Healthigo
Download the Healthigo App
appStoreBlack playStoreBlack

Health  Articles

Body
What is Arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a medical procedure used for the diagnostic and therapeutic procedure of joint problems. It is a surgical procedure that is performed on the joint for the examination of the damage in the joints. It involves making a small incision on the affected joint and using an endoscope through the incision to examine the inside of the joint. An endoscope is just a tube that contains a camera and lighting for taking images of inside the joints When is arthroscopy used? Arthroscopic procedures can be performed on a joint with problems on the cartilages and ligaments. These may include: Removal of fragments of loose bone or cartilage Repair of damaged cartilage Draining excess fluid away from the joint Repair of broken meniscus and ligaments Treating arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and frozen shoulder If typical medications and home remedies fail to treat these problems, arthroscopy is usually preferred over open surgery where the joint is opened fully. Sometimes, when the problem is minor or unseen on X-rays and other scans, and this is when arthroscopy is done. How is the procedure performed? First, an incision is made on the side of the affected joint. The arthroscopic tube is quite narrow, about 7mm, so the incision will usually be quite small. The procedure can be done under general anesthesia or regional anesthesia. The tube will then be inserted into the joint through this incision and into the gap of the joint where it can take images. This is usually enough for general observation of the joint, but tiny surgical instruments may also be inserted in case the doctor needs to treat the problem. Once complete, the wound is patched up and bandaged. Given that it’s not a serious procedure, you may even be released on the same day of the surgery or the day after. You will also be able to resume regular activities soon afterward, although you should ease yourself into some activities. Why is arthroscopy advantageous? Arthroscopy will often be recommended for most minor orthopedic problems because: The patient experiences less pain after the procedure requiring fewer pain relievers. Healing time and recovery is faster, and often times the patient is released on the same day as a day case. There may be no need for rehabilitation and you can resume activities soon afterward. The smaller incision reduces the risk of infection. Are there any risks? All surgical procedures will carry some risk to the individual, and so does arthroscopy. Most of them are minor such as bruising, swelling and discomfort, but these will go away after a few days. More serious complications are rare, but they do happen, for example: Infection in the joint: referred to as septic arthritis, this leads to pain and swelling in the joint, associated with fever Bleeding in the joint: this will also cause pain and swelling Clotting of blood: bleeding is often followed by formation of clots, exacerbating the pain and swelling Damage to the superficial nerves: there could be some loss of sensation around the incision site that could either be temporary or permanent. What to expect? Arthroscopy is performed under General or regional anesthesia. A tourniquet is sometimes used in order to decrease the blood loss which makes it easier to see inside of the joint. Another option to increase the visualization of the inside of the joint is to fill it with sterile fluid. Sterile fluid helps distend the area, providing more room and better visualization of the joint. Incisions made while having an arthroscopy are usually very small and closed with one or two stitches. Sometimes, they are also closed with narrow stripes of sterile adhesive tape. Arthroscopy procedure lasts about 30 minutes to 2 hours. It all depends on the procedure and the reason why you are having it. Arthroscopy aftercare includes: medications to relieve pain and inflammation. Bed rest, ice packs and compression as well as keeping your joint elevated for a few days which can help reduce the pain and swelling. Temporary splints or crutches used for a couple of days may also reduce the pressure on the affected joint, relieving comfort and protection. Physical therapy and rehabilitation are also recommended to help strengthen the muscles and to improve the function and the range of movement of the affected joint. You should consult your doctor in cases when: Have a high fever, higher than 38 degrees Severe pain that can’t be managed with painkillers Redness or swelling in the affected joint Numbness and tingling of the affected joint Drainage from the incision. Once the procedure is done, your doctor will review the results as soon as possible. The healing period after an arthroscopy surgery if needed for the treatment of diseases or injuries of the joints may take a couple of weeks. The progression of your condition will be closely monitored in the follow-up visits. Arthroscopy complications Like any other medical procedure, arthroscopy has complications as well. Possible complications include: Infection Swelling Bleeding Damage to the blood vessels Damage of the nerves Blood clot formation If you are experiencing joint pain (eg: knee pain) for whatever reason, you should seek the help of our experienced orthopedic surgeons.

