Look at the Heels on your Shoes

You may not think about your feet that often, way down there at the ends of your legs, but they're an essential part of almost everything you do. Whether walking, running, exercising, or just standing, having feet that are comfortable and well-cared for (rather than aching or in pain) makes the experience must more pleasant. 

  

Wearing heels make look women tall and comfortable but it also imposes stress on the body and gives more pain. It completely alters the the pattern of pressure that is being put upon the feet. Usually body weight from the legs shifted to the fore foot on normal walking. But when you wear heels the pressure is concentrated on the ball of your toes and makes difficulty walking pattern.

When you wear heels the toes are encroached in toe box of your shoes and it causes discomfort all over the foot. The hazards are not only over the feet but it extends all over the body. On the feet the person will develop Hammer toes, Bunions, Stress fractures, Ingrowing nails, Morton's Neuroma and solemnly the result will depict as foot pain during walking. The effects above the foot are sprains and strains at the ankle, Tightness of the calf muscles (tendo achilles) and strain to the knee joint as well. The total posture has been altered and there is an increase at the lumbar arch and induces a low back pain.

The height if the heel will alter the pressure on the fore feet, when the heel is at 1''- the stress will be 22%, at 2''- 57%, at 3'' – 76%. It also increases the pressure by 26%over the knee cap.

If you ask, Does heel alone gives pain on the feet? The answer will be -NO. Even the complete flats also impose strain on the foot. With Complete flats or ballet shoes, the body weight over the foot stretches the muscles on the foot and collapses the arch. It also imposes the foot into pronation and over stretches the deep calf muscles.

So the ideal shoes that should have a heel height of less than an inch will keep the arch intact and prevent us from being suffer with lots of aches and pain in the body.

For Further Information, Contact:

Ms. P. Pughana Ambhigai B.P.T, M.P.T, Physiotherapist, Kauvery hospital, Chennai. 044 4000 6000

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Dengue Fever Alert!

Suspect dengue when a high fever (40°C/ 104°F) is accompanied by two of the following symptoms:

• Severe headache
• Pain behind the eyes
• Nausea, Vomiting
• Swollen glands
• Muscle and joint pains
• Rash

Severe dengue is a potentially deadly complication due to plasma leaking, fluid accumulation, respiratory distress, severe bleeding, or organ impairment. The warning signs to look out for occur 3-7 days after the first symptoms in conjunction with a decrease in temperature (below 38°C/ 100°F) include:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Persistent vomiting
• Rapid breathing
• Bleeding gums
• Blood in vomit
• Fatigue, restlessness

Treatment:
 
Being a virus, antibiotics are not effective against Dengue. Patients should seek medical advice, take rest and drink plenty of fluids. Paracetamol can be taken to bring down fever and reduce joint pains. However, aspirin or ibuprofen should not be taken since they can increase the risk of bleeding.
For severe dengue, medical care by doctors can frequently save lives. Maintenance of the patient's circulating fluid volume is critical.
 
Contact Kauvery Hospital, Chennai at 044 4000 6000 if you suspect having Dengue Fever.

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The Role of the Anaesthesiologist — from Surgical Anaesthesia to Critical Care Medicine and Pain Medicine

Care of the Surgical Patient

The anaesthesiologist is the perioperative physician (“peri-” meaning “all-around”) providing medical care to each patient through his or her surgical experience.

This includes medically evaluating the patient before surgery (preoperative), consulting with the surgical team, providing pain control and supporting life functions during surgery (intraoperative), supervising care after surgery (postoperative) discharging the patient from the recovery unit.

Critical Care and Trauma Medicine

Anaesthesiologists are uniquely qualified to coordinate the care of patients in the intensive care unit because of their extensive training in clinical physiology/pharmacology and resuscitation. Some anaesthesiologists pursue advanced fellowship training to subspecialize in critical care medicine. In the intensive care unit, they direct the complete medical care for the sickest patients. The role of the anaesthesiologist in this setting includes the provision of medical assessment and diagnosis, respiratory and cardiovascular support, and infection control.

Anaesthesiologists also possess the medical knowledge and technical expertise to deal with many emergency and trauma situations. They provide airway management, cardiac and pulmonary resuscitation, advanced life support and pain control. As consultants, they play an active role in stabilizing and preparing the patient for emergency surgery.

Pain Medicine

Because of their specialty training and vast experience in controlling pain during surgery, anaesthesiologists are uniquely qualified to prescribe and administer drug therapies or perform special techniques for acute, chronic and cancer pain. Here are two of the most common areas in which anaesthesiologists treat pain:

Acute Pain Management

Includes preoperative pain relief in trauma,postoperative pain relief,labour analgesia i.e painless labour.

