NORMAL DELIVERY VS CAESAREAN SECTION
Are you waiting for that big day in your life? Are you thinking of the delivery process? Are you aware of both normal and caesarean method of giving birth? Are you clueless about which delivery option is safe for you and your baby? Don’t worry! Reading this article will help you find answers to all your queries.
The most beautiful quality of a mother is to give birth to their babies. The babies can enter into this world in 2 ways: pregnant women can have either a vaginal birth or a planned surgical delivery by caesarean section. The ultimate goal is to give birth to a healthy baby. Arm yourself with handy information and talk to your doctor and find out which suits you the best.
All you need to know about caesarean section:
A c-section or caesarean section is the delivery of the baby through a surgical incision made in the mother’s uterus and abdomen. Caesarean is a major operation that carries a number of risks so it is done only if it is the safest option for the baby and mother.
Why are cesareans carried out?
In some cases, it is scheduled in advance whereas in others it is done in response to unforeseen complications. If a vaginal birth is too risky then doctors go for a caesarean surgery.
A caesarean may be carried out in the following cases:
- If your baby is in the breech position (feet first) and doctors are unable to turn it by applying gentle pressure on your tummy.
- If you have pregnancy-related high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia)
- If you have low-lying placenta
- If your baby isn’t getting enough oxygen and nutrients.
- If there’s excessive vaginal bleeding
- If you are carrying more than one baby
Some women opt for caesarean than normal delivery even without medical reasons. In such cases, they should be made aware of the risks and complications associated with it.
What happens during a caesarean?
Most cesareans are carried under spinal or epidural anesthetic which means you will be awake but the lower part of your body will be numbed so that you won’t feel the pain.
During the procedure:
- A catheter is inserted into the urethra to drain urine during the procedure.
- A screen is placed across your body so you can’t see what is being done. Doctors and nurses will tell you what is happening.
- A cut of about 10-20 cm long is made across your tummy and womb so that your baby may be delivered.
- You may feel some tugging and pull during the procedure.
- Once the cord is cut you can have a chance of looking at your baby before handing him or her to the pediatrician.
- The doctor will then deliver your placenta and begin closing up the cut.
Recovering from a caesarean:
Recovering from caesarean takes much longer time than recovering from vaginal delivery. You may have to stay for a longer duration at the hospital. One might feel discomfort with their tummy and you will be provided painkillers to cope up with this. The wound in your tummy will be red at first and slowly it begins to scar. In some time, it gets hidden in your pubic hair.
Risks factors associated with caesarean:
Though it seems to be the safest procedure it has its own risk and complications associated with it. You should be even more aware of the risks if you undergo this surgery without medical reasons.
The possible risks are:
- ¨ Infection in womb lining or the wound
- ¨ Excessive bleeding
- ¨ Blood clots
- ¨ Temporary breathing difficulties in your baby
- ¨ Damage to nearby areas such as bladder and tubes that connect to kidneys
Women are 3 times likely to die during a caesarean section than during a vaginal birth. This is due to blood clots, infections, complications from using anesthesia. Once a woman had her first c-section delivery then her future pregnancies are also likely to be the same way. She is also at greater risk of future pregnancy complications such as uterine rupture and placenta abnormalities. The risk for placenta continues to increase with every c-section delivery.
Future pregnancies after caesarean:
If you have a baby by caesarean then it does not mean that all your successive pregnancy will also be caesarean. Most women can safely have a vaginal delivery for their next baby that is known as vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC). You will just have to ensure if all processing goes on smoothly. Some cases, men may be advised to take up another caesarean if that is only the safest procedure for both the mother and the baby.
However, there are not a lot of advantages in a caesarean section. If the women know in advance that she will need a c-section, then a surgery can be planned and scheduled well in advance depending on the health condition of the mother and the baby.
All you need to know about normal delivery:
Every delivery is unique and individual as the mother and the infant. Giving birth will leave an impression on you for rest of your life. It is so obvious that each one of you would like to have a positive experience and should know what to expect? Here we give you some ideas about what may happen as you deliver a baby.
The vaginal birth is the most natural way of giving birth. Once you give birth the vaginal way, your hospital stay after the delivery is shorter, there is no incision or major scarring nor is it surgically invasive. The recovery time after a vaginal birth is lesser also the complications after a vaginal birth is much lesser than a caesarean section.
Vaginal birth has many benefits for the babies too. Both the mother and the child will prepare and progress naturally for the vaginal birth. As your baby passes through the vaginal opening, all the amniotic fluid present in the baby’s lungs will be flushed out, your baby will also ingest some protective bacteria that will strengthen the immune system.
One more added advantage for the baby is that the mother can come in contact with the baby much earlier than the women who has undergone a surgery. The woman can also initiate breastfeeding sooner.
What happens during a normal delivery?
The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus which finally opens into the vagina. The cervix is a tubular structure with 3-4 cm in length. During the labor, the role of the cervix changes from maintaining the pregnancy to facilitating childbirth. The cervical canal must open until the cervical opening reached 10 cm in diameter and the baby is able to pass through the canal. Though there aren’t any significant injuries, the cervix may tear and requires repair. The vaginal tissues are soft and flexible but still during the process of giving birth, due to extensive force or rapid motion these tissues are subjected to tear.
What to expect after a normal delivery?
About 70% of the women having their first baby will have some sort of vaginal trauma requiring repair. Fortunately, the vagina and the cervix have a rich blood supply so the wounds in these areas will heal quickly.
If you decide to give birth naturally then you will go through two types of sensations: pain and pressure. As you begin to push, some of the pressure will be relieved. As the baby descends into the birth canal, you will experience pressure only during the contractions. It feels like a strong urge to have a bowel movement as the baby presses down the canal.
