Foods that help fight against cancer

1. Apples - Apples contain polyphenols that have promising anticancer properties. Polyphenols are plant-based compounds that may prevent inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and infections.
2. Berries - Berries are rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers. Scientists have shown a lot of interest in berries due to their antioxidant properties and potential health benefits.
3. Cruciferous vegetables - Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and kale, contain beneficial nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese. Cruciferous vegetables also contain sulforaphane, a plant compound with anticancer properties.
4. Carrots - Carrots contain several essential nutrients including vitamin K, vitamin A, and antioxidants. Carrots also contain high amounts of beta-carotene, which is responsible for the distinct orange color. Recent studies reveal that beta-carotene plays a vital role in supporting the immune system and may prevent certain types of cancer.
5. Fatty fish - Fatty fish, including salmon, mackerel, and anchovies, is rich in essential nutrients, such as vitamin B, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acids.One study found that people whose diets were high in freshwater fish had a 53 percent lower risk for colorectal cancer than those low in freshwater fish. Another study found that consumption of fish oil later in life has links to significantly lower risk for prostate cancer.
6. Walnuts - Walnuts contain a substance called pedunculagin, which the body metabolizes into urolithins. Urolithins are compounds that bind to estrogen receptors and may play a role in preventing breast cancer.
7. Legumes - Legumes, such as beans, peas, and lentils, are high in fiber, which may help lower a person's risk of developing cancer.One meta-analysis of 14 studies shows an association between higher legume consumption and lower risk of colorectal cancer.The study results indicate that people who ate diets high in bean fiber were 20 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than those who did not meet their daily fiber intake.

 

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8 Tips to reduce your cancer risk

There is too much information about the impact of nutrition on cancer that it can be confusing to know what to do to improve your nutritional status and help reduce the risk of recurrence.

1. Maintain a healthy weight: Keep your weight as low as you can within a healthy range throughout life and shoot for a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9.
2. Be physically active: Limit your sedentary habits and participate in daily physical activity. An average week should include at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity. Examples of moderate activity include a brisk walk, a doubles’ tennis match, or heavy cleaning. Vigorous activities include hiking, playing soccer or running faster than six miles per hour.
3. Eat whole grains, vegetables, fruits and beans: Consume a diet that provides at least 30 grams of fiber from food daily, as well at least five servings of plant foods, which include a variety of non-starchy vegetables and fruits. Incorporate whole grains, non-starchy vegetables, fruit and legumes such as beans and lentils in most meals. And, if you eat starchy roots and tubers as staple foods, make sure you’re also getting non-starchy vegetables, fruit and legumes regularly, too.
4. Limit processed foods that are high in fat, starches or sugars: Fast food and other processed foods pre-prepared dishes, snacks, baked goods, desserts and candy — are often high in fat, starches or sugars. Limiting these foods helps you control your calorie intake and maintain a healthy weight.
5. Limit red and processed meats: If you eat red meat, limit consumption to no more than about three portions per week – about 12 to 18 ounces cooked weight. Consume very little, if any, processed meat.
6. Limit sugar-sweetened drinks: Do not consume sugar-sweetened drinks including soda and sweetened iced tea.
7. Limit alcohol consumption: For cancer prevention, it’s best not to drink alcohol.
8. Don’t rely on supplements: For most people, consuming the right foods and drinks is more likely to protect against cancer than dietary supplements. Be sure to discuss your use of supplements with your medical team.

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Blood Cancers: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Your blood, which accounts for about 8 percent of your normal body weight, plays an important role in how your body functions. As your blood circulates throughout your vascular system, it supplies all of your organs with oxygen, nutrients, hormones and antibodies. Blood is made of an almost equal mix of plasma (the liquid that transports cells, waste and nutrients, among other things) and blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets).

When cancer occurs in the blood, it’s usually the result of an abnormal and excessive reproduction of white blood cells. Blood cancers account for about 10 percent of all diagnosed cancers in the U.S. each year. Blood cancers (including leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma) are more common in men than women. Childhood leukemia accounts for about 30 percent of all cancers in children.

“Some blood cancers may cause symptoms such as severe fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, or lymph node swelling,” says Scott Frederick Huntington, MD, MPH, a Yale Medicine hematologist and assistant professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine. “Other blood cancers may show no symptoms and slowly progress over years.”

Treatments for blood cancers also vary, ranging from active surveillance without cancer-directed therapy to standard cancer treatments including immunotherapies, chemotherapies and targeted agents. “With over 100 different types of blood cancers now recognized, it is important to have an accurate diagnosis prior to deciding on treatment,” says Dr. Huntington. Yale Medicine has both clinicians and pathologists who specialize in blood cancers and review challenging cases during tumor boards to reach a consensus prior to starting therapy.

What is blood cancer?
Cancer is caused by a dysfunction in cellular growth and behavior. In a healthy body, new white blood cells are regularly generated to replace old, dying ones. The excessive production of white blood cells in the bone marrow leads to blood cancers.

