Category: Health

Health

The symptoms of colorectal cancer and piles such as constipation and blood in the stools overlap and the cancer is mistaken as piles

Sep 2, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #blood in the stools, #colorectal cancer, #constipation, #Dr Pravin Gore, #piles

Dr Pravin Gore, Colorectal Surgeon, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Mumbai.

Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. In simple language, it is the cancer of the large intestine. The polyps (mushroom-shaped swellings in the inner wall of the colon/rectum) that can turn into cancer can be found and removed if detected in its early stages. It is the need of the hour to be watchful of the symptoms, and seek immediate medical attention.

Colorectal cancer, also known as colon or rectal cancer starts as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These growths are called polyps. Some types of polyps can change into cancer over time (usually many years), but not all polyps become cancer. Several factors such as the lack of physical activity, smoking, drinking alcohol, a diet low in fresh fruits and vegetables, being overweight, family history, being older (over 50), inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can raise the risk of colorectal cancer

The symptoms of colorectal cancer and piles are overlapping with each other. If you notice symptoms like constipation, blood in the bowel movements, rectal bleeding, stomach or frequent gas pain, black or dark-coloured stool or weakness, then instead of dismissing as piles, (get the diagnosis confirmed by visiting a Proctologist Colorectal Surgeon) and if need be hen get a colonoscopy done as it can help detect the underlying cause based on the symptoms. If something abnormal is spotted then a small tissue sample is collected and sent to a laboratory for testing under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. Once, the diagnosis of colorectal cancer is confirmed, the treatment depends on the stage, location and overall health of the patient. However, treatment options can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapy. Remember early detection is the key to cure it.

Today, not only older adults but even youngsters are diagnosed with colorectal cancer. “Due to erratic schedules, faulty eating habits and hectic lifestyles, youngsters who are always on the go, tend to ignore symptoms such as constipation or bloody stools that become fatal later. It is imperative to seek the help of the doctor who specializes in this field for a correct diagnosis and a proper line of treatment.

To lower your risk of colorectal cancer, eat a diet rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Opt for fruits and vegetables. Avoid alcohol intake and smoking. Not only this, but you must also stay physically active by exercising on a daily basis. Remember to speak to your doctor before starting any exercise regime. Maintain a healthy weight to lead a quality life. Do not indulge in junk, salty, spicy and oily food, especially those which have preservatives in them. And if you have a family history of colorectal cancer, then for sure get yourself screened.

Health

Gurugram hospital facilitates India’s first successful lung transplant on COVID survivor

Sep 2, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #COVID survivor, #Dr. Reshma Tewari, #Dr. Shivanshu Raj Goyal, #Gurugram hospital, #lung transplant, #Yash Verma

An active professional from Ghaziabad was amongst the small percentage of the population infected with severe COVID 19 being treated at the critical unit of Artemis Hospitals, Gurugram. With each passing day, it became difficult for him and his family as his condition started deteriorating.

He had undergone an entire plethora of management right from medicinal therapy, high oxygen demand, ventilator requirement, tracheostomy. He was initially admitted in the COVID dedicated ICU where he recovered from the acute illness after aggressive treatment and finally tested negative. Despite the best efforts over 6 weeks, it was unable to bring him out of ventilation due to severely damaged (Fibrosed) lungs as part of Post COVID 19 sequelae.

Most options for his acceptable recovery was exhausted though Dr. Shivanshu Raj Goyal was determined to explore a better solution thus with the consent of the patient’s family, Dr. Goyal and his team derived an organized plan to offer a surgical cure in the form of a Lungs Transplant. Till now this procedure was not performed in India for a post-COVID sequelae case.

The patient was on a ventilator due to high oxygen demand and the possibility of the collapse was extremely high during the transport to the transplant centre. Another big challenge was the unavailability of the donor’s lungs with a long waiting list.

“Even though there was a high risk involved in it but we wanted to leave no stone unturned to save his life. No obstacle is big enough if the determination, right team spirit, and destiny is in the favour” said Dr. Shivanshu Raj Goyal, Consultant, Respiratory/ Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine, Artemis Hospitals

“Decision of advising lung transplant was taken at the right time which resulted in transfer by air ambulance to Chennai at about 6 weeks after his initial admission,” said Dr. Reshma Tewari, Chief Critical Care Unit, Artemis Hospitals

As fate would guide, the patient was airlifted in July 2020 to a Center more than 2000 km away and upon safe arrival was put on a transplant waitlist. Specialized technique ECMO was used by the transplant team to oxygenate the patient for 33 days. After the wait of over a month, finally, two matched and healthy lungs were available. On 27th August 2020, he had undergone India’s first sequential bilateral lung transplant successfully, opening a ray of hope to many patients whose lungs have undergone irreversible changes secondary to COVID 19.

“We are grateful to the Artemis Hospitals and doctors who guided us with the right decision and helped us in facilitating this transplant,” said Yash Verma, son of the patient.

