
Tips For Asthma Care During Diwali
Diwali is known for the extravagance of almost everything while celebrating, be it the lights, the food, or the firecrackers. However, due to the blatant and rampant misuse of firecrackers, the festivities are ruined for a certain section of society like those who suffer from respiratory problems like Asthma. The smoke that appears as a result of all the explosions can quickly turn the joy into trouble and chaos for Asthmatic patients.
Diwali is known for the extravagance of almost everything while celebrating, be it the lights, the food, or the firecrackers. However, due to the blatant and rampant misuse of firecrackers, the festivities are ruined for a certain section of society like those who suffer from respiratory problems like Asthma. The smoke that appears as a result of all the explosions can quickly turn the joy into trouble and chaos for Asthmatic patients.
In order to avoid the worse, there are a few precautionary methods that can be adopted to take care of the people suffering from Asthma. And since the celebrations and preparations begin a few days before Diwali, all the precautions must also begin a few days prior, to ensure that no joy turns into trouble.
How Can Asthma Patients Stay Safe During Diwali?
● Staying Indoors: Firecrackers are made from a toxic mix of heavy elements like copper, cadmium, lead, manganese, zinc, sodium and potassium. Inhaling these chemicals in the form of smoke can prove to be really harmful and irritating to Asthma patients. The best strategy in such a case is to stay indoors. If stepping outdoors cannot be avoided, cover the mouth with a mask or handkerchief. Nevertheless, early morning and evening hours must be completely avoided as the smoke concentration is usually high during this time.
● Stay Away From Dust: Diwali is also often related to people cleaning their houses thoroughly. The dust that gets out of the house may contain a high concentration of dust mites, which can be extremely harmful to Asthma patients and cause attacks and wheezing. Therefore, it is advisable that the patients stay away from the dust and cover their mouth during cleaning.
● Go Easy On Food: Overeating is common during Diwali, which in itself is a harmful habit. However, binge eating can pose a greater threat to Asthma patients. Avoid overeating and include a balance of fruits and vegetables to reduce the possibility of a sudden Asthma attack.
● Say No To Alcohol: Alcohol is already a known irritant for Asthma patients. However, drinking alcohol during Diwali, when there are already enough irritants in the air, can be a potent mix, bringing the possibility of a sudden attack.
● Hydration: Drinking lukewarm water throughout the day can help in constant removal of toxins from the body, including a number of irritants.
● Keep The Inhaler Close: Apart from maintaining the regular dosage of Asthma medicines, keeping the controller inhaler close can be very useful in decreasing the chances of getting an Asthma attack.
While it is difficult to find solace during the time of Diwali, it is possible for Asthma patients to celebrate a peaceful Diwali. However, if there is any discomfort or uneasiness experienced during Diwali, you must definitely visit the best emergency hospital in Jodhpur , Medipulse.
Diwali is a celebration for everyone, and our team of doctors believes that no one should feel excluded from the festivities. Celebrate Diwali with full vigour and let Medipulse care for your health.
How Are Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Connected?
Often number of times it so happens that patients and their relatives tend to mix together the names of two diseases that may have a few similarities, but are rather different from each other in many ways. Such a common mistake is often made by people when they use the terms Psoriasis and Psoriatic arthritis in exchange of each other, where in reality they are two different conditions.
Often number of times it so happens that patients and their relatives tend to mix together the names of two diseases that may have a few similarities, but are rather different from each other in many ways. Such a common mistake is often made by people when they use the terms Psoriasis and Psoriatic arthritis in exchange of each other, where in reality they are two different conditions.
The connection between the diseases is that they are both Psoriatic diseases and are chronic in nature, meaning there are no ways that the symptoms related to them can be terminated entirely. But is that the only connection between the two conditions? Or is there more? Before delving into the connection between these conditions, let’s first take a look at what these conditions actually are.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that results in a rapid building up of skin cells, that then develop into scaly patches on the skin. One thing to note about this is that Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, where the immune system attacks the body itself. Thus, some really common symptoms of Psoriasis are inflammation and redness of the skin around the scales, which sometimes even causes the skin to crack and bleed.
What is Psoriatic Arthritis?
Psoriatic Arthritis is the condition of Arthritis combined with the skin inflammation autoimmune disorder of Psoriasis. In simpler words, in Psoriatic Arthritis, the patient suffers from swollen, sore, and painful joints, with a buildup of inflamed patches of scale on the skin.
What is Connection Between Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis?
