Top 10 tips for a Healthy Heart

Today's fast-paced life and workplace pressures escalate stress levels, taking a toll on one's heart. We must realize that the healing power of the body decreases when under stress, leading to many complications like hypertension and poor immunity. Today, even youngsters are prone to heart ailments. So, it's very important to stay healthy and manage your stress levels by understanding the risk factors — high cholesterol levels, stressful lifestyle, smoking, and lack of exercise — following simple changes in lifestyle. Heart disease may be a leading cause of death, but that doesn't mean you have to accept it as your fate. Although you lack the power to change some risk factors — such as family history, sex or age — there are some key heart disease prevention steps you can take. There are many steps people can take to try to prevent heart disease. You can avoid heart problems in the future by concentrating on key lifestyle areas such as eating, exercise, smoking and drinking, and considering other factors like family history, diabetes and stress. Here are 10 top tips for a healthy heart.

1.  Stop smoking. Quitting smoking is the single most important thing a person can do to live longer. If you are a smoker, you are twice as likely to have a heart attack as a non-smoker. But from the moment you stop smoking, the risk of heart attack starts to reduce. With public smoking bans recently introduced, there has never been a better time to give up.

2.  Cut down on salt. Too much salt can cause high blood pressure, which increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease. Avoid foods like crisps, salted nuts, canned and packet soups and sauces, baked beans and canned vegetables, pork pies, pizzas and ready meals. Many breakfast cereals and breads that appear healthy also contain high levels of salt, so keep your eye on these too.

3.  Watch your diet. A healthy diet can help to reduce the risk of developing heart disease, and can also help increase the chances of survival after a heart attack. You should try to have a balanced diet, containing plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, oily fish, starchy foods such as wholegrain bread, pasta and rice. Avoid foods like biscuits, cakes, pastries and dairy products that are high in saturated fats and sugar.

4.  Monitor your alcohol. Too much alcohol can damage the heart muscle, increase blood pressure and also lead to weight gain. Binge drinking will increase your risk of having a heart attack, so you should aim to limit your intake to one to two units a day.

5.  Get active. The heart is a muscle and it needs exercise to keep fit so that it can pump blood efficiently round your body with each heart beat. You should aim for 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise a day. If this seems too daunting, start off gently and build up gradually. Keeping fit not only benefits your physical health - it improves your mental health and well being too.

6.  Manage your weight. The number of people who are overweight in Britain is rising fast - already more than half of the adult population is overweight or obese. Carrying a lot of extra weight as fat can greatly affect your health and increases the risk of life-threatening conditions such as coronary heart disease and diabetes. If you are overweight or obese, start by making small, but healthy changes to what you eat, and try to become more active.

7.  Get your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked by your GP. The higher your blood pressure, the shorter your life expectancy. People with high blood pressure run a higher risk of having a stroke or a heart attack. High levels of cholesterol in the blood - produced by the liver from saturated fats - can lead to fatty deposits in your coronary arteries that increase your risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and diseases that affect the circulation. You can help lower your cholesterol level by exercising and eating high-fiber foods such as porridge, beans, pulses, lentils, nuts, fruits and vegetables.

8.  Learn to manage your stress levels. If you find things are getting on top of you, you may fail to eat properly, smoke and drink too much and this may increase your risk of a heart attack.

9.  Check your family history. If a close relative is at risk of developing coronary heart disease from smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, lack of physical activity, obesity and diabetes, then you could be at risk too.

10.         Make sure you can recognize the early signs of coronary heart disease . Tightness or discomfort in the chest, neck, arm or stomach which comes on when you exert yourself but goes away with rest may be the first sign of angina, which can lead to a heart attack if left untreated.

For more information or to book an appointment at KIMS Bahrain Medical Center,

Call 17822123 or 17740485,  or send your queries to marketing@kimsbh.com.

