8 Tips To Stay Healthy During The Festival Season

It is the festive season, the month we all wait for every year. This is the time when we get to enjoy the most with our family and friends. But if during this time anyone gets sick, then all plans are bound to go down the drain. So, ILS Hospitals in Kolkata is going to give you tips on how to stay healthy and disease-free during this time.

  1. Over the last few years, the rain has been an ever-present factor in the festival season especially before diwali, which also makes it easy for diseases like malaria and dengue to fester. So use mosquito repellent when going out and a net when going to sleep.

  2. Viral infections like cough, cold, and fever are also very common during this season. Don’t drink cold water or cold drinks after coming from outside. Try to avoid them as much as possible, even at home. This will prevent you from getting infected with a cold infection. Especially at late night, the temperature falls and the chances of getting a cold increase. So try to avoid cold drinks, ice-creams etc. at night.

  3. While going out during the day, make sure to carry an umbrella, sunglass and sunscreen with you at all times, or you may get sun-burned badly.

  4. When burning crackers during Diwali, take extra precautions against any accidental burning. Be careful about smoke and loud noises specially for the children and aged individuals.

  5. Eating out during the festive season is very common and half the enjoyment is in that only. So as we cannot completely avoid eating out but rather can eat wisely. Most roadside stalls are not much healthy, so choose wisely from where you are eating. If possible, carry water from home before going out.

  6. It’s also a holiday time and we like to go out more as well. Going out every day during the festive season can make one tiresome, drenched out of energy and make feel thirsty. If possible carry lemonade or ORS with you. This would help to restore the electrolyte imbalance of the body.

  7. If you are going out at night then make sure that you get enough sleep during the day as good sleep is important for the body. Also, staying awake at night is not good for small children and the aged individuals. So, make sure that they get their proper sleep.

  1. Try to avoid the crowd if you are an asthma patient or this may aggravate your problems and may sustain attacks of asthma. Diabetes patients should continue their diabetes treatment as usual during this time and limit eating sweets as well, especially when it can be tempting once you get so many sweet boxes from your neighbors on Diwali.

Follow these tips to stay healthy and have a great Diwali and a festive season ahead.

Some Useful Parenting Tips For Every New Parent

Parenting is no walk in the park and it take decades for parents to master this skill. New parents are often clueless about many things related to newborn care and are always doubting themselves for making a mistakes. Well, thankfully there are parenting guidelines, books, videos and understanding paediatric doctors available to guide you and ease your difficulties. In such situations, only experiences work but there is no harm in taking note of essential tips while handling your infant.

Here are some necessary tips that can be followed by every parent with a newborn:

  • Handle the baby with care: Always wash your hands properly with soap and clean water before touching your baby. Also, tell others to do the same, or at least use hand sanitizer instead, if washing is not possible everytime. Your infant is fragile, so always lift your baby by supporting his or her head and neck and never shake your baby or be rough with them.

  • Decide visiting rules: Your kith and kin will be overenthusiastic about meeting and playing with the baby but there should be certain boundaries that only you can create for them. Limit the amount of their visiting time and make a specific day dedicated to visitors.

  • Comfort a crying baby: Babies talk by crying and they cry because they want you to know that they need something. If your baby is crying it must be because of hunger, boredom, uneasiness, dirty diaper, lack of sleep and feeling too hot or too cold. So, do find the root cause of your baby’s constant howling and help them out. Try to calm your baby by singing or humming softly and rocking them. Also, distract your baby and take them out for a walk. Note that if your infant cries continuously, it might be due to an illness that would require you to rush to the paediatric doctor immediately.

  • Bond with your sweetheart: To bond with your baby, talk to them even when you know that they don’t understand you. You can also sing lullabies and cuddle with them to give them attention. Give the father-baby duo enough time to connect by making partner do simple chores for the baby like bathing, feeding and putting to sleep.

  • Always be prepared: Your baby follows a schedule on his own accord. So, making arrangements beforehand will save your time and energy and will surely reduce your stress and anxiety. Prepare yourself for the next feeding in advance by putting warm water in a thermos and keeping diapers and other essentials within your reach.

