Understand the condition.
Then find the right doctor.
Doctor-reviewed primers on India’s most common conditions — cause, effect, cure, do’s and don’ts — followed by the top specialists who treat them on MediConsult.
Acne
Pimples · Hormonal & bacterial skin condition
Hair follicles clog with oil and dead cells; bacteria inflame the area. Modern treatment can clear most cases and prevent scarring.
Anxiety
GAD · Persistent worry & restlessness
Persistent, hard-to-control worry about everyday matters, often with physical symptoms. Therapy plus medication works well — most people improve significantly.
Asthma
Wheezy reversible airway narrowing
Inflamed airways spasm in response to triggers, causing wheeze, cough and breathlessness. With the right inhalers, most asthma is controlled.
Cataract
Clouded lens · Painless vision loss
The eye's lens gradually clouds, blurring vision over years. A 10-minute outpatient surgery restores sight in most cases.
Depression
Persistent low mood · Major depressive disorder
More than sadness — a persistent low mood with loss of interest, energy and hope. Treatment works for 80% of people; reach out early.
Fungal Skin Infection
Ringworm · Athlete's foot · Jock itch
Dermatophyte fungi thrive in warm sweaty skin. Modern resistant strains need full-course oral therapy, not just creams.
GERD
Acid reflux · Heartburn
Stomach acid flows back into the food pipe, causing heartburn and regurgitation. Long-term, it can damage the esophagus and even cause cancer.
Heart Attack
Myocardial infarction · Blocked coronary artery
A clot blocks blood supply to part of the heart muscle, which starts to die within minutes. Every minute of delay shrinks the muscle that survives — call an ambulance, do not drive yourself.
Hypertension
High blood pressure · The silent killer
Persistently high pressure of blood against artery walls. Most people feel nothing until it damages the heart, kidneys or eyes — which is why annual screening matters.
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Low haemoglobin · Iron stores empty
Insufficient iron means the body can't make enough haemoglobin. Common in menstruating women and growing children — treatable with diet and iron tablets.
Lower Back Pain
Mechanical pain in the lumbar region
Most low-back pain is mechanical and resolves with gentle movement and time. Bed rest is harmful; staying active and strong is the cure.
Migraine
Throbbing one-sided headache with nausea
Vascular and nerve disturbance causes recurrent throbbing headaches, often with nausea and light sensitivity. New CGRP drugs have transformed prevention.
Stroke
Brain attack · Blocked or bleeding artery
Brain cells start dying within minutes of losing blood supply. Clot-busting drugs and clot-retrieval are time-limited — every minute counts.
Type 2 Diabetes
High blood sugar · Insulin resistance
The body stops responding well to insulin, so glucose builds up in the blood. Caught early, lifestyle alone can keep it in check; left late, it harms the eyes, kidneys and nerves.
Addison's Disease
Adrenal insufficiency · Cortisol deficiency
The adrenal glands stop making enough cortisol and aldosterone. Patients need daily steroid replacement and must double the dose during illness.
ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Brain circuits regulating attention, impulse control and timing develop differently. Treatment combines medication, therapy and environmental adjustments.
Allergic Rhinitis
Hay fever · Sneezy itchy nose
The nasal lining over-reacts to allergens — pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mould — causing sneezing, congestion and itching.
Alopecia Areata
Patchy hair loss · Auto-immune
Immune cells attack hair follicles, leaving smooth coin-sized bald patches. Most regrow within a year; some progress to total scalp or body loss.
Alzheimer's Disease
Memory loss dementia · Plaque & tangle disease
Abnormal protein plaques and tangles slowly destroy brain cells. New drugs slow progression in early stages; lifestyle reduces risk dramatically.
Amblyopia
Lazy eye · Reduced vision in childhood
One eye doesn't develop normal vision, often because of squint or unequal refractive errors. Patching and glasses early can fully restore sight.
Appendicitis
Inflamed appendix · Surgical emergency
Blockage of the appendix causes infection and inflammation. If it bursts, infection spreads — needs surgery within hours of diagnosis.
Arrhythmia
Irregular heartbeat · Skipped or racing beats
An electrical glitch in the heart's wiring causes beats that are too fast, too slow or out of rhythm. Some are harmless; others raise stroke risk.
Astigmatism
Irregular corneal curve · Blur at all distances
The cornea is shaped more like a rugby ball than a football, causing blur at all distances. Easily corrected with lenses or surgery.
Atrial Fibrillation
AF · Irregular fast heartbeat
The upper chambers of the heart quiver instead of contracting, allowing blood to pool and clot. AF triples stroke risk.
Bell's Palsy
Sudden one-sided facial weakness
Inflammation of the facial nerve causes sudden one-sided drooping. Most recover within weeks if steroids start early.
