Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that makes breathing progressively more difficult. COPD isn’t a single lung disease. It’s really two diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing problems. It includes emphysema, which makes it hard to breathe, and chronic bronchitis, which is a mucus-producing cough that doesn’t go away. Most people with COPD have both. Roughly one-third, or 30%, of adults don’t know what COPD is, hence awareness of the diseases is the first step towards recovery.

Symptoms of COPD

COPD makes it harder to breathe by reducing the flow of air through the lungs. Reduced airflow may be caused by inflammation (airways may thicken and lose elastic quality), destroyed lung tissue and blockages of mucus.

Often, people don’t recognize the symptoms of COPD until later stages of the disease. Here are some symptoms to look out for:

• Chest tightness.
• Shortness of breath.
• Blueness of the lips or fingernail beds.
• Wheezing.
• The need to clear the throat of mucus first thing in the morning.
• A chronic cough that may produce mucus.
• Frequent respiratory infections.
• Lack of energy.
• Unintended weight loss (in later stages)
• Swelling in ankles, feet or legs.

Symptoms can be worse for a few days and become more manageable, then worsen again.

Causes of COPD

1. Smoking

About 85 to 90 percent of all COPD cases are caused by cigarette smoking. When a cigarette burns, it creates more than 7,000 chemicals, many of which are harmful. The toxins in cigarette smoke weaken your lungs’ defense against infections, narrow air passages, cause swelling in air tubes and destroy air sacs—all contributing factors for COPD.

2. Your Environment

What you breathe every day at work, home and outside can play a role in developing COPD. Long-term exposure to air pollution, second hand smoke and dust, fumes and chemicals (which are often work-related) can cause COPD. In rural India the burning of coal and wood for fuel also causes air pollution.

3. Alpha-1 Deficiency

A small number of people have a rare form of COPD called alpha-1 deficiency-related emphysema. This form of COPD is caused by a genetic (inherited) condition that affects the body’s ability to produce a protein (Alpha-1) that protects the lungs.

Treat COPD

There is no cure for COPD, but it can be treated. Those with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and other conditions. Patients with COPD are encouraged to stop smoking and are often given medications to help with the symptoms and complications of the disease. Doctors may also prescribe lung rehabilitation or surgery to relieve symptoms. Sometimes, people with COPD receive lung transplants.

Prevent COPD

Here are some tips to keep your lungs healthy:

• Total abstinence from smoking. It is the worst possible thing someone can do to their lungs. Even second hand smoke is harmful.
• Patients with chronic lung disease such as asthma or COPD should try to minimize exposure to air of poor quality.
• Exercise, it allows your lungs to more efficiently supply the heart and muscles with needed oxygen.
• Eat antioxidant-rich foods, such as berries, other fruits with skins, leafy green vegetables, sweet potatoes, nuts, pomegranate juice. It is good for your lung health.
• Wear protective equipment (mask) when exposed to threats to the lungs at work (i.e., dust, particles, paint fumes and diesel exhaust).

COPD in India

Currently, COPD is the third largest killer affecting an estimated 210 million people worldwide. Almost 90 percent of COPD deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. In India, it is the second largest killer and causes 22 million deaths. However, the alarming fact is that 25-50 percent of people with clinically significant COPD are ignorant about the disease and there is rampant misdiagnosis too.

Quick facts on COPD

• COPD can make daily activities, such as walking up stairs, getting dressed, and doing chores around the house difficult.
• Inflammation in the lungs smolders on chronically for decades, resulting in progressive damage to the tissue that supports airway structures and the gas exchange surface of the lung.
• A characteristic of the inflammatory response of COPD is that it is not responsive to long-term medication with drugs such as corticosteroids, which are used successfully for prevention of asthma.
• As it takes many years for the inflammation in the lungs to have an effect, COPD is primarily a disease affecting people over the age of 40.
• Cessation of smoking is the only significant therapeutic intervention that can retard the accelerated decline in lung function experienced by smokers with COPD.
• Although there is no cure for COPD, there are medicines, procedures, and lifestyle changes that can slow the progress of the disease and lead to a higher quality of life.