  • Diaper rash cure: Diaper rash is every new parent’s biggest nightmare. The rashes occur when the baby wears a wet and dirty nappy for many hours and also some babies are sensitive to diapers. These rashes can be treated by applying paediatrician-prescribed diaper rash cream on your baby’s bottom. Also, let your baby stay without a diaper for a few hours. To prevent diaper rashes in the future, give your baby a diaper-change whenever the nappy gets dirty. Clean the baby’s bottom with warm water and mild unscented soap and let it air dry. Let your baby go diaper-free whenever possible.

  • Look after yourself: Eat a nutritious diet, drink plenty of water and try to get some shut-eye by dividing night shifts between you and your partner. Spend some quality time with your partner and with friends and family members as well. Ask for additional helping hands whenever needed. Also, seek counseling because parenting can take a toll on your mental health.

  • Vaccinate on time: Vaccination is done to safeguard your child from serious ailments so do consult a good paediatric doctor for vaccine shots.

Thus, we hope that we provided you with crucial information on the infant’s parenting tips for the recent parents. We, at ILS Hospitals, have a team of experienced paediatric doctors in Kolkata who would ensure good health of your precious baby.

Gynecological Problems Faced By Women At Their 20 Or 30s.

There are certain gynecological issues faced by many women of all age groups during their lifetime as per the renowned gynecologist. Here we will discuss about the issues face by the women at their 20 or 30s.

In India, many women are not provided with enough information about gynecological problems. Lack of gynae health and sex education also plays a pivotal role in a woman’s life. In our society, gynecological problems and sexual health of a woman is usually neglected.

Generally, women of this age group may face many gynecological complications specially once after getting married or involve in sexual activities. So, let’s shed some light on the topic of such gynecological problems:

  • Hormonal imbalance: Imbalanced hormone in women is a common condition of all ages. Even after getting married, as the women become sexually-active and usage of certain birth-control methods can also contribute to this factor.

  • Irregular or missed periods: Hormonal, emotional, psychological and lifestyle changes can cause irregularities in your periods. In married women, birth control pills can also have a side effect on menstruation.

  • Vaginitis: It is also called vaginal inflammation where the women have symptoms like itching, swelling, burning, redness or soreness in her vaginal area. It is usually caused by a change in the normal balance of vaginal bacteria or due to an infection.

  • Dyspareunia: Painful sexual intercourse is common in married women. The pain in genitals can last hours after sexual activity. If you suffer from pain during intercourse and abnormal vaginal discharge and bleeding, it’s time for you to consult a trusted gynecologist.

  • Sexually-transmitted infection: It affect the female reproductive organs. It happens due to unprotected sex with the infected person which causes the sexually-transmitted bacteria to enter the woman’s vagina and infect the entire uterus and fallopian tubes. It can be treated well if discovered early by medical professionals or gynecologists.

  • Endometriosis: It happens when the tissues in the uterine lining grow outside the uterus resulting in painful menstruation and infertility. It’s a serious medical condition that requires you to book an appointment with the gynecologist for proper treatment.

  • Pelvic inflammatory disease: Pelvic inflammatory disease or PID is an inflammation of the female reproductive organs due to infection. Bacteria like gonorrhea and chlamydia first enter the vagina and cause an infection then this infection move into the pelvic organs causing PID. It can become xtremely harmful and lead to many complications if the infection spreads and left untreated.

So, we hope that the above information enlightens you about some gynecological health conditions. If you suffer from any of the above conditions, refer to a gynecologist in Kolkata.

The 3 Different Types Of ADHD You Should Know About

You have probably heard of the term ADHD a lot. ADHD means Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. If your child or anyone in your family is hyperactive or cannot concentrate on a specific task for much time, it is possible that they might be suffering from ADHD. It is a chronic condition and most of the time, it is seen among children. It may also occur in adults, but that is very rare. A person suffering from ADHD mainly shows three types of behaviors. They are inattentiveness, impulsivity and hyperactivity. Today, on behalf of ILS Hospitals, one of the best hospitals in Kolkata, we are going to tell you the different types of ADHD.

