Our gut is home to various bacteria, viruses, and fungi called the microbiome.
These microbiomes can be either good or bad for the body.
When you have a healthy gut, the good bacteria balance out the bad ones.
Therefore, gut health is essential for our overall health.
Our bodies will stop functioning correctly in the absence of our gut microbiome.
In addition, our gut bacteria strengthen our immune systems.
They also help in the digestion and metabolism of nutrients present in food.
Our gut bacteria reduce the risk of certain cancers, heart disease, and obesity.
The most obvious sign that your gut is out of balance is suffering from frequent episodes of diarrhea.
It is normal to have diarrhea after you have eaten an unhealthy or undercooked meal.
But having frequent episodes of it might point to gut bacteria imbalance.
An unhealthy gut will affect your health and overall well-being.
When good bacteria reduce in your body, harmful bacteria usually kept in check by them get a chance to increase.
Some harmful bacteria like E. Coli are naturally present in your body.
But they cannot harm you because good bacteria keep their population under check.
But if there is an imbalance, you might suffer from an E. Coli infection.
A gut imbalance makes you susceptible to diseases like diabetes and ulcerative colitis.
If you have any of the above signs, chances are that your gut is out of balance.
To stop the bad bacteria from increasing, you have to starve them in your gut.
For that, you can take the following measures:
Our diets are destroying our bodies and our guts.
Oily fried foods and sugary snacks are a bane to our good gut bacteria.
They tend to promote inflammation in the body.
The bad gut bacteria love diet deficiencies and promote diseases in the body.
Include fresh vegetables and whole foods in your diet to prevent inflammation.
Cut down on fast and processed food as much as possible.
Having a healthy sleep schedule is very important to maintain our overall health.
Sleep helps your body heal.
But it is essential for our gut health.
Some studies show that our gut bacteria have their sleep schedule.
Another study shows that jet-lagged people have a higher density of harmful gut bacteria.
Alternately, a healthy gut promotes better sleep.
The fiber in itself is not food for us.
Unlike cows, our stomach does not have the enzyme to digest fiber.
However, there are numerous studies to prove that a high-fiber diet is beneficial for our health.
A high-fiber diet keeps diabetes and obesity in check.
It prevents ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and colorectal cancer.
It also promotes a healthy gut and good bacteria.
Do some exercise every day to keep your body; and your gut; healthy.
Movement directly affects our gut bacteria, which in turn helps improve our tissue metabolism and heart health.
However, do not over-exercise.
It might be perceived as stress, and your body might release stress hormones that harm your gut bacteria.
Overeating sugar can increase the risk of inflammation in your body.
It hurts our gut health.
Sugar has also been shown to reduce gut microbiome diversity.
Sugar can increase one group of bacteria, which disturbs the gut balance.
Chronic stress can have serious adverse effects on your gut health.
Stress can cause frequent nausea and indigestion, disturbing your gut microbial balance.
Do stress-relieving activities such as meditation, or go for a walk to keep your stress levels in check.
Always consult your doctor before starting any antibiotic medications.
Antibiotic cannot recognize between good and bacteria and tends to destroy all kinds of bacteria.
Thus, frequent antibiotic usage can cause gut imbalance.
So it is essential to use antibiotic medication carefully.
Hydrating yourself well is key to good gut health.
Drinking plenty of water prevents constipation and helps in bowel movements.
In addition, drinking plain water is the simplest way to promote a healthy gut.
Here are some additional tips to improve your gut health:
Our gut is home to millions of species of good and bad bacteria.
These bacteria are essential for our bodies to function correctly.
Our modern lifestyles can disturb the balance between good and bad bacteria, making us prone to various diseases.
If you suspect a gut microbial imbalance, you can do certain things to starve the harmful bacteria.
It will restore your gut balance and improve your health.
In a world where breast cancer continues to cast its shadow over countless women, a ray of hope emerges in the form of artificial intelligence (AI).
Picture this: a cutting-edge technology that can swiftly and accurately detect breast cancer, potentially saving lives and changing the game.