How many kinds of blood cancer exist?
There are three primary types of blood cancer:

Leukemia is cancer of white blood cells or cells that become white blood cells. Leukemia prevents white blood cells from fighting infections in your body. Leukemia can be either acute (fast-growing) or chronic (slower-growing), and affect the lymphocytes (lymphocytic leukemia) or other immune cells (myeloid leukemia). It’s the most common blood cancer for children under the age of 15.
Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system (an important part of the immune system), particularly lymph nodes (small bean-shaped structures of the lymphatic system that filter out harmful substances). It affects a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. The type doctors know the most about is called Hodgkin’s lymphoma (or Hodgkin’s disease). (All others are called non-Hodgkin lymphoma.) It’s the most common form of blood cancer in adults, accounting for over half of all diagnosed blood cancer cases.
Myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells, which are lymphocytes that make antibodies to protect against infections. Myeloma affects your body’s immune system, leaving it susceptible to infection.

What are the symptoms of blood cancer?
Symptoms of blood cancer vary by disease but typically include the following:

• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Bone and joint pain
• Weight loss
• The swelling of lymph nodes, liver and spleen are also common, and anemia can occur in some blood cancers.

How is blood cancer diagnosed?
Leukemia: Your doctor will obtain a complete blood count (CBC) test, which can identify abnormal levels of white blood cells relative to red blood cells and platelets.
Lymphoma: Your doctor will need to perform a biopsy, which removes a small portion of tissue to be examined under a microscope. In some cases, your doctor may also order an X-ray, CT or PET scan to detect swollen lymph nodes.
Myeloma: Your doctor will order a CBC, or other blood or urine tests to detect chemicals or proteins produced as a function of myeloma development. In some cases, bone marrow biopsy, X-ray, MRI, PET, and CT scans can be used to confirm the presence and extent of the spread of myeloma.

What are the treatments for blood cancer?

Treatment will depend on the type of blood cancer you have, your age, how fast the cancer is progressing, and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of your body.

Because treatments for blood cancer have vastly improved over the last several decades, many types of blood cancers are now highly treatable. Common treatments include the following:

1) Chemotherapy: Anticancer drugs are introduced to the body (via injection into the vein or sometimes by taking a pill) to kill and halt the production of cancer cells.

2) Radiation therapy: This form of cancer treatment uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.

3) Targeted therapies: This form of cancer treatment uses drugs that specifically kill malignant blood cells, without harming normal cells. Targeted therapies are most commonly used to treat leukemia.
Stem cell transplantation: Healthy stem cells can be infused into your body to help resume healthy blood production following therapy to destroy malignant blood cells.

4) Cancer Surgery: This treatment involves removing the affected lymph nodes to treat some lymphomas.

5) Immunotherapy: This treatment activates the immune system to specifically kill cancer cells.

At AMRI Hospitals, they provide care for all haematological conditions like Lymphoma, Myeloma, Leukaemia, etc. and also specialize in dealing with complex situations such as high risk bone marrow transplant, haploidentical, and cord transplants among others. Usually, we perform two procedures of bone marrow transplants – Autologous Bone Marrow Transplant (no donor required) and Allogenic Bone marrow transplant (donor required).

Causes and Prevention of Colon Cancer

In general, colon cancer begins when healthy cells in the colon develop changes (mutations) in their DNA. A cell’s DNA contains a set of instructions that tell a cell what to do.

Healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly way to keep your body functioning normally. But when a cell’s DNA is damaged and becomes cancerous, cells continue to divide — even when new cells aren’t needed. As the cells accumulate, they form a tumor.

With time, the cancer cells can grow to invade and destroy normal tissue nearby. And cancerous cells can travel to other parts of the body to form deposits there (metastasis).

Risk factors

As per AMRI Hospital‘s specialist these are the factors that may increase your risk of colon cancer include:

Older age. Colon cancer can be diagnosed at any age, but a majority of people with colon cancer are older than 50. The rates of colon cancer in people younger than 50 have been increasing, but doctors aren’t sure why.
African-American race. African-Americans have a greater risk of colon cancer than do people of other races.
A personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps. If you’ve already had colon cancer or noncancerous colon polyps, you have a greater risk of colon cancer in the future.
Inflammatory intestinal conditions. Chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, can increase your risk of colon cancer.
Inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk. Some gene mutations passed through generations of your family can increase your risk of colon cancer significantly. Only a small percentage of colon cancers are linked to inherited genes. The most common inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk are familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome, which is also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).
Family history of colon cancer. You’re more likely to develop colon cancer if you have a blood relative who has had the disease. If more than one family member has colon cancer or rectal cancer, your risk is even greater.
Low-fiber, high-fat diet. Colon cancer and rectal cancer may be associated with a typical Western diet, which is low in fiber and high in fat and calories. Research in this area has had mixed results. Some studies have found an increased risk of colon cancer in people who eat diets high in red meat and processed meat.
A sedentary lifestyle. People who are inactive are more likely to develop colon cancer. Getting regular physical activity may reduce your risk of colon cancer.
Diabetes. People with diabetes or insulin resistance have an increased risk of colon cancer.
Obesity. People who are obese have an increased risk of colon cancer and an increased risk of dying of colon cancer when compared with people considered normal weight.
Smoking. People who smoke may have an increased risk of colon cancer.
Alcohol. Heavy use of alcohol increases your risk of colon cancer.
Radiation therapy for cancer. Radiation therapy directed at the abdomen to treat previous cancers increases the risk of colon cancer.

