Diagnose diabetes at the right time

Diabetes is a chronic disease, and if left untreated, can become life threatening. Diabetes symptoms are subtle and may appear harmless in the beginning. Many times people don’t even realize that they are suffering from diabetes, and that is why it gets diagnosed very late, by when, it has already progressed to an advanced stage.

There are many sure-shot symptoms of diabetes. When you experience any one or all of the below mentioned symptoms, it is advisable to get your blood sugar level checked. Consult a diabetologist as early as possible and diagnose the disease to arrest it in the early stages itself. The most common symptoms of diabetes are:

• Frequent urination: When a person is suffering from diabetes, the body is not able to break down the glucose in the blood. As a result, the person ends up urinating frequently to get rid of the excessive glucose in the body. This is one of the most exact way of realizing that one has diabetes.

• Weight loss: When a person is suffering from diabetes, his body loses the capacity to retain glucose. As a result, the cells cannot receive proper nutrition for their growth. That is the reason why a diabetic person loses weight at a rapid speed. If one has been losing weight without any changes in the lifestyle, it is better to consult a diabetology doctor.

• Fatigue: Getting tired with even minimal physical work is one of the signs of diabetes. The cells of a diabetic person are unable to proper nutrition and that is why a diabetic person gets tired easily.

• Dehydration: This is a result of frequent urination, which leaves the diabetic person thirsty. This may also lead to dehydration.

Treat Diabetes the right way

Diabetology is a branch of endocrinology. It is the medical science dedicated to the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diabetes mellitus. Until today, there is no cure for diabetes. However, a diabetologist can control this disease from advancing with proper medication. Diabetes can lead to other health problems like kidney failure, heart diseases, and even blindness.

Consulting a diabetology doctor is important to treat diabetes the right way. Mumbai and Navi Mumbai offers a lot of option in terms of good diabetologists. From planning a proper diet to regulating the intake on insulin, Diabetologist in Mumbai can guide you for treating diabetes correctly. Even diabetologist in Navi Mumbai are professional and skilled for treating all sorts of diabetic disorders.

Disease and disorder treated by General Surgeons

General Surgeons are the medical practitioner, who performs the surgery to treat the disease and disorders. The surgery is only performed when medication fails to treat certain illnesses and disorders. Following are some of the chronic illness treated by the general surgery doctors

Hernias – Such a condition is developed when the content of a body cavity bulge out of the area where they are naturally contained. These contents are usually enclosed in the thin membrane that lines the inside of the cavity.  Treatment for the hernia depends on it type – reducible, irreducible or strangulated. Initially an attempt is made reduce the hernia. But if an attempt fails, surgery is performed by the general surgeons.

Breast tumor – A type of cancer that originates from breast tissue, commonly from the inner lining of the lobules (milk ducts) that supply the ducts with milk. Treatments for the breast tumor include immunotherapy or radiation, surgery, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy. In severe cases, the surgery is performed by the general surgery doctors.

Colon inflammation – In some of ulcerative colitis, a condition of colon inflammation, medical treatment including medicines and drugs fails to treat the disease. In such cases, surgery is required to treat the illness. Colectomy surgery is performed by the general surgeon in severe case of colon inflammation, which involved surgical removal of colon.

Gallstones – When gallstones are of big size, which cannot be treated with medication and non-invasive methods, surgery is performed by the general surgery doctors. During the surgical procedure, small incisions are made in abdomen to remove the gallstones.

Pancreatitis – The surgery is required to treat chronic pancreatitis and get relief from pain. It is performed by the surgery doctors to remove the infected or damaged tissue (pancreatic necrosis). Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery or open gallbladder surgery is done to remove the gallbladder if pancreatitis is caused due to gallstones.

Appendicitis – A condition which can only be treated by performing a surgery. An appendectomy is a surgical procedure, performed by the general surgeons to remove an inflamed or infected appendix, a condition known as appendicitis.

Bowel obstructions – A condition, when content of the intestines cannot pass through and exit the body. Intestinal obstruction repair is a surgery, performed to treat a bowel obstruction. A small incision is made in belly by the general surgery doctor and then blockage is freed.

World Polio Day – For a Polio Free World

You might have come across hoardings, posters and advertisements saying that we should work to end polio from the World. One question comes up that India has reached one year of completely polio free case reporting then now what is the need for observing this day in our country?

Many of you might not know that Polio virus is highly contagious and it can easily spread from a polio infected country to a polio free country. Saying this I need to tell you that our neighbouring country Pakistan is still not free of Polio. All children travelling from Pakistan to India or India to Pakistan are the potential carriers for the virus. So, India should be the forerunner for the global polio eradication campaign.

