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Diwali 2021

Healthy Diwali

Nov 3rd, 2021

Archive for 2021

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Healthy Diwali

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021

Diwali – the “Festival of Lights” is here which is celebrated with much fervour across India. It’s the time of the year when we meet family and friends and consume varieties of festive sweets and snacks. During these moments, though, we frequently neglect how our health may be impacted by the activities we engage in. Let us take the required health precautions to ensure that this Diwali remains happy and healthy for one and all.

During the festival, the delicious sweets and dishes are mouth-watering and lip-smacking and simply leave us wanting for more. However, oily, unhealthy and chemical laden sweets and treats can lead to health issues like bloating, constipation and may also cause weight gain. It may also cause an increase in blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels or increase your risk of heart disease. The high levels of noise and air pollution tend to disturb pregnant women, the elderly and newborn children. Let us pledge to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali now and always. Celebrate consciously and prioritize your health this Diwali. Here are a few health tips to follow to ensure that you and your family have a healthy and safe Diwali:

  • Eat healthy
    Love snacking on calorie-rich Diwlai treats and sweets? Instead choose low-calorie sweets, nuts and fruits. It is advisable to eat homemade delicacies than store-bought and processed foods. Keeping note of when you eat, what you eat, and practicing portion control is recommended.
  • Limit intake of oily foods
    This Diwali make smart and healthy choices and avoid eating deep fried unhealthy foods. Choose to make roasted snacks or bake them instead of frying them, this will help reduce oil consumption. 
  • Avoid overeating
    People often tend to overeat on occasions or festivities. However, binge eating at any point in time will leave you with unwanted discomfort, acid reflux and indigestion. It may also disturb your sleep pattern, and further affect your hormones and metabolism.
  • Stay hydrated
    One of the best ways to stay hydrated during these festive days is to drink plenty of water. Water cleanses the body of all toxic waste materials while providing energy during the festivities.
  • Avoid alcohol intake
    It is best to avoid alcoholic beverages as they harm your liver and heart health and increase your risk of cancer too. Instead choose to sip on freshly made juices or plain water.
  • Celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali
    Pledge to make this Diwali noise-free and smoke-free and enjoyable for one and all. Crackers are associated not only with air pollution but noise pollution as well. It harms the hearing skills of the elderly and also triggers many respiratory infections. Light up this Diwali with earthen diyas instead of bursting crackers.
  • Supervise young children
    Still bursting crackers? You must ensure that young children are supervised by adults while bursting crackers. Always wear cotton clothes and keep a first-aid kit handy for any accidental burn injuries.
  • Don’t forget to Exercise
    Too busy to skip your daily exercise regime? Start your day with a short walk or a little bit of stretching. This helps you stay energized throughout the day and helps maintain a healthy weight.

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital wishes you and your family a happy and safe Diwali. Our team is dedicated to ensure your safety across the year with our medical expertise. Our Accident and Emergency team is accessible 24/7 to respond to any medical emergencies, call on 022 42699999 for emergency services. Please find the below link for our Centre for Accident & Emergency: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_accidentemergency.html

Why Stroke Awareness Matters

Friday, October 29th, 2021

One Indian suffers a brain stroke every 20 seconds, or three every minute, and the numbers are rising rapidly due to changing lifestyles! Around 1.54 million Indians are affected by a stroke each year at this rate, and the worst part is that 90% of stroke patients do not arrive at the hospital on time.

A stroke can happen to anyone, at anytime and anywhere. It occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts (or ruptures). When that happens, a section of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it and brain cells die. Today stroke is the leading cause of disability worldwide and the second leading cause of death. Many stroke survivors face significant challenges that include physical disability, communication problems, changes in how they think and feel, loss of work, income, and social networks. In extreme cases, stroke may prove fatal too.

What are the Types of Stroke?

A stroke occurs due to a decrease or blockage in the brain’s blood supply. A person experiencing a stroke needs immediate emergency treatment. There are three main types of stroke:

  • Ischemic stroke
    This makes up to 87% of all cases. A blood clot prevents blood and oxygen from reaching an area of the brain.
  • Hemorrhagic stroke
    This occurs when a blood vessel ruptures. These are usually the result of aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).
  • Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
    This occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is inadequate for a brief period of time, and the symptoms resolve without treatment.

Warning Signs of Stroke

When you suffer a stroke, the blood supply to your brain is cut off. To avoid brain damage, incapacity, or even death, you must seek treatment as soon as possible. Watch out for these warning signs of stroke using the FAST test:

  • Face
    Smile and see if one side of the face droops.
  • Arms
    Raise both arms, are you noticing weakness?
  • Speech
    Check if the speech is slurring.
  • Time
    If the answer to any of these is yes, call emergency medical help.