Visit www.kimsbh.com

Nasal Bleeding & Household Management

Are you suffering from Nasal Bleeding or do you know the preventive measures that should take while nose bleeding..?? 

Dr. George Varghese, Specialist ENT at KIMS Bahrain Medical Center point outs the common causes of Nasal Bleeding and its Household Management for its prevention. Nasal Bleeding is one of the common complaints that we encounter almost every day. In medical terms it is called EPISTXIS. It’s alarming for the common man. But the cause of it, in 90% of cases, is simple & straight forward. According to Dr. George, “the nose is rich in blood supply (vascular) and is situated in a vulnerable position as it protrudes on the face. As a result, trauma to the face can cause nasal injury and bleeding. The bleeding may be profuse, or mild. Nosebleeds can occur spontaneously when the nasal membranes dry out and crack. This is common in dry climates or during the winter when the air is dry and warm from household heaters”. People are susceptible to a Nose bleeds if they take medications that prevent normal blood clotting (warfarin [Coumadin] or aspirin). In this situation, even a minor trauma could result in significant bleeding.

The Usual causes: It’s true that in many cases the cause of bleeding is unknown. The majority of cases are secondary to upper respiratory tract infection, allergy or nose picking. In Gulf region, the common cause is nasal crusting due to inhalation of hot air. Ulceration follows crusting and that results in bleeding. Nose blowing and excessive sneezing are other common causes of nasal bleeding. Children often come with nasal bleeding due to infected foreign bodies. Hypertension and direct injury to the nose are other common causes.

The Unusual causes:  An unusual cause of bleeding is deviated nasal septum.  Usually people get alarmed with deviated septum. About 80% of people has deviated septum.  That does not warrant surgery unless there are sufficient grounds.

There’re people on anticoagulant therapy following certain cardiac conditions. Those on high anticoagulant therapy are also susceptible for nasal bleeding. Bleeding diathesis like Hemophilia is another cause of bleeding nose. Tumors of the nose, paranasal sinus & nasopharynx are other causes of bleeding. The other causes worth mentioning are sinusitis, chronic infections of the nose & sinuses & fungal infections.

Household Management of Nasal Bleeding

1. ICE Packs:      Most of the patients coming to the emergency room with bleeding nose always carry an ice bucket. Though the result are not proven scientifically, it’s always worth a trial.
2. Local Pressure:  It’s always worth pinching the nose with two fingers. Apply pressure for 10 minutes & release slowly. Most of the bleeding from the front part of septum will cease with this manures.
3. Advice to the Patient:    Make the patient sit vertically upwards on the bed with head leaning forward. Always instruct the patient not to swallow blood, for this might induce vomiting later. Instruct the patient to spit out blood instead of swallowing. In this position, pinch the nose firmly & wait for 10 minutes. If these measures fail, then the patient should be taken to emergency room for packing the nose and for other medical intervention.

Dr. George Varghese [MBBS, MS (ENT), DLO] is a Specialist ENT with more than 20 years of experience all over the world including Australia. He now works at KIMS Bahrain Medical Center. For more information or to book an appointment at, Call 17822123 or 17740485 or send your queries to marketing@kimsbh.com. Visit www.kimsbh.com

Treating Common Ailments during Pregnancy

When you're pregnant, reaching for your normal, over-the-counter cure may not be the best idea. Most of these problems are caused by hormonal changes and the extra strain your body is under. Dr. Lima K Pattani, Specialist Gynecologist at KIMS Bahrain Medical Center, point outs the common ailments during pregnancy. According to her, “these ailments are usually temporary, cause minor discomfort and can be treated simply”. Your body has a great deal to do during pregnancy. Sometimes the changes taking place will cause irritation or discomfort, and on occasions they may seem quite alarming. There is rarely any need for alarm but you should mention anything that is worrying you to your doctor, she added. Some of the common ailments are:

1.                   Constipation: This is very common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes in your body.  Ensure a diet of fibre, fruits & Vegetables and drink plenty of water. Exercise, talk to your doctor about stool softness or a bulk-formary agent. Do not take laxatives during pregnancy.

