Celebrate a Happy and Healthy Diwali

Diwali, the festival of lights and joy is here. Families get together and enjoy themselves during these auspicious days. It’s time to share sweets, gifts and light diyas. While you are busy enjoying this festival of joy and togetherness, you need to watch out for a few things that can harm your health. This is especially true for cardiac patients, asthmatics, pregnant women, infants, heart patients and diabetics. You are exposed to fire, smoke, and significant amounts of high-calorie foods that are rich in oil, salt and sugar. You must take some health precautions while enjoying the festive days. Follow these helpful tips to stay happy and safe this Diwali:

Healthy Diwali tips:

Here are a few useful tips for you and your family to have a healthy Diwali:

• Stop use of Crackers
  Noise pollution and air pollution has been increasing in India over the years and we must take corrective action together to reduce it. High decibel sounds can have major health complications for children, pregnant women and the elderly. Fireworks in the sky make for a beautiful sight but they also emit harmful fumes that can lead to many respiratory ailments and especially harm asthmatics, young children and the elderly. So, let’s take a pledge to be a more responsible citizen and scale down on noise and air pollution. Celebrate a cracker-free Diwali.
• Keep yourself hydrated
  The weather is very humid now-a-days. Further people also eat many heavy food items during the festive days. It is important to flush out toxins that are accumulated by eating unhealthy sweets and snacks by drinking enough water. You can also sip on nimbu paani, chaas, coconut water and fresh fruit juices.
• Get enough sleep
  Even though Diwali is celebrated in the evening, sometimes the festivities last well past midnight. You might sleep less as a result of this upsetting your regular sleep pattern and lead to weariness, mood changes, and tiredness. Make sure you get enough sleep during Diwali. Cover-up with an afternoon nap next day to ensure that you get your recommended amount of sleep for the day.
• Use Anti-Pollution masks
  During Diwali days, the pollution levels rise to excessively dangerous levels. This can have adverse effects on patients with chronic lung diseases, COPD, asthma, etc. As a precaution use a face mask that covers your nose and mouth to limit exposure to pollutants.
• Avoid alcohol
  Diwali is a time for many get-togethers with family and friends, card games, etc. and can include alcohol consumption too. Excessive alcohol intake is injurious to your health, makes you dehydrated and also leaves you with a hangover. Say “No” to alcohol.
• Supervise for safety!
  Children must be under strict supervision by adults especially while bursting crackers and also when they are around diyas. It is recommended to wear safe cotton clothes instead of heavy fabrics. Keep a first-aid kit handy around you to handle any untoward emergency.
• Eat healthy
  Diwali is filled with fried snacks, sugar-rich mithaais and ghee-laden consumables. However, these items contain a very high amount of calories which aren’t good for health and may raise your blood sugar or blood pressure levels. Follow these healthy eating tips:

• Practice portion control at all times.
• Consume sweets that are prepared using natural sweeteners.
• Avoid drinking aerated drinks and packaged juices.
• Avoid sweets made of white flour.
• Have more probiotics to aid better digestion.
• While socializing always opt to finish the meal in one go, and not to eat in small intervals.

This Diwali don’t let your diet plans ruin your festivities or your celebrations ruin your diet. Moderation is the key in everything you eat. Wishing you and your family a Happy and Healthy Diwali! The team at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai is always available for any kind of medical requirements on all festive days. Reach out to our team at the below link: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/

More than 18 crore Indians suffer from arthritis, which is the leading cause of joint pain, mobility problems, and discomfort among women. Over 14% of Indians seek medical attention each year for this joint issue. Age-related degenerative arthritis, which involves cartilage degeneration (wear and tear) and can affect any joint, including the knee, is the most prevalent type of arthritis found in India. While osteoarthritis remains the most common form of arthritis, other common joint conditions affecting Indians include gout and rheumatoid arthritis. Poor nutrition, obesity and a deficiency in vitamin D levels are the main cause behind this condition which affects more women than men.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a common disorder that affects your joints, causes pain and inflammation, making it difficult to move or stay active. Arthritis comes in a variety of forms. More than 100 different diseases and disorders that affect the body’s joints collectively fall under the umbrella term “arthritis.” Each type has unique symptoms and can need a different set of treatments. People of all ages can be affected, and it can range from moderate to severe symptoms. It is a significant source of disability and, if untreated, can lead to:

