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Keeping You Healthy

Keeping You Healthy

Apr 6th, 2021

Archive for the ‘ Health Tips ’ Category

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Keeping You Healthy

Tuesday, April 6th, 2021

With the second-largest population in the world, India is home to over 1.3 billion people. But are we a healthy population? Do we prioritise healthcare and are proactive with preventive healthcare? 1 in every 10 Indian suffers from a non-communicable disease mainly due to poor lifestyle choices, physical inactivity, uncontrolled stress, unhealthy diet, and environmental conditions. Non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension are responsible for 2 out of every 4 deaths in India. Research also suggests that unhealthy eating patterns alone are a risk factor in one in five global deaths, raising the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure immensely.

Close to 60 to 70 million people in the country suffer from common and severe mental health disorders that have a lasting impact on their lives. India is the world’s suicide capital with over 2.6 lakh cases of suicide happening each year. Both physical and mental health needs to be identified and treated promptly. Healthcare is a basic human right and must be accessible and affordable to all. This year “World Health Day” focuses on the theme “Building a fairer, healthier world”. Let us eliminate inequalities, fight discrimination based on gender, race, caste, or creed and bring people together to build fairer and healthier communities.

Healthy living tips

The first step toward preventive healthcare is to choose to live a healthier lifestyle. This not only lowers your chances of contracting multiple chronic illnesses, but it also increases your chances of living a long life. Here are a few things you can do every day to improve your health:

Eat well
Have a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and consume a balanced diet to fulfil your body’s nutritional needs. Stay away from fad diets as they may deplete you of certain nutrients.

Exercise daily
A physically active lifestyle can aid in the prevention of a variety of health issues, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. Aim for consistency in your exercise routine and gradually increase the amount and intensity.

Get screened
Regular health screenings are important and essential to help detect diseases early. Age-appropriate tests based on any symptoms, risk factors or family history help detect chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, etc and start prompt treatment.

Stay socially active
Staying connected with your family and friends, colleagues, your classmates, joining a hobby class, or volunteering helps you build a sense of community and boosts your overall happiness.

Manage safety risks
Take the required safety precautions to safeguard your and your family’s life. Drive within the speed limits, avoid distractions, don’t drink and drive, wear a seat belt or a helmet as required and wear appropriate equipment during an adventure sports too.

Maintain good dental hygiene
Brushing twice daily and flossing regularly protect your teeth  from decay and keeps your gums healthy. The inflammation in the gums may lead to heart disease, breathing problems and other health risks.

Quit Smoking and drinking
Smoking harms nearly every organ in your body, and is a leading preventable cause of death. By quitting, you can reduce your chances of serious health problems like heart disease and various cancers. Excessive use of alcohol has harmful effects on your liver and is also linked to various cancers.

Get immunized
Immunizations are a key way to stay healthy and ward off many life-threatening illnesses. Talk to your paediatrician about the recommended vaccine schedule for your child and also ask your doctor about essential adult immunizations.

Sleep well
Aim to sleep between seven to nine hours a night to optimize the amount of deep, restorative sleep you get. Maintain a regular sleep schedule, and minimize distractions like screens, caffeine, or noise before bedtime.

Manage stress better
Stress is a part of everyone’s life nowadays due to professional deadlines, multi-tasking and managing various responsibilities. Meditate daily, maintain a journal or take up a hobby you enjoy to reduce your stress levels.

Why choose Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital has been voted as Mumbai & Western India’s no. 1 Multispeciality Hospital for 5 consecutive years. We are proud of our team for scaling these heights and promise to continue delivering world-class healthcare services each day. Our team is at the forefront of research and adapts to the most advanced medical technologies. We believe that healthcare systems become more efficient and accessible as a result of digitization. Our hospital is driven by advanced surgical procedures, minimally invasive techniques, robotics, high-end imaging, and superior diagnostic methods to facilitate high-quality healthcare services for our patients. Our specialists are highly trained, experienced and offer expertise that match international standards.

Equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, innovative technologies, and a multi-disciplinary care approach our team offers specialised treatment to children, women, and the elderly. Our Centre for Cancer offers a range of therapies, medication as well as conventional and minimally invasive surgical support for patients suffering from various cancers. We help detect, diagnose and manage minor health problems as well as the most serious health conditions.

Some important healthcare statistics at our hospital:

  • Centre for Cardiac Sciences
    2577+ Angioplasties
    7850+ Cardiac surgeries
  • Centre For Cancer
    12,298 complex cancer surgeries
  • Centre for Bone & Joint
    1960+ Joint Replacement Surgeries
    1902+ Spine surgeries
  • Centre for Neurosciences
    1373+ Brain tumour surgeries

Your health is important to us. With over 750 beds, 180 ICU beds, 15 Centres of Excellence, 140+ OPD Clinics, Diagnostics & Day Care Services, Full-Time Specialist System and cutting-edge technology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital is committed to your well-being. Our team is dedicated to offer comprehensive healthcare solutions to you and your family. Keeping you healthy at all times. For further information please visit: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com

Tuberculosis (TB) – Awareness & Management

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021

India accounts for about a quarter of the global TB burden, which is about 2.6 million cases out of 10 million cases worldwide. Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection that usually attacks your lungs but can also spread to other parts of your body, like your brain and spine. A person with infectious tuberculosis can infect up to 10–15 other people per year. But with timely diagnosis and treatment, most of these patients are no longer infectious after just two weeks of taking the medication. Removing the stigma around TB, increasing the awareness and seeking timely medical help will help fight the TB battle in India.

Stages of TB

When exposed to the tuberculosis bacteria in your body, it goes through the below stages:

  • Latent TB – Your body contains the TB germs, but your immune system prevents them from spreading. You’re not infectious and don’t have any symptoms. However, the virus is still alive and could resurface at any time.
  • Active TB – The TB germs multiply and make you sick and you can also spread the disease to others. Ninety percent of active cases in adults come from a latent TB infection.

Signs and symptoms of TB

When you are suffering from latent TB, it does not show any symptoms. A skin or blood test can help detect latent TB. Here are a few signs of active TB disease:

  • A cough that lasts more than 3 weeks
  • Chest pain
  • Coughing up blood
  • Night sweats
  • Fever and chills
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss

If you have any of these symptoms, you must see a doctor to get yourself tested.

Risk factors of TB

People with impaired or immature immune systems, such as those infected with HIV, the elderly, or those with existing medical conditions have a higher risk of getting TB. Here are some other situations that increase your TB risk:

  • A friend, colleague, or family member has active TB
  • You live in or have travelled to an area where TB is common
  • You are a healthcare worker
  • Use of cigarettes

How does TB spread?

When someone who has active TB coughs, sneezes, talks, laughs, or sings, they release tiny droplets that contain the germs. If you breathe in these germs, you can get infected with it. This airborne disease is contagious and you are more likely to get it from co-workers, friends, and family members. However, the germs do not thrive on surfaces and you cannot get it from shaking hands with someone who has it or by sharing their food or drink. 

Complications of TB

Without treatment, tuberculosis can be fatal. Untreated active disease typically affects your lungs, but it can also spread to other parts of your body through your bloodstream over a period of time. Examples of tuberculosis complications include:

  • Spinal pain
  • Joint damage
  • Meningitis
  • Liver or kidney problems
  • Heart disorders

Preventive measures – TB infection

If you test positive for latent TB infection, your doctor may advise you to take medications to reduce your risk of developing active tuberculosis. The only type of tuberculosis that is contagious is the active variety. Take all the precautions as suggested by your doctor to prevent your latent tuberculosis from becoming active. Here are some additional recommendations:

1. Protect your family and friends

  • Stay at home and isolate yourself from others
  • Ventilate the room
  • Cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing
  • Wear a mask when you are around people

2. Finish your entire course of medication

This is the most important step you can take to protect yourself and others from tuberculosis. When you stop treatment early or skip doses, TB bacteria have a chance to develop mutations and turn into drug-resistant TB that is deadly and difficult to treat.