Prevention

1. Screening colon cancer
Doctors recommend that people with an average risk of colon cancer consider colon cancer screening around age 50. But people with an increased risk, such as those with a family history of colon cancer, should consider screening sooner.

2. Several screening options exist — each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Talk about your options with your doctor, and together you can decide which tests are appropriate for you.

3. Lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of colon cancer
You can take steps to reduce your risk of colon cancer by making changes in your everyday life. Take steps to:

4. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, which may play a role in cancer prevention. Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables so that you get an array of vitamins and nutrients.

5. Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. If you choose to drink alcohol, limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than one drink a day for women and two for men.
Stop smoking. Talk to your doctor about ways to quit that may work for you.

6. Exercise most days of the week. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days. If you’ve been inactive, start slowly and build up gradually to 30 minutes. Also, talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program.
Maintain a healthy weight. If you are at a healthy weight, work to maintain your weight by combining a healthy diet with daily exercise.

Colon cancer prevention for people with a high risk

Some medications have been found to reduce the risk of precancerous polyps or colon cancer. For instance, some evidence links a reduced risk of polyps and colon cancer to regular use of aspirin or aspirin-like drugs. But it’s not clear what dose and what length of time would be needed to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Taking aspirin daily has some risks, including gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers.

These options are generally reserved for people with a high risk of colon cancer. There isn’t enough evidence to recommend these medications to people who have an average risk of colon cancer.

If you have an increased risk of colon cancer, discuss your risk factors with your doctor to determine whether preventive medications are safe for you.

Symptoms, Types & Risk Factors of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer, the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths in women, is severe a type of medical condition which begins in the ovaries. It is mainly caused due to an abnormal and uncontrollable growth of cells in the ovary, explain gynaecologists at AMRI Hospital, one of the best maternity hospitals in Kolkata.

Who is at the risk of ovarian cancer?

Although ovarian cancer can affect women of any age, it is mostly common in those over the age of 50. Every woman, on an average suffers from 1.38% risk of suffering from ovarian cancer in her lifetime.

Studies show that ovarian cancer usually goes undetected until it spreads within the pelvis and abdomen. It becomes difficult to treat this disease in the latter stage, as it progresses rapidly with time, warn gynaecologists at AMRI Hospitals. Timely detection and treatment of ovarian cancer in the initial stage makes it more likely to be treated successfully.

What are the types of ovarian cancers?

• Ovarian low malignant potential tumor (OLMPT)
• Germ cell tumors
• Sex cord-stromal tumors
• Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC)
• What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?
• Constant pain or cramps in the belly or back
• Unusual bleeding from the vagina, queasiness and bloating
• Eating disorders or abnormal fullness after eating
• Changes in appetite (often a loss of appetite)
• Exhaustion, constipation and issues related to digestion
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Heartburn and back pain
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• An increased urge to urinate
• Increase in the abdominal girth

The severity of ovarian cancer makes it important to keep a check on the symptoms of the disease, and undergo a timely treatment in order to combat it.

What increases the risk of developing ovarian cancer?

• Genes/family history of ovarian cancer
• Excessive weight
• The use of certain fertility drugs or hormone therapies
• Inability to conceive
• Endometriosis
• Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes

AMRI Hospitals extracts the Longest Gall Bladder in Eastern India

Restoring the faith of millions of people in good Medicare, AMRI Hospitals, Mukundapur extracted Eastern India’s longest gallbladder from 63-year-old Tapati Bhowmik. With this, the hospital stayed inches away from creating a world record.

Suffering from acute stomach ache on the right side of her upper abdomen region, she had approached various hospitals for the treatment before AMRI Hospitals, Mukundapur. While some doctor suggested she had an enlarged liver, others prescribed antacids for severe indigestion and acidity.

After she reached AMRI Hospitals Mukundapur, doctors conducted an Ultrasonography test, which revealed that she had a sizeable obstruction in her gallbladder. The surgery was successfully carried out by Dr Sanjoy Mandal, Senior GI, Laparoscopic and Onco Surgeon at AMRI Hospitals, Mukundapur.

He diagnosed her medical condition through a CT scan, which showed that her gallbladder had extended much beyond its normal size to almost 12 inches, as compared to the natural length of 3 to 5 inches.

Also, the gallbladder’s diameter, which is normally around 4 millimetres, had expanded significantly. As a matter of fact, the longest gallbladder, at 11.8 inches, was found in a woman from Churu, Rajasthan in 2017, which became a world record acknowledged by the Guinness Book.

The 11.6 inch-long gallbladder along with two gall stones, each almost 3 cm in diameter, were extracted from the patient using the laparoscopic procedure, by stretching two of the holes made in her stomach.

Talking about the surgical procedure, Dr Mandal said, “Even though gallbladder surgeries are common, this case was particularly critical since one of the large stones was putting pressure on the bile duct, causing further discomfort to the patient and making the further complicated, especially due to her pre-existing medical conditions like COPD, hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus (Type II).”

