Quarter of world’s cervical cancer patients live in India, says Dr. Sapna Nangia

Cervical caner is the commonest cancer in Indian women. A quarter of the world’s cervical cancer patiants live in India. “It is indeed ironical that a cancer that can be prevented by a vaccine and detected in a pre-malignent state receives such little attention from the media”, laments Dr.Sapna Nangia, Seinor Consultant, Radiation Oncology, Apollo Cancer Institute, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.

In an exclusive interaction with Jayashankar Menon, she throws insight on this vexatious problem of rampant cervical cancer among Indian women and how it can be nipped in the bud. Excerpts:

JM: What is the level of awareness about cervical cancer in India?

SN: Cervical cancer is the commonest cancer in Indian women and a quarter of the world’s cervical cancer patients live in India! It is indeed ironical that a cancer that can be prevented by a vaccine and detected in a pre malignant state receives such little attention from the media.

JM: What are the real causes for this infection of cervical cancer amongst Indian women?

SN: Caused by infection with the Human Papilloma Virus(HPV), cervical cancer involves the opening of the uterus into the vagina. It occurs more commonly in women who start sexual activity at a young age and is also more common in women with many childbirths and partners. Given that girls in rural India marry at a younger age and have more children than their urban counterparts, it is not surprising that the incidence of cervical cancer is more in rural India. Other risk factors are poor personal hygiene and of late, HIV infection.

JM: How long it takes the process of transformation of a pre-cancerous state to cervical cancer?

SN: The process of transformation of a pre-cancerous state to cervical cancer takes around ten years. During this period, a simple test called Pap smear can detect this pre-cancerous state. The affected area of the cervix can be effectively treated by a gynecologist using simple treatment methods such as laser, cryosurgery and LEEP. Pap smears are recommended for all sexually active women, the test being repeated at three yearly intervals if normal and at five yearly intervals if both Pap smear and testing for high risk strains of HPV are negative.

JM What is your take on mass screening of women using VIA?

SN: Organist ions looking to make a contribution towards improving the health status of Indian women would do well to think of mass screening of women using a technique called VIA. This simple test, which basically consists of applying vinegar to the cervix and then inspecting it, can be easily administered by health workers. In a landmark study by Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, mass screening of women was found to reduce the risk of dying due to cervical cancer by a whopping 30 percent. It is known that mass screening for cervical cancer once in ten years can reduce the incidence of this disease by 60 percent.

JM: Do we have enough vaccines to stem the rot?

SN: Vaccines are now available against some strains of HPV. Gardasil from Merck protects against four strains, two of which cause cervical cancer and two, genital warts. Cervarix, from  Glaxo Smith Kline Beecham, protects against two cancer causing HPV strains. The HPV strains that these vaccines act against are responsible for about 70 percent of all cervical cancers. Women who have  been vaccinated should therefore still undergo Pap smears for early detection of cervical cancer.

JM: What is the ideal time for vaccination?

SN: The ideal time for vaccination is prior to initiation of sexual activity. It is usually administered to  at the age of 12-13 years to girls, but can be administered between the ages of 9-45 years. When administered, after initiation of sexual activity, the vaccine does not protect against pre-existing infection.

JM: What is the recommended course of injection?

SN: A course of three injections is recommended. However, the second and third injections are being administered one and six months, respectively, after the first. The cost of the vaccine is around Rs. 2,500 per dose.

JM: What other cancers HPV is responsible for?

SN: HPV is responsible for other cancers besides cervical cancer, anal cancer, vulval cancer and that of the throat are also caused by strains of this virus. Vaccination is likely to reduce the risk of these cancers as well.

JM: How about the awareness of HPV vaccination abroad?

SN: HPV vaccination is a part of the National Immunisation Programme in Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada. Besides girls, immunisation of  boys  to prevent the cancers as well as the transmission of cervical cancer is also being considered and is already a part of the national Immunisation programme of some countries.

