Five Pointers for a Healthy Heart

Five Pointers for a Healthy Heart

Dr T Senthil Kumar, cardiothoracic vascular surgeon at Kauvery Heart City, elucidates on five very simple ways by which we can keep our heart healthy.

·         Healthy and Controlled Eating: By eating a healthy diet filled with fruits and vegetables and by reducing the number of calories we consume, we can reduce the risk of developing heart problems.

·         Daily Exercise: A consistent exercise program strengthens the heart. People who work out regularly definitely lower their risk of getting a heart ailment.

·         Stress-Free Life: Leading a stressful life is bad for the heart and we should try to either reduce the stress or find ways to manage it effectively.

·         Sugar Control in Diabetics: Diabetics are at an increased risk of developing heart diseases and control of sugar level is essential to shield the heart.

·         BP Control in Hypertensive: Hypertension or increased blood pressure overworks the heart and contributes to the development of many heart problems. Hence blood pressure control is crucial to safeguard the heart.

Read also Top 10 Reasons For Heart Attack

The aforementioned pointers play a very important role in people staying heart healthy. Dr Senthil Kumar stresses that along with taking care of our heart and health we should do what we can to take care of our family members’ and friends’ heart health too. By spreading awareness on these simple yet crucial pointers we can ensure a heart healthy community.

 

Watch Dr Senthil Kumar himself explain the ways to stay heart healthy -

 

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Trust and Patient Satisfaction: Positive Patient Experience at Kauvery Hospital

Ms. Yamuna Naidu who is from the army talks about her journey with Kauvery Hospital that began 6 years ago. Ms. Yamuna was suffering from a skin condition and she did not know whom to approach for treatment. When she arrived at Kauvery, she was well received with kindness and understanding by the medical assistants who immediately took her to Dr Swetha Rahul, the dermatologist at Kauvery Hospital. Ms. Yamuna is full of praise for the empathy and care that was shown by the hospital staff, not only towards her, but also towards every patient who comes there for treatment. She calls the hospital her second home as she gets the best treatment there. She signs off by saying that it is a privilege to be treated in Kauvery Hospital and thanks the hospital for all its services! 

Watch Ms. Yamuna Naidu herself talk about her positive experience at Kauvery Hospital -

Recovery from Burns: A Patient’s Tale of Transformation

Little Prithvik was the apple of his parents’ eye. This is a short account of him having suffered an unfortunate burn injury, his subsequent treatment at Kauvery Hospital and his recovery. 

Mr. Praveen recalls how Prithvik, his 1 ½ year old son, had an accident with hot water while playing outside their house. A vessel with extremely hot water had been kept outside the house and Prithvik who was playing nearby, accidentally touched it and sustained burns in his hand and parts of his body. He was immediately taken to a doctor nearby who suggested that Prithvik be taken to a bigger hospital. Prithvik’s family did so and he was treated for an hour at the hospital. However, after the treatment, the doctors themselves suggested that Prithvik be taken to Kauvery Hospital, Hosur for further treatment. At Kauvery Hospital, Prithvik was treated appropriately and he recovered quickly. Later, plastic surgery was also performed and during the post-operative period, little Prithvik was well taken care of by the doctors and staff. Mr. Praveen was very happy with the services rendered at Kauvery Hospital and was thankful for his son’s successful treatment.

Watch Prithvik’s tale of transformation here 

Recent Advancements in Cardiology

One of the common cardiac problems that patients face is shrinkage in the arteries. For many of these patients, bypass surgery is recommended. For some, angioplasty is recommended. In angioplasty, blocks are removed through a technique called angiogram. 

Dr. A. B. Gopalamurugan, a senior interventional cardiologist at Kauvery Hospital, explains that the treatment plan chosen for elderly patients should be one that improves the quality of life of the patient. He says that old people might undergo an open-heart surgery and come out of it successfully but what truly matters is if after surgery their quality of life has seen an improvement.

Angioplasty as an Alternative to Bypass Surgery

Dr Gopalamurugan explains that most of the surgeries he does, feature angioplasty with highly sophisticated techniques instead of bypass surgery. Earlier, bypass surgery was the only option available to patients but now this is not the case. Unfortunately, the fact that there is an option is not known to many people. He suggests that patients get an opinion from both a cardiologist and a cardiac surgeon to arrive at what is known as a heart team decision. This decision is one that has the best interest of the patient at heart. It is one which improves the symptoms of the patient and leads to an improved quality of life for the patient. It should also be the least invasive procedure. These three factors are of paramount importance while deciding on the treatment plan.

Read also Top 10 Reasons For Heart Attack

Overcoming a Few Myths

In today’s day and age, a majority of the patients are treated without bypass surgery. However, many people are still skeptical and believe that if there is a block in the main vessel or if there are three or more blocks then bypass surgery is warranted. Dr Gopalamurugan reassures that this is not true. He says that the results of angioplasty are very similar to bypass surgery and the quality of life that the patient leads after angioplasty is even better than after bypass. There is concurrence on this from all over the world.

However, he stresses that before opting for any procedure, patients should have a thorough discussion with their cardiologist or cardiac surgeon and then decide on the best course of action.

To watch Dr Gopalamurugan, explain the advantages of angioplasty click 

Also watch Dr. S. Aravinda Kumar presents insights on Cardiovascular Disorders at Trichy

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Bathing After a Meal Delays Digestion

The prevailing COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many changes in our day-to-day life. Some of these changes may be considered insignificant, but in the long run, their effects on our body are definitely not insignificant to say the least. One such lifestyle change that has been brought about is that many people now no longer bathe before lunch, preferring to postpone bathing to after lunch. This might seem like a trivial thing, but as Dr Muralidharan Parthasarathy of Kauvery Hospital explains, bathing after meals has more repercussions than we realize.

