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Managing Psoriasis

Managing Psoriasis

Aug 30th, 2021

Archive for August, 2021

Managing Psoriasis

Monday, August 30th, 2021

Psoriasis is a skin condition in which the skin cells develop up to ten times faster than normal. The skin develops rough red spots covered with white scales as a result of this. Psoriasis is a papulosquamous skin disease with a wide range of appearance, severity, and duration. It affects 0.44 to 2.8 percent of the population in India and 1.5 percent to 3 percent of the population worldwide. Early adulthood is when psoriasis commonly emerges. It affects only a few locations for most people and usually appears on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. However, it can cover vast areas of the body in severe cases. The patches can heal and reappear at any time during a person’s life. Psoriasis significantly impairs the quality of life of patients and their families resulting in immense physical, emotional, and social burden

Symptoms of Psoriasis

The symptoms of psoriasis vary depending on the type of psoriasis you have. Some common symptoms for “plaque” psoriasis, the most common form of psoriasis include:

  • Plaques of red skin, often covered with silver-coloured scales.
  • Itchy and painful scales.
  • Dry or cracked skin that bleeds.
  • Pitted or thickened fingernails or toenails.
  • Swollen joints.

Triggers of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is more likely to develop if you have a family history of it, have an overactive immune system, or are obese. According to research, at least 10% of people inherit genes that can cause psoriasis, although only 3% to 5% of those who inherit these genes develop the condition. Psoriasis symptoms can be influenced by a variety of situations known as triggers. These include:

  • Stress
    Stress is a major trigger for some people with psoriasis, either causing psoriasis to flare up for the first time or to make it worse after you’ve been diagnosed.
  • Cold weather 
    The cold, dry conditions of winter can aggravate psoriasis, but warm, sunny settings can aid. It’s crucial to keep your skin moisturized throughout the day. In addition, using a humidifier in your house can help.
  • Dry skin 
    Anything that injures the skin can cause a psoriasis flare, including excessively dry skin or allergies. Keep your skin moisturized.
  • Upper respiratory infections
    Colds and other infections, especially strep throat, activate the immune system and can cause psoriasis to flare. If you have psoriasis and develop a sore throat, speak to your doctor for further assistance.
  • Smoking and Alcohol
    Cigarette smoke can make the symptoms of psoriasis worse. Smokers have almost double the risk of developing psoriasis compared with people who’ve never smoked. Heavy drinking is also known to trigger psoriasis flares.
  • Medications
    Some medicines used to treat high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis and mental disorders can trigger psoriasis.

Psoriasis Facts

  • It’s not contagious.
  • Psoriasis triggers vary from person to person.
  • There are five types of psoriasis including – plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, erythrodermic.
  • Psoriasis can affect more of your body than your skin.

Tips to Manage Psoriasis

While medication can reduce (or clear) psoriasis, anything that irritates your skin can cause psoriasis to flare — even when you use medication. By finding your triggers and learning how to manage them, you can gain better control of your psoriasis and have fewer flares. Dermatologists share these tips for caring for psoriasis: 

  • Try to avoid skin injuries, such as cuts, and bug bites.
  • Avoid getting a sunburn.
  • Treat your psoriasis on time.
  • Try not to scratch as it tends to worsen psoriasis.
  • Apply a cold compress.
  • Apply medication as directed by your dermatologist to your skin until the psoriasis clears.
  • Moisturize daily throughout the day.

Psoriasis Care at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Struggling to manage your psoriasis symptoms? Working closely with a dermatologist, the use of medication, and avoiding your triggers is known to help alleviate the symptoms of this skin condition. Consult our highly trained dermatologists for a detailed diagnosis and treatment plan. Please find below the website link for further information: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/dermatology.html

Medical Conditions Affecting Seniors

Friday, August 20th, 2021

Have you noticed changes in your parents as they get older? Being forgetful, slow cognitive skills, reduced mobility as well as decreased hearing skills are some common conditions faced by the elderly. Physical as well as mental changes increase drastically with age and certain conditions are more commonly found in the elderly than the young. It is important to know if the differences you’re seeing are normal, or if they could be a sign of something more serious. As per the National Statistical Office (NSO)’s Elderly in India 2021 report, India’s elderly population (aged 60 and above) is projected to touch 194 million in 2031 from 138 million in 2021, a 41 per cent increase over a decade.

