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.

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.

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).

10 Foods That Are Good for Your Liver

The liver is a powerhouse of an organ.

It performs a variety of essential tasks, ranging from producing proteins, cholesterol and bile to storing vitamins, minerals and even carbohydrates.

It also breaks down toxins like alcohol, medications and natural by products of metabolism. Keeping your liver in good shape is important for maintaining health.

This article lists the 5 best foods to eat to keep your liver healthy.

1. Coffee
Coffee is one of the best beverages you can drink to promote liver health.

2. Tea
Tea is widely considered to be beneficial for health, but evidence has shown that it may have particular benefits for the liver.

3. Grapefruit
Grapefruit contains antioxidants that naturally protect the liver. The two main antioxidants found in grapefruit are naringenin and naringin.

4. Blueberries and Cranberries
Blueberries and cranberries both contain anthocyanins, antioxidants that give berries their distinctive colors. They’ve also been connected to many health benefits, suggested by AMRI Hospitals.

5. Grapes
Grapes, especially red and purple grapes, contain a variety of beneficial plant compounds. The most famous one is resveratrol, which has a number of health benefits.

6. Prickly Pear
Prickly pear, known scientifically as Opuntia ficus-indica, is a popular type of edible cactus. Its fruit and juice are most commonly consumed.

7. Beetroot Juice
Beetroot juice is a source of nitrates and antioxidants called betalains, which may benefit heart health and reduce oxidative damage and inflammation.

8. Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli and mustard greens are known for their high fiber content and distinctive taste. They are also high in beneficial plant compounds.

9. Nuts
Nuts are high in fats, nutrients including the antioxidant vitamin E — and beneficial plant compounds.

10. Fatty Fish
Fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are healthy fats that reduce inflammation and have been associated with a lower risk of heart disease.

Your liver is an important organ with many essential functions.

Therefore, it makes sense to do what you can to protect it, and the foods listed above have demonstrated beneficial effects on the liver.

These include lowering the risk of liver disease and cancer, raising antioxidant and detoxification enzyme levels and offering protection from harmful toxins.

Incorporating these foods into your diet is a natural and healthy way to keep your liver functioning at its best.

AMRI Hospitals introduced Free Bike Ambulance Services in Bhubaneswar, Odisha

One of the premier private healthcare providers in Eastern India, AMRI Hospitals, Bhubaneswar, has introduced Free Bike Ambulance Service for the first time in the region. These two-wheeler ambulances will offer fast access to lifesaving equipment, bridging the gap between quick response and timely medical aid with patients in need.

With the help of these ambulances, early intervention in case of emergencies like heart attack, trauma, stroke and accident will help in saving precious lives. Handled by trained paramedics, each bike ambulance is fully equipped to stabilize road traffic accidents on the spot. These bikes are not only helpful in reducing the response time as compared to the four wheelers, but can also initiate treatment at home in case of medical emergencies.

The four-wheeler ambulances often get stuck in the traffic and fail to reach on time, thereby increasing the response time. During medical emergencies, every second is important for the well-being of a patient. The bike ambulances can zip through the traffic and save significant time during an emergency.

All units of AMRI Hospitals have always been on the forefront of innovations related to healthcare facilities. These hospitals come up with new advancements to enhance patient care services.  Social media campaigns and awareness programs are repeatedly launched on different occasions by AMRI Hospitals Bhubaneswar to educate the people about new technologies and the prevailing diseases.

The Bike Ambulance Service launched by AMRI Hospitals is expected to cater to the emergency needs of the people in Bhubaneswar and provide quick and efficient care within a short span of time. This concept has already gained a lot of popularity in other parts of the world, and is expected to operate with great success in the eastern region.

Kidney Diseases – A Few Misconceptions & Facts

The world kidney day (WKD) this year is on 14th March 2019, and the theme for this year is Kidney Health for Everyone Everywhere.The global burden of kidney related problems is very huge and nearly 850 million people world wide are now estimated to have kidney diseases from various causes. There are so many misconceptions related to kidney problems amongst the ordinary people. Therefore we will take this occasion to uncover a few misconceptions related to kidney disease and clarify with factual information for the ordinary people.

Dialysis once performed, will always be required subsequently.

