Makarsankranti
Celebrated on 14th of January, Makar Sankranti is the harvest festival that is marked by sun’s shift in position. Around the 14th January , the sun enters Capricorn ( Makar in Hindi and Sanskrit ) and starts on its Northward journey, a transition called Uttarayan in Sanskrit. This is the harvest time of the year. Lohri in Punjab, Pongal in Tamil Nadu and Bhogali Bihu in Assam , are all harvest festival that mark the significant shift in season that happens around this time. These festivals have the same significance, as all these festivals are related to harvest of crops in almost all the states of India as the theme of UNITY IN DIVERSITY reverberates throughout the country. These festivals have common specialities like tradition, good food and pray to the Sun God with the offerings of til seeds. If Diwali is incomplete without Kaju barfi, then no Makar Sankranti celebrations are ever complete without its round of til (sesame) and gur (jaggery) delicacies. Sesame or til seeds holds special significance during Makar sankranti is revered as the grain par excellence and is eaten and given away in Daan. As per Hindu mythology the God Yama blessed the sesame seed and hence they are regarded as the symbol of immortality. “Tilgul ghya ani god god bola”, is a common expression used to greet family and guests in Marathi households during Sankranti celebrations. It literally means “eat til and gul and speak well”. But the humble tilgul can do more than just make you speak sweetly. There is a scientific reason behind consuming sesame and jiggery on Makar Sankranti. In winter, when the body needs heat, then these sesame and jaggery sweets work well to provide heat and energy. There longer shelf life makes it possible to store the snacks for a long period of time. Since time immemorial both of these have played their significant role. Tilgul sweets are made by adding roasted sesame seeds and coarsely chopped peanuts to molten jiggery. The mixture is then molded into desired shapes. The result is a delicious sweetmeat that has the salty sweetness of the jiggery and the nuttiness of the nuts and seeds. But apart from the great taste, tilgul is also a great health food perfect for the cold weather. Sesame seeds (Til) – is a nutritious oilseed, often known as the ‘queen of oilseeds”, since it doesn’t get oxidized easily. They contain50-6-% high quality oil, which is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. Studies show that it helps reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and is good for heart health. It is high in proteins, Vitamin B1, dietary fiber, iron, phosphorus, calcium, manganese, copper and zinc. It also has a high level of bioactive components that offer a lot of health benefits. They strengthen bones, boost hair quality, control blood sugar and keep skin healthy. It contains rich reserves of antioxidants. Sesame is considered as a heat inducing food. As it is rich in dietary fiber, it helps to improve digestion. Jaggery (Gur)- is a nutritious sweetener considered healthier than regular processed sugar. It’s made from sugarcane juice, date or palm sap and has a golden brown colour. It’s mostly made of sucrose, and is rich in micronutrients such as potassium, magnesium, iron, and manganese, it’s also a good source of Vitamin B. it activates digestive enzymes which makes the process easier. It is rich in iron which purifies blood, while minerals like zinc and selenium prevent early ageing. It has anti allergic properties and prevents respiratory problems. Eating a combination of both of these is a great way to replenish energy when you feel sluggish. In short tilgul is a great food to have during winter months. It gives warmth to your body and keeps you healthy. It has so much to offer than just its nutty taste. But since it’s a sweet treat, people with Diabetes should be wary of going overboard. So what are you waiting for? Collect some til along with gul and make scrumptious sweets for you and your family…Here’s to the spring that awaits, to the colourful kites and all the lovely festive treats. Here’s wishing you all a Happy Makar Sankranti. ByMrs.Swati AwasthiHead Dietician
National Road Safety Week: Haar ya Helmet Awareness
Yamraj Khush Hua! A ghost was spotted in the Shankar Nagar Square of city reciting the same to riders without helmet. In a bid to create awareness towards road safety, Wockhardt Hospitals Nagpur conducted an awareness campaign- Haar ya Helmet. The campaign focused on wearing helmet and its importance in road safety. The innovative event was held at Shankar Nagar Square where the commuters not wearing helmets were asked to choose a helmet or a garland. They were educated and reminded on wearing helmet and ensuring their own safety. As road transportation becomes more crowded with means to travel becoming more easily available, mishaps on the road have emerged as one of the most pressing social issues that the country is grappling with. The idea behind this activity was to reach more and more number of people and give them the message of wearing helmets for safety. The commuters who were following all the safety norms were also regarded as “Road Safety Heroes” under this campaign. City traffic police was associated with this event and supported in making this