Organ donation, why is it needed?

Just a few days back there was an article about a young boy’s family donating his organs when he was declared brain dead.

“Such a noble thought” we say! Indeed it is a very gracious deed. Organ donation is considered to be the highest form of charity, an act to give back to society. But what happens when it comes to us personally implementing the same thing?

How many of us have signed up for an organ donation if something untoward happens to us ?

Or, have you ever thought about it?

Why leave your family in a dilemma when certain decisions can be taken before hand?

13th of August 2016 is celebrated as Organ Donation Day in India. Various government organisations, NGOs and hospitals work towards spreading the awareness of this cause. They help to motivate people to donate organs as well as to understand the value of organ donation in the life of an individual.

Organ donation is the harvesting of an individual’s organs after he or she dies for the purpose of transplanting them into another person. The person who gives the organs is called a donor while a person who receives the organ is called a recipient. One can get a new life through the organ transplantation donated by someone.

Some things about Organ Donation:

• Anyone can be an organ donor irrespective of age, caste, religion, community, current or past medical condition. Children can also be organ donors after taking consent for organ donation from their parents.
• However certain diseases like active cancer, active HIV, active infection have restrictions. Patients suffering from Hepatitis B and C also have some limitations.
• Vital organs like heart, liver, kidneys, intestines, lungs, and pancreas can be donated only in case of ‘brain death’.
• However other tissues like corneas, heart valves, skin, bones etc can be donated only in case of natural death.

What is a national organ donor registry?

It is a nationally recognized enrolment procedure where people willing to donate their organs after death register themselves. The enrolment is done on a common online portal. This data is accessible to all the hospitals so that in case of brain death or head trauma cases the authorities can look up if the person is a registered organ donor.

Organ donation is the need of the hour! India is struggling with an acute shortage of organs. It is estimated that more than a million people suffer with end stage organ failure, but only a handful of 3,500 transplants are performed annually. At least 15 patients die every day waiting for organs and every 10 minutes a new name is added to this waiting list.

Let’s take a step towards humanity today by registering for organ donation. Click on the below link for further details:

https://organdonationday.in/index.php/

28th July is observed as World Hepatitis day. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. This year World Health Organisation has planned a global strategy this year to eliminate viral hepatitis by the year 2030. It aims to achieve elimination, spread awareness and increase diagnosis of the virus.

Why is the liver so important?

The liver is the largest gland in the human body. It is made up of thousands of lobules, each lobule consists of many hepatic cells which are the basic metabolic cells of the liver.

Some vital functions:

• Detoxification
• Stores vitamins A, D, K and B12 and minerals
• Protein synthesis (makes certain amino acids – the building blocks of proteins)
• The production of biochemical needed for digestion, such as bile
• Maintains proper levels of glucose in the blood and produces hormones
• Produces 80% of the body’s cholesterol
• Produces urea (the main substance of urine)

Hepatitis can heal on its own with no significant consequence or it can progress to scarring of the liver. Acute hepatitis lasts under six months, while chronic hepatitis lasts longer. Most liver damage is caused by 3 hepatitis viruses namely hepatitis A, B and C. However, hepatitis can also be caused by alcohol and some other toxins and infections, as well as from our own autoimmune process. About 250 million people globally are thought to be affected by hepatitis C, while 300 million people are thought to be carriers of hepatitis B.

Some acute phase symptoms:

• Diarrhoea and Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Mild fever
• Muscle or joint aches
• Nausea and vomiting
• Slight abdominal pain with weight loss

Some chronic phase symptoms:

• Circulation problems (only toxic/drug-induced hepatitis)
• Dark urine
• Dizziness and drowsiness
• Enlarged spleen (only alcoholic hepatitis)
• Headache (only toxic/drug-induced hepatitis)
• Itchy skin
• Light coloured faeces
• Yellow skin, whites of eyes, tongue

Different types of Hepatitis are explained below:

Hepatitis A & E

Transmission: Both are spread mainly through eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated by the faeces of an infected person.