It has some cons too. In a vaginal birth, the entire process depends on the body’s readiness and timing. Hence, the process cannot be scheduled in advance and the mother has to be prepared all the while to give birth.
Which is better normal delivery or caesarean section?
A normal delivery is much better because when you go through caesarean, the recovery time is much longer. It might take up to 3 weeks for complete recovery and it is very difficult to walk or even move. As you are in pain, it becomes difficult to take care of the baby as well.
Here are some tips if you are planning to have a natural way of giving birth:
- Get a solid prenatal education
- Pick a health care provider who is into natural birth
- Do not gain too much weight
- Go for a low intervention pregnancy
- Spend early labor at home
- Use a lot of water for easing pain
To know more about normal delivery and caesarean sections, the treatment procedures and to get more health tips contact our doctors on free doctor helpline. Log on to Free doctor helpline or call us at +918010555444.
The notorious cancer train of India
Traveling to different places has been one of the best recreation for many people. For some, it may be research travel, vacation, volunteer travel for charity, religious pilgrimages, or even for a healthcare. Travel may occur by human-powered vehicles such as walking or bicycle or by means of vehicles such as cars, buses, or train.
In this article, we are mainly going to focus on the train travel which was exclusively organized for a healthcare purpose. Have you ever heard of India’s cancer train? Let us have a train ride now.
The green revolution was one of the biggest news in the 1960s and 1970s. It was a brainchild of a number of politicians, scientists, and philanthropists in the developed nations. They convinced that if the farmers in India switch from the traditional methods of farming to the modernized techniques which involve the use of pesticides, fertilizers, high-yield seeds and other inorganic substances- they could fight the hunger, and prevent the region from going, communist. In fact, the Green revolution helped India transform from a nation that is chronically begging for food to the one that exports high-quality grains. But at what cost?
The farmers blindly followed their advice without even giving it a second thought. They failed to think of the consequences which they will have to face on undergoing this sudden shift from one technique to the other. This greedy act of many farmers, due to their money oriented mindset made them all fall into the deep pit of cancerous diseases.
Every night around 9:30 p.m. the train no: 339 pulls into the shabby station in the northern Indian farm town of Bathinda, the state of Punjab. The local people call it a “cancer train”, as the number of cancer patients traveling in this train increases significantly.
The most remarkable feature of this train is that 60% of its population are cancer patients. It runs between the Bhatinda town of Punjab to Bikaner in Rajasthan. It is known as the cancer train because of a high number of cancer patients traveling by the train.
The train leaves the Bhatinda station around 9:25 p.m. and reaches Bikaner at Rajasthan around 6:00 a.m. It covers a distance of about 325 km with 26 halts altogether. The train has about 12 coaches and has gained its name due to the sudden increase in the cancer patients traveling by this train. The drastic increase in the cancer cases is due to the increased use of pesticides and fertilizers which eventually have an adverse effect on the human body.
The train is packed to near capacity with 100 cancer patients & 200 other co-travelers who travel by this train. The main motive of this train is to help the cancer patients in as many possible ways. The cost of the train ticket is only INR 210 but it is free of cost for the cancer patients. The accompanying attendant will have a concession of 75% of the ticket cost.
One should be wondering why the cancer patients of Punjab have to travel all the way long to Rajasthan for their treatment when Punjab itself holds the art facilities for the cancer treatment?
The huge population of cancer patients traveling by this train is poor farmers from the districts of Punjab: Bathinda, Faridkot, Moga, Muktsar, Ferozepur, Sangrur, and Mansa. These southern districts are together known as the Malwa region. The farmers and their families here are suffering from cancer and health problems that have crept into their homes through the backdoors as the farmers of India’s grain bowl fed the nation. This is due to the lush fields hiding with scary tales.
Another poor condition of the farmers is that due to their poor economic background and low levels of economic status they are not equally treated at the government hospitals. There are cases of patients wherein despite visiting the hospital several times and waiting for the doctor for a long time, they never got a chance to have a consultation. Waiting to have a consultation with the doctors here will only deteriorate the condition of the patients. This is the reason why they travel to far-off Rajasthan despite the services offered at Punjab.
Another fact is that it is incredibly hard to avail cash incentives from the Punjab government without any political connection. The poor farmers hardly can’t avail for these incentives and are majorly neglected at the government hospitals.
The poor farmers finally unable to fight against the injustice will leave to the hospital at Bikaner, which has one of the top 20 cancer research center in the country. For the cancer-stricken in Punjab, one of the nearest and most affordable cancer treatments are provided at Bikaner, Rajasthan.
Here I will provide two case studies of poor farmers at Bhatinda which will explain clearly why they opt to travel to far-off places despite Punjab being the hotspot of cancer treatment.
Surjeet Kaur, a farmer from the village called Mansa, spent about INR 30,000 for chemotherapy to treat breast cancer. Another woman, Sathya Devi, belonging to the same economic background spent about INR 1,00,000 for chemotherapy on a cancerous growth on her hip.
We all are very much aware of how the farmers toil hard all day and night to repay the loan they have taken before the harvest season. In such a case, spending so much amount for their health and another medical expenditure is never an easy thing for them. Unfortunately, the poor condition of all the farmers out there in Punjab is undoubtedly the same. At the end of the day, they have to move to Bikaner anyway in order to get considerations and equal treatment.
Malkeet is one of the 25,000 people suffering from cancer in Punjab. A survey in 2009 showed there are about 7,735 people living with cancer. In February 2013, the graph raised drastically to 23,874 cases. Over the past 5 years or so, there have been 24,000 cancer cases and about 33,000 deaths.
