World Stroke Day

A stroke occurs when a part of the brain loses its blood supply and stops working. This causes the part of the body that the injured brain controls to stop working. A stroke also is called a cerebrovascular accident, CVA, or “brain attack.”

The types of strokes include:

• Ischemic stroke (part of the brain loses blood flow)
• Hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding occurs within the brain)

Transient ischemic attack, TIA, or mini stroke -The stroke symptoms resolve within minutes, but may take up to 24 hours on their own without treatment. This is a warning sign that a stroke may occur in the near future.

From onset of symptoms, there is only a 3 to 4 1/2 hour window to use clot-busting drugs (thrombolytics) to try to restore blood supply to the affected part of the brain. Stroke is diagnosed by the patient’s symptoms, history, and blood and imaging tests. The prognosis and recovery for a person that has suffered a stroke depends upon the location of the injury to the brain.

Remember FAST if you think someone might be having a stroke:

• Face drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech difficulty
• Time to call emergency

A stroke is a medical emergency because strokes can lead to death or permanent disability. There are opportunities to treat ischemic strokes but that treatment needs to be started in the first few hours after the signs of a stroke begin. The patient, family, or bystanders, should call emergency medical services immediately if they suspect a stroke.

Risk factors of stroke:

Overall, the most common risk factors for stroke are:

• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol.
• Smoking.
• Diabetes.
• Family history.
• Age.

Heart conditions like atrial fibrillation, patent foramen ovale, and heart valve disease can also be the potential cause of stroke.

Stroke Symptoms and Signs:

The symptoms of a stroke vary depending upon the area of the brain affected by a lack of oxygen. All strokes involve symptoms that relate to impairment of nerve function. The symptoms typically arise suddenly and most commonly occur on one side of the body. Symptoms and signs of stroke can include:

• Acute change in level of consciousness or confusion.
• Acute onset of weakness or paralysis of half or part of the body
• Numbness of one half or part of the body
• Partial vision loss.
• Tingling or weakness.
• Headache, nausea, and vomiting.
• Double vision.
• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
• Difficulty with balance and vertigo.

Here are some Stroke Myths and facts:

• • Myth
  • Stroke cannot be prevented.
  • There is no treatment for stroke.
  • Stroke only affects the elderly.
  • Stroke recovery only happens for the first few months after a stroke.
  • Strokes are not hereditary.
• • Fact
  • Up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable.
  • At any sign of stroke call Emergency services, treatment may be available.
  • Stroke can happen to anyone at any time.
  • Stroke recovery is a lifelong process.
  • Family history of stroke increases your chance for stroke.

Prevent stroke attacks:

You can fight stroke on many fronts. Here are a few changes in your daily lifestyle to help prevent strokes:

• Know and control your blood pressure.
• Don’t smoke; stop if you do.
• Lose weight if needed.
• Become more active.
• Identify and manage atrial fibrillation.
• Be aggressive about treating a transient ischemic attack (TIA, or mini-stroke).
• Treat circulatory problems like peripheral artery disease, sickle cell disease, or severe anemia.
• Know and control your blood sugar and cholesterol.
• If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
• Adopt a healthy diet low in sodium and rich in potassium.
• Know the warning signs of stroke and respond immediately.

Is someone around you having a stroke attack? Call our Emergency department on 91-22-3091-9191. Act fast and contact our Stroke clinic immediately. Please find below link for more details:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicsatkh/strokeclinic.html

Breast cancer is spreading and increasing its presence day by day. It is becoming more and more important for women to be aware about breast cancer. Breast cancer symptoms vary widely — from lumps to swelling to skin changes — and many breast cancers have no obvious symptoms at all.

A recent study published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) declares that breast cancer is the most common cancer in India. It has outranked all other cancers with about 1.6 lakh new breast cancers detected every year. Sadly, breast cancer also ranks first in deaths due to all cancers. One in 25 women are at risk of developing breast cancer in India, only one out of two breast cancer patients make it beyond 5 years after treatment.

Breast cancer symptoms to watch for:

• swelling of all or part of the breast.
• skin irritation or dimpling.
• breast pain.
• nipple pain or the nipple turning inward.
• redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin.
• a nipple discharge other than breast milk.
• a lump in the underarm area.

These changes also can be signs of less serious conditions that are not cancerous, such as an infection or a cyst. If you notice anything unusual on your breast, consult your doctor. Make breast self-exam a part of your monthly health care routine.

