Inhale the Facts :31st May is World No Tobacco day :

Saturday, May 30, 2009



The theme of World No Tobacco Day 2009,which is observed on 31st May is "Tobacco Health Warnings", with an emphasis on the pictorial warnings on the cigarette pack. These warnings have been shown to be particularly effective at making people aware of the health risks of tobacco use and convincing them to quit. More and more countries are fighting back against the epidemic of tobacco by requiring that packages of tobacco show the dangers of the product's use and also passing a law that bars selling tobacco to anyone below 18.

Inhaling the facts : Statistics on Tobacco use

A 2004 Study by the CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion found that cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer.

Women account for 39 percent of all smoking deaths.

Pregnant women pass any chemicals they take in (from food, tobacco, alcohol and so on) to their unborn children through the placenta.

Women who smoke during pregnancy can slow down the baby's growth by reducing the amount of oxygen and increasing the amount of carbon monoxide that the baby receives during a critical time when its brain and nervous system are developing.

According to the Surgeon's General, Teenagers who smoke were:

* Three times more likely to use alcohol.
* Eight times are likely to smoke marijuana.
* And 22 times more likely to use Cocaine.

The biggest percentage of the world's tobacco is grown in China

About three quarters of the American Tobacco market is controlled by two companies, Philip Morris and RJR Nabisco (formerly R.J. Reynolds)

Workers on Tobacco Farms sometimes suffer nicotine poisoning when they absorb the chemical through their skin.

source: Smoking-Facts

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Most common Cancer death in 2009

Friday, May 29, 2009

Top 10 Cancer Deaths in the US for Men and Women
Lung cancer is expected to contribute as the most common cause of cancer death in 2009, according to the American Cancer Society:

Top 10 Deadly Cancers for Men

1. Lung cancer: 88,900 deaths
2. Prostate cancer: 27,360 deaths
3. Colorectal cancer: 25,240 deaths
4. Pancreatic cancer: 18,030 deaths
5. Leukemia: 12,590 deaths
6. Liver cancer: 12,090 deaths
7. Esophageal cancer: 11,490 deaths
8. Bladder cancer: 10,180 deaths
9. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: 9,830 deaths
10. Kidney cancer: 8,160 deaths


Top 10 Deadly Cancers for Women

Breast cancer is expected to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. women, but lung cancer will be woman's deadliest cancer, the American Cancer Society predicts.

1. Breast cancer: 192,370 new cases
2. Lung cancer: 103,350 new cases
3. Colorectal cancer: 71,380 new cases
4. Uterine cancer: 42,160 new cases
5. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: 29,990 new cases
6. Melanoma: 29,640 new cases
7. Thyroid cancer: 27,200 new cases
8. Kidney cancer: 22,330 new cases
9. Ovarian cancer: 21,550 new cases
10. Pancreatic cancer: 21,420 new cases

For a consultation with our Oncology Doctors at Wockhardt Hospitals, please email us at enquiries@wockhardthospitals.net

source:webmd

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"Medical Complications Insurance" for Medical Tourists Launched

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Until recently, most Americans who traveled for medical care abroad went for dentistry and cosmetic surgery or other procedures not usually covered by insurance. However now more and more Americans are beginning to travel to India and South Asian Countries for serious medical treatments and elective procedures such as heart surgery and hip replacements.

While the difference in medical costs are almost one tenth , for example open-heart surgery in the U.S. costs in excess of $100,000, the same procedure at an internationally-accredited hospital in India can cost one-tenth as much. For that reason, even some insurers are starting to add foreign providers to their networks.

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, for example, has created a medical-tourism unit called Companion Global Healthcare that helps to facilitate care for patients at 18 internationally-accredited hospitals across 10 countries. Members in some group and individual health-care plans can access the foreign hospitals for in-network care; services also are available to uninsured patients.

While its true that most Indian healthcare companies boast of international standards in clinical specialties,some issues like post operative care,long distance travel specially for heart patients remain a problem specially for US and European patients.