This marks a first of such kind procedure to date reported from any part of Asia.

Health

Importance of Immunization/Vaccination in Pregnancy By Dr Anu Vij, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Kharghar

Sep 2, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Dr Anu Vij, #Immunization/Vaccination, #Kharghar, #Motherhood Hospital, #pregnancy

Are you pregnant? Do you have a plan in place regarding your vaccination? No? Here we tell you about the important vaccines that you must not miss. Read on to know more about this…

Vaccination can be termed as a shot that contains a vaccine. Did you know? A vaccine can be called as a medicine that helps protect you from various diseases. During pregnancy, vaccinations help protect both you and your baby. Make sure your vaccinations are current before you get pregnant. Are you aware? Vaccine-preventable infectious diseases are responsible for significant maternal, neonatal, and young infant morbidity and even mortality. It is no brainer that maternal immunization can protect the mother against vaccine-preventable infections and protect the foetus.

Make sure your vaccinations are up to date before you tend to get pregnant. When you do get pregnant, consult your doctor about vaccinations that are safe to get during pregnancy. As you already know that vaccinations can help protect you from certain infections that can take a toll on you and your baby during pregnancy. Vaccinations you get during pregnancy helps keep your baby safe from infection during the first few months of life until he gets his own vaccinations. Remember not all vaccinations are safe during pregnancy. Thus, make sure any vaccination you get is safe for you and your baby.

What to do before getting vaccinated?
Before you get vaccinated, discuss with your doctor if you have any allergies or ever had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine. An allergy is a reaction to something one touches, eat, or breathe in that makes one sneeze, itch, get a rash, or have breathing problems. Hence, your doctor will be able to determine which vaccines are safe for you.

Following vaccinations are recommended during pregnancy

• You will be advised to get a flu shot if you were not vaccinated before pregnancy.
• Tdap vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. It helps protect your baby from pertussis in the first few months of life before she gets vaccinated herself. The first few months after birth are when your baby’s most at risk of getting pertussis.
• You will also be advised to get Hepatitis B Vaccine if Anti HBs antibody levels are not below 10 Miu/dl
• Omit the polio vaccine part as it is not included in the National Immunisation Program.

Which vaccines cannot be given during pregnancy?

• BCG for tuberculosis, HPV (human papillomavirus). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (also called STI, sexually transmitted disease or STD).
• Include HPV in a group Vaccine immediately post-partum as this is being highly advocated.
• MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella). MMR and Varicella are not recommended during pregnancy and can be taken before pregnancy.
• Include the Rubella vaccine in a separate heading as Vaccine before contemplating pregnancy.

Takeaway: Plan your vaccinations only after consulting your doctor. This will allow you and your baby to lead a disease-free life.

Health

Why pre-marital counseling is essential and how does AMH Test play a role By Dr. Ritu Hinduja, Fertility Consultant, Nova IVF Fertility Mumbai

Sep 1, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #AMH Test, #Dr. Ritu Hinduja, #Nova IVF Fertility, #pre-marital counseling

It may be the right time that couples should think about both, pre and post-marital counselling. Though the couple may think that the counselling is unnecessary, the outcome could make them feel otherwise. Counselling is a good way to resolve all your relationship issues along with planning your timeline of steps towards starting a family. Yes, you have heard it right!

Chalking out a roadmap for when to plan a child makes you feel empowered as a couple, and it is easier than you think. Two very simple tests can help you plan your parenthood and that is a blood AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) level in women and semen analysis in men.

Everything about the Anti-Mullerian Hormone Test:

In women egg reserves decline with age, this is known as their biological clock. AMH testing is a way for couples to get a sense of the reproductive span, thus helping in smart planning of conception

AMH Test is a test that is an indicator of a woman’s ovarian reserve. The level of AMH gives insights into the remaining quantity of eggs and where a woman stands on her fertility graph. AMH testing involves a simple blood test that can be done at any time of the month, as the levels of AMH do not change with the menstrual cycle.

Did you know? The AMH blood test can be done even if you are using oral contraceptives.

Why pre-marital counselling is essential and how does AMH Test plays a role:

Many couples seek pre-marital counselling to test their compatibility. For couples, today fertility parameters are as important as emotional factors before tying the knot and thus AMH along with a semen analysis can be the perfect test. Understanding your AMH levels can help to assess your ovarian egg reserve and therefore your fertility. However, we know fertility declines as we age so it’s important that women understand their fertility and what the current tests and treatments can and can’t do for them. Considering we now live in a society where late marriages are a norm which ultimately translates into a delay in starting a family, AMH Testing helps in providing information on reproductive years left for the couple.

