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There can be benefits to all the foot-tapping and twiddling of thumbs. It can even help focus the mind. So how much is too much? Sports manager Siddharth Bhattacharya finds it difficult to remain still. If he is at work and there is a pen within sight, he’ll want to pick it up and fiddle with it even while doing something else on his laptop. Sometimes, without realising it, he’ll idly tap his feet on the floor or against a table leg. Bhattacharya does not think of this as something to worry about. Neither do many others who, like him, have a habit of twiddling their thumbs, blinking too much, or making unconscious repetitive motions that most of us dismiss within the umbrella category of fidgeting. But why do we do fidget? And is there an upside? A study conducted by the University of Missouri in 2016 suggests that mild fidgeting activities such as feet tapping or thumb twiddling can even reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Fidgeting is also an innocuous way to focus or channel a wandering mind — the external manifestation of a mental engine humming along nicely. “Fidgeting can become cause for concern if it interferes with your ability to focus on a task or disrupts your general well-being, say by hampering sleep patterns,” says Dr Sonal Anand, psychiatrist at Wockhardt hospitals, Mumbai. “It can also be a symptom. Severe fidgeting can be indicative of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which is usually found in children but can also show up in adults.” Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/why-we-fidget-and-should-you-stop-101614956401027.html

Ever since senior citizens have started getting the covid-19 vaccinations, hospital staff and doctors are rolling out a red carpet for them before and after they are inoculated. While some corporate hospitals are visiting residential societies to conduct camps for helping senior citizens to register themselves on Co-win app, several doctors and hospital staff has been seen offering tea and snacks after the elderly were inoculated, a Times of India report states. The services which are available at the vaccine centres include, wheelchairs on arrival, no queues for people above 80 years of age, and counselling. Reportedly, staffers at the Mumbai civic body-run Mulund jumbo centre are pooling money to buy biscuit packets and tea which they serve to the elderly. “The local Lions Clubs has now shown interest in helping us out,” said the dean Dr. Pradeep Angre who walks around the center which has 20 vaccine booths advising recipients to take paracetamol in the evening and the need to continue wearing masks. Most senior citizens have narrated a positive experience of getting inoculated against the deadly coronavirus. Apart from the first two days of technical glitches, the drive has largely been smooth. Dr. Parag Rindani, head of Wockhardt Hospitals, has doubled the number of wheelchairs at his hospital in Mumbai central. He told TOI that our hospital staff along with management staff everyone is out on floors to help senior citizens during and post-inoculation. The Wockhardt hospitals has also sent tea to housing localities where the elderly are being advised on how to register them for the covid-19 vaccine, he added. As the vaccination drive is being run on a full scale, private hospitals have been instructed to carry on immunization until 6 pm. However, BMC is yet to start evening shifts. “Planning on going on for that, if demand continues to be high we may begin evening shifts. Initially, we had planned evening shifts but at that point, the Government of India had not provided that option,” said Dr. Sheela Jagtap, BMC immunization officer. The response to Phase III of the Covid-19 vaccination drive has been impressive. The inoculation drive for people aged 60 plus and 45 plus with comorbidities had begun on March 1. Source: https://www.news18.com/news/india/tea-wheelchairs-on-arrival-co-win-camps-mumbai-hospitals-roll-out-red-carpet-for-senior-citizens-3506867.html

