Lactose Intolerance - Understand The Basics

Have you ever found yourself rushing to the loo every time you have a glass of milk or a bowl of curd? You probably have lactose intolerance.

Lactose intolerance is a condition where consumption of milk and milk-based products leads to stomach problems. The symptoms can include excessive farting, loose stools, abdominal bloating and cramping, nausea and rumbling in the stomach.

Milk contains a sugar called lactose. This is broken down into glucose and galactose in the digestive tract by an enzyme called lactase.

For a given quantity of lactose consumed, there should be a proportionate quantity of lactase secreted in the digestive tract. In those with lactose intolerance, there is insufficient lactase production.

As a result, lactose is broken down and fermented in the gut, leading to the formation of a lot of gases. This leads to bloating and other digestive symptoms.

Most cases of lactose intolerance develop between the ages of 20 and 40. However, it can start at any age.

Not everybody is lactose intolerant to all milk products. In fact, some are only intolerant to milk, but not cheese and yogurt. Some are intolerant when larger quantities of dairy are consumed, and not when a small amount is consumed (for example milk added to coffee).

Remember that lactose intolerance is not milk allergy. In milk allergy, patients develop a rash over the body. It not due to lactose, but due to the protein in the milk.

So, what can you have if you are lactose intolerant? Well, if it just milk and not milk products, go ahead and have those. Western countries have lactose-free milk available, so you could look for those options.

Almond milk, soya milk and coconut milk are generally safer options, though their range of utilisation may not be of the same spectrum as milk.

Not taking milk could lead to certain vitamin and calcium deficiencies, so make up for it through other foods and supplements if needed.

HAVE A GOOD LIFE WITH A HEALTHY DIET

Starving oneself to stay thin, setting unrealistic options to lose weight, limiting the
kinds of food to
be consumed are practiced by many to stay fit and healthy.

Watching our weight and watching what we eat is must, but staying healthy is also about
feeling pumped throughout the day both physically and mentally. 

Here is a list of some of the healthiest foods that will get you through the day with flying
colours:

Leafy greens

Leafy greens, while low in calories, are loaded with energy. Dark leafy greens such as spinach are a good source of vitamins A, K, and C; fibre; calcium; and essential folate.

Tip: Add them to your soup or salad or just saute them in a little olive oil.

Kidney beans

These delicious beans are chock full of antioxidants, calcium, protein and fibre. They are also an excellent source of folate and plant-based protein and can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Tip: Nachos, curries, salads, soups – you can add them to anything. They would only leave you wanting for more.

Nuts

Nuts such as walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds are full to the brim with antioxidants, vitamin E, plant serums, omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats.

Tip: Eat a handful of nuts at any time. They are a perfectly healthy snack on the go.

Beets

A beet is considered to be one of the healthiest foods. It is not only good for the brain but also lowers blood pressure. This reddish-purple–coloured vegetable contains antioxidants, vitamin C, magnesium and folate.

Tip: Grate or slice it for your salads. Whichever way you eat it, you will feel your body getting better.

Fish

Eating fish such as salmon can prevent the occurrence of heart disease as they contain are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and proteins.

Tip: Grill them for a healthy meal.

Dark chocolate

Chocolate addicts, here is some good news. Research states that chocolate contains more antioxidants than most fruit juices. It can boost your mood and protect the body from various diseases and heart conditions.

Tip: To get all the benefit of chocolate, just one or two squares of dark chocolate a day is enough.

Garlic

This bulbous plant contains antibacterial, antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory properties.

Tip: Garlic adds flavour to everything, from salad dressings and sauces to curries and soups. Crush and use it for enhanced flavours.

Lemons

Lemons have been declared as one of the healthiest foods in the world as they contain anti-inflammatory qualities and can also inhibit the growth of cancer cells. 

Tip: Squeeze or just add a slice of lemon to your tea or water bottle for a refreshing drink.

Lentils

Apart from adding great taste and texture to any meal, lentils are also high in proteins and fibre.

Tip: You can add them to your soups, salads and stews.

