Hospitals in Kolkata

Follow These Tips For A Healthier Immunity During Winter Season

Winter season, the season most preferred over summer by many of us. The cold season provides relief from scorching heat and high temperatures to everyone. But everything has pros and cons, the cold season is no special case. It is also the time when our immune system slows down and brings some troubles to our bodies.

Good immune system is the foundation of a healthy body. We understand how exhausting it is to deal with winter cough and colds, so on that note, ILS Hospitals, one of the best hospitals in Kolkata and Agartala would like to share some tips which you can follow for a healthier immunity.

The immune-boosting tips are as follows:

1. Watch your diet:

To build your immunity, you should make it a “rule” that what goes on your plate is healthy and agreeable to your body. Seasonal fruits and vegetables should be inside your refrigerator. Let’s look at the immune-boosting foods:

  • Spinach

  • Mustard greens

  • Mushrooms

  • Broccoli

  • Chickpeas

  • Strawberries

  • Oranges

  • Sweet potatoes.

2. Include herbs and spices:

Our country is the land of spices. Thankfully, the Indian diet revolves around immune-boosting spices like turmeric (haldi), pepper, cinnamon, fennel, cumin, clove, asafoetida (hing) and so on. We also have medicinal herbs like basil (tulsi), coriander and liquorice (mulethi), proven to be winter’s best friend. Feel free to relish on these useful herbs and spices during the cold season.

3. Hydration is the key:

Many people mistakenly believe that winter means not bothering much about filling the water bottles. They are wrong! It does not matter whatever the season is, hydration is always the key. Apart from water, you can opt for hot beverages like soups, herbal teas (or good old masala chai), hot chocolate milk and the infamous turmeric latte (haldi doodh), for strengthening your immunity.

4. Go out and exercise:

Let’s not forget the importance of exercise during winters. If exercise is not up to your liking, try outdoor sports like badminton, football and cricket.

5. Relax and rest:

A well-rested body has strong immunity power. Get near about 8 hours of sleep and give your body rest whenever it is required.

6. Remove stress from your life:

Winter blues are common and real. Stress and depression are the worst killers, the cells of our body react to every emotion. So, just be stress-free by doing what you love and spend time with your loved ones.

We hope you liked our simple immune-boosting tips. You can always come to ILS Hospitals, for any medical reason. We are one of the best multi-speciality hospitals in Kolkata.

Nephrology

Warning Signs Of Chronic Kidney Disease

Our body always gives us early warning signs of any serious medical condition, but a majority of people tend to overlook them which leads to critical harmful consequences.

The kidneys are our body’s filtration system. Our body’s biggest ordeal is to be filled with impurities and toxins, which is a consequence of CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease). The thumb rule is, whenever you notice the signs mentioned in this blog, without any delay of a second, consult a good kidney specialist to get the required treatment on time.

First, we will understand the meaning of chronic kidney or renal disease. It is the gradual loss of kidneys to function properly. Progressively, the kidneys stop functioning that leads to accumulation of waste material and toxins in the body.

Now, let’s look at the warning signs of chronic renal disease:

  • Poor Appetite or Appetite loss: It happens due to the build-up of toxins in the body.

  • Nausea and Vomiting: One of the most obvious signs of the chronic renal condition. If the symptom persists, get yourself examined immediately.

  • Proteinuria: Excessive protein (albumin) in the urine causes your urine to have foams and bubbles. It could be a sure indicator of chronic kidney disease.

  • Hematuria: Presence of blood in the urine is a forewarning of your renal dysfunction.

  • Frequent urination: It’s an obvious sign as your kidney does not work properly the way it should, forcing you to make more rounds to the washroom.

  • Muscle cramps: Due to fluid and electrolyte’s imbalances, you will suffer from severe muscle cramps and weaknesses. You will have bitter leg cramps if you’re developing chronic renal disease.

  • Swollen feet: If your ankles and feet are inflated, then, it might hint at chronic kidney disease.

  • Puffy eyes: The eyes become puffy and you get bags under your eyes due to proteinuria.

