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World Kidney Day at Elliot’s Beach,Besant Nagar, Organised by Department of Pediatric Nephrology.
Walkathon was inaugurated by Actor Balajee, Actor Manobala, Actress Nirosha
Regular health check ups are an important part of prevention routine and help people on track with their health goals
The aim of health check is to help find, prevent or lessen the effect of a disease. Getting the right checks at the right time throughout the life may help people to detect potential health problems at the earliest. Health checks provide an insight of patients lifestyle,medical history and family history to identify preventable health conditions, which inturn allows early treatment and better outcomes
Health check ups help a person to understand their health needs,values and concerns, identify risk factors where they can make healthy lifestyle changes and enjoy better quality of life. Health checks are more cost effective rather than unexpected medical emergencies/ complications diagnosed later which are more expensive
Health check up aims at early detection of cancers(cervical,breast, prostate, lung and bowel), diabetes, cardiac diseases ,hypertension,high cholesterol levels, metabolic and endocrine diseases, osteoporosis and early treatment and prevent the complications of the disease.All men above 35 yrs of age and women above 40 yrs of age should have an annual health check up.
General preventive measures include availability of fresh air, clean potable water, regular physical exercise, adequate rest, balanced and nutritious diet, avoidance of smoking and tobacco use, immunisation against certain diseases and of course regular medical checkup.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women (As per Globocan 2018). Cervical cancer develops in a woman’s cervix (the entrance to the womb from the vagina). It mainly affects sexually active women aged between 30 and 45.
The best way to protect yourself from cervical cancer is by attending regular cervical screening (previously known as a “smear test”) and follow up. Unfortunately, most women in India are not aware about the screening.
More women in India die from cervical cancer than in any other country.
Persistent infection of cervix with a virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Other diseases such as HIV/AIDS, immunosuppressive drugs, renal transplant etc.
These risk factors does not imply that you will definitely acquire cancer. However, if you have one or more of these risk factors, it is advisable to consult the doctor.
Screening tests are performed in apparently healthy women to detect abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix which are pre-cancerous and could possibly develop into cervical cancer in the future. Available screening tests for cervical cancer include Pap smear test, VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid), VILI (visual inspection with Lugol’s iodine) and HPV DNA test.
Women aged 25 to 49 are invited for screening every 3 years. Women aged 50 to 64 are invited every 5 years. For women who are 65 or over, only those who have not been screened since they were 50, have had recent abnormal tests or have never been screened before are still eligible for screening.
It’s important to attend your cervical screening tests, even if you’ve been vaccinated for HPV, because the vaccine does not guarantee protection against cervical cancer.
If you’ve been treated for abnormal cervical cell changes, you may be invited for screening more frequently for several years after treatment. How regularly you need to go will depend on how severe the cell changes are.
Although it can identify most abnormal cell changes in the cervix, cervical screening is not 100% accurate. This means you should report any symptoms, such as unusual vaginal bleeding, to your GP, even if you’ve recently had screening.
HPV vaccination: vaccines for cervical cancer target HPV 16 and 18, the most common oncogenic types of HPV responsible for cervical cancer. HPV vaccination is not effective against all oncogenic HPV types. Currently two vaccines, licensed globally are available in India; a quadrivalent vaccine (against HPV genotypes 6, 11, 16, 18) and a bivalent vaccine (against HPV genotypes 16, 18). . The recommended age for initiation of vaccination is 9–14 years. Catch-up vaccination is permitted up to the age of 26 years.
Females who have not been exposed to the HPV infection are likely to benefit more from the vaccine.
Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) recommendations on HPV vaccination[4]:
Only 2 doses of either of the two HPV vaccines for girls aged 9-14 years: doses at interval of 6 months
For girls 15 years and older, and those with HIV/AIDS on chemotherapy or after organ transplant: dose at 0, 1-2 and 6 months.
Please Note:
Although the HPV vaccine can significantly reduce the risk of cervical cancer, it does not guarantee complete protection against cervical cancer. You should still attend cervical screening tests, even if you’ve had the vaccine.
VACCINATION IS NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING
SAFER SEX
Most cases of cervical cancer are linked to an infection with certain types of human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV can be spread through unprotected sex, so using a condom can reduce your risk of developing the infection. Following safe sex practices (avoid multiple sexual partners) and timely treatment of reproductive tract infections can protect from cervical cancer
Avoid smoking
You can reduce your chances of getting cervical cancer by not smoking. People who smoke are less able to get rid of the HPV infection from the body, which can develop into cancer.
When to consult a doctor?