Career-oriented women tend to delay many aspects of their personal life while chasing their professional dreams. Increasing age means a decrease in ovarian reserve, this can prove to be a roadblock in attaining motherhood. A simple blood test lets a woman know her ovarian reserve within a matter of hours. Therefore, if you get your AMH levels tested at a younger age, you will have a better idea of your reproductive health. An AMH test can also help couples decide if they want to put their embryos on ice while they pursue other achievements on their timelines. It can also guide women who do not have a steady partner or are not married to decide to freeze their eggs thereby freezing their fertility in time so that when they do find a partner they can use their frozen eggs and plan a pregnancy thereby breaking free of the deleterious effects of ageing on reproductive outcomes.

When to opt for the AMH test?

AMH can be done at any time in the menstrual cycle, as your AMH levels are stable throughout the cycle. It is a marker for ovarian (egg) reserve and is assessed via an AMH blood test. It is imperative to understand that AMH is just an indicator of a woman’s fertility and does not guarantee a pregnancy. Women opting for AMH testing should consult with her fertility expert or gynaecologist to discuss the way forward.

Take-home message: AMH does not guarantee pregnancy in the future. However, it does make a woman more educated about her fertility. If your AMH levels are low and do not meet the mentioned criteria, then you need to speak to your doctor and act accordingly. Your doctor will then suggest a suitable way forward for you.

Health

Cases Of Self-Medicating For Fever, Cold Surged Up: Appeal to all those who have fever, cold symptoms to visit doctors instead of staying home and neglecting it

Aug 21, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #and respiratory infections., #Apollo Spectra Hospital Mumbai, #chikungunya, #cold, #dengue, #Dr. Tushar Rane, #fever, #fevers, #Internal Medicine Expert, #seasonal snivels, #Self-Medicating

Dr. Tushar Rane, Internal Medicine Expert, Apollo Spectra Hospital Mumbai

Coronavirus is a matter of concern in India. Due to fear of coronavirus-like symptoms, people don’t discuss fever, cold to anyone and resort to home-based treatment. Doctors are concerned that people should not be scared and visit doctors immediately for timely treatment.

Hospitals, clinics and medical staff started taking extra precautions to break the transmission and the pattern of the disease. Maintained a high level of hygiene, are providing safe OPD services, cleaning rooms and all surfaces sanitized and changing linens twice a day for patients.

Monsoon will be resulting in the rise of seasonal snivels, fevers, dengue, and respiratory infections. With the similarity of these diseases in symptoms to COVID-19, people are becoming increasingly confused as to whether they have the novel coronavirus or a common cough.

As monsoon illness are on the rise, it has been noticed that people, out of fear of COVID-19, are not sharing symptoms to neighbors or relatives, nor are they reaching a doctor clinic, instead, they are self-medicating by preferring over-the-counter medications from nearby medical stores or home-based treatment. So, when people come at the last minute when the symptoms worsen, it may be difficult for the treating doctor to make a correct diagnosis of whether it is COVID-19 or a common cold, cough. Delay in the treatment can be problematic for the patients. Said Dr Rane.

In the last 3 months, social media and anxiety has made people read and talk about the symptoms of COVID 19 creating confusion and difficulty in distinguishing between the similar symptoms of dengue and chikungunya especially cold, cough, fever, and chills. Do not fret and visit doctors as safe OPD services are provided to the patients. Doctors wear PPE kits, masks, follow social distancing norms, sanitization is done and equipment is disinfected from time to time.

City doctors urge people, especially children suffering from any illness, people should not take it lightly. As many symptoms can be misleading and need medical attention people should not be scared and visit nearby clinics or doctors immediately.

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Health

Things you can use from kitchen to have a glowing skin this monsoon by Dr. Blossom Kochhar

Aug 21, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #dark circles, #Dr. Blossom Kochhar, #scrub, #Tips for glowing skin

The first ingredient that I am going to pick up from the kitchen is Potato. It is excellent for dark circles and removing tan. Take a teaspoon of yoghurt, add a pinch of salt and a few drops of lemon & sandalwood essential oil in it. Mix all these together. Now take a slice of potato to apply the mixture evenly on your face. Keep it on for 15-20 minutes and rinse it off.

Next, we are going to use rice flour to make a scrub which will remove all the dirt, oil and impurities from our skin. So, take 1 teaspoon of each rice flour and aloe vera gel, add a pinch of salt and 2 drops of lavender essential oil in it. Apply it on your face, keep it on for 5-10 minutes and then slightly start rubbing it all over your face. Rub it for a good 10-15 minutes and then rinse it off. Remember to always use a light moisturiser on your face after using a scrub.

Another ingredient that you can pick from your kitchen is cucumber. Use grated cucumber and add the juice of half a lemon. Apply it on your face for 10-15 minutes and rinse it off. The lemon will brighten & tighten your skin and cucumber will cool your skin.

My go-to an ingredient from the kitchen is tomato. On a slice of tomato put some sugar or salt and rub it gently all over your face. This will close your pores and it will remove all your dead skin, said Dr. Blossom Kochhar, Founder & Chairperson of the Blossom Kochhar Group of Companies institutionalized.