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PCOS-FREE LIFE
Jan 5, 2019|Dr. Aruna Kalra

PCOS-FREE LIFE

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition among women of child-bearing age in which estrogen and progesterone hormone levels are out of balance. This imbalance causes the growth of cysts on a woman’s ovaries which can affect her menstrual cycle and fertility. Consulting a gynaecologist in gurgaon at The CK Birla Hospital will help reduce the severity of PCOS symptoms. Here are some diet and lifestyle changes you should carry out if you are suffering from PCOS.

Exercise few steps to achieve it

Many research studies have shown that it takes a modest amount of weight loss of 5 to 10 kg or 5 to 10% of initial body weight to reduce insulin resistance by about 50% and restore ovulation. Our multispeciality hospital in gurgaon will be happy to help you in dealing with PCOS.

Lifestyle modification

Diet:

  • High protein, low carb, low fat diet
  • 1000-1500 kcal per day
  • Eat several small meals a day
  • Give up tobacco
  • Aim to achieve 5% weight loss

Exercise:

  • Baseline activity is low in PCOS patients
  • RECOVERY WORKOUT – focus on things like joint mobility and deep breathing
  • Leisure strolls
  • Stretching
  • Regular exercise plan – work out should be the first thing in the morning

Squats:

  • It is a staple of most exercise programs
  • Squats simultaneously work the biggest muscle group in your body quadriceps, gluteus and back muscles.
  • Inhale and lower your body like you are sitting down in a chair until your thighs are parallel to the ground

Keep your torso stiff as you exhale and press your body back up to standing

  • Include high intensity interval training in your cardio program
  • Sneak more walking into your day
  • Make push-ups part of your program
  • Get 8 hours of sleep each night

AND STAY PCOS FREE!!!

Nutritional guidelines in menopause
Jan 5, 2019|Dr. Anjali Kumar

Nutritional guidelines in menopause

Most women dread the word menopause. It affects women in completely different ways, but the most common symptoms include hot flushes, sweating, insomnia, anxiety, impairment of memory and fatigue.

Long term consequences can include a decline in libido, osteoporosis, heart disease, even dementia – all linked to reduced estrogen levels. Consulting a reputed hospital can be of tremendous help.

It has been noted that eating and avoiding certain types of foods can make menopause a lot more bearable. The CK Birla Hospital recommends the right diet, exercise, adequate sleep, and learning to relax — you will find you have more energy to enjoy your life.

Here are some tips to counter the menopause symptoms:

  • Hot flushes – Avoid stimulants such as coffee, alcohol and chocolate and spicy foods, especially at night
  • Tiredness – Avoid snacking on sugary foods – as it often leads to a sharp rise in your blood glucose level followed by a sharp dip leaving you to feel tired and drained. Choose fresh fruits with a few nuts instead.
  • Weight gain – Watch the amount of fat in your diet and cut back on sugar. Eat complex carbohydrates, such as whole wheat, brown grains, wholemeal pasta, bread, and rice, as they will help balance blood sugar levels and keep you feeling fuller for longer.
  • Dry skin – Legumes, nuts, and seeds such as pumpkin, sunflower, almonds contain vitamin E, zinc and calcium. These nutrients and the oils in nuts and seeds may help prevent dry skin and normalize hormone levels.

Depression and irritability

  • Ensure you eat enough protein foods which contain the amino acid tryptophan. You can find it in turkey, cottage cheese, oats, and legumes.
  • Tryptophan helps manufacture the neurotransmitter serotonin.
  • Serotonin helps moods and may help control sleep and appetite which can make you feel better in yourself
  • Eat breakfast and not miss meals to balance your blood sugar.

Bone health

  • Women going through the menopause should increase their intake of food sources of calcium, magnesium and vitamins D and K to maintain the integrity of the skeleton.
  • High amounts of phosphorous – Found in red meat, processed foods, and fizzy drinks – should also be avoided. Too much phosphorus in the diet accelerates the loss of minerals such as calcium and magnesium from the bone.
  • Reducing sodium, caffeine, and protein from animal products can also help the body maintain calcium stores.
  • Opt for more alkaline foods – Vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and yogurt – to help prevent calcium reserves from being leached from bones.
  • Eat foods high in magnesium and boron. These are minerals that are important for the replacement of bone and thus help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Apple, pears, grapes dates, raisins, legumes, and nuts are good sources of boron.
  • Calcium supplements, other vitamins, and minerals that are vital for bone health are magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin D, and zinc.
    Choose a supplement with a combination of these and they should be in the right proportion for maximum effect. Weight-bearing exercise is vital too.

