Archive for the ‘ KDAH ’ Category

Celebrating Life with 100 Liver’s Transplanted

Tuesday, July 7th, 2015

In a little over 2 years, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital has successfully transplanted 100 livers both from living donors as well as cadavers. We salute the brave souls who have selflessly donated a vital organ of their body to save their loved ones and sometimes even strangers

In India, approximately 2.5 lakh patients succumb to some or the other kind of liver disease mainly due to the inaccessibility of a donor. More than 25,000 patients are estimated to be in dire need of a liver transplant, of which only 11,000 transplants are successfully conducted.

According to experts lack of awareness is one of the prime causes for the rapid increase in liver diseases and liver failure in our country. It is very important for people to follow a healthy lifestyle and keep away from liver damaging habits especially alcohol consumption. Early detection could also be one of the key factors in preventing the worst outcomes in liver disease.

In simple terms – the earlier the transplant surgery, the greater the success rate

Watch out for these common symptoms:

  • Loss of Appetite
  • Nausea & Vomiting
  • Itching
  • Jaundice
  • Abdominal pain
  • Blood in vomit
  • Weight loss
  • Swelling of lower limbs

Liver transplantation is considered as a treatment option for patients (adults & kids) diagnosed with any form of end stage live disease. This procedure includes systematic removal of the diseased liver which is further replaced by a healthy one. The overall success rate of liver transplant is estimated to be approximately 94% whereby most of the recipients return to normal activities and achieve 95% of their quality of life with the help of medications and regular follow ups.

Some kinds of liver disease are metabolic which means that they are inherent at the time of birth but manifest later. However, alcohol induced liver disease, fatty liver induced liver disease (NAFLD), Hepatitis A, B and C are preventable. Complete removal of liver is considered for conditions like Liver cancer, Hepatic coma and massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding whereas urgent liver transplantation is suggested for patients with acute liver failure

Cancer patients, people who frequently consume alcohol, those with a history of illegal drug abuse, those with active or severe infection in any part of the body and the ones suffering from a heart, lung or neurological condition are not considered for being a donor.

Pledging an organ is the noblest deed that one could perform. Giving someone the gift of life after we are no more is in fact an honorable act for which we will be remembered & cherished forever Pledge an Organ today and be someone’s Life Saver. You may pledge to donate your organs by signing and carrying a Donor Card. These cards are available with our transplant coordinators on 2nd floor, Transplant Coordination Unit. For additional details on Organ Donation, visit.

Featuring state-of-the-art infrastructure, the Centre for Transplant at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital is headed by a dedicated team of specialists who are professionally trained to offer comprehensive medical care to patients across the entire spectrum of liver disorders. To know more, visit our webpage.

Having achieved a major milestone with 100 successful livers tranpslanted, Kokilaben Hospital is certainly a name to trust!

Debunking some popular Yoga Myths on International Yoga Day

Saturday, June 20th, 2015

International Yoga Day is coming at a critical time when it has become absolutely essential for people to follow a yogic lifestyle that is healthy, humble & devout.

Approximately 200 million people across the globe practice yoga (in some or the other form). A major chunk of this population is from India and more than 20 million from the United States alone. This year, on June 21st – International Yoga Day, millions of health enthusiasts from 193 nations will perform various ‘Asanas’ (yogic postures) at different locations around the globe.

A healthy & fit body is just as important as a strong & stable mind. In clinical settings, Yoga has shown to benefit one’s overall well-being in a plethora of ways. In spite of this well-known fact, there are many who are still cynical of this ancient practice, mainly because of various false notions and misconceptions associated with it. It’s about time we debunk some of the most popular Yoga myths that have been circulating for years

  • Myth 1 – Only people with flexible bodies can practice Yoga

    Fact – Flexibility of the body is not a pre-requisite for practicing Yoga. Regular practice can in fact help you attain maximum flexibility in the body but that will happen gradually over time. What you can do, is make subtle adjustments to each posture as per your body’s ability in order to avoid straining. If practiced correctly, Yoga can actually make you feel active, energetic & positive

  • Myth 2 – Yoga is not an Exercise

    FactYoga can very well be regarded as a form of Exercise, as it works on all body systems including the cardiovascular system and the nervous system

  • Myth 3 – Yoga is only for Women

    Fact – Here’s a fact that most aren’t even aware of – Yoga practice was actually started by a man and practiced by Men for thousands of years. Although majority of Yoga practitioners across the globe are women, the health benefits of yoga are not restricted to any particular gender.

