Obesity Treatment to Stay at a Healthy weight

What is Obesity?

Obesity is the state of being extremely overweight with Body mass index (BMI) above 28. Body Mass Index (BMI) is an index to classify underweight, overweight and obese individuals. It is calculated as the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in metres (kg/m2).

Why is obesity important to be treated?

Firstly, being over-weight or obese makes a person feel unattractive. Secondly, there are a host of medical problems directly related to obesity and many others which are worsened by being obese like Diabetes, high BP, high lipids in serum, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Heart Disease, Knee Osteoarthritis, Stress Urinary Incontinence and Fatty Liver. These are a few diseases which are either directly due to or are worsened by obesity

How do we lose weight?

The first and most important way to lose weight is by modification of diet and increasing physical activity. Dietary changes include reduction of total calorie intake and modification of composition of diet

Diet should include reduction of carbohydrates and fats and increase in proteins and fibre. It is helpful to be in touch with a qualified nutritionist for planning of a diet according to your requirements.

Regular exercise, at least 4-5 days a week, is essential to lose weight. It also improves general fitness level and well-being. A trainer can guide you to exercise properly in order to get maximum benefits and at the same time avoid injuries.

Diet and exercise have been shown to cause a 5-10% weight loss over a period of time. To maintain the weight loss it is important to continue the healthy diet and exercise, otherwise you are likely to gain the lost weight.

What is the weight loss programme at Manipal Hospital?

There is a comprehensive weight loss programme in place at The Manipal Centre for Weight Management. There is a dedicated space for consultation which is geared up to cater to all the needs of people who come for consultation. There is a multi-disciplinary team to take care of all the aspects of weight control. There are dedicated nutrition experts, exercise therapists and nurses to evaluate your diet and exercise needs. A Specialist Bariatric Surgeon and Physician are available for consultation and advice. Whenever required other specialists are made available to manage diabetes, high BP, breathing problems, knee joint problems etc

Once a thorough evaluation is done, a plan is prepared which involves dietary changes, exercise (at Manipal Hospital or at your home) and treatment of associated illnesses. For suitable patients, surgery is offered and planned after detailed discussion. Surgery is performed after detailed and thorough evaluation of the medical conditions and fitness for anaesthesia.

Weight Loss Surgery aims at helping you lose weight

What is Weight Loss Surgery?

Weight loss surgery aims at helping you lose weight in a healthier way. Weight loss surgery changes the internal hormonal environment in a favorable way so that the body stores less fat and utilizes more. There is a marked reduction in hunger, increase in energy levels and the preference for foods that lead to weight gain is automatically reduced. It changes the weight “set point” to a lower, healthier level. After that the body physiology takes over and the person starts losing weight automatically. It is, therefore, the only effective and durable option to treat severe obesity when a person has not been able to lose enough weight using the other methods.

There are two commonly followed methods of operations; one is called Restrictive Surgery and the other is called Malabsorptive Surgery. In Restrictive Surgery the stomach is made smaller, which decreases hunger hormones and improves satiety. In Malabsorptive Surgery, in addition to making the stomach smaller, a part of the small intestine is bypassed, which gives additional benefit in controlling diabetes, high cholesterol etc. Both these operations have a favorable effect on the person’s metabolism.
Different types of weight loss surgeries-

There are a number of surgeries available for weight loss. Some of them are purely Restrictive and some are a combination of Restrictive and Malabsorptive surgeries. The various types of surgeries are

    Lap Band -

    An adjustable silicon "band" is placed around the beginning of the stomach to create a small pouch (typically 30-50 ml) to provide an early feeling of fullness. This band is gradually released into the rest of the intestine. This restrictive procedure provides moderate amount of weight loss (50% of excess weight loss) and is reversible. The band should be adjusted in the initial days after surgery to prevent any complications. It is normal for some people to regain some of the lost weight after a few years. The advantage is that it can be reversed by removing the band by another surgery.
    Lap Sleeve Gastrectomy -

    This kind of weight loss surgery involves removal of a large portion of the stomach which induces the remaining stomach to form a narrow tube of 100-150 ml. This leads to a marked reduction in hunger and fullness after a small meal. It has been shown to provide good weight loss (60% or more of excess body weight) with minimal side-effects. It also causes remarkable improvement in many obesity related diseases like diabetes, high BP, respiratory problems etc. Vitamin and mineral supplements may be required after the operation depending upon your condition and lab results.
    Lap Gastric Bypass -

