World Insulin Day :India will be home to over 70 Million Diabetics in the next 6 years

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

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

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.

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

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

Dr Prathima Reddy

MRCOG,FRCOG (London)
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.

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.

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

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

1. Extradural (outside the dura)-they constitute about 80% of tumours
2. Intradural Extramedullary (inside the dura but outside the cord)-this group amounts to about 15%
3. 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.

Symptoms of Spinal Cord Tumor

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.

1. Forward or backward neck movement causing ‘electric shock’ or tingling radiating down through the body to the extremities.
2. Loss or disturbance of sensation to touch/pain/heat in the upper/lower extremities or trunk.
3. Lower back pain ,shooting pain that runs down the legs
4. Distinct muscular weakness causing falls/limp due to weakness in legs or difficulty in writing/doing work that involves fine movements of hand/fingers.
5. In the advanced stage the bladder and the bowel functions will be affected.

Causes of Spinal Cord Tumor

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 key

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

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

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

Thinking of Getting a Knee Replacement: Take a walk in the sun

According to scientists in Australia, walking in the sunshine could be a great way to delay your knee replacement.The findings claim that Vitamin D deficient people loose cartilage faster than those who are not vitamin D deficient .Sunlight is one of the best sources of vitamin D but the researchers warn there in Australia there seems to be a national trend of people avoiding the sun.

Tasmania, half the population is vitamin D deficient, and even people living in brighter parts of Australia, such as Queensland, are at risk of developing osteoarthritis in their knees.The head of the Musculoskeletal Unit at the Menzies Research Institute in Hobart, Professor Graeme Jones, has discovered that vitamin D keeps knee cartilage healthy.

"In summer you need five minutes of unprotected sun on your arms and face. Winter at this time of year you need about an hour a day in the middle of the day,"

Cartilage has vitamin D receptors, and while there is not much knowledge on exactly onwhat this vitamin D does in cartilage, but the results suggest that vitamin D helps cartilage metabolism, so it suggests cartilage is under hormonal control.that patients with healthy vitamin D levels maintained their cartilage for longer than those with a deficiency.

Sunshine and exercise could just be a very cheap prevention to an expensive health problem.
Professor Jones says more than two million Australians have osteoarthritis and treating them costs $9 billion a year.

The men and women he has studied are aged between 50 and 80 years old.

Read the entire findings at here

Brain Tumor Removed through Nasal Cavity:Expanded Endoscopic Transnasal Surgery

In a unique path-breaking surgery the neurosurgery team at Wockhardt Hospitals, Bangalore, performed a pioneering technique by which a brain tumor was removed using a 4mm endoscope that was guided through the patient’s nasal cavity. The surgery which demands exceptional skill and specialized equipment, was conducted on a 40 year old woman who was diagnosed with a brain tumor measuring 2 cm.

Endoscopes have been previously used for brain surgeries related to cavities within the brain and to remove tumors from the pituitary gland through the nose. But this is the first reported case in the country where an endoscope was used to remove a brain tumor from the sellaturcia without an open surgery.

Minimally Invasive Ligament Construction in Children

Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries are becoming increasingly common in the young active individual. MRI has also contributed significantly to the early diagnosis of these injuries. Treatment of ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injuries in the child and young adolescent remains controversial. This is especially so in the case of small children whose skeletons are yet to mature.

Any treatment plan must consider an assessment of the patients’ physical maturity, level of functional instability and identification of associated injuries. While a trial of non operative treatment may still be upheld by some, most reports of non operative treatment have demonstrated poor results. The natural history of the ACL deficient knee is one of recurrent episodes of giving way with resultant multiple meniscal tears and early degenerative arthritis.

Arthroscopic Reconstruction Transphseal Hamstring Graft

Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction is an elegant solution to this problem.Physeal sparing techniques have yielded poor results and therefore transphyseal techniques is one of the best solution to the problem.

The Hamstring tendon graft using semi tendinosus and Gracilis tendons or quadruped semi tendinosis graft provides an exceptionally strong and reliable graft. It has the added benefit of being harvested through a small unobtrusive incision. There is no post operative morbidity (as with B.T.B. graft) and the tendons grow back in time.

A quadrupled hamsting tendon provides 250% strength of the normal A.C.L. The most contemporary concept of double bundle grafting can only be affected with Hamstring tendon grafting.

Graft Fixation

Graft selection is the corner stone upon which optimal intra-articular ACL reconstruction is built; however graft fixation is important to allow early aggressive rehabilitation post operatively. Excellent initial graft fixation strength is essential for good graft tunnel bonding and therefore contributes immensely to the final outcome of this surgery. The first weeks are especially critical.

At the WOCKHARDT KNEE CLINIC we have been using the BIOTRANSFIX system for Femoral tunnel fixation with Bio-interference screw for tibial fixation with excellent results in 77 patients so far. The procedure is especially safe for young children who have significant growth left.


