Doctors Advice | OMNI Hospitals

Stay Aware Because “Hepatitis Can’t Wait!”

omnihospitals — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 11:39:45 +0000

Hepatitis is a liver infection that causes inflammation. It is caused by a viral infection, but there can be multiple reasons for the same disease, hepatitis can be caused by drugs, narcotics, poisons, or alcohol are examples of these. Autoimmune hepatitis is a condition in which your body produces antibodies that attack your liver tissue. The right upper portion of your belly houses your liver. It has several important activities that affect your body’s metabolism, including:

Bile production for digestion
Filtering toxins from the body
Excretion of bilirubin (a result of broken-down red blood cells), cholesterol, hormones, and medications
Carbohydrate, fat and protein breakdown
Controlling enzymes, which are specialised proteins that are required for biological processes
Synthesising blood proteins, such as albumin, storage of glycogen (a type of sugar), minerals, and vitamins (A, D, E and K) synthesis of clotting factors

Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E are viral illnesses of the liver that are classed as Hepatitis. A distinct virus causes each type of virally transmitted hepatitis.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an acute, short-term condition caused by Hepatitis A viral infection (HAV). The most common way to contract this type of hepatitis is to eat or drink food or water contaminated with hepatitis A-infected faeces.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B gets spread through contact with infectious body fluids containing the Hepatitis B virus. These include blood, vaginal secretions, or sperm .It also spreads through injecting drugs, having sex with an infected partner, or sharing razors with an infected person.

Hepatitis C

This is caused by Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C gets spread by direct contact with contaminated bodily fluids, most commonly through sharing of needles and sexual interaction.

Hepatitis D

Hepatitis D, often known as delta hepatitis, is a devastating liver illness caused by the Hepatitis D virus (HDV). HDV gets spread by coming into contact with infected blood. It is an uncommon hepatitis that only occurs when hepatitis B is present. The hepatitis D virus cannot proliferate unless hepatitis B is present.

Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E is mostly present in places with poor sanitation, and it’s usually contracted by ingesting contaminated food or water

Symptoms of Hepatitis:

You may not have symptoms at first if you have chronic infectious forms of hepatitis, such as hepatitis B and C. Symptoms may not sometimes appear until the infection has a severe effect on liver function.

Acute hepatitis symptoms and signs arise quickly. They are:

Flu-like symptoms weakness
Abdominal discomfort, dark urine, pale stool
Unexplained weight loss because of loss of appetite
Jaundice-like symptoms include yellow skin and eyes

Because chronic hepatitis progresses slowly, many signs and symptoms may go unnoticed and may take some time to develop.

Prevention:

Maintain adequate hygiene
Don’t share/reuse injection needles
Don’t share razors and other personal hygiene equipment
Never use another person’s toothbrush
Don’t touch spilled blood
Use precautions during sexual intercourse and intimate sexual contact
Get vaccinated

Diagnosis:

There are different ways to diagnose different hepatitis.

Liver Function Tests
Detailed Blood Tests
Liver Biopsy
Abdominal Ultrasound to check-
Fluid in abdomen
Liver damage and enlargement
Liver tumours

Treatment

Hepatitis A is a short-term infection. If your symptoms are causing you a lot of pain, bed rest is prescribed. Follow your doctor’s hydration and nutrition instructions if you have vomiting or diarrhoea.
Acute hepatitis B inmost of the individuals relieves with symptomatic treatment, Antiviral medicines are used to treat chronic hepatitis B.
Hepatitis C is treated with antiviral medicines in both acute and chronic forms. People who develop cirrhosis (liver scarring) or liver illness because of chronic hepatitis C may be eligible for a liver transplant.
At present, there are no antiviral drugs available to treat hepatitis D. Hepatitis D can be avoided by having the hepatitis B vaccine.
Hepatitis E is currently treated with no specific medicinal therapy. Because the illness is so common, it usually goes away on its own.

The Department of Gastroenterology at OMNI Hospitals provides comprehensive care for a wide range of digestive problems, including diagnostic and therapeutic therapy. The gastroenterologists are highly trained and dedicated to the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of a wide range of gastrointestinal illnesses such as hepatitis, providing patients with individualised, cost-effective care. If you are looking for the right care for a hepatitis patient, OMNI Hospitals is just the right place for you.

