Want To Prevent Arthritis? Here’s All You Need To Know To Plan Your Wellness

  The swelling and tenderness in the joints is Arthritis. It is accompanied by stiffness and joint pain, and it worsens with age. Not only does it impact your everyday life, but it also needs complete management to ease the pain and inflammation. With aging, it might also cause joint and organ damage. One way is to improve your quality of life and your lifestyle. 

Who is at risk of arthritis?

Some factors that increase arthritis risk:

• Family history
• Increasing age
• Gender
• Joint injury
• Being overweight

Types of arthritis:

The major types of arthritis are:

• Osteoarthritis 
• Rheumatoid arthritis 
• Psoriatic arthritis 

All of them are different from each other but they are similarly painful and entails deformity and organ damage.

Signs and symptoms of arthritis:

The signs and symptoms of arthritis depend on the type of arthritis. They may commonly include:

• Pain
• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Redness
• Decreased range of motion

 

How is arthritis detected?

• A physician supervises the signs and symptoms
• Performs physical examination to check for swollen joints 
• Uses blood tests and x-ray for confirmation

 

How to prevent arthritis?

Arthritis is not always preventable. However, there are some healthy lifestyle habits that can be adopted to reduce the risk of developing painful joints. Follow these lifestyle modifications to prevent arthritis:

• Manage weight - lose the extra weight if needed
• Quit addictions - give up smoking and alcohol
• Exercise daily - be physically active
• Eat healthy - consume a balanced and nutritious diet
• Protect your joints from injury - take care while sitting, working, and lifting things to protect joints from strains
• Take action to prevent other diseases - go for yearly health checkups

 

Click here to know where to find the best complete body health checkup in your city that has all the tests for detecting arthritis.

Keep An Eye On These Common Signs Of Vitamins And Minerals Deficiency

A balanced and nutritious diet is suggested by doctors and dieticians. But do you know what that diet should be?

A balanced diet helps you maintain a healthy body. It provides your body with essential nutrients like water, micronutrients like vitamins and minerals, macronutrients, and calories. 

Not getting the required amounts of micronutrients like vitamins and minerals have adverse effects on your health. It might range from minor fatigue to serious illnesses. Let’s see what are the signs and symptoms caused by the deficiency of vitamins and minerals:

·        Night blindness

·        Dry skin 

·        Acne-like bumps 

·        Colour blindness

·        Recurring conjunctivitis

·        Macular degeneration

·        Ridges on nails

·        Coarse hair

·        Bleeding gums

·        Poor wound healing

·        Recurring cold and flu

·        Anemia

·        Obesity

·        Depression

·        Low bone mineral density

·        Osteoporosis 

·        Retinopathy and cataracts

·        Fertility issues

·        Muscle contractions and cramps

·        Tingling in fingers and feet

·        Restless leg syndrome

·        Eyelid spasms

 

Your body needs various vitamins and minerals for proper growth, and development of the body, and also to prevent chronic health conditions. All these micronutrients are not produced by your body on their own that is why you have to get them from your food. However, the amount of your nutrient consumption depends on your age, current health, and lifestyle. Not getting enough vitamins and minerals increases the risks of your body being nutrient deficient.

It is imperative to keep an eye on the consumption and absorption of micronutrients in your body. Most of these micronutrients interact with each other and sometimes hinder each other’s absorption. Hence, it leads to deficiency and further serious health conditions. 

 

You can know your micronutrient levels with full-body health checkups. Such health checkups analyze your Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, infections, and also other health issues like heart diseases, liver function, and cancers. 

Know your micronutrients status now with a complete body health checkup in your city.

  

Vitamins And Minerals Play An Important Role In Your Health

Vitamins and minerals are essential for your body. They are involved in multiple functions of the body that make up your health. Consuming a balanced diet is the best way to get the required amounts of vitamins and minerals. There are about 30 micronutrients that your body needs but can not produce on its own. 

 

The role of vitamins in your body:

• Produces energy
• Releases energy
• Protects eyesight
• Builds cells and proteins
• Collagen building
• Bone formation 
• Protects the body

 

The role of major minerals in your body:

• Iron is required to carry oxygen throughout your body
• Fluoride strengthens your bones and prevents tooth decay
• Zinc is needed to increase immunity and helps the blood in clotting
• Copper helps in iron metabolism and creating hemoglobin
• Other trace minerals also help in blocking damage to the cells

 

Differences between vitamins and minerals

Both vitamins and minerals are micronutrients, but they have differences. While vitamins are organic - they can be broken down by external interference; minerals on the other hand are inorganic and don’t lose their chemical structure. To say it simply, it’s difficult to get vitamins from food sources as cooking, or exposure to air can inactivate them. However, minerals can be absorbed by your body through plants, fish, and other things you eat.