What must the hidden reason behind these alarming rates of cancer victims?
The Malwa region of Punjab could be popularly called as the cancer belt. It topped the list with 24,000 cancer cases & 33,000 deaths. The main cause for a large number of cancer victims is the overuse of pesticides by the farmers for the cultivation of cotton in this region. The State Council for Science & Technology’s State of Environment reports: The cotton growing districts of south-western Punjab consumes about 75% of the pesticides. There are multiple factors responsible for the cancer cases including the pesticides, alcohol consumption and smoking. “PGI” is currently working to figure out the correlation between breast cancer and pesticide usage.
The Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) conducted a survey with the blood and food samples of 20 random people from different villages of Bathinda and Ropar. The samples showed that 12.5% of the samples tested were contaminated with non-approved pesticides which are the main cause for the increased risk of cancer among the people.
What role do the genes play?
A survey showed that more than 90% of the cancer cases have no family history. On an average, only 7% to 8% of the people are biological victims of cancer. The genes in them have higher chances of developing cancer or they don’t have genes that control the tumor growth if at all they have cancer on being exposed to environmental and lifestyle factors.
Genes can be the main causes for breast, ovary, prostate and colon cancer. If the risk of breast cancer is increasing at alarming rates among the people then, a very close screening is required. An early detection of cancer can be cured with the treatment itself. Even otherwise a surgical removal of the breast can help save the life. If it is ovarian cancer then either the ovary or the fallopian tubes can be removed by surgical means. Apart from uterine and breast cancers, females also encounter reproductive health issues.
The environment and lifestyle changes also affect the lives of the people in a number of ways. Tobacco consumption, exposure to air, water, or smoke pollution, exposure to harmful radiations and unhealthy diets can also cause cancer among the people. Earlier about 90% of the cancer cases were diagnosed at the end stage where nothing could be done to save the lives of the people. Now, with the advancement in the medical field, it has been reduced to 60-70%.
What do other health consequences the people of Punjab face?
Malwa also was known as Punjab’s cotton belt, the cotton crops grown here are prone to pests. The farmers blindly use 15 different varieties of pesticides and fertilizers keeping in mind only the profit and a huge yield. They fail to think of the consequences which they will have to face as the result of their act.
Another worse thing to be quoted is that the farmers use the pesticide cans to store water and food. This will adversely affect their digestive system and the body on the whole.
Not only pesticides, even the quantity of fertilizer used is relatively high. Apart from this, the factories will discharge the waste water into the water bodies nearby. The water is entirely contaminated with heavy metals and other toxins. The farmers when using this contaminated water for irrigation will adversely affect the crops.
Why is Bikaner preferred than Bhatinda?
The lodging and food at Bikaner are affordable as well. This makes it a lucrative option for the cancer patients. A room at Dharamshala in Bikaner costs only INR 50, while the thali in the hospital canteen costs only INR 5. The rates are so less so as to benefit the people’s stay in the region for the cancer treatment.
What role does the government play?
Had the government does its role efficiently in supporting the cancer patients of Punjab, the people would have been much more benefitted from the justice. The government works in a way similar to the private hospitals by treating the people of lower economic background differently. So it would be right to say, that the people catch the cancer train, not just for the cancer treatment at Bikaner but also to get justice.
This poor condition of the farmers is a very good lesson for millions of people out there. The greedy act of the farmers has also in some way contributed to this deadly situation. Had they balanced well both the traditional and the modern techniques of Green revolution, such a situation would not have raised.
Having read of this train journey, I would like to put forth the fact that if we don’t balance well between the modernization and healthy habits, many such “cancer trains” will run throughout India.
Medical tourism in India
What is medical tourism?
It can be defined as the process of traveling outside the country of residence for the purpose of receiving medical care. Initially, it referred to the travel of patients from less-developing countries to the developed nations for the purpose of undergoing treatments that are not available in their homeland. Nowadays people traveling from richer to less-developed countries are becoming more common in order to access health services. This is often combined with relatively low-cost of treatments, inexpensive flight rates, increased marketing and online consumer information about the availability of medical services.
The quality of care In India:
There are 2 main components for the quality of service in the healthcare sector. They are:
- Technical or mechanical quality
- Serviceable or functional quality
The technical quality is based on the patient’s diagnostic algorithm while the functional quality is based on the services offered by the healthcare centers. The functional or service quality plays a vital role in attracting consumers to the medical industry.
One of the strongest barriers of medical tourism is the perception of poor quality. This barrier can be overcome by promoting the marketing strategies and accreditation from a recognized institution. Such accreditation will also strengthen the confidence in the quality of healthcare. This confidence can be even more developed if the accreditation is followed by an affiliation with a reputable hospital or healthcare center.
India has about 28 JCI accredited hospitals. The hospitals provide a wide range of options for the patients. The patients can decide for themselves whether to stay at the hospital during the course of treatment or to stay at a paid accommodation nearby. Some hospitals or healthcare centers also provide an option of continuing the treatment through telemedicine.
Healthcare capital of India:
Chennai is popularly known as the healthcare capital of India. It has many multi & super specialty hospitals spread all across the city. This attracts about 45% of the international patients and about 30% of the domestic patients every day. There are various other factors that attract the tourists. Those include low-cost treatments & little or no waiting periods.
Most of the multi-specialty and super specialty hospitals in Chennai have about 12000 beds for the patients. Out of this count, only half of it is shared by domestic patients. The rest is shared by people from other states or countries. Dental clinics have attracted the most population from other countries. This has helped the dental care tourism in Chennai to a great extent.
