Dr Tandon's Evexia

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  • Why are flu vaccines important?

    Why are flu vaccines important?

    What is flu?

    Flu, also known as influenza is a seasonal respiratory infection, caused by influenza viruses, which are present year-round. These viruses cause fever, dry cough and associated symptoms, which while easily treatable, can sometimes lead to severe conditions and even death.

    What are the types of seasonal influenza viruses?

    According to WHO, there are not one, but four different types of influenza virus of concern, each of which has a different propensity of causing the disease.

    • Influenza A viruses are the most common and are categorized on the basis of two proteins on the surface of the virus; hemagglutinin(HA) and neuraminidase(NA). The bird flu of 2009, was an influenza A virus, H1N1.
    • Influenza B viruses are categorized on the basis of lineages and the most common are B/Yamagata and B/Victoria.
    • Influenza C viruses cause mild infection and aren’t of much concern.
    • Influenza D viruses affect only cattle and not humans.

    What are the symptoms commonly associated with influenza?

    Once the viral load increases sufficiently in the body after infection, seasonal influenza shows symptoms such as:

    • Fever
    • Dry cough
    • Muscle pain
    • Malaise
    • Runny nose
    • Sore throat

    Which groups are at a higher risk of seasonal influenza?

    While every person is susceptible to influenza, groups that have underdeveloped or decreasing immune systems are at further risk. They include children below 5 years, pregnant women, the elderly, people with chronic respiratory conditions, and individuals on immunosuppressive medicines.

    What are the serious consequences of influenza?

    Normally, influenza symptoms subside on their own without any serious medical intervention. But cases where the people are at a higher risk, do not resolve the symptoms easily and require hospitalization and in severe cases even cause death. In developed countries, the elderly( >65 years) are the group where most deaths associated with influenza occur.

    How is flu transmitted and how to prevent its transmission?

    Influenza virus is an airborne virus, so it travels via droplets often expelled during coughing or sneezing. In order to prevent transmission, it is advisable to cover the mouth and nose to prevent inhalation of airborne droplets and frequent washing of hands and sanitisation of surfaces.

    Where does the role of the vaccine come?

    While treatment for flu is mainly symptomatic, prevention is a better method to protect oneself against seasonal disease. This is where vaccines come into play. A flu vaccine or flu shot as it is commonly called is a formulation that primes the immune system against the body to fight against the infection.

    How does the flu vaccine work?

    As mentioned above, vaccines prime the immune system. The formulation contains a weakened form of the influenza virus, which is enough to elicit an immune response yet doesn’t cause infection. What happens here is that the weakened virus gets recognized by the immune system and antibodies are generated against the virus, and memory against the virus is also generated to protect against further infections. So, after vaccination, if the person comes in contact with the virus, there is a serious chance that the person will develop symptoms, and even if the symptoms do develop, they do not require any medical intervention. The flu vaccine takes around 10-14 days to develop an immune response after administration.

    Do the vaccines need to be taken only once in a lifetime?

    No, these vaccines are seasonal and need to be taken annually, i.e., once a year. The reason for the same is attributed to the fact that the influenza virus tends to develop new strains against which previous vaccines may not prove to be as effective.

    Are the vaccines safe to take?

    Yes, the vaccines are safe to take with mild side effects like a sore arm, slightly raised temperature, and muscle aches, nothing different from other vaccines. Usually, paracetamol resolves the issues.

    Dr. Mohit Singh Tandon is a competent consultant physician, guiding you right in case of cold or flu. Visit Dr. Tandon’s Evexia for the right advice and treatment. Book your appointment with us!

    Contact us at:

    Sai Baba Mandir, D block -129, Saket, New Delhi, Delhi 110017

    +91-7835856540, +91-9737381110

    drtandonsevexia@gmail.com

  • WARNING! High cholesterol can lead to stroke, heart attack

    WARNING! High cholesterol can lead to stroke, heart attack

    As the doctor points out, A fat-like waxy substance made by your liver and partly absorbed from food, cholesterol is required for making cell membranes, insulation of your nerves, and for making hormones and vitamins. However when bad cholesterol builds up and clogs arteries, it can be fatal and can lead to stroke and heart attack.

    Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for 18.6 million deaths annually, says Dr Mohit Tandon, Consultant Non-Invasive Cardiologist, Fortis Escorts Hospital, Okhla – New-Delhi, adding that it is the cause of 75% of deaths in low- and middle-income countries, including India. While there are several risk factors, high cholesterol is an important one. Let’s find out what’s cholesterol, how it impacts heart health and steps that should be taken to keep cholesterol levels in check.

    What is Cholesterol?

    A fat-like waxy substance made by your body (liver) and partly absorbed from food, cholesterol is required for making cell membranes, insulation of your nerves, and for making hormones and vitamins, says Dr Tandon. However, when it’s in excess – bad cholesterol or LDL (low-density lipoprotein) can get deposited in your arteries causing heart attacks and strokes.

    How cholesterol affects the heart

    Cholesterol consists primarily of HDL (high-density lipoprotein), which is considered good cholesterol, and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) which is considered bad cholesterol. HDL helps to keep your arteries clear of the cholesterol buildup process called atherosclerosis. Meanwhile, LDL or bad cholesterol builds up in the walls of your arteries, making them hard and narrow. These arteries are connected to your heart and brain, and an interrupted blood supply can cause heart attacks and strokes, points out Dr Tandon. The buildup happens slowly over a period and therefore screening by blood test becomes important, he adds. The test used to detect cholesterol is known as Lipid profile.

    What should be your ideal cholesterol level?

    Dr Tandon points out:

    Total cholesterol < 200 is desirable

    HDL > 60 is desirable and protective

    LDL < 100 is optimal

    Triglycerides < 150 is optimal

    In some people with genetic disorders and very high levels of cholesterol, cholesterol deposition can occur over joint areas and skin, around the eyes.

    What affects cholesterol levels and how to keep your heart healthy

    Dr Mohit Tandon tells us the different factors that affect cholesterol levels in the blood and steps to take to keep one’s heart healthy:

    Diet: Foods that are deep-fried, prepared in hydrogenated or solid oils, non-veg foods consisting of fats, and processed carbohydrates, all tend to increase LDL and triglycerides. While green leafy vegetables, whole grains, and a fruit-filled diet decrease LDL.

    Exercise: Regular exercise at least 5 days a week – either 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise – helps increase HDL and decrease LDL, thereby decreasing your risk of heart diseases. Do not be a couch potato.

    Weight: In obese people, losing weight helps optimise their cholesterol levels and also cuts the risk of having future heart diseases and diabetes.

    Age and Gender: As we age, our cholesterol levels tend to rise with a decline in HDL; in women, especially post menopause, the difference is evident, and therefore living a healthy lifestyle, eating clean, and undergoing health checkups as we age becomes more important.

    Heredity: Sometimes high cholesterol may run in families and it may be responsible for an early heart attack or family history of heart attacks and may be detected on screening or testing of cholesterol levels. Such persons should seek medical care as they need to be started on cholesterol-lowering drugs.

  • Tips and tests for a healthy heart along with myths surrounding heart disease

    Tips and tests for a healthy heart along with myths surrounding heart disease

    The number of heart related cases within the country has more than doubled from 1990 to 2016. 

    Death as a result of cardiovascular disease has increased by 34 percent in the country in the past 26 years alone.

    On average, heart disease in India affects people 8 to 10 years earlier than other parts of the world, specifically heart attacks.

    Heart disease in India accounts for nearly 60% of the global impact of cardiac health even though India accounts for less than 20 percent of the global population.

    So we understand that heart related cases and deaths are on the rise, therefore what can we do to be more aware and help prevent and detect the heart ailment earlier.