• Chronic pain
• Stiffness or swelling
• Limb deformities
• Impaired range of motion

These signs can significantly interfere with your daily life. It might be challenging to learn how to live with arthritis. However, you can manage the symptoms and enhance your quality of life with the right care and therapy from orthopedic specialists. The type of arthritis, personal health requirements, level of pain, and presence of symptoms in other body organs will all influence the treatment.

Lifestyle changes for Arthritis

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle may lower your risk of getting some types of arthritis. Additionally, it can lessen how severe your symptoms are. For instance, being overweight or obese puts more strain on your joints. It might also aggravate the symptoms of arthritis by causing widespread inflammation. These symptoms may be lessened by a healthy weight loss. The first stages in controlling arthritis symptoms frequently involve making healthy lifestyle adjustments. Try to get more sleep, work out frequently, and eat a low-fat, high-fiber diet. Exercise may be very beneficial for easing arthritic symptoms. Low-impact exercise has shown to help strengthen bones and muscles, alleviate pain and fatigue, and enhance joint mobility.

Managing Arthritis

There are several effective ways to ease the pain of arthritis with medication, exercise and stress reduction techniques. How you manage your arthritis will have a significant impact on how well you recover from your illness and maintain your health. Making good lifestyle decisions and learning how to control the mental and emotional impacts of arthritis are both aspects of self-management. You’ll need to develop a close relationship with your doctors and learn everything you can about your condition. You can successfully control your sickness by practicing these self-management techniques:

• Keep your joints moving with daily gentle stretches.
• Engage in non-impact cardio.
• Strengthen the muscles around a painful joint.
• Pay attention to your joints, while sitting, standing or engaging in activity.
• Avoid activities that involve high impact or repetitive motion.
• Always maintain a good posture.
• Manage your weight.
• Know your limits and balance activity and rest.
• Use the stairs less often.
• Try cold and heat therapy.
• Use a mobility aid if required.
• Quit smoking.
• Maintain a healthy diet.
• Take medications if prescribed
• Remove hazards in your home that could lead to a fall.
• Improve sleep.

Arthritis Treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Experts at our Centre for Bone & Joint offer comprehensive treatment for disorders of the musculoskeletal system that includes arthritis. Our dedicated operation theatres are supported by Computer-Aided Navigation Systems for Joint Replacement & Arthroscopic Surgery that provides superior long-term results. We also offer a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Programme that helps our patients recover after a knee replacement surgery. Our Centre for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation has dedicated areas for instrumented gait and motion analysis, isokinetic multi-joint dynamometer, pneumatic strength training and exercise systems to assist in recovery of arthritis patients. Please find the below the links for further details:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_bonejoint.html

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_physicalmedicinerehabilitation.html

Roughly 56 million Indians suffer from depression while 38 million suffer from some anxiety disorders. Mental health conditions that affect our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours include depression and anxiety. More than 200 different types of mental illnesses exist. Did you know that it may take years for someone to receive an appropriate diagnosis and treatment after they first experience mental health issues? It is time to spread awareness about mental health disorders, remove the stigma around it, discuss more of it and get closer to achieve the theme of World Mental Health Day 2022 ‘Making mental health and well-being for all a global priority’.

What is Mental Health?

Mental health is influenced by several social and environmental factors that interact with our own biological predisposition and family circumstances. It affects how you feel, act, think, and interact with others. How you handle stress is also influenced by your mental health. Mental health conditions are disturbances in a person’s thinking, feeling, or behaviour and may also disrupt your professional, social, family activities. Mental health conditions are like any other physical disorder and need appropriate medical care. Symptoms of mental health disorders usually improve with treatment, which may include medication, psychotherapy, alternative therapies, etc.

