Allergies: Types, Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Before we start with allergies, let me ask you, do you know what is the exact definition of an allergy? Well, in response to certain foreign substances, your immune system starts reacting. It is that exaggerated reaction which is known as an allergy. The substances that produce allergies are known as allergens. Now let’s start with the symptoms of different types of allergies that are most common.
Symptoms of different types of allergies
Your allergic reactions can be severe or mild. Here are symptoms of some common allergies –
Food allergy
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Swelling of the tongue, lips, throat or face
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Anaphylaxis
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Tingling in the mouth
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Hives
Hay fever
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Stuffy, runny nose
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Sneezing
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Red, watery or swollen eyes
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Itching of the eyes, nose or roof of the mouth
A drug allergy
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Itchy skin
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Hives
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Facial swelling
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Anaphylaxis
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Wheezing
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Rash
An insect sting allergy
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Hives or itching all over the body
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Swelling in a large area at the sting site
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Chest tightness, cough, shortness of breath or wheezing
Anaphylaxis
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Skin rash
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Loss of consciousness
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Severe shortness of breath
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A weak and rapid pulse
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Light-headedness
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A drop in blood pressure
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Vomiting and nausea
Eczema
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Scaly, dry skill appearing on inflamed red areas
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Burning sensation
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Extreme itchiness
Latex allergy
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Asthma
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Hives
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Rash and itching
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Anaphylaxis
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Watery eyes
Skin contact allergy
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Inflammation, open sores, localized redness
Causes of different types of allergies
Here are some common causes of allergy –
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Insect stings such as from a wasp or bee
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In case of latex allergy or other substance allergies, they are caused when you touch them
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Food allergies are caused from certain foods including fish, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, milk, wheat and eggs
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Airborne allergens include animal dander, pollen and dust mites
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Drug allergy can be caused by certain medications including penicillin-based antibiotics or particularly penicillin
Treatment options for allergies
Of course, your treatment of allergies depends on the severity and type of your allergy. Here are some general guidelines –
Eczema
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To control itching, use oral antihistamines
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Keep your skin moisturized
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In severe cases, use immunosuppressive medications
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Topical corticosteroids
Asthma
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Oral maintenance medications
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Inhalers
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Injectable medicines under the supervision of our doctors
Hives
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Oral steroids
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Injectable medicines administered in our hospital
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Oral antihistamines
Prevention
The preventive measures that you should take to avoid allergies depend on the type of allergy you have. Here are some general measures –
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You can keep a diary with you in order to track what you eat or what activities you do. This will help you and your doctors at ILS Hospitals to identify the triggers
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Try to avoid the known triggers. This applies to the case if you already know what type of allergy you have
Allergies are not something you should take lightly. Some allergies are life-threatening. In order to make sure that you are safe, do consult our doctors at ILS Hospitals. They have knowledge about all health problems and diseases, and you will find yourself healed once you consult them. Call us now to make an appointment.
Include These 5 Foods In Your Everyday Diet To Manage Your Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most common medical conditions throughout the world. In India too, its statistics are alarmingly high. The treatment approach is determined by the doctor after evaluating the type and severity of the condition in a reliable diabetes clinic. However, patients suffering from all the types of diabetes are advised to consume certain healthy food and adopt healthy habits to manage diabetes more effectively.
Today, we will discuss a few food items that one should include in their diet to manage diabetes. So let’s begin the countdown
1. Bitter Gourd
As the name itself indicates, this vegetable is quite bitter to taste and people usually avoid it, if they can. However, they include a component commonly known as p-insulin that controls the glycaemic level in the blood. Including them in the everyday diet is an extremely effective way to deal with diabetes-associated complications such as kidney, heart and nerve damage.
2. Green Leafy Vegetables
These are rich sources of nutrients and antioxidants along with being low on carbs and calories. Many of the green leafy also contain vitamin and minerals. In a nutshell, it replenishes eye cells from degeneration and protects it against cataract, which happens to be few common diabetes-associated complications.
3. Protein-rich food
Protein from healthy sources such as eggs, fish, and meat helps to keep blood sugar in check. Moreover, food items like Paneer, Dals, Rajma, etc also happen to be an excellent source of protein as well. Having them in adequate amount controls diabetes.