Dr V Gopalakrishna

MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Gastroenterology)

Consultant Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist

OMNI Hospitals, Kukatpally

To know more or book an appointment, visit https://omnihospitals.in

Common Sports Injuries: Symptoms, Prevention & Treatment

omnihospitals — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 11:32:50 +0000

Sports are a fun alternative to keep ourselves fit & active. But it’s equally important to be aware of some of the sports injuries that can strike while playing a sport. Depending on how intense the injury is, we can treat some minor injuries at home while others require physical therapy and surgery. However, staying informed about the numerous sports injuries, causes, and the techniques to avoid them will help you prevent these injuries from happening.

What is a sports injury?

Injuries sustained while participating in sports or exercising are known as sports injuries. These injuries occur because of several reasons, such as inadequate training practices, applying forces stronger than a body part’s endurance capacity or an accident while playing a sport or doing an exercise.

Now, let’s understand some common types of sports injuries:

Tennis Elbow

The tennis elbow is an irritation of the tissue that connects the forearm muscles to the elbow. It usually occurs on the outside of the elbow and sometimes in the forearm and wrist because of inappropriate wrist movements

However, it doesn’t happen to the athletes only. Plumbers, painters, carpenters and butchers, and other people with jobs involving repeated movements can also develop tennis elbow.

Commonly affected age group:

Tennis elbow can occur in people in the age group of 30-60 years. However, people of any other age group with risk factors can also develop the injury.

Symptoms:

Recurring pain on the outside of the upper forearm, just below the bend of the elbow
inability to lift a weight with the limb.
Weak grip strength

Prevention:

Proper warm-up and stretching
Maintaining proper form when lifting heavy objects
Avoiding repetitive strains and taking adequate breaks
Doing forearm exercises regularly

Hamstring Strain

The term “hamstring” refers to the group of 3 muscles that run along the back of our thighs, from our hip to just below our knees. When one or more of these muscles gets stretched too far and tear, hamstring strain or pulled hamstring occurs.

Sometimes, hamstring strains can be mild with a short recovery time but they can also be severe and need surgery, taking a long time to recover from it.

Causes:

Little or no warm-up before exercising
Tight muscles in the front of the thigh pulling your pelvis forward tightening the hamstrings
Weak glutes leading to overloaded hamstrings and straining further
Muscle imbalances in the legs
Poor technique of play or exercise.

Symptoms:

Pain in the back of the thigh while bending or straightening the leg
Tenderness, bruising, and swelling in the back of the thigh
Long-lasting weakness in the leg after the injury

Prevention:

Proper warm-up before any physical activity
Keeping the muscles strong and flexible
Increasing the duration and intensity of exercises slowly
Stopping the activity immediately if pain occurs

Ankle Sprain

An ankle sprain occurs when the ankle gets twisted or turned awkwardly and it tears the ligaments that help hold the ankle bones together.

Causes:

Walking or exercising on uneven ground
Falling down
Engaging in sports involving cutting and twisting actions of the feet, such as trail running, basketball, tennis, and football
Someone stepping on the foot while running, causing the foot to twist or roll to the side

Symptoms:

Pain around the ankle
Swelling & bruising
Limited movement
An audible pop or click at the time of injury

Prevention:

Warm-up before exercising or playing sports
Walk/run carefully on uneven surfaces
If your ankle is weak or injured, use a brace or tape to support it
Ensure your shoes are comfortable and appropriate for your activities
Avoid wearing high heels
Avoid sports and activities you aren’t conditioned for
Strengthen and maintain the flexibility of your muscles
Engage in stability training and balance exercises

Ways to diagnose sports injuries

The diagnosis of acute and chronic sports injuries involves various technical and non-technical procedures, such as

X-rays
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Ultrasound
Computed tomography (CT) scans

Treatment methods:

R.I.C.E. treatment (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate)
Medications
Physical therapy
Surgery

Monitor the injury or occurring symptoms of sports injuries and if you’re looking for the best expertise & advanced technology to treat any kind of sports injuries, we, at OMNI Hospitals are just a click away. Get in touch with the best-in-class doctors with years of experience & expertise to recover successfully.