Actually it depends on the underlying cause of kidney failure. Acute kidney failure is of short duration and and mostly a  reversible type of kidney failure.Most of the patients of acute kidney failure  who need dialysis for a short period rarely require dialysis in the long run. Their kidney functions returns to normal after treatment of the cause behind the acute kidney failure. Delay in dialysis because of fear of permanent dialysis can be life threatening in such cases.Only Chronic kidney disease causes a progressive and irreversible type of kidney failure and in chronic kidney disease stage 5 (End Stage Kidney Disease) lifelong dialysis support is required.

Dialysis can cure kidney failure.

No, dialysis does not cure kidney failure. Dialysis is an appropriate

and life saving treatment in kidney failure. It carries out the function that kidney is no longer capable of doing, such as  removal of waste toxic products, excess water and corrects electrolytes as well as acid base disturbances. Dialysis keeps patient asymptomatic, fit and  healthy in spite of severe kidney failure.

Once a kidney disease occurs it cannot be cured .

Actually all kidney diseases are not incurable.Many kidney diseases can be cured with early diagnosis and treatment. Treatment started early often slows or halts the progression of kidney diseases.

 Kidney failure can occur even if one kidney fails.

Fortunately people do not have any problem if one kidney fails completely, and in such cases, value of blood urea and serum creatinine in blood tests are usually normal.But when both kidneys fail, toxic  products accumulate in the body and the raised level of blood urea and serum creatinine in blood test suggests kidney failure. Actually kidney failure occurs only when both kidneys fail.

Presence of oedema (swelling of body) suggests kidney failure.

No, oedema can occur due to many diseases, such as heart ,liver ,thyroid and kidney diseases etc.Sometimes in certain kidney diseases oedema is present, but kidney function is totally normal (e.g. nephrotic syndrome).

If there is no oedema (swelling of body, there is no kidney failure.

Oedema may be present in majority of patients with kidney failure, but not in all. A few patients do not have oedema even in advance stage of kidney failure. So the absence of oedema does not rule out kidney failure.

All patients with kidney failure have a reduced amount of urination.

Some times in early stages of kidney failure the urine output quantity may be still normal, but the serum creatinine may be higher than normal values. Only in advanced stages of kidney failure,urination decreases.

Drinking  a large amount of water prevents against kidney failure ?

Actually requirement of water varies from person to person ,and people should drink water according to their thirst and according to seasonal requirements and avoid excessive dehydration . Only patients suffering from stone disease and urinary tract infection with normal renal function are advised to drink a large amount of water. Those with reduced urine output due kidney failure are advised for water restriction.

Since there are no symptoms there is no kidney problem underlying?

Unfortunately in early stages, only clue to detecting underlying problem is getting urea and creatinine tests in blood, as most patients otherwise may have no clear symptoms.

Kidneys are normal if serum creatinine level is slightly above normal?

In early stages, chronic kidney disease is usually asymptomatic, and increased value of serum creatinine may be the only clue of underlying kidney disease. Serum creatinine level of 2 mg/dl means over 50% of kidney function is already lost, which is significant.Treatment under the care of a nephrologist at this stage of chronic kidney disease helps to preserve kidney function for a very long time.When serum creatinine level is 4.0 mg/dl, it means 45% of kidney function is lost. This value suggests seriously impaired kidney function.Proper treatment at this stage is beneficial to delay disease progression .When serum creatinine level is 8 mg/dl, it means nearly 85% of kidney function is lost and this value suggests end stage kidney disease. Most of the patients need dialysis or transplant at this stage.

A woman can not get pregnant and give childbirth after having transplantation?

A woman who has had a kidney transplant usually has more regular periods and better general health. Therefore, it is easier for her to get pregnant and have a child. However, pregnancy is not recommended for at least one year after the transplant, even with stable kidney function. In some cases, pregnancy is not recommended because of risk to the mother’s life or possible loss of the transplant.

Women after kidney donation can not give child birth and men lose their sexual function?

Kidney donation is very safe and there is no effect on health and sexual function. Kidney donors live a normal life including marital life and childbirth

Dr Sukant Kishore Das ,DM

Senior Consultant Nephrologist and Kidney transplant physician

AMRI Hospitals, Best Hospital in Bhubaneswar

Recovering and Coping Up After Diagnosis of a Heart Disease – AMRI Hospitals

Life isn’t the same once you’re diagnosed with heart disease. You’re likely to undergo various types of emotional distress or behavioural changes. These changes not only affect your emotional state but can also have an impact on the symptoms of the disease, say cardiologists at AMRI Hospitals, one of the best hospitals in Eastern India.

