Communication Module: Communication is significantly relied upon in the management of complex neurological cases. The communication module in Cellma allows for secure messaging between healthcare providers, so they are capable of collaborating and coming to conclusions in real-time. Finance and Billing Module: The Finance and Billing Module in Cellma will be of great benefit to the neurology department in terms of ensuring the right billing for some of the most complex treatments and tests meant for diagnosis. It takes care of every task ranging from consultation fees to processing insurance claims, so it is transparent and easy to use both for the hospital and the patients. The module automatically links billing with appointments and treatments, allowing for proper finance tracking. Business Intelligence and Reporting Module: This module provides business intelligence as well as reporting tools that enhance the delivery of insightful knowledge to neurologists and hospital administrators regarding departmental performance. With advanced reporting tools, neurology department can track clinical outcomes, patient demographics, successful treatments, and departmental efficiency toward data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement. Along with the modules, Cellma’s several functionalities help in the neurology department management: Role-Based Access: Cellma makes sure that only authorised personnel can access or modify
Boosting Efficiency in Nephrology Department Management with Cellma – A Comprehensive Solution.
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Nephrology and renal services play a key role in the management of patients who have kidney diseases as well as those requiring dialysis and renal transplants. The management of these patients requires careful documentation, regular appointments, managing medications, and ongoing monitoring. In the challenging landscape of the nephrology and renal department, RioMed’s Health Information Management System (HIMS), Cellma, provides a complete solution for nephrology and renal services to enhance efficiencies, patient outcomes, and health care delivery within the Nephrology and Renal Service departments. What is Nephrology? Nephrology is the area of medicine dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease. This subspecialty incorporates the management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) indicators, acute kidney injury (AKI), renal replacement therapy i.e. dialysis, kidney transplantation, as well as electrolyte disturbance. Nephrology doctors work alongside various forms of providers to ensure that patients receive coordinated care focused on their particular problems; this includes timely dialysis appointments and medication adjustments. According to Kidney Care UK, around 7.2 million people in the UK are living with chronic kidney disease (CKD stages 1-5). Of the CKD population, an estimated 3.25 million people experience advanced stages of CKD (stages 3-5) when symptom management becomes complex. It has been observed that at least one third of all people in the United Kingdom, with kidney disease will develop some forms of psychiatric symptoms associated with their health condition, with depression being the most common. The challenges of providing care for the nephrology departments are: Monitoring of patient’s vitals Increasing requests dialysis access counselling Management of follow up appointments Data integration across departments, and facilities Facilitation of doctor / patients’ referrals and reconnecting with post discharge Timely availability of diagnostic information and reporting Care and/or major treatment plans provided to the patient How Cellma Assists Cellma is designed to assist departments with their unique challenges. Cellma has a one patient, one record system that collates all the patient information including medical history, treatment plans, laboratory results and a dialysis schedule, in one location. This system-wide access allows authorised users from different areas and locations, to view, and update, and respond to patient information and monitor changes. Cellma ultimately improves the accuracy and efficiency of the care provided. Here is how Cellma can increase the efficiency of the management of nephrology department: Tailored Plan for Each Patient Cellma has the functionality to tailor treatment plans for each patient, all of which can include individualised specific dialysis schedules, medications, dietary recommendations and other lifestyle modifications, and all of which are crucial elements in the management of kidney disease. Integrated Data Transfer It is critical to have no delays in the transfer of essential information such as lab tests and imaging results for patients on dialysis and in requiring close monitoring care. The ability to connect to external clinical systems using FHIR HL7, HL7 and messaging protocols allows for easy transfer of diagnostic data so that patients with chronic progressive kidney disease do not continue wait for information they need. Real – Time Monitoring and Alerts Cellma’s in-built alert functionality allows for real time monitoring of lab results and patient vitals. Staff and patients can be alerted to an abnormal vitals or lab result, so they are empowered to act and do something about it. Alerts and reminders for appointments, dialysis durations and medication schedules can be automatically sent via email or text to patients, family and caregivers to ensure timely communication of important information. Patient Assessments The pre and post dialysis assessment is streamlined within Cellma’s platform. Nephrologists can use custom forms to capture patient information and a thorough assessment which will aid the health care professional in determining what type of dialysis is required or if a referral is necessary. Video Consultations Video consultation functionality of Cellma allows the nephrologist to consult with the