2.                  Nausea or Morning Sickness: This is very common. 50-60% of women have Nausea during healthy pregnancy. There is not one remedy that will work for everyone. Nausea is worse when a person is tired, so get plenty of rest. Eat lightly and try bland foods around the clock, drink enough fluids especially when queasy. Try eating solids then waiting a while before drinking anything. Eating and drinking at the same time may make nausea worse. If you have persistent vomiting, talk to your doctor about medications that may help.

3.                  Heartburn: Best way to treat heartburn is to prevent heartburn. Try eating Six small meals instead of three large meals. Eat slowly and chew your food well. Drink small amounts of liquid with your meals. Avoid foods that trigger the heartburn like fried, greasy, fatty foods, fizzy drinks and foods with a lot of acid, like citrus fruits or juices. If you are still having trouble, talk to your care provider about antacids.

4.                  Headaches: This is very common during pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones can be one cause. Try to prevent headaches by eating right, drinking enough fluids and getting adequate rest. If you have a headache, apply cold washcloth on your forehead and gently massage your temples. Rest in a dark, quiet room. If headaches are affecting your daily life, discuss safe treatment options with your doctor.

5.                  Backache: This is a common complaint during pregnancy. Stay active; walking is a perfect exercise during pregnancy to maintain strength. Avoid sharp twisting movements at the waist and use your legs to lift. Change positions often and avoid standing or sitting for long periods. Avoid wearing high heels and maintain good posture. If back pain is affecting you daily, keep an open mind and look for options that will help. Many women have found backache relief from options provided by a doctor, prenatal exercise programs, chiropractic care, massage, and physical therapy.

6.                  Exhaustion: If you are expecting a child, you are bound to feel exhausted much sooner than you did earlier. This is a natural phenomenon, do not fight it. Weakness, lethargy and tiredness are normal symptoms in early pregnancy and are nature's way of slowing down the pregnant woman to help in preserving the foetus.  Rest for a couple of hours in the afternoon and an extra hour or two in the night will be useful.  The symptom is usually severe in the early months of Pregnancy and it is important for your spouse and family members to understand your problem. If you are working and cannot rest in the afternoon, you should try to get at least 10 hours of rest at night.

7.                  Varicose Veins: If you are on your feet for a long time during the day, the veins in your legs will get distended and look like zig-zag nodules. These are called varicose veins. The hormone progesterone which is secreted during pregnancy is responsible for it. As the pregnancy advances, the growing uterus presses on the pelvic veins & block the passage of blood from the legs to the heart and thus increases the pressure in the veins of the legs.  Another reason is overweight; some gain a lot of weight during pregnancy. And some inherit it.

Varicose veins can be prevented by 1. Avoid excessive weight gain, 2. Avoid crossing your legs while sitting, 3. Avoid standing still for long, 3. Try some moderate exercises, 4. Avoid high heeled shoes, 5. Keep your feet raised while sitting.

8.                  Frequent Urination: It is more during early & late pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones affect the muscle tone of the bladder, causing you to make frequent trips to the loo. As the uterus grows, it puts pressure on the bladder as well. Drink plenty of water anyways; avoiding them won’t help the problem and could create some new ones.

9.      Oedema: It is more during mid-to late pregnancy. Some fluid retention is normal in pregnancy. The Uterus puts pressure on the blood vessels which carry fluid from the feet and ankles, causing them to swell. Too little protein can also cause swelling.

This can be prevented by 1. Avoid tight clothing, especially around the ankles or calves, 2. Try not to stand for long periods. Sit with your feet elevated whenever you can, 3. Moderate exercises can help, 4. Try a pillow under the feet , at bed, 5.  Drink pleny of fluids, 5. Eat plenty of protein , such as lean meats, pulses, cheese and egg.