4. Amla
It is one of the most used ingredients to manage diabetes since ages, particularly as an Ayurvedic remedy. It regulates carbohydrate metabolism in the body, which in turn makes the body more receptive to insulin.
5. Yogurt
Every individual should ideally consume one serving of yogurt to aid one’s digestion and to attain weight loss. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with diabetes, as a controlled body weight can contribute towards the healthy management of diabetes. Moreover, the yogurt contains probiotic and thereby it reduces the risk of heart diseases as well.
These food items have been found to aid in better management of diabetes. However, before adding these in your everyday diet, it is best to seek consultation from a reliable diabetes clinic as well. The diabetologist not only will help you make a perfect diet chart but will also evaluate you from time to time to ensure that diabetes does not lead to any severe consequences.
ILS Hospitals Organized Yet Another Successful Gyne-Endoscopy Program
ILS Hospitals, being a FOGSI conducts Gynae-Endoscopy Program from time to time. The 3rd gyne-endoscopy program was conducted from 31st July 2018. the program attracted several aspiring gynecologists by offering salient highlights such as live surgery, hands-on experience, interactive sessions, and certifications.
Renowned Dr. Aruna Tantia, Dr. Om Tantia, and other well-known doctors nurtured these young minds to learn the real-time practical knowledge outside their textbooks. Needless to say, it will help them shape their future even more effectively. The delegates, now with hands-on practice are moving ahead with their bright future.
When To Seek Medical Treatment For Food Poisoning
Are you feeling severe stomach cramps with nausea and vomiting? Are you rushing to the washroom every 2 minutes? Did you have something for dinner or even lunch or breakfast which could be contaminated? Could be, that you are suffering from food poisoning. It might sound funny to many individuals, but severe food poisoning is also considered as a medical emergency. The word ‘medical emergency’ casts impressions of – elderly man being carried in an ambulance due to heart attack or a punk youth taken to the ER due to road accidents, but it is a much broader scope.
Read more – Symptoms of Cardiac Emergency
It is true that you can treat minor to mild food poisoning with home remedies, adequate rest and over the counter drugs, but you need immediate medical attention to address if it is severe.
Food poisoning is a foodborne condition which occurs when you consume contaminated food or water. The severity and symptoms vary depending upon your immunity, strength and the pathogen you got infected with. Usually, it starts within a few hours after you eat the contaminated food, but it can also take a few days to weeks in some cases. The symptoms you will usually feel are nausea, vomiting, fever, fatigue, dehydration, dry mouth, lose motion etc.
However, in case you have symptoms such as feeling disoriented, dizziness, low blood pressure, high fever with chills, palpitations, breathing trouble, severe vomiting/diarrhoea, hazy vision, blood in vomit or stool, loss of urination, dark-coloured urine along with severe cramps, then you are going through severe food poisoning. If it is not addressed timely, it may cause a life-threatening crisis such as severe dehydration or even an organ damage.
After your preliminary check-up, your doctor will determine the exact treatment approach. Ideally, you will have to receive IV fluids and electrolytes along with antibiotics to boost your body functions. Moreover, the doctors will keep a close eye on the condition of the body temperature, blood pressure, kidney and nerve functions.
Needless to say, a timely cure will ensure proper recovery with no long-term complications. So, if you or any of your loved one is showing symptoms of the same, get in touch with our ER team and ensure your health and recovery.
The cases of food poisoning are quite common during the monsoon. You are hereby, recommended to avoid untreated water, unwashed food, raw or poorly cooked food, pre-cut fruits/vegetables, roadside food etc, particularly during monsoon.
Different Means of Contraceptives
What is a Contraception?
Use of artificial methods or other techniques to prevent pregnancy.
What are the types?
There are 5 different types of contraceptives that allows you to avoid unwanted conception. It is recommended to contact your gynaecologist about this matter and will help you pick the suitable one for your family planning
In the last 50 years, the number of contraception methods has dramatically increased. Most types of contraceptives work as per one or more of the following principles:
a) Prevents the release of the egg, every month
b) Prevents sperms from reaching the egg
c) Blocks the reproductive function – in either/both men and women
d) Prevents a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus
Here are the 5 different methods using which you can prevent yourself from conceiving.