Get yourself screened with mammograms regularly after 40 years. It doesn’t help prevent cancer, but it can help find cancer early when it’s most treatable. For most women, regular mammograms can begin at age 40, but specific recommendations vary by age and risk. You can have yearly mammograms from age 40 years to 55 years. Post 55 years mammograms can be done every other year.

More about Mammograms:

• Mammograms can save your life. Finding breast cancer early reduces your risk of dying from the disease by 25-30% or more. at high risk.
• Don’t be afraid. Mammography is a fast procedure (about 20 minutes), and discomfort is minimal for most women. The procedure is safe: there’s only a very tiny amount of radiation exposure from a mammogram.
• Bring your past mammogram films/results with you.
• Don’t wear deodorant or antiperspirant to your mammogram since these can show up on the film and interfere with the test results.
• Women should get a mammogram once a year beginning at age 40.If you’re at high risk of breast cancer, have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or have had radiation treatment to the chest in the past, it’s recommended that you start having annual mammograms at a younger age (often beginning around age 30).

Prevent Breast cancer:

• Keep Weight in Check – Being overweight can increase the risk of many different cancers, including breast cancer, especially after menopause.
• Be Physically Active – Women who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise is also one of the best ways to help keep weight in check.
• Eat Your Fruits & Vegetables – and Avoid Too Much Alcohol

  A healthy diet can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Try to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and keep alcohol at moderate levels or lower (a drink a day or under). If you don’t drink, don’t feel you need to start.

• Don’t Smoke – On top of lowering quality of life and increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke, smoking is also responsible for at least 15 cancers including breast cancer.
• Breastfeed – Breastfeeding for a total of one year or more lowers the risk of breast cancer. It also has great health benefits for the child.
• Avoid Birth Control Pills – Birth control pills have both risks than benefits. The younger a woman is, the lower the risks are. While women are taking birth control pills, they have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer especially after 35 years of age.
• Avoid Post-Menopausal Hormones – Post-menopausal hormones shouldn’t be taken long term to prevent chronic diseases. They highly increase your risk of breast cancer.

Eat healthy, reduce your risk of Breast Cancer:

No specific food can cause or prevent breast cancer. However, dietary guidelines may help you reduce your overall breast cancer risk. Include these in your diet:

• Green tea – Green tea is high in polyphenol and catechins. These antioxidants may help protect cells from DNA damage caused by free radicals.
• Pomegranate juice – Pomegranate juice, which is derived from its seed pulp, also contains polyphenols. Pomegranate juice has the potential to be a preventive tool for certain cancers, including breast cancer.
• Berries – Berries, such as blueberries, strawberries, and black raspberries, contain high amounts of polyphenols, which may have anticancer properties. They’re also high in antioxidants, such as vitamin C.
• Plums and peaches – The polyphenols found in plums and peaches may help prevent breast cancer cells from forming and later multiplying. Evidence suggests the polyphenols help kill cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells alone.
• Cruciferous vegetables – These vegetables are typically rich in antioxidant vitamins, such as C, E, and K, and are high in fiber. Cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates, a type of chemical which has cancer-fighting properties. Some examples are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, arugula, brussel sprouts.
• Dark, leafy green vegetables – The darker the green, the denser the nutrition. Greens are typically high in antioxidants and fiber, which may make them potent anticancer tools. Spinach, collard, mustard, turnip, beet greens are some good options.
• Apigenin – Apigenin is a flavonoid found in certain fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Because apigenin is an antioxidant, these foods may have anti-inflammatory properties. Herbs like parsley, celery, basil, orgenao, thyme, coriander include this.
• Lignans and saponins – Lignans and saponins are polyphenols and may have anticancer properties. They’re often found in beans like lentils, split peas, kidney beans.
• Capsaicin -Both dried and fresh chilli peppers contain capsaicin. The hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin it has. Research suggests that capsaicin may prevent the growth and spread of malignant cells in some people with breast cancer.
• Turmeric – Our popular spice turmeric contains curcumin, a substance with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It helps decrease the toxic effects of certain breast cancer cells and can potentially inhibit cancer cell growth.

Being aware of breast cancer is important. As you age get yourself screened regularly. Talk to experts at our Breast clinic for more information about Breast cancer and to know if you are at risk. Please find below website link:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicsatkh/breastclinic.html

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. As a result, bones become weak and may break from a fall or even by minor bumps. Osteoporosis means porous bones. Osteoporotic bones have lost density or mass and contain abnormal tissue structure. As bones become less dense, they weaken and are more likely to break. World Osteoporosis Day, 20th October is dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.