Predominantly Inattentive ADHD

The name suggests itself that someone who has this type of ADHD has difficulty in paying attention. Some of the symptoms apart from inattentiveness are:

  • If someone does not pay much attention to details of any important task or situation.

  • Everyone makes careless mistakes, but if someone makes a lot of careless mistakes all the time, it is worrisome.

  • Due to inattentiveness, they will fail to pay attention and keep on doing the piece of task again and again.

  • Zoning out or not listening when someone is talking is a pretty common occurrence.

  • Being unable to follow or understand instructions.

  • Avoiding tasks that involve effort.

  • Being distracted or forgetful is also a sign.

  • The habit of losing things regularly that are needed to complete tasks.

If you have at least five symptoms out of eight, then you are most likely to have this kind of ADHD.

Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD

It is more common in kids. If your kids are very hyper-active and move a lot around constantly then it is possible that they have this condition.

  • Fidgeting and Squirming a lot.

  • Getting up often or not being able to stay at one seat for a long time.

  • Running or climbing anywhere at inappropriate times.

  • Having trouble playing quietly.

  • Talking too much.

  • Talking out of turn or blurting out the first thing that comes into mind.

  • Interrupting a lot in between other’s conversations.

Combined ADHD

As the name suggests combined ADHD is caused if you have symptoms combining both the other types. If you are both inattentive and hyperactive, it’s a more severe condition. Combined ADHD is the most common type of ADHD. People showing only one or two symptoms doesn’t likely have ADHD. Most people who have ADHD have these symptoms on a more severe level.

Usually, for kids, these symptoms can be detected easily before they turn 7 years old. But there is no particular test to diagnose the type of ADHD. In a lot of cases, the symptoms tend to change over time especially in adults. ILS Hospitals, being one of the best hospitals in Kolkata, provides effective treatment in the form of therapy and medication.

10 signs that indicates your child might have autism

In simple words, Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder) is a neurological spectrum disorder in which the person lacks basic communication (both verbal and non-verbal) skills and social skills. There is no obvious reason behind autism but it is believed by many psychiatrists that ASD in children happens due to heredity, genetic disorders and deformity in the brain structure.

Children show signs of ASD after age 1 or 2 so it’s important for the parents to observe their child’s strange signs. The signs that might indicate that your child is autistic are as follows:

  • Prefers to always stay alone: It’s very odd for a child to prefer being alone than being in the company of other children. Autistic children live in their own world and does not know how to make friends and socially interact with people.

  • Inflexible nature: If your child follows a strict routine even at such a tender age, there is nothing to be proud of because it is a warning sign of ASD. Children with autism religiously follow their fixed schedule and have difficulty while dealing with even the most minor changes in their routine.

  • Repetitive behaviors: Your child may indulge in repetitive behaviors if he or she suffers from autism. The repetitive behaviors include- repeating words or phrases, lining up toys, incessant rocking, staring at lights, twirling, watching moving objects and so on.

  • Does not like physical affection: If your child does not like to be cuddled or even given a pat on the back, or be embraced when upset, it may indicate autism disorder.

  • Disinterested, unaware and unresponsive: A very unusual sign of autism is no eye contact which is seriously worrying for many parents. If your child always seems detached from the world and does not respond to you at all and appears to you deaf, chances are your child has autism.

  • Robot-like personality: Observe whether your child speaks in a flat robot-like tone with no emotions, has atypical posture and if walks on tiptoes.

  • Obsessive behavior: If your child has an obsession and special interest for certain topics and always craves for precise factual information, it can be a sign of ASD. OCD (Over- Compulsive disorder) and Autism go hand in hand so do watch for such signals and talk to a child psychiatrist.

  • Highly unemotional:Autistic children do not show even the basic human emotion in their speech, facial expressions and do not understand anyone’s feelings nor can relate to them. They may look aloof and cold to the entire world but the simple fact remains that they are poor at expressing themselves.

  • Self-harming behavior: Notice if your child practice self-injurious behavior like headbanging, self-scratching, hair pulling and face or head-slapping. Self-harm behavior is harmful and requires medical attention so consult a paediatric psychiatrist if your child physically harms him/herself.

  • Meltdowns: If your child has frequent meltdowns, it can make your life troublesome. There is a difference between normal tantrums and autistic meltdowns, so do not confuse the two and seek professional help, if needed.