patient regardless of whether they are face to face in real time follow up care needs and assessments. This functionality removes the burden of travel for follow up. Cellma brings together everything needed for administrative tasks and clinical management for patient care. Cellma can integrate across different hospitals departments to ensure that health care providers have access to important patient information with quick clicks. Here’s how Cellma enhances nephrology care with its modules: Patient Administration and Scheduling (PAS) The PAS module of Cellma improves the administration of patient referral, appointment, and dialysis schedule management from the same electronic platform. Also, in Cellma, appointments can be booked using the web portal or app reducing some of the administrative burden on the clinical staff. Electronic Patient Record (EPR) The EPR module allows clinicians to capture detailed information about each patient, including a patient’s medical history, test results, treatment plans and everything in between. With the EPR module patients can confidently expect the same type of care in each facility without needing to reconfirm their medical histories. Lab Module The lab module of Cellma allows clinicians to order, track and report laboratory tests easily. Nephrologists can manage all pathology requests, reports, and findings associated with their patients’ records through Cellma in their institution. ePharmacy Module Through the ePharmacy module of Cellma, prescriptions are managed more seamlessly with the hospital’s pharmacy. Also, all medications and dialysis supplies are tracked through this module to ensure that medications are in-stock and ready to administer, while also estimating that each unit has enough stock for all dialysis patient sessions. Imaging Module The imaging module of Cellma captures and incorporates all imaging related to kidney diagnostics such as ultrasound and CT scans into the patient record. This supports clinician-patient discussions about the diagnosis based on current information not previous. Referral Module The referral module allows secure coordination of patients referred to other departments or other nephrology specialists for continuity of care and therapy initiation without treatment delays. Document Management Important documents associated with a patient’s care such as dialysis consent forms or patient care plans are stored through Cellma. All documents
Empowering Your Reproductive Health: A Guide to Contraception and Family Planning
Table of Contents Empowering Your Reproductive Health: A Full Guide to Contraception and Family Planning Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Three years into their marriage, Dante and Vivian spent their anniversary day chatting excitedly over what the future held for them. Both had stable jobs, had wonderful families and they also wanted to start a family – but the timing didn’t feel quite right. Vivian was looking for a promotion, and at the same time, Dante had only just started to expand his venture. So, realising they needed to take control of their reproductive health, they began looking up contraception and family planning options tailored to their needs – that is to say, options that would provide the right answer when the time eventually arose. They booked an online appointment on Cellmaflex at the nearest family planning clinic without making any phone calls. Dante and Vivian felt more confident and educated with their decisions regarding the reproductive future, with the assistance of their healthcare provider. Family planning is an important aspect of reproductive health, which gives individuals the power to make informed decisions about when and how many children to have. Access to contraception and family planning services allows people to plan better for the future, avoid pregnancies that are not planned, and protect their health. In this blog, we shall learn what contraception and family planning is, their age demographics, types of contraceptive methods, hormonal effects, and benefits and challenges of family planning. What is Contraception and Family Planning? Contraception is concerned with methods or devices that prevent pregnancy. It includes options ranging from hormonal pills, implants, intrauterine devices, barrier methods to sterilisation. These methods give people more power to control when or if they become pregnant. Family planning is a wider concept. It is a process through which individuals and couples prepare and space their children considering the desired number of births. Family planning promotes responsible parenting and supports everything relating to maternal and child health. This ensures that pregnancies are intended and welcomed. Prevalence of Unplanned Pregnancies Globally The use of contraceptive methods is increasing globally. According to WHO, between 2000 and 2020, the number of women using a modern contraceptive method has increased from 663 million to 851 million globally. Demographic and Age Groups in Family Planning Family planning decisions vary greatly depending on age, life circumstances, and individual goals. Adolescent Age Group (15-19): This stage often involves limited access to contraception and a considerably higher unplanned pregnancy. Young Adult Age Group (20-30): People of this age group start thinking about family planning choices as they settle into good relationships or begin their careers. Adult Age Group (30-40): Discussions regarding family planning may involve issues of fertility and the timing of pregnancy. Older Adult Age Group (40+): Here, people mostly talk about some of the more-or-less permanent methods of contraception such as sterilisation or managing risks associated with late pregnancies. Types of Contraceptive Methods There is a wide variety of contraceptive methods, differing in effectiveness rates, advantages, and disadvantages: Hormonal Methods: Include birth control pills, patches, injections, and hormonal