Tag Archives: Hypertension

A, B, C, D, E of Hepatitis

July 28, 2021Health Wisediabetes, Dr Rakesh Patel, Fatty Liver Disease, Fortis Hospital, hepatitis, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis A vaccine, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D, Hepatitis E, Hepatitis virus, hypercholesterolemia, Hypertension, liver, Liver Function TestShillpi A Singh

Did you know that sharing needles, having unprotected sex, and drinking large amounts of alcohol can put you at a higher risk of contracting the Hepatitis virus? On World Hepatitis Day, Dr Rakesh Patel suggests a few hygiene practices to protect oneself from the illness.

New Delhi, July 28, 2021: Globally, around 325 million people live with Hepatitis infection. Hepatitis is referred an inflammation of the liver that can cause complications. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. The common cause of Hepatitis is a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of Hepatitis as well. These include Autoimmune Hepatitis and Hepatitis, which occurs as a secondary result of medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol. Autoimmune Hepatitis is a disease that occurs when your body makes antibodies against your liver tissue. Common forms of Viral Hepatitis include:

Hepatitis A: This form of Hepatitis does not lead to chronic infection and usually has no complications. The liver usually heals from Hepatitis A within several months. However, occasional deaths from Hepatitis A have occurred due to liver failure, and some people have required a liver transplant for Acute Hepatitis A infection. Hepatitis A can be prevented by vaccination.

Hepatitis B: It is transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids, such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen, containing the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). Injection drug use, having sex with an infected partner or sharing razors with an infected person increase your risk of getting Hepatitis B. The earlier in life Hepatitis B is contracted, the more likely it is to become chronic. People can carry the virus without feeling sick but can still spread the virus. Hepatitis B can be prevented by getting a vaccine.

Hepatitis C: About 75% to 85% of patients with Hepatitis C develop a chronic liver infection. It often does not show any symptoms. No vaccine is yet available to prevent Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis D: Hepatitis D only happens to people who are infected by the Hepatitis B virus. If you are vaccinated against Hepatitis B, you will be protected against the Hepatitis D virus.

Hepatitis E: This type of Hepatitis is spread by ingesting contaminated food or water. Hepatitis E is common throughout the world. Even though vaccines exist, they are not available everywhere.

Most people recover from Hepatitis, and the disease is often preventable. However, it is still considered a serious health risk because it can:

Destroy the liver tissue
Spread easily from person to person
Weaken the body’s immune system
Cause the liver to fail
Cause liver cancer
Cause death (in rare cases)

TIPS TO PREVENT HEPATITIS: Hepatitis is a preventable disease, and the following precautions can keep you safe. Practising good hygiene is one key way to avoid contracting Hepatitis A and E. If you’re traveling, you should avoid:

Local water
Ice
Raw or undercooked shellfish and oysters
Raw fruit and vegetables

Hepatitis B, C, and D contracted through contaminated blood can be prevented by:

Not sharing drug needles
Not sharing razors
Not using someone else’s toothbrush
Not touching spilt blood

Hepatitis B and C can also be contracted through sexual intercourse and intimate sexual contact. Practising safe sex by using condoms and dental dams can help decrease the risk of infection. Vaccination is another effective way to stay protected against Hepatitis A and B. Experts are currently developing vaccines against Hepatitis C. Above all, prevention, hygiene practices, and vaccination are the most effective tool against Hepatitis. Speak to your doctor today to know more.

Currently, we are facing an epidemic of another form of Hepatitis which is Fatty Liver Disease. This is because of sedentary life, changing eating habits and obesity. Also, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension are risk factors associated with it. It is diagnosed by sonography and Liver Function Test. If it’s not corrected, it will lead to the development of Cirrhosis and Liver Cancer. So a healthy traditional diet, weight control, exercise, and regular check will help prevent this disease which affects 25% of the population.

(Dr Rakesh Patel is Consultant, Gastroenterology, Fortis Hospital, Kalyan)

COVID19 vaccination: 20 points to keep in mind

March 13, 2021Health WiseAspirin, chemotherapy, Clopidogrel, comorbidities, Covaxin, COVID19, Covishield, dementia, diabetes, dialysis, heart disease, Hypertension, immunization, pandemic, Parkinson’s, post-angiography, renal failure, stroke, vaccination, WarfarinShillpi A Singh

Go ahead and get the jab for yourself and your loved ones, says Dr Rahul Pandit

New Delhi, March 13, 2021: We have entered the second phase of the world’s largest immunization program. However, several looming questions could hamper the success of this program and weaken the fight against COVID19.

