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Mens Health

Crucial Health Screenings for Men

Jun 18th, 2022

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Crucial Health Screenings for Men

Saturday, June 18th, 2022

Do your demanding work schedules and social commitments leave little time to care for your health? Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and prioritizing healthcare are essential aspects of life. While it is critical for people of all ages to pay attention to their bodies, studies show that men are less likely than women to visit doctors and seek medical care. Many men who are in good health may not believe it is necessary to get regular health checks. However, it is required that men of every decade get preventive screenings done.

Getting checked for health problems at the appropriate age and time can aid in early detection and timely treatment. Preventive care must be viewed as a long-term investment because it can help avert many serious health problems. Routine screenings can aid in the early detection of diseases such as prostate cancer, diabetes, cholesterol, colon cancer, heart disease, and hypertension.

Essential health tests for Men

You doctor will suggest appropriate health screenings based on your age, lifestyle, family history and eating habits. Here are some of the diagnostic tests that should be an essential part of health checkups for men:

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
    This is a painless, non-invasive medical test that detects cardiac (heart) abnormalities by measuring the electrical activity produced by the heart as it contracts. Depending on your health and medical history, an ECG test is recommended every two to five years if you are over the age of 50.
  • PSA Screening
    Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men and develops in the prostate gland. This can cause significant damage if it spreads to nearby organs and tissues. Your prostate health can be evaluated through a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test.
  • Liver enzyme test
    This is a simple diagnostic test for liver damage. Under normal conditions, these enzymes are found in the liver cells. When the liver is damaged, these enzymes are released into the blood stream, signaling a liver disease. It is critical to have these enzymes tested because they may be elevated as a result of over-the-counter medications, alcohol consumption, obesity, and exposure to other toxins.
  • Blood pressure test
    This simple and painless test uses a sphygmomanometer, also known as a blood pressure cuff, to measure your blood pressure. It only takes a few seconds to determine if you have hypertension. High blood pressure has been linked to a number of health problems, including heart disease, liver and kidney problems, making it an important test. At any stage or age, early detection can help manage hypertension through diet recommendations, lifestyle changes, and/or medications.
  • Cholesterol screening
    Cholesterol accumulates as a result of a poor diet, genetics, or a sedentary lifestyle. High cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease in both men and women. A blood test will be required by your doctor to obtain an accurate cholesterol profile. This test is highly recommended to understand your risk of heart disease and take appropriate action.
  • Diabetes screening
    High blood sugar has been linked to nerve damage, stomach and intestinal issues, as well as damage to your blood vessels, kidneys, and eyes, so it’s critical to get tested even if you’re young. It can cause erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, and decreased sexual drive in men. Early diagnosis of diabetes can help you get appropriate treatment and lower the risk of diabetes-related complications.
  • Lung health check-up
    Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and other chronic lung diseases. People who have been exposed to secondhand smoke for an extended period of time can also develop it. A persistent cough or other respiratory discomfort should be evaluated by a specialist. Consult a pulmonologist for further screenings.

Remember, screening tests are the foundation of good health. We recommend all men to take regular preventive health checkups, seek medical care without delay and consulting the right health specialists to maintain a healthy body and mind for men. Consult our experienced and trained team of doctors at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital for Executive Health Checkups. You can reach us on 022 42696969 for appointments or visit the below website link for further details: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/

Health Risks of Tobacco Use

Monday, May 30th, 2022

People who smoke die 10 years earlier than those who have never smoked. Smoking and tobacco use causes toxic substances to enter your lungs and spread throughout your body. Toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke reach your brain, heart, and other organs within 10 seconds after your first puff. Tobacco consumption is harmful to practically every part of your body and raises your risk of developing a variety of ailments. Quitting reduces your risk of tobacco induced diseases and can extend your life by several years.

Did you know?

Tobacco use is the one risk factor shared by 4 of the main categories of non-communicable disease. These include cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lung disease and diabetes.Statistic suggest that tobacco smoke increases the risk for coronary heart disease by 2 to 4 times!Every year health organizations around the world celebrate World No Tobacco Day on 31st May and get together to raise awareness on the harmful effects of tobacco use and to discourage the use of all forms of tobacco.

Tobacco use and cancer

Smokeless tobacco increases the risk of oral cancer whereas smoking is the causebehind a majority of the lung cancer cases. Cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, beedi and pipes can all cause cancer. There is no safe form of tobacco. Additionally, tobacco use also increases the risk for cancers of the: 

  • Larynx (voice box).
  • Pharynx (throat).
  • Cervix.
  • Breast.
  • Esophagus.
  • Kidney.
  • Liver.
  • Bladder.
  • Pancreas.
  • Stomach.
  • Colon/rectum.