 

An adequate amount of micronutrients is required by your body to perform all its functions and be healthy. Diseases such as scurvy, rickets, beriberi, pellagra, etc. are caused in case of vitamin and mineral deficiency. Ensure that you consume a balanced and nutritious diet, and follow a healthy lifestyle. 

 

Regular full body health checkups are also necessary to know the current state of micronutrients in your body, and if there are any diseases that are caused by it. Find the best health checkup package that has tests for vitamin and mineral deficiency.

The Importance Of Early Diagnosis Of Lifestyle Diseases

Non–communicable diseases (NCDs), more commonly known as lifestyle diseases are increasing the economic and death burden for our country. They are responsible for more than 80% of the deaths. Diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular conditions, liver cirrhosis, diabetes, etc. are fatal NCDs. 

 

What causes lifestyle diseases?

As the name suggests, they mostly develop because of your lifestyle. Given below are the reasons behind such diseases:

• Being overweight or obese 
• Deficiency of essential vitamins and minerals in the diet
• Consumption of tobacco 
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Physical inactivity or sedentary lifestyle
• Unhealthy food habits

 

How to detect and manage these NCDs?

It is important to note that early detection is required for quicker and easier treatment, and cure/management.  

Early diagnosis of NCDs is favorable from both economic and healthcare point of view. Knowing about a developing lifestyle disease at an early age lowers the cost of treatment, medication and other medical interventions. Also, these diseases don’t show symptoms hence it is essential to go for full body health checkups at regular intervals. Detection of NCDs in their later stages requires invasive treatments, greater costs, family trauma, and loss in life.

 

Early diagnosis through complete body checkup helps in:

• Lesser invasive medical evaluations 
• Better and quicker treatment
• Expediting the timeline for a cure
• Reducing out of the pocket expenditure
• Improving chances of survival, especially for cancer patients

 

Types of full body health checkups:

• Complete body checkup - you can get done from a diagnostic centre or a hospital. All your organs and blood are tested to analyse the status of your current health.
• Comprehensive lab checkup - this a blood workup that can also be done from home. It checks major health conditions so that you can take corrective actions for any developing NCDs. 

 

You should choose the tests in your full body checkup package according to your age, and your current health conditions. Want to know the best full body health checkup packages near you?

Why Is Regular Health Checkup Important During The Coronavirus Pandemic

 The sudden capture of the world by the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that our health is very important to be assessed at regular intervals to prevent diseases. Having underlying lifestyle health conditions such as diabetes, heart ailments increase the complications of coronavirus infection. Hence, taking precautions to protect our health and preventing these lifestyle diseases is essential.

 

Prevention is not only better than cure, it also helps in the cure!

Life-threatening health conditions can be treated and cured if they are detected at an early stage. The best way to detect them early is through regular health checkups.

 

Benefits of regular health checkups:

·        You get a complete assessment of your current health status

·        The risk of developing the disease is reduced as you can modify your lifestyle to prevent them

·        Any potential health conditions are detected early, thus beast treatment possibility can be started in consultation with your physician, hence easy cure

·        Treatment cost is low

·        Loss of life can be prevented

·        The risk of complications and developing other health conditions is reduced

·        You are at peace of mind knowing the health status of your body

·        Your quality of life improves

 

Which tests your checkup package should include?

Health checkups should start at an early age. The tests that you should take depends on your age and current health conditions. It will help you take pre-emptive actions for preventing the diseases. Health checkups should ideally be once a year. However, if you already have any diseases, you should consult your physician on the regularity of your tests. The quality of the diagnostic centre or hospital offering the health checkup package is also important. 

 

Find out the best health checkup packages for you, and the state of the art diagnostic centres in your city.

 

DNA TEST - LIFE SAVING GIFT FOR YOUR LOVED ONES

Unwrapping gifts is fun - but unboxing your DNA is interesting!

The information contained in your DNA can do wonders to improve your health and life. With a DNA test like DNAwise, you can know your genetic predisposition/risk about your health, fitness, nutrition and habits, categorized into low, medium, high or typical. Your genetic test report empowers you with critical information about yourself, you can use that to make changes to your exercise routine and start eating healthy according to the fitness and nutrition required by your body.