  • Dry, smelly and itchy skin: If your kidneys cannot filter blood congruously, the collection of waste material makes your skin to have a fetid smell and lose moisture.

  • Insomnia: A body full of toxins is not an ideal one. It is an understandable fact that it is difficult to sleep and relax with a toxic body.

  • Lack of concentration: Blame your contaminated body (a result of potential chronic kidney disease) for decreased attentiveness at school, college and workplace.

If you notice any of the above-mentioned signs, it’s time for you to have a discussion with a good nephrologist. You can come to ILS Hospitals, as we have expert kidney specialists in our team. Timely treatment is the ultimate way to overcome any disease.

Diabetes Treatment

Stay Away From These Foods If You Have Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition of high blood sugar or glucose levels, which leads to various other health-related complications, if not controlled on time. Diabetes treatment involves certain medications, weight loss, lifestyle changes, and dietary instructions.

Related: On This Diabetes Day, Let’s Triumph Over Diabetes By Following Some Simple Tips

Foods that are high GI (glycaemic index), which means foods with high glucose content, needs to be kept at arm’s length while managing diabetes. Today, we will discuss some foods that you should avoid consuming with diabetes. Let’s find out what you should not eat when dealing with diabetes.

1. Sugar and Sweets:

As you must have heard from everyone around you, people with diabetes should refrain themselves from having sweets or sugary foods and added sugar. Commercial honey is not safe either, choose safe and organic honey and consume it in moderation as advised by the doctor. You need to avoid cakes, pastries, ice creams, chocolates, packaged fruit juices, cold drinks, jaggery, sugar syrup, jams and certain dried fruit (raisins, figs, apricots, dates etc.). Eat fruits with a high glycaemic index like banana, pineapples, grapes etc. in moderation.

2. White Rice:

You should avoid white rice if you have diabetes as it is rich in carbohydrates and has low fibres. White rice can increase your blood sugar levels due to its high glycaemic index. Choose whole grain rice or brown rice as a substitute for white rice. Opt for roti more than white rice.

3. White Flour:

Never consume white flour if you have diabetes, white flour has nothing good to offer the body. Go for wholegrain bread or products made of wholegrain flour. If you want, you can even use buckwheat flour that is used to make dishes for fasting in India.

4. Red Meat:

Avoid red meat (mutton, lamb etc.) if you are suffering from diabetes. Red meat increases your body weight due to its high-fat content that further aggravates diabetes. Best sources of animal protein for diabetics would be eggs, seafood etc.

Next time when you visit your supermarket, refrain yourself from purchasing baked and canned foods, do not eat oily or deep-fried foods at all. Also, try to eat home cooked food when you have diabetes. For your diabetes treatment and proper diet chart you can come to ILS Hospitals, one of the best hospitals in Kolkata to get proper diagnosis and treatment.

Best Hospitals in Kolkata

Do You Want To Stay Healthy During Seasonal Changes? Read This Blog.

Winter season is knocking on our doors with full swing. Time to relish on hot beverages and hot dishes. We eagerly wait for winters to arrive so that we can get a respite from unpleasant, sweaty and humid temperatures. But we tend to ignore that winter is accompanied by obnoxious colds and cough, even fever. This happens due to change of season and the fact that our immune system slows down in low temperatures.
Here, we, at ILS Hospitals, one of the best hospitals in Kolkata, presents you with some suggestions on how to stay healthy during this winter season. So, let’s take a thorough look at these suggestions.

1. Practice good hygiene:

We try to avoid water during winters and discount the importance of hygiene. Bad hygiene habits are one of the main reasons for flu and common colds. Some essential good hygiene habits that you should religiously follow even during the flu season are shown below:
– Properly wash your hands before and after eating and after using the restroom
– Bath regularly with warm water
– Wear clean clothes and woollens
– Brush and floss your teeth daily
– Keep your surroundings clean
– Wash your hair frequently.