Only people who have an Anaphylaxis (allergic reaction) to any of the vaccine contents, should NOT take the vaccine.

Yes, vaccination is the most effective tool to fight the COVID19 pandemic, and help us succeed in our mission to restore normalcy! Having said that, the COVID19 vaccination drive in India has seen much momentum since day one. With an enthusiastic push from the civic bodies, we are slowly but steadily approaching our target goals. After successful round of vaccination for the healthcare providers and frontline workers, we have now moved to vaccinate and protect seniors above 60 years of age, and those above 45 years with comorbidities.

Here’s a guideline to help proceed with vaccinating yourself and your loved ones:

1. All adults should take the COVID19 vaccine and encourage others to take it as well.

2. You should have had your meals, and be well hydrated for your vaccination.

3. Only people who have an Anaphylaxis (allergic reaction) to any of the vaccine contents, should NOT take the vaccine.

4. All approved vaccines including Covishield and Covaxin have:

100% efficacy in preventing death due to COVID19
Very high efficacy against severe COVID19
High to moderate efficacy (60%-95%) against symptomatic COVID19
Poor efficacy only against asymptomatic COVID19

5. Vaccinating the high-risk vulnerable population – above 60 yrs and above 45 yrs with co-morbidities will bring down the mortality rate to ‘very low’, as currently, this group forms almost 90% of patients who succumb to the disease. Therefore, we must encourage people in these age groups to be vaccinated.

6. People with previous COVID19 infection should take the vaccine only after 8-12 weeks of recovery from COVID 19.

7. A person who has received Plasma Therapy to treat a previous COVID19 infection should wait for 8-12 weeks before taking the vaccine.

8. Vaccine is safe in patients with hypertension, diabetes, renal failure, and heart disease, amongst those who have undergone bypass, post-angiography, and those on dialysis.

9. In pregnant women, if the benefit outweighs the risks of the vaccine, then you may take the vaccine. For example, a frontline pregnant worker should take the vaccine.

10. There is no data on how long pregnancy should be avoided post-vaccination. However, as it is an inactivated or dead virus it should be safe after 6-8 weeks of vaccination to conceive.

People on anti-platelet agents like Aspirin and Clopidogrel
should take the vaccine without stopping their medication.

11. Vaccine is safe amongst those with a food allergy, drug allergy (other than the vaccine components) and common allergic conditions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic dermatitis. But consult your doctor before enrolling yourself.

12. People on anti-platelet agents like Aspirin and Clopidogrel should take the COVID19 vaccine without stopping their medication.

13. Patients on blood thinners like Warfarin or newer anticoagulation agents have a small risk of injection site swelling. Patients who are on these newer agents can skip their morning dose, take the vaccine and continue the next regular dose.

14. Patients with neurological complications like stroke, Parkinson’s, dementia should take the vaccine as it is safe for them.

15. Patients on immunosuppressant’s (i.e. patients who’ve undergone organ transplants) of any type can safely take the vaccine. However, immune response may not be complete. Check with your doctor before enrolling.

A simple Paracetamol can be taken post-vaccination if required, and most symptoms would be well controlled.

16. It is false that alcohol is not allowed post-vaccine or that vaccine causes impotency or that vaccine will change the DNA of a person.

17. There are currently no trials available on children, hence vaccination for those below 18 years can be delayed for now.

18. Patients with cancer and those undergoing Chemotherapy should consult their doctor and seek an appropriate window for vaccination between the Chemotherapy cycles. Ideally, the patient should wait for at least four weeks post-chemotherapy to take their vaccine.

19. Fever, body ache, dizziness, headaches are common symptoms post-vaccination.

20. A simple Paracetamol can be taken post-vaccination if required, and most symptoms would be well controlled.

Do not believe in rumours, the best way to get the right information is to speak to doctors at medical centres who are offering the COVID19 vaccination. Remember, vaccine-induced immunity is as important as herd immunity. It is the current and the only way to tackle the growing menace of the virus. Let’s all come together to fight back and end the pandemic once and for all.