IUDs. They prevent ovulation by elevating hormonal levels. Barrier Methods: Include condoms, diaphragms, and cervical caps. These barriers, by obstructing the passage of sperm towards the egg, prevent fertilisation. Intrauterine Devices (IUDs): Non-hormonal copper IUDs prevent the sperm from fertilising the egg, and hormonal IUDs release hormones to inhibit ovulation. Sterilisation: Permanent procedures like tubal ligation (for women) or vasectomy (for men) that bar the possibility of conception for life. Natural Methods: This relies on the practice of fertility awareness to avoid conception, i.e., charting cycles and checking for ovulation. Emergency Contraception: This method can prevent pregnancy when unprotected intercourse takes place or if other forms of contraception have failed. Hormonal Changes Associated with Various Methods Hormonal contraceptives are a variety of methods that work in the body to alter the normal hormonal balance and inhibit ovulation. Pills, patches, and hormonal IUDs act on the release of estrogen and progestin to prevent the ovaries from making eggs, besides changing the texture of cervical mucus to block sperm. These transformations could also cause mood changes, energy changes, and menstrual cycle changes. Some women will find that the side effects from one of these hormonal changes include nausea, swelling, mood swings, and headaches. Nevertheless, the severity and type of side effects vary from person to person. Those who experience significant side effects while undergoing hormonal contraception might consider non-hormonal methods, particularly in the case of the copper IUD. Benefits and Challenges of Family Planning Benefits: Prevention of Unplanned Pregnancies: With family planning, a person can prevent unplanned pregnancies and take charge of their sexual health. Improved Maternal and Child Health: Family planning reduces risks to maternal health, which include complications during pregnancy and delivery, by the proper spacing of pregnancies. Economic Stability: Families now have the opportunity to plan pregnancy around their economic situation and can, therefore, prepare for the costs involved in raising children. Opportunities for Education/Work: Contraceptive access enables women to rise through the educational and job ranks without being burdened by unplanned pregnancies. Challenges: Access and Availability: In rural areas where there is low-income, access to contraceptives and family planning services still remains quite limited. Culture and Social Barriers: In some societies, talking about family planning or contraception is a taboo, and women are most likely to face resistance from their partners or a family member. The side effects of contraceptives: Hormonal contraceptives are supposed to cause side effects that include mood changes, weight gain, and uneven periods.Hence, these are quite potent deterrents away from utilising those methods. Health Risks and Considerations Generally, most forms of contraception are considered safe modalities of aiding the process of contraception, although some require consideration of certain health aspects by female users. Some forms of hormonal contraception may subsequently elevate the risk of blood clots, high blood pressure, or stroke in women with particular risk factors. Women over thirty-five, who smoke
Overcoming Challenges in General Medicine Management with Cellma
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents General medicine is a vital area of medicine that encompasses a diverse range of conditions. General medicine departments have a number of challenges in dealing with increasing patient volume and waiting on their health reviews and maintaining the ability to keep accurate records. With the growing prevalence of various conditions and diseases, and the increasing complexity of treatments, general medicine departments are under pressure to deliver high-quality care while managing resources effectively. What’s the solution to meet these challenges? Cellma. Cellma has modules that improve how hospitals and general medicine departments manage their patients. Cellma is an HIMS that optimises the hospitals operations through its system and patient management. This improves not just the administration of the hospital at all levels, but also improves the patient experience. Patients are traversing through the hospital experience in a more seamless manner through the various modules of Cellma. Read the blog to learn how Cellma transforms general medicine management and hospital’s operations. What is General Medicine? General medicine is a medical specialty that encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and management of diseases affecting the body’s internal organs and systems. General medicine practitioners are commonly referred to as internal medicine specialists or internists, and they care for adult patients with multiple medical problems, from acute illnesses such as infections, to chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. General medicine practitioners usually serve as the patient’s first point of contact for undiagnosed medical problems and will complete an appropriate assessment, order testing, and when required, collaborate across several medical specialists with a comprehensive treatment plan. According to the Royal College of General Practitioners in the UK, in 2023, general practice staff delivered approximately 356 million appointments, compared to a 14% increase from what they delivered in 2019, and delivered 30.7 million consultations in April 2024. The Challenge Faced by General Medical Departments Providing general medical care involves navigating various challenges, including: Appointment management High patient volumes Chronic disease management Data management and integration Communication with specialists Complex cases Limited resources Billing and Insurance Management, etc. Due to such challenges, there is a need for general medicine departments