Fortis Hospital inBannerghatta Road, region’s leading healthcare solution provider, hasacquired Da Vinci Xi system, the most advanced Robotic Surgery technology in the world, here today. It has been used by experts from Urology, Onco-surgery and Minimum Access Surgery.

The new Da Vinci Xi System acts as an extension of the doctor’s hands, allowing him or her to perform a surgery with pinpoint accuracy and very little damage to surrounding tissues. The benefits of robotic surgery include a minimally invasive approach, faster return to daily activities, fewer complications, and shorter hospital stay with reduced hospitalization costs. The robotic surgical system is currently being used for procedures like, Urinary Blockage (Urinary Tract Obstruction), Kidney Disorder or Cancer, Bladder Cancer and Prostate Cancer at Fortis Hospitals, Bannerghatta road.

Speaking about the new technology, Dr Mohan Keshavamurthy, Director- Urology, Uro-Oncology, Andrology, Transplant & Robotic surgery, said,“We started performing Robotic–assisted da Vinci Surgery a month back and we are finding it remarkably convenient for our surgeries. The advantages of the robot surgery over conventional ones are reaching difficult areas of the human anatomy, because of the flexibility and the rotational ability of the robotic “Endoarm”. It also provides greater clarity and vivid 3D vision of the anatomy during the surgery which results in significantly less blood loss and more precise surgery. Besides the surgeon can sit at a console at ease conducting the surgery. So, it’s a win-win situation both for the doctor and the patient”.

The da Vinci X System enables optimized, focused-quadrant surgery including procedures like prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy, benign hysterectomy and sacrocolpopexy, among others. The advantages of robotic surgery include patient comfort, smaller incisions, less pain, less risk for infection, surgical accuracy, better accessibility and faster recovery.

Mr Raj Gore, COO-South & West, Fortis Healthcare,said “We have always believed in bringing in the best medical technology for better care of our patients. The installation of this latest robotic surgery technology is surely help our patients avail best clinical treatment that medical science offers globally. The biggest advantage of this new technology is that it enhances the abilities of our doctors. With this, we will be able to further improve our clinical outcomes.”

About Fortis Healthcare Limited

Fortis Healthcare Limited is a leading integrated healthcare delivery service provider in India. The healthcare verticals of the company primarily comprise hospitals, diagnostics and day care specialty facilities. Currently, the company operates its healthcare delivery services in India, Dubai, Mauritius and Sri Lanka with 45 healthcare facilities (including projects under development), approximately 10,000 potential beds and over 374 diagnostic centres. For more information, please visit www.fortishealthcare.com

Focusing on health in the hectic and stressful lives that we lead today is becoming difficult. Incorporating relevant herbs in your daily diet is the first step towards a healthier you. Ayurveda texts and modern research say that herbs contain compounds that have beneficial health properties that can help prevent many lifestyle disorders and rejuvenate our bodies.

Dr Shruthi M. Hegde, Ayurveda Expert, The Himalaya Drug Company, suggests incorporating the following herbs in your daily diet to practice preventive wellness and take a concrete step towards maintaining good health.

Tulasi: Popularly known as “The Queen of Herbs”, it yields beneficial results for respiratory wellness. It has compounds which are known to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and expectorant properties. Tulsi helps modulate healthy immune response and supports early recovery from respiratory conditions. Use it to get relief from cough and cold, especially during seasonal changes, when your body is particularly prone to such respiratory ailments.

Ashvagandha: This herb contains rejuvenating properties, and being an adaptogen, helps cope with stress, reduces harmful effects of long-term stress on the body, and promotes healthy sleep. This makes it particularly useful in our stressful lives, where good work-life balance is often difficult to maintain.

Triphala: It’s difficult to always consume healthy and hygienically prepared food in our hectic lifestyle, making digestive issues a common problem. Triphala helps promote overall digestive wellness in a number of ways. It acts as an effective colon cleanser, regularises normal bowel movements, and aids healthy digestion.

Neem: This helps fight acne by inhibiting the bacteria that causes acne growth. The herb helps promote skin wellness, which becomes even more important during summer, when the skin is more prone to acne breakouts and inflammation. It helps rejuvenate your skin, and prevents the recurrence of acne and blemishes.

