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/

Preventing Falls In The Elderly

If you have an elderly father, mother, grandfather, grandmother or aunt, you will have come across them losing balance and falling.

Image Credit: maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com

For people who are above age of 65, falls are a common problem which can lead to loss of independence and can also be fatal enough to cause death.

There are many reasons for falls in the elderly.

1. Long standing diabetes. This causes peripheral neuropathy and loss of sensation in legs.

2. Parkinson's disease- in this disease the muscles and nerves are less active leading to loss of balance, tremors and falls.

3. Postural hypotension, that is, the blood pressure falls when a person stand leading to lack of blood supply to the brain when a person gets up suddenly from bed or chair.

4. Poor eyesight or improper glasses.

5. Poor lighting in the house.

6. Slippery floors.

7. Few medications can make them dizzy.

There are many ways to prevent falls. Some of them are self explanatory in the reasons given above.

Also having a caregiver who is there to support the elderly can reduce the incidence of falls by 98%.

Get in touch with us to know how you can better take care of an elderly loved one.

What Makes Smart People Ignore Their Health?

Health is like air, you rarely notice it when it is around!

You realise that you have a back only when you have a back ache!

Are you guilty of having neglected your health?

A well wisher of us who is educated and well traveled puts us in a quandary.

He recently reached out to us to get his sugars tested. We advised him to get glycosylated hemoglobin which is called HbA1C also.

Below are his reports.

As you will notice his sugars are way of the mark! We did a teleconsultation and asked him to see a Diabetologist at the earliest.

He avoided the consultation for three days at a stretch and after that he has flown out of the country!

We are left wondering how do we best educate the people about paying attention to their health?

We will like to hear from you regarding how you take care of your health or how you have neglected your health!

You can post comments or write to us at reach@rightcare.in

Happy Independence Day

We celebrate 71 st Independence Day. It is a proud moment that we have made progress in the last 70 years.

But we have miles to go before we accomplish the below things

1: We need Freedom from Mosquitoes- Dengue, Malaria and Japanese Encephalitis

2. We need Freedom From Pot Holes

3. We need Freedom From Garbage

4. We need Freedom From Diseases

5. We need Freedom to Think Freely! An environment to think constructively, independently for the health and prosperity of all.

6. Independence from air, noise and water pollution.


What can we do?

1. Keep our surroundings clean the way we keep our homes clean.

2. Be mindful of our carbon foot print. Walk, cycle, use public transport at every opportunity. Turn of lights, fan and air condition when not in use.

3. Raise voice whenever you see something wrong. It is time we stopped tolerating the bad roads and poor infrastructure.

4. Promote health by education and practising  healthy habits.

5. Whenever we forward information take enough precaution to verify the authenticity,  truthfulness of the information. And more importantly will it benefit the person to whom we are sending. In digital era it is very easy for us to get manipulated by false information and images. These are responsible for loss of independent thinking, hostility and mental diseases.


Wish you all health!

World Hypertension Day-What You Need To Know

Hypertension is the other name for high blood pressure.

Why is high blood pressure harmful?

One can have high blood pressure for many years without having any symptoms. Having family history of high blood pressure increases one's risk for same. Since there are no symptoms in the early stage it is advisable to get your blood pressure checked once a year.

What is normal blood pressure- It is a range. Once can have it between 110/70 mm of Hg to 140/80 mm of Hg and the higher range is considered acceptable for elderly. In general 120/80 mm of Hg is considered normal blood pressure.

When are you diagnosed having high blood pressure?

Single reading is never diagnostic. 3-5 readings are taken over a week's time to come to conclusion about high blood pressure.

What is the damage when high blood pressure is not controlled?

1. Stroke- that is blood vessels in the brain can get ruptured leading to paralysis. This is a serious complication limiting persons quality of life and earning capacity.

2. Kidney damage

3. Heart enlargement and heart failure.

Suffice to say that having blood pressure under control is one of the best ways to avoid chronic diseases. 

Prevention is better than cure! You can read more about blood pressure here

http://pranahealthcareenablers.blogspot.in/2016/05/know-about-blood-pressure.html

Take care of yourself and your loved ones. As a special offer we will come to your home and check your blood pressure for just 199 Rs.

Call us or write to us to book an appointment. Limited period offer. Available only in Bangalore.

Get Blood Pressure checked.

World Asthma Day

It is just not our heart which works from the moment we take birth! Our lungs also work along with heart to keep us fit and healthy.

