All you need to know about knee replacement infection

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

Symptoms of knee replacement infection

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


Cause of post-surgery infection

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

Diagnosis

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

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

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

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

Treatment

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

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

AMRI Hospitals launches Family First Health Card for NRI’s and their family members

India’s health services are advancing to whole another level: NRI health card is now available for the family members in India

With overwhelming medical expenses abroad, medical tourism has become an affordable option for NRIs. On top of that, initiatives taken by many hospitals to issue NRI health cards with special benefits and packages have already been a great boon.

It can be unsettling having to stay far from home, constantly worrying about the well-being of the parents and family members back there. One of the premier private hospitals in Eastern India, AMRI Hospitals Kolkata has launched an exclusive Family First Health Card for all the NRI’s at the North America Bengali Conference(NABC) 2019. The card will cater not only to the health needs of the card-holder but even to his family members residing in India.

The benefits of the Family First Health Card for NRI will include cabin booking, prior booking of the appointment and various health-related investigations. It also offers free ambulance and medicine delivery services provided that the criteria are met.

The card is valid for a year and can be availed by registering with 100 USD. Apart from the afore-mentioned benefits offered, the bed charges of the hospital, OPD investigations, dental procedures and eye check-up services can be availed at a highly discounted rate. Around 25 percent discount is available for full body check-up for up to 4 members of the family.

The Special Privilege Health Card by AMRI hospitals was launched during NABC in May 2018 at Atlantic City, USA and so far it has received tremendous response from the patients, especially from Bengalis residing in South America.

In collaboration with Home Health Care(HCC), the Family First Health Card for NRI is being introduced to deliver the best medical services to the patients and all-round hospital-like services and care within the comfort of their own house. The emergency and preventive care includes nursing, physiotherapy, physical consultations, routine health check-ups and many more.

It is impressive how the hospitals in our country are coming up with major initiatives for the well-being of the people. It is hard to stay away from family and not worry about their health, especially our parents. The Family First Health Card by AMRI hospitals will undoubtedly bring greater peace of mind to the NRIs living in different parts of the world.

Suffering from digestive issues? Here’s everything you need to know about them

List of 6 common digestive conditions, their symptoms, the problem and the best treatment available for you at AMRI Hospitals.
Many people facing digestive problems generally don’t speak about it. If you are facing any such problems, you should not suffer in silence. Digestive diseases are the problems that occur in a digestive tract and can range from mild to serious. Most of the diseases can be prevented or minimised by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and practicing good bowel habits. If left untreated some of these diseases can lead you to critical conditions also.

Below is the list of 6 common digestive conditions, their symptoms, the problem and the best treatment available for you.

1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Symptoms–Burning pain in the middle of your chest which often occurs after meals or at night, frequent heartburns, bad breadth, tooth erosion, nausea, pain in upper chest or abdomen and trouble in swallowing or breathing.

Problem – Stomach acid gets refluxed to oesophagus – acid reflux

Treatment – In many cases, people get relief by avoiding certain foods and drinks that trigger the symptoms. Generally, doctors prescribe antacids or other medicines that reduce stomach acid production and inflammation of oesophagus. In some cases, stronger medication and surgery is also required.

2. Gallstones

Symptoms – Sharp pain in the upper right abdomen

Problem –Hard deposits are formed in gallbladder (generally due to intake of too much cholesterol or waste in your bile)

Treatment – Gallstones can be dissolved by medications, while in some other cases surgery is the only solution of removal

3. Celiac Disease

Symptoms – In children – abdominal pain and bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting and weight loss. In adults – anaemia, fatigue, bone loss, depression and seizures

Problem – Serious sensitivity to gluten – a protein which is found in wheat, barley and rye. The immune system automatically attacks your villi (absorbs nutrition from the food) as soon as you eat gluten.

Treatment – The only treatment is to avoid eating gluten.

