How long can you breastfeed ?

If you breastfeed your baby for simply a couple of days, he/she will receive your foremilk, or early milk. By providing certain anti-infective factors like antibodies and other types of food the baby’s brand new body expects, breastfeeding provides your baby his/her initial and best ‘immunization’. It also helps in getting the baby’s system to operate in a seamless way. It additionally helps your own body recover from post-pregnancy pain. Given how little it takes to offer it, and how much your baby stands to gain, it makes good sense to breastfeed for at least a day or two, even if you plan to bottle-feed after that.

·     If you breastfeed your baby for 4–6 weeks, you will have eased him/her through the foremost vital part of his infancy. Newborns who do not seem to be breastfed are way more seemingly to get sick or be hospitalized, and have an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) than breastfed babies, explain health practitioners at AMRI Hospitals, one of the best maternity hospital in Kolkata. After 4-6 weeks, you'll probably have worked through any early breastfeeding issues, too. Build a significant goal of breastfeeding for a month and seek advice from a qualified breastfeeding expert, if you have got any queries. These will help you to be in an exceedingly higher position to make your mind up whether continuing breastfeeding is ideal for you or not.

·       If you breastfeed your baby for 3-4 months, his/her digestive system will have matured a great deal, and he/she will be ready in a far better way to tolerate the foreign substances. Giving nothing but your breast milk to the baby for the first six months will help to safeguard the baby against various types of infections.

·     If you breastfeed your baby for 6 months without any other food or drink, you will help in ensuring good health throughout your baby's initial years of life, reduce the little one's risk of infections, and cut back on your own risk of breast cancer. Exclusive breastfeeding throughout the first six months, if your periods are yet to come back, provides 98 effective contraceptive methods. The World Health Organization and other well-known medical organizations suggest waiting for a minimum of six months before starting on solid foods.

·   If you breastfeed your baby for nine months, you will have nourished him/her for his/her quickest and most vital brain and body development on the food that was designed for the baby — your milk. Weaning could also be fairly natural at this age but then, so is breastfeeding! If you wish to avoid weaning this early, make sure that, from the beginning you breastfeed willingly so that your child is comforted and not simply fed.

·    If you breastfeed your baby for one year, you will be able to avoid the expense of feeding formula to your child, when it is a fact that your baby’s one-year-old body will be able to handle most of foods consumed by your family on a normal basis. Breastfeeding will give your kid several health benefits, which will last throughout one’s whole life, suggest doctors at AMRI Hospitals, best child care hospital in Kolkata. He/she is going to be less likely to want treatment and have a reduced risk of some childhood cancers like leukemia. Experts recommend breastfeeding for a year, or for as long as a mother and baby needs. As a result of this, it helps ensure the traditional nutrition and health for your baby.

·        If you breastfed your baby for 18 months, you may have continued to supply nutrition, comfort, and sickness protection for your baby, at a time when illness is very common in weaning babies. Your baby is perhaps well established on family foods, too. He/she has had time to create a solid bond with you, which is a healthy start line for his/her growing independence, too. At 18 months, the baby is of the right age when you can begin weaning him/her off breast milk, but at a pace that the baby can handle.

 In cultures where there's no pressure to wean, youngsters tend to feed for a minimum of two years, the World Health Organization and UNICEF strongly encourage breastfeeding throughout a baby’s days of being a toddler: Biologically human beings seem geared to of weaning age he age of 30 months and seven years. It is smart to make our children’s bones from the milk that was designed for them. Your milk provides nutrients, anti-infective factors and different protecting substances as long as your kid continues breastfeeding. 

The World Health Organization says that mothers who feed their babies for a relatively longer time have a lower risk of developing breast cancer. Breastfeeding is an essential parenting issue that has been related to a kid’s emotional development, particularly in developing the bond between children and their mothers. Breastfeeding eases each of you through the tears and tantrums that are an integral part of babyhood, besides helping to ensure that the effect of many diseases are milder and much easier to deal with.

Are there any negative effects of prolonged breastfeeding?

According to the obstetricians at AMRI Hospitals, prolonged breastfeeding does not have any effect on the baby, instead carries a positive effect. A significant positive for prolonged breastfeeding is that it helps mothers to reduce their post pregnancy weight, helps her maintain her normal figure, eve helps in weight loss. It also helps a mother to fight diseases like breast and ovarian cancers. Prolonged breastfeeding produces prolonged lactation, which helps in contraception simply by preventing it. Further, prolonged breastfeeding helps in strengthening the bond between mother and baby, subsequently helping in a child’s mental development. Babies who are breastfed for a long time achieve the developmental milestones earlier than babies who are breastfed through bottles.