  1 Likes
  0 Comments
READ MORE
February 05, 2019
Lifeline Hospital
Health & Wellness Partner
Body
Osteoporosis - All you need to know

Got a kink in your back you’re tempted to crack? You might want to rethink that. As we age, we slowly lose bone density and our bones become weaker and more prone to fractures. This condition that affects bone strength is called Osteoporosis and is one of the most common bone diseases, responsible for over 8.9 million fractures a year. This number continues to grow and it is of the utmost importance for everyone to take certain measures to prevent osteoporosis from ever occurring. Osteoporosis affects both men and women, although women are four times more likely to develop it. Specifically, one in four men and one in two women are likely to have a fracture due to osteoporosis after the age of 50. Caucasian and Asian women past menopause, are at the highest risk of osteoporosis but, nevertheless, the disease can affect people of all ages and races. What Causes Osteoporosis? Bones are made of collagen and calcium, the combination of which provides bones with strength and flexibility. The inside of a bone, called trabecular bone, looks like a sponge, around which the hard bone, called cortical bone, is wrapped. When osteoporosis occurs, the trabecular bone weakens due to a loss of bone bass, which makes it look like the “holes” in the “sponge” become larger. When you are young, your body breaks down and rebuilds bones much faster when it needs more calcium. It’s called “bone remodeling” and it provides the body with the calcium it needs while keeping the bones strong. Your body builds more bone mass than it loses up until the age of 30. After the age of 35, your body breaks down bones much faster than it rebuilds them, which causes a loss of bone mass. That causes your bones to become less dense and weaker, thus more prone to fractures. What Are the Risk Factors for Osteoporosis? One of the risk factors for osteoporosis is age, since bone mass declines naturally over time. Another risk factor is gender. Women over 50 and women in menopause are more likely to be affected by osteoporosis since menopause slows the production of estrogen, which protects the bones against bone loss. Body weight is also one of the risk factors, for extremely underweight people, chances of being affected by osteoporosis are higher due to very low estrogen levels and poor diet. Race and family history also contribute to the possibility of increased bone loss. Nutrition and lifestyle can greatly affect the chances of developing osteoporosis, so it is extremely important to always provide your body with enough calcium and vitamin D. Smoking and alcohol use, also increase the risk of developing osteoporosis, as well as certain medications that can damage bones, such as steroids and treatments for breast cancer. Certain medical conditions can also increase the chances for osteoporosis, such as an overactive thyroid, anorexia, coeliac disease, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, chronic liver disease, chronic kidney disease and more. How Can Osteoporosis Be Prevented? Diet and lifestyle are very important for maintaining healthy and strong bones. You need to supply your body with calcium, the sources of which are dairy products (particularly milk, yogurt, and hard cheese), salmon, sardines, kale, broccoli, spinach, watercress, dried figs, dried apricots, and bread. You also need vitamin D, which you can find in salmon, mackerel, tuna fish and sardines, but the best source of it is the sun, so make sure you always get enough sun exposure, as the ultraviolet rays trigger the skin to make vitamin D. If you are a smoker, you should make an effort to stop smoking, as chemicals in tobacco can weaken the bones. Also, if you happen to drink more than four units of alcohol daily, you should try and cut down on your alcohol intake. Exercise can help prevent osteoporosis, as it strengthens the bones, so make sure you always stay physically active, regardless of your age. Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, running, dancing and aerobics, are very important ones to take part in, as well as muscle-strengthening exercises. These measures can either prevent or greatly slow down any bone loss, so make sure you take each and every one of them to ensure your bones remain strong. Start taking care of your bones right now and prevent any health problem from ever even occurring. If you happen to have some of the risk factors for osteoporosis, make sure you undergo medical tests that can help determine your bone density. You can schedule an appointment and meet our orthopedic and physiotherapy team, as you will certainly receive the best healthcare you need.

