World Insulin Day :India will be home to over 70 Million Diabetics in the next 6 years
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Indian which is already a diabetic capital of the world will have the rare distinction of being home to over 70 million diabetic patients by 2015. This figure was expected to be reached by 2025,however increasingly lifestyles of Indians are likely to help reach this number by 2015 according to a global Diabetic report conducted by "Diabetes Atlas"
Fueling the alarming trend is the rise of diabetes in the rural areas.A recent report by "Diabetes Atlas"shows an increase in prevalence of 40% in urban areas in 6 years and 49% in rural areas in the same duration.
According to the Diabetes Atlas, there are 246 diabetic patients in the world. India leads with being the home to about 41 million diabetics followed by China with 40 Million. US,Russia,Germany and Pakistan trail India and China.
These data on Diabetic Projection in India, comes on the day which is Insulin Day. Insulin day is observed on July 30th .On this day in 1921,when Frederick Grant Banting and Charles Herbert Best injected a dog with 4cc of extract of degenerated pancreas ,the dogs blood sugar stopped.This was the beginning of the ultimate end for the search of diabetic cure.This extract was later named Insulin and the day is now observed as World Insulin Day
Fueling the alarming trend is the rise of diabetes in the rural areas.A recent report by "Diabetes Atlas"shows an increase in prevalence of 40% in urban areas in 6 years and 49% in rural areas in the same duration.
According to the Diabetes Atlas, there are 246 diabetic patients in the world. India leads with being the home to about 41 million diabetics followed by China with 40 Million. US,Russia,Germany and Pakistan trail India and China.
These data on Diabetic Projection in India, comes on the day which is Insulin Day. Insulin day is observed on July 30th .On this day in 1921,when Frederick Grant Banting and Charles Herbert Best injected a dog with 4cc of extract of degenerated pancreas ,the dogs blood sugar stopped.This was the beginning of the ultimate end for the search of diabetic cure.This extract was later named Insulin and the day is now observed as World Insulin Day
US Spends more money in fighting Obesity than Cancer
pic source:healthyamericans.org
According to US Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius the US medical system spends around twice as much treating preventable health conditions caused by obesity than it does on cancer.
We're spending just under 150 billion dollars a year on health conditions related to obesity," Sebelius told the first-ever national conference on obesity to be organized by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)."We have a situation where health conditions related to obesity have nearly twice the cost- impact on the health system as all the cancers combined in this country."
The American Cancer Society estimates that all cancers combined cost the health system around 93 billion dollars a year.
Her comments came a day after a study released at the conference found that medical spending on obesity-related conditions could reach a whopping 147 billion dollars a year.The journal "Health Affairs" has just published a study showing that almost 10% of US medical costs may be due to obesity.
The recent IHRSA/ASD Obesity/Weight Control Report 3.8 million people are over 300 pounds, over 400,000 people (mostly males) carry over 400 pounds and the average adult female weighs an unprecedented 163 pounds!
The National Center for Health statistics shows some alarming data
- Between 1962 and the year 2000, the number of obese Americans grew from 13% to an alarming 31% of the population.
- 63% of Americans are overweight with a Body Mass Index (BMI) in excess of 25.0.
- 31% are obese with a BMI in excess of 30.0.
- Childhood obesity in the United States has more than tripled in the past two decades.
- According to the U.S. Surgeon General report obesity is responsible for 300,000 deaths every year.
According to the CDC(Center of Disease Control ), the percentage of overweight children 6-11 has nearly doubled since the early 1980's, while the percentage of overweight adolescents has almost tripled.The extent to which USA has fattened up shows in the dress size which US wears.The most commonly purchased woman's dress size presently in America is 14. In 1985, it was a size 8!
Mississippi had the highest rate of adult obesity at 32.5 percent, a feat which it has be able to repeat for the fifth time in a row followed by Alabama,West Virginia and Tennessee.
57 Year Old Journalist from Mysore manages to Smile after a Decade
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
A Team of doctors at Wockhardt Hospitals put the smile back on the face of Mr. B M Ramesh. Dr. Deshpande V Rajakumar, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals performed a minimally invasive Microvascular Decompression (MVD) surgery to relieve Mr. Ramesh of his facial pain.
