Tag: Aster CMI Hospital

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From Diagnosis to Empowerment: Navigating the Epilepsy Journey

Nov 16, 2024 by Mansi Praharaj 0 Comments #Aster CMI Hospital, #Bangalore, #Consultant - Pediatric Neurology, #Dr. Ravi Kumar, #Epilepsy

Dr. Ravi Kumar C P, Consultant - Pediatric Neurology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore

By – Dr. Ravi Kumar CP, Consultant – Pediatric Neurology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders affecting approximately 1 in 100 people in India. Characterized by recurrent seizures, which result from abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can vary in type and severity, and their unpredictability can significantly impact the daily life and well-being of those affected. Despite its prevalence, epilepsy remains underdiagnosed and misunderstood in many parts of the world. Through increased awareness, appropriate treatment, and lifestyle changes, individuals with epilepsy can lead fulfilling lives.

Symptoms

The hallmark symptom of epilepsy is seizures, but their nature can vary greatly.

• Focal Seizures: These originate in one area of the brain. They can be further divided into simple partial seizures (where consciousness is preserved) and complex partial seizures (where consciousness is impaired). Symptoms may include unusual sensations, changes in perception, or involuntary movements.

• Generalized Seizures: These involve both sides of the brain. The most common type of generalized seizure is the tonic-clonic seizure (formerly known as grand mal), which involves loss of consciousness, muscle rigidity, and rhythmic jerking movements. Other generalized seizures include absence seizures (brief lapses in consciousness), atonic seizures (sudden loss of muscle strength), and myoclonic seizures (sudden, brief jerks of the body).

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of epilepsy typically involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and specialized tests. The most common diagnostic tool is an electroencephalogram (EEG), which measures the brain’s electrical activity. The EEG can detect abnormal patterns that indicate epilepsy, especially during or after a seizure. Additional tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans, may be conducted to rule out structural abnormalities in the brain or other underlying conditions that could contribute to seizure activity.

In some cases, blood tests may be performed to check for metabolic or genetic factors, infections, or other medical conditions that could trigger seizures. A detailed assessment by a neurologist is critical to differentiate epilepsy from other conditions that may mimic seizure-like symptoms.

Management & Prevention

In recent years, dietary strategies have emerged as a conventional treatment, particularly for individuals whose seizures are difficult to control with medication. The two most commonly studied dietary approaches are the ketogenic diet and the low glycemic index treatment.

Ketogenic Diet: The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that has been shown to reduce seizures in some people with epilepsy. On a ketogenic diet, the majority of your calories come from fats (about 70-80%), with a moderate amount of protein (around 20-25%), and very few carbohydrates (only about 5-10%).

• Fats: This includes foods like meat, fish, butter, oils, avocados, and nuts.

• Proteins: Foods like eggs, cheese, and meats like chicken, beef, and fish are common.

• Carbohydrates: You avoid or eat very small amounts of high-carb foods like bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, sugary snacks, and most fruits.

Low Glycemic Index Diet: The Low Glycemic Index (GI) Diet is an eating plan that focuses on choosing foods that cause a slower rise in blood sugar levels. The idea is to eat foods that are digested more slowly, helping to keep blood sugar levels steady rather than causing sharp spikes and crashes.

• High-GI foods (like white bread, sugary snacks, and sodas) cause a quick spike in blood sugar because they break down quickly into sugar.

• Low-GI foods (like whole grains, legumes, and most vegetables) break down more slowly and lead to a gradual rise in blood sugar.

Treatment

Epilepsy treatment focuses on controlling seizures and improving the quality of life for the patient. The approach typically involves a combination of medication, lifestyle adjustments, and in some cases, surgical intervention.

• Medications: Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the most common treatment for epilepsy. These medications help to regulate the brain’s electrical activity and prevent seizures. It may take time to find the right medication and dosage for each individual, and some patients may experience side effects that require adjustments to their treatment plan.