With Indus Health Plus’ DNAwise, you can:

• Know the blueprint of your genes - helps you in understanding what your body needs
• Modify your lifestyle based on genes - make changes in your food and exercise routine according to your genetics
• Prevent the diseases your genes are predisposed to - change your habits and add regular checkups to your routine

You can empower your family and friends with such powerful information about themselves by gifting them DNAwise. Here are the times when you can gift DNAwise:

• Birthdays
• Anniversaries
• Valentine’s Day
• Holi
• Diwali
• Christmas
• Eid

Well, every occasion you can think of! DNAwise can be gifted to people of all ages. It’s a one-time genetic test; it is user friendly, and can be taken from home. This non-invasive, painless test is done by taking a saliva sample. DNAwise gives a probability of your future health. Benefits of DNAwise:

• Saliva based 
• User friendly
• Do-it-yourself at home
• For all age groups
• Latest technology 
• High quality reports
• Tests on health, fitness , nutrition & habit
• Genetic counselling
• E-reports
• Personalization of lifestyle & health checkups

Gift DNAwise to your family to help them in staying healthy, and live longer. 

Place an order for DNAwise genetic test today.

YOU MIGHT HAVE POTENTIAL RISKS OF DEVELOPING DIABETES

Among the several causes of type 2 diabetes, your genetics and lifestyle are the most significant. A combination of these factors cause insulin resistance which is the most common cause of type 2 diabetes.

Genetics & Type 2 diabetes 

Diabetes can be hereditary - but that doesn’t mean that if one of your parents has it, you will also develop it. It signifies, you have more chances of developing diabetes.

Lifestyle & Type 2 diabetes 

In the cases where you have a genetic predisposition of diabetes, if you take good care of your food & fitness choices, you may not develop diabetes. Certain lifestyle choices highly influence how well your body uses insulin.

How to know your risks for developing Type 2 diabetes 

Certain genetic mutations lead to a risk of type 2 diabetes. If you know about your genetic likelihood of developing diabetes, there might be an opportunity to modify your lifestyle and thereby prevent the disease.

Predictive genetic tests like DNAwise reports your risk of developing diabetes.

• The reports of your DNA test can help your doctor to plan your health checkups to prevent/delay the disease, explain the symptoms to watch out for, and guide you about the lifestyle changes you need to make. 
• Your genetic test report empowers you with critical information about yourself, you can use that to make changes to your exercise routine and start eating healthy according to the dietary fibre and nutrition required by your body. 
• Your reports are explained to you by a Counsellor who provides preventive recommendations (based on the results) like screening for some cancers, scheduling specific or annual health checkups. 
• DNAwise test includes a varied range of parameters, including type 2 diabetes that help you in knowing yourself more and create an action plan for your overall well being. 

DNAwise report consists of tests on health, nutrition, habits and fitness. For each of these tests, we report your genetic predisposition/risk. The genetic predisposition/risk is categorized into low, medium, high or typical. Once you have this report in your hand, you can create an action plan to prevent the onset of diabetes.

Order DNAwise genetic test today to prevent yourself from diabetes.

NOW CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME

Your Health is a result of your Genetics and your Lifestyle - genetics can’t be changed, but you can change your lifestyle. With the advancements in technology, you can now know your genetic information, and create a lifestyle that best suits your body.

The process is called genetic testing or DNA testing. Most people don’t know the real benefits of genetic testing - some think it’s only to find parentage or trace a criminal! DNA testing can render the knowledge of our past health history along with an ability to analyze and match our profiles with a massive peer group that helps to come up with rightful recommendations. Today, this technology is capable of telling us everything - which serious disease may overwhelm us, to how to personalized diet & fitness plan.

WHO report estimates that Non-communicable diseases account for 60 lakh deaths i.e. 63% of all deaths. There are various factors which increase the risk of the onset and progression of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) - to name a few: genetics, lifestyle/behavior, environment, age, physiology, metabolism, etc. It is imperative to note that genetics is one of the key non-modifiable risk factors. Your genetics along with other factors determines your health. On the other hand, modifiable risk factors like lifestyle or behavior especially pertaining to nutrition or food habits and fitness levels helps in controlling diseases. Interestingly the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, i.e. lifestyle and genetics, interact to yield numerous health outcomes. A genetic risk in combination with an unfavorable lifestyle can increase the risk of NCD for an individual. In contrast, a favorable lifestyle can attenuate the genetic risk of NCDs.

DNAwise is a genetic test that identifies the genetic risks or predisposition of individuals. It is a non-invasive, painless test with the following benefits:

• Saliva based 
• User friendly
• Do-it-yourself at home
• For all age groups
• Latest technology 
• High quality reports
• Tests on health, fitness , nutrition & habit
• Genetic counselling
• E-reports
• Personalization of lifestyle & health checkups

Know more about DNAwise and the importance of changing lifestyle to live longer & have good health.