3. Vaccination

The BCG vaccine is given to infants to protect them from tuberculosis. Ensure that your child is immunized against TB.

Tuberculosis Treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Early detection and treatment is the key to controlling the spread of TB. We help patients in the diagnosis and testing of both active and inactive TB. The Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital provides state-of-the-art care for all respiratory diseases. The team is equipped with advanced infrastructure and world-class service in the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis. Our dedicated team guides patients through the various stages of TB and ensures a successful treatment. For more information please visit our website:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/pulmonarymedicine.html

Exercise can change your life!

Wednesday, February 24th, 2021

Stressed, frustrated, or anxious about your career, relationships, or life in general? Highs and lows are a part of everyone’s life but an active lifestyle helps you float through and come out as a stronger and happier person. Did you know? Even a simple run has miraculous effects on your brain. Exercise can have a tremendous impact on your mood and acts as a positive coping mechanism in difficult times. In fact, in treating mild to moderate depression, it is thought that exercise can be just as beneficial as anti-depressants. Regular exercise not only has several physical health benefits but is also known to boost your mood, improve your sleep, and help you manage depression, anxiety and stress better.

Exercise and mental health
A new exercise habit enhances the brain’s reward system and increases neural connections among areas of the brain that helps calm anxiety. The natural state of the nervous system can be changed by daily physical activity so that it becomes more relaxed and less inclined to fight, flight, or fear. Around the world, people who exercise daily experience more gratitude, love, and hope in their life. These benefits are seen throughout the lifespan, including among those living with serious mental and physical health challenges. Choose a sport or exercise that you enjoy doing and see how it boosts your self-esteem and has a profound effect on your personality. Here are some of the underlying medical reasons why exercise positively impacts your mental health:

  • Exercise helps chronic depression by increasing serotonin (which helps your brain regulate mood, sleep, and appetite)
  • It reduces the levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol
  • Exercise reduces immune system chemicals that can make depression worse
  • Exercise increases your level of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters
  • Exercise helps regulate your sleep patterns
  • Exercise limits the effect of stress on your brain

The importance of exercise
People who exercise regularly tend to do so because it gives them an enormous sense of well-being. Throughout the day, they feel more energetic, sleep at night better, have sharper memories, and feel more comfortable throughout the day. And for this, you don’t have to be a fitness fanatic or spend long hours at a gym. Research indicates that even modest amounts of exercise can make a great difference to your health. Avoid exercising only for weight-loss reasons, since it takes a few weeks or months to produce results. Look at the various ways that exercise benefits your well-being from the inside out. Focus on a health-related target to remain accountable for your fitness routine, such as lowering blood pressure, decreasing stress, or sleeping better. Here is how maintaining a regular fitness regime benefits your health:

  • Uplifts your mood and reduces the risk of depression
  • Helps maintain a healthy weight
  • Protects your heart health
  • Helps relieve chronic pain
  • Help reduce stress levels
  • Promotes better sleep
  • Boosts your fertility levels
  • Improves your posture and makes you flexible
  • Increases your life span
  • Relieves PMS symptoms
  • Slows cognitive decline
  • Strengthens your bones and joints
  • Supports your eye health

Stay motivated to exercise regularly

For most adults at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity is recommended. Healthcare experts suggest that you can spread this exercise throughout the week. Choose your preferred fitness activity – walking, running, swimming, dancing, biking, playing sports, lifting weights, or practicing yoga and be regular with it. Here are some additional tips:

  • Make everyday activities more active – Even small changes can help. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk down to a nearby store instead of driving, park further away from your destination.
  • Be active with friends and family – Encourage plans with your family and friends that include exercise. It can be a trek or attending a virtual fitness class together too. Set aside sometime every week to play a sport with your children and spend quality family time together.
  • Keep track of your progress – Keeping a log of your activity or using a fitness tracker may help you set goals and stay motivated.
  • Make exercise more fun – Try listening to music while you exercise. You can also try a combination of fitness activities like power yoga, aerobics, playing tennis, running, going to the gym, and alternate between them.