• Surgery: For patients who do not respond to medications, surgical options may be considered. Surgery involves removing the part of the brain responsible for seizure activity. In some cases, a procedure called vagus nerve stimulation or deep brain stimulation may be used to help control seizures.

Despite the significant advances in understanding and treating epilepsy, there remains a widespread lack of awareness about the condition. Raising awareness is crucial to improving the lives of people and by enhancing access to effective treatments.

A multi-faceted plan of action should also include better integration of dietary therapies, holistic approaches, and individualized care to address the diverse needs of individuals living with epilepsy. By fostering a deeper understanding of epilepsy and promoting timely intervention, we can ensure that those affected by this disorder lead healthier, more empowered lives.

Health

Recovering from COVID 19 at home

Jan 26, 2022 by Praveen 0 Comments #Aster CMI Hospital, #COVID 19, #Dr. Brunda M S, #home, #Recovering

Covid 19 pandemic is a never ending battle which we are still witnessing. Covid fatigue is hitting hard and it is time to include exercise and talk about our stress and anxiety. Warnings and infection rates have been swamping for months, hence it is important to hear to the experts. The deadly virus has changed people fundamentally who have been infected and the recovery phase is difficult too. It might lead to complications depending on the body’s immune system. Hence, post Covid it is mandatory to do a follow up check-up with doctor and build immunity to regain the strength.

People infected with mild symptom can recover at home. However, they should seek doctor’s advice regularly. Additionally, any sudden symptoms like headache, chest pain, joint pain should immediately consult doctor and take medications. People are tired and stressed. Moreover, what really kills are the forced confinement and the lack of affection from loved ones and friends. Emotional attachment and talking about it to a healing counsellor might help to recover soon.

As covid-19 cases surge yet again courtesy the third wave fuelled by Omicron variant, the complications that happen post the sickness will undoubtedly make rebound, extending the trial for some patients. The symptoms might trigger from fatigue, cough, joint pain, concentration problems, headache that may trouble for a couple of weeks or more. Post-Covid hair loss is also quite common in post Covid patients.

Healthy tips to follow while recovering from Covid at home

  • Get plenty of rest. Get enough sleep and make sure that you are rested well.
  • Eat healthy. A balanced diet that consists of carbohydrates, protein and other necessary minerals. Include zinc and fruits in diet.
  • Do exercises like brisk walking, yoga, etc. regularly
  • Keep an eye on the symptoms like cough, breathlessness, fatigue, fever, etc. One might experience post Covid symptoms such as hair fall, extreme headache, if any symptoms persist for a long time one should seek doctor’s advice immediately
  • Avoid self-medication
  • Keep emergency needs at home
  • Stay at home and avoid going out unless it is emergency
  • Practice good health hygiene. Regular handwashing, wearing mask while stepping outside and keep your room clean and disinfectant it regularly.

Once you regain your strength and energy slowly you can start resuming your old routine. However, it is ideal to take it slow and steady.

Health

Understanding Obesity: A guide to evaluate your weight

Dec 24, 2021 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Aster CMI Hospital, #Dr. Mahesh Chikkachannappa, #Healthy eating, #ideal body weight, #obesity, #weight, #Weight loss

By Dr. Mahesh Chikkachannappa, Sr. Consultant – General, Laparoscopic & Bariatric Surgery, Aster CMI Hospital

Obesity is a disorder involving excessive body fat that increases the risk of health problems. Obesity and adolescence are not amenable to a single easily modified factor. Biological, cultural and environmental factors such as readily available high-density food choices impact youth eating behaviours. Media devices and associated screen time make physical activity a less optimal choice for children and adolescents. The need for Interventions to change the address of the Gynec environment by the Institute in policies around the food industry and in the school needs to be clarified. Obesity is preventable. Thus, identifying early determinants or ‘warning signs of the future development of obesity is important.