It is precisely for these reasons insurance companies have come up with a Insurance plan to cover medical complications specifically for the " Medical Travelers"

Seven Corners Inc., a specialty trip insurer, introduced policies last year covering medical complications for medical tourists. The policies cover treatment of common surgical complications such as a reaction to anesthesia, blood clots and infections during and after treatment abroad. The policies provide no-deductible coverage for unexpected expenses and follow-up care, the company says.

Insurance broker Custom Assurance Placements introduced a similar program called Global Protective Solutions in December. One-time costs start at $70 and increase according to the riskiness of the procedure and the health of the applicant. A policy for major heart surgery can cost $5,000.

courtesy: Wall Street Journal

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Joint Replacements become the Latest Victim of Economic Downturn in the US

Just when you had thought that your health comes before anything else in the world and perhaps you would have never thought of delaying your Hip Replacement,comes the news that baby boomers in the US are increasingly putting off their orthopedic treatments , fearing that prolonged absence from work might make them more vulnerable to risking their job.

Dr. Scott Oliver, an orthopedic surgeon at Jordan Hospital in Plymouth, said his department had four orthopedic surgeries canceled just last week. He said one patient who canceled owns an air-conditioning business and was afraid to miss work. Another patient, who did have surgery, was told she risked losing her job if she didn’t return within six weeks, which was shorter than the recommended recovery period.

Doctor Scott Oliver, an orthopedic surgeon at Jordan Hospital in Plymouth, said his department had four orthopedic surgeries canceled just last week. He said one patient who canceled owns an air-conditioning business and was afraid to miss work. Another patient, who did have surgery, was told she risked losing her job if she didn’t return within six weeks, which was shorter than the recommended recovery period.

Across new Hospitals in the US overall volume is down 20 percent, and other surgeons are also reporting cancellations for these election procedure, especially at smaller hospitals. According to Massachusetts Hospital Association numbers, 59 percent of hospitals are reporting a decline in elective surgery for the quarter ending March 31. The MHA did not reveal any numbers for orthopedic surgery.

“There is definitely a palpable increase in concern over missing work and possibly losing a job,” said Dr. Daniel Snyder, an orthopedic surgeon at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Traditional knee replacements can require long recovery periods of six to 12 week.

courtesy: Boston Business Journal

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Joint Revision Surgery: Why Implants might fail

Wednesday, May 27, 2009



Joint Replacement Surgery has greatly improved the quality of life for many patients. Although the surgical procedure has been extremely successful in the majority of the cases ,however chances are that a small percentage may fail necessitating a procedure known as joint revision.

While Hip and knee replacements have been performed in millions of Americans over the last four decades and today joint replacements are a very common surgical procedure which has improved patients' quality of life by easing pain, increasing mobility and activity levels.

Today, over 400,000 hip and knee replacements are performed in the United States annually. However approximately ten percent of implants will fail and require a second procedure, called a Joint revision, to remove the old implants and replace them with new components.

Reasons why Implants May Fail

Post operative Infection :Iinfection may set in after surgery particularly if the surgery was performed in a non sterile environment. Joint replacement surgery requires extremely sterile environment and many leading hospitals have dedicated Operation Theaters only for Joint replacement due to the risk of infection. Extreme caution should be taken during the surgery to avoid infection as it could lead to very disastrous situations. At times the large foreign metal and plastic implants can serve as a surface for bacteria to latch on thereby increasing the risk of getting infected.

Loosening of the implant :During the initial joint replacement the metal or plastic implants are firmly fixed to the bone but sometimes they may come loose due to normal wear and tear or if the patients leads a very active lifestyle

Technical Failure :In rare occasions the prosthesis may fail leading to instability of the joint, dislocation may occur causing the prosthesis to pop out or move from its initial position

Damage caused due to a fall or an accident Ab accident or any damage may loosen the joints, cause a dislocation or damage the prosthesis

Age Related Factors: Young Adults or young people who are more active may have a higher chance of getting a Joint Revision done,compared to someone who is older and less active.Patients whose primary surgery was performed for inflammatory arthritis and patients with a previous hip fracture are at higher risk for joint revision surgery since the chance of the implants loosening for such patients are high.

