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Thyroid Awareness Month

Thyroid Awareness

Jan 15th, 2022

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Thyroid Awareness

Saturday, January 15th, 2022

Thyroid diseases have become one of the most common health concerns in India, with an increasing number of people being diagnosed with them. Thyroid diseases affect 42 million Indians, with hypothyroidism affecting one out of every ten men and women. One-third of thyroid patients in India still remain unaware of their condition. Over time, untreated thyroid dysfunction can lead to obesity, joint pain, infertility, and heart disease. This disorder affects people of all ages, but women are more likely to develop it. January is celebrated as “Thyroid Awareness Month” worldwide to raise awareness regarding the various health problems related to the thyroid gland. Let us look at the common thyroid disorders, symptoms, complications and tips to manage your thyroid condition.

Common Thyroid Problems

Some of the most common thyroid problems include:

  • Goiter – enlargement of the thyroid gland.
  • Hyperthyroidism – when your thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs.
  • Hypothyroidism – when your thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormones.
  • Thyroid cancer.
  • Thyroid nodules – lumps in the thyroid gland.
  • Thyroiditis – swelling of the thyroid.

Symptoms of Thyroid

Thyroid disease is a term that refers to a group of disorders that have similar symptoms. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can have opposing effects on the same physiological systems, but goitre, thyroid cancer, and Grave’s disease each have their own set of symptoms. Your thyroid affects many different body systems and can have symptoms like:

1. Weight Changes

Unexplained weight changes can be a sign of a thyroid disorder

  • In hypothyroidism, you may gain excess weight.
  • In hyperthyroidism, you may experience sudden weight loss.
  • Not everyone with thyroid disease will have these changes.

2. Temperature

Both forms of thyroid disease can make you temperature-sensitive.

  • In hypothyroidism you may feel cold.
  • In hyperthyroidism you may feel hot and sweaty despite a normal temperature around you.

3. Fatigue and Sleep

Sleep issues and fatigue are common with thyroid issues in spite of a good night’s rest.

Hypothyroidism can make you

  • Wake up exhausted, even after 8 hours of night sleep.
  • Take longer naps.

Hyperthyroidism can make you

  • Have a hard time falling asleep.
  • Have sleep disturbances.
  • Feel anxious at bed time.

4. Mental Health

Depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders are common with thyroid problems.

5. Neck or Throat

Thyroid conditions can cause health problems in your neck or throat. It may lead to autoimmune thyroid disease, nodules, goiter or enlarged thyroid or thyroid cancer. This may cause swelling of the neck, trouble swallowing or breathing, a hoarse voice.

6. Hair, Skin, and Nails

An imbalance in your thyroid hormones may cause changes in your hair, skin, and nails. It may lead to brittle, dry hair, severe hair loss, fine hair, brittle, thin, dull hair,

7. Bowel Habits

Thyroid conditions can cause digestion problems such as persistent constipation,  diarrhoea, loose stools, or irritable bowel syndrome.

8. Menstruation and Fertility

Thyroid conditions can increase your risk of irregular periods, infertility and may raise your risk of having miscarriages.

9. Eye Problems

Thyroid conditions can affect your eyes and may cause symptoms like dryness, blurred vision, swollen puffy eyes, or proptosis.

10. Musculoskeletal System

You may experience muscular pains and joint discomfort, particularly in your arms and legs, if your thyroid is hyperactive. For persons with an underactive thyroid, fibromyalgia-like pain is prevalent, and you may also have carpal tunnel syndrome in your hands.

Thyroid Complications

Early diagnosis and timely treatment of thyroid can help lower the risk of complications. Here are some complications that you must watch out for:

Hypothyroidism

  • Neuropathy.
  • Trouble conceiving a baby.
  • Pregnancy complications.

Hyperthyroidism

  • Osteoporosis.
  • Atrial fibrillation.
  • Pregnancy complications.

How to manage your Thyroid

Work with a specialist to help monitor and treat your thyroid levels. Take your medications on time and be regular with your thyroid tests to reassess the medication requirements if needed. Here are some health measures to adopt to reduce the impact of thyroid and help control it:

  • Avoid packaged foods.
  • Practice good sleep hygiene.
  • Get daily sunlight.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Manage stress better
  • Quit smoking.
  • Have vitamins, proteins and whole grains.