Common Age-related Diseases:

With the population of seniors rapidly increasing it is important to understand the challenges faced by people as they age. Increased awareness, early diagnosis and taking preventive measures can help you or a loved one on a path to healthy aging. Here are some common health disorders seen in seniors:

  • Bone & Joint problems
    Arthritis is the most common condition that people 65 or older suffer from. It can lead to pain and lower quality of life for some seniors. A large number of people over age 50 also suffer from low bone mass or osteoporosis, putting them at risk for a fracture or break that could lead to poor senior health and reduced quality of life.
  • Heart Disease
    For those over the age of 65, heart disease is the leading cause of mortality. High blood pressure and cholesterol must be managed properly and taking good care of your heart is essential to reduce your risk of getting heart disease.
  • Cancer
    Cancer is the second leading cause of death among people over age 65. If caught early through screenings, such as mammograms, colonoscopies, pap smear tests and skin checks, many types of cancer are treatable.
  • Respiratory Diseases
    Chronic lower respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pneumonia are the third most common cause of death among people 65 and older. Regular lung function testing, as well as taking the proper medicine or using oxygen as directed, will help you maintain your health.
  • Diabetes
    Statistics suggest that 25 percent of people aged 65 and older are living with diabetes, a significant senior health risk. With simple blood tests for blood sugar levels, diabetes can be detected and treated early. The sooner you realise you have diabetes or are at risk for it, the sooner you can take steps to manage it.
  • Falls
    With age, the number of accidental falls that result in disability, surgery, or fracture risk rises. Most of these falls occur in the home, where tripping hazards include area rugs, loose wires and slippery bathroom floors. Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults, and maintaining your balance and mobility is key in fall prevention.
  • Vision or hearing loss
    Maintaining regular screenings for your vision and hearing is vital as you age. Millions of elderly people suffer from age-related eye problems such macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma, and a majority of people with hearing loss are 65 or older.
  • Mental Disorders
    Mental health, like physical health, deteriorates with age, which explains why about 15% of persons aged 60 and up suffer from at least one mental condition. Common conditions include Parkinson’s, depression, anxiety, and Alzheimer’s disease. Exercising, adopting a pet, socializing, taking up a hobby, playing puzzles or reading can help you cope better with mental health disorders.
  • Oral health problems
    As you age, your mouth tends to become dryer and cavities are more difficult to prevent. Practicing good oral hygiene and visiting the dentist for a cleaning every six months will help keep your teeth and gums in good shape.
  • Bladder and prostate disorders
    As men and women age, it is difficult to control bladder as it may be less able to store urine. This causes you to pass urine more frequently and even lead to incontinence. In men, the prostate gland tends to enlarge with aging, gradually blocking the flow of urine. If untreated, this may also lead to kidney damage.

Medical care for the elderly at Kokilaben Dhirubai Ambani Hospital

Your family history, age and lifestyle play a large role in your risk for certain medical conditions. Age gracefully with expert elderly health care at our Geriatric Clinic. Our senior healthcare team can help you learn how to live better with existing health conditions. Many health conditions in the elderly can be prevented or the progression slowed by making healthy lifestyle choices and being regular with your health checkups. To know more about our specialised health packages for senior citizens contact our Executive Health Checkup team. Please find below the link for further details: https://online.kokilabenhospital.com/health-checkup
https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicsatkh/geriatricclinic.html

Organ Donation 2021

Friday, August 13th, 2021

Organ donation is donating an organ to someone in need of a transplant. In India, there is a wide gap between the demand and supply of organs. Every year around 4 lakh people see an untimely death in India while waiting for a transplant due to inadequate infrastructure, a lack of willingness, and, most crucially, a lack of understanding of the process. As per World Health Organization, only around 0.01 percent of people in India donate their organs after death. Some of the reasons behind such poor performance are lack of public awareness, religious or superstitious beliefs among people or personal inhibitions. It is time to change this perception and increase the awareness about organ donation. Living or deceased, organ donation is one of the most impactful things you can ever do, and there are patients who need you right now.