Chronic and Cancer Pain Management

Anaesthesiologists are the vanguard of those who are developing new therapies for chronic pain syndromes and cancer-related pain. Anaesthesiologists who specialize in the treatment of chronic pain often dedicate their practices exclusively to a multidisciplinary approach to pain medicine, working collaboratively with other medical specialists in a pain clinic. 

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Dental Implants

Dental implants are substitutes for the roots of missing teeth. They act as an anchor for a replacement tooth or crown or a set of replacement teeth.

Implant patients are of all ages and implants may be the right choice for anyone missing one or more teeth due to injury, disease or decay. They are especially practical for patients who can no longer wear removable dentures.

                      

ADVANTAGES OVER  CONVENTIONAL DENTURES:

• Improved appearance.

Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. And because they are designed to fuse with bone, they become permanent.

• Improved speech.

With poor-fitting dentures, the teeth can slip within the mouth causing you to mumble or slur your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that teeth might slip.

• Improved comfort.

Because they become part of you, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.

• Easier eating.

Sliding dentures can make chewing difficult. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.

• Improved self-esteem.

Dental implants can give you back your smile and help you feel better about yourself.

• Improved oral health.

Dental implants don't require reducing other teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene.

• Durability.

Implants are very durable and will last many years. With good care, many implants last a lifetime.

• Convenience.

Removable dentures are just that; removable. Dental implants eliminate the embarrassing inconvenience of removing dentures, as well as the need for messy adhesives to keep them in place.

Dr. Santa, Dental Surgeon, Kauvery Hospital, Chennai

Ph: 044 4000 6000

Email: info@kauveryhospital.com

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Concurrent Disorders

Frequently Asked Questions:

What Is Concurrent Disorder?

Alcohol, Substances or process Addictions’ (gambling, internet, texting, video games,  pornography, etc) co-occurring with any one or many of the mental, emotional or psychiatric illnesses is called Concurrent disorders.

Who is a Patient Suffering from Concurrent Disorder?

A person addicted to Alcohol, drugs’ or any process addiction suffering from a  psychiatric illness is a concurrent disorder patient in the Mental Health and Addiction  treatment community.

How Do You Recognize A Concurrent Disorder Patient?

This is a person who uses drugs or alcohol, has a history of treatment for addictions, tries to stop using drugs or drinking or gambling but unable to do so, and relapse is extremely common.

Why Concurrent Disorder Treatment?

A patient suffering from concurrent disorders usually has problems related to his / her  Addiction or Mental Illness. By the time they show up for treatment – they have incurred  major losses w. r. t. family, friends, health, money, and jobs. Treating the patient and     helping him or her in the healing journey will help that individual and also the family.          

What Is Treatment For Concurrent Disorders?

Treatment for concurrent disorder is multifold. It will include medical management of  symptoms, individual counseling, and support, teaching the patient life skills, educating the patient about their illness and medications and family support.

Our services include Intake, Assessment and treatment. We will assess the patient, and post assessment treatment will be planned. Other medical services, internal referrals to specialists as per patient need, lab services, medication management, information and education re: resources will be provided. We will include family in treatment due to the unique treatment needs of the concurrent disorder patients.

Dr. Kamali. R. SampathKumar., M.B.B.S. (KMC, Mangalore), Dip. In ADTP (Canada) is a Consultant in Behavioural Disorders specializing in Concurrent Disorders at Kauvery Hospital Chennai. She can be contacted at 730588705 / 9952001587.  Email: drkamali@kauveryhospital.com

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International Nurses Day 12 May 2012

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PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD is an anxiety disorder- triggered by a traumatic experience.  It could be - an interpersonal event like physical or sexual assault, exposure to disaster, accidents, combat or witnessing a traumatic event. It can occur at any age following the traumatic experience. To be diagnosed with PTSD: the symptoms must be present for more than 30 days.

