World Hepatitis Day Blog

World Hepatitis Day

Jul 28th, 2018

Archive for July, 2018

World Hepatitis Day

Saturday, July 28th, 2018

28th July is observed as World Hepatitis Day worldwide and sees many international programs which are focussed to spread the awareness of Hepatitis.

What is Hepatitis? Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It may be caused by drugs, alcohol use, or certain medical conditions. But in most cases, it’s caused by a virus. Hepatitis is a common disease that inflames the liver, an important organ for metabolism and breaking down food in the digestive system.

What are the five types of hepatitis?

There are at least five different types of viral hepatitis: A, B, C, D and E.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is spread by either direct contact with an infected person’s faeces or by indirect faecal contamination of food or water.

Symptoms include:

  • fever
  • dark urine
  • light stool
  • jaundice

Maintaining utmost hygiene especially before and after meals is a good way to prevent hepatitis A. Take the Hepatitis A vaccination.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be spread through:

  • body fluids
  • urine
  • semen
  • from mother to infant soon or right after birth

Symptoms can include:

  • abdominal pain
  • jaundice
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • fever
  • joint pain

A blood test is needed to diagnose HBV, and vaccinations are available to protect people at high risk for infection. Practise safe sex, do not share needles or razors and get tattoos done only at hygienic places.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C (HCV) is most commonly spread by exposure due to contaminated blood or needles and unsafe sex.

Symptoms for HCV are similar to other types of hepatitis, and like HBV, a blood test is needed for diagnosis. Both HBV and HCV increase a person’s risk for liver cancer. There’s no vaccine available for Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis D

Unlike the other forms, hepatitis D can’t be contracted on its own. It can only infect people who are already infected with hepatitis B. People with HBV often develop hepatitis D (HDV), which is spread through contaminated blood products and unprotected sex with an infected person. The symptoms remain same as mentioned above.

Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is found in underdeveloped areas of the world and is spread by the faecal/oral route. HEV causes acute hepatitis, which usually goes away on its own.

Some preventive measures:

Prevent hepatitis with good hygiene, practicing safe sex, and being careful around anything contaminated with blood. If you experience jaundice, dark urine or light stool, see your doctor right away.

Healthy diet and Hepatitis

What we eat affects our entire body, especially our liver. It is the second largest organ and helps with many vital functions. Your liver is a highly efficient engine and filter. What you eat, drink and expose to your body is chemically broken down by your liver and affects your immune system and many other functions of your body.

Listed below are a few health tips for managing Hepatitis:
  • Eat foods from all food groups in healthy portions such as whole grains, lean proteins, low fat dairy, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats.
  • Eat foods with high fibre such as fresh fruits, vegetables, lentils, beans and whole grains to keep your liver healthy.
  • Limit red meat as it takes longer for your system to break it down.
  • Limit foods and drinks that are high in sugar and salt, fatty foods and processed or fried foods.
  • Stay within a healthy weight range because the liver can function better.
  • Eating smaller meals throughout the day is also better than large meals.
  • Drink plenty of purified water to hydrate yourself. Avoid alcohol as it may increase your liver damage.
  • Include healthy fats in your diet like olive oil and avoid trans-fats that are highly saturated.
  • While soy products have lot of health benefits do not consume them in excessive amounts as they can be harmful for your liver.
  • Other foods that constitute a healthy diet for hepatitis patients include nuts, seeds, fish, poultry, tofu, whole milk, yogurt and cheese.
Few facts about Hepatitis:
  • Not all forms are related to risky habits – Not all forms of hepatitis are spread through direct exchange of bodily fluids. Of the five different types of hepatitis, some viruses spread through contaminated food or water.
  • Most people don’t realize they have it – Sometimes hepatitis can be hard to detect because it starts out with mild, flu-like symptoms including fever, fatigue, and body aches. For some people, it takes years to develop the severe symptoms.
  • Contaminated water and food are risky – Hepatitis A and E viruses are transmitted by what’s known as the faecal-oral route: that is, eating food or drinking water that’s been contaminated by the faeces of someone who has the virus.
  • Some forms can lead to cancer – Unless treated properly, inflammation from chronic hepatitis can lead to cell damage and, eventually, liver cancer. If there is a family history of liver cancer or your Hepatitis has caused liver cirrhosis, your chances of developing cancer are even greater.
  • Drinking alcohol can make it worse – While certain medications can help people manage hepatitis, lifestyle choices can affect how it progresses. In both types B and C, alcohol definitely makes the scarring of the liver worse and progress faster.
  • Pregnant women should be tested – The most common cause of hepatitis B transmission globally is mother to infant. Hence pregnant women should be screened for hepatitis B when they receive prenatal care.

