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Healthy you = Healthy nation

Jan 26th, 2020

Archive for January, 2020

Healthy you = Healthy nation

Sunday, January 26th, 2020

Are you healthy?

Are you happy?

Is your poor health hampering your professional life?

Chronic diseases and ailments can affect your performance at work, lead to poor concentration and may add to your sick leaves. A good physical and mental health makes an important contribution to the economic progress of the nation. Healthy populations live longer, are more productive, and save more.

India stands to lose $4.58 trillion due to non-communicable diseases and mental disorders between 2012 and 2030, an amount more than double India’s annual GDP, according to a report. Out of this, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) will account for $2.17 trillion and mental health conditions $1.03 trillion for the majority of the economic loss. This report has been released by the World Economic Forum and the Harvard School of Public Health.

Why is India unhealthy?

Unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, air pollution, harmful use of alcohol and tobacco consumption, lack of awareness is the main reason behind the development of NCDs. A non-communicable disease (NCD) is a disease that is not transmissible directly from one person to another. NCDs include most cancers, heart diseases, Parkinson’s disease, autoimmune diseases, strokes, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts, and others. World Health Organization estimates that an estimated 60 per cent of all deaths in India are due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Top 10 killers in India

The latest Global Burden of Disease study lists ailments that are triggering most deaths and disabilities in India. Here is the list:

1. Heart Disease causes 17.8% of all deaths.

Cases of heart attacks are increasing day by day and an increasing number of cases are affecting younger people.

2. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) causes 8.66% of all deaths.

The human lungs have a holding capacity of 3.5 litres. After 30 years of age, it declines by 10-30 ml per year, if a person does not exercise. However, in COPD patients, it declines faster, almost 100 ml per year which harms the functioning of your lungs. 

3. Diarrhoea causes 7.94% of all deaths.

Diarrhoea kills just a little less than COPD. In all age groups, it is the third-largest killer in India. 

4. Cerebrovascular diseases cause 7.09% of all deaths

This includes neurological diseases like brain strokes and cases of internal bleeding.

5. Cancer causes 6% of all deaths.

According to WHO, India has a cancer mortality rate of 79 per 100,000 deaths and accounts for over 6 percent of total deaths.

6. Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRI) cause 5.06% of all deaths.

These include pneumonia and influenza infections. Antibiotics often prove ineffective in today’s drug-resistant strains. This disease strikes the old and young alike.

7. Tuberculosis (TB) causes 4.45% of all deaths.

Cases of Tuberculosis are often misdiagnosed and not treated appropriately which leads to many deaths by TB.

8. Diabetes causes 3.11% of all deaths.

India has an estimated number of 6.5 crore diabetics. Uncontrolled blood sugar leads to many diabetes complications like and may damage your retina, kidneys, nerves, and arteries. A diabetic lives 7-8 years less than a normal person.

9. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) causes 2.39% of all deaths.

The reason CKD is such a huge problem is that there is a very high incidence of obesity and hypertension in our country. These are major risk factors for CKD.

10. Suicide causes 2.35% of all deaths.

Of eight lakh suicides across the world annually, 1,35,000 are from India.

Tips to stay healthy 

As we celebrate our 71st Republic day on this 26th January 2020, let us commit to making some healthy lifestyle changes in our life. A healthy population means a healthy country and it goes a long way in contributing to the economic growth of the country. Here are a few tips to maintain optimum health and minimize your risk of diseases:

  1. Quit smoking.
  2. Eat healthy.
  3. Exercise regularly.
  4. Manage your blood sugar levels.
  5. Limit alcohol intake.
  6. Say no to junk food.
  7. Stay hydrated.
  8. Monitor your blood pressure level.
  9. Check your cholesterol levels.
  10. Maintain personal hygiene.

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital completes 11 years of offering expert medical care in Mumbai on 26th January 2020. We have been ranked no. 1 fourth time in a row as the best multispecialty hospital in Mumbai and western India. We are the only hospital in Mumbai with a Full Time Specialist System (FTSS) ensuring easy availability and access to dedicated specialists. Our hospital is equipped with state of the art infrastructure and world-class technology that helps deliver consistent and safe patient care. Feel free to get in touch with our medical experts for any health-related issues, diagnosis and treatment options. Please find below link of our website for more details: www.kokilabenhospital.com

Living heart healthy

Friday, January 24th, 2020

Our heart works beat by beat, second by second for 24 hours a day, never resting. Over the average lifetime, our heart beats about 2.5 billion times, pushing millions of gallons of blood to every part of the body. This steady flow carries with it oxygen, fuel, hormones, other compounds, and a host of essential cells. When the heart stops, essential functions fail, some almost instantly.

