Cataract Surgery – What All You Need To Know?

Though cataracts are a common amongst people over 65 years, they can happen in one or both even in the age group of 50 plus. Cataracts are common because they are only a result of aging process. Cataract causes the lens in our eye to become cloudy and results into vision loss inspite of wearing spectacles. This can happen in one eye or both as well. The cataract surgery is performed to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens known as intraocular lens in order to restore clarity in vision. It is a very simple and speedy surgery which requires just around 15-20 minutes of time. No overnight stay is required and the patient is discharged the same day within few hours of the surgery.

The cataract surgery performed these days is a very advanced one known a phacoemulsification or ‘phaco’ carried out using a high frequency ultrasound device that has the ability to break down the cloudy lens into pieces. These are then removed gently from the eye with the help of suction. ‘Phaco’ has greatly reduced the complications of eyes which the earlier surgeries had a risk part of it, besides the advantage of faster healing.

Cataract Surgery

The process typically includes the surgeon removing the cloudy lens from the eye and then inserting the intraocular lens and positioning is properly behind the pupil and iris exactly at the location of the natural lens. It very rare but sometimes in special cases the lens is placed in the front of the iris and pupil instead of the back. The procedure is concluded by closing the incision in the eye with a stitch or sometimes without it. In order to further protect the eye in the early stages of the surgery, a shield is placed over it as well.

Cataract Surgery – After Care

  • The eye drops provided by the doctor have to be used as per the doctor’s recommendation so as to avoid watering or itching.
  • Regular day to day activities can be performed as usual but some of them need to be restricted. Activities like reading, watching TV, walking and writing can be done but activities like lifting heavy loads, bending a lot and likes need to be restricted.
  • Do not perform strenuous exercises but light can do.
  • Wear your protective eye covering all the time even when sleeping. Do not sleep on the side of the operated eye.
  • Avoid water contact with the eyes during bath or shower.
  • Do not rub your eyes because it can cause infection.
  • Restrict yourself from swimming for atleast two weeks.
  • Do not drive for atleast 24 hours after surgery.
  • Avoid wearing any kind of eye makeup as well until your doctor permits.

 

RRMCH one of the best ophthalmology/eye hospitals in Bangalore for LASIK operations, Dr Vijay Kumar Srivastava eye specialist in bangalore

HOW TO PREVENT BONE INJURY?

As we age our bones start becoming in brittle as they tend to lose their bone density. The risk of injuries increases and hence it becomes important that we pay attention to our bone health and stay away from orthopaedic injuries.
Throughout the aging process of the body, there is bone loss and old bones are absorbed with the creation of the new bone. The bone health depends on apparently the balance between the old and the new bones. Bone loss also happens across your lifespan when the body absorbs calcium and phosphate in high quantity from the bones.
Hence, you need to be aware and work on keeping your bones strong enough. Here are a few tips you can use to keep your bones healthy throughout and decrease if not stop the rapid weakening of the bones.

bones_with_no_personal_injury

Avoid Addictions – Smoking and alcohol can affect your bone health hence avoid smoking as far as possible and keep your alcohol habits at bay.

Balance your Diet – as they say you are what you eat, so keep yourself fit by eating a balanced diet and avoiding junk. Add a bit of walking, jogging or exercise to your daily routine. This will certainly make you fitter and enhance your bone health too.

Vitamin D Profile Check – Many women after pregnancy tend to lose vitamin D from the body. As Vitamin D is required for absorbing calcium also, its an essential component as calcium is bone food. So, getting Vitamin D profile checked is advisable and if low, vitamin D supplement intake is required.

Heath Check – A routine health check is important so as to know how your body and bones are doing. So meet up your physician and if required get your tests done to check your body and bone health. Based on the findings the doctor will recommend you further action.

Well, small inclusions and exclusions in your daily lifestyle can go a long way in maintaining your bone health and reducing bone injuries or spine injuries and keep you independent and strong.

 

RRMCH has got the best team of orthopaedic doctors in Bangalore. RRMCH has got many reviews as best orthopedic hospital in Bangalore by treating all kinds of RTA

SPIDER VEINS VS VARICOSE VEINS – THE DIFFERENCE

Spider veins and varicose veins both are disorders related to the vein but are different in nature. Apparently, there are numerous differences between the two disorders. Let’s know more about these veins and how they differ from each other.

spider veins vs varicose veins
DEFINITION

Spider Veins – As the name suggests, these veins are web like veins, small and wispy and are located on the skin surface. The diameter is usually less than one millimeter and is red or purple in color. They appear on the surface in clusters or nests and resemble a bruise.