Consult our team of liver specialists if you have or suspect Hepatitis. Please find below link for further details:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/hepatopancreatobiliary.html

7 Essential Facts about Postpartum Depression

Friday, July 20th, 2018

When was the last time you met a new mother and felt she looks low?

Have you or a close family member recently experienced childbirth and the dreaded postpartum depression?

Postpartum is a very common phenomenon experienced by many but sadly discussed by very few.

What does it feel like?

The birth of a child should feel like the happiest time in your life, but for many women, the weeks or months after having a baby can be marred by sadness, anxiety, and despair. The actual experience of postpartum depression is wide-ranging and can include everything from obsessive anxiety to a sense of disconnect to unremitting rage. Many mothers have physical sensations too like feeling exhausted and nauseous. Some mothers were able to carry out daily tasks, but they experienced a startling sense of disconnection from their babies and from the expectation they had of what it would be like to be a mom.

One in seven women suffer from postpartum depression, new-mom bliss is overshadowed by a tough mental-health struggle.

Listing down a few essential facts about Postpartum Depression:

1. Postpartum depression also includes anxiety and other mood disorders.

Postpartum depression is now often referred to as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, or postpartum mood disorders (PPMD). “There are four subtypes: depression, anxiety with or without depression, panic attacks, and OCD.”

2. Postpartum depression is not the same as baby blues.

It’s important to distinguish between the blues and an actual postpartum mood disorder. Baby blues are very common, and typically start within the first six weeks postpartum, they are experienced by 50 to 85% new moms. Experts assume this is caused by the hormonal change that happens postpartum, mixed with the new routine and lack of sleep faced by a new mom. Baby blues usually clear up on its own, whereas postpartum depression needs to be treated.

3. Postpartum mood disorders don’t always show up immediately after the birth.

Symptoms can start to show within a few weeks of childbirth, but sometimes it can take up to a year. Most commonly, it occurs within three months of delivery.

4. Extreme sleep deprivation can trigger postpartum depression.

Due to the breastfeeding sessions every two hours getting a solid night’s sleep is pretty impossible for a new parent. Hence doctors usually focus on the patient getting better sleep.

5. Many symptoms of postpartum depression are similar to major depressive disorder, but there are also additional symptoms.

Regular symptoms of depression include sadness, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping, loss of pleasure, and even thoughts of hurting oneself. Postpartum depression includes anxiety about being left alone with the newborn, anxiety about not being a good mom, thoughts the woman is going to drop the baby, thoughts about hurting the baby, irritability, and not being able to sleep when the baby sleeps.

6. Treatment for postpartum depression includes cognitive behavioural therapy and helping the mom find support and sleep.

Therapy sessions with a clinical psychologist are a key part of treatment to help women understand what they’re experiencing and that it’s not their fault. The general principles of recovery include: finding ways to heal, building hope and inspiration, spirituality, and establishing one’s narrative by being more open with loved ones. Some women will need antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications to recover fully, but not all. In those cases, it may be necessary to stop breastfeeding.

7. Having postpartum depression does not make you a bad mother.

It can feel unbearable to have anything other than happy thoughts about your new baby, but postpartum depression is totally normal and itโ€™s not a reflection of you or your abilities as a mom. If you seek treatment and enlist the help of those who love you, it will get better.

If you think you’re experiencing postpartum depression or a friend is experiencing, talk to a close friend. If needed consult specialists at our Psychiatry department who can help you in the situation. Please find below website link for further details:

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/psychiatry.html

Eat Healthy, Stay Fit This Monsoon

Friday, July 13th, 2018

It’s the season of rains, chilly winds, heavy downpours and excess humidity. While stepping out for work and other social commitments one is bound to get occasionally wet, or drenched, and may walk through flooded areas at times. Our immunity levels are low during this season making us prone to diseases. The humid environment also helps infectious diseases thrive and spread easily. Let’s make our food our first medicine and take preventative measures to avoid the common monsoon illnesses.