How smoking tobacco damages your lungs

Smoking harms your lung’s airways and little air sacs. The damage begins as soon as a person begins smoking, and it continues to deteriorate as long as the person continues to smoke. This can also lead to serious long-term lung disorders as COPD, pneumonia, TB, and asthma. Common respiratory disorders include:

  • COPD
    Damage to the tiny airways in the lungs causes Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), making it difficult for the lungs to provide oxygen to the rest of the body. The most common cause of COPD is smoking.
  • Chronic bronchitis
    Chronic bronchitis affects people who have been smoking for long periods of time. In this disease, the airways make too much mucus, eventually leading to inflammation and increases the risk of dangerous lung infections.
  • Emphysema
    The walls between the small air sacs in the lungs break down in emphysema, resulting in larger but fewer sacs. This reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the bloodstream, causing poor lung function, including pneumonia.

Tobacco and heart disease

Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco damages your heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular system), increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke. Here are the most common heart ailments:

  • It raises blood pressure, reduces exercise capacity, and increases the risk of blood clots. It also lowers the levels of HDL (good) cholesterol in the blood. All of these things increase your chances of having a heart attack or a stroke.
  • It also leads to other conditions that include peripheral arterial disease (PAD), aortic aneurysm and peripheral vascular disease or (PVD).

Tobacco and reproductive health

All forms of tobacco are made up of harmful chemicals that damage your blood vessels and DNA. Here is how it affects your reproductive health:

Women

  • Tobacco usage can have an adverse effect on a woman’s reproductive health. Women who smoke, for example, are more likely to have difficulty conceiving.
  • Women who smoke while pregnant have a higher risk of pregnancy complications, placenta problems, miscarriages and stillbirths, birth defects, premature births and low birth-weight babies.

Men

  • Smoking can cause damage to blood vessels throughout the body. Erectile dysfunction is more common among men who smoke.
  • Smoking can also affect the sperm quality, which can reduce fertility and increase the risk for birth defects.

Other health risks of tobacco use

Tobacco use of all forms can impact a person’s health in a variety of ways, wreaking havoc on practically every organ in the body. Here are some other ways that tobacco might harm your health:

  • Increased risk of gum disease and tooth loss.
  • Premature aging of the skin.
  • Bad breath and stained teeth.
  • Lowered immune system function.
  • Increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
  • Decreased sense of smell and taste.
  • Lower bone density (thinner bones).
  • Higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Increased risk for cataracts.
  • Increased risk for age-related macular degeneration.

Many of the health concerns associated with tobacco use can have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life. Quitting smoking and all other forms of tobacco particularly at an early age, can help to reduce smoking-related impairment.

Smoking cessation clinic at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Do you know someone who is a chain smoker? Are you trying to quit smoking but cannot? The Smoking cessation clinic at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital helps diagnose and manage tobacco addictions. Our team of experts that include chest physicians, psychologists and psychiatrists provide a personalised plan to help you give up tobacco. To learn more about quitting tobacco, click here: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicsatkh/smokingcessationclinic.html

Heart Disease: Know Your Risk

Tuesday, May 24th, 2022

Do you have a history of heart disease in your family? Do you lead a sedentary lifestyle or follow unhealthy eating habits? Being aware of your risk factors is important to take essential precautions and protect your heart health.According to the World Heart Federation, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 18.6 million deaths per year. According to the Global Burden of Disease, CVDs account for over a quarter (24.8%) of all fatalities in India.

Heart disease is caused by a variety of factors. Certain risk factors increase your chance of developing it. Heart disease is more likely to occur if you have multiple risk factors.Speak to your family doctor about your family’s medical background and consult a cardiologist for further assistance.

Risk factors for Heart disease

Knowing your risk factors and implementing positive lifestyle changes to minimise your risk are the first steps in preventing heart disease. The majority of heart ailments can be avoided by making healthy decisions. There are certain heart disease risk factors that you can control and others that you can’t. The following are uncontrollable risk factors for heart disease:

  • Being male.
  • Older age.
  • Family history
  • Ethnicity.

Heart disease risk factors that are controllable include:

  • Smoking.
  • Unhealthy cholesterol numbers.
  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure.
  • Physical inactivity.
  • Obesity.
  • Uncontrolled diabetes.
  • Uncontrolled stress, depression, and anger.
  • Poor diet.
  • Alcohol use.

