Cochlear Implant Surgery – A Hearing Gift from Medical Science
Saying goes- one the most beautiful things in the world is the music. It has no barrier in language or any other constraints. Unfortunately, it becomes insignificant if one is impaired in hearing. There could be several reasons for the same. According to ENT specialist, one can either lose their hearing power gradually over time, suddenly, due to an accident or they could be born with this disability.
Thankfully, there are several medical arrangements for the same in today’s era. ENT Specialists these days are using an exceptionally powerful implant called the Cochlear Implant – A revolutionary medical approach that enables the majority of the patient to experience sound.
The cochlear implant is a medical electronic device. It can be considered as an alternative mechanism to compensate for the improper function of the inner ear. It is more advanced as compared to hearing aids, which only enhances the intensity of external sounds. The cochlear implant, on the other hand, bypasses the damaged inner ear and propagate the signal directly to the brain.
Cochlear implant is helpful for the patients with the following conditions-
- Moderate to significant hearing loss in one/both ears
- Had very little or no help from the hearing aids
- Score less than 50 (sometimes 60) percent on sentence recognition, evaluated by hearing professionals.
Several people are bilateral, i.e. have these implant in both ears. It can improve various functions of the ears, such as identifying the direction of sound or to segregate the desired sounds from the undesired ones.
Our success story
Recently, a patient had a successful cochlear implant surgery at one of our facilities, i.e. in ILS Hospital Agartala. The patient was very young, a boy of about five. Being a child of only five years of age, a significant learning period was ahead of him. Since hearing is a huge step of learning itself, this implant will help him direct his life towards a new and better direction.
Needless to say, this implant will make a significant change in his life from now on. A glimpse of his positive life ahead, can be seen by the letter of acknowledgement sent by his father. We hope and pray for his healthy and prosperous life.
Also, we encourage the parents and guardians of such children to come ahead and get evaluated for the same. A little awareness and efforts can make their lives so much better.
Why Infertility In Men Is On The Rise In India Lately?
Having progenies ensure the continuity of the human race on Earth. But lately, several people are coming up with the problem of infertility. Both males and females are suffering from it these days. You can find out the main reason for infertility among women here, for which one should consult a gynecologists.
Though we have one perk regarding potential fatherhood has over motherhood. That is, the age of the father is much less of significance against the age of the mother. This might look like a major advantage. However, the problem of fertility has increased among men alarmingly.
Here are some of the reasons for the same:
Overweight/obesity
Having weight more than one can manage is always harmful for health. Recently, several studies have found a close relation between men being infertile with being obese or immensely overweight. Apart from physical difficulties, the extra weight also negatively affects the fertility factors significantly.
Lifestyle and stress
Following a sedentary lifestyle such as huge consumption of alcohol and other drugs can cause low sperm count. Also, the long working hours and work related stress, effects these factors largely.
Though a skilled gynecologist can trace this problem, it is always advised to seek a doctor’s expertise in handling infertility cases.
UTIs and STDs
Even though the occurrence of UTI in men is much less as compared to female, having a UTI can affect fertility. Especially recurring UTIs possess more severe threats.
Several of the men in both rural and urban regions often gets indulged with multiple partners. No matter how careful one is, this practice can cause STDs. Though, some of the STDs are resolved with medications, while few others have catastrophic results and infertility is one of them.
Prior medical history, includes congenital diseases / sterility
Several diseases that might have affected in prior life may leave some traces of several problems in the future. This includes trauma, hydrocele, mumps, malaria, cryptorchidism, testicular cancer and several other.
Strenuous physical activities and injuries
Numerous physical activities like, bicycling and horseback riding that demand vigorous movements, can also have an adverse effect on the fertility of men. Additionally, sports like cricket, football, wrestling and other martial arts may also increase the risk of any accident that can directly or indirectly cause infertility.
Wearing supportive and protective garments during these activities mitigates the risk up to a large extent. Thus, staying in good health is essential for personal reasons and also for ensuring a safe parenthood.