Points to remember

  • Eat more of the right fats – Include essential fatty acids (EFAs) in the diet as recommended by our expert gynecologist in Gurgaon. EFAs are found in nuts, seeds, and oily fish.
    The best EFAs are those from the omega-3 and omega-6 families, which are found in pumpkin seeds, oily fish, walnuts, linseeds, dark green vegetables and oils such as sesame, walnut, soy and sunflower, flaxseeds, rice bran oil. Use blends of Oil.
  • Increase your Fruits and Vegetable intake – Include 5-6 servings of fruits and vegetables in your daily dietary intake.
  • Stay well hydrated – Drink 2 to 2.5 liters of water daily
  • Eat smaller portions more regularly
  • Eat more phytoestrogens – Increase your intake of phytoestrogens by taking more of soya milk and soya flour, linseeds, tofu, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, celery, and green beans.
  • Flaxseed – Flaxseed is a wonderful plant-based food with omega-3 fatty acids. Try sprinkling ground flaxseed on cereal, yogurt, and salads; it adds fiber to your diet, keeps your arteries healthy, and has some estrogen-like compounds.
  • Increase iron intake. Eating at least 3 servings of iron-rich foods a day will help ensure that an adequate amount of iron is present in the daily diet. Iron is found in lean red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, leafy green vegetables, nuts, and enriched grain products.
  • Exercise frequently – Doing 45 minutes of exercise plays an important role in improving circulation and heart function, decreasing cholesterol and bone loss and helps to improve our ability to cope with stress.

Make an appointment with our expert nutritionist and health doctors at The CK Birla Hospital.

Menopause – Symptoms and Treatment Options
Jan 5, 2019|Dr. Astha Dayal

Menopause – Symptoms and Treatment Options

Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It’s diagnosed after you’ve gone 12 months without a menstrual period. The menopause is a natural part of aging that usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, as a woman’s estrogen levels decline. However, around 1 in 100 women experience menopause before 40 years of age. This is known as premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency.

Common symptoms of menopause include:

  • Irregular periods
  • Hot flashes, night sweats or chills
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Reduced sex drive (libido)
  • Sleep problems & Mood changes
  • Weight gain and slowed metabolism
  • Loss of breast fullness
  • Reduced muscle mass
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

After menopause, the risk of certain medical conditions increases:

  • Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease.
  • Osteoporosis
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Weight gain

In such a shaky situation, the need to visit an expert gynecologist becomes the need of the hour.

Treatments to help alleviate the symptoms of menopause:

  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that relieves menopausal symptoms by replacing estrogen
  • Vaginal estrogen creams, lubricants or moisturizers for vaginal dryness
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help with low mood and anxiety
  • Eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly to maintain a healthy weight and stay fit

It’s worth searching for a hospital near me on the internet these days and talking to an expert if you have menopausal symptoms that are troubling you or if you’re experiencing symptoms of menopause before 45 years of age.

Your doctor can usually confirm whether you are menopausal based on your symptoms and a blood test to measure your hormone levels may be carried out if you’re under 45.

Hygiene in Teenage
Jan 5, 2019|Dr. Aruna Kalra

Hygiene in Teenage

Good hygiene habits in childhood are a great foundation for good hygiene in the teenage years. What is good teen hygiene all about? Can parents help inculcate good hygiene habits in children all by themselves? Or does it need the services of a child specialist? We are one such known hospital in gurgaon that gives you healthy tips on teen hygiene.

1.Bother to Bath

The most basic of hygiene rituals – but somehow the old soapy routine doesn’t appeal to all teens. A shower every day or two is a must, and always after a rigorous sports practice or outdoor play. Equip yourself with washcloths and soap, or special face and body washes for your skin type.

2.Make Time for Toothbrushing

While it may bewilder you to think about that fuzzy feeling of unbrushed teeth, some kids hate to do the deed. Be persistent. Talk about gingivitis, cavities, and bad breath (often the most convincing evil of all). Always have floss and mouthwash on hand. As one of the expert child specialist in gurgaon, we also push for doing toothbrush after night meals.

3.Clean Hands

Practice frequent hand-washing, especially before eating and after using the bathroom, sneezing, or playing with pets. Make sure you scrub with warm soapy water for at least 15 seconds, rinse, and dry. Educate yourself on the risks of preventable infections and transmittable viruses.

4.Sweep Away Sweat

Body odour usually becomes evident when puberty hits. Know the difference between deodorant, which controls bacteria while adding fragrance, and antiperspirant, which is supposed to stop or limit sweating.