The ease of travel for medical tourism:
The government has removed visa restrictions for tourists who visit other countries for the sake of medical treatments. They have also removed restrictions on visas that require 2 months gap between consecutive visits for people from gulf countries. These countries are more likely to boost the medical tourism. There is a new scheme established by the Indian government which allows the foreign nationals to stay in India for about 30 days for medical reasons. This is known as visa-on-arrival scheme. The citizens from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Maldives, republic of Korea & Nigeria availed the most visas.
Treatment types under medical tourism:
The different types of treatments and their availability also act as an important factor in the decision to engage in a medical tourism. The most common treatment procedures that patients undergo during the medical tourism include dentistry, organ transplantation, elective cosmetic surgery, cardiac surgery and orthopedic surgery.
Reproductive tourism and reproductive outsourcing are growing in the field of medical tourism. It refers to the patients who travel abroad to engage in treatments that help resolve problems related to reproduction.
Apart from its cost, another factor which attracts medical tourism is its accessibility. The lack of unavailability of the technology or prohibition in the home country will subsequently lead to medical tourism. Some common examples are stem cell therapy and cytoplasmic transfer.
The language barrier:
India being a diverse nation has a huge diversity of languages. This might act as a barrier for the international tourists. To avoid this barrier, English is often considered as the official language. It is widely spoken by many individuals and is universally accepted by medical professionals. Many health centers or hospitals which emerge as the hotspot of medical tourism have hired many language translators to overcome this obstacle. This has made many foreign nationals feel more comfortable while at the same time helping in facilitating the treatments.
Major healthcare providers in India:
There are a number of private hospitals in India which provide medical tourism services to the people out there. Some of the major groups are listed below:
- Apollo hospitals
- Aster Medicity
- Care hospitals
- Fortis healthcare
- Medantha hospital
- Narayana health hospital
- Tata memorial hospital, Mumbai
- Max hospital, new Delhi
- Continental hospital, Hyderabad
- CHL hospital, Indore
Some facts & statistics about medical tourism which you may not know!
- Medical tourism has been in existence for over 1000 years.
- There are about 485 JCI accredited hospitals around the world.
- One may spend more time at the hotel than at the hospital during the medical trip.
- 64% of the patients who do travel abroad do not have a health insurance.
- About 33% of the medical tourism patients travel for cosmetic surgery.
- About 70% of the medical tourism cases are rated as excellent.
Top hospitals in India that tourist prefers to visit:
FEHI specializes in cardiovascular care. It performs major operations like open heart surgery, heart transplants, etc. it is consistently ranked as one of the top heart centers all over India. Its other specialties include bone/joint health, liver treatments, etc.
- Rockland hospital: New Delhi
The rock land hospital is located in India’s capital of New Delhi, is one of the premier healthcare centers in India. It is popularly known for its cosmetic surgeries and ENT procedures.
- Apollo hospital: Banglore:
It provides a full spectrum of healthcare services using latest medical advancements such as nuclear medicine, cosmetology, dermatology, etc. It also has international representatives to help arrange for medical vacations.
- Global hospital: Chennai
Global hospitals are widely spread throughout India and Asia. There are about 22 hospitals in Asia. It has 13 different health disciplines. Some of them are breast oncology, liver procedures, dentistry, bariatric surgery, dermatology, etc.
It is considered as the “temple of cure”, is the most established healthcare center in Chennai. It has about 800 beds and 200 ICU units. This multi-specialty hospital provides various treatments such as gastroenterology, neurology and organ transplants. Their goal is to provide services to people of all economic levels.
To know more about these health care centers and also about those which aren’t mentioned here, you can seek the help of our doctors at Free Doctor Helpline or call us at +918010555444. The free doctor helpline will help in facilitating the international patients with the best doctors at best hospitals.
Risks of medical tourism:
Medical tourism can increase the risk of hospital acquired or healthcare infections. These are also known as nosocomial infections. For instance, if the same injection is used between two patients there are greater chances for spreading infections such as HIV or hepatitis. Infections with the multiresistant organism, the spread of noroviruses, and mycobacterial infections are the commonly cited cases of medical tourism risks. People who accompany the patients are also at risks of being infected.
A new terminology called “transplant tourism” which accounts for the tissue rejection and critical infectious complications4 after the transplants. These infections are more common among the medical tourists compared to other transplant patients.
Another dangerous thing about medical tourism is the blood supply. Most cases, blood is obtained from paid donors and may not be adequately screened to check for any contamination.
Traveling back to their home country after the surgical procedure may also cause risk of infection. It can be reduced by drinking plenty of water, stretching your legs when seated, or going for a small walk every 2 to 3 hours on a long trip.
Advantages of medical tourism:
Some of the advantages include:
- ¨ Provides low-cost treatments
- ¨ Accessibility to hi-tech equipment and trained doctors
- ¨ Availability of latest medical instruments
- ¨ There is no language barrier as English is considered as the official language. Also, many hospitals hire language translators to ease this problem
- ¨ Availability of low-cost generic medicines
- ¨ Relaxed visa rules
Medical tourism packages in India:
The below are the lists of a broad category of medical tourism packages provided by the tourism companies in India:
- Dental care
- Eye care
- Heart surgery
- Cosmetic surgery
- Ayurveda therapies
- Yoga & meditation
- Orthopedic surgery
- ENT care
- Health check up
- Oncology
- Pediatrics
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
- Neurology
The cost of various medical tourism packages In India are listed below:
- Heart bypass– INR 3,34,000
- Angioplasty-INR 2,12,000
- Face lift-INR 2,57,000
- Liposuction- INR 1,80,000
- Breast implants– INR 2,25,000
- LASIK (both eyes)-INR 3,00,000
- Retina- INR 54,000
- Cataract surgery-INR 1,80,000
- IVF treatment– INR 1,60,000
- Knee replacements-INR 4,42,000
- Hip replacements-INR 4,62,000
- Heart valve replacement-INR 6,10,000
- Dental implant-INR 5,78,000
- Spinal fusion-INR 6,62,000
Now it is very clear why India is often chosen as the best medical tourist spot in the world. A large number of excellent healthcare centers in India, it has become the premier location to travel and receive the best medical treatments. The various unique treatment packages offered at affordable rates helps in a great way to run the medical tourism industry. This is the reason behind the drastic establishment of the medical tourism industry.