Yoghurt

Yoghurt contains probiotics, good bacteria that protect the body from harmful bacteria. It is also a good source of calcium and protein. 

Tip: You can have plain yoghurt or add fruits to it.

Tomatoes 

Tomatoes are high in lycopene and vitamin C and reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Tip: Try tomatoes in salads, soups or as a tomato sauce over your pasta.

Turmeric

Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. It protects the heart by lowering cholesterol, controlling blood sugars, and even lowering blood pressure.

Tip: Have turmeric in your tea or even in your favourite curry!

The bottom line is, start adding the foods mentioned above to your diet and see how your day
transforms from a good day to the best.

Corona Virus - What Are The Steps To Prevent Spread?

Dr Vivek Baliga, director of Baliga Diagnostics discusses Coronavirus, how it spreads and what you can do to prevent it spreading further.

Get the covid 19 antibody test in India here.

3 Things You Should Not Do If You Have Diabetes

If you have diabetes, then you will be aware that it is a condition that requires a drastic change in lifestyle. From diet to exercise to watching your weight, taking the right steps can make a big difference if followed diligently.

That being said, there are some ‘deadly’ sins when it comes to managing your diabetes. These are commonly encountered problems here in our clinic, and I thought I would address them today in this short and ‘sweet’ (yet diabetes safe!) article.

1. Eating Refined Carbs

Many patients of ours love to have biscuits with their sugarless tea or coffee. Often, they choose a ‘less sweet’ option, without realising that biscuits may contain refined carbohydrates (maida) and harmful fats. Instead, choose a sugar free biscuit that is made with whole meal. Alternatively, you could choose a good supplement drink for diabetes as well.They are widely available.

2. Just Doing Your Regular Work

Exercise is probably the most important part of managing diabetes. But many believe that regular household or professional work amounts to exercise. This actually amounts to ‘physical activity’ and not ‘exercise’. When you exercise, you considerably raise your heart rate and blood pressure. Your breathing rate increases, and you get significantly tired. You may be unable to speak. This is not the case with regular activity. Exercise is sustained over 30 – 45 minutes. The heart keeps pumping and the lungs keep expanding. This is not the case with physical activity. Make sure you understand the difference, and get in at least an hour a day of exercise 5 days a week. This will lower your blood sugar.

3. Not Eating On Time

This is a common ‘sin’ of diabetes. While we all lead busy lives, it is not really an excuse to miss meals or not take them on time. Every time you delay your meal, you tell your body that you are ‘starving’. This can change your metabolism completely. The glucose in your bloodstream gets converted to fat, as this can provide you more energy (back to the days of chemistry), leading to weight gain and worsening of diabetes. Instead, take your meals on time, and observe portion control. Small frequent meals are not a bad thing, provided they are balanced and nourishing.

These are 3 deadly sins of diabetes. Taking the right steps at the right time can not just lower sugar; it may even help you reverse diabetes completely. Speak to your doctor if you would like more advice. You could even check out this post if you wish to.

Diastolic Heart Failure - Dr Vivek Baliga, Baliga Diagnostics

In this brief presentation, Dr Vivek Baliga discusses the basics of diastolic dysfunction seen in clinical practice.

Dr Vivek Baliga - Diastolic heart failure - A complete overview from Dr Vivek Baliga

Connect with Dr Vivek Baliga on LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vivek-baliga-7b59b0125

For patient health articles, visit HeartSense Website

 

Dr Vivek Baliga - Finding The Best Healthcare Diagnostic Centers

Healthcare diagnostic centers play a vital role in the health industry by helping the doctors get various diagnostic reports of their patients. Not all the hospitals and healthcare facilities in the country will be able to house all the equipment they need because all the equipment come with a huge price tag. This is where healthcare diagnostic centers come as a great help. Moreover if every hospital and healthcare facility is going to house all the equipment they needed, then they would be underutilized not justifying the investment. It makes therefore more sense to have healthcare diagnostic centers whereby all the hospitals in and around a given area could make use of their services.

