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Monsoon Health Tips

Jun 29th, 2021

Archive for June, 2021

Monsoon Health Tips

Tuesday, June 29th, 2021

It’s that time of the year again! The cool breezy monsoon winds, the soft drizzle, the heavy rains are here to refresh you. It is the best time to relish a hot cup of masala chai from your window or balcony as you admire nature. However, rains also mean jumping over dirty muddy puddles, water-logging, an increase in mosquitoes, frequent seasonal infections as well as food-borne diseases. The monsoon season gives mixed feelings to many and people share a love-hate relationship with it. While this season gives a much-needed break after the sweltering summer it is also known to bring along viral infections like flu, malaria, and dengue. Additionally, the high humidity can contribute to numerous skin diseases and fungal infections and aggravate chronic skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis.

Stay Healthy this Monsoon

The monsoon season is known to spread many infectious diseases. Follow these health tips to stay healthy this monsoon:

  • Eat more vegetables
    Avoid eating raw vegetables as they may contain bacteria and viruses which can lead to severe stomach infections, food poisoning, or diarrhoea. Boiled and steamed veggies are the healthiest options since they are high in proteins, fibre, and other nutrients.
  • Drink safe water
    Drinking water, even if mildly contaminated can cause serious health problems such as jaundice, typhoid, etc. Make it a habit to regularly boil your drinking water at home. When traveling, carry your own mineral water bottle instead of drinking water from unknown sources.
  • Avoid street foods
    The rainy season can make you crave hot and spicy street foods like samosas,  pakodas, chaat among other things. However, roadside vendors use contaminated ingredients and follow poor standards of hygiene leading to a variety of food-borne diseases and gastrointestinal infections.
  • Keeping mosquitoes at bay
    During the rainy season, water may get collected in small pools on the streets, lawns, terrace, etc. These spots become the breeding grounds for the mosquitoes that carry the risk of many serious diseases like dengue and malaria. Keep your surroundings clean, screen your windows and use mosquito repellents if required.
  • Have bitter foods
    Food such as bitter gourd, neem, fenugreek, or methi seeds can remove toxins and are essential for an individual to become healthy and strong. These foods are also high in vitamins and minerals like calcium and iron, and help boost your immunity.
  • Have more probiotics
    Consume more yogurt, buttermilk, homemade pickles. Probiotics contain good bacteria that support your gut health and make your digestive system stronger supporting nutrition absorption too.
  • Eat in moderation
    High humidity reduces the body’s ability to digest to its bare minimum, which is why most health professionals suggest avoiding heavy and oily snacks as they could lead to an upset stomach. The gut serves many essential roles in sustaining and protecting the overall health and wellness of your body. Eat light to reduce the risk of bloating, acidity, and indigestion
  • Keep your feet dry
    Dry your feet whenever they get wet and avoid wearing wet socks or wet shoes. Use anti-fungal talc to prevent the accumulation of sweat and moisture in skin folds. Diabetics must be extra careful as their skin is sensitive to fungal infections.
  • Have herbal tea
    Herbal tea made using a variety of herbs and spices like tulsi, cinnamon, ginger, etc is comforting during the rainy season. High in antioxidants, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties this warm and refreshing tea helps boost your immunity, keeps seasonal infections away and soothe your digestion.
  • Exercise regularly
    Many people use rain as an excuse not to exercise. However, they need it most during the monsoon as rigorous physical activity strengthens the immune system. Fix a regular indoor workout regime and stick to it.

Follow these health tips to maintain good health and stay safe this monsoon. Do not ignore minor health symptoms and speak to a doctor for further assistance. Self-medication can delay the process of a correct diagnosis and treatment. Please find below our website details for further information: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/

International Day of Yoga

Monday, June 21st, 2021

Yoga is an ancient form of exercise that entails physical postures, meditation, and deep breathing. It is highly beneficial in its ability to increase mind-body awareness and promote physical movement. This form of exercise helps rejuvenate the mind and spirit, tones the body, and maintains the health of your internal organs and hormonal system. Yoga asanas are one of the few physical exercises you can continue doing as you age. Always remember when it comes to yoga slowly and steadily aim at perfecting your poses, focus on how you do yoga rather than how much you do.

