Undergoing Tests Before High Altitude Travel

If you are planning to travel to high altitude on foot or by car, you may want to undergo certain investigations to ensure whether you are fit enough or not. Y

ou may think that you are ‘too young’ to have any problems, but clinical studies have shown that people of any age can develop complications from high altitude travel.

Taking the right steps before you travel may just save your life.

Tests To Undergo 

There are no specific guidelines when it comes to what tests are needed, but there are some that your doctor may recommend.

A haemoglobin level is important, as a low level of haemoglobin can lead to breathlessness during physical exertion. An electrocardiogram will help determine if there is any problem with the heart. Patients with asthma may want to undergo a lung function test first and seek advice from their heart doctor about whether they should make their journey.

An echocardiogram can help determine if your heart is strong enough to withstand the high altitude, especially if you are planning a trek. If you do intend on walking a long distance, do consider undergoing a treadmill test.

This will help determine how strong your heart is and whether it would be able to withstand long walks.

In addition to that, a treadmill test will also help find out if there is any underlying heart disease. Cardiac risk assessment is quite important as the high altitude can place some stress on the heart.

In patients who have previously undergone stent insertion or bypass, a treadmill will help determine whether the heart can cope with additional stress.

The Best Exercises For Diabetes By Dr Vivek Baliga

A diagnosis of diabetes can be life changing. It requires a drastic change in both diet and lifestyle and makes an impact on the way you live your life.

However, there are certain simple strategies that you could adopt to make sure that your blood sugars remain under control. One such method is to have a structured exercise program.

Here are some of the best exercises that you can do if you wish to keep your blood sugar under control, boost your energy levels and improve your sleep pattern.

Walking

Walking is probably the best exercise that you can do to keep your diabetes under control. Not only does it help lower your blood sugars, it also helps strengthen your heart and reduce stress.

Currently, it is recommended that we walk at a brisk pace for at least 30 minutes every day. However, those with diabetes should walk up to 1 hour a day at a brisk pace. If it is not possible for you to do this at a stretch, divide your walking routine into 30 minutes each in the morning and in the evening.

Dancing

The trend for Zumba dancing has caught on recently. It is a fun way to get your daily dose of aerobic exercise and to burn sugars.

Dancing for around 30 minutes a day, three days a week can help lower your blood sugars, burn calories, lower your body weight and improve stress levels. Join as a class nearby and see how much fun can be!

Swimming

The best thing about swimming is that it does not place any stress on the joints of the body. Those people who have joint pains and are struggling to walk to lower the blood sugars should either take up swimming or simply walk in a swimming pool.

The resistance that the water provides can increase the heart rate and strengthen your heart as well. Studies have found that exercises like swimming can lower cholesterol levels and burn calories at a remarkable pace.

Cycling

You don't have to hit the road on the bicycle if you wish to keep your blood sugar is low. This could be dangerous in Indian traffic!

Instead, you could purchase a stationary bike or use the one in your local gymnasium. Riding a bike for about 30 minutes a day at a reasonable level of resistance can power up your heart and lower your blood sugar levels. It also is light on the knees and does not stress out your joints. Try and cycle at least five days a week to keep your diabetes under control.

Climbing stairs

A common aspect of maintaining good health that we often forget is climbing stairs. While it can be quite an effort and sometimes even very tiring, the calories that are burnt in climbing stairs are remarkable.

Not just that, it also strengthens your heart and your lungs. If you wish to lower your blood sugars and keep the diabetes under control, try and walk up and down stairs for just 3 minutes 1 – 2 hours after you have had a meal. Whenever possible, take the stairs and burn calories, not
electricity.

Lightweights 

When strength training i.e. lifting lightweights is combined with aerobic exercises, the benefits you reap are increased manifold. Make sure you combine your walking or other aerobic exercise routines with strengthening of your muscles and bones through light weight lifting. You could do this about 2 to 3 times a week. Simple exercises such as push-ups, squats and pull-ups are sufficient to keep the muscles and the bones strong.

Gardening

Gardening involves different movements such as walking, bending and kneeling, all of which can keep the blood flowing and the blood sugar burning. It can also help lower stress and is a great exercise you don't like traditional activities.

Hair Loss in Women - An Overview

Hair loss is a common problem in men. Hormones, ageing and many other factors play a role. Hair loss in women seems to be less common, but I do see many women in the clinic complaining of this problem.

The growth of hair occurs in 3 cycles – anagen, catagen and telogen. 90% of the hair on our heads is in the anagen phase, or growth phase. The rest are in the shrinking (catagen) or resting (telogen) phase. On an average, we all lose around 50 to 100 strands of hair every day.

We could lose up to 250 hair strands when washing our hair (not washing it does not change this – it will fall out eventually!).

So why do women lose hair? 

Hair loss can be a genetic problem in most cases. It usually affects the front of the head, making the forehead a lot more prominent. Close observation of the hair follicles using a magnifying glass shows both thin and thick follicles. This is a common cause of hair loss and is called androgenetic alopecia. It is a genetic condition that runs in the families.

So how can women realise that they are losing hair? 

What is normal and what is not? In men, hair loss tends to occur from the forehead, moving in a backward fashion. They can also lose hair around the crown, which is the spot on the back of the head.

In women, hair loss begins with thinning of hair around the top third of the scalp. The gap between
hair follicles increases gradually, and areas of the scalp begin to become visible. Normally, when hair loss occurs, the lost hair is replaced by a hair that is of the same size. When hair loss occurs in women, the new hair that grows is thinner and finer. In other words, the hair follicles begin to shrink and ultimately stop growing completely.

Conditions such as pregnancy, low hemoglobin levels, polycystic ovarian syndrome and thyroid disease can lead to hair loss. It is therefore essential to investigate these.

Treating hair loss is simple. Avoid hairstyles that involve pulling the hair back. The use of chemicals, blow dryers and flat irons can damage hair.

Toweling the hair aggressively when drying it can also cause hair loss. You may want to consider hair fall supplements for women.

The simple measures can reduce the loss of hair. Medical therapies are also available that can help these days.

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