Joint revision is also done for implants or prosthesis that have reached the end of their life span or if damage occurs due to a fall or an accident or it may be even caused by the abnormal walking pattern in certain patients .

Diagnosis

Together with the symptoms, an X-Ray of the infected part can reveal if there is need for revision. A surgeon may conduct a standard physical examination followed by lab tests and in some cases a CT scant
Generally a joint revision is generally done as a last resort due to its complexity and cost.

An Orthopedic Doctors View

Patients need to choose the centers for joint replacement with care as there are only a few hospitals that have the required infrastructure to perform primary total joint replacements and to deal with any complications if at all any.

Since these surgeries are performed in elderly individuals and invariably they do suffer from hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases, hypothyroidism and obesity. To control the medical conditions there should be a team of specialist who can handle these medical conditions. There should be ICU facilities in case it is required .Blood bank should be there in the hospital for emergency needs.

courtesy

DR. SRINIVAS J.V.
M.S. (Orthopedics)
Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon
Wockhardt Hospitals, Bangalore

To schedule an appointment with Doctor J.V Srinivas,please email us at enquiries@wockhardthospitals.net

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5 Most Common Orthopedic Problems in Women

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Women have always led physically active lives. Today, their unique musculoskeletal conditions are better understood than ever before, and the need for gender-specific woman's sports medicine and orthopedic programs grows every year. Injuries and other orthopedic conditions often present differently in women than they do in men. In addition, biologic and gender-specific issues account for a higher prevalence of certain orthopedic injuries and conditions in women.

Certain orthopedic conditions are commonly seen in pregnant women. This is a small synopsis of the conditions commonly seen and what you can do for treatment of these conditions.

  • Low Back Pain-It makes sense that low back pain is the most common orthopedic complaint during pregnancy. More than half of all pregnant women experience significant back pain during pregnancy. The extra weight of the baby and the awkward distribution of weight cause muscle fatigue and spasm in the back. While treatment can be difficult during pregnancy, problems seldom linger after delivery. Having a strong back before becoming pregnant can help your body prepare for the weight of the baby.

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that compresses one of the important nerves in the wrist. Typically patients with carpal tunnel syndrome complain of pain, tingling and numbness in the fingers. Treatment can usually be accomplished with simple steps including night splints (it is a wrist band which is worn at night. While sleeping, people often hold their wrists in a position that allows the median nerve to become pinched. The night splint holds the nerve in a relaxed position).

  • Plantar fasciitis This is a condition that causes pain under the heel of the foot. Often referred to as a heel spur. Plantar fasciitis is often associated with rapid weight gain. During the later stages of pregnancy when women gain more weight, symptoms of plantar fasciitis may become bothersome.

  • Meralgia Paraesthetica:Meralgia paresthetica is an unusual condition in most people, but it is quite common during pregnancy. When the baby grows, he may press against a nerve that provides sensation over the outside of the thigh. Some people develop numbness over a patch of skin over the thigh as a result of this nerve compression.

  • Osteitis Pubis:Osteitis pubis is an inflammatory condition of the pelvis. The pelvic bones are joined in the front at the pubic symphysis. This joint can become inflamed in certain conditions, including pregnancy. Osteitis pubis usually improves with rest.

  • Transient Osteoporosis of the Hip-Another hip condition associated with late-term pregnancy is transient osteoporosis. This condition causes abnormal bone weakening of the ball of the ball-and-socket hip joint. Treatment may involve the use of crutches or a walker to relieve weight on the affected bone.
About Doctor Ashis Anand:Dr Ashis Anand is a highly qualified Orthopedic Surgeon at Wockhardt Hospitals Bangalore and is consultant, sports medicine and an orthopedic surgeon at Wockhardt Hospitals,Bangalore who has worked in India and US. His areas of interest include Arthroscopy and Joint Replacement (Hip, Knee and Shoulder). With more than 450 replacements (Primary and Revision). He has also excelled in Unicompartmental Knee Replacement which is done by very few centers in India.