Dr. Lima K Pattani [MBBS, M.D] is a Specialist Gynecologist at KIMS Bahrain Medical Center.

                 For more information or to book an appointment at, Call 17822123 or 17740485,               or send your queries to marketing@kimsbh.com. Visit www.kimsbh.com

Pregnancy Diet for Healthy Pregnancy

Having a well balanced diet during pregnancy is the most essential care you can give to your unborn baby. Whenever you eat and whatever you eat have an effect on your baby. “Many women are under the impression that now they need to eat for two. This fact makes many paravoid about the increase in weight” Says Dr. Lima K Pattani, Specialist Gynecologist at KIMS Bahrain Medical Center. But it is important to remember that during pregnancy women do put on weight as it is your body’s adjustment to hold the child.

                  “The most essential period when you have to take care of your pregnancy diet is during its first three months when the principal organs and the nervous system of the body are formed. So begin a nourishing diet from the start even if you face discomfort like nausea. This is important if you want your baby to have a normal birth weight”, Dr Lima adds.

                 A well balanced nutritious diet consists of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals all in one plate. Fruits & Vegetables, Cereals, dairy products and milk products will get you all the nutrients you need. Normally try and have at least three proper meals a day. You can also break it into six smaller meals in case have problems like nausea and heart burns. Be sure to include the following into the diet regularly.

1.            Proteins, Carbohydrates and Fat

The pregnant women must increase her dietary intake of proteins to provide for enlargement of her blood volume, uterus, breast, and placenta. Fetal protein synthesis requires adequate placenta transfers of aminoacids. Approximately 1 kg of protein is needed through the course of pregnancy. To provide this approximately 10g of additional protein must be consumed daily. So a pregnant lady must consume 60gm of protein daily. Sources of proteins include fish, egg, nuts, meat, diary products, peas and beans.

Carbohydrates are also a primary source of energy both for mother and foetus. For both mother and foetus, glucose and fatty acids provide the main source of energy. Glucose is the prime fuel in which the foetus heavily depends in order to achieve adequate tissue protein synthesis.

Fat storage accounts for one half of the total energy costs of pregnancy and occurs primarily between 20^th and 30^th weeks of gestation. Fat in the diet is a concentrated source of needed calories. Fat also is a carrier of essential fat soluble vitamins A, D and E all of which have an increased requirement during pregnancy.

2.            Folic Acid

Folate is important for the growth of maternal fetal and placental tissue because of its role in DNA  synthesis. Fetals demands impaired maternal absorbtion, and defective use are related to the increased folate requirement during pregnancy.

Folate deficiency has been thought to be associated with a number of abnormalities of pregnancy including antepactam bleeding, conjental malformations including neural tube defects, cleft up abortions of pregnancy induced hypertension. The recommended daily allowance of folic acid is 400 micrograms. Green leafy vegetables, liver, kidney, other meats, eggs and nuts are good dietary sources.

3.            Vitamin C [ascorbic acid]

          It is essential for normal cell integrity and growth. The daily required allowance for Vitamin C is 70 mg. Citrus fruits, strawberries, cantaloupe, raw cabbage and dark green leafy vegetables are among the best dietary sources. Vitamins like B12 and B6 are also essential for development of foetus. Liver, meat, fish, egg, whole wheat and banana are good sources.

4.            Iron

The total iron need during pregnancy is between 800-1000mg. The average daily adult diet contains 10-12mg of iron which is less than the daily requirement. The best dietary sources are liver, red meats, seafood, nuts, green leafy vegetables and iron –fortified cereals. Because of the difficulty in obtaining sufficient iron from diet, iron is the one nutrient supplement usually prescribed for women during pregnancy.

5.            Calcium

Calcium is necessary for the bones and teeth and co-adulation process. The fetal need represents a small fraction of that available and deficiency is extremely rare in developed countries. Because of the increased calcium need during pregnancy, it is recommended that daily calcium intake should be increased to 1200mg daily. Milk and diary products are good sources of calcium. Dairy products are sources of vitamin D also.