If you think you or someone you know is suffering from a stroke you must contact our emergency services on
022 42699999.

Stroke Prevention Measures

Up to 90% of strokes could be prevented by addressing a small number of risk factors. These include:

  • Hypertension
    Monitor your blood pressure levels as untreated hypertension damages blood vessels and can lead to a number of serious diseases including stroke.
  • Exercise
    Just 30 minutes of exercise five times a week can reduce your risk of stroke by 25%. Be regular with your exercise regime.
  • Eat healthy
    Over half of the strokes are linked to a poor diet but making small dietary changes can help change this. Making healthy food choices will help maintain a healthy weight, reduce your blood pressure and lower your cholesterol, thus reducing your stroke risk.
  • Weight
    Being overweight is one of the top ten risk factors for stroke and is associated with almost 1 in 5 strokes. Maintaining a healthy weight will help you reduce your risk of stroke.
  • Atrial Fibrillation
    This is a condition where the heartbeat is irregular and often very fast. It is very important to know about atrial fibrillation and treat it as it may pose a major risk factor for stroke.
  • Smoking
    Smoking tobacco increases your risk of having a stroke by two times than a non-smoker. Quit smoking.
  • Alcohol
    Drinking too much alcohol may increase your risk of stroke, globally excessive alcohol consumption is linked to over 1 million strokes each year. Say “No” to alcohol.
  • Cholesterol
    Stroke is linked to high levels of LDL cholesterol. Cholesterol levels must be monitored regularly so that they can be managed with lifestyle changes or medication.
  • Diabetes
    1 in 5 people who have a stroke are diabetic and people with diabetes have poorer outcomes from stroke compared to others. Diabetes can be managed with medication, diet, and exercise.
  • Depression and stress
    Depression and stress are linked to almost two times greater risk of stroke particularly in adults who are middle-aged and older.

Stroke treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

A Stroke is a complex medical issue and minutes matter in treating stroke. Recognizing the signs of stroke early, treating it as a medical emergency with admission to a specialized stroke unit, and access to advanced medical care can substantially improve outcomes. The Stroke Unit at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital offers a comprehensive stroke care programme for the management of acute and chronic stroke patients and offers the fastest emergency care. The Multidisciplinary team of experts help in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation care of stroke patients using high-end technological expertise. Please find below our website link for further information about our Centre for Neurosciences: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_neurosciences/stroke.html

Know About Osteoporosis

Wednesday, October 20th, 2021

Just thinking about your relative who suffered a fracture in a minor fall? It’s possible that this was caused by osteoporosis. Osteoporosis affects an estimated 50 million Indians, however, the majority of them go undiagnosed and untreated. The world sees approximately one osteoporotic fracture every three seconds. Osteoporosis is a term that literally means “porous bone.” It is a condition where bones become thin and lose their strength, as they become less dense and their quality is reduced. This may lead to broken bones, which cause pain, disability, and make everyday activities extremely difficult.

Osteoporosis is a condition where the quality, quantity, and strength of your bones is reduced, making them more likely to break. One in three women and one in five men over the age of 50 will be affected by a bone fracture due to osteoporosis. Over 200 million people worldwide are affected by osteoporosis.

Symptoms of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis develops when bone density decreases and the risk often increases with age. It usually causes no symptoms and is often called a silent disease Many people detect it when they suffer a broken bone from a minor fall or bump. Here are some of the common symptoms that must be noted and checked with a doctor:

  • Stooping back.
  • Loss of height.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Bone fractures.
  • Lower back pain.

How does Osteoporosis Develop?

Your bones develop and grow from birth to adulthood until they achieve peak bone mass in the early twenties, when they are at their strongest, densest, and least likely to fracture. Bone is regularly replaced throughout life, with new bone replacing old bone ones. But for people suffering from osteoporosis, more and more bone is lost and not replaced. This causes the bones to become brittle and more likely to break over time. Early diagnosis and treatment is important because one broken bone increases the risk of suffering yet more broken bones. Fractures due to osteoporosis have a devastating impact on millions of people worldwide and result in enormous socio-economic too.

Risk Factors of Osteoporosis

If you are over the age of 50 and you have one or more risk factors you should discuss these with your doctor and ask for an assessment of your bone health status. Lifestyle changes may be recommended and, for those at high risk, medication may be prescribed for optimal protection against fractures. These factors highly increase your risk of osteoporosis:

  • Women over the age of 50 years.
  • Thin and small body frame.
  • Family history of osteoporosis.
  • Smoking.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption.
  • Lack of exercise.
  • Diet low in calcium.
  • Certain medical conditions.
  • Insufficient intake of vitamin D.

