Breast Cancer – Awareness can save lives!

October is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month but how much are we really aware about this illness is the real question here

Did you know…?

Breast cancer has replaced cervical cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths for women in India and across the globe. It is a fact that many Indian women diagnosed with breast cancer know very little about their condition and do not pay much heed to getting immediate treatment which reduces the chances of their survival. Busy with handling the daily chores and sorting out family hassles, many women keep postponing their treatment and reach hospitals at an advanced stage whereby the cancer has spread to an extent that very little can be done to help them.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, more than 60% of Indian women are diagnosed with breast cancer at stage III or IV. Experts believe 1 in 28 women is prone to develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Public awareness can be part of an overall approach to reducing these figures.

It will benefit the next generation of women who will be much more aware and willing to take the first step towards early diagnosis and treatment.

Having a family history of breast cancer increases a woman’s risk for developing this disease later in life. There is no control over genetics but some factors can certainly be controlled to prevent and minimize the risk of breast cancer:

• Bad lifestyle choices that include a poor diet with excess consumption of alcohol and exposure to nicotine makes a woman highly prone to being diagnosed with breast cancer later in life
• Lack of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle also contribute to this disease
• Ignoring the warning signs and delaying the screening process often results in late detection which directly affects the survival rate of breast cancer patients
•   Many artificial hormone therapies including some oral contraceptives could be potential triggers of this disease. Getting your doctor’s approval before starting with any kind of medical therapy is a must
• Disrupted sleep cycle as a result of working in rotating shifts can also increase the risk of breast cancer. Some researchers are of the opinion that women who work at least 3 night shifts a week for 6 or more years are twice as likely to develop breast cancer
• Delaying pregnancy has also shown to increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer at a later stage. Researchers believe that the longer a woman breast-feeds, the lower her chances of getting the disease.
• Stress may not be directly linked to breast cancer but definitely triggers other bad habits that could then increase your risk factor
• Certain canned food and drinks are known to possess chemicals that behave like oestrogens, ­increasing breast cancer risk. Also, excess intake of food items that are high in saturated fats doubles the risk of developing this disease
• Breast implants may enhance your overall appearance but could also make you susceptible to developing breast cancer. Studies indicate that women who have breast implants are 38% more ­likely to die from breast cancer as compared to women who succumb due to late diagnosis

One of the most evident misconceptions about heart problems is that, it can affect only adults but the fact remains that every year approximately 130,000 children in India are born with congenital heart disease. A person who is completely unaware of this medical term may not be able to comprehend its impact on his/her child’s life.

In simple terms, congenital heart disease is a birth defect that affects the natural mechanism of the baby’s heart. They are basically structural defects that appear in the heart and blood vessels

Inspite of being the most common kind of of birth defect, congenital heart disease has no known prevention or cure but it can most certainly be corrected through surgical and/or interventional procedures. Pediatric cardiac care in India is still in its early stages. Acute lack of awareness and inadequate health care facilities has pushed up cases of congenital heart disease in India. Misconceptions associated with this fatal disease can subsequently impact further treatment of the patient

Let us uncover a few essential facts about Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)

• Heart defects in kids is approximately 60 times more prevalent than childhood cancer
• Congenital heart defects could be simple like having “holes” between chambers of the heart, or complex such as complete absence of one or more chambers or valves. Such defects can be diagnosed before birth, after birth or during childhood
• More than 75% of infants born with critical heart disease can survive beyond a year and many can lead near normal lives after an open heart surgery
• Regardless of a child’s race, age, or social class, congenital heart disease, can strike unannounced but certain anomalies can be detected through vital tests during pregnancy
• Congenital heart defect is not a death sentence and it certainly doesn’t make the child imperfect or flawed. Timely diagnosis, surgical intervention and periodic follow-ups have helped hundreds of CHD patients live longer and healthier lives.
• More than 50% of all children born with a congenital heart defect will require at least one invasive surgery in their lifetime. Also, he/she may not be able to gain weight as rapidly as other infants hence parents and caregivers are expected to constantly remain in touch with the child’s pediatric cardiologist/heart surgeon through routine follow-up visits.
• Survival rates which were very low in past decades have improved drastically  with the emergence of advanced testing and treatment options