The inference that can be drawn from knowing both the diseases is that Psoriatic Arthritis never happens without the onset of Psoriasis. In about 30 to 33% of cases of patients suffering from Psoriasis, the condition eventually also develops into Psoriatic Arthritis. In other words, it can be said Psoriatic Arthritis is a condition that develops alongside Psoriasis.
As to why Psoriasis develops into Psoriatic Arthritis, it can be understood that both the conditions are caused due to underlying immune system problems. While the immune system overloads the body with rapid production of skin cell, the same problem can cause the inflammation of the joints, causing arthritis. However, since both the conditions have their own set of distinct symptoms, researchers have often called Psoriatic Arthritis a disease inside of a disease.
As mentioned above, because of their chronic nature, the symptoms related to both the diseases cannot be eliminated altogether. However, a certain set of lifestyle changes can go a long way in reducing the chances of the conditions flaring out of control and worsen with time, ensuring that the patient can live a happy and healthy lifestyle. For any help in the case of any of these diseases, Medipulse, the top private hospital in Jodhpur, is always at your service. Visit the experts on Arthritis and other autoimmune diseases at Medipulse, where you get world-class services and assured treatment of your conditions.
What Binge Eating Does To The Body And How Not To Overeat This Diwali
Festivals are a means for families and friends to come together and celebrate in unison. This festival of lights is celebrated with a lot of love and enthusiasm in different ways, involving a lot of food. Indian
Festivals are a means for families and friends to come together and celebrate in unison. This festival of lights is celebrated with a lot of love and enthusiasm in different ways, involving a lot of food. Indian festivals aren’t really complete without the involvement of at least a dozen varieties in food, with at least a dozen kinds of sweets for the festivities. And in these times, the tendency to overeat often takes over.
Winding up with a full belly with a little soreness is often the aftermath of overeating, and can be dealt with. However, binge eating as a habit can get seriously out of hands, resulting in health problems and conditions that stay with a person for the rest of his/her life. So what happens when a person overeats? And how harmful is that? Can it be avoided this Diwali? This article discusses it all.
What Overeating Does to the Body?
Overeating is a process that takes effect slowly and in parts. The ill-effects of overeating go far and beyond an excess of calories in the body and can be understood with these simple points.
● Overeating expands the stomach beyond its standard size, causing extra pressure on the surrounding organs. This pressure causes the feeling of discomfort in people, with the additional feeling of lethargy and drowsiness.
● Overeating also forces other organs to work harder, secreting extra hormones and enzymes.
● Overeating may result in stomach acid to back up and enter the esophagus, causing heartburn.
● It can also result in the formation of gas, causing high levels of discomfort.
● Overeating may also put the metabolism in hyperdrive to digest all the extra food, leaving the person feeling suddenly hot, sweaty, and even dizzy.
How Harmful is Overeating?
Aside from all the above temporary harmful effects, overeating has been known to cause more profound and graver health problems in people. A human body functions typically by using certain calories to perform a certain set of actions, and stores the excess in the form of fat.
An excess of this fat then begins to collect in several different places in the body, causing what is commonly known as obesity. Research and studies from all around the world have long stated that obesity is the most common risk factor for various chronic conditions like heart problems and cancer. The enzymes that break down food to provide energy to the body are available in limited amounts, which means that overeating also causes pressure on the glands of the body as they have to overwork to digest the extra food or store it up as fat.
Another harmful effect of overeating is that it impacts the circadian clock or the biological clock of the body, causing erratic rises and falls in the sleep and hunger levels throughout the day.
How to Avoid Overeating During Diwali?
Diwali is the most awaited festival in the country, but can easily become a drastic development instead of a pompous time, something that can take months, years, or even lifetime of corrective measures to undo, restrain, or regulate. A few simple steps can go a long way in avoiding overeating and must be included as an important part of life.
● Eat-in moderate amounts
● Avoid skipping any meal
● Choose healthy over unhealthy, like dry fruits instead of sweets
● Avoid sugar-rich drinks
● Choose fresh food over stored food or food which uses preservatives
● Eating slowly is a good habit
● Include a good amount of physical activity
While celebrations are a necessary part of everyone’s life, overeating should certainly not be. And to create a habit out of it is certainly not good for the body. Celebrating responsibly is the only way forward, be it fireworks, restricted use of water, or even eating.
To enjoy festivals worry-free and in full fervor, it is always advisable to get a full-body checkup from the best hospital in Jodhpur. Medipulse Hospital is offering many exclusive preventive health care packages at affordable costs. With an expert staff that provides world-class medical services, we urge you to take care of the celebrations while being responsible, while we will take care of your health.