A number of questions, confusion, uncertainty and even fear, are common for anyone undergoing a treatment for heart disease. Listed below are some of most common concerns:

How soon can I get back to my regular activities?

It is quite common for a patient to be eager to get back to his/her daily routine after spending a lot of time at the hospital during the treatment. However, the amount of time you need to wait, depends on your everyday routine and the overall condition of your heart, say cardiologists at AMRI Hospital, Kolkata. It is important to start slowly, giving enough time to your heart for recoveriy. One should not return to any kind of physical activity without consulting the doctor.

Is it normal to feel depressed?

Patients suffering from any kind of heart disease tend to go through a number of emotions, especially during the first six months after diagnosis. Thus, it is quite normal to feel depressed or have anxiety issues. According to health experts at AMRI Hospital, these feelings begin to pass with time. The hospital offers the best cardiac hospital in Kolkata.

Is it normal to have chest pain after a heart attack?

People who have had a heart attack are at a higher risk of suffering from another one. A light pain or pressure on your chest is quite common, especially after a physical task, intense emotion or consuming a heavy meal. However, there are a number of exercises and medications, which are effective in relieving the pain.

What lifestyle changes can help in preventing heart attacks?

A few changes in your lifestyle can lead to a major impact on your heart heath. All you need is a firm will power to follow them. Listed below are some of the most effective ones:

1) Keep a check on your diet

2) Don’t smoke or consume tobacco

3) Be physically active. Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day

4) Maintain a healthy body weight

5) Keep a check on your blood cholesterol level

6) Ensure enough quality sleep

Cardiologists at AMRI Hospital advise patients to keep a check on the levels of cholesterol, blood pressure, triglycerides, and Body Mass Index (BMI) (This seems redundant since all the points are otherwise mentioned in the list)

Visit https://www.amrihospitals.in/amri-enquire-now/ for any enquiry and best treatment options!

Abdominal Sagging After Pregnancy: Causes And Treatment

Diastasis Recti / Recti Split/ Abdominal separation

Diastasis Recti is a disorder usually seen in ladies during and post pregnancy. It is defined as the separation of the rectus abdominis muscle into right and left halves. Normally the two sides of the muscle are joined at the linea alba (a fibrous structure that runs down the midline of abdomen) at the midline of the body. (Tupler Techniques, 2013)

Diastasis of the muscle occurs:

• In newborn, when the abdomen is not fully developed. Usually seen with pre-mature births.
• In pregnancy or postpartum women due to stretching of the rectus abdominis by the growing uterus. It occurs more commonly in multiparous women (carrying more than one foetus) due to episodes of stretching of uterus.
• Women are more likely to develop diastasis recti when above the age of 35, high birth weight of the child, multiple pregnancies, and multiple birth pregnancies.
• Additional causes can be due to excessive abdominal exercises during the first trimester for pregnancy.

Signs & Symptoms:

• Excessive abdominal sagging
• A persistent gap between the rectus abdominis muscle (3 finger space or more)
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal discomfort.
• Umbilicus protrusion.
• Flabby abdomen.

Treatment:

• It is one of the most commonly seen disorders, often mis-diagnosed as umbilical hernia.
• Adequate manual testing and physiotherapy exercises are proven to be most effective.

Exercises like:
– Core contractions
– Seated squeeze
– Head lift
– Upright push up
– Squats against the wall
– Kegels exercise are proven to be most effective

Consult doctors at Amri Hospitals, best gynecologist in kolkata for normal delivery

Types of Heart Surgery

The cardiac surgery program at Amri Hospitals 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

AMRI Hospitals introduce special health packages to celebrate 5 years of comprehensive healthcare

AMRI Hospitals, Bhubaneswar celebrates 5 glorious years of excellence in healthcare. We sincerely thank the people of Odisha for their faith in us and for choosing us as one of the Top Hospitals in Eastern India.

On account of our 5th Anniversary we have introduced Special Health Packages of Angiography, Angioplasty, CABG, Single Valve Replacement, Knee Replacement, Hip Replacement, Ortho Cardiac Package(Vit D, RA, UA, RBS, CBC, ESR X-Ray & consultation). https://bit.ly/2RrgXak

Book your appointment today,Call : +91 9937877774 AMRICare

Visit Amri Hospital Bhubaneswar

First Trimester : 8 Weeks Pregnant Symptoms

At 8 weeks pregnant, you’re wrapping up your second month of pregnancy. And while you may not be showing yet, being pregnant is probably finally starting to feel real to you; like most women, you may have your first prenatal appointment right around now. At this visit an ultrasound may be performed to determine how far along you are. You may even hear—and see—baby’s heartbeat. How cool is that?

