Urinary incontinence in women &the impact of lifestyle on bladder health.

Urinary incontinence in women &the impact of lifestyle on bladder health

 Urinary incontinence or urination is a common problem approximately 50 to 80% females suffer from it and any age this increases with age and is two times more common in females most patients are shy to discuss this problem with there physician though it can effect the quality of life here we will discuss the common form of urinary incontinence or the leakage and how they can be helped.

Urinary incontinence is accidental release if urine due to stress on the bladder or during the strong urge to pass urine.

Types of urinary incontinence 

Stress incontinence- urine leakage association with increase in intra - abdominal pressure while coughing, laughing ,sneezing, climbing stairs, or other physical stress on the abdominal cavity .

 

 

Urge incontinence - it is the leakage of the urine accompanied or immediately preceded by an urge to pass urine. 

Mixed- ethereal there are both above factor are present.

Functional - as seen in urinary tract infection ,psychotic , disorder reduced mobility and delirium. 

There are various causes for the urinary incontinence and the commonest are pregnancy, childbirth , abdominal tumors like uterine myomas, uterine  prolapse or the looseness of the vaginal walls, obesity, infection, diseases like diabetes and certain medications.

Diagnosis of the conditions and the cause can be done by a physician. An examination will confirms the diagnosis and the severity of the conditions, depending upon which the treatment is designed for the patients. The treatment can be both surgical some medication and by physiotherapy. Your doctor will advice the best strategy suitable for your conditions. 

A modification of the lifestyle and diet changes can help as well.

 Urinary incontinence-  Impact of behavior and lifestyle on bladder health.

Cigarette smoking - this has a direct relegation to bladder cancer. 

Caffeine- food and beverages containing caffeine have been reported to be risk factors for urgency, frequency and urgency incontinence. The changes were more when more than 450mg/ day of caffeine was consumed. 

Alcohol- Alcohol can promote urgency and frequency interfering with the bladder signal regulation micturition and causes dieresis.  

Bladder irritants- Carbonated drinks , diet sodas 

 

 

Foods to be avoided to  improve bladder health 

* bread and cereals with preservatives 

* prepared salad dressings 

* prepared soup - canned and packaged, bouillon cubes 

* processed meat- hot dog / salami says ages 

* cheese - most type 

* all citrus fruits 

* Artificial sweeners and additives.

*Sauces- red paprika/MSG/hot curry powder/hydrolysed protein/chilli powder.

 

 

 

source by DR. Jaimala Shukla.

Heart Attack-Keep tabs on your heart

 










Heart attack or acute myocardial infarction is one of the leading causes of death in general population


Heart attack occurs because of complete or near complete block of one of the blood vessels supplying the heart. This happens as the blood vessels in the heart are progressively blocked by deposition of fat inside its wall over time and formation of blood clot at this place suddenly.

Typically one in two men and one in three women at the age of 40 yrs have the risk of developing coronary heart disease. To make matters worse there is a growing trend of more young people affected by this dreaded disease. First and foremost is to know whether you are at risk. This can be found out by answering a few simple questions like what is your age, gender, smoking etc.

Following are risk factors for developing heart disease.

>       Smoking
>       Hypertension
>       Diabetes
>       Dyslipidemia (Raised bad cholesterol and reduced good cholesterol)
>       Abdominal obesity
>       Psycho social factors (stress, anxiety & depression)
>       Male sex
>       Family history of heart disease
>       Increasing age

To simply put, the more of the above points you say yes, the more likely you can develop heart disease.

Fortunately apart from a few things like age, gender and family history, all other risk factors can be modified effectively. So one can reduce the risk of developing heart disease by 90 per cent.

Below is the check list you have to do.

1. Stop smoking. Smoking is a definite NO as for your heart is concerned.
2. Exercise. Do brisk walking for 30-60 minutes, 4-6 times a week
3. Weight loss. If you are overweight, take steps to lose weight by diet control and regular exercise. Importantly lose weight judiciously. Don’t starve.
4. Healthy diet
5. Hypertension control. If you are hypertensive, it should be controlled adequately. Restrict salt in your diet.
6. Diabetes - If you are diabetic, strict control of blood sugar is essential. If you are non-diabetic and has risk factors to develop diabetes or over the age of 45 years check your fasting blood sugar.
7. Check your blood cholesterol. Consult your doctor if it is abnormal.
8. Avoid stress. Socialise. Be cheerful.
9. If you are at risk of developing heart disease, go for a regular check up with your doctor.

source Dr Rajan Maruthanayagam
Interventionional Cardioligist 

Hearing Loss in children

Hearing Loss :Early identification of hearing loss important

Whilst most of the newborn babies look and indeed are normal at birth, there are certain metabolic, cardiac, urological, eye and ear diseases which may not be apparent at birth.