The World Polio Day is an attempt to draw the attention of the countries, people towards the need to eradicate polio from the world. You could even be a part of the campaign and give your vital contribution to end polio. “Fund the Fight” is an initiative where you could make donation.

You could save the live of 25 children and help them admire the beauty of the Mother Nature if you donate $15 to “Fund the fight campaign”. This amount would enable polio dose to 25 children.

Such a Promotional Campaign help in increased awareness and hence increased efficiency and more reach. A single immunization campaign covers about 172 million children in India. You might have found posters making the people aware about the menace of polio. You could contribute toward the making of these posters and hence spread awareness

You could even pledge to donate 100 bright yellow T-shirts which are used by the health workers and volunteers worldwide. Yellow is for easy recognition of health workers and volunteers. You might have noticed that after administering the child to polio vaccination, his finger is marked with purple ink. This is the easiest and the most cost effective way to ensure every child is covered. You could even pledge to donate these finger markers.

The “End Polio Now” campaign also allows you to contribute for the Polio vaccine carriers. These Polio vaccine carriers are required to keep the oral polio vaccine cool at room temperature.

These are some ways through which you could give you contribution and help in eradicating Polio from the World. medecure is playing its role and anticipates the same from you.

World Osteoporosis Day – Strengthen your Bones

Each year million of cases for osteoporosis are reported. The number of cases is dramatically increasing every year. Large number of people suffers fractures of the wrist shoulder spine and pelvis.  The underlying cause of the bone fracture is usually osteoporosis, a bone disease which leads to thinning and weakening of the bones.

Purpose of World Osteoporosis Day celebrations

To save million of people from the attack of osteoporosis, World Osteoporosis Day is celebrated to aware the people about this bone disease. The campaign is an attempt to raise global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. World Osteoporosis Day is an initiative of International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), which involves organising campaigns in more than 90 countries. National Osteoporosis Patient Societies around the world supports in organising the campaigns in different parts of the world.

Roots of World Osteoporosis Day

World Osteoporosis Day was started by the United Kingdom’s National Osteoporosis Society on 20 October, 1996. The event was supported by the European Commission. Every year the campaign features different themes. Since 1997, the campaign is being organised by International Osteoporosis Foundation.

Themes of World Osteoporosis Day since 1996 were

• 1996: Awareness
• 1997: Awareness
• 1998: Awareness
• 1999: Early Detection
• 2000: Building Bone Health
• 2001: Bone Development in Youth
• 2002: Preventing a First Fracture
• 2003: Quality of Life
• 2004: Osteoporosis in Men
• 2005: Exercise
• 2006: Nutrition
• 2007: Risk Factors
• 2008: Advocate for Policy Change
• 2009: Advocate for Policy Change
• 2010: Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Fractures
• 2011: 3 Steps to Prevention: Calcium, Vitamin D and Exercise

World Osteoporosis Day 2012

Continuing with an effort to make people aware about the disease of bone – osteoporosis, this year the World Osteoporosis Day features the theme – “Stop at One : Make Your First Break Your Last”. With the purpose of creating awareness about the osteoporosis and metabolic bones disease, campaigns will be organized in different parts of the world. People will be given education for the prevention, treatment diagnosis of the osteoporosis.

Mammogram – the best way to detect Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer -We all have heard frequently about it but we have done little or say nothing to help prevent ourselves from it. When breast cancer starts it would probably do not show up any signs or you might not feel any discomfort. It is only when you notice certain changes do you come to know of the breast cancer. This October the entire World is celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness month.

medecure takes this opportunity to educate and inform you all about the breast cancer and how timely mammogram could help you prevent breast cancer.

Some symptoms for breast cancer :

• Change in the breast appearance (Size and Shape)
• Lump in the breast or armpit
• Skin of the breast causes irritation
• Bloody discharge from the  breast nipple
• Pain in breast
• Redness develops around the nipple area
• Flaky skin of the area around nipple
• Any thickening or swelling in the breast area

Acc. to researches breast cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women.

Mammogram : This is the X-ray of the breast which helps doctors in early detection of the breast cancer. For every women aged between 40-50 years, it is advised that they should consult their gynecologist for the mammogram screening done. If you fall in the age group 50-75, get mammogram screening done every two years. The biggest advantage of going for mammogram is that it would show up the symptoms before it is felt. So the doctors have plenty of time to advice their patients and treat them accordingly. The woman then can lead a happy and healthy life.
Mammogram screening could be done at your gynecologist clinic. Get the appointment and have the screening done after which you could even consult the doctor for advice.

