Is swimming riskier than other sports?

In a bid to curb the second wave of the pandemic the Karnataka government has ordered the closure of all swimming pools This raises the question is swimming riskier than other sports As things stand gymming is allowed at 50 per cent capacity and no restrictions apply to sports

FAQs: What happens if one becomes Covid-positive between two vaccine doses?

The second wave of Covid 19 has raised many concerns and questions Metrolife asked the city s medical experts some frequently asked questions

Demand up for hospitals’ home isolation packages

With city hospitals running out of beds home isolation packages are in demand now Increased awareness about home isolation for mild to moderate cases has resulted in this rise in demand Most corporate hospitals have been offering isolation services since last year while some have added them recently

Bengaluru is averaging seven cases per minute

And registering one death every hour Remember this grim statistic the next time you don t wear your mask or do so on your chin just to escape the Marshal s wrath

Covid 2.0 is even more infectious than Covid 1.0

This time around the virus is behaving differently and the symptoms are different too During the first wave people who tested Covid positive exhibited symptoms like fever loss of smell and taste

Reinfection cases are still low, say doctors

Experts feel that reinfections mostly develop in patients who have not had the time to develop antibodies to the virus they feel cases are relatively milder currently W ith Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa now getting reinfected with covid many are now worried over re infection cases spiking up amidst the rising second wave in the state

Fewer people turning up for second Covid vaccine dose in many Karnataka districts

This is because of the recent government s direction extending the gap between the dosages from 28 days apart to 6 8 weeks While the turnout of beneficiaries for the dose under phase 3 of the of vaccination drive for senior citizens and those with comorbidities aged between the age of 45 59 years was good the response for the second dose which started from March 29 has been rather tepid in many districts

Identifying deficiency

Iron deficiency that results in anaemia has been a major public health burden in India The incidence of anaemia is as much as 53 2 per cent among women and 21 7 per cent among men Iron deficiency occurs when the body lacks adequate iron which is essential to make haemoglobin the protein in red blood cells enabling them to transfer oxygen around the body Without enough haemoglobin the body s tissues and muscles do not get adequate oxygen and compromises with their functioning This is when one becomes anaemic

Taking on the epilepsy challenges

His headache was so severe that he started missing his classes online and his scores went down Rahul name changed 14 who had been having seizures for over six months started experiencing increased spells of loss of consciousness that lasted for a couple of minutes and dizziness within the last two weeks

Is it safe for patients on blood thinners to take Covid vaccine?

With the COVID 19 vaccination drive in its full swing now especially for elderlies and people with comorbidities more than 40 million Indians have reportedly received at least the first dosage in the last few weeks However despite the guidelines issued and precautions discussed the question over its safety side effects and if you are medically eligible because of taking blood thinners still continues to be asked It must be noted that COVID 19 vaccine is safe for almost everyone irrespective of whether you take blood thinners or suffer from blood disorders India since the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic has toiled to emerge as a vaccine powerhouse globally with 60 of the world s vaccines being manufactured in the country

Guinness record set on removal of 236 fibroids

A 34 year old journalist and former TV anchor Ritika Sharma from Bengaluru has set a new Guinness World Record for getting highest number of fibroids removed from her uterus The patient had 236 fibroids removed which included a large cauliflower shaped fibroid measuring up to 20 X 20 X 10 cm and many other smaller fibroids of different sizes weighing 2 250 grams in total

‘Tis the season of coughs and colds, say doctors

As schools offices and theatres trudge back to a pre pandemic reality doctors from hospitals across the city are reporting a rise in viral allergic and seasonal bronchitis Though the cases are not alarming they say that it s unusual for such cases to appear during this time

Reinfections driving spurt in covid-19?