Thus, if you notice the above-mentioned signs in your child, consider consulting a child psychiatrist without any delay. We, at ILS Hospitals, have trained and compassionate psychiatrists who will provide your child with the supportive care and counseling needed to better his or her life.

Important Aspect of Lower G.I. (Colorectal) Diseases And Its Treatments

The digestive tract or the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract comprises of several organs that help with the intake of food, the absorption of nutrients from it and remove the waste from the body.

The human gut comprises of upper part and a lower part. The lower part consists of most of the small intestine, all of the large intestine, rectum and anus.   There can be a number of diseases affecting this lower part, both in innocuous way and in overt way. The trivial symptoms like weakness, weight loss, occasional bleeding with stool are many times ignored resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. There may or may not be familial or inherited trait toward developing bowel cancer. Many of these, if diagnosed and treated at an early stage, can be completely cured.

Following are the few GI diseases –

  • Colorectal cancer and benign pathologies

These cancers can be very silent to start with and may not be detected without careful attention on part of the patients and the doctors together. To make the matter worse, they can spread from one place to another rather quickly. There lies the importance of early screening and thorough check up. Generaly early diagnosis and intervention can provide complete cure from these cancers and a normal life.

  • Benign anorectal pathologies

Anal fissure, fistula or haemorrhoids (piles) can have severe implication on quality of life. They may be early signs of more sinister pathologies like cancer as well. Proper vigilance and timely treatment can cure most of them and ensure return to a healthy normal life.

  • Inflammatory bowel disease, e.g. Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis

This can be a debilitating condition affecting quality of life. It may affect other systems of the body and may even lead to cancer eventually. Combination of medicine and surgery is the only key to treat this problem.

  • Pre-malignant bowel pathologies like polyps or polyposis syndrome

While most of the polyps are benign, yet some of them may turn out to be malignant and it is difficult to know which one will. That makes regular check up more important to allow early detection and intervention for those cancerous polyps leading to complete cure.

  • Small intestinal pathologies like GIST (Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour)

These tumours can produce non-specific symptoms or bowel obstruction. They are amenable to combined medical and surgical management which can ensure good result.

 

  • Stoma care including management of stoma-related hernias

Many a times people have to live with a stoma after operation. While most of these people live a perfectly normal life, sometimes these can be complicated with hernia. Timely repair can restore body image and avoid further complications like obstruction, necrosis.

 

The Lower G.I. division of ILS Hospitals comprises of a group of highly trained doctors and paramedical personnel. The medical group consists of surgeons, gastroenterologists, oncologists, radiologists and pathologists. The paramedical group has the specialist nurse, stoma care provider and nutritionists. The department has state of the art operating theatre, endoscopy suites and equipment for most modern modes of colorectal and anorectal bowel problems.

Most of the operations are done here by laparoscopic or key-hole surgery, and also by SILS (single incision laparoscopic surgery) or TEMS (Trans-anal Endoscopic Microsurgery). This has been the trend over the last decade which gets people back to their normal life significantly quicker than the conventional surgery.

So, in case you are suffering from any colorectal condition and are looking for some extensive treatment then come at ILS Hospitals now in order to get the best, advanced treatment under the guidance of our eminent doctors.

Dr Atindriya Biswas, a renowned laparoscopic colorectal surgeon lends his hands to support and realize this vision to establish and run colorectal service at ILS Hospitals. Dr. Biswas has been extensively trained in India and UK. He has been a surgical consultant in UK centers and some of the apex Indian institutes like Apollo Gleneagles Hospital and Tata Medical Center. He performs most of the procedures by laparoscopy or endoscopy.

Call: ILS Hospitals Salt Lake: 033-40206500 | Dumdum: 033-40315000

Acnes And Pimples – When Its Time To Consult A Dermatologist

For many health issues we often go with self-perception, it is applicable for the skin related issues as well. However, there are many skin diseases for which it is crucial to consult a dermatologist. Even many times having a skin issues like the acnes and pimples are also very hard to handle on its own. Here we present some tips on when you should seek a dermatologist for acnes and pimples.

