Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery - Latest Advancement in the Field of Spine Surgery in India

As the man getting civilized, so are the diseases and so are the advancements in the treatments. In a world of stress and competition, diseases are more frequent as body undergoes a functional imbalances. But thanks to the medical scientists and the strenuously working doctors and paramedics for shielding the mankind with their innovative treatment approaches in curing the diseases. Medical sciences in recent years have grown up extensively in order to ease and comfort the patient suffering. One such new advancement in the field of medical sciences is spinal surgery with minimally invasive techniques which has helped to overcome the chronic backaches.   

As the name suggests it is a minimal invasive surgery where there is a small incision is made and open the affecting area with minimal damage to the muscles and the soft tissues on the operating patient. This has lot more benefits than the traditional techniques. The traditional technique of the spine surgery required 5-6 inches deep incision where in the muscles are pulled and moved for the procedure and for visibility. This results in massive bleeding and the injury to the muscles and the soft tissues thereby leading to pain and cause longer recovery period for the patient.

This is solved by the latest advancement of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery (MISS). This latest spine surgery procedure has increased the success rate of the spine surgeries in recent years.    

What is MISS?

Minimal Invasive Spinal Surgery also called as Endoscopic Spinal Surgery where a small tubular retractors are used to do the fusion or the decompression of the vertebral bones in order to relieve the pain caused by a specific disease.

Purpose of MISS

The main purpose of MISS is to reduce the surrounding trauma and in preserving the soft tissues motility and functions normally. It also helps in maintaining and restoring the structures of the spine.

The spinal surgery in India has seen a new growth by this new invention in the surgical field which helped in the specialized care of the patients with back pain, in India. 

Conditions for MISS

This surgery can treat various diseases and conditions of the Neck and Back region. When the medicines and the recommended lifestyles including the exercises fail, MISS comes for help. MISS surgery can efficiently treat the conditions like -

•         Scoliosis
•         Spinal tumors
•         Stenosis
•         Congenital abnormalities
•         Degenerative diseases
•         Chronic low-back ache
•         Neck pain
•          Herniated Discs
•         Traumatic spinal injuries

Benefits of MISS procedure

In contrast to the traditional open spinal surgery, MISS has a lot more of benefits in terms of success in surgical outcomes and in recovery of the patients. The main benefits of MISS procedures are -

Less Bleeding - Bleeding is very minimal which is considered as a part of the puncture and is normal when compared to heavy blood loss of traditional incision methods.

Minimal Injury - As the procedure includes a puncture of the retractor, there is no incision made or any injury to the inside muscle done with tear or pull.

Reduced Infections - As the wounds are small and minimal, the chances of infections are less. The patient is also monitored with antibiotics before, during and after surgical procedures to reduce the infections.

Decreased Pain at the Operated Site - In old traditional methods, the muscle pull and the contraction of the muscles resulted in excess pain for days but this surgery has minimal pain at the operated site.

Fast Recovery - As the wound is small it helps in minimal infection, tear and bleeding, result in the faster recovery of the patient.

Minimal Hospital stay - As the wound is very minimal it requires no longer hospital stay for the hospital care.

Less Post-Operative Care - The patient after the surgery needs minimal care with faster recovery. Hence there is only minimal post-operative care of the wound to be taken.

The MISS procedures have been getting the attention day by day because of this tremendous health benefits. Our best spine surgeons not only help in relieving your chronic pains by surgical interventions but also help in managing the post-operative problems with their regular follow-ups and guidelines. The MISS has helped in a new improved quality treatment to the spinal diseases of the mankind. 

When does the waiting time for Healthcare Services become Devastating?

Canada has been lately in news for their lack of timely healthcare services and this unfavourable development has also been reported from its neighbour, the U.S. The delay in offering timely medical care is due to several factors, but the main reason is the lack of enough facilities and professionals to cater to huge masses of patients.

The waiting period is a very common terminology in the healthcare sector. It is the amount of time an individual spends waiting to receive proper healthcare services. From scheduling an appointment to receiving treatment, today, patients have to wait for a very long time to get the right treatment for their illness. 

Some of the time-consuming processes

Individuals seeking emergency medical treatment have to wait in long queue for a specialist’s appointment.

The tests for diagnosing ailments can take up to weeks to get completed.

The waits are extremely long for organ transplants

Long waits to book an operation

Devastating effect of long waiting periods on patients

Doctors are supposed to offer medical assistance to patients within 30 minutes of their arrival at the hospital or clinic, but at many centres healthcare wait times extend for several hours. Long waits for healthcare services can lead to the following adverse effects on patients -

Delay in diagnosis of an illness

Can lead to deterioration of the health

Additional expenses

Patients may give up on seeking treatment

Psychologically taxing. It can create anxiety and stress in individuals

Mortality

Causes of long waiting periods for medical treatment

Incompatibility in supply and demand

Complex procedures for accessing care and reimbursement

Use of outdated technology for scheduling

Geographical and financial constraints

Incompetent medical professionals

Going abroad for medical treatments

Medical tourism has gained immense popularity over the years and this is mainly due to the fact that some countries offer quick access to the best medical treatments. India has been the front runner in offering quality medical care to foreigners. Medical assistance in India is the best because patients can meet up with highly qualified doctors without long waits. The government offers quick visas for individuals travelling to India for seeking medical care.