Breastfeeding for an extended period is one of the most precious gifts that you can give to your child, especially during his/her first year, when it plays an essential nutritional role. After that period, the baby’s overall requirement for milk will start to dwindle, although breast milk will continue to provide excellent nutrients, immune strengthening benefits, and emotional security. It’s because of this emotional value that weaning can be tricky, particularly if there have been slight changes or stress in the family. 

If you’ve been breastfeeding for a prolonged period, it is quite natural that you might have to start to plan the weaning process of your baby, advice health practitioners at AMRI Hospitals, best maternity hospital in Kolkata. However, every parent must take note that, breastfeeding becomes so fast and easy over time it is actually quite right for you take the decision to continue nursing. One must keep in mind that there is nothing wrong or abnormal with extended breastfeeding, more so since society is changing and so are its norms.

There is practically nothing wrong with your baby breastfeeding for a longer period in time and a look at the child’s digestive enzymes will reveal that the baby was designed to be breastfed for at least two to three years or more. If the baby has been breastfed for a minimum period of nine to 18 months, he/she will be undoubtedly very reluctant to stop but this does not mean the baby is spoilt. It simply means the baby knows what is best for the self. Ultimately, how long one should breastfeed is up to the mother and the baby. There are certain advantages in both cases -- if the mother breastfeeds only for a few days, or if the baby is breastfed for years -- for both mother and child.

​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.”

Monsoon Is Here! Save Yourself From Flu To Enjoy This Season In The Best Way

We all love monsoons, don't we? After all, they provide the much needed relief from the scorching heat by bringing the temperature down. However, like every other season, monsoon also comes with some pros and cons. Waterlogged streets and seasonal flu are some of the cons that can be tough to negotiate.

However, with proper precautionary measures, we can avoid these diseases and look out for a healthy living, say medical practitioners at AMRI Hospitals, Dhakuria. Here's all what you need to do:


1. Healthy diet plan: A healthy diet plan during the monsoons is necessary to avoid the diseases and safeguard your digestive system. One must avoid street foods like chaat, golgappas, bhelpuri, etc. It is also important to drink plenty of water, alongside fresh fruits and salad.

2. Carry an umbrella: Rains can be inviting when they finally arrive amidst a heat wave, but one must stay away from it, rather than getting drenched. In case you end up getting wet, you need to change your clothes quickly. The monsoon rain can make you prone to diseases like leptospirosis and fungal infections. So, stay away from the rains and avoid walking barefoot in the gardens.

3. Evening shower: We often leave for work after having a bath early in the morning, but are unable to do the same after returning back home. In the season of monsoons, it is better to opt for a shower after returning from work to fight infections caused by sweat and dirt.

4. Keep your hands clean: The best way to protect yourself from cold, cough and influenza is regular hand wash, explain medical practitioners at AMRI Hospitals. When your hands are clean, you can eat and drink, preventing the spread of viruses and bacteria.

5. Never miss an update: Always keep yourself updated with weather alerts to avoid the rains. Try to leave for your workplace and school during dry weather. Never eat with wet hands to avoid the germs from entering into your body.


So, take precaution and enjoy this beautiful season of monsoons. Don’t let the flu ruin your joyful season. Happy Monsoon!

Follow these morning tips to start your day on a good note

We often begin our day in a chaotic way, rather than focusing on the productive stuff for a better outcome. Many of us wake up after multiples snoozes, rushing through morning ablutions and skip the breakfast to reach office on time.

However, we don’t often realize the negative impact of this incompetent routine. Here’s how to set your routine right to start your day on a positive note:

Avoid using cell phone: Using cell phone in the morning is a bad idea. It affects our mood, mental stability and approach, suggest health practitioners at AMRI Hospitals, Kolkata. So, avoid screen time in the morning for the right beginning.

Get up with the first ring: We often fail to adhere to the alarm we set in the evening. We snooze it multiple times before finally waking up late. It wastes our crucial morning time and makes us lazy. So, get up on the first ring.


Exercise regularly: Exercise is one of the most important and healthiest things to do in the morning. Head to the gym or take a brief morning walk to help your body relax before the hectic schedule ahead.

Eat a healthy breakfast: There is nothing as good as a morning breakfast, which consists of a healthy mix of vitamins, minerals and proteins. So, don’t skip your breakfast, as it gives you the right strength to face the upcoming challenges throughout the day.


A positive practice: Reading a book or listening to some motivational quotes can increase your enthusiasm and boost your confidence to set the tone for a good day ahead. Positive emotions and optimistic thoughts are important in life to relax the body and mind.

According to the medical practitioners at AMRI Hospitals, a negative body language or a negative thought process is never good for an individual’s health. It is all about getting up with confidence and carrying a positive mind and body throughout the day for better results.

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.