If you have one or more of these, it is advisable to consult the doctor.
Cervical Cancer Screening Test
The Pap smear is a simple test that is done to collect a few cells from the cervix and and checked under a microscope for abnormalities. It also aids in diagnosing infections of the lower reproductive tract.
Who should get the Pap test done?
As per the International recommendations, women above the age of 21 years can get the pap test.
If you are 30 years and above Pap test should be done once in every 3 years till you turn 65 years of age. If this test is combined with HPV test, then the test may be repeated every 5 years.
Women who do not routinely require Pap test
Women aged less than 21 years and above 65 years
Women who had their womb removed for non-cancerous conditions
What is the right time for a Pap test?
The Pap test yields optimum results if scheduled between 10 to 20 days from the first day of menstrual period. The woman should not be menstruating at the time of test.
Preparation for Pap smear
You should avoid the following for 48 hours before the Pap test:
Procedure
An instrument called a speculum is gently introduced into the vagina . This holds the walls of the vagina open so the cervix can be seen.There may be some discomfort or cramping during the procedure, but it is usually not painful.
A small soft brush will be used to gently collect some cells from the surface of your cervix. and then sent off to a laboratory for analysis and you should receive the result within 2 days.
Results of Pap test
A Pap test result may be reported as normal or abnormal.
Normal Pap test
If the test report is normal, this means no abnormal cell changes have been found in the smear taken. A normal test result means No action is needed and you don’t need another cervical screening test until it’s routinely due.
If the test report is inadequate , then you need to have a repeat test because the first one couldn’t be read properly.
This may be because:
another sample of cells should be taken, usually after about 3 months.
Abnormal Pap tests
If the report is abnormal , it can be either of the two:
If the result is low-grade, it means that although there are some abnormal cell changes, they’re very close to being normal and may disappear without treatment.
In this case, the sample will be tested for HPV DNA. If HPV isn’t found , the risk of developing cervical cancer before the next screening test is very low.
Depending on the woman’s age , routine screening is done in 3 to 5 years
If HPV is found, then examination called colposcopy, which looks at the cervix more closely is done
Abnormal Pap test results do not mean that the woman has cancer.It just means that some of the cells are abnormal, and if they’re not treated they may develop into cervical cancer.
If the test findings suggest more severe abnormality like high-grade dyskaryosis, your sample won’t be tested for HPV, but you’ll be offered colposcopy to check the changes in the cervical cells, it is then confirmed by further diagnostic procedures:
Colposcopy: A procedure in which a colposcope (a lighted, magnifying instrument) is used to check the vagina and cervix for abnormal areas.
Biopsy: A sample of tissue is cut from the cervix and viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. A biopsy that removes only a small amount of tissue (punch biopsy) is usually done in the OPD.
A urethral stricture is scarring in or around the urethra that narrows or blocks the passageway through which urine flows from the bladder. The scarring can occur anywhere between the bladder and the tip of the penis
It is much more common in men than women. Common in young . In addition to uncomfortable urinary symptoms such as reduced flow rate and more frequent urination, a urethral stricture can lead to complications that include urinary tract infections, prostatitis, urinary retention and kidney damage.
The retrograde urethrogram and antegrade urethrogram are imaging techniques that can help to pinpoint the length, position, and severity of the stricture. This also helps to guide the treatment course.
1. Gradually stretching the narrowed area with Teflon tubes is called dilation
2. Cutting the stricture with a laser or knife using a specially designed cystoscope (urethrotomy)
3. Surgically removing the stricture and then re-joining the ends with stiches (anastomotic urethroplasty)
4a. Graft of inner cheek mucosa taken
4b. The taken graft is used to reline the strictured part
Among the many approaches to treating strictures are gradually stretching them, a process called dilation; cutting the stricture with a laser or knife using a specially designed cystoscope (urethrotomy); and surgically removing the stricture and then reconstructing the area with grafts (anastomotic urethroplasty). The choice of treatment depends largely on the severity of the stricture. In minor cases in which the complication risk is low, doing nothing may be the best option; more moderate or severe cases are best addressed using either a minimally invasive or open surgical approach.
Dr.Kabilan Saminathan.MS.MCh
Department of Urology
Cell: 9600076566
urology@mehtahospital.com
“Read on to learn why seeing a doctor for regular health check-up is a must”
Let’s face it. We give a number of excuses that we may use to avoid seeing a doctor on a regular basis. That too when we are too young and healthy or too scared that something might really be wrong with us or just we are too busy. Whatever be the excuse, research shows that seeing your doctor for check-ups can actually save lives. both young or the old.
