Five things you should know about Back pain?

40% of all missed work days are due to backaches. Most of us especially women are likely to experience this as we get older.

1. What is Back pain?

At some point of time you must have experienced that dull, ache in your lower back letting you know that your back is now in trouble. You sit, stand, bend, stay still and that pain is still there. For some of us it’s gnawing, for others shooting and for many others simply unbearable.

2. Why does back pain happen?

Some of the causes of back pain include getting older, poor physical fitness, being overweight, heredity, poor posture, other diseases like arthritis and cancer, your job and smoking.

3. What can I do to prevent it?

There are a few things if done consistently well can actually prevent back pain. Those include staying fit, improving posture and keeping a healthy weight. But if you are suffering from this malady there are ways to remedy it with exercise, weight loss and other simple measures.

4. Can it be treated?

Back pain is more likely to result from an unhealthy lifestyle. Making a few simple changes can help. But before treating it you need to have a general health assessment to pinpoint the exact cause of the back pain.

5. What can Healthspring offer for your back pain?

Healthspring provides a fulltime physiotherapist at all our centres that customize the physiotherapy for each person after a thorough evaluation. We also have a Healthy Active program that aims to keep you fit within 16 sessions. So come down and meet us at our Open House this weekend on ‘HEALTHY BACKS ARE BACK’ at any one of our centres. We would love to meet you.

What you need to know about cervical cancer?

We’re all aware that we should regularly examine our breast in the shower or have a mammography done after 40 years of age, but we fail to practice the same caution when it comes to our cervix. Cervical cancer is now considered the most common cause of cancer mortality in India. According to the deputy regional director at the WHO regional office for Southeast Asia, ‘the risk of a woman dying from cervical cancer is higher than her risk of dying during child birth.’

That’s a scary statement.  But cervical cancer is preventable.

How does cervical cancer develop?

Cervical cancer starts as a change in cells called dysplasia. This is detectable by Pap smears. It takes many years for these changed cells to develop into cancer as it starts in the lower part of the uterus orcervix. When normal cells undergo a mutational change they start growing at an accelerated rate.

Most cervical cancers are caused by Human Papilloma virus that cause the mutation. The virus commonly spreads through sexual contact. There are various types (strains) of HPV some which cause cancer, other cause genital warts and some others have no effect at all.

Are there any risk factors?

Having one of the following does increase your chances of developing cervical cancer

ü  Sex at an early age

ü Multiple sexual partners

ü  Having a partner or many partners who are active in high- risk sexual activities

ü  Smoking

ü  Weakened immunity

ü  Multiple pregnancies

ü  Poor hygiene

 

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer?

Early cervical cancer does not exhibit any symptoms, however if you experience one of the following visit your physician:

ü  Abnormal vaginal bleeding between mesntrual periods, during sexual intercourse or after menopause.

ü  Continuous vaginal discharge that is pale, watery or foul smelling.

ü  Change in menstrual flow

ü Pelvic pain or discomfort.

ü  Leakage of urine or faeces from vagina.

How to diagnose cervical cancer?

Early cervical cancer cannot be detected by the naked eye. A pap smear is the one of the best ways to detect cancer early.

Following an abnormal pap smear the cervix is viewed microscopically with a colposcope and a biopsy may be taken.

Once cervical cancer is confirmed tests are conducted to check for its spread through the body and this process is called staging. Some of these tests include Chest x-ray, CT scan of the pelvis, Cystoscopy, Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) and MRI of the pelvis.

 

Can cervical cancer be treated?

Sure it can be treated. The treatment however depends of the size of the tumour, its stage, the age of the woman and also intentions towards future pregnancies.

During the beginning stages, precancerous lesions can be treated with Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) which uses electricity to remove tissue, cryotherapy which  freezes abnormal cells and laser therapy which uses light to burn abnormal tissue.

Apart from this if a woman does not intend to get pregnant or is having recurrent precancerous lesions despite the above forms of treatment then hysterectomy( removal of the uterus) is advised.

Various forms of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are advised depending on the spread of the cancer.

 

The best form of treatment for cervical cancer is prevention. Join us for another post tomorrow on what you can do to prevent cervical cancer in the form of vaccination and screening. If you have any questions do mail we would like to hear your thoughts on the subject.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Quick facts on cervical cancer

EXERCISE FOR THE DESK JOCKEY’S

If you are one of those people who work 9 to 5 in front of a computer all day then you know that being a desk jockey can literally be a pain in the neck. Not just your neck, but your back, wrists, eyes and legs all suffer as a result of sitting for long hours. So our physiotherapist Neha Mundra gives you a few basic lessons on stretching. You can do these simple stretches right at your desk holding each of them for about 20-30 seconds.

1. Neck roll:

Lower your chin to your chest. Slowly roll your head towards one shoulder, return head centre, and then slowly roll your head towards the opposite shoulder.

2. Chest stretch:

With arms bent at elbow level, pull your arms behind you at shoulder level and squeeze your shoulder blades together till you feel a stretch across your chest.

3. Forearm/ wrist stretch:

Extend one arm in front of the body with fingers pointed towards the ceiling. Using the other hand gently pull back your fingers until you feel a stretch in your forearm. Repeat with opposite hand.

4. Standing back extension:

Stand near your desk; place your palms against your lower back. Lean your upper body back without arching your neck. Think like you’re doing the twist.

5. Ankle roll:

While seated, lift your foot off the floor. Point your toes towards the ground, and then roll your foot clockwise and then counter-clockwise. Repeat for opposite foot.