Health Benefits of Yoga

People across age groups and from all walks of life benefit from various yoga poses. A consistent practice offers a plethora of mental and physical health benefits. Here are the top benefits of yoga:

  • Improves flexibility 
    Stretching and moving your body in new ways will help you become more flexible, bringing a greater range of motion to tight muscles. Your hamstrings, back, shoulders, and hips should all get more flexible with time.
  • Boosts cardiac health
    Heart disease is the world’s top cause of death, and research suggests that daily yoga practice helps older persons with metabolic syndrome decrease cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity and high blood pressure.
  • Improves sleep
    Many people who practice yoga report that it helps them to sleep better and a large body of scientific evidence supports this claim. It helps fight insomnia and reduces incidents of troubled sleep.
  • Eases back pain
    Increased flexibility and strength can help prevent the causes of some types of back pain. As more and more people work and study from home and lead sedentary lifestyles lower back problems are becoming increasingly  common.
  • Builds strength
    Many yoga postures, such as balancing on one leg or holding yourself with your arms, require you to carry your body weight in novel and often difficult ways. Holding these poses for multiple breaths aids in the development of muscular strength and endurance.
  • Improves joint health
    Yoga requires low-impact motions that allow you to use your joints without damaging them. Yoga also strengthens the muscles that surround the joints, reducing the load on them.
  • Promotes better breathing
    Different types of breathing exercises in yoga help focus your attention and take deeper and longer breaths that help improve your respiratory health.
  • Boosts your mental health
    Yoga is a combination of exercise, meditation, relaxation and helps reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Yoga also teaches you how to meditate, focus on your breath and disengage from your thoughts helping your mind relax. This helps you cope better with stress.

Here is how yoga benefits people across gender and age:

Yoga for students

Practicing yoga is said to come with many benefits for both mental and physical health. Virtual learning has led to more and more students leading sedentary lifestyles that have caused increased incidents of stress, nervousness, indigestion, sleep disorders. Learning yoga at an early age helps students increase concentration levels, boosts their memory power, improves adaptability, and helps channelize their energies correctly. Here are 5 yoga exercises recommended for students:

  • Matsyasana (Fish pose)
  • Virasana (Hero pose)
  • Suryanamaskar (Sun salutations)
  • Bhramari pranayam (Bee breathing)
  • Vajrasana (Diamond or thunderbolt pose)

Yoga for women

Women experience various reproductive health concerns namely menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Yoga helps deal with these different life changes smoothly.

  • Menstruation – Several women experience some negative emotional, physical, or relational symptoms in the days prior to menses, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Mood changes, irritability, fatigue, bloating, and breast tenderness are common symptoms. Regular yoga practice helps alleviate discomfort associated with periods.
  • Childbirth (pregnancy and postpartum) – Research suggests that prenatal yoga helps decrease the perception of pain during labor, reduces physical discomfort during pregnancy and childbirth and improves the overall quality of life. Prenatal yoga has been associated with reduced risk of postpartum depression.
  • Menopause – The most common menopausal symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, pain, decreased libido, and mood swings, etc. Perimenopausal women often turn to yoga to reduce the unwanted side effects of menopausal symptoms. 5 poses yoga exercises recommended for women:
  • Adho mukha svanasana (Downward facing Dog)
  • Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I)
  • Malasana (Garland pose)
  • Utkata Konasana (Goddess Pose)
  • Navasana  (Boat pose)

Yoga for seniors

You are never too old to practice yoga and even get started with this form of exercise. For seniors who are looking for a safe, effective way to enhance their physical health and overall wellness, the stretching, breathing, and meditation practices of yoga are highly beneficial. Yoga helps strengthen your joints, improve balance and flexibility, lowers stress and promises better sleep. 5 poses yoga exercises recommended for seniors:

  • Trikonasana (Triangle pose)
  • Tadasana (Mountain pose)
  • Vrikshasana (Tree pose)
  • Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
  • Titli asana (Butterfly pose)

2021 International Day of Yoga focuses on the theme “Yoga for well-being”. As we struggle each day from the ups and downs of life and are still recovering from the impact of a pandemic physically and emotionally, yoga can be of immense help. Embrace yoga as a new way of life to stay healthy, fight various mental health challenges, and also help conquer fear and anxiety. Regular practice of yoga helps strengthen your body’s immune system that helps fight various infections.

World Blood Donor Day

Friday, June 11th, 2021

Imagine yourself in a medical emergency where finding the right blood group becomes crucial to survival of your loved one. There is no substitute for blood, it cannot be made or manufactured. Generous blood donors are the only source of blood for patients in need of a blood transfusion. This “World Donor day” let each one of us pledge to donate blood regularly. It is essential and helps keep the world pulsating by saving lives and improving other’s health. A healthy individual can donate blood every 3 months.