Protect your Bone Health

Though osteoporosis usually occurs in older people, its underlying causes can stretch back to childhood. Your lifestyle, your dietary habits, family history and even certain medications can all adversely impact bone health. Here are a few steps to take for healthy bones:

  • Exercise regularly
    Weight-bearing, muscle-strengthening, and balance-training exercises are highly recommended.
  • Eat a healthy diet
    Calcium, vitamin D and protein are the most important for bone health. Get safe exposure to sunlight too for sufficient vitamin D.
  • Avoid negative lifestyle habits
    Maintain a healthy body weight, avoid smoking and say no to alcohol.
  • Know your family history
    If you have a family history of osteoporosis, you must discuss it with your doctor and take preventive steps.
  • Get tested
    It is important to get your bone density checked and take medication or make lifestyle changes if required.

Treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Our Centre for Bone & Joint is a comprehensive centre dedicated to bone, muscle, and joint health. It provides a wide range of care that includes diagnostic care, bone density tests, medication, physiotherapy, dietary guidance, and preventive care. We help you or your family reduce the risk of and manage osteoporosis better. Our goal is to assist our patients in living a more pleasant life while easing their symptoms. Our specialists have access to cutting-edge technology and offer the most advanced multidisciplinary treatments. Please find below the website link for further information: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_bonejoint.html

Protect Your Mental Health

Saturday, October 9th, 2021

Feeling very low or disturbed? Extreme mood changes, feelings of anger, worry or guilt are not normal. These need to be discussed with your doctor. Mental illness affects 1 out of every 7 Indians. According to the World Health Organization, 56 million Indians suffer from depression and another 38 million Indians suffer from anxiety disorders. Your emotional, psychological, and social well-being all make up your mental health and impact the way you think, feel, and act.

The theme for 2021 ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’ wants the world to focus sufficiently on health beyond physical health. The pandemic has caused an immense impact on the mental health of people across age groups as well as disrupted the existing mental health services too. Let us come together and increase the awareness around mental health and the importance of seeking timely medical care. Early identification of symptoms and prompt medical assistance can help reduce the severity of a mental illness.

Types of Mental Disorders

The term “mental disorders” is used to describe a wide range of mental and behavioural illnesses that appear in various ways. They are generally characterised by a combination of abnormal thoughts, emotions, perceptions, behaviour and relationships with others. Disorders can range from mild to severe and can affect people of every sex, age, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic group. Here are some of the most frequent mental illnesses:

  • Depression:
    Chronic depression is a debilitating illness that usually reoccurs throughout a person’s lifetime. Symptoms include fatigue, lack of concentration, changes in appetite and thoughts of suicide. Some other forms of depression include seasonal affective disorder and postpartum depression.
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):
    General disorders on autism include autistic disorder, Asperger’s syndrome and atypical autism.
  • Schizophrenia:
    Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that can cause people to have delusions, hallucinate or show no emotion at all.
  • Bipolar Disorder:
    Bipolar disorder is one of several mood disorders that leave people with emotions swinging from very high (manic) to hazardously low (depressive).
  • Anxiety Disorders:
    Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition and include OCD, panic attacks and phobias.
  • Eating Disorders:
    Bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder are marked by extreme behaviours, which usually are rooted in complex biological and psychological causes.

Symptoms of Mental Disorders

Medical research suggests that early intervention can help minimize or delay the symptoms, prevent hospitalization and improve the prognosis of mental health conditions. Here are some signs that need further medical investigation:

  • Withdrawal from friends and family
  • Extreme and long-lasting sadness
  • Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
  • High and low extremes of emotion
  • Big changes in sleeping or eating habits
  • Excessive anger
  • Drug or alcohol abuse

Mental Disorders – Myths & Facts

Here are some common myths and facts that mislead people. Ask questions, know the facts, consult medical experts if needed:

Myth: Children don’t experience mental health problems.
Fact: That is not true, very young children may also show early warning signs of mental health disease. They are often clinically diagnosable and occur due to biological, psychological, and social factors.

Myth: People with a mental illness cannot have a job.
Fact: People with mental health disorders are as productive as other employees. In fact, they report good attendance and punctuality as well as excellent motivational levels.

Myth: Mental health disorders last a lifetime.
Fact: A good treatment plan helps you work through the problem and recover. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the problem has gone away. But you can definitely manage it better and live an improved life.

Myth: Mental health problems are a sign of weakness.
Fact: Mental illness has nothing to do with your physical or emotional strength or weakness. It is a medical disorder that needs treatment, in the same way, infection or fracture would.

Myth: Psychiatric medications are bad.
Fact: Many people believe that psychiatric medicine is harmful. Just like any other detrimental medical condition, mental illness requires medication. Regular therapy combined with medication can greatly improve one’s quality of life.

Treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

It is important to understand that mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and chronic stress frequently necessitate specialised therapy and treatment. These disorders may worsen over time if you don’t get help right once, and they can have a significant negative impact on your health and quality of life.