5 Habits That Are Ruining Your Teeth More Than You Realize
As Mallory Hopkins once said, “Life is short. Smile while you still have teeth.” Indeed, teeth are one of the most useful part of the body. Though, nowadays, with the help of medical science, one can get a new set of teeth, but nothing can replace the original one.
With time, the wear and tear leads to corrosion of teeth, wrong types of food and drinks are major players for the same. However, some of the activities also cause significant damage to them. Here are 5 habits that can lead to damage of your teeth in the long run.
- Brushing too harshly– Though brushing is always encouraged since childhood, brushing with aggression is bad for your teeth. This counts for both hard bristles and wrong technique. Also, the time of brushing is also important.
Choose the right brush, use a lighter hand and adequate time dedicate towards it.
- Sucking on thumb– Thankfully, this habit wears off as you grow up. But the children who keep doing the same can damage their own teeth. This includes mainly the misalignment of the teeth.
Monitor your child for these behaviors and discourage them. Seek help, if required.
- Clenching jaws and teeth– also known as bruxism, is the habit, by which you keep clenching your upper and lower jaws to each other. It can cause severe damage and tooth decay, along with fractures and craze line. Bruxism is one of the most serious and troubled habit that can cause you harm in more than one way.
Seek medical help as soon as you realize having it. In case of doubt, let a dentist examine your teeth and jaw.
- Misusing teeth– chewing things too often that exerts too much pressure on your teeth is yet another factor for teeth damage. This includes chewing pen or pencil, ice, hard candy or even fingernail.
Try to avoid using your teeth as package opener as well. Instead, opt for the healthier option for both chewing and cutting stuffs.
- Bad habits such as chewing tobacco and cigars– the tobacco contents reduce the flow of blood to the gums. Apart from harming your respiratory system, it also challenges the wellbeing of your teeth and gums as well. The dental problem associated with the same, ranges from mere appearance, bad breath, teeth decay to even oral cancer.
Quit these bad habits as soon as possible for a better life and if problem still persists then don’t hesitate to look out for help from the dentist.
Why Child Health Checkup Package is an Apt Health Choice for Your Kid?
As rightly Malala Yousafzai has said, “Let us remember: one book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world.” The health and wellbeing of the children are one of the most important factors for any country to have a stable and strong. Typically the journey of a healthy child begins as a healthy baby.
In fact, the health and care of an infant are usually carried out in several hospitals. However, once the child crosses the infancy line, the growing years become susceptible to several infections adding potential medical harm.
Thankfully, most of them are cured with the help of medical treatment. But, the stress, time, money and energy spend for the same can be reduced significantly with proper planning of the future.
Keeping these factors in mind, ILS Hospitals offer a unique health checkup package specifically designed for the needs of the children. It is called the child health checkup package. It has the following screening,
- Blood sugar- Fasting
- Complete hemoglobin profiles with ESR
- Urine routine examination
- Stool routine examination
- Eye screening
- ENT screening
- Dental screening
- ABO grouping and Rh factor
With this package, a consultation with the pediatrician is complementary. The pediatrician helps the family of the ward to understand the report of the diagnosis. Also, they segregate the health factors that need immediate attention from the other, which can be assured to be harmless for a long period of time.
In case any serious trouble is shown in the report, proper care in terms of cure and treatment can be availed to the child. This will not only reduce the treatment procedure and time, but will also mitigate several other risk factors associated with it for the future.
To illustrate this point, let’s assume a child lives in pre-diabetic state for roughly 5-7 years before belonging to the diabetic category. By monitoring the blood sugar profile from time to time, not only it can be delayed but it can also be mitigated. Timely measures make a huge difference for almost all the diseases.
It is extremely beneficial and also affordable for most of the families. Doctors recommend to take this checkup at least once every year to be on the safe side. In case any deflection form normal is diagnosed, prompt steps can be taken to address the problem.
Why Infertility In Women Is Lately On A Rise In India?
Infertility is a condition of not being capable of conceiving a baby naturally. The problem of infertility is increasing among women in India lately. Know what reasons might be acting as the prime cause for it.