Varicose Veins – These veins are blue in color and are placede under the skin as a bulge as they are larger in size compared to spider veins. Like spider veins, even these veins are visible.

CAUSES

Spider Veins – Spider veins are caused due to genetic issues and sometimes due to obesity or hormonal changes as well as prolonged standing or sitting.

Varicose Veins – When the valves don’t function properly, it leads to varicose veins. The function of valves normally is to allow the blood flow from the leg to the direction of the heart. But in case of varicose veins the blood flow is backward to the leg, thus increasing the pressure on the vein, elongating them and causing them to change their shape into a curve or a twist.

ARISING ISSUES

Spider Veins – They veins do not cause any problems other and a few appearance issues. There are no visible symptoms as well. So the treatment is centered around improving the looks.

Varicose Veins – A person suffering from varicose veins might experience pressure, pain, and heaviness. It might also cause fatigue, jittery legs and itching at times. When there is malfunctioning of veins deep inside the leg, it could lead to swelling due to vein insufficiency.

TREATMENT

Spider Veins – Spider veins are only treated for improving the looks or appearance otherwise not other treatment is required generally.

Varicose Veins – To treat varicose veins techniques that are minimally invasive are usually used. The treatments include sclerotherapy, faulty vein ablation, and excision or mini phlebectomy.

Sclerotherapy – An injection that consists of a dilute solution is injected into the veins for shutting them down. It is generally used for the treatment of smaller veins but can be used at the time for larger ones as well.

Endovenous Ablation – This process is a minimally invasive procedure and does not remove all the faulty veins through traditional surgery like in the past but the objective of the treatment is to ablate or block the faulty veins.

Phlebectomy – This procedure is also another minimally invasive procedure and involves using a little scalpel or needle to remove the varicose veins that are located just below the leg surface.

Health Tips For Women Above 40

As women age and surpass the middle age milestone called 40, even though age is just a number, practically the body does have to deal with certain issues that crop up as we enter this phase. So what can you do to keep your health in optimal condition? Here are few tips that might just help you out.

Health First – Many a times while keeping the family needs as a priority women forget to check on their health issues or ignore It most of the times. One needs to understand that only when one is healthy then only can they take care of their loved ones.

Health Tips For Women Above 40

Body Check – If you haven’t done a medical checkup its time. Once you hit 40 do it once every two to three years. Check for deficiencies in your body particularly Calcium, Vitamin D and B12. Vitamin D and Calcium are needed for strong bones and in your 40’s you require 1000mg of calcium and 400 to 800 UI of vitamin D every single day so either you have to switch to that sort of diet or go for supplements. The checks you need at this age include eye testing, BP test, Mole check, Mammogram, Glucose test Pap and pelvic test as well as thyroid. All these need to be done every 2 – 3 years approximately.

Exercise – Exercise is good for all but more so once you turn 40. You are aging and you need to exercise to stay fit. Kick start your day with strength training and see the change within 6 months. Just dedicate 30 minutes a day to it.

Diet Check – It’s time you revamp your diet and go for a balanced one which will help you cope with your deficiencies and keep your cholesterol levels under check. Having breakfast daily can help greatly against skipping it. A study reveals that over a period of time people who take good breakfast lose more weight than the ones who make breakfast their smallest meal. Get in a lot of protein as they are mood boosters and help you relieve yourself from poor memory, excessive thinking or depression.

Get good Sleep – Sleeping helps you reduce stress and hence a good sleep is important. Particularly women don’t care about it much and it ultimately takes a toll on their health. Also try to control your stress through meditation and yoga. This will help you stay fit physically and mentally.

Spend time with Girl Friends – Ya, you might be busy to the core but take out time to hangout with your girl buddies because it is found that women with socialization or hobby activities have less risk of heart disease or less blood pressure and diabetes issues.

RRMCH has got the best health checkup packages in Bangalore. You can check out the pricing packages of 4 plans available for all employees and individuals.

Neuroendocrine Tumors, Types and Symptoms

Recently Bollywood celebrity Irfan Khan is known to be diagnosed by Neuroendocrine Tumor. In order to restrain his fans and people in general from any kind of speculation he even went on to clarify that neuro does not always mean about the brain. He had to do that post rumors of he suffering from brain tumor surfaced across the social media. Well, as he is out of the country right now and is getting treated, best wishes of all the country are with him. Well, for those who are unaware about neuroendocrine tumor here’s a rundown this condition.