6. Blink and palm:

Blinking lubricates the eyes, so every twenty minutes break away from the computer and blink for a couple of minutes staring at a distant object. At your chair, rub your hands together until warm, close your eyes and cover them lightly with your cupped palms. Don’t apply pressure on your eye balls. Count to 50 and repeat this twice.

Images from fit in and motion therapy

 

THE ROAD TO GOOD HEALTH IS NOW TAX FREE

Now you can get Rs 5000 tax deductible under section 80D for preventive

health check-ups. Here’s a little more about the Tax free Health Pulse check

Q.What is section 80D?

 Part I: A deduction up to `15,000 on the life of taxpayer, his/her spouse and his/her dependent children.

Part II Preventive Health Check-up: A deduction of up to Rs5,000/- for preventive health check-up of Self, Spouse,    Parent(s) or dependent children under section 80-D within the maximum limit of Rs 15,000/-.

Q.What is the upper limit for preventive health check benefit?

   Rs 5000

Q.Is preventive health check benefit given in addition to the Rs 15,000 given under section 80D?

No

Q.What are the prices of the Tax-Free Health Pulse Check?

Tax free HPC costs Rs. 2500 and tax free HPC+ costs Rs 5000

Q.If I am an income tax payer can I avail of these benefits?

Yes.

Q.Who can have a Health Pulse Check & avail tax benefits?

Self, spouse, children & dependent parents

Q.Is the tax benefit applicable to men and women?

 Yes

Q.What exactly is a Health Pulse check?

A Health Pulse Check is basically a preventive health check up where our doctors examine you from head to toe and chalk out a plan for your health. As part of this check, an ECG, Chest Xray, Pulmonary function test, complete blood count, complete urogram, blood sugar (fasting and post prandial), comprehensive lipid profile, renal profile and live profile is done. The HPC+ check also includes an abdominal & pelvic ultrasound, PSA for men and Pap smear for women.

Q. When is the last date to avail the benefits of Health Pulse Check?

31st March.

So what are you waiting for, get your Health Pulse Check today at any one of our centers. For more details call us at:

Khar- Bandra- 66043737

Kemps corner- 67483636

Juhu- 26126126

Goregaon- 61303535

Trying to Eat Right? Strike the right BALANCE with these simple tips!

We have all heard about the Balanced Diet. Well, here’s an easy way to remember what to do, and what not to!

  

B – Be sure to let your food digest! Your last meal should be at least 2 hours before you go to sleep.

A – Avoid tea, coffee, alcohols and carbonated beverages. We know it’s hard, but it’s worth it!

L  – Light Supper + Moderate Lunch + Heavy Breakfast = Healthy Eating Plan!

A – At least one serving of dark vegetables a day is good for you.

N – Never skip a meal. This one’s easy, if you are a foodie! Eat 3 meals a day with 2 fillers in between meals.

C – Choose well – Right food, Right intervals, Right quantity!

E – Eat at the same time every day. Go on – try and make it a habit, wherever you are.

 

D – Drink a minimum 8 glasses of water a day.

D – Do not rush through a meal. Take your time and enjoy your food.

I – Indulge once in a while. It really is ok, as long as it is rare.

E – Eat more fresh fruits, less rich desserts!

T – Take a minute before every meal, to review not only what you eat, but how much.

 

A HEALTHIER ME IN 2013

'New year resolutions - they never change'

The picture of perfect health is not determined by age or gender. At every age, both men and women can take charge of their lives and be healthy. The choice is entirely yours. And it is a constant choice that has to be made. Here are a few ways we encourage you to be healthier in 2013.

Eating healthy: When we say eat healthy we don’t mean just picking the right food. But also the right portion size, the salt/ sugar content and the time when it should be eaten.

Being active: Too often we hear the word ‘exercise’ and get turned off. At Healthspring we simply encourage you to be active. Move around, stay flexible and incorporate some form of physical activity that you love doing.

Sleep: There is nothing more rejuvenating than sleep. Not only does it help consolidate memory but it also helps the body repair minor damages incurred during the day. Don’t talk yourself out of a good night’s sleep. Just like your laptop and cell phone your body needs to recharge while you sleep.

Smoking: This is easier said than done. You may have tried in the past and failed. But here’s the thing about smoking you may never kick the habit in one go. Our doctors are more than willing to help you deal with the setbacks, prescribe a drug or egg you on with that extra push. After all we do understand that it isn’t easy, health conscious decisions never are.

Stress: Are you one of those people who feels he/she has a million things to do and all of them have to be done by you? If you are we encourage you to stop micromanaging and plan something relaxing at the end of the week. Reward yourself for the hard work of a week. While short bouts of stress can help increase energy, chronic stress can decrease your immunity and cause heart disease, hypertension and other illnesses. So relax, don’t sweat the small stuff.

Alcohol: While 25 ml of spirits is the recommended allowance, long term use of alcohol can lead to liver disease, hypertension and peptic ulcers. Try making substitutions and cutting back on the quantities of alcohol you’re drinking. If you feel compelled by social events to do so come by and talk to us, we have a few tricks to prevent you from caving into pressure.

Regular health check- ups: We check the air in our tyres regularly so why don’t we check our sugar, cholesterol, BP and health regularly. Aren’t our bodies more fragile than cars? Meeting a physician regularly can help identify not just physical ailments, but it can help detect red flags to certain diseases before they take a turn for the worse.

So sit down with us for a cup of tea and together let’s come up with a plan for a healthier you in 2013.

Happy New Year 2013.