    Also called Lap Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, it is the "Gold Standard" and has withstood the test of time. In this procedure a small (30-ml) pouch of the stomach is created and joined to the intestine, bypassing a variable length of the intestine. Thus it restricts the capacity of the stomach AND bypasses the digestive tract. This procedure results in good weight loss (60% - 70% of excess body weight) but is associated with more nutritional problems. Hence a close follow-up with your doctor is required and you may be required to take vitamin and mineral supplements for a long period of time.
    Lap Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD-DS) -
    This procedure is called Bilio-pancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. It provides the maximum weight lossbut is associated with the highest number of problems after the operation, many of them being nutritional. Supplements are required life-long and close follow-up is essential. It is also a difficult procedure to perform. Hence it is reserved for extremely obese individuals. It may sometimes be performed in two stages to reduce the risk.
    Lap Mini Gastric Bypass -

    This procedure is a variation of the standard gastric bypass. It is easier to perform and has been shown to give good weight loss. However its long-term effects and problems have not yet been ascertained. Therefore, this procedure does not form a part of the standard Bariatric Surgery procedures.
    Balloon -

    Also called Intragastric Balloon Placement, in this procedure a silicone balloon is placed inside the stomach and filled with 1-1.5 litres of saline water resulting in reduction of hunger and early feeling of fullness. The balloon can be left inside for one year after which it is either removed or a new one is placed. This is not a permanent solution as removal of the balloon usually results in the appetite coming back to normal. As a result weight is also gained again. It is usually used in individuals who have a prohibitively high risk for surgery. Once some weight is lost and the patient becomes fit for surgery, a definitive procedure is performed.

Bariatric Surgery

What is Bariatric Surgery?

The surgery done to help you in losing weight is called Bariatric Surgery. It works in one or both of the following two ways. The first method restricts the amount of food you can eat by reducing hunger and by causing fullness after a small meal. This is called Restrictive Surgery. It does so by reducing the capacity of your stomach (the organ where food is stored for digestion to begin). The second method causes the food to bypass the area where it is to be digested and absorbed. Hence, the food will only be partially digested, and only some part of it will be absorbed. This is called Malabsorptive Surgery.

Both of these mechanisms lead to a decreased availability of calories to the body leading to consumption of stored fat. This leads to gradual, sustained weight loss. After the target weight is reached, the weight stabilises as a result of a balance between the body's requirement and calories consumed.
What types of surgery are available?

There are a number of surgeries available for weight loss. Some of them are purely Restrictive and some are combined Restrictive and Malabsorptive. The various types of surgeries are
1. Lap Band
2. Lap Sleeve Gastrectomy
3. Lap Gastric Bypass
4. Lap Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD-DS)

These are well established and accepted methods of Bariatric Surgery the world over.

There are many newer methods being developed and studied. Some of them have shown promising results but their long-term risks and benefits are yet to be determined. Some of them are
1. Intragastric Balloon
2. Mini Gastric bypass
3. Endoscopic sleeve
4. Gastric Plication

These procedures are not yet accepted as standard treatment for obesity.
Types of Bariatric Surgery

    Lap Band

    In this procedure an adjustable silicon "band" is place around the beginning of the stomach so as to create a small pouch (typically 30-50 ml) hence providing an early feeling of fullness. It is gradually released into the rest of the intestine. This is a purely restrictive procedure. It provides moderate amount of weight loss (50% of excess weight loss) and is reversible. The band needs to be adjusted in the initial days after surgery. Some people will begin to regain some of the lost weight after a few years. The advantage is that it can be reversed by removing the band by another surgery.

  *  Lap Sleeve Gastrectomy

    Also called stomach stapling, this operation involves removal of a large portion of the stomach. The remaining stomach forms a narrow tube of 100-150 ml. This leads to a marked reduction in hunger and fullness after a small meal. It has been shown to provide good weight loss (60% or more of excess body weight) with minimal side-effects. It also causes remarkable improvement in many obesity related diseases like diabetes, high BP, respiratory problems etc. Vitamin and mineral supplements may be required after the operation depending upon your condition and lab results.

