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Breastfeeding Tips for Every New Mother
As Robert S. Mendelsohn rightly said, “Mother’s milk, time-tested for millions of years, is the best nutrient for babies because it is nature’s perfect food.”
If you are a mother, you can certainly relate to it. However, breastfeeding is one extremely challenging job. Many gynaecologists and obstetricians encounter new, inexperienced mother panicking due to not being able to nurse properly. So, today we are offering some tips for new mothers and moms-to-be to have a somewhat more comfortable nursing time.
- Position yourself comfortably. If you are not comfortable, neither will be your baby.
- There is no perfect rule, so choose what works best for you. Experiment and pick between couch, bed and rocking chair.
- Place as many pillows you need under back, lap or legs for support and comfort.
- Hold and cradle your baby on the same side as the breast you want to nurse with. Use a pillow for support, if needed.
- You have an overactive ‘super baby’, you can hold her lower arm under your arm to mitigate the possibility of interference.
- Cup your breast and let your baby latch onto it gently. It might take several attempts before the baby stay latched on, so be patient.
- Once the baby starts feeding, hold her close to support and encourage the nursing.
- After the baby is done, don’t pull out your nipple instantly, as it may cause injury to your nipples. Instead, insert a finger in her mouth to break off the contact gently.
Ideally, each session of breastfeeding last only several minutes, but quite frequently, as your baby’s stomach is small and digestion is quite fast. Stay prepared to get in action every few hours. Feel free to try out different lactating position to find the one working best for you. As a tip to relax, you can play some music or instrumental in a mild tone. It will encourage you to relax, have happy thoughts and focus on your bond with your baby.
While breastfeeding, you may encounter many complications such as insufficient milk supply, sore or cracked nipples etc. Moreover, if you had a high-risk pregnancy or preterm birth, your baby might have a problem latching on. Instead of enduring all the discomfort or depression, seek help. As you might need special guidance or equipment from your gynaecologist or obstetrician, get in touch with one.
Breastfeeding is a rather special time of your life. Do all you can to make this memorable and comfortable.
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.
Is Your Child Born With A Cleft Lip And / Or Cleft Palate? Here Is What You Need To Do!
Was your child born with cleft lip and/or cleft palate? Are you worried about what to do? You are not alone. Cleft lip/palate is the most common congenital defect among babies all over the world. Thankfully, almost every child undergoing the cosmetic surgery for the same makes full recovery with extremely minute or no scar at all.
Your baby’s lip and palate formation occur in the early stages of pregnancy itself. Cleft lip is the medical condition in which the upper lip is underdeveloped. Similarly, cleft palate is the counterpart condition, in which the upper root of the mouth is underdeveloped. These conditions each can arise, either as unilateral (only in one side) or bilateral (in both sides). Each of these complications can either be incomplete (the cavity does not elongate to the nose) or complete (the cavity elongates to the nose).
A child might have either of these conditions or both at the time of birth. Both these conditions lead to the formation of cavities of the facial structure that causes hindrance to the functionality of the organ and the overall aesthetic of the person. These conditions collectively lead to air leakage into the nasal cavity and as a result causes nasal spilling and nasal voice during talking. If left untreated, the child might develop speech disorders along with difficulty in breathing, eating and even hearing.
The cosmetic surgeries, namely the cleft lip repair and cleft palate repair these conditions along with its associated complications as well. Through these surgeries, a flap of skins are placed and secured on the site and with time, it entirely coagulates to restore its normal appearance and function. It is mostly recommended for the child at a very early age, between 2 to 12 months after the birth. In high-risk cases, the doctor waits until the baby grows up a little to recommend surgical corrections.
A surgery availed at an early age shows maximum benefits in the recovery from cleft defects. It not only ensures timely growth but also bears no sign of this surgery when the child reaches the age of 7-8 years. Moreover, it ensures your child does not suffer psychological trauma from being ‘different than others’ or face discrimination.
In case, your baby is born with any/both of these cleft defects, get in touch without paediatric surgeons and help your baby live the life you gave to her, to its fullest.
Read more – Some of the Major Kinds of Cosmetic Surgeries.
A Brief Introduction on Hepatitis on This Hepatitis Day
LIVER – one of the vital organ that performs many crucial functions of the living body. This includes its role in facilitating digestion, filtering toxins from the body, breaking down of fat and carbohydrate, removal of bilirubin, cholesterol, aiding in the blood clotting, synthesis of albumin etc. It is always advised to receive proper liver treatment in case of any discomfort or malfunction of the liver occurs.
We are observing World Hepatitis Day on 28th July. So, let’s have a look at the 5 different hepatitis types in brief.
Hepatitis, in general, is a condition that is characterized by inflammation of the liver. These occur mostly due to the viral infections, but can also onset due to high dosage of alcohol, drugs, medicines etc. Autoimmune hepatitis is a special case, in which it onsets when the body produces antibodies against the liver tissue.
The 5 common types are Hepatitis are A, B, C, and D and E, where a different type of virus is responsible for each type.
Hepatitis A
It is caused by Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). It gets transmitted through consumption of food and water contaminated by feces from a hepatitis A infected person.
Hepatitis B
It is caused by the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). It is transmitted by coming in contact with infectious body fluids from a hepatitis B infected person. It also can spread by using common blades or razor.
Hepatitis C
It is caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). It transmits through direct contact with infectious body fluids from a hepatitis C infected person. It typically spread through needles or intimacy with an infected person.
Hepatitis D
It is also known as the Delta Hepatitis and is caused by the Hepatitis D Virus (HDV). It transmits through direct contact with infected blood from a hepatitis D infected person. It usually onsets in conjugation with Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis E
It is caused by the Hepatitis E Virus (HEV). Being a waterborne disease it transmits through water contaminated by fecal matters. It typically spreads in an area with poor sanitation.
