Archive for January, 2014

Get Your B 12 Levels Right!

Thursday, January 30th, 2014

Over the past few years, our lifestyle has changed tremendously. Skipping meals, increased intake of caffeine containing beverages, sedentary lifestyle, decreased exposure to sunlight – all these factors are not just responsible for the increasing incidence of obesity and diabetes in the population but also for many deficiency diseases. Vitamin B12 is one of the common deficiency that could lead to a myriad of health problems.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a condition in which the body has inadequate stores of Vitamin B12. This deficiency is much more common than was previously believed.

Vitamin B12, also called as cobalamin, is involved in a number of key body processes. However, it plays a key role in the red blood cell production, functions of nervous system, sperm production, normal growth and adequate functioning of the immune system. It also improves memory and concentration, prevents cancer and protects the body against allergies and toxins.

Signs & Symptoms
  • Fatigue, weakness and pallor
  • Dizziness and fainting
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Menstrual problems
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tingling and numbness of the feet
  • Palpitations
  • Poor appetite
Factors Leading to Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 deficiency could result from inadequate dietary intake of vitamin B12 as it occurs naturally only in animal products. Children are at primary risk for developing this deficiency since they have less vitamin stores in their body. Besides, pernicious anaemia and intrinsic factor deficiency can also lead to vitamin B12 deficiency in adults. Also, vitamin B12 deficiency is far more common in elderly people and vegetarians.

Research Highlights

Recent studies indicate that B12 deficiency is far more widespread than believed. It is proposed that 600pg/ml is the criterion for low level rather than 350 pg/ml which was earlier.

Getting Your B 12 Levels Right

The diagnosis for this deficiency can be confirmed by serum B12 levels. The lowest and treatment, Vitamin B12 deficiency is treatable and has good prognosis with a minimal risk of developing serious complications, such as nerve damage, anaemia or dementia.

Treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency involves replacing the body’s depleted stores of vitamin B12. Oral vitamin B12 replacement therapy is prescribed in some cases. However, to ensure maximum absorption, it can also be administered intramuscularly via injections. Including portions of red meat, poultry, fish and dairy products in your diet will also help.

Moments of Happiness at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Tuesday, January 28th, 2014

Hospitals may not the best places to be in, especially when the world outside is celebrating. But what happens when the doctors and nurses switch roles to go beyond, bring the celebrations in instead, and create something special for the patients and their loved ones in these hospital corridors?

Watch the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Team sparkle Christmas Eve for all the children admitted in the pediatric ward.

All they had to do was make a wish and a little surprise was in store…

Get Clean Hands!

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014

Unwashed hands are a prime cause of food-borne diseases and several respiratory illnesses. Therefore, wash your hands with hot, soapy water before handling food, after using the bathroom, changing diapers and handling pets.

Next time while washing hands, do not forget to wash between your fingers, under your nails and the top of your hands.

Vitamin D Deficiency – A Silent Epidemic

Tuesday, January 7th, 2014

Do you get exhausted easily? Do you get palpitations very often? Do your muscles feel sore and weak? Well, then there is a great likelihood that you could be a victim of Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D (calciferol) belongs to a group of fat soluble secosteroids. In humans, vitamin D is unique because of its functions as a prohormone as well as its synthesis to vitamin D3 in the body when exposed to adequate sunlight.

Vitamin D regulates the concentration of calcium and phosphate in the body and promotes healthy growth and remodelling of the bone. Vitamin D prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. Along with calcium, it protects elder adults from osteoporosis.

Vitamin D also affects neuromuscular functions, causes inflammation and influences the action of many genes that regulate proliferation and apoptosis of the cells. Vitamin D is also essential for the healthy growth of hair follicle as well as for a healthy immune system. Vitamin D deficiency is the main cause of rickets in young infants because breast milk is low in vitamin D and so is the cereal based diet.

Vitamin D & Bones

Vitamin D deficiency is known to cause several bone diseases like:

  • Rickets, a childhood disease characterised by impeded growth and deformity of the long bones. The earliest sign of subclinical vitamin D deficiency is abnormal softening or thinning of the skull
  • Osteomalacia, a bone-thinning disorder that occurs exclusively in adults, and is characterised by proximal muscle weakness and bone fragility
  • Osteoporosis, a condition characterised by reduced bone mineral density and increased bone fragility
People At Risk
  • Naturally dark skinned people
  • Elderly & people who are housebound
  • People who cover their skin for religious or cultural reasons
  • Babies & infants of vitamin D deficient mothers, especially breast fed babies
Signs & Symptoms
  • Poor growth in children
  • Delayed tooth formation
  • Dental deformities
  • Tingling
  • Weakness
  • Muscle cramps
  • Bone pain
  • Spine and other bone deformities
  • Stooped posture and loss of height
Managing Vitamin D Deficiency

25 hydroxyvitamin D level of 20 ng/ml (nanogram/mililitre) in serum is desirable for bone and overall health. Vitamin D intake lower than 100 International Unit (IU)/day is associated with increased risk of hip fracture.

Oral vitamin D replacement or intramuscular injections are prescribed to treat Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D Facts

  • Without sufficient vitamin D, which is crucial for calcium absorption in your intestines, your body cannot absorb calcium, thus rendering calcium supplements useless
  • Sunscreens, even the ones like SPF-8 block your body’s ability to generate vitamin D by 95%. Therefore, sunscreen products can create critical vitamin deficiency in the body
  • Natural sunlight rays responsible for generating vitamin D in your skin cannot penetrate glass. Therefore, your body can not generate vitamin D from the sunlight you receive while sitting in your car or home
Research Highlights

Research shows that dark skinned people living in the temperate climate have low Vitamin D levels as melanin in the skin hinders vitamin D synthesis.

A Guide to Healthy Living

Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

There are around 33 million people with diabetes – mostly type 2. However, only 12-14% of all the patients get treated. Therefore, it is very important to create awareness as only correct information will help in better control and management of diabetes.

PEOPLE AT RISK

  • Obesity
  • Sedentary Lifestyle
  • Unhealthy Eating Habits
  • Family History and Genetics
  • Increased Age
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • History of Gestational Diabetes

Managing Diabetes

 While highly manageable, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes may cause severe damage to health of an individual if not managed properly. People with either type of diabetes are at risk of damage to their eyes, kidneys and feet with advancing age. However, the risk of developing these complications can be greatly reduced with good control of blood glucose.

For most people, type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. When first diagnosed, many people with type 2 diabetes can keep their blood glucose at a healthy level with oral medications. But over time, the body gradually produces less and less of its own insulin, and eventually oral medications may not be enough to keep blood glucose levels normal. Due to the natural development of the condition, many people with type 2 diabetes eventually require insulin treatment. If insulin is started early enough, many of the serious complications may be avoided.

Besides medications, a well charted diet and planned exercise regime plays a significant role in normalisation of the blood glucose levels. Also, people with diabetes should have regular checks of their blood glucose levels, blood pressure, eyes, feet, kidneys and heart so that any change can be detected and treated well in time.

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