  • Myth 4 – Yoga is against my Religion

    Fact – Being originated in India, Yoga often draws upon the teachings of Hinduism & Buddhism but it is in no way against any Religion. In simple terms, Yoga is an exercise of mind, body & spirit. Yogic postures are designed to deliver multiple health benefits and improve the mind-body connection

  • Myth 5 – People who wish to practice yoga have to become vegetarians

    Fact – There is no requirement of vegetarianism to practice Yoga. Eat anything that’s healthy after your Yoga class but always remember – the food that you consume can be the safest & most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison. Your body is your temple. Choose your food items wisely

  • Myth 6 – I have to be thin to practice Yoga

    FactYogis come in all sizes. Some of the finest Yoga instructors are well-built but still possess remarkable flexibility & stamina to perform challenging poses with fluidity & grace. With regular sessions, Yoga has helped many to reduce weight gradually

  • Myth 7 – As a form of exercise, Yoga is too gentle to give any kind of visible physical benefits

    FactYoga certainly does not include strenuous moves like the ones incorporated in other forms of exercises like Aerobics & Zumba but it doesn’t mean that it is any less effective in terms of promoting health & holistic wellness. Yoga is a lot more than just stretching. Most Yogic postures are dynamic and not only increase flexibility but also strength, balance, coordination and cardiovascular endurance.

Water – a vital Component of the Human Body

Friday, April 24th, 2015

For almost each one of us, Water is the most easily accessible resource on earth which is why we often take it for granted. Although much has been talked about the importance of H2O, very few are aware about the exact role that water plays in the human body.

Did you know…?

A human being can survive for a couple of weeks without food but cannot live for more than 7 days in the absence of water. Approximately 60 to 75% of our body mass is water. 70% of our brain, 80% of our blood and almost 90% of our lungs comprises of water. There is no better health drink than Water because it is fat-free with zero cholesterol and no calories.

During summer, people tend to sweat a lot whereby they lose vital minerals which have to be replaced; otherwise the body may experience heat exhaustion and cramps. An adult loses about 2 ½ litres of water every day through normal bodily functions. Keeping the body sufficiently hydrated at all times is the No.1 health advice, although do not go overboard with it. Hyponatremia is a condition that is triggered by over hydration of the body, which causes the sodium in your body to become diluted. This triggers a substantial increase in the water levels of the body which ultimately results in swollen cells. To know more about this condition, visit:

This makes one wonder about the body’s daily requirement of water – How much water should we drink in a day?

Experts state that it is important to change your water consumption habits as per the season. Your body weight and lifestyle choices also play an important role in determining your water intake. In general, 6 to 8 glasses of water intake is recommended per day. Keeping your body sufficiently hydrated on a daily basis can help you:

  • Lose weight
  • Feel energized
  • Keep Constipation & Urinary Tract Infection at bay
  • Prevent Kidney stones
  • Get glowing skin
  • Relieve Headaches

Here’s an important piece of information for all you Fitness Freaks – Working out in warm weather could trigger a significant amount of water loss in the form of sweat. It is therefore important to keep sipping water once in every 15 minutes so as to regulate the body temperature and promote muscle recovery. Make sure that you consume at least 500ml of water for every hour of workout

Water is responsible for carrying out multiple functions of the body. Let’s take a look at some of the most important ones:

  • Promotes cell life
  • Flushes out harmful toxins from the human body through urine & faeces
  • Plays an important role in the biochemical break-down of food
  • Regulates body temperature
  • Acts as a natural lubricant for the joints
  • Aids digestion

Water consumption is not the only way of contributing to the body’s daily fluid needs. Tea, Coffee, Juice, Milk, Fruits and Vegetables too contain a certain percentage of water which can benefit the body. Now that we’ve figured out how water plays an important role in our physiology, it is equally essential to ensure that you drink only fresh water that is free of contaminants. Water is one of the most precious resources of our planet. Use it sparingly in your day-to-day life and don’t forget to take a few extra sips during summer.

Tone Down the Body Heat with Smart Food Choices

Tuesday, April 14th, 2015

Sweltering heat in our environment has already started to take its toll on stray animals; it’s only a matter of time before it affects the human health. One of the biggest health threats of this season is dehydration & heat exhaustion. Both these ailments are closely linked to each other and triggered by excess body heat. Summer is not the time to savor foods that generate heat in the body. If you want to keep summer ailments at bay, it is important to follow a diet plan that caters to your physical needs.

Beat the heat and keep your body cool by making smart food choices:

Watermelon – This delicious, juicy fruit has 95% water content. A bowl full of watermelon cubes works like a charm on hot sunny days but avoid having these at the roadside vendors.

Curd – A powerhouse of protein, Curd can be used for preparing several summer drinks like buttermilk, lassi, chaas, flavored yoghurt etc. It gives your stomach, a cooling sensation and equips the body with essential Probiotics, vitamins and minerals that are often lost due to excessive perspiration

Nimbu pani – During summer, the body tends to lose vital minerals through sweat. These minerals have to be replaced; otherwise the body may experience heat exhaustion and cramps. The very famous ‘Nimbu-paani’ is an ideal summer drink.