Sounds intriguing, right? Well, that's exactly what we're diving into today.
Join us as we explore the remarkable role of AI in breast cancer diagnosis, uncovering its potential, benefits, and how it is reshaping the landscape of women's health.
Get ready to witness the revolutionary fusion of medicine and AI that promises a brighter future for breast cancer detection and treatment.
It swoops in with its incredible breast imaging powers, capable of unveiling the earliest signs of breast cancer up to three years before symptoms manifest.
It's like having a crystal ball for your precious breasts! Your doctor might suggest a screening mammogram as the first line of defense. But, if your breasts have lumps or appear suspiciously abnormal, they might call for a diagnostic mammogram.
However, sometimes mammograms can be a bit too enthusiastic, giving false positive results. Especially for our young and vibrant ladies with dense breast tissue, these false alarms can be a pesky nuisance. These false positives might trigger further tests, which can be a pain in terms of time and money.
Ultrasound steps in when lumps are felt but remain invisible in mammograms. It's like a sidekick with a sixth sense! This nifty tool can help us decipher between fluid-filled cysts and solid masses that might need a closer look.
Although not the go-to for initial detection, MRI provides assistance once breast cancer has been diagnosed. It helps track the tumor's size and location and even lends a hand in spotting tumors hiding in the other breast.
A biopsy involves collecting tissue or fluid samples from the breast, which are then examined under a microscope or used for further tests. Fine needle aspiration, core biopsy, open biopsy—they all play a vital role in unraveling the truth and guiding our next steps.
While our current arsenal of breast cancer detection techniques is undeniably impressive, they do have their limitations. Could AI help overcome these limitations and pave the way for improved and more accurate diagnosis?
Geoff Hinton, the mastermind behind AI research, has crafted an extraordinary image recognition system inspired by the incredible human brain. It's like a digital Sherlock Holmes! This AI marvel has the power to identify signs of breast cancer hidden within mammograms swiftly.
Hungary, with its robust breast cancer screening program, serves as the thrilling testing ground for this groundbreaking technology. The AI system has the remarkable ability to spot signs of cancer that even experienced radiologists might miss.
Over in the United States and the European Union, data on the performance of AI in breast cancer screening is gradually emerging.
These real-world results will provide invaluable insights into the effectiveness of AI in this crucial battle against breast cancer.
ML algorithms are like genius mathematicians, analyzing data in ways we could never fathom.
A study conducted in the Netherlands has shown that AI, powered by machine learning, can accurately detect the spread of breast cancer. It's like having an army of brilliant pathologists working tirelessly to save lives!
In fact, this simulation test involving eleven pathologists revealed that AI was just as good, if not better, at detecting breast cancer.
AI's prowess extends to having a personalized health guru at your side! By analyzing patterns and risk factors, AI algorithms can predict which patients are more likely to develop breast cancer. This opens the door to proactive and personalized interventions, where we can tailor treatments to suit each unique situation. Talk about a game-changer!
AI is like the Flash of breast cancer diagnosis, swiftly analyzing mammoth amounts of data with lightning speed.
It can process multiple mammograms simultaneously, ensuring no potential threat goes unnoticed.
AI also will soon gain popularity among women with denser breasts. By leveraging its advanced image recognition systems, AI can penetrate the complexities of dense breast tissue. This can help with improved screening and diagnosis.
With AI by our side, we can accelerate the detection process, granting patients a better chance at successful treatment and recovery.
It's a race against time, and AI gives us the upper hand.
While AI strives for accuracy, false alarms, and false positive results can still occasionally sneak their way into the mix.
The challenge lies in refining the algorithms to minimize these false alarms, ensuring that AI becomes a trusted companion rather than a source of undue stress.
Machines still have room to grow in their ability to identify unfamiliar patterns and diseases.
With continuous fine-tuning and advancements in machine learning, we can steadily overcome this obstacle.
Another critical consideration is the potential for bias in AI systems.
As AI learns from the data it's trained on, there's a risk of perpetuating existing biases or introducing new ones.