to implement a system that will improve the level of efficiency as well as effectiveness of the patients care quality. Holding on to outdated systems can cause inefficiency of time, missed opportunities for early interventions, and decreased patients’ quality of care and satisfaction. On the other hand, using Cellma to manage the processes in the departments will overcome these challenges from delivering better care, whilst also using the proposed resources more effectively. Here is how Cellma can increase the efficiency of the management of general medicine: Electronic Patient Records Module The Electronic Patient Record module (EPR) of Cellma has an electronic centralised digital store, where all patient information is electronically available. Patient demographics, medical history, and every information concerning the patient care is easily obtained by authorised healthcare providers. The EPR will have the patient data recorded during the patient service pathway, regardless of the services that are delivered. The EPR module is completely integrated, therefore providing healthcare provider’s and the patient bi-directional linkage. PAS (Patient Appointment and Scheduling) ModuleWith Cellma’s Patient Appointment and Scheduling (PAS) module, simple administrative tasks such as patient registration, appointment scheduling and admission and discharge, as well as the process of referral to a specialist, can be streamlined. Cellma patients are also able to book appointments through the web portal or app. MDT (Multi-Disciplinary Team) Module Some conditions require treatment by a combination of several specialists. Cellma’s Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) module allows all members of the patient’s care team to communicate and convene. Lab’s ModuleThe labs module of Cellma streamlines the ordering, tracking and reporting of laboratory tests. Doctors can conveniently handle all in-house pathology requests, reports and results through this feature linked to their patient’s record. E-Pharmacy Module The E-Pharmacy module of Cellma integrates prescription management with the hospital’s pharmacy. Using the E-Pharmacy module embedded in Cellma, doctors can prescribe medicines electronically to patients and ensure that the prescription is transmitted for immediate dispensing. Document Management moduleCellma’s document management module retains all patient documentation pertaining to the required care including consent forms, treatment plans, summaries, and is accessible by the healthcare providers. Through this the chance of losing the paperwork is eliminated and improved efficiencies in the workings of the hospital are achieved by storing all the essential documents in one place. Communication moduleCommunication is one of the most crucial activities in providing care to patients. Cellma’s communication module keeps healthcare providers in communication without any hitches and also offers safe messaging and collaboration tools. This helps all people involved in the patient care be informed. Telemedicine module Cellma supports telehealth services, enabling virtual consultations and remote monitoring. Patients can confirm, cancel, or re-schedule telemedicine appointments to suit their availability. It reduces no-shows significantly with appointment confirmations and reminders about upcoming remote consultations via the patient app and portal. Finance and Billing moduleCellma’s Finance and Billing module simplifies the financial operations of a hospital. It handles everything from the patient’s treatment’s billing to insurance claims processing and ensures accuracy and transparency. The finance and appointment module in Cellma is completely connected. As a result, patients get automatic billing for each treatment episode and the service provided at the department. Business Intelligence and Reporting module The Business Intelligence and Reporting module provides the general medicine department and the hospital as whole with valuable insights into the departments and hospital’s operations, through advanced analytics and reporting tools. Cellma’s Business Intelligence and Reporting module provides clinical, managerial and financial reports on all data stored within an organisation. Every single piece of data can be accessed in three easy-to-read formats. Our dynamic dashboards give you a snapshot of any specific key performance indicators, customisable to present only the data you need. Patient PortalVia the patient portal, patients can conveniently schedule their appointments with the doctors online, choosing their preferred date and time. Many of the
From Frustration to Hope: Understanding Infertility
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents Clary and Jace had always dreamed of starting a family. One year went by without being able to conceive, and the excitement started giving way to frustration with each passing month showing a pregnancy test negative. Like any other couple, they just assumed it would take time, but deep inside, they started worrying if something was wrong. Without making any phone call, they finally booked an online appointment with a doctor through Cellmaflex. After consulting their doctor, they found out that both suffer from fertility problems. The news was saddening, but it marked the beginning of their journey to understanding, treatment, and finally, hope. For millions of couples across the globe, the quest to have children has become an issue. However, it does not necessarily have to end in despair and helplessness. Read the blog to know about the infertility, age of occurrence, types, causes of infertility and treatments available. What are the Infertility Issues? Infertility issues, in general, are the failure to conceive, following one year of uninterrupted, unprotected intercourse. These problems can occur among both men and women. Causes could be hormonal imbalances, physical irregularities, lifestyle factors, or even health