Organ donation – Eligibility

Anyone can register a decision to become an organ donor after death. To donate organs after death, a person needs to die in hospital in specific circumstances. Medical professionals decide in each individual case whether a person’s organs and tissue are suitable for donation. Here are a few things to note:

  • Age limit
    There is no age limit for becoming an organ donor. The decision about whether some or all organs or tissue are suitable for transplant is always made by medical specialists at the time of donation.
  • Medical conditions
    Most medical conditions allow a person to become an organ or tissue donor. Speak to your doctor to know more about this.
  • Smoking and organ donation
    Smoking does not make you ineligible for organ donation. Specialist healthcare professionals will decide whether a person’s organs and tissue are suitable for donation.
  • Alcohol and Organ Donation
    Drinking alcohol does not prevent you from becoming an organ donor. However, a heavy alcohol intake might affect your ability to donate some organs. Doctors will decide your eligibility at the time of donation.

Always remember to inform your family about your decision of organ donation as hospitals seek consent from the family before the donation.

What organs can be donated?

One organ donor can help up to eight transplant recipients. Organs that can be donated from one donor include heart, liver, kidneys, pancreas, lungs and intestines. One tissue donor can help up to 50 people. Cornea donors give the gift of sight to two people. Skin donors help burn victims recover from traumatic injuries. Bone, heart valve, ligaments and tendon donors help many people return to health. 

Organ donation – Myths and Facts

Myth: Only the deceased can donate organs.
Fact: Living donors are crucial as well.  The popularity of living-organ donation—particularly for kidneys has increased a lot in the recent years, as people are becoming more aware.

Myth: Doctors won’t try as hard to save my life if I am an organ donor.
Facts: When you go to the hospital for treatment, doctors focus on saving your life and giving you the best care possible. Being a registered organ donor makes no different to your treatment.

Myth: Organ donation is against my religion.
Fact: Organ donation is consistent with the beliefs of most major religions. If you’re unsure of or uncomfortable with your faith’s position on organ donation, speak to a religious head to know more.

Myth: I’m too old for organ donation.
Fact: There’s no defined cut-off age for donating organs. The decision to use your organs is based on strict medical criteria. Let the doctors decide at the time of your death whether your organs and tissues are suitable for transplantation.

Myth: My medical condition does not allow organ donation.
Fact: Very few medical conditions automatically disqualify you from donating organs. Let medical professionals at the time of your death determine whether your organs are suitable for transplantation.

Myth: Rich and famous get priority for organ donation.
Fact: No one receives preferential treatment on the transplant waiting list. A transplant candidate is prioritized by blood type, tissue or organ needed, medical urgency, and the cumulative time they have been there on the waiting list.

Myth: My family will be charged if I donate my organs.
Fact: The organ donors family is never charged for donation. The family is charged for the costs of all final efforts to save your life, and those costs are sometimes misinterpreted as costs related to organ donation. The organ removal cost goes to the transplant recipient.

Why you should consider organ donation

Registering to be an organ donor is giving hope to someone. Raise awareness about organ donation among your family and friends & encourage people to take a pledge for this noble deed. Donating one’s organs is the biggest gift & it can save someone’s precious life. By donating your organs and tissue after you die, you can save or improve as many as 75 lives. It’s time to come together and close the gap between the number of eligible donors and the number of people on the waiting list. Let us spread love and hope with organ donation. To register as an organ donor, give a missed call on 8882110088. Please visit the below website for further information: https://organdonationday.in

Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility

Thursday, August 5th, 2021

Are you a first-time mother? Motherhood is a roller coaster ride of emotions: you’re pleased and happy for your baby’s arrival, but you’re also fatigued, sleep-deprived, and overwhelmed by your new routine. The challenges of motherhood often replace the challenges of pregnancy. The mental and physical trauma of a difficult labor, lack of sleep and difficulty breastfeeding can take a toll on your health. The World Breastfeeding Week 2021 aims to encourage and support breastfeeding mothers and babies. Let us protect breastfeeding and consider it a shared responsibility. Good nutrition, adequate sleep, help from family and lactation experts are the key to a successful breastfeeding journey.

