Call
+918447748545

Published on: Jul 29, 2021
2 minute read
By: Medical Consultation Online

What Is Infertility And What You Can Do About It

Infertility is a term used to describe the biological inability of an individual to conceive. There are many possible causes of infertility, some that can be easily diagnosed and treated while others cannot. The factors which cause or contribute towards infertility include a hormonal imbalance caused by diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, drug use like cancer drugs for hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives; medical conditions such as diabetes and thyroid disease; tobacco smoking; alcohol consumption (particularly heavy drinking); marijuana usage among other substances: all these things could lead to diminishing fertility in both sexes with men being more affected than women due to their reproductive organs not having fully developed until later years when they enter puberty.

Infertility is a condition that can affect whole families and put stress on relationships. It's important to take care of yourself, so you're able to provide the best possible support for your partner as they work through their situation. Most people are not aware of infertility because it takes patience before any noticeable symptoms usually show up in couples who have been trying unsuccessfully to conceive for 12 months or more with no success

(1). There are several different types of tests available that will help identify specific causes such as hormonal imbalance but the most common cause is an inability by sperm cells or eggs carrying male chromosomes from fertilizing successfully! In these cases, fertility awareness treatments like ovulation induction may be used along with other options including IVF procedures--which involve retrieving eggs.

The signs of infertility are not the same for all individuals. There is no single diagnostic test to detect this condition, but there is a variety that can help in different ways and at differing speeds. Hormonal imbalance is one of the most common causes which should be detectable through blood tests within 24 hours with urine samples following shortly thereafter if it's still needed. Most other types will take much longer unless they're being observed as part of another health concern such as obesity or diabetes, so these particular cases may require more involvement from your doctor - someone knowledgeable about reproductive medicine who can diagnose you accurately and prescribe treatment accordingly based on what type you have determined by process elimination!

Fertilization of the egg usually takes place with ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). The fertilized egg, or embryo, goes through an incubation period which is called a culture period.

It is during this period that the embryo goes through several cell divisions, becoming more and more organized until finally, it is ready to be transferred into the uterus.

The goal of IVF or in vitro fertilization is to combine a woman's egg with sperm outside of her body, then have the resulting embryo be implanted into her uterus. This procedure was originally developed to help couples with infertility problems conceive.

The success of this procedure rests on the embryo being transferred at an early stage, which can be done only by means of laboratory monitoring. Today IVF is used in cases where male fertility factors are involved, and when other attempts to achieve pregnancy through traditional methods have failed. It has been shown that IVF is in most cases the best treatment for a successful pregnancy.

Usually, a woman's natural egg and sperm are used to conceive through IVF. A combination of drugs may be given to stimulate ovulation or fertilization might occur after injecting a mature egg (cumulus mass) with sperm directly into the uterus. The following are the possible methods for IVF:

There are many possibilities of combining "traditional" and "non-traditional" ways to help infertile couples conceive. After trying other fertility treatments, which may not always be successful, many couples turn to surrogacy.

Read Blog

Shortness of Breath Causes: From Common Triggers to Serious Health Conditions

Shortness of breath, medically known as dyspnea, is a symptom that ranges from mild discomfort during exertion to a distressing sensation of not getting enough air. In India, increasing air pollution, lifestyle diseases and respiratory infections have made breathlessness a frequent complaint across age groups. Understanding shortness of breath causes is essential to identify when it is harmless and when it signals a medical emergency.

What Is Shortness of Breath?

Shortness of breath refers to difficulty breathing or a feeling of air hunger.

It may present as:

rapid breathing
shallow breathing
tightness in the chest
inability to take a deep breath

The sensation can develop suddenly or gradually.

Common and Benign Causes of Shortness of Breath

Physical Exertion

During exercise, the body demands more oxygen.

Temporary breathlessness during:

climbing stairs
running
heavy physical work

is normal and resolves with rest.

Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Stress and anxiety alter breathing patterns.