Here are some tips to make your diet a monsoon friendly one:
  1. Include garlic, pepper, ginger, asafoetida, jeera powder, turmeric and coriander in food as it help enhance digestion and improve immunity. Use it liberally in warm dals and piping hot soups. It gives your body the much needed warmth and helps fight infections.
  2. Avoid having vegetables in raw form. Instead of raw salads and sprouts steam them before consumption. Wash all vegetables thoroughly as they may contain worms.
  3. Choose curd over milk. Instead of milk, prefer to have curd or yogurt as it avoids any possibility of bad bacteria entering the body.
  4. Eat Seasonal Fruits like apples, jamuns, litchi, plums, cherries, peaches, papayas, pears and pomegranates. They are the best additions to your diet and help improve the immune system.
  5. Have a glass of turmeric milk daily. Turmeric is not only a great antibiotic but is also known to have anti-inflammatory and healing properties which can really help in reducing inflammation in the digestive system.
  6. Avoid all kinds of street foods completely. Most of these foods are prepared and sold in the open and come in direct contact with disease causing bacteria’s and thus increase your chances of falling sick.
  7. Have medium to low salt food and avoid heavy salty food as they may cause high blood pressure and promote bloating and water retention.
  8. Limit your meat intake. It is advisable to avoid as much as non-vegetarian food as possible due to the possible spread of bacteria. Instead of heavy curry dishes of meat prefer soups and stew.
  9. Maintain the highest levels of personal hygiene this season. Wash your hands frequently with soap as most of the bacteria enter your body through mouth and nose.
  10. Drink a good quantity of water. Do not cut down your water intake as summer is over. Lack of water makes you vulnerable to a number of infections and diseases. Water helps flush out toxins from your body. Have only boiled water during the monsoon and carry your own water when you step outdoors.
    Follow the above mentioned healthy diet suggestions and enjoy the beautiful monsoon season. In case of any symptoms of high fever or rashes or joint pain which maybe malaria, dengue or chikungunya consult a doctor immediately.

Tour Diaries With Christopher Pedra – Blibli Indonesia Open 2018

Tuesday, July 3rd, 2018
Day 1 – Practice day

We managed a much more relaxed breakfast this morning as it seems all the Para Games staff have left the hotel. After a small breakfast and relaxing in their rooms, the team headed off to the main arena for the first practice session in what was supposed to be tournament conditions. As it turned out the AC’s weren’t set at the tournament setting so that expectation wasn’t filled, but all in all it was great for Saina to get a good session in on the tournament surface, in the main arena.

All of the Indian contingent had a good session on the courts, and if practice is anything to go by I think we should she some strong runs this week. Saina is moving nicely and has no real complaints, the usual minor irritations that are part of a professional athletes life, but nothing we shouldn’t be able to work with his week. We just need to get on a bit of a run to build some momentum.

After practice the rest of the day was resting as the schedule only comes out the evening before play – so we don’t want to be hitting the gym with less that 12-18hours to recover. Any sessions during tournament weeks are tailored to fit into the schedule, and always lighter than normal, but you still don’t want to go into a gym session not knowing wether you are on court in either 12 hours or 20 hours. Eight hours recovery can make a big difference at the sharp end of professional sport!

We went out for a good meal at the local mall, which is perfect – has everything we could ask for. Badminton is obviously huge here in Indonesia as literally everyone recognizes Saina and wants a selfie (even more so than Malaysia last week). I’ve joked that we should get her a wig and glasses so she can walk through the mall in peace but she assures me she doesn’t mind at all and completely understands that the supporters mean well. I’m not sure I would have her patience, but I suppose she’s had more practice ๐Ÿ™‚

Anyway, tomorrow is Round 1 for our half of the draw. Being an HSBC 1000 event there is no qualifying, only 32 entrants so round 1 is split over Tuesday and Wednesday. We’re off at around 6 pm so expecting tomorrow to be pretty relaxed too, with a possible light gym session in the morning.

Tour Diaries With Christopher Pedra – Blibli Indonesia Open 2018

Sunday, July 1st, 2018
Day 0 – Practice Day

We arrived earlier than normal as we weren’t around for the weekend last week in Malaysia. Silver lining is that we’ve had more time to acclimatise.

Unlike last week, when we couldn’t get onto the practice courts until late on Sunday and then only onto the match courts until 11pm the night before the first round, we were able to get onto the practice courts early this afternoon and have the match courts booked for tomorrow morning.

Another plus this week is the proximity of the hotel to the arena and practice facility – we’re a 5minute bus ride from everything. With the Asian Games around the corner the city has had a major facelift, and the areas around the main stadium and arenas has been well renovated, including the hotels.

This morning after a manic breakfast (the Asian Para Games teams and staff, players and staff attending an ITF tournament in Jakarta, as well as all the normal guests, are all in the same hotel as us), we did a good session in the gym and then had a good quality 50 minute practice session later.

Saina is feeling good after one or two complaints last week, so we’re hoping to get a bit of momentum in the next couple of days to hopefully carry us through to the weekend.

Tomorrow is the first official practice day, so we’ll be in the main arena.

Until then…