5 Common Paediatric Neurological Disorders

A neurological disorder is an umbrella term used for a broad spectrum of conditions triggered by some chronic disease affecting the central or peripheral nervous system, which includes the brain, the spinal cord, the cranial nerves, nerve roots, muscles etc. The conditions affect millions of people worldwide, which include both adults as well as children. Doctors from the best hospitals in India suggest that the prevalence of these disorders may vary depending upon the age group i.e. While some disorders are more likely to affect adults, there are others which are much more prevalent in children. Today we are going to talk about 5 such neurological conditions that are quite common among the paediatric population:

• Autism – Widely recognised across the globe, it is a neurodevelopmental disorder that drastically impacts the normal development of the brain, thereby, leading to the impairment of verbal and non-verbal communication, cognition, behaviour and inability to interact with others. As the symptoms occur in different combinations and vary from child to child, it is also known as a spectrum disorder. Although there is no proper cure for autism, therapies and medication can help your child lead a better life. Some common indications of autism as listed by the leading pediatric doctors include:

1. Repetition of actions, words and phrases. 

2. Inability to explain feelings or emotions in words

3. Inability to interpret what others are trying to say

4. Hearing impairment 

5. Sensitivity to touch, smell, sound etc.

6. Problems with eating and swallowing food

7. Short attention span and poor memory

8. Unusual attachment to lifeless objects 

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)– It is the most common type of neurodevelopmental disorder that may even continue up to adolescence or adulthood. Children suffering from ADHD are usually hyperactive and experience a sudden impulse of emotions. The problem is marked by frequent distractions which impacts the performance in studies and other activities. It is more likely to affect boys as compared to girls and it should be noted that not every hyperactive child can be labelled as having ADHD. Some of the common symptoms indicating the same include:

1. Easy distraction

2. Inability to understand and follow directions

3. Inability to complete assigned tasks

4. Lack of attention 

5. Poor memory retention 

6. Difficulty with organising things

7. Daydreaming  

• Dyspraxia– It is a developmental disorder marked by difficulties with coordination, which make it difficult for the child to maintain a proper posture or balance. Although no specific cause has been determined yet, pediatric neurologists in Mumbai suggest that it might be a result of differently developed motor neurons. Such children require occupational therapy and are recognized by symptoms that include:

1. Poor balance 

2. Inability to maintain posture

3. Fatigue and weakness

4. Problems with speech

5. Poor hand-eye coordination

• Epilepsy – It is a very common neurological disorder that affects people of all age groups. A child suffering from epilepsy experiences multiple seizures and displays unusual behaviour. This is triggered by a temporary disturbance in the brain cells which may be due to genetic factors, some underlying disease or severe injury. Treatment for Epilepsy is offered at all the top-notch children hospitals in Mumbai. Some of the common symptoms associated with epilepsy are as under:

1. Sudden bouts of confusion

2. Staring spell

3. Involuntary jerking movements

4. Unconsciousness or lack of awareness

5. Psychic symptoms 

• Dyslexia – It is a very common learning disorder in children marked by the inability to read, write, spell and understand what is being taught to them. The exact cause of the problem is not known, however early diagnosis and treatment can prove to be beneficial for the child. Some of the common symptoms associated with dyslexia include: 

1. Difficulty with reading things out loud

2. Mispronouncing names and words

3. Problem with spelling out things

4. Difficulty with learning new words

5. Problems with memorizing and recalling things

Cancer: Divulging Truth Over Myths

India has developed much in the field of medical sciences in fact, with the advancement of medical technology and the use of latest approaches the treatment has become much more convenient both for the doctors as well as for the patients. But it is to be noted that due to lack awareness and the myths and misconceptions prevailing in the society are building a negative perception among people about various life-saving treatments. 

In this blog, we are going to discuss the myths of cancer prevailing in society. Owing to its importance, we consider this topic to be a great help to those who are hesitant to opt for cancer treatment. 

Nanavati super-speciality Hospital is one of the leading cancer hospitals in Mumbai, which provides an expert team of doctors who use advanced technology and the latest approaches with an aim to provide care and cure with increased convenience. 

5 Reality-checks over myths:

Myth 1: Sugar is not good for cancer patients, cancer grows by consuming it

Fact: According to various researches, cancer cells absorb more sugar than normal cells. But it is to be noted that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that eating sugar or sweet foods will worsen cancer. Although a diet rich in sugar may increase your weight and develop the risk of diabetes and people suffering from the same are prone to certain cancers. 