As said, Prevention is better than cure, women could also keep an eye on certain factors to control the incidence for breast cancer. These are:

• Keep your weight in control
• Indulge in physical activity (walk or exercise)
• Keep a track of the family history (if anyone form your family had a past for breast cancer, go for the diagnostic test as early as possible)
• Limit the consumption of alcohol
• Quit Smoking
• If you are on medication or undertaking any treatment for menopause, follow the gynaecologist advice strictly.

Though men could also get breast cancer, but such incidents are very rare. So, women should come forward and take precautionary measures to help save them form breast cancer and lead a healthy life.
So, go for breast cancer screening today and rule it out from your lives! Celebrate the breast cancer awareness month in its truest sense this October.

Support Vision 2020 : The Right to Sight campaign

Some Facts as per World Health Organization :

• About 285 million people are visually impaired worldwide

• 39 million are blind and
• 246 million have low vision (severe or moderate visual impairment)

• preventable cause are as high as 80% of the total global visual impairment burden
• About 90% of the world’s visually impaired people live in developing countries
• Globally, uncorrected refractive errors are the main cause of visual impairment
• Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness
• 65% of visually impaired, and 82% of blind people are over 50 years of age, although this age group comprises only 20% of the world population

Ray Charles quoted,” I don’t know what would have happened to me if I hadn’t been able to hear “. So we hear how important the vision is for us. We cannot imagine one day going without vision. Though we do not have any control over natural blindness or blindness due to any injury but what about the 80% people who just get blind due to avoidable reasons. The biggest reason for people getting blind even with avoidable blindness is the negligence and less awareness.

This is why to increase the awareness for reducing the soaring numbers of avoidable blindness, the World Health Organization and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) get involved in coordinating events and activities for World Sight Day. The main aim is to :

• To raise public awareness of blindness and vision impairment as major international public health issues.
• To influence governments, particularly health ministers, to participate in and designate funds for national blindness prevention programs.
• To educate target audiences about blindness prevention, about VISION 2020 and its activities, and to generate support for VISION 2020 program activities.

Also awareness raising walks are organised, brochures, pamphlets, posters, fliers, booklets and other informational pieces are distributed to make people more aware about avoidable blindness.

So, let us join hands with these organisations and work for reducing the figures of avoidable blindness. You would find medecure playing the role of a trusted partner in this endeavour.

Good Mental Health – Important for overall development

Mental Health – what comes in your mind when you hear this word? You all might have read in lower standards the definition of health. It was, “a state of physical and mental well being”. Much is said about the importance of physical health but little do you know that if you are not mentally healthy; physical health would be of no use.

If we go by how WHO (World Health Organization) defines Mental Health, ” a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community ”. WHO also stresses that  ” mental health is not just the absence of mental disorder ”

“ Everyone is susceptible to Mental Health Problems ”

People from all walks of life, all age groups are at risk for developing mental health problems. Mental Health problems are also called by the name of mental illness or mental disorders.

The most common mental disorders include :

Anxiety Disorders : this is the most common of all mental disorder. In such a disorder a suffering person tries to avoid such situations, places which could trigger that anxiety.

Anxiety disorders could be categorised as :

Panic Disorder : sudden paralyzing terror or imminent disaster

Phobia : fear of certain objects, fear of being subjected to judgement by others, fear of coping with certain situations. Such phobias could run in hundreds depending upon the condition and situation

OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) : uncontrolled urge of performing an activity again and again i.e. obsession and because it is uncontrolled so it becomes compulsive such as washing hands again and again for no reason

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) : after a traumatic event or tragedy in someone’s life, some persons might feel that his or his loved ones life is in danger and he tries to run and run from the situation and the condition. The person feels helpless over what is happening.

There are other disorders also like mood disorders, Schizophrenia disorders which are very difficult to manage and handle.

Medecure believes that the best way to fight these disorders is to have complete faith in you, your loved ones and the Almighty God. Also do consult a Psychologist or a Psychiatrist to seek help and get rid of these disturbing mental disorders.

World Heart Day – A step towards Healthy Heart

Heart disease is taking away the life of more than 17 million people worldwide every year. The number of deaths will keep on increasing if proper preventive measures are not adopted to reduce the risk factors of heart disease. People can keep their heart healthy by quitting smoking or tobacco, having healthy dietary choices and involving more in physical activities.