A team led by Dr. Abdul Hameed, a Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, successfully operated a 26-year-old accident victim for multiple facial fractures to save his eyes and eliminate the risk of vision loss. The patient was discharged without any post-operation complications and under follow-up for two-three months. A 26-year-old Yash Kanojia, a resident of palghar, met with an accident while traveling on a bike. Initially, he was admitted to the local hospital for primary care later patient was shifted to Wockhardt Hospitals in Mira Road. Dr. Abdul Hameed, Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, said, “On arrival in an emergency the patient was critical and was advised immediate CT Scan to rule the situation of the eye and facial fractures. His CT scan revealed that there were multiple fractures on the face involving the bones around his eyes and that could have led to vision impairment. Hence, the patient was advised to undergo fixation of all the facial bone fracture and exploration of eye and repair of orbital bone fractures impinging on the eyeball, once he was neurologically fit for the surgery till then he was managed with medications.” Dr. Hameed added, “To avoid further complications, it was decided to perform the surgery in one go.  The surgery lasted for 3-4 hours. The surgery was carried out smoothly with desired results. Timely intervention, proper diagnosis, and treatment can save people.” “His life was shattered after that ghastly accident. He had bruises all over his face and he couldn’t even see properly as the facial fractures compressing his eye.  We were disheartened and not able to understand but doctors at the hospital gave us hope and assurance that he will be fine. We thank the doctors for their prompt treatment for saving his eyes in fact his eyes. 2021, have got a fresh lease of life to our son,” concluded the patient’s father Papu Kanojia. Source: https://www.biotechasianews.com/wockhardt-hospitals-mira-road-successfully-performed-a-complex-surgery-to-save-eyes-of-a-26-year-old-accident-victim-with-multiple-facial-fractures/

February 15 marks International Childhood Cancer Day, which marks the day to raise awareness regarding cancer among children and to provide support to the adolescents and children who are either suffering from cancer or have survived the ailment as well as their families. It is an international collaborative initiative. Every year worldwide, over three lakh children are diagnosed with cancer and in India, more than 40,000 to 50,000 new childhood cancer cases are detected annually, Dr. Atul Narayankar, who is Consultant Medical Oncology at Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road, told Financial Express Online. According to a Lancet Oncology journal study dated July 2019, most of the cases of childhood cancer come from low- to middle-income countries, and among these children, the survival rates are poor. Census 2011 also revealed that the prevalence of childhood cancer was the highest in India, likely due to the fact that 30% of the Indian population was younger than 14 years of age. The study by Lancet stated that of the childhood cancer patients in India, less than 20,000 get access to treatment. Considering the high prevalence of cancer among children in India, it is important that people in India become aware of this issue. Types of Cancers Prevalent Among Children “Blood cancer is most common in children. It can be either lymphoma or leukemia. Brain cancer is also witnessed, along with the bone tumor. Neuroblastoma is another common type of cancer seen among children. Apart from this, a tumour of the kidney (Wilms’ tumor) and tumor of the eye (retinoblastoma) is also seen,” Dr Narayankar said. How to Identify Signs of Childhood Cancer? According to Dr. Narayankar, children may commonly present signs like fatigue, fever, bleeding in gums, or bleeding under the skin (ecchymosis). Children suffering from leukemia usually display signs of bone pains, swelling as well as lumps. Retinoblastoma leads to new squinting, white-eye reflexes, or even loss of vision. “Abdominal lump is formed due to Wilms’ tumor. Meanwhile, brain tumor usually causes symptoms like vomiting and headache,” he said. When Should Parents Consult Doctors? Dr. Narayankar said that it was important that parents did not ignore these symptoms and immediately contacted doctors. Testing of a single complete blood count can lead to a diagnosis of leukemia, which can help in expedited action. “Investigations in such cases include conducting blood tests, CT-Scan or MRI imaging, and biopsy, which means tissue diagnosis,” Dr. Narayankar said. He also stated that usually, 70-990% of childhood cancers are completely curable, because children respond to treatments much better than adults do. Usually, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery are used for treatment, but in some high-risk cases, a bone marrow transplant may be required. Increased Hardships in India While 70-90% of cases of childhood cancers are completely curable, only about 20,000 out of 50,000 cases get access to treatment in India, indicating a huge gap in the healthcare system to effectively tackle this issue. As long as the medical treatment