Bipolar Disorder
Mood swings: mania ↔ depression
Episodes of mania (high energy, reduced sleep, risky decisions) alternate with depression. Mood stabilizers prevent relapse and protect lives.
Bone Fracture
Broken bone · Trauma or stress
A break in a bone from trauma or weakened bone (osteoporosis). Proper alignment and immobilisation lead to full recovery in most cases.
Bronchitis
Inflamed bronchial tubes · Cough
Inflammation of the airways, usually from a virus, that produces a persistent cough for weeks. Antibiotics rarely help; supportive care does.
Burnout
Chronic work stress · Exhaustion & cynicism
Long-term work stress drains energy, motivation and empathy. Recovery needs both personal recovery and structural workplace change.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Pinched median nerve at the wrist
The median nerve is compressed at the wrist by swollen tendons, causing thumb and finger tingling, especially at night.
Cellulitis
Bacterial skin infection · Hot painful redness
Bacteria invade deeper skin layers through a break, causing spreading redness, swelling and fever. Needs antibiotics quickly to prevent blood spread.
Cervical Spondylosis
Neck wear-and-tear arthritis
Age-related wear in the neck vertebrae causes stiffness, pain, sometimes tingling in arms. Posture and strengthening are the cure.
Conjunctivitis
Pink eye · Inflamed eye lining
Inflammation of the eye's outer lining from viruses, bacteria or allergies. Most are viral and clear in days; hygiene prevents spread.
Constipation
Hard or infrequent stools
Fewer than 3 bowel movements a week, or hard stools needing straining. Usually diet and lifestyle; sometimes signals a problem.
COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease · Smoker's lung
Long-term smoke exposure scars airways and lung sacs, causing breathlessness that gets worse over years. Quitting smoke is the only thing that changes the trajectory.
Coronary Artery Disease
CAD · Narrowed heart arteries
Cholesterol plaques build up inside heart arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow. The first warning is often a heart attack.
COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2 viral respiratory infection
A respiratory virus that can range from mild cold to severe pneumonia and multi-organ disease. Vaccines and early antivirals reduce serious illness.
Cushing's Syndrome
Excess cortisol · Steroid effect
Too much cortisol — usually from long-term steroid use or a tumor — reshapes the body, raises sugar and BP and thins bones.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
DVT · Blood clot in the leg vein
A clot forms in a deep leg vein, often after immobility or surgery. The danger: it can break off and lodge in the lungs (pulmonary embolism).
Dehydration
Low body water · Heat and diarrhea
Body loses more water than it takes in — from heat, diarrhea or illness. Mild cases are easily treated; severe ones need IV fluids urgently.
Dengue
Mosquito-borne viral fever
Aedes mosquitoes spread the dengue virus. Most recover with fluids; a small subset develops severe bleeding and shock that needs ICU care.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes-damaged retinal vessels
High blood sugar damages retinal blood vessels. It is the leading cause of blindness in working adults, but annual screening prevents most.
Dry Eye Disease
Tear film dysfunction · Itchy gritty eyes
Tears either evaporate too fast or are produced too little, leaving the eyes gritty and irritated. Screen breaks and lubricants help most.
Eating Disorder
Anorexia · Bulimia · Binge eating
Disordered relationship with food and body. Anorexia has the highest mortality of any psychiatric illness — early treatment changes the trajectory.
Eczema
Atopic dermatitis · Itchy, dry, inflamed skin
Skin barrier is leaky, letting irritants in and water out. Cycles of itch-scratch-flare are common; aggressive moisturizing is the foundation.
Epilepsy
Recurrent seizures · Electrical storms
Brain neurons fire abnormally in synchronized bursts, causing seizures. Two-thirds become seizure-free on the right medication.
Fatty Liver
NAFLD · Fat in the liver
Excess fat accumulates in the liver, often from belly fat and insulin resistance. Reversible with weight loss; can progress to scarring if ignored.
Food Poisoning
Acute gastroenteritis · Bad food or water
Bacteria, viruses or toxins from contaminated food/water cause vomiting and diarrhea. Hydration is the cornerstone; antibiotics only if needed.
Frozen Shoulder
Adhesive capsulitis · Painful stiff shoulder
The shoulder capsule thickens and contracts, locking the joint. Pain first, then stiffness, then gradual thaw — physiotherapy is the key.
Gallstones
Stones in the gallbladder
Cholesterol or pigment stones form in the gallbladder. Many cause no symptoms; painful attacks usually need surgery.
Gestational Diabetes
High sugar in pregnancy · GDM
Sugar rises during pregnancy because placental hormones blunt insulin action. Untreated GDM causes large babies, birth complications and future diabetes.
Glaucoma
Silent thief of sight · Optic nerve damage
Pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve silently — peripheral vision is lost first. Annual screening after 40 is essential.
