​Common symptoms of Lung Cancer you shouldn’t ignore!

Lung cancer is a very dangerous disease. It is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in India. According to the health practitioners at AMRI Hospitals Kolkata, lung cancer is often caused by excessive smoking. However, it can be cured if it is detected early. Here are some of the warning signs of lung cancer that you shouldn't ignore:

1. Persistent Cough: Usually cough is the direct result of cold or chest infection, which often goes away after a couple of weeks. However, if the cough is persistent, it is important to consult a doctor. A hoarse sound, unusual bleeding and pain can also indicate lung cancer.

2. Pain in chest and bone: The chances of lung cancer spreading to the shoulder, back or chest are high. So, if you experience pain in any of these parts, you may be suffering from lung cancer. This is one of the subtle symptoms, which you shouldn’t ignore.

3. Persistent wheezing: Problems like asthma or allergies can also cause wheezing. However, if the problem is persistent, it could be due to lung cancer as well. In such cases, it is important to consult a doctor.

4. Shortness of breath: If you experience shortness of breath while performing day to day activities, you should immediately get it checked, as explained by medical practitioners at AMRI Hospitals. Breathing problem is often caused by lung tumor, which narrows the airway in the chest.

5. Weight loss and fatigue: Both these health conditions can be caused by various other diseases. However, if you observe a persistent problem, it may be due to lung cancer. There are many other symptoms of lung cancer. However, these are the main symptoms that could possibly indicate lung cancer. So, if you experience any of these symptoms, consult a doctor as early as possible.

Visit https://www.amrihospitals.in/amri-enquire-now/ for more inquiry!

AMRI Hospitals to organize Free Ortho Consultation Campaign on National Bone and Joint Day

AMRI Hospitals, Mukundapur is all set to organize Free Ortho Consultation and BMD Test for a whole week starting from August 1st, 2019. In order to avail the services, patients need to book a prior appointment. The initiative has been put forth on the occasion of National Bone and Joint Day which is celebrated on August 4 every year.

Medical studies show that Osteoporosis is a common condition in elderly people caused by lack of load-bearing exercise, ageing, and estrogen deficiency. Bones become thin due to shortage of organic scaffolding that holds calcium.More than 2 million cases of debilitating arthritis or lower back pain are added every year.

As we age, our bones and joints undergo physiological changes that affect movement. To keep our joints in their best health, daily physical activity along with weight management via a healthy balanced diet including proper intake of protein, vitamin D and C, and calcium is of utmost importance.

According to health experts at AMRI Hospitals, “The main reasons for weak bones are unhealthy lifestyle, less physical activity, excess alcohol, smoking, lack of adequate calcium intake and diseases like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism and epilepsy.”They stress on the need to take an adequate amount of calcium in diet, checking vitamin D levels, physical activities in daily routine and keeping away from smoking and alcohol.

The campaign organized by AMRI Hospitals will include informative sessions on natural ways to maintain healthy bones and joints. Regular physical exercise and aerobics increase our heart rate and reduce joint swelling. Other effective ways to keep joints healthy include taking frequent breaks at work, stretching and going for a short walk.

Talking about the healthcare awareness program, a spokesperson of AMRI Hospitals said, “Such campaigns are the best platforms to raise awareness about different medical conditions. We will be happy if this campaign benefits people who are suffering from poor bone and joint health.”

Tips to keep kidneys healthy

Healthy kidneys will help maintain normal levels of vital nutrients in your body. Also, expels the toxins through urine and keeps minerals such as sodium and potassium in perfect balance. In individuals with compromised renal function, there is also an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Following a healthy diet is one of the most important steps, so let’s start there. Eating nutritious foods for kidney health would be beneficial for individuals with renal disease.