Haridra: This herb contains beneficial inflammation-relieving properties. It boosts cell health through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping improve overall health. This makes it a potent tool in your preventive wellness toolkit, helping you overcome a number of health problems before they even have a chance to make an appearance

Guduchi: This herb supports the immune system and helps fight against infections by increasing the effectiveness of disease-fighting white blood cells. Including this herb in your daily diet will help increase your body’s resistance to stress and illness.

Make a commitment to getting healthier and staying fit by including these health-boosting herbs in your daily diet. Regular usage of these herbs in addition to other activities such as exercising and consuming a balanced diet will lead to a healthier, happier you.

(IANS)

New mothers who struggle with post-delivery weakness can find respite in natural ingredients which help heal the postpartum body, experts say.

Hema Divakar, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, says skin may be more sensitive during pregnancy owing to hormonal changes and this can sometimes trigger painful skin conditions.

“You should be careful about what you apply on your body, as it can affect the baby too. Thus, ensure to include the right skin care products in your regimen to prevent pregnancy-related skin problems,” said Divakar.

Prathibha, Ayurveda expert at The Himalaya Drug Company, says Ayurveda recommends the use of herbs and oils that help protect and heal a mother’s body post pregnancy.

“This helps relieve stress and ensures a smooth start to motherhood. Including products in your daily routine which contain these essential ingredients will be soothing for a new mother,” she said.

She suggests a few herbs that help protect and heal a new mother’s body and make motherhood a happy and relaxing journey:

* Country mallow: Massaging your body leads to greater flexibility and tones the muscles, resulting in faster postpartum recovery. Country mallow is used as a primary ingredient in massage oils, which are used to strengthen muscles and repair dry skin.

* Five-leaved chaste tree: This herb helps relieve pain and accelerates the process of healing wounds and rashes.

* Winter cherry: Also known as Ashvagandha, it rejuvenates the body and promotes physical and mental health. Winter Cherry works best in strengthening and firming the skin, while enhancing muscle and joint strength.

* Indian madder: It has antioxidant properties and helps clear the skin, free from blemishes. It also relieves skin-related issues and inflammation.

* Almond: Due to several hormonal changes during pregnancy, the skin becomes extremely sensitive and prone to dryness. Almond oil based products provide the necessary care to keep your skin nourished. Almond oil also contains Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and E, which ensure the skin is soft and supple.

* Aloe vera: Aloe vera contains antimicrobial and natural soothing properties that moisturize and help heal rashes. It soothes irritable skin conditions caused during pregnancy and acts as a remedy for stretch marks.

* Natural zinc: Natural zinc is known to lock in moisture and have antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. It is helpful in treating rashes caused due to skin irritation and sweat.

* Sesame: Often considered as the most beneficial oil especially for its skin-firming properties, Sesame oil moisturises the skin and prevents infections.

(IANS)

Common painkiller ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone or in combination with acetaminophen are better at easing dental pain, than opioids, say researchers.

While using opioids help manage pain, they also run the risk of misuse or abuse, that can cause serious harm, including addiction, overdose and death.

According to the National Institutes of Health, each day, more than 115 Americans die as a result of an opioid overdose.

“What we know is that prescribing narcotics should be a last resort,” said Anita Aminoshariae, Associate Professor at the Case Western Reserve University in the US.

“No patient should go home in pain. That means that opioids are sometimes the best option, but certainly should not be the first option,” she added.

The study showed that opioids are not among the most effective — or longest lasting — options available for relief from acute dental pain.

For adults, a combination of 400 milligrams of ibuprofen and 1,000 milligrams of acetaminophen was superior to any opioid-containing medications.

“The best available data suggests that the use of nonsteroidal medications, with or without acetaminophen, offers the most favourable balance between benefits and harms, optimising efficacy while minimising acute adverse events,” Aminoshariae said.

The results, featuring in the Journal of the American Dental Association, evaluated the safety and efficacy of dozens of pain-relief options from more than 460 published studies.

Opioids and their drug combinations were found to account for the most adverse side effects — including drowsiness, respiratory depression, nausea/vomiting and constipation — in both children and adults.