Fracture, the most common early symptom:

You may have a fragility-related fracture before you are diagnosed with bone loss or osteoporosis. This means that your wrist, back, hip, or another bone is fractured as a result of a mild to moderate trauma, such as falling from below your standing height. Mild impact caused by tripping, falling, or hitting an object that might not have fractured or broken a bone in previous years can cause future fractures when you develop bone loss or osteoporosis.

Other early signs of Osteoporosis:

• A loss of height or change in posture, such as stooping over, can be signs that you might have osteoporosis.
• If you have a height loss of more than two inches or you have curvature of the spine, ask your doctor.
• High levels of serum calcium or alkaline phosphatase on a blood test
• Bone mineral density results showing a T-score of -2.5 or less.
• Vitamin D deficiency.
• Difficulty getting up from a chair without using your arms to push.
• Joint or muscle aches.

Who should get screened?

Men and women older than 50 should talk to their doctor about Osteoporosis. Any adult who has had a fracture after age 50 needs to get their bone density checked. Bone loss begins without noticeable symptoms hence screening is required.

How to reduce your risk of osteoporosis:

• Exercise regularly: Exercise, particularly weight-bearing exercises like walking, is important for good bone health. Balance training can also help prevent falls which is a leading cause of fractures. People who already have osteoporosis should avoid forward-bending of the spine, or exercises that involve twisting or jerking of the spine, and should consult with a physical therapist regarding appropriate exercises.
• Smoking: Smoking is a risk factor for osteoporosis, and quitting is necessary for overall good health, including bone health.
• Limit alcohol consumption: Consuming alcohol is another risk factor for osteoporosis, so limiting alcohol consumption is important.
• Calcium supplements: From the age of 40, through menopause and into old age, women should also consider taking calcium supplements on a regular basis to keep their bones strong and elastic to prevent fractures.
• Concentrate on Vitamin K: Kale, spinach, collards, chard, turnip greens, and other dark leafy greens are rich in vitamin K. Vitamin K improves bone health and helps slow down bone loss after menopause in women.

Osteoporosis, are you at risk:

• Age. Your bone density peaks around age 30. After that, you’ll begin to lose bone mass. So that’s all the more reason to do strength training and weight-bearing exercise — and make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D from your diet — to keep your bones as strong as possible as you get older.
• Gender. Women over the age of 50 are the most likely people to develop osteoporosis. The condition is 4 times as likely in women than men.
• Family history. If your parents or grandparents have had any signs of osteoporosis, such as a fractured hip after a minor fall, you may be more likely to get it, too.
• Bone structure and body weight. Petite and thin women have a greater chance of developing osteoporosis. One reason is that they have less bone to lose than women with more body weight and larger frames.
• Broken bones. If you’ve had fractures before, your bones may not be as strong.
• Certain diseases. Some diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis raise the odds that you’ll get osteoporosis.
• Some medications. Certain prescription medications taken for long durations can also boost your odds of getting osteoporosis.
• Smoking. It’s bad for your bones. To lower your risk of osteoporosis and fractures — and many other health problems quit smoking.
• Alcohol. Heavy drinking can lead to thinning of the bones and make fractures more likely.

Do you or a family member have any symptoms of Osteoporosis? Get it checked today itself without any delay. Consult our experts at the Osteoporosis Clinic at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. Please find below link:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicsatkh/osteoporosisclinic.html

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. It can affect one joint or multiple joints. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, with different causes and treatment methods. Two of the most common types are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It’s important to be accurately diagnosed and know what type of arthritis you have to get the appropriate treatment.

Arthritis affects more than 180 million people in India – higher than many well-known diseases such as diabetes, AIDS and cancer. Arthritis is one of the most common causes of joint pain. Keep an eye for the early signs of arthritis as arthritis worsens over a period of time.