Children’s Heart Centre at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital is a world-class cardiac & critical care center offering medical & surgical care to neonates, infants and children with all types of heart ailments

https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/centresofexcellence/childrensheart_hospital_in_mumbai.html

Taking care of children with heart defects can be extremely difficult especially for parents and caregivers who are incapable of handling the financial hurdles that may arise due to expensive treatment. Thousands of children suffering from congenital heart disease succumb to their illness due to lack of funds for medical treatment. Funding from generous sponsors has helped many ailing little-ones receive optimum pediatric care with high success rates.

Come forward and lend your support to this noble cause. A little kindness could help many unfortunate little ones receive improved quality and accessibility of cardiac care

After Malaria, Dengue has become one of the most common mosquito-borne illnesses in India. Senior citizens, younger children and those with a compromised immune system are highly susceptible to being infected with the Dengue virus. Like most viral diseases, there is no specific medicine or antibiotic to treat Dengue. Hospitalization is essential and the treatment is aimed at alleviating the symptoms. The symptoms of a Dengue fever in kids closely resembles that of a viral infection which is why parents have to be doubly cautious to identify the warning signs and act immediately

If you see rashes on your child’s skin and he/she has fever as well as body ache since the past few days, its best to visit your physician for immediate diagnosis

Here are a few important preventive measures to keep your child away from Dengue fever

• Make sure your kid consumes plenty of water throughout the day as dehydration increases the risk of Dengue fever
• Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus do not breed in stale water but use fresh water stored in flowerpot, cooler, water puddle etc. as their breeding grounds. They are most active during the day therefore limit the amount of time your child spends outdoors, especially in the hours around dawn and dusk.
• Always dress them up in long-sleeved clothing so as to reduce skin exposure. Dark colors attract mosquitoes. Prefer light colored clothes
• Instill the habit of hand washing in kids from an early age and encourage them to eat nutritious home cooked food as compared to roadside snacks
• Use citronella oil-based creams and sprays or other herbal mosquito repellents to minimize the chances of a mosquito bite. Consult your child’s pediatrician before using any mosquito repellent. Oil of leaves from lemon eucalyptus trees is also known to be very effective in keeping mosquitoes away. If possible, install a mosquito net across their bed. Just to be safe, you can also fit mosquito meshes on windows. If there are any gaps, cracks, or holes in the walls, repair it immediately. Keeping a bunch of Neem leaves tied in a cloth at different corners of house is an age-old practice to keep mosquitoes away
• Sweat and humidity also attracts mosquitoes hence make sure that your child’s skin is always clean and dry. Ask kids to take a shower immediately after returning from their play date and pat them dry upon arrival
• It becomes easier for the body to fight any kind of infection if the immunity levels are high. The trick is to include foods that are rich in vitamins and nutrients. Make sure your child follows a well-balanced diet

Dengue is preventable as well as controllable but if left untreated, it can create severe medical complications and also trigger Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) which can cause bleeding, liver failure, convulsions and even death. Children who have already been infected by Dengue are inclined to get infected again, thus have to be extra careful to prevent a second attack as it could be more lethal than the first time.

Follow the above mentioned tips to keep your little ones away from this disease

If recent reports are to be believed, New Delhi is battling the worst Dengue fever outbreak in the last 5 years. More than 2000 cases have been recorded in the past few weeks, with the death toll mounting to 20. The statistics are alarming and can easily cause panic in any city, state or country. But what’s important is to acknowledge the fact that dengue is preventable and manageable, hence with better knowledge and understanding of its causes, symptoms and treatment, a lot can be done to control as well as cope with this epidemic

If you ask people to name a few mosquito borne illnesses, most of them would come up with one common answer and that is – Malaria. Considering its impact on the human health, there’s very little awareness about Dengue fever, especially within the rural areas of our country.