With Delhi and Mumbai witnessing a rise in covid 19 cases health experts said those who have already got covid should not become complacent as there are chances of reinfection A health expert said A section of people who were infected admitted to care during the previous waves is not adhering to covid appropriate behaviour saying they are immune to the virus However this may not be true as reinfections are quite common during every wave

The bite that stings

The erratic weather is playing havoc with the health of Bengalureans and doctors are on their toes Owing to the recent spell of rains in the city doctors are witnessing a surge in cases of malaria and

Live and let liver: Playing Doc can prove injurious to health

Rampant use of over the counter OTC drugs herbal medication and homemade concoctions to prevent covid 19 has led to a spurt in drug induced liver injury DILI cases in the city

Prescriptions for depression, anxiety among young adults on the rise

BENGALURU A recent study in England has found an increase in prescriptions for depression Closer home anecdotal evidence in Karnataka has revealed that prescriptions for anti depressants in teenagers have gone up drastically Research by the University of Bristol United Kingdom was published in the Britain Journal of General Practice

Relief from 236 fibroids comes with Guinness Record for Bengaluru woman

BENGALURU A 34 year old woman from Bengaluru has entered the Guinness World Record for getting 236 fibroids successfully removed from her uterus Sakra World Hospital in Bengaluru s Dr Shanthala Thuppanna had removed the fibroids on 6 October 2021 while the record was announced on Friday

Artificial Sweetener could lead to cancer

BENGALURU A new observational study from France suggests use of artificial sweeteners in snacks and beverages as an alternative to sugar increases the risk of cancer mainly breast cancer and obesity The study done by the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and Sorbonne Paris Nord University has suggested that there could be three more incidents of breast cancer for every 10 000 people The study done on 1 02 865 people was recently published in PLOS Medicine

Hydrate to beat the heat, beware of tummy flu

Due to contaminated food or water children often have tummy related infections along with stomach pain fever for one or two days vomiting followed by loose stools explains Dr Supraja Chandrashekar Paediatric Intensivist Manipal Hospital Yeshwantpur

Sakra Launches Patient support mApp on World Health Day

To commemorate World Health Day Sakra World Hospital announced the launch of its most advanced healthcare support mobile application The Sakra Patient mobile app is not just any regular application targeted towards a specific healthcare need The aim of this app is to maintain the continuity of care between the doctors and patients and address the increasing influx of information something which the experts are referring as a must have in the post pandemic era

Bengaluru journalist sets Guinness record for most fibroids removed

The Sakra World Hospital 39 s senior orthopaedics consultant Dr B H Banarji has created a milestone in arthroscopy by inventing a new form of effective simple and durable method of knotting named the Banarji Knot This knotting method is a low profile non bulky more secure double slide locking knot which can be utilized in arthroscopic surgeries It has been used in more than 250 surgeries till date and has been found to be very effective

Bengaluru doctor invents new form of arthroscopy knot

The Sakra World Hospital 39 s senior orthopaedics consultant Dr B H Banarji has created a milestone in arthroscopy by inventing a new form of effective simple and durable method of knotting named the Banarji Knot This knotting method is a low profile non bulky more secure double slide locking knot which can be utilized in arthroscopic surgeries It has been used in more than 250 surgeries till date and has been found to be very effective

Sakra World Hospital launches patient support app

To commemorate World Health Day on Thursday Sakra World Hospital announced the launch of its healthcare support mobile application This event was conducted in the presence of the Chief Guest Masayuki Toriumi Managing Director SONY India Software Centre Pvt Ltd

Sakra World Hospital launches patient support app

Artificial sweetener intake ups cancer risk: Study

The study conducted from 2009 to 2021 and involving 1 02 865 adults has pointed to the risk associated with artificial sweeteners aspartame and acesulfame potassium used globally Doctors in Bengaluru say the study stresses the need to re evaluate the use of food additive sweeteners by global health agencies Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk Results from NutriNet Sante population based cohort study was recently published in the international journal

World Liver Day: Warning signs won’t show until it’s too late, some conditions can be reversed with good habits

According to the World Health Organization WHO liver diseases are considered to be the tenth most common cause of deaths in the country A staggering 10 lakh Indians are diagnosed with liver cirrhosis every year It is also one of the leading causes of deaths in the world

Artificial Sweetener intake ups cancer risk: Study

The study conducted from 2009 to 2021 and involving 1 02 865 adults has pointed to the risk associated with artificial sweeteners aspartame and acesulfame potassium used globally Doctors in Bengaluru say the study stresses the need to re evaluate the use of food additive sweeteners by global health agencies Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk Results from NutriNet Sante population based cohort study was recently published in the international journal