    TIPS TO KEEP YOUR HEART HEALTHY

    • Get Active— Sit less, move more, break sedentary lifestyle. Walk instead of riding a bike to your nearby grocery store, Take stairs instead of Lift, American heart association recommends atleast 150 min. of moderate exercise or 75 min. of high intensity exercise in a week . Select an activity which you love and stick to it.
    • Avoid unhealthy fats and enjoy healthy fats— All fats are not bad, there are good fats which contain PUFA and mono unsaturated fats found in nuts, fruits, olive oil, mustard oil, sunflower oil, fish and chia seeds. These fats help to reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) and keep your arteries of the heart clear.
    • Break your sedentary lifestyle— Even if you exercise for an hour a day, the studies have found that if you remain sedentary or a potato couch or binge watch television or on your laptop lying down for rest of the day, it can still increase your risk of heart disease. It is advisable to take a break of 5 min. every 1 hour you are sitting, move about and stretch. Try to remain active for most of the day.
    • Stop smoking — Smoking is one of the major risk factors not only for heart diseases but it also is responsible for other diseases like COPD, lung cancer, Peripheral arterial disease, Hypertension, Stroke which greatly reduces your quality of life. Stop smoking and try to avoid exposure to cigarette smoke.
    • Shed excess weight— Obesity has become an epidemic, Excess weight can increase bad cholesterol and triglycerides cause narrowing of the arteries, increase BP and this can stress your heart. Obesity can also increase risk of developing diabetes which in itself increases risk of heart disease manifold. Therefore if you are overweight then shed the excess kilos by eating healthy and exercising.
    • Eat Healthy— you become what you eat, it cannot be emphasised enough how important it is to eat healthy foods for your heart. Include in your diet fruits, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, nuts like walnuts, almonds.
    • Regular Checkup— It is very important that you seek professional advice from a doctor whenever you face symptoms like breathlessness, increasing fatigue, swelling over legs, chest discomfort, fast heart beat, difficulty lying flat. Those who have risk factors like high BP, family history of heart disease, diabetes , obesity and are smokers, they should get a regular checkup of their heart consisting of certain blood tests and procedures like ECG, Stress Echocardiography, CT angiography, Holter tests as deemed essential by a cardiologist.

    MYTHS SURROUNDING HEART DISEASE

    MYTH 1: If you are a heart disease patient, you cannot exercise.

    Physical activity is advisable for heart patients too; you can ask your doctor for the type of exercise and duration permissible.

    MYTH 2: If you are taking cholesterol lowering medication, you can eat all fatty foods

    Statins act by reducing cholesterol primarily made by the liver, however if you continue eating saturated fats in larger quantities, the drugs may not remain effective.

    MYTH 3: Older people normally tend to have high BP

    BP can rise with age, however this should not be normalised and an advice by a doctor must be sought if your BP remains above 140/90 mmhg persistently.

    MYTH 4: Eating vitamins and supplements can protect me from heart disease

    Even if you take vitamin capsules and best quality supplements, but are a smoker, with high BP, have strong family history of heart diseases or are obese and eat unhealthy, you will have increase chances of a heart attack, because there is no strong evidence to support that antioxidants and vitamins prevent heart attack unless you correct the risk factors.

    MYTH 5: If i have smoked for years, then it’s of no benefit to my heart quitting now

    Wrong– The benefits of smoking will start the moment you quit it, after one year of quitting your risk of heart attacks falls down by 50% and after 10 years it is the same as a non-smoker.

  • How gestational diabetes can affect your pregnancy!

    How gestational diabetes can affect your pregnancy!

    What is meant by gestational diabetes?

    Gestational diabetes refers to diabetes that is diagnosed for the first time during gestation. It leads to high blood sugar which can affect your pregnancy and your child&#39;s health.

    What puts you at risk of developing gestational diabetes?

    Certain factors indicate you could get gestational diabetes:

    • Following a sedentary lifestyle
    • Being pre-diabetic
    • Having PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)
    • Have had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy
    • Being overweight or obese
    • Had delivered an overweight child during an early pregnancy
    • Being of a certain ethnicity such as Asian American, Black,

    Hispanic, American Indian

    What is the cause of gestational diabetes?

    The exact cause of it is not known yet, but since a lot of hormonal changes occur during pregnancy enough insulin is not produced by the body. Also, weight gain makes one insulin-resistant. This could also lead to gestational diabetes. During the later stage of pregnancy, all pregnant women develop some insulin resistance but it does not necessarily lead to gestational diabetes.

    What are the symptoms indicating gestational diabetes?

    There are no such prominent symptoms. Increased thirst or more frequent urination could be an indication.
    If you are someone at a higher risk of gestational diabetes you could be tested earlier else it usually develops during the 24 th week of pregnancy and diagnosis is done somewhere between 24 and 28 weeks.

    How could gestational diabetes affect your child during pregnancy?