2. Eat seasonal food:

There’s a reason why we have certain fruits and vegetables only available during winters. Even Ayurveda believes in following a “ritucharya” diet which means eating according to season. Eating seasonal food has many advantages on your body including strengthening immunity. You should consume seasonal fruits and vegetables like the following:
– Oranges
– Mustard greens
– Spinach
– Beets and Carrots
– Peas
– Dates
– Strawberries
– Cauliflower
– Cabbages.

3. Make the sun your best friend:

Winter sun is the best because it does not have a burning effect on our skin, although winter sun still radiates harmful UVA and UVB rays so always apply sunscreen before your winter sunbathing sessions. Also, keep your mattresses, blankets and pillows under the sun to make them germ-free. Allow your rooms the warmth of sunlight to get rid of viruses and microbes and make them well-lighted. Also, Vitamin D is crucial for a good immune system which you can get from sunlight, so do not shy away from the winter sun.

4. Dress warm:

Wear proper winter clothes that keep you warm throughout the day. Always cover your ears with earmuffs, your feet with woollen socks, your head with a woollen cap or beanie and neck with a cosy muffler whenever you go outside.

We hope you follow these above-mentioned suggestions during winter months. Winters can be really enjoyable if you take good care of your health. If you experience any health-related problems, come to ILS Hospitals, one of the best hospitals in Kolkata to get a professional medical consultation.

Best Heart Hospital Kolkata

Why Are Indians So Vulnerable To Heart Diseases?

We only have one heart and it’s our sole responsibility to take the best care of our heart to make it healthy and keep it in good physical condition. Sadly, there’s an incessant upsurge in heart-related conditions among Indians.

The question that comes to our mind after knowing this fact is why Indians are more susceptible to heart diseases and cardiac emergencies than any other ethnicity? Today, we will talk about 6 reasons why more people are suffering from heart-diseases at an increasing rate in the Indian sub-continent.

1. Chronic stress and hypertension:

Our modern lifestyle is comfortable but stressful. People are constantly stressed about their career, daily commute, personal life and financial conditions. Constant stress is the supreme cause of hypertension or high blood pressure. Healthy blood pressure for an average human is 120/80 mmHg. To manage stress, you should do the following things

– Maintain healthy relationships

– Participate in physical activities

– Eat clean and healthy food

– Get adequate sleep every night

– Practice relaxation techniques.

2. Unhealthy lifestyle choices:

We all know that an unhealthy lifestyle does not benefit our body but still we indulge in them then and now. An unhealthy lifestyle is a lifestyle in which you have harmful habits like smoking, consuming alcohol, eating junk and fast food, and being physically indolent. Take an oath that you would not choose or try to avoid this afore-mentioned lifestyle for yourself.

3. Diabetes:

Diabetes has become a common disease in India and that leads to many cardiovascular diseases. Getting diabetes treatment is paramount as uncontrolled diabetes cause impaired blood vessels of the heart and other vital organs.

4. Obesity:

Indians are getting obese day by day due to various reasons. Many people are suffering from class 3 obesity which can be treated with a bariatric or weight loss surgery.

5. Congenital heart defects:

Many children in India are born with heart abnormalities that lead to serious cardiovascular conditions if not timely diagnosed. It is one of the main factors of increasing heart diseases in our country.

6. Genetic makeup:

Many heart diseases are hereditary and nobody can undo it. Your genetic makeup determines the risk of you or your children inheriting heart-related conditions.

Regrettably, we Indians match the criteria of all the above-mentioned points, and that leads us to be more vulnerable to cardiovascular diseases. If you’ve any heart-related conditions you can easily come to ILS Hospitals, one of the best heart hospitals in Kolkata for your diagnosis and treatment. We will provide you with proper medical advice appropriate for your condition.

Best Hospitals in Kolkata

Acquaint Yourself With These 4 Different Types Of Hernia

A hernia is an abnormal bulge in the affected area that occurs when the organ or fatty tissues comes out through a weak muscle opening. Hernias are painful and if left unaddressed or untreated can become serious and dangerous (a hernia can strangulate and even burst that leads to grave consequences).