Coconut water – Natural electrolytes in Coconut water benefits the body by replacing the fluid loss and what’s more… it is fat-free and has a refreshing taste which makes it the perfect beverage for summer season.

Green Tea – Many of us are addicted to caffeinated drinks like tea & coffee but what’s alarming is the fact that if these beverages are consumed in excess during summer, it can trigger dehydration and hormonal imbalance, paving way for several ailments. Opt for green tea instead. It contains powerful antioxidants that can neutralize cellular damage caused by the sun’s rays.

Cardamom – One of the most popular Indian spices, Cardamom has excellent detoxifying properties that are known to keep the body cool from within even during the hottest weather conditions

Radish – This nutritious vegetable is loaded with potassium, Vitamin B6, riboflavin, folic acid, magnesium, calcium and copper. Radish also contains antioxidants that tones down the body heat and prevents heat stress.

Cucumber – 96% of this veggie is water which makes it the perfect summer food to prevent dehydration. The good news here is that you can incorporate cucumbers in your diet regime in multiple ways. Tuck it in your sandwich, add it to your salad plate or simply have it plain with a dash of salt & pepper. Cucumber juice and soups are healthy too

Sugarcane Juice – Enriched with calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and manganese, sugarcane juice helps in replenishing the lost electrolytes & water. Although sweet tasting, sugarcane juice has a low glycaemic index as compared to artificial sweeteners which makes it an apt energy drink for Diabetics

Melons belong to the same family as cucumbers and squash. Owing to its high electrolyte content, this delicious fruit is known to keep the body temperature cool and sufficiently hydrated at all times.

Green vegetables like spinach, broccoli, peas, lemon, gourds etc have approximately 75% of water content. In addition to supplying the body with plenty of macro & micro nutrients, these vegetables also improve immunity and promote overall health.

Travel Tips for a Safe Summer Vacation

Thursday, April 2nd, 2015

Exams are finally done with and as parents, this is the perfect time to plan a summer vacation but wait…. Aren’t you forgetting something …?

Before packing your favorite outfit and additional accessories, take a minute and give some thought to stuffing a few summer safety essentials which could be much more useful for a happy journey.

A mouth-watering dish can be put together by using several ingredients; similarly a great summer vacation too can be arranged only after taking many factors into consideration. While travelling it is very important to ensure that you & your family take all necessary health precautions in order to avoid any unpleasant incidents that may arise during the trip.

  • Drink Water – Always stay hydrated while travelling. Make sure you keep a bottle of water handy. Drink boiled water or opt for packaged mineral water that is purchased from an authentic store. Some packaged water could also be tampered therefore take necessary precautions to avoid unwanted health issues.
  • You can never be safe from food borne infection because they are everywhere. By making smart food choices, you can keep such illnesses at bay. Roadside vendors and Restaurant food could be prepared in unhygienic conditions paving way for bacteria to enter your body. Be very selective while ordering food from various eatery hang outs. Non-vegetarian food should be consumed in moderation as such eatables could easily decay due to poor storage facility at certain restaurants. Some sea foods are known to spread hepatitis and other food-borne diseases
  • If you are travelling with kids and/or senior citizens, do not forget to carry their medications. Also keep your doctor’s phone number handy, just in case you need some important medical advice during an emergency. Accompanying a safety box that includes antiseptic liquid/lotion, Band-Aid, medicated cotton, cough syrup, prescription meds and such important items could prove to be very helpful in time of sudden medical emergency. Keep healthy snacks handy to satisfy those untimely hunger pangs.
  • While heading to beaches or outdoor locales, (where you may have to endure constant sun exposure) always apply a sunscreen and protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses. Also keep your hair tied up and cover it up with a scarf or hat. Direct exposure to UV rays from the sun could not only damage the skin but also leave a negative impact on your hair. Prevent Heat exhaustion by sipping water every few minutes.
  • It is always recommended to be up to date with your routine vaccinations so as to protect yourself from infections and outbreaks that may be prevalent in certain parts of the country. In order to get vaccinated, get in touch with your general physician or visit: https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/ to know more about Travel Vaccinations.
  • If you are planning to indulge in strenuous physical activities or sports, make sure to not over exert yourself by pushing the body above its limits. Extreme physical exertion without sufficient amount of rest can have a negative impact on the body, making you feel sick and lethargic. Also maintain your energy levels by limiting the intake of calorific/fat/sugar laden foods. Keep your alcohol intake to bare minimum.
  • Do not compromise on your sleep and maintain a high level of personal hygiene. Go slow on your smoking habits

As you chill out & relax at a fun trip, these important tips will ensure the safety of your loved ones give you peace of mind Have a Happy Journey!