Citing the American opioid epidemic, Aminoshariae said that health-care providers should take heed of the findings.

(IANS)

Men, take note. If you are suffering from low bone density or frequent pain in your spine due to ageing, then milk, yogurt and cheese may help you achieve a positive outcome, says a study led by an Indian-origin researcher.

The study found that a higher intake of dairy foods is associated with higher volumetric bone mineral density and vertebral strength at the spine in men.

The associations were most beneficial in men over age 50, and continued to have positive associations.

“The results of this study highlight the beneficial role of a combination of dairy foods upon bone health and these beneficial associations remain irrespective of serum vitamin D status in a person,” said Shivani Sahni, Associate Scientist at the Institute For Ageing Research in Boston.

For the findings, published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Density, the team included 1,522 men and 1,104 women from the Framingham Study, aged 32 to 81 years.

They examined quantitative computed tomography (QCT) measures of bone to determine associations with dairy intake.

However, no significant results was observed in women, except for a positive association of cream intake in the cross sectional area of the bone.

A previous research, presented at the Endocrine Society’s 100th Annual Meeting in Chicago, revealed that consuming a Mediterranean diet — rich in fruits, vegetables, grains, potatoes, olive oil, seeds, fish, low saturated fat, dairy products and red meat — may boost bones and muscle mass in postmenopausal women.

(IANS)

Gladys D’souza was celebrating her 100th birthday. Her children, Gloria Lobo (75), Trevor D’Souza and Christopher D’Souza had organised a grand celebration at Nympha Sadan, a senior citizen home at Pandeshwar here today.

Gloria is said to be present for the cake cutting celebration, and delivered an emotional speech and a poem in honour of her mother.

It has been said that, as the celebrations were going on, Gloria collapsed at the venue and was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was declared dead.

Gloria lived in Canada and had returned to her home town few days ago. Her brother claimed that, she had undergone a bypass surgery.

• 8 years old Master Roman from Russia and 12 years old Ms Sri Supriya from Tamil Nadu were saved after a clinical breakthrough to place adult hearts into infant cavities
• First cases of adult to child heart transplant recorded in India as Fortis Malar joins rank among top hospitals in the world to successfully perform this clinical feat

Chennai, 20th March 2018: A team of doctors at Fortis Malar Hospital recently conducted two complicated heart transplant surgeries by placing adult hearts into the heart cavity of children to save two lives here recently. 8 years old Master Roman and 12 years old Ms Sri Supriya were suffering from life threatening heart conditions that required urgent heart transplants. However, due to paucity of hearts of their age and size, the team of doctors led by Dr KR Balakrishnan, Director, Cardiac Sciences, Fortis Malar Hospital and Dr Suresh Rao KG, Head of the Department, Critical Care and Cardiac Anaesthesia, Fortis Malar Hospital meticulously planned and performed this unique clinical feat to transplant two adult hearts into the cavity of these two children respectively.

The first heart transplant was performed on Master Roman, an 8-year-old boy from Russia who was admitted on 13th October 2017 at the hospital with prognosis of heart failure. Roman’s condition deteriorated with severe biventricular restrictive cardiomyopathy, a disease of heart muscle restricting flow of blood into the ventricles and his condition became more complicated when he had a cardiac arrest. After 45minutes of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), he was finally put on an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), an advanced cardiac and respiratory life support system.

On the condition of the patient, Dr KR Balakrishnan said, “When Roman was brought into our hospital, he was in a critical condition. A heart transplant was the only way to cure him. We had to resort to ECPR to save his life until a heart was available for transplant. However, given the severity of his condition, we decided to do the transplant as soon as we can.”

World Water Day is observed every year on March 22 to focus on the importance of access to clean and fresh water, sanitation, and hygiene, which are huge challenges in developing nations in particular.

In 2010, the United Nations’ General Assembly recognized water and sanitation as human rights. It is not just about access to water, but it is also about the quality of water people drink. There are more than 663 million people around the world who live without supply of safe water near their homes; several people have to queue up for hours or travel long distances to access something so basic as water.