If you are a healthcare patient who has been asked to take any tests it is important to select the right diagnostic centers. There are many diagnostic centers across the country but not all of them are made equal. Before making use of any of these services you should invest enough time to identify the most trustworthy centers. Finding the most dependable healthcare diagnostic centers like Baliga Diagnostics, the one that belongs to Dr Vivek Baliga is important.

What are the important factors to be taken into account when you are selecting the best healthcare diagnostic centers? First to start with the diagnostic center that you are selecting should have all the latest equipment all in one place so that you do not have to visit multiple centers for various tests. It is important that the center also houses all the latest equipment available in the industry. Healthcare diagnostic industry is one of the fastest growing industries and various new equipment come into the industry regularly. The diagnostic center should make all the latest equipment accessible to people.

The healthcare diagnostic center should have qualified professionals to run the tests so that the test reports are accurate. They should have commitment towards the health and wellbeing of the patients who approach them for various test reports. If one takes the time to read Dr Vivek Baliga reviews and how the Baliga Diagnostic is run it is easy to notice the difference and in the commitment level of this diagnostic center in delivering the best services.

The commitment level of the healthcare diagnostic centers would nothing but a reflection of the commitment level of the leadership team of the respective center. Along these lines if Baliga Diagnostics is standing out among the rest then it is a mere reflection of Dr Vivek Baliga’s commitment level.

When you are selecting your healthcare diagnostic center try to pay attention to all these factors so that you enjoy the best healthcare services because you deserve the best. As far as the diagnostic reports are concerned one cannot take chances with the accuracy of the reports. It is therefore important that you find the most trustworthy centers. Once you manage to find a credible diagnostic center you will be able to use their services for your entire family’s healthcare needs. 

Dr. Vivek Baliga - The man to Taught Many to Dream Big

It’s the story of a man who taught the nation to dream big. 

A wonderful medical expert, Dr Vivek Baliga did his education from Sri Aurobindo Memorial School, Bangalore. He was an expert basketball player too who participated in his school’s basketball team. Later, he passed out from National College Jayanagar, Bangalore.

Sports and studies went hand in hand

He was a student from a science background, but his interest was also on playing various kinds of sports which led to his recognition as a badminton champion during 1994 in college. After successfully completing his studies in two years, Dr. Baliga enrolled himself in Manipal Academy of Higher Education during the year 1995. He pursued his career in studying medicine, and thus, studied Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). He graduated around the year 2000.

His inclination towards sports and basketball led him to play basketball at the academy too. Dr Vivek Baliga won a championship during the years 1999 and 2000 as well. He is a keen basketball player until today and believes that sports get to teach a person a lot about his life and achievements.

Expansion of education and passion for writing

Dr. Baliga started working for a doctorate as he focused on cardiovascular research. His expansion of education, thus, began from there. Presently, he is an associate of the Royal College of Physicians and also of Indian Academy of Echocardiography where he is the secretary of Karnataka division.

His passion for writing began when Dr. Vivek Baliga published many articles in many medical journals. During the year 2009, he had co-written a write-up in the famous medical journal called Prescriber. Prescriber is a magazine that is engaged in medical prescription and medical management as well. Here, Baliga mentioned about the acute coronary syndrome. The most downloaded article of Baliga was his write-up on Diabetes and heart failure which was published in Sage magazine about two years ago.

Passion for writing continues…

His passion for writing is also seen when he had co-written a write-up for the famous American Heart Association. There, he mentioned details about the effect of the levels of insulin receptor and also other factors which contribute to the sensitivity of insulin on the endothelial cells. Endothelial cells are a thin patch of cells that are found on the inner portion of certain vessels.

Dr Vivek Baliga reviews state that he has been in the team of some famous doctors in Mangalore who provided education to children and teachers as well about prevention of malaria. His love for sports urged him to take part in 10 kilometer Bupa Great Manchester Run where he also accepted donations for Chair Foundation and Desk.

His passion for writing still continues as he is the expert author on an online platform Medlife.com. As per Dr Vivek Baliga reviews, he provides with excellent information and consultation on medical management. His writings have been loved by many, and he has been a famous doctor as well as a down to earth person in his life.