To ensure fairness and accuracy, we must be vigilant in monitoring and auditing AI algorithms, questioning their outputs, and actively working to eliminate biases.
By promoting diversity and inclusivity in both the development and implementation of AI systems, we can strive for more equitable healthcare outcomes.
AI's reliance on data is both a strength and a limitation. While it can process vast amounts of information with remarkable speed, its effectiveness depends on the quality and diversity of the data it receives. It's like a novel that relies on a rich tapestry of experiences to create a compelling story.
In the context of breast cancer diagnosis, AI algorithms require diverse datasets that include underrepresented populations, different age groups, and various genetic backgrounds.
Additionally, the interpretability of AI algorithms poses a challenge.
The complex decision-making processes of AI systems can sometimes be difficult to understand, leading to questions about their reliability and trustworthiness.
To address this limitation, efforts are underway to develop explainable AI, where algorithms provide transparent insights into their decision-making process.
Let's dive into the exciting realm of real-world examples where AI has emerged as a game-changer in breast cancer diagnosis. These remarkable success stories highlight the potential of AI to revolutionize the way we detect and combat this formidable disease.
Breast cancer, a formidable adversary, continues to impact the lives of countless women. However, the advent of AI has brought a ray of hope, empowering us to detect and combat this disease like never before. Let's take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've embarked upon and envision the promising future that lies ahead.
AI's role in breast cancer diagnosis is nothing short of transformative.
With its remarkable accuracy and speed, AI acts as a vigilant ally, working hand in hand with healthcare professionals to detect cancerous signs that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Through AI-enhanced mammography, ultrasound imaging, and pathologist-assisted analysis, we've witnessed a surge in accuracy and efficiency, enabling early detection and timely interventions.
But the impact of AI goes beyond the realm of diagnostics.
By integrating multi-modal data and employing predictive modeling, AI paves the way for personalized risk assessment and tailored treatment strategies.
It's like having a personalized compass that guides healthcare professionals toward the most effective interventions, ensuring better outcomes and improved patient care.
At the same time, it's essential to acknowledge the limitations and challenges we face. We must navigate the delicate balance between false alarms and false positives, refining AI algorithms to minimize unnecessary anxiety.
Additionally, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to fairness, inclusivity, and the elimination of biases in AI systems, ensuring equitable healthcare outcomes for all.
Are you tired of waking up each morning with an achy lower back, robbed of the restful sleep you desperately crave?
Then it's time to delve into the realm of sleep positions and unlock the key to a blissful night's slumber.
Discovering the ideal sleeping position could be your ticket to a pain-free night and a revitalized morning. This article unlocks the secrets of the best sleeping position for lower back pain.
Lower back pain is a prevalent and often bothersome condition affecting people of all ages.
It's an issue that many of us have encountered at some point, and understanding its causes can shed light on potential solutions.
It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, and there can be other causes of lower back pain. It's essential to consult a healthcare professional to evaluate your specific situation.
The relationship between sleep and lower back pain is a two-way street.
Severe pain in the lower back can make it difficult to find a suitable position to sleep. Extreme pain can also interfere with a good night’s rest.
At the same time, inadequate or low-quality sleep can lead to back pain. While experts are not sure why this happens, it may be due to insufficient tissue repair.
The quality and suitability of your mattress and pillow also play a role. An unsupportive or sagging mattress can lead to improper spinal alignment, exacerbating back pain.
Additionally, certain sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or insomnia, can disrupt normal sleep patterns and have been associated with an increased risk of developing or worsening chronic pain conditions, including lower back pain.
According to the Sleep Foundation, the best sleeping position for lower back pain is sleeping on the side with a slight bend in the knees.
A pillow between your legs can further help with comfort.
If your lower back pain is due to a herniated disk, sleeping on the side in a fetal position can help relieve the pressure by opening up the space between the vertebrae.
If you want to sleep on your back
If you are a seasoned back sleeper and cannot break out of the habit, a pillow under your knees, legs, and/or lower back can help with the pain by relieving lumbar pressure.