Preventing Heart disease

According to research, heart disease can be prevented in more than half of the cases by making simple lifestyle adjustments. These modifications can typically enhance your entire physical and mental health in addition to lowering your risk of heart attack and stroke. Take these precautions to reduce your risk of heart disease:

  • Quit smoking
    Smokers have more than twice the risk of heart attack as non-smokers and are much more likely to die from them. Quit smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
  • Control your cholesterol
    Your risk for heart disease increases with unhealthy cholesterol numbers. A diet low in cholesterol, saturated and trans fats, and simple sugars, and high in complex carbohydrates can help lower cholesterol levels in some people. Regular exercise and medication will also help lower “bad” cholesterol and raise “good” cholesterol in some cases.
  • Control high blood pressure
    Nearly 1 in 3 adults suffer from high blood pressure. Your doctor will assess your blood pressure numbers in light of your overall health, lifestyle, and other risk factors and suggest a treatment plan.
  • Manage your blood sugar levels
    If not properly controlled, diabetes can lead to heart disease and heart damage, including heart attacks. Control diabetes through a healthy diet, exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and medication as prescribed by your doctor.
  • Stay active
    Most people should exercise 30 minutes a day, at moderate intensity, on most days. Aerobic activities that raise your heart rate include brisk walking, cycling, swimming, jumping rope, and jogging. Weight training is also recommended.
  • Eat right
    Eat a heart-healthy diet low in sodium, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and refined sugars. Try to increase your intake of foods rich in vitamins and other nutrients, especially antioxidants, eat more fruits and vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.
  • Say “No” to alcohol
    Excessive alcohol intake increases your risk of getting a heart disease. Avoid all forms of alcohol.
  • Maintain a healthy weight
    Obesity by itself could raise your risk for heart disease. A balanced diet and regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight.
  • Manage stress
    Poorly controlled stress and anger can worsen heart disease. Here are a few ways to reduce your stress levels:
    • Yoga and meditation.
    • Listen to music.
    • Read a book.
    • Take up a hobby you enjoy.
    • Manage your time better.
    • Set realistic goals.
  • Be regular with heart health check-ups
    Preventive health check-ups are often ignored and delayed by people. Discuss your lifestyle as well as your family’s medical history with your doctor and schedule health checkups to protect your heart health

Cardiac care at KokilabenDhirubhaiAmbani Hospital

The Centre for Cardiac Sciences is equipped with cutting-edge technology, world-class infrastructure, and a highly experienced 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. The team has successfully performed over 8500 cardiac surgeries in the past. Visit our hospital website for further information: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/centrefor_cardiacsciences.html

Motherhood and Mental Health

Friday, May 6th, 2022

Motherhood is an enriching and fulfilling journey. Multitasking is an often necessary part of motherhood but it can be stressful at times. According to a 2019 Oxfam poll, Indian women spend 312 minutes per day performing housework and childcare. This has been accelerated by the pandemic, with women trying to multitask various responsibilities. According to a survey of working women in India, 47 percent suffered from increased stress and anxiety in the pandemic.The stigma around mental illnesses, along with maternal health issues, discourages women from seeking medical help.

Many mothers manage various responsibilities. Our culture expects mothers to raise families as if they don’t have careers and work as if they don’t have children. As working mothers strive hard to balance their day, they are often left exhausted by these conflicting expectations. Sleep deprivation is another common problem faced by mothers that contributes to sadness, anxiety, tension, panic attacks, and other illnesses. Mom guilt begins during pregnancy and intensifies as friends, family, and the media focus on perceived defects in parenting. It is time to talk about the importance of mental health in mothers, support them, and encourage them to speak up and seek professional help.

How mothers can support their mental health?

Mothers go through a massive change in their identity when they have children. Many experience significant changes in their career, hobbies, interests, social connections, and overall lifestyle. Society sets unrealistic standards of perfection for mothers which may lead to mental health concerns. It is time for mothers to take care of themselves and prioritize their mental health. Follow these health tips to support your mental health better:

  • Reset your expectations
    The influence of social media pressurizes many mothers to be best at everything. It is important to set your own standards of what a “good mother” is and work towards that each day. Don’t set unreal expectations for yourself.
  • Exercise regularly
    Even 15 minutes can do wonders in terms of how you feel about yourself and helps boost your mental health. Include a meditation routine also.
  • Don’t try to do it all
    It is essential to learn to say no and set your priorities right. One cannot please everyone and that is true for mothers too.
  • Connect with other moms
    Networking with other moms and joining social media communities is really helpful. It helps with immense emotional support and makes you realize that you are not alone.
  • Rediscover your hobbies
    Immerse yourself in creative activities. Pursue a hobby that you enjoy or learn something new.
  • Spend me-time
    Dedicate a time for yourself every day. Allow yourself to take 30 minutes to sip tea or coffee, watch a TV show you love, or read a book.
  • Start journaling
    Express yourself in a gratitude journal and acknowledge all the good things in your life. Write down about all the things that are positive and give you resilience.
    Self-care is essential for mothers for themselves and their family. Researchers suggest that emotionally strong and secure moms are more likely to raise children who are less aggressive, more self-controlled, and more likely to do well academically.