of cancer is supported by proper nourishment and an infection-free living environment, cancer among children can be cured, but the lack of such care is an issue among people coming from smaller towns to bigger cities like Delhi and Mumbai for treatment. Since cancer treatments can last up to two years, people coming from rural India often have to resort to means like living on footpaths or other unsafe accommodations due to a lack of other hygienic facilities. Nor can they ensure proper nutritious food in such situations. Due to this, ailing children catch secondary illnesses, which form the cause of the majority of deaths in such cases. While this is a major issue due to the glaring difference between rural and urban healthcare facilities and the major pay gap in the country, several organizations make efforts to tackle this problem. One such organization is St Judes India, which is operating in nine cities in the country presently. Talking to Financial Express Online about their work, St Judes India CEO Anil Nair said, “We create a homely environment for families whose children are battling cancer and are going through a tough phase in their lives. We work closely with a number of hospitals in major cities to ensure we are able to provide the best care and support required by a child to beat the illness.” While cancer among children is a major issue, it is not an unsolvable one. There is an immediate need for the creation of more hygienic facilities in urban areas where families coming from rural areas can find temporary shelter while their children fight the battle with cancer, and in the long run, the creation of better healthcare infrastructure in rural areas is needed. Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/health/international-childhood-cancer-day-2021-with-over-50000-cases-a-year-cancer-in-children-a-big-issue-for-india/2195259/

Nagpur: A complicated brain surgery was performed on a four-month-old in Wockhardt Hospitals in the city recently. The baby boy, Avanish, hailing from Umaria, Madhya Pradesh, had a brain tumor that needed to be removed. The child also had fluid build-up in his brain, leading to a bulging in fontanelle (soft part in children’s skull). It was necessary to extract that as well. Neurosurgeon Dr. Akshay Patil performed this surgery. “The child came to us in a complicated state, having a tumor in his brain which was very difficult to operate upon, but at the same time necessary to remove”, said Dr. Patil. The post-operative care was provided to the baby by pediatrician Dr. Sandeep Yadav. Another challenge for the medical team was to get a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan done before the surgery, which is quite challenging to perform on kids — especially on a four-month-old. The MRI was attempted four times but the child woke up each time. Thus, it had to be performed under sedation. Two simultaneous surgeries had to be performed — once for the hydrocephalus (build-up of fluid in brain cavities) and the other one for the tumor. Both the surgeries needed five-six hours each, and it was risky to keep the kid under sedation for such a long duration. Thus, it was decided that the surgery would be done in two phases. After performing the Covid-19 test and other necessary diagnoses, the infant was taken for surgeries. Both the surgeries were successful. “We feel happy for our contribution in saving a life. The family was provided the benefit of the Madhya Pradesh state government fund, as the treatment for these surgeries was quite expensive. The case was very complex and most of the hospitals in the region had refused to treat the child due to lack of proper facilities”, said K Sujatha, center head, Wockhardt Hospitals. TRICKY TUMOUREpendymomas uncommon in the paediatric population, extremely rare in very young children.4-month-old was having normal development milestones.Admitted without knowledge of another medical history.Tumour detected in the hypothalamus.Also had fluid build-up in the brain, leading to bulging in the skull’s soft part.Two surgeries performed — one to remove fluid and another for tumour.The baby recovered, now needs further paediatric care and radiotherapy. Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/complex-brain-surgery-done-on-4-month-old/articleshow/80319334.cms

