What’s Increasing Your Risk of Afib? How to Get Diagnosed?

When the normal heart rate disappears, an arrhythmia occurs. The atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia that happens when under normal conditions.

The heart rate is the speed at which the heart beats; That is, the number of times it contracts per minute. Normally, the frequency is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. An arrhythmia occurs when, under normal conditions, the heart rate goes down (bradycardia) or rises (tachycardia).

The heart rate stops being regular. Heart rate refers to how the heart beats; whether they are regular or irregular. The heart rate adapts to the needs of the body at all times. That's why it speeds up when you exercise and slows down when you sleep. But, under normal conditions, it should be regular.

Atrial Fibrillation Causes

Occasionally, atrial fibrillation appears for no apparent reason, but other times there is a clear trigger. These are the most common causes:

• Hypertension - The most common cause of atrial fibrillation is high blood or hypertension.
• Heart problems - Any disease in the heart (of the valves, angina pectoris, infarction, etc.) can cause atrial fibrillation.
• Hormonal conditions - In some cases, it may be a result of thyroid or other hormonal disorders.
• Unknown - When no cause is found after the necessary tests, atrial fibrillation is called as idiopathic Risks associated. 

The risk of atrial fibrillation increases with age. Usually, atrial fibrillation occurs in people with previous heart disease. The heart disorders that are associated with the more frequent occurrence of atrial fibrillation are:

Hypertensive cardiovascular disease, heart disease due to a chronic increase in blood pressure which is an excessive strain on the heart muscle.

Diseases of the heart valves that separate the different chambers of the heart. For example, mitral stenosis (narrowing) or mitral insufficiency.

An acute myocardial infarction or ischemic heart disease, caused by insufficient supply of blood to the heart.

A heart failure or weakness of the heart muscle.

Have undergone heart surgery.

Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) or the membrane surrounding the heart (pericarditis).

Atrial fibrillation also arises by extra cardiac causes:

The excessive drinking. It usually gives short-duration atrial fibrillation. It can occur after a weekend where you consume excessive alcohol which is called as holiday heart syndrome or Saturday night heart).

The consumption of drugs such as cocaine or amphetamines that stimulate the heart.

Heart Atrial Fibrillation Treatment

Treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) depends on the severity or frequency of the symptoms and whether you already have heart disease. General treatment options include medications, medical procedures, and lifestyle changes.

There are various treatment options available, which are determined to,

Prevent blood clots from forming and reduce the risk of stroke.

Control how many times per minute the ventricles contract. This is called frequency control. Frequency control is necessary because it allows the ventricles enough time to fill completely with blood. With this approach, irregular heart rhythm continues, but the person feels better and has fewer symptoms.

Restore the heart to a normal rhythm. It is called rhythm control. Rhythm control allows the atria and ventricles to work together again to pump blood to the body efficiently.

Treat any underlying disorder that causes or increases the risk of the condition, for example, hyperthyroidism.

For medical treatment advice, Visit: http://www.healthopinion.net/

Dental Tourism in India

All over the globe, millions of people suffer from dental problems. There can be different types of issues which can be associated with dental treatments. As per a recent survey conducted by the Indian Dental Association, the number of dental patients has significantly increased within a short span of 5 years. According to the experts, there are many reasons which lead to such a situation; among them, food habits of the people is considered to be the most important one.

Be it a child or a grown adult; anyone can be affected by dental problems. It can be very painful at times and if not taken care of at the initial stage, can lead to something very serious. In certain cases, things can escalate to something as deadly as cancer!

However, there is no need to worry as there are many experts and competent dentists available in India. Over the years, when it comes to dental care in India, there has been a massive improvement. With the introduction of new and modern equipment, it has become easier for the dentists to diagnose an issue and then to fix it as quickly as possible. These days, pain killers are not the only means of dental treatments; there are other more advanced and sophisticated mechanisms which are available these days.

India offers affordable dental care, dental treatment, dental surgeries and procedures which are usually expensive in many other countries. World class dental clinics in India with trained and experienced dentist and specialists in dental implants and cosmetic dentistry is one of the attractive side of Indian dentistry.

Dental tourism in India enables many international patents to save on dental treatments. India is a leading destination to get your treatment without compromising on the quality. It allows you to redesign your smile and confidence without compromising on the quality.

Some most demanded Dental Treatments in India

There are arrays of different types of dental treatment procedures which are available. Here are some of the most common ones offered for individuals of different age groups -

·      Teeth Whitening: When it comes to teeth whitening, these days, things have become more advanced and sophisticated. Unlike what it used to be earlier, when the entire process was done manually which took a lot of time and didn’t always give the desired results, these days, laser treatment is used for this purpose. Laser teeth whitening has proven to be the most effective means, which is painless and at the same time yields the best of results.