Myth 2: Cancer is contagious

Fact: Cancer is not a transmittable disease that can easily spread from one person to another. It is a big myth prevailing in society for decades, which needs to be busted. In fact, there are various awareness campaigns which have been launched just to dispel this myth. So if you spend some time with a cancer survivor or physically touch him/her will not make you prone to the same.

The chances are more only where cancer can spread is during the organ or tissue transplantation. A recipient is at risk who receives a tissue or organ from a donor having cancer in the past. They are more prone to transplant-related cancer in future. The risk is, however, extremely low but doctors avoid these types of donors to participate in the transplantation process. Also, cancer does not spread by person to person, there are certain viruses which when enters the body causes the same.  

Myth 3: Chemotherapy always has bad side effects

Fact: The fact cannot be denied that there are side effects of chemotherapy as it is not an easy procedure. Due to the advancement of technology and the latest approaches, oncology treatment in India has become much more convenient and has reduced the side effects of the treatment procedure like chemotherapy. This has led to minimal pain and lowered the risks of side-effects.

Myth 4: A lump in your breast is a clear cut indication of having breast cancer

Fact: Having a lump in your breast does not necessarily mean that you have breast cancer. In fact, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, only a very small percentage of breast lumps turn out to be cancerous. In such a situation, it is important to get properly checked by the best doctor in Mumbai.

Myth 5: Cancer is incurable

Fact: This turns out to be a myth that bothers people a lot. About one-third of all cancers can be cured if they are detected and treated early. That’s why best doctors often advise having regular health check-ups and cancer screenings. 

From Bone Marrow Transplant To Complete Rehabilitation Know How To Ease Your Journey

Recovery period is considered to be the most crucial period post-treatment. A patient needs to follow a set of instructions provided by the doctor for complete or say for a long-term cure. BMT Specialists in Mumbai, often advice to inform the patient beforehand about the recovery tips so that he/she can mentally prepare for the post-treatment challenges. 

In this blog, we will be discussing the recovery tips of bone marrow transplant with an aim to create awareness. This topic holds great importance and we consider that providing information about the same can be useful for the people who are about to undergo a bone marrow transplant.

4 recovery tips that ensure a complete cure:

·         A proper diet will suffice

You will feel a little weak post-transplant so, taking a healthy diet is necessary. Nausea, vomiting, or a sore mouth, might be some other after-effects. Often best Doctors advice to take a diet rich in the following vitamins and minerals. 

1.        Calcium 

Dairy products like milk, cheese and yoghurt are calcium-rich and also vegetables like kale, or spinach can help your bones stay strong. There might be some medications you may be taking post-transplant that may lower your calcium levels. So, it is important to top-up your body with calcium.

2.        Vitamin D

A daily dose of vitamin D is imperative for recovery if you are consuming steroids for a while as it can lead to osteoporosis or bone loss. Some dairy products like milk, soy milk are vitamin D-rich. Other food items includes orange juice and ready to eat cereals fortified with vitamin D. 

3.        Potassium

Potassium-rich foods include bananas, oranges, peaches, avocados, tomatoes, sweet potatoes,etc. It promotes the right functioning of the cell and helps you to maintain the right amount of fluid in your body, also keep your blood pressure steady. 

It might happen that you may lose your appetite, in that case, doctors often advise taking supplements. Also, post-transplant, there will be certain foods from which you have to maintain a distance. Some of them are listed below:

1. Unpasteurized raw milk
2. Cheese made from unpasteurized raw milk
3. Raw or undercooked eggs
4. Raw or undercooked fish
5. Raw or undercooked meats

·         30 minutes of exercise a day keeps the doctor away 

To be physically active is very important. Regular physical activities help you to manage your weight, keep your heart healthy, and boost your strength and stamina. A 30-minutes exercise proves to be a boon for people post-transplant. However, it is important to note that in the initial period performing exercise is not a wise decision, but you can start exercising after some days of the transplant procedure.

·         Don’t miss your medicines 

The bone marrow transplant may come with certain risks or complications. One of them is rejection, so if the bone marrow comes from a donor, your doctor may prescribe some medicines to lower the chances that your body will reject it. This medication makes the immune system weaker, so that it won’t react to the new cells.

Another major concern is an infection which may be caused post-transplant. It happens because new, healthy cells begin to rebuild your immune system. In order to prevent infection doctors prescribe certain antibiotics, antifungal, antibacterial, or antiviral medications.