Healhcare at Home is aimed at making a difference in women’s lives: Dr Gaurav Thukral

The buzz for Women’s Day gets louder with each passing year, but it is yet to be seen what all has been done to make woman safer, especially health wise. There is a need that women undergo preventive health check-ups to avoid ailments like cancer, diabetes and cardio vascular diseases from happening.

Home health check-ups provided by HealthCare at Home is aimed at making a difference in women’s lives, says Dr Gaurav Thukral, Head Medical Services, HCAH. In an interview given to Jayashankar Menon, Dr Gaurav Thukral speaks about HealthCare and the bringing the concept of preventive check-ups at women’s doorsteps. Excerpts:

JM: Are women taking care of their health, while juggling with innumerable roles they play?
GT: Single handedly she takes care of everything – home, family, parents, kids and their multifarious demands without any complaints. No matter what role she is in — mother, sister or a wife, she is just at her best in taking care of your needs. For a woman, family always comes first than her own self. She can compromise and sacrifice anything or everything for the sake of her family members. Women have also come of age and they now even lend financial support so that their families can lead a comfortable life. In meeting with all the demands and pressures, what gets a beating is her health. A woman takes enough pains to keep her family members in shape, but her own health is always the last thing on her mind. A family, which runs flawlessly when the charge is in the control of a woman, goes haywire when she is down with any health issue. The sheer ignorance of her health many a times turns fatal when a minor disease, which could have been avoided with simple health check-ups, turns life threatening. Time constraint and dependency on others to visit a doctor for check-ups usually become the common issues for most of the women.

JM: Can you talk about HealthCare and the concept of Home thought preventive health check-ups to women?
GT: Understanding that ‘Healthy Woman Makes Healthy Families’ and how important it is for them to stay in good shape, we at HealthCare at Home thought to plug this gap. We decided to provide preventive health check-ups to women in their comfortable confines of home. Realising that ignorance on the part of women is the main reason for not getting check-ups done HCAH brought the concept of preventive check-ups at the women’s doorsteps.
The home care provider of specialised services saw that women were not careful about their illnesses and skipped seeing a doctor for the same, until it did not reach frightening levels. Anemia and lack of vital nutrients was another issue that bogged women down as they overlooked their diet in the hustle bustle of their daily lives and made no conscious efforts for consuming nutrient-rich food. Lack of awareness, we realised, about preventive health check-ups was another problem area. Chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes and cardiac ailments remained unnoticed in women as they either ignored or delayed the check-ups.

JM: Can you elaborate the kind of check-ups you do?
GT: HCAH provides comprehensive health check-ups at home under which cancer screening is also done for breast cancer and cervical cancer, the two common forms of cancer with which women are mostly afflicted with. It is advised that after the age of 40, women should get themselves checked for cancer every six months and they should particularly undergo for Pap smear and breast examination after mid 30s.
It is seen that women are not very comfortable getting these two tests done as it involves the private parts of the body. The home health check up provided by HCAH addresses all the concerns of women. The tests are conducted by women nurses in the privacy of home. The tests take only five minutes and the service saves the person from visiting a doctor as well.
Besides that, the nurses of HCAH are skilled to collect samples of blood, urine and even do ECG at home. Full body examinations are also done by them, under which the physiotherapists also look after the wear and tear of women’s body. They check the pain points like on the back, shoulders, neck and ankle — areas which are under constant pressure. The physiotherapists guide the women about the right posture they have to follow as also how to prevent the pain from recurring.
The nurse and nutritionists impart knowledge to women about the importance of being healthy and eating right diet. After the check-up, the health data of the woman screened is shared with her doctor concerned through video and telephonic consultation. After a review, the doctor prescribes the medication and health plan to be followed, which is shared with the woman by HCAH. Women play varied roles in our lives and compromise on various things to let the engine of our homes running. If they fail to take care of their health, the demand of the time is that family members, especially the male, do something about it. A timely check-up can ensure that various health ailments remain at bay.
HCAH took one step to ensure health safety of women by providing check-ups at home and it is for the woman and family members to take the next. Just one thing has to be kept in mind that ‘all will be fit if only she is fit’.