How Big is Baby at 8 Weeks?

During week 8 of your pregnancy, baby is as big as a raspberry and weighs about .04 ounces and measures about .63 inches. Baby’s growing about a millimeter each day.

8 Weeks Pregnant is How Many Months?

You are almost 2 months pregnant at 8 weeks.

8 WEEKS PREGNANT SYMPTOMS

Wondering what stinks? Probably ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. Your hormones are doing some wild things at week eight, giving you a superhuman-like sense of smell and making your stomach do flip-flops. At eight weeks pregnant, there are a host of pregnancy symptoms you could experience, (don’t get us started on those wacky pregnancy dreams!) including:

• Sore breasts. Your breasts may feel bigger, heavier, and let’s face it, sore. That’s because milk-producing lobules in your breasts are starting to expand. It’s all for a good reason: they’re prepping for breastfeeding.
• Fatigue.  As your hormones fluctuate, your body produces more blood for baby, and your blood pressure and blood sugar levels are lower than they were pre-pregnancy. The best fix? Get more sleep. We know it sounds easier than it really is, but make it your number one priority to get to bed early or to sneak in a nap or four on the weekends.
• Morning sickness. Nausea could be really strong at 8 weeks, again related to those pregnancy hormones. Stay hydrated and graze on healthy snacks throughout the day. If you’re experiencing severe pregnancy nausea at 8 weeks, it might be tough to keep food down , let alone eat right, so finding options you can actually stomach is key. Some moms-to-be swear by ginger, Vitamin B-6, and acupressure wristbands to help with morning sickness—all worth a shot.
• Heightened sense of smell. Along with morning sickness comes another fun symptom: an uncanny sense of smell. Catching a whiff of an offensive odor—perhaps something that’s totally innocuous or never bothered you before—could trigger nausea, so it’s best to try to avoid the smells you’ve become sensitive to.
• Pregnancy cramps. At 8 weeks pregnant, cramping is normal. That’s because the ligaments in your abdomen are stretching as your uterus expands. If your cramping is severe or you’re worried in any way, let your doctor know.
• Constipation. If you’re having trouble going number two, you’re not alone. Constipation during pregnancy happens to about 50 percent of us. To deal, drink lots of water, eat fiber-rich fruits and veggies, and take lots of walks. If you’re still stopped up, talk to your doctor about other remedies.
• Weird dreams. If you’re having vivid and strange dreams, guess what, they’re totally normal throughout pregnancy. It’s not clear what causes these dreams—it could partly be due to new thoughts and anxieties. You’ve certainly got a lot on your mind these days!
• Spotting. It can be alarming to find that you’re spotting at 8 weeks pregnant because, yes, blood can be a sign of miscarriage. But there are some other causes of spotting in the first trimester, including sex (since your cervix may be more sensitive these days). Let your doctor know, so s/he can rule out any problems.

If you’re 8 weeks pregnant with twins, you may feel extra tired and nauseous, since you’ve likely got a higher level of those pregnancy hormones—needed to create two babies.

Remember: if you’re feeling nauseated, extra hungry, or extra tired, it’s all because baby’s growth is in overdrive—and because your body’s still adjusting to all those hormonal changes. Try to remind yourself it will be worth it. (Especially once you reach the second trimester, when most moms-to-be bounce back and feel more energized.)

Also, know that no pregnancy symptoms at 8 weeks is totally normal too. So don’t worry if you’re not feeling too different yet. We promise—soon you will!

8 WEEKS PREGNANT BELLY

Wondering if your belly is the right size at this stage? At 8 weeks pregnant, showing a bit is normal, but not showing is too! That’s because every mom and baby are different. Know that inside your 8 weeks pregnant belly, your uterus is expanding, but it just takes longer for some to show it on the outside. If, say, you’re 8 weeks pregnant with twins, it may be easier to tell you’re pregnant than it is to tell a singleton mom is expecting at this point.