A relieved Mrs Bhowmik said, “I used to think my problem was related to indigestion. My protruding belly used to worry my husband and my son. They first took me to a local physician, who claimed my problems were due to an enlarged liver. We decided to take a second opinion and visited AMRI Hospitals, best hospital in Eastern India where doctors properly diagnosed me. I feel much better now that the surgery is over.”

Certainly, the successful surgery holds a testimony to AMRI Hospitals’ proficiency and mettle in handling complex cases with ease.

4 tips to care of kidney | AMRI Hospitals

Every day, 120 to 150 quarts of blood are strained through our two fist-sized kidneys. During this process, these little organs produce 1 to 2 quarts of urine to rid the body of waste and excess fluid.

And our kidneys do a lot more than that. They produce enzymes that help normalize blood pressure. They make a hormone that tells the body to make red blood cells — the blood’s oxygen carriers. And they activate a form of vitamin D that works with calcium to maintain the strength of our bones.

All the more reason to keep these valuable organs in good working order.

Here are some good strategies:

• If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugars under control. Excess sugar in the blood puts extra pressure on the kidney’s filtering mechanism. When the kidneys are injured, then can’t clean blood properly, causing a build-up of water and toxic waste.
• Maintain a normal blood pressure. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the kidney’s filtering units can be damaged when the force of blood surging through the kidneys is high. One well-studied diet strategy to lower blood pressure is the DASH diet, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension.
• The DASH eating plan has been confirmed to lower blood pressure, and not just by cutting back on salt. It features vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low fat dairy foods, fish, poultry, beans, nuts and vegetable oils. DASH is rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium, nutrients known to help lower blood pressure and low in high fat meats and sweets.
• Stay hydrated. Water delivers valuable nutrients to our kidneys and helps them remove wastes from our blood. Adequate fluids can also help prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections, says experts of AMRI Hospitals.
• How do you know if your kidneys are working as they should? Protein in the urine is one of the first signs of kidney disease. Well-functioning kidneys don’t allow this valuable nutrient to escape. A simple test called the Albumin Creatinine Ratio uses a small amount of urine to tell your doctor if your kidneys are preserving a protein called albumin or allowing it to pass into the urine.
• Another useful test called the GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate) estimates how well your kidneys are working to clean wastes from your blood. It requires a sample of blood and a calculation based on your race, age and gender. A GFR of 90 or better indicates your kidneys are in good working order. Less than 60 is a sign of kidney disease.

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February has been a month of achievements, robust initiatives and success at AMRI Hospitals

With an utmost commitment towards delivering the best medical services, AMRI
Hospitals, Bhubaneshwar, has always been at the forefront of healthcare delivery. IN keeping with its history of organizing various events, the hospital held several healthcare campaigns even in Starting off the month with the launch of a unique initiative named URJA, AMRI Hospitals, Bhubaneswar, and the Asian Cancer Institute, came forward to support cancer patients and survivors across all its units on World Cancer Day, February4. The hospital emphasized on the importance of timely detection and treatment for saving lives, making the world a better place for cancer victims.

The URJA initiative is aimed at supporting patients in understanding the Cancer type, treatment and improving the quality of life. It also helps in coping with the side effects and managing the stress of patients and their family members.
At AMRI Hospital-Dhakuria, in Kolkata, on the occasion of World Cancer Day, National Award winning actress Indrani Halder visited and interacted with patients and doctors. The hospital also organized a Health Talk by Dr Suvodip Chakroborty at IndusInd Bank in association with the insurance company, Religare.

Addressing the severity and causes of the increasing number of cases of ENT disorders, organized Phonocon, a three-day conference on most advanced ENT procedures from 1st-3rd February at The Gateway Hotel, Kolkata. AMRI Hospitals, Mukundapur AMRI Hospitals Group further organized a Health Check-up Camp at Standard Chartered Bank on February 4. It also participated at IOCL Pipeline Division on February 5 as the Healthcare Partner. This was followed by a health check-up camp and Dental Screening at Central Bank, Industry

Taking charge of people’s health and wellbeing, AMRI Hospitals organized a free health check-up camp at Hyland Software Solutions India LLP on February 11 and at Rajarbag, Dhaka from February 18 to 20.

Focusing on getting people on board with early diagnosis, AMRI Hospitals, Bhubaneswar offered special Screening Packages Starting 1990 onwards. It organised a walk for awareness on 17 February, at Rabindra Sarovar, CRC Gate.
A Health Awareness Walkathon programme was also organised by with the cast and crew of Bengali film, Barof on February 17, at Rabindra Sarobar Lake. Collaborating with Bangladesh Police at CPH, Dhaka, the hospital organised a free medical camp for the patients on February 18. AMRI Hospitals Committed to ensure top-notch and comprehensive care facilities for women, AMRI Hospitals came up with an awareness program for women on IVF (In vitro fertilisation) and its impact on life in today’s world, by Dr Kaushiki Ray Sarkar on February 18. This was followed by health checkup camp at George Telegraph Institute, Sealdah branch, which was organised by AMRI Hospital, Dhakuria. Organizing an exclusive Cancer screening camp for NTPC Kaniha, the hospital held a community health talk for NTPC employees and the dependants as well.
The month ended on a high note with AMRI Hospitals setting out for AMRICON 2019, the group’s flagship annual medical conference, where veteran medical professionals from across the country met to discuss and learn about recent medical breakthroughs and advances.