Hernia repair surgery is the ultimate and preferable hernia treatment by the doctors. Most people are not familiar with the different types of hernia. So, we thought to acquaint you with 4 different hernia types for your awareness.

Here are different and common types of hernia

1. Inguinal Hernia

In case of inguinal hernia, a part of the intestine exists through a weak opening in the abdominal muscles. Some symptoms of inguinal hernia are as follows:

  • Pain in the groin area while coughing and lifting anything

  • A visible bulge in the groin area

  • Swollen and painful scrotum or testicles in men.

2. Incisional Hernia

Incisional Hernia occurs due to an unhealed surgical wound of abdominal surgery. The symptoms of an incisional hernia include:

  • Redness and swelling in the bulge

  • Constipation

  • Nausea and vomiting.

3. Umbilical Hernia

This type of hernia is commonly found in new-born babies but that does not mean adults do not encounter umbilical hernia at all. An umbilical hernia is formed in the belly button due to protrusion of an organ or fatty tissues. A few symptoms related to this hernia are as shown below:

  • Painful and discoloured bulge

  • Fever

  • Vomiting

  • Pain in the abdomen.

4. Hiatal Hernia

If the upper part of your stomach exits from its assigned spot and enters into the chest cavity, then it’s known as a hiatal hernia. A hiatal hernia happens due to various reasons like injury or certain surgeries, obesity, old age and abnormal hiatus. The symptoms of hiatal hernia are the following:

  • Difficulty swallowing food
  • Acid reflux
  • Regurgitation or vomiting
  • Chest pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constant belching or burping
  • Vomiting blood
  • Black stools.

There are many more types of hernia but these 4 types are quite common. A hernia cannot be left on its own and should be taken seriously. We offer general and laparoscopic hernia treatment to our patients with this condition. We are one of the best hospitals in Kolkata due to our perfect infrastructure, expert medical team and the latest facilities.

Hospitals in Kolkata

Everything You Need To Know About Varicose Veins

What do we mean by varicose veins? Varicose veins are abnormally enlarged veins that appear to be swollen and magnified. These ostensible veins are often found in the legs.

So why do they occur in the first place? Well, varicose veins form due to defective and damaged valves present in the veins that obstruct blood to flow successfully. Varicose veins can become a critical medical emergency under certain serious complications which we will discuss later in the blog.

Here are some symptoms that confirm the existence of varicose veins.

  • Discoloured veins

  • Skin discolouration

  • Restless leg syndrome

  • Pain and swelling in the affected area

  • Muscle cramps

  • Heaviness in the legs

  • Fatigue.

One thing we have discovered is that the primary cause for varicose veins is malfunctioning veins. Let’s discuss who are more vulnerable to varicose veins.

1. Women (especially when pregnant or on the verge of menopause)

2. Old people

3. A person who does standing jobs

4. People with obesity

5. A person suffering from chronic constipation

6. Individuals with a family history of this medical condition.

The complications involved with varicose veins that require an immediate rush to the hospital are as follows:

  • Clotting of blood

  • Severe bleeding

  • Inflammation of the veins

  • Hyperpigmentation

  • Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI).

The doctor will perform these certain diagnostic tests to verify varicose veins.

  • Venogram

  • Duplex ultrasound scan

  • Doppler ultrasound.

Some treatment associated with varicose veins are as follows:

1. Compression stockings

The doctor might suggest you wear compression stockings to subdue the symptoms related to varicose veins.

2. Sclerotherapy

If your varicose veins are not severe, you might be prescribed sclerotherapy as a treatment. In this treatment, the varicose veins are treated with the help of saline injections given at regular sessions.

3. Surgical treatment

Surgery is involved when the patient’s condition becomes critical. The surgical procedures that one might expect with severe varicose veins are

– Vein ligation and stripping

– Endovenous laser therapy

– Endoscopic vein surgery.