·         Take care of your mouth

Post-transplant you may have sore or dry mouth, so it’s imperative to take good care of it. One can also use a soft-bristle brush, and run it under hot water to kill germs before you put it in your mouth. 

Bone marrow transplant in India has become much more convenient due to the advancement of technology and the use of the latest approaches. Also, the top hospitals provide an expert team of doctors which treat different types of bone marrow transplants like allogeneic transplant and autologous stem-cell transplant aiming at your convenience, care and cure. 

Can Hand Surgery Change The Quality Of Your Life?

Hand surgery, being a broad term incorporates a vast array of surgeries that are performed on the hand. It is an attempt to restore not only the function of the hand, but try to maximize its cosmetic appearance when treated by plastic surgeons. So, if your hand is impaired, opting for surgery may be a wise decision. This specialized surgery is performed to deal with diseases that cause pain, impairment of the strength, function and flexibility of your wrist and fingers. It actively works on the restoration of the normal function of fingers and hands. Best hospitals in India offer a specialised centre for treatment which is managed by a team of expert Doctors. The best facilities and expert supervision provide the right treatment, resulting in the desired cure. 

Why need hand surgery?

There are several reasons that demand for a hand surgery. Read some of them below:

1. Rheumatic changes to the structures in the hand
2. Birth deformities
3. Infections
4. Trauma to the hand

Types of hand surgeries

Which surgery is best for you is decided by the doctor after closely examining the underlying cause. Here are 5 types of hand surgery that you should be aware of:

1. Closed reduction and fixation

When a part of your hand including fingers is fractured, this technique may be very effective. It realigns the fractured bone and then immobilizes the area during the healing phase. This process can be executed with the use of internal fixtures, such as wires, rods, splints, and casts.

2. Tendon repairs

The case is a surgical challenge because of the structure of the tendons. These tendons can be defined as the fibres that attach muscles to the bones. The causes of tendon injuries are the infection, trauma, or spontaneous rupture. This repair technique can be further classified into primary, delayed primary, or secondary. So, primary repair of an acute injury is usually completed within 24 hours of the injury. On the other hand, delayed primary repair is usually performed a few days after the injury, but while there is still an opening in the skin from the wound. Secondary repairs require a longer period i.e. two to five weeks after the injury as compared to the primary ones’. Primary repairs usually involve direct surgical correction of the injury, while secondary repairs may include tendon grafts which are the insertion of tendons from other areas of the body in place of the damaged tendon or other more complex procedures.

3. Joint replacement

Joint replacement, which is also known as arthroplasty is another kind of hand surgery which is used to heal severe arthritis of the hand. The procedure involves replacing the defected hand joint with the artificial one. 

4. Surgical drainage and/or debridement

The hands are prone to injury and infection so, having infection in the hand is a common reason for which the treatment is required. The treatment includes rest, use of heat, elevation, antibiotics, and surgery. The surgical drainage may be used if there is an abscess in the hand to help remove the collection of pus. Debridement, or cleansing of a wound is done to prevent further infection and to help promote healing.

5. Nerve repairs

There are three important nerves in your hand ulnar nerve, the median nerve, and the radial nerve. So, if any one of them get damaged, it may result in a decreased ability to move the hand and experience sensation. However, some of the nerve injuries may heal on their own, while others require surgery. 

The hand reconstruction surgery in India has become quite popular among the people due to its increased rate of success. The sea change in the technology and the use of the latest equipment has reduced the pain and side effects of these kinds of surgeries thus, providing the desired results. 

Why You Need A Kidney Transplant?

A kidney transplant is an operation that takes places when your kidney loses the ability to function at a rate as it was functioning earlier. Here, the transplanted kidney takes over the work of two kidneys that failed thus, excluding the need of dialysis. The surgery is considered safe, and successful. However, the success depends on how healthy you are before the transplant and taking care and preventive measures of yourself after your transplant.

According to research, the patients who get the kidney from a living donor lives 5-10 years more than the patients who get the kidney from a deceased donor. Today, due to the advanced technologies and specialised machinery, it has become easier to treat chronic kidney diseases or other renal diseases. Along with that, the treatment has become more comfortable for patients to opt for as compared to earlier because of the improved medical care under the guidance of experts and specialists doctors found in some best urology hospitals in Mumbai like Nanavati Hospital.

What are the causes of Kidney Failure?