Symptoms of Arthritis:

• Joint Pain – The most common symptom of arthritis is joint pain, and this is the reason most people seek medical care for their arthritis. The type of pain can vary depending on the type of arthritis and the severity of the condition. Most people who have arthritis describe an aching pain in the joint that is worsened by activity and relieved by rest.
• Joint Swelling – Swelling of a joint can occur with many conditions, but the most common cause of joint swelling is arthritis. The second most common cause of swelling is an injury to the joint. So if no injury has occurred, it is likely that the swelling is due to arthritis.
• Stiffness of Joints – People who have arthritis almost always feel stiffness in their joints. You can check your joint motion by comparing it to the joint on the opposite side. Stiffness is usually worse in the morning or after long periods of sitting in one position. As the joint moves with activity, it usually loosens a bit.
• Deformity of Joints – As joint cartilage is worn away by arthritis, the extremity may take on a deformed appearance. This is often seen in the hands as crooked fingers. In the knee joint, people with arthritis may develop a knock-kneed or bow-legged appearance.
• Grinding Sensations – As joint cartilage is worn away, the smooth lining covering the rough bone is lost. When the bone is exposed, the joint may not move smoothly. You may feel or even hear a grinding sensation.
• Lumps and Bumps Around Joints – Arthritis can cause the formation of pockets of fluid (mucous cysts) or bone spurs. These are felt as knobby protuberances around the joint. They may or may not be sensitive to the touch, but they do give a lumpy appearance to the joint.
• Joint Tenderness – Joints that are arthritic are tender to the touch. Pressing around the joint and having an elicit pain is a reasonable indication that the joint is inflamed, and that it may have underlying arthritis.
• Warm/Red Joints – Joint inflammation can lead to symptoms of joint redness and warmth.

Some facts about Arthritis:

• Arthritis can affect children too. Arthritis is often thought of as an age disease that commonly affects the elderly. However, people of all ages may be affected, even children.
• Rheumatoid arthritis isn’t a type of arthritis related to old age, it usually develops in people between the ages of 40 and 60.
• Arthritis is three to four times more common amongst women as compared to men, especially older women.
• Patients suffering from arthritis symptoms, such pain and stiffness, often do not get adequate exercise due to increased levels of pain. This may lead to other lifestyle diseases like diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

Arthritis and food:

Following a healthy diet and adding in specific foods and spices could help fight inflammation and joint pain of Arthritis. Here are some suggested foods:

• Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. These veggies are part of the cruciferous family, and they are full of a compound called sulforaphane, which helps slow cartilage damage in joints due to osteoarthritis.
• Fatty fish. Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, trout and mackerel are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight inflammation.
• Garlic. Garlic is a member of the allium family—which also includes onions and leeks. These items contain a compound called diallyl disulfide that may help with a number of diseases—including arthritis. This compound helpps limit cartilage-damaging enzymes.
• Turmeric. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, that is beneficial to manage chronic inflammatory-related joint disease.
• Vitamin C. Antioxidants in vitamin C may slow the progression of osteoarthritis. You can get vitamin C from strawberries, kiwi, pineapple, or cantaloupe.

Living with Arthritis

Arthritis is a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide. Here are some do’s and don’ts about how to handle arthritis pain.

1. Everyday routine

• Keep your joints moving. Do daily, gentle stretches that move your joints through their full range of motion.
• Use good posture. A physical therapist can show you how to sit, stand and move correctly.
• Know your limits. Balance activity and rest, and don’t overdo. In addition, lifestyle changes are important for easing pain.
• Manage weight. Being overweight can increase complications of arthritis and contribute to arthritis pain. Making incremental, permanent lifestyle changes resulting in gradual weight loss is often the most effective method of weight management.
• Quit smoking. Smoking causes stress on connective tissues, which can increase arthritis pain.

2. Exercise

When you have arthritis, movement can decrease your pain and stiffness, improve your range of motion, strengthen your muscles, and increase your endurance.

What to do

Choose the right kinds of activities — those that build the muscles around your joints but don’t damage the joints themselves. Seek professional help if needed.

What to avoid

Avoid activities that involve high impact and repetitive motion, such as:

• Running
• Jumping
• Tennis
• High-impact aerobics
• Repeating the same movement, such as a tennis serve, again and again.

Do you know anyone suffering from Arthritis? Consult our team of specialists at the Centre for Bone and Joint. Please find below link for more details:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_bonejoint.html

Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. It can be a devastating discovery for the patient. Sadly, no one knows the exact causes of breast cancer. Doctors seldom know why one woman develops breast cancer and another doesn’t, and most women who have breast cancer will never be able to pinpoint an exact cause. What is certain is that breast cancer is always caused by damage to a cell’s DNA.

Facts About Breast Cancer

• One in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
• Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women.
• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women.
• Breast cancer can often relapse after complete cure, and is called recurrence.
• Although breast cancer is less common in men, a small percent of men suffer from breast cancer.