    Overweight childbirth- The baby&#39;s blood sugar rise leading to the baby being overfed and an increase in the baby’s weight. The baby could suffer nerve damage because of pressure on the shoulder during the delivery.
    Preterm birth- High blood sugar increases the chances of early labor or early delivery could be recommended as the baby is large. Breathing difficulties- Preterm delivery could lead to babies having respiratory distress syndrome.
    Hypoglycemia- If the mother is taking insulin or other diabetic medications then she could have low blood sugar, which results in low sugar levels in the baby too after birth. Severe episodes of hypoglycemia may cause seizures in the baby. Obesity and type 2 diabetes in later life- Babies are at a higher risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life. Stillbirth- If gestational diabetes is left untreated; it could result in the death of the baby either before or shortly after birth.

    How gestational diabetes can affect the mother?

    Gestational diabetes increases the risk of health issues in mothers such as:
    Preeclampsia: Women with diabetes have high blood pressure more often than women without diabetes. It might lead to preterm delivery and could cause seizures or a stroke when the mother undergoes labor and delivery.
    Having a C-Section: The chance of having C-section increases.
    Type 2 diabetes: The risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the mother increases as you get older.

    How are you screened for gestational diabetes?

    In case you are at risk of gestational diabetes screening for it is done by several tests:

    Initial glucose test: In this, you are made to drink a syrupy glucose solution and after an hour your sugar level is measured. If your blood sugar level comes out to be 190 mg/dL, another glucose tolerance test is carried out to determine gestational diabetes.
    Follow-up glucose tolerance test: In this, the sugar solution has more sugar than before and then your blood sugar is measured every hour for three hours. If two of the readings are higher than expected, you will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

    How could gestational diabetes be managed?

    Managing your blood sugar levels can keep you and your baby healthy. It will prevent complications during pregnancy and delivery.

    Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Following a healthy diet plan and staying active will help to keep the blood sugar level in a healthy range.

    Monitoring of your blood sugar: Continual monitoring of your sugar levels is advised to check the blood sugar if it is within a healthy range.
    Medications or insulin: Some women with gestational diabetes can be prescribed insulin or oral medications to help maintain their blood sugar levels.
    Follow-up after delivery: Get yourself tested for diabetes 6 to 12 weeks after your delivery to check if your blood sugar range is back to normal and then after every three years. In case you turn out to be pre-diabetic, the prevention or delay of diabetes will be discussed by your doctor.

    If you are at risk of gestational diabetes, consult the best for the proper advice, diagnosis, and treatment. Dr. Vineeta Singh Tandon is a competent diabetologist having 10+ years of expertise in treating various common and rare medical disorders. Evexia established by Dr tandons in Saket is the best clinic to visit for your well-being. Book an
    appointment today!

    Contact us at:

    Sai Baba Mandir, D block -129, Saket, New Delhi, Delhi 110017
    +91-7835856540, +91-9737381110
    drtandonsevexia@gmail.com

  • How much physical activity is too much physical activity?

    How much physical activity is too much physical activity?

    Given the fact that exercise is needed to maintain a healthy body, which is necessary for a healthy life, people in all age groups have started taking exercise seriously. The key feature of exercise in addition to increased musculature and endurance is the healthy functioning of the heart. However, recent incidences have shown people with no prior cardiac conditions, getting heart attacks while exercising! The surprising thing is that these attacks are occurring in people in the age group of 30-40, actually considered to be the most health-conscious among all age groups. Now, this does beg the question; how much is too much? Read on to find out answers to all your questions on exercise and heart health.

    Why do people overexert during exercise, and does it have any benefit?

    People exercise to get good health, and there are benefits associated linearly with heart health and exercise. People often take this line to the next level, thinking that if some exercise is good, more is better. While it may be true when it comes to muscle gains, it is not so for the heart. Having a lower heart rate is more beneficial, as it permits the person to exercise longer. Evolving evidence and recent incidences show that overexerting has the opposite effect on the heart.

    What are the evolving pieces of evidence and their effects?

    The primary evidence which demonstrated the damaging effects of extreme exercising, was the presence of heart-damaging biomarkers in blood samples of marathon runners, long after finishing the events.

    In addition, repeated stress on the heart due to over-exercising has shown changes in the heart such as thickened heart walls to counter the increased pressure of blood flow. While these changes may be temporary if occurring sporadically, often reversible if given time, repeated stresses not only thicken the blood vessels and heart walls but also cause scarring of the heart.

    What are the long-term effects of over-exerting your body during exercise?