Mr. B M Ramesh, a 57 year old gentleman and a former journalist who hails from Mysore, was compelled to take early retirement from his job as he was suffering from excruciating pain on the right side of his face. He was suffering from this unbearable facial pain for the past 10 years and was under medication for a long period. But nothing really brought him relief and in due course of time he became refractory to even maximum dose of medication.
Since then he continued to live with his pain, managing himself by avoiding the precipitating factors, restricting his social life to within home and the medication. He was barely able to speak, chew food as jaw opening and sensory stimulus to upper jaw triggered the pain on the right side. At times he even used to keep a piece of wood in between his teeth to avoid biting his own tongue due to sheer pain.
Since then he continued to live with his pain, managing himself by avoiding the precipitating factors, restricting his social life to within home and the medication. He was barely able to speak, chew food as jaw opening and sensory stimulus to upper jaw triggered the pain on the right side. At times he even used to keep a piece of wood in between his teeth to avoid biting his own tongue due to sheer pain.
Having suffered for so long Mr. Ramesh finally visited Wockhardt Hospitals where he was diagnosed with a neuro disorder called - Trigeminal Neuralgia, a disorder of one or both of the facial trigeminal nerves (the fifth cranial nerve, also called the fifth nerve or simply V which is responsible for sensation in the face)
“Trigeminal neuralgia" is an uncommon disease with an incidence 4.7 per 100,000 (prevalence of 155 per million) and occurs more frequently in the middle or later age groups, more in females than in males. It is more common on the right side of the face rather than the left side. It generally affects the lower jaw zone (mandibular) more than the upper jaw (maxillary).Microvascular Decompression (MVD) surgery is done through an approach behind the ear.
Around 70-80% of patients respond well to medical therapy and can either be pain free or tolerably relieved of pain. However around 30% of the patients become refractory to it after 2years and some develop drug intolerance due to adverse effects. About half of all patients eventually require surgery for pain relief. Microvascular Decompression is the only surgical option that allows for obtaining long-term pain relief while avoiding any sensory disturbance.
The pain is usually precipitated by a sensory stimulus or a ‘trigger’ such as
• light touch on that side of face, a breeze of wind or a splash of water on the face • acts of swallowing food or liquids • mastication(chewing/biting) • talking
The pain is usually precipitated by a sensory stimulus or a ‘trigger’ such as
• light touch on that side of face, a breeze of wind or a splash of water on the face • acts of swallowing food or liquids • mastication(chewing/biting) • talking
Trigeminal Neuralgia is one of the worst known facial pains. The pain is paroxysmal or episodic in occurrence; each episode consists of a cluster of lancinating or ‘electric shock’ like pains, severe to excruciating in intensity lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes and keeps recurring.
For an appointment with Dr RajKumar or to contact our Brain and Spine Doctors, please email enquiries@wockhardthospitals.net
Doctor Spotlight: Dr Prathima Reddy,Gyanecologist at Cunningham Road,Bangalore
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Dr Prathima Reddy
MRCOG,FRCOG (London)
Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
Wockhardt Hopitals, Cunningham Road, Bangalore
Areas of Interest:
Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
Wockhardt Hopitals, Cunningham Road, Bangalore
Areas of Interest:
- Vaginal Surgeries including complex hysterectomies.
- Removal of large fibroid uterii through the vagina, Anterior and Posterior repairs.
- Surgeries for urinary incontinence
- Laparoscopic and Hysteroscopic surgeries
- Colposcopy and Colposcopic directed treatment for the abnormalities of the Cervix
- High Risk Obstetrics
Dr Prathima Reddy is a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, She was trained in the United Kingdom and obtained her MRCOG and FRCOG from there. She then worked in the UK for 9 years before coming back to India.
In Bangalore she was one of the first consultants to introduce evidence based, protocol led management of patients. This contributed enormously to changes in practice and reduction in Caesarean Section rates in all the hospitals that she worked at.