Sakra World Hospital Launches Advanced Patient Support mApp on World Health Day

To commemorate World Health Day Sakra World Hospital a premier healthcare organization in India that uses cutting edge Japanese technology to provide ground breaking healthcare announced the launch of its most advanced healthcare support mobile application today This event was conducted in the presence of the Chief Guest Mr Masayuki Toriumi Managing Director SONY India Software Centre Pvt Ltd

Guinness record set on removal of 236 fibroids

This complex surgical procedure was performed in October last year by Shanthala Thuppanna Senior Consultant and Head Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Sakra World Hospital in Bengaluru The title certificate was presented by Guinness World Record adjudicator Swapnil Dangarikar to the patient and her doctor in the city on Thursday

World Liver Day: Warning signs won’t show until it’s too late; some conditions can be reversed with good habits

The liver carries out functions essential for a smooth and normal life From processing food daily to flushing out toxins the large organ situated on the right side of the abdomen is in charge of cleaning the system But our sedentary lifestyle and daily habits can put a lot of pressure on this essential organ The Covid pandemic also didn t spare the liver According to the World Health Organization WHO liver diseases are considered to be the tenth most common cause of deaths in the country A staggering 10 lakh Indians are diagnosed with liver cirrhosis every year It is also one of the leading causes of deaths in the world WHO says one in five Indians is likely to suffer from a liver disease On World Liver Day ETPanache Digital reached out to some health experts to ensure you get to know the best way to take care of your organ While this year s theme for World Liver Day has not been updated last year s agenda Keep your liver healthy and disease free remains relevant under the circumstances Understanding The Causes A multitude of reasons can cause liver diseases viruses like hepatitis B and C autoimmune hepatitis excessive alcohol consumption and non alcoholic steatohepatitis NASH related conditions like Type 2 diabetes and obesity In children the primary causes of liver diseases are hepatitis A and E and certain liver diseases like biliary atresia or metabolic liver diseases Excessive alcohol intake is the leading cause in adults Dr Kishore GSB Senior Consultant Hpb Liver Transplant Surgery Sakra World Hospital Bengaluru breaks it down for us Viral hepatitis Hepatitis A and E can lead to acute hepatitis while infections due to hepatitis B or C viruses can lead to chronic liver disease These can be treated very effectively with modern medicines Autoimmune conditions There are a host of autoimmune and genetic conditions that affect the liver Most of these can be managed well with early diagnosis Certain medications such as anti tuberculosis medications antibiotics antiepileptics and certain complementary and alternative medicines can also cause liver toxicity Fatty liver It is a part of a metabolic syndrome that manifests as truncal obesity deranged lipid profile diabetes or a prediabetic state and hypertension An individual can have one or many of these features It is reversible with diet modification and weight loss Alcohol It is another common cause of liver disease Although there are safe prescribed limits for drinking one must remember that alcohol affects a multitude of organs that are not always dose dependent For example excessive alcohol consumption can lead to acute pancreatitis which occurs in an unpredictable manner and becomes life threatening The ramifications of drinking are social and psychological implications that impair the well being of the family So it is important to be prudent when it comes to alcohol Who Does It Affect Doctors say that no age or gender is immune to liver problems From children to adults acute liver ailments can affect any age group right after childbirth with biliary atresia to someone who is 70 80 years old with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma However chronic liver disease usually occurs in the middle age usually after 40 45 Certain liver conditions are metabolic diseases that are hereditary and can affect more than one person in the family says Dr Amit Nath Rastogi Senior Consultant Institute of Liver Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine Medanta Hospital Gurugram For example polycystic liver disease a rare condition causing cysts that grow throughout the liver is hereditary But most liver diseases are acquired Dr Sarthak Malik Consultant Gastroenterology Hepatobiliary Sciences Fortis Escorts Okhla New Delhi says that alcohol cirrhosis affects adults between the ages of 30 and 50 Viral hepatitis affects people in the age group of 40 60 and people who have NASH related conditions he adds Liver affliction can be seen in both genders However experts claim that certain autoimmune liver disorders are more common in women In infants and children liver disease can be caused due to metabolic and genetic disorders The diseases can present with non specific symptoms such as lethargy and failure to thrive The presence of jaundice and ascites may indicate advanced disease