Varicose veins are not simply a cosmetic problem as they can cause serious other health-related issues in due course of time. If you’re suffering from varicose veins, you need proper diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible. ILS Hospitals, one of the best hospitals in Salt Lake is here to help you out with unsightly and problematic varicose veins. For more information, get in touch with our team.

Best Hospitals in Kolkata

How Dangerous Is Hyperuricemia Or Higher Level Of Uric Acid?

To say the least, an “excess of everything is bad”. Hyperuricemia certainly reminds us of this good old proverb. Hyperuricemia is a serious medical condition of high uric acid concentration in the blood. The uric acid levels should be within the normal range or else it may result to many serious and unpalatable health conditions. If your uric acid crosses the normal and expected levels then you have high uric acid levels. You have high uric acid levels when your uric acid is more than 6 mg/dL if you’re a woman and greater than 7 mg/dL in the case of a man.

The main concern is to know whether hyperuricemia is dangerous or not. Hyperuricemia can be injurious and dangerous if one turns a blind eye to it as it can result in many chronic and serious diseases of essential organs like heart and kidney.

Our body excretes uric acid through urine but if the body starts making excess uric acid then it puts pressure on the kidneys to get rid of them. The body makes uric acid through purines which we receive from certain foods (seafood, red meat, some vegetables, mushrooms, alcoholic drinks, etc). An excess of uric acid means you are eating a lot of purines in your diet, thus your extra uric acid will crystallize in mostly your joints and kidneys producing pain and inflammation.

There are a few serious medical issues that are a plain result of hyperuricemia and by default, they help to determine hyperuricemia. They are as follows:

  • Gout (swollen, tender and stiff joints)

  • Kidney stones

  • Kidney diseases and even renal failure

  • Diabetes

  • High blood pressure

  • Cardiovascular conditions.

So what are the causes and are you at risk of hyperuricemia? Let’s see the points below.

  • Obesity

  • Excessive alcohol consumption

  • High-purine diet ( which include alcohol, seafood, and liver meats)

  • The incapability of kidneys to filter properly

  • Certain medications

  • Heredity

To keep your uric acid within the normal range, your doctor will recommend you some drugs or medications as a treatment. If you’ve developed other medical conditions associated with hyperuricemia, then you will be directed to the doctor respective to your condition for treatment. For instance, if you have diabetes, you will require diabetes treatment along with the treatment for hyperuricemia. You will also be required to follow a purine-restricted diet (which include healthy nuts, eggs, low-purine vegetables, and fruits) to normalize the dangerously high levels of uric acid.

Diagnosis of hyperuricemia is done by conducting blood (serum uric acid test) and urine tests.

We, at ILS Hospitals, provide diagnostic tests for high uric acid levels to our patients. ILS Hospitals is one of the best hospitals in Kolkata for diagnostic and accurate medical treatment.

Diabetes Treatment

On This Diabetes Day, Let’s Triumph Over Diabetes By Following Some Simple Tips

Living with diabetes is never easy, once you have diabetes there’s nothing you or doctors can do to cure this sad disease. However, you can surely control it by adopting some lifestyle modifications and by getting regular check-ups from a diabetes clinic.

On the occasion of World Diabetes day, let’s take a pledge to beat diabetes against all odds by following these measures:

1. Embrace a diabetes-friendly diet:

There’s a saying, “watch what you eat”, and this is exactly what you need to do if you have diabetes. You should make eating a healthy and properly balanced diet, a significant part of your daily life. Go for foods that regulate your blood sugar levels. Foods that are beneficial for you when you’ve diabetes (either type 1 or type 2) are as follows:

– Fatty fishes

– Eggs

– Leafy Greens like spinach, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, etc

– Dry fruits like cashew nuts, almonds, pistachios and walnuts

– Whole grains like brown rice, millet and whole wheat

– Low portions of fruits like strawberries, pears, bananas, apricots, oranges, cherries, guava etc.

2. Eating small and frequent meals:

Skipping your meals is the last thing you want to do if you have diabetes. If you do not want to have large meals, eat small meals frequently to control your blood glucose levels.