The Pill
Even if many options are available these days, the pill remains the most popular form of Female contraception.
One needs to keep in mind that the pill does not provide any protection against STDs and you need the prescription of your gynecologist to buy it as well.
The Condom
Among the different types of contraceptives, the condom is a strong contender to the title of most common contraception method. It is affordable and offers the dual protection against STDs and unwanted conception. Nowadays, there is also a female version of it that works on the same principle.
The Contraceptive Implant
The contraceptive implant is yet another solution that provides long-term protection. It stays effective for up to three years on average. However, the implant does not protect against STDs.
The contraceptive implant is made up of silver that has spermicide properties. Thereby, it mitigates the possibility of conception. The implant is inserted into the uterus by a healthcare specialist and needs to be removed after three years.
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception mitigates the chances of conception even after having unprotected physical intimacy. This method is for one-off occasions and is not recommended for daily use.
Sterilization
A sterilization is an option available for both men and women. Though this does not provide protection against STDs but remains effective on non-conception for a lifetime. In rare cases, the process can be reversed, making pregnancy a possibility.
For both male and female, sterilization is a very simple operation. You have the choice between surgical and non-surgical types of sterilization. This can be taken for the couple who are already through family planning.
Read more – 5 common Types of gynaecological surgeries techniques
We observe World Population Day on 11th July. Every year this day is a reminder to us as to how overpopulated the world has become. So one needs to remember that to secure our Earth for each and every living being, one needs to curtail overpopulation by standing against it. So be careful in your actions, and help to make the world a better place to live.
4 Most Common Types of Reconstructive Surgery
Though as per most common beliefs, cosmetic surgery solely comprises the procedures that aim to improve the body appearance, there is much more to it. The domain of reconstructive surgery deals with the surgical procedures to correct and restore the body parts. Minor procedures of several organs can be done through general surgeries and gynaecological surgeries as well, but complicated cases are always referred to a cosmetic surgeon.
Read more – How Cosmetic Surgery is Different from Plastic Surgery
It is often done to correct physical malfunctions present since the time of birth, known as congenital conditions. But mostly, it is done to correct the physical deformities that result due to some accident, injury or illness.
Let’s discuss a few most common reconstructive procedures-
1. Breast Reconstructive Procedures
These surgeries restore the basic shape of either one or both breasts. This is usually meant for the women who undergo mastectomy, mostly due to cancer. The surgery is also recommended for women with exceptionally large breast and suffers severe back pain and other associated illnesses due to it.
Men who suffer from breast cancer and undergo surgery may also undergo this surgery to restore their chest contour.
2. Skin Grafting
Cuts and burns of severe degree often need surgical correction rather than only ointments or lotions. Skin grafting involves removal of damaged skin and replacing it with a layer of healthy skin tissue, either from one’s own body or from a suitable donor.
3. Hand and Feet Surgery
These surgeries are mostly done for the patients with some deformities in hands/ feet due to, accident or congenital condition. This primarily restores the balance and functions, closely followed by its normal appearance.
It is also done for the people with webbed toes/finger or who are born with extra finger/toe.
4. Facial Surgery
These surgeries are mostly done for patients with congenital defects such as cleft lip and cleft palate. However, it can also be availed to correct damage caused by sinuses and as scar revision surgery.
These cosmetic surgeries not only restore the physical appearance of the organs but also ensures its functionality. In a nutshell, it is a life-giving surgery domain that helps the people to live their life to its fullest, even when any severe injury deforms the body parts due to the accident, or illness. However, it is always recommended to avail these specifically from expert cosmetic surgeons to get the best possible result.
The Significance of Doctors in Our Overall Health!
Our health is our greatest wealth, which we should treasure the most. To achieve the same, we need to take proper care through healthy diet and lifestyle. But, many a time even after what we do to stay healthy, we encounter situations that require medical attention, throughout our lifespan. Role of doctors in our life is irreplaceable as we depend on them for a healthier life. Let’s understand how they enhance our overall life.