Neuroendocrine tumor or NET is a tumor which does not generally show any major symptoms as it grows slowly. Once the tumor grows or if it releases hormones while it is functional is when symptoms surface.
Types of Endocrine tumors include pancreatic endocrine tumor, gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors and lung neuroendocrine tumors.

Pancreatic Neuro Endocrine Tumors – This is a rare kind of tumor. The symptoms of this cancer are subject to the hormones released by it. The symptoms generally include the following

  1. Stomach Ulcers
  2. Heart burn
  3. Jaundice
  4. Low or high blood Sugar levels
  5. Blood clots
  6. Patches of red itchy and painful skin
  7. Unexplained weight loss

When the gastrin in body increases excessively it causes Zollinger Ellison syndrome further increasing the quantity of stomach acid ultimately causing small intestine or stomach ulcers. The symptoms include

  1. Severe Diarrhea
  2. Heartburn
  3. Abdominal Pain
  4. Pain in abdomen
  5. Nausea and vomiting
  6. Blood vomits
  7. Weight loss

When the level of cortisol increases highly inside the body it causes cushing syndrome. When too much Adrenocorticotrpic hormone is released it leads to lung NETs which leads to adrenal glands making too much cortisol. The symptoms are as follows –

  1. Muscle weakness
  2. Increase in hair growth on body and face
  3. High blood sugar
  4. Weight gain
  5. Fat build up above the collar bone below the shoulders
  6. Mood swing and behavioral changes
  7. Purple lines on skin

Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors – This tumor develops in any part of the gastrointestinal tract besides large and small intestine. The symptoms are as follows –

  1. Nausea and vomiting
  2. Diarrhea
  3. Anemia with fatigue
  4. Weight loss
  5. Constipation or intestine blockage
  6. Blood in stool or rectal bleeding
  7. Heartburn or indigestion
  8. Abdominal/ rectal pain or discomfort

Lung Neuroendocrine tumors – This tumor develops in the bronchi. Symptoms include

  1. Never ceasing cough
  2. Blood in cough
  3. Difficulty Breathing
  4. Pneumonia
  5. Fatigue
  6. Skin flushing, wheezing and diarrhea (Carcinoid Syndrome)

 

RRMCH is one the best hospitals in Bangalore and it are also the best Neuro hospital in India. It has got the best neurologist in Bangalore

Post Stroke Motor Skill Recovery Made Faster – Vagus Nerve Stimulation methodology

When a person suffers from a stroke, the nerve cells in the brain die away due to blockage in supply of blood. This results in failure in motor skills because the nerves are dead and the connection between the brain and the nerves is lost. The methods that are in use bypass the damaged area of the brain and use other brain cells to handle the lost function. As there are less number of neurons to spare, the patient has to face a movement disability that is long lasting. Now, researchers at the university of Texas, Dallas have found a way out to speed up the motor skill recovery process with the help of the vagus nerve stimulation methodology.

vagus-vagal-nerve-stimulation

The Vagus nerve is responsible for controlling the parasympathetic nervous system which in turn supervises numerous bodily functions like circulation and digestion. A device is implanted in the neck to achieve electrical stimulation. VSN, has been already used for treating depression and is a well- documented technique for fine tuning the functioning of the brain. The role of the VNS is to strengthen the path that leads to the neurons that is damaged after stroke. There has been a visible increase of three fold to five fold in the engaged neuron with VNS addition to the rehab.

The study determines that if we use the approach to deal with complicated motor skills, these improvements further improve the simple movements. It is a significant step in creating guidelines for using VS for post stroke therapy as per the researchers.

The results of the preclinical study carried out by the scientists here showed that the recovery in rodents on which the vagus stimulation (VNS) couple with physical therapy experiment was carried out, doubled long term recovery rate as compared to the therapy in use in these times.

The work is already published in the journal Stroke, and the trial is already on in humans in Dallas and 15 other sites in the country. The researchers have also developed an application that can help us monitor their performance and recovery process remotely too while they use it at home for improving their upper limb motor skills.

Rajarajeswari Heart Center, part of the esteem institute, Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital. Was established in May 2012 as an initial non-interventional department with 2D echocardiography, Treadmill Test and cardiac consultation.