event a success. “We are continuously working on raising awareness not just towards wearing helmets but also to follow all the traffic rules once we are on roads. This initiative will add to our cause in a novel way”, said Mr. Amit Dolas, PI (traffic), Nagpur. “This activity also ensure in educating people about importance of wearing helmets as two wheelers are most vulnerable to accidents. We are working on educating people on the fact that following traffic rules is for their own safety”, he added. The entire campaign was conducted under guidance of Mr. Sarang Awad, Deputy Commissioner of police (Traffic), Nagpur. “We are doing our bit in raising awareness for various social causes and this is one on such activities through which are appealing people to follow traffic rules and wear helmet for their safety”, said Mr. Abhinandan Dastenavar, Centre Head, Wockhardt Hospital, Nagpur. Source: https://thelivenagpur.com/2022/01/12/haar-ya-helmet-wockhardt-hospitals-nagpur-raise-awareness-on-national-road-safety-week/
Wockhardt Hospitals’ Dr. Nitin Tiwari performs the first BTV in Central India on patients with Eisenmenger syndrome
Dr. Nitin Tiwari, Sr. Interventional Cardiologist- Wockhardt Hospitals in Nagpur has recently performed the first-ever Balloon Tricuspid Valvuloplasty on a patient with Eisenmenger syndrome in Central India. This is the first such case reported till now. The procedure- BTV was performed on a 52-year-old woman who had arrived in the emergency department of the hospital. At the arrival, she had complaints of shortness of breath, abdominal distension, swelling all over the body, and was discolored blue on lips, fingers, eyes. Even her skin had a bluish tinge. Immediately, her 2D-Echo was performed in which she was diagnosed to have Eisenmenger syndrome with Tricuspid Stenosis. Tricuspid stenosis is the choking of right-sided inflow of the heart due to which there is swelling all over the body, breathlessness, and abdominal distension. The patient had to undergo a procedure called Balloon Tricuspid Valvuloplasty in which a small puncture is made in the groin. The balloon is then passed across the choked tricuspid valve and is inflated so that the choked valve gets opened. This decreases the pressure in the heart immediately. The team also included Dr. Sameet Pathak, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon, and Dr. Pankaj Jain Chaudhary, Anesthetist. Dr. Nitin Tiwari, Sr. Interventional Cardiologist- Wockhardt Hospitals, Nagpur has recently performed the first-ever Balloon Tricuspid Valvuloplasty on a patient with Eisenmenger syndrome in Central India. This is the first such case reported till now. The procedure- BTV was performed on a 52-year-old woman who had arrived in the emergency department of the hospital. At the arrival, she had complaints of shortness of breath, abdominal distension, swelling all over the body, and was discolored blue on lips, fingers, eyes. Even her skin had a bluish tinge. Immediately, her 2D-Echo was performed in which she was diagnosed to have Eisenmenger syndrome with Tricuspid Stenosis. Tricuspid stenosis is the choking of right-sided inflow of the heart due to which there is swelling all over the body, breathlessness, and abdominal distension. The patient had to undergo a procedure called Balloon Tricuspid Valvuloplasty in which a small puncture is made in the groin. The balloon is then passed across the choked tricuspid valve and is inflated so that the choked valve gets opened. This decreases the pressure in the heart immediately. The team also included Dr. Sameet Pathak, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon, and Dr. Pankaj Jain Chaudhary, Anesthetist. Source: https://thelivenagpur.com/2022/01/05/wockhardt-hospitals-dr-nitin-tiwari-performs-first-btv-in-central-india-on-patient-with-eisenmenger-syndrome/
Doctor Saves the Life of 74-year-Old Female with Multiple Stones in Gall Bladder
Shakuntala Patil, a 74-year-old female was in intermittent pain in her upper abdomen for the last six months. Two days before admission, she had a high fever and recurrent vomiting. She was brought in a critical condition to the Emergency Department of Wockhardt Hospitals in Nagpur. After providing emergency medical care, she was diagnosed to have multiple stones in Gall Bladder (in USG) and was successfully treated for the ailment by Dr. Piyush Marudwar, Consultant- Gastroenterology, Wockhardt Hospitals, Nagpur. “Patient had multiple stones in her Gall Bladder which is not a very usual case. Two stones had slipped into her bile duct causing obstruction and consequently, swelling in her liver”, informed Dr. Piyush. “The patient also had very low blood pressure as she had an infection. Bacterial infection of the bile duct was spread to blood”, he added. To save her life, ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) was performed done using Side view scope avoiding surgery. The case became even complicated as she already had clinical ailments like Thyroid and asthma. Side view scope is a type of endoscope. Side view scope was passed through the mouth to the small intestine (duodenum) under Anaesthesia. In the duodenum, a part of the small intestine opening of the bile and pancreatic duct is present. Through side view scope accessories passed and bile duct opening was widened. Two stones with lots of pus were removed which was the source of infection. The procedure was completed without any incision or suture. No complications after the procedure and the next day patient was not having any fever, her Blood pressure normalized and pain in the abdomen was reduced. Source: https://thelivenagpur.com/2022/01/03/wockhardt-doctor-saves-life-of-74-year-old-female-with-multiple-stones-in-gall-bladder/