Highly trained and experienced specialists at our Department of Psychiatry offer therapeutic and counselling services to people with mental health disorders. Our skilled team use a variety of tried-and-tested therapy approaches to help you overcome mental health difficulties, minimise symptoms, and take steps toward a robust and long-term recovery. All treatment is individually tailored according to your unique needs and requirements, allowing us to achieve the best potential post-treatment results. Please visit our website for further information: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/psychiatry.html

Heart Disease Prevention

Wednesday, September 29th, 2021

Cardiovascular diseases claimed the lives of 17.9 million people worldwide in 2019 and caused 32% of all deaths. According to the Indian Heart Association, cardiologists have witnessed an upsurge in young adults suffering heart attacks in the last decade. In Indian men, 50% of all heart attacks occur before they reach the age of 50, and 25% of all heart attacks occur before they reach the age of 40. Cardiovascular disease is also a leading cause of death among Indian women.

The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common one being coronary artery disease (CAD), which affects the blood flow to the heart. Decreased blood flow can cause a heart attack. While heart disease can be fatal, an estimated 80% of all heart diseases can be prevented by adopting healthy lifestyle habits.

What are the Different Types of Heart Disease?

Several diseases and conditions fall under the umbrella of heart disease. Types of heart disease include:

  • Arrhythmia
    An arrhythmia is a heart rhythm abnormality.
  • Atherosclerosis
    Atherosclerosis is a hardening of the arteries.
  • Cardiomyopathy
    This condition causes the heart’s muscles to harden or grow weak.
  • Congenital heart defects
    Congenital heart defects are heart irregularities that are present at birth.
  • Coronary artery disease (CAD)
    CAD is caused by the build-up of plaque in the heart’s arteries. It’s sometimes called ischemic heart disease.
  • Heart infections
    Heart infections may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

Difference in heart attack symptoms for men and women

Research suggests that there are significant differences in how men and women experience a heart attack.

Warning signs in men

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men. Men exhibit the following symptoms during a heart attack:

  • Chest pain/tightening
  • Upper body pain in the arms, left shoulder, back, neck, jaw
  • Rapid heartbeats
  • Indigestion
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Cold sweat

Warning signs in women

Most women don’t experience the classic symptoms of heart attack like chest or arm pain. Here are the symptoms women experience:

  • Unusual fatigue lasting for several days
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Light-headedness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Indigestion
  • Upper back, jaw or shoulder

If you experience any of these signs or symptoms, seek emergency medical help. Try to stay as calm as possible and take deep, slow breaths while you wait for emergency care.

Prevention of Heart Disease

Risk factors of heart disease like age, gender, family history and ethnicity cannot be changed. However, there are many other risk factors that can be controlled. Follow theses heart-healthy steps to reduce your risk of heart disease:

  • Quit smoking
    You’re more than twice as likely to have a heart attack if you smoke than if you don’t.
  • Improve cholesterol levels
    It is important to manage your cholesterol levels and keep your LDL, HDL as well as triglycerides in control.
  • Control high blood pressure
    Adequate exercise, dietary changes and limited salt intake will help control your blood pressure levels. Take your medication regularly if prescribed.
  • Exercise regularly
    A minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of strenuous physical activity each week is recommended. Staying fit can help you manage your weight, lower your cholesterol, control your blood sugar, and reduce stress, all of which are beneficial to your heart health.
  • Say “No” to alcohol
    Drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure. It also adds extra calories, which may cause weight gain. Both of those raise your risk of heart disease.
  • Follow a heart-healthy diet
    Try to limit saturated fats, foods high in sodium, and added sugars. Consume a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to keep your heart healthy.
  • Watch your weight
    It is beneficial to your heart to lose excess weight. It can also aid in the treatment of high blood pressure and diabetes, factors that increase your risk of a heart attack.
  • Get a good night’s sleep
    Sleep deprivation has been linked to a range of heart disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and heart failure, as well as a sleep disorder known as sleep apnoea.
  • Learn to manage stress
    Being stressed all the time due to professional and personal commitments is unhealthy for your heart. It raises your blood pressure levels and increases your risk of heart disease. Find ways to cope better with stress.
  • Be regular with Health checkups
    Track your health numbers by regular preventive checkups. This helps manage any risk factors of heart disease with lifestyle changes and medications.

Treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

The Centre for Cardiac Sciences is equipped with cutting-edge technology, world-class infrastructure, and a highly skilled team of cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. We offer a comprehensive programme for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of heart disease in people of all ages, from infants to adults. The team also conducts high-end treatments that include minimally-invasive surgeries, beating heart coronary artery bypass grafting and awake cardiac surgery. Please find below our website link for further details: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_cardiacsciences.html

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