Let’s get acquainted with some of the most important facts associated with this disease:

• Dengue isn’t contagious but is certainly preventable and controllable.
• Andes aegypti mosquitoes are the carriers of dengue fever. Extremely active during the daytime, these insects carry the blood of an infected person and transmit it to another person through a bite.
• Those with a compromised immune system such as the elderly and young children pose a greater risk of contracting Dengue fever
• In addition to high body temperature, symptoms of Dengue fever include: severe pain in the muscle and joints, swollen lymph nodes, headache, fever, exhaustion, and rash.
• The symptoms typically show between 4 to 7 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
• Like most viral diseases, there is no specific medicine or antibiotic to treat Dengue. Hospitalization is essential and the treatment is aimed at alleviating the symptoms.
• If a person has already been diagnosed and treated for Dengue in the past year, he/she has to be extra careful to prevent a second attack as it could be more lethal than the first time
• Surprising as it may sound, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes do not breed in stale water but use fresh water stored in flowerpot, cooler, water puddle etc. as their breeding grounds.
• Anyone can get infected with the Dengue virus. Keeping your environment clean & hygienic is the most effective way to prevent this disease. It is equally important to maintain a strong immune system with the help of a healthy diet plan
• Dengue fever impacts each part of the body’s system including the brain (encephalitis) which is why patients are advised to get sufficient rest and drink plenty of fluids during and post treatment
• Early diagnosis and management of symptoms is critical in saving the life of a Dengue patient
• Aspirin should be strictly avoided by Dengue patients as it is known to thin the blood, thereby resulting in heavy bleeding
• Dengue vaccine hasn’t been discovered so far hence the only way to effectively steer clear of this disease is by preventing mosquito bites

Hectic lifestyle and stressful work schedules have led to a gradual reduction in the average amount of hours that people sleep and this pattern is seen extensively amongst full-time employees who frequently complain about poor health without even realizing that inadequate sleep is the culprit

Sleeping for less than 6 hours a day and still having sufficient energy to perform day-to-day activities is not something to brag about. Just like, food, water, and oxygen, sleep too plays a very important role in the existence of life. Lack of sleep is associated with cardiac problems, obesity and even early demise

Research shows that most people need at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep to function optimally. Sleeping less and being awake for several hours during the day is not a testament to your physical strength and endurance but a silent indication that your health is deteriorating.

Read on to learn about the importance of quality sleep, and what happens when you don’t get it.

Lack of sleep disrupts the hormone levels which lead to a considerable increase in the person’s appetite, making him/her feel hungry even when the body doesn’t need food.

Adequate sleep is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and can have a positive impact on the lungs, kidneys, metabolism and weight control. If you’re chronically sleep-deprived, it can also affect your immune function, disease resistance, sensitivity to pain, mood and brain function. Recent studies have revealed that too much as well as too little sleep increases the risk of premature death. Low levels of immunity triggered by lack of sleep slow down the body’s natural defenses against microorganisms, thus increasing the risk of contracting various infections.

What’s more… it also predisposes a person to developing serious illnesses in the long run like diabetes, heart disease, colorectal polyps and even cancer.

Sleep is also considered to be a natural stress reliever. Reduced stress levels helps in keeping the blood pressure under control.

Lack of sleep leads to vision related issues. The longer you are awake, the more visual errors you’ll encounter, and the more likely you are to experience tunnel vision, double vision, and dimness.

Each one of us feels fatigued, irritated, disoriented and distracted after an occasional sleepless night but if this habit persists for long, it can impact the brain functioning to a large extent. Your brain will fog which in turn will hinder your confidence levels and decision making ability. You may even feel lethargic and sleepy during the day, which could also make you accident prone at home, work or on the road. Given that a single sleepless night can have such drastic repercussions the following day, you can only imagine what continued sleep loss could do to your mind and body. Experts believe it could lead to memory loss as well as long term mood disorders like anxiety and depression.

Regular sleep disruptions are also linked to infertility in both, men and women. Apparently, if you don’t allow the body to rest via sleep mode, the secretion of reproductive hormones is reduced thus causing problems in pregnancy.

If you sleep less than 8 hours a day, make necessary changes in your lifestyle before it is too late