Do not miss the warning signs of COPD. COPD is often not found until the disease is very advanced because people do not know the early warning signs. Shortness of breath is many times mistaken as a sign of aging. Consult experts at our Department of Pulmonary Medicine. Please find below link for more details:

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

Diabetes is India’s fastest growing disease with 72 million cases recorded in 2017. The prevalence of diabetes in adult Indians is 10.4%. It is estimated that by 2035, there will be a staggering 109 million diabetics in India.

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition, that is, it can be curbed at the initial level by introducing lifestyle changes and controlled after its incidence through medicines in early stages and administration of external insulin in advanced stages.

Over the years, occurrence diabetes has more than doubled for men (3.7 per cent to 9.1 per cent). It has also increased by 80 per cent among women in India (4.6 per cent to 8.3 per cent).

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) fact sheet on diabetes, an estimated 3.4 million deaths are caused due to high blood sugar in the world.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a medical condition that is caused due to insufficient production and secretion of insulin from the pancreas in case of Type-I diabetes and defective response of insulin for Type-2 diabetes. Under normal body circumstances, blood glucose levels are tightly controlled by insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin lowers the blood glucose level.

When the blood glucose elevates (for example, after eating food), insulin is released from the pancreas to normalize the glucose level. In patients with diabetes, the absence or insufficient production of insulin causes hyperglycemia.

Why Indians are prone to Diabetes:

• Genetic or Ethnic Factor – Indians have a higher genetic predisposition to diabetes. According to researchers, our ethnicity appears to play a role in this current diabetes epidemic.
• Increased Insulin Resistance -Another factor that is not under our control is that we Indians have a greater degree of insulin resistance which means our cells do not respond to the hormone insulin. And when compared to Europeans, our blood insulin levels also tend to rise higher and more persistently when we eat carbohydrates.
• Lifestyle Changes – With the social and economic development and urbanization, our nutrition has improved, and we are living longer. However our lifestyle has changed and our diets have become unhealthy. Our traditional diet of unrefined grains is now substituted with refined varieties of the same and calorie rich foods.
• Obesity – Body mass index (BMI) is an indicator of our body fat. The relative risk of diabetes increases as the BMI increases. Indians comparatively have a higher body fat (especially around the waist) for any BMI. This, coupled with our inherent higher insulin resistance, significantly puts us at a higher risk of developing diabetes.

Take your health in your own hands. Be more conscious of your diet and make efforts to have a strict fitness regime. You age, family history, blood pressure, cholesterol, body weight determines your risk of getting Type 2 Diabetes. You can help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by understanding your risk and making changes to your lifestyle.

Here is how you can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes:

• Manage your weight. Excess body fat, particularly if stored around the abdomen, can increase the body’s resistance to the hormone insulin. This can lead to type 2 diabetes.
• Exercise regularly. Moderate physical activity on most days of the week helps manage weight, reduce blood glucose levels and may also improve blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Eat a balanced, healthy diet. Reduce the amount of fat in your diet, especially saturated and trans fats. Eat more fruit, vegetables and high-fibre foods. Cut back on salt.
• Limit takeaway and processed foods. Fast foods are usually high in salt, fat and kilojoules. It’s best to cook for yourself using fresh ingredients whenever possible.
• Limit your alcohol intake. Too much alcohol can lead to weight gain and may increase your blood pressure and triglyceride levels. Men should have no more than two standard drinks a day and women should have no more than one.
• Quit smoking. Smokers are twice as likely to develop diabetes as non-smokers.
• Control your blood pressure. Most people can do this with regular exercise, a balanced diet and by keeping a healthy weight. In some cases, you might need medication prescribed by your doctor.
• Be regular in your medical checkups. As you get older, it’s a good idea to regularly check your blood glucose, blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels.