Sometimes such disorders may not be detectable by physical checkup of baby, but may present later in life from neonatal age through infancy and childhood till adolescence, explains Dr Jai Kumar Motwani, Specialist Pediatrician, Zulekha Hospital, Sharjah.

New born screening tests include a group of blood tests where a few drops of blood from newborn’s heel are taken on a filter paper and sent to laboratory for analysis. There are roughly 48 different diseases for which metabolic screening can be done. Also most important is hearing screening in newborn and during infancy.

It is estimated that 1-2 babies out of 1,000 are born with a hearing loss in one or both ears. Early identification of mild/moderate hearing loss is of paramount importance for overall development of child specially language development which is dependent upon input signals.
Even mild hearing loss which may go unnoticed by parents and family physician/pediatrician may have greater impact on scholastic performances in future. Such children are more likely to perform below their grade level, more likely to drop out of school, fail to earn higher degrees as compared to normal peer group.

Usually this screening is done within first week of life and in case of any dubious results may be repeated in another week.

Those babies who don’t pass the screening tests are sent to audiologists for detailed evaluation and further management. However even if a baby passes the initial screening, audiological monitoring should be done every six months for three years because certain conditions may not produce immediate hearing loss.

It is important to have child checked if following conditions are present

>      Family member has hearing loss
>      Preterm baby admitted in NICU  and requiring ventilator etc, high levels of neonatal jaundice
>      Infections coming from mother when baby is in utero.
>      Certain chromosomal syndromes or some neurodegenerative disorders  identified by pediatrician at  birth or thereafter
>      Meningitis, head injury, mumps
>      Recurrent middle ear infections
>      Any delay in development noted by parent/pediatrician specially delay in speech, language, or any child responding to loud sounds only.
>      Exposure to loud noises (noise  pollution)

  There are two methods by which new born hearing screening is done — otoacoustic emissions (OAE) and automated auditory brain stem responses (AABR). Both the methods are inexpensive and easy to carry out without any inconvenience to babies.



By Dr Jai Kumar Motwani
Specialist Pediatrician.














 

Stilettos High on fashion , low on Health

Stilettos; high on fashion, low on health

The tick-tack of high heels usually spells high-end fashion! But do you know that wearing stilettos on a regular basis entails health hazards? Experts say slipped disc, knee arthritis and plantar fasciitis (a painful inflammation on the sole of the foot) are common problems faced by women who wear them on regular basis.

Capital-based Rajeev K. Sharma, a senior consultant orthopaedic and joint replacement surgeon at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, sees around 25 patients in a month for orthopaedic problems due to high heels.

“There are numerous ailments, but the common ones include disc prolapsed (slipped disc), knee arthritis and plantar fasciitis (a painful inflammation on the sole of the foot),” Sharma told IANS.

Age is no bar when it comes to high-heels-related health hazards.

If women as old as 50 visit Sharma for the same problem, his clients list also has young girls in the 20-30 age-group.

Neeraj Mehta, fitness expert and director of GFFI Fitness Academy, has clients aged between 22 and 32 who have fallen prey to such ailments. Each month around five to six women consult him.

Satnam Singh Chhabra, head, department of neuro spine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, also said that mostly young and middle-aged women consult him for such problems.

“When we walk or run, a lot of effort is made by the knee for proper movement. Imagine wearing a shoe with pointed heels and walking uncomfortably every day! The walking style will become your habit but damage will be done to the cartilage in the knee,” said Sharma.

Before the problem aggravates, the body gives out warnings.

”There are several symptoms such as pain in the toes, mid-foot, heel, ankle, knee, hip and back. Sometimes, people also start having headaches,” Chhabra said.

He suggests fit and comfort should be given priority while selecting footwear.

“Your shoes should be properly fitted. Try to relax by wearing comfortable running shoes while going to distant places,” said Chhabra.

The problem can be tackled by going in for a diet that helps improve blood circulation.

“The diet should be healthy and plant-centred so that it can help in proper blood circulation and tissues can feel relaxed,” he said.

Exercises, too, help.

Mehta said: “If they are standing or sitting with heels on, they can do a lot of stretches for their foot like dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, eversion and inversion,” he said.

Chhabra said women can avoid back pain, slipped disc and more by sticking to heels not higher than 1.5 inches, while Sharma feels wedge heels can be helpful.

Source kt

Bariatric surgery is a measure of last resort

Bariatric surgery

Obesity is considered one of the major health issues due to associated co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, joint pain, back pain, infertility and many psychological and emotional disturbances.


