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.

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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.

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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