Dr Reddy has special training and experience in complicated vaginal surgeries, laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgeries including colposcop
She is an active member of the ObGyn Society and is a very popular speaker. She has been invited several times over to deliver lectures and participate in their workshops.She also has several publications to her credit.
She is an active member of the ObGyn Society and is a very popular speaker. She has been invited several times over to deliver lectures and participate in their workshops.She also has several publications to her credit.
Consultation Timings : Tuesday to Saturday: 10am-12.00 Noon. Click here for requesting an appointment Or please write to enquiries@wockhardthospitals.net
US Healthcare Outsourcing to India Doubles as Americans continue their Healthcare Debate
Saritha Rai of globalpost points out in a recent post that US healthcare outsourcing to Indian continues unabated as US continues to debate and discuss their healthcare reforms.
Several American patients have been severely hit by the recession,with more and more employers cutting down their employees healthcare cost. American Patients are increasingly looking forward to coming down in some of the Indian medical tourism Hubs like Bangalore and Mumbai for getting treated.
She gives an example of " Seaver-Davis", a family mediator and teacher, who traveled halfway across the world from Greensboro to Bangalore, where Wockhardt’s Hospitals surgeons removed the loose implants from a previous surgery in his knee and replaced them with fresh implants.
The surgery cost $11,000, a bargain-basement price that was a quarter of what hospitals in North Carolina were quoting. “If more people knew about the quality of medical care here, American hospitals would go out of business,” said Seaver-Davis.
The surgery cost $11,000, a bargain-basement price that was a quarter of what hospitals in North Carolina were quoting. “If more people knew about the quality of medical care here, American hospitals would go out of business,” said Seaver-Davis.
Lying in a hospital bed in Wockhardt Hospital recuperating from a knee replacement surgery on his right knee, Les Seaver-Davis counts off on his fingers the number of times he has been in and out of hospitals back home in Greensboro, North Carolina.
You can read the full story here" Slumdog Doctors No More
About Sarita Rai
Saritha Rai covers India for GlobalPost. Rai has spent her journalistic career tracking diverse subjects such as globalization, the technology industry and social change. For six years, she was the India-based business reporter for the New York Times, writing about the economy, outsourcing, liberalization and change.
Spinal Cord Tumor: Symptoms and Treatements
Friday, July 24, 2009
In general tumour is an abnormal mass of tissue due to abnormal division and growth of cells. Tumour does not connote cancer. Spinal cord is the continuation of the brainstem downwards from the junction of the head and neck down to the lower back.
Spinal cord can be compressed by lesions/tumours that arise from the covering layers (dura/arachnoid) or by tumours within spinal cord per se.
Based on the location spinal cord tumors are generally called
- Extradural (outside the dura)-they constitute about 80% of tumours
- Intradural Extramedullary (inside the dura but outside the cord)-this group amounts to about 15%
- Intramedullary (from within the spinal cord) accounts for the remaining 5%
The occurrence of spinal cord tumors is generally rare and it can leave a patient with neurological damage resulting in physical disabilities due to the pressure exerted by the tumour on the spinal cord. Early diagnosis and effective treatment is the key to the successful treatment and recovery without physical disability.
The Symptoms of Spinal cord Tumour depends on the type of tumor and its location. In almost all kinds of tumor ,pain is a common early feature that often precedes the onset of any neurological disturbance. Some of the common symptoms include: Pain in the back of neck and radiating to upper limbs or pain radiating around chest wall.
- Forward or backward neck movement causing ‘electric shock’ or tingling radiating down through the body to the extremities.
- Loss or disturbance of sensation to touch/pain/heat in the upper/lower extremities or trunk.
- Lower back pain ,shooting pain that runs down the legs
- Distinct muscular weakness causing falls/limp due to weakness in legs or difficulty in writing/doing work that involves fine movements of hand/fingers.
- In the advanced stage the bladder and the bowel functions will be affected.
The exact cause of Spinal cord Tumour is still a subject of discussion. Many researches have attributed the cause to genetic factors.In developmental/congenital disorders it is observed that tumours generally develop from the arachnoid layer of the spinal cord or the supporting glial (non-neuronal cells that provide support and nutrition) cells.