Today on World Asthma Day we take a look at how Asthma and also how to keep our lungs healthy.

Asthma is increased sensitivity of our airway to external agent most often pollutants.

It is a chronic disease which causes the airways to narrow and cause symptoms of wheeze, cough, tightness in chest.

Asthma could be

Allergic asthma

Occupational Asthma

Exercise Induced Asthma

How to prevent Asthma?

"While there's no way to prevent asthma, by working together, you and your doctor can design a step-by-step plan for living with your condition and preventing asthma attacks.

Follow your asthma action plan. With your doctor and health care team, write a detailed plan for taking medications and managing an asthma attack. Then be sure to follow your plan"

From Mayo clinic, you can read more here or write to us.

Also work towards keeping your lung healthy by doing following things

1. Exercise

2. Quit smoking

3. Avoid second hand smoke

4. Reduce your carbon footprint and thereby reduce pollution.

5. Do deep breathing exercises. Play a wind instrument. 

World Immunisation Week

Some benefits are hard to appreciate. 

Do you know what was the average life span for new born at time of Independence?

Do you know what is the average life span for new born as of today?

Small Pox has got eradicated.

Polio is on the verge of  being eradicated.

Celebrate World Immunisation Week.

You have any queries on Vaccines, mail it to us!

Health & Earth_World Earth Day

We are what we "eat, drink, breathe and sleep"!

And what we eat, drink, breathe depends on this beautiful earth. On this Earth Day let us briefly acknowledge the way health depends on earth and what we do to it!

1. Air pollution can lead to asthma, allergies, cancer, skin diseases and can decrease life span.

2. Water pollution in various formats affects all of us. It is sad that many people do not get potable water and have suffer the consequences of poor water quality. Bacterial, viral infections apart, chemicals in water can affect health in multiple ways.

On this "Earth Day", let us each vow to reduce our carbon foot print. This will directly improve both air and water quality.

What do we need to do?

Simple things can go a long way!

1. Car pool or use public transport. For nearby places use bicycle or walk.

2. Encourage use of LPG by your maids or people at villages.

3. Prevent burning of garbage and plastics. Don't use plastic bags.

4. Recycle waste and water.

5. Plant trees

6. Use bucket instead of showers for bathing.

7. Do preventive maintenance of vehicles.

8. Preventive maintenance of taps and plumbing system.

9. Don't waste food.


For Bangalore it is time to save its lakes, its air and itself. Bellandur is an example , time to save Bellandur, time to save ourselves.

Tell us how you are contributing to keep "Earth Healthy"

Stomach, Intestine & Aging

Most of our patients and also people whom we know suffer from, "gas", "acidity" or "gastric" and some from constipation! Few common terms used to indicate variety of Gastrointestinal problems.

The problems are seen in young as well as the elderly.

Here we list some common problems and way to avoid them.



Acidity- Ah! we hear this so often. What does this indicate?

Do you know that our stomach secrets a very powerful acid, Hydrochloric acid (HCL), this acid is to help us digest all kinds of food. Now, why doesn't this acid digest our stomach itself?

Well, we have a protective cover called mucus which prevents the acid from injuring the stomach lining.  When the acid touches the stomach wall and injures it or when it goes into the oesophagus, the part above stomach, it causes what we call "acidity".

What are the causes of acidity?

1. Smoking
2. Alcohol
3. Helicobacter Pylori infection
4. Skipping breakfast
5. Having late dinner.  We are built to have our dinner by 7 pm. And if you have dinner by 7 pm, you need to have a healthy breakfast by 7 am!
6. Too much of coffee or tea
7. Lack of physical activity, obesity and a lax oesophageal sphincter.
8. Taking pain killers (NSAID- Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs).
9. Taking Aspirin
10. Spicy foods
11. Eating large meals
12. Lying down immediately after having food
13. Taking pain medicines for arthritis

It is self explanatory regarding how you can prevent gastritis. Indiscriminate usage of medicines against acidity is not recommended even though they are available over the counter. All anti acidity drugs have long term side effects.
Doing lifestyle and dietary modification is the best way to tackle acidity.

Now some people say they have "gas"

What does having gas mean?

We will cover it in our next post.

You can subscribe or follow us on Facebook, Twitter,  Google Plus!

What Are Core Exercises?

You might have heard your doctor asking you to walk for 45 minutes at the minimum.