problems. Infertility in most cases of women is caused by a problem with ovulation, blocked fallopian tubes, uterine abnormalities, whereas in men, poor quality sperm or low count of sperm is considered an impediment to fertility. If you are younger than 35, your healthcare provider may diagnose infertility after one year (12 months) of trying to conceive. Trying to conceive is defined as having regular, unprotected sex. If you are 35 or older, your provider may diagnose infertility after six months of regular, unprotected sex. According to WHO, in 2023, around 17.5% of the adult population – roughly 1 in 6 worldwide – experience infertility. What Are the Types of Infertility? Types of infertility include: Primary infertility: You have never been pregnant and cannot conceive after one year (or six months if you are 35 or older) of regular, unprotected sexual intercourse. Secondary infertility: You cannot get pregnant again after having at least one successful pregnancy. Unexplained infertility: Fertility testing has not found a reason why a person or couple is unable to get pregnant. Infertility Causes for Women Ovulation disorders are the leading cause of infertility in people with ovaries. Ovulation is the process when an ovary releases an egg for fertilization. Ovulation disorders can contribute to female infertility and are caused by a variety of factors. The following factors can contribute to female infertility: Endometriosis PCOS Infrequent or absent menstrual periods Primary ovarian insufficiency or poor egg quality Genetic or chromosomal disorders Sexual dysfunction Uterine fibroids or uterine polyps Thyroid disease Structural abnormalities of the vagina, uterus or fallopian tubes Autoimmune conditions like lupus Hypothalamic and pituitary gland disorders Surgical or congenital absence of ovaries Infertility Causes for Men The leading cause of male infertility includes any issues with the shape, movement (motility), or number of sperm (low sperm count). Other causes of male infertility are: Low testosterone Enlarged veins (varicocele) in the scrotum – the sac that contains testicles Sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction, anejaculation i.e. no ejaculation, premature ejaculation or retrograde ejaculation i.e. ejaculation may go into the bladder instead Genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis Chromosomal disorders such as Klinefelter syndrome High heat exposure to the testicles from tight clothing, frequent use of hot tubs and saunas, and holding laptops or heating pads on or near the testes Injury to the scrotum or testicles Misuse of anabolic steroids Undescended testicles Previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy Surgical or congenital absence of testes Prior surgical sterilisation (vasectomy) How is Female Infertility Diagnosed? As the initial step, the healthcare provider will gather the full medical and sexual history. Fertility for people with a uterus involves ovulating healthy eggs. In order for this to happen, the brain needs to send out signals through hormones to the ovary so that it releases an egg(s) to go through the fallopian tube on its way to the uterine lining. Fertility testing will consist of looking for an issue with any of these steps. These tests may be carried out by the healthcare provider to help diagnose or rule out problems: Pelvic exam: The healthcare provider performs a pelvic exam and will assess for any structural issues or signs of diseases. Blood test: A blood test interrogates hormone levels to see if hormones are imbalanced or if you are ovulating. Various types of blood tests are carried out for different interrogations for determining any other conditions. Transvaginal ultrasound: The healthcare provider puts a ultrasound wand into the vagina to assess for problems in the reproductive system. Hysteroscopy: The healthcare provider puts a small tubular instrument (hysteroscope) into the vagina and assesses the uterus. Saline sonohysterogram (SIS): The healthcare provider will inject the sterile solution of salt water into the uterus and use the transvaginal ultrasound technology to see the uterine lining. Sono hysterosalpingogram (HSG): The healthcare provider will inject saline solution and air bubbles into the fallopian tubes during the SIS process to identify tubal blockage. X-ray hysterosalpingogram (HSG): This diagnostic tool utilises X-rays to visualise an injectable dye that travels through the fallopian tubes. This diagnostic tool is utilised to identify tubal blockage. Laparoscopy: The healthcare provider will insert a laparoscope (thin tube with camera) through a small incision in the abdomen to identify problems such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and scar tissue. How is Male Infertility Diagnosed? Diagnosing male infertility usually involves ruling out or diagnosing whether or not a person is ejecting healthy sperm. Most fertility testing is focused on the sperm. Therefore, the following tests may be carried out by the healthcare provider to determine or rule out issues. Semen Analysis: Tests for low sperm count and poor mobility. In some cases, a needle biopsy of the testicle would be needed to collect sperm for testing. Blood Test: A blood test can be done that will test levels of thyroid and other
Coping with Stress-Related Disorders: Insights into PTSD, RAD, ASD, and More