Our children are our future. But nowadays, lots of women are coming up to gynecologists with the problem to conceive a child naturally. Infertility is the medical condition, in which a couple fails to conceive a baby naturally even without any birth control means. The reason for the same could either be due to biological constraints in men, women or a combined factor of both.
The problem in on rise, especially since a past few decades. In fact, a rise of 30-35 percent of infertility has been recorded in the past 10 years.
According to the gynecologists in Kolkata, the following reasons are the prime factor for causing infertility in women-
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Sedentary lifestyle and stress
The consumption of alcohol or smoking regularly can cause an abrupt disturbance of the hormonal balance in the body. Not getting enough amount of a sleep, having persistent stress, spending too much time on TV and other electronic, lack of yoga or physical exercise etc., also comes under the sedentary lifestyle. The environmental pollution that we remain exposed to also act as a factor.
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Being obese or extremely underweight
Having poor nutrition for a long time can either result in being obese or extremely underweight. Though being obese directly does not cause infertility, but it causes hindrance in terms of irregular periods, insulin resistance, sexual incompatibility etc. Being in any of the extreme side of weight zone can cause serious trouble for conceiving.
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Late marriage and family planning
During the past decades, women are more career oriented than they used to be earlier, due to improvement in social and emotional context. These days, most of the educated women aim to establish their professional lives before settling down or having kids. Thus, by the time they are ready to start a family, they cross the threshold age limit and the fertility begins to decline significantly.
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Sexual relationship with multiple partners
The concept of monogamous relations in India is largely getting diluted. These days, several women engage themselves with multiple partners, which leads to sexually transmitted infection and thus the fertility gets affected in a negative way.
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Birth defect or other medical constraints early menopause
Some women are born with a rare medical condition which makes them incapable of bearing any kids naturally. This can either be conditions where the woman is born without a uterus or having sterile reproductive organs.
Practice healthy living, enjoy the happiness of motherhood!
Who is at Risk of Developing a UTIs?
Even though it is quite challenging to point out who is suffering from what, but some people are more likely to have a few conditions different as compared to the others. We are going to discuss about Urinary Tract Infections (UTI). UTI can be treated with mild medication, if diagnosed at early stages.
Let’s understand what factors cause an individual to suffer from UTI.
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Holding pee for long duration
Holding pee for a long time puts at the risk of UTI. The same holds true for People having spinal cord injuries; and certain other damaged nerves around the bladder may find it difficult to empty the bladder entirely. The residual amount of urine in the bladder promotes bacterial growth and enhance the chances of getting a UTI.
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Enlarged prostate or Kidney Stone
Any abnormality in the flow of the urine can cause a UTI to onset. Enlarged prostate and kidney stones are some of the reasons contributing to the same. The people having diabetes belong to this very category and thus are advised to take special care of their kidneys.
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Sex
Sex is yet another major factor for the same. People who are sexually active are at more risk of having a UTI as compared to a person who is not. Having sex increases the number of bacteria developing in the urinary bladder, especially in case of women. But thankfully, the body, usually cleans these pathogens within next 24 hours.
The problems begin when the bacteria manage to stick to the lining of the urinary tract and it becomes more difficult for the body to perform its function.
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Certain birth controls
Using a birth control is advised to keep STDs at bay, but some birth control means can actually promote UTIs. It is true especially while using certain spermicides and condoms, which creates irritation in skin and allows the bacteria to spread into the surrounding regions as well.
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Catheters or tubes
Some reasons of UTI originate from the medical facilities itself. Certain conditions make an individual unable to urinate normally. Usually these patients are helped with catheters and tubes to facilitate urination. Use of catheter for more than a day can elevate the chances of UTIs greatly as these probes promote the growth of bacteria within the ureter and the bladder.
Hospitals often recommend to limit the usage of catheters until it is absolutely necessary.