Dr Muralidharan who is a general, GI, laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon, explains that the pandemic has changed the way we live. Our daily routine of getting up, bathing, breakfasting and then leaving for work has been upset because of many factors caused by the pandemic. As a result, people bathe at times convenient to them, often after meals, not realizing that this has adverse effects on their digestion.

Read: How to exercise during the Covid-19 pandemic

How Is Digestion Affected?

When we eat, an increased volume of blood supply is needed by the stomach and small intestine to aid in the process of digestion. If we bathe after a meal, the bath causes a change in our body temperature. This in turn results in an increased requirement of blood by the skin and other parts. Therefore, the blood that was meant to aid in digestion is now diverted to the skin. This practice of bathing after meals, when it is done on a regular basis, puts people at risk of many digestion disorders.

Read: What is the difference between Indigestion and Heart burn?

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Dr Muralidharan explains that it is best to wait for at least an hour after lunch and then bathe. Even better would be to take a bath before lunch. These simple solutions could avoid digestion problems.

To listen to Dr Muralidharan himself explain digestion issues caused by variations in bathing times, 

Understanding the Usage of a Finger Pulse Oximeter

The importance of a finger pulse oximeter is something we keep hearing about nowadays because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are all aware that the finger pulse oximeter is an extremely useful device but what exactly are its uses and how it helps us during these difficult times is still unclear to people who aren’t a part of the medical field.

Coronavirus affects the lungs; the lungs perform the key function of absorbing the oxygen from the air that we inhale. As a result, when the lungs are affected, the process of oxygen filtration is hindered. This is what causes the main COVID-19 symptoms of shortness of breath and inability to breathe deeply. The finger pulse oximeter monitors this drop in oxygen level.

The finger pulse oximeter is extremely useful in:

• Monitoring oxygen saturation for people in home quarantine

• Keeping an eye on people who are suffering from mild COVID symptoms

Ease of Use

The device is small and portable and is available in a small cardboard box in which are present other than the finger pulse oximeter itself, two batteries and one detachable rope. Before using the device, the batteries have to be inserted through a push open cover at the back. The device is then ready for use.

Read: COVID 19 – Airborne Spread Is the New Risk

Measurement of Parameters

After switching on the pulse oximeter, the index finger should be placed in the probe. Information on two important parameters will be displayed:

• The oxygen saturation level or SpO2

• Pulse rate

SpO2 indicates the oxygen carrying ability of the blood. For a normal person, this value can be anywhere between 96-100. A reading below 94 shows that the working of the lungs has been affected.

The pulse rate is the number of heartbeats per minute. This value for a normal person can lie anywhere between 60-90 beats per minute. Oxygen saturation levels lesser than 94 and pulse rates of 50 beats per minute or lesser require immediate examination by a doctor.

By keeping track of these two important parameters, patients can conveniently self-assess at home and can stay alert to any deterioration in health.

Read: How to exercise during the Covid-19 pandemic

Few Pointers to Keep in Mind

• The finger pulse oximeter will automatically turn off if the presence of the index finger in the probe is not detected for 10 seconds.

• Proper placement of fingers in the probe is very important to get correct readings.

• Nails painted with nail polish and the use of artificial nails while measuring can lead to incorrect SpO2 readings.

• While measuring, any excessive or jerky movements need to be avoided to get accurate readings.

To get a detailed understanding about the usage of a pulse oximeter visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIbqgcBbzZI

Symptoms of Appendicitis: Sharp Pain in the Right Side of the Stomach?

Appendicitis is a condition for inflammation in the appendix, a small finger-like tube that extends from the large intestine to the right side of the body—the inflammation results in severe abdominal pain. Immediate surgery to remove the appendix is the standard procedure because if left in place, the inflamed appendix would burst and result in the infection spreading through the body, often with the most severe consequences. The appendix is not an essential organ, and removing it does not affect the health in any way.

The Symptoms

The exact nature of the symptoms and the severity may vary significantly from person to person. However, there are some common signs of an inflamed appendix that appear in almost all cases. These include:

• Loss of appetite.

• Fever that may go up to 102 degrees F or even higher.

• A swollen belly.

• Inability to pass gas.

• Pain in the lower abdomen, starting near the navel and then moving further down.

• The pain may increase when coughing, walking or making, and sudden movements.

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Dull or sharp pain anywhere in the lower back.

• Pain when passing urine.

• Either constipation or diarrhea.

Read Also: Abdominal Pain – Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

While pain in the lower right side of the abdomen is common, the location may vary depending on the patient’s age and the location and size of the appendix.

Contact a Doctor without Delay

If you or someone you know has any or all of the symptoms given above, contact a Best Gastroenterologist in Salem. Because the symptoms of appendicitis are similar to those of bladder or urinary tract infections like gastritis, Crohn’s disease, gallbladder problems, kidney stones, intestinal infections, etc., only a highly qualified and experienced doctor at a hospital with the latest medical equipment will be able to provide an accurate diagnosis. Among the tests, the doctor may use are:

• Physical examination of the abdomen to find signs of inflammation

• Urine tests.

• A Rectal examination.

• Blood tests to look for signs of infection.

• CT Scans.

• Ultrasound.

Read Also: Diabetes Foot Care at Kauvery Hospital

Appendicitis is a common medical condition, and treatment is through surgery. As long as the symptoms are caught early, and treatment is begun without delay, there is typically no cause for concern and the patients will be able to make a full recovery and lead a completely normal life in all respects.