History of World Heart Federation

World Heart Federation is a nongovernmental organization, head quarter at Geneva, Switzerland. It has its roots associated with International Society of Cardiology formed in 1946 and International Cardiology Federation, which was formed in the year 1970. These two organizations merged in 1978 to form the International Society and Federation of Cardiology (ISFC). The ISFC was renamed as World Heart Federation in 1998.

Celebrations of World Heart Day

World Heart Day is celebrated every year on last Sunday of September by World Heart Federation. It aims to fight against the heart disease, the world’s leading cause of death. Campaigns are organized globally to encourage people to choose for healthy lifestyle. The awareness events are organized which include

• Organized walks, runs and fitness sessions.
• Public talks.
• Stage shows
• Concerts
• Carnivals
• Sports tournaments

Members and partners of the World Heart Federation organize the campaigns to create awareness among the people about the risk factors of heart disease. It aims to promote among masses that heart disease can be avoided by working on its risk factors such as tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.

World heart Federation is taking a step towards healthier living by celebrating World Heart Day and promoting preventive measures such as exercising, eating healthy food and quitting tobacco to keep the heart healthy.

In 2012, World Heart Day will be celebrated on 29 September. The theme for the celebrations is “One World, One Home, One Heart”. Campaigns will be organized globally to prevent the risk factors or causes of heart disease and keep the heart healthy. Medecure has too lend its support to the cause of celebrating World Heart Day. you too take a plunge today.

How Human Rabies could be Prevented?

Rabies is a deadly disease which if not treated well in time results in death. Once the symptoms start developing, there is no way you could cure or save the life of patient. However, there are some ways out following which you could prevent human rabies from spreading.

• Treating people which have been bitten by those dogs whose vaccination status is not known.
• Working for prevention of transmission of rabies virus
• Vaccinating all those people which have got pre vaccination for rabies

The point is that likewise we vaccinate our children against various diseases before hand same should be done with the rabies vaccination. Medecure urges all the people that they should not wait that only when a dog bites us or we come in contact with an infected person or animal’s saliva should we go for vaccination.

The vaccination for rabies cost only Rs.25 per dose which is quite economical. Then why we are lacking behind in taking a step forward. All the dogs whether stray or pet should be vaccinated for rabies. It is the duty of the govt and pet owners to check for the vaccination schedule and administer all the dogs to timely vaccination.

You would be surprised to know that Jaipur- the pink city is the only city where we have been able to eradicate rabies fully through mass vaccination. The biggest problem with our country is the limited knowledge. If someone is bitten by a dog, many people would suggest applying a home made paste but none would ask you to go for post partum vaccination.

The very first step when a dog bites is to wash the wound completely with an antiseptic soap and then proceed to the doctor for vaccination.

Know the symptoms of Gastritis

Gastritis develops when the lining of stomach becomes inflamed or swollen. In some cases, gastritis occurs after traumatic injury, major surgery, severe infections and burns.  The problem is also developed in those who have undergone weight loss surgery, which results in banding or reconstruction of digestive tract.People may develop gastritis due to infection from bacteria, primarily Helicobacter pylori, stress, chronic bile reflux, and certain autoimmune disorders. Acute gastritis occurs due to excessive alcohol consumption or prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Gastroenterologists find the underlying cause of the problem and suggests for the treatment.

Symptom of gastritis
Many people with gastritis experience no signs and symptoms at all. However, they can have upper central abdominal pain, which can be vague, dull, burning, gnawing, aching, sore, or sharp. Though the pain occurs in the upper part of the abdomen, it may be also felt anywhere from the upper left portion of the abdomen around to the back. If you experience this symptom, consult the gastroenterology doctors. Other symptoms include

• Nausea
• Belching
• Loss of appetite
• Bloating
• Unexplained weight loss
• Burning in upper abdomen
• You will full after having few bites of food
• Vomiting which may be clear, yellow or green, blood-streaked, sometimes completely bloody, depending on the severity of inflammation of digestive system.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, it’s a time to visit the digestive system specialist (Gastroenterologists).

How is gastritis treated and diagnosed?

Certain tests such as stool test, gastroscopy, complete blood count test and blood test are done to diagnose the gastritis. Gastroscopy procedure helps to visualize the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract up to the duodenum. Depending on the severity of infection, gastroenterology doctors prescribe for medications and injections.

Do not ignore the symptoms of gastritis; find a doctor who is a Gastroenterologists  (digestive system specialist) and get the treatment.