Diabetes is preventable. Let us fight this devil together. Talk to our experts at our Diabetes Clinic to know more about Diabetes. Please check the below link:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/endocrinologydiabetes/diabeticclinic.html

Diwali is almost here. And with this festive days comes another wave of endless parties, exchanging sweets, late nights of celebration, and all the irresistible festive food. How do you celebrate Diwali? Do you eat in moderation or you give in to the temptation and gorge on mithais and chocolates?

Everybody tends to let go their diet plan and indulges in the festive celebrations. While we all enjoy the feasting that is to follow in these couple of days, one cannot also deny the impact that it would have on our waistline soon after. Diwali bingeing may undo most of your dieting efforts. Wise choices, portion control and moderation can help ensure you eat healthy this festive week.

Here are some expert tips from our team on how to eat right this Diwali. Enjoy Diwali without compromising on your health.

• Avoid fried foods from shops – The biggest mistake that sweet shops make is that they tend to reuse the oil while frying sweets. Once the oil is used then it shouldn’t be reused as it is unhealthy. Reusing the oil leads to creation of free radicals which harm the body by clogging the arteries, causing acidity and heartburn. Opt for baked or steamed options or choose homemade fried snacks.
• Make fruits your best friends – Want to satisfy your appetite this season without getting an upset stomach? Make sure you have your daily dose of fruits. The fiber in the fruits will ensure that your digestive system functions properly. Maida and sugar in the sweets can make you constipated and leave you feeling full.
• Never skip meals – Never go empty stomach at a party or choose to skip an earlier meal. Skipping meals and then bingeing is the main reason for your weight gain. Choose to eat in moderation.
• Eat mindfully – When you are at a Diwali outing whether at home or outside, make sure you consciously exercise portion control. Choose well, eat everything you love and enjoy, but make sure not to overeat all the time. This will leave you feeling satisfied, but not bloated after having binged.
• Some home-cooked meals – Try and get at least one meal at home in between the hectic socializing and dining out. This way, you can use the opportunity to load up on fiber, vegetables, salads, and other nutritious stuff to off-set the sugar and carb-loading that’s likely to happen when you are out celebrating.
• Drink enough water – Sipping fizzy cold drinks during festive gatherings would make you dehydrated and increase your calorie intake. Drinking water regularly is a must as it helps to detox.
• Keep your alcohol intake in control – Have alcohol in moderation. Cocktails which are a combination of alcohol and juices should be avoided as they are a calorie bomb and are equally dehydrating.

Make moderation your key mantra this Diwali. Avoid foods made of maida and excess sugar. Here are a few foods to choose over calorie laden mithais:

• Non-salted nuts and dry fruits like dates and figs.
• Seasonal fruits like pomegranates, pears, bananas, oranges, grapes and avocados.
• Dark bitter chocolates, but in moderation.
• Coconut and coconut water.

Wishing a happy and Healthy Happy Diwali to all our readers! Eat well, eat guilt-free and enjoy the festivities.

A stroke occurs when a part of the brain loses its blood supply and stops working. This causes the part of the body that the injured brain controls to stop working. A stroke also is called a cerebrovascular accident, CVA, or “brain attack.”

The types of strokes include:

• Ischemic stroke (part of the brain loses blood flow)
• Hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding occurs within the brain)

Transient ischemic attack, TIA, or mini stroke -The stroke symptoms resolve within minutes, but may take up to 24 hours on their own without treatment. This is a warning sign that a stroke may occur in the near future.

From onset of symptoms, there is only a 3 to 4 1/2 hour window to use clot-busting drugs (thrombolytics) to try to restore blood supply to the affected part of the brain. Stroke is diagnosed by the patient’s symptoms, history, and blood and imaging tests. The prognosis and recovery for a person that has suffered a stroke depends upon the location of the injury to the brain.

