The term angina is also referred to as ischemia. This is a sort of chest pain that is caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease. Although angina is comparatively common, it can still be difficult to differentiate from other types of chest pain, such as the discomfort of indigestion.

Sometimes you may feel unexplained chest pain; seek medical attention right away. It may feel like pressure in your chest. Angina is not a serious disease that cannot be treated. It is a basic symptom of an underlying heart problem. Angina has many types, which include micro prinzmetal's angina, stable angina, unstable angina and variant angina.

There are many factors that can trigger angina pain, depending on the type of angina you may have. The symptoms can also be responsible for which type of angina you have.

Understand Your Risk for Angina

If you have a chance of any heart disease or coronary MVD risk, then you also may develop the risk for angina. The most major risk factors for heart disease and coronary MVD include:

• Unhealthy cholesterol levels, high blood pressure
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Overweight or obesity
• Metabolic syndrome
• Inactivity
• Unhealthy diet
• Older age
• Family history of early heart disease

Diagnosis of Angina

All kinds of chest pain should be taken seriously and need to be checked by a healthcare provider. If you feel any kind of chest pain, your doctor will find out whether it's angina and or not. If it turns out to be any of the symptoms of angina, then the medical staff or doctors give you medical treatment. Also, a doctor will be able to find out whether the angina is stable or unstable. You may need emergency medical treatment if the case is unstable to prevent a heart attack.

Treatment of Angina

Your doctor will tell you which physical exam should be taken, and also, you should ask about your symptoms, risk factors and family history. They might need to do certain tests likes:

• EKG: This test measures your heart's electrical activity and rhythm.
• Stress test: This test is done to check how your heart is working while you are doing any activity and exercise.
• Blood tests: The doctor will check the proteins level called troponins. Your doctor may also do more general tests like a metabolic panel or complete blood count (CBC).
• Imaging tests: Chest X-rays help to find out other things that might be causing your chest pain, like lung conditions. Echocardiograms and CT and MRI scans can create images of the heart to help the doctor recognize the problems.
• Cardiac catheterization: This will be going to inserts a long, thin tube into an artery in your leg and threads it up to the heart to check your blood flow and pressure.
• Coronary angiography: Your doctor injects into the blood vessels of your heart. This process shows up on an X-ray, also creating an image of the blood vessels. They may do this procedure during cardiac catheterization.

When to see a doctor

If your pain lasts for longer than a few minutes and doesn't go while taking rest or sleep or taking angina medications, then it may be a sign you have a heart attack. If you think your chest discomfort is a new symptom for you, it's important to check with your doctor and try to find out the cause of your chest pain and get proper treatment and medication. It is also important if you are diagnosed with stable angina and it gets worse by the time or changes, seeks medical attention immediately.

Why should you consider BGS Gleneagles Hospital?

BGS Gleneagles Hospital, Cardiology is our most trusted hospital for cardiac disease in Bangalore. Our speciality is one of the best heart hospitals which gives the best treatment of any cardiac disease. We provide advanced level care for all the specialities such as heart diseases, cardiac diseases and also provide cardiovascular and thoracic surgeries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How serious is angina?

It's not life-threatening, but it's an alarm warning sign that you could be at risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Can angina just go away?

Angina symptoms usually ease or go away after a few minutes' rest or after taking the medicines but if you think you may be having a heart attack, call your local emergency service.

How do you fix angina?

Angina needs to be treated with nitrates to relax and widen your blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow to your heart muscle. 

What are the three types of angina?

The different types of Angina Pectoris are Stable Angina, Unstable Angina and Variant Angina Pectoris.

Heartburn is a feeling of burning sensation and intense pain in your chest, just behind your breastbone. The pain often gets worse after eating in the evening or when lying down or bending over. Casual or random heartburn is common and has no cause for alarm. Most people experience the discomfort of heartburn on their own with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. Heartburn that may come more frequently can interfere with your daily activity that can be a symptom of a more serious condition that requires urgent medical care.

Heartburn Symptoms

The most common symptom of heartburn tends to feel warmth, heat or burning in the chest and throat. This may be due to the stomach releases the acid flowing back up into the oesophagus. Some symptoms of heartburn may include as:

• A burning sensation and slight pain in the chest usually occurs after eating and may occur at night
• Pain that may get worsens when lying down or bending over, or during sleep.
• You feel a Bitter or acidic taste in your mouth.