Breast cancer: What you didn’t know

Cancer is a leading cause of death among Americans, second only to heart disease.
Researchers are unearthing cancer’s genetic secrets and, with it, potential new treatments.
Their efforts have seen the cancer death rate for men, women, and children fall year after year between 1999 and 2016.
The 21st century has been, and will continue to be, shaped by cancer. Although heart disease remains the United States’ number one killer, cancer is quickly closing the gap and may soon surpass it. Some oncologists claim a cure is five, 10, certainly no more than 20 years away. Others aren’t so sure because, in a way, cancer is the price we pay for evolutionary success.

It is no coincidence that the very genes that allow our embryos to grow — our hands to grow, our feet to grow — if you mutate them in inappropriate contexts, [they] will ultimately release the disease that kills us.

Whether for five years or forever, cancer won’t be going anywhere any time soon. Yet, the more doctors and scientists discover about it, the better we can learn to live with it.

Average age of breast cancer diagnosis

A person’s risk of developing breast cancer increases as they get older. As people age, abnormal changes in their cells are more likely to occur.

Breast cancer is most common in females over the age of 50 years. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), doctors most often diagnose breast cancer in females aged 55–64 years.

Based on data from 2012–2016, the median age of diagnosis in females with breast cancer was 62 years old.

Risk for different age groups
Although females are more likely to develop breast cancer after they reach the age of 50 years, younger women can also develop this condition.

According to the NCI, the risk that a doctor will diagnose breast cancer in a female in the United States within the next 10 years is:

• 1 in 227 (0.44%) for those aged 30 years
• 1 in 68 (1.47%) for those aged 40 years
• 1 in 42 (2.38%) for those aged 50 years
• 1 in 28 (3.56%) for those aged 60 years
• 1 in 26 (3.82%) for those aged 70 years

The NCI also report that of the 437,722 females that doctors diagnosed breast cancer in between 2012 and 2016:

• 1.9% were aged 20–34 years
• 8.4% were aged 35–44 years
• 20.1% were aged 44–55 years
• 25.6% were aged 55–64 years
• 24.8% were aged 65–74 years
• 13.7% were aged 75–84 years
• 5.6% were aged 84 years+

Further inquiry, visit AMRI Hospitals 

5 Super foods for a healthy heart

Salmon
Salmon and other fatty fish such as sardines and mackerel are the superstars of heart-healthy foods. That's because they contain copious amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, shown in studies to lower the risk of arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) and atherosclerosis(plaque build-up in the arteries) and decrease triglycerides.

Oatmeal
Oatmeal is high in soluble fiber, which can lower cholesterol.

Blueberries
Not just blueberries, but strawberries and other berries as well. According to a 2013 study women aged 25 through 42 who ate more than three servings of blueberries and strawberries a week had a 32% lower risk of heart attack compared with those who ate less.

Dark chocolate
As per AMRI Hospitals, several studies have now shown that dark chocolate may benefit your heart, including one in 2012 that found that daily chocolate consumption could reduce nonfatal heart attacks and strokein people at high risk for these problems. The findings applied only to dark chocolate, meaning chocolate made up of at least 60-70% cocoa. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids called polyphenols, which may help blood pressure, clotting, and inflammation.

Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits are also high in vitamin C, which has been linked with a lower risk of heart disease. Beware of citrus juices that contain added sugar. And be aware that grapefruit productsmay interfere with the action of the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins.

Soy
Soy products, including tofu and soy milk, are a good way to add protein to your diet without unhealthy fats and cholesterol. Soy products contain high levels of polyunsaturated fats (good for your health), fiber, vitamins, and minerals. What's more, soy may reduce blood pressure in people who eat a diet high in refined carbohydrates. And compared with milk or other proteins, soy protein can actually decrease LDL or "bad" cholesterol.

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.

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

8 Tips to have a sickness free monsoon

Monsoon season is that time of the year when we are tempted to binge on piping-hot pakodas, chaat, samosas, bhajjiyas and much more. The street food may taste delicious and look attractive, but the chances of it being contaminated are much more. Your body becomes more susceptible to certain health risks, as the immune system becomes weaker. Monsoon also brings along with it an array of diseases and infections that may take a toll on your body and overall health.

Most of which depends on the kind of foods that you consume during the rainy season. Eating wrong foods may result in diseases like dengue, malaria, typhoid, viral fever and jaundice. So, if you are confused about which foods to pick and which to avoid, AMRI Hospitals have listed down a few monsoon health and diet tips to ensure that you do not get sick and enjoy it more.