4 Long Term Complications of Preterm Childbirth
Human gestation period, on an average is about 38 to 40 weeks. Though this pregnancy duration may vary a little, but most safe pregnancies fall between this period. Any baby born before completing 37 weeks of pregnancy, is termed as premature baby.
A preterm baby is at high risk of having certain short term as well as long term health issues. While short term complications usually resolve within weeks with the help of medical support, the long term complications possess serious challenges throughout the lifetime of the child. You can find out about the short term complications, here.
So today, we will look out for some of the long term complications of preterm child birth-
- Cerebral palsy – Preterm babies are at risk of developing cerebral palsy, a disorder that disrupts the body movement, posture and muscle tone. It develops either due to infection, injury or inadequate blood flow supply to the baby. This may occur either during pregnancy or since few weeks of birth. Sadly, there is no sure shot cure for the same, but medical treatment can improve the conditions such as muscle spasm significantly. Also, assistive aids such as hearing aids, walking aids and glasses are prescribed for ease of everyday life. In rare cases, surgery is performed in several to improve the mobility.
- Vision impairment– A preterm baby may be prone to acquire a poor vision. The most common disease is the retinopathy, a condition in which the blood vessels grow in the back of the retina. A rare disease called the Retinal detachment, a condition, in which the retina completely gets out of place (i.e. back of the eye) due to swelling of blood vessels, may occur as well. If proper care is not practiced in time, it can result in permanent loss of vision. To aid this, several surgical options like cryosurgery, laser therapy, vitrectomy and scleral buckling are employed.
- Impaired cognitive skills– A premature baby is more susceptible to lag behind in various aspects as compared to the full term babies. This includes learning disabilities and difficulties, especially at school age. This also makes them prone to have several other conditions which result in slow learning and poor memory. Medical treatment should be provided, but the most effective cure is the support and understanding of the parents. Under no circumstances, any such child should be compared with his/her fast learning friends of the class. Remember, every child has his own potential.
Before taking the child home, all the information regarding the baby must be collected from the respective hospital.
Why ILS Health Package Is Recommended For Every Senior Citizen?
As someone had rightly said, “Time and tide wait for none”. Aging is inevitable, no matter how careful one remains. Reaching at the threshold of old age various changes follow, like in terms of emotional change or physical. Due to aging, diseases effect elderly people easily and they need immediate treatment in hospitals.
Keeping this fact in mind, ILS Hospitals offer a unique health checkup package for the senior citizens. We offers a set of 12 screenings and tests combined together to ensure the complete well-being of the elderly individual.
It has been integrated, keeping in mind, the medical condition and medical needs of an elderly. It is suitable for both male and female, the test procedures differ depending upon the patient.
It comprises of the following tests and screening
- Complete hemoglobin with ESR
- Total cholesterol profile
- Random blood sugar profile
- Serum creatinine
- Urea profile
- ECG
- Echocardiogram screening
- Chest X-ray
- Pap smear for Women/ PSA for Men
- USG- entire abdominal screening
- Dental screening
- Eye screening
Apart from all these screenings, this package includes a consultation of doctor to help the individual understand the screening results even more clearly. Often it is found that people understand very little regarding their diagnosis report and thus, providing them a consultation shoots always this problem.
It is not unusual to find several elderly people coming up with medical issues at such a chronic stage that very little medical help can be provided to ease their pain and discomfort. Availing this health care package at particular intervals ensure that they keep a tab on their health, in several diversified aspects.
Early detection of any abnormalities will ensure the timely treatment. In simple words, most of the diseases can be cured completely if diagnosed and treated in early stages. And this is the best way to do it. The price is another factor which plays an important role in any medical procedure. That is why this package has been designed with an optimal cost, so that everyone can avail it.
Thus, it is recommended to every senior citizen to avail this package at least once in a year. This way, you can be sure to be in good health.
5 Most Common Ear Diseases You Should Stay Away From
Most of us prefer to speak more than they prefer to hear, despite of the fact that our body has been designed with two ears and a mouth. But with multiple ears, we come across multiple ear diseases. According to ENT specialists, several people often ignore these diseases until it becomes a serious threat.
