Dialysis – what you should know

Our kidneys perform a vital function. They take care of excreting toxic substances from our bodies and keeping our blood purified. When the kidneys do not function properly, the toxic substances are not excreted. It mixes with the blood, raising blood toxicity levels which can be dangerous.

Dialysis is a treatment that uses a machine to filter and purify the blood.  When the kidney is weak and cannot function optimally, the dialysis machine can take over purifying the blood.

How is dialysis done?

There are two types of dialysis:-

Haemodialysis

In this procedure, blood is diverted to an external machine, where it is filtered and then returned to the body.

Peritoneal dialysis

In this procedure, the dialysis fluid is pumped into the abdomen's space to draw out waste products from the blood.

Both types are equally effective, but in the former, you will have to visit the hospital, while the latter can be done at home. Your doctor will help you figure out which method is better for you.

Also Read: What is the procedure for dialysis?

Tips to ensure a good prognosis

•         Take medication regularly

•         Follow diet and water restriction

•         Take dialysis as many times as prescribed

With the proper care and support, you should be able to manage kidney disease with dialysis till you can get a transplant done.

If you are looking for a good nephrologist, you can look for one by searching online for “nephrologist near me”. Type “nephrologist near me” into your search engine and you will find a good one.

Best Nephrologist in Chennai| Best Nephrologist in Trichy | Best Nephrologist in Salem | Best Nephrologist in Hosur

Understanding Fatty Liver Disease

Dr. K. Elan Kumaran, Head, Liver Diseases and Transplantation at Kauvery Hospital, shares valuable insights regarding the fatty liver disease. The doctor worries that most people who come in today for a regular health check-up show signs of a fatty liver. If not reversed, it could worsen, and liver failure treatment may be needed.

What is fatty liver?

Fatty liver disease occurs due to the accumulation of triglycerides and other fats in the liver cells. Our liver should optimally contain 1-4% fat. If your liver contains between 5-15% fat, you have a fatty liver.

There are two kinds of fatty liver disease:-

•  Alcoholic fatty liver disease

•  Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Alcoholic fatty liver disease

Also known as alcoholic hepatitis, it occurs due to fat build-up and inflammation in the liver due to excessive alcohol consumption.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

This covers liver conditions that occur in people who drink little to no alcohol. Risk factors include:-

•         High cholesterol

•         Obesity

•         High blood pressure

•         Insulin resistance

•         Type 2 diabetes

Also Read: Functions and Diseases of the liver and how to keep it healthy

Prevention of fatty liver

Fatty liver is related to your lifestyle and shows no symptoms in the beginning. Unfortunately, by the time any symptoms manifest, the liver is already damaged, and you may need liver failure treatment. If you have been diagnosed with fatty liver, here are some tips on bringing it under control to reduce liver failure risk.

•         Maintain optimum weight

•         Eat a nutritious diet

•         Take regular exercise

•         Avoid alcohol

•         Take medication as prescribed

Liver Transplant in Chennai | Liver Transplant in Hosur | Liver Transplant in Salem | Liver Transplant in Trichy

Bell's Palsy – what you should know

Senior Consultant, Stroke and Neurovascular Medicine, Dr. Sivarajan Thandeeswaran of Kauvery Hospital, shares a few valuable insights regarding Bell's Palsy, a neurological disorder affecting the orientation of the face.

What is Bell's Palsy?

Bell's Palsy is an ailment that occurs when the nerves that control facial muscles expand, compress, or get inflamed. It is thought to be caused by infections or autoimmune diseases, but the exact trigger remains unknown. It can cause temporary weakness or paralysis in the face that manifests as drooping and stiffness on one side of the face. Smiles can look lop-sided, and one eye may droop or remain closed. This condition can occur at any age, but it is most common among people between the ages of 16 to 60. Scottish anatomist, Charles Bell, was the first to describe the condition, and it is named after him.

Also Read: Life after a stroke: Recovery and Rehabilitation

Bell's Palsy Treatment

This condition can be treated with anti-viral medicine and steroids, which will help remove infection and heal the nerves. In most cases, with Bell's Palsy treatment, the condition gets better and goes away in a few weeks to a few months. 15 % of affected patients may have improper recovery and may need further treatment that could include physical therapy, stronger medication, and electrical stimulation. Due to the nature of the condition, people often mistake Bell's Palsy for a stroke. It is advisable to see a doctor for a diagnosis. The most important fact about Bell's Palsy is that it is treatable.

Best Neurologist in Chennai | Best Neurologist in Trichy | Best Neurologist in Salem | Best Neurologist in Hosur

Dishoom Dishoom Diabetes!

Dr. K. Baraneedharan, Sr Consultant Diabetologist, Kauvery Hospital Chennai, shares his thoughts about Dishoom Dishoom Diabetes, the unique Diabetes awareness expo held at Kauvery Hospital to fight Diabetes.

Kauvery Hospital had a free diabetes awareness expo at their hospital recently. It welcomed diabetics and non-diabetics, who could go in and have a top to toe diabetic check-up.

 

Diabetic check-up and management

The check-up included blood sugar testing stalls, eye testing, foot testing, and a talk on diabetic awareness and diabetes management. There were also counsellors to help answer any questions that people with diabetes or at-risk people had on the illness.

