Understand the signs.
Protect the life.
A human-centred guide to diseases, medical emergencies, injuries, surgery, medicines and prevention. Learn what symptoms may mean, when to seek care and how to recognise misleading health claims.
Medical emergency? Do not wait for an online answer.
For collapse, severe breathing difficulty, suspected heart attack, stroke, major bleeding or another immediate threat to life, contact emergency services. In India call 112; Kerala’s ambulance service can be reached at 108.
Emergency Action Centre
When time matters, simple and safe action comes first. Select a situation to see the immediate priorities and common mistakes to avoid.
Chest pain or heart attack
New or severe chest discomfort, sweating, nausea, breathlessness or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back.
Collapse or cardiac arrest
Unresponsiveness, abnormal or absent normal breathing, or sudden collapse.
Breathing difficulty or smoke
Severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, choking, smoke inhalation or toxic gas exposure.
Stroke or seizure
Sudden weakness, speech difficulty, facial drooping, prolonged seizure or sudden confusion.
Accidents and fractures
Major road accidents, suspected spinal injury, severe bleeding, open fractures or head injury.
Burns and electrocution
Serious thermal or chemical burns, electrical injuries or burns involving the airway.
Poisoning or overdose
Medication overdose, pesticide exposure, toxic ingestion or suspected poisoning.
Choking or food stuck
Airway obstruction, inability to swallow saliva or a swallowed dangerous object.
Pregnancy or severe bleeding
Heavy pregnancy-related bleeding, postpartum haemorrhage, collapse or suspected ectopic pregnancy.
Disease & Condition Atlas
Search common and serious conditions. Each guide explains what the condition means, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and which medical professional may help.
Ischaemic heart disease
Narrowed coronary arteries reduce blood flow to the heart. It can lead to angina or a heart attack.
Stroke
A blocked or ruptured blood vessel disrupts blood supply to the brain.
COPD
A group of lung diseases that cause persistent airflow limitation and breathing difficulties.
Diabetes mellitus
Blood glucose rises when insulin production or action is insufficient.
High blood pressure
Persistently elevated blood pressure can damage blood vessels and organs.
Asthma
Inflamed, sensitive airways can narrow and cause wheezing, cough and breathlessness.
Pneumonia
An infection of the lungs that may cause cough, fever, chest discomfort and difficulty breathing.
Sepsis
A life-threatening response to infection that can cause organ dysfunction.
Tuberculosis (TB)
A bacterial infection that most often affects the lungs but can affect other organs.
Chronic kidney disease
Long-term kidney damage can impair waste removal and fluid balance.
Cancer
A broad group of diseases in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and may spread.
Epilepsy
A neurological condition involving a tendency to have recurrent unprovoked seizures.
Depression
A condition affecting mood, interest, energy and daily functioning, not a personal failure.
Bone fractures
A break in a bone that may require immobilisation, reduction or surgery.
Anaemia
Low haemoglobin or reduced healthy red blood cells can impair oxygen delivery.
Dengue
A mosquito-borne viral illness that can occasionally progress to severe bleeding or shock.
Thyroid disorders
Abnormal thyroid hormone levels can affect energy, temperature regulation, heart rate and metabolism.
Urinary tract infection
An infection affecting the bladder or urinary tract that may sometimes involve the kidneys.
Burn injuries
Heat, chemicals, electricity or radiation can damage skin and deeper tissues.
Medical Signs & Symbols
Symbols can make health information easier to recognise. Learn what common emergency and clinical symbols mean, while remembering that no symbol replaces clinical assessment.
How to understand a disease
Each complete disease guide on the Atlas should use the same clear structure, so readers can understand the condition without needing medical training.
Definition & signs
What the disease is, what people may notice and which warning signs need urgent attention.
Causes & mechanism
How the condition develops, its classifications, risk factors and possible complications.
Diagnosis & treatment
Common tests, treatment choices, possible surgery and which clinical team may help.
Management & prevention
Nutrition, activity, sleep, prescribed treatment, follow-up and risk reduction.
Surgery, fractures & serious injuries
Surgery is not automatically necessary for every injury. The decision depends on the diagnosis, severity, likely benefits, risks, alternatives and urgency.
When might surgery be necessary?
- To control life-threatening internal bleeding or repair severe injury.
- To treat selected fractures, joint injuries or damaged blood vessels.
- To remove an obstruction or treat a perforated organ.
- To remove or sample tissue when clinically indicated.
- To treat certain cancers, infections or structural problems.
- To restore function after major injury or disease.
Questions to ask the surgical team
- What problem is the operation intended to solve?