·   Implants: Dental implant is a process where an artificial root is placed inside the jaw so that a replacement tooth can be placed. Dental implant surgery can be the best option for those who have lost their tooth/teeth and are looking to add new ones.

·    Treating the Root Canal: When it comes to root canal treatment, these days more advanced and sophisticated means are being used. The treatment has become much simpler these days, and it takes a very little time for the entire procedure to get completed. Unlike earlier times, when the post-surgery period used to be very uncomfortable and painful, these days, with the help of the sophisticated and modern techniques, things have become much easier for the patients.

To wrap it up - the dental care industry in India has gone through a massive change over the last couple of decades. Today, with the help of modern and sophisticated mechanisms millions of people in India are served with the best dental care services. 

Stroke in Young Adults

Our modern life style has put our young adults more at risk in health issues than their elders.

Stroke in young adults is one of the health issues about which we need to create awareness among the general public. This will alert both the young adults as well as their parents/guardians to take preventive measures. Stroke is a public health issue that causes long-term disabilities with emotional and socio economic consequences.

First of all, what stroke is all about?

Stroke is associated with a new onset of rapidly developing symptoms and signs of loss of cerebral function lasting more than 24 hours with no apparent cause other than that of vascular origin. Stroke is of two kinds, one hemorrhagic and second ischemic.In one type, rupturing of blood vessels of the skull occurs. In the other type, bleeding occurs at the spot between the arachnoid membrane and pia mater around the brain. These two are the major causes of stroke in young adults.

Major causes of stroke in young adults and children are different from that of older people.

Strokes develop within 24 hours of onset of symptoms, all occurring within 10 days. Therefore, early suspicion and diagnosis is necessary to prevent stroke. Migraine is an underlying factor for stroke and it also is an acute precipitant of stroke (migrainous stroke). Ischemic stroke risk is higher in females having migraine and using oral contraceptives which are a known independent risk factor for ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. People aged over 35 with a history of hypertension with smoking habits are prone to get stroke attacks. 

F.A.S.T.

Regardless of age, symptoms for stroke are indicated in the acronym F.A.S.T.  “F” for drooping face on the one side, “A” for arms that cannot be raised, “S” for slurred speech, and “T” for time indicating timely action. The acronym FAST is to help detect stroke symptoms and immediate hospitalization.

General symptoms which are not exhaustive

·       Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms, or legs particularly on one side of the body.

·       Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding difficulty.

·       Sudden vision difficulties in one or both the eyes.

·       Sudden severe headache.

General risk factors,also called as modifiable risk factors in young adults

·       Smoking

·       Alcoholism

·       Diabetes

·       Hypertension

·       Dyslipidemia

·       Past history of stroke

·       Rheumatic heart disease with atrial fibrillation

·       Oral contraceptive pills in women

 Uncommon causes of stroke in young adults.

·       Nonatheroscleroticangiopathies

·       Cervicocephalic  arterial dissection

·       Cerebral amyloid angiopathy

·       Moyamoya disease

·       Fibromusculardysplacia

·       Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome

·       Susac’s syndrome

·       Sneddon’s syndrome

·       Migraine-induced stroke

Hematologic conditions

·       Hypercoagulable state due to deficiencies of protein S, protein C or antithrombin;

·       Factor V Leiden mutation etc

Genetic

·       Fabry disease

·       CADASIL  (cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy)

·       MELAS

·       Marfan syndrome

·       Neurofibromatosis

·       Sturge-Weber disease

Inflammatory and infectious

·       Vasculitis

·       Temporal arteritis

·       Takayasu disease

·       Bechet’s syndrome

·       Neurosarcoidosis

·       Neurocysticerosis

·       HIV

·       Varicella zoster virus

·       Neurosyphilis

·       Tuberculous meningitis

 Indian scenario

According to a study, about 5.8 million people had been affected by stroke as far back as in 2005. Stroke has emerged as the second most common cause of death. Globally 7.8 million deaths have been estimated to occur due to stroke by 2030.  By 2050, India will be one of the regions where 80 % of stroke events will occur.

Prevention of Stroke

Quit smoking and have regular physical exercise for 20 minutes a day at least three to four days in a week.  Ensure against high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and blood sugar levels.  Primary stroke prevention in young adults includes aggressive treatment of hypertension, smoking, and dyslipidemia. Secondary stroke prevention involves stroke etiology and treatment of additional risk factors. Secondary stroke prevention aims at prevention and reducing risk of a second stroke after identification etiology of initial stroke as part of stroke rehabilitation.