  *  Lap Gastric Bypass

    Also called Lap Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, it is the "Gold Standard" and has withstood the test of time. In this procedure a small (30-ml) pouch of the stomach is created and joined to the intestine, bypassing a variable length of the intestine. Thus it restricts the capacity of the stomach AND bypasses the digestive tract. This procedure results in good weight loss (60% - 70% of excess body weight) but is associated with more nutritional problems. Hence a close follow-up with your doctor is required and you may be required to take vitamin and mineral supplements for a long period of time.

 *   Lap BPD-DS

    This procedure is called Bilio-pancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. It provides the maximum weight lossbut is associated with the highest number of problems after the operation, many of them being nutritional. Supplements are required life-long and close follow-up is essential. It is also a difficult procedure to perform. Hence it is reserved for extremely obese individuals. It may sometimes be performed in two stages to reduce the risk.

  *  Lap Mini Gastric Bypass

    This procedure is a variation of the standard gastric bypass. It is easier to perform and has been shown to give good weight loss. However its long-term effects and problems have not yet been ascertained. Therefore, this procedure does not form a part of the standard Bariatric Surgery procedures.

   * Balloon

    Also called Intragastric Balloon Placement, in this procedure a silicone balloon is placed inside the stomach and filled with 1-1.5 litres of saline water resulting in reduction of hunger and early feeling of fullness. The balloon can be left inside for one year after which it is either removed or a new one is placed. This is not a permanent solution as removal of the balloon usually results in the appetite coming back to normal. As a result weight is also gained again. It is usually used in individuals who have a prohibitively high risk for surgery. Once some weight is lost and the patient becomes fit for surgery, a definitive procedure is performed.

  *  Other Experimental Procedures

    Many innovations are going on in this field the world over. Many newer technologies and techniques are being tested. Until the results are validated by long-term studies these procedures cannot be recommended routinely.

What other options are available?

    Medication - There are some medications which are available to help lose weight but most of them are associated with significant side-effects, some of which may be troublesome.
    Herbal Products - There are a lot of herbal products also available, but it is difficult to determine their efficacy and safety.
    Weight Loss Surgery (Bariatric Surgery)- Surgery is an important method to help you lose weight, especially in people who are extremely obese (BMI more than 35, 33 in Asian populations). The surgery is not plastic surgery (which is used to remove fat from various parts of the body in order to give shape to the body), but it changes the way you feel hunger and the way you eat. It will cause you to lose weight gradually over a period of time (typically one and a half to two years) and will allow you to lose more weight than any other method (typically 60-70% of your excess weight). It is also currently the only way to lose large amount of weight and to keep it off. The weight loss you get with surgery is durable weight loss.

Who can get the surgery done?

Any adult who is morbidly Obese (BMI more than 38 or BMI more than 33 with associated problems due to obesity) is a candidate for surgery provided the risk of surgery is not too high. Surgery is recommended with caution to children below 18 years and people above 65 years of age, but can be done if the benefits outweigh the risks.

What are the other benefits apart from weight loss?

Apart from weight loss and increase in general fitness, many diseases which are linked to obesity are remarkably improved Bariatric Surgery. Diabetes is improved in a large proportion of individuals and medicines can be stopped in two-thirds. It may come back after many years but the requirement for medicines is reduced. BP is easier to control and medicines may be stopped. Breathing problems like OSA are resolved. Osteoarthritis of knees is improved considerably. Knee replacement surgery can be delayed by losing weight and the results of knee replacement are better if it is done after losing weight. Other problems like Stress Urinary Incontinence, Fatty Liver and high cholesterol are also remarkably improved. Life expectancy is also improved.

How much weight loss can I expect after surgery?

Right after surgery there will be no weight loss as no fat is removed during the surgery. Rather there will be a gradual and sustained weight loss starting with the first month and lasting for up to two years until your weight stabilises. You can expect to lose more than 60-70% of your excess weight depending upon the type of surgery performed.

Risks of bariatric surgery

    Excess bleeding during the operation.
    Infection during and after operation.
    Unacceptable reaction due to administration of anesthesia.
    Blood clot formation due to patient body conditions.
    Possibilities of lung and breathing problems.
    Possibilities of leaks in the gastrointestinal track.
    Death (though rare).

There are also other potential problems that you may have to deal with. They are :

    Bowel obstruction over a period of time.
    Dumping syndrome resulting in diarrhea and vomiting.
    Gallstones, hernia, low blood sugar, malnutrition, perforation of stomach and ulcers.

