BODY TALK

Dr R K Modi tells you about six aches you shouldn’t ignore

STOMACH ACHE
Tummy trouble is common in Mumbai where people have irregular eating hours and the temptation of street food. If you’re a woman in child-bearing years, a stomach ache could signal an ovarian cyst. A persistent stomach ache which only gets worse such that the pain then trickles down to your lower back, is cause for concern. Often the pain is accompanied by problems in bowel movements (constipation or diarrhoea). The best way to rule out the possibility is to get an ultrasound which can detect a cyst immediately. If caught early, an oral tablet can take care of the situation. However, if the cyst grows in size then a key-hole surgery may be required.
BACKACHE
Most of us suffer from backache and working all day on the computer only aggravates the problem. However, if your backache starts radiating downwards to the genitals and is no longer a dull ache but a sharp pain, then you need to see your doctor as soon as possible. Sometimes the pain may last for just a few minutes, at other times it may last for hours on end. Such piercing pain could be the result of kidney stones, which usually affects adults. It can be detected by means of an x-ray, ultrasound and urine examination.
JAW PAIN
Have you ever felt this annoying dull ache in the jaw? In most cases, it is because the temporomandibular joint (jaw joint) is overworked and the pain usually fades away with time. However, if it’s repetitive and accompanied by a clicking sound as you open and close your mouth, it could point to injury of the jaw joint. A general physician can detect the problem by means of an X-ray. Treatment lies in oral medication.
JOINT PAIN
Most adults over 50 years of age complain of pain in the joints. Commonly, this is a dull ache in the knees which increases with movement or a similar ache in the small joints of the fingers on any sort of hand movement. If the pain persists and increases, then you need to see an orthopaedic physician immediately. An X-ray and a bone density test can point to osteo-arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis which are both bone degenerative diseases. Both problems are more common in women than in men as bone density often decreases after menopause. The disease cannot be completely cured but its progression can be halted through physiotherapy and steroids. In extreme cases knee-replacement surgery may be required.
PAIN IN THE BIG TOE
Pain in the big toe point to gout. Gout results from excess uric acid crystals deposited in the joint. Over time the pain becomes excruciating and affects movement. The problem is more common in adults over the age of 30. Gout can be detected through X-ray and blood test and treatment involves oral medication.
PAIN AROUND THE TEMPLES
Often a headache is just that — a selflimiting ache in the head. However, if the pain is restricted to the temples and is a piercing pain, you need to see a doctor as it could be temporal arthritis. The condition is more likely to occur in adults over 50 and is repetitive at regular interval, at times lasting just a few minutes. During this time, the blood vessels of the scalp get dilated and the temples are sensitive to touch. Treatment involves steroids.
(Dr R K Modi is a senior consultant in internal medicine at the Wochkardt Hospital in Mulund and the L H Hiranandani Hospital in Powai)
    — AS TOLD TO KIRAN MEHTA

 

 

 

 

 

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Mindful mouthfuls

Can a bowl of oatmeal help prevent a heart attack or does a cup of yoghurt aid in digestion? Foods consumed sensibly can prevent or even cure certain diseases, says Norbert Rego

 RAVI PRAKASH, 33, had a stressful job profile, erratic timings and an irregular eating schedule. At 110 kgs, he was besieged with high cholesterol levels with borderline diabetes and also suffered from bouts of hyper acidity, insomnia, and high blood pressure. Of late, he's started losing weight, and feeling a whole lot better about himself. His secret? Eating!
He explains, "Wheat rotis changing to jowar rotis helped me in digestion and to lose eight kgs in four weeks. One glass of sweet lime juice without sugar got my BP under control. Pineapple helped me get rid of acidity. Two walnuts and flaxseed three teaspoons daily helped me control my cholesterol. A meal pattern and methi seeds, roasted and ground, brought my blood sugar levels with in normal range."
Healthy food is all that is required to maintain the health of a human being. You can beat quite a number of medical conditions by eating right and exercising regularly. Many foods are medicinal, and are the fuel on which we run our bodies. This is a process of 'eating with awareness" which is called 'meditative eating' or 'mindful eating'.
    "Meditative eating helps you enjoy all the dimensions of food and drink. The colours, the fragrances, the textures and of course the taste of food is better appreciated when you eat with awareness. Meditative eating drives away stress, as you are completely consumed by the moment, with no time for worry or tension,"
says Dr Dilip Nadkarni, orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine consultant.
    Vishal Sinh, 45, had high cholesterol. After consuming methi seeds everyday, his cholesterol levels have reduced significantly. "As prescribed by the nutritionist, I incorporated methi seeds in my diet. However, the key word for foods to do wonders is patience. Results come slow and steady, but provide life-time benefits," he says.
    Agrees Dr Richa Anand, executive dietician, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai. "Foods consumed sensibly can prevent certain diseases. Even if they do not heal cent per cent; at least there are no concerns about any side-effects."
FOODS TO FIGHT DISEASES
A combination of rehabilitation exercises (for post-surgical conditions) or contemporary exercises parallel to healthy food choices can result in magical changes in existing disorders or prevent future medical eruptions. HIGH BLOOD CHOLESTEROL l Fenugreek seeds, walnuts, wheat germ, oats, soy, garlic, olive oil and foods high in soluble fibre, such as apples, berries and brussel sprouts. A basic cardio workout in combination with weight training helps increase the good cholesterol. DIABETES l A combination of nuts such as peanuts, walnuts, almonds; cinnamon, garlic, flaxseeds and foods high in soluble fibre such as oatmeal, barley, lentils and apples. A daily workout routine helps in uptake of glucose from the blood, thus reducing the blood glucose levels and increasing the sensitivity of insulin to the glucose. BLOOD PRESSURE l Foods rich in potassium such as fruits with a combination of pulses, ragi and whole grains can reduce blood pressure. And a moderate cardio workout in one's daily routine increases the pumping capacity of the heart, thus strengthening the heart muscles. CONSTIPATION l Yoghurt not only reduces constipation but improves immunity. Yoga and a fibrous meal helps improve the bowel movements, resulting in smooth passage of stools.
    (Inputs from Kinita S Kadakia, diet consultant)
QUICK-FIX CURES
l Ashwagandha helps reduce cortisol which is a stress hormone. High cortisol levels lead to insomnia, fatigue, digestive problems, low immunity and high mucus formation. l Walnuts and olive oil help increase HDL levels (good cholesterol) and prevent heart attacks. Coriander seeds also increase HDL levels. l ½ tsp each of ginger juice with honey taken in the morning works as an anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer food and also helps in constipation and gastric mobility. l 1 tsp of methi and jeera each soaked in a cup of water taken on empty stomach in the morning helps get rid of water retention. l Intake of thyme leaf, oregano and rosemary leaf will improve resistance against bacterial infection and help cure inflammation in the stomach. l Stewed apple and pomegranate juice controls diarrhoea. 1 tbsp of curd beaten in a glass of water with salt and roasted jeera powder with 2 tbsp of Isabgol is the best remedy for acute diarrhoea. l Pineapple juice contains bromelein, which is a digestive enzyme. It cures chronic acidity and flatulence, if taken one glass daily. l Raw amba haldi grated and garnished with green coriander leaves helps detoxify the liver. l Sprouted barley and methi seeds improve immune system and rheumatoid arthritis. l Sweetlime juice contains potassium which helps as diuretic and controls blood pressure. (Inputs from Sveta Bhassin, nutritionist and wellness consultant)