Signs of a Mental Health disorder

One out of every five people may suffer from a mental illness. Mental illness can strike anyone, whether they are young or old. It may have an impact on your thoughts and actions. Anxiety, depression, addiction, eating disorders, and schizophrenia are a few examples of common mental illnesses. Numerous mental illnesses can seriously impair a person’s capacity to carry out daily activities including working, studying, or maintaining their quality of life. The majority of the time, psychotherapy and medicine can be used to control the symptoms of mental diseases. Some signs that indicate a mental health disorder include:

• Long-lasting sadness or irritability
• Extreme changes in moods
• Social withdrawal
• Changes in eating or sleeping pattern
• Excessive paranoia or worry
• Inability to concentrate
• Unnecessary feelings of guilt
• The tendency to react with violence
• Paranoia/ Hallucinations
• Feeling suicidal

Ways to boost your Mental Health

Do you dedicate some time daily to take care of your mental well-being? Managing your feelings and handling everyday challenges is an important part of staying mentally stable. Keeping your mental health in check may occasionally need seeking help from a mental health specialist. However, apart from that here are the essential steps to take on a regular basis to improve your mental and emotional wellness:

• Be physically active
• Learn new skills
• Eat healthy
• Stay connected
• Practice self-care
• Sleep well
• Cope better with stress
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco
• Get help when you need

Mental health care at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Are you suffering from any mental health related queries or concerns such as anxiety, mood swings, sleep difficulties, depression, death or separation of a loved one? Do not delay seeking help to address your mental health needs. Meet highly trained and compassionate counselors and mental health specialists at our Department of Psychiatry. Please visit the below link for more information: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/psychiatry.html

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills as well as the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Symptoms of this condition typically begin to show in the majority of patients in their mid-60s. Early-onset Alzheimer’s occurs between a person’s 30s and mid-60s and is very rare. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older adults.

A research from the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) from 2020 estimates that over 50 lakh Indians over 60 have dementia. India’s burden would be much higher due to unawareness about the condition, under reporting and lack of diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment allows patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease to maintain the highest levels of cognitive and functional ability possible.

Signs of Alzheimer’s disease

As Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive illness, the signs and symptoms appear gradually over a long period of time and then worsen. Multiple brain functions are impacted due to this condition. In most cases, mild memory issues are the initial indication of Alzheimer’s disease which get severe as the illness worsens. The additional symptoms include:

• Confusion, disorientation and getting lost in familiar places
• Difficulty making decisions
• Problems with speech and language
• Personality changes, such as becoming aggressive, demanding or suspicious
• Problems moving around without assistance
• Hallucinations and delusions
• Low mood or anxiety

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease

People with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are usually cared for by family members, friends or trained medical assistants. Here are some expert recommended tips to assist caregivers:

• Help make communication easier
  How you talk to the patient can make a great difference to his/ her response towards your care and your overall rapport. Good communication skills can give the patient a chance to participate in conversations and activities easily. Here are some strategies to make communication easier:
  • Maintain eye contact and smile
  • Address the patient by name
  • Use a relaxed body language
  • Speak with a soft, calming voice
• Help them eat a nutritious diet
  Eat a variety of foods, especially fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy. Limit intake of salt, sugar, processed and junk foods.
• Boost their self-esteem
  Looking and feeling good can help alleviate some of the anxiety Alzheimer’s causes in patients. Make sure your patient has all the assistance they need to look their best.
• Ensure the patient’s safety
  Is your house safe for your patient? Many everyday situations can make a person with Alzheimer’s feel unsafe or put them in actual danger. Follow these safety tips:
  • Place carpet or grip strips on stairs
  • Place covers over electrical outlets
  • Remove small rugs
  • Remove loose wires
  • Place handrails and mats in the shower
• Plan right
  Schedule social gatherings and visitors for when your loved one is most capable of handling them. Too much stimulation or activity at the wrong time of day can be overwhelming for the patient.
• Set a daily routine
  A daily routine and Alzheimer’s care go hand in hand, benefiting patients and caregivers alike. Whether it is going for a midday walk, solving puzzles, talking to loved ones or pursuing a hobby  provide patients with a sense of comfort and control over their lives and help them stay mentally and physically active.
• Be patient
  Over time, a person with dementia will become more dependent. It is essential for the caregiver to be very patient and flexible and adapt your patient’s routine and expectations as needed.