Heartburn Diagnosis

If you feel heartburn for a long time, it may be a sign of a more severe condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. A doctor is able to find whether it's GERD that causing the heartburn from your symptoms. With the help of the tests, the doctor will find the how serious condition is and may do several tests, including:

• X-ray: a solution called a barium suspension that coats the lining of your upper GI (gastrointestinal) tract -- your oesophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine.
• Endoscopy: A small camera on a flexible tube is put down into your throat to give a view of your upper GI tract.
• Ambulatory acid probe test (oesophagal pH monitoring): It measures when stomach acid backs up into your oesophagus and for how long.
• Oesophagal motility test or oesophagal manometer: A catheter going to be put into your oesophagus and measures pressure and movement.

Heartburn Problems & Complications

Occasional heartburn isn't dangerous. But GERD can sometimes give you serious problems which cannot be avoided, such as:

• A long-term coughLaryngitis
• Inflammation or ulcers of the oesophagus
• face problems of swallowing because of a narrow oesophagus
• Barrett's oesophagus, a condition that can make it more likely to get oesophagal cancer

Heartburn occurs most frequently and interferes in a daily life activity which is considered gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This treatment may require prescription medications and surgery, or other medical procedures.

Heartburn Medications

Self-treatment

To prevent heartburn, it's best to avoid lying down for at least two hours after also eating, avoid fats, sweets, chocolates and citrus foods. Antacid medications may ease symptoms immediately. Other medications such as omeprazole and avoid taking longer to work but may provide more effective relief.

Seeking medical care

See a doctor immediately if you:

• Have chest pain along with sweating, shortness of breath or pain in the arm or jaw
• Experience heartburn symptoms that don't respond to antacids

Visit your doctor and make an appointment if you feel any of these symptoms

• You may experience heartburn two or more times a week
• Get reflux symptoms that interfere with sleep
• Develop a new cough
• Have difficulty swallowing, nausea or vomiting
• Don't improve with self-treatment
• Lose weight unintentionally

Treatment of Heartburn

A person may discover symptoms of heartburn by using these drugs, which are:

• Antacids, which are over-the-counter (OTC) medications that help relieve mild heartburn
• Proton pump inhibitors which help to reduce the amount of stomach acid
• H2 blockers, which are a type of medication that reduces stomach acid levels and may help to heal the oesophagal lining.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I prevent heartburn?

Mild cases of acid reflux can usually be prevented by adopting a few lifestyle changes in your daily activity.

When should I call my doctor about my heartburn?

Contact your doctor if you have any of the following heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms or conditions.

Does drinking water help heartburn?

Drinking water during the later stages of digestion can reduce acidity and GERD symptoms.

Will heartburn go away by itself?

Mild heartburn occurs after eating spicy or acidic food, which lasts until the food gets digested.

An endoscopy is a procedural method where organs inside of your body are checked or looked at by an instrument called an endoscope. An endoscopy is a long, thin and flexible tube that has a light and camera at one end.

This will take a picture of your inner body organ that is shown on computer television. An upper endoscopy is a procedure that is used to visually examine your upper digestive system with a small camera and a long end flexible tube.

This disease is treated by a specialist who treats the digestive system (gastroenterologist) uses endoscopy to diagnose and also to treat conditions that affect the oesophagus, stomach and beginning of the small intestine called the duodenum). This medical term is also termed esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

When is endoscopy used?

An endoscopy can be used to investigate:

• Unusual symptoms
• Help perform certain types of surgery

Endoscopy is also used to remove a small sample of tissues that can be looked at more closely and clearly. Endoscopy is called a biopsy.

Endoscopy symptoms and risks

• Fever
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• A red bloody, black or very dark-coloured stool
• Difficulty swallowing
• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Vomiting, especially when your vomit seems bloody or looks like small stone grounds

If you feel any of these, then you should call your doctor immediately or go to an emergency room if you are experiencing any of these signs or symptoms.

An endoscopy is a very safe procedure. Rare complications include:

• Bleeding - You might have chances of a bleeding problem after an endoscopy is done because this procedure involves removing a piece of tissue for treating a digestive system problem. In some cases, such bleeding may require a blood transfusion.
• Infection - Most endoscopies consist of an examination and biopsy, and the risk of infection is low. The risk of infection might get increases when any of the additional procedures are performed as part of endoscopy.
• Tearing of the gastrointestinal tract - A tear in your oesophagus or may another part of your upper digestive tract which needs to require hospitalization and sometimes surgery to diagnose it.