Mental health care at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Women are routinely screened for postpartum depression after childbirth, but as life continues mental health matters often tend to be ignored. Timely therapy and counselling can help empower mothers to cope better with stress and manage their life. Mental health is a building block of women’s overall health. Consult our highly experienced doctors at the Department of Psychiatry for specialist care. This Mother’s Day, make a difference to your life. Discuss your mental health issues and seek medical time medical help from our experts: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/psychiatry.html

Understanding Endometriosis

Friday, March 25th, 2022

Many women experience excruciating pain and fatigue during their periods every month. In India, over 25 million women are affected by this debilitating condition. If left untreated or undetected, this endometriosis can lead to serious consequences such as a cyst that can grow or rupture, infertility, uterine enlargement, and extreme pain. Many women in the reproductive age group of 15-49 years old are affected by this ailment and are unaware of it. Delayed diagnosis due to a lack of understanding, result in unnecessary pain and a lower quality of life. This is a progressive condition, which is rarely spoken about and seldom understood owing to the taboos around menstruation. March is observed as Endometriosis Awareness Month, let us discuss, ask questions and seek medical care for endometriosis.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrium (the tissue that lines the interior of the uterus or womb) grows outside of it. Endometriosis most typically affects the lower abdomen and pelvis, however it can manifest itself everywhere in the body. The normal tissue surrounding the endometriosis implants becomes inflamed, swells, and scars as a result of this. This condition affects nearly 10% of women in their reproductive years. Some of the common symptoms include:

  • Excessive menstrual cramps.
  • Abnormal or heavy menstrual flow.
  • Painful urination during menstrual periods.
  • Pain during intercourse.
  • Painful bowel movements during menstrual periods.

It’s crucial to remember that the amount of pain a woman feels isn’t always proportional to the severity of her sickness. Some women with severe endometriosis have no symptoms, however others with a milder type of the illness may have severe pain or other symptoms.

Endometriosis and Fertility

Endometriosis affects 20 to 40% of women who are unable to conceive. Endometriosis is thought to influence fertility in two ways: first, by distorting the fallopian tubes, making them unable to pick up the egg after ovulation, and second, by generating inflammation that can affect the ovary, egg, fallopian tubes, or uterus’s function. Consult a fertility specialist for further care and asisatnce.

Risk factors of Endometriosis

These factors highly increase your risk of getting this condition:

  • Family history.
  • Late pregnancy.
  • Women with an abnormal uterus.
  • No children.
  • Menstrual periods that last more than seven days.
  • Short menstrual cycles.

Diagnosing Endometriosis

Do not hesitate to seek medical assistance for painful periods. A gynaecologist will evaluate your medical history, complete a pelvic examination and conduct additional tests as required. Here are a few simple ways to ease the pain of endometriosis:

  • Rest, relax and meditate.
  • Take warm baths.
  • Prevent constipation.
  • Get regular exercise.
  • Use a hot water bottle or heating pad on your abdomen.

Endometriosis: Myths and Facts

Let us dispel some of the most common myths around Endometriosis:

Myth: Severe menstrual pain is normal.
Fact: It’s not normal to have painful periods that interfere with your regular activities. This could be a symptom of endometriosis, a disease in which tissue that normally lines your uterus develops elsewhere in your abdomen. Consult a doctor for further diagnosis.

Myth: No one with endometriosis can get pregnant.
Fact: That is not true. This condition affects over 40% of women who are unable to conceive. Some women with endometriosis are able to conceive on their own, without the assistance of a doctor. Others may be able to conceive with medical assistance.

Myth: Hysterectomy treats endometriosis.
Fact: Hysterectomy isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach for endometriosis treatment. Although uterine excision may provide comfort for some persons with this illness, it is not a cure. Endometriosis symptoms may remain or reappear following a hysterectomy.

Myth: Pregnancy can cure endometriosis.
Fact: Pregnancy does not cure endometriosis. During pregnancy, some women see improvements in their symptoms, while others do not, and still others may have a worsening of symptoms. This may happen due to hormonal changes. Seek medical attention.

Endometriosis care at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Stop suffering in silence, seek medical care for painful periods. Experts at our Endometriosis Clinic believe that women with endometriosis have specific needs and deserve specialist care and support throughout diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management. Our gynaecologists will talk to you about your symptoms and conduct tests as required. The team provides a compassionate and personalized treatment plan to suit you, your lifestyle and whether or not you are trying to get pregnant. Depending on your symptoms our team will suggest medical or surgical treatment options. Please find below our website link for further details: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicsatkh/endometriosisclinic.html

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