Although stroke in young adults occurs only in 10-15 % of all stroke patients, this section of the population suffers severe economic consequences as young adults are disabled well before their most productive years. Apart from aggressive treatment and control of risk factors, life style changes can prevent up to 50 % of strokes.

Why is Preventive Health Check-Up Important?

Medical innovations and technological advancements have increased the lifespan of people. But has it improved the quality of health? Many people suffer from chronic health conditions that make their lives extremely painful and miserable. The symptoms of these diseases prevent them from living a normal life and overwhelm their willpower. But these can be avoided with the help of preventive healthcare.

Preventive healthcare practices help you to maintain good health throughout your life. Studies note that a significant number of individuals in the age group of 40-65 years are affected by lifestyle illnesses. International medical bodies recommend that women above 40 years and men above 35 years need to undergo an annual health check up. 

What are the tests conducted during an Annual Health Check-up?

The tests depend largely on your medical history and family history. However, a full medical checkup is done commonly for everyone, and that includes some tests such as –

History Analysis:

The physician discusses with you about your previous medical conditions including ailments, medical procedures undergone and medications taken. In the case of the presence of any particular diseases in the family such as chronic heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, etc., the doctor will suggest few screening tests.

Examination of vital signs:

Your vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate and temperature are checked by the doctor. A checkup is done to look for irregularities in heartbeat and status of lungs.

A full body exam: 

A physical examination is done to the neck, head, mouth, teeth and gums. The ears, eyes and nose, are also checked. An examination of the lymph nodes and thyroid are also done. The abdominal exam reveals the health status of liver, digestive system and bowels. Other areas include joints, arms and legs.

Blood Test:

Blood test for heart disease, diabetes, cholesterol, cancer, and anemia are common during an annual health checkup. A blood test can also give details about the functioning of other vital organs such as the liver, kidney and thyroid. 

HEALTH BENEFITS OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH CHECK UPS

•  A preventive health check up helps in preventing and in some cases in the early detection of chronic ailments.
• Certain illnesses start showing noticeable symptoms only in the extreme stages, but a periodic checkup will help in diagnosing them in the early stage.
• Helps to spot the signs and symptoms of life-threatening ailments such as cancer, HIV, etc.
• Promotes better and effective disease management through medication and counselling
•  Assist and encourages to follow a healthy lifestyle

In short, a preventive health checkup goes a long way in helping you to lead a happy and healthy life throughout a lifetime. Undergoing an annual medical checkup will help you save time and money that you would otherwise have to invest in treating other illness. With stress and tension lurking in every corner of our lives, maintaining a good health will help you to lead a more satisfying life.

  

Chennai Elders Day'16 - Mega Walkathon - 1st Oct

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones or calculi are tough mineral deposits that are formed in the kidneys. The kidney aids in filtering the waste products from the blood and let them into the urine. When the waste products do not break up completely they are formed as hard calculi and then get trapped into the ureter. If it is untreated it may cause infection and also leads to poor functioning of the kidneys.

Several hospitals in India treat various problems in Kidney effectively. Treatment for kidney stones at India is very successful as many skilled Urologists are available at top hospitals. They make use of latest technology and treat effectively with affordable rates.

Symptoms of Kidney stones:

When the stones block the ureter and interrupts in the urine flow symptoms begin and it includes,

·      Severe pain while passing urine

·      Pain in the lower abdomen and back area

·     Presence of blood in the urine

·     Vomiting and nauseate feeling

·        Feeling burning sensation while urinating

·        Pain extending to groin and testicle region

Treatment:

The management of Kidney stones highly depends on the size and nature of the stones present. Those stones which are 5mm or less than that are not treated clinically and it comes down in the urine when the fluid intake is more. If the stones are made of calcium it does not respond to the medications and they are treated through surgical interventions.

·        Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL):

The calculi that are smaller than 2cm can be segmented using shock waves which then are flushed out through the urine. It usually takes 45minutes for the procedure and done as a daycare intervention. It is considered as one of the safest procedure without any harm to the kidneys.

 Ureteroscopy:

A tiny specialized instrument called scope is introduced into the bladder which reaches up to the urethra by means of ureter without making any cut. The stones are then segmented by using holmium laser which makes it as a powder. It is a painless procedure with minimal loss of blood.

·        Percutaneous Nephro Lithotomy (PCNL):

The stones that are larger than 2cm in diameter are treated with PCNL. It is a kind of keyhole surgery in which a small incision is made in the area above kidney. It is performed under general anesthesia and requires 3-4 days stay at the hospital. The recovery time is quick and is much safer procedure.

·        Open surgery:

The stones that are more complex are removed by means of surgery that is done by making a cut in the abdomen region.