The Need Of Genetic Testing In Lifestyle Modification

Genetic Testing estimates genetic risks or predispositions to various diseases and traits based on your DNA. As DNA is considered to be the blueprint of life, knowing your DNA through a genetic test opens up an array of information related to you, as an individual. This may range from genetic variations related to health traits, such as weight gain/loss, metabolism, and dietary tendencies like a requirement of Antioxidants, Gluten sensitivity and much more. Some of these tests claim to deliver information such as health risks, nutrition, fitness, skincare, and even your food preferences, based on variations in your genetics. It lets you personalize everything according to what suits you the best.

If you opt for a direct-to-consumer genetic test like DNAwise, you receive a detailed report on the basis of your DNA which helps you to:

• Understand your genetic makeup
• Personalize your lifestyle by making changes in your diet and fitness plan
• Delay or prevent the onset of diseases by observing relevant symptoms & planning regular health checkups

DNAwise test includes a varied range of parameters, including health risks that help you in knowing yourself more and create an action plan for your wellbeing. Some health risks are passed down genetically, however, most diseases these days are a result of a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and unhealthy diet. Personalized genetic testing analyses genes to identify biological markers that help scientists locate genes that are linked with the disease.

Genetic testing very beautifully completes the circle of prevention. Genetic risk towards developing a disease can be avoided or delayed by making proper dietary and fitness modifications. It wouldn’t be an understatement if we say, ‘genetic testing, preventive health checkup, and lifestyle modifications can prevent a disease from happening.’

Is genetic testing an easy process?

DNAwise involves a play of highly advanced technology and analytical minds at the background, but for the user, it’s a simple process – done through a sample of saliva. The users can collect the samples themselves and send it via mail. It doesn’t require a doctor’s suggestion and often used as a gift of health for close ones. You know your genetic risk for several diseases & traits sitting at home and also get the results as an online report.

How is the personalization of lifestyle possible on the basis of a genetic test?

Your genes have multifold implications on your health. It is decoded into your genetic test report, hence it’s important to understand it accurately for its actual utility. To explain the report along with the associated health checkup strategies and appropriate lifestyle modifications, a certified genetic counselor comes into play. Post that counseling, the report can be effectively put to use for altering the lifestyle according to your genetic requirement. Your physician, dietician, fitness trainer, can help you adapt the lifestyle by outlining further steps. Order DNAwise genetic test today to change your lifestyle according to what suits your body.

Genetic Disorder Statistics in India

The occurrence of genetic disorders in India is increasing at an alarming rate. Genes play a crucial role in transmitting various genetic disorders from one generation to the other. Certain diseases are passed from parents to children. Some genetic disorders are community specific because of certain mutations in the same gene pool.
One or more abnormal changes in DNA can cause a genetic disorder. Control and management of genetic disorder depend on the identification of genetic variants in the genome causally linked with the disease. There are hundreds of different genetic disorders reported in India. Some of the most common genetic disorders observed in India are:

• Down Syndrome
• Thalassemia
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• Tay-Sachs disease
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy
• Hemophilia A

Epidemiology of Genetic  Disorders in India

A load of genetic disorders is high in certain communities due to the practice of consanguineous marriages in those communities. In cities, congenital malformations and genetic disorders are the main reason behind morbidity and mortality.

Some genetic disorder statistics in India are listed below:

• The carriers of genetic disorders live a healthy life and may never show any symptoms throughout life. However, if both parents are carriers of mutated gene the risk of the infant being affected is as high as 25%.
• According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, over eight crore people suffer from genetic conditions.
• A study reported the birth defect pervasiveness in India as 64.4 per 1000 live births.
• The most common birth defect observed is musculo-skeletal disorders and neural tube defects.
• A study reports that non-consanguineous couples were prone to transmission to their offspring by almost 6%.
• Statistics show that 1 in every 25 individuals suffer from cystic fibrosis but shows no symptoms.
• The frequency of Down syndrome was 0.87 per 1000.
• Beta-thalassemia has shown a frequency of 1:2700 at birth, which means that approximately 9,000 cases of thalassemia major are born each year.
• Sickle cell anemia affects 1 in every 150 live births. Almost 5200 infants are born with this disorder every year.
• Spinal muscular atrophy affects approximately 1 in 10,000 newborns, and about 1 in every 50 live births is a genetic carrier for the disease.
• There are about 17,000 hemophiliacs in India.