Dr G Srinivas

MS (Ortho), FIJR, FIAS

Consultant Orthopaedic & Arthroscopy Surgeon

OMNI Hospitals, Visakhapatnam

To know more or book an appointment, click here: www.omnihospitals.in

Surgical Gastroenterology- Know more about Gallbladder and Gallstones

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 12:58:19 +0000

The gallbladder is an organ that is part of the human biliary system, which is involved with the production, storage and transportation of bile. Bile is a yellowish-brown fluid produced by the liver and used to break up and digest fatty foods in the small intestine. As gallbladder is a storage organ, there is a tad bit of higher risk of problems occurring if the concentration of bile increases. Some problems associated with the gallbladder are gallstones, gallbladder attack and gallbladder disease. Here is an excerpt from a video interview of Dr Raja Prasad, Senior Consultant Surgical Gastroenterologist, Omni Hospitals, Kukatpally on Surgical Gastroenterology, the functions of the gallbladder and complications that arise due to a gallstone.

Q. What is gall bladder and what does it do?

Q. What are gall stones?

A. As gallbladder is a storage organ, there is a tad bit of higher risk of problems occurring if the concentration of bile increases. Some problems associated with the gallbladder are gallstones, gallbladder attack and gallbladder disease. Gall stones are of two types, 1. Cholesterol stones and 2. Pigment stones Cholesterol stones are those stones that occur due to the crystallisation of the cholesterol present in the bile juice while the formation of pigment stones is due to crystallisation of bile pigments that give bile juice the yellowish-brown colour. Cholesterol stones were initially very common in the western parts of the world, although now even Indian population suffers from these stones due to changes in lifestyle and diet. Pigment stones are formed when the gall bladder motility is reduced. Obese people are at a higher risk of contracting gall bladder stones due to increased cholesterol levels in their bodies.

Q. Are gall stones dangerous?

A. Gall stones as such are not very dangerous. 70% of the patients who suffer from gall bladder stones are asymptomatic. But 30% of the patients are symptomatic and suffer from pain and discomfort.

Q. What is a biliary tract?

A. A biliary tract serves as a drainage system for the bile juice that is produced in the liver to the intestines where bile juice is required for digestion. The biliary tract consists of bile ducts that collect bile juice from the left and right side of the liver and unit to form the tract. This collected bile juice is then deposited in the gall bladder where it is stored for some time. When required, the bile juice then flows from the gall bladder to the intestines through the same biliary tract.

Q. Is there a specific age when gall stones are contracted?

A. Gall stones are less common in patients less than 20 years. But children and persons less than 20 years but suffer from any hemolytic diseases are prone to contracting gall stones. A person beyond 20 years of age is more prone to contract gall stones. Also, the peak time for anyone to suffer from gall bladder stones is between the age of 40-50 years of age.

Q. What are the types of gall stones?

A. Gall stones are of two types, 1. Cholesterol stones and 2. Pigment stones Cholesterol stones are those stones that occur due to the crystallisation of the cholesterol present in the bile juice while the formation of pigment stones is due to crystallisation of bile pigments that give bile juice the yellowish-brown colour. Cholesterol stones were initially very common in the western parts of the world, although now even Indian population suffers from these stones due to changes in lifestyle and diet. Pigment stones are formed when the gall bladder motility is reduced. Obese people are at a higher risk of contracting gall bladder stones due to increased cholesterol levels in their bodies.

Q. Who is more likely to develop gall stones?

A. As gallbladder is a storage organ, there is a tad bit of higher risk of problems occurring if the concentration of bile increases. Some problems associated with the gallbladder are gallstones, gallbladder attack and gallbladder disease. Obese people and women with multiple children are at a higher risk of contracting gall bladder stones due to increased cholesterol levels in their bodies. Gall stones are less common in patients less than 20 years. But children and persons less than 20 years but suffer from any hemolytic diseases are prone to contracting gall stones. A person beyond 20 years of age is more prone to contract gall stones. Also, the peak time for anyone to suffer from gall bladder stones is between the age of 40-50 years of age.

