Importance of Exercising Right

Dr. S. Chockalingam, Orthopaedician, Kauvery Hospital Cantonment, shares useful tips on maintaining a healthy body and physique. 

Why should we exercise?

Our body needs exercise to be strong, healthy, and to look nice. Exercise helps tone our muscles, maintains balance, and keeps all our organs functioning properly. Exercise is essential for a human being at any point in life, but different activities are advised for different age groups. A person who is at optimum physical health can do high-intensity exercises. As we grow older, usually, due to age and, maybe, illness, the pace of exercising and the type of activities have to be changed to ensure that it is not taking a toll on the body.

Exercising as you age

A person who has been weight training and doing high endurance and high impact exercise most of their life may have to lessen the intensity of activity as they grow older. After a certain age, it would be wise to consult with a doctor to ensure that the exercises you are doing will not harm you. As we age, our muscles and bones become weaker, and so it is better to lessen weight training and concentrate more on low impact aerobic activity like walking, jogging, swimming, etc.

Pick an activity that keeps you fit but is not a strain on your body.

Bone Health and Osteoporosis | Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj, Chief Ortho Surgeon

On October 28th, 2020, World Osteoporosis Day, Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj and Dr. Kathir Azhagan of Kauvery Hospital discuss the importance of raising awareness of osteoporosis.

Dr. Aravindan feels that in India, the diagnosis of osteoporosis is made very late. This is because people find out that they have osteoporosis only after returning to the hospital with a fracture. He stresses that the disease can be managed better with an earlier diagnosis. All it would take is a simple blood test and a scan. 

Understanding osteoporosis

Osteoporosis causes the bones to become brittle, and due to this, the chances of a fracture increases. It is common among post-menopausal women but can affect men too.

Causes

• Vitamin D deficiency
• Calcium deficiency
• A decrease in estrogen (in post-menopausal women)

Diagnosis 

• Physical examination
• Blood test
• Dexa Scan or bone densitometry

Prevention

Keeping the bone strong and healthy is essential. This means having foods rich in calcium and Vitamin D. If there is a deficiency, supplements need to be taken to ensure that optimum levels are maintained.

It is essential to be aware of osteoporosis, get a yearly bone density test done, and maintain good bone health. Once you have osteoporosis, it is difficult to manage as it can lead to multiple fractures and related complications.

Treating Spinal Cord Injuries – Spine Care

The spine performs an integral function in our body. It supports our body and protects the network of nerves that connect the brain to the different parts of our body. A spinal cord injury could disrupt the system and have cataclysmic results in our body and our quality of life. 

Causes

• Vehicular accidents
• Violent trauma 
• Bad fall from a height 
• Sports injuries 
• Diving injuries 

Symptoms

Pain in back or neck

• Weakness
• Paralysis
• Loss of sensation
• Urinary problems
• Toilet problems
• Sexual problems

After an injury, if any of the above symptoms manifest:-

Do’s

• Call 108
• Make injured lie flat on the back
• Perform basic first aid
• Move to one side if nauseous

Dont’s

• Don’t give food or water
• Don’t let them sit up
• Do not take off the helmet

Importance of time to treatment

In any spine injury, the time to treatment is crucial. With spinal injuries, quick treatment is essential, but the early stages of recovery are equally critical. It may involve long-term hospital care and, sometimes, follow up surgery. So it is crucial to find a hospital that not only has the best doctors and medical care facilities, but where follow up care and rehabilitation facilities are equally good.

Kauvery Hospital’s Advanced Spine Centre comprises a dedicated team of stalwart neurosurgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, neurologists, physiotherapists, and neuroradiologists that is complemented by a team of nurses specialized in spine care.