6.            Fiber

Pregnancy is often accompanied by problems like constipation, piles, etc. Have your diet needs to be full of fibers to avoid bowl movements. Eat fibrous fruits and salads daily to have a clean digestive system. Any digestion trouble will only add to your discomfort. Food items like brown rice, nuts, beans, pulses, oats etc are also rich sources of fibre.

Dr. Lima K Pattani [MBBS, M.D] is a Specialist Gynecologist at KIMS Bahrain Medical Center.

To book your appointment, call 17822123 or 17740485.

Send your queries to marketing@kimsbh.com Visit www.kimsbh.com

Homeopathy & its Success in Modern World

Do you know that Homeopathy gained wide acceptance the whole over the world..???

Dr. Jayasree A, Homoeopathic Physician at KIMS Bahrain Medical Center highlights the success of Homoeopathy in Modern World. Why homeopathy gained wide acceptance the world over is because it is effective, simple, cost effective and without any side effects. Homeopathy, the true healing art of the new millennium came into existence in 1796 when Dr. Samuel Hahnemann(1755-1843), an orthodox physician from Germany introduced to the world the principle of “similia similibus curentur” (let likes be cured by likes) or ‘the law of similars’. The success and popularity of homeopathy is due to the fact that homeopathy offers a 'SAFE' alternative to other therapies. Safe in being, both a non invasive therapy and non toxic to the body.

The safety of homeopathy, by offering no long term side effects, is well known. Homeopathy also boasts of being safe for pregnant women, infants and the elderly. Through the process of dilution, homeopathic remedies no longer contain whole molecules, rendering them non-allergenic and non-poisonous. Rather than cure by suppression, homeopathy stimulates the body towards balance.

“Homeopathy uses natural substances, not synthetic or chemical”, Dr. Jayasree added. Potentisation, the unique process by which homeopathic medicines are prepared enhances the healing properties of drugs and negates the problems that in large doses can cause. Cost effectiveness is also a reason for homeopathy's success. Homeopathic medicines also enjoy popularity due to the fact that they can be used with other therapies and medications. Homeopathy can be used along with supplements and herbs. Homeopathy can be safely taken with heart, blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid and other medications.
“Homeopathy is effective in acute and chronic diseases irrespective of the age group.” explains Dr. Jayasree. She explains that there is a misconception that homeopathic medicines are slow to act and so not to be given in acute cases. This is absolutely wrong. Homeopathy is as effective as any other system in acute cases. Some patients opt for homeopathy as their first choice of treatment for all their ailments. Another wrong notion is that homeopathy is for the ailments of children and will not be effective in adults and old people. “The effectiveness of homeopathy in all age groups is proven time and again” she added.

Clearly, homeopathy will play an increasingly important role in health care, for as internationally acclaimed violinist and humanitarian Yehudi Menuhin once said, "Homeopathy is one of the few medical specialties which carries no penalties--only benefits." 

Dr. Jayasree A, BHMS, is a Homoeopathic Physician at KIMS Bahrain Medical Center.

To book your appointment call 17822123 or 17740485.

A Dentist can help you for a Healthier life Style

How a Dentist can help you.... for a healthier life style...?

People all dream to live a healthier life style, but only a few take some effort to do it. They know that prevention is better than cure, but always, because of procrastination they end up at the other end. Some small things that when done routinely adds up to a healthier life style. 
Dr. Desmond John Gomez, Esthetic Dentist and Implant Surgeon at KIMS Bahrain Medical Center, highlights the importance of a routine dental consultation for a healthier life style. According to him, “Regular exercises, good eating habits, avoiding junk foods, quit smoking; brushing all are ways to achieve a dream life style. Almost all the time when you visit a Doctor you are advised some steps for a healthier life style, which are conveniently neglected. The usual answer is - No time. Healthier life styles are for people who stop procrastination, for the bold, people who like to take control of their own lives. Sadly for other spending a lot of time and money in the hospital is the only way out..! ”.

