Viral Infection, Diabetes, Muscle Pain _Flu & Telemedicine

In last one week our doctors have either by home visit or tele consultation helped diabetics with viral infection.  We found some common misconceptions and risks which we want to highlight by this post.

1. In two instances both husband and wife were suffering from fever, body pain and dry cough. This was because of viral infection which was given by one partner to other. Viral infection is contagious and the most simple way it spreads is through handshake. Please wash your hands and disinfect the common objects which are handled like door handles, utensils.
2. Antibiotics do not help in viral infection and other way round may cause more harm. Many a times we have seen patients taking Azithral (azithromycin) without doctor prescription. Abuse of antibiotics can lead to obesity, diarrhoea and antibiotic resistance.
3. 
4. Diabetics who are taking Insulin or other oral hypoglycaemic agents need to be careful in taking the medication without adequate food intake. We have seen hypoglycaemic  episodes in such patients. Please keep a sugar monitor at home and ensure that you are taking adequate food. HYPOGLYCAEMIA IS MORE HARMFUL THAN HYPERGLYCAEMIA IN SHORT RUN. Hyperglycaemia for couple of days is not harmful. Please consult doctor.
5. Dehydration is also a major cause of weakness and complications. Elderly people with fever are more prone to dehydration. Ensure adequate hydration. Plain water and as per sugar levels ORS can be given to ensure good hydration.
6. Body ache, muscle pain can be there during viral infection. Long standing diabetics can have borderline kidney function. It is important to ensure that they do not take pain killers indiscriminately. Paracetamol is fine but other over the counter pain killers must be avoided. Again drinking plenty of water is important.  
   

CDC recommendation here- 

Get in touch with us to know more , you can call on +91 8892505557, reach@rightcare.in  , Prana Healthcare

What Is Healthy Diet? Start With A Breakfast

We are often left wondering what is healthy living and to be healthy what should we eat. We come across conflicting news each day and amidst all that we succumb to the lures of fast food.

Let us try to deconstruct what is healthy eating. And today we touch healthy "Breakfast" 

Before we start with what you can eat and what you cannot eat, two thumb rules to guide you.

1. Eating at the right time is very important and adds significantly to your health when you eat right. Let us repeat- EATING AT THE RIGHT TIME!!

2. Middle path- Everything under the sun is poison, the quantity and quality matters. So eating in moderation has always been found to be beneficial. 

What can we eat? 

Our traditional food habits have been designed with a balance of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. So eating right when you are healthy allows you to stay healthy. 

1. Eating Idli , Vada, Sambhar and Chatni! - In this you have the right mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fats and essential nutrients. So taking two idlis, one vada should serve as a good breakfast for most people. 

2. Omelette with bread toast and butter- This has protein, carbohydrate and fat.

3. Dosa with smabhar and chatni- This may fall short of protein and you may want to add a boiled egg or a dal vada with it.

4. Poha - This has carbohydrate and if peanuts are there a bit of protein but you can supplement this with an egg or glass of milk.

5. Bowl of fruits with and egg.

6. Upma- if it has vegetables and ghee added to it,  becomes a more wholesome food. Check different types of Upma here.

What we are saying with above examples is that most breakfast are tailored to be healthy. You eat them at the right time, that is within 2 hours of waking up before 9 am and lo behold, you have ensured an healthy start. 

What we will not recommend for eating at breakfast-

1. Biscuits- very bad choice. Processed food with mostly carbohydrates. 

2. Only bread- again only carbohydrates.

3. Only milk- a good source of protein but will not give you the carbohydrates and fats required to start your day.

4. Only Juice- It will mostly be carbohydrates for you and in juice form the absorption of fructose/glucose is faster creating a slump soon. Eating fruits is much better. But the bowl of fruits need to be accompanied by milk or eggs. 

Share with us your favourite breakfasts. Or the kind of breakfast you have. 

Want to know more, write to us, tweet, or post a comment.

#StayHealthy

World Day Cancer Day 2018

Cancer is a dreaded disease. Even doctors get confused, distressed and lost when they hear the diagnosis of cancer.

All cancers are not equal.

The risk factors for all cancers is not the same.

The tests required to diagnose cancer varies from site to site. However few things do remain common like biopsy and imaging (CT scan, MRI or PET CT). But again which scan to be used done when and how frequently? 

After diagnosis is done, comes the treatment part. What is the best way to treat? Where to get the treatment? Whether to approach a Medical Oncologist, Surgical Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist or Hemato-Oncologist? Who will guide me through this maze?  Will the cure rate be better if I go to a particular hospital?

And what about Ayurvedic treatment?

On this #WorldCancerDay, we understand that it is not easy to navigate the world of cancer.

This whole month we will take your questions about cancer.

You can reach us through Twitter, Facebook, mail us at pranaenablers@gmail.com

#StayHealthy

Ah, yes, Cancer is curable if treated early.

Cancer is preventable for most of them.

You can read more here 

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/