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Can COVID-19 cause heart damage?

As the pandemic sees numbers climb across countries all over the world, one of the biggest concerns is what kind of impact the virus has on the body and its organs. Whether or not COVID-19 causes long-term damage is a reasonable concern, considering its severity.

Officially named SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus is similar to the Severe Acute Respiratory disease the world has seen in the past since the virus is related to it genetically. This is why it makes sense to look back at our history to understand the after-effects of the disease.

Studies show that previously the viruses of previous epidemics did cause heart damage, and when exacerbated, could result in heart failure or even multiple organ failure and septic shock. Since the coronavirus affects the lungs most severely, the small and delicate air sacs of the lungs can become inflamed. This can cause damage, causing them to fill with fluid or blood, eventually causing blocks in the airway. Even if this is healed, this can lead to irregular healing, resulting in the development of scar tissue. This process then disrupts the transfer and regular flow of oxygen, causing the heart to work overtime as immune responses are already slowed down.

This history tells us that COVID-19 may very likely cause heart damage even in patients who previously had no underlying heart conditions. In cases where patients are completely dependent on oxygen support, intubation, or even life support, the heart is bound to be impacted.

Heart patients should be cautioned to take proper care of themselves during these times and must exercise all possible safety measures which have been outlined by the World Health Organization. Proper handwashing, social distancing, and self-isolation should be observed by all. If a person near you is sick or exhibits any symptoms, it is crucial that they isolate themselves away from other members of the household, and that you get in touch with your nearest medical facilities to get tested. While the disease is not airborne, exposure to the droplets at any level can prove fatal, as witnessed with the rapid spread of the disease over the last several months, resulting in close to 800,000 cases worldwide, and counting.

Apart from the preventive measures proposed by the World Health Organisation, patients with heart conditions should ensure that they eat a balanced and nutritious diet with heart-healthy meals, get enough exercise, and ensure a proper full night’s sleep to keep their health and immunity up and in check.

If you or a loved one struggle with heart conditions, speak to a cardiologist to go over what other precautions you can take and how you can best take care of yourself in these uncertain times.

Cosmetologist near me- Best cosmetologist online on mfine

Ever considered going for a treatment to reduce hair fall or a skin issue? Or maybe you wanted to try out a new makeup product for a specific issue but weren’t sure if it would work? These are common situations that many of us may have been in. A cosmetologist can help you out. Cosmetologists specialize in beauty procedures related to your hair, skin and nails.

They combine their knowledge of the physiology of hair, nails and skin and cosmetics to recommend the best solution.

https://www.mfine.co/cosmetologists/

They recommend solutions in the following ways-

Hair: Taking care of your hair is quite an effort. But with a cosmetologist, you will get the best advice on hair care, styling techniques and managing conditions like premature greying of hair and more.

Nails: Right from maintaining the health of nails to styling them, a cosmetologist is committed to providing you the best solution.

Makeup: A cosmetologist will suggest the most suitable skincare products and makeup techniques for you to feel your best.

Skin: You may face dry skin and other skin-related issues for which a cosmetologist may suggest the best solution.

Cosmetology is the theory and application of beauty treatment. There are a variety of specialties that a cosmetologist can take up- hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures and pedicures and permanent hair removal processes.

It’s super easy to consult a cosmetologist on mfine– go to the app, sign up and click on a symptom/health issue you’re facing to get a list of doctors near you and choose one. You could even go to the ‘Specialities’ section and choose the one that’s suitable for you. You are guaranteed the most effective treatment/solution for your issue.

Neurologist Near Me – Consult the best Neurologist doctor online through mfine

Neurologists are doctors of the nervous system, mainly the brain and the spinal cord. They are the centres of function in your body. Thus, anything wrong with either of the two can result in problems in the entire body.

The common problems dealt by neurologists include coordination, muscle weakness, dizziness or confusion, or stress-related problems. If a part of your body feels weak after little or no exercise of it, it may be a symptom of muscle weakness and you should get checked by a neurologist. If you feel continuously dizzy, are easily confused about your surroundings, or have trouble moving your hand and legs in a coordinated way, a neurologist will help find and treat the issue causing these ailments.

https://www.mfine.co/neurologists/

Neurologists also deal with neurological conditions like epilepsy, sclerosis, brain or spinal cord injury, and brain tumour. They provide care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease, meningitis, Cysticercosis of Central Nervous System, any neurological abnormality etc. There are many other diseases and conditions that they diagnose, treat and give care for, like Paresthesia, Parkinson’s Syndrome, dementia and more.