Remember to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any concerns about your fitness, haven’t exercised for a long time, have chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, lower back pain or arthritis. Stay fit, stay happy!

New Year’s Resolutions – Do’s and Don’ts

Thursday, December 31st, 2020

The plans for the coming New Year’s Eve are going to be a lot different than what they were last year. People are more likely to spend their time on a couch watching a festive movie or enjoying an early dinner than going to a party. But it’s still a tradition to decide on New Year’s resolutions before December 31. The history of New Year’s resolutions can be traced back to the Romans who began each year by making promises to their god Janus(from whom the month of January gets its name).

According to an online survey conducted in 2019, nearly 28% of Americans had reported that they had made a New Year’s resolutions for 2020. Most were optimistic about their ability to stick to their resolutions but the pandemic ruined their plans. Are you also one of them? Instead of getting demotivated, try again.

A recent survey has reported that the top planned New Year’s resolutions for 2021 aren’t focused on exercise or weight loss, but rather saving money for the future (62%) and learning a new skill (50%). 68% of people are letting go of their materialistic resolutions. They want to focus more on experiences — like spending more time with family or travelling more. After a difficult 2020 more and more people are looking at life from a different perspective.

How to make New Year’s Resolutions?

  • Tackle the new year with a fresh mindset and renewed motivation.
  • Resolutions can be short-term or long-term.
  • Some reasons why people fail at their resolutions: unrealistic goals, not keeping track of progress or making too many resolutions!
  • In order to stay committed, don’t set harsh deadlines, but rather keep checking with yourself regularly throughout 2021.

Here are a few tips to brighten your days and put the pep back into your step in 2021:

  • Budgeting – Outline a budget that works for you and make plans for how you’ll stick to it.
  • Diet – Food is fuel, not a therapy!
    • Do not skip meals, but also don’t overeat. Include fruits, vegetables, berries, and nuts regularly.
    • Hydrate: Drink minimum of 8 glasses of water per day.
    • Learn cooking: Not only should you eat healthy but also try out different cuisines.
  • Avoid addictive substances – Avoiding alcohol improves your mood, sleep pattern, skin, and immune system. Tobacco products are extremely harmful and lead to fatal diseases.
  • Exercise
    • Exercise daily: Incorporate new workout routines.
    • Clean the house: Helping in household chores helps burn calories.
    • Take nature walks: Sunlight is crucial to regulate our moods/circadian rhythms.
  • Time management– Learn to manage time better.
    • Do one thing at a time – organize activities into chunks of time, giving 100% to each. Multitasking doesn’t make you efficient but leads to considerable stress. Fragmented focus, increases anxiety as work piles up.
    • Delegate – Spend money on time-saving services, e.g. microwaves, dishwashers. Ask others for help when needed.
    • Relaxation time – Keep time for relaxation. Sleep on time, practice meditation and yoga to relax your mind and body.
  • Hobbies– Hobbies are good distractions from everyday stresses and strains!
    • Try out new hobbies.
    • Gardening – Caring for plants calms the nerves and improves concentration.
    • Learn a new skill- e.g. calligraphy, quilling, a musical instrument.
    • Try out new looks – Working on your looks is refreshing and makes you feel good.
    • Travel – Going overseas might be off for a while, but a short trip in a car is a great way to change pace and forget about social media for a day!
    • Volunteer – Charity work lowers stress and improves well-being.
  • Thought management – Thoughts influence emotions, behaviours, and habits.
    • Maintain a diary where you can write down your thoughts.
    • Write kind words to yourself, as you’d say to a friend.
    • Maintain a gratitude journal. Write 3 good things that happened to you today.
    • Don’t spread rumours and avoid negative news on social media.
  • Therapy:
    • Music therapy – Music has been known to work wonders like lowering stress, reducing pain and elevating mood.
    • Aromatherapy – Use aromas as they affect mood, memory, and energy.
    • Professional therapy – Resolve to care for your mental health. Reach out to your nearest mental healthcare professional if needed or get an appointment for online counselling from the comfort of your home!