Dr Manoj Chellani: Aayush IVF success rate better than any centres of UK, US and Australia

One of the leading infertility solution provider in the country, Aayush Test Tube Baby Centre, sets benchmark with whopping 54 percent of IVF success rate for other infertility treatment providers. According to a statement issued by the Centre, this phenomenal success rate has left all the well known fertility centres of the UK, the US and Australia far behind.  With this, Aayush Test Tube Baby Centre becomes the quality and result oriented destination having best state-of art infrastructure and latest technology.

Overview of success rate of UK, US and Australia along with Aayush Test Tube Baby Centre, Raipur
IVF success rate for people under 35 – The Bournhall Clinic UK have 48.20 percent, the clinics at Boston, US have 38.54 percent and Australia claims 39 percent, while Aayush stands unmatched with 54 percent success rate. For people who are between 35-40 years the IVF success for Bournhall clinic UK is 40.80 percent, clinic at Boston is 23.51 percent, Australia have 28 percent, while Aayush once again maintains its leadership with 42.3 percent. The childless couples who are planning to visit these overseas centres for turning their dreams of having their own child in reality, should think once again about the success rate they provide.

Dr Manoj Chellani, Director, Gynecologist and IVF Expert, Aayush Test Tube Baby Centre says: “At affordable cost all the quality infertility treatments are available at Aayush and we have achieved the success rate better than other infertility centres abroad. We want people to know and understand that Aayush even being from small city of Raipur have excelled in the infertility field and have established new benchmark for other infertility treatment providers. Aayush is living up to the expectations of the patients and had left no stone unturned to provide international standard fertility treatment with personalised care. The good news is for those infertile couple who wish to get best fertility treatment at affordable cost and best results. In last few months, we have many childless couples from abroad and metros that have undertaken infertility treatment at renowned centres but have experienced 4-5 failed IVF cycles. By God’s grace we at Aayush, were able to help them in the first successful IVF cycle itself. What we strongly feel that hope is the only thing that keeps us going. It is the only thing, to which we lean on, in the darkest of hours and gloomiest of moments. It is the light that beckons us to keep on walking and then greets us at the end of every tunnel. We take pride in making a childless woman conceive and have her own bundle of joy. This success rate have motivated us to even work more harder to maintain it and to take it to next level”.
Aayush ICSI Test Tube Baby Centre is situated at Shankarnagar, Raipur in Chhattisgarh and is focused on providing moral, emotional, ethical and most advanced technical support to couples trying out to find a solution to the images of infertility. The Centre specialises in each and every aspect of infertility and provide comprehensive services in IUI, IVF, IVF-ICSI, Assisted Hatching, egg donation, embryo donation, surrogate motherhood, male infertility, natural infertility treatment, semen banking, embryo freezing, sexual and psychological problem and try to give moral and emotional support to the infertility patients. The Centre is equipped with the state-of-the-art infrastructure and adequately staffed with the team of highly trained professional with only one aim and that is to deliver the joy of parenthood to make sure that we leave no stone unturned to achieve the same.

Hinduja Global Solutions open new Centre at Princeton, New Jersey in the US

Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS), a global leader in Business Process Management (BPM), has announced the opening of a new Centre in Princeton, New Jersey in the US, according to a company statement.

The Centre will focus on client-facing activities for HGS’ Extended Business Office Solutions (EBOS) as well as help deliver expanded capabilities for clients. Core services to be provided from the Princeton facility include medical claim resolution for governmental and commercial payers, medical coding, insurance eligibility and authorisation and data analytics.