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Mitral Valve Replacement: Diagnosis and Treatements

Monday, May 25, 2009

Dr. Ganeshakrishnan Iyer, Consultant Cardio Vascular Surgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals shares his thoughts on " Mitral Valve Replacements"

The Mitral Valve is located between the left Atrium and the left ventricle of the heart. It acts as a one way door that allows blood flow from the left Atrium to the left ventricle and prevents it from flowing back into the chamber as the heart pumps blood through the Aorta to the rest of the body.

Damage to the Mitral valve affects the normal flow of blood from the lungs to the left Atrium and to the left ventricle. The blood may flow in a reverse direction back into the lungs which could lead to various respiratory problems and several other complications or there could be obstruction to the flow of blood from Left Atrium to Left Ventricle.

Causes of Mitral Valve Replacement

The causes for Mitral Valve Prolapse are classified into congenital and acquired. The acquired causes are categorized as: 1) rheumatic heart disease and 2) degenerative heart disease.

Rheumatic heart disease is a condition in which permanent damage to heart valves is caused by rheumatic fever. The heart valve is damaged by a disease process that generally begins with a strep throat caused by streptococcus a bacteria that may eventually cause rheumatic fever. Symptoms of rheumatic fever are fever, swollen, tender, red and extremely painful joints - particularly the knees, ankles, elbows, or wrists, nodules over swollen joints, red, raised, lattice-like rash, usually on the chest, back, and abdomen, uncontrolled movements of arms, legs, or facial muscles weakness and shortness of breath. The symptoms of rheumatic fever may resemble other bone disorders or medical problems. You need to consult your physician for a diagnosis.

Degenerative heart disease is the disease that has progressed gradually and that there is no specific event that has caused it.

Symptoms

The symptoms related to mitral valve failure progresses slowly, however in certain cases the patients don’t experience most symptoms until the disease is in an advanced stage, and there are also cases where the patient does not experience any symptoms at all.

The general symptoms include chest pains, shortness of breadth, difficulty in breathing, unusual heart heartbeat and fatigue.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is often based firstly on the symptoms of the patient. A skilled doctor may detect a murmur in the heart beat during a regular health checkup. There are a number of tests that can help diagnose the disease.

Electrocardiograms (ECG) – gives a complete record of the electrical activities of the heart, any abnormalities of the electrical impulses of the heart shows up in this test
Echocardiograms – gives the doctor graphic representation of sound waves that are bounced of the heart to detect any abnormalities in the valves of he muscles of the heart.

Cardiac Catheterization – where a dye is injected into the blood stream and an x ray is taken that shows the direction of blood flow.

Treatment

Surgery to replace or repair the mitral valve is often the best option. However if the damage is beyond repair the total replacement is the only other option. Mitral valve replacement surgery is performed to replace the damaged or diseased valve with an artificial one. The artificial valve may be made of metal and pyrolytic carbon (Synthetic) or it may be derived form biological tissue (Biological).

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Life Expectancy Figures: The Best and the Worst

Sunday, May 24, 2009

A recent report published by World Health Organization: "World Health Statistics, 2009" shows the life expectancy statics for various countries.

Japan tops the country where people lives the longest,while Sierra Leone occupies the last rank, which is half of what people live in japan. While an average japanese lives for 82 years,citizens of Sierra Lone lives up to an average age of 41 years.

The report shows that children younger than 5 account for nearly 20% of the world's deaths, and that child mortality is a major reason for the wide range in life expectancy among countries.

The World Health Organization's new report is based on data from 2007, the most recent year for which global life expectancy statistics are available.

The report shows that 14 countries had life expectancies of at least 81 years. Here are those countries, along with their life expectancy for babies born in 2007:

* Japan: 83
* Australia, Iceland, Italy, San Marino: 82
* Andorra, France, Israel, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden: 81


At the other end of the life expectancy spectrum, 15 countries had life expectancy below age 50. Here are those countries and their life expectancy for babies born in 2007:

* Sierra Leone: 41
* Afghanistan: 42
* Lesotho, Zimbabwe: 45
* Chad, Zambia: 46
* Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Swaziland, Uganda: 48
* Burkina Faso, Burundi, Mali: Nigeria 49

See the entire report here

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