There are several causes and conditions that lead to Kidney failure. People who are most at risk usually have one or more of the following causes:

5 causes of Kidney failure;

·   Loss of blood flow to the kidneys

Conditions: Heart attack, dehydration, severe infection such as sepsis

·   Urine elimination problems

Conditions: When your body can’t eliminate urine, toxins build up and overload the kidneys. Some cancers can block the urine passageways, such as the colon.

·   Other causes: a blood clot in or around your kidneys, consumption of drugs and alcohol

Types of Kidney transplant

1. Living donor transplant

A surgery in which the patient receives the kidney of a donor who is still alive. This is possible because a person can manage to live on a single kidney.

2. Paired kidney exchange

It is a rarely opted kidney transplantation in which your relative or friend gives a kidney to someone who needs it, and that recipients’ relative or friend gives his or her kidney to you.

3. Deceased donor transplant

A surgery in which the patient receives the kidney of a donor who has just died or diseased. 

Are you fit for a Kidney transplant?

It’s not always an open option for a patient to go for kidney transplantation, as this needs prior approval from the doctor. You need to be healthy enough to bear the pain of the surgery and need to be mentally prepared for lifelong medication. 

You may not be permitted to undergo for transplantation if having a serious medical condition, as it might be dangerous or the transplantation might get unsuccessful. These serious conditions include cancer, serious infections such as tuberculosis, bone infections or hepatitis, severe cardiovascular disease and liver diseases.

If you are suffering from kidney disease or thinking of a kidney transplant, please consider the best kidney specialist as it is imperative to get the right treatment at the right time.

What next after Kidney transplant?

4 things you need to take care of;

The long term success of your transplant depends on multiple things;

1.       Consumption of anti-ageing medicines on a regular basis and in a proper dose advised by the doctor, to keep your body from rejecting your new kidney.

2.       Regular lab tests and clinical visits to make sure that your kidney is working properly.

3.       Following a healthy lifestyle including proper diet, exercise, and weight loss if needed

4.       Taking care of frequent infections as the body’s immunity is a little low after transplant.

5.       Regular exercise is a must for fast recovery and boosting energy levels.

3 Do’s of when you undergo a Kidney transplant

1. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

2. Eat foods low in salt, fat, and cholesterol.

3. Avoid being around people who are sick

Kidney transplant is a life-changing event which brings both mental and physical changes into the body like anxiety, depression or guilt at the same time there always a risk of rejection of kidney as sometimes the body does not accept it leading towards a severe complication. So, there is a need for the utmost care and precautions for at least 4 to 6 weeks after the transplantation and to opt for treatment from the best hospital of India.

What Is Fatty Liver, What Is The Treatment?

As always said and highlighted as well “Drinking of alcohol is prohibited.” Be it a movie or any drama, a declaration about alcohol consumption is always mentioned. Well, it is stated simply because of the adverse effects of alcohol on our body and more specifically on the liver. When alcohol is consumed daily it can cause the formation of fat in your liver. Thus, leading to scarring of liver tissue. This condition is also referred to as cirrhosis. In this disease, the liver starts to give up on its functions depending upon the amount of scarring of liver tissue. Sometimes the same situation occurs even if you don’t consume any alcohol, this situation is known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In addition to it, this can also lead to cirrhosis. Both the alcoholic liver disease(ALD) and NAFLD are categorised under a common umbrella called Fatty liver diseases. Technically, it is mentioned when 5-10% of the liver weight is known to be fat.

Symptoms

Well, the concrete causes for NAFLD are not completely understood, assumptions are made that it might be due to some connections between liver and insulin resistance. Moreover, NAFLD shows no visible symptoms. In case symptoms are present, they might include:

•    Pain in the abdomen

•    Experiencing fatigue

•    Enlarged liver

•    Swelling in the belly

•    Jaundice fever

If NAFLD leads to cirrhosis, it may indicate several signs such as:

•    Bleeding(internally)

•    No fluid secretion

•    Loss of liver function

Risk factors 

One of the studies revealed that NAFL has affected around 20% of the population. The key factor is being insulin resistance. Moreover, people who are obese are more prone to develop insulin resistance.

The best gastroenterologist in Mumbai stated few other risk factors for NAFLD are- Type-2 diabetics, use of certain cancer medicines, greater cholesterol levels, higher triglycerides level, usage of corticosteroids and improper eating habits that lead to uncertain weight loss.