One of the problem in the modern lifestyle is lack of exercise.  Little bit of exercise everyday makes a lot of difference.

While we also recommend you to walk as much as possible, we also suggest strengthening your core!

This has multitude of benefits.


One of our patient who is 65 year old has diabetes, hypothyroidism and elephantiasis in one leg, has started doing Yoga and specifically "SuryaNamaskara", which has made her lose her weight, brought glow on her face and made her more peaceful!


But what is "Core Exercise"

Doing "Suryanamaskara" strengthens your core!

The best part about core exercise is that it does not require use of any equipment. The only equipment which you need to use regularly and correctly is your "Body"

Core exercise involves exercising your abdominal and back muscles.

Prana Healthcare Services Convenience At Your Doorstep

What if we said that you can get 90% of your healthcare needs met at home! Get in touch with us to know more.
We tailor make solutions to your needs.

Diabetes-How It Affects Your Foot

You must have heard that diabetes is a silent killer!

Know about what it does to different body parts. Today we talk about the foot.

As it advances, it can affect several internal organs, including the kidneys, blood vessels supplying the heart and heart muscle, and peripheral nerves. When these organs are compromised, renal failure, heart attacks and nerve pain in the feet and hands can be seen.

Foot problems come in all shapes and sizes and cause symptoms from tingling and pain to weakness in the foot or loss of feeling in the foot. Complications include neuropathy (nerve damage), skin changes, calluses, foot ulcers and poor circulation.

What’s tricky is that neuropathy, or nerve damage, can make it harder for you to feel pain, heat or cold. For example, you could have a stone in your shoe all day and not know it, or have a blister and not realize it. These instances can break down skin and cause it to become infected

Besides keeping your diabetes under control there are other things you can do to avoid foot problems. No. 1, don’t smoke, as smoking makes arteries harden faster, limiting blood flow. Next, exercise daily as it stimulates blood flow. Finally, keep your blood pressure and cholesterol in check. Remember, the best treatment for diabetic foot problems is prevention.

Movember- Taking Care Of Men's Health

You might have seen recently many of your friends, favourite actors or relatives sporting a moustache or beard! While sporting beard has become cool and fashionable, doing it in November is called Movember also known as #NoShaveNovmeber

Now why do this?

Well, it is to raise awareness about cancer and in particular about Prostate and Testicular cancer.  One of the other larger goals is to prevent men from dying young!

While as prostate cancer does not usually kill young people, it is a common cancer among men and one needs to be aware of it,  especially post 50 years.

Testicular cancer happens in young men and it is completely curable cancer. To know more write to us and we will be happy to answer your specific questions.

Other causes which make young men to die are

1. Cardiac- heart related problmes.

2. Diabetes

3. Accidents

All three are preventable and it is necessary that both men and women work together to reduce young deaths!

Now coming back to Movember!

If you have saved money by not shaving, you can use it to help someone's health. Also participate as volunteer to help raise awareness about health issues or spend time with elderly. Contact us to know more.

Take care.

#Stayhealthy

Breast Cancer & Resistance Training

Breast cancer which commonly happens in women (and if you thought it does not happen to men, you need to correct your assumption!) can make a women change in many ways.

                            Image Courtesy: Mort-Death-DeviantArt
The disease and the treatment can have certain affects which make the body and bone composition to change.

The decreased bone mineral density can cause osteopenia and osteoporosis. 

What is Osteopenia?

Osteopenia refers to bone density that is lower than normal peak density but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis. Bone density is a measurement of how dense and strong the bones are. If your bone density is low compared to normal peak density, you are said to have osteopenia.

What is Osteoporosis?

The body constantly absorbs and replaces bone tissue. With osteoporosis, new bone creation doesn't keep up with old bone removal.

Many people have no symptoms until they have a bone fracture.

Treatment includes medications, healthy diet and weight-bearing exercise to help prevent bone loss or strengthen already weak bones.

What Does Cancer Treatment Do For Bone Mineral Density (BMD)?

Chemotherapy can impact the size of the osteoids, which reduces bone formation and bone size.

Cancer treatment in breast cancer can cause 80% of women to lose bone.  Also cancer and osteoporosis can increase risk of falls and fractures!

How Do Prevent & Treat?

Bisphosphonates , a class of drugs, which are either given through injection or oral tablets can reduce osteopenia and osteoporosis. 

More Importantly.

Exercise, walking are popular and helpful but you also need resistance training. 

What is Resistance Training?

