Conditions

Who should have a Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery and what are the alternatives available? Dr Shital Raval suggests factors to help you make a decision.  Let us evaluate the various options available and the factors to consider. Arthroplasty Total hip replacement surgery is also known as Total Hip Arthroplasty while a knee replacement surgery is called Knee Arthroplasty (can be partial or total). Both are common and effective procedures for hip and knee arthritis. These are elective…

There is a reasonably high percentage of avoidable deaths which occur yearly due to medication errors. It is important to ensure that administration of medicines is made as safe as possible to reduce lapses in proper health care, life threatening complications, and death. Here are a set of handy guidelines and best practices for safe medication management. Guidelines on medication use: SAFE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICINES Be informed about the medications you are on and their names, dosages,…

Menopause can wreak havoc on your diabetes control. But there's plenty you can do to better manage diabetes and menopause, recommends leading diabetologist Dr Pradeep Gadge. What is the link between Diabetes and Menopause? During the transitional years of menopause (when menstrual cycles slow down but haven't stopped), estrogen and progesterone hormones are unstable, and cause problems with diabetes management. Higher levels of estrogen usually improves insulin sensitivity, while higher levels…

And other questions on menopause answered by Dr. Usha Saraiya,  Consultant Obstetrician – Gynaecologist at Breach Candy, Cumballa Hill Hospital & Saifee Hospital. She reiterates - Preventive actions helps to prevent Osteoporosis, diabetes & heart disease.  1.   What is the average age of menopause in India? It is between 45 years to 50 years. In India it is said to be earlier say from 42 years to 47 years. But women who are not educated do not tell their age…

Hypoglycaemia or a sharp drop in blood sugar levels can cause severe discomfort and dizziness and, in some extreme cases, even death. Dr Roshani Sanghani, renowned endocrinologist and the founder of Aasaan Health Solutions shares valuable tips on how to tackle a condition which can afflict any person with diabetes at any given time. Many patients are troubled by sudden and unexpected blood sugar levels dropping. When the level drops below 70 mg/dl, it is considered hypogylcemia! Hypogylcaemia…

This World Thrombosis Day, Dr Manohar B Kalbande, Cardio vascular & thoracic surgeon warns that diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity and sedentary lifestyle increase risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and recommends early diagnosis, complete treatment and regular follow up to get give good relief from this disease. What is Thrombosis? Blood returning to the heart i.e. venous blood is drained by two sets of veins in our body- superficial and deep. The deep veins are located deep in the…

‘Mental Illness and Caregiving: Challenges, Concerns and Complications’ – authored by Schizophrenia Awareness Association’s president Mr Amrit Bakhshy, was launched to coincide with World Mental Health Day. This comprehensive book, the first of its kind in India, is written mainly for caregivers of persons with mental illness and provides valuable information. Here is an interview with the author and an extract from the book. What was the inspiration for your book? How was the idea born? I…

On World Cerebral Palsy Day, we speak to Joyeeta Sen, a senior special educator and Priti Salunkhe, a senior neurodevelopment therapist with Ummeed Child Development Center regarding child development and learning for children with the condition. What is the average age of a child with CP when first brought in? At Ummeed children with Cerebral Palsy varies anywhere from 3 years to 10 years but the average age would be between 3-4years. However, as part of early detection and early intervention…

Heart diseases are the leading cause of death globally. Of these, about half the patients will undergo coronary angioplasty procedure at some time. Patients are then often faced with the choice of having a stent put in via angioplasty or going through a bypass surgery. So how do you make an informed decision with your doctor? Here are a few pertinent questions and answers by Dr. Shital Raval regarding the Stent vs Bypass dilemma. These options should also be discussed with your doctor or…