If you want to sleep on your stomach
According to experts, sleeping on your stomach can be the worst position for back pains as they add stress to your neck.
But if you cannot sleep in any other position, go for only a thin pillow under your head.
A pillow under your pelvis and lower abdomen can also prevent the lower back from sinking into a U-shape.
This ensures that your spine is not pulled out of alignment.
Sleep plays a crucial role in the healing process of lower back pain.
During sleep, the body undergoes restorative processes that promote tissue repair and recovery.
Adequate sleep allows damaged tissues, including those in the lower back, to heal more effectively.
It also helps reduce inflammation, which can contribute to lower back pain.
Therefore, getting sufficient and quality sleep can support the healing of lower back pain.
However, it's important to note that sleep alone may not address chronic or severe lower back pain.
Thus, consulting with a healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate treatment options is recommended.
If you constantly suffer from lower back pain after sleeping, it is best to avoid sleeping on your stomach.
However, getting adequate and good quality rest is more important to relieve lower back pain sleep position.
So, if you cannot sleep well in any other position, follow the tips given in the previous section for sleeping on your stomach.
Whatever your sleep position, it is important to ensure that your spine has a proper alignment.
This can be done by aligning your ears, shoulders, and hips.
Other than while sleeping, here’s how you can ensure a good spine alignment:
While these tips can promote spine alignment and reduce the risk of lower back pain, it's essential to listen to your body and consult a healthcare professional if you have persistent or severe back pain.
Lower back pain can be caused by muscle strain, disc problems, degenerative conditions, poor posture, and a sedentary lifestyle. The relationship between sleep and lower back pain is reciprocal, as pain can disrupt sleep, while insufficient sleep can contribute to back pain.
The best sleeping position for lower back pain is on the side with a slight bend in the knees and a pillow between the legs. If sleeping on the back, a pillow under the knees, legs, or lower back can help.
Sleeping on the stomach is generally discouraged, but if necessary, a thin pillow under the head and a pillow under the pelvis and lower abdomen can help maintain spinal alignment.
Maintaining good posture, using ergonomic support, lifting objects correctly, engaging in regular exercise and stretching, and taking regular breaks to move are additional tips for avoiding lower back pain.
It's important to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment options if experiencing chronic or severe back pain.
If your tooth is a bank account then calcium is the currency.
Without enough calcium, your teeth may suffer from a 'financial crisis,' leading to various dental problems.
Let's explore how calcium deficiency affects teeth and what you can do to keep your pearly whites healthy and strong.
Calcium is vital for healthy teeth and bones for children and adults.
For children aged 1-3 years, 300 mg of calcium in their diet is sufficient.
This amount can be gradually increased up to 1300 mg for adolescent children.
Adult men and women should take 1000 mg of calcium daily.
This amount should be increased up to 1300 mg in women aged 51 years and above.
Hypocalcemia is a condition where your body is deficient in calcium.
It is usually due to reduced calcium resorption in the blood, dietary deficiency, or genetic disorders.
Some causes of hypocalcemia are:
They release a hormone called parathormone (PTH).
PTH helps regulate calcium levels in the body.
An under-secretion of PTH can result in low calcium levels in the body.
Genetic disorders like DiGeorge syndrome can result in a more minor, more rudimentary parathyroid gland.
A deficiency of this nutrient can interfere with calcium metabolism, resulting in low levels in the body.
Some antibiotics and anti-seizure medications interfere with calcium uptake.
Medication used to treat bone cancer can reduce calcium resorption in bone.
Calcium deficiency in teeth can be due to a diet low in calcium and phosphorus.
How much calcium you consume as a child plays a part in determining your oral health in adulthood.
Calcium is essential for the normal development of teeth.
A deficiency of calcium can cause tooth decay.
Calcium is the primary mineral contained in enamel.
It is present in the form of hydroxyapatite crystals in enamel.
Calcium prevents our teeth from cavities.
It also helps to hold the teeth firmly in the jaw bone.