Resistance exercise is any form of exercise that forces your skeletal muscles (not the involuntary muscles of your heart, lungs, etc.) to contract. An external resistance (such as heavy weights) is used to cause the contractions, and those contractions lead to increases in muscular mass, strength, endurance and tone. What can you use for that external resistance? Why, anything you want! You can use dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, your body weight, bottles of water, bricks -- the list goes on and on! As long as the weight causes muscular contractions, it counts as resistance exercise. 

Types of Resistance Exercise 
There are three basic types of resistance exercises:

1. Bodyweight -- This uses only your body weight to force your muscles to contract. It includes exercises like pull-ups, push-ups, and squats.
2. Free Weights -- Using dumbbells, barbells and kettlebells helps to increase the strain placed on your muscles, forcing those contractions and building muscle. Free weight training is considered the most effective form of resistance exercise, as it engages secondary muscles (stabilizers) and leads to more effective muscle growth.
3. Weight Machines -- Every gym has dozens of weight machines--Pec Deck, Cable Machine, Leg Extension machine, etc. Weight machines are not as effective as free weights, but they are a safer alternative for those who are new to resistance training.

To know more you can read here 

We provide RightPhysio@home or RightDietician@home or RightLab@home, just call +91 8892505557.

Or visit www.pranahealthcare.co.in

Joint Pains & Osteoarthritis-How To Help Oneself

Osteoarthritis has become a very common problem. Osteoarthritis is joint damage because of wear and tear. It normally sets in old age but symptoms can start as early as 40 or 45 years old.

The major distressing thing is that they have pain. This pain can range from being moderate to very severe.

Doing physiotherapy and regular self exercises is extremely beneficial. Others ways to help oneself are given below.

1. Reduce Weight, Reduce Pressure On Your Joints:Your weight can make a staggering difference to pain levels, and every kilogram really does count. Researchers have found that a 10% reduction in body weight could mean a 50% reduction in pain. The same study found that 38% of participants recorded little to no pain after losing weight. Some small diet and exercise adjustments today could drastically improve your quality of life tomorrow. Get in touch with us to consult a Dietician.
2. Having Omega 3 Fatty Acid Rich Diet: They prevent tissue damage and reduce inflammation.
3. Exercise: Regular activity is an essential part of life with osteoarthritis – but when pain is there doing anything becomes difficult.  So doing easy, comfortable  exercise is something to aim for, whether it’s a social exercise class or a regular walk. To keep bones strong one needs to do weight bearing exercises. Exercise in water is a great way to reduce pressure on joints and minimise injuries due to exercise. So get into swimming pool and get some movements there.  Drink water to stay hydrated, it helps keep your joints moving.
4. Sleep, sleep and sleep: Simple truth is if we sleep less we feel more pain in the morning. So use all tricks and trade to sleep better. 

We wish you health always.

If in case you need a Physiotherapist at home or Dietician Consultation @ home or Blood Investigations @ home, just call +91 8892505557.

Or visist pranahealthcare.co.in

WORLD HEART DAY 2016_ Be The Boss

By this time you should have heard that today, September 29 is World Heart Day! What did you do after knowing that today is World Heart Day?

Do you know what affects our heart? How to keep our heart healthy?

Simple things first.

1. Walking, jogging, running, skipping- any form of exercise which is called aerobic activity helps heart. The heart gets nourished by development of new blood vessels to heart. 
2. Quit tobacco and alcohol.
3. Eat healthy. Limit processed food especially soda drinks, burger, french fries.
4. Work towards having a healthy working environment. If you have a toxic boss, change your team or change your job. 
5. If you are the boss, work towards keeping your team healthy and be a nice boss!

World Heart Day may come once a year but remember your heart beats everyday! Thank it everyday and help it to stay healthy. 

Does Having Wholesome Indian Diet Keep Alzheimer's At Bay?

With an ever increasing aging population we will be seeing lot of people battling Parkinson's , Alzheimer's, Diabetes, Cancer.



Is there something which can be done to protect oneself from these deadly diseases?

Yes!

1. Good diet. But what is a good diet? Traditional Indian food ? 
2. Exercise
3. Stress free life

Let us focus on food.

A recent study has found that western diet increases the risk for Alzheimer's.

US Diet- Highest Risk

Mediterranean Diet- 50% Less Risk

Indian Diet- 50% less than Mediterraneans! 

We of course need more holistic research and data gathering from across the country.

You may read the news article here