Markers of obesity

Obesity is a chronic progressive disease that affects the body from head to toe. It can affect joints, limit your mobility, lungs, liver and reproductive health. Intake of excess calories or excess fat consumption and excess carbohydrate in the diet and inadequate physical activity are the main causes of obesity. It is considered a worldwide epidemic and the incidence of obesity among people has increased over the last few years. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the cases have become more evident. When the lockdown was in place people were restricted to moving out of their homes, the sudden change in the lifestyle, lack of physical activities and work from home culture has resulted in many people feeling anxious and depressed which lead to an increase in unhealthy binge eating and indulge in bad habits in many. All these contribute to the development of obesity.

Understanding the ideal body weight

In India, being fat is considered a sign of prosperity and good health in many cultures. But one must understand that in order to be fit your height and weight should be in proper proportion. Body Mass Index is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. It is used to check if your height matches the weight of your body. It determines the excess fat in the body and the status of weight in connection with the fat. The number differs in men and women. The calculator is helpful in focusing on the health issues and getting an idea about the body mass. It is a very simple process one can calculate the BMI on its own or can be done online.

Normal BMI starts from 18.5 kg/metre square to 25 kg/m2. If the number is less than 15 it means you are underweight. 25 to 30 BMI is regarded as overweight and, beyond 30 means you are obese.

Healthy eating is the key to maintaining an ideal weight

One must not forget the saying that you are what you eat. To maintain a healthy body weight, it is important to eat healthy food and do physical exercise. Alongside, focus more on building a healthy body rather than losing weight instantly.

Losing weight in severely obese people can be a challenging task which often ends up in losing hope when it fails. For them, visiting a weight management clinic to seek help can be beneficial. Support from family, a dedicated plan and a motivated set of individuals are required to help address each person’s obesity on an individual basis. In certain cases, bariatric surgery has shown great merit in helping control weight and reverse obesity-related comorbidities. However, it is recommended to reach out to a dietitian or an endocrinologist experienced in weight management. They will be able to guide you and help with your diet plan, exercises and weight management options based on your body.

Health

Healthy Tips While Gymming

Dec 8, 2021 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #Aster CMI Hospital, #Dr Sanjay Bhat, #Interventional Cardiology, #Senior Consultant

Authored by Dr Sanjay Bhat, Senior Consultant, Interventional Cardiology, Aster CMI Hospital

Regular physical exercise is important to keep our bodies fit. It helps maintain a healthy weight, combats health conditions and diseases, improves mood, boosts energy and promotes better sleep. However, one must keep in mind that over-exercising can be harmful.

Moderate exercise is best for physical and mental health. But extreme exercise training and competing in endurance events can lead to heart damage and rhythm disorders. Hence, it is vital for people to first evaluate their health before joining a gym. One must get their basic heart check-up done such as tests for blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol. People with genetic risk factors are especially vulnerable. They must go under certain tests like ECG, Echo and a stress test (TMT / treadmill) to rule out the possible risks. People above 40 years of age and who recently had Covid-19 must consult their doctors and have their physical health check-ups done.

Healthy tips while gymming:

Warmup: It is important to warm up your body before exercising. Always include a pre-workout warm-up before you begin. This allows the body to loosen up the muscle and a 5-min warmup is critical for better performance and fewer injuries.

Start slow: Focus on getting the body fit first. Fitness enthusiasts get into competition and indulge in high intensity and irregular exercise which can lead to heart issues. Similar to building the muscles in your body, the heart muscle can also thicken. When you indulge in heavy workouts, it pushes the heart to produce abnormal rhythms.

Don’t over-exercise or push yourself beyond the limit: Unaccustomed exercise without adequate training and overindulging in heavy workouts to achieve quick results can actually do more harm than good. It can lead to musculoskeletal injury and impact heart health. Don’t overdo it. Pushing your body beyond what you can handle can be dangerous.