Enamel, the outermost layer of your teeth, is formed before birth.
Since it is a dead tissue, enamel does not regrow.
But enamel can be remineralized.
Fluoride-rich toothpaste can remineralize enamel to some extent when used regularly.
Eating calcium-rich foods can strengthen teeth but is unlikely to regrow lost enamel.
Calcium deficiency can weaken your teeth and jawbone.
The jaw bone holds your teeth in place, and when it weakens, your teeth start to fall out.
You might also notice gum diseases and bleeding when your body runs low on calcium.
A study conducted in 2015 also showed a link between calcium deficiency and an increased risk of oral cancer.
It can make you more prone to fractures, even minor injuries.
Menopausal women tend to develop osteoporosis, where bones become extremely brittle and fragile.
When your body is running low on calcium, you might develop arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat pattern.
It might cause depression and seizures.
Maintaining your oral hygiene is essential for healthy teeth and gums.
Brushing and flossing twice daily helps remove any food particles stuck in your teeth.
Rinsing your mouth after every meal reduces the chances of developing caries.
Avoid frequently eating highly acidic foods, sugary sweets, and candies, as they can damage your teeth.
Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco, as it can compromise oral health and cause cancer.
Get yourself checked every six months with the dentist to rule out any possible tooth or gum disease.
Some studies have shown that calcium and vitamin D supplements may improve oral health.
However, it is always advisable to consult a doctor before starting supplements.
Milk, yogurt, and cheese all contain sufficient amounts of calcium.
Therefore, consuming two daily dairy products can meet the body’s calcium needs.
Tofu has about 832 mg of calcium per cup.
Spinach contains as high as 245 mg of calcium per cup.
In the long run, calcium tablets can make you susceptible to developing kidney stones.
However, if you are calcium deficient and cannot meet your needs through your diet, consult a doctor before starting any supplements.
It also helps maintain bone density.
It also works alongside magnesium to reduce excess acidity in the blood.
Too acidic blood can leach calcium from bones and teeth.
It works with calcium to create hydroxyapatite, the main component of enamel.
Calcium is one of the essential minerals required by the body.
It helps proper bone and teeth formation and is required for blood clotting and nerve impulse transmission.
A calcium deficiency in the diet can cause many health problems, such as osteoporosis, irregular heartbeat, and mental retardation.
Calcium supplements help counteract deficiency, but it is always advisable to consult a doctor before starting any supplements.
Foods like milk, cheese, and other dairy products naturally contain calcium and should be included in your diet.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is creating its mark in different healthcare segments, including mental health.
The mental health space is growing exponentially, with a greater need for mental health experts.
According to a report by Mental Health America, as of 2023, there is just one mental health expert for about 350 people in need.
This leads to experts not being able to help everyone in need.
As a result, therapists are turning to AI to handle some of their existing workloads.
Though AI is not a fully established technology in the mental health space, experts believe that AI in mental health has an enormous potential that needs to be explored.
AI is not a new concept in the healthcare industry.
Several biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies already use AI for disease detection and progression, optimizing drug dosages, and drug discovery.
AI includes concepts like pattern recognition, rapid pattern analysis, neural networks, and deep learning.
All these can be used in different healthcare fields, including oncology, radiology, and ophthalmology, to offer precise diagnoses and effective treatments.
AI is currently being explored as a supportive technology to base clinical decisions on.
The ability of AI to recognize patterns from billions of data, process information at high speed, and synthesize information from immense amounts of past medical information all make AI a preferred technology of choice in healthcare.
Here are some examples of AI used in healthcare.
Mental health disorders are on the rise right now.
In 2021, 57.8 million American adults were diagnosed with mental health disorders.
Experts say this number could be much higher as many individuals don’t get professional help.
The following are some problems with the traditional mental health treatment setups.
AI in mental health may reduce the cost of getting treated and ensure everyone in need gets help quickly.
AI may also be used to precisely identify problems and customize drug doses and treatment options based on various parameters like environmental, genetic, and behavioral patterns.