As an exclusive healthcare service for the NRIs, AMRI Hospitals introduced an exclusive designed to offer unmatched healthcare services at affordable costs For NRIs and their next of kin living in India.

NRI Special Privilege Health Card, The Card assures you special services like deluxe cabin bookings, priority appointment booking with top specialists, special discounts and much more. Adding to the benefits of the NRI Special Privilege Health Card, the hospital also offers a full body health check-up for their parents, at an exclusive discount of 25%.
A significant surgical victory of implanting the first ever Nano pacemaker was also achieved by AMRI Hospitals in the same month. Marking the
month of many achievements and successful events, the hospital got NABH accreditation for Emergency Department, setting the record for the
first time in Eastern India.

Causes of Joint Pain and Treatment Options

Joint pain can occur for a number of reasons. For many people, it is due to arthritis (joint inflammation), of which there are several types. For others, such as those with fibromyalgia or an underactive thyroid, pain occurs with no underlying inflammation at all. Joint pain may range from a mild ache to a severe, burning or sharp sensation in one or several joints. In some instances, joint pain is associated with other symptoms, like joint swelling and stiffness, overlying red and warm skin, and whole-body symptoms like fatigue, weight loss, or fever.

Causes

Due to the multiple causes of joint pain, it is perhaps best to separate them into two classes— joint pain from arthritis versus joint pain unrelated to arthritis.

Arthritis-Related

Joint pain related to arthritis indicates that inflammation is occurring within the joint space. There are several types of arthritis and their causes differ.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. OA develops as a result of age-related breakdown of cartilage, which serves as a cushion between the bones of a joint. This type of arthritis tends to affect the knees, hips, neck, lower back, and fingers.The pain of OA, which often progresses from a sharp, intermittent pain to a constant aching, worsens with movement and eases with rest. Joint stiffness and a restricted range of motion are also characteristic of OA joint pain.While classic OA is actually a non-inflammatory arthritis (even though it is still classified as an arthritis), an aggressive sub type of OA, called erosive osteoarthritis, is inflammatory. Erosive OA is most common in postmenopausal women and causes a gradual onset of joint aches, stiffness, and swelling in multiple finger joints.For treatment consult Amri Hospitals Best ortho oncologist in kolkata

Gout

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs in some people with high levels of uric acid in their blood. As the uric acid builds up, it may form crystals in certain joint spaces, like the big toe, ankle, or knee.A classic gout attack refers to a sudden episode of severe, often burning joint pain that usually occurs in one joint (for example, the big toe). The joint pain of a gout attack is often extreme and associated with redness, swelling, and warmth of the joint. Without treatment, the episode will remit on its own, often within a week’s time.The “why” behind gout joint pain is attributed to the rapid, inflammatory response of the body’s immune system to digest the unwanted and foreign crystals.

Pseudogout

Pseudogout, also known as calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD), is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs as a result of calcium crystal buildup in certain joints, most commonly the knee, wrists, shoulders, ankles, feet, and elbows. Like gout, the pain of an acute pseudogout joint attack is sudden, severe, and associated with other symptoms like joint swelling and warmth. Unlike gout, the attacks of pseudogout may last longer before remitting.

Septic Arthritis

With septic arthritis, a joint becomes infected, most commonly with a bacteria and rarely with a fungus (for example, Candida) or mycobacteria (for example, tuberculosis).Septic arthritis tends to affect a single joint, usually the knee, ankle, wrist, or hip. The affected joint is swollen, warm, and stiff, and a fever is also present. In most cases, septic arthritis is caused by a bacterial infection in the blood that then travels to the joint space. Less commonly, joint surgery or trauma (for example, a tick bite) may be the culprit.

Viral Arthritis

Several different viruses may cause arthritis. The most common ones include hepatitis B and C, parvovirus B19, and alphavirus (viruses transmitted by mosquitoes), such as the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) found in the Caribbean.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that develops gradually over a period of weeks to months. While the disease predominantly affects the joints, early symptoms may not involve them, but instead include fatigue, muscle pain, low-grade fever, weight loss, and numbness and tingling in the hands.

When the joints become affected, which is a gradual process, small joints on the same side of the body—such as the joints in the fingers and toes—tend to be affected first. Eventually, other joints follow suit like the wrists, elbows, hips, and spine.

In addition to joint pain, stiffness, warmth, redness, and swelling occur. Unlike osteoarthritis, the stiffness of joint pain in RA tends to be worse in the morning (lasting for more than an hour) and improve with movement.

Spondyloarthritis

Spondyloarthritis is a family of inflammatory rheumatic diseases that includes the following four conditions:

• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS): AS is an axial spondyloarthropathy because it affects mainly the back and neck (i.e. spine) and the sacroiliac joints (which connect the spine to the pelvis). The joint pain of AS tends to begin in early adulthood before the age of 45, come on gradually, and improve with activity (similar to rheumatoid arthritis, but the opposite of osteoarthritis). Morning stiffness that lasts longer than 30 minutes is also common in AS.