1. Over-the-counter medicines are not working for you

In case acnes are not something new for you, chances are there, it usually goes away with some over-the-counter pills or topical lotion. But if these are not working anymore, then perhaps you are dealing with something more severe this time. So, its time to go for the prescribed medicines to treat it properly.

2. Your pimple cause pain when you touch them

Though poking a pimple or acne is a bad idea, it is inevitable to touch them either to put medicine or accidentally. In case it cause pain or over sensitivity, it is crucial to get it addressed as soon as possible. Painful acne is more than a cosmetic issue because it can indicate some underlying infection as well. Needless to say, it requires medical attention.

3. Your acne keeps coming back

In case your acne is not getting cured for a long time or keeps coming back again and again, your skin needs proper attention. Getting in touch with a dermatologist is the best way to prevent these unpleasant infections again and again.

4. Acne is causing depression or low esteem

Having a face full of pimples or acne can take a toll on mental health as well. It is particularly hard if you are a young woman who is still attending school, college, etc and can face embarrassment and bullying for your skin. Moreover, in case you are likely to attend some wedding or function, it is best to let a professional handle your skin for you.

5. Your acne leaves mark on your skin

In case your acne is all resolved but it leaves pigmentation afterwards, you should get it checked by a dermatologist. These marks can look severe for some patients and cause depression. So it’s better to take action to make sure acne goes away without any trace.

6. Acne On Other Body Parts

In case acne is on your other body parts as well like back, arms, neck, chest or lower abdomen, you need to be more careful. It indicates that your skin is too prone to have pimple and acnes. Moreover, pricking these acnes can cause infection to spread. So, it is best to consult a dermatologist for safe and effective treatment.

In case you are dealing with any of the above-mentioned issues, it is best to seek consultation from a dermatologist. ILS Hospitals have many expert dermatologists that offer treatment for many skin related diseases.

Make Faster Recovery And Wear Anything Confidently After Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery

Being a woman is hard in many aspects. You go through many phases in life and nurture not only yourself but also the lives of your loved ones. But when it comes to your health, many women are not even aware or concerned about it unless it becomes too severe. Many illnesses loom over women, particularly that require gynecological surgery. Many gynecologists in Kolkata often find that a lot of women do not prefer to undergo surgery and look for oral medicinal treatment instead even if a surgery is vital for them. There are 2 main reasons for the same, they assume –

  1. It will be painful and need much recovery time and they will not be able to fulfill their duties in personal and professional lives.
  2. It will leave big scares in their abdominal or pelvic region and thereby will make it look unattractive.

Today we will focus on the Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery (MIGS) and how it overcomes the Drawbacks of Open Surgery. 

Gynecological surgery implies surgical treatment of the organs in the female reproductive system. It is done to address problems like uterine inconsistency, infertility, removing tumors (both benign and malignant) and carry out procedures like hysterectomy or tubal ligation. 

Earlier all these procedures were carried out by making a large incision across the abdomen or pelvic region. It used to leave large scares throughout life. Though certain medication can help the stitch marks to fade over time, it still remains distinguishable and thus, many women feel embarrassed to wear sarees and lehengas after surgery. 

Modern medical science has the perfect solution for the same, in the form of minimally invasive gynecological surgery. These surgeries are carried out through a few minute incisions made near the abdomen. Some special equipment, camera, and light sources are inserted inside the abdominal or pelvic cavity and the doctor carries out the surgery through the same. Once the procedure is over, the incisions are closed using stitches. 

As the surgery does not expose the internal organs, it offers multiple advantages, such as

  • Lesser risks of operation such as bleeding, infection, injury to the nearby organs
  • Much lesser need for blood transfusion (almost nill)
  • Lesser risks after the operation such as swelling and infection of the surgical site
  • Less painful
  • Early discharge from the hospital
  • Faster recovery
  • Much early resuming to daily life works
  • Better aesthetic look of the abdominal/pelvic region as the procedure is almost scarless

So, in case you too are looking forward to having any gynecological surgery, come at ILS Hospitals, as we offer MIGS for a wide range of gynecological procedure.

For more information visit us now!