If you would like to get more details regarding the medical tourism packages and the famous healthcare consultants please do log on to our website Free Doctor Helpline or call us and Ask A Doctor at +918010555444.
Cell phones- THE CANCER LINK
Do cell phones cause cancer? The definite answer to this question would still take decades. Meanwhile, more and more studies are showcasing the fact that the non-ionizing radiations emitted from the cell phones are not completely safe and have a greater risk of causing cancer. The cell phones, including smartphones, emit a form of energy called as Radio Frequency waves (RF). These radiations are suspected of causing brain tumor or other kinds of tumors in the head and neck area.
Remember, people once thought smoking was non-injurious to health. Today, are we risking good health by using smart phones and cell phones?
Researches and studies have shown that exposure to very high signal cell phone radiation can increase the risk of malignant gliomas in the brain or schwannomas of the heart. The schwannomas are the tumors that develop in the nerve sheath.
The result of the studies on the effect of mobile phones o human health gave mixed results. It includes:
- There is a higher risk of tumors on the side of the head where the phones are held.
- Most studies do not show dose-response relationship which means increased usage will not increase the risk of brain tumor.
- Those who begin using cell phones at teenage have 4 to 5 times higher risk of being diagnosed with brain cancer.
- Sperms and mitochondrial damage are 3 times faster in a person who is more exposed to the cell phone radiations compared to the person who is less exposed.
CELL PHONE PROTECTION TRICKS:
- ¨ Create distance: keep your phone away from your body by using a wired headset or speak phones. Electromagnetic radiations are 75% lower 2 inches away and 50 times lower at 3 feet distance.
- ¨ Keep it out of your pocket: don’t keep your cell phones in your pocket or below the pillow even if you are not talking. This is because the cell phones will constantly transmit radiations to the nearby towers thereby exposing you to radiations.
- ¨ Text more and talk less: texting reduces the length of radiation exposure from your body. When you hit “send” keep the phone slightly away from your body.
- ¨ Don’t use your cell as an alarm clock: avoid using your mobiles as alarm clocks, even if you do so then put your mobiles in “airplane mode”. This will cut-off the radiations emitted by the cell phone thus avoiding sleep-disrupting cell phone radiations.
- ¨ Don’t use your mobiles while moving at high speeds: avoid using phones in cars, buses, trains, elevators etc. This is because the radiation increases as you move because the phone tries to connect to each nearby network antenna.
A final thought to the question:
People have been using cell phones since 90’s and there is no definite proof that it cause cancer or it doesn’t. There is strong evidence that cell phones impair sleep and glucose metabolism that can increase the risk of cancer.
Since we are not 100% sure if cell phones have severe effects on human health it is always better to be on the safer side. PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE, going with saying it is better to take simple steps to keep the mobile phones away from the body.
Hearing aid- Do they really work?
If you have a hearing aid and you think it isn’t working efficiently then you are probably wrong. Hearing aids are not like glasses. You can’t just wear them on and hear like before. The brand of the hearing aid has no role to play in its efficiency. How you wear them and how your brain adapts to it plays an important role.
It is very important to understand that a hearing aid will only help but will not restore normal hearing. Some people think if they shift to a more expensive hearing aid that will address the issue. But, that isn’t the case here.
Causes of hearing loss: There are several reasons for hearing impairment. This is the reason why you will have to immediately consult an ENT (ear, nose, throat) specialist to find the cause of hearing loss. Some of the causes include:
- Ear wax
- Ear infection
- Dying of hair cells in the ear canal
Once you find out that the hearing loss is permanent and cannot be treated then you can opt for hearing aids.
Hearing loss treatment:
The hearing loss treatment involves few steps. That includes:
- Have it diagnosed to find the cause of hearing loss
- Getting your hearing tested
- Get a right hearing aid
- Get your hearing aid fitted properly
- Practice using it
- Have regular follow-ups with your doctor.
What are hearing aids?
Hearing aids are sound amplifying devices which help with hearing impairment. The hearing aid consists of a microphone, amplifier circuit, miniature loudspeaker and the batteries. The hearing aids differ by:
- ¨ Design
- ¨ Special features
- ¨ Technology used to amplify signals
The four different types of hearing aids used are:
- Behind-the-ear (BTE) aids
- Mini BTE or on-the-ear aids
- In-the-ear (ITE) aids
- In-the-canal (ITC) aids
- Completely-in-the-canal(CTC) aids
Do they really work?
The hearing loss can be divided into 2 categories:
- Volume
- Clarity
Volume relates to how loud or soft a sound is whereas clarity explains how well you process the sound. There is always a misconception that louder the volume, the clearer it is. But this is not the case always.
Hearing aids help with both volume and clarity. It helps in loudness by providing an increase in sound level at pitches or frequencies in turn providing clarity.
Hearing aids work better if you have a hearing loss. If you have a hearing impairment then immediately get a hearing test. The faster you detect, the simpler will the treatment.