Speaking on this development, Partha DeSarkar, Chief Executive Officer of HGS said: “HGS EBOS actively supports several clients in the US Healthcare industry in improving their financial health through revenue cycle management services. The new centre will augment these efforts with a stronger onsite presence and delivery of value-added services”.
HGS EBOS provides customised solutions in the areas of Patient Access, Health Information Management and Patient Financial Services for market leading providers in the US Healthcare industry.These solutions include financial clearance, medical coding and insurance claim resolution which are designed to improve net revenue, reduce bad debt and accelerate cash collections for clients. The business has over 400 employees who deliver services for EBOS clients from the Princeton facility, and centres in India and the Philippines. With the Princeton Centre, HGS has now increased its presence in the US to ten locations, employing over 2,200 employees.

HGS, part of the multi-billion dollar conglomerate Hinduja Group, is a world leader in Customer Relationship and Business Process Management, with a global footprint across North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. With over three decades of experience with some of the world’s most recognised brands, it delivers the best practices that drive exceptional results for its clients. Its contact center solutions, back office transaction processing services, domain analytics and process consulting solutions combine operational excellence with functional expertise. It enjoys “Preferred Partner” status with most of its major clients. HGS currently serves 135 clients (excluding payroll processing clients) across sectors like Healthcare and Insurance, Banking and Financial Services, Consumer Products, and Tele-communications, Technology and Media. The global delivery network comprises of 58 centres employing over 25,700 people worldwide. HGS had a turnover of $ 364 million in the fiscal year 2012-13.

ASG Eye Hospital opens super speciality branch for Corenea and Retina in Rajasthan

With the Mission to provide quality vision to the people by delivering the best of ophthalmology treatments, ASG eye hospital has launched their first super speciality centre for Retina and Cornea at their newly opened branch in Vaishali Nagar of Pink City of Rajashtan, according to a statement issued by the hospital.

Dr Shahshank Gang and Dr Arun Singhvi, Director ASG eye hospital said: “ASG Eye hospitals consist of International technologies and machines which helps people to get best of the treatments who could not get the treatment done earlier due to lack of advance technology and treatments available” and “ASG Cornea and Retina super speciality hospital is created to give the same advantage to the patients of Jaipur. Now, with the help of advance technology and treatments like Phakic and multi focal IOL, complex diseases like cornea and retina will be much easier and safe to treat”.
Dr Abhishek Saraf and Dr Anoop Kishore Gupta will head the Centre for their respective departments of cornea and Retina. Super Speciality Centre will offer consultation for medical and surgical management of the full range of routine, complex and high-risk corneal and external eye diseases in addition to ultra modern departments of other eye services.

In addition to serving as a regional resource for managing ocular trauma, chemical injuries, difficult and sight-threatening external eye diseases this centre offers a variety of innovative surgical techniques which includes Descemet’s Stripping, Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK), a new technique of sutureless corneal transplant for endothelial pathologies , INTACS and Phakic IOLs that helps in achieving visual rehabilitation, Amniotic membrane grafting for chemical injuries and non-healing ulcers and Lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), a delicate procedure which replaces outer layers of the cornea with layers from a donor cornea.

Dr Shahshank Gang added: “By introducing imported machines like ALCON stitches are no longer necessary during surgery for retina. And this technique of surgery that is known Sutureless Vitrectomy has taken the ASG eye hospital to the list of best group of eye care organisations”.

ASG provides services in all subspecialties of Ophthalmology with its surgeons having vast surgical experience and expertise. While graduating from the medical school, we vowed to bring smiles back on the faces of suffering humanity. After rigorous surgical training at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi for more than five years and further refinement at United Kingdom, we finally embarked upon our vision which has now which has came true as ASG GROUP OF EYE HOSPITALS. Specialty surgery is the highlight of ASG which includes advanced Vitreo Retinal surgery for treatment of complicated Retinal and Vitreous disorders, Squint, Oculoplastic surgery which include treatment for different of eye tumors and cosmetic eye surgery. All our specialists are Ex. AIIMS alumni.

