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World-Tuberculosis-Day

Tuberculosis (TB) – Awareness & Management

Mar 23rd, 2021

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Tuberculosis (TB) – Awareness & Management

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021

India accounts for about a quarter of the global TB burden, which is about 2.6 million cases out of 10 million cases worldwide. Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection that usually attacks your lungs but can also spread to other parts of your body, like your brain and spine. A person with infectious tuberculosis can infect up to 10–15 other people per year. But with timely diagnosis and treatment, most of these patients are no longer infectious after just two weeks of taking the medication. Removing the stigma around TB, increasing the awareness and seeking timely medical help will help fight the TB battle in India.

Stages of TB

When exposed to the tuberculosis bacteria in your body, it goes through the below stages:

  • Latent TB – Your body contains the TB germs, but your immune system prevents them from spreading. You’re not infectious and don’t have any symptoms. However, the virus is still alive and could resurface at any time.
  • Active TB – The TB germs multiply and make you sick and you can also spread the disease to others. Ninety percent of active cases in adults come from a latent TB infection.

Signs and symptoms of TB

When you are suffering from latent TB, it does not show any symptoms. A skin or blood test can help detect latent TB. Here are a few signs of active TB disease:

  • A cough that lasts more than 3 weeks
  • Chest pain
  • Coughing up blood
  • Night sweats
  • Fever and chills
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss

If you have any of these symptoms, you must see a doctor to get yourself tested.

Risk factors of TB

People with impaired or immature immune systems, such as those infected with HIV, the elderly, or those with existing medical conditions have a higher risk of getting TB. Here are some other situations that increase your TB risk:

  • A friend, colleague, or family member has active TB
  • You live in or have travelled to an area where TB is common
  • You are a healthcare worker
  • Use of cigarettes

How does TB spread?

When someone who has active TB coughs, sneezes, talks, laughs, or sings, they release tiny droplets that contain the germs. If you breathe in these germs, you can get infected with it. This airborne disease is contagious and you are more likely to get it from co-workers, friends, and family members. However, the germs do not thrive on surfaces and you cannot get it from shaking hands with someone who has it or by sharing their food or drink. 

Complications of TB

Without treatment, tuberculosis can be fatal. Untreated active disease typically affects your lungs, but it can also spread to other parts of your body through your bloodstream over a period of time. Examples of tuberculosis complications include:

  • Spinal pain
  • Joint damage
  • Meningitis
  • Liver or kidney problems
  • Heart disorders

Preventive measures – TB infection

If you test positive for latent TB infection, your doctor may advise you to take medications to reduce your risk of developing active tuberculosis. The only type of tuberculosis that is contagious is the active variety. Take all the precautions as suggested by your doctor to prevent your latent tuberculosis from becoming active. Here are some additional recommendations:

1. Protect your family and friends

  • Stay at home and isolate yourself from others
  • Ventilate the room
  • Cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing
  • Wear a mask when you are around people

2. Finish your entire course of medication

This is the most important step you can take to protect yourself and others from tuberculosis. When you stop treatment early or skip doses, TB bacteria have a chance to develop mutations and turn into drug-resistant TB that is deadly and difficult to treat.

3. Vaccination

The BCG vaccine is given to infants to protect them from tuberculosis. Ensure that your child is immunized against TB.

Tuberculosis Treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Early detection and treatment is the key to controlling the spread of TB. We help patients in the diagnosis and testing of both active and inactive TB. The Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital provides state-of-the-art care for all respiratory diseases. The team is equipped with advanced infrastructure and world-class service in the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis. Our dedicated team guides patients through the various stages of TB and ensures a successful treatment.

Exercise can change your life!

Wednesday, February 24th, 2021

Stressed, frustrated, or anxious about your career, relationships, or life in general? Highs and lows are a part of everyone’s life but an active lifestyle helps you float through and come out as a stronger and happier person. Did you know? Even a simple run has miraculous effects on your brain. Exercise can have a tremendous impact on your mood and acts as a positive coping mechanism in difficult times. In fact, in treating mild to moderate depression, it is thought that exercise can be just as beneficial as anti-depressants. Regular exercise not only has several physical health benefits but is also known to boost your mood, improve your sleep, and help you manage depression, anxiety and stress better.