Foods to Keep kidneys healthy

• Red Bell Peppers
• Cauliflower and Cabbage
• Garlic
• Cranberry
• Onions

1. Red bell peppers

In healthy individuals, potassium serves as an important mineral as it eliminates excess water out of the body. But, in individuals with kidney disease, high levels of potassium can cause increased thirst and frequent urination.
Red bell peppers are low in potassium which is good for your kidney health. Also, it is enriched with vitamin C and vitamin A, folic acid, as well as vitamin B6, and fiber which keeps your kidney cells healthy. Furthermore, the red bell peppers consist of an antioxidant called lycopene that protects your kidneys against cancer.

2. Cauliflower and Cabbage

Cauliflower, a kidney-friendly vegetable, is packed full of certain compounds that help the liver in neutralizing the toxic substances. Also, it is rich source of vitamin C, folate, and fiber. Including cauliflower in your diet would help promote optimal kidney function.
Cabbage is another superfood that consists of phytochemicals, chemical compounds that break down the free radicals before they can damage a cell. Some of these phytochemicals helps in fostering your cardiovascular health. It is also a good source of vitamin K, vitamin C, fiber, vitamin B6 and folic acid.

3. Garlic

Garlic consists of antioxidants which help reduce the risk of inflammation of the kidneys and also removes extra cholesterol, making it an invaluable food for kidney cleansing. In addition to this, many research studies had proven that garlic prevents blood platelets from forming clots, and thereby reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. It also prevents the liver to produce excess bad cholesterol. It lowers high blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels. Garlic also consists of allicin that has proven to be abroad spectrum anti-bacterial agent.

4. Cranberry

Cranberries protect you against bladder infections and also prevent the bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. Also, the cranberries make your urine acidic preventing the growth of the bacteria. Cranberries are enriched with vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber. Many research studies have proven that cranberries prevent cancer and heart disease.

5. Onions

Onion, a basic flavouring add-on to many dishes, consists of sulphur compounds that give it a pungent odour. It is enriched with flavonoids and also contains a powerful antioxidant, quercetin.
This antioxidant reduces the risk of heart diseases and also protects against cancers. Onions are low in potassium and therefore it is a kidney-friendly food. Also, it has chromium, a mineral that helps in the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Of course, apart from consuming a healthy diet, there are a couple of other things we can do too.
These can complement our efforts and help fortify our kidneys for flawless functioning.

8 Best Foods for a healthy gut

In order to achieve optimal absorption, a healthy immune system opens a new window, and a reduced risk of disease, it’s important to keep your gut populated with good bacteria. In addition, there are numerous foods that can help your gut stay happy and healthy.

AMRI hospitals lists 8 best foods for a healthy gut :

Papaya

This tropical fruit contains papain and chymopapain, digestive enzymes thought to support digestion by helping break down proteins. Although more research is needed, eating papaya can certainly help add fiber to your diet—always a plus when it comes to a healthy digestive system.

Peppermint

Peppermint can ease indigestion and has been found to help with some symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome. This herb helps slow down the stomach muscles or spasms that contribute to nausea, too. Steep fresh peppermint in tea and enjoy hot or cold.

Kefir

This fermented milk drink contains gut-friendly bacteria, which help keep your digestive system healthy. It’s also a great way to take in a multitude of nutrients—including vitamins A and D, calcium, and protein. Enjoy in smoothies, salad dressing, or ice pops.

Kimchi

This fermented food is brimming with healthy bacteria. Spread a spoonful on toast, over a green salad, or in a soup.

Ginger

Ginger helps calm nausea and can help settle a wonky stomach. Add dried ginger to teas, marinades, and baked goods, or grate fresh ginger into salad dressings and smoothies.

Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt contains live, active cultures, many which act as probiotics. In order to increase the healthy bacteria in your gut, enjoy a single serving of Greek yogurt every day.

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds contain a healthy dose of fiber with 1 tablespoon providing about 5 grams. Sprinkle over yogurt, hot cereal, or blend in smoothies.

Kiwi

This fruit is brimming with enzymes that aid digestion. A review pens a new window published in Advances in Food and Nutrition Research found that the enzyme actinidin found in kiwi helps digest protein-rich foods.