Eye Lid Surgery in India – An Overview

As we age, it shows and one area that is show clearly is the region around the eyes. One of the prominent difference we see is in the upper eyelids, under eyes and eye brows, which tend to sag with age. Here is the good news, even if age causes the mentioned differences in eyes, they can be corrected with a surgery called blepharoplasty. It is popularly known as eye lift and is done by women specifically for enhancement of their looks or appearance by fixing their droopy and dull eyelids. The surgery procedure involves removal of fat pockets and excess skin from upper and lower lids. Though, patients who already have ophthalmic issues are excluded from taking up this surgery.

Eye Lid Surgery in India

This is a sort of cosmetic surgery done for alteration of eye aesthetics in a way. Here what kind of corrections it can do for your eyes.

1. Dull or fatigued eyes – With this eyelift surgery the work on correcting eyes that make the person look older and tired than actually she is

2. Excess skin on upper eye lid – If you have excess skin on upper eye lid it can also obstruct your eyesight. So, this surgery helps in removing the excess skin or the fat pockets there that can obstruct the eyesight.

3. Puffy Upper Eyelids – Sometimes puppy eyes are result of genetics than sleeplessness. Blepharoplasty surgery can fix this issue

NON INVASIVE OPTION
For some doctors might recommend the non-invasive procedure as compared to the invasive one. This is considered to be a more appropriate course of treatment as well compared to the invasive one. The non -invasive treatment involves usage of Botox injections for enhancing looks by reducing wrinkles. Even facial fillers are used in this treatment for the purpose of reducing the dark circles and eye bags.

RESULTS
The results of the surgery are never instant. Primarily, you may see inflammation and swelling around the area where it is done and it would generally take a couple of days to a week to subside. Once the healing occurs best results are seen.

RRMCH Ophthalmology(eye) department is registered under District Blindness Control Society and has a successful record of offering the best possible care for our patients. We conduct eye screening camps every month at Mudaliar Sangha, Rajajinagar in Bangalore. We also provide treatment free for patients who can’t afford to pay their daily bills. We provide services to about 100 patients every day.

Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney disease or CKD is s result of loss of kidney function over a period of time. Practically, the kidneys fail, if you may say so. There are though, five stages of CKD depending upon the severity. When the kidneys fail the waste, water and toxic substances accumulate in the body because the kidneys are not able to excrete them. This can further result in conditions like acidosis (excessive acidity of body fluids), disorders related to fatty acids and cholesterol, anemia and high blood pressure.

Chronic Kidney Disease

While Stage five is obviously the end stage known as kidney or renal failure which results in complete kidney function failure. At this stage the person needs dialysis to survive or kidney transplantation.
Acute kidney failure can also lead to loss of kidney function but it’s faster over a period of few days or weeks. But, this condition is reversible many times and there is a possibility of complete recovery of kidney function. But sometimes, it could end up as irreversible and require dialysis.

STAGES
Here’s a run-down the stages of chronic kidney diseases.
1. Slight damage with normal or increased filtration      GFR > 90
2. Mild decrease in kidney function                                GFR range 60-90
3. Moderate decrease in kidney function                       GFR range 30 -59
4. Severe decrease in kidney function                           GFR range 15-29
5. Kidney Failure                                                            GFR <15 / Dialysis

DIAGNOSIS
To check for kidney damage, you need to undergo a few tests that include checking the level of waste products like creatinine and urea, in blood and urine test for abnormalities that indicate kidney damage cause. You may have to undergo an ultrasound for kidney structure assessment and biopsy for determining the cause of kidney problem. The diagnosis is based on results of Glomerular filtration rate and includes details like patient’s age, gender, race and serum creatinine levels.

BEST KIDNEY HOSPITALS IN BANGALORE

RISK FACTORS
Some of the common risk factors of Chronic kidney disease include smoking, hypertension, obesity and diabetes mellitus.

TREATMENT
After course of treatment is decided after determining the cause of the disease. Some kidney complications are treatable while some are not. The treatment procedure includes controlling the symptoms, reducing the complications and slowing the progression process through tested methods. In case the kidneys are severely damage then end stage treatment is provided. The medications used include those for reducing cholesterol levels, treating anemia and high blood pressure, reducing the swelling and protecting your bones. You might also be required to go on low protein diet to minimize wastage in blood.