How Effective Is Vegan Diet For Cancer Patients
Cancer is one of the major threats to human health in the current time. Characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the human body, cancer creates tumour tissue that affects the growth of other healthy cells by hijacking their nutrition. Cancer cells can also travel to other parts of the body and create tumours, facilitating the overall growth of cancer in the body. One of the most concerning factors about cancer, however, is the increasing incidence rate of the diseases in the current world.
Cancer is one of the major threats to human health in the current time. Characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the human body, cancer creates tumour tissue that affects the growth of other healthy cells by hijacking their nutrition. Cancer cells can also travel to other parts of the body and create tumours, facilitating the overall growth of cancer in the body. One of the most concerning factors about cancer, however, is the increasing incidence rate of the diseases in the current world.
A study showed a stark difference in the percentage of people at risk of cancer in between 2 generations. Between people born after 1930 and after 1960, the lifetime risk of developing cancer increased for men from 38.5 to 53.5 respectively, and for women, it went from 36.7 to 47.5, respectively. This means that half the people under the age of 65 right now are at a risk of developing cancer at least once in their life. Corroborating with this change is the fact that diet of people has changed drastically during this period. The patterns of eating have changed significantly among this population. So is there a direct correlation between cancer and diet & lifestyle?
Understanding Lifestyle and Cancer
The most common thing that is seen in patients is that a certain change in lifestyle takes place during and after treatment. There are a number of research projects taken up by some of the leading and renowned medical institutions around the world that underline a number of important findings towards cancer in the world. A few of them are the following:
● Animal product consumption has been a major reason for the increase of at least 12 types of cancer in the world. This is because over consumption of animal products like meat and dairy can cause an increase in production of insulin, insulin-like growth factor, and sex hormones, all of which are strongly linked with the risk of cancer.
● Cooking meat at high temperatures produces a variety of carcinogenic compounds that are then directly consumed by humans.
● Environmental pollutants, especially the ones that can cause cancer are abundantly present in animal products. The reason being, these pollutants accumulate on the tissues and then spread throughout the body, irrespective of the body belonging to a dairy animal or a human.
● Including fruits, vegetables, and legumes into the diet brings in more antioxidants and fibre, both of which are known to be essential in not only reducing the risk of incidence in high-risk cases but also help in fighting cancer itself.
While the world has traditionally been divided into 2 schools of thought (vegetarian and non-vegetarian), the idea of the 3rd way of living life came into existence; Veganism.
Is Vegan Diet Helpful in Cancer?
The main concept of a vegan diet is abstaining from the consumption of any animal products. Be it meat or dairy products, veganism is all about abstaining from both in order to be fully free of anything that comes from or is obtained from animals. In doing so, the food begins to be including more of “cancer-fighting” elements, like berries, greens, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
To support the argument, a research conducted in the year 2014 concluded that out of the 60,000 people under observation, the 2,246 vegans had a 19% lower chances of cancer incidence, even when personal differences like age, gender, and body-mass index were taken into consideration. So in all manners of this argument, the final conclusion that has been drawn by a number of studies and personal experiences is that not only vegan diet can help in reducing the risk of cancer incidence, but also can go a long way in ensuring that a cancer patient can live happily after diagnosis and during treatment.
All this goes in hand with the common knowledge that the leading cause of cancer in this world, more than any other factor, is genetics. A healthy lifestyle and proper dietary habits can significantly reduce cancer incidence in people at high risk of cancer as per their genetics. For the best opinion on this, talk to the best cancer doctor in jodhpur , Dr Vinay Vyas at Medipulse Hospital. Dr Vinay is the Senior Consultant at the Department of Oncology at Medipulse Hosital Jodhpur. Schedule an appointment or visit for the best consultation on cancer.
7 Evidence-Based Ways To Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases
For years, medical researchers have been stating that heart and cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world. Not only that; but heart diseases have also been the leading cause of disability and paralysis in the world. With an open war front against heart diseases, the world is slowly moving towards living a healthy lifestyle and ensuring that issues like these do not become the cause of a person’s happiness disappearing into medical bills.
For years, medical researchers have been stating that heart and cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world. Not only that; but heart diseases have also been the leading cause of disability and paralysis in the world. With an open war front against heart diseases, the world is slowly moving towards living a healthy lifestyle and ensuring that issues like these do not become the cause of a person’s happiness disappearing into medical bills.
This is why one of the best ways to save someone’s life and save the money that goes into treatment costs and medicines is to prevent heart diseases from occurring in the first place. So here are 9 effective prevention and control factors for cardiovascular diseases that are based in research.