Dr. Gautaum Kodikal, M.S.
Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon
Department of Bone & Joint Care
Wockhardt Hospitals, Bangalore

Interventional Cardiologist at Bannerghata Road,Bangalore

Dr Subash Chandra
MRCP, FRCP
Consultant Cardiologist

Dr Chandra has over 27 years of experience in cardiology.He has worked at the The Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, and at The General Infirmary, Leeds. He holds a degree in advanced fellowship in cardiology, he became an instructor in medicine and an attending physician (division of cardiology) at Cornell University Medical College and Hospital Cornell Medical Center, New York.

To view his detailed profile Click here

For scheduling an an consultation with Dr Subash Chandra click here

Dr. P. Ranganath Nayak
MD, DM
Consultant Cardiologist

Dr Nayak is one of the most experienced cardiologists in this region with over 25 years of experience in the field of cardiology.His special interest areas include complex coronary interventions, like chronic total occlusions and primary angioplasties
Dr Nayak is trained in interventional cardiology from Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, Australia and University Hospital, Rouen, France.

To view Dr Nayak's detailed profile Click here

For scheduling an an consultation with Dr Ranganath Nayak,Click here

3 Cm Incision to Correct Spinal Instabilty:Advanced Minimal Access Spinal Surgery

Imagine a 3 centimeter incision to treat a case of severe spinal instabilty. !!

Wockhardt Hospitals Mulund, Mumbai, successfully performed the most advanced minimally invasive spine surgery called Transforaminal Lumbar interbody Fusion (TLIF) surgery to treat unstable spine.

Transforaminal Lumbar interbody Fusion (TLIF) is a very recent, most advanced and highly skilled form of spine surgery for fusion of two or more vertebrae of the lumbar (lower back) spine. The minimally invasive technique is best recommended for appropriately screened patients suffering from Degenerative spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, lumbar canal stenosis, black disc, nerve compression with associated low back pain.

Until recently, all patients for fusion surgeries of the lumbar spine have had to undergo a strenuous surgical procedure known as Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) involving large midline incisions for cutting of muscles, ligaments and bone in the lower back. While PLIF surgeries are known to offer good results, the surgery involves large incisions that could cause damage to important muscles, intraoperative bleeding followed by prolonged bed rest. Additionally, there is increased chance of nerve injury due to handling of nerve tissues during surgery - all of which could lead to Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.

TLIF Surgeries have been Pioneered at Wockhardt Hospitals,Mulund according to Dr. Vikas Gupte, Consultant Spine Surgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals , “TLIF is far more beneficial than conventional PILF surgeries as it is a minimally invasive surgery done through a 3-cm incision. The surgery has hardly any bleeding and there is no need for blood transfusion. Further advantages include preserving the normal structures of the body. The patient can be mobilized faster and can stand and walk the day after the surgery.”

“Various factors are taken into consideration before recommending a TLIF, including the condition to be treated, age and health of the patient, lifestyle and anticipated level of activity following surgery,” explains Dr. Gupte. As such, patients suffering from Degenerative spondylolisthesis, Degenerated disc disease, Black disc, Foraminal /lateral stenosis, Spondylolysis - Instability, and Nerve compression with associated low back pain may be candidates for TLIF.

The patients was able to walk the very next day following the TLIF which is a three and-half-hour procedure. They were discharged around the fourth day after the surgery. However, physiotherapy and exercise was advised from Day 1. Their recovery was faster within three to four days as compared to two-three months following PILF surgery.

About Wockhardt Hospitals Spine Centre,Mulund,Mumbai

The Wockhardt Hospitals Spine Centre at Mulund provides advanced micro-surgical techniques to treat complex Spine disorders. This super specialty center is amongst the few in Asia equipped with most advanced Neuro-navigation and Endoscopic facilities to perform complex spine neurosurgeries. The centre has a vastly experienced team of Neuro-Spine surgeons and Neurologists, backed by the most comprehensive neuro-diagnostic and imaging facilities, positions the hospital among the best in the region.

For consultations and appointments with Spine Surgeon,Dr Vikas Gupte email us at enquiries@wockhardthospitals.net

How How do you know if you are having a Heart Attack or Angina

Most people having a chest pain tends to believe that they are having an heart attack.However it can also mean that you might me having an Angina. Medically there is a difference between the two.Knowing the difference can help you to find out the problem and seek help from your doctor Here are quick checklist for understanding the difference between the two.

How long the pain lasts
Angina: less that 5 minutes
Heart Attack:5 minutes and longer

Consistency of Chest Pain
Angina: Comes and goes
Heart Attack:Constant

How bad the chest pain is
Angina:Less intense
Heart Attack:More Intense

nausea, sweating, or difficulty breathing
Angina:Less Likely
Heart Attack: More Likely

Resolves with medication (nitroglycerin) or rest
Angina:Yes
Heart Attack: No

however,some heart attacks are never recognized (silent infarctions) because the symptoms are mild, not typical, or even absent. This is a major reason why some people don't come to the hospital when they have a heart attack. If you have angina and notice that it is happening more often or lasting longer, you should contact your doctor.