Exercise and mental health
A new exercise habit enhances the brain’s reward system and increases neural connections among areas of the brain that helps calm anxiety. The natural state of the nervous system can be changed by daily physical activity so that it becomes more relaxed and less inclined to fight, flight, or fear. Around the world, people who exercise daily experience more gratitude, love, and hope in their life. These benefits are seen throughout the lifespan, including among those living with serious mental and physical health challenges. Choose a sport or exercise that you enjoy doing and see how it boosts your self-esteem and has a profound effect on your personality. Here are some of the underlying medical reasons why exercise positively impacts your mental health:

  • Exercise helps chronic depression by increasing serotonin (which helps your brain regulate mood, sleep, and appetite)
  • It reduces the levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol
  • Exercise reduces immune system chemicals that can make depression worse
  • Exercise increases your level of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters
  • Exercise helps regulate your sleep patterns
  • Exercise limits the effect of stress on your brain

The importance of exercise
People who exercise regularly tend to do so because it gives them an enormous sense of well-being. Throughout the day, they feel more energetic, sleep at night better, have sharper memories, and feel more comfortable throughout the day. And for this, you don’t have to be a fitness fanatic or spend long hours at a gym. Research indicates that even modest amounts of exercise can make a great difference to your health. Avoid exercising only for weight-loss reasons, since it takes a few weeks or months to produce results. Look at the various ways that exercise benefits your well-being from the inside out. Focus on a health-related target to remain accountable for your fitness routine, such as lowering blood pressure, decreasing stress, or sleeping better. Here is how maintaining a regular fitness regime benefits your health:

  • Uplifts your mood and reduces the risk of depression
  • Helps maintain a healthy weight
  • Protects your heart health
  • Helps relieve chronic pain
  • Help reduce stress levels
  • Promotes better sleep
  • Boosts your fertility levels
  • Improves your posture and makes you flexible
  • Increases your life span
  • Relieves PMS symptoms
  • Slows cognitive decline
  • Strengthens your bones and joints
  • Supports your eye health

Stay motivated to exercise regularly

For most adults at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity is recommended. Healthcare experts suggest that you can spread this exercise throughout the week. Choose your preferred fitness activity – walking, running, swimming, dancing, biking, playing sports, lifting weights, or practicing yoga and be regular with it. Here are some additional tips:

  • Make everyday activities more active – Even small changes can help. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk down to a nearby store instead of driving, park further away from your destination.
  • Be active with friends and family – Encourage plans with your family and friends that include exercise. It can be a trek or attending a virtual fitness class together too. Set aside sometime every week to play a sport with your children and spend quality family time together.
  • Keep track of your progress – Keeping a log of your activity or using a fitness tracker may help you set goals and stay motivated.
  • Make exercise more fun – Try listening to music while you exercise. You can also try a combination of fitness activities like power yoga, aerobics, playing tennis, running, going to the gym, and alternate between them.

Remember to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any concerns about your fitness, haven’t exercised for a long time, have chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, lower back pain or arthritis. Stay fit, stay happy!

New Year’s Resolutions – Do’s and Don’ts

Thursday, December 31st, 2020

The plans for the coming New Year’s Eve are going to be a lot different than what they were last year. People are more likely to spend their time on a couch watching a festive movie or enjoying an early dinner than going to a party. But it’s still a tradition to decide on New Year’s resolutions before December 31. The history of New Year’s resolutions can be traced back to the Romans who began each year by making promises to their god Janus(from whom the month of January gets its name).

According to an online survey conducted in 2019, nearly 28% of Americans had reported that they had made a New Year’s resolutions for 2020. Most were optimistic about their ability to stick to their resolutions but the pandemic ruined their plans. Are you also one of them? Instead of getting demotivated, try again.

A recent survey has reported that the top planned New Year’s resolutions for 2021 aren’t focused on exercise or weight loss, but rather saving money for the future (62%) and learning a new skill (50%). 68% of people are letting go of their materialistic resolutions. They want to focus more on experiences — like spending more time with family or travelling more. After a difficult 2020 more and more people are looking at life from a different perspective.

How to make New Year’s Resolutions?

  • Tackle the new year with a fresh mindset and renewed motivation.
  • Resolutions can be short-term or long-term.
  • Some reasons why people fail at their resolutions: unrealistic goals, not keeping track of progress or making too many resolutions!
  • In order to stay committed, don’t set harsh deadlines, but rather keep checking with yourself regularly throughout 2021.

Here are a few tips to brighten your days and put the pep back into your step in 2021:

  • Budgeting – Outline a budget that works for you and make plans for how you’ll stick to it.
  • Diet – Food is fuel, not a therapy!
    • Do not skip meals, but also don’t overeat. Include fruits, vegetables, berries, and nuts regularly.
    • Hydrate: Drink minimum of 8 glasses of water per day.
    • Learn cooking: Not only should you eat healthy but also try out different cuisines.
  • Avoid addictive substances – Avoiding alcohol improves your mood, sleep pattern, skin, and immune system. Tobacco products are extremely harmful and lead to fatal diseases.
  • Exercise
    • Exercise daily: Incorporate new workout routines.
    • Clean the house: Helping in household chores helps burn calories.
    • Take nature walks: Sunlight is crucial to regulate our moods/circadian rhythms.
  • Time management– Learn to manage time better.
    • Do one thing at a time – organize activities into chunks of time, giving 100% to each. Multitasking doesn’t make you efficient but leads to considerable stress. Fragmented focus, increases anxiety as work piles up.
    • Delegate – Spend money on time-saving services, e.g. microwaves, dishwashers. Ask others for help when needed.
    • Relaxation time – Keep time for relaxation. Sleep on time, practice meditation and yoga to relax your mind and body.
  • Hobbies– Hobbies are good distractions from everyday stresses and strains!
    • Try out new hobbies.
    • Gardening – Caring for plants calms the nerves and improves concentration.
    • Learn a new skill- e.g. calligraphy, quilling, a musical instrument.
    • Try out new looks – Working on your looks is refreshing and makes you feel good.
    • Travel – Going overseas might be off for a while, but a short trip in a car is a great way to change pace and forget about social media for a day!
    • Volunteer – Charity work lowers stress and improves well-being.
  • Thought management – Thoughts influence emotions, behaviours, and habits.
    • Maintain a diary where you can write down your thoughts.
    • Write kind words to yourself, as you’d say to a friend.
    • Maintain a gratitude journal. Write 3 good things that happened to you today.
    • Don’t spread rumours and avoid negative news on social media.
  • Therapy:
    • Music therapy – Music has been known to work wonders like lowering stress, reducing pain and elevating mood.
    • Aromatherapy – Use aromas as they affect mood, memory, and energy.
    • Professional therapy – Resolve to care for your mental health. Reach out to your nearest mental healthcare professional if needed or get an appointment for online counselling from the comfort of your home!

Wishing you and your family a Happy and Healthy 2021! We at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital are here to support you at each step of your health journey. Consult our team of specialists for regular health check-ups, dietary advice, or counselling for mental health problems. Stay safe!

Staying Fit this Winter

Monday, December 14th, 2020

As we approach the most pleasant climate of the year and an end to the challenging 2020 the world seems a brighter and happier place. The winter chills bring a smile to many faces and some fond memories too. While winter brings a lot of joy to many, some cities in India face extreme winters that may lead to certain health repercussions. Some extra precautions must be followed to maintain optimum health. The low temperature and the lack of sunlight also weaken immunity making people susceptible to many common diseases like cold, cough and flu.

Common winter ailments

Here are the most common winter ailments that affect people in winter:

Common cold: Runny noses, sneezing, and chest congestion are a common winter occurrence. Young children are more prone to this viral infection and may also develop a minor fever.

Influenza: More commonly known as the ‘flu’, symptoms of influenza include high fever, sore throat, splitting headache, muscle pain, and coughing bouts.

Joint aches: The low temperature in winter, makes your joints extremely inflexible and more painful. This makes people with arthritis and other orthopaedic problems struggle with complaints of body ache, joint ache, and discomfort.

Bronchitis: It is a common respiratory infection that tends to target children and adults above the age of 60 years. The virus causes inflammation of the airway branches in the lungs, leading to mucous clogging the airways, which makes it hard to breathe. It is accompanied by nasal congestion, low-grade fevers, cough, and wheezing.

Pneumonia: Pneumonia is the infection of the lungs, caused by bacteria. You may have a cough, fever, and breathing problems. Having long-term diseases like asthma, hypertension, or heart problems may increase your risk of getting pneumonia.

Beating the Blues

strengthen your body by following these health tips and including some winter superfoods in your diet:

  • Get your daily dose of vitamin D by getting enough sunlight. This helps strengthen your bones, boosts your immune system, and also helps fight mood swings.
  • Create a daily exercise routine and exercise indoors if required. Physical activity of at least 30 minutes five days a week helps strengthen your immune system and maintain your overall health.  
  • Regular intake of dates keeps your body warm which makes them a great winter snack. They are low in fat and help supply your body with essential nutrients too.
  • Bajra or millets are rich in fat, protein, and fibre, and also are high in iron content. Regular consumption helps energize your body and keeps you warm.
  • Dark leafy greens like spinach, fenugreek, mustard greens, etc. are rich in vitamins A, C, K, and various other nutrients. They not only enhance your bone health but also help fight the winter skin dryness.
  • Dry fruits like almonds and walnuts help keep your body warm and also ensure an active nervous system, a healthy heart, and improved insulin sensitivity.
  • Chyawanprash is made using a variety of ayurvedic herbs and the goodness of amla or gooseberry that helps support the body’s natural ability to produce red blood cells and helps keep the respiratory passages clear.
  • Use warming spices like cloves and cinnamon to flavour your meals. Cinnamon is a warming spice that helps increase blood circulation, aids in tissue regeneration, and is anti-inflammatory. Cloves produce a large amount of eugenol, an oil that makes the skin feel warmer and increases blood circulation.
  • Sesame or til seeds are known to be very helpful in maintaining a good temperature of your body. They help boost your energy, digestion, and bone health. Relish this winter staple in the form of chikki, and by using sesame oil for cooking.
  • Ghee is a winter essential that is rich in unsaturated fat and is responsible for keeping the body warm and also supplying it with energy.