5.De-Grease Hair

Many preteens find their hair gets oilier as they grow. Encourage a thorough washing every day or two. An added benefit: keeping hair clean and out of your face will lessen breakouts caused by oil and greasy hair products.

6.Stop Skin Suffering

Like hair, skin tends to become oilier as puberty progresses — especially the “T-zone,” or the forehead and bridge of the nose. Practice gentle face-washing once or twice a day with a mild cleanser. Most importantly, do not pick at any pimple or blackhead on her face. Not only will germy fingers worsen the bump, but picking causes inflammation, spreads the oil, and can leave permanent scars.

7.Time to Shave

Middle school is when many girls want to start shaving. Buy a kid-friendly razor and shaving cream. Offer tips for tricky spots like ankles, knees, and underarms. Talk about how often to rinse the razor and change the blade.

8.Prevent Not-So-Nice Nails

Clip weekly and cut nails straight across to prevent ingrown nails. Stop nail-biting as it may cause infections to the nail or surrounding skin and it spreads germs from your fingers to your mouth and inside your body.

9.Plan a Piercing Carefully

If you want to get your ears — or some other body part — pierced, do your homework first. Choose a clean studio with an experienced, knowledgeable staff. Look to see if they dispose of needles in a sharps box (usually red plastic, like in hospitals). Check for sterile equipment, and make sure the staff members wear fresh gloves for each procedure.

10.Discussing Feminine Hygiene

Try not to share hairbrushes or makeup, especially things used near eyes or mouth — it spreads germs! Feel comfortable asking questions or raising concerns about menstruating, and learn which products to use, how often to change them, and how to chart the cycle.

Make an appointment with our gynecologist in gurgaon at The CK Birla Hospital.

Breastfeeding FAQs
Jan 5, 2019|Dr. Aruna Kalra

Breastfeeding FAQs

Is breastfeeding good for my baby? Breastfeeding not only provides food in the most natural form for babies, but also provides comfort, pain relief and the natural nurturing that babies need for development. Breast milk contains everything that a baby needs for growth in the first six months of life in exactly in the right amounts and in the best form for his body to use. Breast milk satisfies a baby’s hunger and thirst.The CK Birla Hospital feels no other foods or drinks are necessary, provided a baby can feed at the breast whenever he wishes. Breast milk increases a baby’s resistance to many infections and diseases, and reduces his risk of developing allergies, diabetes and childhood cancers. Breast milk is free, fast and convenient. It is always available and is fresh, clean and served at the right temperature. There’s no sterilizing to worry about, no mixing, heating, refrigerating and no bottles to take out and about. Babies can be breastfed discreetly anywhere.

Is breastfeeding good for me? Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancers and helps your uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size, so you regain your figure more quickly. Breastfeeding also uses up excess fat stores from pregnancy. Breastfeeding gives you a chance to sit down and relax during a busy day and so helps you cope with the demands of motherhood. It gives you confidence as you know you are giving your baby the best possible start in life. It can be a rewarding and satisfying experience for you and your baby.

How soon can I breastfeed my baby? You can usually start breastfeeding immediately after birth. A baby’s suckling instinct is strongest in the first hour after birth, so putting your baby to the breast as soon as possible will get you off to a good start. How do I put my baby to the breast? Our expert gynecologist in Gurgaon suggest making yourself comfortable. (For night-time feeding or if you have stitches, lying on your side may be the best option for you.) Your baby should be held close to your body, facing your breast with his head, shoulders and body in a straight line, and your hand supporting his neck, so he can move his head to latch on. He should be able to reach the breast easily without having to stretch or twist. Hold your baby with his nose opposite your nipple, allowing his head to be able to flex. Brush your nipple against his lips or nose to encourage him to open his mouth and reach for your breast. Wait for the ‘gape’ (his mouth opening like a yawn). Bring him to the breast with his chin touching the breast first, then his bottom lip and tongue near the outer edge of the areola and bringing his top lip to latch over the nipple as far as possible on to the other side of the areola. Make sure he takes a good mouthful of the areola (the dark area surrounding the nipple) and not just the nipple itself. He should have more areola in his mouth on the side of his bottom lip than his top lip.

Babies breastfeed — they don’t nipple feed. Allowing your baby to suck on just the nipples will make them extremely sore and can lead to cracking and bleeding. Remember to always bring your baby to your breast rather than trying to move your breast to your baby. Tummy to Mummy, Nose to Nipple, and Baby to Breast. You may prefer to use a more reclined position and encourage baby to self-attach. Your nurse can support you with this after the birth.