Here are some current AI applications in mental health.
Digital therapeutics (DTx) is a process of offering therapeutic interventions and medical solutions driven by artificial intelligence.
Such interventions can treat, prevent, or manage a health condition.
Experts suggest the DTx industry could be valued at $56 billion by 2025.
Psychiatry is an important segment of the healthcare industry, where a pipeline of academic and industry DTx research has been happening in the last decade.
Some of the ongoing DTx projects in the mental health space are:
Here is a list of the pros and cons of using DTx.
| Pros of DTx | Cons of DTx |
| Minimizes administrative time | May compromise patient privacy |
| Continuous monitoring | May increase the risk of legal liabilities for DTx brands |
| Helps reduce treatment costs | Unintentional bugs in the AI program may compromise the safety of patients |
A virtual assistant is a tool that can interact digitally with patients, get relevant information, and help them reach the right experts for help.
Virtual assistants can make telemental health quick and hassle-free.
They can take over the initial administrative services and keep all data ready so that the patients can get help immediately.
How chatbots work
Chatbots, also called therapy bots, can chat with patients and offer help for various mental health issues.
Plenty of such chatbots and apps have been targeting AI-based therapy in the past, and a few of them have succeeded too.
Some examples of chatbot-based AI in the mental health space include Youper, Wyse, and Woebot.
Pros and cons of using chatbots
| Pros of chatbots | Cons of chatbots |
| Available to talk 24X7 and not bound by appointments | The conversation is only as effective as the information fed by the user |
| Affordable therapy | Bots may be unable to read inside the lines and identify issues the user doesn’t clearly state or understand themselves |
| Non-judgemental space to talk | Risk of exposing patient privacy |
Predictive analytics predicts patterns and trends based on past healthcare data.
Using predictive analytics, healthcare experts can predict the likelihood of developing health conditions, identify risk factors, and even be able to predict pandemic and epidemic-prone diseases.
How it is used in mental health
Predictive analytics-based AI in mental healthcare can analyze trillions of past data to create trends or patterns.
These may help predict the onset of mental health conditions like addictions, depression, or anxiety based on various genetic and environmental factors.
With these predictions, mental health experts may be able to forecast health issues and offer preventive treatments.
Here is a list of the pros and cons of using predictive analytics.
| Pros of predictive analytics | Cons of predictive analytics |
| Early diagnosis | Sudden changes in variables like environment or relationships can alter the results. |
| Ability to prevent symptoms from worsening | False positives may lead to overspending |
| Ability to identify pandemic or epidemic-prone diseases early on and stay prepared |
AI in mental health has abundant possibilities.
With the exponential increase in mental health disorders, there will always be an imbalance between people needing help and those available to offer the same.
AI can take over some initial therapy tasks, accelerating the speed at which people receive support.
AI in the mental health space can also improve the efficiency of treatments offered and make treatments more precise and tailor-made for the individual.
Here are some of the promises AI offers in mental health treatments.
One of the most significant advantages of using AI in the mental health space is the increased accuracy of diagnosis.
A peer-reviewed study published in 2020 reported that the average accuracy of diagnosis of an AI tool was 72.52%. The accuracy of human doctors in the same field was 71.4%.
Advantages: Quicker diagnosis with the same or improved accuracy.
Effective tool for second opinions for doctors.
Limitation: Errors in input can result in misdiagnosis
One of AI's biggest promises in the mental health industry is personalized medicine.
The way every individual thinks and acts is determined both by their genes and the society they grow in.
That’s why the same medicine may not work for all patients.
AI-enabled personalized treatment helps take the guesswork out of drug doses and treatment options.
AI can analyze family history, genetic mutations, and past medical records to personalize mental health treatment plans.
Advantages: Lowered risk of drug overdoses
Better treatment outcomes
Limitations: High chances of failure to diagnose anomalies that don’t follow a particular pattern
May not be able to capture the entire complexity of mental health conditions
Privacy concerns
Mental health conditions are easier to treat when spotted early.