The first step in overcoming obesity, should be diet under professional guidance accompanied by exercise. But when these measures fail, bariatric or obesity surgery is the answer.

“Obesity epidemic is becoming more and more evident and the health costs associated with it are growing enormously sending alarming flags to health authorities world wide. According to the UAE ministry of health, 44 per cent of UAE nationals will be obese eby 2015.”

Obesity surgery evolved dramatically during the last decade and is safe in experienced hands. In Saudi Arabia, 7,000 bariatric surgery procedures were done in 2012 while 4,000 were done in 2012 in Kuwait.

There are many surgical options — adjustable gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass and gastric placation. All of these surgeries are laparoscopic or keyhole surgeries.

Adjustable gastric banding is a simple procedure but has a high failure rate after 5 years. The inflatable band is placed around the upper part of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch. This slows and limits the amount of food that can be consumed at one time,

In sleeve gastrectomy, the surgeon reduces 75 per cent of the stomach and removes it leaving a small stomach that gives the patient early satiety feeling.

Gastric placation is technically difficult but has the best long term results. The surgeon cuts through upper part of stomach to create a small pouch which takes only minimum amount of food and connects it the small bowel.

Obesity surgery requires a dedicated team of an experienced surgeon, endocrinologist, dietitian and psychologist to evaluate the patient and to decide if he is going to benefit from surgery.

Most co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, joint pain and sleep apnea can be cured by obesity surgery. Patients can return to social life and be more active in professional and personal environments.

Bariatric surgery is not a magic solution to a very complicated problem like obesity but it is one of the best solutions available when conservative measures fail.

source kt by Dr Hussam Al Trabulsi- Specialist Surgeon

Micheal Douglas says oral sex causes cancer

Weird science? Douglas gets candid on what he thinks is the cause of his stage four throat cancer oral sex with your someone who is bipolar. Not that his drinking and smoking didn’t have something to do with the actor’s disease, but he swears oral sex and throat cancer are linked together.


A sexually transmitted disease that causes cancer

Apparently it’s true if you already have the human papillomavirus you are at risk. He dying to please his wife?

Studies show without a doubt that the HPV type 16 is the causative agent in oropharyngeal cancer. Mheash Kumar, a consultant head and neck surgeon in London, in a recent paper from a John Hopkins study shows that 57% of patients with oral cancers were also HPV-16 positive, especially in men.

In patients who had mouth tumors and HPV-16 strain are three times as likely to have had oral sex as those who didn’t.

Should you avoid having oral sex

The human papilloma virus is associated with genital warts as well as cervix cancer or anus cancer and now mouth cancer.

Oral cancer has thought to be caused by smoking, chewing tobacco and excessive alcohol.

Douglas says the best cure for it is oral sex

Science isn’t backing that claim up. Kumar said, “That just doesn’t make sense.” One thing for sure Micheal Douglas likes his oral sex.

source http://www.examiner.com/article/micheal-douglas-says-oral-sex-causes-cancer

Early treatment is key to stopping arthritis

 Early treatment is key to stopping arthritis

Arthritis refers to a group of rheumatic diseases and degenerative conditions that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Awareness, early diagnosis and an aggressive treatment are keys to stopping arthritis from taking over your life.


Exercise is one part of a comprehensive arthritis treatment plan. The other treatment plans also may include medication, rest and relaxation, proper diet, instructions on proper use of joints, ways to conserve energy and other pain relief methods like heat, cold and electrical stimulation.

For many years it was thought that people with arthritis should not exercise because it would damage their joints. While rest is important, especially during flare ups, lack of physical activity can cause increased muscle weakness, joint stiffness, reduced range of motion, fatigue and general de-conditioning. Hence, current recommendations emphasis a balance of physical activity and rest.

Exercise helps people with arthritis in many ways:

• Reduces joint pain, swelling and stiffness
• Keep the muscles, bones and cartilage tissue strong and healthy
• Enhance weight loss
• Improves self-esteem and sense of well being 

Three types of exercises are best for people with arthritis

• Range of motion exercise: Helps maintain normal joint movement, reduce stiffness and keep joints flexible
• Strengthening exercise: Help maintain or improve strength of the muscles that support and protect the joints affected by arthritis.
• Aerobic or endurance exercise: Exercises like walking, swimming and bicycling improves your quality of life.  Walking is better than running for people with arthritis. Swimming and exercises in warm water are good for stiff sore joints. Warm water help relaxes your muscles and decrease your pain and it is beneficial for individuals who have difficulty with weight bearing. Bicycling especially on an indoor stationary bicycle is a good way to improve your fitness.