1. Consume more fruits during the rainy season as they help to build the body's immune system and restore energy. Apple, pomegranates, mangoes, and pears are some of the best fruits you could eat. Try avoiding watermelons and muskmelons as they can lead to digestive problems.
2. Its always best advised to carry a bottle of water or your own drinking water wherever you go. Make sure that you build a habit on not depending on other sources to drink water as they may not be safe. Do not eat ice from outside and avoid drinking beverages like juices, buttermilk, etc from roadside vendors.
3. Swipe your cup of morning tea with milk, sugar, and cream with herbal teas. Chamomile tea, green tea, or even ginger or lemon tea are great options to opt for during monsoons. These teas help to improve digestion and also boost immunity. Along with herbal tea, drink lots and lots of water as it helps to flush out toxins from your system. Drinking water also helps to boost the digestive system.
4. Wash the fruits and vegetables thoroughly as soon as you bring them home from the market. You can even boil veggies such as green leafy vegetables as they are said to be the bearers of bacteria. Avoid buying fruits and vegetables that are pre-cut. As vegetables which are cut and kept in the open for a long time can easily catch bacteria and germs. Make sure they are cooked well before you consume them.
5. Make sure you wash your hands frequently and carry a sanitizer with you always. Your hands are the biggest infection carriers. Most diseases and illnesses spread easily due to poor hand hygiene. Sanitizers that include natural ingredients such as neem, coriander, lemon, and other natural products are your best bets as they are not harsh on the skin. Hand sanitizers will help to keep your hands clean and germ-free as well.
6. Rainy season brings with it a lot of infections. So, it's best to keep a check on any early symptom that occurs to ensure that you do not fall sick. If you experience symptoms such as a cough, cold, or fever then its best to meet your doctor and seek medical attention immediately.
7. Make sure that you engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity or exercise every day. Yoga, walking, jogging, or indoor gyming; do whatever you like but make sure that you sweat out the extra moisture and potentially harmful bacteria.
8. Personal hygiene during the rainy season is a must. If you get home drenched, get rid of the wet clothes immediately as keeping them on will increase the chances of catching a cold. Add disinfectants such as Dettol, Savlon, or Betadine to wash your hands, feet, and legs; as they help to keep germs and bacteria away and also to keep your skin clean and healthy.

AMRI Hospitals explain the benefits of a high fiber diet

Fiber (or roughage) is one of the most essential parts of our diet. It can be found in the indigestible compounds of cereals, fruits and vegetables. The experienced medics at AMRI Hospital Kolkata, one of the leading multi speciality hospitals in Kolkata highlight that dietary fiber is mainly made up of the indigestible parts of plants and is considered to be one of the most effective natural substances for preventing constipation. Due to its unique property of not being digestible, fiber passes relatively unchanged through our stomach and intestines. This helps in maintaining a healthy digestive system and combating all the issues related to it.

AMRI Hospital Kolkata believes that it is know the amount of dietary fiber needed by the body, the food products that contain it and the ways to include them to your daily meals. Here are some of the most effective ways to increase your daily intake of fiber:

• Include whole gains (a natural source of dietary fiber) in your diet. Whole wheat, barley, oats, rye, millet (ragi), oatmeal, brown rice and bulgur (lapsi) are considered to be a good source of fiber.
• Including fiber rich food in your breakfast is considered to be beneficial as it is the most important meal of the day.
• Fresh fruits like apples, prunes, pears and oranges, Whole grain crackers, ragi biscuits and apricots are the best options when it comes to fiber-rich food.
• Add the food products like Peas, beans and lentils which are a great source of fiber to your salads.
• Root vegetables and tubers, including onions and sweet potatoes are the healthiest sources of fiber.
• Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.

A high fiber diet offers wide-ranging benefits, such as:

• Helps in normalizing bowel movements.
• Helps in maintain bowel health.
• Lowers the risk of developing hemorrhoids and small pouches in your colon (diverticular disease).
• Fiber, particularly psyllium husk, is effective in removing yeast and fungus out of the body.
• Reduce the risk of gallstones and kidney stones.
• Fiber helps in providing relief from IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome)
• Plays a major role in combating diseases related to the colon.
• Helps in regulating the cholesterol levels.
• Improves blood sugar levels.
• Dietary fiber is effective in preventing colorectal cancer.
• It is effective in reducing the risk of diverticulitis – an inflammation of polyps in the intestine.
• Helps in maintaining healthy weight.

Keeping in mind the extensive benefits offered by fiber, it becomes imperative to ensure that you include it in your daily diet in adequate amount.

Genetic Screenings for enhancing success of IVF

When an individual or couple is considering starting a family, a helpful tool can be taking a universal carrier screening test. These tests look at a large list of common genetic conditions through a blood or saliva sample. The test looks to see whether there are changes in an individual’s DNA that increase the chance of having a child with that genetic condition. Most individuals are carriers for a handful of genetic conditions, even if there is no family history.

Carriers are not expected to have any significant health risks. If both parents are carriers for the same condition, there is a 1 in 4, or 25% chance of having a child with the condition. These test results can help individuals, or couples, make the right choice for them when it comes to starting their family.

What is Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)?