Be a Santa: Holiday Cheer to Orphan Kids
Smiling with their innocent faces and dancing to the holiday beats, children of Shri Shradhanand orphanage got a happy holiday cheer by a team of Wockhardt Hospitals Nagpur. Hospital team visited the kids to celebrate Christmas with them which made their holidays merry indeed. To spread happiness during these unprecedented times the event “Be a Santa” was conducted by Wockhardt Hospitals, Nagpur. In this a donation drive was organized and people donated clothes, books, toys and blankets to the hospital. These donated items were distributed among the children. “We are trying to give to the society with such events and we consider this as our responsibility to contribute for such causes”, said Abhinandan Dastenavar, Centre Head, Wockhardt Hospitals, Nagpur. “The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. Following the same, we have conducted this event hoping for a better life full of happiness for these kids who are not as privileged as us”, he added. Adding on, the patients admitted in the hospital were greeted by the hospital Santa and were given special food to bring joy to them during their hospitalization. The hospital team met the patients to make them feel comfortable and happy in the troubled times. Source: https://thelivenagpur.com/2021/12/25/be-a-santa-wockhardt-hospital-gives-holiday-cheer-to-orphan-kids/
Fun-Filled Day for Underprivileged Children on Christmas
On the occasion of Christmas and New Year, a city hospital carried out various social welfare activities under its ‘Be a Santa’ initiative. On the occasion of Christmas, the city hospital carried out social welfare activities under its ‘Be a Santa’ initiative. The motto of this event was to ensure peace and good health. The hospital donated money and groceries to an NGO, and a Christmas bash was organized for an orphanage. Sister Lissymol Saji, Head Nursing, said, “The hospital gave us an opportunity to bring out a hidden chef in all of us through its ‘Fun Fiesta’ initiative. We all were excited to decorate the hospital. We danced, sang songs, played games, prepared mouth-watering snacks, and enjoyed each and every moment. These activities took away all the stress. The atmosphere was cheerful, and everyone forgot about their pain and suffering. Now, I am looking forward to celebrating Christmas and New Year in 2022 as well.” Other fun-filled activities were also organized at the hospital to applaud the spirit of doctors, nurses, and other paramedical staff, keeping all the safety measures in check. The motto of this event was to ensure peace, good health, and to stand strong in the fight against Covid-19. Dr. Sushil Kumar Head Medical Administration, Wockhardt Hospitals in Mira Road, said, “Christmas and New Year bring along happiness with it. The hospital is committed to striving towards the welfare of society and conducts various initiatives, drives, and campaigns under its ‘Be a Santa’ initiative. Firstly, the hospital staff prepared different tasty delicacies at home as Fun Fiesta was organized wherein the amount collected and groceries were donated to an NGO. Secondly, a team consisting of a Santa Claus went to an orphanage, and celebrations were conducted there too.” The dressed-up Santa distributed snack boxes, sweets, and gifts to everyone.The celebration consisted of various games, clicking pictures, dancing, snacks, and cake cutting. A Santa Claus visited all the hospital staff members and patients and distributed sweets and gifts. Dr. Saurabh Chordia Head- General Administration added, “A Christmas tree made out of the hand gloves of all the Covid warriors was placed in the lobby to pay a tribute to them. This event was conducted in order to create memories that everyone will cherish for a lifetime. Amid the pandemic, this celebration has given a ray of hope that 2022 will be good to each and every one. As the New Year is approaching, it will be essential to concentrate on health, follow Covid precautions, and pledge to stay disease-free throughout life. This celebration is carried out to make sure that the patients don’t miss celebrating the festival as they are away from their family.” Some of the patients at the hospital also enjoyed the Christmas celebrations. One of the patients, Swapnali said, “This was a much-needed relief for all of us as patients need emotional support during the time of health crisis. We had a gala time by celebrating Christmas and New Year at the hospital. We interacted with the caring and dedicated staff of the hospital, clicked pictures, and sang carols too. The hospital was well-decorated, and the atmosphere was lovely. The event came as a big surprise for all of us. I thank the hospital for coming up with such a unique initiative. This was an unforgettable celebration at the hospital away from our loved ones.”
Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease is one of the most common inherited blood disorders in which red blood cells become sickle-shaped and sticky in response to low oxygen. It is prevalent mainly in tropical countries. The magnitude of this problem is huge and largely unmet by healthcare as the population affected globally lives in areas with limited resources in terms of healthcare, finances, education. The probability of getting sickle cell disease(SS Pattern) or sickle thalassemia(S/beta thal) is 25% when either both parents are sickle cell carriers (AS pattern) or one sickle cell carrier and the other one is a thalassemia carrier. Sickle cell disease can be very debilitating for the patient as sticky blood can stop blood flow to any organ leading to anything from mild joint pains to clots in the brain, heart attack, liver damage, multiple organ failure simultaneously, and even death. One of the major determinants of any disease control is the identification of carriers. In both sickle cell as well as thalassemia; carriers being asymptomatic, come to know about the disease only after their child gets symptoms and is diagnosed with the disease. In developed countries, this problem is tackled partly by universal screening at birth. In resource-poor countries, the goal should be to aggressively educate the masses and to screen the high-risk population for carrier status by hemoglobin electrophoresis and do prenatal testing at 12 weeks of pregnancy if both parents are affected by either sickle cell or thalassemia. These steps are already in place in some high burden states. In the Indian context, Nationwide screening was conducted by MoTA and ICMR (2016-18): They screened 1.13 crore people, in whom 9.49 lakh carriers and 47311 cases with sickle cell disease were identified. Our sickle cell burden in the tribal population alone is estimated to be >1.8 crore carriers and >13 lakh are estimated to be suffering from sickle cell disease. The states with the highest prevalence are Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, Orissa. After identifying, these subsets of patients need comprehensive medical care at centers specially trained to manage sickle-related complications near their homes. At the very least, the patients should have access to NAT-tested blood and extended phenotype testing should be offered at diagnosis, and blood banks should be able to give ABO, Rh, C,c, E,e, and K antigen matched blood to reduce the risks of transfusion-transmitted infections and alloimmunization respectively, which further burdens the healthcare. We also need to fight misinformation in the community for example not all sickle patients require regular blood transfusions, false concerns regarding the safety of hydroxyurea which is a boon to sickle patients and found safe in long term studies done in sickle patients and reassure them that the increase in bilirubin does not always mean jaundice. In this digital era, we should adequately use social media as a tool to spread awareness in local languages, especially in more affected tribal areas. We need to understand this as everyone’s problem, and common people need to step forward to donate blood, help in awareness, as well as volunteer for various projects from government and NGOs. We have to appreciate that millions of people are already working globally to fight this disease of the underprivileged and it’s high time that, more are sensitized to fight this disease successfully. By- Dr.Vishvdeep KhushooConsultant- Haematologist &Haemato-oncologist
Don’t Ignore Nose Dripping, Don’t Ignore Sinus; Look Out For These Symptoms
Your dripping nose making it difficult for you to concentrate on your daily activities? Does your stuffy nose refuse to get better? Then, it is the right time to consult the doctor as this can be owing to a sinus problem which is also called sinusitis. Yes, that’s right! It will be the need of the hour to tackle this bothersome symptom of the sinus and lead a healthy life. Untreated sinus is painful and disrupts the daily routine. Read on to know more about this and just take care of yourself. Did you skip your important presentation owing to a cold and stuffy nose? Are you unable to carry on with your daily activities due to a dripping nose? Embarrassed during a meeting due to the dripping nose? Is the color of the sputum changing? Then, it is alarming and needs a thorough evaluation. This is commonly seen during sinus or sinusitis problems. Here, we brief you about the sinus infection, causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. What Is The Sinus? Did you know? A sinus infection occurs when the fluid builds up in the air-filled pockets in the face (sinuses) and encourages the growth of germs. Viruses lead to most sinus infections, but bacteria can also cause some sinus infections. There are a majority of people who encounter this problem. Risk Factors Certain factors such as having a previous cold, suffering from seasonal allergies, smoking, and secondhand smoke, structural nose problems like nasal polyps, and a weak immune system can make you