Remember FAST if you think someone might be having a stroke:

• Face drooping
• Arm weakness
• Speech difficulty
• Time to call emergency

A stroke is a medical emergency because strokes can lead to death or permanent disability. There are opportunities to treat ischemic strokes but that treatment needs to be started in the first few hours after the signs of a stroke begin. The patient, family, or bystanders, should call emergency medical services immediately if they suspect a stroke.

Risk factors of stroke:

Overall, the most common risk factors for stroke are:

• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol.
• Smoking.
• Diabetes.
• Family history.
• Age.

Heart conditions like atrial fibrillation, patent foramen ovale, and heart valve disease can also be the potential cause of stroke.

Stroke Symptoms and Signs:

The symptoms of a stroke vary depending upon the area of the brain affected by a lack of oxygen. All strokes involve symptoms that relate to impairment of nerve function. The symptoms typically arise suddenly and most commonly occur on one side of the body. Symptoms and signs of stroke can include:

• Acute change in level of consciousness or confusion.
• Acute onset of weakness or paralysis of half or part of the body
• Numbness of one half or part of the body
• Partial vision loss.
• Tingling or weakness.
• Headache, nausea, and vomiting.
• Double vision.
• Difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
• Difficulty with balance and vertigo.

Here are some Stroke Myths and facts:

• • Myth
  • Stroke cannot be prevented.
  • There is no treatment for stroke.
  • Stroke only affects the elderly.
  • Stroke recovery only happens for the first few months after a stroke.
  • Strokes are not hereditary.
• • Fact
  • Up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable.
  • At any sign of stroke call Emergency services, treatment may be available.
  • Stroke can happen to anyone at any time.
  • Stroke recovery is a lifelong process.
  • Family history of stroke increases your chance for stroke.

Prevent stroke attacks:

You can fight stroke on many fronts. Here are a few changes in your daily lifestyle to help prevent strokes:

• Know and control your blood pressure.
• Don’t smoke; stop if you do.
• Lose weight if needed.
• Become more active.
• Identify and manage atrial fibrillation.
• Be aggressive about treating a transient ischemic attack (TIA, or mini-stroke).
• Treat circulatory problems like peripheral artery disease, sickle cell disease, or severe anemia.
• Know and control your blood sugar and cholesterol.
• If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
• Adopt a healthy diet low in sodium and rich in potassium.
• Know the warning signs of stroke and respond immediately.

Is someone around you having a stroke attack? Call our Emergency department on 91-22-3091-9191. Act fast and contact our Stroke clinic immediately. Please find below link for more details:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicsatkh/strokeclinic.html

Breast cancer is spreading and increasing its presence day by day. It is becoming more and more important for women to be aware about breast cancer. Breast cancer symptoms vary widely — from lumps to swelling to skin changes — and many breast cancers have no obvious symptoms at all.

A recent study published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) declares that breast cancer is the most common cancer in India. It has outranked all other cancers with about 1.6 lakh new breast cancers detected every year. Sadly, breast cancer also ranks first in deaths due to all cancers. One in 25 women are at risk of developing breast cancer in India, only one out of two breast cancer patients make it beyond 5 years after treatment.

Breast cancer symptoms to watch for:

• swelling of all or part of the breast.
• skin irritation or dimpling.
• breast pain.
• nipple pain or the nipple turning inward.
• redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin.
• a nipple discharge other than breast milk.
• a lump in the underarm area.

These changes also can be signs of less serious conditions that are not cancerous, such as an infection or a cyst. If you notice anything unusual on your breast, consult your doctor. Make breast self-exam a part of your monthly health care routine.

Get yourself screened with mammograms regularly after 40 years. It doesn’t help prevent cancer, but it can help find cancer early when it’s most treatable. For most women, regular mammograms can begin at age 40, but specific recommendations vary by age and risk. You can have yearly mammograms from age 40 years to 55 years. Post 55 years mammograms can be done every other year.