As per AMRI Hospitals “When a parent or parents carry a mutation that puts them at risk for having a child with a hereditary disorder, preimplantation testing of embryos can diagnose an embryo as affected or unaffected and embryos which do not carry the affected gene can be selected for transfer and this process is called PGD".

It can significantly reduce the chances of having an affected child. It is typically done on patients who have no difficulty conceiving. Many couples know that they are at risk due to a family member with the disease, but some patients may be silent carriers. Preconception carrier screening can help identify patients and couples at risk for having a baby with a common genetic syndrome.

What is Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS or CCS)?

Preimplantation Genetic Screening is different from PGD because it is done on patients who do not carry a known disease-causing mutation, but wish to reduce their chances of chromosomal imbalance which could lead to miscarriage or a baby with an extra or missing chromosome, such as Down’s syndrome. As women age, their eggs are at higher risk of carrying a missing or extra chromosome. 

Preimplantation genetic screening of embryos can include all 24 chromosomes and is, therefore, sometimes referred to as comprehensive chromosome screening (CCS).
PGS can be performed in conjunction with a standard IVF cycle in any couple, but is typically considered in patients where the female partner is over 35 years of age. An additional benefit of PGS is that in improves our ability to choose the healthier embryos in a cohort, achieving a high success rate with a single embryo transfer and reducing the risks of twin pregnancies.

6 Benefits of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

1. IVF works where other infertility treatments fail- In some cases, patients move through a range of fertility treatments before arriving at the IVF “station”: fertility medications, intrauterine insemination, and so on. However, there are certain infertility diagnoses that will cause your doctor to recommend IVF from the get-go so you don’t waste your time and money on fertility treatments that are less likely to work. As per AMRI Hospital some of the infertility diagnoses methods are blocked fallopian tubes, severe male infertility factor, reduced ovarian reserves and/or advanced maternal age (typically any woman over the age of 38) 
2. It can be used by anybody- In-vitro fertilization isn’t restricted to the mother of the baby, it can also be used by surrogate or gestational carriers so a range of people can become parents and participate in the pregnancy and labor experience. This includes same-sex couples, women who are physically unable to carry a baby full-term or single women, to name a few.
3. You can use donated eggs and/or sperm- There are times when a fertility specialist may recommend using donated eggs and/or sperm. In these cases, the egg can be manually fertilized in the clinic and a resulting, viable embryo can be used for IVF, which increases your chances of getting pregnant the first or second time around.
4. You have control over timing- Patients who are focused on their careers or who may have a unique life situation that affects exactly when they want their baby to be born will find that IVF gives them more overall control. Eggs or embryos can be cryopreserved for future use. You can then choose a window of time when you want to be pregnant – or when you want your baby to be born – counting backwards to determine the best time to proceed with IVF. IVF can also help with spacing children in a way that works best for your family.
5. Increase your chances of having a healthy baby- Genetic screening is a powerful new technology that helps to ensure your baby is born healthy. By utilizing genetic screening – called Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) or Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS) – you can ensure the fetuses used during IVF are free of known genetic markers. These can be linked to life-threatening medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, sickle cell anemia and Tay Sachs disease. The tests are not done arbitrarily but, rather, if the mother and/or father tests positively for these diseases or if there is a family history of serious genetically-linked diseases.
6. Increase your chances of conception- IVF with PGS has the highest success rate of all of the other assisted reproductive options. Multiple cycles can be used if necessary to increase a woman’s chances of fertilization, a healthy pregnancy and live birth.

3 Tips to prevent neck pain

Without knowing it, you may be encouraging neck pain by the way you perform everyday activities. How you carry yourself can invite neck pain or help keep it at bay. In general, try to keep your head balanced directly over your spine, so it is not leaning forward or cocked to one side. That's because your neck's principal job is to support your head, and your head weighs a lot—about 10 to 12 pounds.

Here are some hints from AMRI Hospitals consultants for achieving a healthy neck posture in common activities.

At the computer or desk

When working at your computer or at a desk, keep your head balanced directly over your spine as much as possible. That means setting your chair height so both your feet can rest on the ground, and sitting with your buttocks far back in your chair, using a small pillow to support your lower back if needed. Properly adjusting the keyboard and monitor may be difficult or impossible with a laptop, notebook, or tablet computer. You can plug in a separate, full-size keyboard to help you achieve better positioning. If that's not an option, placing your laptop or notebook computer on a desk of standard height and propping it to about a 12% incline (a one-inch book or ring binder should do the trick) keeps your head and neck in a healthier position. The downside is that it does place slightly more stress on your wrists.

No matter how perfect your office chair posture, it's important to get up and move around every half-hour, as prolonged sitting has been linked to worsening of neck pain and other health problems. If you tend to get lost in your work, program your computer to flash a reminder, or set an alarm on your smartphone. Stretching can help, too. Shrug your shoulders up and down or lean your head to each side while pulling the opposite shoulder down.