How Blood Donation helps?

  • Crucial during disasters or emergency situations.
  • Helps patients who lose blood during major surgeries.
  • People who have lost blood because of a gastrointestinal bleed.
  • Helps women who have serious complications during pregnancy or childbirth.
  • Is lifesaving for Cancer patients.
  • Is required for regular blood transfusions for thalassemia and sickle cell disease patients.

India relies heavily on transfusions due to a higher prevalence of blood-borne diseases. Our country is witness to 1200 road accidents every day and 60 million trauma induced surgeries are performed each year. The 230 million major operations, 331 million cancer-related procedures like chemotherapy and 10 million pregnancy complications require blood transfusion.

Who can Donate Blood?

Most people can give blood if they are in good health.

What makes you Eligible:

  • Any donor, who is healthy, fit, and not suffering from any transmittable diseases can donate blood.
  • Donors must be above 18 years of age and should weigh minimum 50 kgs.
  • The Donor’s Haemoglobin level must be 12.5 minimum.
  • Pulse rate must be between 50 to 100mm without any irregularities.
  • Should have normal blood pressure levels.
  • Body temperature should be normal.

What makes you Non-Eligible:

  • Patients of cardiac arrest, hypertension, kidney disease or epilepsy.
  • Consumption of alcohol within the last 24 hours.
  • Being HIV positive.
  • Having a cold, flu, sore throat, or any other infection.
  • Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers cannot donate blood.

Blood Donation: side effects

You may have some temporary side effects after donating blood, these include:

  • In case you have a bit of bleeding from the spot where you donated, raise your arm and apply pressure to that spot for a few minutes.
  • If you are feeling lightheaded, lie down for a few minutes until you feel better.
  • If you have bruising in that area, use an ice pack on it.
  • Hydrate yourself with more and more fluids for 24-48 hours after you donate blood.
  • Don’t work out or do any hard physical activity for 24 hours after giving blood.

Myths and facts
Donating blood is a simple, safe way to help save lives. Don’t let these myths stop you from donating blood. Also, if you have any particular medical condition speak to you doctor about your eligibility to donate blood instead of making assumptions. Donating blood provides a lifesaving gift. It’s a simple thing to do and can make a big difference in the lives of others. Here are some common myths about donating blood and the real facts:

Myth: Blood donation is painful.
Fact: The only pain you’ll feel is the quick prick of the needle when it is inserted. The area may be slightly sore afterward, but any discomfort you feel is minor compared to this noble deed of blood donation.

Myth: It is unsafe to donate blood with my medications.
Fact: Most medications do not interfere with the process of blood donation. However, it is best to speak to your doctor in advance to find out if you are eligible for blood donation.

Myth: Blood donation makes me weak.
Fact: Only about one pint of blood is collected. The average adult has approximately 10 pints of blood, and after donating, your body makes new blood to replenish what is lost. Keep yourself hydrated, your body will replace lost fluids within a few hours and the red and white blood cells in a few days.

Myth: I can contract HIV or other infections.
Fact: A new sterile needle is used each time and is then immediately discarded. Stringent infection control practices are being followed to make this process safe and ensure minimal risk of infection to the donor.

Myth: Diabetics cannot donate blood.
Fact: Having diabetes cholesterol does not disqualify you from donating blood, as long as you are otherwise healthy. However, you must ensure that your blood sugar levels are under control before a blood donation.

Donating blood in a pandemic is important than even before as India is facing a huge blood deficit. You can safely donate blood just as you step out for other tasks, make sure that you follow these precautions at all times:

  • Take an appointment to avoid crowds.
  • Practise double masking.
  • Carry a hand sanitizer and use it frequently.
  • Maintain social distancing while at the hospital/ clinic.

The Department of Transfusion Medicine at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital is equipped with cutting-edge technology and employs innovative processes for processing and screening of blood and its components. We understand your apprehensions for blood donation and maintain strict infection control practices throughout the entire process. Our team of doctors and nurses ensures the sterile use of equipments at all times and makes sure the patient feels comfortable. Call our Blood Bank on 022-30937293 to donate blood. For further information, please visit: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/transfusionmedicine/blooddonation.html

All About Brain Tumours

Tuesday, June 8th, 2021

The experience of you or a loved one going through a brain tumour diagnosis and treatment can be confusing, frightening, and isolating. However, advances in science, medical technology, and cutting-edge infrastructure have played a significant role in lowering the mortality rate of brain tumour patients and improving their quality of life. Early detection and timely treatment is the key towards efficient management of brain tumour. 