How to Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases Through Lifestyle Changes?
● Avoid Smoking and Tobacco: Smoking tobacco or using smokeless tobacco is the worst thing that a heart can be put through. Even for people who do not smoke, secondhand smoke can be a pain point. The chemicals in tobacco can be a serious risk factor towards the heart and the blood vessels.
● Activity: Regular physical activity on a daily basis can significantly reduce the risk of not only cardiovascular diseases but also a number of other conditions that may result from or may be the cause of heart diseases as well. Aiming for at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity can go a long way in maintaining the health of the heart.
● Eating Healthy: The body requires a certain amount of nutrients every day which are transported through the bloodstream to different parts of the body. While some foods like vegetables, fruits, beans, lean meats, fish, whole grain, and low-fat dairy and oils are proven to be great for the heart, an increased intake of salt, sugar, processed carbohydrates, alcohol, and saturated fat can deal huge damages to the heart and the body.
● Weight Management: Being overweight is the leading cause of heart diseases in the world. Obesity often comes with several other problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes; these are often the biggest cause of cardiovascular diseases.
● Sleep Management: Sleeping less than required has bigger problems than just making a person yawn through-out the day. Lack of sleep can cause a number of issues, which also includes heart attacks. Adults need at least 7 hours of sleep every day to function properly. However, if a person who gets enough sleep and still feels tired through the day, he/she must immediately see a doctor for sleep apnea, which is also a cause of cardiovascular diseases, as it caused excessive pressure on the heart.
● Stress Management: Stress is when the body’s systems cannot cope up with the demands that are being put up against it, be it physical, mental, or emotional. And the easiest method people tend to cope up with stress is by developing harmful habits like overeating, drinking, or smoking, all of which are leading causes of heart diseases.
● Blood Pressure: Blood pressure is the amount of force that the blood exerts on the walls of the blood vessels in the body. A high blood pressure can put the person at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases as the heart has to work extra to pump the blood through the body.
With heart diseases becoming more common by the day, especially inflicting young individuals in their prime, the need of the hour has shifted towards creating a better and healthier lifestyle. For maintaining your health as you go about your life, consult an expert cardiologist in Jodhpur at Medipulse Hospital. Live your life to the fullest without letting the risk of heart diseases anywhere near you, as you make the choice about how you want to live with Medipulse.
Hole In The Heart: Know The Diagnosis and Right Treatment
The heart is the powerhouse of the entire body, pumping blood into every cell of the body. Even the slightest problem in the heart can lead to significant repercussions resonating throughout the body.
The heart is the powerhouse of the entire body, pumping blood into every cell of the body. Even the slightest problem in the heart can lead to significant repercussions resonating throughout the body. But what if a person is born with a defect in their heart, like a hole in the heart?
A Septal defect is a congenital condition, present in the person at the time of his birth. A hole in the heart is known to impede the natural working of a human heart by altering the blood flow inside the heart. How does it function and what treatments are available for filling up the hole? Here is an article that addresses the congenital condition of septal defects or hole in the heart.
The Heart and The Hole
A human heart has two chambers where the right chamber receives oxygen-deficient blood, which is then transferred to the lungs. The lungs transport oxygen-rich to the left chamber, which then sends it out to the rest of the body. The wall that divides these two chambers is called the septum, which prevents the mixing of blood between the two sides of the heart.
The chambers are then further divided into two parts each, where the upper one is called the atrium, and the lower one is called ventricle. This information is essential to understand the complications a hole in the heart can create.
A small number of babies are born with a hole in the septum wall of their heart which allows the mixing of oxygen-poor and oxygen rich blood, sending oxygen-rich blood to the lungs, and oxygen-deficient blood to the body. As a result, children, and sometimes adults can develop dangerous conditions like shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in legs, feet, and abdomen, skipped beats, and stroke.
When this hole happens in the upper septum wall, it is called an Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), while when the hole is present in the lower septum wall, it is called a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD).
Symptoms of a Hole in the Heart
In several cases of an Atrial Septal Defect, the symptoms are either not very evident or are physically absent. However, when they do occur, a heart 'murmur' is the most common symptom. Other symptoms include:
● Fatigue
● Short Breath
● Swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, and abdomen
● A buildup of blood and fluid in the lungs, feet, ankles, and legs.
For Ventricular Septal Defect, a murmur is the only symptom of a hole in the heart.