The figures state that it is high time we should consider genetic screening for early detection and preventive strategy planning.  It is not possible to cure genetic conditions but it is crucial to identify the predisposition to diseases and reduce the risk of mortality. Genetic testing helps us plan our health checkups and screening for any familial genetic condition

Let's Talk About PCOS: Signs, Symptoms And Treatment

What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age. PCOS affects your child-bearing ability, irregular menstrual cycle and production of excess male hormone (androgen). This syndrome increases health risks to develop diabetes and high blood pressure. Excessive androgen may stimulate hair growth and acne.

Signs And Symptoms Of PCOS

A few women observe PCOS symptoms around the time they have their first period. Only a few of them discover these signs of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) when they face trough getting pregnant or they’ve gained too much weight. 

Common PCOS symptoms are:

• Heavy bleeding and irregular periods
• Hirsutism or excessive hair growth
• Acne breakouts
• Male-pattern baldness
• Weight gain
• Darkening of the skin
• Severe headaches

PCOS Causes

The exact risk factors or causes of PCOS are not known. The factors that might play a major role are as stated below:

• Heredity or genetic factors:
• Excessive insulin: Increase in the production of insulin in the cells causes an increase in androgen (male hormone) production. This phenomenon interferes with ovulation.
• Excess androgen production: Resulting in acne and hirsutism.
• Low-grade inflammation: Low-grade inflammation of cells stimulates the polycystic ovaries to generate more androgens. This problem can lead to heart and blood vessel health risks.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of PCOS is done in three steps as mentioned below:

• A pelvic exam by the physician
• Blood tests to measure hormone levels in the body
• An ultrasound to check the appearance of your ovaries and the thickness of the lining of your uterus

If your doctor diagnosis PCOS he might recommend additional tests for complications.

Polycystic Ovary Disease (PCOS) Treatments

Treatment includes:

Birth control pills: Estrogen and progestin regulate hormone balance and ovulation.

Metformin: Treats PCOS by regulating insulin levels.

Clomiphene: This is a fertility drug that improves the chances of pregnancy. However, it also increases the risk of multiple births.

Hair removal medicines: Eflornithine cream, laser hair removal, and electrolysis can use used

Surgery: Ovarian drilling.

PCOS can disrupt a women’s fertility and other side effects like hair growth and acne. This disease can be detected early if you opt for regular preventive health checkups. To book an appointment for complete health checkup package fill in the inquiry form below.

Share The Gift Of Health - Best Valentine Gift 2019

Rather than gifting a bunch of roses, chocolates or over sized soft toys to your Valentine offer them some healthy and downright useful gifts this year. Think an extra mile to choose some lovely healthy Valentine’s gifts for your honey. There are endless thoughtful and healthy Valentine’s Day gift ideas to show you care.

Here’s what you should look forward to:

1. The Fit Bit

You must be overwhelmed with so many varieties of fitness trackers available on the market. Have you ever thought of gifting it to your partner on Valentine’s Day? The Fit Bit can be an ideal choice for this special occasion. The device is one of the best healthy Valentine’s Day gifts you can present to a fitness lover.

2. An Active Getaway

Does your sweetheart endeavor adventurous retreats? If yes, you can surprise your partner with an active gateway package. The thrill and excitement of an adventurous run or trek will give you an exhilarating vacation out from your daily schedule. You may also take cooking classes as healthy Valentine’s gifts for your spouse. These healthy memories will stay forever!

3. Essential Oils

You might have gifted a pack of yummy and healthy dark chocolate to your valentine before. This time try something different. Your health-conscious lover will admire a pack of essential oils. You may also indulge in a romantic oil massage to set up the mood. Orange, Lavender, Palmarosa, and Chamomile are some great choices to spark your mood.

4. Fitness Equipment

Gift your beloved a new set of weights, a tech-savvy smartwatch, resistance bands or a fancy sports jacket on Valentine’s Day. These are amazing healthy Valentine’s Day gifts that will brighten up your sweetheart’s day. You may pair these up with a greeting card or a rose, packed with lots of love!

5. Health Checkup Package

Are you still trying to figure out the finest healthy Valentine’s Day gifts for your partner? Have you bought a preventive health checkup package yet? No! Then head straight to your nearest health center and book a fitness checkup package to suit your needs.

It’s Valentine’s Day and you have to make sure your beloved is healthy and safe. Sweets and roses will perish soon, but a healthy valentine gift idea would be enjoyed for a lifetime. Get full body checkup packages for your loved ones now.