Detection Prevention of Dengue Malaria

Healthcare Centre in Bangalore

Family Doctor in Indiranagar

Diabetes And Foot Complications : Importance Of Regular Feet Diagnostics For Diabetics

Foot problems are a common complication in people suffering from Diabetes Mellitus. Most of these complications can be prevented with effective foot care. If complications do surface, daily attention will ensure early detection before they become serious. It takes effort to build good foot care habits, but self-care is very important for a diabetic.

DIABETES AND FOOT COMPLICATIONS

Diabetes may lead to various foot complications, including diabetic neuropathy, fungal infection, calluses and other foot deformities, or ulcers which may range from a simple wound to a deep infection.

Nerve damage (neuropathy) — increased blood glucose levels in the body can damage the nerves of the foot, reducing a person’s ability to feel the sensation of pain and pressure. Without these sensations, it is easy to develop callused pressure spots and accidentally injure the skin, soft tissue, bones, and joints. Bone and joint damage can dramatically alter the shape of the foot.

Poor circulation — Persistent high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and reduce the rate of blood flow to the foot. This poor circulation can weaken the skin, contribute to the formation of ulcers, and impair wound healing mechanism of the human body. Some bacteria and fungi thrive on high levels of sugar in blood and bacterial and fungal infections can complicate the ulcers.

More serious conditions include deep skin and bone infections. Gangrene (death and decay of tissue) is a very serious complication that may include infection; widespread gangrene may lead to foot amputation. Approximately 5% of men and women with diabetes eventually require amputation of a toe or foot. This consequence can be prevented in most patients by managing blood sugar levels along with daily foot care.

 RISK FACTORS

Patients who have had a previous foot ulcer are more likely to suffer from future foot complications. Nerve damage, poor circulation, and very high blood sugar levels increase the chances of foot complications.

It is important to wear shoes that fit well. Shoes that are too tight can cause pressure ulcers. Going barefoot, even at home, should be avoided as this increases the risk of foot related injury.

 FOOT EXAMINATION

People with type 1 diabetes for at least five years should have their feet examined at least once a year. People with type 2 diabetes should have their feet examined once per year.

During a foot exam, doctor checks for poor circulation, nerve damage and deformities. Patients should mention all the problems they have noticed in their feet. A thorough test may reveal decreased or absent reflexes or decreased ability to sense pressure, vibration and changes in temperature.

Monofilament test, Sensitometer check and Vascular Doppler check can help determine the extent of nerve damage in the foot. A monofilament is a very thin, flexible thread that is used to determine if a patient can sense pressure in various areas of the foot. Sensitometer is used to determine if the patient can sense vibration in the foot and toe joints and also heat and cold sensations. Vascular Doppler check is used to assess the blood pressure and flow to the feet and toes, to determine nerve damage.

 Possible foot problems

Poor circulation — some simple clues can point towards circulatory problems. Cold feet, thin or blue skin, and lack of hair signal that the feet are not getting enough blood.

Nerve damage — Nerve damage may lead to weird sensations in the feet and legs, including pain, burning, numbness, tingling, and fatigue. Patients should describe these symptoms if they occur, including the timing, if the feet, ankles, or calves are affected.

This can be very dangerous because the person may be unaware that they have improperly fitting shoes, a rock or other irritant in a shoe, or other problems that could cause damage.

Skin changes — Excessive skin dryness and cracking may indicate that blood circulation to the skin is compromised. Other skin changes may include new ulcers, calluses, and broken skin between the toes

Deformities — structure and appearance of the feet and foot joints can indicate diabetic complications. Nerve damage can lead to joint and other foot deformities. The toes may have a peculiar “claw toe” appearance, and the foot arch and other bones may appear collapsed. This destruction of the bones and joints is called Charcot arthropathy.

For more info: www.thefamilydoctor.co.in

Tetanus Injection - What Is Tetanus - Needs of Tetanus Injection: The Family Doctor

Why do we need Tetanus Injections?

Now that the monsoon is here, the rains have brought a plethora of germs and bacteria. That’s the reason why diseases increase in number during this season. Tetanus is one such disease that observes a spike in its numbers when the weather is damp and unhygienic. In such circumstances, the only definite way to avoid Tetanus is by getting vaccinated. Let’s find out more.

What is tetanus?

Also known as lockjaw, Tetanus is a bacterial infection that results in abnormal behaviour of the nerves in the body, leading to painful spasms of the muscles in the abdomen, neck, and limb extremities. If unchecked, these Tetanus spasms can even result in death. The reason why it’s called lockjaw is because these spasms can even cause stiffness of the jaw, resulting in getting “locked”.

How can we get Tetanus infection?

Tetanus is a form of bacterial infection that is transferred into our body through open wounds or cuts. This bacterium is mostly present in the ground and in manure. Infection happens mostly through cuts received through rusty nails or deep lacerations from falling down on the street. Although rare, even tiny scratches can be enough to cause Tetanus infection. Because of its easily spreading nature, we need to vaccinate our immune systems to be able to fight with these dangerous bacteria.

How does Tetanus harm humans?