People with arthritis should discuss their exercise plans with their doctor. The amount and form of exercise recommended for each individual will vary depending on which joints are involved, how stable the joints are and whether a joint replacement procedure has been done. The physiotherapist can help design an exercise programme that meets individual needs. Begin your activity at a slow intensity and build up gradually as symptoms permit.  A good general rule to remember is to stop exercising if you start having sharp pain or more pain than usual. If the joint feels hot avoid exercise.

source kt

Health Pages- Tips for lower back pain

 Health Pages- Tips for lower back pain.

A number of individuals have experienced low back pain (LBP) at one point or the other in their lives, and experts advise that staying active is a sure-fire way to help ease the condition.


According to Dr A. J. Cianflocco, director of Primary Care Sports Medicine at Cleveland Clinic in the US, between 80-90 per cent of Westerners and those who have adopted the “western lifestyle” have experienced LBP “at least once in a lifetime”.

Speaking on the second day of the Abu Dhabi Medical Congress in the Capital on Monday, Dr Cianflocco cited some of the appropriate treatment and interventions for those suffering from LBP.

“Lower back pain is a common problem in primary care. Fortunately, this condition is (often) self-limiting and would resolve with little intervention. However, a third of the cases of LBP may not fully recover within six months, and there’s about 25-60 per cent recurrence rate within one to two years,” stated the sports medicine specialist.


Bad posture, lack of exercise and not being flexible are some of the factors that cause LBP, he told Khaleej Times.

According to him, LBP is prevalent in young professionals and labourers, or those between the ages of 20 and 50-60 due to degenerative spine in older people. LBP is also common among athletes due to stress fracture particularly for those into gymnastics, ballet, weight lifting and wrestling or those who “arch their backs”. The obese and those with big bellies are also affected due to their weight putting pressure on their lower back.

As intervention, Dr Cianflocco suggested patient education and advising them to “stay active, avoid bed rest and pursue early appropriate physical therapy activity as soon as possible — so-called self-care options”.
Smoking cessation, exercise and weight management should also be advised and that medications should be chosen based on patient age and risk profile.

For those with persistent back pain or an acute phase of between four to six weeks, formal physical therapy was advised. Older patients of between 50 and 60 years may go for laboratory testing and further imaging as appropriate.

While those with chronic low back pain (more than 12 weeks), aggressive exercise plus medications may be needed, advised Dr Cianflocco.

According to him, stretching, yoga and pilates, and aerobics are some of the exercises that are beneficial for patients with chronic LBP.

Stretching exercises have been known to benefit a number of patients; 80 per cent of the patients have reported improvement at the end of six-week training, according to the specialist.

“Yoga and pilates, these are the mind and body exercise regimen; they are quite helpful in patients that have psychological and physical components in their chronic LBP. These both address the physical and mental aspects by incorporating core strengthening, flexibility and relaxation.”

Walking, running, cycling and swimming are also great examples, as well as, impact exercises such as aqua therapy.

On the non-traditional options, Dr Cianflocco, who also advises on the US’ National Football League (NFL), suggested acupuncture, manipulation, chiropractic and osteopathic methods.

Citing the guidelines from the American College of Physicians, he said “acupuncture... should be considered as non-pharmacologic treatment with proven benefits for patients with chronic LBP (to) supplement other therapies”. It requires six to eight treatments.

Different types of massage in massotherapy include rolfing, Sweddish massage, acupuncture massage, myofacial release and craniosacral therapy are also effective in chronic LBP. This should be considered in conjunction with exercise to maximise the benefit.

“An experienced massotherapist also improves the outcomes,” he said.

source khallejtimes

Irritable bowel syndrome

Health Pages- Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition of the digestive systems. Its primary symptoms are abdominal pain and altered bowl habits (eg , constipation /and or diarrhea) but these symptoms have no identifiable cause.

IBS is the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal condition and is second only to the common cold as a cause of absence from work. An estimated 10 to 20 percent of people experience symptoms of IBS , although only about 15 percent of affected people actually seek medical help.

Despite intensive research, the cause is not clear. Various theories are abnormal contractions of the colon and intestines, post infective, food intolerances. Stress and anxiety are known to affect the intestine and may worsen symptoms.

Heightened sensitivity of the intestines to normal sensations may be the cause  ie normal amounts of gas or movement are perceived as excessive and painful.

Young adults are often the sufferers. The most common symptom of IBS is  abdominal
 Pain in association with diarrhoea and /or constipation

Pain is typically crampy and may worsen with emotional stress,eating. Bowel movement may relieve the pain.