          Research has pointed out that some diseases can be diagnosed by an oral examination quite early. Swollen bleeding gums, recurrent dental infections not only causes’ loss of taste, bad smell, loss of appetite, but serious medical complications related to the heart and respiratory system as well. It has been found that people with periodontal disease are almost twice as likely to suffer from coronary artery disease as those without periodontal disease.

          According to Dr. Desmond, a diabetic patient can reduce his medical bills by 10 to 12 percent by maintaining a healthy oral hygiene. Treatment of serious gum (periodontal) disease may be the key to an uncontrolled blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes. Periodontal disease may increase the risk for respiratory infections, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. These infections, are caused when bacteria from the upper throat are inhaled into the lower respiratory tract.

          “In short, eat healthier food, exercise regularly, brush twice daily (ask your Dentist to teach you the correct way to brush), floss at least once a day (ask your Dentist to teach you the correct way to floss); do not use tooth picks, balms and other ointments, paste or liquids which are for external use inside the mouth (your oral tissues are very sensitive). Visit your Dentist once in six months. Get your dental problems fixed as soon as possible. Don’t procrastinate. Save more, become a winner! Remember always in any condition an early diagnosis is critical”.

Dr. Desmond John Gomez, is a Esthetic Dentist and Implant Surgeon at

KIMS Bahrain Medical Center

To book your appointment call 17822123 or 17740485.

SAVE YOUR KIDS SPINE...!!

Did you know that your child’s sitting posture can cause many problems in future life..? 
Ms. Sherifa Sulaiman, Physiotherapist at KIMS Bahrain Medical Center, highlights the importance of sitting posture to save your Kids Spine. Growing body will grow according to what position they are in. If they are bent over while the body is growing, it can cause problems for the rest of their life. It is necessary to take care of posture from childhood. 

“Children are suffering back problems due to poor posture and their lazy lifestyle” she added. A good example is ‘If a baby tree is not supported by a yard stick it will grow at an angle. As the tree gets more branches they will also grow at different angle instead of growing straight. The same can be said for bad posture, if the spine is not corrected or kept straight it will start to arch in the wrong direction causing the body to overcompensate’.

“Nowadays, even though the child is getting adequate information about the importance of exercises, they usually neglect those activities and spend up to four-five hours a day playing games on hand held devices, games consoles and computers, which affects badly the sitting posture of a child”. This affects not only appearance but may cause various illness also.
According Ms. Sherifa the main Causes for Epidemic of poor posture is:

1.    Poor classroom Seatings.

2.    Lugging heavy school bags.

3.    Hours spent watching TV and playing video games.

4.    Hand-held devices, smart phone, play station and more recently Tablets.

Researchers found degenerative changes in the spine earlier much they ever would have suspected. The studies revise our thoughts on when we should begin preventive back care.

Proactive steps should begin early in life, even before puberty. Period between 5 – 8 years old is very important time of muscle development and spine bones grow, at the time when child goes to school. 

Preventive Measures

• It’s important to give proper instruction to the child to learn to keep his posture straight and not to hunch. Advice them hunching slouching and creeping in will affect their health.
• Limit the time in front of the television, computer and with video games.
• Always remember to get up and walk around for some time often while sitting hours. Physical activity always helps to strengthen muscular system and to improve immunity.
• Orthopedic mattress as correct posture of spine is important also during sleep.
• Always be careful about your child’s Backpacks. Its weight should always less than 10 percent of your child's body weight.
• Always make sure that your Child's desk at home is in the right height, which means at belly level and a  straight-back chair keep tablet devices propped on a surface at approximately a 60 to 70 degree angle during prolonged.

Ms. Sherifa Sulaiman [BPT], is a Physiotherapist at KIMS Bahrain Medical Center.

To book your appointment call 17822123 or 17740485.