(The article has been authored by Dr Rahul Pandit, Director-Critical Care, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai & Member-Maharashtra’s COVID Taskforce)

(Images from Pixabay by Wilfried Pohnke; Gerd Altmann; Alexandra_Koch; fernando zhiminaicela)

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Things you should do to manage your PCOS/PCOD

March 5, 2021Health Wiseabdominal weight gain, acne, anovulation, Calcium, calligraphy artist, central Obesity, certified diabetes educator, Cinnamon, cod liver oil, Diabetes Mellitus, dizziness, Dyslipidemia, Endometrial Hyperplasia, feeling shaky, Hirsutism, hormone imbalance management, Hypertension, Hypoglycemia, infertility, insulin resistance, irregular menses, irregular periods, Kalyan, Laparoscopic ovarian drilling, male pattern hair loss, nutritionist, oral contraceptive pill, ovulation induction, PCOD, PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian Disease, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Primosa oil, prolonged menses, Soleha Sheikh, Soy, Turmeric, Vitamin-D3, ZincShillpi A Singh

Statistics state that one in every five women in India suffers from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or Polycystic Ovarian Disease and cannot live a healthy life. PCOS and PCOD bring along complications that deteriorate the quality of life.

New Delhi, March 5, 2021: Ever since Lata entered puberty, she has had difficulty in managing her weight. She craved carbohydrates and even skipped dinner, but her weight increased at a faster rate month over months. Apart from her weight problem, she faced acne and Hirsutism issues (male-pattern facial hair growth). She also has visited her primary care physician on several occasions, complaining of dizziness, feeling shaky, and irregular menses. Her doctor started her on birth control pills to regulate her periods but in vain. Later, she was detected with Hypoglycemia; her physician and her family encouraged her to follow a strict diet and exercise regimen.

Lata is now married for two years and plans to begin a family but cannot conceive. She continues to struggle with severe Hypoglycemia, has elevated serum triglyceride levels and feels miserable. However, recently when Lata visited a reproductive Endocrinologist, she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

Like Lata, many young women suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) and cannot live a healthy life. These conditions bring along complications that deteriorate the quality of life among young women. Statistics state that one in every five women in India suffers from PCOS.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PCOS AND PCOD: In women with PCOS, their ovaries produce higher levels of androgen than usual, which interferes with the development and release of the eggs. Some of the eggs develop into cysts – which are the little sacs filled with liquid. Instead of being released during ovulation, these cysts build up in the ovaries and even get enlarged. PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) is a condition where the ovaries release many immature or partially mature eggs, which eventually turn into cysts. Some common symptoms are abdominal weight gain, irregular periods, male pattern hair loss, and infertility. In this condition, the ovaries usually become enlarged and secrete large amounts of androgens that can cause havoc with a woman’s fertility & her body.

EFFECTIVE WAYS TO MANAGE PCOD AND PCOS: Obesity is recognized as an important contributory factor in these conditions. So, diet control, exercise, and monitored weight loss are the first line of treatment. Even 10% weight loss helps quite a lot for hormone imbalance management and in bringing body mass index <25. This also improves menstrual disorders, infertility, insulin resistance, Hirsutism, and acne.

Hormonal management with combined Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCP) is effective in reducing Luteinizing Hormone and Testosterone Hormone. PCOD/ PCOS is not a disease; it is a hormonal imbalance where male hormones increase, so we can control these hormonal changes with OCPs. Insulin resistance is associated with Diabetes Mellitus, central obesity, Dyslipidemia and Hypertension, which can be managed.

Hormonal changes cause abnormal uterine bleeding, prolonged menses, and anovulation (absence of ovulation), for Endometrial Hyperplasia, sometimes endometrial biopsy has to be done. For young females presented with infertility, ovulation induction is done with hormones. Sometimes if the person is not responding to medicine, then Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling is done. There are rare cases where if weight loss is not possible with diet and exercise, then bariatric surgery is prescribed. Anti-androgen medicines are used for cosmetic purposes in Hirsutism patients. Laser is also used for hair removal.

So, eating the right foods and avoiding certain carbohydrates & fat helps manage the symptoms. Try to consume whole foods which are free from sugar, hormones and preservatives; fruits, vegetables whole grains and legumes should be preferred. Moreover, plant-based proteins and unprocessed high carbohydrates can improve insulin sensitivity. Try to consume more fibre in your diet, reduce the consumption of coffee. Soy, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Vitamin-D3, Calcium, Zinc, Primosa oil, and Cod liver oil should be added to your diet.

(Text by Dr Sushma Tomar, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecology Fortis Hospital, Kalyan; Images by Soleha Shaikh, Mumbai-based nutritionist and certified diabetes educator, and calligraphy artist.)