Grace & Glamour, one of the trusted names in Salon and spa industry in India

When we talk about body care, there certainly isn’t an end to it. There is always the need of spa’s and salons and the major question that comes attached with the need is the ‘quality of the service and product used’. You definitely do not want to take risk on this. Started in the year 2001, Grace & Glamour is recognized as the trusted name when it comes to the beauty and body care services. With 6 outlets across Gurgaon, Grace and Glamour has become the name for the households, according to a company statement.

The dream of Priya Kalra and Sandeep Kalra, Grace & Glamour is a chain of Unisex salons associated with Loreal Professional Salons in Delhi. Priya Kalra is a trained cosmetologist and makeup artist who is well versed in corrective makeup, having an experience of over 16 years in hair and beauty industry. At Grace & Glamour, you will find the experienced and well qualified staff to advise you on cut, colour, perming, rebonding, nourishing hair spas and treatments, allowing you to get the best for your hair, keeping in mind your Hair Safety First.

When it comes to product, the SKEYNDOR “THE SCIENTIFIC SKIN CARE  AND O3+’THE DERMAL EXEPERINCE trained beauty technicians at Grace & Glamour are there to solve different types of skin disorders to make your skin look pure and glowing. Highly dedicated and trained spa therapists offer treatments with Unique Indonesian Oils, Mineral Line, Dead Soda and Lotus Herbal Products guaranteed to relax your mind and body and giving a feeling of wellness. Grace & Glamour also facilitates you to enjoy the richness and aroma of chocolate body wrap along with body massage and body polish by their fabulous masseurs.
So if you are looking at place in Gurgaon to pamper yourself then Grace  & Glamour is definitely the right place for you where offers all the solution for the beauty and wellness. Have a happy day at Grace and Glamour!

ASSOCHAM, SriCity felicitate Dr MYS Prasad for the successful launch of GSLV-D5

The ASSOCHAM and SriCity have lauded the efforts of the Indian scientists led by Dr MYS Prasad for the successful launch of GSLV-D5, according to a media statement.

Dr Prasad with the Consul General of Thailand, Japan and Ravindra Sannareddy.
“The successful launch of  GSLV-D5 with an indigenous cryogenic stage, is one of the greatest achievements of ISRO. This is an important step that the country has taken towards the goal of total self-reliance in space technology. The eminent launch team headed by Dr MYS Prasad deserves praise for the hard work and dedication,” Ravindra Sannareddy, Chairman, ASSOCHAM’s Southern Regional Chapter and MD, Sri City said, while speaking at a felicitation function jointly organised by ASSOCHAM and Sri City, held in Chennai.

Seshagiri Gao with Sandya Cheriyan, Dr Badarinath and Ravindra Sannareddy.
The felicitation function was held to celebrate the great scientific and technological achievement and to honour the following eminent scientists of Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota : Dr  Prasad, Director, V Seshagiri Rao, Associate Director, Dr  SV Subba Rao, Deputy Director, VAST, MS Pannirselvam, Range Operations Director, V Ranganathan, Chief General Manager, SPP, and M Badarinarayana Murthy, Chief General Manager, LSSF.
Speaking after being felicitated, Dr. Prasad said, “I consider this as a great privilege and honour for the entire ISRO community, and thank the ASSOCHAM and particularly Mr. Ravindra Sannareddy for organising such a colourful event.” He said that ISRO is progressing well because of a fantastic teamwork of the entire ISRO community, industries and educational institutions that had contributed to the unalloyed success of various missions, including the recent GSLV mission with indigenous cryogenic stage.
Sharing the details of the pre-launch operations, Dr. Prasad said the launch campaign spreads for about 70 days and throughout this period the entire SHAR community works round the clock. “The teams headed by the distinguished senior scientists, who are present here, demonstrated excellent team work,” Dr. Prasad added. All other scientists also briefly shared their experiences and thanked the ASSOCHAM and Sri City for the honour and felicitation.