It is easy to find speciality doctors like neurologists for consultation on mfine. Just go to the app or website, view the list of doctors and choose the one best for you. Or, you can use the “Find a doctor near me” option to get into touch with one of the doctors in your city face to face. You will get a free consultation, along with following up for the first seven days.

The neurosurgeon you select on mfine will recommend a range of tests to detect the severity of your condition and accordingly recommend the right treatment. In short, the team of experts will guide you from diagnosis to its treatment.

Atypical Chest Pain

Atypical chest pain is often confused with angina which is a cardiac condition. Unlike angina, atypical chest pain is discomfort in your chest that is not a result of a cardiac disease.

Although it can be an indication that something might be wrong with your cardiac system, there aren’t any test results confirming the presence of cardiac problems. Angina patients experience a crushing pain that feels like someone pressing their central sternum and the pain spreads across their left arm. Mostly, doctors diagnose for the occurrence of angina. If the results are negative for any cardiac problems, then, they start their diagnosis for other underlying causes of atypical chest pain.

The symptoms of atypical chest pain is the acute chest pain that lasts for minutes. It is a pricking pain that does not involve your heart. Moreover, gastroesophageal reflux and acid refluxes can also be a cause for atypical chest pain. With this type of chest condition, there is mainly one question while diagnosing. Is it a heart problem or pulmonary problem? Atypical chest pain is a consequence of pulmonary problem if fever accompanies shortness of breath. If pressure, anxiety and dyspnea are your symptoms, then you are prone to heart problems. Also, other external factors like physical exertion, hypertension, extreme emotions can cause atypical chest pain. It is important to note down the time, place and situation of your pain for better diagnosis of the reason for your chest pain. ECG and chest X rays are the primary diagnosis.
Sometimes, sufficient rest and sleep are vital for relieving your chest pain, especially if you have overexerted your body physically. Otherwise, with certain OTC medication, you can control the chest discomfort. However, if the chest pain is caused by depression, antidepressants are suggested for patients. Whatever the reasons may be, it is essential to consult with your doctor for medication and further treatments. Diagnosing the cause behind the chest pain is critical for future care. Also, list down the past history of health problems and inform your doctor as it gives a clue for the sudden occurrence of chest pain. Make sure to consult a heart doctor immediately if you have chest pain to prevent the onset of any further complications.

Non Cardiac Chest Pain

Non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is a sudden pain due to reasons that do not involve heart attack. Chest pain due to heart attack is often referred to as ‘angina pectoris’. A heart attack is a serious condition in which the blood vessels are blocked, preventing the blood flowing into the heart. But NCCP is a condition that is predominantly caused by a condition called Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). It is a state in which the acid flows backwards into the oesophagus, causing irritation that leads to NCCP. But there are also other reasons causing NCCP, which are lung infections, muscle spasms, stress, anxiety and hypertension. Sometimes, food gets stuck in the oesophagus due to muscle motility issues. Under such conditions also NCCP can be triggered.

The general symptoms of Non-cardiac chest pain are the typical crushing chest pain that spreads across the left arm. Sweat and fatigue are also common symptoms that accompany chest pain. Sometimes, you have a bitter taste in your mouth. Nausea and vomiting are rare symptoms, but can also show up in a few people. If acid refluxes are the cause of the NCCP, then chest pain can occur while eating. This pain can prolong from seconds to hours. Ensure to check with your Cardiologist for better treatment and cure.

General ECG and chest X-ray tests are done to confirm if the chest pain is Non-cardiac chest pain. Sometimes, blood tests are taken to verify the NCCP. Medications are based on your doctor’s advice. Depending on the causes of NCCP, your doctor will prescribe the required medicine. Like any heart disease, with simple lifestyle changes, you can prevent the occurrence of Non-cardiac chest pain. Regular walking, swimming and exercise are essential. Moreover, proper diet and timely meals are vital for preventing the onset of any disease like Non-cardiac chest pain.

It is best to consult a cardiologist if the pain does not reduce.