Patients can walk within 24 hours of surgery with lesser chances of infection along with superior and safer clinical outcomes compared to traditional surgery. Technological advances have allowed more back and neck conditions to be treated with a minimally invasive surgical technique. Because minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS), does not involve a long incision, it avoids significant damage to the muscles surrounding the spine. Spine surgery is traditionally done as “open surgery” with a recovery period of 2-3 weeks. This means that the area being operated on is opened with a long incision to allow the surgeon to view and access the anatomy. MISS results in less pain after surgery and a faster recovery. Special instruments and viewing systems allow surgeons to work through small incisions, often shorter than an inch. These include tubular retractors, image-guidance systems, and endoscopes. According to Renowned Neurosurgeon of the city, Dr. Mazda Turel “In my experience 70-80% of all spine surgeries can be done through the more advanced minimally invasive technique which leads to superior clinical and aesthetic outcome along with lower risk of infection and patients can often go home the same day or the next day of the surgery” 64-year-old Mrs. Supriya Patil was operated on 4 times in the 1900s and 2000’s for unremitting back and leg pain with very little improvement with each procedure.  She had a 12-inch incision running down her lumbar spine from those surgeries and was so averse to having another operation that she preferred to be bed-bound over the past one year and was in immense pain. Her imaging was suggestive of instability with residual compression. With great difficulty, her family and her neurosurgeon convinced her to get a Minimally Invasive surgery done. By making 2 small incisions each on either side of her spine, using minimally invasive techniques, her Neurosurgeon was able to fix 3 unstable levels, release the pinching of the nerves and restore her spinal curvature. She was able to walk the same day of surgery and was discharged a few days later with significant pain relief and is off all pain medication.  According to Dr. Mazda Turel the Success of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Depends on:

We often hear words like arthritis, joint pain but do we have exact and accurate information about it?  There is lot of misunderstanding about it in the society even today. Any joint pain we refer to as arthritis is completely wrong. The reality is that arthritis is not a disease, it is a result of our lifestyle. In the past, there was a time where osteoarthritis occurs only after age of fifty. But nowadays, due to hectic lifestyle, arthritis appears at younger to middle age. There are many types of it, among which most common  is “Osteoarthritis”.(i.e. age related wear and tear of joint.)  Between two bones of each joint is a layer of cartilage, it’s the cushion between two bones. This layer of cartilage prevents friction between the two bones and facilitates movement of the joint. Over time, the cartilage layer rubs off, causing the bones in the joints to rub against each other which becomes painful swollen n deformed, this condition is referred as “osteoarthritis” in  medical science. This condition is more common in the knee joint in Indian population as we follow cross legged sitting and use Indian type of toilets which results in more wear and tear. In today’s fast-paced world, lifestyle changes such as eating and drinking habits, obesity and even some biological factors are responsible for this.  Common symptoms of osteoarthritis include knee pain after walking, swelling/inflammation in knee, inability to turn legs, bending legs, and consequently inability to walk. Osteoarthritis causes a lot of pain and slows down the movement of the joints, resulting in reduced quality of life and you won’t be able to carry out daily activities, e.g. Walking, kneeling, exercising, climbing stairs, playing with grandchildren, etc.  The most important factor in the treatment of osteoarthritis is to classify it. With the help of X-ray or MRI, the wear and tear of the joint is usually classified in four stages. Osteoarthritis of stage 1 and 2 is treated with medication and certain exercises. But when medication and exercise doesn’t help  and osteoarthritis is in stage 3 or 4, having Total Knee Replacement (TKR) Surgery is a best option available. In a joint replacement surgery both bones of the joint are given a specific shape for an implant to be fixed which is made of a special metal, a layer of plastic is placed between two implants to compensate the cartilage and to stop the friction of the implant. In this surgery, no muscle or ligament is cut near the joint. This surgery relieves the pain and allows the patient to live a normal life.  