On that note, let’s have a look at the 5 most common ear diseases:
1. Ear Infection
Almost every individual suffers at least once of ear infection. It is caused by bacterial pathogen which enters through the tear of the ear skin. It can be characterized by pain, inflammation, redress and smelly discharge from the ear. Its treatment is usually limited to the use of antibacterial medication applied either topically or orally.
2. Swimmer’s Ear
This disease causes inflammation of the ear canal. It is caused by an excess amount of moisture trapped inside the ear canal and can eventually lead to infection as well. It can be characterized by non-smelly discharge along with itching. It can even cause fever and lymph nodes swelling in later stages.
3. Boils in the Ear
This disease occurs due to the bacterial infection on the surface of the ear. It is characterized by a small bump that protrudes from the ear. It is usually accompanied by pain and itchiness. Upon bursting, it may release some pus and discharge. Often it resolves on its own, but painkillers and antibiotics can be prescribed for quicker recovery.
4. Tinnitus
Tinnitus can be easily characterized by experiencing a ringing sound in one or both ears. However, people may also experience a buzzing, clicking, roaring or even hissing sound. It may either be high pitch or low pitch and varies from people to people. Several times healing of this disease happen on their own, but at times sound therapy or tinnitus retraining therapy etc. is done to cure it totally.
5. Barotrauma
Barotrauma in caused due to sudden change of air or water pressure. It usually happens during cruising, scuba diving or mountain hiking. It begins with hearing popping sounds, which leads to dizziness, hearing loss and pain. Decongestants may be prescribed by the doctor to address it. However, in the time of duress ENT specialists advises that yawning, swallowing or chewing can help to ease the pain and relieve the pressure.
In case you encounter any problem associated with ear, which seems to persist or recur, consult an ENT.
Cardiology – Harbor These 5 Healthy Habits for a Healthy Heart
Practice makes one perfect, but habit plays a crucial role in shaping our lives as well. What done once in a while, if becomes a habit, creates a series of complications. Today we will decode 5 habits that will change your heart forever. It will literally restore your heart to its former health and will keep cardiac emergencies at bay.
So, let’s begin the countdown
1. Take good care of your dental health
Though it may sound very irrelevant, but healthy teeth and gums will help you to have an overall healthy self, that includes your heart as well. It has been found that those having periodontal diseases are at more risk of having heart ailments too. The bacteria that causes gum diseases can travel through the bloodstream and causes complications to the heart as well.
To keep it at bay, brush and floss your teeth regularly.
2. Avoid trans-fat at all cost
It is often not possible (or even recommended) to completely eliminate the fat from the diet, but be sure to watch out for the hidden trans-fat in the everyday grocery list. Trans-fat can clog your arteries, which leads to rising of the bad cholesterol and lowering of the good cholesterol in the bloodstream.
Before buying snacks such as fries and crisps, read the label, ensure it has 0% trans-fat.
3. Have adequate sleep
One factor that often skips our mind is the quality and quantity of sleep we have. Insufficient sleep has been linked with the pressure build-up and inflammation in the heart. Special care should be practiced in case you are dealing with loud snoring and sleep apnea, as these might be an early sign for arrhythmias.
Have a sound sleep for six to eight hours a day to keep your body relaxed and disease free.
4. Avert any second hand smoke
Though sharing has been encouraged since childhood to imprint healthy social and emotional impact, sharing second hand smoke can bring catastrophic results. Even if you are not smoking directly, being present on the site or with the person can harm your heart directly by building up plaque in the bloodstream. It can lead to a cardiac emergency.
Avoid hanging out with people who are chain smokers and be firm about your resolution.
5. Increase mobility while sitting or travelling for hours
Sitting idle for long hours at a stretch can be extremely harmful for your health. This is more likely to happen if you are either involved in sitting jobs or often travel to long distance for it. Immobilization for long hours can cause deep vein thrombosis blood clot in the blood vessels.
Try to take a short break every couple of hours during the work and move around to mobilize your muscles.