Dr. Gobu P is a leading Interventional Cardiologist and Senior Consultant Cardiologist at Gleneagles Health City, Chennai. He did his medical education and underwent training at one of the premier institute in the country.
Dr M Srinivas has an overall experience of 25 years. After his basic medical degree from Stanley Medical College (Chennai), he pursued higher training and practiced medicine in the UK for 13 years. He has been with Gleneagles Global Health City since 2011, when he returned to India.
Dr Abhilash A Bhaskaran has an overall experience of over 22 years and is currently working as a Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon. He has routinely performed procedures such as Lefort 1 Osteotomy and Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy for correction of maxillo-mandibular deformities such as prognathic and retrognathic jaws/face. He is actively involved in diagnosis, work up and treatment of patients suffering with head and neck malignancy that involves resection, neck dissection and reconstruction with both pedicle and free flaps.
Dr Susan George is an extremely adept medical professional with an overall experience of 30 years in the field of Cardiology. She has a vast experience in Non-invasive Cardiology with special interest in echocardiography both adult and paediatric and clinical cardiology. She also has a keen interest in academics and training and is a teacher for the DNB (Cardiology) course of the National Board of Examinations New Delhi. She has many papers and publications in both national and international Cardiology journals.
Dr Kesavan A R is an expert orthopedic surgeon, highly skilled in joint replacement and complex hip & pelvis surgeries with an experience of more than 22 years. He is currently working as a Senior Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon at Gleneagles Global Health City. His expertise in Complex Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery, fractures of pelvis and acetabulum, all complicated fractures is unique and is acknowledged by peers and patients. He is also especially interested in the development of hip joint and dysplasia, having treated many children with hip disorders.
Dr Ajit Yadav is a Orthopedic surgeon in Perumbakkam, Chennai and had experience of 36 years in this field. Dr Ajit Yadav practices at Gleneagles Global health City Chennai in Perumbakkam, Chennai . He completed MBBS from Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune in 1981 and MS- Orthopaedics from All India Institute of Medical sciences , New Delhi in 1987.
He is a member of Medical council of India(MCI). Some of the services provided by the doctor are : High Risk Wound care. Foot Assessment., Foot Drop, Diabetic Foot Check-Up and Ankle-Brachial Index etc.
Managing Respiratory Diseases During COVID Outbreak
The world is trembling with the threat of COVID-19. It has affected and killed millions in the last few months. It is caused by the novel Coronavirus - the virus of the same family that caused SARS and MERS. COVID-19 is an Acute Respiratory Disease that causes breathlessness and can lead to Respiratory Failure and even death.
One might anticipate that people with Chronic Respiratory Diseases like Asthma, TB, Chronic Bronchitis, etc. would be at higher risk of getting infected by the Coronavirus. In reality, the chances of these patients being infected are the same as that of a normal, healthy human being. However, if a person with a Chronic Respiratory Disease is infected with it, the complications will be more severe. Therefore, managing pre-existing Respiratory conditions becomes extremely important. Here are a few Respiratory Diseases and tips to manage them in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Asthma
For Asthma patients, it is important to continue their inhalation therapy and all their medications to avoid any type of exacerbation. One cannot afford to get breathless with an attack as it can become difficult to reach the hospital in this lockdown situation. It is extremely essential to keep their asthma in control.
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic Bronchitis patients must quit smoking immediately. Smoking and COVID-19 are found to have a direct correlation. The mortality rate and severity increase in Chronic Bronchitis patients who smoke if they are infected with the Coronavirus.
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis patients tend to have repeated infections with Pseudomonas, Community-acquired Streptococcus, and Influenza. These patients need to make sure that they do not get repeated infections as it can get very difficult to manage. They must also follow all the exercises to clear their Lungs and keep them free of sputum.
Tuberculosis
Patients with Tuberculosis must continue their medications, and stay in touch with the local RNTCP authorities. If the condition relapses, it will be very difficult to manage it with the threat of Coronavirus everywhere. They must also practice all the precautionary measures to prevent infections because the severity and complications in these patients will be high and difficult to manage.
Patients with all the above-mentioned Respiratory Diseases need to practice all the Respiratory hygiene measures mentioned by the authorities. Apart from that, they should supplement their vitamin C levels, do saltwater gargling every time they come back home after being out, and also do steam inhalation. These basic things will help them in the long run.
Dr Tapaswi Krishna
Consultant – Pulmonology, Gleneagles Hospital, Lakdikapul
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author. They do not reflect the opinions or views of the organization.
Managing Epilepsy Amidst the COVID Pandemic
COVID-19 is now being called a pandemic and it well deserves to be so. It has taken the world down and is giving us the highlights of what it was like back in the Dark Ages. It has terrorized people and made them lock themselves in their homes. This virus has killed lakhs while on its march around the globe. People with low immunity and any underlying chronic conditions are more susceptible to the virus, it’s now proven. But what about Neurological conditions? Are people with conditions like Epilepsy vulnerable to this disease?
If you are someone with any Neurological condition, or you have anyone in your family with such a condition then you must be overwhelmed with questions and doubts. Don’t worry, here’s everything you need to know.