• Psoriatic arthritis: Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis—a chronic skin condition characterized by patches of thickened skin covered by silvery scales—have psoriatic arthritis. It most commonly affects the end joints of the fingers and toes, causing a throbbing pain, along with stiffness and swelling. Other symptoms may include swollen fingers and toes that look like sausages and nail problems (for example, pitted nail beds). Interestingly, the severity of a person’s psoriasis does not correlate with the severity of their arthritis—and in about 15 percent of people, joint pain shows up before the psoriasis appears.

• Reactive arthritis: This type is characterized by the development of joint pain and swelling one to four weeks after an infection in the urinary tract, genitals, or intestines. Specific bacterial organisms linked to the development of reactive arthritis include Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella, Yersinia, and Chlamydia. Typical joints involved in reactive arthritis are the knee, ankle, and foot

• Arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Throbbing joint pain and swelling, especially in larger joints like the knees and hips, may occur in people with inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis). The arthritis tends to be more active when bowel symptoms are flaring.

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The Nano pacemaker, a game changer in healthcare sector: AMRI Hospitals

Advancements in medical technology have heralded a significant change in India’s medical sector. Owing to these innovations, the country’s healthcare segment has notched up quality in various aspects. A number of lives have been saved and healthcare services continue to improve with time, along with higher success rates in dealing with dreaded diseases.

Nano pacemaker, the world’s smallest pacemaker, has proved to be a breakthrough technology for decreasing complications and enhancing the treatment for heart patients. It is an implantable device that sends electrical pulses to the heart, whenever it senses a slow heartbeat. It uses electrical stimulation to regulate it.

“The device is implanted inside the heart and attached to the heart wall with small wire-like tines. It is guided from the groin directly into the heart through the femoral artery. It is placed directly into the heart without the need for a surgical pocket and insulated wires,” explain surgeons at AMRI Hospitals, the best cardiac care hospital in Kolkata.

The nano pacemaker has shown promising results after a series of trials. It is the size of a regular medicated capsule (less than ten per cent the size of a traditional pacemaker).

Apart from being wireless and leadless, the device offers a number of benefits over the traditional pacing systems, say medical experts at AMRI Hospitals,best hospital for open heart surgery in kolkata. It has significantly less complications like systemic infection, besides reducing the number of days spent in the hospital. Apart from being less invasive, it is completely self-contained within the heart.

The device received FDA approval in 2016 and has proved effective in reducing device-related infections. As a safe alternative for cardiac pacing, the nano pacemaker is expected to have a more profound impact in the years to come.

AMRI Hospitals becomes the Official Health Partner of AIFF 4-Nation Women’s Gold Cup 2019

In a bid to extend its support to the iron-clad women football team of India and raise healthcare awareness, AMRI Hospitals,has become the official health partner of AIFF 4-Nation Women’s Gold Cup 2019.

The 7-day women’s football tournament has been organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) in Bhubaneswar, in association with the Odisha government. The 4-nation competition will see the women’s national teams from India, Iran, Myanmar and Nepal lock horns with each other. Having started on 9th February, the final match of the competition was held on February 15.

“The tournament is meant to provide an opportunity to the Indian team to face other teams in a competitive format. This will warm up the teams ahead of the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Qualification Round 2,” said AIFF General Secretary, Kushal Das.

This is not the first time AMRI Hospitals has committed to play a role in making an event successful. It was also the Official Health Partner of ‘Clash of the Legends’, a football match between FC Barcelona Legends and Mohun Bagan AC, aimed at contributing to the globalization of the Barça brand and its values.

Apart from this, special medical checkups, walkathons, social media awareness campaigns, initiatives supporting cancer awareness, etc., are some of the efforts made by AMRI to serve the people of Odisha.

Recently, AMRI Hospitals, Best hospital in Bhubaneswar celebrated its 5th anniversary by offering special packages at great discounts.

By partnering the 4-Nation Women’s Gold Cup, AMRI has also reinforced the need to support women in every facet of life, and sports is no exception. All the matches of the tournament were telecast live on Hotstar, enabling fans to watch international women’s football from anywhere.

SOURCE: blog.thevoiceofnation.com

AMRI Hospitals pull an impact-driven awareness campaign to celebrate world cancer day

In a bid to raise awareness and work towards a cancer-free society, AMRI Hospitals geared up to launch a campaign on the World Cancer Day. The campaign not only aims at spreading awareness about the often-fatal disease, but also offers Cancer Screening Packages for people in West Bengal and Odisha.

As a part of the awareness campaign, AMRI Hospitals educated the people about the disease through Social Media. It is important for the masses to have a proper understanding of cancer and avoid misinformation, which can prove to be dangerous for a person suffering from cancer. On the other hand, early detection of the disease can help reduce the risk.

This is not the first time AMRI Hospitals have launched an awareness campaign for the prevention of a deadly disease. The healthcare provider is known for launching such campaigns on various important days throughout the year. These campaigns not only help the masses in obtaining vital information about various diseases, but also help in breaking the myths about them.