Diagnosis of Septal Defect
Symptoms, as mentioned above, are definite signs that there is something wrong with a person's heart. In many cases of ASD, the symptoms do not show up until the age of 30 as well. This delays the diagnosis process in most cases. In cases of a VSD, the heartbeat has a distinct murmur that is heard through the stethoscope but does not happen until the baby turns at least 6 to 8 weeks old. Here is how doctors diagnose a hole in the heart.
● Echocardiography: A painless device that uses soundwaves to create an image of the heart.
● EKG: A device that records the heart’s electrical activity.
● Chest X-Ray: X-rays take pictures of the inside of a person’s body, revealing any kind of discrepancy.
● Pulse Oximetry: It is a device that calculates the amount of oxygen in the blood.
● Cardiac Catheterization: A small flexible tube is inserted into the veins through an arm, groin, or neck, and is then threaded to the heart. A dye is then added to the blood flow, which is monitored by the doctors for any abnormal flow.
Treating the Hole in The Heart
Most of the septal defects do not actually require treatment as they heal on their own in childhood or well into adulthood. However, medium-sized and large holes do require treatment as they can be the cause of heart failure and other cardiac conditions. There are two kinds of treatments available:
Open Heart Surgery: The cardiologist opens up the chest cavity and repairs the cavity with a special patch. The child is kept on a heart and lung bypass surgery during the operation to allow cutting into their heart. The patient is discharged 3 to 4 days after the surgery.
Catheter Procedure: A catheter is entered through a vein in the groin and threaded up to the heart. Inside the catheter is an umbrella-like device which is placed onto the hole to block it up. The tissues grow over the device within 6 months, with no need to remove it as the child grows.
These procedures have a high rate of success and ensure that a child goes on to live a happy, active, and comfortable life. As far as the cause is concerned, doctors are not really sure what causes congenital heart defects. However, if there is any question that you need, then visit the best Dr. Himanshu Tyagi overlooking the Department of Paediatric Cardiology at Medipulse Hospital, Jodhpur.
Tertiary Care: A Promise Of Life For Polytrauma Patients
Research studies have found that a majority of trauma deaths occur during the prehospital period due to insufficient care. It is, therefore, essential to assess the severity of the injury quickly and accurately.
Trauma is increasingly becoming a cause of morbidity and mortality in India. Incidents like road traffic accidents, fall from a height, occupational injuries, violence, and assaults lead to severest of trauma and polytrauma cases. Research studies have found that a majority of trauma deaths occur during the prehospital period due to insufficient care. It is, therefore, essential to assess the severity of the injury quickly and accurately.
Polytrauma and Associated Complications
Besides death, trauma, or polytrauma in patients is responsible for wide-ranging consequences that can affect an individual’s life considerably. For instance, severe injuries can result in significant financial losses, permanent deformities, and dysfunction, if prompt surgical intervention is not carried out. The role of advanced care is, therefore, of utmost importance in such cases.
Tertiary Care Units
Tertiary care unit refers to the third level of health system wherein specialized healthcare is provided. Specialized intensive care units, specialized medical personnel, advanced diagnostic support services, etc., are the key features of tertiary health care.
The Role of Tertiary Care in Polytrauma Cases
According to a study, in northern India alone, tertiary care centers receive approximately 6-7 patients with polytrauma every day. Out of these, some come directly while many are referred by primary and secondary care units.
The reason for admitting polytrauma patients in tertiary care is that it provides high-quality treatment. Working on the principles of "Time is the essence,” these care units manage the trauma cases at the earliest. As soon as the patient enters the hospital, he is attended by a team of specialists.
The tertiary care units have an organized polytrauma team and well-defined standards of operating procedure, which eventually lead to high-class treatment and faster recovery of the patients.
In an advanced tertiary care centre like ours, the teams working in the emergency department are highly specialized. Medipulse, one of the top private hospitals in Jodhpur, understands that the needs of every polytrauma patient are different; hence, after initial resuscitation, trauma cases are managed by higher specialty departments such as cardiothoracic surgery, spine surgery, plastic surgery, etc.
Trans-Radial and Trans-Femoral Approach for Angioplasty
Medicine and healthcare are the sectors that have largely benefitted with the advancement in technology. Technology has not only improved the quality of results in the field but has also accelerated the growth. There are millions of research and development programs undergoing to discover a breakthrough technology that would improve the quality of people’s life. One such discovery that has become a frontier in treatment is Angioplasty.
Medicine and healthcare are the sectors that have largely benefitted with the advancement in technology. Technology has not only improved the quality of results in the field but has also accelerated the growth. There are millions of research and development programs undergoing to discover a breakthrough technology that would improve the quality of people’s life. One such discovery that has become a frontier in treatment is Angioplasty.