says Dr Kishore Hepatoblastoma is the most common tumour of the liver in children while hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common tumour in adults suffering from chronic liver disease Signs Are Not Enough In most cases experts say the warning signs don t show until the liver is extensively damaged Since the liver has an enormous reserve capability minor impairments in the function are rarely apparent Explaining it further Dr Kishore says liver diseases progress through a continuum of progressive changes from fibrosis to compensated cirrhosis and ultimately to decompensated cirrhosis Decompensated cirrhosis may manifest as ascites accumulation of fluid in the abdomen variceal bleeding which may result in vomiting of blood from abnormally dilated veins in the food pipe hepatic encephalopathy disorientation confusion which may progress to coma or impairment of other organ function elevated creatinine due to kidney impairment Decompensated cirrhosis also makes patients very vulnerable to infections that may be minor in normal people but potentially life threatening in cirrhotic patients Patients with chronic decompensated liver disease have significantly impaired quality of life with frequent problems that cause hospitalisation he adds Fatty liver is usually detected during routine ultrasound checks It is an indicator to adopt a healthier lifestyle with sensible food choices and weight control Dr Rastogi lists out the early signs one must look out for weight loss and non specific lack of appetite Once the liver reaches severe conditions and starts failing patients suffer from jaundice accumulation of water in the tummy and hepatic encephalopathy nervous system disorder caused due to severe liver disease he adds Other tell tale signs are itching easy bruisability ascites and vomiting of blood Some challenging liver conditions Acute liver failure In this condition the liver is normal but suddenly becomes unhealthy because of hepatitis C and E some viral infections and toxins Chronic liver disease CLD or cirrhosis in the liver It is a late stage condition caused by various liver diseases and conditions like hepatitis non alcoholic fatty liver disease and excessive alcohol intake which gradually damages the liver Hepatocellular carcinoma HCC It occurs in people with chronic liver conditions like cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B or C infection It s Not Too Late It s possible to reverse some liver conditions by following just some healthy habits Getting a proper diet and junking habits that may harm the liver are the first steps to start the journey Dr Kishore stresses on the need to maintain a healthy body weight This will help in preventing fat accumulation in the liver According to him a body mass index of 22 to 28 kg m2 is considered desirable A healthy diet with sufficient protein 1 gram of protein per kg body weight is recommended to avoid fatty liver conditions People who have cirrhosis especially those with ascites should consume less than 5 grams of salt a day in their diet Avoid alcohol or consume it within limits after consulting with a doctor This can prevent liver damage Vaccination against hepatitis B infection is recommended to protect the liver Those with chronic liver disease should regularly visit their doctors for surveillance Get an ultrasound abdomen endoscopy and blood tests liver renal function tests blood counts and alpha fetoprotein he says For adults Dr Rastogi points out that the important thing is prevention from hepatitis B and C getting vaccinated against hepatitis B avoiding contact with contaminated blood to safeguard against hepatitis C being mindful of not using the same needles for blood transfusion and getting injected in a clean environment If you are diabetic make sure the diabetes is in control to avoid worsening the conditions he adds Dr Malik also suggests practicing safe sex as viral hepatitis B and C can spread through sexual transmission World Liver Day Carrots Turmeric Garlic Will Keep Your Organ Healthy Healthy Liver Happy You Every once in a while your body needs detox from the environmental pollutants and toxins and ofcourse our sedentary lifestyle Some bad habits like consumptions of liquor hard drugs and junk food can be damaging to your liver Luckily healthy intake of vegetables and Vitamin C food can naturally clean your system On World Liver Day here s a list of food items that will keep your organ happy healthy and strong Walnuts This omega 3 fatty acids rich nut can cleanse your liver naturally by detoxifying ammonia Walnuts that are also high in glutathione and amino acid arginine Turmeric This Indian spice is a magic ingredient for the organ The antioxidant flushes the toxins out and improves the production of bile and lets the enzymes repair cells in the organ Carrots Vitamin A rich vegetable protects your liver against diseases The beta carotene and plant flavonoids present in carrots helps in overall liver function overall Green Tea This healthy beverage can boost liver function However it is essential you go for green tea and not the extract which can damage liver health

Indian patient operated at Sakra World Hospital, Bengaluru sets the new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the most fibroids removed

