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Tag: hypertension

10 significant tips about Heart Health

Here are 10 significant tips about Heart Health by Dr. Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute New Delhi.

World Heart Day is celebrated on 29th September 2020 which brings in focus the vital organ of our body heart. To discuss more on heart health and its several parameters Famhealth is in an exclusive conversation with Dr. Ashok Seth, Chairman, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute New Delhi.

When asked about the scale of Heart Diseases in India Dr. Ashok Seth says,

  1. India has become the heart attack capital of the world. In last 30years there’s an increase for about 300% in the rate of heart diseases whereas it has dropped in the west by almost 50%.
  2. In last 50 years heart diseases have grown in young people by 100% which is almost double if we compare to west. India is a young country with 60% of population less than 40 years of age so these numbers are really scary because half of the country is at risk of getting a heart disease.

When asked about the reason for such astonishing numbers about Heart Disease in India Dr. Ashok Seth says,

  • Lifestyle is one of the most obvious reasons for the country to develop a heart disease. Today’s is a competitive world with job competitiveness, educational competitiveness, meeting deadlines, stress, no exercise and eating junk all of these lead to a unhealthy heart.
  • Unhealthy lifestyle issues lead to developing of cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes and ultimately leading to blockage of arteries and a stroke.
  • Pollution is another major factor that leads to blockages of arteries, results in hypertension and youth are most vulnerable to develop all these because they mostly remain outside for work or study.
  • Another leading and very obvious factor is smoking. Youth is under stress due to one or the either reason they develop a habit of smoking and alcoholism thus digging in their own graves i.e. pushing one to develop a heart disease.

When asked about possible ways to avoid a heart disease Dr. Ashok Seth says,

  • A regular routine check-up of lipid profiles, diabetes, and cholesterol level above the age of 25 in men is very necessary. If a person is beyond 45 years of age then they should go for a complete check-up and should be very cautious about their heart health.
  • Leading a very healthy lifestyle is very important exercising for 45 minutes 5 times in a week reduces the risk of heart disease by 25%.
  • Go for tests like blood tests, ECG, exercise tests are recommended for a person to know about the functioning of heart which reveal almost 10%-20% blockage of arteries in heart.
  • CT scan and CT angiogram are very important to know about the heart health of a person. This test reveals almost 30%-40% blockage of arteries in the heart which means a person is at high risk of getting a heart disease.

When Somebody Faints in the Office

When Somebody Faints in the Office by Famhealth

Fainting occurs when your brain temporarily doesn’t receive enough blood supply, causing you to lose consciousness. This loss of consciousness is usually brief.

If you feel faint

  • Lie down or sit down:-To reduce the chance of fainting again, don’t get up too quickly.
  • Place your head between your knees if you sit down.

If someone else faints

  • Position the person on his or her back. If there are no injuries and the person is breathing, raise the person’s legs above heart level — about 12 inches (30 centimeters) — if possible. Loosen belts, collars or other constrictive clothing.
  • To reduce the chance of fainting again, don’t get the person up too quickly. If the person doesn’t regain consciousness within one minute, call 108 or your local emergency number.
  • Check for pulse.  Check for carotid pulse in neck for less than 10 second and at the same time watch for chest movements for breathing   .In case of feeble pulse or no pulse   , begin CPR. Call 108 or your local emergency number. Continue CPR until help arrives or the person begins to breathe.
  • If the person was injured in a fall associated with a faint, treat bumps, bruises or cuts appropriately. Control bleeding with direct pressure.
  • If Pulse is there check the blood glucose with a glucometer. If sugar is less immediately give sugar with water to drink (anything sugary is fine)

**** ONLY FOR AN CONSCIOUS PERSON ,IF UNCONSCIOUS TAKE THE VICTIM TO HOSPITAL.

To read more on First Aid, click on the link below.

First Aid

ALCOHOL ADDICTION

The Risk Factors, Effects And
Treatment Of Alcohol Addiction

Having an occasional drink is considered normal social behaviour.
But, some people can get addicted to the use of alcohol. This
problem can happen in men as well as women.

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol Addiction by Famhealth

Anyone whose life is negatively affected by alcohol on a consistent basis is considered to have an alcohol use disorder.

What happens when we drink alcohol?

Alcohol acts as a depressant of our central nervous system (CNS) and it slows down the body, both mentally as well as physically. It tends to cause a decrease in feelings of anxiety and stress and this is one of the main reasons why people tend to get addicted to the use of alcohol.

Certain people are more prone to alcohol addiction 

  • Alcohol addiction might run in families due to a genetic problem.
  • People with depression or other mental health issues are more prone to alcohol addiction.
  • Having a parent with alcohol addiction problems can make a person more likely to emulate that behavior.

What are the risk factors for alcohol addiction?

  • Regular drinking over time
  • One is prone to alcohol addiction mostly in the 20s and 30s
  • Family history and genetic predisposition
  • Psychological problems like depression 
  • Company of friends and family who are addicts themselves

Are there any warning signs about alcohol addiction?

There are some warning signs that might point towards alcohol addiction.

  • Having an increasing number of drinks to feel the same effect.
  • Feeling the desire to have a drink in the morning.
  • Lying to people about the reason you drink or how much you drink.
  • Losing interest in the things you once enjoyed.

What are the effects of alcohol addiction?

Alcohol addiction can have a negative impact on a person, not just mentally and emotionally, but physically too. 