Q. What are the complications of gall stones?

Q. How does weight affect gall stones?

A. As gallbladder is a storage organ, there is a tad bit of higher risk of problems occurring if the concentration of bile increases. Some problems associated with the gallbladder are gallstones, gallbladder attack and gallbladder disease. Cholesterol stones are those stones that occur due to the crystallisation of the cholesterol present in the bile juice while the formation of pigment stones is due to crystallisation of bile pigments that give bile juice the yellowish-brown colour. Cholesterol stones were initially very common in the western parts of the world, although now even Indian population suffers from these stones due to changes in lifestyle and diet. Obese people and women with multiple children are at a higher risk of contracting gall bladder stones due to increased cholesterol levels in their bodies.

Q. What are the symptoms of gall stones?

A. The most common complication of gall stones is ‘symptomatic cholelithiasis.’ This means experiencing pain the upper right abdomen, vomiting, gastric discomfort like bloating etc. Some patients also experience spasms. The spasms are caused when the size of the gall bladder stones is big and it obstructs the passage of the bile juice from the gall bladder to intestines. If the position of the gall bladder doesn’t shift after a few hours, then this calls for a surgical emergency. In a few cases, when the gall stones are big, a patient is also bound to suffer from infections and a perforated gall bladder which also calls for a surgical emergency. Gall stones also lead to jaundice depending on the patient.

Q. Is there a risk of developing cancer due to bile stones?

A. There is an entity called ‘porcelain gallbladder,’ where along with gallbladder stones there is also a complication with the walls of the organ. (mural walls) A porcelain gallbladder is a rare disorder in which chronic cholecystitis produces mural calcification. In these patients, a prophylactic cholecystectomy has been advocated because of its association with gallbladder carcinoma. Gallbladder carcinoma is often detected at a late stage of the disease, due to lack of early or specific symptoms. Gallbladder carcinoma has various imaging appearances, ranging from a polypoid intra-luminal lesion to an infiltrating mass replacing the gallbladder, and it may also present as diffuse mural thickening.

Q. What are the causes of gallstones?

A. The gallbladder is an organ that is part of the human biliary system, which is involved with the production, storage and transportation of bile. Bile is a yellowish-brown fluid produced by the liver and used to break up and digest fatty foods in the small intestine. Gall stones are of two types, 1. Cholesterol stones and 2. Pigment stones Cholesterol stones are those stones that occur due to the crystallisation of the cholesterol present in the bile juice while the formation of pigment stones is due to crystallisation of bile pigments that give bile juice the yellowish-brown colour. Cholesterol stones were initially very common in the western parts of the world, although now even Indian population suffers from these stones due to changes in lifestyle and diet. Pigment stones are formed when the gall bladder motility is reduced. Obese people are at a higher risk of contracting gall bladder stones due to increased cholesterol levels in their bodies. Some people also contract gall stones due to different genetic disorders. Irrespective of the causes of gallstones, the symptoms and treatment will remain the same.

Q. Is vigorous weight loss a reason by which people contract gallbladder stones?

A. Yes, vigorous weight loss is a reason to contract gallbladder stones.

Q. Do gallstones dissolve by themselves?

A. The best treatment for gallbladder stones is the removal of the gallbladder. But there are a lot of people who are sceptical and hence only ask for medical management. There are some medications which dissolve the size of the stones gradually and also control their size. But the chances of gallstones occurring after using stopping this medication is about 50-60%. The medication has to be taken for a period of 6-12 months and sometimes the stones don’t disappear completely but only reduce in size. Prolonged medication can also lead to a lot of side effects. Further, medication can only be prescribed to patients whose gallstone size ranged from 2-3mm.

Q. What is the difference between gallstones and kidney stones?

A. The main difference between gallstones and kidney stones is: 1. Kidney stones are formed in the urinary system of the kidney while gallstones are formed in the gallbladder. 2. Kidney stones are mostly calcific stones while only 10% of gallbladder stones are calcific in nature. 3. When there is an occurrence of gallbladder stones, attempts are made to remove the gallbladder whereas when it comes to kidney stones, attempts are only made to remove the stones in the kidney as the kidney is very essential for the normal functioning of a human behind unlike gallbladder. Therefore, the location, causes, symptoms and treatment for gallstones and kidney stones are very different.