Telephone use

If you spend a lot of time on the phone, try to avoid leaning your head to one side. This is also important when you use a cellphone and aren't sitting at your desk while you speak. A headset, earbuds, or speakerphone are good options to help keep your head in a neutral position for hands-free talking. Headsets are available for both your desk phone and cellphone.

Reading at home

If you are sitting in a chair, try to maintain an upright posture. Hold the book so that you don't have to lean down or forward to see it. A pillow on your lap may help. If you must read in bed, sit up straight or use a specially designed wedge pillow. Or lie on your side with your neck straight and hold the book in front of you.

5 Tips To Improve Gut Health And Absorption Of Nutrients From Food

Our body needs nutrients to function ably. It needs anamalgamation of macronutrients that includes carbohydrates,proteins, fats, along with micronutrients like minerals and vitamins. Our body gets the necessary nourishment and energy when the food we eat is fragmented down during the digestive process. It is during this process that macronutrients like carbohydrates are further broken down to glucose for energy, and proteins are broken down into amino acids. We need nutrients from foods to function well. And to better absorb nutrients, we need a healthy gut. Read below to know tips on how to improve gut health and improve intestinal absorption of food.

Here are tips to improve gut flora and absorption of nutrients from food by AMRI Hospital‘s specialist :

1. Pack in variety
One must eat an assortment of foods to ensure wide-ranging variants of nutrients. Indulge in a rainbow diet once in a while or include a lot of colorful foods in your meals. You can pair up synergistic foods – foods combos that improve nutrient absorption. Pair up plant-based iron sources with foods rich in Vitamin C to increase iron absorption. Table wine paired with an animal protein leads to better zinc absorption. One needs Vitamin D for better calcium absorption. Include healthy fats in your diet for better absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like – A, D, E and K. Be careful though. Too much of good things have proven adverse effects. Identify the meals that help you better.

2. Nourish with probiotics

Your gut is home to many bacteria that work for you to upkeep many functions of your body, comprising but not limited to digestion. Nurture your gut with probiotic foods containing good bacteria that produce enzymes for better digestion. The good bacteria helps breakdown food to maximize intestinal absorption. Fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, pickles can help colonize your gut with the good bacteria to augment absorption of the nutrients.

3. Feed the good bacteria

Healthy gut bacteria helps in improving absorption and bioavailability of nutrients from food while keeping the toxic waste and bad bacteria out of your system. You can support the gut bacteria and the inner ecosystem by consuming glutamine-rich and prebiotic foods. Prebiotics are non-digestible food components that stimulate the growth of microbes in the digestive tract. Prebiotics are known to absorb iron, calcium and magnesium in a better way. They also give a boost to your immune system. Foods like garlic, onions, bananas, apples, and whole oats are some example of prebiotics. Apple cider vinegar is another example of prebiotic function food that is currently in vogue. All prebiotics are rich in fibre and feed probiotics to maintain a healthy gut and inner ecosystem.

4. Balanced lifestyle and medication
We live in times where stress is synonymous with life. Stress is known to hamper the digestive process and can have a detrimental effect on nutrient absorption. Stress releases cortisol which slows down digestion. Being calm helps with the release of important digestive enzymes, muscle relaxation, and healthy gut bacteria; all of which promote more nutrient absorption. Make sure to avoid tea or coffee close to meal timings as they can interfere with the absorption of nutrients like iron and hormones like levothyroxine.

5. Stay hydrated

It is no doubt that water is important for life and to all living beings. Our body is made up of 60% of water. Water is also important to carry out important digestive functions. Stay hydrated so the digestive system can transport and absorb nutrients more efficiently.

What is Rheumatology?

Rheumatology represents a subspecialty in internal medicine and pediatrics, which is devoted to adequate diagnosis and therapy of rheumatic diseases (including clinical problems in joints, soft tissues, heritable connective tissue disorders, vasculitis and autoimmune diseases). This field is multidisciplinary in nature, which means it relies on close relationships with other medical specialties.

The specialty of rheumatology has undergone a myriad of noteworthy advances in recent years, especially if we consider the development of state-of-the-art biological drugs with novel targets, made possible by rapid advances in the basic science of musculoskeletal diseases and improved imaging techniques.

Rheumatology is a broad discipline that covers the non-surgical management of disorders involving the musculoskeletal system. A myriad of different pathophysiological processes (such as abnormalities in biochemical pathways, degeneration, trauma, autoimmunity and inflammation) underpin the diseases of this system.

There are more than 200 specific rheumatic diseases known today which span from various types of arthritis to osteoporosis, and on to systemic connective tissue diseases. As per AMRI hospital‘s specialist the first disorders to be defined were rheumatoid arthritis, gout and osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis represents a common autoimmune disorder associated with progressive disability, potential systemic complications, early death, and concomitant socioeconomic costs. It has been reported that this disease affects up to 1% of the adult population of developed regions around the world.