A brain tumour is an abnormal growth of cells inside the brain or skull; some are benign, while others are cancerous. Tumours can develop from the brain tissue itself (primary), or cancer can spread to the brain from elsewhere in the body (metastasis). Treatment options vary depending on the type, size, and location of the tumour. Treatment objectives may be curative or symptomatic. Many of the 120 types of brain tumours can be successfully treated if detected early.

Symptoms of Brain Tumour

Every person diagnosed with a brain tumour will have different symptoms and their own journey to a diagnosis. While some people do not develop symptoms that would indicate a tumour, others may have symptoms that worsen overtime eventually leading to a diagnosis. Here are some symptoms that need further investigation:

  • Cognitive or behavioural changes
  • Dizziness or unsteadiness
  • Double or blurred vision
  • Frequent headaches
  • Seizures
  • Weakness or paralysis

Types of Brain Tumour

Brain tumours are classified into:

  • Primary brain tumours include tumours that originate from the tissues of the brain or the brain’s immediate surroundings.
  • Secondary brain tumours start somewhere else in your body and travel to the brain. Lung, breast, kidney, colon, and skin cancers are among the most common cancers that spread to your brain.

Malignant and non-malignant Brain Ttumours

Benign brain tumours don’t have cancer cells. They grow slowly, are easily removed, and seldom spread to the surrounding brain tissue. They can be life-threatening depending on which section of the brain they occur in. Cancer cells can be seen in malignant brain tumours that grow quickly and have the ability to infiltrate healthy brain tissue and cause damage.

Brain Tumour Risk Factors

The cause of brain tumour is still largely unknown. Although some genetic conditions and environmental factors may contribute to the development of brain tumour and may increase your risk of having it. These include:

  • Gender: Certain cancers, like meningiomas, are twice as likely to develop in women, while medulloblastomas are more frequently found in males.
  • Age: The frequency of brain cancer increases with age, with more occurrences in individuals age 65 and older.
  • Compromised immune system: Some people with compromised immune systems have an increased risk of developing lymphomas of the brain.
  • Genetic links: Certain inherited conditions make you more prone to have brain tumours.
  • Chemical exposure: Exposure to certain industrial chemicals or solvents has been linked to an increased risk in developing brain cancer.
  • Previous radiation treatment: Exposure to radiation therapy, particularly at a young age, may increase the likelihood of developing brain cancer.

There is no defined way to prevent a brain tumour. However, you can reduce your risk of developing a brain tumour by avoiding environmental hazards such as smoking and excessive exposure to radiation.

Brain Tumour Treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

A brain tumour is a rare diagnosis, but if detected may cause immense emotional and physical discomfort to the patient. Our Centre for Neurosciences offers multi-disciplinary care and assists your brain tumour journey through diagnosis, treatment, follow-up visits and rehabilitation care. Our team of highly trained neurologists are well equipped with the most advanced imaging technology to help identity and diagnose your brain tumour with utmost accuracy. Our dedicated team of neurosurgeons, medical oncologists, neuroradiologists, paediatric oncologists and neurorehabilitation experts support our patients with all aspects of living with a brain tumour and is equipped with advanced treatment options. Our team of neorurosurgeons offer high-quality treatment options that include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, surgery, etc. Expert neurosurgeons at our Centre for Neurosciences have performed about 1375 brain tumour surgeries with positive results in the past. Our Centre for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation  understands the nuances of brain tumour and supports patients recovering from a surgery with the most advanced and trusted rehabilitation techniques. Our specialists also use the latest operative advances with navigation, stereotactic radiotherapy, awake surgery techniques, neurophysiology monitoring with MEP and SSEP to help deliver better outcomes. Here are some of the innovative technologies we use:

  • Cavitron Ultrasonic Aspirator (CUSA) – Increases safety and reduces operating time during a brain surgery.
  • NEURONAVIGATION SYSTEM – Guides neurosurgeons during brain tumour surgery for better surgical outcomes.
  • ZEISS OPMI Pentero Microscope – Provides neurosurgeons with more powerful magnification during brain tumour removal and resections.
  • 3T Magnetom trio – Utilizing shorter scan times and providing maximum patient comfort, this high field MRI offers high-end imaging results.
  • NOVALIS TX(Stereotactic Radiosurgery) – Used to treat brain tumours.
  • Leksel stereotactic system – Used in stereotactic biopsy of brain tumours and stereotactic radiosurgery.