Wishing you and your family a Happy and Healthy 2021! We at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital are here to support you at each step of your health journey. Consult our team of specialists for regular health check-ups, dietary advice, or counselling for mental health problems. Stay safe!

Staying Fit this Winter

Monday, December 14th, 2020

As we approach the most pleasant climate of the year and an end to the challenging 2020 the world seems a brighter and happier place. The winter chills bring a smile to many faces and some fond memories too. While winter brings a lot of joy to many, some cities in India face extreme winters that may lead to certain health repercussions. Some extra precautions must be followed to maintain optimum health. The low temperature and the lack of sunlight also weaken immunity making people susceptible to many common diseases like cold, cough and flu.

Common winter ailments

Here are the most common winter ailments that affect people in winter:

Common cold: Runny noses, sneezing, and chest congestion are a common winter occurrence. Young children are more prone to this viral infection and may also develop a minor fever.

Influenza: More commonly known as the ‘flu’, symptoms of influenza include high fever, sore throat, splitting headache, muscle pain, and coughing bouts.

Joint aches: The low temperature in winter, makes your joints extremely inflexible and more painful. This makes people with arthritis and other orthopaedic problems struggle with complaints of body ache, joint ache, and discomfort.

Bronchitis: It is a common respiratory infection that tends to target children and adults above the age of 60 years. The virus causes inflammation of the airway branches in the lungs, leading to mucous clogging the airways, which makes it hard to breathe. It is accompanied by nasal congestion, low-grade fevers, cough, and wheezing.

Pneumonia: Pneumonia is the infection of the lungs, caused by bacteria. You may have a cough, fever, and breathing problems. Having long-term diseases like asthma, hypertension, or heart problems may increase your risk of getting pneumonia.

Beating the Blues

strengthen your body by following these health tips and including some winter superfoods in your diet:

  • Get your daily dose of vitamin D by getting enough sunlight. This helps strengthen your bones, boosts your immune system, and also helps fight mood swings.
  • Create a daily exercise routine and exercise indoors if required. Physical activity of at least 30 minutes five days a week helps strengthen your immune system and maintain your overall health.  
  • Regular intake of dates keeps your body warm which makes them a great winter snack. They are low in fat and help supply your body with essential nutrients too.
  • Bajra or millets are rich in fat, protein, and fibre, and also are high in iron content. Regular consumption helps energize your body and keeps you warm.
  • Dark leafy greens like spinach, fenugreek, mustard greens, etc. are rich in vitamins A, C, K, and various other nutrients. They not only enhance your bone health but also help fight the winter skin dryness.
  • Dry fruits like almonds and walnuts help keep your body warm and also ensure an active nervous system, a healthy heart, and improved insulin sensitivity.
  • Chyawanprash is made using a variety of ayurvedic herbs and the goodness of amla or gooseberry that helps support the body’s natural ability to produce red blood cells and helps keep the respiratory passages clear.
  • Use warming spices like cloves and cinnamon to flavour your meals. Cinnamon is a warming spice that helps increase blood circulation, aids in tissue regeneration, and is anti-inflammatory. Cloves produce a large amount of eugenol, an oil that makes the skin feel warmer and increases blood circulation.
  • Sesame or til seeds are known to be very helpful in maintaining a good temperature of your body. They help boost your energy, digestion, and bone health. Relish this winter staple in the form of chikki, and by using sesame oil for cooking.
  • Ghee is a winter essential that is rich in unsaturated fat and is responsible for keeping the body warm and also supplying it with energy.

Enjoy these winter months by having nourishing food and by staying away from unhealthy lifestyle habits. Make the most out of winter by eating seasonal fruits and vegetables that boost your immune system naturally.

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