PTSD Symptoms can be classified into 3 different categories:

1."Reliving" the event, this affects daily activity

·         Flashback episodes: where the event seems to be happening again and again

·         Repeated memories of the event which upsets the patient

·         Repeated nightmares

·         Uncomfortable reactions to situations that reminds of the event

2. Avoidance (Hypo-Arousal)

·         "Numbing: feeling nothing" or feeling as though you don't care about anything

·         Feeling totally detached “I don’t really care”

·         Does not remember or unable to recall - important aspects of the trauma

·         No interest in normal activities

·         Appears distant and does not display emotions / mood

·         Deliberately avoids places, people, or thoughts that remind of the event

·         No hopes for future

3. Arousal (Hyper-Arousal)

·         Difficulty concentrating

·         Easily Startled

·         An exaggerated response to things that surprise you

·         Hypervigilance: Feeling more aware

·         Irritability or angry outbursts

·         Sleep becomes affected: having trouble falling or staying asleep

           

Even though traumatic events can cause distress, not all feelings of distress are symptoms of PTSD. Talk to your friends and relatives about your feelings. If your symptoms do not improve soon or are making you very upset, or you are suffering from irritability, repeated upsetting thoughts, and problems with sleep contact your Doctor. There is proven treatment for PTSD, & your doctor will be able to help.

Dr. Kamali. R. SampathKumar., M.B.B.S. (KMC, Mangalore), Dip. In ADTP (Canada) is a Consultant in Behavioural Disorders specializing in Concurrent Disorders at Kauvery Hospital Chennai. She can be contacted at 730588705 / 9952001587.  Email: drkamali@kauveryhospital.com

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Bereavement - how do we help?

Bereavement refers to the period of mourning and grief following the death of a beloved person or animal

“He was here yesterday - we had so much fun. He was here in the morning, and we were playing and laughing--- I just got a call that my friend was dead—and Now – He is Gone??? My friend is dead!!! Dead for the world!!!! And I don’t know what to do!! Why do I feel so angry? Why do I have so many questions?” – A young friend.

This can happen to anyone. This might be one of the most painful experiences that one may go through. It will be hard to forget this terrible tragedy. Your memories of the departed friend or family- will not leave you- ever!!! It is extremely difficult when a loved one dies- it could be a friend or a family member. Some tell-tale signs of Grief / Bereavement:

• Apathy (loss of interest in usual activities)
• Anger (feels angry at the person who is dead, or holds others responsible for the persons death, angry at self for not being able to save the person)
• Loneliness / Isolation (looses interest in socializing and isolates self)
• Loss of appetite (does not feel hungry)
• Sadness ( at the loss)
• Tired ( no energy to do anything, being exhausted most of the time)
• Sleep pattern changes (Sleep can be affected either increase or decrease)
• Sometimes hearing voices or seeing the departed person

If you or your friends- have any of these physical symptoms of bereavement, and they do not improve gradually, & you are worried that something may be wrong- You or your friends- don't have to suffer and fear about your own well-being, see a doctor.

Dr. Kamali. R. SampathKumar., M.B.B.S. (KMC, Mangalore), Dip. In AdTP (Canada) is a Consultant in Behavioural Disorders specializing in Concurrent Disorders at Kauvery Hospital Chennai. She can be contacted at 730588705 / 9952001587.  Email: drkamali@kauveryhospital.com

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Ergonomics for IT Professionals

Computers have become the essential component in the modern world and health deconditioning occurs simultaneously with the modernization. People in the software profession and students used to spend most of the time in the computer and in the internet. Prolonged postures, coupled with high levels of concentration and the occasional frustration of things going less than perfectly, can lead to physical problems. 

Some of the resulting physical ailments are Carpal tunnel syndrome, Tennis elbow, Head ache, Computer vision syndrome and Cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) or Repetitive strain injury (RSI), Psychosomatic disorders. The symptoms of RSI are tightness, discomfort, stiffness, burning in the hands, wrist, fingers, forearms and elbows. Tingling, coldness and numbness of the hands with loss of strength and lack of co-ordination occur. There is pain in the upper back, shoulders and neck.

Here are some ergonomic tips for a safer, more comfortable computer session:

Ø  Maintain sufficient interval between eye and the monitor.

Ø  Maintain support at the low back.

Ø  Keep hip and knee at right angle.

^Ø    90-100^o

Ø  Keep your feet flat on the ground or use a foot rest.

Ø  Position your keyboard at elbow level, with your upper arms relaxed at your sides.

Ø  While typing, use a light touch and keep your wrists straight.

Ø  When you're not typing, relax your arms and hands.

Ø  Take a short break every 15 to 20 minutes.

Ø  Give adequate rest to the eyes by  closing the eyes and blinking frequently.

Ø  Type with your hands and wrists floating above the keyboard, so that you can use your whole arm to reach for distant keys instead of stretching your fingers.

These techniques help you to minimize the effect of computer related disorders. Thus keep body and mind sound to bring up a healthier life.