Alzheimer’s care at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Concerned about a loved one who has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease? Consult highly trained and experienced neurologists and therapists at our Centre for Neurosciences. We undertake diagnostic tests, evaluation, neurology consultation, physical and cognitive rehabilitation, and psychotherapy to help manage this condition better. We are committed to provide world-class Alzheimer’s care and help make a positive difference in the patient’s life. Please visit our website for more details: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_neurosciences.html

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. This condition develops in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. These cells are crucial to the body’s immunological defences and aid in the battle against disease. The most frequent blood cancer found in adults is lymphoma, and it is also the third most frequent disease found in children. While the exact cause of lymphoma still remains unknown, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma occurs much more frequently in HIV-infected people than in the general population. Lymphoma cannot be prevented, but survival rates after timely treatment are promising.

Types of Lymphoma

The 2 primary types of lymphoma that are commonly seen include Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). They usually occur in both children and adults.

• Hodgkin lymphoma
  Most people who suffer from Hodgkin lymphoma have the classic form. This form has large, abnormal lymphocytes (white blood cells) in their lymph nodes. This is usually a curable form of lymphoma.
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  There are many kinds of Non- Hodgkin lymphoma that form from different kinds of white blood cells, such as B cells and T cells. NHL may be slow-growing or aggressive. In this type, the white blood cells called lymphocytes grow abnormally and can form growths (tumors) throughout the body.

Symptoms of Lymphoma

Lymphoma has symptoms that are similar to other viral illnesses, like the common cold. They often go on for a longer duration, though. A painless enlargement of a lymph node in the neck or upper chest is the most typical early indication of lymphoma. You may occasionally feel swollen lymph nodes in your groin, stomach, or armpit. The swelling does not go away when it is lymphoma. The overlap of symptoms can often lead to misdiagnosis of this condition. Watch out for these symptoms of lymphoma and seek urgent medical care:

• Ongoing fever without infection
• Night sweats, fever, and chills
• Weight loss and reduced appetite
• Unusual itching
• Persistent fatigue

4.3% of all new cancer cases are lymphomas. Through the lymphatic system, lymphoma can quickly spread from the lymph nodes to other regions of the body. The immune system is less effective in fighting infections as malignant lymphocytes invade other tissues.

How is Lymphoma diagnosed?               

There are no routine screenings for lymphoma. A person should see a doctor if they continue to experience viral symptoms. Additionally, they will perform a physical examination, looking for any potential swellings in the armpits, groin, neck, and abdomen. The doctor will search for indications of infection close to lymph nodes because this is the most common cause of swelling.

Usually, if a doctor suspects lymphoma, a biopsy will be performed. In order to do this, cells from an enlarged lymph node must be removed. To ascertain whether lymphoma cells are present and whether cell type they are, a specialist known as a hematopathologist will study the cells. Using imaging scans like a CT or MRI, it is possible to find new tumours or enlarged lymph nodes. Blood and bone marrow testing, imaging, and a physical examination that may involve a lymph node biopsy are all necessary for the diagnosis of lymphoma.

Lymphoma Treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

The treatment advised for each case depends on various factors such as the exact type and stage of the lymphoma, its grade, your age and your general health. The treatment is also determined on the size of the affected nodes and which parts of the body are affected. The treatment is aimed at destroying as many lymphoma cells as possible and to induce a complete remission; that is, to eliminate all evidence of disease.

There are several treatment options, including radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and stem cell transplant. Chemotherapy and blood and marrow transplant are the main modalities used to treat lymphoma. Consult highly trained and experienced oncologists at our Centre for Cancer for a detailed diagnosis and for expert intervention. To know more about our Lymphoma care, visit our website: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_cancer/lymphoma.html