Cancer is one of the fatal diseases with an increasingly high incidence in India. Breast cancer, cervical cancer, head & neck cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, etc., are very common in India. According to statistics, around 9.6 million people die from cancer each year across the world. It is more fatal than many diseases, such as HIV/Aids, malaria, Tuberculosis, etc. The experts project the cancer deaths to rise around 13 million by 2030, if no action is taken.

World Cancer Day, celebrated on 4th Feb, plays an important role in reducing the risk of this deadly disease. It is intended to fight against cancer by spreading awareness and encouraging the people to go for cancer screening and treatment to prevent the risk. However, it is important for the healthcare providers around the world to support this cause.

The awareness campaign launched by AMRI Hospitals will provide a good opportunity to the people to go for cancer screening at affordable rates and start their fight against the cancer. The cancer screening packages are offered at Rs 1990 for males, while females can avail the same for Rs 2490. So, it’s your turn to take action, get involved and choose a cancer-free life.

For any enquiry visit AMRI Hospitals.

Cancer Day held at city’s AMRI Hospitals

The AMRI Asian Cancer Institute, AMRI Hospitals, Best hospital in Bhubaneswar, observed the World Cancer Day. The day aims to raise awareness and education about a disease that touches so many people around the globe, either directly or indirectly.Present on the occasion were actor Dino Morea, activist Subhashree Das, Director Asian Cancer Institute Mumbai Savant and AMRI Asian Cancer Institute, Bhubaneswar Dr Dhairyasheel, AVP Medical Administration AMRI Dr Chirantan Bose and unit head CLN Reddy.In view of the tremendous increase in cancer patients in Odisha, AMRI ACI has come up with a three- pronged intervention – early detection and screening (SAHYOG Clinic and screening packages), Holistic and comprehensive treatment at AMRI ACI and URJA – A cancer support group for cancer warriors, Dr Bose told.On this occasion, a unique initiative named URJA – AMRI Cancer Support was launched by AMRI for supporting cancer patients and survivors across all its hospitals.SOURCE: dailypioneer.com

Types of Heart Surgery

The cardiac surgery program at Stanford offers the following treatments and procedures:

Aortic surgery

Surgery to repair or replace aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections.

Aortic valve surgery

Surgery to repair or replace an aortic valve that is not working correctly.

Arrhythmia surgery

A surgical procedure to correct irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia.

Congenital heart surgery

Corrective surgery to fix or treat a genetic heart defect.

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery

A surgical procedure used in which the blocked portion of the coronary artery is bypassed with another piece of blood vessel.

Heart transplant

A surgical option to treat advanced heart failure, a condition that occurs when the heart can’t pump enough oxygenated blood to meet the needs of the body’s organs.

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD)

A mechanical device which aids in the pumping function of the blood.

Left ventricular remodeling/surgical ventricular restoration

A technique that provides the heart with a more normal shape after a heart attack, allowing it to pump blood more efficiently.

Myectomy/myotomy

A surgical treatment option that removes a portion of the enlarged heart wall.

Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR)

A procedure used to relieve severe angina or chest pain in patients who aren’t candidates for bypass surgery or angioplasty.

Valvular surgery

Heart valve surgery used to repair or replace diseased.

What to Expect

After you have been referred for heart surgery, a surgery scheduler will contact you:

• To schedule an appointment
• To meet with a cardiothoracic surgeon
• To discuss the type of surgery, risks, benefits, and the overall surgical process.

Once you have agreed to the surgery, we will coordinate the surgery date with you and your family based on the urgency of your surgery, your schedule, and the surgeon’s schedule.

Pre-operative work up

After the surgery date is set, you will need to complete a pre-operative work up which may happen at your initial surgical consult, or on a separate day before surgery.

You will receive a package with instructions on the location and time for the pre-operative work-up if you did not get this done at your initial consult visit. If you are 75 years old or older, you may also receive information on skilled nursing facilities to help you plan in the anticipation of your discharge needs.

We will also discuss any other medications that you are taking, and if you should stop or continue them before surgery.

Blood thinners

If you take blood thinners, you will receive instructions for when to stop taking the blood thinners. Our general guideline for when to stop blood thinners before surgery will vary on the specific type of blood thinner. Please contact us so we can assist you in stopping your blood thinner appropriately before your surgery date.

Visit Amri Hospital Best cardiac care hospital in Kolkata

Eating disorders in children: Tips you must keep in mind

Have your kid’s eating habits suddenly changed? You need to keep a close watch on them. Obesity, anorexia, bulimia are just some of the conditions they may be suffering from.

The threat of obesity is increasing in children in India and across the world. According to a World Health Organisation report, the number of overweight children under the age of five in 2013 was estimated to be over 42 million, and the number is growing. Of these, around 31 million are from developing nations like India. Children have a tendency to resort to comfort foods that are rich in sugar and fat which gives them an instant rush. During teenage, there is also the problem of eating disorders along with obesity. Nutritionist  explains, “Eating disorders among teenagers are on the rise. We hear of many teenagers adopting incorrect food habits to look thin. These can affect the children much later in life. Between the ages of 10 to 17, the child is surrounded by peer group, media, and different ideas of body image. These factors play an important role in determining their food choices.”