- How urgent is it, and what happens if we delay?
- What are the benefits, risks and alternatives?
- What anaesthesia and recovery should we expect?
- What rehabilitation and follow-up will be required?
- Is a second opinion reasonable without dangerous delay?
Evidence over rumours
Natural, traditional, prescription and over-the-counter products all need to be evaluated according to their evidence, safety, quality and suitability for the individual.
“Natural means safe.”
“A detox drink cleanses all the body’s toxins.”
“I discovered a disease after taking medicine, so the medicine caused it.”
“If the symptoms disappear, the disease is cured.”
“Doctors and modern medicine are always harmful.”
“An AI answer or viral social media video is enough to diagnose me.”
“Every disease is caused by unhealthy food.”
Medicine safety rules
- Do not take prescription medicines without an appropriate prescription.
- Use medicines at the dose and duration prescribed.
- Check allergies, interactions, pregnancy considerations and duplicate ingredients with a qualified professional.
- Do not share prescription medicines or use another person’s dose.
- Ask a pharmacist or clinician before combining herbs, supplements and medicines.
- Store medicines safely away from children.
How to check a health claim
- Who is making the claim, and what are their verified qualifications?
- Does the claim rely on human clinical evidence?
- Does it promise a guaranteed cure or tell you to abandon treatment?
- Are the risks, limitations and conflicts of interest disclosed?
- Can an independent qualified clinician verify the advice?
- Is it safe to wait, or do the symptoms require urgent care now?
Eat to nourish. Move to strengthen. Sleep to recover.
Healthy routines can improve wellbeing and reduce the risk of some diseases. They complement medical care; they do not replace treatment when illness occurs.
Nutrition
Choose a varied diet with vegetables, fruits, legumes, suitable whole grains, adequate protein and safe drinking water. Limit excessive salt, sugary drinks and heavily processed foods. Adapt dietary advice to medical conditions and prescribed treatment.
Physical activity
Build regular movement into daily life and gradually increase activity to a suitable level. People with significant symptoms or medical restrictions should seek professional advice before strenuous exercise.
Sleep & recovery
Keep a consistent sleep routine and seek assessment for persistent insomnia, loud snoring with breathing pauses or significant daytime sleepiness.
Prevention & screening
Use recommended vaccinations, age- and risk-appropriate screening, dental care and routine health checks. Seek help for new, persistent or worsening symptoms rather than waiting for the next routine visit.
Medical decisions, brain death & advance care
People deserve clear explanations about prognosis, treatment choices, their rights and the care available when an illness becomes life-threatening.
Coma is not the same as brain death
Coma is a state of unconsciousness. Brain death, also called death by neurological criteria, is a distinct determination made under established medical and legal standards. A ventilator may maintain breathing-related oxygen delivery and circulation after brain death has been established.
Severe brain injury and an uncertain prognosis are not, by themselves, proof of brain death.
Advance medical directives
An advance directive or living will can record treatment preferences for a future situation in which a person cannot communicate. The formal requirements and legal effect depend on jurisdiction.
Discuss resuscitation, life-sustaining treatment, palliative care and your wishes with qualified clinicians and the people who may need to represent you.
Blood & organ donation
Donations can help people facing major blood loss, cancer treatment, organ failure and other serious conditions. Donation must always follow appropriate medical and legal safeguards.
Blood donation
Donated blood and blood components can help trauma patients, people undergoing certain cancer treatments, patients with severe anaemia and people experiencing major bleeding.
- Eligibility depends on health, age, weight and applicable rules.
- Blood groups and compatibility must be checked.
- Donation should take place through an authorised blood service.
Organ & tissue donation
Depending on eligibility and circumstances, donation may occur after death or from a living donor. Transplantation can offer another person a chance of longer life or improved function.
- Donation requires appropriate consent and legal safeguards.
- Brain death is not the same as coma.
- Organ donation is voluntary and must not compromise patient care.
Evidence, not copied claims
The explanations on this page should be written in original, accessible language while the underlying medical claims are checked against reliable clinical evidence.
Recommended evidence resources
Use these resources to develop and medically review the full Atlas. Each disease article should cite the specific guidance supporting its claims and show its last clinical review date.
- World Health Organization (WHO) — global health evidence, disease information and public-health guidance.
- National Health Portal of India — Indian health information and public-health resources.
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India — national health policy and official guidance.
- NOTTO — official Indian organ and tissue donation information.
- NHS — accessible clinical and first-aid explanations.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — infectious disease and prevention guidance.
- American Heart Association — cardiovascular health and CPR education.
- American Red Cross — first-aid education and safety guidance.