Health

Karnataka witnesses first ever post covid double lung transplant of 30-yr-old doctor and Covid warrior at Aster CMI Hospital

Sep 16, 2021 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #Aster CMI Hospital

Bangalore: Doctors at Aster CMI Hospital have successfully carried out first ever post covid double lung transplant on a covid warrior, who is also a medical professional. Dr. Sanath Kumar, 30-yr-old Anesthetic from a private hospital in Bangalore had been working tirelessly treating critically ill covid-19 patients in the ICU since the pandemic started. Unfortunately, in the course of his work, he contracted coronavirus during the second wave which eventually caused lung damage, requiring urgent transplantation.

Unaware of having caught the infection, Dr. Sanath started having fever and cough. He was anxious about this and underwent a Covid-19 test which turned out to be positive. Immediately, he started on medications but his condition worsened over time. One day he felt a sudden pain in his chest and developed resistant hypoxia. Due to this, his oxygen level decreased significantly to 60% and he was put on a mechanical ventilator for oxygen support. He was then referred to Aster CMI Hospital. Upon arrival, his condition was evaluated, and he was put on ECMO support. He was kept on observation for three-four weeks for any signs of improvement in his lungs. Since his lungs were severely damaged, he needed a double lung transplant for survival.

A team of Critical-care Consultants, Pulmonologists, and Lung Transplant Surgeons at Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore consisting of Dr. Sandeep Attawar, Dr. V Arun, Dr. Srivatsa Lokeshwaran, Dr. Sunil Kumar K and Dr. Prakash Doraiswamy treated Dr. Sanath Kumar for three and half months, performed double lung transplant and gave him a new lease of life.

Explaining the challenges and complexities involved, Dr. Sandeep Attawar, Chair & Director of Thoracic organ transplants and Assist devices at KIMS Heart & Lung Transplant Institute, said, “A double lung transplant is a grueling surgery and was the only solution for Dr. Sanath, who experienced a life-threatening combination of lung damage caused by the covid-19 virus, an exaggerated immune response to it, and the body’s failure to properly repair the injury. Eventually, in the self-repair phase the deposition of yellow fibrotic scar tissue creates a liver-like densification that makes the lungs completely solid. This process of misdirected and inappropriate self-repair, irreversibly destroys the tiny alveolar air sacs through which gas exchange happens. Patients only survive to the fibrotic stage if they are intubated and at times transitioned to ECMO support. This harmful scarring can occur within a couple of weeks of viral pneumonia. What makes this surgery uniquely complex is the subset of patients that are forced to accept this option. They are intubated, deconditioned, nutritionally inadequate and suffer from airway and blood stream infections during their prolonged hospitalization. Treating these critically ill patients successfully with a double lung transplant, underlines the overall abilities of a high-quality transplant program.”

Dr. Sanath Kumar along with the treating doctors at Aster CMI
Dr. Sanath Kumar along with the treating doctors at Aster CMI

Dr. V Arun, Lead Consultant – Anaesthesia & Critical Care, Aster CMI Hospital, said, “Dr. Sanath’s case was both emotionally and clinically challenging. Being from the same fraternity working with COVID patients it was difficult to see a colleague whose lung damage had progressed so far. When he was referred to Aster CMI, he was intubated and was on 100% oxygen support but barely having enough oxygen in his bloodstream to survive. Within half an hour of his arrival we initiated ECMO support to help him oxygenate the rest of his body. Despite keeping him on ECMO and resting the lungs they continued to deteriorate. Long term ECMO with a bleak outlook was a difficult period for him and his family. A transplant was the last option. Luckily he remained stable over the next few weeks while we waited for a suitable donor match for him. We were able to find a suitable match after 4 weeks and he underwent lung transplant.”

Dr. Sunil Kumar K, Lead and Sr Consultant – Interventional Pulmonology & Transplant Physician at Aster CMI Hospital, said, “The transplant was successful with the help of highly skilled doctors and surgeons backed by the high-end medical equipment and infrastructure at Aster CMI. Usually, post-transplant infections and rejections are the major roadblocks for the successful outcomes. Thus, it was very important to comprehensively address each and every challenge. Dr. Sanath’s condition was closely monitored for a few weeks before we mobilized him out of the bed.”