Benefits of bariatric surgery

    You will get relief from reflux disease.
    There will be improvements to heart related diseases.
    You will be able to control blood pressure.
    Sleep related disorder will be under control.
    You will less likely contract type 2 diabetes.
    Possibilities of stroke will be reduced.

Bariatric surgery is a major procedure that will leave the patient in hospital for a long time, but the cost of bariatric surgery in India is comparatively lower than in advanced countries. Before you decide on the cost of bariatric surgery in India, consider the benefits of getting it done in India after all the attendant expenses is taken into account.

Beat Obesity To Beat Cancer

Extra fat gets stored in the fat cells of the body known as adipose tissue. Fat cells are active cells of the body that produce hormones and protein. These are chemical messengers, they affect the way cells work. This can raise the risk of many chronic diseases including several types of cancers.

Research has shown high prevalence of certain cancers in overweight or obese individuals. Obesity increases levels of hormones like estrogen and insulin, which have been linked to increased cancer risk. Moreover, excess fat seems to cause chronic inflammation that is known to cause cancer development. The various cancers due to obesity include:

1. Breast cancer: Excess fat alters the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone due to cellular resistance. This increases risk of breast cancer, especially in postmenopausal women.

2. Bowel cancer: Studies have found a strong association between waist circumference and colorectal/bowel cancers. High insulin levels are hypothesized to promote colon cancer development in both men and women, but predominantly in men.

3. Uterine cancer: Obese women have two to four times higher risk of developing endometrial carcinoma. It is more commonly found in women who have never used hormonal therapy. High estrogen levels is one of the major cause.

4. Esophageal cancer: Obese people are at a greater risk of gastro esophageal reflux disease or Barrett’s esophagus. This has a high chance of progressing into esophageal carcinomas, later in life.

5. Gastric cancer: Hypergastrenemia or increased acid production can damage the mucosal lining of the stomach. This causes gastric ulcers, which if left unattended can slowly progress to full-blown gastric carcinomas.

6. Pancreatic and hepatocellular cancer: Increasing incidence of high waist circumference has been shown to increase prevalence of pancreatic and liver cancers in men. It is hypothesized, to be due to increased insulin levels.

7. Kidney cancer: A global study proved that women, whose weight fluctuated by more than 4.5 kg, more than 10 times in an 8 year period, were almost at a two times higher risk of developing kidney cancer.

How does losing weight help?

Losing weight helps to increase cellular insulin sensitivity. This brings down the risk of cancers like pancreatic, liver and colorectal cancers in men. It also reduces estrogen and progesterone levels in females, which is the harbinger of many cancers of the female body. When the tissue resistance drops, in the absence of excess fat, the hormonal levels drop naturally. Losing weight helps to cease ongoing inflammation in the body that promotes cancer development. Physical workout releases several protective factors into the bloodstream that actually prevent cancers and help in healing.

Cancer care is now focused more towards cancer prevention than cure. Cancer care is largely related to shedding off obesity. A number of studies have shown that avoiding a weight gain or losing extra weight reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases like cancer. Lifestyle interventions to reduce weight have a positive impact on cancer incidence and numbers.

When you link obesity to cancer, it provides a different perspective to being overweight. So, instead of merely promoting on aesthetics, weight loss can be a means to revolutionize one’s health. It may help to combat cancers in individuals with strong family histories. After all, if weight loss is done for health reasons, it can offer empowerment rather than being a mere obligation. It can become a huge part of cancer care treatment in the near future. So get moving, workout and fight the disease.

Early Signs To Detect Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition, where the brain functions associated with memory, cognition, language and speech deteriorate progressively. The symptoms progress gradually over a long period of time. There is a disruption of neuronal connections. A state of irreversible damage completely deteriorates the ability of patients to function normally. There are certain early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease that help in early diagnosis.

10 early signs of Alzheimer’s are:

1. Memory loss disrupting life: When people start forgetting small details or information that is just learnt, it should ring warning bells. They start losing track of names, events or important dates, relying heavily on memory aids like post it notes or smartphones. Unaware of this condition, the patient may ask for the same information over and over again.

2. Planning and problem solving become a hard nut to crack: Planning and sticking to those plans seem a daunting task. They find it difficult to follow details and plans, especially those with numbers involved. Patients find it harder to concentrate and take a long time to do tasks that they generally did faster. Following recipes or keeping themselves updated about checkbooks and bills become hard.