How can I avoid sore nipples? Some nipple tenderness is common during the first few days due to hormonal changes in your body, but this will soon pass. If it is painful when you first put your baby to the breast, gently insert your clean little finger between your baby’s mouth and your breast to break the suction and try again. If the discomfort persists, seek help from a lactation consultant or your nurse to check your baby is correctly positioned at your breast. Breast milk is a natural antiseptic — if your nipples are sore, express a little milk after a feed and allow the milk to dry on the nipple. It will help them heal. If your nipples are cracked, you may need more than breastmilk. A breastfeeding counsellor can talk to you about ‘moist wound healing’. When your baby is correctly positioned and feeding well, breastfeeding shouldn’t be at all painful — if it is, some adjustments will be required. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. A plentiful milk supply is also dependent on correct positioning. It’s important thing to get this right.

How long should I feed my baby for? Always let your baby determine the length of the feed. Your baby knows when he has had enough and will take himself off the breast. If you take him from the breast before he is ready, he may not have received as much of your milk as he needs, and he may not gain weight and thrive as he should. Taking your baby off the breast too soon may also reduce the amount of milk you produce.

How often should I feed my baby? Breastfed babies need to feed frequently. Young babies will generally need at least 8 feeds and may have as many as 12 or more feeds in 24 hours. Your baby may also ‘cluster’ feed, having a few of his breastfeeds close together then the rest spaced out a little more — this is normal. The important thing to remember is that the more often a baby suckles at the breast, the more milk is produced. At times during the early weeks your baby may appear to be more hungry than usual — he will be “asking” to build up your supply in preparation for a spurt of growing and developing. Occasionally a very placid baby, who regularly sleeps for long stretches, may need to be woken to be fed. Don’t be tempted to make comparisons between how often your baby feeds and a bottle-fed baby’s patterns. Breastfed babies have a totally different pattern of feeding.

How can I increase my milk supply? If you feel that your supply is low, encourage your baby to feed more often. Put your own and your baby’s needs first. Babies do have ‘growth spurts’ and at these times they will need to feed more often to stimulate milk production. Good positioning at the breast is also important for a good milk supply.

Can I have too much milk? Colostrum (the ‘first’ milk) begins to change to mature milk during the first week and this is often referred to as the milk ‘coming in’. Your breasts will be swollen with extra fluids and, initially, you may be making more milk than your baby takes. At this time your breasts may become hard, lumpy and painful. Frequent feeding helps to avoid this and expressing a little milk before putting the baby to the breast can also help. A warm bath or warm flannel held to the breast will help the milk to flow easily and make expressing easier

Will breastfeeding spoil my figure? No, it’s pregnancy and birth that affect your figure, along with your lifestyle and eating habits. You may find your breasts change in appearance slightly after giving birth whether or not you breastfeed, but breastfeeding may actually help them to remain firmer than they otherwise would. A well-fitting nursing bra will support your breasts and keep you comfortable during the day. A bra that is too tight can lead to blocked milk ducts and mastitis.

Do I have to eat a special diet? No. A normal, balanced diet will provide your body with all the nutrients necessary to make plenty of milk for your baby’s needs without depleting your own stores of nutrients or energy. Occasionally a baby may take exception to something you have eaten or drunk, but this is unusual. Moderation in all foods is normally all that is required. Drink when you feel thirsty.

How do I know if my baby is getting enough milk? If your newborn baby is feeding whenever he asks to, is gaining weight steadily, has plenty of pale, wet nappies (provided no other fluids are given), has several poos a day (in the first six weeks) and seems contented, then relax — he’s getting enough. He will enjoy the cuddling and the close contact with you, so don’t be afraid of “spoiling” him by breastfeeding frequently.

What about night feeds? Almost every baby wakes at night needing to be fed. A baby’s tummy cannot hold huge amounts of milk and, as breast milk is very easily digested, your baby will ask to breastfeed often. Night feeds help boost your milk supply and prevent engorged breasts. Night feeds may continue for some time: there is no set age at which a breastfed baby will give up wanting to feed at night. Each baby is an individual with individual needs.
You can visit our Hospital in Gurgaon for special maternity services, clarifications and guidance.

Good Parenting
Jan 4, 2019|Dr. Shreya Dubey

Good Parenting

It is important to keep in mind that every parent child relationship is different, so there is not one sure fire way to go about parenting. This is a simple guide to help decode your parenting style.The CK Birla Hospital provides general suggestions on how to raise a happy, responsible, productive member of society.

Authoritative

Authoritative parenting is widely regarded as the most effective and beneficial parenting style for normal children. Authoritative parents are easy to recognize and how?

