Medical Articles

  • 8 Warning Signs of Gum Disease

    1. Your gums bleed easily
    2. Your gums are very red, tender and/or swollen
    3. You can see pus in between your teeth and gums when they are pressed
    4. You have chronic bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
    5. You notice a change in your bite or in the way your teeth  fit together
    6. Your teeth are loose or they are separating
    7. The fit of your partial dentures have changed

     

    Gum disease is caused by plaque & tartar remaining around the gum lines of the teeth. The bacteria in plaque produce acids & other toxins that can destroy bone & gum tissue over a period of time. The only way to remove tartar is to have your teeth professionally cleaned by your dentist.

  • Tips for a Diabetic Diet

    • Avoid sugar and sweet completely
    • Avoid vegetables that grow underground (eg: Carrot, Beetroot, Sweet Potato, Potato etc)
    • Limit intake of milk, take one or two tea spoons of milk in tea
    • Avoid rice and noodle at night, take two atta (wheat) roshi or two pieces of brown bread
    • Finish your dinner before 8:00 pm
    • Your ideal breakfast should also be two atta roshi or two pieces of brown bread
    • Avoid fruit every day, take fruit once in every three days (ideally a small piece of green apple today and after three days a small piece of papaya (not fully ripe) and then after three days one green banana (boiled or steamed))
    • Avoid coconut water
    • Avoid taking three or four big meals every day, eat in small quantities in greater frequency
    • You can take a handful of rice or noodle (ideally basmathi rice or red rice) at lunch time only
    • Walk everyday for about 45 minutes

     

    Written by
    Dr. Biju,
    Physician
    MBBS, MD, FICCM

    Dr. Biju is available at AMDC every day from 10:00 am to 01:30 pm. Please contact our front office for appointments.

  • Breast Cancer is on an increase in females

    Recent data’s reveal that breast cancer is the leading cancer among women in the world, and it is over numbering uterine cervical cancer in many of the developing countries of the world.
    Even though accurate data’s are not available about incidence and prevalence of cancer in Maldives, it can be technically predicted that the change of lifestyle from traditional to modern life in Male’, will reflect on the incidence of cancer here as it has happened in neighboring countries like India.

    Uterine cancer is showing a declining trend which breast cancer is making uneven and over numbering.

    It has been proved that diet is the most important factor influencing human body. High intake of food rich in animal fat can lead to breast cancer. Food rich in micronutrients and fiber can lower the incidence of breast cancer.

    Global results from several epidemiological studies indicate that sexual and reproductive factors affect the incidence of breast cancer. Studies show that late age at just child birth and nulliparity increase the risk of breast cancer. Familial inheritance has very strong relationship in occurring of breast cancer. The overall relative risk of breast cancer is increased to 1.5 to 3 fold if a first degree relative (mother, sister or daughter) is affected by breast cancer. The risk is increased to 5 fold if the first degree relative has cancer in both breasts. This risk is again higher when first degree relative is affected by breast cancer before attaining menopause.

    Starting of menses at an early age and getting regular ovulating cycles before 12 years have been associated with two fold increase in breast cancer. Nulliparous women are also at higher risk of developing breast cancer compared with multiparous women.

    Some genetic factors are operating in the incidence of breast cancer. Benign (harmless) swellings in breasts are also increasing the risk of breast cancer. Some abnormal cellular features of harmless growth are also directly related to the incidence of breast cancer.

    Breast cancer occurs as painless hard lumps in the breasts. Color change of breast, orange peel appearance of skin, nipple retraction, discharge from the nipple, especially bloody discharge, swellings in arm pits etc are presentations.

    Self examination of the breasts by the women is the most effective method to detect a palpable tumor mass in the breast. A specialist doctor can easily detect the tumor if it is sufficiently large to detect. Mammogram is a modern device by which breast tumors can be detected.

    Breast cancer after spreading to various parts of the body is difficult to cure. Hence early detection of breast cancer is very essential to save the life of the patient. Operation, radiation and chemotherapy are the three main types of treatment. Breast cancer very rarely occurs in men.

    Written by
    drthomasDr. Thomas,
    Oncology
    MBBS, MD (Radiotherapy)

    For Dr. Thomas’s details click here

    Dr. Thomas is available at AMDC Speciality Clinic once a month. Please contact our front office for appointments.