Top 10 tips to keep your brain healthy

AMRI Hospitals gives ten basic tips for a healthy brain:

1. Eat only real, whole, “preagricultural” foods. This includes seafood, red meat, poultry, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. I recommend avoiding all grains (wheat, corn, rice, oats, etc.) and legumes (beans, peas, lentils, hummus, soy, etc.), because they are low in nutrients and high in anti-nutrients and lectins that pose a risk to human health.

2. Drink water or unsweetened, naturally flavored water/seltzer when you’re thirsty. Drinking sweetened beverages is dangerous, putting you on a fast track to a damaged metabolism, and then keeping you there. It is just as important to avoid fruit juices, even all-natural juices with no sugar added, as the body cannot distinguish between various forms of liquid sugar. Click here for a table of sugar content in various beverages, including fruit juices.

3. Avoid refined carbohydrates like the plague. Concentrated, processed sugars and starches cause unnaturally high spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels that destabilize brain chemistry and damage brain cell metabolism. Examples include sugar, flour, fruit juice, and processed cereals.

4. Avoid refined “vegetable” (seed) oils, like soybean, safflower, and corn oil, and choose natural, unprocessed animal and fruit fats instead.Industrially produced seed oils tend to be high in omega-6 fatty acids, which promote inflammation and fight against the omega-3 fatty acids our brains and immune systems require to function properly. Examples of healthier fat choices include lard, schmaltz, beef tallow, olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil.

5. Include animal protein in your diet on a regular basis — seafood, poultry, red meat, eggs, etc. Plant proteins are not only harder to digest and absorb, but the foods they come from are high in “anti-nutrients” that rob the brain (and body) of key minerals and other essential nutrients. I realize that there are many reasons to eat a plant-based diet unrelated to brain health, so if you choose to eat a vegan or vegetarian diet, please learn all you can about proper supplementation of key nutrients, including B vitamins, vitamin K2, EPA, DHA, iron, and zinc.

6. Minimize alcohol, and be careful with caffeine, especially if you haveanxiety or insomnia.

7. Get tested for insulin resistance (aka “pre-diabetes”). Insulin resistance has been identified as a key cause of most cases of garden-variety Alzheimer’s disease. It also contributes to symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, and psychotic disorders. If you are insulin-resistant, take immediate steps to lower your insulin levels with diet and exercise.

While there are many ways to accomplish this, low-carbohydrate diets can be particularly effective weapons against insulin resistance and tend to be easier to sustain than low-fat or low-calorie diets. As an added bonus, addressing insulin resistance can help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk for chronic medical conditions including diabetes, heart disease, and some forms of cancer.

8. Get tested for iron deficiency. The brain needs iron for neurotransmitter production (serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine), generation of brain energy, hippocampal function (memory), and cell signaling. If you are iron deficient, increase your intake of red meat, organ meats, and/or shellfish, and decrease your intake of plant foods that interfere with iron absorption.

Phytates (found in beans, nuts, seeds, and grains), oxalates (found in spinach, cocoa, beets, sesame seeds, rhubarb, sweet potato, coriander, and currants) and tannins (found in legumes, nuts, cocoa, wine, tea, berries, pomegranates, and many other fruits) all reduce the brain's access to iron. Plant foods also happen to contain a form of iron that is more difficult for the human body to utilize. Iron supplements may be necessary in some cases, and may be particularly important for those who choose to eat a plant-based or high-plant diet.

9. Get tested for vitamin B12 deficiency. Without this essential vitamin, the body cannot synthesize DNA, RNA, red blood cells, or myelin (the substance that wraps around and insulates our brain circuitry). Not surprisingly, B12 deficiency can cause a host of serious psychiatric problems, including depression, psychosis, memory problems, mania, and changes in behavior or personality.