At Wockhardt Hospitals, Nashik, Total Knee Replacement (TKR) Surgery is performed in a special and unique way called as “Novo Technique”. Surgery with this method reduces the incision on the skin, reduces the time required for the operation, reduces bleeding, eliminates pain, reduces the need for physiotherapy, and speeds up the recovery. Novo technique almost assures 100% satisfaction to patients after surgery. After implantation, ease of movement of joints increases and quality of life improves. Furthermore, in today’s fast-paced world, we do not have to be dependent on others to take care of ourselves. After this surgery, patients can do all the daily activities, they can climb stairs, sit crossed legged, exercise and even sit on Indian form of commode. In view of all this, I would like to tell everyone not to bear the pain of osteoarthritis, timely  treatment can make rest of your life more comfortable, all you need to do is seek medical guidance at the right time. Dr. Jayesh SonajeMBBS, MS (Ortho), Fellowship in Joint Replacement & Arthroscopy (Germany)Consultant – Joint Replacement & Orthopedic SurgeriesWockhardt Hospitals Nashik For Appointment, Call – 02536624444

A septuagenarian with a large pituitary tumor underwent safe endoscopic endonasal surgery at Wockhardt Hospitals A team headed by Dr. Mazda Turel, Neurosurgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals, South Bombay, along with ENT specialist Dr. Neepa Vellimutam successfully performed a complicated brain tumor resection surgery on a 72-year-old septuagenarian from Mumbai who was brought with a progressive vision loss. It was revealed that the patient was diagnosed with 4 cm pituitary adenoma pressing on his optic nerve causing blindness. A timely intervention by the neuro-oncology department gave him a fresh lease of life. He has been discharged last month with no complications. Dhansukhlal Dedhia, a resident of Mumbai developed prostate cancer earlier this year for which he underwent Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in May 2020 and was on chemotherapy and steroids. Life was smooth but a few months ago, he started encountering vision problems and that took a toll on his active life. The patient was dependent on his family members for carrying out his daily chores. However, his health deteriorated further and he was referred to Wockhardt Hospitals, South Bombay. Dr. Mazda Turel, Neurosurgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals, South Bombay said, “On September 8, 2020, the patient presented with the history of bilateral blurred vision for the last few months. His vision deteriorated over days and was unable to see things beyond afoot. The MRI showed a 4cm tumor pressing against the optic nerves causing visual loss.” The oncologist collaborated that prostate cancer was under control and it would be worth going ahead with surgery to restore vision. Dr. Turel added, “The patient was scheduled to undergo endoscopic endonasal tumor resection. His COVID test done a day prior to surgery was negative. The patient underwent Endoscopic transnasal trans-sphenoidal radical excision of pituitary macroadenoma under general anesthesia on September 9, 2020. An endoscope with light and camera was inserted in one nostril and advancing it to the back of the nasal cavity. A small portion of the nasal septum that divides the left and right nostril is removed. At the back wall of the sphenoid sinus, there is the bone overlying the pituitary gland known as the sella, and is removed to expose the tough lining of the skull called the dura. The dura is opened to expose the tumor and pituitary gland and the tumor is extracted. Tumor removal corrects vision problems and restores normal hormone balance. He had also developed transient hyponatremia which was corrected Dr. Turel explained, “We removed the tumor completely relieving the pressure from his optic nerves.  He made a good recovery and was back to reading the newspaper within 4 days of surgery. He was discharged with near-normal vision.” “This surgery is particularly challenging in times of Covid given that the nasal passage is a harbinger of infection and operating through the nose and drilling the base of the skull generates aerosols.  The level of precaution even in Covid negative patients is extremely heightened since the entire operation theatre is at great risk of receiving or transmitting the infection from an asymptomatic person.” “I was disheartened when I had blurred vision and was not able to recognize who was standing in front of me as I couldn’t see. My vision problems were going on increasing as the days passed. Fortunately, Wockhardt Hospitals came to my rescue. I thank the doctors for helping me gain my vision back and giving me a new way of life,” concluded patient Dhansukhlal Dedhia.