Human life has been awarded an amazing mind and a capable body. Yet they need medical intervention for an illness which could be present since birth (congenital) or acquired through heredity or infected individuals (communicable) or may have occurred due to some accident/injury, or pathogen-induced.
Only a few of them, such as a common cold and sore throat generally get resolved on its own with the help of simple home remedies. However, the same does not hold true for most of the medical conditions. It makes availing quality medical treatment inevitable. A quality treatment includes proper diagnosis, treatment and follows up care.
The diagnosis includes physical observation of the symptoms, site of the discomfort, and use of invasive and non-invasive screening with the help of several diagnostic probes. The experience of the doctor adds even more value to the same. The accurate and timely diagnosis makes the entire treatment procedure more effective.
The treatment often includes oral medication, and are more effective when a particular illness is in its primary stage. As it progresses, often the need for surgery becomes crucial. Many a time, sessions of radiotherapy/ chemotherapy are required after surgery to ensure its effectiveness. Sadly, not every illness can be cured permanently. However, availing treatment contributes towards prolonging the quality of life and often the life expectancy as well.
A healthy doctor-patient relationship is a crucial factor that often acts as a positive contributing factor for treatment. It strengthens the mutual decision-making ability and develops trust. Though many doctors and hospitals are blooming these days, selecting a proper one is quite important.
As we are observing National Doctor’s Day on 1sy July. On this special day, we honor not only the doctors but also the nurses, pathologists and other medical staffs, who contribute towards our overall health and wellbeing. Let’s all perform our share of responsibility and duties to stay healthy and contribute towards making a nation by being a healthy and capable individual.
How Healthy Is Your Body Weight? Evaluate Now!
Every individual, unless born premature, usually have normal body weight. Your dietary choices along with other lifestyles contribute to your weight as you grow up. By looking at the statistics of Bariatric Surgery in Kolkata itself, it is clear that obesity is becoming an epidemic all over the World.
Let’s have a detailed understanding of obesity, its measure, and perks of weight loss.
Obesity becomes a medical condition that onsets when an individual accumulates an excessive amount of fat in their body. The excessive weight begins to slow you down and also makes you more and more susceptible to obesity and its related illness. This condition leads to sleep apnoea, joint pain, fragile bones, hypertension, respiratory and cardiac illnesses.
The ideal body weight can be estimated by evaluating your Body Mass Index or BMI. This parameter is a ratio of your weight by the square of your height. The following chart helps to understand the status of body weight.
Obviously, BMI too has its limits. It is not considered as a proper way to estimate body weight range for bodybuilders, pregnant women or people with small stature. Even though there are other parameters such as waist-hip circumference, BMI is often considered as the standardized method to calculate the status body weight.
Being underweight has an adverse effect on health too, but correcting them takes very little efforts. Being overweight, on the other hand, requires immense dedication in terms of dietary and lifestyle change. Things become quite challenging for the people dealing with obesity. Losing weight through conventional means such as dieting or exercise is usually ineffective for them. Availing weight loss surgery is often the only way to achieve significant weight loss.
Losing weight is advised for every overweight individual. Those opting for Bariatric Surgery, find this a life-saving surgery that restores their degrading health and self-esteem. It improves several aspects of health and needless to say, contributes towards both professional and personal goals.
Thus, it is advised to every individual, who is lately feeling their old clothes are not fitting them anymore, do get your body weight evaluated clinically. Take every measure to prevent obesity. And in case it is already present, mitigate it by weight loss surgery, as soon as possible.
A Brief Introduction to Sickle Cell Anaemia
Sickle cell Anaemia is a rare, genetic illness. It is a form of anaemia in which the red blood cells are incapable of carrying an adequate amount of oxygen in the body. It is an extremely difficult illness that is quite challenging to live with. Only the best hospitals can provide medication and treatment for the same. Let’s understand the various aspects around Sickle Cell Anaemia.
Blood carries vital nutrients throughout the body and also facilitates the exchange of gases, namely the intake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide. The usual shape of the blood cells is just like a donut without any cavity inside. The bi-concave surface facilitates easy transportation of oxygen molecules. In case of sickle cell anaemia, the red blood cells resemble that of a sickle or crescent moon, thereby justifying the name.