In Angioplasty, a catheter is threaded through a blood vessel to the site of the blockage, which leaves the blood vessel open. The catheter has a balloon attached which expands once inside, pushing the material away. The balloon is then deflated, and the catheter is removed. This procedure requires small incision either in the groin or wrist, causing minimal invasion.
There are two approaches to perform Angioplasty: Radial Angioplasty and Femoral Angioplasty. Let's study them in detail:
Femoral Angioplasty
Traditionally, Angioplasty was performed by making a small incision in the groin area. The catheter is inserted in the femoral artery, i.e., the artery supplying the leg.
Radio Angioplasty
A recent development, wherein the incision is made in the wrist. The catheter is inserted in the artery supplying the hand. It has become one of the most frequently used routes.
Even though angiography is performed to determine the most suitable treatment option for the patient, Radial angioplasty is preferred widely as it has proved to be a safer and more convenient option in most cases.
Trans Radial Angioplasty over Trans Femoral Angioplasty?
Femoral Angioplasty has a long history of success, and as it is a traditional method of performing the surgery, more doctors are trained in this procedure. Moreover, this procedure is highly suggested to patients with extensive peripheral artery disease. However, the process entails the following:
The patient is required to stay flat for 4-6 hours.
There are high chances of bleeding and blood collection at the local site.
Chances of backache and difficulty in passing urine.
Advantages of Radial Angioplasty:
Less discomfort and reduced risk of bleeding.
The patient can move around as soon as the effect of anesthesia vanishes.
The patient is allowed to eat and drink after the procedure.
Reduced hospital stay.
With numerous benefits to offer, the trans-radial approach has become a first-choice approach for many doctors and patients alike.
With the advent of hardware and technology in the coming years, the medical industry is going to witness and welcome simpler and safer interventions. Incorporating the latest technology and medical equipment to provide quality treatment and care to the patients, Medipulse has been ranked as the top private hospital in Jodhpur. Headed by one of the best cardiologists in Jodhpur, Dr. Vineet Jain, the cardiology department ensures the best possible treatment of the patient.
Life Before And After Dialysis Begins
The human kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that are located in the belly region, right under the rib cage and diaphragm. Located one on each side of the spine, the kidneys' primary function is to remove the waste and extra fluid that the body accumulates during the day to day functioning. Apart from this, the kidneys also maintain healthy blood pressure, keep the bones strong, maintain proper mineral levels, and produce the hormone that promotes the formation of red blood cells. But what happens when the Kidney loses its ability to function due to an illness or injury?
The human kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that are located in the belly region, right under the rib cage and diaphragm. Located one on each side of the spine, the kidneys' primary function is to remove the waste and extra fluid that the body accumulates during the day to day functioning. Apart from this, the kidneys also maintain healthy blood pressure, keep the bones strong, maintain proper mineral levels, and produce the hormone that promotes the formation of red blood cells. But what happens when the Kidney loses its ability to function due to an illness or injury?
An extreme condition in this scenario is referred to as Kidney failure and is potentially dangerous for the body. Marked by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, swelling, or fatigue, acute kidney failure can hamper daily body functions. This is where Kidney dialysis comes into the picture, wherein it performs the functions that kidneys can no longer perform.
What is Dialysis?
Dialysis is a form of treatment that takes over the normal functioning of the Kidney when the organ ceases or depletes in its working. There are usually 2 ways that Dialysis can be performed.
● Hemodialysis: When the blood is filtered outside the body using a Dialysis Machine and is then returned to the body. The process can be done at a facility or at home.
● Peritoneal Dialysis: The blood is cleaned inside the body by introducing a special fluid in the abdominal cavity. After cleaning the blood, the fluid is drained out.
What Should a Patient Know Before Dialysis?
Dialysis is a life changer for patients as the frequency of cleaning the blood through hemodialysis is '5 to 7 times a week'. For better understanding, patients can realize that while an active kidney works the whole day, a dialysis machine cannot be connected to a person the entire while to purify. That is why such a frequency of dialysis is required to keep the body healthy and in working condition.
A patient can always make the decision of whether he/she wants to make visits to the center for dialysis or wants to get it done at home. Not only does it require dietary changes, but it also demands conscious changes in our day to day functioning. It is also advised to the patients to get medical insurance before the beginning of Dialysis and to remember to maintain a work-life afterward as it is important for recovery.