END STAGE TREAMENT
If your kidneys fail then the only treatment options available are dialysis or transplant. Dialysis is the process of removal of waste products from the body artificially with the help of a machine viz hemodialysis or a thin tube (catheter) fitted in the abdomen and dialysis solution that absorbs the waste plus excess fluids and is drained out. viz peritoneal dialysis. Kidney transplant on the other side is an expensive but better procedure because it involves replacing your kidney with a healthy kidney of a donor surgically. It could be of a deceased or living person. Though, medications after the procedure are to be taken life long for your body to accept the organ through life but no dialysis.

Cancer to Curd – The Journey of Ramadevi Nimmanapalli

Ramadevi Nimmanapalli, a cancer researcher by profession had been in the US till 2015. She returned to India leaving behind this career in order to take up another challenging opportunity of setting up a faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at the Benaras Hindu University in Varanasi. She herself had done her Science Graduation from Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University in Hyderabad after which she did her Masters in Sciences, topping the University. She further went to Oxford to pursue PhD there.

Cancer to Curd

Describing her experience in Oxford England as a rather challenging one even though she was a topper, she mentioned that the education system in India and England was different. Catching up was quite a task because Indian education courses do not offer in-depth study as compared to Oxford. So, she had to work really hard with her research in microbiology in bluetongue virus that affects deers and cattle as well. After completing her Phd. She shifted to USA where she researched in areas of human cancer and chemical pathways for drug Gleevac. Before returning to India she was teaching at the Philadelphia college of Osteopathic Medicine and MD Anderson Cancer centre, Tuskagee University.

BEST CANCER HOSPITAL IN BANGALORE

Though shifting to India was also not an easy decision for her as she was already married and living there with her husband, it’s when her husband supported the decision to take the decision to go to Indi without him joining her right away, after she moved here.

Now, in India, as the Dean at the Benaras University, she is all set to revive the faculty which already has a dairy farm on its main campus besides a research ready campus that is being setup in Mirzapur for MSc and Doctoral students, which is nearby. She is working hard to set up this new faculty and her straight forward attitude which she brought along as a learning from her USA lifestyle has been of a great aid. She has already published around 40 research papers but the one that stands out is about dealing and characterization of curd or dahi. Though the founding dean of the faculty has not had any admissions, later this year, the faculty is going to welcome its first batch of undergraduate students. The team is ready, the labs are set and the preparations are on to take the plunge. Though a lot of preparations are underway as well, as per the Dean, it’s a long way to go.

*source from the internet

Vitamin D Deficiency Signs Which You Tend to Ignore

Vitamin D is one of the most vital vitamins in the body and hence, its deficiency can affect the functioning of numerous systems across your body. It is made from cholesterol when your body is exposed to sunlight. More than a vitamin it is a hormone to which every cell in the body is receptive. While sunlight is a natural source, you can get it from foods like fatty fish and dairy products as well. As per the experts you cannot get the daily intake solely through food and relying on supplements is the way. Your daily intake of Vitamin D needs to be around 400-800 IU. Let us run down the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and risk factors associated with Vitamin D Deficiency.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Symptoms
The symptoms could mean different in different people. Here’s a run down –

Fatique or tiredness – If you are suffering from excessive fatigue or tiredness, you could have a Vitamin D deficiency. The doctor might suggest supplement intake to improve energy levels.

Pain in Bone / Back – Vitamin D is responsible for calcium absorption so bone or back pain could be a sign of inadequate levels of Vitamin D. Chronic back pain is a common example.

Depression – However strange it may sound, but yes depression could be a sign of Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D supplements can help improve moods as per research.

Hair Loss – Excessive hair loss can be caused to deficiency in Vitamin D. Many of us take it to be a result of stress and ignore but never does it strike that we get our Vitamin D tested.

Bone Loss – As vitamin D plays a significant role in bone metabolism management and absorption of calcium, a deficiency could lead to bone loss and increased risk of fractures.

Muscle Pain – Though not always, muscle pain could be a result of Vitamin D deficiency.

Diagnosis – You can find out if you have a Vitamin D deficiency of not by running a laboratory Vitamin D test. The reference levels for the test are as follows
Severe Deficiency  : < 10 ng/ml
Deficiency              : < 20 ng/ ml
Normal Range       : 20 – 30 ng/ml
Sufficiency             : 30 -100 ng/ml
Toxicity                   : >100 ng/ml

Treatment – Vitamin D deficiency is generally treated by prescribing Vitamin D supplements and again re-checking after a few weeks for the results. If you feel you might be deficient in Vitamin D visit a doctor to treat it. Taking vitamin D deficiency lightly only because it is very common, is not advisable.

 

RRMCH one of the leading private medical college and hospital in Bangalore