37-year-old Ms. Jyotsna Maru was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome after suffering from Covid-19. It is an autoimmune disease which results in paralysis of limbs due to delays in sending signals through the nerves. Several reports of covid 19 associated GBS have been reported from different parts of the world and India. She was successfully managed by Wockhardt Hospital South Bombay critical care team lead by Dr. Kedar Toraskar, Chief of Critical Care, Dr. Ravindra Zore, Dr. Gaurav Gupta, Dr. Bhooshan Gondse and Dr. Gurudas Pundpal with Dr. Prashant Makhija, Consultant Neurologist and Dr. Honey Savla, Junior Consultant. A Youtuber and Bharatanatyam Dancer Ms. Jyotsna Maru visited Wockhardt Hospitals with the complaints of tingling, numbness involving hands and legs along with progressively worsening weakness which worsened to the extent that she was unable to stand and walk on her own. She tested positive for Covid-19 infection. During Hospital stay for COVID treatment Ms. Jyotsna had complaints of severe backache and difficulty in walking. In view of progressive weakness, she was suspected to have Guillain barre syndrome, which was confirmed on neurological evaluation. Dr. Prashant Makhija, Neurologist Consultant, Wockhardt Hospitals, South Bombay said, “Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disorder in which our body’s immune system goes in overdrive and starts mistakenly attacking nerves of our hands and legs, leading to paralysis of limbs. It usually appears days or weeks after a viral infection which is usually a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection. In her case, COVID-19 infection might have led to Guillain-Barre Syndrome. With appropriate treatment, she has now significantly recovered and is able to walk with minimal support.” Dr. Kedar Toraskar, Chief of Critical Care, Wockhardt Hospitals South Bombay said “Several reports of Covid-19 associated GBS have been reported from different parts of World and India. It a rare neurological complication which is associated with COVID 19 virus and which can be potentially life-threatening and may require mechanical ventilatory support. If diagnosed and treated on time with Intravenous immunoglobulin (IV IGg) or plasmapheresis, life-threatening complications can be averted. This is a rare neurological complication that can lead to respiratory failure and even death. But if diagnosed and treated early like Ms Jyotsna the outcomes are good.” “Due to numbness over my fingers, difficulty in walking, and severe backache, I was really worried about my health and my career. I feared whether I will be able to perform Bharatanatyam. I am glad about timely treatment, I am recovering well. I sincerely thank the team of doctors at the Wockhardt Hospitals who always motivated me and supported me with proper care and treatment. I am thankful to the doctors for helping me recover and hopefully, I will be able to perform Bharatanatyam very soon.,” concluded patient Ms. Jyotsna. Source: http://mediabulletins.com/health/rare-neurological-disorder-guillain-barre-syndrome-linked-to-covid-19-successfully-treated-at-wockhardt-hospital-south-bombay/

A 35-year-old woman from Mira Road beat Covid-19 and went on to successfully deliver her baby in the 7th month of her pregnancy. Both the mother and baby were discharged after the woman spent 60 days in the hospital, including 21 days in the intensive care unit (ICU) and 14 days on the ventilator. The patient was referred to Wockhardt Hospitals in Mira Road, after she complained of fever, breathless and desaturation (low blood oxygen concentration), said Dr Bipin Jibkhate, a senior critical care consultant at the hospital. “The patient was taken to a private practitioner, and after testing positive for Covid-19, she was shifted to our hospital. There were multiple challenges in managing the pregnant patient in the ICU as her immunity was low. Her physiological needs were different from normal women, and pregnant women have a higher tendency of clotting, high abdominal pressure, low carbon dioxide levels and higher tendency to vomit, said the medico. In such situations, if the oxygen level is not maintained, the options are limited, Dr Jibkhate explaining, adding that they had to put the patient on the ventilator. “Fortunately, she responded to the treatment, and her ventilator requirement went down. However, even after seven days, she required a significant amount of ventilator use, and so we removed the tube from her mouth and put it through her throat – a procedure called as tracheostomy,” he said. In the meanwhile, the woman’s second Covid-19 test came negative. She was shifted to a non-Covid ICU and slowly taken off the ventilator. “Because of the stress of the disease and ICU stay, the patient went into labour prematurely and delivered a baby boy,” said Dr Mangala Patil, obstetrician, Wockhardt Hospitals. According to Dr Samir Shaikh, consultant neonatologist, the baby weighed only 1,560 gram and was shifted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). After a few days, the baby’s condition improved, and he and his mother were discharged. “My world came crashing down when I tested positive for Covid-19. But the doctors made sure that I delivered my baby safely, and now his health has also improved,” said the patient. Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/covid-19-positive-pregnant-woman-gives-birth-prematurely-at-mira-road-hospital-mother-and-baby-discharged/story-Yc3lm2JUtnaxQ7RD5NhqTO.html