After Dialysis Begins
Dialysis, as a procedure, is not a one-time, one-off short treatment option for people suffering from Kidney Failure. In one sitting, dialysis can range from about a couple of hours (at home, daily) to about 5 hours (in clinics, 5 times a week).
Before the beginning of Dialysis, the doctors surgically implant a device to easily reach our bloodstream. This is either done by creating a fistula (Joint Artery and Vein in Arm), a graft (Joint artery and vein with a tube), or a catheter (a thin tube in the vein of the neck). For performing dialysis, these sites receive two tubes to allow the blood to pass through the dialysis machine and back into the body. The patient is asked to wear comfortable clothing and is advised to fast for a considerable amount of time before the treatment.
It is generally a painless procedure. However, patients are always advised to talk to a doctor immediately if there is any pain during the treatment. There will be side effects of the treatment like nausea, vomiting, dry or itchy skin, muscle cramps, and fatigue, but these can be kept in check by making small adjustments to diet and water intake for the patient, with proper emphasis on salt and protein. A piece of great advice to Dialysis patients is to stop the use of alcohol, smoking, and drugs that can harm their kidneys further. The patient is also advised to limit their intake of potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and any form of liquid.
Kidney Dialysis is not the end of life, in fact, it is the road towards a better life. Therefore, we must make sure we are taking care of ourselves in all aspects to maintain quality of life. Keeping the spirits high and indulging in work is the best way to ensure normalcy.
Understanding your medical needs, we, at Medipulse, are equipped to provide you quality treatment and care, keeping all your worries at bay. Ranked as the best private hospital in Jodhpur, our Nephrology department is housed with the latest technology and equipment to provide a range of treatments from Dialysis to Transplant, etc. Our Nephrology Department is led under the expert guidance of Dr. Mayank Jain. Visit the department for consultancy and other information.
Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease in Diabetic Patients
Inside the human body, the various systems that keep a person alive are interdependent on each other to carry out their functions. But quite often, we witness situations that cause the failure or shortcoming of one of these organs, causing the other to fail as well. This concept sits at the very core of Diabetes, a condition in which the body’s ability to maintain glucose levels (or blood sugar levels) fails.
Inside the human body, the various systems that keep a person alive are interdependent on each other to carry out their functions. But quite often, we witness situations that cause the failure or shortcoming of one of these organs, causing the other to fail as well. This concept sits at the very core of Diabetes, a condition in which the body’s ability to maintain glucose levels (or blood sugar levels) fails.
Diabetes is caused when the body cannot make enough insulin or does not make optimal use of available insulin, a hormone that turns glucose into usable energy for the cells of the human body. As dangerous as diabetes may seem for the body, it opens the doors of a patient’s body to something much worse; cardiovascular diseases.
Are Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases Related?
Yes, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases are related in more profound ways. Heart diseases are caused by narrowing or blockage of blood vessels in essential regions of the heart and chest cavity. If it gets delayed, it leads to heart attacks, chest pains, and strokes. With blood glucose levels rising due to diabetes, the damage to blood vessels and nerves goes into hyperdrive. The longer a person has had diabetes, the chances of developing cardiovascular diseases increase rapidly.
Consider these stats from around the world:
● 68% of diabetic patients above the age of 65 die because of some form of heart disease, out of which, about 16% die of stroke.
● Diabetic adults are 200% to 400% more likely to contract heart diseases than non-diabetic adults.
● A premier world organization for cardiac health considers diabetes as one of the top 7 causes or factors of Cardiovascular diseases.
Why People With Diabetes Have Higher Risk of Heart Diseases?
Diabetes is a condition that can significantly affect the overall health of a person's heart and circulatory system if it’s in full swing. Even though it can be controlled to the limit that it can become almost dormant, however, its very nature is quite dangerous for other vital organs of our body. Excessive blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes accelerate the damage to the heart in the following way.
● High Blood Pressure: High blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes, collaboratively, provide severe damage to the heart. This is simply because hypertension puts abnormally high pressure on the walls of the blood vessels, and diabetes works to damage the walls of the vessels.
● Bad Lipid Profile: Diabetes instantly causes the level of bad cholesterol (LDL), and triglycerides shoot up, while the good cholesterol (HDL) levels take a sudden dip. These conditions perfectly replicate the early symptoms of heart diseases.
● Obesity: Insulin resistance has a strong link to obesity in humans, which in turn also is one of the major contributing factors in the development of heart diseases.
● Sedentary Lifestyle: One of the major risk factors for both diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, is physical inactivity. With proper and timely exercising, a person can reduce the chances, delay, and even prevent conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart attacks.