Causes of endoscopy

This may include:

• Perforation (tear in the gut wall)
• Reaction to sedation
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Pancreatitis a result of ERCP

When to see a doctor?

If you notice any signs of infection:

Signs of infection include:

• Redness, pain or swelling near where the endoscope placed in
• A discharge of fluid or pus close to where the endoscope placed in
• High temperature, or feeling hot or shivery at the times

Other complication signs which might come after having an endoscopy include:

• Black or very dark-coloured poo
• Shortness of breath, bad stomach pain, or abdominal pain that does not go away easily or keeps coming again
• Vomiting blood
• Chest pain
• Difficulty swallowing

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What does an endoscopy test for?

Endoscopy is used to collecting tissue samples, also called biopsy, that is used to test the diseases and conditions

What diseases can be detected by endoscopy?

Some of the common diseases and conditions that endoscopies can detect includes:

• Anaemia, ulcers, and hiatus hernias
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD
• Celiac disease and gastrointestinal cancers

What is endoscopy, and how long does it take to complete?

An upper endoscopy usually takes half an hour or an hour to complete the procedure. When the procedure is over, the doctor will remove the endoscope. Then they will shift you to a recovery room.

Do they make you sleep for an endoscopy procedure?

In endoscopic procedures involve sedation, which may relax you and subdues your gag reflex. You may feel calm and sedated during the procedure, which makes you sleep, and you will not feel any kind of discomfort when there is an endoscope inserted through the mouth and into the stomach.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, prioritizing our emotional well-being is essential for leading a fulfilling and balanced existence. From managing stress to fostering resilience, our daily habits play a significant role in shaping our emotional landscape. Integrative medicine, which combines conventional and complementary therapies, offers holistic approaches to promote emotional wellness. In this guide, we'll explore ten simple yet powerful daily habits that can help you cultivate inner harmony and enhance your emotional well-being, drawing insights from integrative medicine principles. 

As Dr Crystal, heading the department of Integrative Medicine, emphasizes, "Integrative medicine recognizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, and plays a vital role in nurturing emotional well-being by addressing the root causes of imbalance and supporting the body's innate healing abilities."
 

1) Prioritize Quality Sleep: 

Make sleep a priority by establishing a consistent bedtime routine and creating a conducive sleep environment. Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night to support emotional resilience, cognitive function, and overall well-being.

2) Practice Mindfulness Meditation: 

Embrace the present moment through mindfulness meditation, cultivating awareness and acceptance of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations. Dedicate a few minutes each day to quiet reflection, focusing on your breath or observing your surroundings without judgment.

3) Nourish Your Body: 

Fuel your body with wholesome, nourishing foods that support optimal physical and emotional health. Emphasize a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, while minimizing processed foods and sugary treats.

4) Engage in Physical Activity: 

Regular exercise is not only beneficial for your physical health but also your emotional well-being. Incorporate activities you enjoy, whether it's walking, yoga, dancing, or cycling, to release endorphins, reduce stress, and boost your mood.

5) Foster Social Connections: 

Cultivate meaningful relationships with friends, family, and community members to nurture a sense of belonging and support. Engage in heartfelt conversations, share laughter, and offer acts of kindness to strengthen social bonds and promote emotional resilience.

6) Cultivate Gratitude: 

Take time each day to express gratitude for the blessings in your life, whether big or small. Keep a gratitude journal, write thank-you notes, or simply reflect on moments of appreciation to foster a positive outlook and deepen connections with others.

7) Practice Self-Compassion: 

Treat yourself with kindness and compassion, embracing your imperfections and acknowledging your worthiness. Practice self-care rituals that nourish your body, mind, and soul, such as taking a warm bath, reading a book, or indulging in a hobby you love.

8) Connect with Nature: 

Spend time outdoors and connect with the natural world to recharge your spirit and alleviate stress. Take a walk in the park, hike in the mountains, or simply bask in the beauty of a sunset to experience the healing power of nature.

9) Set Boundaries: 

Establish healthy boundaries in your personal and professional life to protect your well-being and honor your needs. Learn to say no when necessary, prioritize self-care, and communicate openly and assertively with others to maintain balance and harmony.

10) Embrace Mind-Body Therapies: 

Explore integrative medicine modalities such as acupuncture, massage therapy, aromatherapy, or herbal medicine to support your emotional well-being. These complementary therapies can help alleviate stress, promote relaxation, and restore balance to the body and mind.