Enjoy these winter months by having nourishing food and by staying away from unhealthy lifestyle habits. Make the most out of winter by eating seasonal fruits and vegetables that boost your immune system naturally.

Get Healthy with a Strong Immunity

Monday, October 12th, 2020

A strong immune system is your body’s defence system and helps individuals fight infections and reduce the risk of contracting highly contagious diseases. The complex system is made up of cells in your skin, blood, bone marrow, tissues, and organs that protect your body against potentially harmful pathogens (like bacteria and viruses), and limit damage from non-infectious agents. With COVID-19 persisting all over the world, having a strong immune system is more important than ever. That’s because your immune system defends you against harmful pathogens such as bacteria and viruses that cause colds and the flu.

Healthy ways to strengthen your immune system
Every individual must make their health a priority and work towards building a strong immunity. Follow these health tips to help strengthen your immunity naturally:

  • Have a nutrition-rich diet
    Eat a balanced diet that consists of plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Have a variety of vegetables, especially dark-green varieties. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with immunity-boosting capabilities, including key nutrients such as vitamins A and C.
  • Be physically active
    Remember to exercise regularly; even light exercise will go a long way in releasing the toxins from your body. It is recommended to exercise for 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your stamina. If you have not started exercising yet, then it is a good time to start. Regular exercise improves metabolism, which has a direct correlation with body immunity.
  • Don’t compromise on sleep
    Sleep is a time when your body produces and distributes key immune cells like cytokines, T cells, and interleukin 12. When you don’t get enough sleep, your immune system may not do these things as well and weakens your immune system. Maintain a regular sleep schedule and sleep for 7 to 8 hours. Avoid screens and late-night eating before bedtime.
  • Stay hydrated
    Drink up to 8-10 glasses of water every day, to stay hydrated. Hydration will help flush out the toxins from the body and lower the chances of any infections. Coconut water and fresh fruit juices are also other alternatives.
  • De-stress yourself
    Long-term stress leads to chronically elevated levels of the steroid hormone cortisol. When cortisol levels are constantly high, it essentially blocks the immune system from doing its job to protect the body against potential threats from germs like viruses and bacteria. Here are a few steps to help relieve your stress:
  • Practice meditation
  • Pursue a hobby
  • Connect with family and friends
  • Take breaks
  • Listen to music
  • Avoid Smoking, alcohol, and other addictive substances
    Certain habits like smoking, alcohol consumption, and substance abuse have a direct correlation on your weakened immunity. High levels of alcohol consumption can weaken your body’s ability to fight infection and slow down your recovery time. The toxic chemicals released by cigarette smoke interfere with the growth and function of your immune cells.
  • Manage your chronic conditions better
    Chronic conditions like asthma, heart disease, and diabetes can affect the immune system and increase the risk of infections. It is essential to take care of your pre-existing conditions and manage them with medicine and precautions.

How good nutrition helps boost your immunity
Good nutrition is fundamental to improving immunity. The immune system is the body’s defence against disease and infection and it has long been established as a factor that influences the function of your immune system. Are you concerned whether you are getting the right amount of nutrients from your diet? Here are a few superfoods that can help boost your immunity: 

  • Vitamin C: This particular vitamin is a crucial participant in the army of immunity. It helps prevent the common cold. It acts as a powerful antioxidant and protects against damage induced by oxidative stress. It is found in citrus fruits like oranges, berries, and vegetables like broccoli, lemon and spinach.
  • Vitamin D: Sunlight is the most natural source of this vitamin however not everyone gets enough sunlight every day. Most people are deficient in Vitamin-D, consult your doctor about taking a Vitamin D supplement.
  • Zinc: Zinc is a vital component to WBC (white blood corpuscles) which fights infections. Zinc deficiency often makes one more susceptible to flu, cold, and other viral infections. Seafood, lentils and oatmeal are some good sources of this mineral.
  • Turmeric and Garlic: The bright yellow spice, turmeric, contains a compound called curcumin, which boosts the immune function. Garlic has powerful anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties which enhances body immunity.

It is time to help each other to increase the awareness about the right ways to boost their immunity naturally with small lifestyle changes. Your family and your health is largely dependent on your immune system and a strong immunity helps ward off many diseases. Start living better for a healthier and stronger life ahead.

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