Excess alcohol is linked to several medical conditions. The common ones are

  • Liver disease
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Infection of the pancreas
  • Cancers of the breast, ovaries, and prostate
  • Cirrhosis of the liver
  • Seizures 
  • Gout
  • Drinking during pregnancy can harm the fetus and cause permanent brain damage.
  • Alcohol can cloud one’s judgment and make a person more prone to risky behavior, including road accidents and violence.

What is the treatment for alcohol addiction?

If you are a loved one are having any of these issues, then it’s best to get help at the earliest. It would be best to consult your doctor who would do an assessment to check if there have been any negative effects due to alcohol use.

 This could include:

  • General examination 
  • Liver function tests
  • Kidney function tests
  • Ultrasounds to check on the abdominal organs
  • Blood sugar test 
  • ECG 
  • Cholesterol check

Treating alcohol addiction

  • Treating alcohol addiction is a long process and, in most cases, lifelong monitoring might be needed, as relapses can happen.
  • In addition to a psychiatrist, there is generally the need for regular counseling sessions with a psychologist. 
  • Family support is also important to ensure that the person feels emotionally supported. 
  • There are some medicines that are available to control the symptoms due to alcohol withdrawal. These can include medicines to deal with anxiety, called benzodiazepines, and some drugs called Antabuse drugs, like disulfiram. These Antabuse drugs cause nausea and vomiting if alcohol is taken with it, so it acts as a deterrent to alcohol use.
  • Regular counseling sessions can help in dealing with underlying emotional issues, anger issues and also help in learning techniques to relax and deal with stress without taking recourse to alcohol.

What can the family members do to help?

Dealing with alcohol addiction can often be a lifelong commitment for the entire family. The following measures can help to keep a person on track and prevent any relapses.

  • Avoid keeping alcohol at home
  • Maintain healthy interpersonal relationships
  • Ensure the person gets regular exercise
  • Group meditation 
  • Ensuring a healthy diet 

Sources

https://www.addictioncenter.com/alcohol/

https://www.healthline.com/health/addiction/alcohol

SLEEP DISORDERS/ INSOMNIA

Sleep Disorder And Management

Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that affect our ability
to sleep on a regular basis. The human body is programmed to work in
the day and sleep at night. Any imbalance in this fine balance can lead
to a disturbed sleep pattern and a feeling of tiredness
and irritation the next day.

Sleep Disorder/Insomnia

sleep disorders symptoms
I

The sleep cycle is governed by a hormone called melatonin.It’s levels go up at night and reduce in the day. This cycle can be disrupted by change of time zones due to travel or exposure to artificial light for prolonged periods.

While we all experience the occasional night of disturbed sleep, some people experience insomnia, which can be difficulty in falling asleep, waking up repeatedly at night or waking up early. Insomniacs feel unrefreshed the next day and they may feel sleepy, irritable or unable to concentrate.

What are the reasons for insomnia?

There can be many reasons for insomnia

  • Stress
  • Change of time zones
  • Prolonged exposure to artificial light
  • Some medicines can also disrupt the sleep cycle. These can commonly include some medicines for treating hypertension, asthma, anti-depressants and steroids.
  • Working night shifts
  • Too much tea, coffee and nicotine
  • Psychiatric disorders like anxiety, depression, schizophrenia

Common complications that can arise from sleep disorder

  • Fatigue in the day time
  • Raised blood pressure and heart problems
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • High cholesterol
  • Hepatic/liver problems
  • Affected relationships because it leads to sleep-deprived partners

How do I know that I have a sleep disorder?

People with sleep disorders can have one or more of these symptoms-

  • Difficulty in falling asleep
  • Getting up frequently at night
  • Waking up feeling unrefreshed
  • Irritation
  • Lack of concentration
  • Feeling sleepy in the daytime
  • Depression or anxiety

What are the measures that can help in promoting good sleep?

Some simple measure can help you I case you’re unable to fall asleep

  • Turn off all electronic devices at bedtime, even reading devices can be distracting due to the backlight. A simple book or soothing music might work better
  • Have dinner at least two hours prior to bedtime.
  • Avoid tea and coffee after the evening.
  • Meditation and breathing exercises can also be beneficial.

When to meet the doctor

If these measures don’t help or the lack of sleep is affecting your daytime activities, it might be a good idea to take your doctor’s opinion.

How is a sleep disorder managed?

  • To diagnose the cause of your sleep disorder, the doctor might as you about your lifestyle, check your blood pressure and advise some basic investigations to see your level of general health Do be sure to share any information regarding any medicines you might be taking, including herbal supplements.
  • Sometimes, a sleep study might be advised where the doctor might observe your sleep pattern and record your brain activity with electrodes. This involves a night’s stay at a sleep center.
  • To treat insomnia, generally a combination of lifestyle changes, cognitive behavior therapy and some medicines for sleep might be prescribed. These could include anti- anxiety medicines, anti- depressants and melatonin.
  • Cognitive behavior therapy involves working with a counselor to overcome the negative emotions that are triggering or being generated due to the insomnia. It can involve learning relaxation techniques, maintaining a sleep diary and other measures that help in positive re-programming the mind towards a restful night’s sleep.

Sleep disorders can be easily managed with counseling and medical measures. It’s important to realize that it is a medical condition and that treatment options are available.

We advocate getting medical advice and supervision before starting any treatment regime.

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