Table of Contents Help Others Discover – Click to Share! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Table of Contents In today’s fast-paced world, the stress–related disorders are increasingly becoming common. These disorders and conditions badly impact a person’s mental as well as physical health. This situation makes it essential to understand the causes, symptoms and treatments of such disorders. Deep insights into stress-related disorders, individuals, caregivers and healthcare professionals can take early and necessary steps towards effective management and faster recovery. Through Cellmaflex, people suffering from stress related disorders, can book online appointment with the desired healthcare professional without the need of any phone calls. Stress related disorders affect millions of people around the world, with conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED), Acute Stress Disorder (ASD), and Adjustment Disorder being some of the most prevalent. Read the blog to know more about these stress-related disorders, their symptoms, causes and management. What are Stress-Related Disorders Stress-related disorders encompass a range of conditions that are directly related to or exacerbated by high levels of stress. These disorders can significantly impact a person’s mental and physical health. The most common types are: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) When a person has been exposed to any of several forms of trauma, they may develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is a mental health disease condition. It may be violent or horrifying death situations, combat, accidents, natural calamities, physical or emotional abuse, or any event that causes feelings of terror, numbness, or dread. Symptoms of PTSD Intrusive Thoughts: PTSD sufferers frequently have recurrences of some memories about the awful incident which they would have preferred were wiped from memory. Nightmares: Sleep problems are common as a result of upsetting dreams about the trauma the person experienced. Flashbacks: It includes experiencing a sudden life-changing event that causes certain emotions which makes one feel as if they keep re-living that dreadful moment. Avoidance Behaviours: After trauma, a person may want to eliminate the emotional pain or trauma by keeping away from people, places or situations that could trigger the recollection of that traumatic event. What are the causes of PTSD? PTSD can develop after a very stressful, frightening or distressing event, or after a prolonged traumatic experience. Types of events that can lead to PTSD include: serious accidents, physical or sexual assault abuse, including childhood or domestic abuse, exposure to traumatic events at work, including remote exposure, serious health problems, such as being admitted to intensive care, childbirth experiences, such as losing a baby, the death of someone close to you, war and conflict, torture, etc Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) Reactive Attachment Disorder is a syndrome in children more so who have witnessed improper nurturing or even gross abuse particularly in their tender years. It is a disorder that manifests itself in loss of the normal expected bonds which a child should be making with their guardians. What are the symptoms of reactive attachment disorder? Symptoms of reactive attachment disorder are unique to each child. Common symptoms among infants and young children with RAD include – not showing positive emotions, like comfort, love or joy when interacting with others, avoiding eye contact and physical touch, expressing fear or anger by throwing tantrums or frequently showing unhappiness or sadness, trying to find things in their environment that they can control, which makes them likely to break rules. What causes reactive attachment disorder? Currently there is no exact cause for children diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder. Studies suggest that there could be several factors that contribute to a child who doesn’t form a bond with their caretakers including: the child feels abandoned or alone, the child’s basic needs are not being met, the child fears that they are in danger, the child doesn’t know who to trust, the child’s needs are only being met some of the time, particularly if they don’t know when to expect their caregivers to reward or console them. If a child’s physical and emotional needs are not being met, they are at risk of developing RAD. Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED) Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED) is a condition that frequently develops in children subjected to early neglect and maltreatment. Unlike RAD, children with DSED go to the other extreme and are hyperactively affectionate and trusting with novel adults, hence placing themselves in potential danger of abuse. Symptoms of DSED Overly Familiar Behaviour with Strangers: Children suffering from DSED do not seem to grasp the conceptual aspects of stranger danger and have a propensity to seek out and interact with unknown people. Lack of Hesitation in Approaching Unfamiliar Adults: This absence of wariness around new persons is particularly dangerous as it may put the child in harmful circumstances. DSED can occur in children for the following reasons: Absenteeism of a mother or the caregiver within the first few years of life, absence of warmth and affection and emotional development, abuse or neglect, absence or frequent change of a single primary caregiver, trauma in childhood, child in foster care or an orphanage. These factors can cause problems to children in seeking a deeper connection with other individuals. Socialisation is usually easy; hence children appear indiscriminately friendly or socially high-spirited. Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) is a short term reaction that some people have to stressors which occur within a month after a traumatic event. The most important distinction is that although PTSD is diagnosed after one month of experiencing the trauma, the diagnosis of acute stress disorder is made in case of exposure to trauma and development of same-day or initial month symptoms of PTSD. Symptoms of ASD Anxiety: Patients suffering from ASD experience fear and anxiety over the norm, especially over reminders of the traumatic incident. Dissociation: The blurring of psychological or physical feelings with an extension of a stress event, as in ASDs. Hypervigilance: Humans may get too vigilant towards any possible danger even when there is no threat. What causes