3. Trouble doing daily tasks: Doing familiar things becomes really hard. Even driving to nearby places or frequently visited places is no longer an easy task. Completing easy tasks at work becomes progressively difficult and the patients tend to forget daily chores.

4. Time and place confusion? Grasping the realities of the present situation gets difficult. Patients commonly tend to get disoriented with respect to time and place. They might end up somewhere, but not remember how or why the went there.

5. Changes in vision and spatial relationships: It gets harder to read books and papers. Color and contrast blur as the disease progresses and judging distances can become hard. Such patients are advised to avoid driving.

6. Conversation is frustrating: Vocabulary becomes harder to access and the patients may often find themselves at a loss for words. They often name things wrong despite knowing what they are. Conversation is hard to keep up for them. They often get stuck in the middle or repeat themselves.

7. Misplacing things is common: Affected individuals keep losing things from time to time. It is basically difficult for them to retrace their steps back to something or someplace. Such people end up putting their things at weird places and accuse others of stealing them.

8. Judgment lapses: Patients start making poor judgments like handing over large sums of money. They may forget to shower or take care of themselves. Dressing is difficult and they may dress for the wrong weather.

9. Social withdrawal: Patients often lose interest in daily activities or their favorite hobbies. They become progressively withdrawn from the society and demotivated. You’ll find them spending more time in front of the TV or sleeping.

10. Changes in mood and behavior: Alzheimer’s patients are easy to upset. They get depressed quickly and feel scared and anxious more easily. Suspicious nature develops and may precede delusions.

If you notice these signs in those around you, it is time to consult your neurologist. They will evaluate the mental faculties of the affected individuals. This includes checking memory, ability to solve problems and thinking and processing skills. Brain imaging investigations may be required to confirm the diagnosis. Though the signs are often subtle and need to be distinguished from normal aging. Earlier diagnosis followed by mental and physical exercise can help slow the disease progression.

Importance Of Blood Donation

Every year our nation requires about 5 Crore units of blood, out of which only a meager 2.5 Crore units of blood are available.

Adults have around 10 pints of blood in their body. 1 pint is given during a donation. 1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives.

The procedure involved:

Blood donation centers or donation camps are organized to get blood for community use. Donation can be of the whole blood or certain components of blood called apheresis. These centers known as blood banks not just collect blood but also participate in procedures that follow donation like processing, screening and storing. Potential blood donors are screened for blood borne diseases like HIV and Viral Hepatitis. They have to undergo a short physical examination to rule out any health issues to the donor. Blood donation is an absolutely safe process. Depending on the quantity and components of blood drawn, a donor can donate blood again within 8 weeks. Most of the blood components have an extremely short shelf life and maintaining a constant supply is challenging.

In general, each unit of blood drawn contains 450 ml of blood, which the body replaces within 24 hours. So, giving blood is not harmful for the body. There are innumerable benefits of blood donation, for both the community and the donor.

Some of the key benefits are:

1. One donation i.e. 450 ml of whole blood can be centrifuged to separate its components. Each donation can help save up to three lives! Millions of individuals require blood donations daily to save their lives.

2. It is important to know that human blood cannot be manufactured. Humans are the only source of blood. More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
3. Certain blood groups like O- are extremely rare. Arranging them in emergency can be a difficult task. Timely donation and preservation of blood of these blood groups can help save many lives. This blood group is also needed for emergency transfusions when the blood group is not known or for neonatal transfusions. Since, it has no antigen of its own, it can be safely transfused to any recipient.
4. In patients prone to iron overload, blood donation can help preventing accumulation of iron in toxic quantities. Thus, it helps to control hemochromatosis and reduce the risk of damage to liver and kidneys.
5. A broad study conducted in 2012, proved that regular blood donation helps in reducing blood pressure, serum glucose, glycosylated Haemoglobin and heart rate in metabolic syndrome patients. It also helps in improving lipid profile.
6. Many countries like USA pay their donors for blood donation and plasmaphoresis. It provides an added source of income for those who can donate blood. In other countries, donors are given certain incentives like paid working days off. These incentives often help to maintain a steady stream of donors.
7. Lower cancer risk: By donating blood you are reducing your iron excess stores. In the process you lower your risk of cancer development.
8. Weight loss: Regular blood donation can help donors to lose weight. It might come as a boon to obese individuals who are at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and other health disorders.
9. Promotes good health: Post blood donation, the body works vigorously to replenish the lost blood. It stimulates formation of new blood cells to replace the older ones. This turnover then helps in maintaining a good health.

