Not every serious disease spreads from person to person. Some health conditions develop gradually, often without noticeable symptoms in their early stages. These conditions, known as noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), are among the world's leading public health challenges. In a PRAMITA health education video, dr. Cahya Rahma Miftah, a PRAMITA medical doctor, highlights five important noncommunicable conditions and explains how preventive measures can help reduce their impact. Five Noncommuni...

Influenza A Is More Than a Common Cold: Know the Symptoms and Prevention Coughing, a runny nose, and feeling slightly unwell are often considered minor symptoms that will simply disappear with time. However, Influenza A may cause symptoms that develop more suddenly and feel considerably more severe than those of a common cold. Influenza A is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system. The virus can spread through respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs, snee...

The heart does more than pump blood throughout the body. It also has its own electrical system that controls when and how the heart contracts. Normally, an electrical impulse begins in the sinus, or sinoatrial, node in the right atrium. The signal travels through the heart in an organized sequence, allowing its chambers to contract efficiently and pump blood throughout the body. In healthy adults, a resting heart rate is generally between 60 and 100 beats per minute. What Is an Arrhythmia?...

Unexplained weight gain or weight loss is not always related to diet or lifestyle. One possible factor is a thyroid disorder. However, weight changes alone cannot confirm thyroid disease because similar symptoms may occur with many other health conditions. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck. It produces the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which help regulate how the body uses energy. Thyroid hormones therefore influence many body...

Digestive problems that persist over a long period should not simply be dismissed as minor discomfort. One condition that can cause chronic inflammation in the digestive tract is Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease is a long-term inflammatory condition that can affect different parts of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. However, it most commonly affects the intestines. Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease to Watch For Several key symptoms may occur in people with Crohn’s disease. One...

Repeated sneezing, a runny nose, or nasal congestion is often immediately associated with the flu. However, similar symptoms may also occur because of allergies. Although the two conditions can appear alike, their causes and management are different. Flu is caused by a viral infection. In addition to nasal symptoms, it is commonly accompanied by fever, a sore throat, and body aches. Allergies are different. They occur when the immune system reacts to a particular trigger. These triggers ma...