Starting in the second trimester, your OB will likely begin measuring your pregnant belly, but for now, size really doesn’t matter. Healthy weight gain in the first trimester is about one to two pounds each week, so at 8 weeks pregnant, you may have gained as much as 4 to 6 pounds. If you’ve been dealing with morning sickness though, you may have gained next to nothing—and that’s okay too. Let your doctor know if you have any concerns about your weight gain or belly size.

You might have your first prenatal checkup around this time (aka, an 8-week pregnancy appointment), and if you do, you may get to catch a glimpse of your 8-week fetus on the ultrasound. Cue the awwws: you might be surprised to see baby’s arms and legs moving around like crazy in there. You can’t feel it yet, but it’s really happening!

At week 8 of pregnancy, baby’s fingers and toes are now only slightly webbed, and his or her tail (yes, there was one) is gone. Fun fact: baby’s taste buds are now forming, gearing up for his or her first meals.

At your first prenatal appointment, you’ll likely have your blood drawn so your doctor can run tests. Your doctor will want to know your blood type and whether it’s Rh positive or negative (because if you’re negative and baby’s positive, you’ll need medication to prevent complications). Your hormone levels and red and white blood cell levels will also be checked to be sure they’re normal. Your blood will also be screened for Hepatitis B, STDs, HIV, and certain immunities.

You’ll also get a pap smear to check for infections and abnormalities. And get ready to pee in a cup, because at this appointment—and likely every appointment—you’ll have to give a urine sample, so your glucose and protein levels can be monitored to rule out gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, respectively. Welcome to your new normal!

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Obesity can cause infertility, cancer and more: Treatments, weight loss tips for people with different BMI

Obesity is a very complex and multifactorial disease in which a person has excess body fat. Although overeating and poor lifestyle usually are the main causes of weight gain, one’s genes and body metabolism also play a very important role. Obese people may find it very difficult to lose weight and even more difficult to sustain weight loss.

Obesity is considered the root cause of many serious health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac problems, arthritis, sleep disorders, infertility and increased chances of cancer. Health experts say every 10 kilos of extra weight reduces an individual’s life by three years. This means, if someone is overweight by 50 kgs, he or she might end up losing 15 years of life.

Stages of obesity

There are several stages of obesity which are determined by your Body Mass Index (BMI) level.

• If your BMI is more than 25, you are overweight.
• But if your BMI is more than 30, you are definitely obese.
• For most adults, if a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 means you’re a healthy weight.

The good news is that one can lose 20-30 kgs of excess body weight by supervised diet plans and lifestyle modifications. However, if one needs to lose more than that, then weight loss surgery can be considered. Consultation with an obesity expert is a must for proper assessment and management of the condition.

Health risks of obesity and benefits of weight loss

Obesity has been linked to a number of serious health problems, including heart ailments, diabetes, arthritis, respiratory problems, certain cancers, etc. In this article, Dr Pradeep Chowbey, Chairman of Max Institute of Minimal Access, Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and Executive Vice-Chairman, Max Healthcare, New Delhi, who is an authority on this subject matter, shared some insightful knowledge on this life-threatening condition and its impact and correlation with other conditions.

Obesity and Diabetes: Obese patients have very high chances of developing diabetes. This condition is termed as DIABESITY. In fact, more than 60% of diabetic patients are obese. The severity of obesity directly affects diabetes management. It is scientifically documented that weight loss significantly helps in resolving this condition.

Obesity and Heart diseases: If one is overweight or obese, he/she can develop hypertension and atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of arteries because of deposition of plaque which restricts the flow of blood to the heart), which puts one at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Obesity and Joint problems: Anyone who is 10 kgs overweight has approximately 40% extra pressure on knees. Hence, overweight people are at much greater risk of developing arthritis. With damaged joints and excess pressure due to weight, the problem becomes even worse. Knee replacements in obese people are not recommended and if done, are not very successful as the artificial joints are not able to bear the excess body weight.

Obesity and Sleeping disorders: With excess fat accumulation, especially around the neck and trunk area, there is difficulty in breathing. Most morbidly obese patients suffer from obstructive sleep apnea and complain of daytime sleepiness and breathing difficulty coupled with snoring at night. Patients diagnosed with severe sleep apnea are often advised to use supportive equipment. Even a 10% decrease in weight improves sleep apnea significantly.