● Abnormal (High) Blood Sugar Levels: Diabetes increases blood sugar level to dangerous levels, which in turn, harm the heart and kidneys to irreparable extents.
● Smoking: Smoking, in general, is a risk factor for the human body, especially to diabetic patients. It makes our body resistant to insulin, leading to higher blood sugar level. Such dangerous sugar level in our body warrants extreme problems for many organs, including the heart.
How to Stop Diabetes From Giving You a Heart Attack?
The simplest way is to manage the ABCSs in a person.
● A for A1C test: the A1C test shows the average blood sugar levels over the last 3 months, which is a different measure than the daily sugar level checks. The goal is to keep this level below 7 percent.
● B for Blood Pressure: A high blood pressure makes the person’s heart work harder to keep the blood pumping, which can harm a lot of other organs, alongside the blood vessels.
● C for Cholesterol: Reducing bad cholesterol levels and getting more good cholesterol in the system will keep the blood vessels healthy.
● S for Stress and Smoking: Smoking and Stress are the two biggest risk and contributing factors in taking a person’s diabetes to cardiovascular disease levels.
Diabetes is definitely a condition that can escalate even the simplest of problems to catastrophic levels. That is why, for even the simplest of symptoms, make sure that you take care of your cardiac health by visiting the best heart specialist hospital in Jodhpur, Medipulse. With the team of expert doctors always monitoring the situations, Medipulse is where you can get the best care for your heart. Visit now for a consultation and to secure your heart better.
Common Symptoms of Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart diseases can risk the physical and cognitive development of a child. Doctors believe CHD occurs during the early stages of pregnancy and its symptoms in infants are difficult to understand. Read this blog to know about some early symptoms and signs of birth-related heart diseases
Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) is one of the most common birth anomalies in newborns. As per an estimate, every year, nearly 200,000 children are born with congenital heart disease in India. However, not all CHD are life-threatening, and with timely diagnosis and care, parents can ensure a healthy and normal life for their children.
Congenital heart diseases are primarily classified into two types i.e., Cyanotic and Acyanotic CHD. In Cyanotic CHD, the heart starts circulating oxygen-deficient blood to other parts of the body. Lower than normal oxygen levels in the blood turn the skin bluish or purplish. Contrary to this, Acyanotic CHD blocks blood flow from the left side to the right side of the heart. In the worst of cases, acyanotic CHD can damage atrial or ventricular walls, heart valves, or large blood vessels.
CHD symptoms may appear soon after birth or during the later stages of childhood. Though not all cases are life-threatening, CHD can lead to major complications in the heart walls, valves, and blood vessels during later stages of life. With timely diagnosis and effective lifestyle changes, children with CHD can easily lead a healthy normal life. Early diagnosis plays a crucial role in timely CHD treatment and care. In this blog, we share some common symptoms of congenital heart defects in infants, children, and adults.
Congenital Heart Disease Symptoms
They are no particular symptoms for heart-related problems from birth. In fact, at times, individuals find out about their heart-related anomalies much later during adulthood. Heart care specialists suggest that shortness of breath or fatigue during physical activity without any specific reason can be signs of congenital heart diseases. Usually, doctors suggest diagnosis like chest X-ray or ECG to confirm CHD. Other than sudden fatigue and breathlessness, few other symptoms can indicate heart anomalies in newborns and children. These include:
● Trouble in breathing.
● Loss of appetite or difficulty in feeding.
● The bluish or pale gray color of lips, skin, fingers, and toes.
● Lower than normal weight during birth or infancy.
● Complaints of chest pain.
● Slower or delayed growth.
In any of the above cases, parents must proactively consult a doctor as early diagnosis of CHD is essential for ensuring fewer complications in the long term. Further, for adults who are carrying congenital heart diseases, the following symptoms necessitate an immediate visit to the doctor.
● Sudden abnormal heartbeats coupled difficulty in breathing.
● Feeling dizzy or unsteady without any good reason.
● Swelling of body tissue or organs (edema).
A Few Words For Parents
It is normal to be disheartened to find out that your child has congenital heart disease, but as a parent, you should know that proper care and a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce CHD related complications. In critical cases, surgery has proved effective in ensuring a healthy and normal heartbeat for children with CHD. Medipulse has conducted several pediatric cardiac surgeries and intervention procedures with near 100% success rate. The department is led by highly renowned and reputed pediatric cardiologist Dr. Himanshu, along with other team of experts. Together with their expertise, they have helped children and adults with CHD live a happy and healthy life.