Q. In general people make an assumption that after undergoing a surgery for gallstones, there is a chance of suffering from diabetes. Is this true?

A. There is no relation or effect between gallbladder surgery and diabetes. They don’t go hand in hand. Diabetes can probably cause gallbladder stones but not otherwise.

Q. Is gallbladder necessary for the normal functioning of a human body?

A. The gallbladder is a small organ located on the underside of the liver. Its primary purpose is bile storage. The liver makes bile, a substance that helps the body break down and absorb fats. The gallbladder then stores the extra bile the liver makes. It releases bile when you eat a meal with fats that need to be digested. Normal digestion is possible without a gallbladder. Bile will continue to reach your small intestine, but it just won’t be stored along the way in the gallbladder. Hence, the gallbladder is a vestigial organ in humans and doesn’t necessarily contribute to the normal functioning of the human body.

Q. What are the preventive measures one can take to avoid the occurrence of gallstones?

A. As one reason for the appearing of gallstones is cholesterol, practising a balanced lifestyle and diet is one way in which gallstones can be kept at bay. Regular exercising can also be helpful in a lot of ways. Dr Raja Prasad Sr. consultant - Dept. of minimal access and Surgical Gastroenterology OMNI Hospital, Kukatpally

Healthy eating in the New Year

Mon, 02 Jan 2017 06:05:37 +0000

Every now and again many of us resolve to improving our health habits and promise ourselves to eating healthier. Follow these tips to treat yourself to healthy eating.

1. Don’t deprive yourself.

Aim to eat nutritious foods your body loves 80 percent of the time. Use that other 20 percent to treat yourself a bit.

2. Graze healthfully.

Tide yourself over between meals with healthier snacks. Whether your thing is sweet or savory, crunchy or chewy, there are plenty of options for snacking smart.

3. Eat fresh produce all year long.

Find out which fruits and veggies are in season even in the winter and stock up at the store and farmers’ markets. Eating fresh means eating the tastiest and most delicious produce around.

4. Indulge smarter.

Chocolate-dipped strawberries? Choco-Nut popcorn? Yes, please. Lower sugar doesn’t have to mean less deliciousness.

5. Understand emotional eating.

There is a link between how we feel and how we eat, particularly when it comes to stress. Figuring out what kind of eater you are and whether you look to food to comfort you in times of anger, boredom, stress, or sadness will help you formulate a plan for making different decisions when faced with those emotions.

6. Make holidays, birthdays, and special occasions a little healthier.

Holidays and special occasions are always a good reason to enjoy delicious food. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to celebrate without going overboard.

7. Be mindful at meal times…

Staying tuned in to what you’re eating (as opposed to the phone or TV) is a great way to eat until you’re full, but not beyond. Being relaxed and mindful can also help you heed fullness cues.

8. …But don’t overthink it.

Recent research shows that the more time we take to think about whether or not we should eat something, the more likely we are to find a reason to justify eating it. Checking in with yourself about your mood and are great habits to have, but remember to trust your gut.

9. Start the day right.

Studies suggest that eating a healthy breakfast is linked to sustained weight loss and weight management, particularly when that breakfast is nutritious and fiber-rich and high in protein.

10. Use the buddy system.

Having a partner with the same healthy-eating ambitions has been shown to help both people reach their goals.

What you eat can impact every aspect of your life from your mental health to your sleep and relationships. So go ahead and wholeheartedly commit to developing healthier eating habits this year. Set goals that are simple and tangible. Make time to meal plan to set yourself up for success. But above all else, believe in yourself. This is your year. You can do this!

Dr Deepa Agarwal, is Consultant Nutritionist at Udai Omni Hospital. She has an experience of 10 years having completed MSc and PhD in Clinical Nutrition.

This article first appeared on Udai Omni.

The post Healthy eating in the New Year first appeared on OMNI Hospitals.

Dr. M.H.K. Rajeev talks about High Blood Pressure and Awareness

Wed, 20 Aug 2014 06:45:35 +0000

Dr. M.H.K. Rajeev of OMNI RK hospital talks about the awareness and measures to be taken for High Blood Pressure. This news appeared in the Sakshi regional edition.

OMNI RK Session at Brahmapur CME

Wed, 20 Aug 2014 06:35:57 +0000