Obesity and Fertility issues: Obesity is known to cause menstrual irregularities or sometimes even absence of ovulation. The chances of conception decrease and even the fertility treatments are unlikely to work. Moreover, there are increased chances of miscarriage and perinatal complications. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a risk factor for infertility, and obese women are three times more likely to suffer from infertility than women who have a normal body mass index. Obese women take longer to conceive than women in the normal weight range and even on conception, they have a higher risk of pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, developing diabetes and chances of premature birth. The likelihood of cesarean sections also increases which put the mother and the baby at high risk.

Association of obesity with cancer: In the current scenario considering the trends, obesity may overtake tobacco as the leading cause of cancer. Moreover, obesity also adversely affects the efficacy of cancer treatment. Obesity is associated with increased risks of these cancer types – oesophagus, pancreas, colon and rectum, breast (after menopause), endometrium (lining of the uterus), kidney, thyroid and gallbladder.

Causes of weight gain and obesity

With increased consumption of junk and packaged foods and the unhealthy lifestyle pattern, not only the millennials but children are also falling prey to obesity. In fact, childhood obesity is a major health concern that India is struggling with today. The most worrisome fact is that 80% of these obese children grow up into obese adults.

A survey by Max Healthcare, conducted in Delhi-NCR, reveals that at least 40% of children (5-9-year-olds), teens (10-14-year-olds) and adolescents (15-17-year-olds) in the region are overweight or obese. The survey further delves into insights from about 1000 parents of overweight and obese children and adolescents, which reveals 84% of girls and 82% of boys are physically and emotionally affected by their body weight issues.

Interestingly, out of a range of factors leading to obesity overeating (72%) followed by genetic reasons (40%) and unmonitored food habits (33.5%) are the leading factors of weight gain.

• Over 75% of young children gain weight due to overeating
• More girls gain weight due to overeating (75%) and unmonitored eating habits (40.8%) in comparison to boys (69.1% and 26% respectively)

How to prevent obesity

Obesity exposes children to serious health issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and depression from a very early stage. On this, Dr Chowbey further provided us with the prevention and treatment measures for the condition.

Gaining knowledge about the disease, its causes and associated risks right from childhood is imperative. It is essential to sensitize the school authorities, parents and children about the Body Mass Index (BMI) and monitor it regularly.

Treatment and weight loss tips for obese people with different BMI

Lifestyle modifications: For people who are overweight i.e., with BMI above 27.5 kg/m2 with any obesity-related medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, etc., or people who are obese i.e. with BMI above 32.5 kg/m2 without any obesity-related medical condition, dietary changes and lifestyle modifications including an exercise regime help the patient to reach their normal BMI..

Surgical intervention: For people, who fall in the morbidly obese category, i.e. BMI > 37.5 kg/m2 with or without obesity-related medical conditions or BMI > 32.5 kg/m2 with obesity-related medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep disorders, joint pains etc., surgical intervention is advised.

Understanding your body weight is a crucial step towards gauging your health and undertake suitable preventive measures and treatments to prevent yourself from falling in the trap of obesity.

Natural Blood Purifiers: 8 Foods You Must Add To Your Daily Diet To Purify Blood

Your blood is responsible for a lot of things; ranging from transporting oxygen, hormones, sugar, fats and cells to your immune system to cleansing your body system and further keep it moving. Toxins are stored in our body on a daily basis through certain types of foods, pollution and stress among other factors. Detoxification process boosts the immune system, improves the skin and regulates healthy changes. While your lungs, kidneys and liver do a great job of purifying your blood naturally, there are foods that may make the job slightly easier. Before that, we’d like to bring your attention towards why it is important to detoxify and cleanse blood:

• You will be less prone to skin problems like acne, blemishes and dry and unhealthy skin, all of which indicate impurities present in the blood.
• Blood cleansing also helps eliminate the risk of various health and skin conditions that are caused by impure blood, which include allergies, headaches, nausea, et al.
• A healthy blood supply impacts major organs and their functions. Kidneys, heart, liver, lungs and lymphatic system are all dependant on a healthy blood count.
• Blood cleansing is important for uninterrupted transportation of gases like carbon dioxide and oxygen to and from the lungs and the rest of the body.
• Blood purification process helps to regulate your body’s pH value, water balance and temperature.
• Healthy blood contains white blood cells that help minimise blood loss from an injury and ensure a healthy platelet count.
  