Types of Polio

Polio is short for Poliomyelitis and is caused by a virus that falls under Enterovirus C family. It is contagious, and people need to be protected from acquiring infections. Polio vaccination is the best protection against the disease. There are two main types of polio which are the Non-Paralytic and Paralytic type of polio. Paralytic type is further classified into two types. About 60 percent of the people acquire Post Polio Syndrome that develops over the years.

The first type is Non-Paralytic polio. It is called abortive polio and people who contract it do not show evident symptoms of polio. Patients with this type of infection often show symptoms like fever, vomiting, back pain, headache and neck pain. It is difficult to diagnose and often overlooked. Sometimes, the virus may affect the nervous system, in that case, stiffness in your back and neck are evident symptoms of non-paralytic polio. However, patients are not paralyzed in this type of polio.

The second type is the Paralytic polio which is a severe condition. However, only a few individuals are affected by this type. The virus directly affects the central nervous system and destroys the nerve cells. The motor cells are also ruptured, and thus, the effective functioning of the brain and coordination is ruptured. In this case, patients are paralyzed. Patients with paralytic polio often show a loss in reflexes, loose limbs and stiff muscles. It is further classified as:

Bulbar polio in which the virus attacks the medulla as a result of which there is a thick nervous accumulation. It leads to difficulty in swallowing and leads to a severe health condition.
Spinal polio is a type in which the infection localizes in the spinal cord. High spinal polio affects the muscles controlling breathing while the low spinal polio affects the lower limbs.

These are the main types of polio and protection against this disease is necessary to avoid the disease from spreading. This can also revert after years of recovery and hence, preventing the infection using polio vaccines is crucial.

Click on this link to know more about the types of Polio and other important vaccines for your child – https://www.mfine.co/vaccination-chart-for-babies-in-india/

Polio Symptoms

Polio is a viral infection that affects the nervous system and is highly contagious. It mainly affects people with a weak immune system. Children below the age of 5 years are prone to infections easily, and thus, it is vital to vaccinate your baby for polio. There are three types of Polio infection, and the symptoms correspond to the nature of polio that has affected you.

Non-paralytic polio is referred to as abortive polio. This type is mainly seen in young children and does not affect the Central Nervous System (CNS). It is a minor infection, and the symptoms are trivial. Generally, people affected by non-paralytic polio show symptoms like fever, nausea, fatigue, sore throat, and headache. Sometimes, it can also cause back and neck pain, muscle stiffness and infection in the membrane. Most of the times, people do not show any symptoms for polio but will still be carriers of the virus. This unnoticed type of polio can be spread without any knowledge of the individuals who are affected, and hence is essential to consult a doctor for polio vaccination.

Paralytic polio affects one percent of the infected individuals. It is a severe condition as the virus affects the nervous system and damages the neural network. In this case, the symptoms range from severe muscle ache and spasms, loss of reflexes and loose limbs.

Post-polio symptoms occur years after you have recovered from polio. Muscle pain and joint weakness gradually increase over the years. Muscle shrinkage, loss of breath, sleep-related issues, difficulties in cold temperature, mood swings and depression are some of the symptoms that develop as the post-polio symptoms. Since this takes years to take form, it is progressive and also difficult to cure. However, it is not contagious.

It is advisable to refer to a doctor before the infection aggravates. Also, proper medication is required for polio infected patients. Thus to avoid complications, vaccinations for polio is available to protect oneself from incurring diseases.

Click on this link to know more about Polio and other important vaccines for your child –
https://www.mfine.co/vaccination-chart-for-babies-in-india/

When to stop breastfeeding and introduce cow’s milk to babies

A common concern parents have is about when and how to introduce cow’s milk to babies. It is mandatory to breastfeed your baby until they are about one year old because breast milk has all the required nutrients and antibodies for your baby’s growth and protection. However, it is acceptable to feed your baby with infant formula milk. But it is strongly advisable to avoid cow’s milk for babies until they are one year old. This is because cow’s milk contains high amounts of proteins and minerals that your baby’s immature stomach cannot handle all of a sudden and might cause intestinal bleeding.

So, after you have started feeding solids, your baby’s digestive system is slowly getting accustomed to more amounts of nutrients. By the time, they would be one year, you can introduce cow’s milk for babies. Feed small quantities of cow’s milk initially by adding to cereals or fruits. Initially, you can mix the cow’s milk with breast milk to get your baby accustomed to cow milk. Later as the days pass by, you can reduce the proportions of breast milk until you baby is ready to have cow’s milk completely.