The most common cardiac problem is atherosclerosis. This is the accumulation of pockets of cholesterol-rich gunk inside the arteries. These pockets, called plaque, can limit blood flow through arteries that nourish the heart — the coronary arteries — and other arteries throughout the body. When a plaque breaks apart, it may cause a heart attack or stroke. A healthy lifestyle, especially when started at a young age, helps prevent cardiovascular diseases. Lifestyle changes and medications can nip heart-harming trends, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, in the bud before they cause damage.

Reduce your risk of Heart disease:

Apart from the hereditary factors which are not in your control, here are a few ways to improve your lifestyle and minimize your risk of heart disease:

1. Get moving.
Step one of a heart-healthy plan is to make time for physical activity. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends being active for at least 30 minutes each day. Regular exercise helps speed up weight loss, which is important as obesity can increase the risk of heart disease.

2. Quit smoking.
Smoking cigarettes raises your risk of developing heart disease by two to four times as it causes plaque build-up and hardened arteries, both of which make your heart work harder.

3. Manage stress.
Stress causes strain on the heart, which creates a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Exercise or practice meditation can help you keep stress in check.

4. Maintain a healthy weight.
Obesity can increase the risk for heart disease even if you have no other risk factors. Maintaining a healthy weight is important to protect your heart from damage or fatigue. When your weight is in a healthy range, your blood circulates more effectively and necessary fluid levels are managed, preventing strain on your heart.

5. Eat a healthy diet.
The foods you eat play a huge role in whether you gain too much weight and develop high cholesterol, both of which can increase your risk for heart disease. To prevent or manage high cholesterol, steer clear of foods that are high in saturated fats — such as processed foods, and desserts like packaged cookies, cakes, and candies. The fat in these foods raises levels of bad cholesterol, which can lead to plaque in your arteries. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables daily.

6. Manage high blood pressure.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is one of the most deceptive risk factors for heart disease because there aren’t any physical symptoms — you need to have your blood pressure checked to know if you’re in the heart-healthy range. Left untreated, high blood pressure can cause damage to arteries and organs like the heart.

7. Manage high cholesterol.
High cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the “bad” cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the “good” cholesterol. Too much bad cholesterol and not enough good cholesterol can result in plaque building up on the walls of arteries. Over time, arteries harden and become narrower, which can lead to heart disease.

8. Control diabetes.
Diabetes is an example of how one health condition can start a chain reaction of other medical issues, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. More than 65 percent of people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.

Eat Heart Healthy

Eating a varied diet of healthy foods can help with your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol. Here are a few changes to make to your diet to help prevent heart disease:

  • Eat less salt: Reducing your salt intake is good for your blood pressure.
  • Replace unhealthy fats with healthy fats: Replacing saturated and trans fats with unsaturated fats can reduce your risk of heart disease.
  • Limit alcohol: Read about alcohol recommendations and tips for cutting down on out.
  • Eat a rainbow: Include fruits and vegetables of various colours in your diet.
  • Eat whole grains: Choose whole grains over refined grains.
Prevent Heart disease

Heart disease is the #1 cause of death globally. The 3 major risk factors for heart disease are high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking. Preventing high blood cholesterol begins with understanding your risk. Get yourself and your family regularly screened for these crucial numbers.

Consult our expert cardiologists at our Centre for Cardiac Sciences to know more about preventative heart care and about cardiac health check-up. Please find the below link for more details:

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

Keeping Healthy In 2020!

Friday, January 24th, 2020

Start this decade on a fresh note. Change old habits, quit the bad ones, adapt a healthy lifestyle and choose to eat better. This new year find a new you. If you want a fitter body and a healthier self, you need to focus on your health and make small changes in every part of your life. Take charge of your health and see the difference in a few months.

Did you know?
  • The frequency of coronary heart disease in young Indians is 15-18% higher than in any other population group globally.
  • 10% to 15% of strokes in Indians occur in people below the age of 40 years.
  • 135 million Indians are affected by overweight and obesity.