Symptoms include:

rapid breathing
chest tightness
dizziness

These episodes often resolve with calming techniques.

Respiratory Causes of Shortness of Breath

Asthma

Asthma causes airway narrowing and inflammation.

Symptoms include:

wheezing
chest tightness
breathlessness during exertion or at night

Asthma is a leading cause of chronic breathlessness.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Risk factors include:

smoking
indoor air pollution
occupational exposure

WHO identifies COPD as a major cause of breathlessness in adults.

Respiratory Infections

Infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis reduce lung capacity.

Breathlessness may be accompanied by:

cough
fever
chest pain

Severe infections require urgent treatment.

Heart-Related Causes of Shortness of Breath

Heart Failure

The heart fails to pump blood efficiently.

This leads to:

fluid accumulation in lungs
breathlessness on exertion
breathlessness while lying flat

ICMR data shows heart disease as a major contributor to unexplained breathlessness.

Coronary Artery Disease

Reduced blood supply to the heart can cause:

breathlessness
chest discomfort
fatigue

This may occur even without chest pain in some individuals.

Blood and Metabolic Causes

Anemia

Low hemoglobin reduces oxygen delivery.

Common symptoms include:

fatigue
breathlessness on mild activity
pale skin

NFHS-5 highlights anemia as highly prevalent in India.

Thyroid Disorders

Hyperthyroidism increases metabolic demand, causing breathlessness.

Hypothyroidism may contribute indirectly through weight gain and reduced stamina.

Lung Circulation Disorders

Pulmonary Embolism

A blood clot in the lungs causes sudden, severe breathlessness.

This is a medical emergency and may be accompanied by:

chest pain
coughing blood
fainting

Immediate treatment is critical.

Lifestyle-Related Causes

Obesity

Excess body weight restricts lung expansion.

Breathlessness occurs due to:

increased oxygen demand
reduced lung volumes

Weight management improves breathing efficiency.

Sedentary Lifestyle

Poor physical conditioning reduces respiratory muscle strength.

Even mild exertion may cause breathlessness.

Environmental and Occupational Factors

Air Pollution

Pollutants irritate airways and reduce lung function.

Urban populations experience higher rates of breathlessness.

Workplace Exposure

Dust, chemicals and fumes increase respiratory risk.

Protective measures are essential in high-risk occupations.

When Shortness of Breath Is a Warning Sign

Seek urgent care if breathlessness:

starts suddenly
worsens rapidly
occurs at rest
is associated with chest pain, bluish lips or confusion

These may indicate life-threatening conditions.

How Shortness of Breath Is Diagnosed

Evaluation may include:

physical examination
chest imaging
blood tests
lung function tests
heart evaluation

Diagnosis focuses on identifying the root cause.

Preventive Measures and Lifestyle Care

Prevention includes:

regular physical activity
pollution protection
smoking cessation
weight control
managing chronic conditions

Preventive healthcare reduces long-term risk.

Importance of Early Medical Evaluation

Delayed diagnosis can worsen outcomes, especially in:

heart disease
lung infections
anemia

Early care improves treatment success.

Conclusion

Shortness of breath causes range from temporary exertion and anxiety to serious heart, lung and blood disorders. While occasional breathlessness may be harmless, persistent or sudden symptoms should never be ignored. Understanding the underlying causes and seeking timely medical evaluation can prevent complications and save lives. Paying attention to changes in breathing is an essential step toward protecting overall health and wellbeing.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Respiratory and Cardiac Health Reports
World Health Organization (WHO) – Breathlessness and Chronic Disease Guidelines
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Anemia and Respiratory Health Data
Lancet – Dyspnea Evaluation and Outcomes Research
NITI Aayog – Non-Communicable Disease Prevention Reports
Statista – Respiratory Disease and Air Pollution Trends

Request A Callback

+91

By using this website/app, I confirm that I am at least 18 years old and consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance with the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Declaration.