Blood donation has many health benefits apart from the psychological satisfaction of saving lives. It is always good to plan out your donation well in advance after consulting your physician about any health issues. Keep yourself hydrated on the day of donation and make sure to inform the blood banks about any medications you are taking.

Do you recognize the symptoms of Spinal fracture?

Spinal fractures basically occur on a slight breakage of your spinal cord bones called as vertebrae. The collapse of the same are implicated towards risks as high as spinal tumors to risks as low as trauma or injury on account of an accident or just a bad fall.

Statistics suggest that around a million people suffer from spinal fracture conditions due to the various factors accordingly.Listed below are a few symptoms which may be highly accountable to a spinal fracture and it is advisable to visit your nearest spine care hospital for better consultation with the doctor.

• Instances of sudden and severe chronic back pain conditions
• Unable to withstand pain especially during actions like bending
• Loss of height is also one of the symptoms
• The pain worsens when you stand for a long time or even walk for a particular distance.
• You back tends to form a hunched shape- this may be especially due to deformity of the spinal cord.
• Loss of balance while walking.
• Your appetite starts decreasing unexpectedly
• The quality of your life starts to decrease and you may want to spend most of your time in isolation and solitude.
• You may also experience a lack of natural sleep abilities at large
• You experience fatigue in each and every activities you try to do.

If you have prolonged back pain and encounter much difficulty while carrying out basic regular activities of your daily life like lifting something, bending down, lying down, there is a high chance of you being subjected to a spinal fracture and the best option is to have a spine injury treatment as early as possible.

There may be instances of spinal compression fracture pains and the corresponding instances may be multiple in nature. The pain may be of varying intensities, a part of it may subside during the healing process of the bone while a part of it may be heightened and can extend to time duration of around 3 to 4 months accordingly. In few cases, there may be no pain involved that is, the pain may be so mild that it actually goes unobserved and unfelt for the same. The pain however may arise chronically around the injured portion of the back or may just evolve into the deformation of the spine accordingly. Thus the hunchback symptom is noticed.

At times, a spinal cord surgery is advisable so as to get it treated and avoid any more complications of physical health deterioration of the same. The best you can do is to visit a spine care hospital and get your fracture treated by professionals before the conditions get deteriorated or should any side effects start to occur. Always remember, there is nothing more important than one’s health, not even money!

How to avoid cervical cancer

Cervical cancer can be described as a tumor (malignant) of the cervix. Nearly nine thousand women in the US develop cervical cancer every year.  It  is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Prevention techniques like Pap smear and cervical screenings, are responsible for the drop in the number of cases of Cervical cancer in the past twenty years. Usually cervical cancer starts with the pre-cancerous changes and there are ways to inhibit the disease from developing:

• Treating pre-cancer symptoms.
• Preventing pre cancers.

Preventing pre cancers can be done with these 5 easy steps:

1. Practice safe sex

Cervical cancer is linked to an infection with types of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) which can be spread by practicing unprotected sex.  Condoms should be used while having sexual intercourse with a new or unknown partner as it helps in reducing the risk of contracting the virus by a huge percentage.

However this virus can be spread through sexual contact like usage of sex toys or contact between the exposed skins of genital areas.

The risk of being infected by HPV increases if one engages in sex with multiple partners.  Though in certain cases women with only one sexual partner may also develop the infection.

2. Get a regular pap smear

This works as one of the best ways to prevent cervical cancer as it can detect changes early on before the infection has a chance to turn into cancer.

3. Cervical screening

Identifying abnormal changes in the cervix can be done at an early stage with regular cervical screenings. Women belonging to the age group of 25-49 are recommended a screening once in every 3 years and those in the age group of 50-64 are recommended a screening once in every 5 years. Women above 65 are recommended a screening only if they haven’t done it on  turning 50 or if they’ve had recent abnormalities in their tests.

Those who have been vaccinated for HPV also have to attend the screening tests because even the vaccination doesn’t  guarantee  protecting the individual from cervical cancer.

Also cervical screenings aren’t 100% accurate but can identify most abnormal activity in the cervix. But it is best to report symptoms like vaginal bleeding to the doctor even if the individual has been recently tested.