Tetanus infection can affect humans quite seriously and negatively. The most common symptoms seen in patients of Tetanus infection are –

1. Severe Headaches

2. Muscle pain and stiffness, starting from the jaw and then spreading to the abdomen and other extremities.

3. Difficulty swallowing

4. Palpitations and high blood pressure

5. Facial muscle spasm and lockjaw, resulting in a permanent grimace or grin.

6. Death from unchecked muscular contraction and suffocation

Because of its severe consequences, a vaccination to protect us against Tetanus infections is always the smart thing to do.

How to receive Tetanus injections?

Tetanus injection should be received within 24 hours of injury on the shoulder (deltoid) muscle. Generally we receive Tetanus injection as children. If you haven’t been immunized as a child with the primary series of Tetanus injection, then you definitely need the vaccine. You should also get a Tetanus shot if you have received the primary series as a child, but not had a Tetanus booster in the last 10 years. You should also go for the shot if you have just recovered from Tetanus and have cut yourself externally in some way.

For more info: www.thefamilydoctor.co.in

Types Of Diabetic Neuropathy and It's Symptoms - The Family Doctor

On a broad level, Diabetic neuropathy is a form of nerve damage that may affect a person suffering from diabetes mellitus. Uncontrolled blood sugar ruptures nerve fibers throughout the body, but in most of the cases, diabetic neuropathy damages nerves in the legs and feet. A diabetic is at an increased risk of developing foot problems and needs to take special care.

People with diabetes can over time, develop one or the other form of nerve damage in the body. On the contrary, some diabetics Diabetic Neuropathy and Associated Risks 1 show no early symptoms. Few diabetics show symptoms like pain, tingling, or numbness, loss of feeling in the hands, arms, feet and legs. Nerve problems can occur in all the organ systems of the body including the digestive tract, heart and sex organs.

Types of diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is classified among peripheral, proximal, autonomic or focal. Each of the neuropathies affects a specific part of the body.

1. Focal neuropathy leads to sudden weakness of a nerve or a group of neurons, causing muscle weakness. Any nerve in the body can be affected by it.

2. Autonomic neuropathy can affect digestion, bowel, bladder function, sexual response and normal perspiration. It can also affect the nerves responsible for controlling blood pressure as well as nerves which help the lungs and eyes function normally. It can also cause hypoglycemia unawareness, a condition in which people no longer experience the warning symptoms of low blood glucose levels.

3. Proximal neuropathy may cause pain in the thighs, hips, or buttocks and the patient may often feel week on the legs.

4. Peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy which causes pain, loss of feeling in the toes, feet, legs, hands and arms or both in some cases.

Sl no.   Type of Neuropathy                Symptoms
   1          Focal neuropathy                   Double vision,eye pain, paralysis on one side of the face, chest                                                                or belly pain
   2      Autonomic neuropathy               Bloating, heart burn, nausea, faster heart beat, dizziness,                                                                          vomiting, low blood pressure
   3         Proximal  neuropathy              Pain in thigh, buttocks, hips, weakness in the legs
   4         Peripheral neuropathy             Tingling, numbness, burning, pain
     

How are diabetic neuropathies treated?

The first step in treating diabetic neuropathies is to bring blood glucose levels within the normal limits in order to help negate the possibility of further nerve damage. Keeping a track of meal planning, physical activity, and administration of diabetes medicines or insulin will help control blood glucose levels.

Symptoms may get worse when blood glucose is first brought under control, but over time, maintaining lower blood glucose levels helps lessen symptoms. Effective blood glucose control can help prevent or delay the onset of further health issues or even slow, prevent, or even reverse nerve damage.

For more info: www.thefamilydoctor.co.in

Bypass Surgery - Get treated by the right doctor! Spread across the right word - The Family Doctor

Recently a person was admitted to a nursing home at Ahmedabad due to severe chest pain. He had an earlier attack  in 2014 and was under treatment. The doctors now suggested Angiography.

Upon undergoing Angiography at multi specialty Hospital, Doctors diagnosed multiple blockages for which Angioplasty was ruled out and instead,  suggested ‘Bypass Surgery’.

That evening, he was brought home as  doctor suggested his heart being very weak, bypass could be performed only after 10 – 15 days. 

  

Meanwhile, after discussing the matter with relatives and close friends, fresh  information came from a family friend. 

  

A new treatment known as-“Bio Chemical Angioplasty” has been introduced into the Indian medical theater. 

  

With this therapy, a patient who has to undergo by-pass need not do so.

Instead, the patient is given about 20 bottles of IV fluids in which certain medicament are injected. The medicine cleans the system and removes all blockages from the heart and the arteries. The number of bottles given may increase depending upon the age-factor and health of the patient. 

Cost per bottle Rs.2000/-

Currently, only a few doctors in India specialize in this field

One of them is DR. Bimal Chhajer MBBS MD Ex Consultant AIIMS

He has a list of patients who had to undergo by-pass from major hospitals; but, instead after undergoing the new treatment, they are absolutely fine and are leading a normal life.

For more info: www.thefamilydoctor.co.in