  Here are foods that may help stimulate the blood purification process:

  1. Broccoli
  Broccoli is said to be one of the best natural blood purifiers that helps remove toxins from the body. This veggie comes loaded with calcium, vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fibre, potassium, manganese, phosphorus and glucosinolates. Regular consumption of broccoli ensures loading up on antioxidants that help detoxify blood and boost the immunity system. Toss it in your salads and include it in your everyday delicacies. Here’s how you can include more broccoli in your diet.
  2. Fresh Fruits
  Fruits like apples, plums, pears and guavas have pectin fibre that is useful in cleansing blood. They not only bind with excess fats in your blood but also with heavy metals and other harmful chemicals or waste and remove them efficiently. Moreover, the lycopene glutathione found in tomatoes is useful for eliminating waste and chemicals. Don’t forget to add a bunch of berries like strawberries, blackberries and cranberries to your diet that help keep your liver health in check.
  3. Green Leafy Vegetables
  You may not be a fan of green leafy vegetables, but let us tell you that these veggies are loaded with essential nutrients and antioxidants that keep diseases at bay. Choose from kale, lettuce, spinach and mustard greens to ensure a healthy blood flow. These greens are responsible to increase enzymes in the liver that help promote the blood detoxification process.
  4. Beetroot
  Beetroot is said to be a natural source of nitrates and antioxidant betalains that can reduce inflammation and oxidative damage in the liver. Most studies have shown that beetroot juice helps increase the production of enzymes that naturally detoxify the body. Add beetroots to your salad bowls or desserts.
  5. Jaggery
  A popular sugar alternative mostly found in Indian households is known to be a natural blood purifier. This unrefined sugar has fibre that helps cleanse the digestive system, prevents constipation and expels waste from the body. The high iron content in jaggery helps restore haemoglobin levels and keeps healthy blood flowing in the body. Moreover, it is known to eliminate clotted blood from the body, further helping cleanse blood.
  6. Water
  Water is one of the most common and simplest natural blood purifiers. Kidneys flush out toxins from the blood through urine and water is your best bet to help stimulate this process. Water expels all the harmful chemicals and toxins in your body and help the organs function well. According to Ayurveda, an ideal way to use water as a blood purifier is to store some warm water in a copper vessel overnight and drink it the next day on an empty stomach. The copper tends to cool your liver down from excess work it’s done to detoxify your blood and the water helps stimulate the waste elimination process.
  7. Turmeric
  Turmeric is one of the best natural healers that help fight inflammation. It can help promote liver function. Its curcumin compound is known to be the fighter for most problems in our body. Turmeric milk, recommended by most experts, generates red blood cells besides piling your body with essential nutrients and acting as a health tonic.
  8. Lemon
  Warm water with lemon is said to promote the breakdown of fat and also tends to ease the load on your kidneys, while the vitamins and minerals in the lemons help detox your blood and overall body system.
  Go on and add these essential foods in your daily diet and make sure you have a healthy and purified blood system.
  SOURCE – food.ndtv.com

Unique CME on Kidney Transplantation at AMRI Hospital Bhubaneswar

AMRI Hospitals, Bhubaneswar, the Super Specialty Hospital from AMRI Hospitals Ltd, has successfully conducted the “Renal Transplant CME”, CME on Kidney Transplantation. This is the first of its kind of workshop organized in the State by the Department of Transplant & Renal Sciences, AMRI Hospital Bhubaneswar to cover both surgical and medical aspects of kidney transplant. More than 50 practitioners from region participated in the CME and it was addressed by many eminent speakers across the country held on 6^th August 2016 at AMRI Hospital Bhubaneswar.

Inaugurating the symposium, Mr. Rupak Barua, CEO of AMRI Group of Hospitals, said,

AMRI Group is always keen to propagate transfer of knowledge and institute recent and advanced systems in the patient care and management. We believe that this symposium is going to benefit the discipline of Kidney Transplant to a great extent in the medical service of Odisha benefitting the patients of this region.

Dr.Salil Mohanty, Unit Head, VP, AMRI hospitals Addressing the Doctors and the delegates, Dr. Mohanty said,

AMRI hospitals has established itself as a leading kidney transplant center in the eastern zone in a short span of time and provides the facility of very high standards at a reasonable cost.

The welcome address was given by Dr.Sukanto Kishore Das, Consultant Nephrologist and transplant physician. “Such kind of academic activities will be held on regular basis in the future. This will enrich the knowledge of our clinicians about transplant and also increase the awareness among people about the same” said Dr.Subodh Das, Director, Renal Transplant and Urology, AMRI Hospitals.

Source: Odishastory.com