Gout
Uric acid crystal arthritis
Uric acid crystals deposit in joints — classically the big toe — causing sudden severe pain. Modern preventive therapy keeps it from coming back.
Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure · Pumping weakness
The heart can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Fluid backs up into the lungs and legs. Modern drugs let many patients live well for years.
Hemorrhoids
Piles · Swollen anal veins
Swollen blood vessels in or around the anus, often from straining. Most cases settle with fibre and creams; severe ones need procedures.
Hepatitis B
Viral liver infection · Chronic carrier risk
A blood-borne virus that can cause chronic liver inflammation, cirrhosis and liver cancer. Universal newborn vaccination is the cornerstone of prevention.
High Cholesterol
Hyperlipidemia · LDL build-up in arteries
Too much LDL ("bad") cholesterol or too little HDL silently coats artery walls. There are no symptoms — a blood test is the only way to know.
Hyperthyroidism
Overactive thyroid · Graves' disease
The thyroid overproduces hormone, speeding everything up. Causes weight loss, racing heart and anxiety.
Hypothyroidism
Underactive thyroid · Slow metabolism
The thyroid gland produces too little thyroid hormone, slowing every body process. A daily tablet usually restores normal life.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Crohn's & ulcerative colitis
Immune system attacks the gut lining, causing chronic diarrhea, blood and weight loss. Modern biologics put many into long remission.
Influenza
Seasonal flu · Influenza A and B
Sudden onset fever, body aches and cough caused by influenza virus. Annual vaccination is the best protection — especially for the elderly and very young.
Insomnia
Trouble falling or staying asleep
Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or restorative sleep — for at least 3 nights/week for 3 months. CBT-I works better than sleeping pills long-term.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS · Functional gut disorder
Brain-gut axis goes haywire — pain, bloating and altered bowel habits without structural disease. Low-FODMAP diet and CBT help most.
Lactose Intolerance
Inability to digest milk sugar
Loss of the lactase enzyme means milk sugar ferments in the gut, causing bloating, gas and diarrhea. Easy to manage with diet or enzyme tablets.
Macular Degeneration
Age-related central vision loss · AMD
The macula — the central part of the retina — slowly degenerates, blurring straight-ahead vision. Anti-VEGF injections work wonders for wet AMD.
Malaria
Mosquito-borne parasitic fever
Plasmodium parasites are spread by Anopheles mosquitoes. P. falciparum can be fatal if treatment is delayed — diagnose every fever in endemic areas.
Melasma
Dark patches on face · Pigment overdrive
Sun and hormones drive melanocytes to over-produce pigment, leaving symmetrical dark patches on cheeks, forehead, lips. Sun protection is non-negotiable.
Metabolic Syndrome
Cluster of belly fat, sugar, BP, lipids
Five risk factors that travel together: belly fat, high triglycerides, low HDL, high BP and high fasting sugar. The combination multiplies heart and diabetes risk.
Mitral Valve Prolapse
MVP · Floppy mitral valve
One or both flaps of the mitral valve bulge backward when the heart contracts. Most people have no symptoms and live a full life.
Multiple Sclerosis
Auto-immune nerve insulation damage
Immune attacks strip nerve-fibre insulation in waves, causing relapses of weakness, vision or balance problems. Modern drugs change the course dramatically.
Myopia
Short-sightedness · Blurry distance
The eyeball is too long, focusing distant images in front of the retina. Outdoor time in childhood reduces progression; severe myopia raises retinal disease risk.
Obesity
BMI ≥ 30 · Excess body fat
Chronic disease where excess body fat damages metabolism, joints and mental health. Modern medicine, including new GLP-1 drugs, makes real change possible.
OCD
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder · Intrusive thoughts & rituals
Intrusive thoughts drive compulsive rituals (washing, checking, counting) that bring brief relief. Exposure and response prevention is the gold-standard therapy.
Osteoarthritis
Worn cartilage · Wear-and-tear arthritis
Joint cartilage gradually wears away, causing pain and stiffness — most often in knees, hips and hands. Weight loss and strengthening are powerful.
Osteoporosis
Brittle bones · Silent until a fracture
Bones lose density and fracture easily — sometimes from a simple sneeze. Annual DEXA after menopause picks it up early.
Panic Disorder
Sudden surges of fear · Heart-attack-like
Sudden surges of intense fear with physical symptoms — racing heart, breathlessness, dizziness — that peak in 10 minutes. Therapy plus SSRIs work well.
Parkinson's Disease
Slowed movement & tremor · Dopamine loss
Dopamine-making cells slowly die, causing tremor, stiffness and slowness. Medication, exercise and modern surgical options keep many independent for years.
PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome · Hormonal imbalance
Excess androgens disturb ovulation, cause acne, hair growth and weight gain — and raise diabetes risk. Lifestyle is the single biggest lever.