The need for clean drinking water cannot be overemphasized, as contaminated water (in water bodies) can lead to a whole host of ailments such as gastrointestinal infection, cholera, and dysentery, which can cause life-threatening forms of diarrhea.

The global statistics on diarrhea are alarming and disconcerting. The disease causes 4 percent of all deaths and 5 per of health loss to disability, worldwide (WHO statistics). It is said to be the second major cause of death among children under the age of five. Across the world, 2,195 children die due to this disease every day; this is more than the deaths due to diseases like AIDS, malaria and measles put together. Diarrhea is responsible for 1 out of 9 child deaths worldwide.

In India, about 1.2 lakh children under the age of five die due to this disease every year. This means there are 328 diarrhea-related deaths every day and 13 every hour! (Source: Ministry of Health).

Dr. Amita Bhandarkar, Senior Consultant – Internal Medicine and Diabetology, Columbia Asia Hospital Sarjapur Road speaks on the causes of diarrhea.

The root of the problem is gastrointestinal infection, which leads to the death of 2.2 million people every year across the world, especially in the developing nations.
Diarrheal infection is caused due to bacteria, virus, protozoa and other parasitic organisms (mainly E. coli, salmonella, hepatitis and rotavirus) that are spread from one person to another. The main reasons for diarrhoea are contaminated water, unclean food, malnutrition, improper sanitation, poor hygiene, and absence of immunization.
In under-developed and developing countries, water is contaminated with human faeces from sewage, septic tanks and toilets. Animal faeces too spread diarrhea-causing microbes. Fish and seafood from polluted water also can contribute to diarrhea.

How diarrhea affects people
A person suffering from diarrhea passes loose watery stools (in cholera) very frequently (more than three times a day). In the case of dysentery, stools are passed with blood. Diarrhea can last for a few days or even several weeks (if it is persistent).

Chronic and long-term diarrhea that lasts over three weeks is dangerous and is associated with bowel disorders. Severe diarrhea is life-threatening, especially among infants, young children and people with low nutrition and weakened immunity.

Diarrhea is also related to infections like malaria and measles.

Symptoms

People with diarrhea experience nausea, dehydration, fatigue, fever, abdominal bloating, cramps in the abdomen, pain in the rectum, and the urge to go to the toilet frequently. Blood or pus in the stool, liquidy stools and dark stools are also signs of trouble. In children, watch out for these symptoms: high fever, irritability, loss of skin elasticity, lack of saliva, sunken eyes, abdomen and cheeks.

Diagnosis and treatment
If the above symptoms are noticed, consult a healthcare provider or doctor immediately. Stool culture will help determine the bacteria or other organisms that are causing the infection. A blood test is done to ascertain the diseases that are not present in the body. A sigmoidoscopy investigates the inside of the lower part of the colon and rectum, while a colonoscopy will assess the entire colon.
Diarrhea is treated by replacing the fluids and electrolytes lost due to excessive passage of water in the stool. This is done by drinking oral rehydration fluids and salt solutions, water, clear soups and diluted juices. This will relieve the symptoms.
Diarrhea is usually allowed to run its course and resolve on its own; otherwise, it will lead to the body retaining the toxins that have to be ejected.
In case of severe dehydration, intravenous fluids may be given. Antibiotics are opted for only in case of moderate to severe diarrhea.

Ways to prevent diarrhea
· Drink safe, clean, boiled water.
· Use of good water filters.
· Practice good sanitation and personal hygiene.
· Wash hands often with soap and clean water, before and after eating, after using the bathroom, after changing diapers, after playing with pets, and after touching currency notes and coins.
· Do not tap water even for brushing.
· Avoid raw and exotic fish and meat.
· Eat more of cooked vegetables and fruits that can be peeled.
· Wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly in clean water.
· Do not eat raw/undercooked meat and seafood.
· Avoid non-pasteurized dairy products.
· Do not eat uncovered food from the street.
· Be careful while using public toilets and restrooms.