4. Cervical cancer vaccination

The vaccination/ childhood immunization program can be administered to girls aged 12 and above and it includes 3 doses administered over a period of 6 months.

The HPV vaccine protects against 4 types of HPV including the 2 strains that are known to be the cause of genital warts and of 70% of cervical cancers.

But it must be noted that though the vaccine reduces the risk of cervical cancer, it doesn’t  guarantee 100%  protection.

5. Avoid smoking

The chances of being infected by cervical cancer increases with smoking. Individuals who smoke are less capable of getting rid of the HPV infection from their bodies which later develops into cancer. If quitting smoking is a difficult task, there are several medications available (with prescription) and a therapy to help  smokers kick the habit forever.

Cardiac Advance Package

A person can have cardiac disease and still feel fine. It is so because sometimes the first symptom of a heart disease can be death. This is the main reason why heart diseases are also known as silent killer. Hence it is very important to keep an update of the cardiac health time-to-time. With the help of an advanced cardiac health checkup, one can prevent heart disease by discovering and managing the risk factors.

Benefits of the Package:

 • Early detection and management of risk factors

 • 16 tests specially customized to analyze the heart and other body parts which can be affected due to heart disease

 • Consultations with our high-class cardiologist and physician

INVESTIGATIONS

 • Complete Blood Counts (Automated)

 • Blood Grouping & Rh Typing, ESR ( Automated )

 • Glucose - Fasting

 •Glucose - Post  Prandial (Ppbs)

 • Glycated Hemoglobin ( Hba1C )

 • Urine Routine and Microscopy ( Qualitative Method)

Lipid Profile

 • Homo crystine (Plasma)

 • Appli protein

 • Lipoprotein (A)

 • Fibrinogen Level ( Automated / Clotting Assay )

 • C-Reactive Protein

 • Thyroid Profile (T3 T4 Tsh)

Cardiac Evaluation

 • X-ray chest PA (CXR)

 • ECG

 • Echo-Cardiogram

 •Tread Mill Test

Skin Care

Skin is the largest organ of the human body. It helps protect your inside with the rest of the world, regulate body temperature and acts as a filter. However, it can get affected by everything you do in your daily routine; from what you eat to where you live. Skin care is important as healthy skin heals much faster, fights signs of aging and many other things.

Small breaks in dry skin are entry points through which viruses and bacteria can easily enter inside your body and cause infections. Unhealthy skin is also associated with microangiopathy, a skin condition which impairs skin hydration and prolongs the healing process. Healthy skin is your body’s best defence against infections as it is a natural barrier that keeps moisture in and other harmful elements out.

Proper skin care is important not just for good health, but also physical appearance. Healthy skin makes you look confident and vibrant. Improper skin care can lead to sores, acne, wrinkles and rashes.

How to keep your skin healthy?

Few things that you can do to protect your skin health are:

·         Protection from the sun

Sun exposure can cause age spots, wrinkles, skin cancer and other skin conditions. Hence it is necessary to protect your skin from sun exposure.

·         Quit smoking

Smoking can damage collagen and elastic – the fibres that give your skin elasticity and strength. In addition to that, smoking can also decrease blood flow by narrowing the tiny blood vessels present in the outermost part of the skin.

·         Eat healthy diet

Eat fruit, vegetables and lean proteins that are good for your skin. A diet rich in vitamin c and low in fats can promote healthy skin

·         Manage stress

Stress can make your skin sensitive and trigger many skin conditions such as acne. Try to manage your stress and keep your skin healthy.

Acute skin problems

There are many skin conditions that are temporary and can be treated with proper medications or simply with time such as;

·         Sunburn

·         Corn and calluses

·         Blisters

·         Cold sores

·         Rashes

·         Dermatitis

·         Bedbugs

·         Itching

·         Hives

·         Vitiligo

·         Alopecia Areata

·         Poison Ivy

·         Bruises

Chronic skin problems

Chronic skin conditions are incurable, but they can me managed with proper skin treatment or skin surgery such as:

·         Eczema

A condition that cause the skin to become irritated and inflamed.

·         Psoriasis

A condition that produces thick red plaques on the skin.

·         Acne

A condition that causes red pimples on the skin, especially on the face.

·         Rosacea

A condition that causes redness on the nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead.

If you notice any kind of abnormal change in your skin, then immediately consult a skin specialist or a skin doctor.