Home remedies for kidney stone removal:

·       You can consume two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with one teaspoon of honey with a cup of warm water and have it for few times in a day.

·        Mix four tablespoons of lemon juice with same amount of olive oil and consume it three times a day for about three days. The citric acid in the lemons helps to fragment the calcium deposits. It is not effective for larger stones.

·        The seeds and the liquid of pomegranate have astringent properties. You can have one fruit or a glass of juice daily or you can grind the seeds and make it as a paste and have it along with horse gram soup.

·        Add two table spoons of dried nettle leaf to one cup of boiling water and allow it boil for ten minutes and filter and have the water for two to three times for few weeks. It prevents from the formation of stones and also enhances smooth urination.

·       Basil is good for overall health and has many medicinal properties. Mix one teaspoon of basil juice with honey and have it early morning for few months. It helps in the expulsion of stones from urinary tract.

·     Watermelon is used to treat calculi’s that are formed by calcium and carbonates. The juice when consumed regularly helps in aiding the overall health of kidneys. 

Why one should choose India for Ayurvedic treatment?

‘Ayurveda’ is considered to be one of the world’s oldest consecrated healing systems. It is been practiced for about 5000 years in India. It is considered as the medicinal part of yoga. The main concept of Ayurveda is that the overall well being of a person depends on the fine balance of mind, body and willpower. It enhances the complete health of a person instead of battling for the disease. The main aim of Ayurveda is,

•           To cure an ailment
•          To prevent from a disease
•          To attain prolonged existence or age reversal

      Notion of Ayurveda:

According to the presumption of Ayurveda, all belongings in the universe whether alive or not is associated to each other. Good physical condition is accomplished by unity of brain, body and willpower with the life.

A disruption of this harmony will lead to poor health and sickness. The things that causes disruption are,

       Birth or genetic deficiency
    Wounding of the body
    Changes in environment
       Maturity
    Sentiment

     Benefits of having Ayurvedic treatment:

It is found to be effective for metabolic, tension related and persistent condition. It is also useful in easing the bad effects of surgery and also the side effects caused by chemotherapy. It is even used in rejuvenating whole body and enhancing beauty.

What is done in Ayurvedic treatment?

Ayurveda works to balance the human body’s energy which is called as ‘Doshas’. It is attained by diet, different types of massage, use of herbal liquid onto the body and also herbal leaves and powders. First, you will be evaluated by the Ayurvedic doctor and special treatment method will be customized based on your problem and the root cause will be solved. It will take about few weeks to finish the full treatment. But simple body revitalization treatment such as massage, spa can be done.

Best period to get Ayurvedic treatment in India:

During the rainy season, which starts from June to September is ideal to get Ayurvedic treatment because the climate is fresh, wet and dust free. Also it facilitates the body’s pores to open up which makes the herbal oil and massage to penetrate deep inside the body giving out superior results.

Places where Ayurvedic treatment is offered in India:

The places that offer Ayurvedic treatment are mostly located in southern part of India, mainly Kerala. The main reason is due to the climatic conditions and abundant supply of therapeutic plants and herbs which makes them most suitable for Ayurvedic treatment.

Also few centers are located in Goa and Karnataka. The treatment is available at Ayurvedic hospitals, resorts, wellness hubs and also in five star hotels hotel. An inventive option is to book a boat house which caters the ayurvedic treatment and explore the beauty of backwaters in Kerala. Ayurvedic resorts have become well-liked destination for people all over the world which makes them feel relaxed and rejuvenated and it is the key reason to choose India. As India is the birth place of Ayurveda, many people desire to come here and number of resorts according to their affordability is available. Many Ayurvedic hospitals are situated here which cures many serious health problems.

Price for Ayurvedic treatment:

At an Ayurvedic Hospital, the cost for the treatment will range from $1000 - $1500 which excludes accommodation charges. The minimum charge in the resorts will be about $60 - $150 / day. Packages are available that ranges from $1500 to $1800 for two people with seven days stay.

Best Places that offer Ayurvedic Treatment in India:

Ayurvedic treatment offered at India is two main kinds, common rejuvenation treatment which is catered to travelers who visits those area and concentrated medical treatment given by particular centers in certain location which has suitable climate. Resorts are appropriate to receive an indulging massage and to have an overall feel of Ayurveda. But people who seek proper ayurvedic treatment for their medical problems should visit good ayurvedic hospital.

The Kerala tourism has graded the Ayurvedic Institution, like ‘Green leaf’ and ‘Olive leaf’ to ensure the quality service provided. The centers which have five star amenities are graded as ‘Green leaf’ and those which has three star amenities are graded as ‘Olive leaf’. It is ranked to ensure the reliability of service providers and the excellence.