  • Does your child’s day have structure to it, such as a planned bedtime and understood household rules?
  • Are there consequences for disrupting this structure or breaking the household rules?
  • Does your child understand the expectations that you have for their behavior, and are these expectations reasonable?
  • Do you have a healthy and open line of communication with your child? That is, does your child feel that they can speak to you about anything without fear of negative consequence or harsh judgment?

One of the most important traits in the authoritative parenting style is the open communication style with the child. If a parent can foster the ability to speak to their child without judgment or reprimand, they will be more likely to have insight into the child’s life and understanding, providing the child with a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Neglectful

As an expert child specialist in Gurgaon, we feel that neglectful parenting is one of the most harmful styles of parenting that can be used on a child

  • Do you care for your child’s needs—emotional, physical, and otherwise?
  • Do you have an understanding of what is going on in your child’s life?
  • Does the home provide a safe space for the child where they can share their experiences and expect positive feedback rather than negative or no feedback?
  • Do you spend long periods of time away from home, leaving the child alone?
  • Do you often find yourself making excuses for not being there for your child?
  • Do you know your child’s friends? Teachers?
  • Are you involved in your child’s life outside the home?

Neglectful parenting is damaging to children, because they have no trust foundation with their parents from which to explore the world. Beyond that, children who have a negative or absent relationship with their parent will have a harder time forming relationships with other people, particularly children their age.

Permissive

Permissive parenting, also known as indulgent parenting is another potentially harmful style of parenting. These parents are responsive but not demanding. These parents tend to be lenient while trying to avoid confrontation. The benefit of this parenting style is that they are usually very nurturing and loving. The negatives, however, outweigh this benefit.

  • Do you not have set limits or rules for your child? Do you often compromise your rules to accommodate your child’s mood?
  • Do you avoid conflict with your child?
  • Do you have a willingness to be your child’s best friend rather than their parent?
  • Do you often bribe your child to do things with large rewards?

It may seem as though this would be a child’s favorite parenting style as it provides a sense of freedom without consequences. However, children crave for a sense of structure to make them feel safe. Our hospital in Gurgaon feels it is important in a child’s development to have clear cut parental and child roles.
Other damaging effects of permissive parenting include:

  • Insecurity in children from of lack of set boundaries
  • Poor social skills, such as sharing, from lack of discipline
  • Self-centeredness
  • Poor academic success from lack of motivation
  • Clashing with authority

It is important for the permissive parent to begin to set boundaries and rules for their child, while still being responsive before it is too late.

Authoritarian

Authoritarian parenting, also called strict parenting, is characterized by parents who are demanding but not responsive. Authoritarian parents allow for little open dialogue between parent and child and expect children to follow a strict set of rules and expectations.

  • Do you have very strict rules that you believe should be followed no matter what?
  • Do you often find yourself offering no explanations for the rules other than “Because I said so?”
  • Do you give your child few choices and decisions about their own life?
  • Do you find yourself utilizing punishment as a means of getting your child to do what you ask?
  • Are you reserved in the amount of warmth and nurturing you show your child?

Children of authoritarian parents are prone to having low self-esteem, being fearful or shy, associating obedience with love, having difficulty in social situations, and possibly misbehaving when outside of parental care.

Make an appointment with our expert pediatrician in gurgaon at The CK Birla Hospital.

Morbidly obese patient (105 kgs) conceived at first attempt
Nov 3, 2018|Dr. Anjali Kumar

Morbidly obese patient (105 kgs) conceived at first attempt

It is recognized beyond doubt that weight affects fertility in both men and women equally. Both underweight and overweight women have impaired chances of conceiving. Obesity affects conception even in assisted reproductive methods like IUI and IVF. It also affects the oocyte and thus the embryo quality. Those who are obese and conceive, have increased rates of congenital anomalies, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, fetal macrosomia, still births, post term pregnancies and cesarean deliveries.

At the CK Birla Hospital we recently treated one such patient. She was a 37-year-old with primary infertility. There was a past history of Laparoscopic gall bladder removal and a family history of diabetes. She had undergone 2 failed attempts of IUI with injections. Her weight was 105 Kgs. Nothing was significantly abnormal in the husband’s history or physical examination. Controlled ovarian stimulation during IVF yielded 6 oocytes out of which 4 were mature and 4 embryos fertilized. Two embryos were transferred, and she conceived twins.

This is a rare case where a morbidly obese patient conceived in the first IVF attempt. This does give a ray of hope to those patients who have been trying to lose weight but have been unsuccessful. Ideally, it is advisable to lose weight naturally, by lifestyle and dietary modifications. If needed surgical interventions like Bariatric procedures can also be offered before attempting IVF to improve the chances of success.