Ravindra Sannareddy welcoming the gathering.
Besides the members of ASSOCHAM and customers of Sri City, the impressive ceremony was attended by  numerous dignitaries drawn from various sectors of business and industry and Media.  Prominent among the guests were, the Consul General of Japan Masanore Nakano, the Consul General of Thailand Mr. Tajtai Tmangraksat, the Labour Attache from the Malaysian Consulate Gunaseelan Natarajan, the Consul General of Federal Republic of Germany Dr Stefan Wayback, Martin Landauer Economic Consul from the Australian Consulate, Padma Bhushan Dr SS Badarinath, Chairman Emeritus, Sankara Neyralaya, Dr KM Cherian, Chairman, Frontier Lifeline, AK Choudhary, Development Commissioner SriCity, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Rajeev Ranjan, Secretary, Department of Roads and Buildings, George Lin, Director, Taipei World Trade Centre, Chennai, and Chris Williamson, Danieli India. The function began with one minute’s silence held in memory of the Legendary Telugu actor Dr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao, who passed away on January 22.

Rotaract Club Women’s Christian College, Green Trends Salon organises hair donation drive ‘Tangled’ for cancer patients

The Rotaract Club of Women’s Christian College (RC-WCC), has initiated ‘Tangled’, an awareness campaign and hair donation drive to make wigs for cancer patients who lose hair due to chemotherapy. Green Trends unisex Hair & Style Salon has extended support to help in the collection of hair locks from donors, according to a statement issued by Green Trends.

A team of rotractors from RC-WCC have been specially trained by the Psycho oncologists of Adyar Cancer Institute to spread the awareness on the issue to various schools, colleges and rotaract clubs. The hair donation drive will be inaugurated on World Cancer Day, February 4 2014, at Women’s Christian College, Chennai, by Dr. Ridling Margaret Waller, Principal, Women’s Christian College, Chennai in the presence of the Business Head of Green Trends Salon, experts from Cancer Institute and philanthropists. The hair donation drive will span for ten days across all Green Trends salon, drawing to a close on February 14th.  During this period, willing donors can visit any Green Trends salon and donate hair. The collected hair locks across salons will be safely handed over to representatives of Rotaract Club of WCC, as per hygiene standards.
Gopalakrishnan, Business Head, Trends In Vogue Pvt Ltd said: “We are extremely delighted to be associated with this noble cause. This gives us a good platform to lend our help to those in need. In this regard, we have trained our stylists to cut eight to ten inch locks which is the minimum length required to make a wig. Special training has been initiated to ensure hair is cut from areas which will not affect the existing hair style of the donor thereby ensuring that their hairstyle is not altered. Our motive is to bridge the gap between compassionate donors and people in need. We would be more than glad to see our efforts go into bringing smiles to thousands”.
Rennee Saradha, a final year student and Club president said: “We were looking up for initiatives that will directly reach cancer affected patients especially children and women. We firmed up our idea after visiting the Adyar Cancer Institute in Chennai.  In our interactions with the doctors at the Cancer Institute we realised that there are requirements for at least 100 wigs per months. . “We have tied up Green Trends Salon, one of the leading salons in the city for collecting hair locks from donors. We aim to make about 200 wigs from the hair locks and donate them to patients at Adyar Cancer Institute”. For queries and more information about the campaign, donors can contact 18004202020.

Qi Spine Clinic, India’s only specialty chain of spine clinics start Delhi operation

Spine Clinic, India’s only specialty chain of spine clinics, today announced the launch of its Delhi operations, with the inauguration of two state-of-the-art clinics in Greater Kailash-1 and Punjabi Bagh respectively, according to a press note..

