Aastha Hospice

15/10/2025

Dr. Abhishek Shukla today discussed how certain medicines prescribed for depression and other mental health conditions can lead to weight gain. He explained that this side effect is commonly seen with specific drug groups such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, and mood stabilisers. Among antipsychotics, olanzapine and clozapine are known to cause significant weight gain. In antidepressants, atypical agents like mirtazapine and tricyclics such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline may also contribute. Even some SSRIs like paroxetine, escitalopram, and sertraline, as well as SNRIs such as duloxetine, can have mild weight-related effects. Mood stabilisers like sodium valproate are also recognised for this tendency.

He further explained that weight gain occurs due to several physiological mechanisms. These medications may increase appetite, alter metabolism, or cause hormonal changes affecting hunger and satiety. In addition, some drugs induce sedation and fatigue, leading to reduced physical activity and slower calorie expenditure. Over time, these factors combine to promote gradual weight gain, which can be distressing for patients and may affect adherence to treatment.

Dr. Shukla emphasised that while weight gain is a common side effect, it can often be managed. Depending on the patient’s condition, doctors may adjust the dose, switch to alternative medications with a lower risk of weight gain, or provide lifestyle guidance involving diet, exercise, and regular monitoring. He concluded that awareness and timely management are key to ensuring both mental health stability and overall physical well-being.

14/10/2025

Shri O.P. Srivastava from Sahara India, a man of great stature and generosity, extended his heartfelt support to Aastha by donating a large quantity of essential medicines. His thoughtful contribution will go a long way in helping those who are unable to afford necessary medical care, ensuring that treatment and compassion reach every individual in need.

We at Aastha are deeply grateful for this noble gesture. Acts like these remind us that true service lies in giving back to society and uplifting those who suffer silently. Shri Srivastava’s kindness stands as an inspiring example of humanity in action, a reminder that healing begins not only with medicine but with empathy.

13/10/2025

Today, Dr. Abhishek Shukla discussed retention of urine, a condition in which the bladder is unable to empty completely. This can present suddenly (acute retention) or develop gradually over time (chronic retention), leading to discomfort, urinary tract infections, and, if untreated, kidney problems. Common causes include obstruction in the urinary tract, such as an enlarged prostate or strictures, neurological disorders affecting bladder control, certain medications, and weakened bladder muscles.

Diagnosis of urinary retention involves a thorough history and physical examination, along with investigations like bladder scans or ultrasounds to measure residual urine. Urine tests are done to check for infections, and in complex cases, urodynamic studies may be performed to assess bladder function and detect underlying problems.

Management depends on the underlying cause. Catheterization provides immediate relief, while medications like alpha-blockers or anticholinergics can help in specific conditions. Surgical interventions, such as TURP, may be required in cases of obstruction. Lifestyle measures, including timed voiding, fluid management, and pelvic floor exercises, also play an important role. Dr. Shukla emphasizes that early detection and proper management are crucial to prevent complications and improve quality of life.

12/10/2025

Today, Dr. Abhishek Shukla and Dr. Vipul Gautam, Consultant in Pediatric Liver Transplantation, Gastroenterology, and Hepatology at MAX Hospital, Delhi discussed about the criteria for liver transplantation and the essential considerations for donor selection. Dr. Gautam explained that liver donation is ideally done by close blood relatives, though extended family members may also be accepted if medically and ethically suitable. The compatibility between donor and recipient is carefully evaluated through blood group matching and medical assessments to ensure the safest outcome for both.

They also discussed the possible complications after liver transplant, including organ rejection, where the body’s immune system identifies the new liver as foreign and attacks it, and transplant failure, where the liver doesn’t function properly post-surgery. To prevent such complications, patients are required to take immunosuppressive medications throughout their lives. These drugs reduce the immune system’s activity, helping the body accept the new liver, though they also demand regular monitoring to avoid side effects and infections.

Dr. Gautam emphasized that consistent follow-up care plays a vital role in the long-term success of a liver transplant. Patients must adhere to medical guidance, maintain hygiene, and lead a disciplined lifestyle. With proper care and commitment, he assured, individuals who undergo liver transplantation can live a healthy and normal life, just like anyone else.