  0 Likes
  0 Comments
READ MORE
February 05, 2019
Lifeline Hospital
Health & Wellness Partner
Body
7 Simple Steps to Deal with Migraines

The worst kind of pain is the kind that just won’t go away. It just keeps throbbing and aching, reminding you of its existence. No one wants to deal with that. Migraines, a very common example of pain that for some, are just a headache but for others may feel like their head is being torn open. But, with healthy habits and simple non-medical remedies you can help prevent migraines from even happening. Sure, you could just take some medicine, but prevention is always better than the cure. Stop letting migraines from getting the better of you by following these tips! Keep Calm and Cool Off As soon as you notice the first signs of a migraine, stop whatever you’re doing and find somewhere to relax. Migraines tend to be sensitive to light and sound so a dark quiet room is best. You may also apply a hot or cold compress on your head and neck. Ice packs numb pain while hot packs relax the muscles. Fine Tune Your Body Clock Start by establishing a routine. Wake up and go to bed at the same time every day, including weekends. If you take naps to keep them short, about 20-30 minutes. Get those 8 hours! Unwind at the end of the day by soaking in a warm bath, listening to music or reading a book. Avoid intense exercise, large amounts of caffeine, medications containing caffeine or other stimulants, heavy meals, smoking and drinking alcohol. Minimize distractions; close the door, keep work out of the bedroom, don’t watch television, and use a fan to muffle noises. Also, don’t force yourself to sleep. The more you try the more you will feel awake, so just do some quiet activity and naturally, drift off. Food for Thought Your eating habits can greatly affect your migraines so be sure to make healthy ones. Like sleeping, establish a routine where you eat around the same time every day. Do not skip any meals. That will just cause more migraines. Keep track of what you eat in a journal and note the times when you have migraines. You might find potential food triggers such as caffeine, chocolate, aged cheese, alcohol that should be limited or avoided altogether. Work It Out When you exercise, the body releases certain chemicals that make you feel good. Being obese will increase your risk of chronic headaches, so getting on the right track to achieving a healthy weight through diet and exercise will help you manage that migraine problem. Do any kind of exercise you like, just be sure that you get it cleared by your doctor and start slow. Don’t Stress Out Stress is one of the leading causes of migraines. It’s hard to avoid daily stress but you can at least try to keep it under control. Don’t make things complicated by trying to get everything done in one time. Manage your time, keep an update a to-do list and prioritize. Don’t forget to take a break once in a while with a few stretches or a quick walk. Stay positive, have fun and relax! Track Your Migraines By writing down about when your migraines start, what were you doing at that time, what was the last thing you ate, how long did it last, and if anything provided relief will help you manage? The best thing to do is to find out what triggers a migraine and avoid it or find an approach that can deal with them. Seek Balance Balancing a healthy lifestyle is the key to dealing with migraines. Family, friends, health, work etc. are all very important. Don’t be afraid to ask help from your loved ones and friends for support.  

  0 Likes
  0 Comments
READ MORE
February 05, 2019
Lifeline Hospital
Health & Wellness Partner
Body
20 Awesome Hearty Facts You May Not Know

Kick start your way into the heart of health! Know more about what gets you pumping & hearty! The first heart cell starts to beat as early as 4 weeks. Can you imagine a baby’s heartbeat after 1 month? How fast life is created!  Your heart is about the size of your closed fist. Talk about wearing your heart on your sleeve. This applies to kids too! The heart weighs the same as a soda can or juice box. It weighs about 8 to 10 ounces. Handy to know! It beats 100,000 times a day. Wonder who took the time to count before the ECG was invented. In an average lifetime, it will beat more than 2.5 billion times. This is a pretty amazing number to think about. How would you measure a life? Your heart is a coordinated machine. The right side of the heart pumps blood into your lungs and the left pump it back into your body. Each minute your heart pumps 1.5 gallons of blood. That is A LOT of blood. Not for the ‘faint-hearted’. A woman’s average heartbeat is faster than a man’s by almost 8 beats a minute. This is because the average woman’s heart is smaller than a man’s by 2 ounces. The heart has its own electrical supply and will keep beating even after being separated from the body. How amazing and creepy is that? Modesty brought on the invention of the stethoscope. Before it was made, doctors had to press their ears directly on to each patient’s chest. Talk about awkward… The blue whale has the largest heart in existence – weighing over 680 kilos. Wow. Just. Wow. That’s like a cow or a very large camel. Wow. Being more educated lowers your risk of heart disease. Don’t stop learning! Heart disease is your greatest health threat! It is greater than breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. Regular exercise is the most important key to heart health. Best of all, it’s free! Your level of activity is the greatest risk factor for heart disease. Again, move as much as possible on a regular basis. Excessive amounts of sitting increase the risk of heart disease. Even if you have a desk job, get up and walk around as much as you can. Heart health depends on how you manage your diet, exercise routine and stress. The power is in your hands! Happiness and a strong sense of emotional vitality help lower your risk of heart disease. Spreading good vibes all the way! Depression can increase your risk for heart attack, especially if you’re a woman. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Heart disease has been found in 3,000-year-old mummies. This is why we need to keep track of our family history.