People from all over the globe find medical treatment costs in India very affordable and of top quality. In fact, studies show that in India the medical costs are 30 percent fewer costs than in the western countries. The country has several modern healthcare facilities which house experienced medical professionals with various specializations. The technology is cutting edge and these facilities offer immediate treatment for heart attack, cancer, organ failure, infertility and other emergency conditions.

Since English is the second official language in India, patients from abroad will not find it difficult communicating the caregivers in India. Being home to 5000-year-old medicine systems such as Naturopathy, Ayurveda, and Yoga, India has made immense advancements in medicine. All of these holistic approaches are equally favoured by foreign patients, along with the modern medicine.

World Thalassemia Day

Thalassemia is blood disorder that occurs due to deletion of major gene fragments that plays a key role in producing the haemoglobin. In some cases, a genetic mutation in the haemoglobin genes also causes this disorder.

Haemoglobin is a molecule of a protein in the red blood cells. In this inherited disorder, the body produces an abnormal form of haemoglobin and it results in inadequate oxygen supply to the muscles.

Usually, parents become the carriers of this genetic disorder. If both parents have this disorder, there are greater chances that the next generation will have a more serious form of this disease.

Types of Thalassemia:

Based on the severity of this disorder, there are 3 main types of Thalassemia.

Thalassemia Minor -  People with this disorder don't actually have any symptoms. However, they act as the carriers of this disorder to next generation. With the lack of visibility of any symptoms, it is not possible to identify this disorder. It makes important for us to get tested if any of the family members or relatives have this disorder.

Alpha Thalassemia–This type has two sub types - Hemoglobin H disease and Hydrops Fetalis.

Hemoglobin H – This mainly affects the facial bones causing over or abnormal growth of jaws, cheeks, and forehead. Additionally, it causes enlargement of spleen, jaundice, and malnourishment by causing poor appetite, especially in children. 

Hydrops Fetalis – This is an extreme condition of the disease that mainly observed in the fatuous in the womb. Most cases, the baby will be either stillborn or dies shortly after the delivery. 

Beta Thalassemia – In this case, both parents would be Thalassemia patients and the disorder will be severe in the next generation. This also has two subtypes - Thalassemia Major (aka Cooley’s Anemia) and Thalassemia Intermedia.

Thalassemia Major (aka Cooley’s Anemia) – This type of Thalassemia is usually so severe and life threatening that the patient may require frequent blood and bone marrow transfusions. The symptoms also including infections, jaundice, poor growth, enlarged organs, and fussiness.

Thalassemia Intermedia – People with this form of Thalassemia don’t require the blood transfusion. The severity is way lesser than Thalassemia Major. However, regular diet and doctor consultation may help the patient to keep health in stable condition. 

Treatment 

The treatment of Thalassemia depends on the form and severity of it. Regular consultations with the doctor help in understanding the form of the disease and hence the treatment. Need to take diet which is nutritionally rich along with the supplements if prescribed.

In the severe forms of Thalassemia, it is advisable not to take food or supplements that contain iron. Human body develops excess iron when the blood is transfused. If the food also has iron contents, there are chances of excess iron in the body which is not good for health.

If any of the above mentioned symptoms are observed in infants below 2 years, or any of the family member has this disorder, the child needs to be taken to the haematologist (Blood related disorder specialist).

If you have Thalassemia, consult a genetic counsellor before thinking of having children.

Severe form of Thalassemia is a chronic disorder and coping with it is challenging. The patient require healthy diet, regular consultations with the doctor and most importantly moral support from the family members and friends. 

Acid Reflux in Babies

A new mommy is worried when she finds her kid spitting out every time after feeding. This spitting though is common in infants but the increased frequency or the continuous spitting could be an alarming symptom. It may be due to the disease condition called as Acid reflux. Acid reflux is a condition where in the food taken is brought up back in to the oesophagus or in the mouth from the stomach. When it continues for several times a day and for more than six months then it is called as Gastric Oesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD).  

Acid reflux can affect any age group from infants to the adults. About 30% of new born babies are suffering from this disorder with in the first few months after birth. 

Causes of Acid reflux

The causes of reflux are the improper closure of the oesophageal sphincter which is present at the junction between the lower end of oesophagus and upper part of the stomach. It may also be due to immature development of the digestive system at the time of birth.A history of positive GERD in the infant’s family can also be a probable cause for the disease in infant.

Infants feeding on artificial foods, may also develop acid reflux due to allergies to few substances in the artificial foods.

Symptoms of Acid reflux

As infants are too little and they cannot express themselves or describe their pain it is the duty of the parents or the guardian to check out for the following set of acid reflux symptoms. Although the symptoms are not universal for all the infants, the group of one or two symptoms are sufficient for a pediatric history.

Acid reflux symptoms are prolonged crying without cause, repeated vomiting, gagging or choking during the breast feed, difficulty in the swallowing of the food or milk, cough or wheezing, refusing the food, crying for food, no gain in the weight, bad breath especially in the early morning and constant burping. 