Thyroid care at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Meet highly trained and experienced endocrinologists at our Thyroid Clinic for a detailed diagnosis of your thyroid condition. The team is equipped with advanced thyroid care facilities to conduct thyroid profile, ultrasound, fine needle aspiration cytology, isotope scanning, radio-iodine treatment and surgery. Please find the below website link for further information: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/endocrinologydiabetes/thyroidclinic.html

Stay Healthy with a Strong Immunity

Saturday, January 8th, 2022

Is everybody around you feeling sick or recovering from a respiratory infection? Depending on how powerful their immune system is, some people will experience moderate symptoms while others would be seriously affected. Your immune system is a large network of organs, white blood cells, proteins (antibodies), and chemicals. This system works together to protect you from foreign invaders (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) that cause infection, illness, and disease. A normally functioning immune system keeps you healthy by fighting off harmful foreign intruders such as bacteria and viruses. However, a weak immune system makes it difficult for your body to fight external infections. A weak immunity makes you more vulnerable to infections, can produce unpleasant symptoms, and takes longer recovery periods too. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and consuming healthy foods go a long way in increasing your immunity.

Nutrition and Immunity

Eating enough nutrients as part of a varied diet is required for the health and function of all cells, including immune cells. Choosing fresh, whole, unprocessed foods does wonders for your overall health. Several nutrient-rich foods, particularly those that include vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, selenium, iron, and protein are important to help boost your immunity. Limit your intake of salt and sugar and avoid consumption of fried foods. Here are a few recommended foods to help strengthen your immune system:

  • Vitamin C
    Vitamin C is well-known for its immunity-boosting properties. It is best consumed in fresh form than in packaged juice. Include oranges, broccoli, kiwi or bell peppers in your diet.
  • Probiotics
    Probiotics are healthy gut bacteria that protect your body against infection. Fermented foods such as idli and dosa, curd, buttermilk, and pickles are excellent sources of probiotics.
  • Antioxidants
    Stress can reduce your immunity, making you more susceptible to sickness. Have a diet rich in antioxidants to protect yourself from oxidative stress and build a strong immune system. This includes colourful fruits and vegetables such as berries, carrots, pumpkin, spinach, etc.
  • Eat anti-inflammatory foods
    A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods helps balance hormones, improves your body’s ability to fight infection, and improves your digestive health. Dark leafy green vegetables, nuts, and seeds, ghee, avocado, olive oil are all good examples of anti-inflammatory foods.
  • Add protein to your diet
    The amino acids in protein help the body manufacture antibodies and can help protect you against a wide range of infections.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids
    These are essential fats that your body cannot make but must be procured from food. Foods high in omega-3 include fish, vegetable oils, walnuts, flax seeds, flaxseed oil, and leafy vegetables. They are essential to maintain strong immunity.
  • Ginger and garlic can help
    Make ginger and garlic a part of your daily diet. Garlic’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities aid to improve the function of your immune cells. Ginger, on the other hand, reduces inflammation and strengthens the immune system due to its antibacterial characteristics.

Lifestyle Improvements

It is not just the diet you eat on a daily basis that makes you healthy and strong., but your lifestyle habits matter too. Adapting good and healthy habits consistently can significantly improve your immune function and make you stronger. Follow these simple health tips to increase immunity naturally:

  • Find ways to manage stress
    Are you busy handling various responsibilities and chasing deadlines? Being stressed all the time lowers your immunity. Take frequent breaks and find ways to cope better with stress.
  • Get adequate sleep
    Lack of sleep releases higher levels of stress hormones in the body and this can cause more inflammation in the body. A regular sleep cycle serves as the ideal time for the body to regenerate cells, repair any broken cells and organs, and thus boost your immune function.
  • Say No to smoking and drinking alcohol
    Excessive cigarette use and alcohol intake weakens the immune system and makes people more susceptible to lung infections. Furthermore, other substances generated during cigarette smoking, such as carbon monoxide and nicotine, have been shown to inhibit the formation of immunity-boosting cells.
  • Exercise regularly
    Exercise increases your resilience so you can fight off infection. Your body can function better when you are physically active every day.
  • Get enough sunlight
    Vitamin D is important for your immune system, and regular sun exposure can assist to enhance it. Take some morning sunlight every day to help strenhtne your immunity.
  • Meditation
    Even five minutes of guided meditation every day, or simply sitting quietly and concentrating on your breath, can help. Meditation helps relieve your anxiety and thus strengthens your immunity.
  • Preventive health checkup
    Regular health checkups help detect diseases early and start treatment early. This helps correct any irregularities with timely medical intervention and thus helps maintain your immunity.

Follow these healthy lifestyle tips to build a strong defence against any external pathogens, virus or bacteria. Stay healthy, stay safe.   

Winter Health Tips

Monday, December 13th, 2021

Feel like curling up in your blanket every morning and sleeping for some extra time? With the nip in the air and the pleasant winds, the most awaited season of the year is finally here. Though the unseasonal rains have been playing havoc since the last few days, everyone is looking forward to enjoying the cool winters, the delicious winter foods and the festive season. While the change in temperature is enjoyable for some it may also bring along some seasonal infections for young children, the elderly and for those with low immunity. Keep yourself warm and strengthen your immunity to help ward off these infections.