    The recommended time is 150 minutes. In a study conducted by Mayo Clinic, people were measured for their heart health for a period of 3 to 8 follow-ups depending on the type of exercise they do. The results indicated that going over the recommended limit had greater risks of developing coronary artery calcification (CAC). People who worked out for 3 times the recommended time i.e., for 450 minutes a week, had a 27% increased chance of developing CAC. Not only this, over-exerting for a person without any endurance training, can lead to exercise-associated sudden cardiac death. The reason for this is that the heart is just not strong enough to handle the stress laid on it!

    So that means, I shouldn’t exercise at all?

    We never said that, did we? In fact, not exercising has far more deadly effects on the heart than exercising ever will have. Having a sedentary lifestyle increases obesity and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Now, these conditions may seem unrelated, but they do massively affect the heart.

    Obesity can lead to increased cholesterol levels, which cause the cholesterol to deposit inside the arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis. Once this happens, the arteries get thicker, forcing the heart to apply more pressure to pump blood. Atherosclerosis is one of the primary causes of sudden cardiac arrests in people with a sedentary lifestyle.

    How much exercise should then be done to keep the heart healthy?

    As mentioned above, the most accepted measure to have a healthy heart is 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of intense exercise per week. Moderate exercise includes brisk walking, hiking, tennis, or jumping rope. Intense exercise includes running, sports or weights.

    As a rule of thumb, your threshold should be a level, where you can have a conversation while exercising, without feeling shortness of breath. In addition, resistance training can be done to lower the heart rate and increase the amount of exercise the heart can tolerate, but only under the supervision of a licensed trainer and in consultation with your doctor.

    Dr. Mohit Singh Tandon is a competent consultant physician and non-invasive cardiologist who have had expertise in all heart related problems and will give you the correct guidance in how to keep the heart healthy. Dr tandons evexia is your stop for a healthy heart. Book an appointment today!

    Contact us at:

    Sai Baba Mandir, D block -129, Saket, New Delhi, Delhi 110017

    +91-7835856540, +91-9737381110

    drtandonsevexia@gmail.com

  • OFF-The-chart pollution of delhi & its health impacts

    OFF-The-chart pollution of delhi & its health impacts

    Delhi has recently been referred to as a “gas chamber” by its Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal. The air quality of the capital & its neighboring areas i.e., Noida & Gurugram has become severe and reached such an abnormally high level that it’s equivalent to smoking 25 cigarettes a day. The presence of eight air pollutants are considered to evaluate the air quality index (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb). PM 2.5 can easily cross the body’s defense mechanism of coughing, sneezing, or swallowing and get deep into the respiratory tract, entering our lungs and bloodstream. Air pollution has adverse health impacts:

    Are you facing respiratory issues?

    The direct impacts air pollution has on the human body is on respiration and it attacks the lungs.

    Studies have shown that air pollution causes all of the below-mentioned medical issues:

    1. Upper respiratory symptoms
    2. Lower respiratory symptoms: Dry cough, wheezing, breathlessness, chest discomfort.
    3. Asthma
    4. Reduced lung function
    5. Restrictive, obstructive as well as combined lung function deficits
    6. Metaplasia & dysplasia of airway epithelial cells
    7. Cytological changes in sputum
    8. Chronic obstructive airway disease, COPD, COAD
    9. Respiratory morbidity

    Facing health impacts other than respiratory disorders?

    It doesn’t only affect the lungs and respiration. Several non-respiratory effects are associated with the adverse impact of air pollution on human health:

    1. Hypertension: PM10 was found to be related to hypertension.
    2. Chronic headache
    3. Eye irritation
    4. Skin irritation
    5. Attention-deficit hyperactive disorder: This is due to increased lead levels in the blood which acts as a risk factor for abnormal mental development in children.
    6. Decreased serum concentration of Vitamin D metabolites
    7. Increased all-natural-cause mortality

    This peak level of air pollutants causes serious long-term health problems. Dr. Mohit Singh Tandon is an extremely competent physician and non-invasive cardiologist specializing in respiratory disorders, hypertension, and clinical & preventive cardiology, based in Saket, New Delhi with more than 10 years of experience.

    Contact us

    Sai baba Mandir, D block-129, Saket, New Delhi-110017

    +91-7835856540, +91-9737381110

    drtandonsevexia@gmail.com

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