Qi Spine Clinic was founded in 2010 by Nithiij Arenja, a healthcare entrepreneur, who spotted a large lacuna in the existing treatment options available to people suffering from back and neck pain. Qi Spine Clinic has treated 5000 back pain patients with 93 percent success rate, using a revolutionary new cutting edge diagnosis and treatment protocol across its five clinics in Mumbai. Back pain sufferers in Delhi can now avail this non-surgical treatment option that very precisely and effectively treats the root cause of pain. The need is not for pain-relief measures that simply suppress the symptom, the need is to identify and then reverse the cause of the pain and hence stop it from reoccurring.
Cause
Traditionally, treatment for back pain typically starts with the use of imaging tests like MRIs and X-Ray in an attempt to locate the cause of pain. However, as published medical research clearly indicates, MRIs and X -Rays fail to identify a clear cause for back pain in 85 percent of cases. Such cases get classified as ‘non-specific back pain’, and a clear medical solution to the crippling condition of back pain fails to emerge.  As the patient continues to suffer over time, spine surgery seems to be the only option left. As the volumes of spine surgeries continues to grow year on year, Qi Spine Clinic realised in 2008, that with research indicating that only 1-2 percent of all back-pain patients actually require surgery, there was a need for a solution to back pain that offered long-term results with minimal surgery-referral rates.
Probe
Qi Spine Clinic studied parallel domains of medicine, and realised that unlike various parts of the human body, which are investigated through both imaging tests and functional tests – for example the heart is tested using both an angiogram (imaging test) and a stress thallium test (a functional test) – in the case of the spine, while imaging tests like MRIs were available, there was no test available for spine function. Clinically, it is critical to functionally test the spine to identify if an imbalance or mechanical structural instability is causing the pain symptom. The spinal column is protected by a complex structure of musculature. Once these load sharing support structures become weak the spinal column is overloaded – this increased stress can lead to outcomes that lead to pain.

Dr Garima Anandani, Head – Clinical Operations, Qi Spine Clinic says: “Lack of a precise functional test with revealing numerical feedback has meant that most treatment options available focus on relieving the patient of the symptoms of back pain through medication and/or short term pain-relief therapies. Research worldwide has proven that this treatment approach is inadequate; instead, effective treatment should focus on precise identification of the causation of back pain”.

Only clinician
Dr Garima is the first and only clinician from India to qualify for the prestigious Diploma in MDT from The McKenzie Institute International and University of Otago. As one of India’s leading experts in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, Dr Garima believes that learning is a lifelong process, and has acquired specialised training in Spine rehabilitation from St David’s Spine and Sports Therapy, Austin, Texas (USA) and from The Polyclinic, Seattle (USA). She is also one of the few Certified Mulligan Practitioners in India, with over 14 years of clinical experience in handling musculoskeletal disorders. She was one of the founder members of the Qi Spine Clinic team in 2008 and has played a vital role in its growth. She heads nationwide clinical operations for the specialty spine clinic chain, as well as, leading the specialised training that all clinicians undergo on joining Qi Spine Clinic.
Diagnosis
With its clinical expertise in spine disorders and its team of specialists, Qi Spine Clinic formulated protocols that revolved around functional diagnosis of the spine. Our partnership with cutting-edge medical technology companies in the west to acquire accurate functional diagnostic tools, and by merging these with our own treatment protocols, Qi Spine Clinic has created a Digital Spinal Analysis test with the help of 5 patented computer controlled devices. This game-changing development has helped us identify probable causes of back pain caused by functional deficiencies in thousands of patients where MRIs and X rays failed to provide a diagnosis.

This accuracy in diagnosis has helped Qi Spine Clinic make the treatment path very precise and therefore effective especially when compared to other treatments that typically take months and years because they were non-specific. This revolutionary and unique approach to treating the spine has allowed for precise treatment of the deficiencies highlighted by the Digital Spine Analysis tests.  Thus, Qi Spine Clinic has provided sufferers of back pain a treatment option that accurately and effectively treats the root cause of pain, as an alternative to pain-relief measures that fail to cure back pain in the long run.