fall prey to sinus problems. Structural nose problems like deviated nasal septum ( bone), nasal polyps, and weak immune system. Symptoms Those having sinus problems will showcase symptoms such as runny nose, stuffy nose, facial pain or pressure, headaches, sore throat, cough, and even bad breath. It will be imperative for you to seek immediate medical attention once you notice the symptoms. So, if these symptoms tend to last for -4 days without any improvement then do not delay seeking treatment as your health can deteriorate further. Treatment The doctor will decide the line of treatment for you. You will have to take antibiotics as per the doctor’s advice. You can opt for a nasal spray, put a warm compress over the nose and forehead, and take steam from time to time. Tips To Prevent Sinus Problems Clean your hands before touching the face, take flu and pneumococcal vaccine, avoid coming in contact with those who have colds and other infections or allergies, avoid smoking and secondhand smoke, opt for a humidifier at home to breathe freely. Source: https://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/sinusitis/dont-ignore-nose-dripping-dont-ignore-sinus-look-out-for-these-symptoms-850645/
Why you should not add too much cornflour to your food
Increased blood sugar levels: Having type 2 diabetes? Then, you need to beware of cornflour. Yes, you have heard it right! It can spike your blood sugar levels. Corn flour is jam-packed with carbohydrates and has a high glycemic index (GI). It contains less fiber and tends to delay the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream. Hence, it is a good idea to avoid corn flour. Can spoil your weight loss plan: Want to get rid of the excess fat? Then, you MUST read this. If you are someone who is looking for healthier ways to battle the bulge then avoid adding cornflour in the soups or food items. It is loaded with carbohydrates and calories and leads to weight gain. Leads to heart problems: If you are one of them who is including too much cornflour in the diet then stop doing that right away. Did you know? Going overboard on it can take a toll on your heart. As mentioned earlier, corn four does not contain fiber and that is a matter of concern. It lacks essential nutrients and can impact one’s overall well-being. It is a no-brainer that fiber helps in lowering cholesterol levels in the body. Thus, having corm flour more than the recommended quantity can raise one’s bad cholesterol that is also known as LDL. Later, one will be at a higher risk of suffering from atherosclerosis. High corn flour consumption can increase inflammation in one’s body causing heart issues. It is always better to consult an expert before including cornflour in the diet. High blood pressure: Corn flour can add taste to your food. But, too much of it is bad for you. It can lead to high blood pressure if used in large quantities. So, be cautious while using it.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Performed at Nagpur
The quality of life of a 55-year-old man took a turn in Wockhardt Hospitals, Nagpur after he walked into the emergency department of Wockhardt hospitals with severe pain in the lower back which was also felt in his left leg making him unable to even stand. After investigations, the patient was diagnosed to have slipped disc. Dr. Rahul Zamad, Consultant- Spine and Neurosurgery, Wockhardt Hospitals in Nagpur suggested the patient undergo minimally invasive tubular spine surgery for removal of disc. The patient was admitted and surgery was performed the same day with an incision of 2.5 cm only. The patient was absolutely pain-free a few hours after the surgery. He was discharged in less than 24 hours of admission and approximately after 12 hours of surgery with a very small scar on his back. “In general the aim of MIS surgery is to relieve the pressure being applied to the spinal cord and nerves and to stabilize the backbones which can be caused by a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, lumbar spinal stenosis, spinal infections and instability, spinal tumors, bony deformities in back. As compared to open surgery MIS can be faster, safer, and has less recovery time”, informed Dr. Rahul Zamad. Dr. Zamad also informed that potential benefits of this type of highly skilled surgery are: Some of these surgeries can even be performed as a daycare procedure. MISS uses tubular retractors which are used following a trocar which keeps the muscles out of the way to visualize the areas of interest and perform the procedure. Once the surgery is done the tubular retractors are removed. There are also certain risk factors involved with MISS like with any other surgery likeLocalized infection though less than the open procedureConversion to open procedure in a very small no of cases. Patient selection is very important for the procedure as MISS may not be as safe or effective as a traditional procedure in some situations and certain surgeries may not be possible to be performed by MISS at all. I asked the doctor will be able to tell regarding the relative risks and benefits of the same.