How it’s diagnosed

Usually, a blood test is done that may indicate levels of liver enzymes and consequently can suggest about other liver diseases. Moreover, if any suspicious indications are found, then ultrasound is done to detect fat proportions. If any of the tests fail to provide conclusions then a liver biopsy is done to draw concrete conclusions and plan a course of treatment accordingly.

Treatment options 

The top gastroenterologist in India said that for treating NAFLS, there is no exact medication that can cure it. Hence, if you are obese your doctor might ask to reduce weight by adopting some lifestyle changes such as:

•  Incorporating healthy eating habits such as diet food containing multi-grains, fruits, green vegetables etc.

•    Avoid eating junk and oily food, thus, controlling the cholesterol levels.

•    Following an exercise regime of minimum 30 minutes daily.

•    Avoiding alcohol

Can non-alcoholic fatty liver disease cause complications?

In mild NAFL cases, there may not be any severe complications. All you need is early diagnosis and adopting a few lifestyle changes for preserving your liver. However, in severe cases, the best gastrointestinal surgeon asserted that the highest risk is of cirrhosis, it can harness the functionality of the liver, hence, preventing the liver from doing its job. In extreme cases it might limit:

•  Gynaecology doctors in Mumbai say that it will restrict in production of bile, that helps in eliminating excess waste from the body.

•    Maintaining  fluid levels in the body by protein production

•    Haemoglobin breakdown and iron secretion

•    Converting ammonia in your blood to harmless urea for excretion

•    Maintaining supply and release of glucose for energy retaining

•    producing cholesterol, which is necessary for cellular health

•    Eliminating bacteria from blood

•    The production of immune factors to fight infections

•     Preventing blood clotting

In severe cases, Cirrhosis can damage the liver or cause liver cancer. In such cases, medications along with liver transplantation surgery are required.

All You Need to Know About Laparoscopic Surgery

What is it?

Laparoscopic Surgery, in layman terms, is a procedure where small cuts or incisions are made in your body to insert a tool which holds a camera and other instruments to see what the problem in your body is. This procedure reduces the size of cuts on your skin drastically and makes it easier for the surgeon to operate. After the diagnosis, the surgeon performs the required operation. This Surgery is generally performed when a patient has abdomen or pelvic issues.

Understanding the risks and benefits of a Laparoscopic Surgery:

Like any surgery, Laparoscopy also has both risks and benefits:

•    Risks:

As you might know, almost all the operations have some side effects and risks associated with it. Though these risks are unavoidable, they can be easily cured.

a.    Fever

b.    Internal Bleeding

c.    Swelling and Redness near incision areas.

d.    Vomiting/Nausea

e.    Hernia

f.    Abdominal Cramps (especially during menstruation due to heavy bleeding)

g.    Blood Clotting

h.    Damage to internal organs

i.    Reactions to Anesthesia

The above-mentioned risks and side effects differ from person to person. For some, the symptoms might be more while for others, it might be less. But, always consult the best laparoscopic surgeon in Mumbai before undergoing Surgery.

•    Benefits:

Laparoscopy has replaced the traditional method of operation as it is modern and uses advanced technology.

a.    Smaller incisions than the conventional method

b.    Short Recovery period

c.    Less painful

d.    A lesser degree of exposure to other internal organs

e.    Reduced risk of contamination

•    Post-Surgery Advice: 

Like any other surgery, Laparoscopy requires attention for an initial period after the operation. The pain, side effects, recovery period, length of stay in the best hospital in Mumbai varies according to patients.

Tips from the best doctor for Laparoscopy for recovering from the Surgery: 

Here are a few general tips on how to take care of the patient after Surgery will surely help to improve faster and ease the pain:

a.    Wear loose and comfortable clothes for the first few weeks as incisions are fresh. Tight clothes might increase the pain near incision sites.

b.    Women might have painful and heavy bleeding in the initial menstrual periods. So, do not panic or lose your calm. If the pain is uncontrollable and severe, contact your doctor.

c.    Take proper naps but do not lie on the bed all day. Make sure you get up and move a little.

d.    Swimming, sports, intercourse might be restricted for a few weeks.

e.    The most important thing is to take your medicines on time and follow the diet.

f.    Schedule your appointments with the surgeon periodically.

g.    You might have an emotional breakdown. Do not worry guys. It’s okay to be anxious, angry or cry sometimes. The phase will pass soon. So do not lose hope.

Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai is one of the best laparoscopic hospital in Mumbai, having a team of best laparoscopic surgeon in Mumbai. The doctors and surgeons here are always ready to educate you on the best treatment plans for you.