4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Symptoms – This can vary from people to people but the most common symptoms include constipation, diarrhoea, hard and dry stools, loose watery stools and bloating.

Problems –Cause is still unknown – but common symptoms like stomach pain or discomfort, at least three times for several months can be called as Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Treatment –Having low fat, high fibre food avoiding dairy products, alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners and food that produce gas.

5. Haemorrhoids

Symptom – Bright red blood during bowel movement

Problems – Chronic constipation, diarrhoea, staining during bowel movements can be caused due to lack of fibre in the diet.

Treatment –Include more of fibrous food and more water in your diet. Do exercise. In some cases, haemorrhoids are removed surgically.

6. Diverticulitis

Symptom – There are no symptoms of this medical condition.It is quite common among the elderly people. In some cases, fever and abdominal pain are some of the other symptoms, and in few cases it can also cause obesity.

Problems – Small pouches called diverticula can form anywhere, where there are weak spots in the lining of your digestive system, most commonly found in the colon. They are mainly caused due to low fibre diet.

Treatment – In many cases it is treated with antibiotics and clear liquid diet so that the colon gets recovered. In rare cases, it is removed surgically.

Visit www.amrihospitals.in for more information and best treatment options!

10 Ways to Take Charge of Your Heart Health

Use the following tips – 10 Ways to Take Charge of Your Heart Health – to embark on a heart-healthy lifestyle to fight heart disease by AMRI Hospitals specialist.

1. Schedule a Yearly Checkup

Your heart is in your hands. Each year on your birthday, schedule a checkup to have your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels checked, and ask your doctor to help you reach or maintain a healthy weight. Be sure to follow your healthcare professional’s recommendations, including taking prescribed medications as directed.

2. Get Physical

Step, march or jog in place for at least 15 minutes a day while watching your favorite TV shows. Increase your activity by five minutes each week until you’re getting a minimum of 30 minutes most days of the week.

If exercise and diet do not get you to your goal, ask your doctor about adding medication.

3. Drink More Water

Take a water bottle with you wherever you go. It’ll keep you hydrated and the bottle’s weight will strengthen your arms.

4. Eat Healthy

Keep packages of unhealthy food hidden. Put raw veggies and fruits in front in the refrigerator and healthy snacks in the front of the pantry, so that’s what you see first. If you grab healthy foods for a minimum of 21 times, healthy choices will become a habit.

5. Control Cholesterol

Eating foods high in saturated fat, trans fat or cholesterol can lead to high blood cholesterol. To help keep your cholesterol levels down, eat foods low in saturated fat and trans fat, such as lean chicken or turkey (roasted or baked, with skin removed), fruits and veggies, low-fat or fat-free dairy products and whole grains.

6. Cut Down on Salt

To help lower high blood pressure, watch your salt intake. It may be disguised in food labels as sodium alginate, sodium sulfite, sodium caseinate, disodium phosphate, sodium benzoate, sodium hydroxide, monosodium glutamate (MSG), or sodium citrate.

7. Quit Smoking
Try this four-step way to kick your habit:
On Day 1, cut the number of cigarettes you smoke by half
On Day 3, cut the number of cigarettes you smoke in half again
And on Day 5, cut your smoking in half again
On your Quit Day… quit!
Keep your numbers in check: Quitting Smoking

8. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess weight increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. To achieve steady, painless weight loss, take it easy. Each day, if you eat 200-300 calories less than you would normally consume, and exercise at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week, you’ll get closer to your goal and be able to achieve weight loss that’s steady and painless.

9. Stay Positive

If you get off your exercise schedule, have a cigarette, or eat a fattening meal, immediately get back on track toward re-establishing a healthy lifestyle.

10. Give Yourself Credit

To maintain momentum with exercising, losing weight, or quitting smoking, keep track of your achievements and reward yourself by doing something you enjoy.

Health tips: Simple exercises that will help relieve knee pain

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

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

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

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

Hip Strengthening

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

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

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

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

Lunges

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