  0 Likes
  1 Comments
READ MORE
February 05, 2019
Lifeline Hospital
Health & Wellness Partner
Mind
Why is my memory getting worse?

Are you always forgetting where you put your keys and purse? And do you rush to put appointments in your diary before you forget all about them? If so, you’re not alone! A 2014 study of 18,500 people aged 18 to 99, conducted by Gallup and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), found that 20% had memory issues. Yet while problems were predictably more pronounced among older adults, they were by no means confined to this group. In fact, 14% of those with memory issues were classed as young adults compared with 22% who were middle-aged and 26% who were older. According to the Gallup and UCLA researchers, increased multitasking, thanks to modern technology and the internet, affects our attention span and ability to focus. But is forgetfulness just a normal by-product of modern life – or is it more complex? Interestingly, the researchers also identified depression, physical inactivity, and smoking, among other things, as contributing factors to memory loss that can affect people at all ages. So what can we do about our memory problems? And when should they be a cause for concern? Memory culprits As with every health problem, there are risk factors we can change and those we can’t. First up is age, which fits into the former category. A study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that of 60,000 participants over 59 years old, 13% had experienced ‘increased confusion or memory loss in the preceding 12 months’. This is by no means surprising as issues with memory are often a natural part of the ageing process, hence the phrase ‘having a senior moment’. A study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that of 60,000 participants over 59 years old, 13% had experienced ‘increased confusion or memory loss in the preceding 12 months’. As we age, our brain – much like the rest of our body – undergoes several changes to its physical and chemical make-up and, in turn, how well it performs. The hippocampus, the part responsible for memory, emotions and spatial navigation, shrinks. Receptors and neurons degenerate over time too, which can make it more difficult for different areas of the brain to communicate – often leading to problems retaining and recalling information.   Several physical and mental health conditions can play a significant role too. Depression was the strongest single risk factor for memory complaints in all age groups in the Gallup and UCLA study. This is backed up by previous research that found that it’s likely to be a contributing factor to short-term memory loss. Two similar studies, conducted in 2013 and 2015 in the US found that those with depression struggled to identify objects on a screen that were identical or similar to ones they had previously seen. Another factor is weight. Researchers at the University of Cambridge looked at the relationship between memory and weight, in particular, and found that the higher a person’s body mass index (BMI) – weight in relation to height – the poorer they performed in a series of cognitive and memory tests. According to the researchers, this could be down to structural changes that occur in the brain in overweight or obese people. Researchers at the University of Cambridge looked at the relationship between memory and weight, in particular, and found that the higher a person’s body mass index (BMI) – weight in relation to height – the poorer they performed in a series of cognitive and memory tests. Over time, conditions that affect the cardiovascular system, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can reduce blood flow to the brain, eventually impairing memory. Certain hormonal conditions may affect memory too, such as an underactive thyroid, pregnancy and the menopause, as can neurological conditions such as dementia, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, and more rarely brain tumors. Memory loss may also be a side effect of some medications. The good news is, there’s plenty we can do to maintain and even improve memory function by reducing some of the risk factors. Cut down the toxins: Smoking and drinking individually are bad news for memory, but a recent study by Northumbria University found that people who smoke and drink heavily on a regular basis experience greater everyday memory problems than those who either smoke or drink regularly. It’s thought that this is because the combination of tobacco smoke and alcohol can thin the brain’s cortex, which plays a vital role in information processing and memory function. If you smoke, it makes sense to stop altogether. It may be easier said than done but it’s well worth persevering – one in two smokers will eventually die as a result of their habit, according to UK government statistics. And keep