In conclusion, Hepatitis A is always short term but highly acute, whereas type B, C, D, and E, mostly onsets as long termed and chronic. Type E gets equally acute and pose severe threats if infects pregnant women.
Despite the type and its degree of severity, it is best not to endure discomforts due to malfunctioning liver and seek quality liver treatment on time.
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.
3 Common Behavioural Disorders in Children and Their Treatment
Does your child answer back rudely every time you say something? Does s/he back-talks to you even in public? If your answer to both the questions is “Yes”, then there is a high chance that your child is suffering from a behavioural disorder. So what exactly is this behavioural disorder? Well, it’s common for children to argue, yell and throw tantrums once in a while. However, if such behaviour becomes a regular occurrence, then it is surely a cause for concern. To help you understand it better, here are the three most common disruptive behavioural disorders discussed in detail. Read on.
1. Conduct Disorder (CD)
Children with this disorder are often judged as “bad kids”, as they refuse to accept rules and their behaviour is offensive. About 5% of 10 years old children are thought to have Conduct Disorder (CD).
Some common traits of a child with CD include –
- Repeated truancy
- Always eager to start physical fights
- Frequent refusal to obey parents and other authority figures
- Making use of weapons in physical fights
- Lack of empathy for others
- Frequent lying
In rare cases, the children also exhibit violent and criminal behavior such as lighting fire, stealing or engaging in drugs, alcohol, and smoking.
2. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Under the age of 12 years, around 1 in every 10 children are thought to have the Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
Some common traits of a child with ODD include –
- Frequent temper tantrums
- Very low self-esteem
- Easily annoyed, angered or irritated
- Does not obey rules
- Frequent argument with adults such as parents
- Tends to blame others for any misdeeds or misfortunes
- Deliberately tries to annoy others
3. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
About 2% to 5% of children are thought to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Some common traits of a child with ADHD include –
- Constant restlessness
- Prone to accidents
- Loses temper quickly
- Forgetfulness
- Faces difficulties in concentrating
- Moves from one task to another without completing any of them
Treatment of Behavioural Disorders in Children
Do you want your child to grow up to be a dysfunctional adult? We know you don’t. So to prevent this from happening, the earlier the intervention, the better the outcome is going to be. Treatment is generally multifaceted. Actually, it depends on the particular disorder along with the factors contributing to it. It may include –
1. Family therapy
The whole family is taught to improve their problem-solving as well as communication skills.
2. Encouragement
Children with behavioural disorders tend to experience repeated failures both in their interaction with others and at school. Encouraging them to excel in the fields of their interests can help in building their self-esteem.
3. Social training
Important social skills are taught to the child including how to play cooperatively and how to have a conversation with others.
4. Anger management
The child learns how to recognise the signs of their increasing frustration. They are provided with a range of coping skills that are specially designed to defuse their aggressive behaviour and anger. Also, they are taught how to manage their stress and how to relax.
5. Parental education
Parents are taught how to communicate as well as manage their children.
6. Medication
Last but not the least, children are treated with medication in order to control impulsive behaviour.
Is your child suffering from any of these behavioural disorders? Consult a doctor and start treatment before it’s too late. At ILS Hospitals, we have the best child specialists available at your service. All you have to do is give us a call and we will be happy to help.
5 Common Habits That is Damaging Your Heart
We all know that eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are important habits for a healthy heart. However, did you know that some surprisingly common habits have the potential to ruin all your efforts? It can lead to cardiac emergency and it would only be possible for hospitals that can save your life.
A number of activities that we do casually can have a negative impact on heart health. Let us know how these 5 common habits play major roles in damaging the heart and make us seek the best heart hospitals for treatment purpose.
1. Sitting All Day Long
People leading inactive lifestyle have double the risk of developing some of the other forms of cardiac ailments as compared to those who follow an active lifestyle.
If you are involved in sitting job and stay chained to the desk all day, then get up and take a five-minute walk after every hour or two. This small tweak in your routine can keep your arteries flexible and blood flowing properly, protecting your heart in a long run.
2. Overindulging in Alcohol
Drinking occasionally might not lead to any long-term effect, but frequent alcohol consumption is likely to cause high blood pressure, stroke, and obesity, all of which in turn, increase your risk for heart disease. It’s okay to have it once in a while but never regularly.
3. Stressing Too Much
Persistent stress makes the body to release adrenaline, which temporarily influences the body functions. When your heart rate increases, your blood pressure rises as well. Eventually, too much stress over a prolonged period can damage the heart’s blood and increase the risk for heart attack and stroke.
To minimize the harmful effects of stress, you can try to find a way to release stress. Sharing your feelings by talking with a trusted friend or family member is often helpful. Moreover, exercise can also relieve mental tension
4. Overdoing It on Salt
Excessive sodium can lead to high blood pressure, a risk factor for heart disease. Be sure to read nutrition labels and compare merchandises, before loading salt packages into your shopping trolley. Choosing the one with the lowest percent daily value for sodium is the best option to stick with.
5. Not Getting Enough Sleep
Inadequate sleep over a long period of time can lead to cardiovascular illnesses. The stages of sleep that are achieved only during complete sleep cycle throughout the night promotes cardiovascular health.
Chronic sleep deprivation is not only bad for the heart but for the overall health. It is recommended that adults get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
All of these bad habits can make your heart sick, so do not follow your bad habits anymore, and adopt healthy habits instead. You will see the changes in your health, all by yourself.
Read more – Five Most Common Heart Diseases that have been Explained by Cardiologists
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.