More about Mammograms:

• Mammograms can save your life. Finding breast cancer early reduces your risk of dying from the disease by 25-30% or more. at high risk.
• Don’t be afraid. Mammography is a fast procedure (about 20 minutes), and discomfort is minimal for most women. The procedure is safe: there’s only a very tiny amount of radiation exposure from a mammogram.
• Bring your past mammogram films/results with you.
• Don’t wear deodorant or antiperspirant to your mammogram since these can show up on the film and interfere with the test results.
• Women should get a mammogram once a year beginning at age 40.If you’re at high risk of breast cancer, have a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or have had radiation treatment to the chest in the past, it’s recommended that you start having annual mammograms at a younger age (often beginning around age 30).

Prevent Breast cancer:

• Keep Weight in Check – Being overweight can increase the risk of many different cancers, including breast cancer, especially after menopause.
• Be Physically Active – Women who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of breast cancer. Regular exercise is also one of the best ways to help keep weight in check.
• Eat Your Fruits & Vegetables – and Avoid Too Much Alcohol

  A healthy diet can help lower the risk of breast cancer. Try to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and keep alcohol at moderate levels or lower (a drink a day or under). If you don’t drink, don’t feel you need to start.

• Don’t Smoke – On top of lowering quality of life and increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke, smoking is also responsible for at least 15 cancers including breast cancer.
• Breastfeed – Breastfeeding for a total of one year or more lowers the risk of breast cancer. It also has great health benefits for the child.
• Avoid Birth Control Pills – Birth control pills have both risks than benefits. The younger a woman is, the lower the risks are. While women are taking birth control pills, they have a slightly increased risk of breast cancer especially after 35 years of age.
• Avoid Post-Menopausal Hormones – Post-menopausal hormones shouldn’t be taken long term to prevent chronic diseases. They highly increase your risk of breast cancer.

Eat healthy, reduce your risk of Breast Cancer:

No specific food can cause or prevent breast cancer. However, dietary guidelines may help you reduce your overall breast cancer risk. Include these in your diet:

• Green tea – Green tea is high in polyphenol and catechins. These antioxidants may help protect cells from DNA damage caused by free radicals.
• Pomegranate juice – Pomegranate juice, which is derived from its seed pulp, also contains polyphenols. Pomegranate juice has the potential to be a preventive tool for certain cancers, including breast cancer.
• Berries – Berries, such as blueberries, strawberries, and black raspberries, contain high amounts of polyphenols, which may have anticancer properties. They’re also high in antioxidants, such as vitamin C.
• Plums and peaches – The polyphenols found in plums and peaches may help prevent breast cancer cells from forming and later multiplying. Evidence suggests the polyphenols help kill cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells alone.
• Cruciferous vegetables – These vegetables are typically rich in antioxidant vitamins, such as C, E, and K, and are high in fiber. Cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates, a type of chemical which has cancer-fighting properties. Some examples are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, arugula, brussel sprouts.
• Dark, leafy green vegetables – The darker the green, the denser the nutrition. Greens are typically high in antioxidants and fiber, which may make them potent anticancer tools. Spinach, collard, mustard, turnip, beet greens are some good options.
• Apigenin – Apigenin is a flavonoid found in certain fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Because apigenin is an antioxidant, these foods may have anti-inflammatory properties. Herbs like parsley, celery, basil, orgenao, thyme, coriander include this.
• Lignans and saponins – Lignans and saponins are polyphenols and may have anticancer properties. They’re often found in beans like lentils, split peas, kidney beans.
• Capsaicin -Both dried and fresh chilli peppers contain capsaicin. The hotter the pepper, the more capsaicin it has. Research suggests that capsaicin may prevent the growth and spread of malignant cells in some people with breast cancer.
• Turmeric – Our popular spice turmeric contains curcumin, a substance with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It helps decrease the toxic effects of certain breast cancer cells and can potentially inhibit cancer cell growth.

Being aware of breast cancer is important. As you age get yourself screened regularly. Talk to experts at our Breast clinic for more information about Breast cancer and to know if you are at risk. Please find below website link:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicsatkh/breastclinic.html