As the mercury rises mercilessly, get your summer survival kit ready.

Sonal Ved gets experts to give you a few tips

 Scorching summer days are nothing new for us. But in the first week of April, when your skin feels like it’s melting, some serious action is called for. Here’s what you can do beat the sun at its own game.
DIET MATTERS

• Make the regulars on the Indian thali such as dal, chawal, chapatti and subji your mainstay. However eat in moderation as stomach disorders are high during the hot months.

• Concentrate on foods high on water such as watermelon, cucumber, oranges, carrots, spinach etc since humidity makes the body lose water.

• All of us are aware of the eight glasses of water a day theory, but the truth is that you should have only as much as you feel. Sipping on coconut water, chaas, nimbu pani (without sugar, if you are on a weight loss programme or diabetic) can help balance the water level of the body.
AVOID
Foods with unrequited fat and sodium content. Sodium causes water retention, further dehydrating the body. Salty peanuts, potato chips and oily farsaans are bad too; have a bowl fresh fruit or a cup of yogurt instead.
KIDDIES DAY OUT

• If your kids complain of loss of appetite, give them compact meals — stuffed paratha, subji wrapped in chappati, curd-rice, or raita khichdi

• Trade water for coconut water, nimbu pani or mix fruit juice.
SKIN CARE
A line of infections and diseases that your skin is likely to suffer are:

• Prickly heat: An itchy infection mainly caused due to blockage of sweat glands. Combat it by taking a shower twice in the day.

• Fungal skin infection: Caused due to excessive perspiration and lack of air circulation. Avoid closed shoes, synthetic fabric and tight clothes.

• Sun burns: Over exposure of sun can make your skin tanned and burnt. The result: black skin patches that peel off. Moisturise this area; do not pull the peeling skin. General hygiene and skin care can go a long way in avoiding these.

• Shower immediately after exercise

• Wear open shoes to allow circulation. Always wear a sunblock lotion. SPF 30 for indoors and SPF 50 for outdoors.
SICK OF SUMMER
Summer ailments are mostly caused by poor hygiene, water infection and dehydration. Common ones are:
GASTROENTERITIS
Common among those who rely on pre-cooked meals. During summer the food tends to get spoilt faster than other days. If consumed it leads to vomiting, food poisoning etc. Solution: Always have freshly cooked meals and boil your water. Closed fruits like oranges, bananas, sweet limes than pre-chopped ones.
SUMMER COUGHS AND COLD:
Fluctuating temperatures between the heat on the street and your AC office results in coughs and cold. Excessive consumption of iced water and cold foods are also to be blamed. Solution: Maintain your AC temperature between 20-25 degrees; consume less cold foods and beverages.
ACUTE DEHYDRATION:
Over exposure to the sun takes away essential hydration from the body which then needs to be replenished with water. Giddiness, headaches, fainting and fever are some of its symptoms.
Solution: Have liquids regularly during the day and wear a cap while on out the streets.
(Inputs from Dr Shilpa Joshi, Mumbai Diet and Health Center; Dr Rohini Wadhwani Cosmetologist and Medical Director, Skin Essentials; Dr Hemant Thacker, Consultant Physician)