While many women believe that nursing comes easy to everyone, this isn’t always the case. Hectic lifestyles, poor work-life balance, stress, and unhealthy food plans are just a few of the variables that might make nursing difficult. However, with the right support and guidance you can overcome the initial breastfeeding challenges. Persistence and patience will help you sail through the breastfeeding journey smoothly.

Successful Breastfeeding

Here is a look at some useful tips from experts that help start a fulfilling breastfeeding journey:

  • Breastfeed within 1 hour of birth
  • Reduce your stress levels
  • Eat a nourishing diet
  • Rest well
  • Stay hydrated
  • Keep trying and do not lose hope
  • Ask for help

While it’s fine to ask your friends and family for advice, don’t compare your breastfeeding experience to theirs. Every woman is different, and your ability to breastfeed is influenced by numerous factors.

Benefits of Breastfeeding – Mother & Baby

Breast milk is the best food for babies in the first year of life. Here are a few health benefits for babies:

  • Breast milk has hormones and the right amount of protein, sugar, fat and most vitamins to help your baby grow and develop.
  • It has antibodies that help protect your baby from many illnesses like ear, respiratory or diarrhoeal infections.
  • Breast milk is easy to digest reducing the risk of colic, gas and digestive discomfort in babies.
  • Breast milk has fatty acids, like DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), that may help your baby’s brain and eyes develop.
  • Breastfeeding can reduce your baby’s risk for sudden infant death syndrome (also called SIDS).
  • Breast milk changes as your baby grows giving your baby the right nutrition at the right time. The initial days after giving birth, your breasts make a thick discharge known as colostrum – this is highly nutritious and fully of antibodies for your new born. After a few days it changes to breast milk.

Know How Breastfeeding Benefits New Moms:

  • It increases the amount of oxytocin hormone that helps your uterus contract.
  • It burns extra calories helping you get back to your pre-pregnancy weight.
  • It may help lower your risk for diabetes, breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
  • It can help you bond with your baby.

Most Common Breastfeeding Problems

Most women experience some breastfeeding discomfort during the initial days. Most of them can be easily solved with timely guidance. Here are the most common obstacles:

  • Breast infections:
    An infection is often characterized by a lump or soreness in the breast tissue. Mothers can experience yellowish discharge from the nipples, as well as flu-like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and body aches. The breasts can also be warm or hot to the touch. If the pain and fever persists, contact your doctor for further assistance.
  • Cracked or sore nipples:
    Improper positioning and poor latching can lead to cracked or sore nipples. Try changing your nursing position or using a topical cream to alleviate pain.
  • Engorgement:
    This is a build-up of milk can cause your breasts to become hard and painful. Mothers should stay on a regular schedule to empty breasts, expelling milk through a pump or manually. Also, placing a warm or cool compress on the breast will encourage blood flow and reduce soreness.
  • Latching issues:
    A child may frequently latch-on and let go of the breast or resist nursing all together. When a baby is unable to remove milk from the breast, it can result in low weight and a significant drop in milk production. Meet a lactation consultant for further help.
  • Leaking:
    An inconsistent feeding routine can lead to unexpected leakage. This occurs when milk is released without stimulation from a child. Try to follow a regular feeding schedule and use disposable nursing pads if required.
  • Plugged ducts:
    When a milk duct fails to drain properly, it can become inflamed and clogged with fluid. Frequent breastfeeding (up to every two hours), can relieve pressure from the affected duct. Also, be sure to massage the area and wear loose comfortable clothes.

Breastfeeding Support

Do you have trouble with correct latching, suffer from pain during nursing or have other doubts? Help from medical professionals can be invaluable for breastfeeding. Don’t give up, but get informative and comforting guidance from an expert.  Meet highly experienced lactation consultants at our Centre for Mother & Child. Our team offers supportive guidance to breastfeeding mothers online and offline. Please find below link for further information:
https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_motherchild.html