the alcohol to no more than one or two drinks in one day and numerous alcohol-free days per week. Have a memory-friendly diet: Researchers from McMaster University in Canada followed more than 27,000 over-55s across a five-year period to examine the link between diet and cognitive decline. They found that those who ate a diet high in fruit, vegetables, nuts and protein (such as lean meat) to be up to 24% less likely to show signs of cognitive decline than those with the unhealthiest diets. Sugar may take its toll on your brain too. A 2013 study by Charité University Medical Center in Berlin found that having high glucose levels, irrespective of diabetes, was associated with poor memory. So go easy on sweet things, sugary soft drinks and refined carbs. Get moving: When we do cardiovascular exercise – running, cycling or aerobics for instance – we release a series of chemicals in the brain, which reduces insulin resistance and nurture blood vessels and brain cells. Regular aerobic exercise has also been shown by researchers at the University of British Columbia to increase the size of the hippocampus – which can improve both verbal memory and the capacity to learn new information. Regular cardiovascular exercise is also a great mood booster and has been clinically proven to help mild to moderate depression. Get a good night’s sleep: Harvard-affiliated researchers at a hospital in Boston found that getting seven hours of sleep per night may help maintain memory as we age. Just two hours either side of this figure was associated with decreased memory and brain function. Address stress: Feeling stressed can have a huge impact on our brain’s ability to function, not only because it causes us to exhaust our mental capacities, but also because it triggers the release of the hormone cortisol – high levels of which were shown by a 2013 University of Basel study to impair memory recall. In addition, long-term stress can increase the risk of depression. Mindfulness meditation is an increasingly popular technique for reducing stress. The aim is to pay attention to what you’re experiencing in the present rather than drifting into thoughts about the past or future, and without analysing or making judgments about what’s going on around you. A 2013 study published in the journal Psychological Science found that those who engaged in this practice four days per week for at least two weeks saw improvements in both working memory and concentration. A 2013 study published in the journal Psychological Science found that those who engaged in mindfulness meditation four days per week for at least two weeks saw improvements in both working memory and concentration. Train your brain: While there’s currently no evidence that brain-training activities will prevent dementia, two notable studies have uncovered solid evidence that certain online brain-training activities can improve mental cognition, attention span, working memory and the ability to multitask. The first, published in 2013 in the journal Nature, found that adults aged between 60 and 85 not only became better at brain-training video games the more they played but also saw an improvement in cognitive skills not directly related to the activity. These memory improvements were recorded as long as six months after the study. When should you worry? In the majority of cases, problems with memory are nothing to worry about – particularly if they come on very gradually as we age. Most of the time memory issues among older people simply reflect the slower processing speed of an ageing brain rather than any serious neurological condition. Studies have shown, for example, that elderly people take around 20 to 40 milliseconds longer to complete menial tasks such as detecting gaps in circles. Therefore, taking longer to remember and retain certain information can just be a sign that the brain is working slower rather than the information being harder to recall. There are, however, times when a decline in memory could be a sign of a more serious problem – such as when memory loss comes on or escalates quickly, or begins to interfere with daily life. Getting an early diagnosis is important, whatever the cause. Chances are, your memory loss could be a symptom of a treatable underlying condition or issue. But even if the cause is dementia, which isn’t yet curable, early diagnosis is still important in helping you and your family to get important information, support, and practical advice. So, if you’re concerned that your memory is failing you – or you’re worried about someone else – speak to a medical professional.

  0 Likes
  0 Comments
READ MORE
February 05, 2019
Novomed Integrative Medicine
Health & Wellness Partner
Request Appointment
This provider is unverified. To get a confirmed appointment, look for Verified Providers
/* Claim your profile Now! **/
scroll-arrow-to-up