Diagnosis of Spinal Cord Tumor
The Diagnosis consists of an evaluation of the symptoms followed by a through neurological examination and then imaging by MRI/CT of the affected part based on clinical localization. However whole spine screening image has to be done if multiple lesions noted or skip lesions suspected.
Treatments in Spinal Cord Tumor
The Treatment of spinal cord tumors is far more effective when the tumor is diagnosed early. The treatment varies on the type of tumor, the location and the extent of involvement but most require surgical Excision. All spinal cord surgeries need to be done with intra operative spinal cord monitoring.
Spinal tumors that are not intramedullary can be removed completely with excellent recovery.
Intramedullary tumors may require radiation/chemotherapy after surgical excision depending on the grade of the tumor.
Getting treated early is the keyIntramedullary tumors may require radiation/chemotherapy after surgical excision depending on the grade of the tumor.
Early diagnosis and surgical intervention prevents irreversible spinal cord damage due to chronic pressure and hastens neurological recovery, minimizes physical disability. Newer techniques are in the offing including stereotactic radiations but these are still in its infancy.
Dr. Deshpande.V. Rajakumar, M.CH,
Consultant Neurosurgeon,
Wockhardt Hospitals,Bangalore
For Appointments and Consultations with our Brain and Spine Doctors ,please email
Introducing the Sunet Clinic at Bangalore: Outpatient Timings now extended to 8pm
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Most of us today avoid a visit to a doctor or a hospital specially if it interrupts with our working hours. We felt that there was a genuine need to adjust our timings so that we can accommodate our visitors who could not visit us due to their work timings
We have decided to extend our timings to introduce "Sunet Clinic" which will be open from 5pm-7pm. You can call 6636666 for appointments or email us at enquiries@wockhardthospitals.net
We have decided to extend our timings to introduce "Sunet Clinic" which will be open from 5pm-7pm. You can call 6636666 for appointments or email us at enquiries@wockhardthospitals.net
Minimally Invasive Surgical Treatement for Compression Fractures
Vertebroplasty is minimally-invasive, outpatient procedure used to treat the pain associated with vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis and tumoral lesions
It is an image-guided, minimally invasive surgical also used for treatment for pathological spinal fractures which is successful at alleviating the pain caused by compression fracture. It is accomplished by injecting orthopaedic cement through a needle into the fracture vertebra.
Indications
In elderly patients with vertebral fracture, secondary to Senile Osteoporosis, of vertebra, Haemangiomas of spine.
Patient Evaluation
First, the patient is evaluated clinically and basic blood investigations are carried out.X-ray of spine, and if needed, of other parts too, are also taken.MRI is optional, in the presence of neurological deficits, suspected malignancy .Medical evaluation, for medical disease is performed.
Vertebroplasty Procedure
Done under general anesthesia in the operation theater. A hallow needle is passed percutaneously through pedicles into the body of vertebra, which is fractured under image guidance. It is followed by injection of dye,to confirm if the needle has reached a safe spot in the affected spine.An orthopedic cement paste is injected through needle into the body of vertebra, under image guidance. Once adequate cement is injected, needle is removed.
Total time: 30min
Advantages of Vertebroplasty
- This technique provides immediate strength to the porous bone, rapid relief from pain and reduces the likelihood of fractures again.
- Immediate pain relief.
- Early mobilisation, so early return to normality.
- No brace/no bed rest.
- Minimal invasive procedure.
Risks
A small amount of cement can leak out of the vertebral body.Other possible complications include: infection, bleeding, rarely neurological symptom is noticed
Limitations of Vertebroplasty
- Not used for Herniated disc or arthritic back pain.Not a prophylactic treatment to prevent fracture.
- Not for correction of spinal deformities.
- Not for medically unfit patient and in healed fractures.
Vertebroplasty has been carried out in several cases at Wockhardt Hospitals, where there has been great success, in the ease of the procedure and in the outcome.
For consultation with our Bone and Joint doctors,please email enquiries@wockhardthospitals.net
For consultation with our Bone and Joint doctors,please email enquiries@wockhardthospitals.net
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