     

  • Precautions for Migraine

     

    • Avoid tea, cheese, coffee, chocolates, peanuts (paste), fizzy drinks
    • Avoid continuous exposure to bright light (TV, Computers and even bright sunlight)
    • Wear sunglasses
    • Avoid loud noise
    • Sleep regular 7 hours per day, (not more not less)
    • Don’t skip meals. Take regular meals
    • Tension, worries, stress to be avoided
    • For smokers, to reduce and stop smoking

    Written by
    Dr. Biju,
    Physician
    MBBS, MD, FICCM

    Dr. Biju is available at AMDC every day from 10:00 am to 01:30 pm. Please contact our front office for appointments.

  • What you need to know about COVID-19

    Coronavirus ( CoV ) are a large family of Viruses. 7 Human CoVs detected so far , some  in animals such as bats, cattle, camels and  some in humans.

    Classification:

    Infectivity period: 1- 27  days

    Recovery  time: 3 weeks to 6 weeks

    It takes about an average of 5-6 days time for symptoms to show from date of infection, and can take  upto 14 days (which is the Quarantine period).

    Manifestations:

    Mild  to  moderate:  Patient experiences the illness  mostly  without  hospitalisation  with a fever, dry cough and Malaise.

    Less  commonly: Aches, sore throat, Diarrhea, Headache, Loss of taste, Smell, Skin rashes, Conjunctivitis, Discoloration of fingers.

    Severe manifestations

    • Shortness of breath: This can be checked by the Pulse Oximeter:
      – RR  >30/mt.
      – Blood O2(Spo2) saturation <93 % ( by Pulse Oximetry, In COPD cases <88 % when supplemental O2  is  indicated).
    • Arterial Blood gas(ABG) analysis is most important and is more definitive.
    • Lung infiltrates on CXR >50% within 24-48 hours.

    Critical Cases:

    • Respiratory failure
    • Septic Shock
    • Multi organ failure or dysfunction

    High Risk Patients: 

    • Age 60 years and above
    • CVS /CAD 
    • Immunocompromised Patients
    • Patients with Chronic Lung/ Kidney/ Liver diseases
    • Patients with Cerebrovascular diseases
    • Obesity 

    Testing for COVID 19:

    There are various testing methods for Covid 19. The direct methods are the following: 

    • Rapid antigen test (Screening  test).
    • RT-PCR : Reverse Transcriptase –Polymerase Chain Reaction (Confirmatory test).
    • TrueNat ( Nucleic acid amplification Test).
    • GeneXpert – cartridge based Nucleic acid testing (CBNAT).

    The indirect methods of testing for Covid 19: 

    • Antibody  positivity, useful to note Seroprevalence in community, as many cases are  asymptomatic.
    • Supplementary tests include: CXR PA, HRCT Scan and Laboratory investigations.

    Vaccines that are being used:

    Pfizer Biontech  /Moderna/Astra Zenca/Sputnik/Covaxin/Sinopharm.

    COVISHIELD widely used in Maldives & India.

    • Name: ChAdOx1nCov-19 CoronaVirus vaccine.
    • Manufacturer Serum institute Pune, India.
    • One dose (0.5ml) contains viral particles which are recombinant, replication deficient Chimpanzee adenovirus vector encoding SARS –C Spike Glycoproteins.
    • >18 yrs, IM use 2  doses , with care for hypersensitivity & in acutely febrile cases.

     Prevention is better than cure!

    • Wear a face mask. K95 mask is a mask that you can opt for as it has bacterial filtration of >99%, it is made of breathable material that allows heat & moisture to escape rapidly, helping in smooth breathing while keeping you safe.
    • Practice social distancing, educate children the importance of social distancing as well. 
    • Hand sanitization with soap & water for at least 20 seconds.
    • Sanitization of workplace & home.
    • Immediate consultation if you are showing any flu like symptoms.

    Here at AMDC, our Physicians are online and here to provide you with care. Please call 3325979 for consultation appointments. K95 masks, and oximeters can be purchased from our Pharmacy. 

    Article by:

    Dr. Seshadri Das

    MBBS