Dr. Srivatsa Lokeshwaran, Consultant – Interventional Pulmonology, & Transplant Physician at Aster CMI Hospital said, “Increasingly, we are seeing patients with chronic lung disease who have no other option for survival and lung transplant has been a second life for patient with chronic lung disease. While waiting for the perfect match and donor, we kept Dr. Sanath on ECMO support to keep him alive. Luckily, he received a good pair of lungs which matched him perfectly. He endured the procedure well and recovered shortly and was discharged from the hospital with no complications,”

Dr. Prakash Doraiswamy, Sr. Consultant – Anaesthesia & Critical Care, Aster CMI Hospital, said, “After a prolonged treatment of three-and-a-half months at the hospital, Dr. Sanath slowly pulled through. The recovery journey was not easy as the amazing outcome was only possible by the absolute dedication of our nursing, physiotherapy and multi-disciplinary team consisting of Anesthetists and Intensivists, Pulmonologists and Transplant Surgical team in bringing him back to his feet.”

Thanking the doctors, Dr. Sanath Kumar said, “When I tested positive and started taking medicines, I thought I will recover soon. I had never imagined that I would suffer severely and end up having a lung transplant. I want to thank all the doctors, surgeons, nurses and other staff at Aster CMI for their support and giving me a second chance to live. I also want to extend my gratitude to my family who stood by me in this journey, without their help all of these would have not been possible.”

Post the transplant, Dr. Sanath stepped out of the hospital. He is at home now with his family but still needs to stay indoors in a secure environment to minimize the risk of catching infection again.

Health

Holi in times of second wave of the covid-19 virus – Why you should avoid gatherings during the festival and preventive measures which you can take

Mar 28, 2021 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #Aster CMI Hospital, #Consultant, #Dr. Brunda M S, #Internal Medicine

By Dr. Brunda M S, Consultant, Internal Medicine, Aster CMI Hospital

Holi, the much-awaited festival of colours is just around the corner. However, this year, as we are already witnessing the second wave of Covid-19 and once again in the month of March the corona cases are increasing at a faster pace, hence, people are strongly recommended to avoid participating in Holi celebrations and gatherings this year also.

Even though the excitement related to the festival will be diminished, in the current scenario, staying home and keeping everyone safe is the only key currently to restrict the transmission of the deadly virus.

As many of us are aware that the festival involves a lot of physical touch right from applying colours to greeting your loved ones with hugs, one cannot get away from Holi celebrations without coming in close contact with others. Hence, during the covid-pandemic, one’s indulgence in these activities can increase the risk factor of infection for everyone. Adding to this is the inevitable involvement of water-filled balloons and pichkaris (water sprinklers). Playing with water can worsen the health condition of any person down with the flu and can even cause pneumonia.

Therefore, while celebrating Holi this year, it is advisable that people adhere to the following precautions to keep themselves and their families safe –

  • Maintain at least 6 feet distance from a person who is coughing or sneezing to keep oneself safe
  • Avoid community gatherings in one’s society and nearby areas and limit the interaction with family
  • Follow proper hand hygiene and social distancing norms while stepping out
  • Ensure that the people visiting your house don’t have cough and cold
  • Do not remove your mask and dispose them properly after use
  • People who have recently returned from travel should strictly adhere to a 14-day quarantine period to restrict transmission
  • Have enough immunity boosting foods
  • Avoid hugs and handshakes and instead greet everyone with namaste on Holi to limit physical contact

Lastly, the public should be mindful that our efforts to bring back normalcy through increased vaccination can take a big hit because of Holi celebrations and community gatherings and hence should not get carried away with the festive cheer. It is strongly recommended that people who are above 60 years and children who are below 10 years of age with comorbidities should remain indoors and refrain themselves from participating in the festivities.

Holi is an annual event and can be celebrated next year also, however, lives lost during this time due to the covid-19 infection cannot be brought back. Therefore, ensuring the safety and security of one’s family members remains in one’s adherence to the preventive measures.