For further information on our Centre for Neurosciences, please visit the below link: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_neurosciences.html

Stay Healthy & Fit as You Age

Tuesday, June 1st, 2021

Are you overwhelmed seeing your elderly parents?
Do they have mobility issues or medical conditions?
Do you think life could have been better for them?

Statistics suggest that India will have 330 million individuals aged 60 years and above by 2050, accounting for 18% of our total population. Medical professionals suggest that people who had good healthy habits when they were younger tend to become healthy seniors, but it is never too late. Good health habits can make a difference even to seniors who are prone to illness or have not made their health a priority in the past. Here are some insightful details to help navigate senior health.

Healthy Living Tips for Seniors

Your health tends to deteriorate as your age. However, with a positive attitude, better lifestyle choices and a healthy diet can help slow down the aging process and live better. Do share these healthy living tips with your parents and senior loved ones:

  • Be active more often
    Exercise reduces your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and some cancers. It also means that you will be healthier in your later years and will be less likely to develop dementia and other cognitive changes.
  • Improve your diet
    A healthy and balanced diet that is high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, and protein, and low in meat, sugar, and processed foods helps your cells function better and slows down aging.
  • Get quality sleep
    Sleep deprivation affects your memory, emotions, weight, and even your appearance. The older you get, the harder it can be to fall and stay asleep, but you still need the same amount of hours. Speak to your doctor for any sleep disorders.
  • Stop smoking
    Research suggests that quitting smoking reduces your risk of getting a heart attack and other chronic diseases. The earlier you quit, the better it is as smoking cessation decreases the risk of middle-aged smokers dying by almost half.
  • Focus on prevention
    Annual health checkups, cancer screenings, as well as screenings for diseases that run in the family must form a part of healthcare for the elderly. Seniors must consult their doctors from time to time and review their medications.
  • Care for your mental health
    Loneliness, particularly at this age, can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. Spend time socialising with family and friends, even if it means interacting virtually. Aside from that, doing crossword puzzles, sudoku, reading a book, and trying new hobbies all help to stimulate your mind and improve your mental health.
  • Screen for vision changes
    Seniors who wear glasses should have their prescriptions checked for changes and their eyes screened for health issues once a year. Their risk of accidental falls can be reduced considerably by wearing the proper glasses.
  • Be regular with dental checkups
    As you age dental cavities, as well as gum infections, may increase. These may be linked to serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Exercise Tips for Seniors

Irrespective of your age and physical condition, it’s never too late to start exercising and get fit. People tend to slow down and become more sedentary with age. You may feel discouraged by health problems, aches, and pains, or concerns about injuries or falls. As you grow older, an active lifestyle becomes more important than ever before. Here are some health benefits of exercise:

  • Maintain or lose weight – As your metabolism naturally slows with age, maintaining a healthy weight can become a challenge. Regular exercise helps increase your metabolism and build muscle mass, helping your body to burn more calories.
  • Reduce the impact of illness – People who exercise tend to have improved immune system, better digestion, reduced risk of heart disease, controlled blood pressure, and better bone health.
  • Enhance your flexibility, and balance – Exercise improves your strength, flexibility, and posture, which in turn can help with your balance and coordination, and reduce your risk of falls.
  • Improves your sleep – Quality sleep is vital for your overall health as you get older. Regular activity can help you fall asleep faster, sleep more deeply, and wake up feeling more energetic and refreshed.
  • Boost your mood and self-confidence – Exercise is a great stress reliever, and the endorphins released can help reduce feelings of sadness, depression, and anxiety. Being active and strong can also help you feel more confident.

Here are some ways to make your fitness routine fun and keep yourself motivated:

  • Use guided meditation.
  • Listen to music while exercising.
  • Meet a friend for a walk.
  • Walk or play fetch with a dog.
  • Play with your grandchildren.
  • Find an exercise buddy for daily workouts.

Always listen to your body and never over-exert yourself. Stop exercising immediately if you experience discomfort, pain, feel dizzy or short of breath. Start slowly and build up your exercise program little by little. Prevent injury and discomfort by warming up, cooling down, and keeping water handy.

Following a healthy lifestyle, investing in preventive healthcare, staying active and access to prompt medical attention can help you lead a happy and healthy life in your yesteryears. Doctors at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital are available to attend to all your medical concerns with utmost care and expertise. For further information, please visit:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com