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Interventional Cardiology at Kauvery Hospital - ASD and PDA Closure

A 30 yrs old lady from Tiruchirappalli has been suffering from PDA (PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS) a congenital cardiac defect, for 30 years. It is a condition where the abnormal flow between the aorta and pulmonary artery is causing a mixture of oxygenated blood with deoxygenated blood. She is the mother of 3 children. The disease troubled her for quite a long period. Till recent past, surgery was the only way to bail out from this suffering. Though the non surgical procedure is available in metros, the cost for this treatment obstructed her way to avail the benefit. Hailing from a poor family and the earning of the family head is hand to mouth she was fish out of water.

Now came the blessing in disguise for her rescue through Dr.S.Aravindakumar, MD, DNB (Cardio), the interventional cardiologist of Kauvery Hospital, Trichy, who explained to her about the non surgical procedure under The Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme Tamilnadu, which otherwise would cost more than a Lakh. Normally the available surgical treatment for this defect would need a week long hospital stay and post surgically would restrict her domestic work with continuing medicine intake for three months.

Learning the availability of non surgical procedure, she opted to be the first patient in Trichy to gain life from Dr.S.Aravindakumar that too free of cost under The Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme where the hospital stay is a day and followed by no restriction in domestic work. She got admitted and underwent coil closure. After the successful coil closure of PDA, the patient was bailed out of life threat. 

Similarly a 27 yrs old lady from Ariyalur, who has been suffering from Atrial Septal Defect since birth, got a ray of hope when she learnt from Dr.S.Aravindakumar, MD,DNB (Cardio) of Kauvery hospital, Trichy, that her problem can also be solved non surgically, free of cost under  the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme.  ASD (Atrial Septal Defect) is a congenital cardiac defect where a hole in the septum between the Right and Left Atrium of the heart forms a way for mixing of deoxygenated blood with oxygenated one. The hole in the heart of this patient measured 24 mm and normally closure is possible only through surgery as the hole was large and has the post surgical restrictions. However Dr.S.Aravindakumar, MD, DNB (Cardio) built confidence in the patient and obtained her consent for the non surgical procedure of ASD device closure. She was admitted and underwent the procedure. Post procedure was complication free and she too was brought out of danger. 

Both the patients and their relatives expressed their profound gratitude to The Tamilnadu chief minister and Dr.S.Aravindakumar, MD, DNB (Cardio) the interventional Cardiologist of Kauvery Hospital Trichy who made their dream come true. Kauvery Hospital is very happy & proud to say that these type of interventional Cardiac procedures are   first of its kind in Trichy.

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3D Imaging of Upper Respiratory Tract

MDCT with volume acquisition enables the 3D reconstruction of complex anatomical regions such as the upper respiratory tract.  With this, we can visualise the paranasal sinuses, the nasopharynx, velopharynx, oropharynx and larynx to great detail.  For example, in patients with nasopharyngeal lesions, the amount of airway narrowing can be easily visualised and interpreted by the physician.  A cine loop of the 3D image can also be made and can be viewed at any workstation. However, it is to be remembered that this is not a replacement for conventional 2D image interpretation, since only air containing regions are visualised here and extramucosal lesions cannot be seen. In the image samples shown below, we can also see the air within middle ear and  mastoids.

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Biofunctional Prosthetic System (BPS)

The BPS system is a standardized system for the fabrication of high quality removable / complete dentures. It outstandingly fulfills the functional and aesthetic demands of patients. 

Unmatched Quality and Comfort = Biofunctional Prosthetic System 

Comfort: reduced irritation to the gums

Strength: extremely dense material reduces the chance of breakage

Cleanliness: non porous surface greatly lessens odour causing plaque and bacteria

Great fit: non irritating and comfortable to wear

Healthy: eat virtually any food

Aesthetics: natural looking so you can smile, speak and laugh with confidence

Bio-compatible: will not distort taste, stain, or collect odours or irritating bacteria

Advantages of BPS Dentures over Conventional Dentures:

• BPS Dentures reproduce the functions of the natural teeth during mastication & Speaking to a very high extent.
• The patient will get a well fitting denture which is stable during functions like chewing, eating, & speaking because the processing of the denture is done by continuous injection moulding technique.
• Even harder foods can be consumed immediately after denture insertion.The usage of high quality teeth sets & the work in the articulator according to the BPS principles makes BPS dentures a masterpiece.
• BPS dentures have high fracture resistance and 25 years clinical approved material.   

Dr. Santhanamariammal, Dental Surgeon, Kauvery Hospital, Chennai

Ph: 044 4000 6000

Email: info@kauveryhospital.com

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