Peptic Ulcer
Stomach or duodenal ulcer
Open sores in the stomach or duodenum, usually from H. pylori bacteria or long-term NSAID use. Modern treatment heals 90% in weeks.
Peripheral Artery Disease
PAD · Blocked leg arteries
Cholesterol blocks arteries in the legs, causing pain on walking. PAD is a strong sign of widespread heart-artery disease too.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Nerve damage in hands & feet
Damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, often from diabetes, B12 deficiency or chemotherapy. Causes tingling, burning and numbness.
Plantar Fasciitis
Heel pain · Foot fascia inflammation
The thick band under the foot becomes irritated, causing stabbing heel pain — worst with the first steps in the morning.
Pneumonia
Lung infection · Air sacs fill with fluid
Bacteria, viruses or fungi infect lung air sacs, causing fever, cough and breathlessness. Vaccines and prompt antibiotics save lives.
Prediabetes
Borderline sugar · Last call to reverse
Fasting sugar 100–125 mg/dL or HbA1c 5.7–6.4%. Half will become diabetic in five years — lifestyle change can reverse it.
Presbyopia
Aging eyes · Trouble reading small print
The lens loses flexibility with age, making close-up focus harder. Reading glasses or progressives fix it; modern lens replacement is an option.
Psoriasis
Auto-immune scaly plaques
Immune cells trigger skin to renew every 4 days instead of 28, piling up silvery scales. Linked to joint disease and heart risk.
PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder · Reliving trauma
Re-experiencing a trauma through flashbacks, nightmares and hyper-arousal. Trauma-focused therapy is the most effective treatment.
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Damaged valves after rheumatic fever
Untreated strep throat in childhood can trigger rheumatic fever, which scars the heart valves. Preventable with timely antibiotics; surgical if severe.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Auto-immune joint disease
Immune system attacks joints, causing symmetric swelling and damage. Early DMARDs can put many patients into remission.
Rosacea
Facial flushing & visible vessels
Persistent redness on cheeks and nose, with flushing, pustules and sometimes eye irritation. Triggered by heat, sun, spice and stress.
Seborrheic Dermatitis
Dandruff & oily flakes
Yeast on oily skin triggers flaky, itchy patches on scalp, face and chest. Goes through flares and remissions.
Sinusitis
Inflamed nasal sinuses · Facial pressure
Inflamed sinus cavities cause facial pressure, blocked nose and post-nasal drip. Most are viral and clear in 10 days; bacterial cases need antibiotics.
Sleep Apnea
Pauses in breathing during sleep · OSA
Throat collapses repeatedly during sleep, dropping oxygen and waking the brain. Untreated, it raises BP, heart disease, diabetes and crash risk.
Slipped Disc
Herniated lumbar disc · Sciatica
The soft centre of a spinal disc bulges out and presses a nerve, causing back pain that shoots down the leg. Most settle with physio in weeks.
Social Anxiety
Intense fear of judgement in social settings
Crippling fear of being judged or embarrassed. People avoid speaking up, parties, sometimes work. CBT and SSRIs help most.
Tennis Elbow
Lateral epicondylitis · Outer elbow pain
Overuse damages tendons attached to the outer elbow. Painful gripping and lifting — load management and physiotherapy work better than steroids long-term.
Tension Headache
Tight band-like head pain
Tight neck and scalp muscles refer pain across the head — a steady pressure rather than throbbing. Common after long screen hours.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Sudden electric face pain
Brief, intense electric-shock pain along one side of the face, often triggered by touch, chewing or wind. Often mis-diagnosed as dental pain.
Tuberculosis
TB · Mycobacterial lung infection
TB spreads through coughed droplets; without treatment it destroys the lungs. Six months of correct drugs cures 95% — completing the course is non-negotiable.
Type 1 Diabetes
Autoimmune insulin loss · Lifelong insulin therapy
The immune system destroys insulin-making beta cells. Insulin injections or a pump are required for life.
Typhoid
Salmonella Typhi · Food and water borne
Bacteria from contaminated food and water cause prolonged fever, abdominal pain and weakness. Treatable with antibiotics; vaccinate before travel.
Urinary Tract Infection
UTI · Cystitis · Bladder infection
Bacteria infect the bladder, causing burning urination. Easily treated with antibiotics; recurrent cases need a workup.
Urticaria
Hives · Itchy welts
Mast cells release histamine and raise itchy welts that come and go. Acute attacks usually resolve in 6 weeks; chronic urticaria needs daily anti-histamines.
Vitiligo
Loss of skin pigment · Auto-immune
Pigment-making cells are attacked and destroyed, leaving milky white patches. New treatments like JAK inhibitors are changing prognosis.
Try a different keyword or browse by body system.