A wrong diet can give rise to eating disorders like Anorexia – where the person severely restricts the amount of food they eat and eat very small quantities of only certain foods or Bulimia – where the person faces frequent episodes of eating unusually large amounts of food and having no control over it. According to the nutritionist, one can detect the following diet patterns in their teen: irregular meal patterns, not having breakfast, excessive dependency on junk foods, undernutrition or overeating.

Keep in mind that the energy requirements in terms of calories for adolescents are higher than adults because their bodies are growing and developing. It is important to eat adequate protein for growth needs, bone development, synthesis of hormones and enzymes. Following are the dietary guidelines for children of this age:

1. Consumption of whole balanced meals. Strongly discourage junk foods.
2. Include calcium-rich foods like milk, curd, paneer cheese, sesame seeds and green leafy vegetables.
3. Include iron-rich foods. Also include protein-rich foods like eggs, meat, dairy products, nuts, seeds and pulses.
4. Include fruits in your diet. One can include fruits in porridges or milkshakes too.
5. Keep a tab on overeating of sweets, chocolates, and fried foods, ready-to-eat snacks, processed foods, biscuits and soft drinks.
6. Educate your child about healthy eating habits. Lead by example. Children often follow the habits of their parents.

SOURCE – TheHealthSite

Easy Ways New Moms Can Stay Healthy

Everyone plans for a healthy pregnancy and birth. But a needy newborn can quickly sap the time and energy Mommy has for self-care. Health is, however, a worthy priority for new moms. A happy, healthy mom makes for a happy, healthy kid.

Read on for 10 simple ways to get your health and sense of well-being back on track.

Be Realistic

1. Make the Most of Nap Time

Getting your baby to nap is an accomplishment—make the most of it! Get a DVD or go online to do a 30-minute workout, head into the kitchen and prep healthy snacks and meals, take a long, steamy shower, or, if you feel the pull of the pillow, lie down yourself for some well-deserved rest.

2. Be Realistic

Your house is a mess. So what? You have more important things to do, like getting rest, starting up an exercise routine, and, of course, caring for your baby.  So set reasonable, attainable goals, bring your expectations down to earth, and put your energy elsewhere.

3. Be Mindful of Your Lower Back

Relaxin, the hormone stretches your ligaments in preparation for birth, stays in your body for five months after your give birth. That’s tough on your lower back, which needs to get back to its natural alignment after being pulled forward by your pregnant belly. Protect it by alternating which hip you hold your baby on, looking in a mirror to make sure you’re not over-arching your lower back when standing, and practicing gentle stretches that will help your ligaments come together in a way that supports the heavy lifting you’ll be doing as your baby grows.

4. Ask for Help

To make time for self-care, arrange a babysitting swap with friends, or ask a trusted family member to watch your baby while you get exercise or sleep. Sometimes, though, friend or family help can come with strings attached. If that’s the case, hire a babysitter or join a gym that has a certified child care facility. And always visit your doctor or hospital during pregnancy.

5. Write Out a Plan

New mom-hood can be hard on the short-term memory, so do yourself a favor and put pen to paper to map out your health program. Set goals for daily exercise, social time, quiet time, even hygiene, and use your calendar as a tool to keep yourself accountable and focused. “Children can get anxious and chaotic, and then moms get overwhelmed.” So when in doubt, write it out!

6. Plan Your Feedings, Too

Don’t get so caught up in your baby’s feeding schedule that you neglect your own; the Mayo Clinic advises 400 to 500 extra daily calories for breastfeeding mamas, and you want them to be nutritious and easy. When you have a few minutes, chop up crunchy, vitamin- and fiber-rich vegetables like carrots and celery, or pretzels and pita chips, and put them into individual baggies. When you get hungry, “fast food” will never have been so healthy!

7. Forgive Yourself

Let’s be real—you aren’t going to be able to stick to your self-care health plan every day. And that’s okay. Before you start down a guilt spiral, forgive yourself, and start fresh tomorrow.

8. Rest, Rest, Rest

Your body will recover from childbirth and your mind will feel more like your own—if you prioritize sleep and rest as part of your healthy routine. Never feel guilty about following the “sleep when your baby sleeps” adage, and set aside any social qualms about asking visitors to leave so you can snooze. Days and nights will be in their proper places soon enough, but for now, find rest wherever you can.

9. Boost Your Immune System

The last thing a new mom wants is to come down with a cold or other bug. Start by getting vaccinated against seasonal flu and making sure your TdaP vaccine is up to date to protect against whooping cough. Then, eat lots of lean proteins, dark greens, and antioxidant-rich foods like berries and apples for an immune boost. Keeping well-hydrated will also flush your system of toxins and keep you on a healthy path.

10. Share the Journey

New motherhood can be an isolating time, and there’s power in sharing the ups and downs with like-minded fellow travelers. There are health benefits as well—research shows that laughing with friends boosts immunity, and working out with a buddy has been shown to yield better results. So start a conversation with another mom at the mall or playground…chances are she’d love to set up a mommy play date!

Source Link: https://www.mom365.com