Announcing the launch of the two new clinics in Delhi – at Greater Kailash 1 and Punjabi Bagh, Nithiij Arenja, Managing Director of Qi Lifecare, said: “We are excited by the excellent clinical success rates Qi Spine Clinic has achieved for 5000 back and neck patients across Mumbai.  These clinical results have given us the confidence that we have the most precisely targeted solution for a range of spine disorders which have so far been difficult to treat. We are now ready to offer this unique solution to back pain sufferers in Delhi and across the country.
Pursuing passion
A serial entrepreneur with an innate ability for conceptualising new and revolutionary business models, Nithiij graduated from Nottingham University with a Bachelors degree in Industrial Economics. He returned to India to pursue his passion for preventative healthcare and launched Qi Lifecare’s center of excellence in exercise medicine which remains Mumbai’s most advanced sports medicine, preventive cardiology and rehabilitation facility. His next step in the healthcare industry was establishing India’s only specialty spine clinic chain – Qi Spine Clinic. He has successfully launched multiple ventures over the last ten years, accounting for the Arenja Group’s diverse interests today in Health Technologies, Real Estate and Medical Services. He oversees innovation, new business development and brand building across the group.

Heart at more risk in winter, says India’s only female cardiac electrophysiologist Dr Vanita Arora

The plummeting mercury raises the risk of getting a heart-attack and it is the time when one needs to remain extra cautious.
As viscosity of blood increases with the drop in temperature, the number of cases of heart attacks and other coronary artery diseases increase during winters.

The limited awareness about the triggers that lead to heart attack and precautions which can be taken to avoid it during winters is a major cause of worry, says Dr Vanita Arora, Associate Director and Head, Cardiac Electrophysiology Lab and Arrhythmia Services, Max Hospital.

In a tete-a-tete with Jayashankar Menon, she discusses about the vulnerability of the heart in order to empower people suffering from cardiovascular diseases with the right kind of prevention, more so during the winter season.

JM: What are the right kind of prevention people suffering from cardiovascular diseases need to take during winter?
VA: People become more prone to heart attacks in winters. The arteries that arise from the aorta become constricted with the fall in temperatures, as a result of which the heart has to put more effort to pump the blood. This makes the heart stress out and it leads to a heart attack. It is more risky for those who do not have any inkling about pre-existing heart conditions. Therefore, it is very important to keep a constant check on cardiovascular risk factors and make sure that the winter season brings no harm to your health.

JM: Are people with high cholesterol vulnerable to heart attack in winter?
VA: Cholesterol levels fluctuate significantly with the change in the season, which may leave people with borderline high cholesterol with greater cardiovascular risk during the winter months. Apart from managing cholesterol levels, it is crucial that we keep small things in mind and do not stress the heart.

JM: What are the precautions one need take in winter?
VA: First and foremost, do not ever indulge in overdoing anything and exhausting yourself. Give yourself a break and take frequent rest breaks so that you do not overstress your heart, even if that means alteration in your otherwise intense workout regime. Secondly, avoid going for a walk in the morning in extreme chilly days and you can shift your walks in the evening when it is still sunny.

JM: What dietary controls one should have in winter?
VA: People also end up eating more than the normal quantity in winter, but eating a large meal at one go can put an extra load on your heart. Avoid. It is rather preferable to eat small quantities at regular intervals. Do not over indulge in alcohol, thinking that it will only help you in keeping warm and cozy. Too much of alcohol intake can cause atrial fibrillation, a common irregular heartbeat problem called Arrhythmia millions of people suffer from. On consultation of the doctor, one can also keep pills with them and can consume it on confronting breathlessness or chest pain. Pills like Sorbitrate when consumed prevent attacks of chest pain. It helps to buy time to see a doctor.

JM: What do we do to keep hypothermia at bay?
VA: Heart failure leads to most deaths in hypothermia. To keep hypothermia at bay, it is advisable to cover yourself with layers of warm clothes. Besides this, it is advisable to take a bath with warm water only. Also, never ignore any discomfort in chest, severe sweating, pain in neck arms, jaws and shoulders or shortness of breath. All this might give you a warning signal. Visit a doctor if you come across any of these symptoms. Regular check-ups are always advisable. It will help you preempt any big health trouble. It is rightly said that ‘prevention is better than cure’!