Bengaluru Karnataka India April 25 A 34 year old journalist and former TV anchor Ritika Sharmahailing from Bengaluru officially set a new Guinness World Records title for the most fibroids removed Ritika also an aspiring author had 236 fibroids removed from her uterus which included a large cauliflower shaped fibroid measuring up to 20X20X10 cms and many other smaller fibroids of different sizes weighing 2 250 grams in total This complex surgical procedure was successfully performed by Dr Shanthala Thuppanna Senior Consultant Head Department of Obstetrics Gynecology Sakra World Hospital Bengaluru Ritika at the time of her diagnosis at Sakra World Hospital suffered from abnormal menstrual bleeding and had an enlarged abdomenresembling 8 month pregnancy due to the different sizes of the fibroids In a four and a half hour surgical procedure Dr Shanthala Thuppanna and her highly experienced team of gynecologists performed a myomectomy and thoroughly removed all of the fibroids of her uterus Commenting on the record Dr Shantala Thuppanna said It seems incredible being part of this surgery which has created a new Guinness World Records title I am glad that we successfully managed to remove all the 236 fibroids during this complicated surgery since fibroids were located below the urinary bladder and ureter and were spread throughout the left side of her uterus and very near to important structures in the abdomen I hope that this moment of celebration today will also serve as a cautionary tale to all women to stay aware of such underestimated comorbidities and consult experts at the earliest to safeguard themselves from unwarranted complications Alluding to this unique achievement Ritika commented This is an unexpectable event and this recognition will be an unforgettable one as it constantly reminds me to how along with the team at Sakra World Hospital we overcame the situation victoriously I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr Shanthala and the entire clinical and nursing staff for explaining every bit of the procedure and giving me the best clinical advice while undergoing the surgery Uterine Fibroids have become increasingly widespread in recent years with estimates ranging from 40 to 50 percent of women suffering from them Only a few of them suffer the symptoms and the majority of them go unrecognized It is important to seek the advice of doctors and professionals in order to receive the right diagnosis and treatment Located at Outer Ring Road Marathahalli Bengaluru Karnataka Sakra World Hospital a Japanese brand under the leadership of Toyota Tsusho and SECOM is India s first MNC hospital It is a 350 bed hospital providing healthcare across all specialties such as Neuro Sciences Cardiac Sciences Orthopaedics Women and Child Health Digestive and Hepatobiliary Sciences Renal Sciences Emergency and Trauma Care There are 12 integrated modular operation theatres OTs with cutting edge state of the art technologies like OR integration solution that features video input recording saving and displaying from a range of sources like surgical camera peripheral camera and MIS camera

Tis the season of coughs and colds, say doctors

There s a sudden surge in cases of allergic and seasonal bronchitis in the city health experts suggest avoiding pollution and staying alert As schools offices and theatres trudge back to a pre pandemic reality doctors from hospitals across the city are reporting a rise in viral allergic and seasonal bronchitis Though the cases are not alarming they say that it s unusual for such cases to appear during this time An increasing number of patients are visiting hospitals complaining of cough common cold and wheezing in some cases as well While most cases are just mild and are being treated with antibiotics doctors are unable to pinpoint the exact reason for this rise After the third wave of Covid there was a dip in such cases and during the third wave most patients reported symptoms of cold and cough were associated with Omicron cases For the past weeks doctors are seeing a small surge in cases

Tis the season of coughs and colds, say doctors

There is an upsurge in seasonal allergic and viral bronchitis We are seeing around 3 4 patients per day Most patients are presenting symptoms of a common cold predominantly dry cough audible wheezing and breathing difficulty in some cases Symptoms are worsening in the patients with comorbidities but in most cases it s not serious But due to the weather conditions we could expect a surge in the coming days said Dr Aditya S Chowti Senior Consultant Internal Medicine Fortis Hospital According to Dr Pavan Yadav Lead Consultant Interventional Pulmonology and Lung Transplantation Aster RV Hospital usually patients used to only complain of discomfort during the winter season but this year patients are complaining during summer also He said that they were seeing seven eight patients daily with headaches running nose cough and breathing issues Patients with lung related comorbidities have a risk of infection he added After Covid there has been a rise in patients complaining about allergy problems Even patients who had Covid once are also reporting allergy symptoms A child who had Covid earlier landed in an emergency after an asthma attack said Dr Sachin Kumar Senior Consultant Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine Sakra World Hospital