Winter Health Precautions

The cold and chilling weather can make you feel lethargic and depressed. It may also lead to dry skin, joint pain as well as seasonal infections of cough, cold and flu. It is important to safeguard yourself from the cold weather and stay healthy throughout the season. Here are a few health precautions for winter:

  • Exercise regularly.
  • Get enough sunlight.
  • Wear extra layers of clothes to keep yourself warm.
  • Protect your joints.
  • Take your medications.
  • Maintain hygiene.
  • Moisturize frequently.
  • Stay hydrated.

Healthy Winter Foods

Fill your plate with seasonal vegetables, citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables. Additionally, herbs like ginger, tulsi, garlic in the diet also help to keep the body warm and prevent inflammation. Make these winter superfoods a part of your diet:

  • Amla
    The sour-tasting fruit is abundantly available in winters. It is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C which helps enhance your immunity and improves your digestion. It is also known to improve your skin and hair health.
  • Sesame seeds
    One of the most popular ways to have sesame seeds is to make chikkis. Sesame seeds are high in fibre, plant protein, vitamins, and other nutrients and help keep you warm in the winters. It aids in the development of blood cells, reduces inflammation, lowers blood pressure, and supports bone health.
  • Root vegetables
    Root vegetables are those that grow below the surface, like radish, purple yam, carrot, turnip and sweet potatoes. They are known to give warmth to the body as their digestion is slower and helps generates more heat.
  • Jaggery
    Do you have a sweet tooth after lunch? All you need is a mouthful of jaggery to satisfy your sugar cravings. When had with a teaspoon of ghee, the combination not only keeps your body warm, but it also helps to prevent winter diseases.
  • Dates
    Dates have a lower fat level, which helps you maintain a healthy weight. They’re a nutrient-dense powerhouse and should be consumed on a regular basis to keep your body warm during the winter.
  • Bajra
    This small, millet variety is rich in fat, protein, and fibre. The high iron concentration aids in the treatment of anaemia. Millets like bajra are known to help strengthen your bones if consumed on a regular basis.
  • Ghee
    Did you know? Desi Ghee is the most easily digestible fat which gives the body the much-needed warmth in the winter season. Don’t shy away from traditional homemade ghee laden mithais.
  • Ginger
    Ginger has thermogenic qualities, which help you stay warm in the winter. It also helps boost your metabolism and increase your blood flow. Start your winter mornings with a cup of hot ginger tea to keep you going strong throughout the day.
  • Dry Fruits
    Dry fruits like almonds, walnuts, raisins and cashews are filled with nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids. They also help in curing anaemia and other disorders that are caused due to vitamin deficiencies.
  • Tulsi
    Tulsi leaves are high in antioxidants and micronutrients that that help boost your immunity. The medicinal properties of tulsi help the body to fight cold-borne diseases like cough, cold, sinus, and other respiratory problems.

Enjoy this winter season by eating seasonal healthy foods and taking the above health precautions. Stay healthy, Stay safe!

Antibiotics Awareness

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021

According to the State of the World’s Antibiotics 2021 study antibiotic use in India has increased dramatically, with a 30 percent increase in per capita use over the last decade, raising worries about widespread and growing antibiotic resistance.

Spread awareness, stop resistance

Every year, between November 18 and 24 the world observes World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW). It helps raise awareness about global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and encourages best practises among the general public, health workers, farmers, animal health professionals, and policymakers to prevent the spread of drug-resistant infections.

What is antibiotic resistance?

Antibiotics are medicines used to kill bacteria. Over time, certain groups of these germs may adapt to these medicines and change in such a way that antibiotics can′t kill them. This is called antibiotic resistance. Bacteria are very small organisms and some of them are harmless and may be helpful. But some of these germs can be harmful, they multiply inside your body, and can cause disease. Before antibiotics were introduced, people often got very sick from bacterial infections. With these medicines, it is now easy to treat many infections and save lives too.

Antibiotic resistance is increasing at an alarming rate across the world. New resistance mechanisms are arising and spreading throughout the world, posing a danger to our ability to treat common infectious diseases. As antibiotics become less efficient, an increasing variety of infections — including pneumonia, tuberculosis, blood poisoning, gonorrhoea, and foodborne diseases – are becoming more difficult, if not impossible, to cure. Antibiotic resistance is jeopardising contemporary medicine’s gains. Without appropriate antibiotics for prophylaxis and treatment, organ transplantation, chemotherapy, and procedures such as caesarean sections may become substantially more risky.

How to Prevent Antibiotic Resistance?

Antibiotics operate by combating bacterial illnesses. They have the ability to kill germs or make it more difficult for bacteria to develop and multiply. Bacteria can adapt and create new structures that make them resistant to antibiotics when we abuse or overuse them. Viral infections, such as the common cold, flu, most sore throats, and ear infections, are the most prevalent causes of illness that are resistant to medications. These infections do not need antibiotics.