By incorporating these ten daily habits into your routine, you can create a nurturing environment that fosters emotional well-being and resilience. Drawing inspiration from integrative medicine principles, embrace holistic approaches that honor the interconnectedness of your physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Remember that small changes can yield significant results, so start today and embark on a journey of self-discovery and inner transformation.

All You Need to Know About Varicose Veins

Varicose veins are a common problem that many people face. If you have them, you're not alone! In this blog post, we will discuss what varicose veins are, the causes, and the treatments available. We will also provide some tips on how to prevent varicose veins from forming in the first place. Keep reading for more information!

What is varicose vein?

Varicose veins also known as varicoses or varicosities,are swollen, twisted, and enlarged veins that appear blue or dark purple in color. They are typically found in the legs and can cause pain, fatigue, and burning sensations. In some cases, they may cause more serious issues such as skin deterioration or ulceration.

Causes of varicose vein:

Causes of varicose vein are:

1. Pregnancy
2. Age (since as you age your veins become weaker),
3. Genetics
4. Obesity
5. Smoking
6. Physically inactive
7. Hormone changes during puberty or menopause

Signs of Varicose Vein:

The most common symptom of varicose veins is aching or heavy legs. If your legs feel like they need to be massaged or rubbed after standing for long periods, it could be a sign that you have weakened vein valves. Other symptoms include swelling in the feet, ankles, and calves; discolored skin around the affected area; and itching or burning sensations near the veins. In some cases, you may even see visible bulging or twisting veins under the skin.

How to prevent Varicose Vein?

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to prevent varicose veins from occurring in the first place:

• Regular exercise such as walking or swimming; avoiding sitting or standing for long periods of time
• Elevating your legs when sitting down
• Eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants; drinking plenty of water
• Avoiding the usage of high heels for a long time
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Avoiding tight clothing around your waist, legs or groin area
• Quit smoking

Common Treatments for Varicose Vein Removal:

The type of treatment you receive will depend on the severity of your condition. Here are some common treatments for varicose vein removal

Compression Socks

Compression socks help reduce swelling by applying pressure to the affected area. They also aid in preventing further vein damage

Sclerotherapy

In this procedure, a solution is injected into the affected vein which causes it to close off and eventually disappear over time

Endovenous Laser Treatment

Endovenous laser treatment involves using laser energy to heat up and seal off the affected vein so that blood can no longer flow through it

Varicose veins can worsen over time, but they don’t have to be. With the right treatment and preventive measures, you can put your best foot forward. And if you ever find yourself worried about a potential vein issue, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’d be more than happy to chat and answer any questions you might have. Enquire now!

Book an appointment now with the best vascular surgeon in bangalore at BGS Gleneagles Hospital

Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

"Why do I snore loudly and feel tired and irritable even after a full night's sleep?" 
The answer is - You might have sleep apnea.

What is Snoring- A quick guide

We find it unbelievable that we only snore at night and not during the day, but why is that the case? During the day, our neck muscles keep the airway broad and help air pass through the nose and throat smoothly. Meanwhile, neck muscles loosen during sleep and collapse into this airway, narrowing it and causing airflow turbulence. The suction current created by the rapid airflow vibrates and stretches the uvula and soft palate. Due to the negative pressure pulling the tongue back and blocking the airway, this force causes snoring and sleep apnea.

Snoring can happen at various levels starting from the nose to the oropharynx (back of your mouth)

1. Air from outside transits to the nasopharynx via the nose. Any obstruction in this passage will cause snoring. The deviated nasal septum that blocks the airway is one of the major causes. Patients with difficulty breathing through the nose tend to sleep with their mouths open at night, which causes turbulence of airflow as it bypasses the nose and results in snoring.
2. Similar causes of snoring are Allergic rhinitis and nose block, Sinusitis with nasal polyps, tumors of the nasal cavity.
3. Patients with tonsillar hypertrophy will also experience snoring because of the same phenomenon. Here, airflow obstruction is at the level of the oropharynx.
4. In obese patients, there will be increased neck circumference due to fat deposition, shorter neck, and loose neck muscles. These are contributing factors to increase the turbulence of airflow and snoring.
5. Acidic reflux in the long-term causes elongation of the uvula and edema of the mucous membrane of the throat. The movement of the long uvula with breathing will also cause turbulence and snoring.