What Is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a Neurological condition that leads to recurrent Seizures. A Seizure happens when there is a sudden rush of electrical activity in the Brain. 50 million people worldwide and an estimated 5 million people in India suffer from Epilepsy.
Anyone can develop Epilepsy, but it is more common in the elderly and young children and is more common in males than in females. There is no cure for it, but the disorder can be managed with medication and various other strategies.
COVID-19 Risks To People Suffering From Epilepsy
There is no evidence or studies to prove that people with Epilepsy alone have low immunity and are vulnerable to COVID-19. Having Seizures doesn’t mean that the person has low immunity, it is a Neurological disorder. If the person has any underlying condition or any chronic disease, then the immunity may be compromised. The bottom line is that suffering from Epilepsy alone doesn’t increase the risk of COVID-19.
Can Epilepsy Medication Take A Toll On The Immune System
Most Seizure medications do not affect the Immune System. However, some medications like ACTH, Everolimus, Immunotherapies, etc. can affect the Immune System. Regardless of what medications you are taking, you mustn’t stop them without consulting your doctor.
Managing Stress
This is a stressful time and there is no way out of it. But if you keep stressing yourself over everything you might end up affecting your health. It is suggested that instead of overthinking, practice mindfulness and ways to manage stress. Here are some tips:
- Set daily routines.
- Eat healthily and don’t skip meals.
- Give time for relaxing activities into your routines – reading, listening to music, drawing or painting – whatever is enjoyable for you.
- Take breaks from the news. Avoid the news at night if you cannot sleep well.
- Practice mindfulness techniques like meditation, deep breathing, quiet listening, tai chi, yoga, etc.
- Connect with others. Call family or friends, text message or set up video calls. Do whatever works for you.
Dr Madhusudan B.K,
Senior Consultant Neurologist & HOD Stroke & Epilepsy Specialist, BGS Gleneagles Hospital
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author. They do not reflect the opinions or views of the organization.
Is It An Allergy, Flu Or COVID-19?
The novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 has infected thousands of people worldwide. Many countries are locked down, this is how serious it is. Experts are trying their best to contain it and find a solution for it. The government is taking major steps to prevent its spread and is promoting precautionary measures. The internet, all the news channels, and newspapers are flooded with numbers and data that are confusing and even scary. With all this happening around, it’s natural that you get a little anxious every time you sneeze or cough.
Although Coronavirus is something that should be taken seriously, the chances of an individual getting affected by it are still low, especially if you are maintaining social distancing. If you think that the running nose could mean something else, here’s something you need to know.
It takes around 2-14 days for your body to show symptoms after you have been exposed to the Coronavirus. It affects your lower respiratory tract. The symptoms of COVID-19 include shortness of breath, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, cough and moderate to high fever.
Sneezing Is Not A Major Symptom Of COVID-19
Sneezing is a symptom of the common cold and sometimes Allergies. It is not highly associated with COVID-19. Cold gradually goes away, but if you’ve been sneezing for quite a few days, it’s highly likely that you have some kind of Allergy, only sneezing isn’t associated with COVID-19, usually.
The Flu vs COVID-19
They both have symptoms that are quite similar. Both make you feel lethargic. Dry cough, headache, sore throat and fever are common in both. Shortness of breath indicates involvement of the Lungs. There are no symptoms that reliably set COVID-19 apart from other Respiratory illnesses.
Allergies vs COVID-19
Symptoms of Allergies include sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy nose and eyes, Postnasal Drainage, rashes, headaches, and coughing. People with any kind of Allergies often have a history, you already know about things that you are allergic to. If you aren’t allergic to anything and you are showing these symptoms, don’t worry it still isn’t COVID-19. It could be a new Allergy you developed or the common cold but not COVID-19, as some of these symptoms like rashes are exclusively associated with Allergies.
Reasons To Be Extra Cautious
If you have a recent travel history from places that were affected by the Coronavirus, you need to take even the mild symptoms seriously. If you had any guests from places where the outbreak took place, make sure you don’t ignore any hints your body gives you. If you are from or living near an area where there was an outbreak, you need to be cautious and take care of yourself.
Seek Medical Help When Needed
Don’t be a doctor yourself, unless you are one. Do not assume that you have perfectly diagnosed yourself. If anything is causing you discomfort, seek proper medical assistance, as it doesn’t mean it isn’t serious if it isn’t the Coronavirus. That being said, you don’t need to panic with every little thing. Call up your doctor, discuss the symptoms and let him/her do the diagnosis. Visit hospitals/clinics only when extremely necessary, or when the doctor asks you to. This will help in avoiding overcrowding the medical facilities and save resources for those who need it more. Be a little mindful and vigilant.
If you are fit and healthy, don’t think that you cannot be affected by anything, you still need to take care of yourself. Maintain good hygiene, cover your face while coughing, stay hydrated, eat healthy, practice social distancing and stay indoors. All these practices will help you prevent infections and will keep you safe.
Dr Siri Kamath
Consultant Physician, BGS Gleneagles Hospital
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author. They do not reflect the opinions or views of the organization.