The process of antibiotic resistance is accelerated by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics, as well as poor infection prevention and control measures. It is important to use antibiotics responsibly and take steps at all levels of society to reduce the impact and limit the spread of resistance. Here are a few precautions to take:

  • Use antibiotics only when prescribed by a certified health professional.
  • Do not use antibiotics for viral infections.
  • Never demand antibiotics if your doctor says you don’t need them.
  • Always follow your doctor’s advice when using antibiotics.
  • Never share or use leftover antibiotics.
  • Prepare and store food hygienically, and choose foods that have been produced without the use of antibiotics for growth promotion or disease prevention in healthy animals.

Key facts

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest challenges to global health, food security, and development today. Anyone, of any age, in any country, can be affected. Antibiotic resistance occurs naturally, but human and animal overuse of antibiotics accelerates the process. Antimicrobial consumption in animals is nearly three times that of humans and is a primary driver of the scale-up in animal protein production. As antibiotics used to treat TB, pneumonia, gonorrhoea, and salmonellosis become less effective, these infections are becoming more difficult to cure.

Health Precautions

No one can completely avoid the risk of resistant infections, however people with a low immunity, or those suffering from existing health conditions are at a greater risk. We will lose the ability to treat illnesses and handle public health problems if antibiotics lose their effectiveness. Here are a few ways to help prevent the spread of all bacterial infections:

  • Always wash your hands with soap and water.
  • Don’t share food or beverages with others.
  • Practice safe sex.
  • Use tissues to cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
  • Don’t touch open wounds.
  • Stay away from sick people.
  • Don’t share personal items such as razors, towels, or brushes.

Use antibiotics responsibly for your and everyone’s safety.

COPD Awareness

Wednesday, November 17th, 2021

India has around 30 million Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients and it also contributes to the second-highest mortality from this disease. COPD claimed the lives of roughly 1 million people in 2017 in India. The rising pollution levels in the last two to three decades has contributed to this increased numbers. COPD is an incurable and progressive disease that causes inflammation in the lungs’ airways and the destruction of the air sacs that take oxygen from the air and discharge waste, such as carbon dioxide. COPD makes breathing more difficult with time. Although lung damage cannot be reversed, medication and lifestyle modifications can help you manage this condition.

Symptoms of COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, describes a group of lung conditions that make it difficult to empty air out of the lungs because the airways have become narrowed. It is caused over a period of time due to exposure to irritants that damage your lungs and airways. As COPD progresses gradually, it becomes increasingly difficult to breathe over time. The two most common conditions of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The most common symptoms include:

  • Persistent cough with mucus.
  • Difficulty taking a deep breath.
  • Shortness of breath with mild exercise.
  • Becoming tired easily.
  • Wheezing.

If you experience any of these symptoms, see a specialist for further diagnosis and treatment. Do not delay seeking medical care or dismiss the symptoms as regular cough. COPD is a chronic lung disease that has no cure. The damage done to your lungs is irreversible but you can slow the disease’s progression by administering medications that improve quality of life and alleviate symptoms.

Risk factors of COPD

Long-term exposure to allergens and toxins in the air can lead to COPD. Smoking is the biggest risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The majority of COPD cases in western countries are caused by tobacco use, but most COPD cases in the developing world, including India, are caused by exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution, notably burning biomass, such as wood and cow dung. Here are the most common risk factors of this disease:

  • Smoking tobacco.
  • Breathing second-hand smoke.
  • Long-term exposure to air pollution.
  • Workplace exposure to chemicals, fumes and dust.
  • A genetic condition called Alpha-1 deficiency.
  • A history of childhood respiratory infection.

Living with COPD

This condition has no permanent cure. However, there are certain things you can do to maintain your health and alleviate your symptoms. COPD patients must make these positive lifestyle changes to help improve their quality of life:

  • Quit smoking.
  • Avoid smoke, fumes, dust, and air pollution as much as you can.
  • Practice breathing exercises.
  • Stay active.
  • Take your medications as prescribed.
  • Get regular checkups.
  • Eat a healthy diet.

COPD treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

The Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital provides the full spectrum of care and treatment for respiratory diseases like COPD. Our world-class multidisciplinary team of doctors, pulmonologists, nurses, lab technicians, and support staff provides cutting-edge treatment and exemplary care in a comforting ambience full of personalized attention. We are equipped with an Ultra Modern Pulmonary Function Lab for Spirometry, Lung Volumes, Diffusion Capacity, 6-minute walk test, and oxygen saturation. The right facilities and the right experts can help you breathe easier. We also have an advanced physical rehabilitation therapy department for assistance with chest physiotherapy and other rehabilitation therapy. Please find below our website link for further information: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/pulmonarymedicine/copd.html

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