A healthy lifestyle is extremely important to control the risk of chronic diseases. This new year decide to lead a healthy life to control the risk of diseases. Make your health your priority this new year. Here are 20 things to do in 2020 to be healthy:

1. Start a fitness routine that you enjoy

Find an exercise routine or join a class of your choice. This ensures you will be regular at your workout regime. It is recommended to exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.

2. Take care of your digestive health

Your digestive system is something that needs utmost care. Address issues of bloating, stomach ache or discomfort. Have probiotics like curd to ensure your gut bacteria levels are in a normal range.

3. Have more fruits and vegetables

Cover half of your plate with fruits and vegetables. They should occupy more space than pasta, rice, or potatoes.

4. Get more quality sleep

Lack of sleep may increase your risk of weight gain, heart disease, and depression. Maintain a timely schedule to improve sleep quantity and quality.

5. Eat smart while dining out

Stay away from deep fried dishes, instead choose to have grilled or baked foods. Avoid dishes that are full of cheese.

6. Eat a healthy diet

Eat a combination of different foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains. Limit your intake of refined foods like maida and bread.

7. Consume less salt and sugar

Reduce your salt intake to 5g per day, equivalent to about one teaspoon. Limit intake of processed foods as they contain high amounts of sodium.

Consuming excessive amounts of sugar increases the risk of tooth decay and unhealthy weight gain. Limit sugary snacks, candies, desserts and sugar-sweetened beverages.

8. Reduce intake of harmful fats

Fats consumed should be less than 30% of your total energy intake. This will help prevent unhealthy weight gain and chronic diseases. There are different types of fats, but unsaturated fats are preferable over saturated fats and trans-fats.

9. Avoid alcohol

There is no safe level for drinking alcohol. Consuming alcohol can lead to health problems such as mental and behavioural disorders, including alcohol dependence, heart disease, liver cirrhosis, some cancers and heart diseases. Say no to alcohol.

10. Don’t smoke

Smoking tobacco causes non-communicable diseases such as lung disease, heart disease and stroke. Tobacco kills not only the direct smokers but even non-smokers through second-hand exposure..

11. Check your blood pressure regularly

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is called a “silent killer”. This is because many people who have hypertension may not be aware of the problem as it may not have any symptoms. If left uncontrolled, hypertension can lead to heart, brain, kidney and other diseases.

12. Get vaccinated

Vaccines are for children as well as adults. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent diseases. Vaccines work with your body’s natural defences to build protection against diseases like cervical cancer, diphtheria, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, pneumonia, polio, tetanus, typhoid, etc.

13. Practice safe sex

Looking after your sexual health is important for your overall health and well-being. Use contraceptives to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

14. Stay hydrated

Drinking more water will help your body absorb more body fluids effectively. Make a habit of drinking 2-3 liters of water every day this year.

15. Speak up

Depression is a common Illness worldwide with over 260 million people affected. It might make you think about negative and disturbing thoughts and may make you feel low. Talk to someone you trust such as a family member, friend, colleague or seek professional counselling.

16. Take antibiotics only as prescribed

Make sure you only take antibiotics if prescribed by a qualified health professional. And once prescribed, complete the treatment days as instructed. Never share antibiotics.

17. Clean your hands properly

Hand hygiene is critical for everyone. Clean hands can prevent the spread of infectious illnesses. You must wash your hands using soap and water before meals, after coming home from outside as well as after using the toilet.

18. Ensure your food is safe

Unsafe food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances can lead to food poisoning. Check expiry dates before buying packaged foods. If you are cooking, make sure you maintain cleanliness, cook thoroughly, use safe water and ingredients.

19. Have regular check-ups

Regular check-ups can help find health problems before they start. Health professionals can help find and diagnose health issues early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better.

20. Limit Screen Time

Spending too much time on electronic devices – particularly on social media — has been linked to depression, anxiety, and loneliness in some studies. Set a resolution to cut back on the time you spend scrolling through social media, watching TV, or playing games on screens.

Here’s wishing a Happy and Healthy 2020 to all!

We at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital are committed to support you in your health journey. From health check-ups, to cardiac diseases, to nutrition, to counseling, to cancer care we have various departments that cater to all health issues.