With heart disease being the number one killer of men and women worldwide, you must always remain in the accurate picture of perfect health. And to learn more about cardiovascular health, you must know the risk factors that you might have such as high cholesterol, hypertension or diabetes, being overweight or obese. The problem, however, is that not all of these risk factors are plain to see.
In fact, blood pressure and high cholesterol have virtually no symptoms, yet can cause virtually no symptoms but can cause permanent damage to the arteries. They can also lead to stroke or heart attacks and all that without you ever knowing the risk factors. This the main reason why nearly half of the individuals who are dying from a heart attack in 2018 had absolutely no symptoms of heart disease.
While it may be a scary thought, the good news is that we can take control of our heart health in a number of ways. First, by having regular check-ups, primary care doctors at Dr Mehta’s Hospitals can capture a picture of our health over time, helping them to notice any changes that may require further attention. They may also check for traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and can treat or refer to a cardiologist if necessary. For all those who already know that there are a number of risk factors such as family history, high cholesterol can go ahead and make an appointment with our cardiologist at Dr Mehta’s Hospitals. By addressing the risk factors that you have, you can work with your doctor to lower the risk of heart attack or a stroke by up to 30 per cent. This is the advantage that something you could not pull off earlier.
What happens at a heart health check-up
A heart health check is done as part of a normal check-up with the doctor or the health practitioner. Your doctor will be taking blood tests, check your blood pressure and ask you about your lifestyle and your family. Give the doctor as much information as you can about your lifestyle and family. Once the doctor has your blood tests on hand, you can ask them for your report which will state if you have high(>15%), moderate(10-15%) or low risk(<10%) of a heart attack or stroke. Most guidelines suggest that individuals of all ages should see their primary care provider once each year, at a minimum.
Taking care of your heart should be a priority and getting regular checkups is the best way to ensure you’re keeping your heart healthy. To learn more about keeping your heart healthy, visit https://mehtahospital.com/index.php/master-health-checkup/ or e-mail at appointments@mehtahospital.com to schedule an appointment.
As per the national guidelines, Screening for hypothyroidism with blood tests measuring TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone) and Thyroxine levels are recommended in ‘all the at risk’ pregnant women. It’s worth a note that Women who are diagnosed to be Hypothyroid are advised to take thyroxine medications regularly on advice of the care taker.
Early diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism in pregnancy are potentially known to reduce the adverse effects of hypothyroidism on the pregnant Women and their Offspring.
Notable risk factors for Hypothyroidism:
CHF or congestive heart failures are chronic and progressive conditions that affect the pumping of heart muscles. When this happens, blood does not flow efficiently through the circulatory system and the ventricles do not pump sufficient amount of blood to the body. As a result, blood and other fluids begin to accumulate in the lungs, liver, abdomen etc. Any delay in congestive heart failure treatments can be quite life-threatening and we at Mehta’s advise that you seek immediate medical attention if someone is suspected of having CHF.
What causes CHF?
It can be a result of a combination of health conditions that can directly affect the cardiovascular system. Some of the most common causes of congestive heart failure include the following factors
There are many lifestyle habits that can aggravate congestive heart failures which include alcohol or cocaine abuse, smoking, lack of physical activity and high intake of salt which lead to fluid retention in the body.
Symptoms and signs that the patient will notice initially
When the condition worsens, he/she will start noticing these
If the patient experiences any of the symptoms that are pointed above, he must seek medical attention immediately from best cardiologists in Chennai for timely treatment of the condition.
What the tests that can be performed to diagnose congestive heart failure
Here are the common tests that can be done to diagnose heart failure
1.Electrocardiogram-It can efficiently record the heart rhythm and brings to notice any abnormality.
2.Echocardiogram-This test uses sound waves to check the proper functioning of the heart. An echo can help to determine if the patient has any muscle damage, poor blood flow and abnormal contractions of the heart. It gives information about EF (ejection fraction) which is an indication of heart function with the normal EF being 50 to 70%.
3.MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging: This test takes still as well as moving pictures of the heart helping the doctors to diagnose and lookout for structural abnormalities or damages to the heart.
4.Stress Test: is taken to access how the heart performs under stress. When the heart works harder, it gets easier for the doctor to diagnose the conditions with restricted blood flow that is coronary changed as the ECG changer or Echo changes would appear or worsen.
5. Coronary angiogram: This can be done to rule out blocked arteries and to treat blocks just in case they exist helping it to improve heart function.
It is therefore important to be aware of symptoms and what tests need to be taken up in case of a heart failure as early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent the progression of heart failure and save a life.