11/10/2025

https://www.brutimes.com/news/health/who-is-truly-responsible-for-the-madhya-pradesh-cough-syrup-tragedy

क्या इस डॉक्टर को जेल भेजना सही है? डॉ.अभिषेक शुक्ला की इस बहस को पढ़ें और अपनी राय दें।
brutimes.com/news/health/wh…
Who Is Truly Responsible for the Madhya Pradesh Cough Syrup Tragedy?
The recent tragedy in Madhya Pradesh, where thirteen children lost their lives after consuming a cough syrup, has once again exposed the cracks in our healthcare and pharmaceutical regulation systems. The story is as heartbreaking as it is infuriating. A medication meant to ease a child’s cough became the cause of their death. And yet, instead of fixing accountability where it belongs, we seem to be targeting the easiest scapegoat, the doctor who prescribed it.
While the prescribing physician now sits behind bars, the company responsible for manufacturing the syrup has reportedly been given a clean chit. This inverted justice demands urgent scrutiny. It forces us to ask a simple but uncomfortable question- Who is really responsible when a medicine turns into poison?
Medicine doesn’t begin at the doctor’s desk. It begins much earlier, in factories where raw materials are mixed, purified, and tested; in laboratories where batches are certified for safety, in warehouses where they are stored, and in regulatory offices where licenses and approvals are stamped. Each link in this chain carries an enormous ethical and legal responsibility.
When that chain breaks, when a toxic chemical like diethylene glycol contaminates a cough syrup, the doctor is the last and least powerful link. He or she prescribes based on trust, trust that the product is safe, approved, and properly tested. That trust has now been betrayed.
The deaths in Madhya Pradesh were reportedly caused by diethylene glycol, a compound used in industrial solvents and antifreeze, known to cause kidney failure and death. Such contamination is not new. India has witnessed similar tragedies before, in Udhampur, Chennai, and even internationally in countries that imported Indian-made syrups. Each time, the root cause has been the same, a collapse of quality control and regulatory vigilance.
The expectation that a doctor must somehow verify the purity of every drug they prescribe is unreasonable and illogical. A physician can check the dose, suitability, and brand, but cannot chemically analyze each syrup bottle. That responsibility lies squarely with the manufacturer and the regulators.
Doctors prescribe medicines approved by the government and sold legally in pharmacies. They do so in good faith, guided by medical evidence. Punishing them for manufacturing lapses is both unjust and demoralizing. It sends a chilling message across the medical community, that even when you follow every rule, you can still be jailed for someone else’s failure.
If we continue on this path, doctors will begin to fear prescribing even essential medicines, especially for children. The result will be hesitation, under-treatment, and loss of trust in the healthcare system, outcomes no society can afford.
Where the Real Responsibility Lies
1.Manufacturing Units:
The contamination could only occur if the manufacturer used unsafe raw materials or skipped standard purification and testing steps. Quality control protocols exist precisely to detect toxic adulterants. If those checks failed or were ignored, the manufacturer bears primary responsibility.
2.Suppliers of Raw Materials:
Pharmaceutical-grade solvents are expensive. Unscrupulous suppliers sometimes substitute cheaper, industrial-grade alternatives. It is the duty of the company to test every batch before production. Failure to do so is criminal negligence.
3.Drug Regulators:
Regulatory bodies must act as the watchdogs of public health. Approving drugs, inspecting plants, and testing samples are their core functions. Yet, in this case, early public statements reportedly gave the syrup a “clean chit” before conclusive lab results were released. Such haste erodes public confidence and weakens accountability.
through reform.

The recent tragedy in Madhya Pradesh, where thirteen children lost their lives after consuming a cough syrup, has once again exposed the cracks in our healthcare and pharmaceutical regulation systems.

11/10/2025

I've just reached 190K followers! Thank you for continuing support. I could never have made it without each one of you. 🙏🤗🎉

10/10/2025

On this sacred Karva Chauth, your devotion and love are the most beautiful gifts I could ever receive. Watching you undertake this fast, dedicated to our well-being and life together, fills my heart with immeasurable gratitude.
​You are the light of my life, the strength in my challenges, and the source of all my happiness. Every day with you is a blessing, and I pray for our bond to remain as eternal as the moon and stars.
​Thank you for everything you do. I love you more than words can express.
​Happy Karva Chauth!

10/10/2025

I got over 80,000 reactions on my posts last week! Thanks everyone for your support! 🎉

10/10/2025

Today, Dr. Abhishek Shukla engaged in an insightful conversation with Dr. Akshay Tiwari, Director of Musculoskeletal Oncology at Max Hospital, Delhi. The discussion centered on cancers of the bones and muscles, a field that is often misunderstood or overlooked. Dr. Abhishek highlighted that when bone cancer is detected, most patients directly approach a general cancer specialist, unaware that there are dedicated orthopedic oncologists who specialize in managing such conditions. Dr. Tiwari emphasized that these cancers are indeed rare, and the lack of awareness among the public contributes to delayed detection, especially among the elderly.