What’s your contribution?
Only the self-motivated people will try ways and means to test and adapt the hearing aid to different situations. They trying adapting to various situations like parties, restaurants, theaters, in front of TV, etc.
There are many social groups and non-governmental organizations reaching out to people to help them cope with their hearing aids. At the time, you feel like seeking a medical help or advice from the healthcare professional you are free to contact our doctors on www.freedoctorhelpline.com or just simply call us at +918010555444. We are even ready to show a free demonstration for you.
Benefits of Vitamin-E
Vitamin E is an important vitamin which governs the functions of many organs in the body. It is a very good antioxidant which means it works better to slow down the processes which damage the cells. It has many benefits if taken in recommended amounts. However, too much of vitamin E in the body has its own impact and side effects.
The rich sources of vitamin E foods are vegetable oils, poultry, meat, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. Vitamin E is also used in the treating a number of diseases of heart, blood pressure and leg pain. Women use vitamin E to prevent complications during the pregnancy periods, premenstrual syndrome, painful periods, breast cysts, etc.
Vitamin E has a lot of health benefits. Some of which are listed below.
- A great antioxidant: the most important advantage of vitamin E is its antioxidant property. It acts as a shield in protecting us against various illnesses. They also prevent cell damage by fighting against “free radicals” that can lead to chronic degenerative diseases like heart illness, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. The free radicals are constantly produced as a result of digestive processes, pollution, consumption of junk foods, smoking etc. The best-known benefit of vitamin E is that it can quench these free radicals before it will cause harm.
- Liver protection: studies have shown that 38% of the people who were given vitamin E supplements were cured of NASH- non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, a condition which results in inflammation of the liver due to the accumulation of fat. This is in no way related to alcoholism but is yet dangerous. Obesity and lifestyle changes contribute to this condition.
- Eye health: the main cause of vision loss among the elderly people is due to macular degeneration. Studies have found that vitamin E along with other crucial vitamins can help cure this illness.
- Brain health: researchers have thrown light that there is a link between adequate vitamin E intake and reduced risk of brain tumors.
- Heart health: there are various types of fats and among that the polyunsaturated fatty acids have a greater chance of being disturbed by free radicals. More intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids also called as omega 6 fatty acids, can increase the risk of heart-related diseases such as a blockage in the arteries, narrowing of arteries due to plaque deposition, etc. the vitamin E will fight against the free radicals and help prevent heart diseases.
- Cancer: the omega 6 fatty acids will also promote inflammation of the cells in the body which can be cancerous. Vitamin E intake will help reduce the risk of cancer.
- Alzheimer’s disease: vitamin E can slow down the worsening of memory loss in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
- Anemia: researchers show that vitamin E can increase the iron content in the body as it helps in the production of red blood cells.
- Chemo drugs: applying vitamin E to the skin seems to be effective in treating leakage of chemo drugs to surrounding areas.
- Chemo related nerve damage: taking vitamin E before and after the chemotherapy will prevent nerve damage.
- Granuloma annular: it’s a type of skin sore. Applying vitamin E to the affected area will cure the skin sore.
- Male infertility: vitamin E has an ability to treat male infertility problems. However if taken along with vitamin C it will not serve the purpose.
- Bleeding within the skull: taking vitamin E orally can help prevent bleeding within the skull in infants.
- Sunburn: taking vitamin E along with vitamin C orally in recommended amounts will cure skin inflammation due to sun burns.
- Swelling of the uveitis: taking vitamin E along with vitamin C orally can improve vision but does not reduce the swelling in the middle region of the eye called the uveitis.
Pre-marital health check-up
In the past, it was a practice of getting the horoscopes matched. The new generation couples go a step little ahead looking for more practical means of ensuring a long and fulfilling life together. This is called as pre-marital health check-ups or couple check-ups. It includes a number of tests which screens the general health and hereditary diseases.
This is becoming more common these days. Earlier, women used to come along with their mother or aunt but these days they come with the men they are going to get married to. Understanding your partner in every aspect is very important in leading a happy married life. Be it love or arranged marriages, the couple gets talking, get to know more about each other and are honest about their issues.
Pre-marital health check-ups are very important as the couple get to know more about each other and bring more intimacy into their relationship. Just a blood test will not provide all the underlying issues. One has to go in for a physical examination which will rectify certain problems that can have a huge impact in the future. For example, if a person has diabetes it is better to avoid marrying someone with the same disorder because there are more chances that their kids being diabetic.
Blood tests screen for hereditary diseases like thalassemia & hemophilia but it is important to check blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
What is a couple check-up?
The couple check-up is a relationship questionnaire which consists of about 110-130 questions. It has to be answered within 30 minutes. Once you have with the answering, it will immediately provide a 16-20 page report. The report gives feedback about each of your views on your relationship.
What are the goals of couple check-up?
- The first and foremost goal of couple checkup is to celebrate the strengths of your relationship. You should know the areas where you are doing well and keep nurturing it in order to maintain a healthy relationship.
- Another goal is to know your You should know the areas where you disagree upon and should try to resolve them.
- Another goal is to encourage talk and dialogue about your relationship. You can share your feelings and ideas which pave way for a healthy relationship.
A few hospitals and diagnostic centers will also have special packages for the check-up. Apart from the blood test and urine test it also consists of HIV screening, semen analysis, pelvic examination, screening the ovaries and uterus and a general gynecologist consultation for women. You can even contact the doctors on Free Doctor Helpline to know about the pre-marital check-up plans or our helpline number is +918010555444.