3. Shun your sedentary lifestyle:

Living an inactive lifestyle is a strict “no” for people with diabetes, as a sedentary lifestyle leads to serious health concerns like obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Maintaining a healthy weight is your first step to win over diabetes. Certain times, the doctor might suggest bariatric surgery to highly obese diabetic patients. So do include some physical activities of your choice in your life.

4. Abstain from sugary foods:

Diabetics probably know that “sugar” is their worst enemy. Though sounds difficult, you need to abstain from your favourite sweets, chocolates and sugary beverages if you’re dealing with diabetes. Choose sugarfree sweets instead if you have a sweet tooth.

5. Be serious about medications:

Take your medicines on time as prescribed by the doctor to normalize your blood sugar levels.

6. Watch your diabetes:

Keep an eye on your diabetes by getting regular check-ups from a good diabetic clinic. You can always avail our Decoding Diabetes health check up packages.

Do not let your diabetes keep you stressed and distressed. We understand how diabetes can be the worst experience for anyone, so we provide effective diabetes treatment at ILS Hospitals to help our diabetic patients. You are welcome to our hospital for proper diabetes’ diagnosis and treatment.

Best Heart Hospital Kolkata

Follow These Healthy Tips If You Have High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a condition in which the blood produces a lot of pressure in the artery walls, an important component of your blood vessels.

If your blood pressure reading exceeds the normal blood pressure range of 120/80, then you have high blood pressure which requires immediate attention. You can check your blood pressure from any good hospitals in Kolkata or use BP monitoring machines at home. There are many reasons for high blood pressure like:

  • Stress

  • Obesity

  • Poor nutrition

  • Chronic diseases and disorders like diabetes, thyroid, kidney diseases, congenital heart abnormalities etc.

  • Sleep apnea

  • High alcohol consumption

  • High cholesterol

  • Smoking

  • Lack of physical movement

  • Unhealthy lifestyle

  • Old age

High blood pressure is a serious condition so maintaining a healthy blood pressure is important for everyone. If you are suffering from high blood pressure, follow these healthy tips as shown below:

  • Maintain a healthy body weight: Being overweight or obese is linked with high blood pressure. So, do your best to have a healthy BMI (Body Mass Index) by following a healthy lifestyle and by not being either underweight or overweight.

  • Stay active: Participate in regular physical activities to lower your high blood pressure. Do activities like walking, cycling, dancing, swimming, yoga and so on. The more you move, the better it is for your blood pressure.

  • Eat a DASH diet: Have a Dash (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet which is a healthy and balanced diet suitable for people with high blood pressure. The DASH diet includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean meats, fish and poultry, nuts and bean and low-fat dairy or no-fat dairy products, low-sodium content and high vitamins and minerals.

  • Sodium-restricted diet: The less sodium you consume, the more your blood pressure will lower so avoid high-sodium foods and beverages. Also, do not add or sprinkle salt on top of your foods if you have high blood pressure or hypertension.

  • Avoid highly-processed foods: High processed foods have a high sodium-content so do not buy them the next time you visit your grocery store.

  • Quit smoking: Smoking has no health benefits and it is responsible for high blood pressure and heart diseases. So, stop smoking right now.

  • Drink less alcohol: Too much alcohol consumption can raise your already alarming blood pressure. So, limit the amount of alcohol you consume and aim to stop it altogether.

  • Be stress-free: It is needless to say that stress causes your blood pressure to increase at an unhealthy level. Try to avoid stress as much as you can because your life matters more than anything in this world.

  • Get regular high-blood pressure check-ups: Visit the best hospital in Kolkata for your monthly blood pressure check-ups. It is important to keep a tab on your blood pressure readings if you are already suffering from hypertension.

In conclusion, if you follow these healthy tips you will see a difference in your blood pressure levels. If your hypertension still does not improve then it’s time for you to go to a heart specialist or cardiologist to find the underlying cause behind your high levels of blood pressure. We are one of the best heart hospitals in Kolkata.