With both a heart attack and angina, part of your heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen because of reduced or blocked blood flow in your coronary arteries. With angina, the lack of oxygen is temporary, and permanent heart damage does not occur. During a heart attack, the lack of oxygen lasts longer and causes permanent heart damage.

source:revolutionhealth.com

Our Cardiothoracic Surgeons at Mulund,Mumbai

Dr. Kaushal Pandey
Cardio - Thoracic & Vascular Surgeon
Qualification
M.S., M. Ch., F.A.C.A.
Click here to see his full profile and set up appointment




Dr. Shantesh Kaushik
Cardio - Thoracic & Vascular Surgeon
Qualification
M.S.D.N.B. (Gen Surg.), M. Ch. (Thor. Surg.)
D.N.B. (Cardio-thor. Surg.), M.D. (USA)
Click here to see his full profile and set up a consultation




Dr. Sandeep T Honnekeri
Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeon
Qualification
MS. Mch., DNB.
Click here to see his full profile and set up a consultation




Dr. Ajay Chaugle
Mch Cardiothoracic Surgery
Visiting Fellow University of Barcelona,Spain
Click here to see his full profile and set up a consultation

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7)Finally while we will certainly agree to disagree,we expect a certain level of civility when two individuals talk.Please keep this in mind while commenting at our blog.We review comments before they’re posted, and those that are off-topic or personal allegation against an individual without checking facts generally won’t make the cut. We also expect a basic level of civility; disagreements are fine, but mutual respect is a must, and profanity or abusive language are out-of-bounds.

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5 Ways You can Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk

Some of the ways to prevent Breast Cancer includes regular checkups, breast self-exams and mammograms . Doing these on time can help you detect breast cancer early on, when it is most treatable. But what about prevention? Short of radical surgery, are there steps you can take to reduce the risk?

Certain immutable factors like genetics, a family’s medical baggage and just being born female determine much of the risk of breast cancer. And, as with all cancers, that risk increases with age: a 30-year-old woman’s chances of developing breast cancer over a 10-year period are less than half of 1 percent, or 1 in 234, while a 60-year-old has a 3.5 percent risk, or 1 in 28.

However ,there are a few things you can do to prevent Breast Cancer . Choices that have an effect include how much alcohol a woman drinks , the amount of physical activity she gets (the more the better) and whether she takes hormones (the less the better). Doctors also urge women to keep their weight down, as obesity increases the risk of developing breast cancer during the postmenopausal years.

Know your family’s medical history.Keep in mind that breast cancer genes come from both sides of the family, not just your mother’s.Among relatives, “the special red flags” are premenopausal breast cancer, bilateral breast cancer (cancer that appears in both breasts) and ovarian cancer, said Dr. Larry Norton, deputy physician in chief of breast cancer programs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. But even if no one in the family had breast cancer, that is no guarantee that you are safe, said Dr. Runowicz; in fact, only 10 percent of breast cancer patients have a family history.

Some of the ways to Reduce Your Breast Cancer Risk Includes

• Cut down on alcohol, or avoid it altogether. When it comes to breast cancer, studies have been pretty consistent: there is no safe amount of alcohol
• Obesity after menopause increases the risk of breast cancer, so try to keep your weight down. But exercise is beneficial regardless of weight, and even a small amount of physical activity may be helpful.
• Avoid combined hormone therapy. The recommendation for all hormone therapy is to take the lowest dose for the shortest period necessary. A Women’s Health Initiative study found a slightly higher risk for breast cancer among women who took estrogen with progestin after menopause, and a drop in breast cancer diagnoses since then has been attributed to the fact that many women quit using hormones.

Read the full Article on how to Reduce "Breast Cancer Risk" here

article source:Nytimes Health

US patients Share their Experiances at Wockhardt Hospitals,Bangalore

According to a research conducted by Deloitte India ranks second in Medical Tourism throughout the world. Ironically, India spends only 1.2 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on health issues, but the country prides itself in treating Americans and Europeans . The study says that Indian hospitals treated 4.5 lakh foreign patients in 2007.

Thailand tops the list with a record number of 12 lakh. The study says that Indian hospitals treat patients not only from its neighboring states and the countries of West Asia, but also treat a large number of patients from the United States and other European countries. The inflow of patients to India from the European countries has been gradually rising.

The Delloite study forecasts that the number of people turning to "medical tourism" -- will increase from 750,000 to 6 million by 2010, an eightfold increase from the present numbers.

If the actual increase is even half that, the fact is that it will be insurers and employers driving this change, not individuals

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina has already started down the medical tourism road, and employers in other parts of the country are showing growing curiosity, if not interest.

Last year,South Carolina based Companion Global Healthcare Inc had recognized and added Wockhardt Hospitals in Bangalore and Mumbai to its overseas hospital network.All Bluecross Blueshield of South Carolina and Bluechoice Healthplan of South Carolina members will have access to Wockhardt Hospitals through this association with Companion Global Healthcare.

For partnership Inquiries with Wockhardt Hospitals please email us at enquiries@wockhardthospitals.net