The expo included a stall, where nutrition tips and a diabetic diet plan was given to help manage diabetes. A physiotherapist was present to help raise awareness of physical problems related to diabetes and prevent them. They also had a special stall for diabetic footwear where people could find out more about the various footwear options available for diabetic management.

Manage diabetes and live a better life

People walked away from the expo, much more aware of the importance of diabetes management, the various options open to them to help manage the illness, and hopefully to make changes in their lifestyle to live a quality life while managing their diabetes.

Best Diabetologist in Chennai | Best Diabetologist in Hosur | Best Diabetologist in Salem | Best Diabetologist in Trichy | 

 

Understanding BE FAST

Dr. Bhuvaneshwari Rajendran, Neurologist and Neurophysiologist, Kauvery Hospital Chennai, explains the acronym BE FAST and the significance of sudden arm/leg weakness/paralysis as a tell-tale sign of a stroke.

Origin of BE FAST

FAST is an acronym that has been used for a while now as a mnemonic to help detect and enhance responsiveness to a person's needs having a stroke. The acronym stands for Facial drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties, and Time to call emergency services. With advancing technology, better facilities, and treatment, 2 more alphabets have been added to this acronym, making it BE FAST.



What does BE FAST stand for?

Balance – Is the person able to walk unaided? Are they experiencing a sudden loss of balance or coordination?

Eyes – Are they experiencing a sudden blurred or double vision? Is there persistent vision trouble?

Face – When smiling, is one or both sides of the face drooping?

Arms – When both arms are raised, does one side drift downward? Is there weakness or numbness on one side? The A doesn't stand for only arms but encompasses both limbs.

Speech – Is the person slurring or speaking in a garbled way? Are they able to repeat simple words and phrases?

Time – Immediate medical attention is essential if one or more of these signs manifest. Note down, time of symptoms.

Dr. Bhuvaneshwari Rajendran stresses the importance of taking quick steps if any of these symptoms manifest and get the patient to the hospital immediately.

Best Neurologist in Chennai  | Best Neurologist in Salem | Best Neurologist in Trichy

Liver Transplantation – what you need to know

Dr. K. Elan Kumaran, Kauvery Hospital, and Clinical Lead, Advanced Liver Diseases and Transplantation Centre, shares valuable insights regarding liver transplantation, its types, and its advantages.

 

What is a liver transplant?

A liver transplant is a surgical procedure that removes a liver that no longer functions appropriately and replaces it with a healthy liver.

When is it done?

A liver transplant may be necessary if the patient has:

· Liver failure

· Liver cancer

· Genetic predisposition which leads to liver diseases in children

What are the two methods of liver transplant?

Living donor transplant

A donor has to be found in a living donor transplant who has a good match with the person who needs a liver transplant. After proper tests and evaluations are done, and the transplant is approved, a portion of the liver from the healthy living person is removed and placed into the person whose liver is no longer working correctly. Transplants from living donors are recommended as they go more smoothly. This is because the livers from living donors are outside the body for a shorter amount of time.

Deceased donor liver

If there is no living donor match available, a deceased donor liver is procured. It is usually taken from a person who has suffered from brain damage after injury or stroke. The donor must be between 1-70 years of age and should have been relatively healthy before their death. The liver will regenerate in about 8-10 weeks.

Is the surgery safe for the donor and receiver?

Due to advancements in technology and medical care, this is an oft done surgery and has a very high success rate and recovery rate. The donor also undergoes surgery and may take a month to recover and resume normal activities. The liver has the unique ability to regenerate. Hence the partial livers of both the donor and recipient soon grow into complete organs.

Liver Transplant in Chennai | Liver Transplant in Hosur | Liver Transplant in Salem | Liver Transplant in Trichy |

A musical start to 2021

Dr. K Balaji, a Nephrologist and Trained Classical Vocalist renders a beautiful piece from Raga Hamsadhwani and explains the positive impact of music on the human body. This 2021, let's listen to beautiful music, spread positivity, and stay healthy! 

Hamsadhwani is a bright and auspicious raga and is usually the raga that is sung at the start of a Carnatic concert. It is a popular raga that is easily identified due to its distinctive charm. It is commonly sung in Madhyamakala or a medium-fast tempo and is derived from Shankarabharanam. It is said to have been created by Ramaswamy Dikshitar, and the credit for introducing this raga into the Hindustani system of music goes to Ustad Aman Ali Khan.

Popular kritis that are sung in Hamsadhwani include:-

· Vatapi Ganapatim
· Parvati Patim
· Tyagaraja’s Sri Raghukula and Raghunayaka
· Veeva Kuppier’s Vinayaka
· G.N. Balasubramaniam’s Vara Vallabha
· Papanasam Sivan’s Karunai Seivaai
· Muthiah Bhagavatar’s Gam Ganapathe.

Every raga has its spirit, and Hamsadhwani is no different. It is said to bring positivity and to spread happiness and prosperity.

Use of Hamsadhwani in music therapy

Music therapy is a methodology that has been used to help in the treatment of mental illness, depression, and anxiety. It has been found that listening to music can help in calming minds, reducing stress, and controlling high blood pressure. Hamsadhwani raga, in particular, has been found to have the potential to lower blood pressure and is used as a part of the music therapy programs that are being created to help in preventing cardiovascular disease.

Nephrologist in Chennai | Nephrologist in Hosur | Nephrologist in Salem | Nephrologist in Trichy |