Tumours

A tumour is a mass of abnormal tissue. There are two types of tumours: those that are non-cancerous, or ‘benign’, and those that are cancerous, which are ‘malignant’.

1. Benign Tumours

When a tumour is diagnosed as benign, doctors will usually leave it alone rather than remove it. Occasionally they may continue to grow, pressing on organs and causing pain or other problems. In these situations, the tumour is removed, allowing pain or complications to subside.

2. Malignant tumours

Malignant tumours are cancerous and aggressive because they invade and damage surrounding tissue. When a tumour is suspected to be malignant, the doctor will perform a biopsy to determine the severity or aggressiveness of the tumour.

3. Metastatic cancer

Metastatic cancer is when cancer cells of a malignant tumour spread to other parts of the body, usually through the lymph system, and form a secondary tumour.

When dealing with breast cancer, tumours are often graded based on a scale of one to three indicating how aggressive the cancerous cells are:

• Low grade (1) – Well-differentiated.
• Intermediate grade (2) – Moderately differentiated.
• High grade (3) – Poorly differentiated.

Breast cancer tumour grades are not to be confused with cancer stages. Tumour grades help to determine the best treatment plan, and in general, a lower grade tumour means a better chance for a full recovery. However, there are individuals who make full recoveries at every stage and with even the highest grades of aggressive tumours.

Risk Factors:

Here are some of the risk factors of breast cancer.

Risk Factors You Cannot Change:

• Getting older. The risk for breast cancer increases with age; most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50.
• Genetic mutations. Inherited changes (mutations) to certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. Women who have inherited these genetic changes are at a higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
• Reproductive history. Early menstrual periods before age 12 and starting menopause after age 55 expose women to hormones longer, raising their risk of getting breast cancer.
• Having dense breasts. Dense breasts have more connective tissue than fatty tissue, which can sometimes make it hard to see tumours on a mammogram. Women with dense breasts are more likely to get breast cancer.
• Personal history of breast cancer or certain non-cancerous breast diseases. Women who have had breast cancer are more likely to get breast cancer a second time. Some non-cancerous breast diseases such as atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ are associated with a higher risk of getting breast cancer.
• Family history of breast cancer. A woman’s risk for breast cancer is higher if she has a mother, sister, or daughter (first-degree relative) or multiple family members on either her mother’s or father’s side of the family who have had breast cancer.
• Previous treatment using radiation therapy. Women who had radiation therapy to the chest or breasts before age 30 have a higher risk of getting breast cancer later in life.

Risk Factors You Can Change:

• Not being physically active. Women who are not physically active have a higher risk of getting breast cancer.
• Being overweight or obese after menopause. Older women who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of getting breast cancer than those at a normal weight.
• Taking hormones. Some forms of hormone replacement therapy (those that include both estrogen and progesterone) taken during menopause can raise the risk for breast cancer when taken for more than five years. Certain oral contraceptives (birth control pills) also have been found to raise breast cancer risk.
• Reproductive history. Having the first pregnancy after age 30, not breastfeeding, and never having a full-term pregnancy can raise breast cancer risk.
• Drinking alcohol. Studies show that a woman’s risk for breast cancer increases with the more alcohol she drinks.

Types of breast cancer:

Breast cancer can begin in different areas of the breast — the ducts, the lobules, or in some cases, the tissue in between. In this section, you can learn about the different types of breast cancer, including non-invasive, invasive, and metastatic breast cancers, as well as the intrinsic or molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Here are some types:

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) is a non-invasive breast cancer where abnormal cells have been contained in the lining of the breast milk duct.

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma means that abnormal cells that originated in the lining of the breast milk duct have invaded surrounding tissue.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Triple negative breast cancer means that the cells in the tumour are negative for progesterone, estrogen, and HER2/neu receptors.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer is a less common form of breast cancer that may not develop a tumour and often affects the skin.

Metastatic Breast Cancer

Metastatic breast cancer is cancer that has spread beyond the breast, sometimes into the lungs, bones, or brain.

Breast Cancer During Pregnancy

Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy may face tremendous additional strain due to concern for the safety of the unborn child.

Other Types

Less common types of breast cancer include Medullary Carcinoma, Tubular Carcinoma, and Mucinous Carcinoma.

Is anyone you know suffering from Breast cancer? Consult our team of specialists at the exclusive Breast Clinic at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. Our experienced team provides accurate diagnosis with the best possible treatment options. Please find below website link:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicsatkh/breastclinic.html