Some women may want to test if their ovaries and uterus are normal as they have irregular menstrual problems. Others may want to know if they are healthy enough to go ahead with pregnancy or if they don’t want to get conceive immediately they may seek for contraceptive advice.
Pre-marital health check-ups primarily consist of the following tests. They are:
- Blood group testing: It is a simple test yet it has many serious effects on the relationship. Knowing your partner’s blood group is very important. Blood group incompatibility can affect the baby in many ways. There are various blood groups categorized as A, B, O along with the Rh factor. The Rh incompatibility can also affect the baby. Knowing the partner’s blood group can help the doctor to take preventive measures to avoid Rh incompatibility.
- HIV & STD screening: It is important to check for HIV & STD before marriage. Diseases like hepatitis B & C and HIV will last forever if not detected early and can have serious complications on sexual life. Other STDs are syphilis, warts, bacterial vaginosis, gonorrhea, etc. These can be treated if diagnosed early. Knowing your partner’s health status will help you protect yourself.
- Test for fertility: It may not sound good, but it is necessary to take a fertility test so that you can be sure of if you can give birth in the future. It consists of semen analysis for male fertility and ovulation test for female fertility. A series of hormone tests such as prolactin, FSH, LH, testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone are meant for both men and women.
- Genetic testing for the sickle cell: The sickle cell disease is caused by a deficiency in red blood cells. It is a prolonged and unbearable health condition. The red blood cells are in shape of a sickle and this will affect their ability to pass through the blood vessels thereby reducing the oxygen supply to different parts of the body.
- Testing for genetic conditions: It is important to know the biological health of your partner. A knowledge of inherited and hereditary diseases will help you to be prepared to face anything in the future.
Getting a per-marital check-up is important, however not doing so before marriage doesn’t mean that you can’t do it later. The idea is to know the health status of your partner and to stay prepared for any complications that might shoot up in the future.
Surviving the heat stroke
Heat stroke is a medical emergency as it is the most serious form of heat injury. The heat stroke mainly affects people above 50 years of age and also the healthy young athletes. It can kill or even cause damage to the brain and internal organs. If you suspect if anyone is suffering a heat stroke or also called as sun stroke, then immediately contact best doctors at free doctor helpline and get guidance regarding first aid of heat stroke and give the necessary first aid.
Heat stroke results due to long-term exposure to high temperatures and dehydration which will adversely affect the body’s temperature control system. If the core body temperature is greater than 104 degrees Fahrenheit then it will even affect the central nervous system.
Symptoms of a heat stroke:
The hallmark symptom of heat stroke is the core body temperature is greater than 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The common symptoms include:
ϖ Throbbing headache
ϖ Lack of sweat despite heat
ϖ Red, hot, and dry skin
ϖ Rapid heartbeat and shallow breathing
ϖ Nausea and vomiting
ϖ Muscle weakness and cramps
ϖ Unconsciousness
First aid for heat stroke:
If you suspect if anyone is suffering a heat stroke or also called as Sunstroke, then call freedoctorhelpline on +918010555444 and consult dietitian, nutritionist, general physician free to get the necessary first aid. Try out these cooling strategies:
♣ Fan air over the patient and also wet the person’s skin with sponge or hose.
♣ Apply ice packs to the person’s neck, back, and armpits.
♣ Immerse the person in a tub of cool water.
Risk factors for heat stroke:
Heat stroke is more common among older people who live in areas where there is not sufficient amount of air flow. People with chronic diseases, who consumes a lot of alcohol and who drink inadequate water are also at risk.
Other factors include:
¬ Age: infants, children below 4 years of age and older people are more vulnerable as they find it hard to adapt themselves to the high temperatures.
¬ Health: people with heart, lung, kidney diseases, obesity, underweight, diabetes, high blood pressure, alcoholism are all at greater risk.
How to prevent heat stroke?
When the heat index is extremely high it is better to stay indoors. If you have to move out then you will have to follow certain steps to protect yourself from heat stroke.
♦ Wear light weight, cotton, and loose fitting clothes
♦ Use sunscreen of SPF 30 and more
♦ Drink extra fluids to hydrate your body.
♦ During exercise, you should consume about 8 ounces of water even if you don’t feel thirsty.
♦ Reschedule or cancel outdoor activities during mid-day. Plan for it during early mornings or late evenings.
♦ Drink lot of fresh fruit and vegetable juices.
♦ Salt depletion can also result in heat-related illness. So substitute your fluids with electrolyte-rich drinks during sports activities.
♦ Monitor the color of your urine. Darker urine is a sign of dehydration.
♦ Avoid fluids that contain caffeine and alcohol as both these substances will worsen heat-related illness.
♦ At home, draw your curtains and open up windows on both sides to create cross ventilation.
Once you have recovered from heat stroke you will be more sensitive to high temperatures for few days. So it is better to stay indoors and avoid going out in heat or high temperatures. It is even better if you go for a pleasant morning walk as it refreshes your mind and body and makes you feel fresh from within.
Viagra- uses and side effects
Sildenafil belongs to a group of medications called as phosphodiesterase inhibitors which increase the blood flow to the penis during sexual activity which results in an erection. Viagra is a brand name for sildenafil which is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. However, it will not work without sexual stimulation.
Viagra is not an Over-the-counter medicine. It can be purchased only if it is prescribed by your physician to treat erectile dysfunction problems. Do not take this medication along with other products that contain sildenafil or other medicines used to treat erectile dysfunction.Viagra is also used to treat Raynaud’s diseases and so is called as “off-label”.
Risks of using Viagra:
- Do not consume Viagra if you are taking nitrate medicines. If these two combines, then it can lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure causing a heart attack or stroke.