Prevention: There is a vaccination for hepatitis A. Hepatitis E has a vaccine but it is not widely available. Maintaining good hygiene practices is a precautionary measure.

Treatment: As hepatitis A only causes acute hepatitis, the body is often able to clear the infection itself within a few weeks. There is no treatment for hepatitis E. However it is usually self-limiting.

Hepatitis B

Transmission: Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. It can be passed on from mother to child during childbirth.

Prevention: There is a vaccination that can prevent Hepatitis B. It is best to avoid sharing of needles, toothbrushes or razors with an infected person.

Treatment: There are a variety of antiviral drugs available which slow the replication of the virus and occasionally result in its clearance.

Hepatitis C & D

Transmission: Both are spread through contact with infected blood.

Prevention: There is no vaccination for hepatitis C. It is therefore necessary to reduce risk by avoiding sharing needles, toothbrushes and razors from an infected person. It is also wise to avoid getting tattoos or body piercings from unlicensed facilities.
Hepatitis D is only found in people who are already infected with the hepatitis B virus. So vaccination against Hepatitis B can help.

Treatment for C: Treatment for chronic hepatitis C aims to eradicate the virus. It often involves a use of combination medicines and there is an increasing use of potent antiviral drugs.

Treatment for D: Conditions may improve with administration of a-interferon, however no effective antiviral therapy is currently available for hepatitis D.

Correct diagnosis and early treatment of Hepatitis is crucial to save the liver from further damage. Consult our team of experts at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital for any Hepatitis related queries. Contact us anytime for emergencies and consultations We cater to all kind of patient issues minor and major. Please visit our website for further details:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/gastroenterology.html

Who can avoid hot Kanda bhaji or Kanda bhajiya, the most tempting snack of this season? This roadside delicacy is as dangerous as delicious.

The rains have brought a pleasant and cool climate for us. Rainy season not only makes us happy and romantic but also fires up our appetite, isn’t it? We love to snack on spicy and fried dishes this season. While you enjoy the heavenly combination of chai & pakodas in the rains, it’s important to take extra care of your health and avoid catching infections or diseases. Unhealthy eating habits and lack of hygiene can lead to stomach infections, diarrhea and digestive problems.

If you are at home and it starts pouring make yourself some crispy onion pakodas without thinking twice. Trust us that is a very good option as compared to eating at roadside stalls. Homemade food with fresh ingredients has no comparison to roadside food.

Why say “No” to street Onion Pakodas:

• Do you know what kind of oil is being used? It may be adulterated and unhealthy.
• How have the vegetables and spices been handled while food preparation?  The rainy season adds to breeding of bacterial and fungus contamination.
• The food you may be relishing, may have been exposed to flies and other pests if kept uncovered.
• Have you ever seen a vendor wear gloves or have access to clean water to wash his hands and utensils? The answer is mostly negative.
• Most of the vendors operating the stall lack adequate understanding of the basic safety and hygiene issues.
• The main reasons for microbial contamination are – unhygienic place of preparation of food, dirty utensils used, raw materials, inadequate solid waste management systems and the personal hygiene of the vendors.
• There have been cases where street food has been tested and high volumes of E. coli bacteria and faecal matter have been found.
• The bacterial pathogens commonly found in street eateries are Bacillus cereus (causes vomiting and diarrhoea), Clostridium perfringens (abdominal cramps and diarrhoea), Staphylococcus aureus (vomiting, appetite loss, abdominal cramps and mild fever), and Salmonella species (typhoid, food poisoning, irritation and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract).

Are you are experiencing digestive problems or other infections this season?
Sometimes home remedies and other precautions may not be enough. Visit us at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital for consultations or book an appointment at :

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/patients/makeanappointment.html

Be it an office snack break or an outing with friends, strictly say no to roadside Onion Pakodas. Eat healthy and be healthy this season!