Make sure your health-care provider knows how to properly evaluate your B12 status; accuracy can be improved by including additional tests, perhaps most importantly a methylmalonic acid level. If you have a simple nutritional B12 deficiency, increase your intake of red meat, shellfish, and/or organ meats. Supplements may be necessary in some cases, and are mandatory for those choosing a plant-based diet.

10. Find a form of exercise you enjoy and make it part of your life — nearly every day, if you can, but at least three times a week. Strength or resistance training that builds and tones muscle seems to be superior to aerobic exercise (walking, running) in preventing and managing insulin resistance.

What is hypotension and what are the causes for it?

Hypotension, also commonly known as low blood pressure is a condition in which blood pressure in the arteries gets abnormally low. In some cases, the blood pressure gets so low that it fails to reach all the body organs, resulting in light headedness, dizziness, and even fainting.
The ideal reading level for blood pressure is more than 120 over 80 but less than 140 over 90 (120/80-140/90).

The higher of the two is the measure of systolic pressure, which means the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and fills them with blood. The second number measures diastolic pressure, which means the pressure in the arteries when the heart rests

between beats. If either number is below the ideal reading level, your pressure is lower than normal.

Usually, in healthy people, low blood pressure without any symptoms means negligible health concerns. But if it shows symptoms, it is an indication of inadequate blood flow to the heart, brain, and other vital organs, which needs to be treated as soon as possible.

Chronic low blood pressure which shows no symptoms is not considered as a serious health concern. But there are possibilities that sudden drop in blood pressure may develop several health issues. Mostly, sudden fall in blood pressure occurs while getting up from a lying position or suddenly standing from a sitting position. This kind of low blood pressure is also referred to as postural hypotension or orthostatic hypotension.

Postural hypotension happens when there is failure of the cardiovascular system or nervous system to react appropriately to sudden changes. Our body normally compensates by sending messages to the heart to beat faster and to the blood vessels to constrict. But if this does not happen, or happens too slowly, it causes postural hypotension and can lead to fainting.

Low blood pressure may also occur when a person is standing for a longer duration. This type of low blood pressure is referred to as neurally mediated hypotension.

It should be noted that with age, the risk of both low and high blood pressure normally increases. This is due to the reason that blood flow to the heart muscle and the brain declines with age, often as a result of plaque build-up in blood vessels.

Some more common causes of low blood pressure are:

1. Dehydration: Inadequate water in the body can cause weakness, fatigue and dizziness and thus, can lead to a drop in the blood pressure level.

2. Cardiovascular problems: A few heart conditions can also lead to low blood pressure. In some scenarios, the condition can get worse and cause low heart rate (bradycardia), heart valve problems, heart attack and even heart failure.

3. Pregnancy: Pregnancy may also lead to drop blood pressure level. Due to the internal bodily changes during pregnancy, blood pressure is likely to decline. But this condition is usually considered normal. After the child birth, blood pressure again goes to normal.

4. Loss of blood: In case of a major injury which causes blood loss or internal bleeding, one may experience low blood pressure.

5. Endocrine problems: Thyroid conditions, low blood sugar levels and, in some cases, diabetes are responsible for triggering low blood pressure.
6. Infection: This usually happens in case of serious infection like septicaemia and can lead to a life-threatening condition which is also referred to as septic shock.

7. Nutrient deficiency: Lack of Vitamin B-12 and folate can cause low blood pressure. This is due to the reason that these nutrients are essential to produce red blood cells and their deficiency can lead to drop in blood pressure levels.

8. Allergic reaction:Serious allergic reactions like anaphylaxis can trigger health conditions such as breathing problems, hives, itching and a swollen throat. This can also lead to low blood pressure.

9. Low salt intake: Sodium is an essential electrolyte that helps in maintaining water in and around the cells. Insufficient consumption of sodium may lead to low blood pressure as this may disrupt the blood pressure levels. But before increasing salt quantity in your food, consult your doctor.

For more info - https://www.amrihospitals.in/

All you need to know about knee replacement infection

After a knee replacement surgery is conducted, there is always a possibility of infection occurring around the wound. It can occur during the hospital stay or when a person is under rehabilitation, after the surgery.