- Alpha blockers such as Hytrin and Flomax also cause a drop in blood pressure.
- Make sure if you are healthy to have sex before you take Viagra. Talk to your doctor about your heart problems and heart rhythms as sex puts extra strain on your heart.
Viagra for women:
The Food and Drug Association has not approved Viagra as a treatment for erectile dysfunction in women, but studies show that it can boost sexual arouse in women as well.
However, women taking Viagra should tell their doctor if she is pregnant or planning to get pregnant. Viagra is in FDA Pregnancy category B, which means it will have no effect on the fetus. However, no studies have proved this on women.
How to use Viagra:
- Read the patient leaflet thoroughly and if you have any doubts ask your doctor or the pharmacist.
- Do not have more than one Viagra a day.
- Take a pill before 30 minutes of sexual intercourse but not more than 4 hours.
- Taking a pill just one hour before the sexual activity is even more effective.
The dosage is based on your medications, response to treatment and other general health.
Viagra and its side effects:
Any medication will have its own side effects on the human body. the Viagra which is meant to treat erectile dysfunction also has severe side effects on human health. The common side effects include:
- Headache
- Stomach upset
- Indigestion
- Nasal congestion
- Back pain
- Abnormal vision
- Flushing in the face, neck, and chest
- Muscular pain or tenderness
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Skin rashes
- Diarrhea
Serious side effects of Viagra include:
- Change or loss of vision
- Ringing in ears or hearing loss
- Lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in hands, ankles, and feet
Once you experience any of these side effects, stop taking Viagra and immediately consult your doctor.
Viagra and drug interactions:
Do not take Viagra f you are taking the following medicines. The list consists of:
- Antibiotics
- Antifungal infections
- Heart or blood pressure medications
- Hepatitis C
- HIV/AIDS medicines
- Tuberculosis medications
However, taking Viagra will not prevent or protect one from any of the sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
For further queries regarding viagra, you may consult sexologist online at Free doctor helpline.
Intra-uterine device
An intra-uterine device (IUD) is a small T-shaped birth control device which is usually made of plastic and wrapped with copper or hormones. This device is inserted into the women’s uterus to prevent pregnancy. A plastic string is tied to the end of the IUD that hangs down the vagina through the cervix. One can check if the IUD is in place by feeling this string. This string is also used by the doctors to remove the IUD.
TYPES OD IUDs:
There are 2 types of IUDs that are usually preferred. They are:
- ¨ Hormonal IUD
- ¨ Copper IUD
The hormonal IUD releases a form of progestin hormone called as levonorgestrel. This type of IUD is found to be the most effective form of contraception than the copper IUDs. They can prevent pregnancy for 3 to 5 years.
The copper IUD is the most commonly used IUD. A copper wire is wound around the stem of the T-shaped device. This can prevent pregnancy for 10 years.
Insertion & working of IUDs:
The insertion of IUD into the uterus is done with help of a specialized doctor. An IUD can be inserted anytime into a women’s body provided she is not pregnant or have a pelvic infection. The insertion procedure takes only a few minutes and sometimes an anesthetic may be given in the area around the cervix.
The main function of the IUD is to prevent the fertilization of the egg by killing or damaging the sperms. The hormonal IUD prevents the fertilization of the egg by killing or damaging the sperms. It makes the mucus in the cervix thick and sticky so that the sperm can’t get through the uterus. It also weakens the uterine lining so that it becomes a poor place for the fertilized egg to implant and grow. The hormone in this IUD also reduces the menstrual cramping and bleeding.
Copper is toxic to the sperm. The copper enables the fallopian tube and uterus to produce a fluid that consists of copper ions, enzymes, white blood cells and prostaglandins that kill the sperms.
What to expect after the treatment and follow-up procedure:
One may experience mild cramping or bleeding after the insertion of IUD. You are not expected to have sex within 24 hours of insertion. You should have a follow-up with your doctor after 4 to 6 weeks of the insertion. Ensure to check the string of the IUD after every period. To do this, insert your finger into the vagina and feel for the plastic string coming out of the cervix. If you cannot feel the string then it doesn’t mean that your IUD has expelled. Sometimes it is difficult to feel the string. There are chances that the string has been pulled up by the cervical canal.
When can it be done?
Women can undergo an IUD if she fits into one of the below categories;
- Do not have a pelvic infection at the time of insertion
- If a woman is breastfeeding
- If she is not prone to sexually transmitted diseases
- If she do not want to use birth control pills
- If she prefers a long-acting method of birth control
Advantages of IUDs:
The advantages of IUDs include:
- ¨ It is cost-efficient
- ¨ Less time-consuming method of contraception
- ¨ Lowers risk of ectopic pregnancy
- ¨ Reduces menstrual bleeding and cramps by 90%
- ¨ It may prevent endometrial cancer
- ¨ Do not cause weight gain
RISKS FACTORS:
Menstrual problems: the hormonal IUD reduces menstrual cramps and bleeding whereas the copper IUD increases menstrual cramps and bleeding. Some may also experience spotting between the periods.
Perforation: one out of 1000 women will strike in perforation. It almost occurs during insertion. The IUD should be removed if the uterus perforate.
Expulsion: about 1 out of 100 women may experience expulsion. The IUD may be expelled out of the vagina.
Disadvantages of IUDs:
- The hormonal IUD may give rise to non-cancerous growth such as ovarian cysts.
- It may cause hormonal side effects as that caused by oral contraception.
- The side effects include breast tenderness, mood swings, headaches, and acne.
You can chat with a gynaecologist online about the different contraceptive methods available at freedoctorhelpline.