Is Your Child Suffering From Umbilical Hernia? Here Is What You Need To Do

In case you have an infant baby at home, you are probably losing good night’s sleep to feed them, change their diapers and stroke them to sleep while they are crying. This is natural and when they will grow up, you can set back in your routine sleeping schedules. But while they cry, do you often notice a small lump near their belly button? If yes, then you need to pay more attention to the same, as it is likely to be a case of umbilical hernia.

Even though your baby is having a hernia in infancy, it does not mean that you should be scared or panic. Having a hernia is not a threat and it is more common than you might think. 1 to 2 out of every 10 babies has an umbilical hernia. An umbilical hernia is nothing but a condition, in which some portion of the abdomen (fat, intestine, etc) pushes through the layer of the stomach, usually near the navel region. This happens when the muscles and tissues around the umbilical cord fail to close after birth (as they ideally do for most babies). 

Usually, a hernia can develop anytime before the child is 6 months old and there are high chances that it will be resolved on its own by the time the child reaches the age of 2 years. However, many a time, you need to have a hernia treatment as well as surgery to get it fixed. This is applicable if,

  • You child visibility seems to be in pain due to the hernia.
  • The hernia does not resolve on its own, even when the child reaches the age 2 or more. 
  • The hernia is quite big.
  • The hernia keeps growing in size with time.

You can consider hernia treatment before the child reaches the age 5 to ensure it does not create any hindrance in their path of study and normal life. 

It has been found more common in babies with low birth weight or premature birth, but it can happen to any child in general. In case you find a lump near the belly button of your infant, get it checked from a pediatrician. Though they might not need surgery, it is crucial to keep tracks of its size and symptoms with time. ILS Hospitals have expert pediatricians to help your child lead a healthy life ahead.

Possible Reasons For Fast Heartbeat That You Should Watch Out For

Do you often feel anxious due to having a fast heartbeat?

Before you panic assuming it to be a cardiac emergency, take a minute out and breathe. First, you need to know what exactly implies having a fast heartbeat. Heart function is measured in the number of times it beats in a minute. Between 60 to 100 is assumed to be normal and any heart rate above 100 beats/minute is a fast heartbeat or medically termed as tachycardia. As per cardiologists from best heart hospitals, there can be many reasons for the fast heartbeat and today, we will list the most common reasons for the same. So, let us start.

1. You Have A Heart Condition

The most obvious reason for the fast heartbeat is the presence of a heart condition. Let it be an arrhythmia or some medicine you are taking to keep your heart healthy; heart problem often leads to either tachycardia or bradycardia (a condition in which heartbeat is below 60).

2. You Are In Stress

In case you are stressed due to personal or professional issues, it reflects on your health immensely. Stress, anxiety and panic attack can lead to having a racing heart.

3. You Are Physically Exhorting Yourself

In case you are exercising, riding a bicycle or climbing stairs, you are exercising your muscle. These vigorous movements demand more oxygen and the heart has to pump extra beats to meet this demand. As a result, you have a faster heartbeat. 

4. You Are Consuming Too Much Caffeine

Caffeine if taken in surplus amount can release adrenaline. So, let it be hot brewing coffee or caffeinated cold beverages, having too much caffeine in your body can make your heart race. 

5. You Are Sleep Deprived

It is recommended to have a sleep of 6 to 8 hours, each day. Getting inadequate sleep can cause fatigue and excess adrenalin release, which in turn leads to a faster heartbeat than usual. 

6. You Are Down With Cold Or Fever 

In case you have a cold, fever, sneezing or coughing, you are likely to have an elevated heart rate as well. When the immune system tries to cope up with mild cold and infection, it works extra hard and thus the heart beats more than usual. 

7. You Are Pregnant

In the case of women, being pregnant demands a lot physically as they nurture the growing baby for nine months. Though it is completely normal for pregnant women to have a faster heartbeat, it is crucial to keep tabs on it from time to time. 

8. You Have Anemia

Anemia is a condition in which the blood does not carry oxygen properly throughout the body. Thus the heart works much exhaustively to carry oxygen and leads to an uplifted heartbeat.

So, in case you too are having a persistent fast heartbeat, evaluate the reason at the best heart hospitals.