Symptoms of knee replacement infection

If a patient experiences a minor swelling or redness around the incision, it could be normal as well as dangerous. There is a possibility of post-surgery infection only if the problem keeps increasing with time.
2. Warmth around the knee or incision normally doesn’t indicate infection. But, if the redness and tenderness around the knee doesn’t go away, then it may be a sign of infection.
3. Apart from this, if a person is not able to walk without pain for a long time, it may also lead to infection.
4. If a grey liquid keeps coming out from the incision with a bad smell, the chances of infection are high.
5. Fever, night sweat and fatigue may also be the symptoms of knee replacement infection.


Cause of post-surgery infection

There is a possibility that the bacteria may enter a person’s body after the surgery, through the wound made by incision. If it reaches to the artificial joint, it can cause infection by multiplying within the wound. Also, if a person doesn’t have a strong immune system, these bacteria can get into the bloodstream.

Diagnosis

A visual examination can prove to be helpful in the diagnosis of knee replacement. In order to investigate the type of bacteria causing the infection, a doctor may need to use the following tests:

Blood Test: It can help in measuring the inflammation in the body, which indicates the infection.

Imaging test: Tests such as X-Rays, CT scans and MRI can help in determining the infection in the artificial joint.

Joint aspiration: In order to look for bacteria and white blood cells, a fluid can be drawn from the knee. Presence of white blood cells usually indicates an infection.

Treatment

The treatment includes both surgical and non-surgical methods. In some cases, only skin and tissues are involved and the artificial joint is not affected, which can be treated with oral or intravenous antibiotics. On the other hand, a deeper knee replacement infection may require surgical treatment including debridement, staged surgery, removal of artificial joint, joint washout, new knee replacement surgery, etc.

For treatment visit here – https://www.amrihospitals.in/specialty/orthopaedics-joint-replacement

Health tips: Simple exercises that will help relieve knee pain

Knee joint, one of the largest joints in the body, connects the shin bone and the thigh bone. It is also considered to be one of the most complicated joints in the human body. AMRI Hospitals highlights the main function of the knee joint is to straighten, bend and carry the weight of the body. The initial or fundamental cause of knee pain could either be sudden, or even due to an old injury or an underlying condition. Irrespective of the cause or the pain, one way to reduce or get rid of it is by regularly performing knee exercises.

Isometric exercises can be performed by people suffering from knee pain. They can do these knee strengthening exercises while sitting on the sofa or bed as they do not involve quick or constant moves.

To start the exercise, roll a towel and place it under your knee, lift your knee a bit and place it back on the towel for 10 seconds. You can repeat this process 10 times. This is also known as quad sets.

The next is hamstring set; put a bolster under your ankle and repeat the exercise. This way you are not making movements but simply strengthening your knee.

Hip Strengthening

Stand straight, lift your right leg and bend it in such a way that it creates a 90 degree angle at your hip. Stand in the same position for five seconds and then return to the original position. Repeat this exercise 10 times.

Other exercises that will help strengthen the hips are standing and taking your leg sideways and backward. This exercise helps you to strengthen your core so that you can walk, climb and stand up easily.

You must start this exercise by putting the front of your foot on the step and the heel hanging on the edge. Gradually, lower the heel so that your ankle gets fully flexed. The next step is to rise on your toes, but remember to keep your knees straight. You can also sit on a chair with your legs forming 90-degree angle and perform the exercise.

The secret to power squats is to find the right rhythm for your body. For starters, you can stretch your hands out in front of your body and begin doing slow squats for about two seconds. As you get comfortable, gradually increase the time you hold the position. Squat helps you to strengthen not only the knee but also the hip and calf muscles.

Lunges

Place your hands on your hips and then take a deep lunge forward with your right leg and then push back up to your original position. Repeat the same with your left leg. Keep in mind to keep your shoulders back and tight.