Dr. Tiwari further explained that in older adults, symptoms are often subtle or mistaken for age-related bone pain or arthritis, leading to missed early warning signs. He mentioned that one must be vigilant, if a visible knot or lump appears on the body and continues to grow in size, it should be immediately evaluated by a specialist. However, he also clarified that not all knots or lumps are dangerous; some may remain unchanged for years and are completely harmless. The key lies in timely examination and proper diagnosis to differentiate between normal tissue changes and potentially malignant growths.

He elaborated on the two main types of bone and muscle cancers, benign and malignant. Benign tumors are non-cancerous and generally do not spread, while malignant tumors are aggressive and can metastasize to other parts of the body. Discussing treatment options, Dr. Tiwari mentioned the use of advanced medications such as Denosumab and Bisphosphonate, which help manage bone-related cancer complications by strengthening bone structure and reducing pain. The conversation concluded with both doctors stressing the importance of awareness, early detection, and specialized care in improving outcomes for patients with musculoskeletal cancers.

09/10/2025

Today, Dr. Abhishek Shukla engaged in an insightful conversation with Dr. Vipul Gautam, Consultant in Pediatric Liver Transplantation, Gastroenterology, and Hepatology at MAX Hospital, Delhi. The discussion centered around the causes that lead to liver transplantation and the common misconceptions surrounding them. Dr. Shukla asked whether alcohol is the only reason behind liver failure, to which Dr. Gautam clarified that while alcohol is a significant contributor, it is not the sole cause.

Dr. Gautam elaborated that out of every 100 liver failure cases, around 40 are due to alcohol, while the remaining 60 result from non-alcoholic and lifestyle-related causes. Factors such as obesity, diabetes, viral infections like hepatitis B and C, autoimmune diseases, and fatty liver disease significantly increase the risk of liver damage. He emphasized that modern lifestyles, marked by poor diet, lack of exercise, and irregular sleep patterns have led to a rise in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which can progress to liver cirrhosis if left untreated.

During the discussion, Dr. Gautam also shed light on the procedure and outcomes of liver transplantation. He explained that the surgery involves replacing a damaged liver with a healthy one, either from a deceased donor or a living donor. Contrary to popular belief, he stressed that a liver transplant does not mean the end of a normal life. With proper medical follow-up, medication adherence, and a healthy lifestyle, patients can lead successful, long, and fulfilling lives post-transplant. Both doctors agreed that awareness and early detection are key to preventing liver failure and improving outcomes for patients.

08/10/2025

Today, Dr. Abhishek Shukla explained why knees often go bad in old age, highlighting that one of the most common causes is osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that leads to the gradual wearing down of the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones. As the cartilage wears away, bones begin to rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling. He also mentioned terms like osteophytic lipping and osteophytes, which refer to bony growths or spurs that form around the joint margins as a result of chronic friction and inflammation. These changes can further restrict movement and make walking or climbing stairs painful for the elderly.

Dr. Shukla explained that the diagnosis of osteoarthritis is usually confirmed through X-rays, which can reveal joint space narrowing, osteophyte formation, and changes in the bone structure. The condition is more common among those who are overweight, have a history of joint injury, a family history of arthritis, or those whose work involves repetitive stress on the knees. He emphasized that early diagnosis and timely treatment can prevent further joint damage and help maintain mobility for longer.

He further stated that the aim of treatment is to relieve pain, improve functional capacity, and minimize joint damage. Management includes the use of anti-inflammatory medications, pain relievers, and lubricating injections to reduce friction within the joint. Regular physiotherapy, weight management, and mild exercises are crucial for strengthening the muscles around the knee. Dr. Shukla concluded that with proper care and early intervention, the progression of knee degeneration can be slowed, allowing the elderly to lead an active and pain-free life.

07/10/2025

🧩 Clinical Quiz

A 4 year old healthy boy has a distinct patch of white hair on his scalp, while the rest of his hair remains black. He has no other symptoms and is otherwise healthy.

What could be the reason behind this striking white patch?

Think about causes related to melanin production, genetic traits, or pigmentary disorders.
Your answers are welcome! 👇