Akin to many autoimmune diseases, the etiology of rheumatoid arthritis is multifactorial. The disease is characterized by inflammatory pathways and overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines that cause proliferation of synovial cells in joints. Ensuing pannus formation often leads to underlying cartilage destruction and bony erosions.

Patients with this disease typically present with stiffness and pain in multiple joints. Commonly involved structures are wrists, as well as proximal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints. Patients often present with morning stiffness and systemic symptoms of fatigue, low-grade fever and weight loss. Increased mortality is due to accelerated cardiovascular disease, particularly in patients with high disease activity and chronic inflammation.

Gout
Gout is a specific type of inflammatory arthritis triggered by the deposition of monosodium urate crystals in synovial fluid and other tissues. This rheumatologic condition is often associated with hyperuricemia, serious comorbidity and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The definitive diagnosis of gout demands microscopic identification of monosodium urate crystals.

Two clinical phases of gout are commonly observed. Intermittent acute gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis, characterized by the abrupt onset of severe joint pain (classically the first metatarsophalangeal joint), swelling and erythema, with asymptomatic periods between attacks. If hyperuricemia is not treated satisfactorily, transition to the second phase which manifests as chronic tophaceous gout can ensue.

Recognized triggers for recurrent flares are alcohol intake, diuretic use, hospitalization and surgery. The patient should understand that sugar-sweetened drinks and large amount of meat or seafood may contribute to elevated urate levels, therefore such episodes should be minimized. Management should be tailored to the stage of disease and eventual coexisting illnesses.

Other diseases
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) represents chronic and potentially debilitating autoimmune inflammatory disease that is commonly encountered in women of childbearing age. Although any organ system can be affected, clinical symptoms are usually musculoskeletal, dermatologic, renal and hematologic. The disease can be mild or life-threatening, depending on the organs involved.

Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic condition of the joints, with an associated risk of mobility disability for patients with affected knees being greater than that due to any other medical condition in people aged 65 years of age or older. The societal burden of this rheumatologic disorder is expected to increase as obesity level soars and the community becomes increasingly older.

The inflammatory myopathies represent a heterogeneous group of subacute, chronic or acute acquired diseases of striated muscle. On the basis of unique clinical, immunological, histopathological and demographic features, they are differentiated into three major subsets: dermatomyositis, polymiositis and inclusion body myositis.

Arthritis is also the most frequent, but least specific manifestation of rheumatic fever. Other diseases in rheumatology include spondyloarthropathies, Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic sclerosis, various forms of vasculitis, and a plethora of congenital and familial disorders that affect different joints.

What is the difference between cardiothoracic and cardiovascular surgery?

Cardiothoracic surgery is the field involved in surgical treatment of organs inside the thorax and heart (heart disease) and lungs. Cardiovascular surgery is same as cardiothoracic surgery but sometimes it may be performed without a cut in the chest divider, for example, angioplasty, stent situation and others. That is reliant upon expertise and experience of the specialist, offices and gear accessibility, quiet condition and different variables

Providing top notch cardiac care backed by the latest technologies at AMRI Hospital Kolkata –

Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery

They perform Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery under one roof with most advanced Cardiac ITU and Cardiac OTs.

• All kinds of Adult and Paediatric Heart surgeries
• Major Lung Surgeries
• Emergency and elective Vascular Surgery of major vessels

Urology Diseases & Conditions

What is Urology

Urology is the field of medicine that focuses on the urinary tract and the male genital organs.

The urinary tract consists of the:

• kidneys
• bladdert
• ureters
• urethra

The organs covered by urology include the:

• kidneys
• ureters
• urinary bladder
• urethra
• male reproductive organs (testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate and penis)

Urology is a surgical speciality and can trace its origin to medieval lithologists, who specialized in surgical removal of bladder stones. Today, urology combines management of medical (i.e. non-surgical) problems such as urinary infections and surgical problems such as the correction of congenital abnormalities and the surgical management of cancers.

At AMRI Hospitals understand that urological disorders can be inconvenient and embarrassing at the same time for most patients. Main objective is to make patients aware about various disorders and help them manage the same. Managing these disorders early will ensure that the patients can be treated without surgery or in a minimally invasive way.

The advantage of digital dentistry and its benefits

What is digital dentistry?
Digital dentistry refers to the introduction of new technology into the dental practice. Most medical fields have begun to digitise: digital medical records and online appointment setting are some of the most common examples, as they are often used directly by the patients themselves. Digital dentistry can refer to the practice of using technology in terms of dental practice websites and social media, but it also refers to the development of new tools and the replacement of outdated techniques to improve overall patient experience and outcomes.