AI in mental health can be used to assess the risk of developing mental health disorders and help medical experts create preventive solutions to mitigate the risk.
However, the technology is still growing in this space.
The following challenges must be targeted and worked on before accessing the benefits.
Although computationally very powerful, experts believe that AI in mental health can be affected by different biases, just like human minds.
One of the main reasons for AI bias is that initial healthcare was only focused on specific races and genders.
As a result, historical data mining by AI tools may not deliver results representative of human diversity.
Biases concerning social statuses, genders, races, and classes may encourage these applications to change their outputs, making the whole process unfair and biased.
A 2022 study analyzed the effects of biased AI in emergency decision-making.
In total, 438 clinicians and 516 non-experts participated in an online experiment.
Study Details
The participants received fictitious phone calls from men with mental health emergencies.
They were instructed to call the police if they suspected the caller was violent and prone to crime or forward them to a mental health expert for more help.
They were assisted by an AI tool designed to be biased against certain races.
The participants were offered suggestions from the AI tool, and they could choose to accept or ignore the advice.
Study Results
The study reported that their decisions to call the police or the mental health expert were highly influenced by the AI tool.
Therefore, a biased AI system can affect the quality of help and lead to unfairness in the mental health space.
The first way to mitigate AI bias is to constantly evaluate and monitor AI tools and spot and eliminate disparities and possible biases quickly to increase efficiency.
A 2021 study reports that the long-term solution to avoiding disparity and biases is to monitor all aspects of AI in mental health, including data collection and quality of publications regularly.
The easiest way to mitigate bias in AI is to feed it with more diverse data.
Unfortunately, many public data sets don’t represent minorities fairly.
Using these datasets will affect the quality of output generated.
Algorithmic hygiene is the practice of regularly going back to the basics and working on identifying and eliminating different causes of bias to ensure the setup works right.
A long-term solution to making AI in mental health bias-free and dependable is to have better regulatory criteria and compliance terms in this space.
Governments and regulatory bodies need to focus on their regulatory, privacy, and data safety infrastructure and have policies to govern the process.
With an increase in the number of people requiring help, there is no doubt that the potential for AI in the mental health space is enormous.
AI can be used as a first-line help for patients needing support, supplement the work of actual therapists, and ensure help is available when needed.
The initial challenges and hiccups of new technology are expected and very typical.
With more research and upgradation in the tools and techniques, AI can destigmatize mental health issues for the human community.
AI can make therapy affordable and easier to access, reduce human biases and errors, and bring a deeper understanding of mental health conditions.
As humans, we are always curious about the enigmatic nature of our bodies and the fascinating interplay between genetics and various health conditions.
Among the myriad medical puzzles that continue to captivate researchers, scoliosis is a complex spinal disorder that has long intrigued medical professionals and affected individuals.
Over the years, there has been a quest to uncover the underlying causes of scoliosis, leading to a question that lingers in the minds of many: Is scoliosis genetic?
This article aims to shed light on the relationship between our genes and the development of scoliosis, providing a deeper understanding of this condition that affects millions worldwide.
Certain gene changes can put you at higher risk for developing many chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and even scoliosis. Learning about your genetic risks can help plan preventional strategies even before the symptoms appear.
Scoliosis is a lateral or sideways curvature of the spine, causing the person to lean a little while standing.
The word ‘scoliosis’ is derived from Greek and means crooked.
The spine usually takes an elongated ‘S’ or ‘C’-shape, with the spine's bones also twisted, rotated, or elongated.
A spinal curvature of more than 10 degrees is considered scoliosis and can be diagnosed with an X-ray.
Scoliosis may be an isolated condition occurring in healthy individuals or resulting from other neurological or neuromuscular disorders.
With no visible signs noticed, parents are often caught unawares when their children are diagnosed with scoliosis.
While genetic modifications could be one reason adolescents develop this condition, the exact cause remains unidentified in many cases.
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, about 2-3% of the population develop scoliosis.
There are four types of scoliosis identified based on how the condition develops.