Above all, awareness and health education about diarrhea and how it spreads will go a long way in preventing this dreadful disease. This calls for governmental intervention, community support, and personal will to follow simple yet essential hygiene practic

Tuberculosis or TB is a global pandemic that is being fought by nearly every country in the world. According to the World Health Organization, two billion people — that is one-third of the world’s population — are infected by the TB bacteria worldwide.
TB is an airborne disease that is spread by coughing and sneezing. Women, children and those with HIV-AIDS are said to be the most vulnerable groups for this disease.
This disease is one of the top 10 reasons for death globally and one of the leading causes for infectious diseases. Hence, one of the goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is to end the epidemic by 2030.

To spread awareness about TB and support efforts to prevent, control and eliminate the disease across the world, March 24 is observed as World Tuberculosis Day. The date coincides with date of discovery of the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes TB, by German physicist Dr. Rober Koch.

Some statistics on the disease (Source: WHO)
· In 2016, 10.4 million people were affected by TB and 1.7 million people died.
· More than 95 per cent of TB related deaths happen in low- and middle-income nations.
· Around 1 million children fell ill due to TB and 250,000 children died, in 2016.
· TB is a major cause of death in HIV-positive people, accounting for 40 per cent of TB-related deaths in 2016.
· Growing multi-drug resistance (MDR-TB) is a huge cause of concern in the treatment of the disease. In 2016, there were 600,000 new cases with resistance to rifampicin, the most effective drug to treat TB; of this, 490,000 had MDR-TB.

· India leads the countries in the TB burden, followed by Indonesia, China, Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria and South Africa. These countries account for 64 per cent of the worldwide TB incidence.

· WHO statistics for 2016 peg the incidence of TB in India at 2.79 million cases.

How TB manifests itself and spreads
The TB bacteria mainly grows in the lungs (pulmonary TB). But it can also attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine and brain (extra pulmonary).
There are two kinds of manifestations of the TB bacteria: latent TB infection and active TB disease. In case of latent TB infection, the person is infected with the TB bacteria but does not become sick or exhibit symptoms.
TB bacteria spreads from person to person via the air through sneezing or coughing. It is not spread by shaking hands, sharing food, coming in contact with bed linen or toilet seats, sharing toothbrushes or kissing.

Symptoms of TB
· A bad persistent cough that lasts for two weeks or more
· Chest pain
· Coughing up blood or phlegm from deep inside the lungs
· Weakness
· Fatigue
· Loss of appetite
· Weight loss
· Chills
· Fever
· Sweating in the night
Diagnosis
If the above symptoms are noticed, one needs to be tested for TB. If the chest x-ray indicates TB, sputum tests will be done. Sputum is the phlegm that comes out when one coughs. The sputum sample is tested for TB bacteria and drug-resistant strains.
Treatment
Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine given to infants and small children against TB. But this vaccine is not foolproof in protecting people from the disease.

If TB is not treated properly, it can prove to be fatal. Therefore, it is important to treat patients with the correct TB drugs. New TB patients must put through an internationally recognised first-line regimen of TB drugs. The initial phase (8 weeks) involves the drugs Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Pyrazinamide and Ethambutol. This is followed by the drugs Isoniazid, Rifampicin and Ethambutol for 16 weeks.

According to the current daily drug regimen in India, TB patients are given fixed dose combinations in specific dosages (3-4 drugs) in a single pill, every day. These are administered in a scientific manner, based on the patient’s weight.
People suffering from TB must be under direct observation every day. The patients must consume the drugs in front of a DOTS (direct observation short term) agent, who is usually a volunteer or a family member.

Those patients who have been treated earlier for TB and those who have developed drug resistance must be given a retreatment regimen containing first-line drugs, with the addition of streptomycin.

TB may sound like a deadly disease, but there is no need to panic. Timely detection and the right intervention can treat and cure people from TB. Between 2000 and 2016, around 53 million lives were saved worldwide through proper diagnosis and treatment.

Ways to prevent TB and spreading the disease

· Ensure the houses is properly ventilated.

· Cover your nose and mouth while coughing or sneezing. Use face masks and tissues. Dispose them after use.

· Take care when you are in public places with too many people.

· Take adequate precautions when you come in contact with people suffering from TB. Healthcare providers must wear respirators.

· Children, especially those below the age of five, must be kept away from people with active TB and positive MDR-TB patients.

· Education and awareness is an important part of dealing with TB.