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Published on: May 02, 2020
1 minute read
By: Dr Vibhash Mishra

Corona, Cricket And Telemedicine

Corona, cricket and telemedicine

As schoolboys, gossiping about cricket and cinema was our favorite pastime. Decades later when even our children are not school kids anymore, I must confess the nature of our pastime has not become any more serious. The COVID-19 lockdown has inadvertently provided a large chunk of humanity with a rare luxury. Otherwise who has the time in today’s world to stop and stay at home to catch a breath? So catching a breath is what one does these days. Call it reflection and introspection, if you will.

R Ashwin is considered something of an intellectual in the sport of cricket. The other day I happened to come across an interview in which he says we take sport too seriously. That is the large scheme of things, there are other far more important matters. That sports should be seen in a wider perspective and given a place that is not out of proportion.

That took me back by several years. To 1980 to be precise when India and England were playing the golden jubilee test. Bob Taylor was given out by the umpire but the Indian captain Gundappa Viswanath thought otherwise and insisted that he was recalled. The rest, as they say, is history. Now Viswanath himself was not an also-ran by any means. Not quite an intellectual like Ashwin, but a batting genius all the same and a giant of a human being.

We can debate the relative value of intellectuals and good human beings to society but that is not the point of my musing, although, I do believe that the world needs several-fold more good human beings than intellectuals.

Back to the point, I was closing in on.
There were curses and kudos for Viswanath. In the midst of all that, the legendary commentator Jasdev Singh made a very poignant remark - Viswanath gave away the game but kept alive the spirit to promote which sporting events are organized in the first place. Now, what is this spirit that Jasdev was referring to? Fairness? Justice? Healthy competition? Honesty? Integrity? But then, are those, not the values the world should be guided by anyway? Would the world not do well to adopt those values in wider life? Would you still say we take sports too seriously? Just reflecting.

Meanwhile, you all stay in and be safe, the principles of which are well-known by now - social distancing and hand hygiene. And don’t ignore your other health issues. It may be months before normalcy is restored. Your medical condition can get worse in the interim. You may think I am encouraging you to visit a hospital and risk being turned down for lack of capacity or catching an infection. I am not. I am asking you to think of an alternative way of seeking medical help. Have you considered telemedicine? Online consultation with a specialist anywhere in the world? Have you heard of www.secondmedic.com? That’s where we are.

Dr. Vibhash Mishra
Chief Medical Officer Second Medic Inc

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Pale Skin Symptoms: Causes, Health Conditions, and When to Seek Medical Care

Skin colour provides important clues about internal health. When the skin becomes noticeably lighter than usual, it may indicate an underlying medical condition. Pale skin symptoms, also referred to as pallor, are commonly associated with reduced blood flow, low hemoglobin levels or impaired oxygen delivery to tissues.

In India, pale skin is frequently linked to anemia, nutritional deficiencies and chronic illnesses, making early recognition essential.

What Is Pale Skin?

Pale skin refers to:

lighter-than-normal skin tone
reduced redness
pale appearance of lips, gums or nail beds

It can affect the entire body or specific areas such as the face or hands.

Common Pale Skin Symptoms

Typical signs include:

pale face or complexion
pale lips or tongue
light-colored gums
pale nail beds
cold hands and feet
fatigue and weakness

These symptoms often occur together.

Most Common Causes of Pale Skin

Anemia

Anemia occurs when hemoglobin levels are low.

This reduces oxygen delivery to tissues, causing:

pale skin
fatigue
breathlessness
dizziness

NFHS-5 reports anemia affects a large proportion of Indian adults, especially women.

Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency is the leading cause of anemia.

Contributing factors include:

poor dietary intake
blood loss
absorption problems

ICMR identifies iron deficiency as a major public health issue.

Poor Blood Circulation

Reduced circulation causes:

less blood reaching the skin
visible pallor

Conditions such as heart disease or shock impair circulation.

Acute Blood Loss

Sudden blood loss from:

injury
gastrointestinal bleeding
heavy menstrual bleeding

can cause rapid pallor and weakness.

Chronic Diseases

Chronic illnesses such as:

kidney disease
liver disease
cancer

often cause anemia and pallor over time.

Infections and Inflammation

Severe infections cause:

blood vessel constriction
redistribution of blood flow

This leads to pale or clammy skin.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Deficiencies of:

vitamin B12
folate

affect red blood cell production and cause pallor.

Hormonal Imbalance

Conditions like hypothyroidism reduce metabolic activity, causing:

pale, dry skin
fatigue

Thyroid disorders are common but underdiagnosed.

Genetic Conditions

Inherited disorders such as thalassemia affect hemoglobin production, leading to chronic pallor.

Pale Skin in Children and Older Adults

Children:

may develop pallor due to iron deficiency or infections

Older adults:

often develop pallor due to chronic disease or nutritional deficiency

Both groups need careful evaluation.

Warning Signs That Need Immediate Medical Attention

Seek urgent care if pale skin is associated with:

sudden weakness
chest pain
breathlessness
fainting
rapid heartbeat

These may indicate serious medical emergencies.

How Pale Skin Affects Daily Life

Persistent pallor often causes:

low energy
reduced physical endurance
difficulty concentrating

Quality of life may decline without treatment.

Diagnostic Evaluation

Doctors may recommend:

complete blood count
iron studies
vitamin B12 and folate levels
kidney and liver function tests

Identifying the cause is critical for treatment.

Role of Preventive Health Checkups

Preventive screening helps detect:

early anemia
nutritional deficiencies
chronic disease

Early treatment prevents complications.

Management and Treatment Options

Treatment depends on cause and may include:

iron or vitamin supplementation
treatment of underlying disease
dietary correction
medical therapy for chronic conditions

Self-treatment without diagnosis should be avoided.

Lifestyle Measures to Prevent Pallor

Helpful strategies include:

balanced diet rich in iron and vitamins
adequate hydration
regular health monitoring
treating infections early

Lifestyle changes support long-term health.

Importance of Early Detection

Ignoring pale skin delays diagnosis of:

anemia
internal bleeding
chronic illness

Early recognition improves outcomes.

Conclusion

Pale skin symptoms are more than a cosmetic concern. They often signal anemia, poor circulation, nutritional deficiencies or underlying medical conditions. While temporary pallor may occur due to minor causes, persistent or sudden pale skin requires medical evaluation. Early diagnosis, preventive health screening and appropriate treatment can restore normal skin tone, improve energy levels and protect long-term health.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Anemia and Nutritional Deficiency Reports
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Anemia and Adult Health Data
World Health Organization (WHO) – Anemia and Circulatory Health
Lancet – Pallor, Anemia and Chronic Disease Research
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare and Early Symptom Detection

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