There are a lot of benefits of cow’s milk for babies. It is a rich source of calcium that increases bone density and strong teeth. It also helps in the healthy baby weight gain. Milk also provides the necessary proteins and minerals for growth. As parents, it is natural for you to be worried about allergic responses that your baby shows for cow’s milk. Firstly, introduce the cow’s formula, if your baby does not show any allergy, then he/she might not be allergic to cow’s milk. Incase your baby shows signs of allergy to formula milk, it is advisable to get the doctors consultation.

Although there are a lot of benefits with cow’s milk, make sure you gradually introduce in small amounts. Refer a doctor if you are planning to feed other combinations like soy milk or fat free milk. Be patient and give the required time for your baby to get accustomed to the cow’s milk.

For more details about Indian baby food chart – http://bit.ly/2zp6wIN

Postpartum Care

Postpartum stress is not easy to deal with and requires a lot of effort from the new mothers. It is important to be prepared for the physical and psychological stress that it can cause. Although your baby is positive energy for dealing with the pressure, you need to understand the problem and take required initiatives for postpartum care. Many stresses like weight gain, hormonal changes, disturbed sleep patterns and more contribute to postpartum anxiety.

Hormonal changes is the major contributing factor for postpartum stress. Some of the hormones that induce stress are:

Progesterone is an important hormone that helps in the development of your fetus. But, induces moodiness and lowers metabolism that adds to the stress leading to depression.
Next, is the prolactin which helps in the production of milk. However, higher amounts of prolactin reduce energy levels.
Similarly, oxytocin and relaxin are vital pregnancy hormones that cause postpartum stress in new mothers.

Signs that you are going through postpartum stress

The signs that you are going through postpartum stress include fatigue and frequent headaches. Next, if you have disturbed sleep patterns, then you are going through postpartum stress that adds on to the tiredness. Low metabolism is a common effect post-pregnancy that might lead to weight gain, which furthers adds to your depression.

Postpartum care

Postpartum care comes with the external helping hand from your family members. Although, as a mother, you would love to do everything that your baby needs, it is crucial to get enough rest. Take help from family whenever required and talk to them. Talking is the best way to release the stress out of your head and feel better. Make sure to exercise regularly. Start slow with simple exercises and later as your body gets accustomed, you can increase the workout.

As much as parenting a child is essential and requires patience from your side, postpartum care also requires the same patience and perseverance. Stay calm and get the necessary help to come out of the stress.

Also, check out our blog on what food is the most ideal for babies in India. We have prepared a complete baby food chart for that purpose. Here is a link to it – Indian Baby Food Chart

Baby Weight Gain – Food that is most ideal for them

One of the major concerns of parents about their baby is healthy weight gain. Parents always want to feed their baby with enough nutrients for their growth and development. So, parents generally are cautious about what they feed their baby. You can help in your baby weight gain by feeding him/her with homemade foods.

Infants usually weigh around 2.5 to 3kgs. However, they tend to lose weight after about a week. The best food for healthy baby weight gain in breast milk. Breastfeeding not only supplies all the required nutrients but also has elements for weight gain. Consistent Breastfeeding has shown to have significant effects on the gradual improvement in their growth.

BMI (Body Mass Index) is the metric to calculate the body mass to check if your baby is healthy with proper weight. There are ranges of the BMI values that are used to interpret if your baby is underweight, normal or overweight. BMI calculator is vital to track the growth of your child. Doctors generally use this as the mark to analyse how healthy your baby is growing.

By using the online BMI calculator, you can check for your baby’s BMI.Routine checkups are essential to keep a note of your baby’s growth patterns so that it helps you to make changes in your baby’s diet depending on their growth.

Ideal food for Baby Weight Gain

Foods that help in healthy weight gain in babies are fruits that have natural sugars. You can feed your baby with mashed fruits so that it is easy for them to swallow and digest. Eggs are the best source of proteins as well. Lentils, fish, rice with ghee and paneer are also other foods that help in healthy weight gain in your babies.

We have also prepared a Baby Food Chart which will help in understanding what food is best for babies.

Here is a link to our baby food chart – http://bit.ly/2zp6wIN