AIS is one of the most common forms of this condition, diagnosed in 80% of scoliosis cases.
Idiopathic conditions arise spontaneously without a known cause.
AIS is mainly diagnosed during an adolescent growth spurt and is more common in girls than boys.
Congenital scoliosis is caused by abnormal development of the spine in the fetus.
The severity and progress of the condition depends on the intensity of the abnormality.
Neuromuscular scoliosis occurs along with other neurological conditions or muscular diseases.
Children with conditions like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and spinal cord trauma may develop scoliosis as they grow.
Degenerative scoliosis affects older adults. As people age, the back disk and joints wear out, leading to changes in the spinal curvature.
About 6-9 million Americans are diagnosed with scoliosis worldwide.
AIS leads to disability and disfigurement issues in more than 10% of the patients in the United States
This costs the government billions of dollars in treatment and compensation.
According to studies, after age 10, females have up to 6 times higher risk of developing scoliosis compared to males.
Scientists believe that the presence of certain neurological or muscular conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy can increase the risk of developing the condition.
Scoliosis can also be a result of genetic mutations in the body.
Is scoliosis hereditary, and does it run in families?
According to experts, scoliosis can result from abnormal gene mutations in the body.
Such gene mutations may or may not be passed on in families.
The risk of developing scoliosis when there are first-degree relatives with the condition is 11%.
With second and third-degree relatives with the condition, the risk reduces to 2.4% and 1.4%.
A meta-analysis studied the occurrence of AIS in monozygotic twins (identical twins) and dizygotic twins (fraternal twins).
This study suggests that identical twins had a 73% rate of concordance of inheriting scoliosis when compared to just 36% in fraternal twins.
A 2022 systematic review published on BMC Medical Genomics identifies the following genes being responsible for causing Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS).
CHD7 gene
The CHD7 gene (chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 7 gene) is responsible for producing the CHD7 protein.
This protein is found in various body parts before birth, and mutations in this gene may cause CHARGE syndrome.
CHARGE syndrome can lead to congenital abnormalities and growth retardation in fetuses.
Small changes in this gene, known as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1017861, rs4738824, and rs4738813, may be associated with scoliosis.
FBN1
The FBN1 gene (fibrillin 1 gene) helps make the fibrillin protein. Mutations in this gene may cause Marfan syndrome.
Marfan syndrome is a connective tissue disorder that leads to unusually long fingers and legs and cardiovascular problems.
According to studies, about 60% of patients with Marfan syndrome also have scoliosis.
Scoliosis can be inherited through autosomal dominant inheritance patterns, suggests studies.
With autosomal dominant inheritance, the condition can be inherited when just one copy of the allele of the mutated gene passes on to the next generation.
Image source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2674301/
The figure explains the inheritance of scoliosis through autosomal dominant inheritance
Since the concordance rate (the extent to which both twins share the same characteristic) of inheriting scoliosis is less than 100% in identical twins, genes cannot be solely responsible for scoliosis.
Researchers suggest that genetic and environmental factors may lead to the condition and determine its progression.
The following are some of the factors that influence scoliosis progression.
Factors like diet, lifestyle, and sitting posture may also contribute to condition progression.
Doctors may look for scoliosis as a part of their regular check-ups done on adolescents.
X-Rays can easily help identify spinal curvature.
CT scans to understand the shape and size of the spinal canal and precisely capture the extent of curvature.
Doctors may recommend an MRI test, too, to rule out other conditions like tumors that may be causing scoliosis.
Certain companies offer genetic tests that examine the gene changes associated with scoliosis risk. The results can give you an idea of your genetic risk for scoliosis.
I want to learn my genetic risk for Scoliosis
Doctors suggest the ‘waiting and watching’ approach for growing children with a spinal curvature of less than 20 degrees.
An external brace must be worn for adolescents with spinal curvatures between 20 degrees and 50 degrees to help correct the posture and prevent the condition from worsening.
When the spinal curvature is more than 50 degrees, surgically correcting the spine may be a solution.