How loud do I snore?

Usually, snoring is reported by your partner/ roommate. There are several ways to assess the loudness of snoring with the help of questionnaires.

What are the treatment options?

A qualified ENT surgeon will evaluate you to assess the causes of snoring. Treatment options aim at creating a smoother airway during sleep. Lifestyle changes can achieve a holistic approach toward the reduction of snoring.

In cases of obstruction at the nose level, like a deviated septum, allergic rhinitis, or nasal polyps, the treatment aims to clear the disease and create a nasal pathway for the smooth conduct of air.

Some doctors recommend a balloon sinuplasty procedure to reduce the forces that create vibration, snoring, and sleep apnea. However, balloon sinuplasty is considered ineffective in reducing sleep apnea symptoms. Balloon sinuplasty has a higher risk of complications and an extended recovery period. Today there are procedures to stiffen or soften the soft palate that can reduce snoring and open the airway in the back of our throat.

In some cases, an oral appliance may also be needed to assist in holding the mouth closed and move the jaw slightly forward to shift an oversized tongue away from the back of the throat.

What's beyond snoring? Have you heard of Obstructive sleep apnea?

In some people, the throat closes so much that not enough air can get through to the lungs, and when this happens, the brain sends an alarm to open the airway. The brain quickly reactivates the muscles that hold the throat open. Air gets through again, and our brain goes back to sleep. Most often, this is associated with brief arousal from sleep. When we experience this disorder, the term given to it is "obstructive sleep apnea."

In this process, the person tends to keep his mouth open to breathe easily. Mouth breathing also dehydrates the tongue, which results in progressive tongue enlargement, increasing the chance of sleep apnea.

Do I have Obstructive sleep apnea? Check it out!!

Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Loud snoring
• Observed episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
• Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking
• Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Morning headache
• Difficulty concentrating during the day
• Mood changes, such as depression or irritability
• High blood pressure
• Decreased libido

Factors that increase the risk of sleep apnea include:

• Excess weight. Obesity dramatically increases the risk of sleep apnea.
• Neck circumference. People with thicker necks might have narrower airways.
• A narrowed upper airway.
• Shorter jaw
• Double chin
• Being older.
• Family history.
• Use of alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers.
• Smoking.
• Nasal congestion/ Nasal block
• Medical conditions like diabetes, Parkinson, etc.,

Lifestyle changes to adapt

Few lifestyle changes and home remedies that can help you.

• If you're overweight, try to lose weight.
• Sleep on your side.
• Raise the head of your bed.
• Treat nasal congestion or obstruction.
• Limit or avoid alcohol and sedatives.
• Quit smoking today.
• Get enough sleep.

You can visit your doctor if you have or if your partner observes the following:

• Snoring loud enough to disturb your sleep or that of others.
• Waking up gasping or choking
• Pausing your breathing during sleep
• Treat nasal congestion or obstruction. Having excessive daytime drowsiness, which may cause you to fall asleep while working, watching television, or even driving a vehicle.

Is treatment for Obstructive sleep apnea necessary?

Obstructive sleep apnea is considered a severe medical condition.

• Daytime fatigue and sleepiness. Patients might find it challenging to concentrate and fall asleep at work while watching TV or even when driving. This can put them at higher risk of work-related accidents.
• Cardiovascular problems: Many people with obstructive sleep apnea develop high blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart disease.
• The more severe obstructive sleep apnea, the greater the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes.
• Obstructive sleep apnea increases the risk of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), which can lower blood pressure.
• Complications are also seen with medications and surgery. These medications, such as sedatives, narcotic analgesics, and general anesthetics, relax your upper airway and can worsen your obstructive sleep apnea.
• If you have obstructive sleep apnea, having major surgery, especially after being sedated and lying on your back, can worsen breathing problems. People are prone to complications after surgery.
• Before surgery, tell your doctor if you have obstructive sleep apnea or symptoms related to the condition. Your doctor might want you tested before surgery with a sleep study.
• Eye problems. Some research has found a connection between obstructive sleep apnea and certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma.
• Sleep-deprived partners. Loud snoring can keep those around you from getting good rest.
• Patients may also complain of memory problems, morning headaches, mood swings or depression, and a need to urinate frequently at night.
• Children and young people may display attention or behavior problems.
• Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea are at higher risk for developing a severe form of COVID-19 and needing hospital treatment than those who don't have obstructive sleep apnea.