This gives rise to 2 problems, inadequate oxygen supply, and the irregular shape of the cell leads them to get stuck in thin blood vessels, causing inflammation. A patient with sickle cell anaemia is likely to suffer one or more of the following symptoms.
- Anaemia that keeps on recurring and is closely followed by fatigue, and drained out of energy.
- Painful swells on feet, knees, and hands or other areas where the blood vessels are extremely narrow.
- Delayed growth which involves both natural and reproductive growth.
- High chances of gallstones, which often required gallstone operation to resolve.
- Poor vision that is purely due to blocked blood vessels reaching eyes.
- Frequent infections as this illness damages spleen, the organ that fights infections.
- Episodes of pain, particularly in chest, abdomen, and joints that lasts anywhere between few hours to few weeks.
Sadly there is no cure for sickle cell anaemia but with proper medication, it can be managed effectively through proper timely measures. The normal RBC has a lifespan of about 120 days, but the same reduces to 15-20 days for a sickle RBC. Needless to say, some of these patients require undergoing a periodic blood transfusion. These efforts along with proper medication can help the patient to get ease from the painful symptoms and to prevent the complications associated with the same.
On this 19th June, as we witness World Sickle Cell Day, we encourage people with this illness to stay strong and seek treatment from time to time. Also, we salute the never-ending support of their family, the doctors and most important the blood donors for their contribution.
A Brief Introduction to the Types of Blood Donation
Blood transfusion is a process of supplying blood of a matching group to an individual in need of it. Even though advanced procedures such as laparoscopic surgery rarely needs a blood transfusion, it is needed for medical emergencies, life support systems, several specific diseases, such as thalassemia, or even a major pre-scheduled invasive surgery.
Whether or not you have been a part of blood transfusions, you are more likely to be accustomed to only one type of blood donation. However, did you know that there are 4 types of blood donations, as per the element of the blood? Let’s have a quick look at each of them
1. Whole blood donation
The most common procedure, in which about a pint of whole blood is extracted out of the body. It may or may not be further segregated into platelets, plasma, and red cells, depending upon the need of the recipient. The procedure takes about half an hour or even less, while the patients can donate the same every 2 months.
2. Platelet Apheresis
It requires a special apheresis machine that collects blood and separates all its elements with centrifugal effect. The platelets component is kept for transfusion while the remaining elements return back to the body’s blood circulation. The process takes about 2 hours.
This type of blood is needed by patients battling cancers, undergoing organ transplant therapy and surgeries/medical emergencies that may involve massive bleeding. Moreover, while a single platelet donation can be used for multiple blood transfusion, it takes about 5-6 whole blood donations to make up for a single platelet transfusion. It can be donated every seven days, up to 24 times a year.
3. Plasma Apheresis
This type of blood donation goes simultaneously with the previous one. In this type, only the plasma is kept for the blood transfusion, while the rest is returned back to the body. The process takes about an hour and a half. It can be done after every two weeks.
4. Power Red
This one is yet another donation type involving the apheresis machine, which collects only the red cells while it returns the plasma and the platelets. Often the rare blood types have short supply as the donor need to meet few special guidelines for donating this type. It includes having higher levels of haemoglobin and specific body height and weight.
A single donation usually takes about an hour and collects two units of red cells. The donor can contribute every 120 days.
Each blood donation types has its own features. On this World Blood Donor Day, 14th June we honour every blood donor and feel our duty to pay tribute to one particular donor named James Harrison of Australia. This blood plasma donor rightfully earned the title of ‘man with the golden arm’ as he has donated blood plasma 1173 times throughout his entire life. After receiving 13 liters of blood for a surgery at the age of 14, he committed to donate blood in the future. Having a rather strong antigen against the group Rh antigen, he was able to donate blood plasma, which as per estimation, saved about 2.4 million unborn babies.
While saluting such a determined spirit, we, on behalf of ILS Hospitals, urge every healthy, capable individual to donate blood, at least once in their lifetime.