Advantages –

1. More reliable results
This is a definite advantage guaranteed by the advanced mechanical effects regarding accuracy and reliability. With Digital, both laboratories and dentists can make more informed decisions about treatment and options, resulting in more and more success. Also, the likelihood of expensive and time-consuming remakes is lower with digital impressions.
2. More Quickly
It’s a decisive advantage if the turnaround between the lab and the dentists is significantly higher than before. This leads to a faster implementation of the procedure, less pain for the patient and a higher patient resumption for the dentist. Both for the patient and for the dentist results in enormous time savings. Efficient treatment can be administered.

3. Overall better patient experience
Having a tooth problem is not only painful, but it can also affect your everyday life. Also, taking medications to correct a particular problem results in a prolonged condition that may not be best for the patient. Even frequent trips with little things to the dentist can be time-consuming and costly. If you go the digital path, all these challenges will be eliminated, resulting in the patient having an excellent overall experience and being successful. The quality of the implant increases overall and leads to a permanent adaptation.

AMRI hospitals has acquired great reputation over the years of being experts at handling all kinds of dental complexities. They are equipped with a highly experienced team of dentists and dental surgeons who are well-supported by a trained team of staff and associates.

They offer extensive dental services across our different units which covers all aspects like Oral & Maxillofacial surgery, Orthodontics, Conservative dentistry & Endodontics, implant dentistry, Paediatric Dentistry, General Dentistry, etc.

The AMRI medical centre at Southern Avenue is a centre of excellence in advanced cosmetic and digital dentistry. This unit is renowned for being equipped with latest generation equipment and state-of-the-art infrastructure. This unit has provision for numerous specialty clinics like oral medicine, implant clinic, lock-jaw clinic, gum diseases, screening clinic, pregnancy & diabetic dental clinic. A few major facility highlights of the unit include:

• 3D CT SCAN

This is a special CT scan for dentistry which allows a more informed diagnosis of dental problems by producing a three dimensional image that is more detailed & informative than a normal CT scan.

• HARD TISSUE LASER

This is a highly developed minimally invasive painless & bloodless procedure used for cancer surgery. AMRI was the first to offer this facility in the private sector in Eastern India.

• DIGITAL SMILE DESIGN

This particular dental treatment procedure addresses and corrects jaws that are poorly aligned and teeth that are worn out, missing, broken or misaligned. Full mouth rehabilitation ensures smiles that are beautiful, but at the same time healthy and functional.

• ORTHODONTICS (Visible & Invisible)

Braces offer a permanent and natural tooth alignment while preserving the jaw tooth-gum relationship. Patients need not worry about ugly metal wires any longer because of the clear or tooth coloured options that are available today.

• IMPLANT DENTISTRY

We have a specialized implant centre – where we put titanium lifelong implants which replaces the missing tooth, not hampering the adjacent tooth and mimics original tooth, with biting strength of 98% of the original tooth. It is a safe procedure done in a safe area which is completely fumigated and where complete sterilization is maintained.

What is a Neonatologist? |PAEDIATRICS & NEONATOLOGY|

A neonatologist specializes in caring for premature babies and full-term newborn babies with injuries, illness, or birth defects. Neonatologists typically work in hospital neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and collaborate with other healthcare providers, including obstetrician-gynecologists, pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, nurses, nutritionists, and social workers.

A neonatologist typically:

• Examines the newborn baby and evaluates his or her medical history including the mom’s medical history before and during pregnancy
• Provides primary healthcare services and immunizations in the hospital
• Orders and interprets laboratory and imaging tests
• Diagnoses and treats diseases and conditions affecting a newborn baby’s health
• Assesses growth and development
• Prescribes medications
• Educates the baby’s parents or caretakers about wellness and disease prevention
• Consults with other members of the patient’s medical and team
• Provides ongoing neonatal care in the hospital NICU
• Neonatologists may also be known by the following names: baby doctor, newborn pediatrician, newborn doctor, newborn intensive care doctor, and NICU doctor.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at AMRI Hospital

AMRI Neonatal facility with 26 beds is the largest in Eastern India’s private sector hospitals, with full range of acute care facility that offers unique therapies & services. A few salient features about our NICU include:

• Advanced Neonatal therapies like HFOV,Whole body cooling for HIE
• Dedicated Neonatal Emergency Transport Services
• Latest open care systems & incubators (GE Giraffe Omnibed)
• Neonatal specific Ventilators
• ABPM (Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring)
• Comprehensive Care of Extremely Preterm (less than 28 weeks & less than 1000 gm) & critically ill babies.
• 24 hrs Emergency Care
• Isolation unit for potentially septic neonates
• Laminar Flow to prepare TPN
• Cerebral Function Monitors (CFM)

For more info visit here :  https://www.amrihospitals.in/specialty/paediatrics-neonatology?q=node/40&show=1