How to prevent Acid reflux?

Soon after the birth of the baby, the pediatrician advises the mother that after each breast feed the baby has to be to held against the chest on one side and give a light pat on baby back for the burp. This is to prevent acid reflux. Even then if the child starts with spitting out then do not over feed, feed the baby at frequent intervals i.e. at every 2 hours once but in small amounts, lean the baby against chest for some time until the child burps.

In cases of formula fed babies, a change in the brand or flavor can also help to prevent the vomiting in infants. 

When to visit your doctor?

It’s time to take your little one to a child specialist, when all the above prevention methods go in vain. When the child continues to refuse the feeding, or if there is continued vomiting for days or if there is uncontrolled crying with no cause then do not delay to consult pediatrician. If neglected, it may soon result in physical growth injury to the baby.

Examination

When the child is taken to a pediatrician, he confirms the condition by the history taken from the mother, growth chart and the diet history. This is also confirmed by a Barium swallow or by upper GI endoscopy in older kids. 

Treatment

As the acid reflux is self-limiting to the age of one, it does not require any specific treatment. But in severe cases they require acid reflux medications, which includes H₂ receptors like Ranitidine, Proton prompt inhibitors (PPI’s) such as Omeprazole and antacids like Maalox.

An increased dose of antacids can result in diarrhea and the long term use may have the increased risks of rickets in growing children. As there is no much safety evidence of PPI’s to infants, discuss with the pediatrician with the proper dosage and right administration.

If the symptoms continue for a period longer than one or two years then Nissen Fundoplication is done where the junction of sphincter is wrapped together for strengthening and preventing back the food contents in to the esophagus from the stomach.

For medical treatment in India, Visit: HealthOpinion

Early Signs That Help You Spot Brain Hemorrhage

Brain hemorrhage are the most common and serious condition of brain. It is a kind of stroke and accounts for about 20% of people in India every year. This can cause emergency hospitalization of the person. 

What is Brain Hemorrhage?

Brain hemorrhage is a condition where there is a bleeding or rupture of the brain tissue or arteries in and around the brain. It is also called as cerebral bleed or Cerebral Hematoma. When there is an injury to the brain tissue or artery, swelling of the part arises and there is a collection of blood called as hematoma. This hematoma can rupture due to the increase in pressure or due to the repeated injury resulting in Brain hemorrhage. Finding the early signs help you spot brain hemorrhage which can help in saving the life of the patient and prevent the further complications.

Signs of brain hemorrhage

Signs of the hemorrhage helps in early diagnosis and in early treatment of the patient. The most common signs of brain bleed stroke are -

• Severe sudden headache
• Unclear or double vision
• Sudden vomiting after the fall or injury
• Dizziness or tired feeling
• Loss of speech, loss of coordination, and loss of balance
• Some people also become unconscious for few minutes soon after fall or injury
• Loss of fine motor skills
• Seizures of the body due to the injury to the brain may also occur.

These symptoms may also vary depending on the cause and severity of the injury to the brain cells. Any person with more than 2-3 symptoms has to be immediately evaluated for the further cause and further treatment.

Causes

Brain hemorrhage causes may be sudden or can depend on the person’s lifestyle.

• Sudden causes are due to the head injury or fall or accidents of the person which may cause immediate rupture of the brain vessels and arteries.

• The lifestyle causes include increased blood pressure, habits like excessive cigarette smoking and chronic drinking alcohol and uncontrolled diabetes.
• There may also be some causes like rupture of aneurysm, severe migraine, amyloid angiopathy or brain infection with k serotype of Streptococcus mutans.

Treatment

The brain hemorrhage treatment depends on the causation involved.

• Most doctors follow the conservative line of treatment, they advise for correction of disorders by maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help in preventing the risk for the brain bleed stroke and also by quitting cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption can reduce the risk of high blood sugar levels and high blood pressure levels.
• Doctors also give education on monitoring the Hypertension and regulating the uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes mellitus by following a well-balanced diet and healthy moderate exercises which helps in decreasing the risks of brain hemorrhages.
• In cases of other causes involved then IV fluids given for maintaining the fluid imbalance after the injury.
• Anti-hypertensive drugs for hypertension cases.
• Blood transfusions is followed in cases of severe loss of blood and components of blood.
• Anticonvulsant medicines in cases of seizures.
• Tracheal intubation in unconscious patients for the proper air way ventilation of the respiratory tract.
• Surgery is opted in cases of larger hematoma of more than 3cm size. Endoscopic drainage or aspiration of the cerebral fluid can also be done by the specialized doctors.

Brain hemorrhage recovery of the patient depends on the area of the brain injured. When there is a injury to the medulla oblongata or to the brain stem then success rates of survival is very less. More than 35-50% cases die on the spot of injury or accident but in some cases of injury due to the lifestyle disorders then complete recovery is possible. But in some cases of injury to the other areas of the brain lead to the total or the partial paralysis of the body, loss of body functions, and loss of fine motor skills also seen in survival patients. They require physiotherapy for years to recover completely.

To know more about treatment and HealthOpinion, Visit: healthopinion.net

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.